Remembrance Day is about remembering civilians and military personnel whose efforts and sacrifice made it possible for us to experience the peace we have in our country and to live the values we cherish. We are grateful. Many of us choose to wear artificial poppies in these days before November 11; red poppies symbolize the memory of those who died and white poppies stand for non-military conflict interventions. On November 11, whether we pray in groups with other Canadians or by ourselves, we remember.
On Sunday, November 6, the Liturgy Committee of the Sisters of Providence Motherhouse, Kingston, presented a Workshop entitled, “What It Means to Be An Inclusive Church.” It was attended by the sisters of the city, associates and members of the Sunday assembly.
As I look back on my experience of the General Chapter, two words keep surfacing to describe how the Chapter delegates moved from one part of the chapter to the next. The two words? ‘Guided flow.’
The initial trickles of this ‘flow’ started long before we gathered in Cornwall. All of us contributed to the beginning flow as sisters and associates gathered in their respective provinces and regions for pre-Chapter work. Twelve magnificent letters captured the essence of who we are as Congregation de Notre Dame sisters and associates.
Upon my return home, one sister asked: “What did you do during all that time?”
We have learned there are 2,000 detained immigrants in a detention center and in county jails in the New York Metro area- within 10 miles of the Statue of Liberty. We can help them in a few ways. For now, pray for them and encourage others to pray for them. People in detention often feel isolated from their families and in despair about their future. In collaboration with First Friends, an interfaith group in Kearney, New Jersey, we plan to provide the resources which will allow detained immigrants to communicate with family and friends. The timing of our Campaign will focus on St. Valentine’s Day.
