The Eagle Michaelmas 2016The EagleDear Associates,Oblates and Friends,

We have had such anactive summer this yearwith so much to sharewith you. In the latespring the MandarinFellowship from St.George on Yonge andSt. James’ Cathedral

under the leadership of James Liu and MorningWang gave us a wonderful gift of 12 ChineseBibles for the use of Chinese guests who maybe visiting us or on retreat here. They also gaveus a hand-painted scroll to hang in our chapel.

June and July brought several deaths to familymembers. Sr. Dorothy’s mother died at the ageof 100. I had the joy of two weeks with mybrother and sister-in-law in Vancouver whichprepared me for my brother David’s death onJuly 4th. He was one of those larger-than-lifepeople, active in so many areas, still workingalmost until his 84th birthday. While I was inVancouver later that month for his MemorialService, we learned that Sr. Constance Joanna’s

brother Carl had died unexpectedly in Clevelandon July 28th.

On a much happier note, at the beginning ofJune, Sr. Amy Joy began an intensive eight-week course in English at Global Village inToronto and met other students from around

the world. And July beganwith the reception of Sr.Dorothy Grace as aNovice of our community.Then July 4 - 7 we hostedthe 2nd Consultation onthe Religious Life; twotraditional communitiesand eight newercommunities, several ofwhich were dispersedcommunities. Weworshipped together,

shared our stories, our hopes and ourchallenges and we agreed to walk together asThe Anglican Conference of ReligiousCommunities in Canada.

This event was immediately followed by GeneralSynod, July 7 - 12, which was a very exciting,dramatic, and emotional time for all thoseattending as well as those following along

Continued on page 2

Sr. Elizabeth

Mandarin Fellowship

Consultation on the Religious Life

Sr. Dorothy Grace,N/SSJD

through live-streaming. Each of the 35 tables atGeneral Synod was covered with a uniquecanvas painting by fibre artist Elizabeth Adamson which delegates added names and phrasesduring the morning prayer times. Thesepaintings interpreted the theme “You Are MyWitnesses”(Isa 43) which was also illustrated bya video showing Anglicans proclaiming thegospel in many practical ways. Sunday, July10th, was dedicated to reports related to ourIndigenous peoples, including a report on thegoals, objectives and features of a fullyIndigenous province within the Anglican Churchof Canada. It ended with a Gospel Jamboree ledby Bp. Mark MacDonald. Later in August wewere thrilled to receive the hand-painted tablecovering from Table 12, an unexpected gift.

Three days after the end of General Synod, wehad our annual Women at a Crossroadsprogram with 11 women who came from BC,Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario and Nova Scotia.They were a wonderfully diverse group ofwomen who brought their energy and theirdesire to learn about prayer and discernmentinto our midst.

August began with the news that Sr. Debra haddecided to return to full-time ministry as aLutheran Pastor. We were sad to see her leavebut wish her well as she returns to her first love.We began our Annual General Chapter onAugust 11th. This is a time for all the Sisters tocome together, hear reports of our manyministries, discuss a variety of topics and simplyenjoy one another’s company. One of ourtopics for discussion was our Benedictine

heritage. A few of ushad the opportunity toread Mother Aquila’sinstructions on ourRule of Life which shegave to the membersof the Novitiate in thelate1940's. It was away of delving intoour history.

One of the highlights at this year’s Chapter wasthe visit of Dr. Liyakat Takim, an Imam andProfessor who holds the Sharjah Chair in GlobalIslam at McMaster University in Hamilton, ON.He came to share with us the spirituality ofIslam. We hear so much about the horrorscommitted by radical Muslim fundamentalistsand seldom have the opportunity to learn aboutthe majority of Muslims who desire to live inpeace. From Dr. Takim we learned someimportant truths from the Koran: that no onehas the right to come between any individualand God or to force anyone to change theirfaith; that the true meaning of Jihad is“struggle” which includes: the struggle foreducation or for inner discipline or to acquireany particular virtue; and that God is immanentand with us wherever we go. He also arrangedfor us to visit the mosque and JaffariCommunity Centre in Thornhill, just north ofToronto. A delightful young woman gave us acomplete tour.

Another highlight was the visit of ArchbishopTerry Finlay and Suzanne Rumsey from thePWRDF who led us through a mapping exerciseoriginally prepared by Ginny Doctor to help usunderstand the Doctrine of Discovery. Thisdoctrine drove colonial expansion whichregarded “discovered lands” as “empty lands” asif no one existed here prior to the arrival of theEuropeans who treated the First Peoples of theland as savages to be conquered, civilized, andChristianized. Dr. Takim

Sisters at mosque

Continued on page 32

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In between these two highlights, the Sisters hada very relaxed dinner at the MandarinRestaurant, a gift from an anonymous donor. Itwas lovely to just enjoy one another’s company.

Chapter was followedby our Long Retreatwhich was led by Bp.Chilton Knudsen,Assistant Bishop ofMaryland, formerlybishop of Maine. Shehas a very relaxed styleand shared with us truestories from her ownlife to explain her theme

of God’s longing for us and God’s deep desireto bring us back into relationship with Godthrough forgiveness and through theIncarnation of Jesus.

Now to look ahead into September. By the timeyou receive this Eagle, we will have embarkedon a new adventure, the reception of fiveCompanions, ages 21 - 37 who will join us forthe next eleven months to share in our life, ourworship, and our ministry. We will also receivetwo women into our novitiate which makes atotal of five, and two women who will join us asAlongsiders. All of them will have theopportunity to take Sr. Constance Joanna’sclasses on prayer and the history ofmonasticism at Wycliffe College. Because of allthese people joining us for the coming year and

possibly beyond, we were able to once againsend four Sisters to St. John’s House inVictoria: Sisters Brenda, Sue, Louise andSusanne. In late September or early October aSister from the ecumenical community, CheminNeuf, will be joining us for ten months while shecontinues post-doctoral studies in Toronto. Sheis from the Mennonite tradition. And a few dayslater we will have a Sister from the Order of theHoly Paraclete staying with us for a month aspart of our exchange program which began in1991. So the convent will be bursting with newenergy.

In Isaiah (43.19) it is written “I am about to do anew thing; now it springs forth, do you notperceive it?” We ask for your prayers as we tryto make each of these women feel welcome inour community. We believe that we havesomething special to share with others butespecially with women who spend a longerperiod of time with us:

• our life of prayer and hospitality• our witness to the unconditional love of God• our acceptance of people where they are

irrespective of race, faith background, orsexual orientation

• our teaching about prayer and discernment • our witness to the vitality and practices of the

monastic way of life including a Rule of Life,balance of life, silence and solitude, and themany different ways we can open ourselvesto God in our daily life

• our expression of Micah 6.8: “to do justice,and to love kindness, and to walk humblywith your God."

We hope many of you will visit us in the comingyear to join us in worship, to take part of one ofour many retreat offerings in “Food for theSoul” which includes a quiet day led by Dr.Takim, or simply to take time for some rest andrefreshment. May God bless each one of you.

With love and prayers,Sr. Elizabeth, SSJDReverend Mother

Sisters on map of Canada

Bp. Chilton Knudsen

4

Greetings from St. John’s House, BC. Thankyou for your support of us that enables us to livehere and be a praying presence in this Diocese.

This year there were two sisters in the BCHouse which wasdifferent for us. On thewhole, the experiencewas good but we didneed to learn that we hadto be more intentional innot stretching ourselvestoo thin so that we weredoing nothing well andgetting exhausted. Sr.Debra completed herBranch House time inDecember 2015 whenSr. Sue arrived. Sr.Brenda continued towork on theRelationships Matter Committee for theDiocese. Sr. Debra celebrated the Eucharist atChrist Church Cathedral until she returned toToronto. Sr. Sue is on the Diocesan LiturgicalCommittee. We all shared the Associate work,spiritual direction, daily living tasks andconducting Quiet Days. Sr. Brenda alsopresented the Novices of the EmmausCommunity (a New Monastic Community) tothe bishop to become “covenanted” membersor life professed members.

A highlight for Sr. Brenda and Sr. Debra wasattending the Roman Catholic Religious LifeConference in Victoria. It was so good to spendtime with all the religious on the Island. Thespeakers and frank conversation about theReligious Life left many of us encouraged,hopeful and willing to plant the seeds for themonastic life and be open to encouraging newexpressions of monasticism.

Another highlight for Sr. Brenda and Sr. Suewas helping out with writing and editingmeditations and “Spirit moments” for Bp.Logan McMenamie’s walk of Repentance andReconciliation from Alert Bay to Victoria duringLent. The meditations, written by various clergy

and lay people, focussed on: what isreconciliation, Benedict’s ladder of humility,issues related to colonialism and values we shareas Settlers and First Peoples. The ladder ofhumility meditations were written by members

of SSJD, St. Aidan’s ofLindisfarne (a dispersedBenedictine Community)and the EmmausCommunity, all here inVictoria. Some of thepeople also wrote inanecdotes of how theHoly Spirit was workingin their hearts regardingunderstanding orrelationships with theFirst Peoples or whatreconciliation betweenSettlers and First Peopleslooked like to them.

We also followed the Bishop’s walk as best wecould by participating in services along the wayand meeting with the tribes whose lands thejourney went through. It was a joyous, despitecold, Easter morning when the Bishopcompleted his walk.

We continue to be enriched by the diversity ofthe different parishes we worship with onSunday. Occasionally we will preach at aservice.

Various guests continue to stay at the house. Wehad one guest staying with us who challengedme personally. We were talking about Settler-First People relationships. Being First Nationherself, she commented on her frustration withthe Settlers’ attitude of knowing best andchallenged us as Settlers to answer the question“Are we really willing to listen and learn fromthe First Peoples?” It is a good question thatchallenges us in all our relationships.

Blessings, from us, as you live your Christianfaith.

Sr. Brenda, SSJDHead of House

Rev. Richard Stetson, Sr. Brenda, Nancy Wigen, Associate,Doreen Davidson, Oblate, and Sr. Debra after our yearly visitto All Saints, Salt Spring Island

News from St. John’s House, BC

5

“The Sisters were kind, patient, helpful, andgracious, making my stay a deep joy.”

This sentiment is commonly shared by thoseentering the Guest House of the Sisterhood ofSt. John the Divine. Some come for the quiet,others to connect with their God, others tosimply rest in this peaceful monastic setting.

The world demands so much of our attention.The juggling of schedules, the care of our agingfamily members, social media inundation...thelist of what interrupts our daily lives is endless.Being constantly busy is the new norm. Noiseand chaos pervade our lives ceaselessly.

“In a world where listening has become a lostart, you help us to hear God and our hungrysouls. Personally, I was blessed to be here.”

Come and be still. This is the invitation of theSisters to those who need to shut out thatcacophony. The labyrinth offers a place ofcentering prayer. The courtyard garden a placeof serenity. Sit by the trickling water of thefountain and feel at peace.

A home away from home. The Guest Houseoffers a caring, comfortable, cozy atmospherewhere souls are nurtured. Whether it is for a dayor two or longer, each person feels embraced bythe rich spirituality provided by the daily rhythmof prayers and warm hospitality of the Sisters.

Personal retreats are a gift we give ourselves.The Sisters offer different ways to enjoy thisgift. The “Food for the Soul” programs areplanned so that the theme and the messagebring us back to a place of listening andreflection. Visit our website www.ssjd.ca formore information.

This past year saw not just Anglican diocesanand parish retreats, but the return of a numberof groups such as Dharma Silent Meditation forthe fourth year in a row, Mindfulness Stress

Reduction Meditation, Timothy Eaton’s UnitedChurch Men’s Group. Other groups for 2016included ARCIC (Anglican Roman CatholicInternational Commission), World Communityfor Christian Meditation, Canadian BaptistMinistries, Martin Luther Evangelical LutheranChurch, Toronto Chinese Methodist Church,Consultation on the Religious Life withTraditional and New Monastics, a fundraiser forSorrento Centre, and the list goes on andgrows. These groups bring a rich and variedsharing of religious practices and spiritualawakenings. They continually express theirgratitude for the acceptance and openness ofthe Sisters.

The Guest House has been a haven for many atired soul. This does come at a cost. A Board-approved increase to help defray expenses willtake effect September 1, 2016. These slightprice increases should not be a deterrent toanyone desiring a personal retreat as wecontinue to offer bursary assistance supportedby donations. Call the Guest House to learnmore.

“There is so much caring in this house. Aplace of prayer which supports me and leavesme free to listen.”

Blessings to all from the Guest House Team.

Joy be with you while you stay

Sr. Elizabeth Ann, Frisca Ozorio, Sr. Dorothy andGloria Echeverria

Since the last annual report, more than 15discerners have begun the journey towardsbecoming Associates in the Central and Easternregion. These discerners come fromNewfoundland in the east, to Beamsville, nearNiagara, in the west, with seven from theToronto area. I’m grateful for the movement ofthe Spirit evident in this influx. These discernershave a spiritual hunger as well as a desire forcommunity, and a spiritual home. Actually, onewoman says she has been meaning to contactSSJD for many, many years but somehow nevergot around to it.

I’m extremely grateful to the many Sisters whohave met with Associates in conjunction withtheir visits outside Toronto.

Sr. Beryl was in Newfoundland in the fall andwas pleased to conduct a Quiet Day and meetwith several of the Associates, in person and byphone. She knew most of them from her yearsof being the Director of Eastern Associates.

Before she went west, Sr. Sue had a Quiet Dayin the Kingston area. Sr. Anne accompaniedher on this trip.

In February a few of the Associates in the Wardof St. Michael and All Angels in Ottawa metover dinner with Sr. Debra, and attended aLenten Quiet Day she gave for the parish of St.Barnabas. While in Thunder Bay to lead aLenten clergy retreat, Sr. Elizabeth Ann wasable to meet with Associates in the area.

While in the Halifax area promoting theCompanions Program, Sr. Constance Joannamet with and was hosted by some of theAssociates. The Rev. Frances Drolet-Smith, anOblate, also earlier had a Quiet Day forAssociates who live around Halifax.

The Montreal Associates continue to meetfaithfully twice a year, thanks to the efforts ofGayna Knowles and the Rev. Shirley Smith.Generally there is a pre-Lenten Quiet Day at St.

Barnabas in St. Lambert, with the Adventgathering in Lachine, where the Rev. ShirleySmith holds the Quiet Day at her parish.

The London group is coming alive again withthe recent arrival of two Associates into the areaand the admission of two discerners. ElizabethKing, convenor, had a dinner at her home inJune to welcome all.

The Annual General Meeting for the Torontoarea Associates had to be cancelled because ofclashes in scheduling. In recent years attendanceat the AGM has fallen off, so the Executivedecided to do a survey of the GTA Associates tosee how they can better serve the members.Stay tuned for the results of this survey.Although Sue Ann Elite became an Oblate thisMay she is happy toremain as convenor ofthe GTA Associates.

The Advent Quiet Daywas led by the VeryRev. Peter Wall and theRev. SamanthaCaravan conducted theLenten Quiet Day. Thelatter drew a large

News of Central & Eastern Associates

London Associates

Esperanza Coote Galarza

6

News of Western, Prairies and Overseas Associates

7

number of newcomers to the convent. TheEpiphany Tea was well attended, and EsperanzaCoote Galarza was admitted as an Associate.

We rely on Associates and friends to give usbooks for the Books for Jamaica Project andrequest only books of a theological and spiritualnature that are in good condition. While wereceived a large number of books this year,many were not suitable.

I’ve been very pleased to have postulantKathryn Tulip as an assistant in the Associate

Office since mid-April. Her arrival freed me upto tackle correspondence that was neglectedwhen I had no help.

I am grateful to the many Associates whocontinue to support us in various ways. Theirwitness and dedication to the Sisterhood and aRule of Life are invaluable.

Sr. Helen Claire, SSJDAssociate DirectorCentral & Eastern

Greetings from St. John’s House, BC. Wewould like to thank you for your prayers overthe last year. We are all now in better health.

We continue to enjoy our visits with Associatesand Oblates. We ask if you have moved orchanged your phone number, do let us know.We want to keep in touch with you and it isgetting more difficult to find you.

This year, the Vancouver Island and VancouverAssociates had the opportunity to meet Sr.Elizabeth when she visited St. John’s House inJanuary. During Lent, a Quiet Day was held inVancouver and a Lenten series in Victoria. AQuiet Day was also conducted in Victoria. Weespecially want to thank all the Associates andOblates in the Diocese of BC who wrote theirthoughts of what reconciliation with the FirstPeople looks like to them, or an experience ofthe Holy Spirit affecting their heart or attitude intheir understanding or relationship with the FirstPeoples.

Sr. Brenda conducted a Quiet Day and met withAssociates in Winnipeg. We had a good timetogether. We look forward to visiting theAssociates in the BC Interior in October.

Although Sr. Elizabeth and Sr. Susanne did notgo out to Edmonton to intentionally visitAssociates, they did get an opportunity to visitwith the Associates which they enjoyed. Welook forward to our visit in 2017 to Edmontonand Calgary.

Thank you for your support of us.

Sr. Brenda, SSJDAssociate Director, Western, Prairies

and Overseas

Winnipeg Associates

Associate Milestones 2015 – 2016

8

Admissions:British Columbia: Joan Lukow of Kamloops

Manitoba: Diane Coppen of Winnipeg

Ontario: Joan Barnum of London; EsperanzaCoote Galarza of Toronto; Rev. Rita Harrisonof London; Susan Victoria Major of Toronto

Special Anniversaries(for calendar year 2016):

25 years: Frances Publicover, Rev. CanonPrudence Chambers, Joan Lawrence, Rev.Derrick Smith, Mary Royer, Rev. Ken Davis,Pamela Williams

30 years: Margaret Attwell, Rev. SharronTate, Marlyn Salo, Dr. Sarah Saunders, DorothyYanick, Lois Brennan, Margaret (Peg) Wheeler,Ven. Neil Carver, Beth-Anne Exham, MalcolmFrench, Morag Telfer, Rev. Pat Hill, KarenCapelazo

35 years: Enid Hutchinson, Rev. Ronald Scott,Valerie Hiscocks, Rev. Canon Matthew Borden,Dr. Constance Middleton-Hope, Rev. J. AllanKirk, Ven. Thomas Greene, Holly Warden-Swift, Betty Blower, Christine Goodman, BurgaBlack

40 years: Marilyn Box, Margaret Ann (Peggy)Ormrod, Joyce MacKeen, Most Rev. BruceStavert, Rev. Canon Harold Roberts,Gwendolyn Utton, Rev. Davena Davis, Rev.Margaret Johnston, Gwen Hoare

45 years: Gwendolyn Hetler, Jane Bell,Maylanne Maybee, Lawrence Mitchell

50 years: F.W. (Jackie) Trow, Joan Johnson,Dr. Vicki de Kleer, Rev. Canon B. JeanMitchell, June Myyry, Rev. Phyllis Taylor, Dr.Patricia Bays

55 years: Most Rev. Kent Clarke, WilliamHutton

60 years: Rev. Roy H. Nixon, Rev. CanonBrian Freeland, Doris Saunders, Mary LouiseKellman

61 years: Very Rev. Duncan Abraham, NancyBettesworth

62 years: Reta Smith

63 years: Rev. Sidney Horne, Mary Scovil,Margaret Reid, Bernice Pilling

64 years: Rev. Canon James O’Neil, EvelynRubie

65 years: Mary Ann Graham

67 years: Dorothy Johns

71 years: Rev. C. Russell Elliott

Deaths (admission dates in brackets):

Patricia Goodman, Calgary, AB (Jun 11, 1973)Natalie Wheatstone, Collingwood, ON (May 16,1982)Esther Lucas, Pickering, ON (Jan 5, 2008)Patricia Walker, Toronto, ON (May 9, 2008)Hilda Slade, St. John’s, NL (Jan 30, 1983)Rev. Reginald Alcock, Alberta (Oct 20, 1953)Rev. Cory Rundell, Kelowna, BC (Jun 10,2000)Mary Lepard, Toronto, ON (Dec 29, 1966)Elenore Yates, Ottawa, ON (May 6, 2000)Alice Bowie, West Kelowna, BC (Feb 2, 1985)Mary Heather, Dewittville, QC (Dec 3, 1966)Edith Hutchinson, Ottawa, ON (Feb 24, 1955)Christine Margaret Whatmore, North Bay, ON(Feb 21, 1981)Marilyn Broadbent, St. Lambert, QC (Jan 28,2001)

It has been a pleasure and a privilege to beOblate Director for the past year, and to walkwith our Oblates as they deepen theirrelationship with God, our community and withothers.

The highlight of this year was the Oblatetriennial gathering for 2016, “Living HolyLives”. All Oblates were able to attend exceptSue House, who is caregiver for her father. Suereceived a package of handouts from thegathering.

The gathering was an opportunity for Oblatesto re-connect with those they knew before, toget acquainted with others for the first time,and to share what it means to be an Oblate–

experiences oflove, prayerand service.The first HolyEucharisttogether wasthe Sisters’monthlyRequiem with

Oblate Frances Drolet-Smith as celebrant. Itwas a time to say goodbye to the three Oblateswho had died since the last triennial–ShirleyWigmore, Virginia Finlay and Violet McKean.That evening the Oblates exchanged memoriesof these women and recorded them in theirBook of Remembrance.

During the gathering Oblates experienceddifferent ways of praying as different Oblatesled the prayer time each morning. Theydiscovered Sacred Art as “play and prayer”and took delight in connecting with that side oftheir spirituality. It was wonderful to have ourOblates with us experiencing the monastic sideof their being, praying together with thecommunity at Morning Prayer, Holy Eucharist,Evening Prayer and Compline. Both Oblatesand Sisters had a memorable afternoonlearning about the Coptic Orthodox Church,and toured St. Mary and St. Joseph CopticChurch, the home church of Oblate MervatIskander.

We reviewed the Handbook for Oblates andlooked at changes that have been made or areneeded for clarification, not only for our newmembers but for all Oblates. Oblates reviewedand updated their cards on their interests, giftsand skills that can be used to help the Sistersduring their residential time. The Sisters andOblates had a joint session to see how ourrelationship together can be enriched in thefuture, and to support one another.

We have 20 Oblates and one discerningOblate, Cate McBurney who begandiscernment on April 3, 2016. Oblates joinedus on our Patronal Festival Day of St. John.On that day Mervat Iskander made her LifePromises, Dorothy Dahli renewed herPromises, and Maggie Grace Moore and SueAnn Elite made their Initial Promises. Wecurrently have three enquirers who wish tobecome Oblates.

As usual, several Oblates will join the Sistersfor their annual long retreat. Oblates havebeen diligent in taking retreat and residentialtime at the convent or at St. John’s House inVictoria, BC. Many volunteer regularly at theconvent or at St. John’s House. They are trueto their Rule of Life and serious with theiroblation to God and service to SSJD and totheir community. I have visited with all theOblates during the triennial, retreat orresidential time or by telephone. I haveencouraged them to review their Rule of Lifeand make changes as needed because of thedifferent stages and circumstances of life. TheirRule of Life is to be a blessing to them tofollow and not hoops to jump through.

May our mutual relationships deepen in thecoming years.

Sr. Dorothy, SSJDOblate Director

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News of our Oblates

News from St. John’s Rehab

10

I have now been theSpiritual Care Coordinatorin St. John’s Rehab for alittle over a year, inaddition to being Priest-Chaplain. It has been agreat pleasure to learn andgrow with everyone in St.John’s Rehab. Ourspiritual care team ismyself, Priest-Chaplain andfive spiritual care providerswho are members of the health teams: SistersBeryl, Jocelyn, Louise, Jessica and Anitra.

I offer gratitude for our volunteers, withoutwhose support we would be diminished.Spiritual care visitor volunteers support theSisters’ work on their floors. The visitorsaccompany our patients bringing comfort, alistening ear, prayer and friendly conversation.The chapel volunteers assist with the services,including helping patients to the chapel, visitsand support before and after a service, andwith altar preparation. Our specializedvolunteers work to support us in our variousdepartmental programs. Our faith visitors, whovisit patients, are provided and endorsed bytheir own faith communities.

We continue to offer bed communions on bothWednesday and Sunday. On Friday mornings ateam from St. Pascal’s Roman Catholic Churchcomes to provide bed communions and everysecond Friday of the month there is a RomanCatholic Mass in the afternoon. Our team offaith visitors includes Muslim, Buddhist, Jewish,Hindu and Sikh visitors. This year I havebegun greater community involvement withfaith communities who are our immediateneighbours so I am pleased to participate inNeighbour Link. The church across the roadfrom us, Life Spring Church, has led a Sundaymorning service, and also sent a group in theafternoon to sing to our patients. We hopethey will return.

Our Healing Service with a Eucharist continueson Wednesday afternoons. On Sundays,whether a hymn sing or Morning Prayerservice, we now offer communion immediatelyafter. Usually more than half of the patientsremain for communion. The chapel is open24/7, so we leave the doors wide open mostof the day. All people are welcome for prayer,quiet and solace.

Recently, two discharged patients who hadattended all chapel services together came tomy office. One was asking for baptism and theother wanted to sponsor him. The Sisters and Iwere happy to hold a baptism as part of ourregular Wednesday Eucharist. Community is sovery healing.

Sr. Louise ably organizes and runs the angelcupboard, which provides clothing for patientsin need, with support from volunteers. Sr. Beryloversees the patient library with the support ofa dedicated team of volunteers. We have aprayer shawl ministry thanks to the knitters ofSt. Jude, Wexford and now offer emergencytoiletry kits to patients who arrive withoutbasic necessities.

Last New Year’s Eve we once again facilitatedthe presentation of a musical play by theremarkable Common Boots Theatre Company.Art and meditation continue on A-3 and ourTree of Life is growing in the chapel. Sr. Berylcontinues with the garden club on the A-3deck, and we have great plans for a truetherapy garden there. All interactions andcommunity life contribute deeply to thespiritual health of the patient.

We have more dreams, particularly aroundfaith-based pastoral education. The story of theSisters’ ministry in St. John’s Rehab willcontinue to be told anew.

The Rev. Joanne Davies Priest-Chaplain

St. John’s Rehab ProgramAt Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

THE EAGLE has a story to tell

11

My name is THEEAGLE. I am that littlepaper you receive threetimes a year from SSJDand I want to tell youabout the friends who

make it possible for me to come into yourhome to visit you.

I am not directly the product of theFundraising Office but they have a lot todo with me. They tell me they are blessedbecause of me, which makes me feel goodabout what I do.

Many people play a part in bringing me to you,beginning with Sr. Helen Claire who isresponsible for planning each issue. She collectsand edits articles andpictures, lays themout and sendsme to the printer.(We are indebted tothe people whoauthor the articles.)Next comes Kelly, theSisterhood’s versatilesecretary. She printsthe postal indicia thencalls the volunteersand works alongside them to stuff me intoenvelopes (she is the one standing in thepicture). Kelly sometimes rewards them withcoffee and doughnuts. Finally, usually with theFundraising assistant, Lynne, at her side, shetakes me to be mailed. I travel to places allacross Canada and to the United States, WestIndies, England, Scotland, New Zealand andwherever else you may live. I find this reallyexciting!

You may wonder whatever this has to do withFundraising, but I am, by nature, a Fundraiser,only I don’t call it by that name. I am actually aFRIEND-RAISER and that is what theFundraising team is all about, too. They

provide the mailing labels from their databaseand supply the Donation Return Envelopes.(Sneaky, aren’t they?) Under Sr. Doreen’s‘eagle eye’ a close watch is kept by Lynne, Sr.Wilma and Sr. Susanne to find out who mightlike to receive me. Because it is their job tomake sure necessary funds come for theSisterhood to carry out its mission, theFundraising team use every opportunity tomake you aware of the Sisterhood’s missionand also of their on-going needs to enablethem to be of service in God’s world. Theysay I do a great job in getting the word out toour friends. Sometimes these FRIEND-RAISERSsend letters to people I visit and receivereplies from as far away as Australia and SouthAfrica, who tell them how they becamefriends, or why they wish to receive me, orwhat they most enjoy reading.

Do you remember when, in 2013, theFundraising team was trying to raise $100,000to meet their budget requirements? I helpedthem by letting you know about theirsuggestion of “10 people possibly pledging$10,000 or 20 people pledging $5,000 or 50people pledging $2,000 or 100 peoplepledging $1,000.” With my help (and,actually, yours!) they raised that $100,000.That same year the dishwasher broke down sothey called upon me again. Sure enough, withyour help, the dishwasher was replaced. Thenext year brought the solar panels! I let peopleknow about the ongoing MaintenanceContingency Fund to provide funds forunexpected household emergencies. Also aboutan Education Fund that provides training forSisters in formation, for Alongsiders, Womenat a Crossroads and, this year’s addition of thenew ‘Companions’ program.

Fundraising or FRIEND-RAISING, call it whatyou will, it is a job of which I, too, am a proudpart of the team.

12

The Houses of the Sisterhoodwww.ssjd.caSt. John’s Convent

233 Cummer Avenue, Toronto, ON M2M 2E8416-226-2201 • Fax: 416-226-2131 • email: convent@ssjd.ca

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

250-920-7787 • Fax: 250-920-7709 • email: 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 registeredcharity. Our charitable donation number is BN 11925 4266 RR0001.

Back row: Sisters Louise, Jessica, Elizabeth (Reverend Mother), Constance Joanna, Susanne, Jocelyn, Dorothy Grace, Brenda, Margaret Ruth

Middle row: Sisters Sarah Jean, Anitra, Beryl, Sue, Wilma, Patricia, DoreenFront row: Sisters Elizabeth Ann, Dorothy, Kathryn Tulip, Sisters Helen Claire, Anne,

Amy Joy

Sisters of St. John the Divine, August 2016