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From The Formation Corner
The home stretch is upon Libby as she begins to make her way back to Visitation Province. These weeks of grounding have been hopefully helpful to her personal integration in religious life as a Sister of the Congrégation de Notre-Dame. The month of June has been and July will continue to be filled with significant preparation opportunities.
For the first two weeks of June, Libby was part of an Upper Room experience in White Plains. We were graced with the presence of Sister Catherine Walker from Visitation Province and Sister Maryann Calabrese from Norwalk who held this sacred space of the Upper Room. Together we formed an Upper Room community, holding the space for Spirit to nurture and guide Libby into the future. The discerning questions for us were “How have we integrated our lives as a CND, given who we are? And, what has nurtured and continues to nurture our lives as we move into the future?”
News from Blessed Sacrament Province (USA)
Photo: Magnificat! The six jubilarians lead the Congregation in a song of gratitude on June 1st
Peace & Justice News – Sr. Jaculyn Hanrahan
JUSTICE 911 - July 18, 2019 is a national day of action to challenge the Trump administration’s abuse of immigrant children and families. Catholic planning partners include, the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR), Conference of Major Superiors of Men (CMSM), Franciscan Action Network (FAN), Ignatian Solidarity Network, the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, the Maryknoll Office of Global Concerns, Columban Center for Advocacy, National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd, Sisters of the Sacred Heart, and Pax Christi
News from Visitation Province (Canada)
Monica Lambton Visits Truro, Nova Scotia
Submitted by Co-Coordinator Anna Rowley
Sunday evening, June 9th Truro and Halifax associates gathered in Truro for Monica Lambton’s presentation: Fanning the Flames of Mission. Monica, coordinator of Visitation Province Office of Justice and Peace and the Integrity of Creation, through prayer, scripture, reflection, music, discussion, videos, and relevant readings reminded us “We are called to fan the flames for others.” (2 Timothy 1:6). When we watch the news or read about climate change and those on the peripheries it is easy to become overwhelmed. However, we reflected on how we are all part of the great work of climate action and going to the peripheries. Whether our part is small, working one on one, or part of a bigger work it is important to share our positive action stories. Action brings hope and becoming an ally, like the Hebrew midwives in Exodus, reminds us that playing a supporting role contributes to the whole. St. Marguerite Bourgeoys reminds us that “The Blessed Virgin…never excused herself from any journey on which there was good to be done…” Writings of Marguerite Bourgeoys p. 50.
Like Marguerite, on our journey to answer the cries of the earth and the poor, we associates must act with courage and boldness. We are grateful to Monica for sharing this thought provoking and encouraging presentation.
News from Visitation Province (Canada)
Sr. Libby Osgood’s First Profession of Vows in the Congrégation de Notre-Dame
Sr. Libby Osgood’s First Profession of Vows in the Congrégation de Notre-Dame will take place Sunday, July 28, 2019, 2:00 pm, at the UPEI Chaplaincy Centre
The University of Prince Edward Island chapel is a fitting setting for this ceremony, as it literally grounds Libby's commitment to religious life and CND within the place where she will be living her commitment to liberating education. Local sisters, family and friends will gather in this intimate setting (60 person capacity) to witness this important event and to prayerfully support Libby's deepening commitment.
News from Visitation Province (Canada)
Housing Action Forum, Kingston, ON: The May 15, 2019 Housing Action Forum was a huge success. Arising out of it are several concrete actions that we have already begun to work to implement. The Social Planning Council of Kingston and District was so pleased that CND – Visitation Province made it possible for us to host the Forum, and I am so pleased to have done so as part of the 400th Anniversary Celebration of Marguerite's birth.
United in prayer and in the charism of Marguerite Bourgeoys,
Resilient Aging: Spirituality and Story in Later Life
Recently we were treated to a presentation by a local professor who specializes in narrative gerontology. Dr. Bill Randall explained how each phase of life has developmental tasks for us: we learn to walk, to speak, to read, to make decisions, to be responsible, etc. In our later years, narrative tasks are important and helpful, even essential to our wellness. He uses the term narra-care in inviting us to review our lives, to remember, rejoice, reconcile, and to recycle the wisdom stories that are uniquely our own. Reflecting on our own story is an implicitly spiritual process since it can deepen our sense of purpose and meaning, widen our sense of self and of God, stir up our gratitude and enhance our inner resilience in everyday living. We learned a lot in an hour!
Presentation on Marguerite Bourgeoys
On June 11, 2019 Rosemary McGhee gave a beautifully researched and delivered presentation on Marguerite Bourgeoys. She situated Marguerite historically and socially in the 1700s in France and the larger world.
She captured Marguerite's spirituality and her mission. She helped us realize and understand the many struggles which Marguerite faced in living out her dream. It was an amazing experience to hear someone tell our story. Hopefully before our 400th anniversary is over more of you will have the opportunity to hear Rosemary.
Climate Change
At a recent meeting, Sister Mary Corbett, CND, guest presenter, using Laudato Sí’ as a framework, explored some critical issues around climate change. While exploring the contamination and evaporation of water, Mary strongly emphasized that access to life-giving water is an essential right for all life forms. She stated that the hydrological cycle (water cycle) of the planet is a closed cycle. There is not a limitless supply of water. “Our present levels of water pollution, stated Mary,” “harm the hydrological system, are unsustainable and put all life forms on the planet in peril.” Several times throughout her presentation, Mary asked: “What are we leaving for the next generations to come and for all life forms?” Moving from this painful reality into a more contemplative mode, Mary presented some magnificent pictures of the Earth taken from Space. She also shared the Astronauts’ profound statements about their experience of viewing Earth from Space.
The St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Math Contest
Mathematics is the language of the universe. It is then fitting that, as we celebrate the 400th anniversary of our foundress Marguerite Bourgeoys, we joined with the grade five and six students of the Catholic School board of Kingston for their first math contest. Mr. Henry Santos, a passionate math teacher, and former student of the CNDs, contacted us asking if our 400th celebration and their contest might link-up. He wanted the Kingston sisters to name the contest, and to choose a name and design for the new trophy that would be passed on to the winning school each year. There was much enthusiastic discussion around these topics until we came to the consensus of “The St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Math Contest,” and “St. Marguerite Bourgeoys trophy,” with the design of the official picture we received of Marguerite.
National Indigenous People’s Day
Today, June 21, is National Indigenous People’s Day, a day to learn more about the cultures and contributions of the First Nations, Inuit and Metis Indigenous peoples of Canada. Current terminology can assist our understanding and respectful dialogue.
– First Nations is a term that came into common use in the 70’s as an alternative to the outdated term Indian. It refers to people who have official status under the Indian Act of Canada, as well as persons without status who identify as belonging to a First Nation. First Nations have specific names we can learn to use.
– Inuit means people in the Inuktitut language and is used to refer to Indigenous people who live in the Arctic regions of Canada. The term Eskimo is no longer used and may be considered as offensive.
– Metis refers to people of mixed ancestry who have developed their own traditions, cultures and languages distinct from those of their Indigenous and European ancestors. The term should be used only to refer to people who self-identify as Metis.
It helps to move away from using old terms, like Indian or native as these words evoke Canada’s colonial past. Indigenous peoples now have the opportunity to choose the terms used to identify them.
National Indigenous Peoples Day 2017 Presentation
To begin with, I am not an expert on the history and customs of First Nation People. So I can only share with you what I have learned and experienced in my 29 years with the people of the Canim Lake Reserve, Shuswap Nation, known in Secwepemc as Tsq’escenemc.
I would like to tell you a little about the Congrégation de Notre-Dame, of which I have been a member for 61 years. Our foundress, Marguerite Bourgeoys, came to New France in 1653 to be the first teacher of Ville Marie. She fought long and hard to have her group of women recognized as an uncloistered religious community. She wanted the sisters to go out to the native people around the fort that was Montreal at that time. She opened a school located in one of the towers, which still stands on the property of the Sulpician Fathers. So, we have always been a congregation devoted to education and inclusive of all people.
News from Visitation Province (Canada)
Annual Gathering of Sisters and Associates from Visitation Province West
We met at Seton House of Prayer in Kelowna on the last weekend in May. This is our yearly opportunity to meet old friends and make new ones while sharing our passion for all things related to the Congregation de Notre-Dame.
Participants were invited to bring symbols from their home and explain why these particular items are meaningful reminders to them of the person of Marguerite Bourgeoys. This was a special year for our group as we were offered two presentations – one from Sister Eleanor McCloskey, CND, who gave an interesting, in-depth and lively presentation on Marguerite Bourgeoys in celebration of her 400 year anniversary. The second presentation was from our JPIC Coordinator, Monica Lambton, who spoke to us about taking new steps in new directions towards caring for the earth and for those living in poverty and struggling with injustice. She spoke to us about the fire inside of us and gave us tools for keeping that motivational fire alive and helping others to catch hold of that same flame through her usage of biblical quotes and the life and words of St. Marguerite Bourgeoys. These tools included conversations about how to decide what action will have the biggest impact, what resources are the best fit, and how each of us is invited to be part of living the call of Laudato Sí.
Maureen Wylie, Associate
Going to Peripheries
I will share about my going to the peripheries. For over twenty-five years, I have been actively involved with the work of Development and Peace. I am a member of the Charlottetown Diocesan Council of D&P and responsible to carry out the two annual campaigns in my parish. Being involved in this work is truly a call from God. The work is demanding and sometimes discouraging… a test of one's faith! However, the Spirit is alive. Working with members, parishioners and partners inspires me to continue doing my little bit to help build a just world. Members of D&P are encouraged to network with like-minded organizations and groups.
400th Anniversary Invitation
On Tuesday, June 11th Rosemary McGhee, Louisbourg volunteer and friend of the Congregation de Notre-Dame, will present Marguerite Bourgeoys - Valiant Visionary at the Cape Breton Regional Library located at 50 Falmouth St., Sydney, NS. Her presentation will begin at 6:30 p.m. with tea and coffee following the session. Come and help us celebrate Marguerite!
Feast of the Visitation from coast to coast
PEI
It was May 31, the Feast of the Visitation. It was the day for the renewal of our vows. It was the occasion on which we celebrated our jubilarians. The PEI Sisters were all together. We began with Mass in our community room, presided by our chaplain, Father Bob Coady. After the homily, we renewed our vows in English and French. We then enjoyed a delicious lobster dinner in Andrews’ dining room. After dinner, we returned to our community room, where we expressed our appreciation for our three jubilarians, Sisters Catherine Smith (70), Marie Gaudet (70) and Anne T. Gillis (60). We did this through song, cards and spoken words. These sisters were invited to tell stories about their life as sisters of the Congregation de Notre-Dame, and we very much enjoyed their anecdotes. The celebration continued in the evening with the sisters living at Andrews. We had a prayer service, our Jubilarians received gifts and we enjoyed refreshments. Many reasons to celebrate, and celebrate we did!
Réjeanne Bourque, CND with Notre Dame Community at Andrews
Reflection for the Visitation Mass
Initially, I was surprised when I heard myself volunteer to give this reflection, especially as I consider how truly inspirational and wise the messages emanating from this podium have been. However, I now realize that it was a spirit-led moment that the newest among you might offer some words on today’s feast. I’ll explain why, starting in 33 BCE and following that up with a little bit of physics.
We often think of the Mary of the annunciation story as a quiet, demure, and obedient young girl, but being a young girl, she was likely also energetic, bubbly, and joyful. She did what her parents said, and then when an angel appeared, we imagine that this angelic young girl obediently gave her ‘yes’. How sweet.
Our Father who art in heaven
Among the many activities of June, in addition to weddings, graduations, and the beginning of summer, Father’s Day takes on a special significance. This year four first grade girls revealed something to me about the meaning of fatherhood; and, in particular, an insight into God as our Father.
News from Blessed Sacrament Province (USA)
From Our Leadership Team
During our May 11-13 meeting we watched Sharing the Vision: A Dialogue on Religious Life Today and into the Future, an excellent video presentation by the officers of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) at the International Union of Superiors General (UISG) in Rome. We invite you to view it—if possible with others—at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEtO4cV67q4&feature=youtu.be and if you do, don’t skip the questions and comments at the end—some of the best parts are there, especially the section on vocations!
News from Visitation Province (Canada)
Retreat at Andrews of Charlottetown
We spent three grace-filled days of retreat with Sister Denise Bérubé from May 22-24. The theme dealt mainly with the compassion of Jesus, our call to compassion and the ministry of presence. Denise’s gentle, reflective approach, her use of sacred music, appropriate handouts and a well-balanced schedule all contributed to a prayerful experience. We were fortunate to have daily Mass with our chaplain, Father Bob Coady. We are grateful to God and to Denise for her precious ministry.
Réjeanne Bourque, CND
Sr. Libby Osgood Accepted to Profess First Vows
It is with great joy and gratitude that we share with you the news that Sr. Libby Osgood has been accepted to profess First Vows in the Congrégation de Notre-Dame of Montreal.
Please continue to hold Libby in prayer as she prepares to deepen her commitment to live the mystery of the Visitation as a professed member of the CND.
