Next Steps from the Peoples' Climate March - Global Frackdown Day
The real test of success for the People's Climate March (New York City on September 21) will be on the concrete follow-up for change. Our first opportunity was the Global Frackdown Day. At our meeting this summer, the Congregation of Notre Dame Social Justice Network made the decision to endorse the International Frackdown Day which took place on October 11, 2014. We have been invited to take action by praying or doing advocacy.
Vocation Fair of the Kingston Archdiocese
On Saturday and Sunday of the last September weekend, the annual Vocation Fair of the Kingston Archdiocese was held at Holy Rosary Church in Belleville, Ontario. All the religious communities of men and women in the archdiocese took part in what was an exceptional and creative display of their life and ministry in Canada and around the world. The Congregation of Notre Dame was beautifully and interestingly represented thanks to the hard work of Sisters Rosemary Shannon, Rosemary Brosseau, Denise Bérubé, and Sheila Sullivan. Besides the Religious Communities, the Diocesan Priesthood, Permanent Diaconate and various pastorally oriented organizations such as the Catholic Women’s League, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Birthright, and several other organizations invited people to share their gifts in service of God and their neighbour. The visitors to the exhibits were interested and eager to hear from the organizers about the community they were presenting. So we continue to pray to “the Lord of the harvest...”
STUDY OF HEALING THE CHURCH BY SISTER NUALA KENNY
As a result of sessions initiated by The Martha Spirituality Center and Fr. John Lacey, some of the lay people who participated became committed to continue this process in the diocese. A series of sessions began on Monday September 22 in St. Francis of Assisi Parish in which a total of 20 lay people were present including the coordinating committee, of which I am a member. It was so hopeful to see this initiated by members of St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Cornwall; five of whom are, of course, on the coordinating team. I was very happy to be invited to be part of the team. We all agreed we were off to a good start. People shared openly regarding how the scandal had affected them and members of their families and their desire to be part of the process of healing.
