Warm Thanksgiving Greetings Everyone. Winnie and I had another meeting at the Motherhouse in Montreal this month with Sr. Nina Glinski and the other Coordinators of Visitation Province. As well, the Central Office Coordinators, Adèle Mercier and Ann Godfryd, and Monica Lambton from the Congregation of Notre Dame Visitation Province JPIC Committee (Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation), joined us for meetings. Networking and sharing of information with these individuals was very enriching. We also got to visit with many sisters who live at the mother house and some Sisters who live at the Infirmary.
Atlantic Religious Congregations Associate Network (ARCAN) Meeting – September 12-13 in Halifax
ARCAN was founded in 2002 through the wisdom and dedication of Sister Alma MacLellan, CND, and Mabou Associate Peg Madigan to “support the relationship between associates and sisters”. Through ARCAN, the congregations share experiences, learn about current trends and issues, and support one another. “For everything there is a Season” was a line used when Peg announced at the meeting that she would not be with us next season. It was humbling to hear her pride in the way ARCAN has grown over these past 12 years and she felt that our group was in good hands and assured us of her prayers for success in the future. ARCAN is represented by Sisters and Associates of several congregations in Atlantic Canada.
In the ARCAN photo: Front row – Sr Maureen O’Keefe, RSM, and Marjorie Allison-Ross, A-CND. Seated - Lorna Burbine, A-CSM, Sr Margie Gillis, SC, Sr Claudette Gallant, CSM, Peg Madigan, A-CND. Standing Sr Regina Shapter, RSM, Sr Phyllis Gallant, CND, Sr Frances Johnson, CSM, Peggy Gorman, A-RSCJ, Cora Shebib, A-SC, Winnie Odo, A-CND, Sr Lauretta White, CSM, Aline Reid, A-CSM. Back row: visiting Associate Janet Irvine-Ross, A-CND, Sr Norma Heffernan, RSCJ.
Associates were well represented at the area days. The picture depicts Associates, Sisters and members of the General Administration in Wilton, CT. An Associate commented that she felt most welcome and “felt love, gratitude and experience of sisterhood for being with the Sisters and Associates”. One Associate commented that “experiencing face to face the openness, acceptance and appreciation of the General Leadership for the Associates was affirming and positive”. Associates valued the prayer, sharing and connecting with Associates from different areas. The slide presentation on the history and development of the Congregation presented by the General Administration was a learning experience and much appreciated. “The courage and grace that runs through so much of the Congregation’s history continues today in the lives of Sisters and Associates”. At Wilton, Sisters Agnes Campbell and Danielle Dubois, who are the liaisons of the General Council with the Associate Relationship, were invited to spend additional time at the end of the sessions with the Associates. The conversation was marked by keen listening and openness and willingness to look together at sustainability issues for the future of the Associate Relationship.
News from Cameroon and more