November is a month of remembrance and gratitude, from the start of the month with All Saints Day and All Souls Day to the end of the month with Thanksgiving Day. We remember with gratitude those we love who have died, and whom we believe are with God in eternal life.
Twelve years ago, the then Pope Benedict XVI wrote a letter, an encyclical, Spe Salve, which is Latin for “In Hope We Are Saved.” This letter to all the people of God still stands as a masterpiece of consolation for any who have lost a loved one in death, and for any who have lost someone with whom they were angry and never reconciled. Death is hard in both realities.
On November 2 over 120 gathered at St. Paul's University for a morning with Kathleen Deignan CND to listen, participate and reflect on the theme, "Daring to Dream a New World into Being" followed by lunch.
Using examples from Marguerite's life we were each challenged to carry on this dream both now and into the future.
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.