World Mission Day 2018

"Welcome with renewed availability and joy the call to be Missionary Disciples for a new world." 
(Convocation to the General Chapter)



The recent General Chapter called all Cluny Sisters to live more authentically our charism as missionary disciples for a new world. Now, on World Mission Sunday, Pope Francis addresses "all Christians who live out in the Church the adventure of their life as children of God" but especially young people, to ’bring the Gospel to all.’

In the Pope’s message for World Mission Sunday one can hear the echo of our Cluny Missionary Priorities, those being:

• Credible witnesses, rejoice in the Lord
• Missionary disciples, Let us go forth
• Going forward together

An echo of ’Credible witnesses, rejoice in the Lord’

Pope Francis speaks of life itself being a mission, generating an interior force of love. That love both attracts us and sends us. ... "Many men and women, and many young people, have generously sacrificed themselves, even at times to martyrdom, out of love for the Gospel and Service to their brothers and sisters. From the cross of Jesus we learn the divine logic of self-sacrifice (cf. 1 Cor 1:17-25) as a proclamation of the Gospel for the life of the world (cf. Jn 3:16). To be set afire by the love of Christ is to be consumed by that fire, to grow in understanding by its light and to be warmed by its love (cf. 2 Cor 5:14). At the school of the saints, who open us to the vast horizons of God, I invite you never to stop wondering: “What would Christ do if he were in my place?”

Follow the link to the Cluny Congregational website for the full story with photos and a video (look for Sister Luke waving on the right!)

http://sj-cluny.org/World-Mission-Day-2018

Cluny Spirit in Action-Louise

Louise Costley

  

   

Our Spirit in Action

  

Louise Costley began as a Cluny School parent and volunteer; then became an employee as the school secretary; and has been a Cluny Affiliate for many years. She treasures her relationship with us. Here is her testimony:

The Cluny Sisters l have known for many years have shown me the path followed by Blessed Anne Marie, the same path that Jesus asked us to follow. 

            Following that path doesn’t mean you have to do heroic things.  It can be as simple as hugging a child with a splinter who is in pain or giving someone a ride. The lesson that the sisters have taught me through their charism is that sometimes an ordinary person can do extraordinary things with just a smile, a handshake, a hug or a simple prayer.

            Over the years I have prayed with my Cluny Sisters many times in sorrow, in joy, in laughter and in hope.  When my eyes close for the last time I hope that my God will know I tried my best, and that my Sisters will be praying me home!

Province's 70th Anniversary

Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny

Celebrate 70 Years of Missionary Discipleship

July 15, 2018 70^th Anniversary Mass

Our Lady of Mercy Chapel, Salve Regina University

The Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny, Province of the USA & Canada, celebrated their 70th Anniversary of Missionary Discipleship. On July 14th the sisters gathered in Newport with Affiliates, Associates, friends and benefactors for lunch and the sharing of prayer and Cluny stories. On Sunday, July 15, the Feast of Blessed Anne Marie Javouhey, they continued the celebrations with the Mass of Anne Marie Javouhey at the Salve Regina University Chapel followed by a delicious dinner at La Forge Restaurant, Newport. The celebrations also included celebrating the 65th jubilee of Sister Eugenia Brady and the 60th jubilee of Sister Rachel Philippe Racine.

Sister Luke Parker, Provincial, addressed the assembly with a remembering of the Province’s beginnings.  “In September of 1947, our present North American Foundation began with the establishment of Our Lady of Lourdes Community in Philadelphia, PA.  Our Founding Sisters were, Claire Whelan, Margaret Mary Rigney, Immaculata Murphy, Catherine Finn and Philomena McCann. They joined the Holy Ghost Fathers serving in Saint Joseph's House on 16^th & Allegheny Avenue in Philadelphia for Homeless and Industrious Boys. Though these Founding Sisters have died and the ministry for the homeless boys in Philadelphia has closed, our Province of the U.S.A. & Canada, seventy years later, continues to ‘Bringing Hope and Compassion to an Anguished World’.”

Continuing the mission of Jesus today, the Cluny Sisters in the Province of the U.S.A. & Canada, serve in Newport and Middletown, RI; Norwich, CT; San Pedro, CA and Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. We collaborate with our Cluny Sisters throughout the world to sustain poor and needy Cluny Missions, especially in Haiti, West Africa, Congo, Tanzania, West Indies, India, Philippines and South America.

Congratulations, Sisters!

Prayer from the Mass of Blessed Anne Marie Javouhey,

Foundress of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny

 

Lord, you enabled Blessed Anne Marie to consecrate herself to

doing your will in everything, and gave her

the strength and soul of an apostle.

Grant that we may imitate her patience and her charity

so as to work perseveringly in your service.

We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you

and the Holy Spirit one God, forever and ever.

Amen.

For more photos from the event visit our Congregational Website