Summer’s End at Louisbourg
On September 19, 2018 the staff at Fortress Louisbourg hosted our volunteer review. The stories told, comments made, suggestions and questions were animated and filled with the excitement of the summer and the hopes for next summer. Troy Allen, Product Development Officer, thanked us sincerely for bringing the past into the present; he said that it was such an asset having the congregation of the 18th century present today at the Fortress.
The volunteers talked about being energized by the history, the wonderful response of the visitors, the curiosity of the children, the welcoming staff and their own personal growth and learning over the summer.
Following a pizza lunch we drove out of the Fortress past the majestic ocean with waves delighting in the final winds of Hurricane Florence as she brushed against our shores.
Connie MacIsaac, CND with all volunteers
Updating and Renewing Ministry of Prayer and Presence
“Blessing” is a way of life, a lens through which the whole world is transformed. A blessing promotes protection, healing and creativity in a world sorely in need of wholeness. (John O’Donohue)
Our senior sisters participate in this way of blessing, bringing the needs of the world and all its peoples into the compassion of their hearts. With their unique abilities and the gift of time they are able to bless the lives of others, especially those on the peripheries.
As sisters update and renew their ministry of prayer and presence we acknowledge the way in which they bring the needs of the whole world to God. This expression of mission is a blessing for us all.
Child abuse of any kind – physical, sexual, emotional – is unmitigated evil, criminal and mortally sinful. Anyone who knows about it and does nothing is as responsible as the perpetrators. Until we understand the horrendous nature of child abuse and respond in a morally responsible way, we, as a society, are shirking our duty to protect our children.
Most abuse of children happens in private. The perpetrator usually threatens to harm the child or his family if he or she tells anyone about it. Perpetrators also insidiously convince the children it is their own fault that they are being abused, telling them that they like it or deserve it.