Photo: Sr. Rose Mary Sullivan and Sr. Jackie Hanrahan
We are winding down the Have a Heart Campaign. We received many notes for our brothers and sisters in detention. We have raised money to be used in collaboration with First Friends, the group which is actively working with immigrants in metro NY detention sites. There are a few more promised donations to come. Our sisters, associates, local Congregation of Notre Dame Communities, former CND sisters, family and friends of CND sisters, several schools, parishes in Norwalk, Kankakee, and Bourbonnais have generously responded to the Campaign. I was especially touched by a letter from a parishioner from Maternity Parish in Bourbonnais who reminded me that the novitiate used to be in her parish and that she loved attending the CND ceremonies held in her church! Her letter and several notes spoke of gratitude to be able to do something in the face of the growing ugly prejudice against immigrants. On April 6, Sr. Marilyn Medinger and I will meet with Sr. Regina Holtz of First Friends to strategize as to the best way to use our funds and to get information on “Packing Day” – the day the materials are packaged for distribution. I hope some of us can go to Kearny, New Jersey to help on that day. I firmly believe this campaign gives concrete and specific expression to our commitment to dare to live interculturally and to go to the peripheries. May we continue to walk where we talk. Thank you for Having a Heart.
New Ministry For Women At Holy Cross/Immaculate, Heart Of Mary Parish, Chicago, IL
The associates and candidates at Holy Cross/ Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Chicago are beginning a Prayer Shawl Ministry. Associate Maria V. explained that many women in their immigrant community are afraid to leave their homes at this time. The purpose of this new ministry is to bring women together to pray, share and support each other as well as make prayer shawls. Maria describes the enthusiasm of their first gathering.
Elizabeth (Libby) Osgood, candidate, has been accepted to enter the Novitiate of the CND. We offer Libby our prayerful support in her ongoing discernment as she continues to prepare for her entrance to the Novitiate in August 2017.