Celebration of Brother André's Canonization

The celebration of Brother André’s upcoming canonization will culminate with a major Montréal-wide celebration at the Olympic Stadium, on October 30. The celebration will take place at 2:00PM. Seat reservations are required at the nominal cost of five dollars ($5). Tickets are on sale now through Réseau Admission at www.admission.com or by calling 1 800 361-4595 and can be purchased in person at the Olympic Stadium ticket booth located at 4545, Pierre-de-Coubertin avenue, in Montreal.

“The date is set on October 30! We invite all Montrealers, Quebecers and members of all Canadian dioceses to take part in a major celebration of faith, all in the spirit of prayer and joy', says Brother Claude Grou, c.s.c., rector of the Saint Joseph’s Oratory. Several activities will precede and follow the grand celebration at Olympic Stadium. The schedule of celebrations for the canonization event will be gradually released on-line at www.saint-joseph.org. Read also the press release.

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2010 General Assembly of the CRC

The theme of the 2010 General Assembly is on the religious vows. How to live a vowed life in a world of varied cultures and of profound ecological concerns? What are the new challenges? How men and women religious can foster the gift of a religious life lived out in a broken society and church? The main speakers are: Sibde Sempore, OP, and Elaine Prevallet, SL. Open the following documents: Press release; Program;
Biographical notes

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Opening of the CRC General Assembly

Thursday, May 27, 2010: The CRC General Assembly began with a symbol of diversity: diversity of religious congregations, diverisity of culture and languages. Nine young religious from five different countries presented the assembly theme Seize for God the energies of love:choose to live the vowed life through a three part chorepgraphy. The assembly participants were invited to share with one another how their undertsanding of the vows of consecrated life have evolved over the year.

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Photo Album of the 2010 General Assembly

Photos of the General Assembly are available at this web link: http://s100.photobucket.com/albums/m7/crcphotos/General%20Assembly%202010/

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CRC General Assembly - May 28, 2010

Born in Burkino Faso, Sidbe Sempore, OP, discusses the issues and challenges of religious life in Africa.  Living out one`s vows comes face to face with certain difficulties and obsticles.  For Africa, one must take note of the understanding of vows in a global dynamic of a life given in love for God and the African people.  Choose to embrace synergy and live in solidarity are the pathways of the future for religious congregations. His presentation  was entitled In a Multidimensional Africa, Giving One`s Life Out of Love. Open this PDF document.

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CRC General Assembly - May 29, 2010

On this second day of the assembly, Elaine Prevallet, SL, addressed the vows of consecrated life in a totally new perspective. “The whole earth needs to be included in our understanding of our vows,” she said. “Life is one energy and it expresses itself in us and through us. With all of creation we then form a community of life.”  In this way, there are three types of energy at the root of the vows. How, therefore, do we keep these energies free to flow into a life of discipleship? Open this PDF document.

The day concluded with the presentation of three reports: the report by CRC President Yvon Pomerleau, OP, Open this document; the activities report by the Director and personel; and the report from the Theology Commission.

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CRC General Assembly - May 30, 2010

Lorraine Caza, CND, reflected on the presentations by Brother Sidbe Sempore, OP, and Sister Elaine M. Prevallet, SL. She identified the main challenges given to religious communities in Canada. Here are some of the questions Sister Lorraine raised: Can we be disinterested in our country`s policies regarding immigration?  Where do we find ourselves in the encounter of cultures here at home? Does our understanding of culture enrich us in any way to better grasp the mystery of the Incarnation? Open this PDF Document.

Rick van Lier, OP, attempted to respond briefly to a question he is often asked: What is the current state of religious life in Canada? Despite a rising age curve and decreasing demographics, he noted a paradoxical vitality within religious life today. The arrival of new generations of religious and the emergence of new religious communities are two indicators of this vitality. Rick van Lier, OP,  dismisses the defeatist vision of religious life. Historically, he recalls, “religious life is born in a context of crisis, it is perceived intitially as counter-cultural and a sign of protest.  From this perspective, the current context can represent an opportunity for religious life.”  Open this PDF Document.

The day ended with a Eucharistic celebration presided by His Eminence Jean-Claude Cardinal Turcotte followed by a banquet.

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General Assembly - May 31, 2010

The CRC General Assembly concluded with the election of a new Administrative Council, the new president's address, the adoption of an Assembly Declaration that will be finalized by the new council and a closing ritual. To read the  media release - open this PDF document.

The new council is made up of an executive and representatives from all the regions of Canada. The Executive is made up of three members:

From left to right: Peter Novecosky, OSB, Secretary-Treasurer; Mary Finlayson, RSCJ, President; Alain Rodrigue, CMM. Vice-President.

 

The other members of Council are:

Josephine Badali, CND, Quebec region representative; Denise Lachance, REJ, Quebec region representative; Anne Lewans, OSU, Western region representative; Rosemary MacDonald, CSM, Atlantic region representative; Isaac Martinez, MSA, Quebec region representative; Pauline Lally, SP, Ontario region representative; Yvon Pomerleau, OP, Past President.

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