Ann Masters and Barbara Pyles
By Carol Evans and Ann Masters, Associates
The best way to describe our Associate gathering on June 2nd is to celebrate it as our first Hybrid Associate Gathering: “Zoom and In-person”. The technical possibilities keep improving and Ann Masters works very hard to keep us current. Our Zoom attendees included Marie Gallant, Sharron Hillaby, Monica Shebib, Pat Rodriquez, Charlotta Hachey, Diane Walker, Kay Ann Meagher, Jackie Macdonald, Barbara Wengler, Mickey Madden, and Trish Vermeulen. In-person we had Ronnie Macdonald, Jean Brown, John Fortini, Mary Beth Sanford, Elena Miranda, Rose Marie Smith, Jackie MacDonald, Ann Masters and Carol Evans.
Part of the reflection that opened our session included a quote called “Immersed in God”, by Bette Moslander, CSJ: “We must become accustomed to hearing God’s voice, sensitive to the prompting of God’s Spirit, and in full accord with God’s mind and heart”.
The Hybrid Format worked well, and we’ve included some of the spoken and written comments that had been shared with us.
- Associates in Bermuda meet monthly since the Sisters left. We assist in Church ministries and parish work. We have support from the Bishop and will continue our Prayer Line on the Diocesan website.
- This is working well, and we are quite a happy and self-sufficient group of women.
- Our Charism calls us to the Paschal Mystery as always. I feel a deep commitment to continuing the journey as long as possible …
- Boston Associates had met to discuss the present reality and where the future will bring them. Gratitude keeps them closely connected and they feel that the Contemplative Circles showed climate as the central issue unifying the cries of the poor and racism. Also mentioned were other “isms” of age and gender that are challenging our Catholic faith and cultures around our world …
- I cannot see the Associates carrying on without the Sisters of Charity-Halifax. In my own group, once Sisters left, it was hard to get people to come to meetings. That’s not to say that the charism doesn’t continue. Zoom meetings are a lovely way to keep in touch but not everyone does Zoom.
- Some questions relative to collaboration and inclusiveness were brought to the discussion.
- Staten Island recently celebrated the Commitment of a new Associate. With Sister Maureen’s recent move to Wellesley, they had shared how she encouraged them to appreciate themselves and the Associate life …
- Our local groups have been eager to discuss our place in the evolution of all things connected to the dedicated religious way of life. Our age and decreasing participatory members echo those of the sisters on a smaller scale.
- It will be enlightening to hear what our peers in the Federation and other congregations are doing. In a recent Presentation to ARCAN (Atlantic Religious Congregations Associate Network) by associate Sharon Jacquard, SCICA Associate Communications Coordinator, in a process they followed in becoming autonomous. Sharon shared that “it is the beginning of a new era in the history of Association”.
The relationships that we share as Associates, and with each Sister of Charity has and will continue to enrich our lives, as we struggle and participate in the coming of the reign of God, live the Gospel and our Charism and listen to Elizabeth’s words “be children of the Church…”
We hope and pray that you will respond to us about these comments with any reflections and ideas you may have of your own or continue to discuss with others.
With trust in the Spirit.
More Charity Alive – June 2023
Assembly 2023
In this issue of Charity Alive, we have asked some of our writers to recapture the Assembly experience from their perspectives.
Bridge Group 2023 Assembly
We met as a whole once again on the afternoon of June 1st, taking advantage of the free afternoon before the start of Assembly 2023.
Associate Assembly Meeting 2023
The best way to describe our Associate gathering on June 2nd is to celebrate it as our first Hybrid Associate Gathering: “Zoom and In-person”.
“Western Wine and Chat” Celebrations
Westerners gathered on Zoom to celebrate jubilees, and other honours
Sustainable Eating
What we eat matters. Each persons’ choices makes a difference.
From the Archives — Immaculata Hospital
The Sisters founded Immaculata Hospital in rural Westlock, Alberta at the beginning of what would be a time of expansion in the community under Mother Mary Louise Meahan.
More Charity Alive – March 2023
Women Working Together
As you read the articles in this month’s Charity Alive we hope that these will just be the beginning of sharing your own experiences of this gift of love revealed in community.
The Wellesley Connection — What Potential!
“It is pure potential. Every ball or skein of yarn holds something inside it, and the great mystery of what that might be can be almost spiritual.”
Collaboration is the Answer, Within and Without
Vancouver Collective against Sexual Exploitation is a non-partisan group of diverse individuals and organizations united as a single voice to end all forms of sexual exploitation.
Sustainability
When looked at from a global perspective, remedies seem daunting. Yet, when focused on individual choices, small things do make a difference. Sustainability calls each of us to think globally but act very locally.
From the Archives — Sisters helping Sisters
In sharing the history of the congregation, the ministries in education, orphanages, and social services are often highlighted. In this article, I wanted to share ministries within the congregation – Sisters helping Sisters.
More Charity Alive – December 2022
Bringing light into darkness
The soft darkness of winter night helps us to recall our communal gatherings, our contemplative prayer, our care for each other.
Renewal of Vows and Commitment
On December 7, 2022, the eve of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception we joined together (via zoom) as members and associates in a prayer service to renew our vows and commitment.
Christmas Cards
As the Christmas season approaches, we are filled with gratitude for the many benefactors who have joined us in giving Joyful Witness through gifts in 2022.
From the Archives — Christmas Crèches
Photos and traditions of Christmas crèches, or cribs
Charity Alive – November 2022
What an Accomplishment! St. John’s Bread and Life: 1982 – 2022
Since the early 2000’s, 12 of us have been present at Bread and Life. Its mission and ours resonate.
Centro Corazón de María [Heart of Mary Center] Celebrates 20 Years
A spectacular balloon sculpture, music, two artisanal cakes, but most important of all, about 150 friends old and new marked the celebration of the 20th anniversary of Centro Corazón de María, the ministry to the Latino community in Hampton Bays, New York.
Ebony Etchings
I invite each of you to join me in my exploration of my home space, my heart space, my God space where I live my truth as an African Nova Scotian woman and a member of the Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent DePaul, Halifax.
Associate Retreat May 2022
A sense of peace and serenity welcomed fellow Long Island/Queens Associates Betty Erdos, Helen Ogden, Mickey Madden, Ann Masters and me when we arrived at the tranquil and cozy house on the eastern bay for the weekend of May 20–22, 2022.
Book Review: White Privilege, Black Struggle in U.S. Religious Congregations
“Subversive Habits” is a clever title, but the subtitle that scholar Shannen Dee Williams chooses for her superb book states her theme much more cogently: ‘Black Catholic Nuns in the Long African American Freedom Struggle.”
From the Archives — What’s in a name?
The inspiration for this article came from a recent delve into the history of one of the most inquired about teachers in the community, Sister Marie Clotilde Douglas.
