On December 7, 2012 at Ste-Émélie, we welcomed Sister Lorna Cooney, SNJM to lead us in a reflection on Mary’s call, Mother Marie-Rose’s call and on our call.

The 33rd SNJM General Chapter invited us to reflect on “the culture of call”. The call is heard in the quiet listening of our heart, a heart attentive to the signs which God gives to us throughout our lives. 
 
Our response consists of living as witnesses to the “presence” of God in our lives.
 
We can summarize it with these words: “think, sow, love, give and receive" because the call “is a matter of the heart”.

It was a day of prayer, reflection, contemplation and discussion on the theme.  

How can we be witnesses
of the “loving presence of God”
in the world, in our lives? 

“The call is revealed as a personal or collective mission.  The call gives meaning to our lives...and is heard at all ages, at our age...because God always needs us to make Himself known…"
 
We concluded with a prayer entitled “To Sow Hope in the Four Corners of the Earth”.  Holding lighted candles, we turned towards the four points of the compass:  EAST,  SOUTH, WEST,  NORTH, and asked God’s blessings on all the peoples of the whole world by singing:

Christ, our light, shine in our hearts
And in the darkness!
Christ, our light, shine in our hearts
and our spirit!

Sister Aline Ratelle