From the 4th to the 6th of February, the CND community of Guancasco in Santa Bárbara, Cristina Castellanos Berbena, Cruz Idalia Nieto Molina, and Bertha Lilian Barrera Ramírez had an enriching Visitation experience with Sisters Pedrina Barrera and Maria Luisa Hernandez, Franciscans of the Immaculate Conception, María Isabel López Guardado, Missionary Crusader of the Church, Rosa Isela Rodríguez Hernández and Marcela Cundafé Cruz, Capuchin Tertiaries of the Holy Family, two young women who had visited San José de Oriente just after the flood emergency and a young woman from the Youth Pastoral Council.
We visited the neighbourhoods of Gracias a Dios, La Soledad, Los Anises, Río Hondo, and the villages of San José de Oriente and La Huerta (El Zapote).
We would like to share part of our experiences.
Kingston Providence Motherhouse News
If one is good, two is better according to the Sisters of the Congregation de Notre-Dame at Providence Motherhouse. Seventeen sisters gathered to celebrate Patricia McCarney’s 92nd birthday and to anticipate the Feast of the Visitation. This was the first gathering of the group since COVID-19 claimed a part of our lives. We very much regretted that three in our group were unable to join. Our attention was drawn to a beautiful center piece featuring Mary and Elizabeth and the traditional marguerites arranged by Marijke. Patricia Arsenault called us into a short period of reflection centered on appropriate words from the Constitution before we renewed our vows. A tasty and delicate luncheon prepared by Marijke was enjoyed. Next there came the birthday gift, greeting cards and yet another Happy Birthday song. There was a wonderful feeling of unity and love among us and a sincere thank you to God and Our Lady for many gifts we receive as CND’s. – Barbara Prior, CND
On May 31st, the Feast of the Visitation was celebrated at the CND Health Center in Sydney. A prayer service was held with Sr. Ann Marie McDougall reading the gospel, Sr. Evelyn McNeil led the sisters with the renewal of their vows, and Sr. Catherine MacDonald gave the closing prayer. We were also fortunate to honour Sr. Bernardine Burke on her 70th Jubilee and Sr. Joanne MacFarlane on her 60th Jubilee. Sr. Margaret MacDonell gave a beautiful toast to commemorate the jubilees which was solidified with champagne and cake. The special day concluded with a lobster supper. It was wonderful to be together for a beautiful feast day. – Arlene Rutledge, Coordinator
Declaration of solidarity by the Congrégation de Notre-Dame with the First Nations people following the discovery of the unmarked graves at the Kamloops Indian Residential School
The Congrégation de Notre-Dame offers its deepest sympathies to the families and communities whose children died and were buried in indignity, without the knowledge of their family members, at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School on the territory of the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation.
We want to acknowledge the devastating consequences of colonialism on the Indigenous peoples of Canada. We deplore the participation of the Church in the colonial movement. We are also aware that these past situations continue to have destructive effects on individuals, families, communities and on all First Nations people in Canada, seriously undermining justice and social peace in our country.