Sisters of Maria Province (Japan) held their biannual Taize gathering at the convent in November. This event is organized by a small parish group, "Izumi/Budonokai", an oecumenical group that has continued for at least 30 years. Sister Maureen Lamarche has been a member since the beginning. They meet once a month, Saturday evening and read one chapter from whichever book of the Bible they have chosen to read. So it takes a year or more to cover one book.
A Catholic teacher at the Congregation of Notre Dame elementary school is the leader of the group.
Usually articles in the Catholic Press during Advent start with quotes from the prophets Isaiah who promised a light will shine in the darkness or Amos who foretold that Bethlehem would be the birth city of the Messiah.
This short reflection begins on the seaside in Ireland, a strand as it is called there. James Joyce, one of Ireland’s best and most challenging authors, eloquently writes of the innate longing in every human heart for the absolute, the unknowable, the eternal, the ultimate.
Mayor Jim Watson of Ottawa announced the 15 residents who will be inducted into the Order of Ottawa this year.
“The Order of Ottawa honours remarkable residents for their service in both professional and civic-oriented endeavours,” said Mayor Watson. “It is a privilege to recognize the accomplishments and contributions of these influential people who enrich our city and have made a difference in the lives of others in our community.”
Our congratulations to Sister Louise Dunn, CND, who “co-founded Serenity Renewal for Families, a charitable organization opened in 1983 providing a wide range of educational and counselling services. She has accompanied countless individuals on their recovery journey and has helped thousands of individuals and families to live in a spirit of health, hope and self-awareness.”
This year’s Order of Ottawa ceremony took place at City Hall on November 17.
