May 24th will mark the 5th anniversary of the publication of Laudato Si, Pope Francis' call to care for our common home. The Holy Father is renewing that call by inviting Catholics everywhere to participate in 'Laudato Si' Week, May 16-24.
Birth: January 8, 1937
Profession: February 22, 1957
Death: May 1, 2020
WELLESLEY HILLS, MASSACHUSETTS - Marillac and Elizabeth Seton Residences
This parade - a joyful witness to love - happened on at 11:30 on April 28th, as the sisters living in the surrounding area, associates, and coordinating care team formed a car parade to thank the staff and to “visit” the many sisters at the Marillac and Elizabeth Seton Residences.
Our experience during this pandemic is one of feeling cut off from our people, teachers, children, workers and parents in schools and at the parish level ... Yet, there is an experience of spiritual hunger and thirst by our people, particularly during the Holy Week and now at Eastertide.
VIRTUAL CONNECTING… beyond our borders: "How are we living this historical moment? In fact, what we are living is kind of 'unreal.' "
In these days of crisis, we are all threatened, few more than those fleeing violence in search of refuge in the U.S. Let us not fail to act to protect the most vulnerable among us.
Birth: June 9, 1922
Profession: August 20, 1945
Death: April 7, 2020
Sr. Patricia Brito, Principal of St. Frances de Chantal School in the Bronx, has nothing but praise for the response of her teachers and staff to the challenge of “distance learning” which the current pandemic has imposed. March 13th was the first day that St. Frances was closed to students, and the faculty took advantage of the previously scheduled conference day for that Friday to have a five-hour in-service on the tools and practices that would help learning to continue.
Thevenet Montessori School may be formally closed right now, but nothing can stifle the school community’s spirit and commitment to learning. Through the creativity of its staff, Thevenet Montessori, like its foundress, is taking on a new face in response to the corona circumstances.
A Call to Spiritual Bonding by Elise D. García, OP - LCWR President-Elect: As I write this column, the disruptive impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is rocking our nation and the world. Social distancing is the catchword. We leaders of religious institutes, along with leaders of governments, schools, parishes, businesses, civic organizations, industries, and nonprofits, are challenged with making daily, if not hourly, determinations about the breadth of its application as a proactive form of quarantine.
This month, Women’s History Month, WSG is celebrating its three Founding Spirits: Claudine Thevenet, Cornelia Connelly, (Founder of the Society of the Holy Child Jesus) and Mary McLeod Bethune (Founder of The National Council of Negro Women).
How can we reduce our dependence on polluting fossil fuels for energy, lower our electricity costs, and address the climate crisis in a communal, meaningful way? One alternative gaining national and Catholic interest is the use of solar power.
This week Srs. Natalia Mejia and Rosie Nicholson were joined by Cathy Minihan (left) Pat Clausen (middle) and Cheryl Nichols (right), who came to experience the lives of the asylum seekers in the San Diego border area. They received a warm welcome from the workers at the shelter, participated in art activities with us and met migrant families with new born babies. This week several migrants were in quarantine due to the flu.
Two different Lenten reflection guides that you may wish to use this Lenten season, are attached to the email accompanying Bridges.
Our recently concluded General Chapter issued a strong statement, calling us to “work … for justice, … going “beyond our boundaries,” …. “ responding to realities where life is crying out.” (JM Preferences, GC 37).
FEAST OF ST. CLAUDINE - Gros Morne, Haiti
Monday, February 3rd we had a double feast day celebration - for St. Claudine, Foundress of the Religious of Jesus and Mary, and for the 31st anniversary of Jesus-Mary Parish School. There are more lovely photos on the RJM-Haiti Facebook page.
The statistics of human trafficking are hard to believe. According to the USSD 2019 TIP (Trafficking in Persons Report), there are an estimated 40.3 million people in modern slavery, including those in forced labor and marriage, generating up to $150 billion in profit for traffickers.
The province JPIC committee held its first meeting of 2020 on January 16th. With just a few glitches and blips, everyone successfully ZOOMED into our respective computer screens for what was an informative and energizing exchange. Here are a few highlights from the meeting.
UPDATE ON ACTIVITIES - Jean Rabel, Haiti: A big thank you to Sr. Middia Doute, RJM who was a great presence of encouragement and practicality in her visits to the pastoral timoun piti groups.
Last week we reported on the corn mill and mixer now being used at the Campeche (Gros Morne) hen house to produce feed for our 1,000 hens.