ANNUAL RETREAT AT PLAINVILLE, MA – June 6-13, 2020
“Our Hearts are Longing”
June 6th, the first day of the Ignatian Retreat at Plainville promised perfect weather, as well as the collective desire of the community to begin. A stack of nine folders with prayer sheets and reflections to accompany the two daily Presentations were ready. I knew that Sr. Carmel would not be present, for she would be at Madonna Manor for convalescence from a recent fall. As Sr. Claudette Lapointe and I arrived at our convent, Sr. Michelle Authier had just received a call from Sr. Carmel’s doctor: Sr. Carmel had just entered into the Presence of our Risen Lord.
As the Sisters learned this news and both sorrow and shock rippled through the house. I realized that the beginning of the Retreat would have to be different and it was.
Time was needed and given for each one to recall Sr. Carmel’s generous and gracious presence in the community. As our sharing continued, given time, our shock gave way to grief.
We began with a sense of deep loss and gratitude for one whose memory would accompany us through this Retreat and beyond. Each day we recited the beautiful Marian prayer, Flos Carmeli in Sr. Carmel’s memory and believed that she was with us in a way that is Mystery.
– Sr. Helen Scarry, RJM
FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS – for Sr. Margaret Theresa Guinan
We wish to share the funeral arrangements for the Mass and burial of our sister, Margaret Theresa Guinan, RJM. The Mass will be on Tuesday, June 30th, at 10:00 AM at Sacred Heart Church in Monroe, NY. The burial will be at our cemetery, Our Lady of Sorrow Cemetery, in Highland Mills. Afterward we hope to have an outdoor luncheon at Thevenet Montessori School in Margaret’s honor.
THOUGHT-PROVOKING RESOURCE: “I Can’t Breath”
The School Sisters of Notre Dame have prepared a ‘Reflection and Resource for Dialogue’ as a response to the disturbing events in Minneapolis and what has followed. It is an excellent source of information and educational material and is attached to the email accompanying Bridges.
