In the afternoon of October 24, 2009 several Sisters, Associates from our three groups, and two Associate candidates gathered at the Congregational House in Longueuil, for a two-fold purpose: the first meeting in preparation for the 2011 General Chapter; and the annual renewal of commitment of the Associates.
Sister Lorna Cooney SNJM facilitated this initial two-hour meeting. During the opening prayer we sang, “Lead Us On, O Lord” by Rev. Carey Landry. The words are very meaningful for our times: “Lead us on O Lord… lead us where we dare not go… be with us as we face new days.” A period of quiet reflection preceded our sharing in small groups, on the two questions proposed for this meeting: “my experience of personal discernment and my experience of communal discernment.” Energy and enthusiasm permeated the atmosphere.
Following a short break, we gathered in the chapel for the Renewal of Commitment ritual. Our focus was on the bas-relief of the five panels, embedded in the wall, depicting the spiritual experience of the life of Mother Marie-Rose. “Looking from right to left, we find five themes: the early years, the waiting period, the way, the work and finally, a return to the source.”*