On the Feast of Pentecost, May 15, eight women made their first commitment as Associates of the Congregation de Notre Dame at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Hayesville, NC. The ceremony was conducted after communion at the 9 am Liturgy. New Associates Kathy Aparo, Michele McGinnis, and Shirley Moran added their voices to the beautiful choir music. Linda Kennedy and Margaret DeLisle were Eucharistic Ministers. In the late afternoon, we had a dinner party at new Associate Pam Craig’s home. The picture above is at Pam’s house and is missing Sharon Ely. Barbara McGrattan, second from the left, is one of the Associates who led the formation for the new Associates. Sandy Jersey, in the second picture, became an Associate on May 31.
One year ago, on June 18th 2015, Pope Francis released his historic encyclical Laudato Si’: On Care for our Common Home. People everywhere are getting ready for Laudato Si’ Week (June 12-19) where there will be a major international celebration of the encyclical’s anniversary to reflect on the Laudato Si’ message and express our gratitude to Pope Francis by taking action to bring the encyclical to life. http://catholicclimatemovement.global/ready-to-celebrate-the-laudato-si-anniversary/
On Sunday, May 29, Congregation of Notre Dame associates and sisters gathered at Providence mother house to celebrate the feast of the Visitation. As the strains of Carey Landry’s song, “Companions on the Journey” reminded us, “We have been gifted with each other.” And indeed we were gifted with the creativity, spontaneity and joy of our Associates who prepared and led us in a beautiful prayer service in which we reflected together on the place of Elizabeth in the Visitation event. She was portrayed as having a “walk on part” in the drama that was unfolding before her, and yet was integral to the deeper reality both she and Mary were living together. Within this context a new Associate, Mary Carr was welcomed and made her first commitment, then followed the Associates renewal of their commitment, and the commitment of the Sisters to Associates. The celebration continued with refreshments and ongoing “visitations.”
On Tuesday afternoon the CND sisters of the city gathered together at Providence mother house for their renewal of vows framed in a simple and moving prayer service prepared by Sister Denise Bérubé. Following the prayer, the Sisters went out and enjoyed a special meal at a nearby restaurant.