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As more and more Canadians accept the challenge to read and reflect upon the Truth and Reconciliation Report and its Calls to Action, we remember people in our country, people among us, who were ahead of their time in fostering warm and caring relationships with our indigenous neighbours. One person who comes to mind for some of us who knew her well was Sister Gertrude Corbett in Miramichi, New Brunswick.
The Sisters at Notre Dame Parkland celebrated and gave thanks for the 270 years of religious life of our three 70th Jubilarians and one 60th. With Sisters Helen Aboud, Georgina MacInnis, Loretta MacLennan, along with Sister Theresa Sampson, we shared a thanksgiving prayer, reminiscences of Novitiate days, and experiences in the Congregation de Notre-Dame. Afterwards we enjoyed a glass of wine, treats and a beautiful Jubilee cake.
An early Thanksgiving celebration was held at the CND Health Center in Sydney, on Wednesday, October 6. We were fortunate to have Sister Elaine Hawrylak play the keyboard for us. We began with prayer and each one placed a leaf with what they were grateful for on our thankful tree. Following was a sing along, dancing and treats. A wonderful time to remember how blessed we are.
Stronger Together! Shaping the Future of JPIC Atlantic
Members of religious communities in Atlantic Canada met with Sabrina di Mateo, CRC Executive Assistant – Mission. Sabrina in her position seeks to assist us in incorporating elements of ongoing formation and social justice - Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation - JPIC.
Having returned to Canada after spending 62 years in Japan, Sister Madelyn Brennan quietly joined Notre Dame Community at Providence Motherhouse, Kingston. There she adapted to her new environment as she quickly found a place in the hearts of sisters and staff. In due time, Madelyn suffered a stroke, which took her to Kingston General Hospital where she gently breathed her last while Sister Pat Arsenault kept vigil with her. Covid restrictions continued to make itself known as arrangements were made for Madelyn’s wake and funeral.
On Saturday, Oct. 8, the Congregation de Notre-Dame community at Providence Mother House gathered to celebrate the recent birthdays of Sister Elaine O’Grady and Sister Rosemarie Kennedy. This was a milestone birthday for Rosemarie, as she celebrated 90 years young!
For the second year in a row, we welcomed international students to a Canadian Thanksgiving supper. This year we represented South Africa, Malawi, Nigeria, United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia and Vietnam. Of course, our “homes” also included Tignish, Rustico and Kingston. Table conversation was energetic and diverse. We spoke of the impact of colonization in each of our countries as well as inappropriate comments international students received in their part-time work places. Happy Thanksgiving!
Honouring the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation: In Kingston, at Providence Mother House, on September 30, the Sisters gathered for a special Eucharist in which the spirit of the day was recognized and celebrated.
Nestled in the beautiful surroundings of Lac MacGregor, Quebec, at the cottage and land generously offered to us by the OMI community, 2 Sisters and 6 Associates met for the first time since the onset of Covid-19. Let us never take for granted the privilege of gathering in flesh, and the energy, joy and life this brings to everyone! Sr. Clara Nasello, Bill Fehlner and Sr. Nina Glinski cofacilitated the day gifting us with a depth of spiritual, physical and emotional nourishment that was truly moving
A visit to Bartiboque on the beautiful Miramichi, which took place on Sept. 12 and 13th, 2021. Fran Connell and Rosamond Ross-Hayter organized this visit. Theresa and Diane MacAskill presented a prayer retreat, and Associates and Sisters shared their journey as Sisters and Associates.
A retreat presented by Sister Eleanor McCloskey and the Woodstock Associates took place in Skiff Lake on Sept.15, 2021. Ray and Marjorie Allison-Ross hosted this visit. The theme for this retreat was “What did Jesus really ask us to do to follow Him?” each participant was asked to share their personal thoughts on the topic. Theresa and Dianne MacAskill presented a prayer service to this group.
A visit with the Riverview New Brunswick Associates took place on Sept. 17, 2021 at the home of Al and Corinne Kavanaugh. A sharing of their Associate Relationship and a prayer service were the topics for this meeting. Three couples make up the uniqueness of this Riverview Associates group including Pauline Toner and Father Charlie Broderick who provided a blessings.
Theresa and Dianne MacAskill visited the Province of New Brunswick from Sept. 12 until Sept. 18, 2021. They travelled to the Beautiful Miramichi, Woodstock (oceanfront Skiff Lake), Fredericton (the capital of New Brunswick) and Riverview (on the mighty Petitcodiac River). It was a time to meet and get acquainted and give support to our Sisters and Associates in these places. Theresa and Dianne presented a prayer service Season of Creation which started Sept. 1 and ends Oct. 4, 2021.
Development and Peace-Caritas Canada’s local Core Members and Presenters came together on Wednesday, September 22, 2021 in Antigonish, NS for their Annual Fall Campaign Workshop. The theme of this year’s campaign is People and Planet First. All presentations were carefully presented to bring awareness of ‘Laudato Si’ Action Response, locally, the plight of the environment defenders in the Global South, the upcoming Climate Change Conference COP26, etc. The more we are informed about the cries of our wounded world and the cries of our wounded Brothers and Sisters, the more we can’t help but want to make a difference. Awareness is crucial and is necessary to engender what needs to be done in order to live the message of ‘Laudato Si’. We are all called to care for our common home. We can make a difference! Pope Francis: ‘if we destroy Creation, Creation will destroy us!’
It is with great joy that we share with you plans for the 40th Anniver- sary of Associate Relationship and its theme, “Transforming love - Written in every heart”.
The Congrégation de Notre-Dame welcomed its first Associate from French Canada in December 1981, English Canada followed in January 1982 and the United States in March of 1982. We will celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Associate Relationship, from December 2021 to November 2022, with prayer, gatherings and social justice action.
On Sept. 3, 2021, Sisters and Associates were invited to a tour of the former historic Sacred Heart church which was arranged by Dianne MacAskill. The church is over 130 years old and was vacant for 10 years . It has been renovated into a multi-functional venue for celebration and entertainment for the residents of Sydney. Kevin and Cheryl Colford had a vision for the old church. It has been redecorated preserving the 19th century old architecture retaining much of the stain glass windows, pillars and the sacredness of the church. The church is now called Sacred Heart Downtown and it is a tribute to the rich history of the former parish in Sydney.
There are times when you wish you didn’t see what you saw or hear what you heard, because the situation meant you had to do something. And you were busy or tired or fed up with the needs of others. Some call it fate. Christians refer to it as an opportunity of grace, of meeting Christ when you least feel like it.
This year's theme, People and Planet First, is inspired by Pope Francis' message of integral ecology. The campaign highlights the fact that all too often, the fundamental rights of the most vulnerable people, including their right to a healthy environment, are not respected by the current economic model. People and Planet First is about reaffirming our obligation to safeguard human rights. With this campaign, we hope to grow the chorus of voices calling for mandatory corporate social responsibility legislation.
Cranbrook, BC, Associates met face to face for the first time since February 2020. As we gathered, we shared the news of the last 18 months – the first grandchild, the loss of a loved one, the joy of returning to in-person Mass as well as the gratitude that we are all still here. We are all older, greyer but hopefully wiser and more loving, caring, and grateful for the small things because of our experience of COVID.
Sister Charlotte Lockhart was in for a happy surprise on her birthday. She knew her friends from outside could not come to a “party,” but the house staff organized a huge celebration with the residents at Windsor Court.
Everyone enjoyed cake and wine, lots of laughter and visiting in the penthouse mid-afternoon. Charlotte is grateful to the party-planners and house residents for a good time!