Quantcast
Channel: My Weekly Reflections
Viewing all articles
Browse latest Browse all 94

Life with Mary

0
0

DSC01361 (2)

In a few moments, I will be leaving with another sister for Kingston, Ontario where we will go to the wake and funeral of a Congregation of Notre Dame sister, Mary, who was part of the formation team when we were novices over 50 years ago and who was later our provincial superior. There are many reasons for which I am grateful to this woman. Mostly, though, I am grateful to Mary for helping me to learn to pray.

In the late sixties, Mary organized English directed retreats at the French Jesuit Retreat house about half an hour to the north of Montreal. She would invite English speaking Jesuits from other provinces of Canada or from the States to be directors, and any of us who wished to make one of these 8 day directed retreat were welcome to attend. I was delighted and went as often as possible. It was these yearly directed retreats that nourished my knowledge and love of Scriptures, provided a solid foundation for my prayer and left me with an ever growing desire to grow in prayer. And, for this I am most grateful to Mary.

* * *

Well, now I am back home. We have been to Kingston and back, and I am so happy that I was free to go to Kingston. The wake was a wonder gathering and celebration of Mary’s life. One after another, sisters and family members shared stories about “life with Mary” as sister or aunt, principal, local superior, formation director, provincial superior in the tumultuous times of the late 60’s, and compassionate listener for 30 years at the marriage tribunal in Toronto. Yes, Mary lived her life to the full, shared her faith with many, and did all in her power to help the individuals she met to develop their potential and grow in their spirituality. Mary surely did this for me personally over the years, encouraging, supporting and loving. I shall miss this great woman!

* * *

On a totally different note, I am writing my last blog, at least for a while. For two years or so, I have been writing this weekly blog. I have enjoyed doing it, and many times I have wondered who read the blog and wished we could meet in person. I could look at the blog statistics and knew that people around the world had seen and read the blog, and this really blew my mind. I hoped that they would learn about the Congregation de Notre Dame, our spirituality, our founder Marguerite Bourgeoys, and a little about our life as sisters.

When I began to write two years ago, I had much more free time and could choose to write on one of several days. As of last November I have taken on new responsibilities at our Chapel in Old Montreal, Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours, and finding the time each week to sit down and write is a challenge, particularly if any unexpected events occur. Because I am not getting any younger and because I am very much trying to give myself a little more time to be, I have decided to stop writing the blog. I did not take this decision lightly, but at the moment I believe it is the wise decision to make.

To all of you who have followed me so faithfully over these past years, I say a very sincere Thank You! If you have been reading me, you no doubt know a lot more about me than I do about you, but in some strange way, you have become my friends and, when I have sat down to write, I have thought of you as faithful readers and hoped that I might say something that would touch you in some small way.

If you want to get CND news, check out our website cnd-m.org. You might even find an article there from me on occasion.

I am a little sad as I say this final Goodbye. I wish you well and pray that our gracious God will love you tenderly and hold you close.

With much gratitude,

Sister Sheila



Viewing all articles
Browse latest Browse all 94

Latest Images

Trending Articles





Latest Images