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News from Visitation Province (Canada)
With Gratitude
Dear friends, we are connected because four hundred years ago a child named Marguerite Bourgeoys came into the world. I have been blessed to be a Visitation Province coordinator for four years. In that time I have worked with wonderful coordinators, associates and sisters within our province and beyond. No matter where the road led I was always made welcome and lived many Visitation moments. Connected by our shared charism and mission our time together fed my fire and reinforced my belief that Associate Relation-ship is a gift to our world. You have supported me with prayer throughout these years: in illness, health, and the everyday unfolding of our lives. Thank you Marjorie for surprising me with a “Gratitude newsletter’; what a beautiful souvenir! To everyone who contributed, sent e-mails and cards - know your words touched me deeply. I ask for your prayers as I begin my new role within the Congregation. Holding you close to my heart and in my prayers.
In the spirit of Marguerite,
Anna Rowley
MY EXPERIENCE: THE WALL – THE BORDER
My first experience at the wall was one of surprise, astonishment, sadness, and conflicting emotions. I always thought that the migrants had the challenge of passing only one wall to go to the United States. The caravans that were at the wall only a few months came to my mind. Some of them challenged the U.S. authorities doing everything possible to climb and pass to the other side of the wall, right by the sea.
News from Visitation Province (Canada)
Little Things Mean A Lot
When I heard the phrase “Going to the Peripheries,” or “Responding to the Periphery in our lives,” I must say I was a little concerned and somewhat afraid that I would not be able to respond to the call that was so clearly expressed in our last Chapter. The word “Going,” I must admit, really challenged me, as I am not in a condition of doing much “going” anywhere. One day as I was pondering this call to the peripheries my heart was awakened to the realization that life, as I am living it at this time has given me a few opportunities of reaching the periphery.
The Life and Mission of Marguerite Bourgeoys: Daring to Dream a New World into Being
The Sisters of the Congregation of Notre Dame are celebrating a very special anniversary, the 400th anniversary of the birth of their foundress, St. Marguerite Bourgeoys born in Troyes, France in 1620.
At the age of 20, a “touch of grace:” led Marguerite Bourgeoys to give herself to God. She embarked for the New World at the age of 33 in 1653, strengthened by the Virgin Marys’ call: “Go, I will not abandon you.” Having journeyed there to be a teacher, she became known as the “Mother of the Colony.” In 1658, she opened Montreal’s first school. At a later time with others, she directed the building of the first stone chapel, Notre-Dame-de Bon-Secours in Montreal.
We are called to have nothing to do with murder
Consider the school shooter and the weekend gardener. They appear to have nothing in common. One is responsible for murder which is an act of unmitigated evil, no matter the circumstance, including war. The other is responsible for caring for one little spot in the earth in such a way as to produce food. Both can say something about God. The first shows what God is not and how God does not act; the second reveals the way God does act.
Celebrations!
Celebrate with us!
Daring to Dream a New World into Being with Kathleen Deignan, CND
Celebrating the 400th birthday of our foundress.
Celebrating the Birth of St. Marguerite
Prayer Service celebrating the 400th year of St Marguerite with us.
This prayer service is to be used on a monthly basis with each month focusing on deepening our awareness of one of Marguerite’s gifts to us and through us to the world.
Grounding Ourselves in Hope
Prayer Service
September, 2019
SONG
CALL TO PRAYER
LEADER: Creator God—God of our hoping, God of our dreaming—you are the great dreamer.
...
News from Visitation Province (Canada)
Let us welcome the Season of Creation!
The Season of Creation is an ecologically focused annual celebration of prayer and action. It is celebrated by Christians of all traditions, and many leaders of faith traditions have encouraged participation. Pope Francis has been urging everyone to embrace this season as a significant way to live out the principles of Laudato Sí. The season began September 1, the Day of Prayer for Creation, and runs through October 4, the Feast of St. Francis. The theme for this year is “The Web of Life.” ...
Statement by Canada’s Catholic Sisters Regarding the Climate Emergency
On this World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, leaders of Canada’s 64 Congregations of Catholic Sisters are calling on the country’s politicians to respond to the climate emergency declared by Parliament by taking concrete steps to avert it.
As Women Religious, caring for all of God’s Creation is an essential part of our faith...
THE BOYS AND GIRLS OF TIJUANA
As a daughter of Marguerite, willing to serve in every way, I was invited to spend the day and work with the children. A big challenge! First, because the migrants’ house does not usually welcome children and has no recreational spaces for them...
News from Blessed Sacrament Province (USA)
With great joy we share with you the news that Janet Lawrence will pronounce final vows at a Eucharistic Liturgy at Villa Notre Dame, Wilton on Saturday, November 23rd at noon. Let us pray with her during this time of preparation.
The Booksellers of Bonsecours event, September 13 and 14, 2019
The Archivists of the Congrégation de Notre-Dame will be at The Booksellers of Bonsecours event, September 13 and 14, 2019, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Archives Services of the Congrégation de Notre-Dame will be taking part in the first edition of The Booksellers of Bonsecours event, an initiative of the Marguerite-Bourgeoys Museum in collaboration with Lire et vivre to benefit the educational activities of the Museum. Among other things, there will be books and postcards for sale.
Japanese Culture and History
Tuesday, July 23rd
We went to Tokyo Oedo Museum in the afternoon. It proved to be a great opportunity to deepen our knowledge of Japanese culture, since the day before, Fr. Sekiya had talked to us about the place. Japan is rare among countries, in historically having maintained a policy of seclusion for 250 years. Having earlier heard that the Japanese national character is introverted, and that Japanese have a stronger consciousness of shame than of guilt, we took this time to deepen our knowledge of how Japanese people lived during these 250 years.
Beginning of Christianity in Japan
Father Yoshiki Sekiya, a Salesian priest, began our meeting by celebrating a Mass, during which Sister Augustine Matchuendem renewed her vows. After Mass, we enjoyed listening to the priest play and sing songs from his childhood. Then the presentation began.
The Education of Japanese Women: Yesterday and Today
In Japan, where higher education began late, there were two models at the beginning of higher education for women.
The first model was created by the first European and American Christians when they came to Japan. At the time, education was focussed on teaching English. Our CND school belonged to this model.
Visit To Fukushima July 26 – 29, 2019
Our first stop in Fukushima was Sakura no Seibo Junior College, under the direction of Ms. Minami Nishiuchi and owned by our sisters. A very warm welcome was extended by our sisters, the director and all the students and staff. All kinds of treats were offered to us. After a guided tour of the college, the sisters talked to us about the origins of the school. Once the visits were completed, Ms. Nishiuchi spoke to us about the school and the situation of women’s education in Japan. A game of questions and answers followed and Father Aimé and Julie served as interpreters. We all received gift bags with “Sakura no Seibo Junior College” stamped on them. We met and talked with the students of the college and participated in a game. Pictures were taken in a friendly and pleasant climate. The students put on a musical performance, which was very much appreciated. We then left the college.
Reflections on Interculturality
We wish to share some reflections about our session on interculturality given by sisters Claudia Margarita Juárez, Debbie Warner, and Sophie Mbougoum, on July 24th and 25th, at the meeting of the new members with 15 or fewer years of religious profession, in Chofu (Japan).
These are some of the guiding principles on intercultural community life, which caught our attention.
My Experience In Tijuana – First Part
Dear Sisters and Associates, I want to share with you the first part of my reflections on my service in Tijuana.
I left on June 24th, the feast of Saint John the Baptist and the National Day of the Province of Quebec. I went as a migrant, which is to say with a small backpack and everything needed to live this experience.
We know that this is how our migrant brothers and sisters travel when they set out. I arrived in Tijuana at around nine o'clock in the evening.
