RELIGIOUS OF JESUS AND MARY US PROVINCE

BRIDGES December 30, 2016

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS

We have received many Christmas greetings, both paper and electronic, from the provinces and our sisters throughout the Congregation. Tucked into each are thoughts, prayers, wishes for Christmas and the New Year -- and much love for each and all of us!

At the risk of singling out any one message, we will share three that have Haitian “connections” -- one is from Cuba where our postulant, Middia Doute, is in her second year of postulancy; the second is from Middia herself, and the third is from the Port-au-Prince Family of Jesus and Mary.

From The RJMs in Cuba: Continual Christmas “Your Christmas today is now the advent of tomorrow that opens my entire being to the gift of You with-out measure.” Benjamin Gonzalez Buelta, SJ

Our best wishes for this Christmas and 2017.

From Middia Doute:

Good afternoon and greetings, my sisters!

Christmas is a powerful moment not only in the life of the Church, also in the life of each family. For Christmas is hope, joy, a road that leads us to Jesus and that we follow with passion. Merry Christmas to you and to all the sisters in the province. May this light of Christmas guide you, all of you, and our families.

…I received the province’s card, many thanks for all your wishes. I am very grateful to receive this card. Merry Christmas and a good New Year. Middia

Buenas tardes y felicidades, mis hermanas.

Navidad es un momento fuerte no solamente en la vida de la Iglesia, también en la vida de cada familia. Pues Navidad es Esperanza, Alegría, un camino que nos conduce a Jesús y que recorremos con passión. Feliz Navidad a ti y a todas las hermanas de la pro-vincia. Que esta luz de navidad os guie a todas vo-sotras y a nuestras familias. Pues navidad no tiene hora, como no la tiene Dios, siempre esta está junto a nosotros ofreciéndonos su amor. …Recibí la carta de la provincia, muchas gracias a todas por sus deseos. Estoy muy agradecida de recibir esta trajeta. Muchas gracias. Feliz Navidad y Buen año nuevo. Middia

From the Family of Jesus and Mary:

On behalf of Famille Jesus Marie (FJM) in Haiti, we would like to thank you and the US Province for thinking of us during the Holiday season. We deeply appreciate the card with the verses and the very powerful words. Such a blessing to have you as family. We take the opportunity as well to wish you a wonderful Holiday season and we pray that God give you a blessed and fruitful year of 2017. Please share our greetings with love to each and everyone of you in the US Province.

Sincerely yours, FJM, Haiti And speaking of Haiti and the Family of Jesus and Mary…

We were very privileged to have Sr. Marie Elisabeth Ides, RJM, General Councilor for Africa, spend seven days in Port-au-Prince, from December 14 to December 20. The purpose of her visit was to meet and spend time with the members of the Family of Jesus and Mary. While there, Mary Elisabeth shared information about the international AFJM; discussed its Statutes; and encouraged and supported the group in its spiritual growth and ministries. She also gave them information and resources for future meetings.

Marie Elisabeth also had time to visit parts of Port-au-Prince; to participate in the burial of Isa Sola’s ashes at St. Marie Retreat Center; and to spend two days in Gros Morne with Srs. Jacqueline Picard and Patricia Dillon. Unfortunately, time and distance did not permit her to visit Srs. Rose Kelly and Nazareth Ybarra in Jean Rabel. Mesi anpil, Marie Elisabeth!

FROM THE PROVINCE OFFICE

January 2 Provincial office closed for New Year’s holiday

Have you checked out our new website https://rjmusa.org ?

PLANS FOR BICENTENNIAL CELEBRATIONS

The coming new year, 2017, brings us within one year of our RJM Bicen-tennial, 200 years since that night at Pierres-Plantées which we count as the birth of the Congregation.

At the General Conference of 2015, participants were asked to share ideas for the cele-bration of this anniversary year, and last summer, 6 RJM’s and one laywoman, all from different parts of the Congregation, met to put together concrete suggestions. During last October’s General Conference, Sr. Mary Kelly gave an overview of the proposals that she and committee members from Pakistan, Nigeria, Mexico, France, Spain and Argentina had formulated. Participants at the Conference also heard from the Congregational commission on Charism and Spirituality, and some of their work will be incorporated into plans for the Bicentennial.

As we move closer toward the opening of the anniversary year, more details will be forthcoming. For the moment, we can share the news that the official opening of the year will take place in October of 2017, in the city of Agra, India, the site of our first missionary expansion.

Four members of the USA Province have been asked to prepare materials that will be utilized and shared throughout the Congregation. Sr. Helen Scarry will coordinate a team to prepare a 19th Annotation Retreat that will serve as a tool for helping us to deepen in the RJM expression of our Ignatian heritage. Working with her will be Srs. Janice Farnham and Rosemary Mangan, together with an Irish RJM presently serving in Africa, Sr. Síle Crowley. The work of this group will be sent to English-speaking parts of the Congrega-tion; another team is preparing a version in Spanish.

Janice has also agreed to offer a study of Claudine during her years of ministry as a laywoman in the Church of Lyon. And Sr. Mary Bourdon will be sharing a reflection on the person of Claudine and her charism from the viewpoint of Claudine’s pedagogy.

Stay tuned; more news to follow!

Praised Forever Be Jesus and Mary

WINTER 2016 ISSUE of InFormation

Dear members of the Religious Formation Conference,

The Winter 2016 issue of InFormation is now posted on the RFC website in the Members section.

Although the Jubilee Year of Mercy has ended, we know that the Gospel imperative to be merciful, to live mercifully, never ends; we are pleased to offer you reflections on this challenge by two members of the Conference.

Other features of this issue include the message of our Executive Director, a review of a book you might want to consider giving as a gift this Christmas season, and a preview of upcoming RFC program offerings.

After the Christmas break, more information will be posted on the Conference's website about these different offerings and registration for Dr. Ted Dunn's February 17th webinar will open in mid-January.

With this notice comes our best wishes for a Christmas season rich in God's good gifts!

- Carol Regan, SUSC, RFC National Office The book referred to is BECOMING WISE, by Krista Tippett, and it is reviewed by Sr. Rosemary Mangan. A copy of Sr. Rosemary’s review is attached to the email accompanying Bridges.

To access InFormation, the RJM user ID is religiousofjesusmary, and our password is 12rjm34.

PRAYERS ARE REQUESTED FOR…

Sr. Mary Leonard Hache who fell and broke two ribs; she is now in rehab at Elizabeth Seton Residence.

Mrs. Germaine Dube, mother of Sr. Diane Dube, who is now in hospice care.

The youngest sister of Sr. Carmen Aymar, General Treasurer, who had had cancer since last May and underwent surgery 15 days ago. She celebrated December 26th with her family and died the next day.

Colleen Alion, a niece of Sr. Christine Carrigg, who is in the hospital and is no longer in remission. Colleen is undergoing another round of chemotherapy.

Mr. John Cermak, former religion teacher at Regina High School who died yesterday.

WE ALSO PRAY FOR ALL OUR RJM SISTERS AND FAMILY.