January 22, 2010
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December 13, 2008
Sr. Ellen makes First Vows
Sr. Ellen McAdam SNDdeN made her first vows as a Sister of Notre Dame de Namur on Saturday, November 22, 2008 at St. Isaac Jogues Church in East Hartford, CT.
The ceremony was marked with touches of this young teacher who prepared the Liturgy to include her family, friends and Sisters of Notre Dame. Her father, Rev. Mr. Robert McAdam delivered the homily.
Novices Chinomnso Ewelike, Vivien Echekwubelu, Nancy Uhl and Srs. Patricia Toce, Sara-Ann Buckley, and Mary Rose Crowley were part of the Offertory Procession.
Sr. Virginia Sheehan SNDdeN, carrying a Notre Dame Processional Cross began the Entrance Procession. She was followed by newer members including Sr. Paula Jurigian SNDdeN (earlier post) and novice Diane Whitmarsh (earlier post).
The Rite of Profession came after the Liturgy of the Word and before the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Sister Sara-Ann Buckley SNDdeN, Novice Director, gave an introduction to the rite and introduced Sr. Mary Rose Crowley SNDdeN, Leadership Representative for the CT Province of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur.
Sr. Mary Rose Crowley and Sr. Ellen McAdam
Sr. Mary Rose “called forth” Sister Ellen McAdam. “As Sisters of Notre Dame, daughters of Julie and Françoise, our mission calls us to live the community of love and justice envisioned by Jesus; to strive to be women of prayer united with God and responsive to the Spirit; and to stand with the poor through a diversity of ministries that all may experience fully God’s goodness. Ellen, will you commit your life with us, your sisters, as together we discern our deepening response to this mission?”
Sr. Ellen responded enthusiastically “Yes, I will commit my life with you.”
October 2, 2008
Beyond the gold
On Sunday, September 28, 2008, Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, Associates, Friends and Families gathered in Our Lady Queen Chapel in Ipswich, MA to celebrate 42 Sister Jubilarians. 11 Sisters reach gold (50 years), while 16 diamond (60 years), 11 platinum (70 years), 3 oak (75 years) and 1 alabaster (80 years) milestones. Their diverse ministries cross all levels of education including a college president, high school and elementary school principals, teachers and counselors.
Sr. Ellen Keane SNDdeN
The Sister Jubilarians chose Mark 10:28-31 for the gospel reading of the Liturgy. Sr. Ellen Keane SNDdeN offered her reflections on Peter’s remark: “We have given up everything to follow you.”
Peter’s very human comment follows a section often referred to as “The Rich Young Man.” The young man asks Jesus about “inheriting eternal life.” Jesus answers his queston. He responds that he has done what Jesus asks “since his youth.” And then, Jesus looks at him, loves him, and says to him: “You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” At this remark, the story continues, the young man’s face fell, and he went away, for he had many possessions.
Taking the long view of life from 50, 60, 70, 75 and 80 years of consecrated living, those present could testify that Jesus’ answer is true! “Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the gospel who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come.”
What have you given up to follow Jesus?
September 9, 2008
Final Vows
On September 6, 2008, Sr. Paula Jurigian made her perpetual commitment as a Sister of Notre Dame de Namur. In the midst of Sisters of Notre Dame, family and friends, Paula professed perpetual vows of poverty, celibacy and obedience to God as a Sister of Notre Dame de Namur during a Eucharistic Celebration. From start to finish the afternoon was truly blessed!
Sr. Paula, Sr. Rosemary (Leadership), Sr. Jane McAndrews (Mentor)
The Rite of Profession took place within an Eurcharistic Liturgy or Mass. This particular rite is celebrated between the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. It has three parts: The Calling Forth, a Covenant Ceremony between the Sisters and Paula and the Profession of Vows.
Sr. Rosemary Crowley began the Rite of Profession by calling Paula to stand with her in front of the congregation. During this part, the whole congregation hears that “you have been called by God and by this community to profess your commitment within the Congregation of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. What do you seek?” Paula answers: “After prayer, reflection and discernment, I come today to prfess perpetual vows of poverty, celibacy, and obedience to God as a Sister of Notre Dame de Namur.”
The Covenant Ceremony follows the Calling Forth. A covenant is an agreement between two parties by which they lovingly bind themselves to each other in privileges and responsiblities. By professing perpetual vows as a Sister of Notre Dame de Namur, Paula enters into a covenant with her Sisters in mutual service to God’s people.
Sr. Paula professes her vows after lighting a candle reminding her of her baptism.
Paula acknowedges with deep gratitude the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur who have been with her on her journey. “My life has been and continues to be blessed by the friendship, love, support, challenge and prayer you have shared with me at every step of my journey. Your lives have inspired me, your words have affirmed me, and your friendship has empowered me as I have deepened my commitment to the mission of God through the Congregation.”
The Sisters respond: “Paula, we your Sisters join you in giving praise and thanks to our good God for your desire to live your life according to your calling. …We, your Sisters support you in this commitment and promise that we too will walk with ou as together we strive to ack justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with our God…”
The Profession of Vows, follows next with the Lighting of the Candle, Profession of Vows, Signing of the Profession Document, Affirmation of the Community and the Sign of Peace.
After the Rite of Profession, the Mass continues with the Liturgy of the Eucharist and Concluding Rite.
To be continued
August 24, 2008
Meet a new novice
Diane became a novice today at a Blessing Ceremony and Rite of Reception into the Novitiate held in Ipswich, MA. She was joined by Sisters of Notre Dame, family and friends. She was welcomed by Sr. Edie Daly SNDdeN who is one of our Formation Ministers.
Diane's community, Diane and Sr. Rosemary
During the ritual many Sisters, who have worked with her during the last two and a half years, publicly witnessed to her sincerity, depth of prayer, and love of the poor.
Sr. Sara Ann Buckley SNDdeN, Novice Director, began the formal reception rite by calling forward Diane. Following testimonies from her formation community, her mentor and a representative from the province leadership team, Diane is specifically asked–”Do you wish to begin this next phase of incorporation into the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur?” Diane answered: “Yes, this is what I wish and sincerely desire with all my heart.”
With this affirmative response, Sr. Rosemary Crowley SNDdeN, the Leadership Representative, and Diane enter into a dialog that explains the purpose of the canonical novitiate year. “You will be given the sacred space and time needed to come to know Jesus Christ more intimately and to integrate your life of contemplation, ministry and community living. May you come to a deeper understanding of our Notre Dame heritage and may our good God increase your desire to live as a Sister of Notre Dame.” Throughout the ritual the assembled Sisters of Notre Dame pledge to support Diane, as well as the other two novices, Nancy and Vivien, that will be living in the canonical novitiate community in Hartford, CT.
Sr. Rosemary hugs, a smiling Diane, after presenting the novice cross.
Sr. Rosemary presented the novice cross while Sr. SaraAnn presented The Letters of St. Julie. This signals the community to sing “Ah! God is good!” A Prayer of Blessing and Closing Song concluded the ritual.
Diane’s family and Sisters continued the celebration with dinner at noon in the Sisters’ Dining Room.
