Letter to our founder, Msgr. Dan Macdonald

By Noreen Kearns, O.L.M.
March/April 2009

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Our Lady's Missionaries leaving for Japan, their first overseas mission, on October 21, 1956. Founded in 1949 in Alexandria, Ontario, Our Lady's Missionaries relocated to Toronto in 1959. The group receives members universally, who participate fully in the life and mission of the Congregation and the Church. In 1957, another mission was opened in Nigeria. As requests came from various countries, missions were opened in Mexico, the Philippines, Brazil, and England. Short term support work has also been provided in Vietnam, Thailand, Mozambique, the Canadian North, and East Timor.

Dear Father Dan:

Happy 60th celebration!

It has been 53 years since you bid us farewell at the Montreal Airport when Our Lady's Missionaries set off for Japan, our first overseas mission. Your dream had become a reality as you murmured, "Deo Gratias" (Thanks be to God).

Over the years the Good News has reached many parts of our world. I feel privileged and humbled to have been part of this reality, and I thank you Father Dan. My 60 years as a member of Our Lady's Missionaries has made life rich and fulfilling as I shared life with people of various cultures. How they inspired me as we grew to love one another while together we tried to understand and live out the Good News.

I remain ever grateful to our families and to the many persons who have continued to support and encourage us to make your dream an active reality all through these years.

May our daily community prayer help us to be what you had envisioned for each of us: "Like Mary may we be women of faith, truly grateful for all we have received and full of hope for the future."

Affectionately,

Sr. Noreen Kearns, O.L.M.

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