During April, we gave three day retreats on “Discovering the Charism of Marguerite in the Stories of our Lives”. The goal of the retreat was to encourage Associates and others who attended to realize the connections of their own life events with the stories of Marguerite’s and Mary’s lives.
Staten Island
On April 1st, six Associates and three Sisters gathered in the beautiful chapel of Notre Dame Academy, Staten Island. All expressed gratitude for extended time for prayer, quiet and sharing. Some remarks from the evaluation of the day were: “Listening to each other becomes ‘graced time.’” “All our stories are so unique but similar.” “I learned and confirmed that I am not alone, especially in difficult moments. I have good friends here.”
Wilton Retreat
On Saturday, April 8, the day retreat was held at Wilton CT attended by sixteen associates and three Congrégation de Notre-Dame Sisters from CT and NY. As one associate commented “I very much enjoyed spending the day with fellow associates, making connections, renewing connections and having the opportunity to share our stories. It was a rewarding and emotional experience.” Another Associate “liked the idea of drawing parallels between one’s life and Marguerite and Mary.” Many observed that they would appreciate more opportunities to bring the local area communities together.
Illinois Retreat
Continuing the retreat series, we met with the Illinois Associates, Candidates and Inquirers on April 22, 2017 in South Holland. While reflecting on the retreat one Associate commented on how she “learned how her life parallels Marguerite’s” and how she “learned more about Marguerite’s life and to look deeper within her own life.” Another Associate liked the fact that “we as Associates need to be fully challenged to participate actively in meaningful transformational prayer and sharings.”
We also met with Associates and Candidates in the Holy Cross, Immaculate Heart of Mary Chicago Community, Candidates in Kankakee and interested women at St. Margaret Mary Convent, Chicago. At the gratitude brunch sponsored by Mission Advancement in Bourbonnais, we enjoyed conversations with Kankakee Associates. It was a wonderful experience to interact with such a diversified and active group of Associates in Illinois.
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