Season of Gratitude

By Sr. Marie Clarkson, OLM
Summer 2000

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“I’m so glad we chose gratitude as our Jubilee theme.”

These were just words spoken casually by a member of Our Lady’s Missionaries in the midst of some hubbub of celebration at our central house recently. What keeps coming to my mind is that we are spoiled. Being the youngest of one brother and three sisters, I know the feeling firsthand. When I said this recently to Cathy Betsworth, a friend to Our Lady’s Missionaries, she replied, “I’m sure you gals have a special place in God’s heart.”

My best way to picture being showered by God’s gifts is to think of the seasons. Imagine yourself walking through the woods where every bit of drab earth is covered with gold, golden leaves, leaves in profusion.

To Our Lady’s Missionaries this is one image of God’s love. Each leaf in itself is a message of love and caring from you our family and friends, telling our sisters and brothers in many lands that we care.

Our missionary community has been blessed by you in numerous ways. It has been by an Anna who searches the roadsides for beer bottles, sells them and sends the money to help those more needy. A tiny stream becoming raindrops carried far to a parched earth.

At times the finest minds and spirits have offered us their expertise, as spiritual directors for retreats, and as facilitators for workshops and meetings of the congregation regarding finances and the setting of new directions. In many instances we have been a small boat on a rough sea, but still upright, sailing into beautiful sunsets and sunrises.

Homecoming

Lay people in Alexandria, Ontario, the birthing place of the community, rejoiced with us and made possible a golden sunset as we celebrated our 50th Anniversary at St. Finnan’s Cathedral on May 7, 1999. Glenda MacDonald of our Jubilee committee recalls the event:

“As the bell chimed and the bagpipes played to signal the six o’clock Mass, they expressed the joy that all were to experience at St. Finnan’s. Our Lady’s Missionaries had come home! Home to where the congregation was founded in 1949 by Monsignor D.R. Macdonald, and to where their central house remained until 1959.

Hundreds came from near and far to fill the historic cathedral. Forty priests came from across Ontario (and one from Ireland!) to join the main celebrant, Monsignor D.B. McDougald, Vicar-General of the Alexandria-Cornwall Diocese. Together they celebrated a Mass of thanksgiving for the 50 years of service of Our Lady’s Missionaries.

Old acquaintances and new friends rejoiced with violin and song and listened with pride to hear of the accomplishments of these dedicated women who left their ‘bonnie’ native glens to follow Christ’s invitation to “Go, and teach all nations...”

Later, with true Glengarry hospitality, we shared food, laughter and memories. Through the generosity of many, a substantial monetary gift was presented to the Sisters in honour of their Golden Jubilee.

Events such as these happen rarely in one’s lifetime. Engraved in our hearts, this homecoming has become a part of our heritage. On this day, we realized that Fr. Dan’s dream had indeed come true.”

Thanksgiving

Special times of thanksgiving continued. On June 5, 1999, we celebrated our Jubilee with family and friends at 65 Clarendon in Toronto. Our long time friend Fr. Joe Mahoney celebrated an outdoor Mass with God’s green grass a soft carpet underfoot and the blessing of shade from the outstretched arms of the mighty oak trees.

In attendance was Monsignor Cambron whom Our Lady’s Missionaries were blessed to work with in Brazil. He humorously described his time spent with our Sisters as a time of surprises; the give and take in the sharing of ideas was both challenging and lifegiving. Pebbles on a shore are made smooth by the buffer of sand and water.

Another great sign of God’s goodness was Archbishop Aloysius Ambrozic’s announcement that our debt to the Toronto Archdiocese was wiped clean. Picture our world after the marvel of freshly fallen snow and rejoice with us in gratitude.

With the Sisters of St. Joseph, we shared in a Thanksgiving Mass offered by Bishop John O’Mara, longtime friend and bishop of St. Catharines. A festive time was had by all at Morrow Park, the Toronto motherhouse of the Sisters of St. Joseph who rejoiced with us at the flowering of the seed they once helped to sow and continue to nurture.

Sr. Catherine Peco

In many ways each of us is in a different season. After returning to Canada from her mission in Nigeria, Sr. Catherine Peco tells us that “during this Jubilee Year, I am reflecting on my contribution to the Repair of the World.” Please don’t think this means sitting idly contemplating, as Cathy is reaching out in ministry as a volunteer at St. Michael’s Hospital and in what she calls “house ministry” here at our central house where she now resides.

Sr. Therese MacDonald

Theresa MacDonald tells us:
“Forty-eight years ago, Fr. Dan, our founder, gave me my life’s beacon as he quoted St. Paul, ‘Make all things new.’ This I have tried to do in hospitals, schools and parishes in Nigeria and Brazil and presently working in finances at our central house. I am having a full and happy life.”

Sr. Noreen Kearns

It must be springtime for Sr. Noreen Kearns who says:
“New Beginnings is a theme running through our Jubilee Year celebrations and for me, that is what has happened! After the close of De La Salle Retreat Centre where I had worked for ten years, I was graciously employed by the Canadian Religious Conference of Ontario. This is the regional office for religious major superiors of Ontario. The work consists of networking, and facilitating workshops, seminars, and meetings which are geared to support and encourage the ministries of major superiors and to encourage bonding among leadership teams. This ministry also includes circulating information regarding social justice issues as well as raising consciousness and trying to promote effective changes for the marginalized in our world. It is a new beginning for me as the work continues to remind me of my own responsibility to personal and social conversion.”

Sr. Mary Gauthier

In her work, Sr. Mary Gauthier joins with others in efforts to bring about an awareness of the injustices globally and in our own country; of the cuts to social services and their impact on the poor; and about women’s issues. She also speaks to parish and community groups about Our Lady’s Missionaries’ involvement in mission.

“What my ministry is may seem like a mystery,” says Sr. Mary. “Of course, if I am attending a seminar with other women and men religious, there is no mystery. But to those outside our small circle, what does our language say?

When I said to my niece Beth, ‘I am in formation work,’ she replied, ‘Formation work. What is that, Aunt Mary? You mean you think people want to be nuns? Forget it. Who is going to enter the convent today?’

Then she said, ‘Nobody knows what great work you women do.’

Another neice, AnnMarie, said, ‘You ought to tell people what you are really doing. I think it’s fantastic.’

Because of these encouraging words, I believe this issue of Scarboro Missions magazine tells you our stories in a language that speaks to all hearts. So if anyone feels that God is calling her to be a missionary, give me a call.

Fifty years ago Fr. Dan Macdonald had the faith and courage to respond to a need. Today many, in different walks of life, are being voices for the voiceless. I believe there may be a place in Our Lady’s Missionaries for you.”

Sr. Rosemary Hughes

While chronologically in the autumn of life, Sr. Rosemary Hughes seems to defy logic as she tells us:
“It is my great privilege, at this time in my life, to once again have the opportunity to spend time with and grow in the understanding of our First Nations sisters and brothers.

One of the great gifts I receive is to grow in a deeper understanding of both nature and community. To our Native sisters and brothers, the Great Spirit is the foundation of all creation. I am blessed with the opportunity to grow in love and respect for these people and to expand my own awareness of the Spirit in my life and in all of creation which surrounds me.

‘Oh Great Spirit, earth, sun, sky and sea, You are within and all around me.’”

Sr. Clarice Garvey

It’s easy to guess Sr. Clarice Garvey’s season as she writes of her sabbatical:

“Here in the beautiful Ottawa Valley, fields stretch for miles, resting under the snow, preparing to rescue the seed in spring.

Set in the midst of this pastoral scene is the Galilee Mission Centre in Arnprior where I have a unique opportunity to contemplate the meaning of Jubilee.

One of the themes of Jubilee, ‘Let our land lie follow,’ so lovingly attended to by Nature, also calls me to rest my soil and soul in preparation for the Seed of God’s Word.

I am grateful to the Great Spirit, to my congregation, and to all who make possible this privileged time for me.”

Clarice, refreshed from her sabbatical, will rejoin her Sisters in mission.

Sr. Susan Moran

Sr. Susan Moran especially enjoys her weekly Out of the Cold ministry at two Scarboro Missions houses. At Scarboro’s headquarters in Scarborough, Susan, Fr. Roger Brennan and dedicated volunteers enjoy welcoming refugees temporarily housed in motels on the Kingston Road strip, telling them in some small way that people in Canada care.

Susan is joined by Srs. Mary Gauthier and Frances Brady at Scarboro House, Scarboro Missions’ new house of discernment in Toronto’s west end, and the home of Fr. Joe Curcio (chaplain) and Fr. Michael Traher (vocation director). “Our guests are the poor of the area,” Fr. Mike says, “especially those in rooming houses, often single people with a history of mental illness, and others alone and often forgotten by their families.” The parched earth receives the gentle shower.

Sr. Frances Brady

It is a wonder Sr. Frances Brady has energy to lend a helping hand weekly at Out of the Cold. She graciously left her mission in the Philippines to minister as community leader along with Srs. Mary Gauthier and Joan Missiaen. It was said that throughout her four-year term as community leader, all her energy would be directed toward selling our central house on Clarendon Avenue and finding another home more senior-friendly.

With the help of friends and advisors, Clarendon was sold on the anniversary of the death of Sr. Odelia. And one month later, on the anniversary of Fr. Dan Macdonald’s death, a beautiful house on Leander Court was ours and awaits renovations. Both Sr. Odelia and Fr. Dan are cherished as founders of Our Lady’s Missionaries. What blessings we receive.

Sr. Elaine MacInnes

Is there a saying, You can’t keep a good Scotswoman down? There must be as Sr. Elaine MacInnes has returned to England after knee replacement surgery. She is tying up the loose ends of her prison ministry through the Prison Phoenix Trust, an organization based in the United Kingdom.

“After living away from Canada for almost 40 years,” Sr. Elaine says, “I am gradually coming home. I have become involved in meditation classes in the Toronto area, and I have made contact with prison personnel from the Maritimes to British Columbia. My mission statement is that ‘the opportunity for personal and spiritual growth begins in the prison cell. “I would like to work with others to make this a reality here in Canada.”

Sr. Joan Missiaen

Our Maryglen Residence continues to be a safe haven for the 65 women who call it home. Under Sr. Joan Missiaen’s capable guidance, the staff and residents who each contribute their bit of caring can rightly be proud of the spirit of Maryglen. This is especially so at this time when homelessness is declared a disaster as the countless people living on the streets of Toronto verify.
The small root grows in darkness.

Sr. Marie Clarkson

In my ministry as chaplain at Toronto East General Hospital, I gain courage from a Gus at the bedside of his wife during her long-term illness. He, and many like him, the staff included, give new meaning to the word love.
In the darkness there is light.

My heart stirs as I see the purple crocus peek through the snow, lured by the warming sun. What season this? Always the season of gratitude.

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