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The EagleThe Eagle Michaelmas 2014

Dear Friends of the Sisterhood of Saint John the Divine,

On Sept. 8, 2014, the Sisterhood began celebrating the 130th anniversary year of our foundation with a festal Holy Eucharist at which Archbishop Fred Hiltz, the Primate of the

Anglican Church of Canada, both presided and preached. A delightful reception followed, and each guest was invited to take home an SSJD mug, commemorating the occasion. You’ll see pictures of this celebration on pages 8 and 9.

The summer was fruitful for the life of the Sisterhood. We celebrated with joy when Sr. Debra Johnston, SSJD, made her First Profession of Vows on July 3rd, the Feast of St. Thomas. Sr. Debra is a Lutheran Pastor from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC). During the past year she has been working in the spiritual care department at the St. John’s Rehab (SJR) site of Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. As well, she has been assisting at the Church of the Incarnation and thoroughly enjoying Messy Church, a program for parents and young children held

one Saturday evening a month. Sr. Debra has also maintained her Lutheran connection at St. Anskar’s

Lutheran Church. This fall, she joined the household at St. John’s House in Victoria, BC, where she will experience the SSJD life of love, prayer and service in a branch house.

The Women at a Crossroads Program, which the Sisterhood hosts annually in July, attracted a very diverse group of women this year. They came from as far as away as Oxford, UK, and Florida, U.S., as well as several from across Canada. Their ages ranged from 21 through 63. Their backgrounds included Mennonite, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal and, of course,

Anglican. The program is designed to teach discernment to women who are at a crossroads in their lives, and to help them live out their baptismal vows in daily circumstances. The women share in the Sisterhood’s balanced rhythm of prayer, service, study, rest and recreation, while forming community together. We engage them in classes about various methods of prayer and have discussions about vocation and discernment. This program is a part of the overall educational ministry of the Sisterhood.

This group of women was very helpful when we suffered the sudden death of Sr. Margaret Mary Watson, SSJD, on July 20th. They helped to make sandwiches and various trays of vegetables and sweets for the reception after her funeral. You will see Sr. Margaret Mary’s obituary on page 15. Her presence is much missed around the Convent especially for all the work she had been doing in the Sisterhood’s archives for the past several years. The same evening we hosted Claudia Aguirre with family and friends as she put on a flamenco dance

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concert for us. Claudia is the youngest daughter of our long-time employee, Betty Aguirre.

The Annual Associate Picnic was held on Saturday, July 26th. We had a good turnout of Associates who brought family and friends to the Convent to show them why we are such an important part of their spiritual life. We celebrated eucharist together, and then had a splendid picnic lunch in the refectory and out of doors in the guest courtyard.

In July we engaged Phoenix Restoration to clean the limestone altar in the Chapel of St. John the Divine in preparation for our 130th anniversary. While the cleaning was going on, we moved our services to St. Margaret’s Chapel in the guest house. It was cozy and delightful to be so close together for several days. The cleaned figures on the front of the altar show the delicate lines of the limestone, almost like tree rings, which hadn’t been visible in years.

The Sisters’ Annual General Chapter was held at the end of August. It was considerably shortened this year so that the Sisterhood could take part in a Visitation. This was a formal review of the Community undertaken at our request as I come to the end of my second

term of office as the Reverend Mother. The Visitation team was made up of the Most Rev. Colin Johnson, our Episcopal Visitor, Brother Jude Hills, SSF, the Minister Provincial of the Franciscans in the Americas, and Sr. Teresa Martin, CT, the Reverend Mother of the Community of the Transfiguration in Cincinnati, OH.

It was important to have Religious from other Anglican Orders because they understand the life we live and to which we aspire. Working with Archbishop Colin, they came up with a list of recommendations for the Community. These recommendations are helpful for us as we begin our process of discerning our vision for the future, and also prepare for the election of the next Reverend Mother. One outcome of the Visitation is that the Community has committed to meeting together for blocks of time throughout 2015 as we work through the recommendations and look to our future.

The Sisters’ Long Retreat was held the first week of September with Bishop James Cowan, the retired bishop of the Anglican Diocese of

British Columbia, as conductor. His theme was Lives of Thanksgiving, using the prayer of thanksgiving found at the bottom of page 129 in the Book of Alternative Services. Bishop Cowan broke down the prayer into sections and each talk focussed on one of these.

We learned about Todah, the Hebrew word for thanksgiving, which is an expression of gratitude, especially to God. It is used in three ways–as a feeling or attitude, as a thanksgiving sacrifice and as a poetic expression of thanks. Todah is essential for Christians.

The Sisters deeply appreciate our many benefactors and donors who help to sustain our life of love, prayer and service. You will find enclosed with this edition of the Eagle a separate pullout bulletin with a list of our many donors over the past year and our note of

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thanks! We are gratified to see so many more people making gifts in memory of friends and family, and of others sending in gifts in tribute for special occasions, and for special people. Again, our grateful thanks.

During the Long Retreat we welcomed Dorothy Tam as an Alongsider for this year. Dorothy had been living in the guest house since June and had been volunteering in spiritual care at SJR. She was one of the women at

this year’s Crossroads program and then asked to be considered for the Alongsider program. We are pleased to have her living, praying, and working alongside us. She will be one of the spiritual care providers with the Sisters at SJR this fall.

Amy Joy Wong was received as a Postulant of the Sisterhood on September 3rd. She is happy to be more a part of the Sisterhood than she was as an Alongsider. Amy Joy was away over the summer months taking care of personal and family business. We were very pleased to have her back as she begins the process of embracing more deeply the life to which she aspires as a Sister of St. John the Divine.

As usual, there were a few changes in assignments beginning in September. Sr. Louise moved back to the Convent after several years at St. John’s House, Victoria, BC. Like Dorothy Tam, Sr. Louise has begun to work in Spiritual Care at SJR. She enjoyed her time out west but is grateful to be back at the Convent. Sr. Sarah Jean has begun working in the Associate Office along with Sr. Helen Claire. Between the two of them, they will be responsible for Associates in the Central and the Eastern region of Canada. Sr. Jocelyn, after years of working in the Finance Office, is now assisting Sr. Anne in the Chapel. You will also see her frequently in

the Reception area.

Sr. Doreen is now working in the Finance Office as well as continuing in the Fundraising Department and assisting me as Sub-Prioress. Sr. Rhonda has taken on responsibilities for staffing around the Convent. Although she was reluctant to leave the thriving ministry of the guest house where she has worked most of her time in SSJD, she was also happy to take on this new challenge. Sr. Susanne has become the Coordinator of the Guest House and is working with the able assistance of Amy Joy. At the end of September we said goodbye to Sr. Amanda, and wished her well as she continues her journey.

Sr. Constance Joanna has also changed jobs. She completed her time as Interim Pastor at Christ Church in Oshawa and had a magnificent send-off by the parish on August 30th. In September she began as an Associate Priest at St. George on Yonge, working with the incumbent the Rev. Mark Kinghan. She is delighted that her new position is so close to home.

Sr. Susanne made her First Profession of Vows on September 23rd with a wonderful gathering of family and friends, along with the Community. Also in attendance were Sr. Heather from the Community of the Sisters of the Church from Oakville, ON, Brother Juniper, SSF and Brother Dunstan, SSF, from Little Portion Friary on Long Island, NY.

The Sisterhood has much to rejoice in and to give thanks to God for in this 130th year of our foundation as a Sisterhood in the Anglican Church of Canada in the city of Toronto. With three women in First Profession, one in the Novitiate, and one woman as an Alongsider, we have reason for the hope and joy that is within us as we move forward into the future. May we all live life abundantly as our Saviour Christ Jesus longs for each one of us so to do.

Faithfully yours, Sr. Elizabeth Ann, SSJD

Reverend Mother

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Greetings to all from St. John’s House, BC:

In the last Eagle, I wrote about the ministry of reconciliation that has been unfolding this last while in the house. It is often in playing together that laughter can do its healing work. That was most evident in July when we helped out at the integrated T-Bird/Clergy Soccer Tournament. The T-Birds are a First Nation soccer league here on the coast. It was

a day of laughter and some aches for those of us who have not played soccer in a while. Sisters Brenda and Dorothy, Sue Patterson, an Associate, and Dorothy Dahli, an Oblate, “took on” the lemonade/water stand.

For those interested in joining us, we say the following prayer for reconciliation at our Midday Office. It was adapted from a peace prayer by the Rev. Dr. Martin Brokenleg:

Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal heart, that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatred cease; that our divisions being reconciled, we may live in justice and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

We celebrated Aboriginal Day by attending a cultural event at the Royal BC Museum. We were introduced to hoop dancing and stories of the local tribes. Alex Wells captured our attention with his hoop dancing. The day ended with a powwow at the new Songhees Wellness Centre. Sisters Brenda and Louise also helped

out at the Tsawout Seafood Festival, a time of giving thanks for the salmon and seafood, and enjoying seafood together.

Canada Day was beautiful here so we decided to go to Mount Tolmie and listen to a Baroque concert. It was quite the sight with the musicians playing in dress of that time and the snow-covered Mount Baker as their backdrop, glistening in the sun. We ended the day with a walk through the Japanese garden.

We have also enjoyed our other ministries. Sisters Louise and Dorothy were involved in pastoral care and Sr. Brenda did some Safe Church facilitation around the Diocese. One of the highlights for us was taking part as listeners in the Diocesan Regional Meetings, as we began the process of discerning our future as a diocese with our new bishop, Logan McMenamie. We look forward to seeing how the Holy Spirit guides the diocese and us on our journey.

In August, we said goodbye to Sr. Louise as she returned to the Convent, and in September we welcomed Sr. Debra who will be with us for the year on her branch house time.

Thank you to all who have supported us in prayer and attendance at the memorial services for Sisters Merle and Margaret Mary at the time of our grief. It is much appreciated.

I cannot end this report without saying thank you for all your support of us, prayerfully and financially. We are truly blessed.

Sr. Brenda, SSJD Head of House

Dorothy Dahli, Sr. Dorothy, Sr. Brenda, Sue Patterson

News from St. John’s House, BC

Associates and friends at the memorial service for Sr. Margaret Mary

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News from the Guest HouseIn reviewing our ministry over the past year, I am once again amazed at the diversity of the people and groups whom we welcome. Every retreat and event offered by the Sisterhood’s Food for the Soul (FFS) program includes people who are coming to the Convent for the first time. Many have never experienced the monastic hospitality offered by a religious community but are interested in exploring how monastic spirituality may enrich their own spiritual journey. As our Associates and Oblates can attest, many come back for more as the Convent is not only a “facility” within which things happen, but it is truly a “house of prayer” and the difference is felt as soon as you walk through the doors.

Our Food for the Soul programs were well received and some generated so much interest that we had to turn away guests who wished to attend. The major events over the past FFS season were the John Bell “Doing Worship Differently” workshop and the Herbert O’Driscoll “Patrick’s Song – Brigid’s Well – Columba’s Island” retreat. These events were full to capacity, enthusiastically received by all, and could be considered “blockbusters”.

Three other retreats deserve special mention: the Taizé Weekend, “The Task of Making Peace” retreat with the Rev. Frances Drolet-Smith, and the Spiritual Spa for Mums. The Taizé (a sung and silent participatory prayer service designed to achieve a contemplative state through music, song and silence) experience, led by the gifted Fr. Erik Oland,

SJ, also offered individual sessions of spiritual direction. Several participants shared their experiences of transformation. Rev. Frances led her group in such a caring and thoughtful manner with all the resources necessary to explore Christian meditation. The “Spiritual Spa for Mums” was an intentional (and successful!) attempt to present balance of life spirituality to harried moms. It is a joy to see the transformation in groups as a whole and individually in each participant as they enter more deeply into the Spirit as a retreat progresses. In 2015, we are offering the Taizé Weekend and another retreat with the Rev. Frances Drolet-Smith called “Journeying with Jonah”. These will surely offer more bread for the journey!

Two of our most intentional outreach events are the Christmas and New Year’s retreats. The Sisterhood seeks to welcome women and men who, for various reasons, find themselves alone for these holidays or who simply want a more God-centered approach to the Feast of the Incarnation and the start of a new year. Good friendships in Christ are made here and our guests are upheld in love and prayer.

Last Christmas saw one of the worst ice storms ever experienced in Southern Ontario. The Guest House was without heat and had minimal lighting for several days, and the Guest House sisters (as we huddled in our warm clothing by the light of the office windows) kept all Christmas retreat registrants up to date on the situation. Hydro was finally restored on Christmas Eve. By this time, however, most registrants had made other plans, so we

(Cont’d on pg 7)

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Overall, 2014 has been a good year for the Spiritual Care Team at St. John’s Rehab (SJR) site of Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. We had five Sisters (Sisters Beryl, Sarah Jean, Anitra, Sue and Debra) assigned to the team, one Alongsider (Amy Joy Wong) and, for the first time in many years, a chaplain, the Rev. Joanne Davies, provided by the Anglican Diocese of Toronto. Sisters Wilma and Jocelyn have also continued to help out at our chapel services.

Sr. Beryl continued to cover A-3 (stroke and cancer rehab); Sr. Debra took over A-2 (burns and trauma rehab); Sr. Anitra started work on A-4 (complex musculoskeletal and STAR program rehab) in October; and Sr. Sue continued to visit patients on A-1 (cardiac, amputee and organ transplant) as well as acting as Spiritual Care Coordinator. Sr. Sarah Jean has been our sacristan and secondary back up and Amy Joy was primary back up to the Sisters when they were away on rest time or long retreat.

In addition, this past year we actively recruited and trained a number of Spiritual Care volunteers from among Associates and friends of the Sisterhood. As well as our long-time volunteers (Irene Mills, Jule Ryder, Bessie Arvanitis and Chi-Jane Chou), Joy Alloway, Lucy Burke, Ros D’Costa, Pat Cook, Angela Emerson, Marg Henderson, Catherine Keating, Sharon Laird, Pat McGee and Jane Winstanley all worked during the Sisters’ Annual General Chapter of 2013. They were supervised and directed by the Rev. Joanne and by our

Alongsiders Joyce Lambert and Amy Joy Wong. The volunteers visited patients, did initial assessments of newly admitted patients, arranged for patients to attend services and referred Jewish and Muslim patients to the Jewish and Muslim visitors.

Over the past few years, we have either had to cancel services during Chapter, or the Sisters assigned to SJR were rushing from Chapter meetings to the hospital and back. The work of our volunteers was greatly appreciated by the Sisters as well as the patients and staff at SJR. Joy, Lucy, Ros, Pat Cook, Angela, Catherine, Sharon and Pat McGee remained as volunteers with us throughout the year, permitting us to provide good spiritual care to all patients, even when the Sisters had community days or were busy with other jobs. We are very grateful to all our volunteers, and to Rev. Joanne, who has trained and coordinated them.

Last fall, Rev. Joanne organized and taught a short course for Spiritual Care volunteers on behalf of the Toronto Central LHIN (Local Health Integration Network) Chaplaincy Collaborative. This course is offered twice a year by the various hospitals in

the Toronto Central LHIN acting in rotation. Having Joanne with us as our chaplain enabled SJR to fulfill our role in the Collaborative. About ten students attended, volunteers who provide spiritual care at various hospitals and long-term care facilities around the LHIN.

In summer 2013 we had some trouble with the lights over the sanctuary in the Chapel of our Lady and St. John; the bulbs used were too hot for the spring-mounted holders and on two occasions hot bulbs fell out and burst in the sanctuary. The first time, there was no one in the Chapel, but the second incident occurred as Sr. Dorothy was setting up (thanks be to God, she was not hurt). This was obviously very dangerous for anyone in the vicinity of the sanctuary, so we had to keep those lights off until the Maintenance Department came

News from St. John’s Rehab

Back row: Sr. Beryl, Sr. Anitra, Sr. Sue Front row: Sr. Debra, Sr. Sarah Jean, Amy Joy Wong

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had a much smaller group joining us for this retreat. But you know… it was one of the best Christmas holidays for all of us. Our little group did not lack in love and enthusiasm! The ice storm of 2013, like the Grinch, could not take away our Christmas spirit!

We continue to host outside groups and here again the diversity of those who wish to experience the quiet is amazing: Anglican diocesan groups; Baptist church groups; Meditative Healing groups; Buddhist Dharma groups; Community Church groups; women’s spirituality groups; Roman Catholic retreat

groups; spiritual book clubs; Interfaith Dialogue groups, etc. Just imagine the ripple effect of those who are spiritually fed here and then go out into the world to proclaim God’s unconditional love for all people!

“Hospitality is not to change people, but to offer them space where change can take place.” - Henri Nouwen.

In thanksgiving to all who help to make this a reality for those who enter here.

Sr. Susanne, SSJD Guest House Coordinator

News from the Guest House (Cont’d from pg 5)

News from St John’s Rehab (Cont’d from pg 6)

up with a way to prevent more accidents. LED lights were installed in late fall; they are not as bright as the old spot-lights, but they provide enough light to illumine the altar and let the officiants see clearly at the services.

Once we settled the problem of the lights, we had to deal with the carpet, which was badly burned in numerous places, and bits of shattered glass kept working up and out no matter how well it was cleaned. We spent a couple of months looking into new colours of carpeting and finally settled on a deep blue that works well with the stained-glass windows and the painted altar. This was installed in late winter. Then we decided to replace the cushions in the pews and choir stalls. Our sacristan, Sr. Sarah Jean, also looked into replacing our wax candles with “oil” candles, as has been done in many churches. Everything was in place for Easter.

2013-4 was SJR’s first full year as part of Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. In 2012, shortly after the merger took place, the Spiritual Care team from the Bayview Campus came up to SJR to meet the Sisters. In

January 2014, the two teams started meeting quarterly (January, March and June) to get to know each other and to understand the work done at each site. In some ways the work is very similar as we both offer encouragement and spiritual resources to the patients, their families and the staff. In other ways it is quite different. At the Bayview Campus the chaplains are hired by the program and not all programs have full-time chaplains. At SJR, the Sisters or their delegates work with each program and continue to visit every patient who enters the hospital. The joint sessions between SJR and the Bayview Campus have been interesting and informative; we will continue them over 2014-15.

In closing, let me express my gratitude to Rev. Joanne, to our many volunteers, to the Sisters and Alongsiders who have worked so hard at SJR this past year, and to Sr. Elizabeth Ann and the Sisters at the Convent, who have been so supportive.

Sr. Sue, SSJD, Spiritual Care Coordinator St. John’s Rehab Program

at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

Prayer for the Household of GodLoving God, you called a band of faithful Christians to establish the religious life in the Anglican Church in Canada, and to serve you together as Sisters and Associates of Saint John the Divine; inspire and strengthen us, the Sisters, Associates and Oblates of today, to grow in love, prayer and service, and to seek your will in openness to the future, so that in mutual support and partnership, we may together advance your mission and promote your glory; through our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

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The 130th Anniversary of SSJD’s FoundationPhotos from top to bottom and left to right: 1. Balloons for celebration. 2. Over 100 Associates, Oblates and friends joined us for our Festal Eucharist. 3. Our primate, the Most Rev. Fred Hiltz, presided at the Eucharist and gave the homily. 4. Dan Norman played the organ. 5. Lynne Samways-Hiltz received the Oblate cross from Sr. Jessica after she was admitted as an Oblate. 6. Visitors came from near and far including Bp. Bruce Stavert and his wife Diane from Montreal. 7. Lynne Samways-Hiltz and Mervat Iskander (who renewed her Oblate promises) signed their respective Rules of Life. 8. Oblates and Associates joined us from BC as well as from many parts of Ontario. 9. Every guest was invited to take home a mug commemorating our anniversary.

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The 130th Anniversary of SSJD’s FoundationPhotos from top to bottom and left to right:

1. The procession lined up outside the chapel. 2. Sr. Jocelyn led the procession into the chapel. 3. At the end of the service, the Most Rev.

Fred Hiltz presented Sr. Elizabeth Ann with a certificate acknowledging the Sisterhood’s 130th Anniversary. 4. The Eucharist was followed by a delicious lunch. 5. The final blessing with the primatial cross. 6. Sr. Elizabeth Ann cut one of the two cakes. 7. Bp. Gordon Light

and his wife Barbara Liotscos joined us from

Meaford. The service ended with Bp. Light’s

hymn, “She comes sailing on the wind”. 8. Fr. Brian Freeland, who first served at St. John’s

Convent on Major Street in 1946, attended with

his niece.

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Things are fairly quiet on the Associate front. Associates, like Sisters, are aging and some are not as active as in previous years. On the other hand, many Associates have embraced the web and have email and Facebook accounts, so they follow SSJD activities on Facebook and on our SSJD website, no matter where in Canada (or abroad) they reside. To keep all informed we update our Facebook page and website on a regular basis.

Despite all our electronic connections, nothing beats face-to-face contact. I try to have a visit with Central and Eastern Associates whenever they are staying in the guest house. Here I’d like to remind Associates of their obligation to be in touch with their Associate Director (Central and Eastern or Western and Overseas) on an annual basis, by snail mail, email or in person.

In the ebb and flow of our lives our priorities change. With retirement several Associates are becoming reconnected to SSJD and we are pleased to once more be a part of their spiritual journeys. We can’t keep in touch with you, however, if we don’t have current mailing and/or email addresses. So, if you have recently moved, acquired email, or changed your email address, please contact Associates@ssjd.ca or the Associate Office at the Convent. With the increase in postal rates we are looking at sending anniversary cards by email, rather than snail mail. Another reason why we need to have your current email address at all times.

I have begun asking Discerners to write their own Rule of Life during the first six months

of their discernment period, rather than simply following the Associate Rule of Life. If Discerners have to really think about the journey they are embarking on in order to write their own rule, I think they will be more committed to it. This experiment is in the very early stage, a learning process for me, as well as for the Discerners. I provided one sample to kickstart the three Discerners who are currently in process. Then I discovered that The Society of Saint John the Evangelist (www.SSJE.org) has a short workbook, Living Intentionally: A Workbook for Creating a Personal Rule of Life to help anyone develop a rule of life of their own. This workbook is useful for anyone, Discerner or not, who is interested in living an intentional Christian life.

Groups of Associates in St. John’s, Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, the Greater Toronto Area, and London meet regularly for fellowship and Quiet Days. Here at the Convent, our Associate Advent and Lenten Quiet Saturdays continue to be well attended. Beginning in September 2014, fees for these events will be required with registration because in the past people have registered and then not shown up, while others who tried to register have been turned away as we were “full”. The new policy should reduce the number of “no shows” and provide fair access for all.

We continue to be blessed with Associates here in the Greater Toronto Area who volunteer both at the Convent and in pastoral care at St. John’s Rehab. It’s a great way to get to know the Sisters, and to understand more fully what the religious life is about. Volunteers, and those

News of Central and Eastern Associates

Sr. Anitra and the Rev. Susan Sheen at the picnic

Sr. Elizabeth Ann, Sr. Helen Claire, Janice Kretchman, Hyacinth Harvey

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who attended the Annual General Meeting of the Toronto Associates in May, and the July BBQ picnic, enjoyed perusing the storyboards from our Roots 2014 Workshop. There was so much information about our history on the storyboards that Sisters are still learning from them.

One of the things we ask Associates to do is to tell their friends about SSJD, and encourage them to visit the Convent in Toronto, or our house in Victoria, BC. Associates are great ambassadors for the Sisterhood as they share

how their spiritual lives have been enriched through their relationship with the Sisterhood.

I would like to give thanks for the Associates of today, and all those who through the years have enabled the Sisterhood to be a witness to the Church of Christ’s kingdom. We are deeply grateful for their support by their activities, financial assistance, and, particularly, their prayer. It is a privilege to be involved in this ministry.

Sr. Helen Claire, SSJD Associate Director, Central and Eastern

Due to the large increase in postage this year, we decided to use e-mail more often to send our anniversary greetings to Associates. In the case of a special anniversary or when an Associate does not have e-mail we will continue to send paper cards. We hope in this way we can remain connected to our Associates, remembering all their anniversaries, yet saving money on the heavy postage costs.

In November of 2013, Sr. Louise travelled to Vancouver for a meeting with Associates. Approximately 10 were in attendance and she had a lovely visit and caught up with what’s been happening in each other’s lives.

In April of 2014 we had a gardening day at the house and three Associates were able to come out and give us a hand. Soup and fresh bread

were the reward for the hard work.

En route to the convent in May, Sr. Louise celebrated St. John’s Day with the Associates in Winnipeg. As this was her first visit to Winnipeg, Joan and Ross Steer were delighted to give her a tour of the city. She stayed with Jane Morton. A potluck supper and eucharist on May 6th rounded out the visit. About 20 people were in attendance.

In June Sr. Dorothy went over to Vancouver to visit with and have a Quiet Day with Associates.

Associates joined us on Dec. 27th and May 6th to help us celebrate St. John’s Day eucharists at the BC House.

Sr. Louise, SSJD Associate Director, Western and Overseas

Admissions

Newfoundland: Gladys Collins of Carbonear; Gladys Harvey of Roache’s Line

Ontario: Patricia Dorland of Cochrane; Marg Henderson, Michelle Loftus, Janice Kretchman and Hyacinth Harvey of Toronto; Jean Collier of London

British Columbia: Constance Anderson of Kelowna

Special Anniversaries (for calendar year 2014)

25 years: Linda Carrigan, Marjorie Townson, Rev. Janet Sidey, Catherine Tordoff, Charlotte Davidson, Diane Law, Rev. Lorraine Tadman, Bob Tadman, Rev. James Sutton, Peter Attia, Vanessa Rottner, Mark

Weymouth, Lillian Porter, Rene Jamieson, Janet Fayjean, Patricia Carter-LeCompte, Anne LaRue, Sr. Magdela Grace Rutherford, SSG

30 years: Hilary Fisher, Laura Roome, Ruth Padmore, Rev. Kay Richardson, Nancy Tordoff-Ives, Judith Claus, Frank Finnie, Nancy Wigen, Lavinia Greenwood

35 years: Rt. Rev. Philip Poole, Sam Moffatt-Schaffner, Louise Rockman, Rev. Dorothy Daly, Rev. Joan Waters-Garner, Barbara Barnett, Sheila Martin, Loretta Knowles, Walter Knowles, Rev. Bruce Cowley, Peggy-Anne Field, Daniel VanAlstine, Dennis Frayne

40 years: Marilyn Jackson, Rev. Bryon Nash, Lynda Nash, Rt. Rev. Gordon Light, Kathryn Berryhill, Elizabeth King, Elizabeth Murray, Christine Ross

News of Western and Overseas Associates

Associate Milestones 2013-2014

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45 years: Rev. Gerald Loweth, Mary Lupton, Christine Montgomery, Pauline Tiffen, Robert Griffiths

50 years: Diane Maybee, Rev. Helga Elliott, Rev. William Whitla, Lorna Lloyd, Kathleen Meggs, Joan Kohner, Ruby McBeth

55 years: M.A. Hobbs, Rev. John Jordan, Rev. Thomas James, Rev. William Rainey, Anne Bird

60 years: Reta Smith

61 years: Margaret Reid, Mary Scovil, Rev. Sidney Horne, Rev. Reginald Alcock, Bernice Pilling

62 years: Evelyn Rubie, Mary Frances Allin, Rev. James O’Neil

63 years: Mary Ann Graham

65 years: Dorothy Johns

69 years: Rev. C. Russell Elliott

70 years: Ven. William Wright

Deaths (admission date in brackets)

2013 Aug 30 Eileen Taylor, Toronto, ON (May, 1975) Sept 12 Margaret (Meg) Soulsby, Ottawa, ON (Oct, 1974) Sept 22 Rev. John Martinson, Prince Rupert, BC (Mar, 1959)

Oct 2 Ada Potter, Montreal, QC (May, 1947) Oct 16 Marguerite Sargent, Salt Spring, BC (Nov, 2000) Nov 24 Dorene Stark, Englehart, ON (May, 1999)

2014 Jan 14 Nancy Lynn Atack, Beaconsfield, QC (Sept, 1981) Jan 22 Rev. Canon Oswald Slattery, Montreal, QC (Dec, 1956)

Feb 9 Caroline Ion, Nanaimo, BC (June, 1991) Mar 13 Diana Coultish, Ottawa, ON (Sept, 1983) Mar 28 Gladys Kirwin, Victoria, BC (Feb, 1964) Mar 28 Agnes Elizabeth (Betty) Gillham, Ottawa, ON (June, 1987) Mar 31 Margaret Wackett, London, ON (Nov, 1948) Apr 23 Helen Hunter, St. Albert, AB (May, 1976)May 7 Rev. Derek Nicholls, Regina, SK (Sept, 1988) May 13 Florence Stone, Auckland, New Zealand (Feb, 1990) May 24 Bp. Don Taylor, Kingston, Jamaica (Jan, 1970) June 26 Beverly Elliott, Oakville, ON (May, 2000) July 12 Winifred Finnie, Ottawa, ON (Dec, 1984) Aug 8 Marina Coté, Mansonville, QC (Dec, 1999)

Withdrawals

Nancy French of Mount Pearl, NL; Andrea Scott of Toronto, ON

Photo: Michael Hudson

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This past year as Oblate Director has been a very challenging experience. Shortly after I took over the role, two Toronto Oblates, Virginia Finlay and Shirley Wigmore, became very ill, and were both in palliative care. Several Sisters and I visited Virginia in hospital a few days before she died. She recognized the habit, and gave a little smile so we knew she was aware of our presence as we prayed with her. I am very grateful for that time with Virginia.

Shirley was cared for by her very large, loving family who were with her when she died. At the request of her family, the funeral service and reception were held at the Convent, so many of us were able to attend.

Ten Oblates did residential time at the Convent during the year. Three others did their residential time at our house in BC. Twelve Oblates, and one Discerning Oblate, joined the Sisters for our Long Retreat in early September. All in all, I’ve had the opportunity to get to know most of the Oblates this year.

When I began this ministry in September the Infirmary, my chief responsibility, was reasonably quiet. In the Fall and right into the Spring the needs of the Infirmary snowballed. We had also experienced five deaths in 18 months which is a lot of grieving for all of us. In March I realized I was suffering from burn out. I made two directed retreats at Providence Centre where I had a gifted spiritual director who lovingly journeyed with me. It was indeed an amazing spiritual journey which I continue with my current spiritual director. During that difficult time I kept in touch with Oblates as best I could by sending group emails. This seemed to work for them and for me.

I have had some wonderful visits with Oblates. Kathryn Tulip, from Qualicum Beach, BC, spent June 7-22 at the Convent to meet the sisters and have residential time. We all thoroughly enjoyed her visit with us as she fitted right in. On one of our Grace Days we took her to the

McMichael Gallery which she appreciated very much.

One of the highlights of the summer was the renewal of marriage vows of Lynne van der Hiel (Oblate) and her husband Rudy as they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Several family members from the U.S.

joined them for the occasion.

Margaret Moore from Colorado came for discernment time and to get to know us as she was feeling

a pull towards becoming an Oblate. She was part of the Women at a Crossroads program in 2013. Margaret began her official discernment time on August 30th. Susanne Murphy, our first Alongsider, began her Oblate discernment time with the Sisters’ Long Retreat in September. At present there is also one woman on the waiting list.

On September 8th at the 130th anniversary celebration Lynne Samways-Hiltz made her first Oblate Promises, and Mervat Iskander renewed her Promises.

Finally, I am truly delighted to be the Oblate

Director as I feel called to this ministry at this time in my life. Now that the Infirmary has been restructured with an RPN at weekends my involvement in it is much less. I will still supervise for emergencies and continue to be “on call” at night, which does not happen very often. It comes in spurts and starts.

My sincere thanks to Rosalind D’Costa who is a great help with the administrative work, which is her forte. I am pleased to say I am so much better and I continue to pace myself.

I look forward to being able to devote more quality time to the Oblate ministry this coming year.

Sr. Jessica, SSJD Oblate Director

Oblate Report

Back row: Janice Barnes, Susan Murphy, Lynne van der Hiel, Bp. James Cowan, Doreen Davidson, Judy Poskitt, Sandy Austin, Lynne Samways-Hiltz. Front row: Carolyn Madeley, Jean Gandon, Sr. Jessica (Oblate Director), Bunny Stewart, Mervat Iskander

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The question that was driven deeply into me, from the moment I began intentional discernment to the priesthood, and then definitely in my CPE residency was, “Where is God in this situation?”

I am going to admit I have grown somewhat wary of this question. I believe God is always there, in the ending, beginning and all in-betweens, and even before beginnings. This is my faith. But singular focus on this question consistently pushes us to make good meaning of something that has no good meaning–cancer, murder, depression, disability, anxiety, family dysfunction...

Some hurt, some sadden, some abuse, and some demand more patience than we might have, and some are darkly evil. But the persons in these situations, the you and I, they, he or she, well, we are created with good love. Filled with God’s hope. Of good creation. I repeat that message in the prayer after the Healing Prayers every single Wednesday at St. John’s Rehab. All is made for good. But, as Paul would teach us, to know this is not human wisdom...

Do we know God within us? The Spirit will seek that out for us and with us, if we allow. If our faith offers us the mind of Christ, let us also seek out that part of us. Do we? Do we really take the time to reflect on this?

How do we try to help those who need forgiveness, want forgiveness, who have self loathing, who have damaged others, courted evil, had evil inflicted upon them? Would we, like Jesus, call out the demon and turn and love the God, the goodness, that was first embodied? In ourselves and in others.

The incarnation and work of Jesus was God’s way of saying to us, “I see you. I see you, I know your need, I so want to be with you in your need that I will come among you in your own flesh, a body meeting your body, to see you, to be seen by you. To know you, and to be known.

So, where is God in you these days? Are we allowing God to be known and to know God within us? And finding the amazing transformative gratitude in God knowing us. And

to rejoice in the call forward on God’s path. It is work. Spiritual work. That we can learn, receive, teach and give in faith.

Some of the most powerful moments in the Gospels come on those occasions, that are fairly rare, when someone recognizes who Jesus is. Really sees him, knows him, understands what he’s about, perceives him in a balanced way, absent of the extremes of adulation or denigration. Think of Peter, proclaiming, “You are the Christ.” Or the woman who anoints Jesus in his final days, perceiving who he is and ministering to him in anticipation of the suffering he will soon endure. Or Mary Magdalene on Easter morning, exclaiming, “Rabbouni!” after Jesus has called her by name.

All recognize Jesus because he has recognized them, has truly seen who they are with the utter and complete love that calls them to move more deeply into the heart of God, and into the person God has created and called them to be. Absenting all darkness and all badness without harm, no matter the situation, and many of these are situations of sorrow and hurt. God is in everyone. Jesus recognizes this and drawing on the mind of Christ the mind of Christ, so do Peter and Mary Magdalene. So may we.

The man with the demon sees Christ but cannot see God in himself. But Jesus, who is the Christ, can.

Let us know God within ourselves.

My son who is so very depressed constantly asks me, “What’s the point in being me?”

God within him is loving him. The good person created.

And with my prayers, your prayers and seeking God in ourselves and others in his life, we will help to find his point.

It is a horrible situation. But the question is, “Where is God in you, in me, in my son?”

We have received the Spirit that is from God. Let us come to know as we are known.

Rev. Joanne Davies

Where is God in this situation? Reflection on Luke 4:31-37

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Sr. Margaret Mary was born in Quincy, MA, on November 24, 1931, at the beginning of the Depression. As the Depression deepened, the family moved back to Canada and Sr. Margaret Mary grew up in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. After leaving school she trained to become a nurse and graduated from nursing school in 1954. Later, Sr. Margaret Mary earned a nursing degree from Dalhousie University, and followed this with post-graduate training at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, specializing in Operating Room Technique and Management. She was the head nurse at Hants Community Hospital in Windsor, Nova Scotia, for several years.

Sr. Margaret Mary enjoyed nursing but then realized there was something missing in her life. She was looking for something more. She toyed with the idea of becoming a missionary nurse and visited the SSJD Convent at Botham Road to help with her discernment. That visit changed Sr. Margaret Mary’s life. Many say that the Religious Life is caught, not taught. Sr. Margaret Mary “caught” the desire to live more fully for Christ and knew that she had to test her vocation with the Sisterhood. She was received as a Novice in April 1982, was First Professed on May 31, 1985, and took her Final Vows on May 26, 1988. Bishop Henry Hill received her vows along with Sr. Sharon, SSJD, her “twin” in Community.

Sr. Margaret Mary held several positions in the Convent over the years, as well as at Cana Place and at St. John’s Rehab Hospital. She worked in maintenance, the infirmary, chapel, kitchen, as assistant to the Reverend Mother, clerk of the works, archivist, and guest house mistress. With her formidable organizational skills, she helped organize the double move from the Botham Road Convent into Birchall-Bainbridge Hall (now the guest house) and

finally into the new Convent itself. She appreciated the spaciousness of her

new home as she could travel around it on her red scooter.

Many Associates and guests have fond memories of Sr. Margaret Mary as the guest mistress at the old Convent in the 1990s. She was the Sister with white hair and a big

smile. Long after other Sisters started to wear civilian clothes,

Sr. Margaret Mary remained in her habit and was easily identifiable

as the one in charge. She was very solicitous of guests and showed them true

Benedictine hospitality. Over the years she became close to many of the regular guests and was invited to several weddings and baptisms.

Sr. Margaret Mary’s love of pansies is well known. Every summer she used to plant two barrels of pansies at the entrance of the guest house. Our Associate, the Rev. Annette Gillies, who lived in the guest house for a while, continued to present Sr. Margaret Mary with a planter of pansies every year. Pansies from this year’s basket were placed on her coffin.

When the Sisters were setting up house in Victoria, Sr. Margaret Mary went out to establish the library. She is remembered there for her kindness, welcome and friendliness, characteristics she displayed all during her life in SSJD.

The past few years have been difficult times for Sr. Margaret Mary as she had several health issues. However she managed to continue her job as archivist. She died peacefully at the Convent in the early morning of July 20, 2014. We had a wonderful celebration of her life on July 26th , the Feast of St. James, with many friends and Associates in attendance. In her homily Sr. Constance Joanna, SSJD, paid tribute to Sr. Margaret Mary’s devotion to her Lord and her faithfulness to SSJD.

Sr. Helen Claire, SSJD

Sr. Margaret Mary Nov. 24, 1931 - July 20, 2014

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Back row: Sisters Anne, Wilma, Sarah Jean, Jocelyn, Susanne, Constance Joanna, Amanda, Margaret Ruth Second row: Sisters Louise, Rhonda, Debra, Anitra, Beryl, Jessica, Patricia

Front row: Sisters Brenda, Elizabeth, Dorothy, Elizabeth Ann (Reverend Mother), Doreen, Helen Claire, Sue

The Houses of the Sisterhoodwww.ssjd.ca

St. John’s Convent 233 Cummer Avenue,

Toronto, ON M2M 2E8 416-226-2201; Fax: 416-226-2131

email: convent@ssjd.ca

St. John’s House, BC3937 St. Peters Road, Victoria, BC V8P 2J9

250-920-7787; Fax: 250-920-7709email: bchouse@ssjd.ca

The Eagle is published several times a year by the Sisterhood of St. John the Divine, St. John’s Convent, Toronto, ON M2M 2E8. An annual donation of $10 to help cover the cost would be greatly appreciated.

Please let us know promptly of any changes of address. The Sisterhood of St. John the Divine is a registered charity. Our charitable donation number is BN 11925 4266 RR0001.

Sisters of St. John the Divine, August 2014