Photo: Sister Margaret MacDonell
On Sunday, September 10th several friends and relatives gathered at Parkland Cape Breton dining room to enjoy an Open House and Afternoon Tea in honor of our Jubilarians. Sisters Ada Gordon, Anne Maureen Cleary, Evelyn McNeil and Isabel Chisholm celebrated their 60th anniversary while Sisters Faustina Grant and Margaret MacDonell observed their 70th anniversary. Sisters from the city were also in attendance along with sisters from Parkland. They all had an opportunity to be photographed cutting the beautiful cake. A great spirit prevailed and all were very pleased with their afternoon. Congratulations to all Jubilarians!
On Thursday, September 7th, the sisters of Providence Mother House, associates and friends were treated to a presentation by Sister Marijke Gerretsen in which she took us on a PowerPoint journey on the El Camino. Marijke, her brother John and a friend made the pilgrimage in May of this year. With enthusiasm and wonderfully well documented information, Marijke described the details of making such a journey. Her experience was really one of “Visitation” as she recounted the many beautiful and warm hearted encounters they experienced on the way. A truly contemplative experience, her pictures spoke more than a thousand words as we delighted in the beauty of the landscape, the ancient buildings that still displayed the scars of wars fought long ago. The lodgings, rugged and primitive showed the full meaning of sharing, as Marijke described the sleeping quarters shared in a dormitory style. The whole impressive presentation was truly a gift to all who had the privilege of being there.
In May 2011, two CND sisters (Eileen Roach and Becky McKenna) opened a mission in Three Brooks with a four-fold mission of Contemplation: Care for the Earth: Working the land, and Collaboration. After six years of living these commitments, we have indeed reaped a bountiful harvest, a testimony to the work of collaboration. Margaret Mead’s words are true, that a small group of people who act upon their commitments truly can make changes in the world. Our Wednesday morning contemplative group was a place of deep sharing and heartfelt presence. Among our several collaborations, the two most significant were: The Seeds of Hope Community Garden, an ecumenical project of the five Christian churches in Pictou, and the CAiRN group which brought two Syrian families to Pictou.