ARCAN Committee welcomes Lorna Burbine

Lorna Burbine,
Antigonish Martha Associate

At the May 2013 ARCAN meeting the Committee welcomed Lorna Burbine, an associate of the Sisters of St Martha of Antigonish. Lorna was selected by the Antigonish Martha's to sit on the ARCAN committee with Sr. Claudette Gallant.

Lorna lives in Halifax with her husband, Jim Campbell. She and Jim are both associates. They have a combined family of one daughter, two sons and three grandchildren. Lorna and Jim belong to the Trenton (Nova Scotia) Martha Associate group.

Lorna spent most of her working career as a medical assistant except for a period of time working in Addictions Services which she said, "I loved".

When asked why she became a Martha associate she said, "We met and became friends with Sister Edna and Sister Mary and loved them both. In our friendship we learned more about the Martha's and were both very impressed with their generosity and their hospitality. Sister Edna invited us to journey with them for a year. The rest is history!

The Spirituality of Youth - What's the lesson ?

It is often remarked that as religious congregations initiate associate relationships in an effort toward renewal, most, if not all associates are the same age as the members of the congregations to which they belong.  It begs the question, "how might the associate relationship be of interest to young people ?"

Many youth today have dropped out of mainstream religion.  They are missing from our churches.   Many have chosen other paths for spiritual fulfillment while others have chosen none at all.

Adam Bucko and Matthew Fox

In an online interview with Adam Bucko and Matthew Fox about the spirituality of the Occupy Movement, Bucko comments:

"It is often said that youth do not know the language of the church. But in fact, the church does not know the language of the youth."

Bucko makes the case that youth are yearning for meaning and spirituality but not necessarily for the spiritual messages of a single mainstream tradition.  They live in a global village and as such draw from many traditions simultaneously.

As religious congregations work to develop associate programs, the message of Bucko and Fox has some inspiring insights and reflections that might be instructive.

To view this stimulating interview with Matthew Fox and Adam Bucko, click on the link below.

https://vimeo.com/46134685

ARCAN Committee Begins Strategic Plan

What is the future vision of the Atlantic movement of associates and sisters ?
What is the world crying out for at this time in history?
What new forms of religious life are emerging as congregations fade ?

Seated l to r:  Phyllis Gallant, cnd; Lauretta White, csm;
Frances Johnston, csm;
Standing l to r:  Cora Shebib A-sc; Peg Madigan A-cnd;
Maureen O'Keefe rsm; Norma Heffernan rscj; Peggy Gorman A-rscj;
Lorna Burbine A-csm; Winnie Odo A-cnd; Margie Gillis sc.
Missing:  Claudette Gallant csm,  Liz Murnaghan A-csm;
Ruth O'Reilly pbvm; Carmelita Pittman A-pbvm;
Regina Shapter A-rsm

These questions provided for some deep conversation and reflection at the October meeting of the ARCAN Committee.  

A draft vision statement has been developed and will be presented at the Atlantic conference on June 6-7, 2014, at Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax.

Another issue of importance cited at the October meeting was the financial challenge of the network as it grows and develops.  It was noted that at the 2011 conference participants placed high importance on continued opportunities to gather, connect, learn and share together and that there is a richness that comes from gathering with members of other congregations.   Given this on-going desire, the Committee flagged the need for financial resources to maintain the network.  It is expected that further development of the strategic plan will highlight this need and present some options.

The Committee has been engaged in a strategic planning process during its last two meetings.  The hope is that a planning document will be developed and presented to the membership which will provide future direction, vision and leadership for the Atlantic network.