Providence Pages 2006.pdf · 2015. 6. 3. · PROVIDENCE PAGES FALL 2006 3 z Advent Guided or...

PROVIDENCE PAGES FALL 2006 1

Providence PagesVol. 3 No. 5 FALL 2006

Published regularly by the Communications Office of the Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul

December 2006 marks the 145th anniversary of thefoundation of the Sisters of Providence in Kingston.We praise and thank God for these many years ofcommitted service to God’s people in Canada,Guatemala and Peru. We thank God too, for thevaliant women who gave of their lives for the mostvulnerable of society.

Our heritage is rooted in the creativity and spiritualityof Vincent de Paul and Louise de Marillac, and the

responsiveness of the Montreal Sisters of Providenceto the call of Bishop E.J. Horan as well as in thecourage and pioneer spirit of Mother Mary EdwardMcKinley and the original members of the Kingstoncommmunity

We trust in God’s loving guidance as we continue toserve with compassion, trust in Providence and walkin hope.

1861 — 2006

2 PROVIDENCE PAGES FALL 2006

70 years

Sr. Mary Fitzpatrick

60 years

Sr. Marie Dumont

Sr. Jean Edey

Sr. Anne Hudec

Sr. Elaine Jacob

Sr. Mary Mona

Sr. MargaretMcCallion

50 years

Sr. Mary Fidelis

Sr. CatherineCannon

Sr. Kathleen Morrell

Sr. Sheila Way

Sr. Lucy Kearney

25 Years

Sr. Monica Whalen

Goodevening,everyone. It

is my great joy to wel-come all of you tothe opening of thisGathering: Sisters,especially those whohave travelled from

the west, north and south and, ourAssociates who are present with us.

This evening, we are on the threshold ofsomething new- a new moment in our his-tory — a moment for which we have beenpreparing for the last few years: throughour Fall Gatherings, particularly throughour Wisdom Groups, through our On-going Renewal sessions where we haveexplored and reflected on various aspectsof mission and religious life, through ourConstitutions Retreat in which we contem-plated the essence of our being as Sisters ofProvidence, and through our VisitationGatherings where we reflected on ourhopes and dreams for our Congregation.And now, we come to the point where wewill gather all of this together, perhaps in amore focused way.

We are aware that the Pre-ChapterGathering is not the Chapter In Session,but hopefully it will have the samecharacteristics of:• representing the entire congregation,• being a sign and instrument of unity,• being a means by which we all participate in the development of the lifeand mission of the congregation in light of

the Gospel.(Constitutions #84)

That it will be a time of:• reflection and congregational conversion,• an opportunity to search for God's will inthe signs of Providence and,• an experience of new life andhope.(Constitutions #85)

We are all aware of the importance of aGeneral Chapter in the life of acongregation and indeed its' importance inthe broader context of the life of thepeople of God — the Church and theworld. At this point in the history of mostcongregations, congregational gatheringssuch as Chapters are taking on an evendeeper significance as we are called tovision for the future in light of our presentreality. Together we are called to discernhow our Provident God, through the actionof the Holy Spirit, working through andwithin us, is calling us at this time todiscover the unfolding common vision ofour spirit, charism and mission for theprophetic service of the Kingdom of Godin all its aspects of creation andtransformation. This will be our task forthe next eight months — a monumentalone indeed.

Diarmuid O'Murchu, in his book,Consecrated Religious Life: The ChangingParadigms states: “The pace and intensityof the creative Spirit requires a communaleffort in our response. None of us in isola-tion can do this on our own.” (p. 145).Responding to the Spirit's call to new lifeand new possibilities will also mean a let-

General SuperiorSister KathrynLaFleur

2007Jubilarians

continued on next page

Pre-Chapter WelcomeMotherhouse


Advent Guided orDirected RetreatWeekend

Friday Dec. 8 —Sunday Dec. 10, 1p.m

Register by Nov. 24

$150

Lucy Bethel willfacilitate the guidedretreat. Give your-self a weekend ofquiet reflection andprayer.

Those who prefer adirected retreat arealso invited to regis-ter. Anne Harvey,Beverley McDonaldand Irene Wilsonwill be directors.

ting go, a dieing to some things of the pastwhich we have already experienced withinour Ministries. Walter Brueggemann, whowrote extensively in the 1980’s about the“prophetic imagination” and is often quot-ed by O'Murchu, states: “It is our grievingon what we need to let go of that liberatesa more coherent energy empowering us toembrace something essentially new” (p.224).

We all know that the future will bedifferent and necessarily so, but how weapproach that journey into the future iscritical for us. We can wait and let ithappen to us or we can be proactive andcommit to a stance where we will beprophetic witnesses in the mission that wecommunally discern our God is asking us toembrace at this time, with all we are and allwe have. We know not where the Spiritmay yet lead, so dream and hope we must.

We must honour the sacred covenant witheach member of our congregation androoted in a contemplative stance, we mustbe outward focused towards mission, evenif we become a remnant of our formerselves. Through continued collaborationwith others in our ministries, whetherinternal or external, all will be integratedwithin our mission. In all my currentreadings about religious life of the future, Ihave found a deep sense of hope in themidst of struggle.(Sr. Sandra Schneidersspeaks of “religious life of the future”rather than “the future of religious life.”)In fact, the theme for the 2007 plenary ses-sion of the UISG (International Union of

General Superiors) is Challenged to Weave aNew Spirituality which Generates Hope and Lifefor All..

As we journey through these days, andthrough this wonderful season of summer,we are conscious of the creative presenceof our God within us and around us.Within the beauties of nature with whichwe have been blessed here at Heathfield weare ever aware of the importance of thegreat work of tending to our cosmos and allof creation within it.

Conscious of the Spirit moving within andamong us, may we listen to one anotherwith open minds and hearts, together seek-ing the direction of our Provident God,always aware of the common good of all.My prayer for each of us during these daysis that in our contemplation and sharing,through the power of the Holy Spirit, whois the source of our strength and unity, wemay each experience a positive, energizing,creative spirit of life, hope and compassionand that we may hear each other with deeprespect and honour each person’scontribution.

May the Holy Spirit be with us; may wewalk forward in hope, always conscious ofthe great legacy that the women who havegone before us have left us.

As we approach the 145th anniversary ofour foundation, may we, in the spirit ofSaints Vincent and Louise, Blessed Emilieand Catherine McKinley, continue to servewith compassion, trust in Providence andwalk in Hope.

Trust in Providence Retreat

Chapter Design Committee members standing (l to r) Sr. Dorothy Fournier, facilitator Sr. BarbaraValukas, SSND, Sr. Sheila Brady, Sr. Pauline Lally, Committee Chair Sr. Dianne McNamara, Sr.Monica Whalen, seated (l to r) Sr. Peggy Flanagan, facilitator Sr. Jeanette Blatz, SSND, and Sr. IreneWilson.


The 145thAnniversary of theFounding of theSisters ofProvidence inKington, Ontariowill be celebratedwith a specialEucharist in theChapel of Mary,Mother ofCompassion onDecember 13th at 4p.m.

SR. PEGGY FLANAGAN

The members of the Chapter DesignCommittee, and other participants,agreed the August pre-Chapter

Assembly was a good preparation forChapter 2007.

Committee chair, Sister Dianne McNamara,said that there were some painful and toughissues that surfaced and needed to beaddressed, but after four full days, thegathering ended on a high note.

The whole assembly was a communalprocess, and beautifully facilitated by SistersBarbara Valukas and Jeannette Blatz SSND.

“The bottom line for everyone is always toremain faithful to the Mission of Jesus,”said Sister Dianne.

The purpose of the pre-Chapter gatheringwas to come to a consensus in choosing thequestions that that will focus us, and guideus into a viable future. At this time in thecongregation’s history, decisions about thefuture will impact the congregationspirituality, socio-culturally, economicallyand politically.

Chapter 2007, which will take place April10th-19th, has two parts — Chapter ofAffairs, and the Chapter of Elections whenthe members of a new Leadership Teamwill be elected. These Sisters will beformally installed in June 2007.

Guiding our FutureMotherhouse

114455tthhCCeelleebbrraattiioonn


Reflection for ChapterBY SISTER UNA BYRNE

This reflection was offered during the pre-Chapter closingliturgy

We began our meeting with clouds and forme, clouds are all connected with themany times I have to fly from one remote

community to another.Actually, the First Readingwith God calling Abram togo to another country,reminded me of one timewhen I had to fly from oneFirst Nations territory toanother! It was stormingthat day, the clouds werevery low, which is a problemwhen the pilot has to seethe runway soon enough to get down, and the run-way, not the best at any time, was deep in snow. Butthe brave pilot of the little plane landed on the sec-ond attempt and as I was the only passenger, he toldme to sit behind him, and hold on as we went. Wehad to go through those storm clouds and theytossed the little plane around. It was scary! Finally, wegot up high enough to come above the clouds whereall was calm and quiet and the setting sun was shiningon this sea of clouds.

Like Abram, I had to take a risk and trust in God andthe young pilot, who didn't seem old enough to beflying. I was hoping God would lead us to a goodlanding place. We too have been flying through someclouds these last few days.

Sister Kathryn told us at the start that how weapproach that journey into the future is critical for us.And so we have to take some risks, to get on board,head in one direction and we’ve had to feel the

bumps and turbulence of some heavy clouds. Afterall, we have agreed we need to undergo a communaldiscernment — a transformation process that willmean leaving behind a familiar country, Religious Lifeas we have known it, past ministries, forms ofcommunity and prayer, and head in the directionforward into the Religious Life of the future, intowhat we have proclaimed a viable future!

The Gospel tells us how we will do it, in love andsacrifice. Yes, to lay down one’s life for the poor,whom St. Vincent reminds us are hard taskmasters.We will need each other even more in ourdiminishment, as we work together day after day. inlove and sacrifice with each other.

We might think that after Jesus gave this beautifuldiscourse to the apostles, they would be able to riseabove the clouds and drift in the light of His love butwe know it didn’t happen that way. In spite of Jesusmaking known to them everything He had heardfrom His Father, (was that transparency on Jesus’part?) Peter and Paul disagreed on what the ruleswere. Peter needed a vision to help him acceptCornelius and his family. He did not understand howChristians were to use their gifts and the early Churchstruggled with the question of who they were, andwho was to be included. Sound familiar? Are thesesome of the clouds we have been through these lastfew days?

Yet, as we struggle through, we know that up abovethose clouds, the sun with an O is still shining. Allthree of our readings remind us of this, from the “Iwill bless you” in the First Reading to “the Lord isnear” in the Second and the promise of Jesus that theFather will listen to our prayers, in the Gospel.

And maybe we are in that peaceful place as we finishthis work.

Sister Una Byrne



Spirit of Our Loving,Provident God,

As we prepare foranother chapter,

Give us hearts, free andfresh with enthusiasm,Hearts that carry hope

and that believe inpeace.

Let us, like Mary, ponderyour treasures within,

And see ourselveslooking and listening

there.Let us with Gospel eyes

and ears observe ourworld

And see ourselveslooking and listening

there.Give us the necessary

wisdom and courage tomake

The inner and the outerchanges, to which you

call us.Fan into a burning flamethe embers of your love,

So that no fear mayweaken the message

We hold within, and arechallenged to send out,

Generously,far beyond ourimaginations.

United in truth, lovejustice and joy,

We trust that you, whohave used us in the

past,Will use us again to

make your ProvidenceMore visible at this hour

in our history.

Amen

Sr. Una’s Reflection Motherhouse

CChhaapptteerrPPrraayyeerr

But, like that day I was flying so peacefullyabove the clouds, the peace came to an endwhen it was time to land, because then wehad to go through those storm cloudsagain. I prayed the pilot had the key skillsto make sure we didn't go too low and hitsomething and yet would be low enough tosee the runway. It wasn't a communaldiscernment; I was just praying he wouldmake the right decision.

No doubt we will have to go through thestorm clouds as we work through thesepriorities, through the elections and all thatthese entail. It may be rough! But we willdo it together.

As we come in for a landing we will have totrust in God and the pilot. I guess thatwould be the CDC, the facilitators and theprocess, even when we won’t be able to see

the place to land. We will have to hold onto each other and to the Word of God con-tained in these beautiful scriptures chosenfor us by the CDC, the Word of Jesus. Heassures us that He has chosen us for thiswork, that He has appointed us to go andbear fruit, fruit that will last into a viablefuture.

So we can rejoice in the Lord always,rejoice in what He has done in us these lastfew days, and rejoice in this blessed time ofChapter, which our constitutions describeas a time of congregational conversion, anopportunity to search for God’s will in thesigns of Providence, and an experience ofnew life and hope. What a wonderful gift.Let us embrace it, and fly with it, trustingour Provident God for a safe landing!

Photos from Pre-Chapter

continued from previous page

BY JAMIE SWIFT

We have been standing in front ofCity Hall with the other vigilkeepers for eleven years now.

Of course, everyone doesn’t show up eachweek. Still, the vigil keepers have spent atotal of twelve days standing on that pieceof sidewalk.

Some friends are no longerthere. The intrepid SisterMary Hamilton left us in1998. And the faithfulHarold Dorey recentlypassed away. But in someway, they're still with usevery Friday.

We have used our vigil toremind passers-by — andourselves of wars and injustices,earthquakes and prisoners of conscience.And every fall, when we don that extralayer of clothing, we try to think of aspecial way to mark the vigil’s anniversary,using the occasion to make a point. Andto point to the injustices in our community.

Because the anniversary is not a celebration(we can rejoice when our world is nolonger broken by unshared bread) this yearwe’ll mark it on November 3 by publicizingthe results of a questionnaire we have sentto every candidate for municipal office.Then we will put their thoughts abouthunger and homelessness up on the Sistersof Providence website.

The Justice & Peace Office also co-sponsored a televised debate between thecandidates for mayor of Kingston.

“It was a great opportunity for voters tohear how the candidates intend to addresssome of the most pressing issues of our

time,” said Sister FrancesO'Brien of the Sisters ofProvidence, who moderatedthe debate. “If it's true thatall politics are local, then wehave to start to tacklehomelessness and hungerclose to home.”

Meanwhile, Year Twelve forthe vigil keepersbegins…close to home.

Philip Street, whose Fisher comic strip appearsdaily in the Globe & Mail, sketched the vigil'snow familiar logo in 1997.


We long for a worldthat respects all ofhumanity and all theearth, And so westand in silent, non-violent solidaritywith those affectedby governmentsand corporationsthat put profitsbefore human kindindeed before allCreation.

Together in thisvigil we bringbefore us injustices affectingour world.

In gentle awarenesswe present theseconcerns to theDivine Light whichpermeates the uni-verse.

Thus, we stand inhope.

Vigil Marks 11 Years VViiggiillPPrraayyeerr

"The good we secure for our-selves is precarious and uncer-

tain until it is secured for all ofus and

incorporated into our commonlife"

-- Jane Addams


Advent Supper andEvening Reflection

Thursday, Dec. 7,5-9 p.m

Register by Nov. 23

$25

Beverley McDonald& The Sisters ofProvidence Choir.

Register early forthis popular annualdinner and quietreflection in thespirit of the Adventseason.

BY: SR.PAULINE LALLY

Sister of Providence Pauline Lally spoke at aspecial Friday Silent Vigil at City Hall inSeptember. The speech is reprinted here.

We welcome all of you who arehere: Church and Faith leaders,City Council members, repre-

sentatives of meal providers, shelters, theFood Bank, representatives of groups ofthe poor and our faithful vigil keepers. Youwill remember last year in the fall, City Hallwore a large white wrist band inscribedwith Make Poverty History as we encircledthe building.

The band had been made from old sheetsfrom the hospitals, sewn together by two ofour Sisters; Sr. Anne Hudec and Sr. MaryLaboure. It was inscribed by friends after aparty at Darko and Marjanna's. You seeremnants of it here today.

Poverty is a violation of human rights on amassive scale. Today, 1.2 billion people livein extreme poverty. Tonight, 800 millionpeople will go the bed hungry. Tomorrow,50 thousand people will die from poverty-related causes.

Nearly five years ago, all members of theUN committed to spare no efforts intackling poverty by adopting the MilleniumDeclaration.

Governments also launched the MilleniumDevelopment Goals to meet minimumtargets to reduce poverty, hunger, illiteracy,discrimination against women andenvironmental degradation by 2015.

Bono referred to these development goalsas the Beatitudes for a Globalized World.Stephen Lewis said it is the rock stars andthe entertainers rather than the politicianswho really care what our country is doingfor the poor within it.

But the pace of meeting these targets isslow. If we hold the present course, we failto meet them. And the poor will pay theprice. Short term relief is not enough. Weneed a shift in the national andinternational policies to eliminate poverty.It's time for real action.

Canada’s campaign to end poverty calls forurgent and meaningful policy change.Here's what we want — more and betteraid, trade justice, debt cancellation, endchild poverty in Canada (the last goal isCanada's alone)

In October, we drew attention to twoevents in the ongoing Make PovertyHistory campaign. Sunday, October 15, wasdeclared Micah Sunday, and October 17th,Global White Band Day, the InternationalDay for the eradication of Poverty. MicahSunday was observed in our places ofworship. It is named after the prophetMicah who proclaimed: Do justice, lovekindness and walk humbly with your God.

We call on international and nationaldecision-makers to fulfill their promise tocut global poverty in half by 2015. We callon people everywhere to be agents of hopefor and with the poor and to work withothers to hold our national and globalleaders accountable in securing a more justand peaceful world.

11th VigilJustice & Peace

PSCReflection

PROVIDENCE PAGES

After 37 years of use, the pipeorgan in the Chapel at ProvidenceMotherhouse is being restored.

After almost four decades, age is taking atoll on the once rich sounding instrument.

The four-month restoration project beganin late July by a Kingston-based company.Originally from Quebec, Alain Gagnon hasenjoyed a long and well-established careeras a pipe organ specialist including elevenyears with the internationally knownCasavant Freres of Quebec. Alain doesmore than repair musical instruments-heplays them too! As a teen, he became a per-cussionist and French horn player. Alain isan organ voicer-he adjusts and balancesevery pipe and stop. Voicing involvesadjusting the sound of the pipes to matchthe acoustics of the space.

“The revoicing will eliminate noises and

imperfections and the result will be a muchimproved sounding organ that willcorrespond to the Chapel acoustics and theneed of today's organist,” says Alain.

“The organ at Providence Motherhouse isan excellent organ but from my experience,

the sound could be improved,” says Alain.

The project will involve removing pipesfrom each tower and shipping them toAlain's workshop in Elginburg where they'llbe cleaned, refinished and then returned tothe Chapel.

The organ has historic significance.Installed in 1969, after construction of theChapel of Mary Mother of Compassion,the organ has witnessed countless liturgicalevents-vow ceremonies, Jubilee, funeralsand baptisms.

Co-ordinator of Pastoral Litury, AlbertDunn, is directing the renovation project.He says the final voicing on site will bedone in November so the organ will beready for Christmas.

Damaged pipes—covered in a sticky depositcaused by a chemical reaction.


Can You Hear theAngels?

A Brief Art Therapyprogram for thosewho find Christmasdifficult.

Thurs. 11:05, Nov.28, Dec. 5, 12

The Wonder of it All

A Prayer/Art Retreatin preparation forChristmas. Comecelebrate the awe-some wonder ofGod's divinity, yourown humanity andour sharedChristianity.

Saturday, Dec. 2,from 10:30 to 4:30

All in Gift

A Prayer/Art Retreatwith the story of thethree kings. Werejoice at how Godhas gifted us andinvites us to enjoysharing a New Yearof grace.

Saturday, Jan. 6,from 10:30 to 4:30

Organ pipes are removed in early September.

Restoration Project ArtTherapy


The Summer Schoolis a project of theOntario Conferenceof Catholic Bishopsthrough its advisorybody, the OntarioLiturgicalConference (OLC).

Dioceses host theevent annually.The MusicCommission of theOLC collaborateswith a localcommittee insponsoring the SS.

The first SS washeld in Toronto inAugust of 1983.

The SS was hostedby the Archdioceseof Kingston inAugust 2000, beingthe first largegathering held atnewly-renovatedProvidenceSpirituality Centre.Albert Dunn,Coordinator ofPastoral Liturgywas the chair of thelocal committee.

Sr. Mary JoanLaFleur was also amember of the localorganizingcommittee.

A number of theSisters haveattended the SSover the years.

The 2007 SS will beheld in LondonAugust 6-10, 2007

BY MARG SPOONER

Sudbury was the location of the 2006Ontario Liturgical CommissionSummer School in early August. The

conference was unique in that it was abilingual event, involving 110 musiciansfrom Ontario and one fromNewfoundland. The well-planned week wasa great opportunity for social interactionwith other church musicians.

Father Murray Kroetch gave the keynoteaddress, ManyVoices, One Assembly.He told us that ourCatholic liturgy, theaction of the bodyof Christ, is not theaction of anindividual or group,but a corporateaction with Christas the head, and weare the members.Without full, activeand conscious participation, liturgy can'thappen.

Each morning after breakfast, delegatesparticipated in morning prayer at St. -Anne-des-Pins Church. This was followed byplenary and skill sessions, such as Cantor orChoir Directing workshops. Afternoonsalso gave participants the opportunity formore skill sessions and open sharingsessions.

Each evening closed with Evening Prayer,

where participants, after being auditioned,led the assembly as cantors or leaders ofsong. It was interesting to have acombination of French and English duringMorning and Evening prayers. One prayerincluded a sweet grass ceremony led by aNative Sister.

In our down time, we went sightseeing,socialized with new friends over dinner andspent time practicing playing piano andorgan. Everyone enjoyed the drum circle— playing African-made drums and otherpercussion and rhythm instruments.

The fourth day continued with plenary and-skill sessions and daily liturgies. The Bishopof Sault Ste. Marie, Jean-Louis Plouffe,hosted dinner for all participants. This wasfollowed by a trip to the LaurentianUniversity Planetarium.

On the final day of summer school, Masswas celebrated at Ste.-Anne-des-Pins.During his homily, the Bishop thankedsummer school participants for sharing thegift of music.

“You play an integral part in the life ofyour faith communities and I trust that thisweek has been an opportunity for you to benourished,” he said.

Music ConferenceLiturgy

Marg Spooner,Director of Music,Heathfield

SchoolFacts


PROVIDENCE PAGES

General Superior Sr. Kathryn LaFleur received the2006 Distinguished Service Award from Queen’sTheological College. During the October 16thpresentation, the following citation was read by Rev.Anne MacDermaid.

A woman who exemplifies “faith in action,”Sr. Kathryn LaFleur hasbeen an inspiredspiritual director, a wisementor, and a voice ofdeep experience, insightand common sense, tomore than a generationof elementary, highschool and postsecondary students, tothe Sisters ofProvidence of St.Vincent de Paul, whereshe is General Superiorand to the students,faculty and staff atQueen’s TheologicalCollege, to name but afew places and peoplewhose lives she has touched.

As the spiritual and apostolic leader of herorder, Sr. Kathryn has led by examples oflife-long learning and living out those learn-ings in her daily life. Beginning her career asa teacher with the York County RomanCatholic Separate School Board, Sr. Kathrynconcentrated on English and ReligiousStudies, receiving both her M. Ed. and herPermanent Principal’s Certificate in 1979.She became a specialist in ReligiousEducation and Guidance in 1987, andthereafter, acquired a Bachelor of Sacred

Theology, a Masters of Theology, a Licencein Sacred Theology, and a Doctorate inSacred Theology, all at the PontificalUniversity of St. Thomas Aquinas, in Rome,Italy.

Those stellar academic accomplishments donot speak to the qualities of humour, charity,

and compassionwhich radiate fromSr. Kathryn.Queen’sTheological Collegehas indeed beenblessed by herpresence as a guestlecturer andprofessor who hastaught ourtheological andreligious studies

students courses inspirituality, canon law,Christian spiritual life,church history, and

Roman Catholic doctrine. Sr. Kathryn hasalso been available as a spiritual advisor toour students, and her insights have helped toshape their faith and their lives. It is aprivilege for the Board of Management to beable to acknowledge Sr. Kathryn’s contribu-tions through presenting her with the 2006Distinguished Service Award. May Godcontinue to bless her inspiring andcourageous journey.

PPSSCC

General Superior Sr. Kathryn LaFleur receivesthe Distinguished Service Award from Rev.Anne MacDermaid, Chair of the Board ofManagement, Queen’s Theological College.

Noted author andspeaker DiarmuidO'Murchu broughthis message ofChristian Faith andthe New Cosmologyto ProvidenceSpirituality Centrein late September.The priest andsocial psychologistaddressed thevarious ways inwhich Christianityand the NewCreation Story com-plement and enricheach other in excit-ing and inspiringchanges.

“After hearing himfive times, his mes-sage comes full cir-cle,” says SisterFrances. “I feelmoved in a deepway.”

Priest and socialpsychologistDiarmuid O’Murchu

Service Honoured

left to right:Roger Wright, ChairUniversity HospitalsKingston Foundation,Sr. Pauline Lally, Sr.Diane Brennen, GeneralSuperior Sr. KathrynLaFleur, Sr. SheilaLangton and DeniseCumming, Ex. Dir.University HospitalsKingston Foundation.


University HospitalsKingstonFoundation workswith the communityto raise money forKingston hospitals'ongoing needs forequipment, educa-tion, hospital-basedresearch and hospi-tal redevelopmentto significantlyimprove patientcare. Hotel DieuHospital, KingstonGeneral Hospitaland ProvidenceContinuing CareCentre work togeth-er as partners toprovide highly spe-cialized and com-passionate care tomore than 500,000people in southeast-ern Ontario.

PROVIDENCE PAGES

The Sisters of Providence of St.Vincent de Paul, founders ofProvidence Continuing Care Centre

(PCCC), have made a major donation tohospital-based care that includes HotelDieu Hospital and Kingston GeneralHospital, along with their traditionalsupport for PCCC.

General Superior Sister Kathryn LaFleurmade the announcement at PCCC's St.Mary's of the Lake Hospital site during thegift presentation to University HospitalsKingston Foundation, the joint fundraising-arm for Kingston's three hospitals.

“As we move into the future, may thisdonation be a symbol of the Sisters ofProvidence's ongoing commitment to themission of compassionate, collaborativeand quality healthcare,” said Sister KathrynLaFleur.

“I am delighted that the Sisters areproviding for PCCC and sharing this giftwith our hospital partners,” said CathyDunne, President and CEO, PCCC. “We

fully support shared giving and are proudthat our founders, the Sisters of Providenceof St. Vincent de Paul, are showingleadership in making a commitment to allthree Kingston hospitals.”

“The hospital community is deeply touchedby the Sisters of Providence of St. Vincentde Paul’s decision to support all threeKingston hospitals,” said Roger Wright,Chair, University Hospitals KingstonFoundation, speaking on behalf ofKingston hospitals.

The Sisters of Providence of St. Vincentde Paul will be recognized officially with aplaque on the Hall of Honour at all threehospitals at the Humanitarian level.

This gift to Kingston hospitals is a fittingway to mark the 145th anniversary of thecongregation in Kingston.

The Sisters’ gift will fund Kingstonhospitals' highest priority needs includingspecialized equipment, patient education,hospital-based research and redevelopment.

Health Care GiftHealth

FFoouunnddaattiioonn


O God, as lightcomes from thiscandle, may theblessing of JesusChrist come to us,warming our heartsand brightening ourway. May Christ ourSaviour bring lifeinto the darkness ofthis world, and tous, as we wait forhis coming.

Amen

Saturday, December 2 6:30 pm.........................................Evening Prayer**

Sunday, December 3 10 am............................................1st Sunday of Advent

Saturday, December 9 6:30 pm.........................................Evening Prayer**

Sunday, December 10 10 am.............................................2nd Sunday of Advent

Sunday, December 17 10 am.............................................3rd Sunday of Advent

Tuesday, December 19 6:30 pm..........................................Sacrament of Reconciliation

Sunday, December 24 10 am.............................................4th Sunday of Advent

Sunday, December 24 7 pm...............................................Christmas Eve

Monday, December 25 10 am.............................................Christmas Day

Sunday, December 31 10 am.............................................Holy Family

Monday, January 1 10 am.............................................Mary, Mother of God

Sunday, January 7 10 am.............................................Epiphany

January 7, 8, 9 7 pm..............................................Eucharistic Devotions

Sunday, January 14 10 am............................................2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Blessing of Ministers

Fall colours are used tomark the fall seasonbeginning on Thanksgiving weekend,2006.

Seasonal Liturgy Schedule CChhiilldd’’ssPPrraayyeerr

PROVIDENCE PAGES

Close to 500 vowed Religious andAssociates from religious commu-nities across North America recent-

ly celebrated the tenth anniversary of theNorth American Conference of Associatesand Religious.(NACAR)

Sr. Diane Brennen, Council liaison forProvidence Associates and ProvidenceAssociate Alayne Scanlon attended thehistoric conference in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The conference celebrated the

achievements of NACAR, including thedevelopment of a publication that reportson the growing Associate Movement in theUnited States and Canada.

There are over 12,000 Associates in Canadaand almost 28,000 in the United States.

Keynote speaker was award-winning authorand lecturer Ronald Rolheiser, OMI, whoaddressed Religious Charisms and theSpiritual Journey.

A new logo was developed for NACAR. DesignerSister Catherine Martin, O. Carm. says the sym-bols’ deepest meaning comes with your ownreflection. Spiraling motion represents Mission.The Centre is the desire for deepening one's spiri-tuality and relationship with God. The Cross sym-bolizes our call to witness the gospel . By follow-ing the lines that form the Labrynth, one can walkfrom the cross to the centre, or from the centeroutward through the cross.


10th Anniversary-NACARAssociates

Alayne Scanlon isbidding farewellafter almost twodecades of employ-ment at ProvidenceMotherhouse.Alayne was hired in1987 as the firstDirector ofCommunications, aposition she helduntil 1995. Duringthis time, Alaynebecame anAssociate. In 1998,she was named Co-director of theProvidenceAssociate Officeand has beenDirector since 2003.Sr. Diane Brennenwill replace Alaynewith assistancefrom Sr. CatherineCannon. Alayneremains anAssociate and amember of theHealing ViolenceCommittee. Herfuture plans?Visiting family andfriends, reading andtravelling.

GGooooddBByyee


The following article appeared in the July/August2006 edition of Canadian Printer Magazine. Itis reprinted here with permission.

VICTORIA GAITSKELL

If you're vacationing in the beautifulThousand Islands region of the St.Lawrence River, you might want to

check out a remarkable slice of Canada'sprinting past. It's a little-known museumrun by Sisters of Providence of St. Vincentde Paul in their Motherhouse in Kingston,Ontario, and now stands witness to theirOrder's century-long immersion in thebusiness of printing.

The Sisters’ ancestors include MotherEmilie Gamelin, one of Canada’sdistinguished religious figures, who wasbeatified by the Vatican in 2001 (the secondof three steps to sainthood.) Following theuntimely deaths of her husband and threeyoung children, Gamelin devoted herenergy and finances to caring for the poor,sick, orphaned and elderly of Montreal,eventually founding the Sisters ofProvidence in 1843.

Because almost no social services existed inthose days, communities throughout NorthAmerica began asking Gamelin’s congrega-tion for help. So in 1861, at the Bishop ofKingston’s invitation, four of herfrancophone nuns made a sojourn toKingston to establish a separate, English-speaking order to care for the city’s needy.

The new order required English versions ofthe Montreal congregation’s prayers andconstitution, explains Sister Gayle

Desarmia, the Kingston congregation’sarchivist. “In 1861 there were not a lot ofchurch goods stores to go and buymaterials,” she says. As their printingrequirements grew for notices, magazinesand books, the Sisters launched afundraising campaign. They raised the $480needed to buy their first press and outfittheir ownprintingoffice. Itstartedproduc-tion in1899.

“Theysoon sawtheycouldmakemoneyandsupportthehouse and its work by taking on outsideclients and printing things like businesscards, job application forms, dental charts,restaurant menus and wedding invitations,”says Sister Gayle. The nuns who operatedthe print shop acquired their skills on thejob, assisted by one lay pressman. Theyworked long hours, often late into thenight.

By the 1960’s the Sisters had become sobusy with their ministry they hired aprofessional printer (who was related to

Sister Act

Sister of Providence of St.Vincent de Paul archivist SisterGayle Desarmia speaks during atour of the historic printing roomat Providence Manor.

PPrraayyeerr

True prayer is adeep awareness ofour limitlessbelonging — to self,to others, to theuniverse, to God, toultimate reality.

Brother DavidSteindt-Rast



one of the Sisters) to take over the shop.

They continued to upgrade the printingequipment as needed until the mid-1980s,when the advent of desktop publishingprecipitated a crises. “We either had to bitethe bullet and upgrade the office tocompete with modern technology or closedown,” says Sister Gayle. In the end theydecided against modernizing and closedshop, setting up an Office ofCommunications to oversee theirpublications instead.

For the next seven years the formerprinting room became a storage catchall. “Ithought I really should do something aboutthat wasted room — either scrap all thestuff and put the space to another use orelse set up a museum,” says Sister Gayle.Her verdict was determined by history andeconomics: “Our history is very important-besides which it would have cost us moreto get rid of the equipment. Some of it,like the huge linotype machine, we couldn’teven take out without removing thewindow, and it would have cost a fortune,”she says with brutal honesty.

Now the printing room has been restored.Among the items on display are theirproofing, vertical and platen presses, alinotype machine and smelt furnace,finishing equipment, printers blocks, andsamples of type, engraved plates, and chaseand quoin.

The Sisters, who now number over 100,

still practice their original vocation in soupkitchens, prisons and shelters.

The Group’s Office of Communicationspublishes a newsletter and runs a website,outsourcing digital files to DigiGraphics,Inc. in Kingston via online transfer.

Their museum stands as a reminder of therole printing and communication played inthe history of the Sisters of Providence ofSt Vincent de Paul.The museum can beviewed by appointment by contacting SisterGayle Desarmia at 613-544-4525 [email protected].

Printing Roomcontinued from previous page

We are Autumnpeople. We arealways in theprocess of growing,changing, waiting,giving, hoping,receiving. May ourminds open: ourhearts trusting tothis inner seasonwhich is a part ofus. May we findhope as we willinglyenter into the dyingthat is needed fortransformation. Yougive us glimpses oftruth. May we allowour experience ofthe autumn seasonto speak to us.Grant us the contin-uous process of let-ting go and movingon that is a part ofthe human condi-tion. Creator God,we are grateful thatyou are our faithfulcompanion on thejourney.

Amen

AAuuttuummnnPPrraayyeerr

BY MIKE HAMMOND

Ihave had just one occasion to enterthe Sisters of Providence of St.Vincent de Paul Chapel and that was

during the recent wedding of my child-hood friend. I had never imagined thatonly a couple months later, I'd be workinghere. A friend mentioned there was anopening for a part-time employee in webdesign and communications technology. Iapplied and a few weeks later, I beganworking as the new Editorial Assistant inthe Communications Department.

I've had a strong interest in computers andthe Internet for much of my life becauseof their ability to bring together largegroups of people from so many varyingbackgrounds and locations. This interestmade me determined to enter a rewardingcareer in the computer industry. Most ofmy computer related knowledge is self-taught but I did receive a formal educationas well, graduating from St. LawrenceCollege’s Computer Engineering program.

I have also worked full time at a local callcentre for the last four years.

It may sound like an exhausting schedule,but both jobs allow me to explore mycreative side.

Bear with me over the next few months.I’ve met some wonderful people but I’mterrible with names.

Mike Hammond, editorial assistant in theCommunications Office at ProvidenceMotherhouse.

Welcome Providence Motherhouse welcomes Mike Hammond, the new editorial assistant in the CommunicationsOffice. Mike’s main focus, among a myriad of tasks, is maintaining and updating our Websitewww.providence.ca

Preached Retreat

Living the ChristianLife

Tues., Jan. 23, 9:45a.m.- Sun., Jan. 28,1 p.m.

Register byTuesday, Jan. 9

$360 (add $45 forMondayaccommodation)

Eugene O'Reilly,C.Ss.R

"Christianity is nota religion….it is away of living withJoy andCompassion forourselves andothers."

Affectionatelyknown as "Red",Fr. Eugene O'Reilly,a Redemptorist, wasordained in 1972.Since 1983 he haspreached missionsand retreats toparishes , teachers,school boards,clergy and religiousthroughout Canadaand the U.S. He hasa particular interestin music, and hascomposed anumber of religioussongs.


PPrreeaacchheeddRReettrreeaatt

Editor’s note: Mike works Monday, Tuesday, Thursday andFriday from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.


PROVIDENCE PAGES

It’s a Thursday morning on a hot andsteamy August day. Sister ShirleyMorris is working feverishly to clean

out her office on the ground floor of theMotherhouse. In just three weeks, sheleaves for a yearlong adventure.

Sister Shirley Morris will celebrate herGolden Jubilee year at an ecological centrein Western Canada beginning this fall. Aftertwo decades as a nurse and her ground-breaking role, kickstarting the Justiceand Peace office ofthe Sisters ofProvidence, Sisterhas found her truecalling — healingour planet Earth.An enthusiasticpromoter ofecology and earthliteracy, she will dovolunteer work at the Glenairley Centre forEarth and Spirit.

Her devotion to earth issues dates back tothe 14 years she spent working in theMissions in Peru and Guatemala. “Thesimplicity of the people who acknowledgedthe importance of the earth was inspiring,”says Sister Shirley.

Upon her return to Kingston, she beganworking with the poor at the St. Vincent dePaul Society and at Guadalupe House,networking with others, participating inadvocacy work and taking part in

demonstrations for Justice and Peace.Sister was asked to set up the Justice andPeace office in 1990. This pioneering spiritalso began the Friday silent vigils in 1995.The peaceful demonstrations continue tothis day.

During her time in Justice and Peace, Sisterinitiated major changes at ProvidenceMotherhouse including an updated watersystem and recycling program. In March of2000, Sister set up an ecology office, andworked closely with seed savers Robert andCarol Mouck in the Heirloom SeedSanctuary. But educating people about ourconnection to the earth was her mainministry. She offered workshops in EarthLiteracy, the New Cosmology and theEarth Charter.

Sister warns that if we continue to think ofourselves as separate from the rest ofnature, it’s suicide. “Extinction of plant andanimal life is happening at a great rate. Ifwe ignore our earth, the human species willfollow,” cautions Sister. “We need to re-focus our relationship with the earth andlive in harmony.”

Sister is a member of several committeesincluding Companions of the Earth, anetwork of men and women who share adeep concern for the ecological crisis ofour times and who wish to restore earth’slife support systems. She also meetsregularly with members of a Kingston-based Earth Literacy group which shefounded with ten dedicated women.

Green Nun

Sr. Shirley Morris

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Continued on page 21


BY SR. UNA BYRNE

The smell of smoke these morningsreminds us of the ever-presentdanger of forest fires in the north.

Although Moosonee is far from the firesright now, some of the communities in ourdiocese are being affected — from JamesBay west to the communities north ofThunder Bay. All except one of thesecommunities are accessible only by air orby ice road in the winter. This makes traveldifficult, time consuming and expensive.

Being responsible for Religious Education,Faith Development and Leadership trainingin the diocese, means that I do a lot oftravelling. Based in Moosonee, where Ialso work as part time Pastoral Assistant,my travel takes me mostly into three of theCree Reserves up the coast of James Bay. Ialso travel to the western part of thediocese where a lay pastoral worker servesthe small Ojibway communities.

In these small communities, almost all thepeople are nominally Catholic. In two ofthe communities in James Bay, we areallowed to have Religious Education in theschool. Part of my job is to train andprovide support and resources for thenative catechists teaching in these schools, agoal we’ve been working on for some time.When I first arrived here, the diocese washiring mostly retired teachers from thesouth. Part of our enabling the FirstNations to take the role of passing on theirfaith, has been to ask local people do moreof this kind of work in the parish. This is achange for the people, who were used to

having Sistersand OblateBrothers todo all thatwas neededin the church.Now I try tochallengethem to dothe BaptismalPreparation,to preparetheir youngcouples formarriage andtheir childrenfor theSacraments of Initiation, to preside at theSunday Celebration of the Word and toserve their own people as Special Ministersof Communion. This means giving themtraining and support. The people have ahard time adjusting to this, especiallycommitting themselves to a ministry overthe long term. It is also hard for them totake on these roles in small communitieswhere everyone knows their past andpresent struggles, where they have to copewith inadequate housing and many socialproblems. I admire the humility andsimplicity that allows them to agree to takeon leadership roles in spite of all theseproblems. It is amazing how they can pickup and go on, even after a terrible tragedy!

A lay pastoral worker who visits them once

Northern Connection

Sr. Una Byrne at the Baptismof a Neskantaga First Nationchild. The child is in atikinagan, a traditional cradleboard that the mother carrieson her back.

Continued on page 21

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BY SR. PATRICIA AMYOT

Our ministry at Rosary Hall givesus the opportunity to live out ourChapter 2003 Directional

statement. ‘To continue our presentministries with renewed energy.’

We continue to provide a safe home forwomen — a tradition first started here in1915 by Sister M. Clement. Eight yearslater, the Sisters of Providence purchasedthis property and home that we now callRosary Hall.Our ministrywas interrupt-ed just once in1981 due tomajor renova-tions. For oneyear, ourresidents hadto find otheraccommoda-tions.

Rosary Hall isa long termcare facilitythat provides a safe home for womensuffering from severe chronic mentalillness. We are currently full to capacity with20 women ranging in ages from 47 to 87.The women here consider this home, manyof whom have been here for over 20 years.

We strive to transform relationships andstructures as we live in harmony with all

creation. We treat women with respect andencourage them to treat others with thissame respect. We make every effort to livein harmony with our environment by:

Recycling and Composting: This requiresextra time and work but our staff are reallybecoming quite environmentally conscious.We have purchased 4 composters and 3 rainbarrels.

Planting our own garden: It took time toget the residents interested in the gardenbut this year, all but one resident gotinvolved; only one resident showed anyinterest last year. We chronicle the growthof the garden by taking photographs.Rresidents mark their plot with woodenstakes and are allowed to pick and eat someof the produce. This encourages them toget out of their rooms, get some exercise,and eat healthy food. We planted over 60tomato plants, 18 asparagus plants,raspberries, strawberries, potatoes and morethan 20 other kinds of vegetables andherbs. The garden will be featured in ascrapbook, being produced with help fromthe residents.

Using a hand mower to mow the grass:We are even able to get some of theresidents interested in helping us mow thelawn.

Purchasing Grass Fed Meat: We boughtsome grass fed turkeys, chickens, pork,buffalo and beef last year and intend to geteven more this year.

Sr. Patricia Amyot


Rosary HallM

inis

try

continued on page 22


While her trip out west marks a newchapter in her life, she embraces theopportunity to bring back a greaterawareness that all things are held in asacred balance.

“There is a need to live with greaterawareness of the resources needed forglobal integrity and for future generations,”says Sister Shirley.

Sr. Shirley Morriscontinued from page 18

a month serves the Ojibway people in thewestern part of our diocese. He , his wifeand children live in Pickle Lake. We do nothave a priest for this area and it takes twodays to get there from Moosonee. TheBishop borrows priests from the diocese ofThunder Bay to go into these communitiesa few times a year and he himself travelsthere a couple of times a year. I try to getinto these communities to do some in-ser-vice work with the pastoral worker and towork with the people whenever I can. It ishard for the people to understand why theycannot have a priest and why they so rarelyhave Mass. Even in James Bay where we

have two elderly priests, none of the com-munities have Mass every Sunday. Onecommunity has Mass only once a month.This is very sad and frustrating especially asthese people are already deprived in somany other ways.

I see great needs in the north. As I beginmy 10th year in James Bay and my 17th inthe north, I still find it very difficult to livealone without any other Sisters. But Ibelieve that God is calling me to thismission and that He will give me the graceand the health to continue.

Sr. Una Byrnecontinued from page 19

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Reverse Osmosis Water System: With adonation received from one of ourresident’s family members, we were able topurchase this water system for theresidents.

Finally we strive to advocate for and be insolidarity with the poor and mostvulnerable. We advocate for our residentsfor medical care. We also make every effortto make sure our women are not takenadvantage of financially, emotionally orphysically. I believe our women are themost vulnerable because many of themhave no support network. And becausethey suffer from mental illness, family andfriends have disowned some. Others havesupport from their family but the burdencan be overwhelming. I believe if weweren't here for them, many of our womenwould be in the hospital or living on thestreet. We do not simply advocate for them,but are in solidarity with them — living,playing and working with them.

I believe that the Sisters have a strong,healthy community living atmosphere hereat Rosary Hall. We share daily prayer, allowvisits from family and friends and mostimportant, we allow each other to be whowe are. The other Sisters in our group arefree to drop in for a meal or prayerwhenever they are free. I believe that

hospitality is an important part of who weare.

Sisters Ellen Murray, Mary Bernadette andPatricia Amyot work as a team filling inwhere needed. Ellen is a Registered Nurseand her main role is taking care of thehealth needs of the residents. MaryBernadette looks after the financial needs,organizing parties, decorating, housecleaning and gardening. Patricia isAdministrator and fills in when needed inthe kitchen and maintenance department.She enjoys working in the garden whenevershe gets the chance. Ellen and Patricia areon salary while Mary Bernadette is doingvolunteer work. Besides the Sisters, we have5 full time and 3 part time paid staff. TheSisters and the residents pay $600 a monthroom and board and this will increase to$650 in September. Capital health providesabout 43 % of our funding and the restcomes from the room and board and anydonations we receive. The Sisters ofProvidence own Rosary Hall and do notcharge rent for the building. TheMotherhouse pays for any major buildingexpenses but we pay for the entire generalup keep like painting and minorrenovations.

Sr. Patricia AmyotContinued from page 20

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left to right:Catholic Archivist Group Secretary Linda Wicks,Chair Gayle Desarmia SP, Treasurer Walter Farrell,FSC.


•maintains and pro-motes Archives ofReligious Institutes,Dioceses andCatholic Institutionsin order to preservethe social heritageof all its members.

•supports andkeeps before rele-vant authorities andgroups the impor-tance and signifi-cance of ourArchives.

•follows the termsof reference of pro-fessional archivalguidelines inCanada, Canon Law,the PontificalCommission for theCultural Heritage ofthe Church, as wellas pertinent govern-ment legislation.

BY SR. GAYLE DESARMIA

Gayle Desarmia, SP and NatalieTreboute represented the Sistersof Providence of St. Vincent de

Paul at the Catholic Archivist Group annualconference.

Archivists from Newfoundland to BritishColumbia gathered at Maison de-la-Providence in Orleans from September 25-28. They represented religiouscongregations, dioceses and Catholic insti-tutions. Keynote speaker was Mr. IanWilson, the Librarian and Archivist ofCanada. Robin Keirstead gave a timelypresentation addressing access and privacyissues in today's archives. The photograph

album and scrapbook workshop given byLynn Curry provided much practicalinformation on preservation of these items.Tours of the Notre-Dame Basilica Museumin Ottawa and the Gatineau PreservationCentre proved to be highlights of theconference. Besides the content of thepresentations, the archivists appreciated theopportunity to network with one another.Next year they will be meeting in Montreal.

Lesson in Preservation AArrcchhiivviissttGGrroouupp

A regular publicationof the Sisters ofProvidence of St. Vincent de Paul

Editor & Director ofCommunications:Christine Tripp

Editorial Assistant:Mike Hammond

CommunicationsAdvisory Committee:Sr. Kathryn LaFleurSr. Barbara ThiffaultSr. Gayle DesarmiaChristine TrippMike HammondDoreen Hoekstra

For questions,comments oraddress changes,contact:

We, the Sisters of Providence of St.Vincent de Paul, are an apostoliccongregation of vowed women

religious called to be channels of God’sProvidence in the world throughcompassionate service in response to theneeds of the times. Sharing our individualgiftedness, we carry out diverse ministries in aspirit of humility, simplicity and charity incollaboration with others to bring about thereign of God.

Our heritage is rooted in the creativity andspirituality of Vincent de Paul and Louise deMarillac, in the willingness of Emilie Gamelinto risk and trust in Providence, in theresponsiveness of the Montreal Sisters ofProvidence to the call of Bishop E.J. Horan,as well as in the courage and pioneer spirit of

Mother Mary Edward McKinley and theoriginal members of the Kingston community.

Impelled by the compassionate love of Jesusand Mary, we seek to empower others,especially the poor and oppressed, to achievea quality of life in keeping with their humandignity. We strive to be prophetic leaders inour church and in society through thepromotion of structures and relationships ofequality and mutuality and through attitudesand actions for justice and peace.Strengthened by prayer, we are bonded inunity and love through our corporate mission.

Serving with compassion, trusting inProvidence, we walk in hope.

Mission Statement

Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul

ProvidencePages

Office of CommunicationsSisters of Providence of St. Vincent de PaulProvidence MotherhouseBox 427, 1200 Princess StreetKingston, ON, CanadaK7L 4W4

E-mail [email protected] site: www.providence.ca

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