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Approaching Truth, and Reconciliation:
A Personal Journey with Visitation and Pentecost Spirituality
On September 9 and 10, some 40 Sisters and Associates came together from coast to coast for the 2022 Howe Island Virtual Gathering. The theme of the gathering was framed by a shared desire to continue developing a more informed, respectful and meaningful relationship with the Indigenous Peoples of Canada. Participants were invited to step into a safe space in order to explore more deeply both personal and communal responses and responsibilities to and for truth and reconciliation.
My call
To talk about my mission in Honduras is to talk about a dream I have had since childhood.
During elementary school at the CND, once a year, the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Conception came to talk about their missions in China. Each time I got excited, thinking that one day I would do the same. I kept that dream to myself.
In 2020, before the events related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown that disrupted everyone’s schedule, the Sisters of the Congrégation de Notre-Dame were preparing to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the birth of their foundress, Saint Marguerite Bourgeoys. Time has passed and if this event to celebrate together was a missed opportunity, so be it! It is with joy that we celebrate each new occasion to remember the life and work of Saint Marguerite and her daughters.
A Farewell to Remember
September 8th, 2022, the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, was the day the Mary of Peace Sisters chose to hold a farewell celebration for Sister Lorraine Costello. Among the invited guests were: Bishop James Wingle, Sisters Susan Cleevely and Kay Duffin, Head nurse Margolie and the Community Coordinators. Originally it was intended to be a wine/cheese although it quickly culminated into a plethora of various foods and a Guatemalan-themed feast.
THE PIONEERS
The African adventure of the sisters of the Congrégation de Notre-Dame of Montréal began on September 1, 1970, with the arrival of the first daughters of Saint Marguerite Bourgeoys to set foot on Cameroonian soil: Sisters Fernande Dubé, Jeanne Beaudoin, Colette Ouellet, Solange Monfet, YvonneLamonde and Françoise Baril. They first settled in Eséka and Makak.
On September 14, the sisters and employees of the Mother House celebrated “back-to-school (work!)” with a festive lunch and games prepared by the various Services. It was also a very special opportunity to once again welcome the new members of the team: Mrs. Suzie's son was in charge of the music. The games were all creative, intelligent and fun.
The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on September 8 is usually the day that many schools and homeschooling families use as a pivotal feast to mark the beginning of their school year. And what can be more universally appealing (especially to children) than celebrating a birthday? This is one of the three birthdays celebrated in the Liturgical Year: Jesus on December 25, St. John the Baptist on June 24, and the Blessed Virgin Mary on September 8. All three persons came into this world without Original Sin. The feast on this date has been celebrated by the Roman Church. Saint Augustine described the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary as an event of cosmic and historic significance, and an appropriate prelude to the birth of Jesus Christ. “She is the flower of the field from whom bloomed the precious lily of the valley,” he sai
Book Recommendation: The Winter Wives by Canadian novelist and former journalist Linden MacIntyre (Paperback, Vintage Press, 2022).
This book is a gripping story of secrets, memories, families and friendships. The author introduces characters, very real people, good people with flaws we eventually discover.
Byron is the narrator guiding us through the pages and through his own journey. Events move us between Nova Scotia and Toronto as we interact with his best friend Alan, and their wives, Peggy and Annie. Questions: Do we ever really know people we think we do? Do we really know ourselves?
Eleanor McCloskey, CND
Does September 1st catch you almost by surprise? June, July and August shower us with summer’s beauty and abundant gifts. And then, before we know it, in fact more quickly each year, we find ourselves turning the calendar to September 2022!!
Yes, it’s the beginning of the Season of Creation. Pope Francis, hearing, for the last long while, the Cry of the Earth and those who suffer poverty as One Cry invites all people to join in prayer for God’s creation, and to work to better care for it.
The season begins September 1, the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, and concludes October 4 with the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology.
Sister Charlotte Lockhart welcomed a few special friends to help her celebrate her 70th Anniversary as a Sister of the Congregation de Notre-Dame. Her cousin Allison, and friends Lynn, Maureen, Sharon and Merla enjoyed a fun-time lunch at St. James Gate, Fredericton, on August 4, 2022. Good stories were shared over good food and laughter. Best Wishes to Sister Charlotte!
Following the highly acclaimed Benediction Service at the 40th Anniversary in honor of the Associate Relationship, the Sisters of Holy Redeemer Convent welcomed nineteen guests to a special gathering in honor of the spirit of the day.
It began with words of welcome and a special grace before meals. Our vacation substitute cook, Carolyn, prepared an awesome turkey dinner with her own delicious homemade dressing and all the trimmings. For dessert, we were treated to her decadent signature strawberry shortcake.
The Congregation de Notre-Dame Visitation Province Associate Relationship invited all Associates and Sisters to a special celebration held at the Fortress of Louisbourg in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. The event was on Thursday, August 25, and it was a huge success! The weather that day was totally awesome… no fog, no rain, just warm sunshine! Happy faces were everywhere as participants from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Montreal, and even Japan, greeted one another after so many months of isolation in various forms
Magnificat!
Sister Christa Gesztesi’s profession of first vows at Sacred Heart University’s Holy Spirit Chapel on August 20, 2022 was a moment of great joy for her family, friends, and Sisters of the Congregation, as well as for Christa herself. We wish her many blessings as she continues her journey of love and service.
In the late 1920s, the sisters of the Congrégation de Notre-Dame were asked to collaborate on missions. At that time, the Catholic missionary world was flourishing. In fact, Pope Pius XI placed missionary work above other Catholic works.
In Japan, unlike the educators of this country, non-Christians or Protestants, Catholic institutions, with few exceptions, began by opening schools for the little ones to meet the needs of the children who were there, in front of them. Then, these schools opened classes for higher levels as their students got older. The schools of the Congrégation de Notre-Dame in Japan are a perfect example.
Three sisters from each of the provinces in North America, each in different stages of formation, had an intercultural, mono-generational experience during July in San Antonio, Texas. Though we as Sisters of the Congrégation de Notre-Dame intentionally focus and embrace our intergenerationality, this was an opportunity for Sisters Christa, Libby, and Violaine to be together as sisters under the age of 50, before and after an international ‘Giving Voice’ gathering of 77 sisters from other communities who are also under 50 years old.
MAY, 2022 TRIP TO THE BORDER by Donna Wuhrer
It was a blessing to live in community for two weeks with Sr. Joan Lewis and novice/soon-to-be Sister, Christa. Our conversations, prayer time, shared meals, and laughter were grace-filled moments that enriched my time at the border.
On Saturday, May 28, the Canadian Vocations Committee of the Congreégation de Notre-Dame came together to continue its mission to foster vocations and reflect together on what promotes vocations.
I was blessed to participate in the Walk For Our Lives protest in Newtown, CT the city where the Sandy Hook School shooting took place.
This sign spoke to me, one of many that were carried by over 400 people young and old. The sneakers were the ones worn everyday by a child killed in a school shooting and they were used to ID this child after the shooting. “IMAGINE”
CND Visitation Province Associate Relationship celebrates 40 years (1982-2022)
In celebration of these 40 years a Benediction Service will be held Thursday, August 25th, 2022 at 11 am. All Sisters and Associates are invited to this celebration at the Fortress of Louisbourg, Louisbourg, Cape Breton, N.S.
We hope to celebrate this special Anniversary with you this summer.
Theresa Ann MacNeil and Dianne MacAskill, area co-coordinators