August 9, 2015 at 4:00 p.m. Sisters of St. Joseph in Canada numbered 263 Sisters plus 2 novices. At 4:30 p.m. we added 1 more, Mary Anne Larocque, with her reception into the community!
It has been nearly 25 years since the Sisters in London have celebrated the reception of a new member.
So you can imagine anticipation was very high as members of the four neighbourhoods gathered as one in the Chapel. Throughout the celebration, Mary Anne as well as each of us were invited to once again recall the purpose and meaning of our lives, to accept the invitation “Will you follow me? If I but call your name?”
I think when Sister Veronica O’Reilly (congregational leader) questioned Mary Anne about her intention, we each found ourselves answering and renewing our own intent. “Your generous response encourages us to renew our own commitment to strive for unity and reconciliation.”
The readings proclaimed by Mary Anne’s brother Peter, Sr. Anne Marshall (Hamilton) and Sr. Jean Perry (Peterbourgh) were gripping and deeply motivating. Especially challenging was the reading from the address of Pope Francis to Religious 2014. To quote in part “Evangelical radicalness is not only for religious: it is demanded of all. But religious follow the Lord in a special prophetic way. It is this witness that I expect of you. Religious should be women and men who are able to wake up the world.” Who couldn’t be grabbed by that “able to wake up the world.”
I think the majority of us think we are off the hook, perhaps to cruise through these later years – but no – the dare is there, we can wake up the world (maybe not as far reaching as in younger years) but our local world calls us to wake up, shake them up, and give them a stir.
To think that one woman answering the invitation to follow Christ can reenergize each of us and together we are a force for good to be reckoned with. Thanks Sister Mary Anne!
In the words of the closing blessing based on St. Teresa of Avila will ring in our hearts for days and years to come.
“May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content knowing you are a child of God.
Let this presence settle into your bones and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.
We ask this in the name of the Trinity. Amen”.
Being true Sisters of St. Joseph that we are, the celebration including Mary Anne’s family and friends moved to the dining room where folks mixed and mingled. We were the vision of one community! Thank you Sister Mary Anne csj!
Barbara Vaughan CSJ