St. Francis Xavier Church in NYC joins people in our country and around the world in a commitment to racial justice and created this PLEDGE. With their permission, I offer part of it in BRIDGES for your reading and reflection as we address this issue in our Province.
The celebration of Pentecost took on new meaning in this time of pandemic as the New York RJMs gathered to celebrate the “Birthday of the Church”, and that of Sr. Norene Costa.
We, as a province, moved by the increasing evidence of division and bigotry in the USA, commit to efforts at eradicating the evil of racism in our society, Church, communities and in our personal relationships. We will do this through education, careful reflection on our use of language, recognition of our own complicity in perpetuating this injustice, and initiatives of inclusiveness that accept and welcome all.
SLASH-AND-BURN FIRE - accidently scorches 30 acres in Perou
Slash-and-burn agriculture is a method of farming that involves cutting down all the vegetation and burning it. This clears the land for planting and the nutrient-rich ash improves the soil fertility. However, after a few years the soil is depleted and the field must be left to regrow slowly, while the farmer moves to a new area to slash-and-burn.
TAKE ACTION: Every year, 8 million tons of plastic pollution escapes into the world's oceans, and the United States alone burns or buries 32 million tons of plastic in landfills.
At the Marillac Residence we celebrated our two Jubilarians - Sr. Agnes Bell RJM (left), 70th Anniversary of Profession, and Sr. Shirley Leveille RJM (right), 65th Anniversary of Profession.
Birth: February 20, 1939
Profession: February 2, 1963
Death: April 21, 2021
The Summer issue of LCWR’s journal, Occasional Papers, which explores how to live closely attuned to the work of the Divine in the world, is entitled “Upon Whom Nothing is Lost.”
Since starting work with Unity Health Care I’ve had the privilege of working at one of the isolation and quarantine hotels for those who either have COVID or need to quarantine due to exposure.
FR. KHALID REHMAT ORDAINED BISHOP IN PAKISTAN
In the January 15th Bridges was an article from the Union of Catholic Asian News regarding the election to Bishop of Fr. Khalid Rehmat, a past-pupil of the Jesus and Mary sister in Mariakhel, Pakistan where Sr. Mariam Norick RJM was his Principal from Nursery to Grade 6. Below is an update on his ordination.
POST-ASSEMBLY GATHERING - March 13
Joined by four 'companions in mission,' RJM's from throughout the province participated in a Post-Assembly Zoom Gathering on Saturday, March 13th. Sr. Cathy Bertrand, SSND facilitated the gathering, during which the participants reviewed the path from the JM Preferences of GC37 to last September's Province Assembly and the Commitment Statement that came from that meeting.
In the email excerpt below, forwarded by JPIC member Kathleen Scanlon, we're invited to consider whether we or anyone we know might address the housing needs of asylum seekers.
One of the outcomes of GC 37 was a mandate “to carry out the Global Reconfiguration of the Congregation.”
This past Sunday, February 28, many RJM’s from the USA- Haiti Province and several of our Companions in Mission came together on ZOOM at 6:15PM for a special Lenten Prayer Service.
While winter weather and the on-going pandemic have put restrictions on implementing the commitments of the Province Assembly, a combination of enthusiasm, creativity and technology has proved effective in finding a way forward.
When a large donation arrived from the Irish NGO, HAVEN, it was decided to invest it in a Water Project for one of the communities who suffer dreadfully from drought and have to travel long distances for water.
During the preparations for the feast of our holy patron, a phrase that was dear to Claudine set a rhythm in our heart and gave us strength during this whole time of uncertainties and difficulties: “God will Provide”.
Three years ago, the school community changed the school feast day to Feb. 3rd, St. Claudine's Feast Day.
Acting on the anti-racism commitment of the recent Province Assembly, the 8 members of the MD/DC region gathered on January 27 for a day-long workshop led by Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur Patricia Chappell and Ann-Louise Nadeau.
The events of January 6 are no doubt still vividly in our hearts and minds as we look toward the coming transition in government with a mixture of apprehension and hope.