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Saturday, March 31, 2012

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

Monday, March 26, 2012

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? 

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

Thursday, March 22, 2012

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!   

Monday, March 19, 2012

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.


Saturday, March 17, 2012

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.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

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.

Monday, March 12, 2012

Week 3 Reflection from Lent 4.5 - Theme: WATER



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!

Friday, March 9, 2012

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.

Thursday, March 8, 2012

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.

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Did You Know ... Cluny Emblem

International Cluny Emblem

Designed by the renowned liturgical artist, Ade Bethune, Newport, Rhode Island, the emblem is molded in the sign of the cross, that being the beginning, middle and end of all that we do in prayer, ministry and community. It is made of pewter, which is a mixture of different ores forming a simple alloy; a sign of our unity in diversity; the giftedness of many cultures in scattered missions; beautiful simplicity in a complex world. Pewter is a soft metal. A sign of vulnerability with an openness to be marked with the joys and sufferings of humanity … an ancient metal of the poor.

The emblem’s four extremities bear the imprint of gothic arches, symbol of our rootedness in the Church through our baptism and religious consecration, embracing all peoples from all lands.

On the back, hidden as it were, is our motto – The Holy Will of God – which is made known to us and through us in ordinary, everyday events and actions; transforming, challenging, nurturing, guiding.

In the center are the initials SJC (St. Joseph of Cluny), symbolizing that we as Cluny Sisters become the body of Christ, embracing both passion and death so as to experience and share life and resurrection.

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Status of Women

Partnership for Global Justice: March Alert, 2012

Our NGO (Partnership for Global Justice) has just sent us the following alert. Please help us make us a difference for women and girls around the world.

We are currently in the midst of the UN Commission on the Status of Women, so the Partnership for Global Justice is teaming up with Amnesty International to make a difference for women and girls around the world. More than a decade into the 21st century, women and girls basic human rights are continuously denied. Denying the basic human rights of women affects the lives of millions, in all socio-economic and educational classes and doesn’t allow women to participate fully in society. Time and time again, international bodies, world powers, local governments, and individual households too often accept violence against women as nothing more than a regrettable reality. As a result, women and girls continue to suffer, and abusers go unpunished for their crimes.

Write to: (Sample letter below)
United States
President Barack Obama
1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
Washington, DC 20500
Fax: 202-456-2461
Email:
president@whitehouse.gov

Hillary Clinton
U.S. Department of State 2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520
Fax: 202-647-6434
Email: usa@un.int

Canada
Stephen Harper
Office of the Prime Minister
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON 
K1A 0A2

Marjory LeBreton
Leader of the Canadian Government in the Senate
Senate of Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A4
Fax: 613-943-1493

Sample letter/postcard

Dear Sir/Madam:

I implore you to use your position to take a stand on the violation of human rights against women.

Violence against women has and continues to affect the lives of millions worldwide, from all socio-economic and educational classes. It cuts across cultural and religious barriers, impeding the rights of women to participate fully in society.

I write with great concern that you should take significant steps in assuring women and girls worldwide access to their basic human rights. It is important to stop the cycle of violence.

Sincerely,
  


Further Resources: