Honorary Degree For the Congrégation de Notre-Dame
St. Francis Xavier University Spring Convocation to celebrate new milestones for graduates, honorary degree recipients and award winners
Antigonish, Nova Scotia – It is one of the biggest celebratory days of the year at St. Francis Xavier University. After four years of hard work and dedication, a new generation of leaders will leave St. FX to carve out new pathways.
On May 5, more than 900 St. FX graduates will receive degrees. Morning and afternoon ceremonies will be celebrated with family, relatives and friends.
Two honorary degrees will be bestowed during Spring Convocation. During the morning ceremony, Dr. Stan Kutcher, a leading psychiatrist and professor, will be honoured for his work in helping manage major mental illnesses in youth. In the afternoon, The Congrégation de Notre-Dame will be recognized for its work in the value of liberating education to create a more just society.
Social Justice News from Visitation Province
The “Periphery” Reaching Out To The Periphery
“They still bring forth fruit in old age, they are ever full of sap and green.” (Psalm 92:15)
We are certainly part of the “periphery!” We live in a seniors’ retirement home. Our average age is 85. Braces, canes, walkers and wheelchairs are part of our every-day reality. Some of us need help in personal care to various degrees. Some have physical or mental disabilities. Our sisters remain here until death. Yes, we fit into the peripheral category! “How then shall we live?”
News from Visitation Province (Canada)
Vocations
“God’s call makes us bearers of a promise and at the same time, asks of us the courage to take a risk.” Doesn’t that sentence capture the experience of our lives? The quote is taken from Pope Francis’ message for World Day of Prayer for Vocations 2019.
The Vocation/Formation Committee would like to invite all of us to participate in any way that we can in this year’s world-wide prayer for Vocations on Sunday, May 12.
- Reflect upon our own lives and recognize the many promises and risks that have been enfolded into the years;
- Highlight this day by prayer in our communities;
- If possible, raise awareness of the day in our parishes;
- Participate in parish/diocesan activities;
- Read the Holy Father’s letter, The Courage to Take the Risk for God’s Promise. (https://zenit.org/articles/holy-fathers-message-for-2019-world-day-of-vocations/)
In his message, the Holy Father goes on to say that our vocation is God’s loving initiative whereby God encounters us and invites us to be part of a great undertaking. In this 400th anniversary of the birth of Marguerite Bourgeoys, let’s pray with the universal Church that all people will recognize God’s call in their lives and deepen their participation in God’s “great undertaking.”
Josephine Badali, CND, with members of the Vocation/Formation Committee
