My first experience at the wall was one of surprise, astonishment, sadness, and conflicting emotions. I always thought that the migrants had the challenge of passing only one wall to go to the United States. The caravans that were at the wall only a few months came to my mind. Some of them challenged the U.S. authorities doing everything possible to climb and pass to the other side of the wall, right by the sea.
Little Things Mean A Lot
When I heard the phrase “Going to the Peripheries,” or “Responding to the Periphery in our lives,” I must say I was a little concerned and somewhat afraid that I would not be able to respond to the call that was so clearly expressed in our last Chapter. The word “Going,” I must admit, really challenged me, as I am not in a condition of doing much “going” anywhere. One day as I was pondering this call to the peripheries my heart was awakened to the realization that life, as I am living it at this time has given me a few opportunities of reaching the periphery.
The Sisters of the Congregation of Notre Dame are celebrating a very special anniversary, the 400th anniversary of the birth of their foundress, St. Marguerite Bourgeoys born in Troyes, France in 1620.
At the age of 20, a “touch of grace:” led Marguerite Bourgeoys to give herself to God. She embarked for the New World at the age of 33 in 1653, strengthened by the Virgin Marys’ call: “Go, I will not abandon you.” Having journeyed there to be a teacher, she became known as the “Mother of the Colony.” In 1658, she opened Montreal’s first school. At a later time with others, she directed the building of the first stone chapel, Notre-Dame-de Bon-Secours in Montreal.