Volunteers

Lay Canossians live the spirituality of the day-to-day ordinary life, having Jesus Crucified as the foundation and loving the poor and the little ones. They live as instruments of peace, of unity and of hope in the family, in the world of work, in society and in the local church.

If you are interested in knowing more about the Lay Canossians, please contact Dorothy Corgiat at dlcorgiat@yahoo.com.

“Difficulties must not make us lose heart,
but rather should strengthen us in our service to God.”
St. Magdalene of Canossa
 

In this time of challenge and change caused by the Coronavirus, the Provincial Coordinating Team of Cristo Rey Province, North America, is pleased to share some of the activities, hopes and joys we are experiencing today.
 
With our need to social distance, most of our groups have found a way to communicate through video conferencing programs which allows us to meet and reflect on our Schedas and to share with one another the joys and challenges we face in this time of unrest.
 
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - Amy McCormick, Coordinator
Because of COVID19, we have been faced with the inability to gather physically for our monthly on-going formation. We normally meet in three separate locations/groups: Our Lady of Lourdes group, Lincoln group and Cathedral group. When we realized that we would not be able to meet for quite some time, we were concerned about not carrying on some means of formation and fellowship. Also, having nine people in 1st Formation, five of which are in their 2nd year, it was too long a time to have them wait. The team got together through a video conferencing program to see what we could do and decided to offer using the same technology for the local meetings. We started using this new technology on May 2^nd, with a “meet and greet” with all three groups and first formation together for an informal check-in. We then organized our members, the first formation meeting on Saturdays and those with promises on Wednesdays.

The experience we had through video conferencing was a positive one, and our Lay Canossians decided they wanted to meet weekly, giving more time for more sharing on the formation materials, but also just to be together. Many of our Lay Canossians who have been sheltering at home for the last three months now look forward to connecting with their religious family. It has been one of the hidden fruits of our COVID19 experience, being brought together with the use of technology. Something we would not have considered before. It made it possible for some of our members who could not otherwise be with us – those outside our local area or who for health reasons – to reconnect with us and continue their formation.

The Local Coordinating Team has also been meeting virtually on a regular basis as has the
Provincial Coordinating Team. The Local Team is in the process of planning a Summer Retreat in mid-August. At that time, the new Local Coordinating Team will be installed. Until then, the newly elected team is in training, shadowing their respective predecessor. We also hope to welcome five new members to the Association through their 1st Promises. Let us keep them in prayer as we journey with them.
 
It is clear that our greatest need now is for more prayer, greater trust, and welcoming charity. Our unity in prayer, particularly seven Hail Mary’s on Wednesdays along with the Chaplet of Our Lady of Sorrows on Saturdays, keeps us close to our extended Canossian Family, each of YOU!
 
We are excited to share that many of our churches in California have reopened. Although we are limited to 25% of the church capacity or 100 people, whichever is less. We also follow the guidelines of the state and the Diocese to social distance, wear masks, etc., but this is most acceptable as we anticipate the great gift of the Eucharist in our holy Liturgies.
 

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - James Regan, Bursar
The first item that the SF Bay Area Lay Canossians did at the outbreak of the COVID restrictions was to send out a notice to all members with each members’ contact information and asked them to all keep in touch with one another.  Many of our Lay Canossians live by themselves, and this has tremendously helped comfort them knowing that someone cares about them during this time of isolation and also that they can reach out to for support or necessities.   The importance of this cannot be overemphasized, as during the three months that our Lay Canossians have sheltered in place, one suffered a death of her daughter, another had a reoccurrence of cancer, and another had a difficult eye operation.  Our prayers have helped them deal with these difficult circumstances.

In addition to helping one another with routine chores and shopping, our members have helped out our local Parish in this time of need.  While the Church has been closed to the public since March, our members have helped during the "live streamed" Masses as lectors and helping prepare the chapel (Julie Lai).  In fact, Sr. Cristina and Susan Logan have been present as Lectors at not only for the Sunday Masses, but also for the daily Mass.  Others have been active in assisting the Church and School through these difficult financial times volunteering their time to obtain additional source of funds. Also, more prayer time is strengthening all Canossians. 

Every month, in place of our monthly meetings, the Bay Area Group are sent readings, such as the "Schedas" or other appropriate articles to continue our formation.  We are soon scheduling our first "live cast" which will gather all of our Canossians in a virtual meeting so that we can share our faith and experiences with one another.
  
We have tentatively scheduled a retreat in August, for all Bay Area Lay Canossians and are hoping that we will be able to meet face-to-face, once again.

Finally, our new Coordinating Team is on track to start, most likely in September, when we hope meetings will start again.

ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO - Nancy Fitzpatrick, Secretary Albuquerque Lay Canossians are staying strong during these difficult times. We are reaching out to each other through greeting cards and phone calls. Many of us have seen a rise in our daily prayers, for each other, our country, and the world.  

We were able to have a video conferencing call in May to check in with each other and discuss Scheda #2, Mission in the Institute, Part 1. Scheda’s are emailed when possible.  It is also sent in the regular mail for those without email.
 
Local Coordinator, Nancy Fitzpatrick, is in the process of sending Notes of Hope to our Lay Canossians. We all still appreciate an uplifting message coming to our mailbox!
 
Our outgoing and incoming Coordinating Teams will be meeting the beginning of June to discuss future plans.
 
May St. Magdalene give us the strength we need to continue to grow in our faith and Vocation.

CHIHUAHUA, MEXICO - Sr. Blanca Dominguez
Here in Chihuahua, Mexico, the outbreak of Covid-19 gave us a big shock, this situation changing our daily lives. We have been keeping in contact over the last two months by phone, sharing the Schedas in phone conversation. We will begin, next week, to connect by video conferencing with two groups.
 
We continue to be united in prayer for the end of this pandemic and look forward to the new reality we will face when we come together once again.

CANADA - Sr. Cristina Ovejera, Sister Animator
In both Vancouver and Toronto, the Sister Animators have an active role in the initial and ongoing formation of Lay Canossians.
 
Sister Elisa Grignoli and Sr. Cecilia Cham take care of the English and Chinese groups, respectively. We are yet to witness the acceptance of new candidates when we are back to normality. Many of the Chinese Lay Canossians returned to Hong Kong permanently. So, there is a need for vocation promotion for both groups. Most of them belong to the Canadian Martyrs Parish where the Sisters work.
 
Sister Cristina Ovejera meets with Fatima Chan and Cindy Ho through FaceTime. Both live in Toronto. The Canossian Sisters worked at St. Josephine Bakhita Parish in Mississauga in 2008-2014, thus, a strong Canossian presence exists in this part of North America. The internet provides the continuing communication between the Sisters and SJB parish.
 
Fatima and Cindy are alumnae of our schools in Hong Kong. They are imbued with the Canossian spirit, that continues to be cultivated by their being Lay Canossians. Distance is an issue for regular interaction with other LCs, but they come for annual retreats in Sacramento. This entails sacrifice of time and money.

Before the pandemic, they meet regularly by FaceTime once a month with Sr. Cristina. They hope to return to this routine soon, maybe by virtual meetings.
 
Let us continue to pray and work for vocations in both Vancouver in the west, and Toronto in the East of this great and beautiful country, Canada.