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It is always during Lent
that we celebrate your feast, Joseph.
It is therefore in great humility that you are celebrated.
A feast in the image of your very simple life!
I still want to celebrate you in an act of fervour.
Thank you for all the favours that you grant me
as well as to the people who turn to you.
On Saturday morning, March 11, several of the Ottawa Sisters and Associates gathered for a time of visiting and reflection. This was a follow-up to the Lenten
Reflection, “Finding Grace in the Wilderness,” that Debie Thomas presented on Friday, February 24th, 2023.
The reflection question, “What have been the deserts where the Spirit has driven me in order to learn a kind of love that is independent of external circumstances?” led to some deep sharing and a greater appreciation of the journeys each of us has taken over the years. We highly recommend the book “Into the Mess & Other Jesus Stories: Reflections on the Life of Christ,” by Debie Thomas, that was published in 2022. Her Lenten retreat was based on the story “Tempte d” taken from this book.
Bill Fehlner, Associate
From March 12 to 31, the Leadership Team of the Congrégation de Notre-Dame is on an official visit to our sisters in Central America.
Before visiting the various missions, both councils (regional and general) held a joint meeting.
My Lent is halfway accomplished.
Not that bad! I worked hard
and I live in the belief that you, God,
you rejoice in it;
I forgot my promises a few times:
There were moments when I did not act like Jesus.
Help me pull myself together. I believe in you.
We are pleased to announce the 2023-2025 Visitation Province Leadership Team:
Sr. Rebecca McKenna, Province Leader
Sr. Karen Kelly, Associate to the Province Leader
Sr. Eileen Power, Councillor [part-time]
Sr. Donna McInnis, Province Bursar & Councillor
From Our Leadership Team
We had a lively and most interesting conversation with Kate Jaenicke, President of Notre Dame Academy and Sr. Kay Powers, Chair of the Trustees, who spoke of the Strategic Growth Plan and new initiatives at NDA. We are grateful to Sr. Kay for agreeing to remain as Chair for an additional year, and we happily accepted her offer.
In the garden of Chofu Convent, red and white plum blossoms and daffodils are in full bloom, giving off the fragrance of spring. March will soon be upon us. This month, we were blessed to have Sister Ona Bessette, the Congregation Leader, visit Japan and attend part of our Provincial Council meeting.
Zoom with Ruva … our new JPIC coordinator– March 9, 2023
Sisters and associates across Visitation Province enjoyed a half hour Meet & Greet with Ruva Gwekwerere. We look forward to working together and meeting in person in the weeks, months and years ahead.
On Feburary 13, 2023, Theresa Ann and I had a beautiful visit with Sisters at the Health Centre in Sydney. Our Sisters are so happy to see the Associates since COVID had many restrictions on visitors. Our Sisters are in good health and happy!
International Women’s Day, March 8 is a global day to recognize and celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day honours women's accomplishments around the entire world and calls us to continued action in achieving women’s equity.
The United Nations began celebrating International Women's Day in 1975, which had been proclaimed International Women's Year. Two years later, the United Nations General Assembly invited member states to proclaim March 8 as an official UN holiday for women's rights and world peace. Since then, the day has been recognized in much of the world. Each year a theme is chosen focusing on a topic around women’s rights or related issues. This year’s international theme is #Embrace Equity. The Government of Canada chose to express this theme as Every Woman Counts to remind us that all women, of all ages and walks of life, need to have a place in every aspect of Canadian society.
Eleanor McCloskey for JPIC
A Full February for Sisters at Mary of Peace Community in Montreal
February has proven to be a very full and life-giving month for the Sisters at Mary of Peace Community. From McDonald’s lunch, to Matinée, Mardi Gras and a Lenten Reflection.
Hallelujah! This means "Praise God!"
Therefore, I praise you, my God
because you took the side of Jesus.
I praise you because you take the side of the friends of Jesus,
the side of people who work to establish justice,
the side of those who share, who forgive, who love.
Hallelujah! Jesus, you are alive today.
This is how long it lasts. It is quite a long time, forty days.
However, I try to be fairer in my judgments.
I try to judge with mercy, like Jesus.
I try to love with kindness, like Jesus,
the people who do not think like me.
I want to follow Jesus.
Help me, Lord, you are truly great.
We are entering Lent. Already! Forty days of penance…
But, what penance? I listen to what the Lord tells me:
"You have been shown, what God requires of you:
to act justly, to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:8)
What can I do to be fairer? Who must I love better?
What must I imitate from the life of Jesus?
Violence like all sin is based on lies. The great lie of violence is that it can be controlled. Despite thousands of years of facts to the contrary, it is still assumed that violence can be contained.
The UN World Day of Social Justice is February 20, 2023
This year’s theme is Overcoming Barriers and Unleashing Opportunities for Social Justice. As Pope Francis tells us in Laudato Sí, Social Justice is a climate matter. A healthy planet promises fairer societies and more economic and political stability. The JPIC (Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation) Committee would like to invite Sisters and Associates of Visitation Province to make a concrete action to reduce our carbon footprint on Monday, February 20th (and every day). Here is your JPIC Committee doing our part to reduce our carbon footprint meeting by Zoom on Valentine’s Day!
Karen Kelly, for JPIC
Random Acts of Kindness Day is February 17, 2023. In Canada, we are invited annually to celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Week from February 14 to February 20. It's meant to be a way to jump in on ways we can become a positive influence where we are, in opportunities we have.
Follow the heart! Sometimes we just need to make room in our schedule, or allow for an adjustment to respond to an opportunity to be kind. Random acts are good, and so are planned acts of kindness.
WARM GIFTS FOR COLD WINTER DAYS
Congregation de Notre-Dame Associates and friends from Stamford, CT recently used their knitting talents to gift others. Hats, scarves and mittens were made and given to students who attend Children’s Community School (CCS) in Waterbury, CT. Stamford Associates Kitty and Candice met Associate Ellen from Waterbury for a “visitation lunch” before Ellen delivered the homemade gifts to CCS. Children from CCS truly loved their new winter accessories!
The Heavens are Telling the Glory of God: An Emerging Chapter for Religious Life, Science, Theology, and Mission by Laurie Brink is an excellent book that builds on the work of Teilhard de Chardin and the New Cosmology. Laurie proposes a reframing of the concepts like “original sin” and “redemption” and creates the space to reflect on what is emerging. As women religious, such reframing can help foster an evolving and incarnational spirituality. The House of Formation highly recommends it. It will test your reading skills and probably your experience of religious life.
In the past year, we have been intentionally living interculturality. Francisca Osouhukwu, DDL, a daughter of Divine Love, a Nigerian American whose community is in Orange, New Jersey shares part of her week with us while ministering as a chaplain at Westchester Medical Center. We are grateful for her presence and the many ways she shares community with us. Our favorite time is the sharing of a Nigerian meal. This evening we will be having Okra Soup and Fufu which we love. Her favorite food is spaghetti and meatballs!