Monday, December 3, 2012

Four Women Make Mercy Associate Commitment

Submitted by: Sr. Maureen O'Keefe, rsm - Mercy Associate Co-ordinator

L to R:  Cathy Hickey,  Sonia Harvey, Marilyn Thrurston,
Jo Anne Stevenson, Sr. Elizabeth Davis
Mother & Daughter
Gita Penney and Catherine (Penney) Ryan

On Sunday afternoon, November 25, approximately sixty Mercy Sisters and Associates gathered to celebrate with Sonia Harvey, Cathy Hickey, Jo Anne Stevenson and Marilyn Thurston as they made their Mercy Associate Commitment.  The Ritual took place in Mercy Convent Chapel, St. John's, Newfoundland.

In addition to the Scripture readings, prayers and songs, there was a special reflection on “What "mercy" means in my life.”  This was beautifully shared by mother and daughter Associates, Gita Penney and Catherine (Penney) Ryan.

Sister Elizabeth Davis, Congregational Leader, accepted the commitment of each new Associate and presented her with an Associate pin, certificate and candle. In speaking to the gathering she asked that each time Associates light their candle, they be reminded to pray for the upcoming General Chapter. The theme for this Chapter is “Tending the Flame of God’s Mercy.”  


L to R:  Sisters Charlotte Fitzpatrick, Betty Morrissey,
& Maureen Lawlor
Associates Sheila Connolly and Sara Sexton
The congregation extended their hands in blessing as Sister Elizabeth prayed a special blessing for the new Associates.  In a spirit of solidarity with all Mercy Associates throughout the province, the Associates present renewed their commitment of fidelity to the spirituality, community and mission of Mercy Associate relationship.

Following the ritual, all gathered in the Fleming Room to share the warmth of true friendship over the Catherine McAuley cup of tea and sample the rich variety of Associate homemade  goodies.

What a beautiful afternoon “tending the flame of God’s mercy.”

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Whispers of God in Baddeck: The Cape Breton Women's Ecumenical Weekend


Submitted by:  Peg Madigan, cnd Associate


I took part in a very exciting weekend recently.   It has lingered with me as I continue to recall all the richness of my experience and the wonderful people that I encountered.  So that being said, I would like to briefly share some of the highlights.

The organization that hosted this weekend event was the Cape Breton Women's Ecumenical Conference.   The CBWEC has been gathering together the first weekend in November for the past twenty-nine (29) years and has been held each year in the beautiful surroundings of the Inverary Inn, Beddeck, Nova Scotia Canada.

This years’ guest speaker was Nancy Whitney Latham who touched the hearts of all with her stories and humor as she expanded on the theme of this years weekend, “Whispers of God".   Each of the 121 attendees were assigned to groups (families) at the beginning of the conference on Friday evening. At this point, all the differences which may have existed, seemingly disappeared or melted away. 

Worship, prayer and songs were introduced throughout our time together. 

On Saturday a number of workshops were presented on various topics and themes.  And Saturday evening, a bountiful banquet meal was shared followed by entertainment and fashion show !

Sunday morning started with a ‘sunrise worship service’ at 6:30am which set the tone for the remainder of the morning.  The final event on Sunday morning had us partner with a member of our family group and take an Emmaus Walk together.  The Spirit was so alive throughout the weekend but something very special always seems to happen on the Emmaus Walk.

It was a spectacular weekend experience for me and others ! 

Just as a side note, I have already reserved a room for next year's conference. I will keep you posted.

Moving Forward Together: Reflections on Cape Breton Regional Gathering


Submitted by:  Sandra Schwinghamer - Associate, Sister of Charity

On October 27, 2012, the Atlantic Religious Congregations  Associate Network (ARCAN) met at the MacAulay Conference Centre, Inverary Inn, Baddeck, Nova Scotia.  The theme of this 10th anniversary gathering was  "Moving Forward Together”.   The members of the ARCAN executive who planned the event were: Sister Claudette Gallant CSM, Sister Margie Gillis SC, Peg Madigan CND-A, and Cora Shebib SC-A. 

Carl Madigan, Sr. Christine Beaton, cnd
Our day began joyfully with members of both the planning team and panel members graciously welcoming everyone.  Sister Claudette led us through prayer-song.  We were 'gathered into the arms of God’.  We heard some of the history, the challenges and the hopes for ARCAN.  We were asked to consider what is our future for ARCAN.

A panel was in place and each member came prepared to answer two questions:
What sustains me in this broken world/society/church?
What does the associate relationship do for me?

The response to the questions came from one sister and one associate from each of the attending congregations:  Sister Christene Beaton CND, Carl Madigan CND-A, Sister Agnes Burrows SC, Anita Nicholson SC-A, Sister Catherine MacFarlane CSM, Nora Bernard CSM-A.  Each member of the panel had a fully developed, carefully formed response.  Every talk was enriched by beautiful Scripture passages and quotes from renowned authors.  For our part we listened attentively and with great appreciation.  Their  insightful words were uplifting  and encouraging,  drawn  from years of a lived faith.

The conference delegates were also given some questions to consider:
  • What did you hear this morning?
  • How did you feel about what you heard?
  • How do we move forward together?
Geraldine Walker, Paula Nearing, Gerry Condon
The lively conversation that followed showed we had indeed left the land of silence and brought our truth to voice! We were reminded there is but one charism, one spirit. That charism is the spirit of Jesus Christ….....the charism of love with its many facets.

In our closing ritual we formed a circle and sang with drum and guitar.  We formed a moving circle and slowly walked to the basket to select one of the braids we had braided earlier.   Each braid was woven of four cloth streamers, the colours of which represented earth, air, fire and  water.  In our song each compass direction was assigned an attribute:  the east – dawning,  the south – growing,  the north – wisdom,  the west – seeing.  While singing I realized that we ourselves had been immersed in a process that day of dawning, growing, wisdom and seeing. We could envision the quote of activist and author Arundhati  Roy:


Another world is not only possible,
She is on her way.
On a quiet day
I can hear her breathing.

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Excitement and Energy Surround Presentation Associate Movement of Newfoundland and Labrador

Submitted by:  Sr. Ruth O'Reilly and Associate Carmelita Pittman


Over the past thirteen years our Presentation associate relationship has been growing and developing.  There is great excitement and energy !  We feel privileged to be here at this time in our history.

Over the years, and in dialogue with our associates and sisters, the need for more direction and continuity was recognized.  As a result, our congregation appointed Sister Ruth O'Reilly and Associate Carmelita Pittman to be co-directors.   Working along with them is a Leadership Team liaison person and a committee comprised of sisters and associates who act as a support circle for the co-directors.  This shared responsibility fosters sharper focus and a clearer direction and vision for ministry.

As we visit with the associates and the sisters who journey with them, it is indeed a blessing to see and hear how our associates are living the Presentation charism, mission and spirit of Nano Nagle in their respective lifestyles.  This is further witnessed through special projects taken on by associates in support of those made poor in their communities and for global mission.  All of this reflects how Nano engaged others in mission and how her living energy lives on within us.

Our congregation embraces the associate relationship as an important part of who we are.  This was affirmed in an invitation to our associates from the Leadership Team to participate in a panel at our Chapter Assembly in June 2011.    The sisters present were given an opportunity to respond to each of the speakers with questions or comments.    This experience was a blessed moment in our congregation as sisters and associates dialogued together.

The clear direction and vision given by our Leadership Teams over the years is now bearing fruit.  For the first time in our Presentation history an invitation was extended to our associates to participate in the process of inviting new persons to join us in this mutually supportive relationship.   Currently we have fifty (50) men and women associates and forty-eight (48) new persons who have just completed the information sessions and are now ready to begin the welcoming process.

Together, in a spirit of gratitude and openness, may we continue to foster respect and mutuality in a manner that both enhances our associate relationship and supports and challenges both associates and vowed members in their living more fully the Gospel values in the spirit of Nano in their respective life situations.

At this moment in our history we are being called to sing a new song, dance a new dance, for deep within God is saying, "See, I am doing something new."


Thursday, July 5, 2012

NACAR Conference: Journeying in the Land of "don't know".


Picture of Joyce Rupp
Joyce Rupp, keynote speaker
at NACAR spring conference.

Peg Madigan, A-cnd, is a board member of the North American Conference of Associates and Religious (NACAR).  She attended the NACAR conference in Deerfield, Illinois, in June.   Keynote speaker for the event was Joyce Rupp. 


Peg sent along this link to an article that appears on the NACAR website.



http://nacar.org/events/2012conference/59-landofdontknow.html  

Saturday, June 30, 2012

Spring Meeting of ARCAN Committee

Committee Engages in Strategic Planning Process


ARCAN Committee Members
Seated:  Phyllis Gallant, cnd; Liz Murnaghan, A-csm;
Claudette Gallant, csm
Standing: Margie Gillis, sc; Frances Johnston, csm;
Winnie Odo, A-cnd; Carmelita Pittman, A-pbvm; Peggy Gorman, A-rscj;
Peg Madigan, A-cnd; Cora Shebib, A-sc
Missing:  Maureen O'Keefe, rsm; Regina Shapter, A-rsm;
Ruth O'Reilly, pbvm

The bulk of the May meeting was dedicated to the development of a strategic plan.  

It was acknowledged that while the Committee spent their meeting time deliberating about these questions, it would be equally important to ask these questions of the general membership of ARCAN.
  • What do members of the Network need?
  • What are the critical issues facing the Network?
  • What are its strengths?
  • What threats might face the Network?
So we invite you to consider these questions !  You may choose to respond as an individual or you may wish to confer with other associates or sisters.   Send your thoughts and opinions.   You can comment at the end of this article or email your response to arcantheleadingedge@gmail.com  

The Committee will continue with its planning process at its next meeting in October.

"Network" is the language of our time


Reflections on 10 years of ARCAN

by:  Margie Gillis, sc


ARCAN owes some measure of gratitude to its founders, Sister Alma MacLellan, cnd and Associate Peg Madigan, cnd.     Ten years ago when they came up with this idea it was new, it was a risk.   As with most things of this sort one usually doesn’t realize it’s significance, its future value, until much later.

But look how things have changed in a mere ten years.   We knew congregations would diminish in size and influence over time.   For this we’ve been somewhat prepared.   But I don’t think we realized how quickly the church would change……...some would say “disintegrate”.    

In this historic time of fast-paced and wide spread change and disintegration there is increasing need to develop new ways, new structures, to fill the gap created by crumbling old structures.

That brings me to ARCAN.  On the grand scale of things it is a rather small and unexceptional organization.   But it is not insignificant.  I have a different appreciation of its stature after reading a most interesting book entitled Network Logic: Who Governs In An Interconnected World?  (edited by Helen McCarthy, Paul Miller and Paul Skidmore, published online by Demos.  See www.demos.co.uk/files/networklogic.pdf?1240939425).     

It’s rather interesting, perhaps even prophetic, that the original committee members chose the word “network” to describe this new Atlantic wide accumulation of sisters and their associates.   Alma and Peg, of the Congregation of Notre Dame, knew other congregations had similar efforts and they instinctively felt the need to gather everyone together in some way to learn and connect – to network.   Based on Network Logic’s logic, perhaps the choice to establish the ARCAN “network” was quite futuristic.

One of the contributors to Network Logic, sociologist Manuel Castells, says that the proliferation of computerization and the recent explosion of information and communication technologies has us paying more attention to the nature of networks.   “We live in a network society, he says, not an information society or a knowledge society.”

Networks are clearly having a huge impact on the way we live.  Social media networks such as Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, have changed the way we organize, meet, and the speed in which we congregate (Occupy, Arab Spring, Quebec Student Movement).   Network Logic points out that, unlike traditional institutions, networks have no obvious leader, no clear structure, no definitive org chart; networks self-organize, morph and change.  

Castells further makes the case that, in the modern world with exploding communication technology, networks have new and important power and significance.  "Power does not reside in institutions, not even the state or large corporations".  He says, "It is located in the networks that structure our society.”  My!  How times have changed !    

There is a recognizable shift in our world.  New social, political and religious landscapes are emerging.  The associate movement and, in Atlantic Canada, the ARCAN Network, is a part of this shift.    In the face of declining traditional institutions people want to come together in some new ways to explore, talk, deliberate and act.   Where once there were boundaries and walls (between religious congregations, between denominations, between sacred and secular) today there are doorways and bridges.

On two occasions over the past 10 years ARCAN has convened its general membership to talk about "the network".    The first was 2007 and the second conference took place last year, 2011.   The energy grows.   And the ARCAN Committee grows increasingly enthusiastic about its potential. 

Network is the language of our time.  Network is the structure of our time.  Thanks Alma & Peg !






Charism: A Diamond With Many Facets

Note:  Anne Walsh will be the guest presenter at our  2014 conference.  She is an associate of the Redemptorist community in St. John's Newfoundland.  Anne is currently the Director of Adult Faith Formation in the Archdiocese of St. John's.


by:  Anne Walsh


As I write these reflections, I am sitting in my sixth-floor apartment, looking out over the city of St. John’s as evening descends and falls. A few moments ago, the rays of the setting sun caught on a multi-faceted crystal in my window, one of a number of sun-catchers that I have collected over the years. For long minutes the light hung on first one facet and then another, moving and dancing on my floor and walls. I was fascinated. “That’s exactly the image that wish to convey in my writing!” I thought in grateful amazement. “Charism-- One diamond with innumerable facets.” Let’s think about that for a moment. 

How many charisms are there? That’s a trick question. We usually think of many charisms, carried and borne forth into the world by many religious communities. Each community is characterized by a unique “spirit.” For example, Sisters of Mercy speak about their charism as one of joyful service of the poor, the suffering, and the uneducated. Redemptorists speak of their charism as that of evangelizing the poor and being evangelized by the poor. These “charisms” are obviously related, though distinctively nuanced or coloured.

Let’s take a step backward. I have come to believe that there is but one charism, one Spirit. That charism is the spirit of Jesus Christ. The charism is Love, life-giving, life-enhancing, life-altering, death-transcending Love. There are many facets of that Love, and it is these facets that we are usually referring to when we speak of “charism.”

Love is like a diamond. It has as many facets as there are people, for love is always unique and new, always dancing in the mystery that is “you” and “me,” always shaped by our shared history, or by a movement of the heart-- compassion, gratitude, grief, contrition…

Given this reality, human beings share common interests and motivations. People group together for all kinds of reasons. Various people, over history, have come together around common interests, responding to a shared sense of need. Over time, people have heard the cries of the poor, the uneducated, the dying, the disenfranchised, the fearful, and have identified in their common sense of call a shared spirit, a shared sense of purpose. Evangelical “families” have been formed, each facets of the One Diamond. Once, those families encompassed professed religious. Sometimes there were priests and brothers in one evangelical family. Sometimes there were choir sisters and lay sisters. Sometimes there were a number of institutes which shared a common heritage or founder. Today, we witness the flowering of other forms of expression of charism. Many religious communities have begun to walk with “Associates,” “partners in mission,” “lay missionaries,” etc.

One image for the dynamic relationship shared by vowed religious and associates is the image of a family. These two, professed and associates, are really two elements that, together, constitute an “evangelical family.” Laurent Boisvert, in a short book that changed my life, describes these as “a community of belonging.” He writes:

                        The evangelical family constitutes a community of belonging,
                        not in the sense of a life under the same roof, but in that of
                        interdependent proximity which is rooted in the welcoming and
                        implementation of a particular aspect of the Gospel, of a certain
                        face of Jesus Christ... What drives the different ways of living
                        the privileged evangelical aspect is to witness, to participate
                        in the same mission.[1]


So, the community of belonging does not live all together under one roof, but we may nevertheless be united under the “roof” of a particular manifestation of the Holy Spirit, as it has been lived out by a particular religious community. I’ve been playing with Boisvert’s ideas, and his four characteristic dimensions of “charism,” and dhere’s what I have come up with, a few ideas to share with you.

1. Together, the members of an “evangelical family” look at the world and people through a shared lens. All share a common set of “glasses.” We see the Gospel from one particular aspect. When Redemptorists look at Jesus in the Gospels, we look for his interaction with the poor, the disenfranchised, with a particular eye to how they are changed in the encounter with the poor. For Redemptorists, evangelization is a two-way street.
·      In the case of the evangelical family to which you have been called, what would this lens be?
·      How does your “family” perceive or interpret the Gospel?
           
2. Together, in related but different ways depending on the concrete situations of our lives, the members of the evangelical family live the Gospel from this aspect. We look at people and needs and the world a little differently, and this makes a difference to how we live, the choices and commitments we make, the volunteer opportunities we choose, the partners we choose, the cause to which we give ourselves.
·      In the case of your evangelical “family,” what is distinctive about the way the members choose to live?
·      How do associates share this way of living?
           
3. Together, we experience a common sense of Mission. We bear witness to the life-changing power of the Gospel in a manner that flows directly from our gifts, talents, our way of seeing the world, our way of reading the Gospel. I started out life as a teacher, but from the start, I fell in love with the poor. They “ruined” me, as St. Paul might say, and forever after I oriented by life choices toward proclaiming Good News among the poor, whether that meant the materially poor or those rendered poor because of their age, or where they lived, or their lack of options or education. When I met the Redemptorists, with whom I felt so “at home,” I recognized that others saw things more or less the way I did. It was freeing.
·      How does the your “family” witness to the Gospel?
·      What is distinctive and life-giving about this? … for professed members? … for associates? … for those with and among whom you live and minister?

4. Together, the members of the evangelical family are Fruitful. Our common witness and work makes the world a better place, one life at a time. We build up and nurture the Reign of God through our common call, way of looking at the world and witness.
·      Do you see the development and flowering of the Professed-Associate relationship as “new life” for the community? … for the Church? … for the world?
·      How is the Professed-Associate relationship bearing fruit? What fruit do you discern is being borne?

One diamond, many facets. It is our privilege, yours and mine, to live in this exciting time, in which such possibilities are open to us. This is a time of rebirth and revitalization. God grant that we will have the courage and the perseverance to grasp the opportunity presented to us. God grant us willing hands and grateful, generous spirits to undertake the foundational work that lies before us. God grant us friends and humour to lighten the loads. God grant us days of sunshine on which we can observe and wonder at the Light that shines in and through us and our companions.



[1] Laurent Boisvert. Charism: An Evangelical Visage to Incarnate and Manifest (Québec: Éditiones Franciscaines, 1994), p. 44

New Challenges and Ventures in Mabou


The Congregation of Notre Dame Sisters invited and challenged a CND Associate couple to both reside and to work at their Renewal Centre in Mabou, Nova Scotia.
St. Joseph's Renewal Centre, Mabou, Nova Scotia
Carl & Peg Madigan began their new ministry at St. Joseph Renewal Centre one year ago.  The downsizing and selling of their home in Truro were a challenge but the many graces that have come into play were far greater.
Having the opportunity to live in community with the Sisters has been most rewarding, although they do have a small bungalow on site to retire to at the end of the day.

They are part of a team of four managing the Centre and working closely together with the goal to maintain and expand the usage of this beautiful facility.
Several new programs and services were offered last fall:  Catholicism 201, Discovering Christ, Advent and Lenten series, Marriage Preparation, ongoing Retreat Planning, Spiritual Direction and Prayer Companioning are also now being offered.
Visit their website:   http://www.stjosephrenewalcentre.com
Peg & Carl invite you to drop a line or visit the Centre to book a retreat time.  They would be happy to see you & give you a tour.
Carl & Peg Madigan
St.josrctr@ns.sympatico.ca
(902) 945-2392


Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Spring Greetings !


Welcome ARCAN readers.    

Firstly, you may notice our new look !   With ever new technological advancements comes plenty of choice.  We are experimenting with a "blog format"  for The Leading Edge in an effort to design a newsletter that is easy to publish, easy for you access, and provides an interactive option.     The interactive option is in the form of a "comment" icon at the bottom of each article.  


You are receiving this newsletter/blog because you attended the ARCAN conference in Halifax in May 2011 and you supplied us with your email address.   If you wish to unsubscribe to this blog please notify us at arcantheleadingedge@gmail.com and we will remove your name.   If you know of someone who would like to subscribe then contact us and provide their name and email address. 

At this time The Leading Edge is a private blog, meaning, that entry is restricted to those who submit a request and are registered.  As a registered user you can also "comment"  on any or all of the articles.  Give it a try !


As we evolve we will find ways and reasons to tweak this format.  So we ask for your patience in this process.

It is our hope that this blog will keep you updated about ARCAN news and inspire us to continue to develop the network.  

So.......read on !

Monday, March 19, 2012

We're putting together some pieces ! This is where we are...


The ARCAN Committee met last Fall.  The following are some highlights of our meeting.


Conference planned for 2014.   Yes, the date for the next ARCAN conference will be 2014.  And we’re pleased to announce that Ann Walsh, Redemptorist Associate, from Newfoundland will be our guest presenter.   Ann comes highly and enthusiastically recommended.   See the next article below for a short introduction.

10th Anniversary of ARCAN.   2012 marks our 10th year.  It’s a milestone !  So, how might we acknowledge it ?   See “Regional gatherings” below.

Regional Gatherings.  As the larger Atlantic conference does not happen yearly, regional gatherings can be a way to network, learn, and strengthen relationships in between conference events.   Regional gatherings are less difficult to plan, inexpensive, and may be easier for associates and sisters to attend if the distance of travelling to a Halifax conference presents a barrier.   The ARCAN Committee proposed that the 10th anniversary (this year) would present an opportunity to organize regional gatherings.    Sisters and associates can define their own region.  Halifax and area might be a region.  Cape Breton could be a region.   Newfoundland could have several regions given geography as could PEI and New Brunswick.   We are encouraging ARCAN members to self-initiate, plan a gathering, be creative !

Database Work on the ARCAN database is progressing.  Barb Martell, RSCJ Associate is providing direction and management for this project. 

Five Year Plan.  There was discussion about developing a Five Year Plan that might provide direction and focus for ARCAN.     This topic will be discussed further at the next committee meeting in May.  

We welcome your input and suggestions.  Contacting us is easy.......arcantheleadingedge@gmail.com or  click on the comment button below.

ARCAN 2014 conference presenter - Anne Walsh

ARCAN is pleased to announce the presenter for the ARCAN 2014  conference – Anne Walsh, Redemptorist Associate.

Anne is a native Newfoundlander.  She taught in the rural schools of her home province for seven years before pursuing a Master of Religious Education degree at the Faculty of Theology, St. Michael’s College, Toronto. While in graduate school, she became acquainted with the Redemptorists and worked in several of their youth and young adult programs.   Anne has continued to be an active partner with the Redemptorists in many of their pastoral projects. 


Anne currently works as Director of Adult Faith Formation in the Archdiocese of St. John’s.   She holds a graduate Diploma in Fine Arts from the University of Calgary and a Canadian Certificate in Youth Ministry Studies from St. Michael’s College.


She is a candidate for the Doctor of Ministry degree at St. Stephen’s College in Edmonton.   
Anne is an avid reader, and crafter (scrapbooking, card-making, embroidery and painting), loves to walk and enjoys folk music (both listening and singing) and storytelling.


In the Fall edition of The Leading Edge we will feature an article from Anne on “charism and the associate relationship”.  

NACAR Conference - June 1-3, 2012

The Deerfield Hyatt Hotel, Chicago IL, is the location for this year's NACAR conference (North American Conference of Religious and Associates).  The conference theme is "Journey of Blessings".  Keynote speaker will be Joyce Rupp, OSM, author, international retreat leader and conference speaker.  For more information visit  www.nacar.org