Celebrating the 400th Anniversary of Marguerite Bourgeoys in the East Kootenay’s
Cranbrook associates and a number of parishioners enjoyed an evening presentation by Sr. Norma Gallant, CND. Sr. Norma journeyed from Trail to be with us and she spoke lovingly and passionately about the life and history of Marguerite all the way from Troyes, France to the present-day reality of our time and place in Western Canada. Of interest to everyone was the call of Marguerite Bourgeoys to go where she was needed often in the face of institutional opposition. The call of the Sisters of the Congregation de Notre-Dame to go to the peripheries today is the same call that Marguerite heard and responded to in her time. The role of the associates and their relationship to the call and mission of the larger Congregation de Notre-Dame was shared and celebrated as well.
God of all seasons, God of Autumn,
as you transform the earth,
transform us by your Spirit.
Our Commitment to Interculturality...
We believe that God desires us to live with others in ways that are respectful and mutually empowering.
These are the principles of interculturality that guide our way forward:
• Build a home where all can feel comfortable and accepted
• Learn to appreciate and celebrate our many differences
• Develop an inclusive model of thinking that takes into consideration the many different truths that we hold
Our commitment to interculturality requires that we live a path of constant conversion.
(Adapted text, Newer Members, Chofu, Japan – 2019)
October 17 was the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. Thousands of people representing over 100 groups across Canada marked the day by calling on the federal government to take immediate action on this ongoing violation of human rights. As part of the Dignity for All campaign, CHEW ON THIS! my friend Patricia Power and I stood on street corners in downtown Charlottetown handing out brown paper bags to passers-by. The bags contained a snack, a fridge magnet reading CHEW ON THIS! and a post card to be signed and mailed to the Office of the Prime Minister. The message to government was simple: " The country is watching. It's time to show the millions of people in Canada living in poverty that their government cares about them." The supporters of Dignity for All are asking the Prime Minister Trudeau and new government that in the first 90 days, a real commitment be shown to a poverty-free Canada by choosing effective human rights policies and making poverty a budget priority.