On Saturday and Sunday of the last September weekend, the annual Vocation Fair of the Kingston Archdiocese was held at Holy Rosary Church in Belleville, Ontario. All the religious communities of men and women in the archdiocese took part in what was an exceptional and creative display of their life and ministry in Canada and around the world. The Congregation of Notre Dame was beautifully and interestingly represented thanks to the hard work of Sisters Rosemary Shannon, Rosemary Brosseau, Denise Bérubé, and Sheila Sullivan. Besides the Religious Communities, the Diocesan Priesthood, Permanent Diaconate and various pastorally oriented organizations such as the Catholic Women’s League, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Birthright, and several other organizations invited people to share their gifts in service of God and their neighbour. The visitors to the exhibits were interested and eager to hear from the organizers about the community they were presenting. So we continue to pray to “the Lord of the harvest...”
As a result of sessions initiated by The Martha Spirituality Center and Fr. John Lacey, some of the lay people who participated became committed to continue this process in the diocese. A series of sessions began on Monday September 22 in St. Francis of Assisi Parish in which a total of 20 lay people were present including the coordinating committee, of which I am a member. It was so hopeful to see this initiated by members of St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Cornwall; five of whom are, of course, on the coordinating team. I was very happy to be invited to be part of the team. We all agreed we were off to a good start. People shared openly regarding how the scandal had affected them and members of their families and their desire to be part of the process of healing.
At the National CWL Convention, held in Fredericton, NB, in August, CND Associate Doreen Gowans was elected National Chairperson of Community Life. Doreen lives in Kamloops, BC and she has been a very active CWL member for several years. Doreen has also worked with the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Core Committee of Visitation Province, CND. Doreen asks for our ongoing support and our prayer. Already on the job, she refers to newly adopted Resolution 20114.01 Restoration of Health Care for Refugee Claimants and suggests we consider writing to rona-ambrose@parl.gc.ca about this issue.
