Happy Eastertide to all our readers and welcome to the May edition of Adelante Table of Contents. Bonnie Moser, FCJ

Transcription

1 Vol.19 No.1 May 2017

2 From the Editor Happy Eastertide to all our readers and welcome to the May edition of Adelante We hope that you will enjoy our reflections on living our call into the future, facing the challenges of new situations in life and a deepening of the experience of the Spiritual Exercises. We also offer some ponderings on the Triduum and Easter, the UN Interfaith Harmony Week that was celebrated in early February and one family tree. Enjoyment of nature comes through too. Sincere thanks to all who contributed this time. Any comments or questions may be addressed to tksmithfcj@yahoo.ca. Theresa (Terry) Smith, f.c.j. Table of Contents Avanti Interfaith Matters Choose Life Holiday Haikus A Visit to My Family Tree The Elbow Crocodile Moving from Lent to Easter Man of the Eucharist The Triduum at Our Lady of Lourdes A Cold Easter Study of the Spiritual Exercises A dedication Bonnie Moser, FCJ Ger Curran, FCJ and Denise De Neve Susan Donohue, FCJ Helen Kampel, FCJ & Madeleine Gregg, FCJ Darlene Madore, FCJ Theresa Smith, FCJ Maria Di Castri, CIM Theresa Smith, FCJ Jane Galvin, FCJ Laura and Dough Krefting, CIM Ann Marie Walsh, FCJ Frances McKenna

3 AVANTI This year s reflective journal published by the LWCR and named AVANTI calls women religious forward to live their call into the future with courage and trust. A number of authors give short reflections but the encouragement is to all of us to take time to reflect on and journal our experiences of God coming to us from the future. As you think about God already in the future and urging you forward, what has it been like for you to pray? How do you encounter god, relate to God, communicate with God? What images, stories, or symbols capture your understanding of God as coming from the future beckoning you forward? How does your understanding of God coming from the future affect your relationships with the world, with others, with yourself? What difference is praying from understanding of God coming from the future make in your life? Remember that your reflections are not to be theological statements; but rather a personal sharing of the intimate experience of the Holy Mystery moving in your life and in the lives of your companions. Ponder this invitation from God Avanti! Bonnie Moser fcj

4 Interfaith Matters Calgary Thinking back to Feb.1, an image that we will remember from Calgary s inaugural UN World Interfaith Harmony Week, (click for further information) is seeing different religious leaders standing together during the opening ceremony. That was a powerful symbol for the Calgary Interfaith Council, and a real accomplishment to be able to pull all of that together for the first time. The organizing committee was co-chaired by Murray Nicholson, chairperson of Calgary Interfaith Council and also a board member here at FCJ Centre. The other co-chair was Rabbi Shaul Osadchey. Ger was delighted to be a member of this subcommittee of the Calgary Interfaith Council, for this first proclamation of UN Interfaith and Harmony Week here in Calgary. The opening ceremony at City Hall kicked off a week-long celebration with special events including open houses at 18 places of worship. The FCJ Centre held an Open House on Saturday the 4th of February. Ita Connery fcj led us in a beautiful Taizé prayer that was respectful of all faiths. Forty people from many different faith communities participated and joined for coffee afterwards in the library. Community feedback from Calgarians has been positive, particularly among people already involved in interfaith activities. The week served as encouragement to continue the interfaith efforts. A stream of phone calls and s, from people interested in becoming involved with Calgary Interfaith Council, have come in since Interfaith Harmony Week. National news attracts more participants News of the Jan. 29 Quebec City mosque shooting likely resulted in more people stepping forward during the Calgary interfaith week that otherwise may not have been aware. The worldwide concern about the Muslim community undermines a lot of the interfaith activities. We are aware of that, and anxious to treat them with respect, as brothers and sisters. Denise and Ger prepared an event for Muslim Christian Friendship, for youth participants from the Shia Muslim and Melkite Catholic traditions, which was much appreciated by participants and very timely. Ger, Van Van fcj and Denise attended special prayers for the victims of Quebec and also attended a peace rally outside City Hall. It was so cold the candles were a comfort!! Interfaith Council expands A newly amalgamated Calgary Interfaith Council was officially launched Feb.1 as the central organization for interfaith activities across the city. The expanded council will have greater

5 capacity in four major program areas: interfaith education, interfaith dialogue, interfaith worship and interfaith action. Calgary Interfaith Council currently has 84 members. Existing programs will continue in the areas of poverty reduction, as well as partnerships in immigration and indigenous relations. The council will be working to bring people on board and create a workable structure in time for its May Annual General Meeting. What role can the FCJ Centre play? We are currently looking at what part we can play in this new Council and insert ourselves in our shadowlands, where God is often seen in political terms rather than through the eyes of faith. Sincerely, Ger Curran fcj and Denise De Neve, Director of the FCJ Christian Life Centre {Visit Interfaith Harmony Week on the web to see that the Calgary Council (of which Sr. Ger was a very active part) won first prize for their depth and variety of celebrations.} CHOOSE LIFE Recently I was reflecting on the raising of Lazarus from the dead and a number of thoughts about new life came to mind. When one is moving through a transition period in life, there is an invitation to allow a previous self-identity to die so that a new sense of self may be born. It is not easy to let go of a secure, familiar, safe identity and enter into a state of feeling powerless, anxious and fearful in the face of many unknowns. There is a certain dying to the old self so that a new self can emerge. This new emergence requires a calling forth by Jesus as in the story of the raising of Lazarus and it can only happen in God s time and may happen many times. How do I listen for the voice of Jesus calling me forth? It is interesting to see that once Lazarus was called forth from the tomb, Jesus asked the bystanders to unbind him. Maybe this is what I have to do, to trust that others, new circumstances, surroundings, relationships and events can unbind me and set me free. This

6 takes courage and grace because I have to let go of being in control, of being in charge and trust the process of transformation. Our Society is experiencing its own transition at this particular time in its history. We have been invited to change our governance structures. There is a certain dying to the familiar that all of us are called to embrace so that new life can emerge. As in the story of one s personal journey, each of us is invited to let go of what was and look forward in trust and hope to the new without controlling the outcome. Perhaps the following poem by Jimmy Santiago Baca sums up what I am trying to say: Daily Joy to be Alive No matter how serene things may be in my life, how well things are going, my body and soul are two cliff peaks from which a dream of who I can be falls, and I must learn to fly again each day, or die. Submitted by: Susan Donohue FcJ

7 Holiday Haikus Returning from White Fish, Montana March 20, 2017 Dusty rolling hills Stretching into bright blue skies We call prairie home. All along the road Fence posts keep us company Sign of covenant. Messengers of life. Spruces standing guard Blessing the hills forevermore Melting snow and ice The slough admits the sun Free to flow at last. Swiftly run the streams Carving channels on the land Writing words of hope. Open land and sky Sheltered from the hands that build Cows dot the prairie Munching on dry grass and hay Eyeing close-by streams. Wind blows freely here. Yellow lines move on Coaxing us to travel far Time for R and R! Weathered house and barn Reflecting winter s harsh grip Hope comes with the spring. Resting cows and calves Unaware of passing cars Springtime on the ranch. Snow-capped hills invite Come enjoy the outdoor fun! Summer calls: Come, again!

8 Wind-blown grove of trees Sculpted, twisted, deformed Nature s studio. Cityscape appears Joy afresh in coming home Nearly there at last! Weekend visit south Free of perils, rockslides passed. Thank you, God, thank you! Helen Kampel, FCJ and Madeleine Gregg, FCJ (Photos: Highway 2 website A Visit to My Family Tree On this year 2017 when we celebrate Canada s 150 th birthday, it seems appropriate to remember my ancestors who came from France to Ville Marie (now known as Montreal) in the 17th century. My niece, Emilie Kohler-Kabin who lives in Kingston, Ontario, paid for services of a genealogist and sent me a detailed report. Our French ancestor, Michel Morel, came to Ville Marie in At that time, King Louis XIV was financing the passage of some young French women so that the men could have someone to marry! These women were known as King s Daughters (Filles du Roi) and one of them was Marie Grandin who arrived in 1667 and married Michel Morel. He came from Troyes in the Champagne region of France and she came from Normandy. Their son, Amador Morel, also known as Francois Morel dit Mador, born in 1671, was the source of the Mador name, spelled with or without an e. Morel became a baptismal name of some Madore men including my uncles, Jacques and Pierre. When my ancestors arrived, St. Marguerite Bourgeoys was already a much loved leader in the colony and was helped by Jeanne Mance, founder of the Hotel-Dieu hospital. For her work in education and other ministries, Marguerite founded the CND Sisters (Congrégation Notre-Dame). I love to think of my ancestors knowing and loving her. The Madore family tree includes Louis Fréchette, the famous French-Canadian poet and politician ( ). His daughter, Marie-Hélène, married my great-grandfather, Adolphe Madore in Their son was my grandfather, Louis Madore ( ). So I have the honour of having the poet for my great-great grandfather.

9 The synchro-swimmer, Sylvie Fréchette, stayed with her team at the FCJ Centre when they were practicing at the Talisman Centre. When we met, Sylvie recalled seeing the name Marie Fréchette Madore on her family tree. We decided we were cousins of some kind and were glad to have met. Sylvie Fréchette: Synchronized Swimming Games: Atlanta 1996 Barcelona 1992 Born: June 27, 1967; Age: 49 Height: 178cm; Birthplace: Montréal, Quebec A two-time Olympic medalist in synchronized swimming Only the second Canadian in history to win gold in the solo event (1992) Two-time Commonwealth Games gold medalist 1986, 1990 Captured a total of 65 international medals, including 25 gold 10-time Canadian champion (Canadian Olympic Team Website) Louis-Honoré Fréchette, was a Canadian poet, politician, playwright, and short story writer. Born in Lévis, Lower Canada, from 1854 to 1860 Fréchette did his classical studies at the Séminaire de Québec, the Collège de Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pocatière and at the Séminaire de Nicolet. He later studied law at Université Laval. In 1864, he opened a lawyer's office in Lévis where he founded two newspapers: Le Drapeau de Lévis and La Tribune de Levis. He exiled himself in Chicago where he wrote La voix d'un exilé. A number of plays which he wrote during that period were lost in the Great Chicago Fire. Soon after he returned home in 1874, he was elected Member of Parliament in Ottawa. He served in the Canadian House of Commons from 1874 to 1878 as the Liberal Party of Canada member from Lévis. He was not reelected in After that, he moved to Montreal where he began writing full time, having inherited the wealth of his aunt when she died He was the first Quebecer to receive the Montyon Prize of the Académie française for his collection of poems Les Fleurs boréales, les oiseaux de neige (1879). In 1897 he was created a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George. Canada Post issued a postage stamp in his honour on July 7, In 1991, Louis Honoré Fréchette Public School opened in Thornhill, Ontario. (Wikipedia) Darlene Madore, fcj

10 The Elbow Crocodile Crocodile by Elbow River What a strange reptilian lump! For years it grew as maple tree Until earth s pull caused a thump. How essential is interior life Of trees as well as us! Theresa Smith, f.c.j. Moving From Lent Into Easter Fittingly, I am gazing out over an ocean view in Nova Scotia. I am on a vacation with my daughter and sister. I have been musing about my Lenten/Easter experience this year and thought I would share with you how I moved from one into the other. During Lent it was my practice to be with Jesus at the foot of the cross. I pictured myself there on a small mound with Mary and Marie Madeleine. I had my arms around the foot of the cross a gesture as much of anxiety as solidarity - as I shared the thirsting of our Lord. My heart was

11 heavily laden with our failures to be as He would have us, and at the many ways in which He still yearned to see his mission fulfilled. How could we, and can we be so cruel to each other when we have been given the capacity and shown the way to love? This was a good image for me to focus on and it made Lent a time of self and social examination. But how, I asked myself, would I move from this image, now so embedded in my consciousness, as we moved toward Easter and the celebration of the resurrection? How would I make the transition to joy? While awaiting the beginning of the Easter Vigil mass (My husband insists on being very early to get a good seat!) I returned to the foot of the cross, but when I looked up to Jesus he was no longer there. All that remained was a swath of white cloth loosely wound around the top and branches of the cross. I smiled. The cloth grew in expanse and the crossbeam lowered. The cross became a mast and the cloth took the shape of a sail. The mound moved downward as the earth moved upward forming the sides of a small boat. We three women found ourselves seated on a small bench spanning its width. Again I looked up and the wind gently filled the sail with life. We began moving forward over the sparkling waters of a sun filled Easter morning. Looking forward I saw Him sitting at the prow for a moment. His smile was reassuring and a little mischievous. Too quickly the image dissipated and was gone. We looked at each other, us sorrowing women, and the tension, gone for now, was released in joy, exuberant laughter and embraces. Easter and the resurrection was ours and the Holy Spirit filled our sail, moving us onward under its guidance. Maria Di Castri, CIM Edmonton Man of the Eucharist Happy Thursday! he d say as he waited for morning Mass on his stone bench that marked the side of the bishop s parking place. Later he had to find another spot when the priests back yard was transformed into more parking. Happy Monday! Happy Friday! Every day was a day for spreading cheer for Kipper. He knew the gift and beauty of the Eucharist and would make great efforts to attend even while coping with severe pain and all kinds of weather.

12 Monday mornings he loved the drama of Fr. Hubka s homilies. I never want to miss those, he told me. Bishop Henry Kipper knew as a friend. The kindness of Fr. Bob, all the priests at St. Mary s and the Franciscans was thoroughly appreciated by Kipper. We FCJs enjoyed many chats with him. The subject might be something from a spiritual book he was reading, expressions of gratitude for not pushing up daisies yet, biased comments on the Oilers or Eskimos ( Edmonton all the way, he d proclaim.) or simply a cheerful word. I was planning to get him a card for April 30 which would have been his 43 rd birthday but God has called him now. Actually, the newspaper obituary indicates that he would have turned 42 so that implies that he had celebrated his 40 th a year early. The Man of the Eucharist has no doubt discovered the Mass of the Lord s Supper, the meaning of all the sufferings he experienced in his Good Friday life and the joy of the Resurrection from heaven s perspective. In life he struggled with his addiction to alcohol and the intense pain that it brought but no matter how he presented himself, a jewel of a soul shone through to all of us who loved him and were loved by him. May he rest in peace. Theresa (Terry) Smith f.c.j. The Triduum at Our Lady of Lourdes, Toronto At Our Lady of Lourdes parish we marvelled in the 25 or so women, men and a few children (in family groups) who were baptized and confirmed and loudly welcomed as new members. The children will be confirmed with their class from school at the appropriate time. The choir and cantors did all of us proud. We followed the Vigil by an Easter bread and coffee sharing to meet the new members. I made scones, topped with cream cheese. We enjoyed large crowds for each of the ceremonies, more than usual on Holy Thursday. Jane Galvin fcj

13 A Cold Easter My life is like a frozen thing, No bud nor greenness can I see: Yet rise it shall-the sap of Spring; O Jesus, rise in me. My life is like a broken bowl, A broken bowl that cannot hold One drop of water for my soul, Or cordial in the searching cold; Cast into the fire the perish'd thing; Melt and remould it till it be A royal cup for Him, my King: O Jesus, drink of me.

14 (From "A Better Resurrection" by Christina Rossetti) Well that pretty well sums up Easter in our home. It feels more similar to the bleak midwinter than the promise of our resurrected Lord. We look out the window and the snow is still on the ground. We met a small blizzard on Easter Saturday when we drove to Doug's home town for an Easter brunch with his sister. And we are not alone in this lack of Easter joy. We have a prayer partner who is struggling with a deep depression and we have several close family members who are either living with dementia or terminal illness or supporting loved ones who are. Yes, "Christ is my utmost need", as Sr. Jessica Powers tell us in the poem by the same name. "I cannot take one step into the light without the Christ". But try as I might, it is a season of my mouth forming the words of prayer and reading the gospels with dull mind and heart cold and silent. Like Sr. Powers, "I cling with all my strength unto a nail-investigated hand". I can't say that it is very comfortable. For the last several days the weather can only be described as undecided. One minute it is snow flakes and bitter wind and the next, a bit of blue in the sky--just like me. Yesterday at mass however, the sun finally broke through. The stained glass windows were alive with light. I felt Jesus eyes beaming with love and patience from behind the altar--and I tried to grasp him with everything in me. Easter. The grave clothes of winter are still here, but the sepulchre Is empty. A messenger from a tomb tells us how a stone has been rolled from the mind, and a tree lightens the darkness with its blossom. (From R S Thomas, Resurrection) Now I know why there are eight weeks of Easter. And so we pray, "Lighten our darkness Lord," and so He shall. Alleluia. Laura and Doug Krefting, CiMs Edmonton

15 Study of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Many of you will have made the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius at one time or another in your lifetime. About 10 years ago, I had the privilege of making them once again during my spiritual direction training year in Guelph, Ontario. Over the years since then, I have had the wonderful opportunity of journeying with others as they made them either during a 30- Day retreat or by doing the 19 th Annotation retreat in daily life. Making the journey of the Exercises is usually a very lifechanging journey for people and, as a director, I have been so deeply touched by the way God works so individually in each person s journey! This year, I have had another experience of the Exercises. During this year, I am working with Fr. Charles Pottie-Pate, a Jesuit residing at the Cathedral Rectory here in Calgary. He and I are offering a 14 week Study of the Spiritual Exercises to people who have made the Exercises. We are basically using the John English text Spiritual Freedom supplemented by other authors. As these sessions draw to a close, both Fr. Charles and I are very moved by the depth of the sharing among the participants in the study. For me, it has been great to have had the opportunity once again to go back to my journal notes and re-experience the journey of my own long retreat. Each person in the group has done this and as we review the material being covered in our sessions, we first share on what the experience of that part of the Exercises was for us. Once again, it is so obvious how individually God works in each one s spiritual journey. We are all feeling a deep gratitude to God for the ways in which God continues to reveal His great love for each of us. Indeed, in this season of Easter, it has been a lifegiving experience to walk again with a group of pilgrims on the journey of life along the path of the Spiritual Exercises. I d encourage all who have made the Exercises to take some time to reflect again on your journal notes and rekindle/ fan into a flame the gift of your own journey through the Exercises. Ann Marie Walsh,fcJ

16 A Dedication Sr. Frances McKenna had an unexpected and humbling surprise when a past student of hers, Stephen Tardif, from St. Michael s College School, dedicated his doctoral dissertation to her. The dissertation was accepted by Harvard University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and was entitled The Practice of Form: Arts of Life in Victorian Literature. The dedication reads: One fateful morning in high school, my English teacher, Sr. Frances McKenna, FCJ, recommended to me a favourite poet of hers, Gerard Manley Hopkins. This dissertation as much a result of her serendipitous suggestion as it is of her example as a gifted teacher, faithful religious, and gracious friend is humbly dedicated to her. Stephen Tardif Harvard University September 9, 2016 Submitted by Frances McKenna fcj