Prayers for Newtown, CT

May the LIGHT of their lives SHINE FOREVER!

May we join together in profound prayer for the children and adults of 

Sandy Hook Elementary School who lost their lives on Friday morning. 

May each one of them know the fullness of God's love. 

May their families be comforted through the graces of our thoughts and prayers.

May all the residence of Newtown know that they do not suffer alone ... 

we journey with them asking our God to dispel the darkness of this moment!

Featured Community

We just received this message from ¡OYE! Magazine!  

Congratulations I am happy to inform you that this week 

you have been selected to be one of our featured communities 

or organizations and the center of attention on the

 ¡OYE! website's homepage!

Follow the webpage link below and check out 

"Communities of Women" Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny.

 www.oyemagazine.org

November Stop Trafficking Newsletter

Read about Human Trafficking and Border Sharing: Canada - USA - Mexico in this issue of our Stop Trafficking Newsletter.     Click here to download November 2012 Newsletter

Transition of Leadership Photos

Follow the link to Flickr to see more photos of our transition of leadership.

Click here for photos

Province Welcomes New Provincial

Today, November 11, 2012, the Province of USA & Canada welcomed Sister Luke Parker as our newly appointed Provincial.  Born in Hartford, Connecticut, Sister Luke entered the community in 1964 and spent many years in education in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada and Torrance, California.  During the last nine years Sister Luke served as Vice Provincial of the Province. 

November 11th is a significant day in the Congregation celebrating one of our Patrons, Saint Martin of Tours and the baptism day of our Foundress, Blessed Anne Marie Javouhey.

Sister Luke follows Sister Joan Van der Zyden who has served the Province as Provincial since November, 2003.  We are grateful to Sister Joan for her leadership of the Province and hold her in prayer as she now transitions to her new role as General Councilor of the Congregation.

Let Us Pray ... Hurricane Sandy

As we continue to be aware of the devastation left behind by Hurricane Sandy, let us join together in praying for all those affected by this tragedy. We pray especially for the families who have lost love ones and for those who have lost their homes. May they find strength in their God and support in the many thousands of people who are working so hard to assist those who are in most need.

Remembering Sister Laetitia O'Donoghue

Sister Laetitia O'Donoghue, a Sister of St. Joseph of Cluny, went peacefully to God at Jeanne Jugan Residence, San Pedro, California on October 6, 2012. She was born in Ireland in 1928, the eldest of a large family, and professed religious vows in 1951. She began her lifelong teaching ministry in Saints Peter and Paul School in Wilmington, CA. In subsequent years she moved to St. Catherine Laboure in Torrance, CA and to Cluny School in Newport, RI. Drama and music held a special place for her in the school curriculum. She loved music in all its forms: church choirs, choral group performances, participation in local adult singing groups and being invited to play the organ. She loved life and sought to portray joy (laetitia) as central to it. Like the angels to whom she had devotion, she moved with speed, and was a willing volunteer for church-related and many other services. Her retirement years were devoted to St. Stephen Parish in Monterey Park, CA where she gladly substituted in classrooms, helped in parish activities and compassionately listened to those who sought a listening ear. May Sister Laetitia now rest in eternal peace and joy. She was preceded in death by her sister, Nuala Ryan and will be sadly missed by many: her Cluny Sisters, her sisters, Noreen Collins, Treasa Curran, Eileen Mangan, Bernadette Quigley, her brothers Jack, Denis, Martin, Fr. Jim, MHM, and her many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, relatives and numerous friends. The Mass of Resurrection was celebrated on Thursday, October 11, 2012 at the Jeanne Jugan Residence Chapel. The burial followed at All Souls Cemetery, Long Beach CA. After all of Sister Laetitia's long and loving years of service, may she now rest in peace.

Guest Book for Laetitia O'Donoghue – Online Guest Book by Daily Breeze and Legacy.com.

Stop Trafficking Newsletter September Issue

Our September Stop Trafficking Newsletter is now available. Click on the link below to download your pdf file.

Link:  September 2012 Stop Trafficking Newsletter

Cluny School Holds Country Fair Fundraiser

Cluny School held it's 51st Annual Country Fair today. Follow the link to view a slide show of images of a wonderful family day.  Cluny School Fair

If you would like to find out more about Cluny School go to Cluny School website or if you would like to support this sponsored work of the Cluny Sisters, go to Cluny School Support.

God bless.

Cluny Newsletter Fall 2012

CLUNY CONNECTIONS Fall 2012
newsletter now available on our Cluny website.

Follow the link to download: 

Fall 2012 Issue of Cluny Connections

Stop Trafficking Newsletter ... August 2012

 

Follow the link below to download the August issue of STOP TRAFFICKING. This issue focuses on the issue of forced labor globally and in the United States.

Download Stop Trafficking August 2012 Newsletter

Prayers for Wisconsin

Today, we light yet more candles as another tragedy strikes our nation! Let us join together and pray for all those involved in the Wisconsin tragedy. May their faith be a true gift to them as they struggle with this senseless act of violence and may they know that our prayerful support is with them.

Cluny Sister works against Human Trafficking

Sister Pamela

 For more pictures by Caritas follow this link: 

Nepal Migration Set 2012

The link below will take you to the article in The Tablet in which Sister Pamela is quoted concerning her work with human trafficking. 

http://www.thetablet.co.uk/article/162730

Mission Appeals Continue

Each year the Province of USA and Canada hosts a sister from the Vice-Province of West Africa for Mission Appeals. It is always a wonderful experience to have a sister visit our province. This year it is Sister Margaret Nellieakunnel, an Indian sister missioned to Ghana. She has been in West Africa for 26 years. This weekend she continues her mission appeals in St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Nashua, New Hampshire. She is then off to our sisters in California for two weekend appeals in North Hills and Pomona, California. She has already completed appeals in 4 parishes in Rhode Island and 1 in Massachusetts. On her return from California she will do appeals in Millville and Boylston, Massachusetts and in Warren, Rhode Island after which she will return to her village of Domiabra, Ghana.  The mission appeals help to support the ministry of the sisters in the Province of West Africa which includes The Gambia, Sierra Leone and Ghana. We ask that you would support these missions through your prayers. If you would like to support these works of education, health care, rehabilitation, youth work and the empowerment of women through a donation, you can do so through the following link:  

Support Cluny Missions in West Africa

Let us Pray ...

Today we light a candle for all those involved in the Colorado tragedy. 

May their faith give them strength and may God fill their grieving hearts with peace!

Old Provincial House Demolished

Many of you would know the old Provincial House at 90 Brenton Road, Newport, Rhode Island. The sisters left the property in 2007. It has now been demolished except for the part of the building we used as our chapel. Follow the link below to see pictures.

90 Brenton Road Photos

July Issue of Stop Trafficking Available

The July issue of Stop Trafficking newsletter is now available for download. This issue highlights excerpts from the 2012 "Trafficking in Persons" Report with emphasis on how to make victim protection most effective for helping survivors get their lives back on track.

Click here for the July 2012 Issue of Stop Trafficking

More Chapter Pictures

Follow the link below to see more General Chapter pictures.

More Chapter Pictures

Closing of General Chapter

Europe leads prayer under Gingko tree

Africa pours life giving waters

Asia leads group towards chapel

Today the General Chapter came to a close with a beautiful closing ceremony during which the various areas of the world led us in prayer and song. In the main chapel each commission symbolically presented its work and the delegates were sent forth by Sister Claire Houareau, the Superior General. Watch for more pictures!

New General Council Elected

The General Chapter of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny continues. On Friday the delegates elected eight sisters to serve on the General Council. They are as follows:

Sister Matilde FANECA (Province of Portugal)

Sister Carmen MORANVILLE (Province of France)  

Sister Bernadette PINTO (Province of South-East India) 

Sister Teresa RAI (Province of North-East India/Nepal)           

Sister Clare STANLEY (Province of West Africa)        

Sister Veronica TYIMUMA (Province of Angola)   

Sister Joan VAN DER ZYDEN (Province of USA and Canada) 

Sister Maria Isabel VAZQUEZ (Province of Spain)

We ask you to keep each of these sisters and the whole congregation in your prayers as our chapter comes to a close on Wednesday, June 27.

 

          

                 

New General Chapter Pictures Available

Follow the links below to see pictures of the election of the new Superior General and additional pictures of the Markets.

Election of Superior General

More Market Pictures

Sister Claire Houareau Elected Superior General

Sister Claire takes the oath of office.

Sister Claire receives the constitutions.

 On June 15th, Sister Claire Houareau was elected Superior General of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny. Ninety delegates from around the world gathered in the Crypt Chapel for the election. Mgr. Michel Golfier presided as the representative of Mgr. Andre Vingt-Trois, Archbishop of Paris. After the election, the delegates individually congratulated Sister Claire and went in procession to the Motherhouse Chapel where the community members waited to greet the new Superior General.
More pictures will be posted on Cluny USA and Canada photos.

Pray for Election of Superior General

Tomorrow, June 15, as Sister Morag Collins completes her term as Superior General of the Congregation, the delegates of the General Chapter will elect a new Superior General. The mandate is for six years. As we, the delegates chosen to represent the congregation at this chapter, continue to discern and pray, we ask you to join us in prayer! Thank you.

Sisters at Chapter Visit Cluny Around the World

The General Chapter delegates are busy visiting Cluny missions around the world! Each Province, Vice-Province and Region has not only submitted a report but has also set up a 'market place'. These past few days time has been given to visit the various areas. Thursday was Africa and the Americas; Friday was India and Europe; Saturday concludes the markets with Indian Ocean and the Pacific. Each day the visits were followed by a plenary session in the 'Grande Salle' for questions, clarifications and comments. It has been an amazing journey to see Cluny in action around the world. Click on the link to see pictures of our time together.   Cluny Markets

General Chapter Photos

Photos of the General Chapter 

can be found at the following link:

General Chapter Photos

Check once and awhile to see what is new!

General Chapter Opens in Paris, France

A few sisters from India gather at the front door of the Motherhouse.

On Sunday, May 27th, the General Chapter of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny opened with the celebration of Pentecost.  The General Chapter is a meeting that takes place once every six years with delegates from around the world gathering to set the direction of the congregation for the next six years. At this Chapter we have 90 delegates representing France and Switzerland; Spain; Portugal; Ireland and Great Britain; Angola and Guinea Bissau; Madagascar; Reunion; India and Nepal; New Zealand and Philippines; United States and Canada; Antilles and Guyane;  Haiti; Peru and Cuba; Senegal, Niger and Mali; West Africa; Central Africa; Seychelles and Tanzania; the Pacific; Brazil; Guinea; Mozambique; St. Pierre and Miquelon; Paraguay and Argenina; Australia and Papua New Guinea. There are 44 English speaking delegates, 27 French speaking delegates, 12 Portuguese speaking delegates and 7 Spanish speaking delegates. Truly a world wide gathering!

After a week of retreat, the work of the chapter begins. Keep us in your prayers as we seek the way forward!

Cluny Connections Spring Newsletter

The spring issue of Cluny Connections is now available on our website. Use the Cluny Connections link to download or view. The following articles are in this Issue:

• A Cluny Affiliate Reflects on the Charism
• From the Editor’s Desk
• Creating a Circle of Love
• In Memoriam: Sister Rose Roffelsen and Affiliate Mary Gagne
• Cluny Around the World ... Tanzania
• Cluny School Musical A Success

  Cluny Connections Spring 2012

May 2012 issue of STOP TRAFFICKING

What do libraries and airlines have to do with trafficking? 

Read this month's issue of Stop Trafficking to find out!

Download here!

Happy Feastday to Cluny Sisters Around the World

On 12 May 1807, nine young women pronounced their vows of religion before the Bishop of Autun in St. Peter’s Church, Chalon. "Now we are religious !" wrote Sister Anne Marie Javouhey who from now own could give free rein to her dynamic spirit. She obtained permission to use the Autun seminary which had become national property and there she educated young girls and trained them for manual work.

Grandmothers Receive Award from NGO

On May 6th, 2012 the Partnership for Global Justice, the NGO that represents us at the United Nations, presented their 9th Annual Justice Award to The International Council of Thirteen Indigenious Grandmothers. In the fall of 2004, these women gathered from all over the world, thirteen indigenous Grandmothers from Alaska, North, South, and Central America; Africa; and Asia. They came together at the Tibet House Menla Mountain Retreat center in upstate New York. Within three days they formed a Global Alliance for the good of all beings. To read more about these amazing grandmothers follow this link. http://www.grandmotherscouncil.org/

Cluny May Calendar

May's FREEDOM focus is that of the human person made in the image of God and the blessing of family life! Click on each calendar page to see a larger version!

The link highlighted this month takes you to 'Learning More About Catholic Social Teachings: Call to Family, Commuity and Participation.'

EARTH DAY PRAYER and RESOURCES

Prayer for the Earth

Most gracious God, we come before you to pray for the wellbeing of the planet. You alone know the full extent of the destruction we have wrought to your beautiful handiwork, and what needs to be done to remedy it. We pray for the people around the globe who suffer because of environmental damage. We pray for the defenseless creatures harmed or made extinct by our selfishness and ignorance. We pray for the oceans, air, mountains, plants, and soil, that life and health may again pulse in them. We pray that we humans have a change of heart and stop harming the planet. Pour out your Holy Spirit on us that we may have the passion and wisdom to work effectively to restore your creation. Guide us in our personal, church and community efforts. Give us strength to continue on with this work when it is difficult and requires sacrifice. Bless the Earth and all its life in every way. We make this prayer through Christ, our Lord. Amen. (by Carol Meyer, ASC, used with permission)


Resources:
Explore The Earth Charter at www.earthcharter.org
Follow the Earth Charter at https://www.facebook.com/EarthCharter
US Catholic Bishops Renewing The Earth
Canadian Religious Conference Environment Resources
Leadership Conference of Women Religious Resolutions to Action 
 

Hamilton, Ontario and Human Trafficking

It is not about young girls and it is not in cities far removed from our own lives. Download this month's Stop Trafficking newsletter to read about the arrests that recently took place in Hamilton, Ontario. It is the largest human trafficking case in Canadian history. Download the APRIL ISSUE here.  Let us continue to pray for victims of human trafficking.

EASTER INVITATION TO PRAY

  

HE IS RISEN!

 

On this Easter Vigil night, we pierce the darkness with light, we tell our story, we bless water, we welcome new members, we break bread and drink from the cup ... but most of all we REJOICE! With ALLELUIA'S ringing throughout the world, we invite you to pray with us the intercessions and closing prayer of our Easter Liturgy of the Hours. (Taken from People's Companion to the Breviary, Vol. II, Carmelites of Indianapolis)

 Let us pray:

You broke the reign of death, O Christ and we are free! With joyful voice we proclaim:

     Glory and praise to you!

Redeemer of all, enlighten us who still walk in the shadow of death;

     - that with your new life we may conquer our addictions and prejudices.

Risen Savior, you appeared first to women, and sent them with the glad tidings;

     - free all women bound by traditions and cultures that inhibit their human development.

Hallowed Stranger, you appeared this evening to the disillusioned disciples on the road to Emmaus;

     - enkindle our hearts to recognize you in the unlikely circumstances of our lives.

Savior of the world, your message is peace in a world racked with violence;

      - teach us the way of non-violence toward all creation. 

Most merciful, loving God, you have been revealed in Christ Jesus as he rises to bring us the message of forgiveness and all-embracing love. May we who have passed with him from death to life in the mysteries we have celebrated, be signs of your life among us. We ask this through Jesus, our risen Savior.  Amen!

May the knowledge of the Risen Lord's love for you

gift you with a deep sense of HOPE.

HAPPY EASTER from all the CLUNY SISTERS!

HOLY SATURDAY INVITATION TO PRAYER

In this 'in between time' we once again invite you to pray with us the intercessions and closing prayer taken for our evening Liturgy of the Hours for Holy Saturday. (from People's Companion to the Breviary, Vol. 1, Carmelites of Indianapolis)

Let us pray:

Jesus, son of God, come to set us free, lies bound in the earth. All who hoped in him await a new day, and so we pray:

     O Christ, deliver us.

Jesus, you died to set us free;

     - give true freedom to those bound because of race, sex, creed, or way of life.

You died that we might have life to the full;

     - inspire and encourage women in their quest for equality.

You died revealing God's love for us;

     - enlighten those who have no love for themselves; befriend and heal them.

You died leaving your mother in the care of another;

     - bless those who leave all to serve you in their respective ways of life; encourage and comfort their families.

Death released you from the agony of the cross;

     - be present to all who are ill; have pity on the elderly and the dying.

O God, by his life and his death on the cross, Jesus has revealed the depth of your love for us. One in our flesh, he became one in our dying and burial. Have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and once again call us to life that we may be on e with him in his resurrection. This we ask through Jesus, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever.  Amen!

GOOD FRIDAY INVITATION TO PRAYER

On this Good Friday, we invite you to pray with us the intercessions and closing prayer from our morning Liturgy of the Hours. (taken from People's Companion to the Breviary, Vol. 1; Carmelites of Indianapolis)

 Let us pray:

We adore you, O Christ, for by the wood of the cross, you brought joy to the world: 

     Glory and praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus, you were taken prisoner in the darkness of night; all  your friends abandoned you;

     - be with all who are abducted and strengthen all who mourn those who are missing.

You were crowned with thorns and beaten by soldiers;

     - help us to end torture throughout the world; have pity on those so afflicted.

Your face was covered with spittle and you wore a robe of shame;

     -heal the wounds that make us act less than human; remind us that we are made in the image of  God.

You accepted the help of Simon and Veronica;

     -awaken us to the ways that we can help those who are suffering, and be grateful to those who minister to us. 

Carrying your cross, you continued to show concern for others, for those who would come after you;

     -let our burdens make us compassionate toward the burdens of others.

Merciful God, you so loved the world that you sent Jesus to save us. He showed his love for us by his life and his death on the cross. Give us the grace to respond with all our minds and hearts with a love that transforms us into a people worthy of you. Teach us to live in you and for one another as Jesus taught us.

Amen!

HOLY WEEK Reflection from Lent 4.5: Gratitude and Generosity

Follow the link to the Holy Week reflections from Lent 4.5

 Holy Week Reflection: Gratitude and Generosity

Further information and reflections can be found on their website at:

 http://www.earthandspiritcenter.org/lent45/

May Holy Week be filled with blessings for you and your loved ones!

Cluny April Calendar

April's FREEDOM focus is that of freeing all of creation! Join us this month in finding ways we can free and honor all of God's creation. Click on each calendar page to see a larger version!

The link highlighted this month is an issue of Catholic Update on care for God's creation. It can be found at:  Catholic Update

CLUNY SISTERS IN INDIA

Cluny Sisters in India have a new website that incorporates all six provinces. Click on the link to explore Cluny in India! Click here for Cluny Sisters in India

Week 5 Reflection from Lent 4.5 - Theme: TRANSPORTATION

Week 5's theme for the Lent 4.5 reflections is TRANSPORTATION. 

This is a challenging week. How can we make a difference? 

Go to the link to find out.  Week 5 Link to TRANSPORTATION reflection and suggested actions!

There is even more information on this theme on the LENT 4.5 website. Lent 4.5 website

New Cluny Retreat Center in TOBAGO, West Indies

Sister Phyllis Warfe with Project manager, Roger Rochard.

The Cluny Sisters in Tobago are busy remodeling the former school into a new retreat center. Follow the link below to learn more about this new venture!   

Cluny Retreat Center in Tobago

Lent 4.5 Reflection Week 4: ENERGY

How is your lenten journey going? This weeks Lent 4.5 theme is 'Energy'. There are two links to follow this week. The first will lead you to the WEEKLY REFLECTION. The second link will lead you to the Lent 4.5 website with more resources and ideas regarding energy. Blessings on the journey!

Happy Feast of St. Joseph

Do you know how we became

the Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny?  

Blessed Anne Marie began and failed at a half dozen projects involving the care of orphans and the education of youth before finally tasting some success at Chalon in 1806. In gratitude, she decided to set up a chapel in her house. Here Mass could be celebrated. Having entered and left both the Sisters of Charity at Besançon and the Trappistine Monastery at Val Sainte and with her continued ties through the direction of the Monastery's Abbot, she chose St. Bernard as patron of the chapel. And so, when asked by the parish priest to what saint she wished to dedicate her chapel, Anne Marie replied, "To St. Bernard." He responded, "Why not St. Joseph? St. Teresa placed her first chapel under his patronage and my name is Joseph." At the mention of St. Teresa, Anne's mind was flooded with the memory of that night in Besançon, when she had been consoled by a visit from the great reformer of the Carmel. Showing her dozens of children of many colors St. Teresa had said, "I will be the protectress of your Order." Anne understood that yet another piece of the plan was being revealed to her through this not-so-humble priest. "As you wish, Father," she said. Eventually, the chapel would give its name to the Congregation soon to be born. Thus, St. Joseph has been known as the patron and provider of the congregation from its very foundation. This feast of St. Joseph is celebrated throughout the congregation. May St. Joseph's simple humility, listening heart and deep faith be ours as we continue the journey.

St. Patrick's Day Thank You

As we celebrate St. Patrick's Day today, we thank each of the Cluny Sisters who came from Ireland years ago to found the Province of USA and Canada. We thank each sister who continues her ministry here in the Province and we pray for those who have returned to their native homeland! May the words of the Song of St. Patrick by Marty Haugen be a blessing on each of them and on each of us!

May the Spirit of Christ be our hope through the day, 

Be our guard through the night, our companion on the way.

Christ be ever before us, 

Christ be ever behind us, 

Christ be ever within.

Christ upon our left hand watching, 

At our right hand guiding, 

Christ above, beneath us guarding,

Near to us abiding.

Christ be in each holy silence, 

Christ be in our speaking, 

Christ in ev’ry work we offer,

Ever in our seeking.

Let us be God’s light in the darkness,

Let us be God’s kindness,

Let us be God’s justice and mercy,

Hands and feet of Christ.

God Creator, bless and keep us,

Christ, be ever near us;

Spirit be the light before us,

Gentle be our pathway.

March 2012 Issue of Stop Trafficking

The March issue of Stop Trafficking is now available for download at this STOP TRAFFICKING link. This newsletter promotes awareness and recommends action. Help us put an end to this modern day slavery.

Week 3 Reflection from Lent 4.5 - Theme: WATER

Click here: Reflections on Choosing Water for Life. 

Follow the link above to visit Lent 4.5's Week 3 lenten reflection on WATER. May your lenten journey continue to be filled with grace!

General Chapter, Paris France

Our General Chapter will begin on May 27, 2012. This is a meeting that takes place once every six years. Provincials and delegates from every Province around the world will gather at the Motherhouse in Paris. (Pictured here) Sister Joan Van der Zyden and Sister Marie Cooper will be attending from our Province. Please keep the success of this meeting in your prayers! Thank you.

Lent 4.5 Reflection Week 2: Consumption

Visit Lent 4.5 Week 2. This week's theme is CONSUMPTION. Follow the link below to get Action Steps, What the Church is Saying and Additional Resources. Click here for Week 2 resources.