It has been a diamond studded year for me! Indeed it began in December during a celebration at school in honour of all our benefactors. At that time I was named a MaYaa by the fon (traditional leader) of Ngarum. In other words I am now Queen Noreen of Ngarum!
In January I renewed my vows with the two new finally professed sisters in Yaounde and joined with them in celebrating the event. In February we celebrated my eightieth birthday at Kumbo. In May I joined with you all in spirit as mass was celebrated for the Diamond Jubilarians at Bon Secours.
In February 2013, Pope Francis promulgated 2015 as the Year of Consecrated Life with these words: “…awaken the world with the passion of your charisms and your mission…”
The Year of Consecrated Life will begin on the First Sunday of Advent, November 29, 2014, and end on February 2, 2016. The year also marks the 50th anniversary of Perfectae Caritas, a decree on religious life, and Lumen Gentium, the second Vatican Council’s constitution on the church. The purpose of this Year is to “make grateful remembrance of the recent past” while embracing “the future with hope.”
On October 5-7, 2014, the associate area coordinators and Sister Nina Glinski, liaison with the leadership team, met in Montreal for their regular fall meeting. They began with prayer and interesting conversation about the Associate Area Reports. They shared thoughts, questions and gratitude for all that is happening throughout Visitation Province. Two new area coordinators, Marjorie Allison-Ross from Woodstock, NB and Karen Volpe from Toronto, ON were welcomed as they brought their gifts of enthusiasm and newness to the gathering.
The Associate Central Office report was presented by Ann Gotfryd and Adèle Mercier. They brought the group up to date on the Central Committee meeting which took place in Montreal, August 7-10, 2014. The theme of the international gathering was: Uncovering the Face of Associate Relationship and the presenter was Ann Walsh, Redemptorist associate from Newfoundland. The Visitation Province coordinators gave a creative combined report: identifying who associates say they are, what associates want others to know about themselves and how associates organize themselves. It was said that, “The values, talents, and identities of all our associate groups are gifts from God and reflect uniquely the many facets of Marguerite’s charism.”
