THANKSGIVING GREETING 2010 - PERSONAL THANKS FROM SR. MARY

Dear friends

Not every year do I send out greetings by mail. This year since it is my last year in the Philippines I thought I would go all out and send greeting by mail. Rather than Christmas greetings this will be Thanksgiving greetings.
On Dec 8th 2010 I will be leaving the Philippines my home for many years.
It is hard to believe how quickly the time has gone. It seems like only yesterday that some of you attended a party for my farewell at McKinnons in the 4th of Kenyon in 1966 and also at Nancy Graham (MacKenzie). As I write this I remember some who have gone ahead, Ian Mckinnon and Melly Gelineau, Amby & Ewen McDonald, Jerome Masterson. No details, just memories. Since then I also have new folks that I hear from each year either by e-mail or snail mail. To you all I say thank you. Thank you for you love, faithfulness and support over all these years, support that helped me in my ministry here in the Philippines.

At those parties I was always conscious of the focus on me. I really wish that each one of
you could see what great things you are doing in your own lives, each with its special purpose.
Some were called to be spouses to love and support each other in times both hard and good. I am sure this was not always easy. Then the children came along, another call for great sacrifices, blessings indeed but also many struggles. For others it was the call to be single. Jeanie Mac you were always a gift for me. Your enthusiasm for life and sense of humor is catching.

Then I remember the support so many of you gave to Our Lady’s Missionaries for our 50th in Glengarry. It was Mae Janet MacDonnell (Angus Sandy) who told me that when Glenda McDonnell retires she would do something for OLMs. Well she did. She made every connection possible to support our 50th. A former teacher said; " It is hard to say no to Glenda, if you want something done get Glenda.” She still keeps a small group alive by sending out our OLM Christmas letter each year. With Eleanor MacDonnell help it is sometimes mailed from Williamstown and sometimes from Glen Robertson.

Am I proud of my roots or not?

So many of you over the years have taken me in and included me in many happy gatherings at The Masterson’s /MacDonnell's in Lock Garry and Ottawa folks and especially OLM’S,my own family, the McDonald’s, Gallant’s and Kutschke’s. The door was always open and I know still is. .
I am truly grateful to the folks of my own parish St. Finnan’s Alexandria for the love and support over the years , to St Raphael’s parish who graciously adapted me after Maejanet death and of course Williamstown parish who have been so faithful over the years.

With much gratitude in my heart I wish each one Blessings of Peace.

Mary Gauthier OLM

My address in Canada will be

12 Roslind Crescent

Toronto Ont.

M1L2W9

416-752-8432

THE LEADERSHIP TEAM OF OUR LADY'S MISSIONARIES

Sr. Joan Missiaen, Sr. Frances Brady, Sr. Christine Gebel

Sr. Joan's says: "Celebrate and share life with it’s 'up’s and downs.' Thanks for sharing with Our Lady’s Missionaries. Sr. has served in Mexico, Philippines, Canada, and Guyana."

Sr. Frances says: "I look for ways to have a positive influence on the unfolding future of religious life, the Church and the world." Sr. has served in Mexico, Philippines, and Canada.

Sr. Christine says: "I have received so much in this life I have chosen, and I am grateful to God .. She is Good!" Sr. has served in Philippines, Nigeria, and Canada.

NO ONE OWNS GOD

Last Weekend ‘Our Lady’s Missionaries’ made a visit to both our Parishes. Sr. Christine Gebel gave us an update on their work since her last visit with us about two years ago. As she spoke at all our Masses, she reflected on the Gospel passage of the lady who had seven deceased husbands and the Sadducees question: “In the Resurrection whose wife will the woman be?” (Lk. 20) Now in Jesus’ time a wife was more or less the property of a husband, and therefore the question not only enquired about the marriage bond in eternity, but had a connotation of ownership. As she pointed out, no one owns anybody in eternity, and in God’s kingdom in the here and now. As Christians we are called to love our neighbor as our selves, and to live in freedom, as children of God. Her insights came from the Sisters work with oppressed people around the world who are often owned by another. An example being prostitutes one of the Sisters works with in one of their missions. And, from a personal point of view and her involvement in Muslim Christian dialogue in the Philippines, she offered the insight that no one even owns God.

As I reflected on this statement, I thought of the many ways, as humans, we tend to take ownership of another, rather than living in mutual respect, trust, and love. And, even in religion, as we profess and cling to our faith, we assume a certain ownership of God. As we come to the end of our Liturgical year and the feast of Christ the King, it behooves all of us to reflect on our relationships with God and neighbor, and to remind ourselves of this very important insight from a woman who has given her life to Christ, and the building of God’s Kingdom. After all, wasn’t that one of the biggest problems many had with Jesus when he reached out to the sinners and tax collectors. We still hear their shock and complaint week after week in the Gospel: “He eats with sinners and tax collector.” (posted oringinally on frbobscorner.com on Nov. 17, 2007 by Fr. Bob MacDonald)