At St. Jude’s Church, South Holland, the Associates of South Holland were joined by Associates from Kankakee, Joliet and Sister Bea Baker from Joliet to celebrate Sylvia S. becoming a CND Associate on Saturday afternoon, May 26. Sylvia is a very dynamic, enthusiastic woman who is a true “worker bee” adding life, energy, and ideas to her parish and to the Associate group in South Holland. Associates Karen and Mary, South Holland co-coordinators, led her in the formation sessions. With a heart for Visitation, Sylvia connects her faith with justice helping her Deacon husband with his scripture classes, ministering to the homebound, and serving at a soup kitchen.
At the Servants of the Holy Heart of Mary House of Prayer in Kankakee on Sunday, May 27, Sisters, Associates and families joined for a joyous ritual of welcome and dinner celebration of new Associates Ema and Sylvia E. They became Associates at a June 10 Liturgy St. John Paul II Church. The new Associates were formed by Sr. Mary Mac Isaac and the three women who became Associates last year.
Ema identifies with Marguerite’s joy in teaching catechetics and giving retreats. Ema sees the Visitation journey as a way to accompany and encourage others in their encounter God. Her deep faith and love of God is expressed in joy, gratitude and service, doing everything she can for the community. For her, being a CND Associate is a great privilege.
Sylvia E. is inspired by Marguerite’s life and the CND charism of liberating education. Aware of the gifts given to her, she builds a sense of community, serving those around her. Along with her many parish involvements, she is especially concerned about the great needs of the Hispanic community. While Sister Mary Mac Isaac is recuperating she is acting as the clinic translator for doctors.
We congratulate CND Associate Jennifer Hollis who has been named Executive Director of WIL, a non-profit organization dedicated to driving innovative employment solutions that bring immigrants and employers together in Ontario. As the new Executive Director (effective June 29) of this organization, Jennifer will use her vast amount of experience, strong leadership skills, knowledge, and enthusiasm to advance the vision of WIL--that all immigrants are successfully employed.
Congratulations to Seven New Associates in Chicago, South Holland and Kankakee, IL
At St. Margaret Mary Residence in Chicago on Saturday morning four women, Barbara, Catherine, Elizabeth, and Karen, became CND Associates marking a new local community of sisters and sssociates. Sr. Darleen Mayo and Sr. Regina DeVitto together with Associate Mary Jo Hoag have been meeting with and forming these four gracious women in the spirit and charism of the CND for over two years. Many family members joined in the joyous celebration.
As Barbara read the story of the Visitation during that ceremony, her baby leapt for joy in her womb. Her daughter, Elizabeth, was born three weeks later, and her mother “can't wait to teach her about the Visitation and Marguerite!” Barbara’s experience in the Jesuit Volunteer Corp imprinted on her faith and justice issues and desire for spiritual community. Her love and compassion for others is evident in her teaching young, vulnerable youth who are hospitalized as well as being a catechist in her parish.
Catherine’s connection with the CND began with her education at Waterbury Catholic High. In her corporate career, her faith sustained her in empowering others and fostering diversity. Obtaining a master’s degree in social work in mid-life, she then served as a hospice social worker. Retired now, Cathy with her husband cares for her mother and is very involved in her parish and civic community. “Connecting with the Congregation as an associate is a gift” and she is eager to “discover what’s ahead with faith and hopefulness”.
Karen, as a student at Rhode Island School of Design, became friends with Sr. Mary Ann Rossi, her Campus Minister. Since that time, Karen has had a deep love for Marguerite and sees her as mentor, intercessor, and friend. Married with teen-age twins, her daughter Kate’s middle name is Marguerite. The Visitation is the foundation for all her interactions. She is an advocate for children’s health issues and desires to use her graphic design education in service in parish and CND.
Elizabeth identifies with the marginalized and the poor through her dental profession of practicing dental sedation for underserved children. After becoming Roman Catholic at Notre Dame University, her search for an intentional faith community has been found in the CND and St. Gregory’s Church where she teaches CCD with Sr. Regina. She believes meeting her husband of one year and Sisters Regina and Darleen were facilitated by God. The “CND and I will have a life-long relationship cherished by all”.
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