Tonight at midnight, God initiates the community of the dispossessed. He creates it by becoming one with it. He sustains it by remaining within it. He gives it meaning by making there a gradual revelation of himself.
Bethlehem is Africa, where children are killed for pretensions of power; it is Latin America, where people starve through the indifference of others; it is every city street, every unholy slum, every fireless room.
It has other facets too: the loveless electric tree, the token giving, the glamour with joy – the signs without the signified. And so the Lord Christ lies between the beasts.
A large number of sisters and friends gathered for a liturgy of Thanksgiving on November 4th, 2018, to recognize the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the Sisters of the Congrégation de Notre-Dame in Summerside, PEI. The presider at the liturgy was Bishop Richard Grecco accompanied by pastor Father Chris Sherren and associate pastor Father Ignatius Sabastian. Father Eddie Cormier was present in the sanctuary. Sister Regina McQuaid spoke on behalf of the Congregation to express our thanks for the past, joy of the present and hope for the future. The lengthy applause and standing ovation following her presentation was witness to the appreciation and respect of the Parish community for the 150 years of service. The whole congregation joined in the joyful recessional hymn “Sing out her Glory” accompanied on the piano by former choir director, Sister Simone Abbass.
The Spirituality committee invited sisters to take part in Jan Richardson’s online Advent retreat Journey into the Heart of Christmas. This experience is providing an opportunity to travel through Advent and Christmas in contemplation, helping to find spaces for reflection that draw us deep into this season that shimmers with mystery and possibility.
Many of us will relate with Jan as she shares on living with the story of Mary and Elizabeth, drawn to the sanctuary they found with each other, the hidden space that provided sustenance for the path ahead.