Recently, I had the opportunity to have lunch at The Convent. For those of you who may not know, that is the new name given to the New Dawn Centre for Arts and Culture, the former Holy Angels Convent in Sydney. No, I was not downstairs in the old kitchen; I was upstairs in the new Better Bite Café, in the space that once was the sisters’ community room. This café is but one of the many projects operating out of our former Congregation de Notre-Dame convent. It is a venture whose profits go back into funding some of New Dawn’s valued community undertakings, many of which would be dear to the heart of former Congregation de Notre-Dame residents, and very much in keeping with our continued mission of liberating education. New Dawn’s mission of creating a culture of self-reliance through social innovation translates into creating an environment in The Convent for the development of music, art, and drama, not to mention providing culinary education and training for the healthy “meals on wheels” program and other socially conscious endeavours.
Following the announcement, last May, of the passing of Sister Louise Côté (S.S.-Claire-des-Anges), the sisters of the Congregation of Notre Dame had to postpone the funeral due to the health measures imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic. The ceremony in memory of Sister Louise is therefore taking place on September 17, 2020.
Summertime Event in Woodstock, August 19, 2020
Congrégation de Notre-Dame Associates gathered in Woodstock, on the pool patio at the home of Helen. We received two new Associates, Myrna and Ellen. Marjorie Allison-Ross led us in a prayer service that included a reading from Marguerite’s Writings, a poem from Janet Malone’s work, and an inclusive listing of prayer intentions ranging from local concerns to issues from the peripheries. Father Martin Arputham, newly installed pastor, was present to share in our celebration. He appreciated learning about Saint Marguerite and Congrégation de Notre-Dame Associates.
Bouquets of daisies were presented to the new Associates, to Helen, our hostess, and to the “out-of-town” Sister, myself.
Sister Eleanor McCloskey, CND