News from the American Entity

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 26^th General Chapter and sharing of their experience.

Sr. Madeleine Bédard and Sr. Jocelyne Morin left for Rome on April 9^th to help finalize the preparations for the Chapter. Sr. Francine Maas left on April 24^th and Sr. Jacqueline Picard on April 27^th to join the Chapter.

On June 19^th 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 16^thMrs. 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 95^e, Sr. Mathilde Roy her 94^e and Sr. Hélène Marchand her 90^e^! 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 18^th and 25^th. 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 1^th, 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 7^th June, a farewell was organized on the 7^th 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.