Greetings from Concordia
Novitiate Update from Sister Kristine Fernandes, February 8, 2018
Dear Sisters and Associates,
Novices with Sister Janet Gagnon
You probably know that I am back in Concordia, Kansas and well into the second semester of the Federation novitiate. I met a few of you in December but, sadly, did not get a chance to connect with everyone in Toronto as I had hoped. I caught a cold soon after arriving and it quickly developed into a bad case of laryngitis. When I had recovered, it was time to return to Concordia.
The novitiate sessions in January were all about the history of the Sisters of St. Joseph throughout the world. These have been very interesting and inspiring. The other novices and I started off hearing from Sister Marcia Allen (CSJ Concordia) who talked about pre-Revolution France and helped us understand the nuances of the culture in which Father Jean-Pierre Médaille and the founding Sisters lived. I was intrigued by Catholic spirituality in 17th century France that gave birth to so many religious congregations and movements.
The following week, Sister Janet Gagnon (CSJ Lyon) spoke extensively about Mother St. John Fontbonne and post- Revolution France. She also talked about the Centre International St. Joseph in Le Puy-en-Velay and the many CSJ branches that grew out of Lyon, France.
Next week, Sister Patricia Byrne (CSJ Baden) will come in to talk further about Father Médaille and introduce us to his primitive documents. These are the Maxims and letters that he wrote to Sisters that served as the foundation of their faith and ministries.
Sister Kristine and a Bobbin Lace Project
On the arts and crafts front: We continue to learn bobbin lace-making amongst other things. I have completed three bobbin lace projects: a snake bookmark, a butterfly and I just finished a Christmas star ornament. Next week, we will be introduced to crochet and will learn a few basic stitches. The focus is on art as a meditative tool.
We were also introduced to right brain journaling, art journaling and a few other journaling styles in which we are encouraged to write and draw whatever comes to mind that reflects our feelings and states of mind. These are based on the methods of psychotherapist Ira Progoff and his therapeutic writing techniques.
Nearly everything I am learning is new to me and I am enjoying it. I hope to continue some of these exercises and activities when I return to Toronto.
All of you are in my thoughts and prayers especially as you gather for the February Congregation Days.
Thanks,
Sister Kristine Fernandes
kfernandes@csj-to.ca
