At this time
Summer 2003
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Freeing the Human Spirit
In 2003, Sr. Elaine MacInnes entered her 80th year of age, her 50th as an Our Lady's Missionary, and her 40th year practicing Zen meditation. Sr. Elaine has been in Toronto for the past nine months, and curtailing her travel has given time for writing. The first printing by Novalis (Canada) of her book Zen Contemplation has been sold out, and the second printing is now in most bookstores, including Chapters. Sheed and Ward in the U.S. have printed it under the title, Zen Contemplation for Christians, already on display.
The month of April saw the publication of a book to which Sr. Elaine contributed, Beside Still Waters: Jews, Christians, and the Way of the Buddha. In this book, seven Jews and seven Christians describe their personal encounters with Buddhism. (Published by Wisdom Publications [Rowman & Littlefield, U.S.] and released in April.)
But the majority of Sr. Elaine's efforts this past year have been in establishing a program in meditation and yoga for inmates of the Canadian correctional institutes. The program is called Freeing the Human Spirit. Two years ago, she laid the groundwork in British Columbia and now there are almost 30 teachers offering the program not only in prisons in the southern part of the province, but also in extensive outreach programs at community centres for the elderly and disabled.
Now Ontario is being organized, already having had one workshop and another pending. The program, designed by Sr. Elaine and the B.C. yoga teacher Lauren Scott, is now on the Internet.
Our Lady's Missionaries receive THE QUEEN'S MEDAL
In 2002, the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal was presented to Our Lady's Missionaries Sr. Susan Moran, Sr. Elaine MacInnes, and Sr. Mona Kelly. The commemorative medal is awarded to Canadian citizens who have made significant contributions to their communities, to Canada and to the world.
Sr. Susan Moran is being recognized for distinguished service to the community as co-foundress of the Out of the Cold program and as an advocate for the homeless over many years.
Sr. Elaine MacInnes is recognized for exemplary service to the community as an educator, missionary, and for her work to enhance the self-esteem of incarcerated people in the Philippines and Great Britain.
Sr. Mona Kelly received her award in Brazil where she has been serving for many years. The award recognizes her life devoted to helping the world's poorest people, with projects to assist women and youth.
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