NL Canada Provincial Gathering 2020 – 20 and 21 October

November 6, 2020 |

Our PG 2020, originally set for June, eventually took place on 20 and 21 October, with our Facilitator, Sherryl White, csj joining us by Zoom, with Covid-19 adapting, our energies transcending time and space. Song and dance, with symbols rich in meaning, marked the formal Declaration of the Opening of our Gathering.

Our Provincial Leadership election was the key focus for our Gathering on 21 October. The group visioning that followed, flowing from our out-going Leadership Team Report, engendered both renewed enthusiasm for mission and renewed commitment to our new Team and to one another, a fitting prelude to our Closing Ritual transitioning to our incoming Leadership Team.

The morning of the 21st we had also celebrated the 187th Anniversary of the opening of our first school here in St John’s in 1883…rekindling the spirit of our first four pioneering women from Galway and the numerous others who followed. “We remember…we celebrate…we give thanks.” We prayed that their spirit ever lights the way into our emerging future, deeply rooted in mission, and like Nano, daring to be led by our God, ever loving, wise and faithful.

Our own Sister Miriam Martin’s Steadfast Love refrain was our recurring theme. (Click to listen)

The Steadfast love of our God never ceases.

God’s mercies never come to an end.

They are new every morning, they remain throughout the night.

Great is God’s faithfulness. 

In the spirit of ‘widening our tents’ and embracing our Congregation’s call to live more interculturally, we had again chosen to have three of our NL Provincial Leadership Team elected by our local Unit and two appointed from outside our Unit by our Congregational Leadership Team. Sister Anita Mansingh had already been appointed from Pakistan and Sister Mary Rossiter from Ireland. To the joy of all, they were both able to join us by Zoom for our Closing Ritual.

In prayerful support and reverent gratitude for our out-going team, our in-coming Team, and for each other moving forward, Our Way of Life had reminded us that:

The ministry of leadership enables each Sister to use her gifts appropriately and fruitfully for building up the Body of Christ. C44

We value the ministry of designated leadership that seeks to inspire us so that the gifts and resources of all can be life giving for mission. C45

Pictured here, in a Leadership Team photo reflective of these unprecedented Covid-19 times, are our three newly elected Team members and our two appointees:

Betty Rae Lee, Unit Leader – NL (center), Roisin Gannon – NL/Ireland (lower right), Clo Martin – NL (lower left), Anita Mansingh – Pakistan (lower screen), Mary Rossiter (upper screen).

On behalf of all, Sister Mabel Whelan thanked the outgoing team for their dedication and commitment to our Sisters and to mission. In JOY and GRATITUDE we continue to bless all these women and one another!

Blessing these women and one another, all global Presentation People, and those whom we serve and minister, we share with you our elections blessing…

Blessed Are You Who Bear the Light

Blessed are you who bear the light in unbearable times,

who testify to its endurance amid the unendurable,

who bear witness to its persistence when everything seems in shadow and grief.

 

Blessed are you in whom the light lives,

in whom the brightness blazes – your heart a chapel, an alter where in the deepest night can be seen the fire that shines forth in you in unaccountable faith,

in stubborn hope,

in love that illuminates every broken thing it finds. 

© Jan Richardson from “Circle of Grace: A Book of Blessings for the Seasons”

Submitted by: Sr Sheila Leonard, pbvm