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Presentation of the Mosaic at the Motherhouse
On Wednesday, May 15, during the regular afternoon coffee break, the Mosaic art piece, the contribution of the CND to the international Sowing Hope for the Planet project (see the full description of the project on JPIC Icon on First Class), was unveiled to a full and expectant dining-room. The Congregational Leadership Team was present along with Motherhouse staff, Montreal area Sisters and Associates from Visitation Province and Becky McKenna and Catherine Walker who were visiting Montreal and area this past week. We were joined by the artist, Claire Jacmin-Park who shared some reflections about her creative process. CND Social Justice Coordinator Bineta Ba introduced the project. Project Committee member Monica Lambton also spoke, along with Congregation Leader Sr. Agnes Campbell who had just returned from UISG meetings in Rome. She shared with us her joy in seeing an image of the Mosaic and the name of the CND in the slide presentation during the plenary there. The original Mosaic will be on display at the Motherhouse. It is hoped that this will be a resource for us long term as we draw on what we encounter in the images and meaning portrayed there.
A Celebration of Visitation
Leader: As we come together today to celebrate the Feast of the Visitation, we call upon Mary, our mother in Faith and our Foundress, and ask her guidance as we strive to incarnate the Word in our world.
Opening Song: In the Footsteps of Mary (from Visitation – K. Deignan, CND and M.A. Foley, CND)
In the footsteps of Mary we love to find the inspiration of our lives, hidden with Christ in God.
The life Mary led throughout her time on earth was the life of poverty: a way of mystery like the Pasch of Jesus.
The life Mary led throughout her time on earth was a life of incomparable love—unified, transparent, and deep.
The life Mary led throughout her time on earth was the life of an apostle, first herald of the gospel.
News from Visitation Province (Canada)
Congrégation de Notre-Dame Receives Honorary Degree At Stfx Spring Convocation
Sr. Rebecca McKenna, CND, was at the StFX University Spring Convocation on May 5th to receive an Honorary Degree on behalf of the Congrégation de Notre-Dame for its work in liberating education.
This award acknowledges that the lives of the sisters truly made a difference, and contributed to the common mission at StFX, Sr. Rebecca says. It recognizes the part the CND played in the larger story, especially in expanding the parameters of education for women. You can watch the live-streaming of the convocation at:
https://www.stfx.ca/student-life/convocation/spring-convocation
The presentation to the Congrégation de Notre-Dame is in the afternoon ceremony. [Approximate time 1:40:16]
Catherine Walker, CND, with members of the administration team
Pastoral Services Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel - Spring-Summer 2019
Photo: Marie-Claire Dugas
Group activities (minimum 15 persons)
Guided visit
Guided visit of the chapel with someone from the pastoral team, guided visit of the crypt, the Museum, the chapel up in the clouds and the belvedere. Visit of the temporary exposition at your own pace. We can modify your visit to meet your needs.
Take advantage of your group visit to discover our new temporary exposition starting June 21st, 2019: COLLE PAPIER CISEAUX: The life and works of Claude Lafortune. Come admire, for the very first time at the Marguerite Bourgeoys Museum, the paper sculpture representing Jesus as well as L’Évangile en papier !
Mothers
Photo: Marie-Claire Dugas
God, you have created and nurtured us as a mother, we bless you and give you thanks.
Mothers living here or in eternity, bless our God.
Mothers of happy, healthy children, bless our God.
Mothers of ill or troubled children, bless our God.
Mothers of well fed and cared for children, bless our God.
Mothers of abused children, bless our God.
Mothers of hungry children, bless our God.
Mothers of children of freedom, bless our God.
Mothers of children of oppression, bless our God.
News from Visitation Province (Canada)
Mosaic by Claire Jacmin-Park
Congrégation de Notre-Dame Contribution to Sowing Hope for the Planet Campaign
With a desire to highlight and share with each other how Religious Communities are bringing the message of Laudato Sí to life, the UISG in Rome initiated the Sowing Hope for the Planet campaign.
By participating in the Campaign, we are continuing in our commitment to care for our Common Home. The Campaign will enrich our reflection, consolidate our actions and initiate new actions.
UPEI heads to KAIROS Atlantic!
Photo: Lois, Dawne (KAIROSAtlantic planning committee and UPEI Mawi-omi staff), Seanna, Alexia
Streams of Justice: KAIROS Atlantic Gathering 2019, May 2 – 5, 2019 at Mount Allison University in Sackville, NB.
Follow the adventure on social media using #KAIROSAtlantic and #KAIROSAtlanticPEI
Also our delegates are publishing a blog. Click here to follow along!
News from Visitation Province (Canada)
Earth Day Celebration
On Monday evening, several Sisters of the Congrégation de Notre-Dame attended a Musical Evening to celebrate the beauties and wonders of Our Common Home, Planet Earth. This was presented by the Martha Spirituality Centre, and included a variety of music, song and dance, all related to Mother Earth. The program was inspirational and thought-provoking, and was much appreciated by an enthusiastic audience.
Marie Hagen, CND
Honorary Degree For the Congrégation de Notre-Dame
St. Francis Xavier University Spring Convocation to celebrate new milestones for graduates, honorary degree recipients and award winners
Antigonish, Nova Scotia – It is one of the biggest celebratory days of the year at St. Francis Xavier University. After four years of hard work and dedication, a new generation of leaders will leave St. FX to carve out new pathways.
On May 5, more than 900 St. FX graduates will receive degrees. Morning and afternoon ceremonies will be celebrated with family, relatives and friends.
Two honorary degrees will be bestowed during Spring Convocation. During the morning ceremony, Dr. Stan Kutcher, a leading psychiatrist and professor, will be honoured for his work in helping manage major mental illnesses in youth. In the afternoon, The Congrégation de Notre-Dame will be recognized for its work in the value of liberating education to create a more just society.
Social Justice News from Visitation Province
The “Periphery” Reaching Out To The Periphery
“They still bring forth fruit in old age, they are ever full of sap and green.” (Psalm 92:15)
We are certainly part of the “periphery!” We live in a seniors’ retirement home. Our average age is 85. Braces, canes, walkers and wheelchairs are part of our every-day reality. Some of us need help in personal care to various degrees. Some have physical or mental disabilities. Our sisters remain here until death. Yes, we fit into the peripheral category! “How then shall we live?”
News from Visitation Province (Canada)
Vocations
“God’s call makes us bearers of a promise and at the same time, asks of us the courage to take a risk.” Doesn’t that sentence capture the experience of our lives? The quote is taken from Pope Francis’ message for World Day of Prayer for Vocations 2019.
The Vocation/Formation Committee would like to invite all of us to participate in any way that we can in this year’s world-wide prayer for Vocations on Sunday, May 12.
- Reflect upon our own lives and recognize the many promises and risks that have been enfolded into the years;
- Highlight this day by prayer in our communities;
- If possible, raise awareness of the day in our parishes;
- Participate in parish/diocesan activities;
- Read the Holy Father’s letter, The Courage to Take the Risk for God’s Promise. (https://zenit.org/articles/holy-fathers-message-for-2019-world-day-of-vocations/)
In his message, the Holy Father goes on to say that our vocation is God’s loving initiative whereby God encounters us and invites us to be part of a great undertaking. In this 400th anniversary of the birth of Marguerite Bourgeoys, let’s pray with the universal Church that all people will recognize God’s call in their lives and deepen their participation in God’s “great undertaking.”
Josephine Badali, CND, with members of the Vocation/Formation Committee
April 17, 2020: 400th anniversary of the birth of Marguerite Bourgeoys
Les Sœurs de la Congrégation de Notre-Dame will celebrate a very special anniversary in 2020: the 400th anniversary of the birth of Marguerite Bourgeoys, Montreal’s first teacher and foundress of the Congregation. Throughout 2020, activities organized by our museums will highlight this 400th anniversary and a mini website will feature a calendar of events and information: www.margueritebourgeoys400.org. We also invite you to visit the Musée Marguerite-Bourgeoys and Maison Saint-Gabriel websites to learn more.
News from Blessed Sacrament Province (USA)
Photo: Dominique Baroco
Statue Of St. Marguerite To Be Installed: On Sunday May 19, 2019 a statue of Marguerite Bourgeoys will be presented to St. Columba Church in recognition of the presence of the CND community in the parish's pastoral and school life since the mid-1940's. The Sisters and Associates of St. Columba’s extend an invitation to whomever would be able to attend the ceremony and reception.
The statue will be blessed by the Pastor, Rev. James Hauver at the end of the 12 NOON Mass at St. Columba Church at 343 West 25th Street, New York, NY. 10001. In addition, during this ceremony, representatives of the CND community will present thoughts and prayers to celebrate this occasion.
After this ceremony there will be a reception of light refreshments in the school auditorium. We would like to invite all the CND Sisters and Associates to this memorable occasion to celebrate this new presence of Marguerite in our community at St. Columba.
St. Columba Associate, Barbara Casmasina
Earth Day 2019 - April 22nd
Protect Our Species – the Theme for Earth Day this year. It is common knowledge to anyone who cares to hear and understand that the world is facing a constant and rapid reduction of species, plant-life and animal-life. Human activity has brought about a negative impact on most living things. Birds, insects, mammals, water-dwellers and diverse forms of plant life are in a struggle against extinction. There is hope. Scientists assure us we can slow the rate of extinction of life forms if people everywhere - educators, consumers, faith leaders and followers, activists, and concerned citizens - work together on policies to protect individual species and their habitat. Earth Day urges us towards a global movement that calls on us to embrace nature and all its values.
Development & Peace
On Sunday, April 6, about ten CND sisters participated in the annual meeting of Development & Peace for the Diocese of Charlottetown. There was a record attendance along with excellent presentations. In many ways we were challenged to become aware of the sufferings of refugees. Danny Gillis had us walk on a simulated trek from our “comfort zones” to end up in a “refugee camp.” After a video interview with a child in such a camp, we heard personally from a young man who had actually lived through such a journey from his native Bhutan to a new life of freedom here on P.E.I. with his family.
Book Recommandation
On the Brink of Everything: Grace, Gravity and Getting Old, by Parker Palmer (2018)
This is a book – a little book – that evokes gratitude, offers wisdom, and helps bring to memory those forgotten gems we perhaps undervalued in our life story. He includes poetry – mostly his own – that seems to fit exactly. He gives hints and suggestions; he encourages the reader to try these but also to identify their own helps. “The older we get,” he says, “the more our lives are enriched by lessons we weren’t ready to learn when we were young.” Parker is eighty now, and a truly gifted teacher. He holds strong political views and is unapologetic in passing them on. Richard Rohr has stated, “Our entire culture is in need of true elders, and you can’t be one until you have arrived there –chronologically, spiritually and intellectually.” Here’s a man who has arrived, with another book that’s a generous gift to all of us.
Anniversary Eucharist
Plan to watch the Celebration of Eucharist for the 400th Anniversary of Saint Marguerite Bourgeoys on Wednesday, April 17th, Salt and Light, Toronto Studio. Viewing is also available on Vision TV at 8:am and 12:Noon (Toronto time) as well as on the website https://dailytvmass.com.
Reflection For Palm Sunday
Okay, here it goes. Please remember II asked for this Sunday. I thought Palm Sunday would be interesting (and easy) to write a Reflection for, but I was mistaken. I have probably written and rewritten this Reflection in my head over a thousand (yes I do tend to exaggerate) times since I asked for this day to reflect upon. But this is it, The WEDNESDAY BEFORE Palm Sunday. I cannot procrastinate anymore, I must just write it all down.
April 22, 2019, Earth Day Vegan Day at the CND
The CND Committee[i] coordinating the “Sowing Hope for the Planet” campaign (initiated by the Union of Superiors General, Rome), has prepared two activities for the observance of Earth Day on April 22, 2019.
The first is a celebration in 4 languages.
The second is a Congregation-wide Vegan Day.
[i] Committee composed of Céline Beaulieu CND, Évangeline Mengue CND, Lilian Barrera CND, Rose Mary Sullivan CND, Ms. Monica Lambton and Ms. Bineta Ba
April 22, 2019 marks the 49th anniversary of Earth Day
“To follow Jesus is to be a wholemaker,
essentially to love the world into new being and life.”
Sr. Ilia Delio, Making All Things New: Catholicity, Cosmology, Consciousness
Leader: April 22, 2019 marks the 49th anniversary of Earth Day, a secular celebration that many faith communities have incorporated into their annual calendars for awareness and action. The theme chosen for this year is Protect Our Species...
