April-May-June 2013 Issue

Summary

the door is open — welcome !

Columns

Spiritual Life

His Word Has a Spirit - André Gadbois

In this Year of Faith, let the Word shine; allow its Life-giving message to lift us up and acknowledge that in the World, the Risen Christ also raises us up… come what may! The other day, I was in some kind of a bind. For the past 37 years, whenever I needed help I would usually go to my neighbors, Claude and Lise on my right or to my neighbors, Hector and Irene on the left. But it so happened that all four were absent, WOW! So, I decided to cross the street and try my other neighbors, Claudine and Gilles; they were home and were able to respond to my need. As I left their house, I was somewhat struck (though not like Saint Paul who fell from his horse) but, struck a bit when I noticed the stunning beauty of our wooden house with its dovetail joints.

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Cultures and Mission

In the Media World - Huguette Turcotte, M.I.C.

Persons who are deeply involved in the universe of publications on religious themes have underlined the event that occured in the Fall of 2012: the at occured in the Fall of 2012: the 70th Anniversary of the review EN SON NOM – Vie consacrée aujourd’hui. Two symposiums were held at Quebec and Montreal. Two symposiums were held at Quebec and Montreal. Let us mention here that this magazine is the former “La vie des communautés religieuses” founded in 1947, well-known by French-speaking religious communities, with a new name since 2007. Since then, with a larger opening to various forms of consecrated life and to lay groups who share the charism of our founders and foundresses, EN SON NOM meets with audacity the challenges that religious communities face in a society where secularism is on the rise.

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Youth

Intergenerational Dialogue - Émilien Roscanu

On one hand, we often hear that young people are disenchanted, not really committed nor concerned about what’s at stake in community issues. On the other hand, we hear that adults and the elderly are rather individualistic. However, that’s far from being the case! This stereotype vision of the youth and young adults  has a harmful effect on dialogue and the way of sharing ideas which are so much needed to improve and develop our societies. Neglecting others and refusing to listen are behaviors which must be avoided at all cost.

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IN FOCUS

THE DOOR IS OPEN  WeLCOME!

Witnessing a Vibrant Faith - Marie-Paule Sanfaçon, M.I.C.

In its Pastoral Constitution, Vatican II tells us that “the Church goes forward together with humanity”. Every year, Quebec welcomes immigrants from all over the planet. Faith and hope are part and parcel of their luggage. Recently, I went to Notre Dame of Guadalupe Church, in Montreal, to celebrate with the parishioners their patron Feast. My heart vibrated to the rhythm of their joy and faith. When I entered the church, on a
beautiful December Sunday, I felt the joyful excitement which filled the atmosphere. Children, young people, women and men were all wearing their colorful national attire; the mood was festive.

A Future Full of Hope - Dorinda Dutcher

The author is a former Peace Corps Volunteer who works with weavers in Bolivia. After some time, she heard a special calling. Her love of the Quechua women in the Bolivian Andes has led her to stay and devote her life to supporting the weavers in their efforts to rescue natural dye techniques and in the sales of their weavings. Attentive to the needs of the local people, the author speaks to us about a young woman whose dream will hopefully come true.

The Breath of the Spirit in Japan - Louisa Nicole, M.I.C.

 In Japan, my apostolate was at the school where I taught and assumed the leadership. Located in the vicinity of the only Catholic parish in Koriyama, city of two hundred fifty thousand inhabitants in its prosperous years, we had an enrolment of a thousand students, thirty of which were Christians. Recognized as a Catholic school, we had the authorization of the State and parents to teach Scripture and promote Christian values. The school was not a place where we "baptized" but an establishment where we introduced Jesus and His Message and where we taught
students to pray to the Loving God.

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ABOUT THE MICs

Kanyanga Mission Health Centre

Dear Friends,
Currently on home leave in Canada, I take this opportunity, via our MIC website and our magazine, to thank all the generous donors who have responded to the MIC Mission News article: 911 Health Care Emergency which appeared in the October-December 2011 issue. Many of you have contributed generously to support us financially in buying an ambulance very much needed for the transportation of patients to the District Hospital. In 2011, we transported 1,473 patients. Most of them were mothers in labor who urgently needed a Cesarean section or children with severe anemia. Malaria causes anemia as it destroys the red blood cells;

Can Faith Be Silenced? - Bernardeta Collazo, M.I.C., Jose Enrique Collazo

With its magnificent fine white sandy beaches, its lush tropical flora, its unique, colorful culture, its capital and history, Cuba presents itself as a charming island — most appealing to tourists. Behind such attractions there is another facet of Cuba perhaps unknown to visitors. Sr. Bernardeta, M.I.C. and her brother Jose Enrique speak to us of their first-hand faith experience. The door is open, let us enter.  In Cuba we often say: Come in, the door is open! It’s a popular expression which means: You are at home here! Have no doubt.

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UP

My faith

Built on Rock

Have you ever noticed when new condominiums are being built people’s curiosity is aroused? Those who are searching for a new home or a new lifestyle seem particularly interested.

Open doors: the public is invited to tour a house—viewing it might help a person take the right decision.

This year, Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI, offers us much more than a tour of condos; he has opened the door of Faith. It’s an invitation to visit our inner sacred space so as to deepen the Christian mystery and discover its beauty. It’s an invitation to solidify our knowledge
of the faith and strive to attain full maturity in our Catholic identity so as to commit ourselves to a new, dynamic spiritual journey.

Listen to the Word, Christ is present and speaks to us. To embrace this Year of Faith is to take up with enthusiasm the challenge of the New Evangelization, to find new ways of revealing the love of Christ for each and every one.

This issue wants to be an open door, an occasion for reflection on our life of Faith. In his article, His Word Has a Spirit, André Gadbois invites us to meet people of the Gospel. Sister Louisa Nicole states how, in Japan, she proclaimed the message of Christ by way of simple, practical applications. This Mission is at our door, it’s up to us to enter. Could it be that we are the greatest obstacles to evangelizing the world of our time? Everyone is invited to participate in touring his/her inner space, to welcome the Word of God, to let its Spirit transform what needs to be changed from within, to transmit the Good News to others
and discover the beauty of building our house on the Rock.

The Team

                                   

            

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.

                                                                           

 

                                           

Carole Guévin, Direction's assistant

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

                 

Translator : French to English - MIC Mission News

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

André Gadbois, Editorial Board

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.

Louisa Nicole, M.I.C., Editorial Board

Sr. Louisa was a missionary in Japan.  She is currently involved in the Chronic Pain Self-Management Program as a master trainer and workshop facilitator under the direction of McGill University Health Center.  She also gives time in spiritual accompaniment according to the Ignatian Pedagogy, teaches adult catechesis, and journeys with the AsMIC of Granby, Quebec.

Léonie Therrien, M.I.C., Editorial Board

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.

Emilien Roscanu, Editorial Board                                                                            

Emilien Roscanu is a CEGEP student who is currently studying humanities. History and politics are his passion as well as the arts scene and dramatic art.  Dedicated to his community, he is a young man who also loves debating ideas.                                                                                                                          

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