MAY 2005
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Page 17
Sr. Marie Bertrand: Remembered as an
Scottish Cardinal
Indomitable Spirit Tells of
Affinity
By CATHOLINE BUTLER
Sister Marie Bertrand passed away peacefully on April 24 in the 51st year of her religious life as a Sister of Saint Joseph in Pembroke, Ontario.
In the early years of her ministry, Sister was active in the Marian Home operated by the Sisters in Radville, Saskatchewan, as well as in Campbell's Bay, Quebec at St. Joseph's Manor.
When illness prevented Sister Marie from continuing, she carried on an outreach ministry from her sick bed in the Congregation's Health Care Centre.
Sister started out many years ago helping alcoholics from her bed by keeping in touch with them and giving them advice by telephone.
She eventually helped and prayed for many others with cancer, drug addictions and numerous other problems.
Over the years, innumerable people from all walks of life and of every race and creed have known and loved Sister Marie.
Despite her debilitating illness, Sister Marie had a great sense of humour and always managed ajoke or two, even though she was in constant pain.
You always left her room with an uplifting feeling of hope - and how could you not when she always told you that she loved you and was praying for you.
Last June was Sister Marie's Eucharistic Celebration when as she celebrated 50 years a nun in the order of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, Pembroke.
It was a joyous event attended by hundreds of friends and Sister Marie was well enough to enjoy the day and talk to many who had travelled
SR. MARIE BERTRAND
far and wide to attend her celebration.
Sister Marie was born in Calumet Island in Quebec. She loved to step dance and play the fiddle, but as her illness progressed she was unable to play the fiddle and she often said that she missed that the most. She was an avid sports fan and a big supporter of the Pembroke Lumber Kings Hockey Team with many of the players coming to visit her.
Sister's room was full of all kinds of memorabilia given to her over the years. She even had Number 99's jersey hanging in her room. It was a milestone when hockey superstar Wayne Gretzky sent her his sweater and hockey stick when he was playing for the Edmonton Oilers.
The bulletin board beside her bed was filled with signed autographs from great athletes and other dignitaries. She was loved by young and old alike.
The work that Sister Marie accomplished from her sick bed and her indomitable spirit is an inspiration to all who knew her. Those qualities coupled with her spiritual devotion and sense of humour are what kept her going for so long against all odds. She will be missed. Rest in peace Sister Marie.
with Pope
EDINBURGH - The leader of the Catholic Church in Scotland, Cardinal Keith O'Brien, has spoken of his affinity with the new Pope and belief that his election will lead to a resurgence of Christianity in Britain and across Europe.
The Archbishop of St. Andrews and Edinburgh spoke after his return to Scotland following the funeral of Pope John Paul II and the subsequent election of Pope BenedictXVI. The cardinal said that he felt that he and the new Pontiff were of one mind on the important issues facing the Catholic Church.
"Following his election, he gave a very brief but pointed indication that his message was to be based around Christ and that he would be working in Europe to re-christianize the continent.
"It was almost a plan of action, very much in the same way that when I became cardinal, I said that I wanted to re-christianize Scotland.
"He also spoke later in more depth on this and about collegiality and the various parts of the church working together.
"I would like to think that because we have a new Pope, it will give considerable impetus to others to consider the Church in their lives and how they live on a day-to-day basis."
Cardinal O'Brien added that during his stay at the Vatican, he had the opportunity to address the other 115 cardinals, including Cardinal Ratzinger, on the issues the Catholic Church in Scotland faced, including a national desire to return to "basic moral values."
POPE BENEDICT XVI held his first mass as pope in the Sistine Chapel, which the faithful watched from St. Peter's Square. During the mass, Benedict XVI set out some of the themes of his papacy
in Conciliatory language. PHOTO: L'Osservatore Romano
Ireland Greets Pope BenedictXVI With Mixed Emotions
DUBLIN - Like their counterparts around the world, Irish Catholics greeted the news of the election of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger as Pope Benedict XVI with a mixture of emotions. Many who had been told that he was an arch-conservative would have preferred someone from Africa or South America, while many others welcomed the outcome.
Most of those who knew him were delighted with the choice. Archbishop of Armagh Sean Brady and Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin, both of whom spent many years in Rome, were very positive in their comments. Speaking from Rome, Cardinal Desmond Connell said, "it would be a terrible pity to rush to conclusions" and predicted "surprises."
In her message to the new Pope, President Mary McAleese said, "the world responded in grief and wonder to the passing of John Paul II. The election of his successor became the concern of very many people throughout the world.
"You embody their hopes for greater unity among peoples and a more just and caring human family. Your guidance and leadership amid the complexities of modern life will be crucial."
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern added his congratulations, saying, "he has chosen a name which associates him with the great mission of peace of the occupants of the See of Peter. All Irish men and women, whatever their tradition, will wish him well."
Speaking from Rome, Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern said that the Irish Government fully supports any visit by the new Pope to Ireland, but added that the invitation would have to come from the bishops.
Irish Group Films Story of Fatima
NOVENA
DUBLIN - A film charting the history of the Marian apparitions at Fatima in Portugal has been made by an Irish company.
The Call to Fatima was filmed in Portugal, Ireland, Italy and France. It is based on the book Calls written by Sister Lucia, the last seer of the 1917 apparition, who died in February this year, aged 97.
Director and producer Thomas McCormack said the film, to be launched at the Marian shrine at Knock, County Mayo, on May 13, "tries, without forcing any dogma on others, to reflect with a fresh pair of eyes on the message of Fatima for this new century, particularly for the youth."
Sister Lucia de Jesus dos Santos claimed, along with two younger cousins, to have spoken with the Virgin Mary near Fatima town over six months in 1917. The apparitions turned Fatima into one of Catholicism's most revered sites, and a particular favourite of Pope John Paul II.
The Virgin Mary is said to have prophesied key Twentieth Century events, such as the end of the First
World War, the start of the Second World War and future popes. John Paul II credited the Madonna of Fatima with his survival following a 1981 assassination attempt.
Novena to the Blessed Virgin Mary (never known to fail). O most beautiful flower of Mount Carmel, fruitful vine, splendour of Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God. Immaculate Virgin, assist me in this my necessity. There are none that can withstand your power. O show me herein you are my Mother, O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee (three times). Sweet Mother, I place this cause in your hands (three times). Holy Spirit, you who solve all problems, light all roads so that I can attain my goal. You gave me the Divine gift to forgive and forget all evil against me. This prayer must be said for three days, even after the request is granted and the favour received, it must be published.
- FMC, PMKDR, MJF, CB, IS, GG, LMC, MPCR, TCF
Novena to the Blessed Virgin Mary (never known to fail). O most beautiful flower of Mount Carmel, fruitful vine, splendour of Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God. Immaculate Virgin, assist me in this my necessity. There are none that can withstand your power. O show me herein you are my Mother, O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee (three times). Sweet Mother, I place this cause in your hands (three times). Holy Spirit, you who solve all problems, light all roads so that I can attain my goal. You gave me the Divine gift to forgive and forget all evil against me. This prayer must be said for three days, even after the request is granted and the favour received, it must be published.
- FKMC, LMC
Anglican Paper Gives New Pope 'Cool Reception'
DUBLIN - An editorial in the Church of Ireland Gazette, gives a cool reception to the new Pope, who it says seems "to be more conservative than John Paul II himself." Following the election of Pope BenedictXVI, it suggests the Catholic Church should review "at the highest level" a document which describes other denominations as not proper churches.
Referring to Dominus Iesus, a restatement of Catholic teaching published in 2000, the editorial highlights a phrase which "suggests that churches such as the Church of Ireland are not churches 'in the proper sense'."
"Cardinal Desmond Connell has been reported as describing this an 'unfortunate translation' and it is good to note that sentiment," the editorial states. "However, the words 'in the proper sense' remain on the Vatican website as the official translation. One hopes that Cardinal Connell will use his influence in Rome to have this serious subject reviewed at the highest level."
The leader claims the problem is not one of translation, but "with the ecclesiology that gives rise to the phrase." It continues, "also, it was worrying to note, as BenedictXVI appeared to greet the people for the first time, the large letter M exhibited alongside the cross itself in a banner hung from the main balcony of St. Peter's in Rome. This joint symbolism suggests Marian co-redemptive work, yet, Christ, and Christ alone, is the saviour and redeemer of the world."
Dominus Iesus, produced under the prefects hip of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict, has been a frequent bone of contention between the Vatican and Protestant churches.
The Church of Ireland Gazette is not an official voice of the denomination. It has been edited since 2001 by County Down minister the Reverend Ian Ellis.