Paloma Peňas, an Entreculturas and Foi et Joie volunteer here in Jean Rabel, over the last two years, has returned to Spain. Paloma, was a hit with young and old! She, a mid twenties lass, fitted into our community of older persons with patience, kindness and a willingness to share.
This past week, Washington School for Girls 8th grade student, Genesis Lipscombe, was on a live NASA video chat seen by students around the country, as she spoke to an astronaut in space, who is working in the International Space Station. ABC7 news reported on the event and these pictures are from their news report.
Dear Friends, Greetings! I am sending you a special message with an urgent request for prayers for the people of South Sudan. As you may know, the government and opposition, who have been fighting since the end of 2013, have been engaged in implementing a peace agreement which is to result in a Transitional Government of National Unity to be installed on November 12th.
By the end of the annual retreat from October 11 - 16, Sr. Helen Scarry, RJM had challenged her dozen or so retreatants at Marillac Residence to search deeply for that “….longing in their hearts,” – the theme of the Retreat.
Sr. Eileen Reid and I were happy that we were able to take part in this special liturgy – and particularly happy at the ease with which we found a parking space in downtown Washington, the site of St. Matthew’s Cathedral. (Thank you, Claudine!)
Who knows where the time goes? It’s hard to believe that we are now on our second break day and have been engaged in the Chapter now for 12 days. The name tags, the initial introductions of persons, places, and schedules are well behind us and we stand poised and ready for a deeper plunge into the realities of our world and a consideration of actions.
On January 19th, Sr. Rose Kelly, RJM, and Sr. Nazareth Ybarra, RJM, were presented with the prestigious William Jefferson Clinton Goodwill for Haiti Award which honors outstanding individuals who have undertaken extraordinary work and dedicated their lives to the people of Haiti. The distinguished award was presented to them in Dublin Ireland, by Haven, the leading non-governmental Irish charity working on the ground in Haiti.
YOUTH STRIKE FOR CLIMATE CHANGE : On September 20, 2019, young people will kick off a worldwide week of action with an international strike. September 20th will be the largest mass mobilization for climate action in human history. This time, adults will be joining the youth-led call for climate action to demand world leaders take meaningful steps to address this crisis with the urgency it requires.
On September 4th, I shared in a hope-filled experience with over 400 people in a Catholic Non-Violent Action for Immigrant Children in Newark, New Jersey.
The call throughout the event was to end the abuse, trauma, and detention of migrant children and was echoed in prayer, ritual, and a call to action by Catholic leaders. Cardinal Joseph Tobin, Archbishop of Newark, accompanied the group through the whole experience from St. Mary’s Church, through the streets of Newark, to the Federal ICE office.
JUSTICE, PEACE, INTEGRITY OF CREATION… Please see the Bridges attachment with a reflection and prayer for the Season of Creation.
LOOKING AHEAD... The World Day of Migrants and Refugees (WDMR), on 29 September 2019, will soon be here. On this occasion, Pope Francis will celebrate a Mass in Rome, and asks us to join him with the slogan “It is not just about migrants”. This theme has been developed into the sub-theme “it is about the whole person and all people”.
View the attached photos of the liturgy and temporary profession ceremony Middia Doute, RJM.
CONGRATULATIONS TO MIDDIA DOUTE, RJM
On August 10th, Middia Doute made her temporary vows (left), as a Religious of Jesus and Mary, in Canape Vert, Haiti. On the right, she is presented with the Constitutions of the Congregation by Sr. Marge Perron, RJM, Provincial. You may have already received Sr. Marge’s letter detailing the ceremony, but to make sure, a copy is attached to the email accompanying Bridges. Also attached are beautiful photos of the ceremony that you‘ll certainly want to see!
An Interesting Connection: "He said the Saints he visited at St. Malachy’s Church were the regulars plus BLESSED DINA! What did I hear? As far as I am concerned, there is only one Blessed Dina..."
CAMP CLAUDINE 2019 - Fon Ibo, Haiti
This photo shows most of the 320 campers who are attending Camp Claudine right now, at the Jesus-Mary School in Fon Ibo. The camp banner (and tee shirts) read...
"Let us support children with love - Camp Claudine 2019".
Sr. Natalia Mejia, RJM sent the following expression of appreciation: "My Dear Sisters, My sincere thanks for so many cards, good wishes and gifts I received from all of you. May our good Lord continue his blessings upon each and every one of you..."
Jesus-Mary School - Gros Morne, Haiti: Maryknoll Lay Missioner Abby Belt brought us a DVD copy of "Taking Root" about Wangari Maathai's life and the Greenbelt Movement in Kenya. So, on June 5, International Day for the Environment, the Lekol Jezi-Mari student body learned about Wangari Maathai and her Greenbelt Movement by watching “Taking Root”, on the screen by the red door.
The Pre-Chapter assembly in Port-au-Prince, Haiti was an enriching experience of interculturality with our sisters from every part of our congregation. We worked hard in listening, understanding, sharing in both large and small groups - with the help of our translator, Paloma, a volunteer from our community in Jean Rabel. Thank God for her and the new translation equipment that Monica and team purchased. A wonderful spirit of bonded us together.
“It is clear that no one has the answer as to how we should chart the future that lies before us. I think however, what is crystal clear is that perhaps we have never needed each other quite as much as we do at this moment, and our world has (perhaps) never needed us more.”
"I felt the pre-chapter spiritual preparation as well as the regional meetings set a tone for our Provincial chapter which were life-giving. Marge’s opening address challenged me - especially her question: What calls do you hear revealing who we need to be and where we need to stand today?"
Come and join the CELEBRATION WITH OUR JUBILARIANS who have served lovingly and faithfully in the Lord's vineyard for a grand total of 560 years and still counting...