April May June 2011 Issue

Summary

TO DIG WELLS OF HOPE

Columns

Spiritual Life

Only One Well Is eternal - André Gadbois 

Temples, churches are sold and transformed, religious education no longer has its place in schools, vocation to the priesthood has declined dramatically, the heritage of religious communities and their members are melting away before our very eyes, the crucifix is contested at the National Assembly, the Church as institution is no longer a point of reference, except on rare occasions... [READ MORE] 

Cultures and Mission

The Hidden Treasure - Nicole Rochon 

Becoming aware of our inner being is to discover a hidden treasure. Nicole Rochon, who is a retired Air Canada flight attendant, has made that experience. On a trip to South America, she met a Missionary Sister of the Immaculate Conception; this encounter led her to see the world differently. She shares her experience… [READ MORE]

Women

On the Bank of the St.Lawrence River- Clémence Lord 

I was born and raised on the highlands of l’Islet Regional County, Quebec. Fresh air, the wide open spaces and green forests were my paradise. With my classmates, at the end of a school year, we went on a field trip to St-Jean-Port-Joli. For the first time, I saw the ocean, that is to say: I thought it was the ocean because of the mightiness of the St. Lawrence River. Such was the beginning of a long love story with the silvery blue tidal waves of this Gulf-like inner sea... [READ MORE]

Youth

A Transformative Education- Wilma Maligaso 

With the teachers and students of the Immaculate Conception Academy (ICA), Manila, Philippines, the MIC Sisters pursue the social dream of Délia Tétreault. Wilma Maligaso, social worker, tells us... [READ MORE]

A Prism of Hope- Marie-Paule Sanfaçon, m.i.c.

At a young age were our eyes not fascinated upon discovering the mini rainbow colors through a prism? It was an impressive harmony of colors that left us in awe. We experience the same fascination for the range of religions in the world seeking the true God. Each projects its own particular colors... [READ MORE]

Infocus: To Dig Wells of Hope

A Future in the Making- Léonie Therrien, m.i.c.

In those days, it was Jesus… it was the crowd of that particular time… Nowadays, with the crowd of our time, what is happening? Is there a well… where we can stop? Is there a well… where someone is awaiting us? [READ MORE]

Aspects of the Rising New Communities- Renaude Grégoire

These new community models seem quite different. In our broken world, they welcome all, they journey with all those who want to share and grow; they focus on the transformation of self, the world and fraternity. I am somewhat stunned by the term: family. There is a sincere search of places where, with others, we offer wells of hope to today’s searching population... [READ MORE]

The Risen Christ- The Editor

Recently, we celebrated Easter, the Feast of the Risen Christ. What meaning does this event have for us in our lives? Why is it so important for our faith? [READ MORE]

About the MICs

Mission in Joliette- Marthe Valois, ss.cc.j.m.

On November 7, 2010, the steeple bells of Joliette’s Cathedral were heard from afar. Their chimes were joyful and noteworthy. During the Eucharistic celebration, six recipients were to receive from Msgr. Gilles Lussier, Bishop of the Diocese, the Medal of Merit; the MIC Sisters were among the group...[READ MORE]

Missionaries of the Poor - Marie-Paule Sanfaçon, m.i.c.

Have you ever been touched upon seeing a poor or an itinerant homeless person? Somewhat like St. Vincent de Paul or Mother Teresa, the Brothers Missionaries of the Poor took over from the MIC Sisters the ‘Asile Communal’ in Cap-Haitien, Haiti. At the request of Sr. Madeleine Alarie, m.i.c., they willingly came to the rescue of the poor and homeless... [READ MORE]

Expanding Our Horizons: Calgary- Ditma Luz Trocio, m.i.c.

Without doubt, one of Délia Tétreault’s dreams was to spread throughout the world the Good News of God’s love for all and to remind all Christians of their missionary responsibilities... [READ MORE]

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Editorial

at the deepest level

The day of our birth God granted us a tool, a tool I would suggest similar to a pickaxe. Throughout the years we will need it to dig the well within ourselves; for within the depth of our being resides purity—the pure water of Life. A pickaxe? A very practical instrument in springtime; however it cannot do the work by itself, someone must handle it just as the water carrier must lower his bucket into the well. For our life to be a source of happiness, God wants our collaboration. He urges us to dig the well of His Kingdom. In some places, the earth is dry and hostile. With a hopeful heart, we begin the task but meager results can be discouraging. We begin to doubt… even doubt God’s Love. When all hope has vanished, our faithful God responds to our prayers. A spring of water gushes forth, it overflows and blesses our efforts. It is important to never abandon the task but to sustain our motivation to continue the excavation work so that we can reach the deepest level of our commitment.

Many small communities in the Church today are of that caliber. Apparently, nothing seems to be happening but an in-depth work is taking place. We could speak of the catechetical courses in parishes where the Word of God is planted in the heart of young people and gradually transforming them into convinced Christians. There are the small basic Catholic communities where the Eucharistic Bread is broken and shared; there are also many groups of believers who come together to share the Word of God and to celebrate “koinonia”—the community; there are people who come together to reach out to the less fortunate. Perhaps the stone churches are emptying but tiny fresh buds are appearing signs of life and of a promising future.

My pickaxe in hand and—Oh! Oh! Surprise! The soil has yielded! There is water! It is gushing out, it is overflowing… somewhat like our joy at the beginning of the spring season. It is the joy of being Resurrected.

Together, let us go deeper into our wells of hope!

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The Team

MIC MISSION NEWS TEAM

Editorial Board 

                               

Marie-Paule Sanfaçon, Directress of publication

Originally from Quebec, Sr. Marie-Paule was a missionary in Haiti; she worked with high-school students in the field of catechesis and also in youth ministry.  She is now directress of the MIC Missionary Press and Provincial Superior of the MIC Canadian Province.

André Gadbois, Journalist 

Married and father of two children, André Gadbois, after several years in pastoral work, taught children with serious learning disabilities for 20 years and was school director for ten years. He has been very involved with catechumens of the church in Montreal, and is the editor of their journal, le Sénevé. 

 

  Léonie Therrien, Journalist

Occupation:  She is a member of the editorial team for the missionary magazine Le Précurseur/MIC Mission News.  She is also responsible for a group of MIC Associates (ASMIC).

Experiences:  Educator; youth group animator as well as animating groups of Associates; member of an intercommunity mission animation team.

 

  Claudette Bouchard, Translation and Journalist

Sr. Claudette is a former missionary in Malawi, C. Africa.  She also worked in the Archdioceses of San Francisco, Ca.; Toronto, Ont.; and Vancouver, B.C. as Archdiocesan coordinator and promoter of mission awareness activities. Within parish contexts, she coordinated religious education programs and accompanied youngsters on their faith journey.

 

Carole Guévin, Direction's assistant

Assistant Director of the MIC Missionary Press, Carole lived in Nicaragua and Lebanon as a lay missionary.

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