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Congregation of Notre Dame
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Mission
Since the time of Marguerite Bourgeoys, CNDs have been crossing oceans, figuratively and literally, in response to the Spirit's call. Today, our world and our church present us with new challenges. In response, we affirm our commitment to the following Mission Orientation:
To follow Jesus, in a preferential option for the poor, and to live our mission of liberating education in fidelity to the prophetic charism, of Marguerite Bourgeoys in today's world, we commit ourselves, to live closer to the reality of the impoverished, the excluded and the oppressed. In solidarity with them, we commit ourselves to participate actively in the transformation of society for a more just world.
Spirituality
The Congregation of Notre Dame strives to be "Mary's congregation" by making Mary's life the pattern of our prayer, ministry and community. Marguerite Bourgeoys was often asked why the little band of women she led lived as they did, outside of the cloister expected of 17th-century "religious" women. Her answer?-- in order to imitate the way Mary had lived on earth, in particular her visitation to her cousin Elizabeth and her experience in the midst of the Christian community at Pentecost.
Visitation
The Visitation is such a simple event: one woman goes to visit another. And yet Luke recounts it in the first chapter of his gospel because that simple fact carries profound meaning. That meaning was once described as follows: because a woman came who carried Christ within her, there was a change in someone else.
Mary had just said yes to God's presence within her, and so when she visited Elizabeth, God visited Elizabeth as well, enlivening the baby in her womb.
Pentecost
The Acts of the Apostles describes the Christian community gathered together to await the coming of the Holy Spirit, with Mary in the midst of the community. As Marguerite Bourgeoys imagined it, Mary was present for all the early years in which the new Church was establishing itself.
The present day has been described as a "new Pentecost" in which, as the Second Vatican Council reminded us, all are called to holiness, called to be church. The Congregation has the responsibility to live out the mystery of Mary's presence at Pentecost, by joining with others to build up the church, the Christian community, wherever we find ourselves.
Thus, to follow in the footsteps of Mary in the spirit of Marguerite Bourgeoys, is to live a Visitation/Pentecost spirituality.
Explanation
Liberating education calls for a diversity of response in various situations. We pledge to continue this mission in collaboration with others who work for the transformation of society and the building of the Reign of God. This is one reason why we sponsor a number of volunteer programs.
We have special concern for the liberation of women; we act in support of families and strive to help young people become builders of their own future.
And finally, we recognize that the transformation of society requires social analysis; for us it also implies the need to learn and practice non-violence toward one another, toward all those with whom we are involved, within ourselves and throughout the world.
Contact
Sr. Maureen Baldwin, CND
877 Broadview Ave.
Toronto, ON
Canada
Telephone: 416-469-6756
Fax: 416-928-9500
mbaldwin@cnd-m.org
www.cnd-m.com
Last updated:2009-08-25
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