Before the summer we share some news from our communities in Canada and the USA
Sr. Rita Toutant, from the Adelaide community, has kindly agreed to be the JPIC leader for the America Entity. As for ‘Rencontre et Dialogue (RD), it intends to collaborate in networking with other “InterFoi” groups with the aim of promoting “the common home”. She also agreed to be the delegate to the CATHII (Committee for action against internal and international human trafficking). We thank her warmly for her availability and wish her every success in her new mandate.
Participation of the Capitulants of our Entity for the 26th General Chapter and sharing of their experience.
Sr. Madeleine Bédard and Sr. Jocelyne Morin left for Rome on April 9th to help finalize the preparations for the Chapter. Sr. Francine Maas left on April 24th and Sr. Jacqueline Picard on April 27th to join the Chapter.
On June 19th an intercommunity meeting brought together in Cartierville our sisters from this community with those of Adelaide and Ottawa. It was led by Srs. Jocelyne Morin and Jacqueline Picard who simply shared with us their experience of this General Chapter. It turned out to be very different from what we have experienced so far, in that it invited the participants to personal transformation rather than to adherence to norms. It is now up to each one of us to join this movement! In Winooski, Sr. Francine Maas shared her experience.
On May 16th Mrs. Josée Beaudet, accompanist at the infirmary of Cartierville, organised a feast in collaboration with the sisters of the Pavilion. Three birthdays were celebrated: Sr. Jeannine Savoie, her 95e, Sr. Mathilde Roy her 94e and Sr. Hélène Marchand her 90e! Mrs. Nantel was invited for this triple celebration. A great feast with music and sharing of memories!
« How to age in good mental health»? Here is a timely question for the sisters of our America Entity! Mrs. Nantel had the good idea to approach the Canadian Mental Health Association, which offers training via the Zoom platform.
And so, two training sessions were offered to our sisters on May 18th and 25th. The first one was on ‘Aging and coping strategies. The second one on ‘Psychological distress in the elderly’. About thirty sisters of the Entity followed these two training sessions as well as four lay employees.
In Beauport on June 1th, Mrs. Bénédicte Lasselin, accompanist of the sisters of Beauport, organized a beautiful celebration for the jubilees of 2023. Sr Réjeanne Mercier and Sr Agathe Cotnoir: 70 years, Sr Jeannine Groleau and Sr Rachel Ouellet: 65 years. The sisters were able to share a testimony of their call. Great moment of joy and rejoicing where finally all the sisters of the MSOLA community of Beauport were able to be reunited following the numerous outbreaks of Covid in the residence.
Resignation of the Administrative Assistant, Mrs. Morin has taken the decision to leave her work has Administrative Assistant so as to go to work elsewhere. Her last day of work being on the 7th June, a farewell was organized on the 7th p.m. This encounter began with tributes to Mrs. Morin followed by a sketch played with brio by some sisters, then presentation of a card and gifts, and finally, a word of thanks from Mrs. Morin. A light snack concluded this farewell. We wish her the best of luck.
For the time being, let us enjoy the summer that is offered to us! … and let us not forget to pray for one another!
Let’s close with a Song to Old Age
(a whisper in our hearts in these soft summer evenings)
« Lord, Ancient in days,
eternal youth, eternal maturity, eternal old age,
eternity of infinite Love,
I thank you to have led me to my present age,
where, with less future, I am on the border of Eternity,
from where I can see my past,
just as, from Mount Nébo, Moses could se the Promised land.
I accept, good Lord, the length of life
that you have assigned to me,
and to give it back to you whenever you ask.
I accept old age, since you give it to me.
I accept the evening sunset,
Mortal reflection of your uncreated Light.
I accept it as I have accepted my youth
and my maturity, with the same joy.»
Wishing a good summer to every one of you!