Maudie is the critically acclaimed and superbly acted autobiographical story of Nova Scotian Maud Lewis who is now regarded as one of the best folk artists ever in Canada. In spite of challenging family circumstances, severe arthritis and a complex relationship with Everett her husband she found happiness in painting the beauty she experienced in her surroundings while living most of her life in a very small house with Everett.
On Wednesday May 17th from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., an Associate gathering was held via the telephone. This has long been a practice in the U.S. and I thought it could work well for us in eastern Canada, where some associates are geographically isolated and /or house bound. The program for the evening is mailed by post or electronically so that everyone has time to read and ponder the passages and questions. We opened our gathering with the Visitation Chapter Prayer. Our two readings included Day One from Hostages with God: Journal of Sister Gilberte Bussière, CND and Luke 1:39-56. Following some lively discussion, the associates made their Commitment Renewal and we ended with a Franciscan Blessing. Our second gathering is scheduled for June 21st, 2017 when we will discuss Pope Francis’ TED Talk: Why the only future worth building includes everyone. We will break for July and August and beginning in September we will work through Hostages with God: Journal of Sister Gilberte Bussière, CND. It is my hope that we can have other groups here in the east and then.
Remember us in your prayers,
What’s that? In our time, we are so used to knowing a church as a building, we don’t even think of anything else. Bible scholars point out that the word “church” was used to describe a family. We read that the church is called “God’s household” (1 Timothy 3:15). Followers of ‘the Way” shared common meals. (Acts 2:46-48). People lived life together (Acts 2:44-46) and as a family, were expected to care for and love one another deeply (1 Peter 1:22). Not surprisingly then, the New Testament churches typically met in the homes of believers to share stories and memories and food. CNWE–NB (Catholic Network for Women’s Equality) enjoyed a House Church event last Friday in Fredericton.