RSCJ Associates Celebrate "Decade of Blessings"

Note:  The Society of the Sacred Heart (RSCJ) is an international congregation serving in 41 countries throughout the world.   There are over 2500 women worldwide.  In 2013 the sisters of the United States and Canada combined to form one North American province.  In Canada the RSCJ's live in Halifax, Ottawa, Montreal, and Prince George British Columbia.

Peggy Gorman is an associate of the Society of the Sacred Heart in Halifax and submitted this article commemorating their 10th anniversary as associates in Halifax.

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Submitted by:  Peggy Gorman, RSCJ Associate

Ten years ago, six women felt called to a relationship with the RSCJ's that would deepen our prayer life, allow us to live the richness of the charism of Cor Unum (one heart), and provide us with the opportunity to interact more fully with the Canadian RSCJ's.

L to R standing:  Donna Dolan,rscj; Peggy Gorman,
Colleen Quinn, Norma Heffernan,rscj;
Patricia Donnelly (Associate Candidate), Margaret Boyd.
Front:  Barb Martell, Pauline Scott, Susan Atkinson.
Missing:  Judy Sapp.

The intervening years have allowed us to fulfill our goals, to grow in numbers and to renew our commitment to make known the heart of Christ in our personal and professional lives. 

Today we celebrate the women we have become, the "yes" given wholeheartedly by the provincial team ten years ago, the RSCJ mentors that we have been privileged to journey with especially Mary Finlayson and Maureen Currie who encouraged us to study the constitutions, develop skills in preparing and leading prayer, and to attend to our inner life.  We give thanks for those RSCJ's who have followed them and are most thankful for the relationship we have with all of the Canadian RSCJ's.

We have also been enriched by the opportunity to attend and/or prepare assemblies, to develop our associate brochure which includes an innukshuk of words, to compose our commitment statement, to study the lives of the Mothers’ General, to meet with members of the provincial and international leadership and most importantly to pray with, break bread with and share our lives with our sisters.

Today we remember!
We celebrate!
We give thanks!
We look forward to what is to come! 

"Carving Tools" Needed for June Associate Conference in Halifax !

Ever wonder what religious life might look like in the future ?  Do you wonder if maybe we are on the cusp of a wildly exciting transformation into something very new ?  Would you like to be part of a conversation with many others from throughout the Atlantic provinces wondering the same thing ?  Then you won't want to miss this upcoming ARCAN conference, June 6-7, 2014, at Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax.

Anne Walsh (above) facilitated the Antigonish Diocesan
Congress in October 2013.

We really are carving a unique future !  A new dimension of religious lifestyle is waiting to emerge and we have the exciting privilege and responsibility to be part of its forming.  

Michelangelo said, "I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free."   That's a beautiful image for the newly shaping associate relationship. After several years, its form and fashion is showing strong identifying lines and characteristics as it emerges from the marble of traditional religious life. However, more chiseling and chipping needs to be done.  That's what we'll be doing on June 6-7, 2014, at Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax. 

The conference will feature the intellect, experience and wit of Anne Walsh, a Redemptorist Associate from Newfoundland, who will facilitate the conference proceedings (for bio see article posted November 30, 2013).  Anne's reputation as a praised speaker and facilitator is spreading and we are thrilled she will be with us.  She, undoubtedly, will present us with some carving tools and invite us to continue to chip away !

Joyful Mercy Advent in Newfoundland

Submitted by:  Maureen O'Keefe, rsm

Joy is the most infallible sign of the presence of God.  Teilhard de Chardin

St John's, Newfoundland.  Mercy Associates assembled for a time of prayer and reflection on November 30 and December 3 at Mercy Convent Chapel and Associate Room, Military Road. Sister Loretta Chafe-rsm led the gathering as they contemplated,  “Come, take time to prepare your heart in joyful hope for the Advent of our God.” 

L to R:  Back Row - Joan Upshall, Sr. Loretta Chafe,
Regina Shapter, Sheila Connoly, Betty Pomroy, Marie Higgins,
Cathy Hickey.
Seated: Bess Collins, Lucy Parrott,  Mary Craig,
Sr. Maureen O'Keefe.

Here are some thoughts expressed by participants at the end of the day:

Through singing, psalms and scripture reading, personal reflections, sharing of thoughts and a guided reflection on Luke’s account of the visitation of Mary to her cousin Elizabeth, the many facets of joy were contemplated. 

 Each line of scripture led us to the heartfelt understanding that life is all joy and freedom once we become aware of God’s presence in our own hearts and in each other. Each person shared stories about how we receive the grace in the everyday moments of our lives to “rejoice in all things” – how our lives are a winding journey comprised of joys and sorrows, disappointments and losses, high points of achievement and reward, quiet empty spaces of time and fun-filled times with others.

L to R:  Sr. Loretta Chafe,  Rose Dinn,
Dolores Robertson,  Anne Brown

Sister Loretta’s guided journey with Mary to Elizabeth’s house was truly precious in
enabling us to experience trust, joy and comfort with one another. Just as Mary was so filled with joy as she spoke with Elizabeth, that she proclaimed the Magnificat, we too are asked to open  our hearts to receive God’s love and allow Jesus to born anew in us. 

The retreat was an oasis of quiet time away from the material hustle and bustle of Christmas preparations. It provided a joy and peace that we can take back to our homes and communities.

The day was thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated by everyone. We left with lighter and more joyful hearts and with a spring in our step.  For a few hours we shared a sacred space and a spiritual unity that brought us to a greater awareness of the presence of God within and among us.

Reflections

By:  Carl Madigan, CND Associate, Mabou, Nova Scotia.

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Life

Journey’s end ----                                          
Journey’s yet begun ---

And so I go Lord

Only because you ask this of me.

For some unending reason

You have found favour with me

And have now shared

The totality of Your Being ---

As far as my heart can grasp.

Life’s end ---

Life’s true beginning.             Amen.

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My Teddy Bear

Ever gentle – Ever loving

May this small being ever share with you

The total wonderment of life 

Of love.

May his quiet, gentle ways 

Guide you to the loving gentleness               

Of our Father.

May his patient, forgiving heart

Lead you deeply

Into the healing arms of our God.

May his faithful, loving presence

Draw you ever more

Into the comforting presence of our Lord.

May his unity with his Being

Bring you fully

Into the Oneness of your Being.

And may your life be lived as His

In peaceful, gentle, loving

Acceptance of all your being.

Forever at one 

With self

With other

With God.

P.S.  Isn’t it marvelous that we never grow too old to be loved by our teddy bears.

CND Associate and Presbyterian Minister conduct workshop

Rev. Joyce Davis (left) and Peg Madigan at Cape
Breton Women's Ecumenical Conference.

In November, CND Associate Peg Madigan and Presbyterian minister Joyce Davis teamed up to facilitate a workshop at the 30th annual Cape Breton Women's Ecumenical Conference at the picturesque Inverary Inn, Baddeck, Nova Scotia.    The workshop entitled "Homeward Bound" offered participants an opportunity to pause and reflect on the mystery of life's end.

Guest speaker for the conference was Rev. Marion McKay who explored the weekend theme "Opening Doors" and ably held the attention of the 107 attendees with her gift of storytelling and insightful connections.

Madigan, reflecting on the weekend, stated, "There were many highlights but the Sunrise Prayer Service early Sunday morning overlooking the beautiful Bras d'Or Lakes was a special highlight along with the Emmaus Walk which offered an opportunity to spend some quality time in sharing and listening with a companion". 

The conference was chaired by committee member Honorine MacMullin of Cheticamp, Nova Scotia.

The popular weekend gathering is filled with discussion, sharing, singing, laughter and wonderful meals.   In fact it is so popular many women, before leaving, booked rooms for the 2014 conference !

ARCAN Committee Plan for 2014 Atlantic Conference

Mount Saint Vincent University will be the venue for the third Atlantic Religious Congregations Associate Network conference on June 6-7, 2014.   The theme for the gathering is, "Called to Relationship - Widening the Embrace".  The conference is open to all associates, sisters, and those interested in this new and growing relationship.

The conference presenter will be Anne Walsh, a Redemptorist Associate of St. John's Newfoundland. Anne is currently the Executive Assistant to the Archbishop of St. John's and Director of Adult Faith Formation for the Archdiocese.   She is a candidate for the Doctor of Ministry degree from St. Stephen's College, Edmonton.  She has presented workshops, courses and retreats in every Canadian province including the territory of Nunavut, and in various places in the United States, England, Ireland and Italy.  She has written numerous articles and worked on a number of writing teams for Religious Education resources published by the Canadian Bishops. She was most recently the principal author for the document On Good Soil: Pastoral Planning for Adult Faith Formation, published by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops in May, 2011.  In 2009 Anne was a speaker at the Redemptorist General Chapter in Rome. 

The ARCAN conference is proving to be a popular gathering for sisters and associates throughout the Atlantic area.   As associate groups in individual congregations continue to develop and grow, there is a simultaneous need to build bridges between congregations to share experiences, learn about current trends and issues, and support one another.

2011 conference participants:
Vivian Mancini, sc and Linda McNeil A-csm

In addition to general conference proceedings, a new element will be added to the 2014 conference - a business segment.  The ARCAN Committee will take a small portion of the agenda to present a report of its activities to the assembly and introduce their process for a long range plan for ARCAN.  The Committee has made great strides over the past year and is looking forward to presenting its material and gathering input from sisters and associates that will assist in further developing this plan.  

The associate movement is a growing phenomenon.  It is said to be the fastest growing group within the church.  As other groups continue to decline in numbers, associate groups are showing a steep upward trend throughout North America.

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!