During April, we gave three day retreats on “Discovering the Charism of Marguerite in the Stories of our Lives”. The goal of the retreat was to encourage Associates and others who attended to realize the connections of their own life events with the stories of Marguerite’s and Mary’s lives.
Staten Island
On April 1st, six Associates and three Sisters gathered in the beautiful chapel of Notre Dame Academy, Staten Island. All expressed gratitude for extended time for prayer, quiet and sharing. Some remarks from the evaluation of the day were: “Listening to each other becomes ‘graced time.’” “All our stories are so unique but similar.” “I learned and confirmed that I am not alone, especially in difficult moments. I have good friends here.”
“Bring flowers of the rarest, bring flowers of the fairest. From garden and woodland and hillside and dale; Our full hearts are swelling our glad voices telling The praise of the loveliest flower of the vale. O Mary, we crown thee with blossoms today, Queen of the Angels, Queen of the May, O Mary, we crown thee with blossoms today, Queen of the Angels, Queen of the May.” The familiar words of this hymn echoed in the Chapel of Lourdes Health Care Center after Liturgy on May 4, 2017. Our own Sr. Marie Elaine Lachance walked from her wheel chair to do the honors of “the crowning.” We thought this role very fitting for Sister Marie Elaine: her Marian name, her membership in the Congregation of NOTRE DAME, and her deep devotion to the Rosary. And as she said “I wore appropriate colors, a blue shirt and white top!” Once again Marie Elaine makes us happy and proud!
I am delighted to report that we sent a check to First Friends. There is a certain irony that in response to President Trump’s anti-immigrant policies, more groups are reaching out to First Friends with contributions of materials for the folders they distribute. So, The “Have a Heart” Campaign funds will be used primarily to provide phone cards for those in detention. Sr. Marilyn Medinger and I met with the staff at First Friends in early April. Thank you to all who supported the Campaign. Marilyn and I are going to Chicago to attend the Annual Conference on Immigration sponsored by Sisters and Brothers of Immigrants.
On April 1st the CRC-STOP anti-trafficking coalition co-sponsored a Conference at St. John’s University. About 250 people participated. It was our best attended conference to date and our most diverse audience.
Cathy Molloy and I also attended the Trinity Institute on Water Justice. There were several wonderful presenters. The videos are now available. I recommend watching the talks of Katharine Hayhoe and Archbishop Thabo Makgoba. https://www.trinitywallstreet.org/videos/recent?page=5
Maude Barlow also spoke.
On April 29, I participated in a “Sister March” in New Haven.