So we gathered for a meal together at the condo of two of the folks in our group. This has become a new winter tradition.
There were 14 of us there - a nice sized crowd.
It was good to share what is going on in each others’ lives. I had a nice chat with a former parish priest from St. John’s. He has been gone now almost 20 years - where does the time go? He and his wife have finally made arrangements to go to the new convent in Toronto.
There was news of older folks with health issues and having to move because of needing more care. Some are still busy and involved at the age of 89. Some are managing with the changing living and health situations but it is not always easy.
*****
There was other interesting news as well.
A retreat has been planned which will be led by a priest who is much interested in the life of SSJD and the Associates but is very busy at this time of her life. I am quite pleased that she has agreed to do this.
Also attending this gathering were a clergy couple who have retired to the area. In his retirement he is filling in for 6 months in a parish in the neighbouring diocese of Ontario. He told me that he will be voting for our parish priest at Saturday’s election for the bishop.
More to follow on this note after this event is over.
Showing posts with label SSJD. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SSJD. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Monday, November 8, 2010
The convent: things old and new and different
Again I am running a bit behind with my blogging. I have been so busy. I was at the convent from October 1 to 5.
*****
I was recently there for a retreat. It was excellent and it was good to be there again.
I like to stay over the Sunday night and the Monday. The Sunday evening is usually a talking supper and that is a good chance to chat with some of the sisters. The Monday is a Grace Day - the sisters day off - and there are no services. You only have to appear for meals at regular times.
I enjoy walking in the neighbourhood which I did every day.
I could not walk around the back of the Rehab Hospital - it is under construction again. Most hospitals that I am familiar with are under construction of some sort.
It was different to have a liturgical dancer with us. She has danced with a group from the local l’Arche Community for over 10 years. After she shared with the retreat group she went to the convent infirmary to dance for the sisters there.
Because the guest wing was very full four of the associates including me stayed in the Sister’s enclosure. It was nice and quiet of course.
I enjoyed looking at the pictures on the wall of the sisters who have died. The earlier ones had a very serious expression. Gradually they were smiling more and even laughing. But all of them had a certain twinkle in the eyes - they were full of a life lived out with God as the centre.
There is a new garden in the courtyard. It will be a few years before all the trees and other plantings are well established but it looks nice already.
There is a new stained glass window in the retreat chapel. The colours are quite interesting.
I always wonder when I am looking at furniture around and about the convent - where was it in the old convent?
*****
I was recently there for a retreat. It was excellent and it was good to be there again.
I like to stay over the Sunday night and the Monday. The Sunday evening is usually a talking supper and that is a good chance to chat with some of the sisters. The Monday is a Grace Day - the sisters day off - and there are no services. You only have to appear for meals at regular times.
I enjoy walking in the neighbourhood which I did every day.
I could not walk around the back of the Rehab Hospital - it is under construction again. Most hospitals that I am familiar with are under construction of some sort.
It was different to have a liturgical dancer with us. She has danced with a group from the local l’Arche Community for over 10 years. After she shared with the retreat group she went to the convent infirmary to dance for the sisters there.
Because the guest wing was very full four of the associates including me stayed in the Sister’s enclosure. It was nice and quiet of course.
I enjoyed looking at the pictures on the wall of the sisters who have died. The earlier ones had a very serious expression. Gradually they were smiling more and even laughing. But all of them had a certain twinkle in the eyes - they were full of a life lived out with God as the centre.
There is a new garden in the courtyard. It will be a few years before all the trees and other plantings are well established but it looks nice already.
There is a new stained glass window in the retreat chapel. The colours are quite interesting.
I always wonder when I am looking at furniture around and about the convent - where was it in the old convent?
Monday, May 24, 2010
Retreat - good to be there
It had been some years since many of us had been at the diocesan retreat centre.
The weather was nice and some of us were able to sit outside. Some went for a walk in the woods but it was somewhat damp under foot.
The retreat leader was excellent. He shared some new liturgies with us. He had us all singing too and that was fun.
The food was great. There were some nice leftovers to take home. I enjoyed some myself.
It was a good thing to do - to go on retreat as a group. We were small in number but we were all glad that we went.
The weather was nice and some of us were able to sit outside. Some went for a walk in the woods but it was somewhat damp under foot.
The retreat leader was excellent. He shared some new liturgies with us. He had us all singing too and that was fun.
The food was great. There were some nice leftovers to take home. I enjoyed some myself.
It was a good thing to do - to go on retreat as a group. We were small in number but we were all glad that we went.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Details, details, details
It was the weekend for the SSJD Ottawa Associates retreat. I was planning the event since last fall.
This was before the weekend before I went to Vancouver. I was quite busy planning both events. So - a little bit late.
*****
As I come down to the last minute preparation I have been making a list and checking it twice. I feel like on a Cursillo weekend where the folks who do the running around are called - detail one and detail two. I have done this job a couple of times on a weekend and it is a very busy one.
A friend is providing this function for another gathering. She said she was doing that because she likes to. I do too basically.
I like to organize.
I like working with others.
I like to see it all come together.
I expect to enjoy the weekend. Even the driving through downtown Ottawa and Gatineau traffic should not be too bad.
This was before the weekend before I went to Vancouver. I was quite busy planning both events. So - a little bit late.
*****
As I come down to the last minute preparation I have been making a list and checking it twice. I feel like on a Cursillo weekend where the folks who do the running around are called - detail one and detail two. I have done this job a couple of times on a weekend and it is a very busy one.
A friend is providing this function for another gathering. She said she was doing that because she likes to. I do too basically.
I like to organize.
I like working with others.
I like to see it all come together.
I expect to enjoy the weekend. Even the driving through downtown Ottawa and Gatineau traffic should not be too bad.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Holy Week and Easter services
My time at the convent in Toronto was very refreshing.
There were all the usual services - Morning Prayer, Eucharist, Evening Prayer and Compline. It is never expected that as a guest you have to go to all the services - you can pick and choose.
In the morning I prefer to take a long walk so I do not often attend Morning Prayer.
Because this was an organized retreat, there were various talks by the Sisters. I went to three of them. Two were more interactive as we went through various stages of the Holy Week story. There was some good sharing in the group.
Early on Easter morning we had a two hour service with readings and candles and the Eucharist of course. There was incense but my sensitive nose did not notice that too much. There was music on the wonderful organ and we all joined in singing the familiar Easter hymns.
There were all the usual services - Morning Prayer, Eucharist, Evening Prayer and Compline. It is never expected that as a guest you have to go to all the services - you can pick and choose.
In the morning I prefer to take a long walk so I do not often attend Morning Prayer.
Because this was an organized retreat, there were various talks by the Sisters. I went to three of them. Two were more interactive as we went through various stages of the Holy Week story. There was some good sharing in the group.
Early on Easter morning we had a two hour service with readings and candles and the Eucharist of course. There was incense but my sensitive nose did not notice that too much. There was music on the wonderful organ and we all joined in singing the familiar Easter hymns.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Under construction
So many places in our lives are under construction. It is a continuing process.
*****
Places are under construction too.
Now it is the convent garden. I think back to May of 2004 when I was on retreat at the old convent and Sister Elizabeth brought us over to have a look at the new buildings going up.
The next Easter I was here and things were not finished. The room name plates were temporary ones. The library was not open - which of course I missed.
It was good to be here for my first ever Easter with the community.
It is good to be here again.
*****
After the construction and mess is all tidied up, there is a time for celebration. This happened at Greenbelt with the new barn, at my house when I finished the basement, at St. John's with major renovations and for the new condo unit next door to the church.
*****
Places are under construction too.
Now it is the convent garden. I think back to May of 2004 when I was on retreat at the old convent and Sister Elizabeth brought us over to have a look at the new buildings going up.
The next Easter I was here and things were not finished. The room name plates were temporary ones. The library was not open - which of course I missed.
It was good to be here for my first ever Easter with the community.
It is good to be here again.
*****
After the construction and mess is all tidied up, there is a time for celebration. This happened at Greenbelt with the new barn, at my house when I finished the basement, at St. John's with major renovations and for the new condo unit next door to the church.
Sights and sounds: convent
It is early on Good Friday morning.
There is an encounter in the kitchen.
Some coffee and reading and journal writing.
A brief visit to the chapel.
There are noises as the building creaks; the furnace is running; the birds are tweeting; planes are flying overhead; Canada Geese are making their familiar honking.
Upstairs in the Guest House, the curtains are opened early and the night lights are turned off.
There is a noise of showers and hair dryers.
The coffee pot is empty.
There is an encounter in the kitchen.
Some coffee and reading and journal writing.
A brief visit to the chapel.
There are noises as the building creaks; the furnace is running; the birds are tweeting; planes are flying overhead; Canada Geese are making their familiar honking.
Upstairs in the Guest House, the curtains are opened early and the night lights are turned off.
There is a noise of showers and hair dryers.
The coffee pot is empty.
Holy Saturday
The day is quiet.
The chapel looks expectant.
In the background the sisters are practicing the Easter hymns.
Soon it will be time to join in.
The chapel looks expectant.
In the background the sisters are practicing the Easter hymns.
Soon it will be time to join in.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Convent visit part 2
From my journal at the end of my visit.
Image of my time here.
Leaves and fall and wet.
Quiet and few people.
Worship and comfortable.
Reading and music and writing - my own.
Going deeper.
What kind of music.
Reading about - living out one’s faith, grieving, Ignatian spirituality.
Time spent alone.
What music did I bring
Charlotte Church.
Hymns.
Quiet music too - instrumental.
Convent connections
Margaret Silf - who was at the Gathering in May - I was reading one of her books on Ignatian Spirituality - Inner Compass.
Tim Elliott - Anglican priest and musician - I bought one of his Cds.
Image of my time here.
Leaves and fall and wet.
Quiet and few people.
Worship and comfortable.
Reading and music and writing - my own.
Going deeper.
What kind of music.
Reading about - living out one’s faith, grieving, Ignatian spirituality.
Time spent alone.
What music did I bring
Charlotte Church.
Hymns.
Quiet music too - instrumental.
Convent connections
Margaret Silf - who was at the Gathering in May - I was reading one of her books on Ignatian Spirituality - Inner Compass.
Tim Elliott - Anglican priest and musician - I bought one of his Cds.
Convent memories - not too distant
I was thinking about the two Christmases I spent at the convent in Toronto.
If you would like to check out Esther Bunny’s impressions of her time there you can read her story here.
http://vickimilcahistorical.blogspot.com/2009/07/esther-bunnys-christmas-tale.html
*****
So what keeps me connected to the convent and its way of life?
It is all very familiar even though the community and the location has changed a lot since I started going there in January 1975 - 35 years ago.
I like the quiet time and the time to share with others informally or in group discussion. I like the services and the music. The visiting clergy are interesting to share in the Eucharist with. The meals are another part of the sharing. Most meals are silent but the Sunday night supper is a talking supper. It is nice to connect with the different sisters.
*****
I took a trip to the convent in late October/early November. I actually drove there on Halloween. Then that night was the time change so I had an extra hour of sleep.
I like to drive early in the morning but I realized that it would be dark on October 31 so I left home about 7:30 a.m. Some of the service centres along the 401 highway are closed for major renovations. It was not too much of an inconvenience for me.
If you would like to check out Esther Bunny’s impressions of her time there you can read her story here.
http://vickimilcahistorical.blogspot.com/2009/07/esther-bunnys-christmas-tale.html
*****
So what keeps me connected to the convent and its way of life?
It is all very familiar even though the community and the location has changed a lot since I started going there in January 1975 - 35 years ago.
I like the quiet time and the time to share with others informally or in group discussion. I like the services and the music. The visiting clergy are interesting to share in the Eucharist with. The meals are another part of the sharing. Most meals are silent but the Sunday night supper is a talking supper. It is nice to connect with the different sisters.
*****
I took a trip to the convent in late October/early November. I actually drove there on Halloween. Then that night was the time change so I had an extra hour of sleep.
I like to drive early in the morning but I realized that it would be dark on October 31 so I left home about 7:30 a.m. Some of the service centres along the 401 highway are closed for major renovations. It was not too much of an inconvenience for me.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
SSJD: the Gathering pt. 2
The Gathering was a time of celebration and fun. Even the guest speaker was not too serious - she used lots of stories in her talks.
I am friendly with a number of the sisters. It was good to talk with some of them - even if for a short time.
The group discussions were good and everyone got a chance to talk. Our group was quite a mixture of people - including a long time friend from Ottawa. There were two priests in our group - one of them being Sister Constance Joanna - CJ - as she likes to be called.
We learned something about Oblates which are fairly new to the SSJD family.
The convent was noisier than usual although there was quiet in the guest wing at night - you could do your socializing somewhere else. It was good to share at meals with others and learn something about their connections with the convent and share your own.
The services were very familiar - morning and evening prayer and the Eucharist. The flow of the music and the format of the services was very refreshing as usual. The music on the organ and the piano and even a guitar was celebratory in mood.
By the time of the evening entertainment on Friday I was getting tired but I did enjoy all the presentations. The sisters started by reading some of Mother Hannah’s diaries. She showed quite a sense of humour in her writings.
The music by Tim Elliott on the piano was excellent. We sang some old favourites - such as Simple Gifts and My Favourite Things. Then at the end of the evening we sang some children’s hymns. They were all very familiar to me from my Sunday School days.
Margaret’s presentation was Stanley Holloway’s Albert and the Lion. I grew up listening to a record of his funny songs and stories. He was from England and we had a record of his. Is this maybe now in Vancouver with Kathi?
I am friendly with a number of the sisters. It was good to talk with some of them - even if for a short time.
The group discussions were good and everyone got a chance to talk. Our group was quite a mixture of people - including a long time friend from Ottawa. There were two priests in our group - one of them being Sister Constance Joanna - CJ - as she likes to be called.
We learned something about Oblates which are fairly new to the SSJD family.
The convent was noisier than usual although there was quiet in the guest wing at night - you could do your socializing somewhere else. It was good to share at meals with others and learn something about their connections with the convent and share your own.
The services were very familiar - morning and evening prayer and the Eucharist. The flow of the music and the format of the services was very refreshing as usual. The music on the organ and the piano and even a guitar was celebratory in mood.
By the time of the evening entertainment on Friday I was getting tired but I did enjoy all the presentations. The sisters started by reading some of Mother Hannah’s diaries. She showed quite a sense of humour in her writings.
The music by Tim Elliott on the piano was excellent. We sang some old favourites - such as Simple Gifts and My Favourite Things. Then at the end of the evening we sang some children’s hymns. They were all very familiar to me from my Sunday School days.
Margaret’s presentation was Stanley Holloway’s Albert and the Lion. I grew up listening to a record of his funny songs and stories. He was from England and we had a record of his. Is this maybe now in Vancouver with Kathi?
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Food and exercise at the convent
There was a rather nice article about the new convent in Toronto. The only part I did not like and did seem to be accurate was about the food there. They do not serve soggy vegetables.
I find the food to be a lot healthier there than it used to be. The meals are all buffet style so you can take what you like. There is always fresh fruit and vegetables. I seem to remember that some of the sisters took part in a Weight Watchers program a few years ago.
Sometimes there is cake and even ice cream. This time I did eat some of the cake but not always. There were cookies too but not very fancy ones. I think they were Peak Freans.
This time at the convent the schedule was very busy. The only way I could really go for a walk was to miss Morning Prayer. That is what I did every day. It is quite a nice neighbourhood around the convent for walking.
I find the food to be a lot healthier there than it used to be. The meals are all buffet style so you can take what you like. There is always fresh fruit and vegetables. I seem to remember that some of the sisters took part in a Weight Watchers program a few years ago.
Sometimes there is cake and even ice cream. This time I did eat some of the cake but not always. There were cookies too but not very fancy ones. I think they were Peak Freans.
This time at the convent the schedule was very busy. The only way I could really go for a walk was to miss Morning Prayer. That is what I did every day. It is quite a nice neighbourhood around the convent for walking.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
SSJD: the Gathering
The Gathering as it was called was in the planning stages for many years. When you are celebrating 125 years you do know it a long time in advance.
I was not at the 100th anniversary celebrations at the convent in Toronto. There was a large celebration at the Anglican Cathedral in Ottawa. A number of the sisters came from Toronto for that event.
I knew right away that I wanted to attend the Gathering and so I signed up early so that I would get a space in the Guest House. It sleeps 40 people or so now.
I knew that I would be driving and that I could take a couple of people with me. That is what happened. Both my passengers were appreciative of coming with me. We stopped frequently along the way at the service centres along the 401. That worked out well. I always need to stretch after concentrating on the driving - especially when one gets into the heavier traffic near Toronto.
*****
It was recommended reading for the Gathering - 2 of Margaret Self’s books. I read one before I went and I started the 2nd one while I was there. Her books were much in view in the convent bookstore. I did not buy any more.
I did buy 2 of the sisters T-shirts. They are 100% cotton and I like to wear them riding in the summer - they are so comfortable.
*****
It was great to be a the convent again - I was last there in late June/early July 2008. I know a number of the sisters fairly well.
As I told friends this was not to be a quiet retreat. There was the usual flow of the day with services and meals. Added to this were talks by the speaker and group discussions and much good sharing. Some sharing happened over the meals as well as there was a talking meal every day. Their meals are usually eaten in silence.
The four Eucharists were celebrated by 3 bishops and a sister who is also an ordained Anglican priest.
The music was wonderful and some of it was especially written for the event. The organist and one of the sisters who is a professional violinist played together several times.
On the Saturday night there was a fun evening with song and dance. The entertainment was provided by the various groups. Our group were up first and our song was very well received - sung to the tune for Jesus Loves Me.
*****
I look forward to sharing more about the Gathering with those who were not able to be there. I expect I will do some more writing as well.
It helps that there are pictures and a blog on the SSJD web site. These will be good to look at and remember later on.
I was not at the 100th anniversary celebrations at the convent in Toronto. There was a large celebration at the Anglican Cathedral in Ottawa. A number of the sisters came from Toronto for that event.
I knew right away that I wanted to attend the Gathering and so I signed up early so that I would get a space in the Guest House. It sleeps 40 people or so now.
I knew that I would be driving and that I could take a couple of people with me. That is what happened. Both my passengers were appreciative of coming with me. We stopped frequently along the way at the service centres along the 401. That worked out well. I always need to stretch after concentrating on the driving - especially when one gets into the heavier traffic near Toronto.
*****
It was recommended reading for the Gathering - 2 of Margaret Self’s books. I read one before I went and I started the 2nd one while I was there. Her books were much in view in the convent bookstore. I did not buy any more.
I did buy 2 of the sisters T-shirts. They are 100% cotton and I like to wear them riding in the summer - they are so comfortable.
*****
It was great to be a the convent again - I was last there in late June/early July 2008. I know a number of the sisters fairly well.
As I told friends this was not to be a quiet retreat. There was the usual flow of the day with services and meals. Added to this were talks by the speaker and group discussions and much good sharing. Some sharing happened over the meals as well as there was a talking meal every day. Their meals are usually eaten in silence.
The four Eucharists were celebrated by 3 bishops and a sister who is also an ordained Anglican priest.
The music was wonderful and some of it was especially written for the event. The organist and one of the sisters who is a professional violinist played together several times.
On the Saturday night there was a fun evening with song and dance. The entertainment was provided by the various groups. Our group were up first and our song was very well received - sung to the tune for Jesus Loves Me.
*****
I look forward to sharing more about the Gathering with those who were not able to be there. I expect I will do some more writing as well.
It helps that there are pictures and a blog on the SSJD web site. These will be good to look at and remember later on.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Spaces and places in my life
I have written often about spaces in my life. There are specific buildings that are gone now or empty.
The train station in Lachute is closed. The Mirabel airport is virtually closed. Did someone refer to it as a white elephant? I wonder how that translates into French.
There was lots of farmers land expropriated around Ste. Scholastique where the Mirabel airport was built. A younger member of the family referred to this place as St. Elastic - cute… Now there is talk about returning some of the land to the farmers.
I found some quite sad pictures of St. Julien’s Church in Lachute and the old convent in Toronto.
St. Julien’s was a familiar place in my life. I was only inside there once but that was more to do with the reality of life in Quebec in the 1950s and 1960s for Anglophone Protestants. It was for the 1st communion of my neighbour who was the same age as me so he was 6.
I spent many happy hours in the old convent. The inside pictures were all of very familiar rooms. This is a place of good memories for me. Now the new convent is a familiar place for me as well.
The train station in Lachute is closed. The Mirabel airport is virtually closed. Did someone refer to it as a white elephant? I wonder how that translates into French.
There was lots of farmers land expropriated around Ste. Scholastique where the Mirabel airport was built. A younger member of the family referred to this place as St. Elastic - cute… Now there is talk about returning some of the land to the farmers.
I found some quite sad pictures of St. Julien’s Church in Lachute and the old convent in Toronto.
St. Julien’s was a familiar place in my life. I was only inside there once but that was more to do with the reality of life in Quebec in the 1950s and 1960s for Anglophone Protestants. It was for the 1st communion of my neighbour who was the same age as me so he was 6.
I spent many happy hours in the old convent. The inside pictures were all of very familiar rooms. This is a place of good memories for me. Now the new convent is a familiar place for me as well.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
SSJD
This past weekend I was quite busy with the Associates of Sisters of St. John the Divine. You can check out the new link on the side. Actually their site is in the process of being redesigned.
I have been associated with the sisters for over 30 years and I am coming up to the 29th anniversary of being an Associate of the community.
The Ottawa connections have been an important part of my life as well. We offer each other prayerful support. I have been both on the giving and the receiving end of these prayers. We gather together a few times a year. I have been on the Executive numerous times and now I am on it again. Now that I am retired I have more time to give in this way.
This past weekend Sister Elizabeth was in Ottawa. She led a Quiet Day at one of the local Anglican churches. It is a nice new church and looks to be quite active. That was my first time there - it is at the other end of the city. I drove a couple of friends there. That is something that I can do for folks that do not drive.
Then Sister Elizabeth spent the Sunday with me. We were off early to the 8 a.m. service. She met someone that she knew from the convent in Toronto in that small gathering. Then it was down the street for coffee and a muffin. Then it was back again for the main service. She did enjoy the music and said so. She talked about the SSJD history and her own story of how she came to join the order. She mentioned the school that she had taught at and in the coffee hour after the service someone who had been at the same school came up to her and they had a good time remembering.
Then we went to lunch at the next door pub. Sure enough we ended up sitting with the priest and her husband. That was some good sharing as well.
I have been associated with the sisters for over 30 years and I am coming up to the 29th anniversary of being an Associate of the community.
The Ottawa connections have been an important part of my life as well. We offer each other prayerful support. I have been both on the giving and the receiving end of these prayers. We gather together a few times a year. I have been on the Executive numerous times and now I am on it again. Now that I am retired I have more time to give in this way.
This past weekend Sister Elizabeth was in Ottawa. She led a Quiet Day at one of the local Anglican churches. It is a nice new church and looks to be quite active. That was my first time there - it is at the other end of the city. I drove a couple of friends there. That is something that I can do for folks that do not drive.
Then Sister Elizabeth spent the Sunday with me. We were off early to the 8 a.m. service. She met someone that she knew from the convent in Toronto in that small gathering. Then it was down the street for coffee and a muffin. Then it was back again for the main service. She did enjoy the music and said so. She talked about the SSJD history and her own story of how she came to join the order. She mentioned the school that she had taught at and in the coffee hour after the service someone who had been at the same school came up to her and they had a good time remembering.
Then we went to lunch at the next door pub. Sure enough we ended up sitting with the priest and her husband. That was some good sharing as well.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Volunteering
I think a lot about this volunteering. I retired early and I am in good health and being single do not have family commitments. I can give what I can by my time and my interests. As another retired friend said – either you find the volunteer opportunities or they find you!! Working with different folks in different situations is always a learning experience.
Working with others is good because then you can share the duties.
*****
I am a retired librarian so volunteering in libraries comes naturally.
I am also following in my mom's footsteps.
My mom did lots of volunteering in her community – with her church and the hospital auxiliary especially. When I returned her hospital volunteer smock to the auxiliary – they said they would miss her. She had given many hours over many years. At her funeral, the minister spoke about her handicrafts skills. She had made many of the hangings in the church and also 2 beautiful needlepoint kneelers.
She never had a paid job outside the home – it was a small community and not too much market for her professional skills in biochemistry. At that time too mothers stayed at home to raise their family and that is what she did.
********
I am on the Altar Guild at church as my mom was. I try to fill in and help out as much as possible because there is a shortage of volunteers and several of the older volunteers are no longer available.
*****
I went back to help reorganize the church library. I had done this many years ago. With two others, I was busy this summer discarding books, dusting shelves, adding new books, finding a new home for unwanted books and making the library more known and hopefully used more.
*****
I went to help with a Canadian Horse show as I have for the past few years. This year it was different than other years because it was under new management and I met some new folks. The weather was unpredictable and one day was sunny and the other was very wet. Being outdoors and running around some, I was tired at the end of bothdays and I slept well.
*****
I have been on the executive for the local ward of the Associates for the Sisters of St. John the Divine several times. This time I really was ready to be involved again. We are a small friendly group and know each other quite well. The prayer support is also very important.
Working with others is good because then you can share the duties.
*****
I am a retired librarian so volunteering in libraries comes naturally.
I am also following in my mom's footsteps.
My mom did lots of volunteering in her community – with her church and the hospital auxiliary especially. When I returned her hospital volunteer smock to the auxiliary – they said they would miss her. She had given many hours over many years. At her funeral, the minister spoke about her handicrafts skills. She had made many of the hangings in the church and also 2 beautiful needlepoint kneelers.
She never had a paid job outside the home – it was a small community and not too much market for her professional skills in biochemistry. At that time too mothers stayed at home to raise their family and that is what she did.
********
I am on the Altar Guild at church as my mom was. I try to fill in and help out as much as possible because there is a shortage of volunteers and several of the older volunteers are no longer available.
*****
I went back to help reorganize the church library. I had done this many years ago. With two others, I was busy this summer discarding books, dusting shelves, adding new books, finding a new home for unwanted books and making the library more known and hopefully used more.
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I went to help with a Canadian Horse show as I have for the past few years. This year it was different than other years because it was under new management and I met some new folks. The weather was unpredictable and one day was sunny and the other was very wet. Being outdoors and running around some, I was tired at the end of bothdays and I slept well.
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I have been on the executive for the local ward of the Associates for the Sisters of St. John the Divine several times. This time I really was ready to be involved again. We are a small friendly group and know each other quite well. The prayer support is also very important.
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