Skowhegan Associates
Maine Associates October 2023 Meeting
“At our meeting today we had a lot to discuss. Lots to pray for too.”
"In October 2022 Stephen and Christine traveled to Skowhegan, Maine to share highlights from the Oct 1st Retreat. Jeannine Berube from Fryeburg, ME met with us there as well. “
The "Free the Girls" project was the focus of Skowhegan's February meeting.
This was a second year endeavor!
Find out more here: freethegirls.org
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January 2022 Skowhegan Meeting Update
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As Sue Ellen will be away in sunny Florida for a spell, she has sent this update for the Skowhegan group:
We do have an Associates meeting scheduled for the last Monday of the month (January) to help dust, vacuum, and straighten up the church (see pictures below). It’s our way of reaching out and giving service to our community. Nora said there will be cleaning supplies there for us to use. We can wear our masks and stay apart as we help our parish out. We are planning on doing this on our last Monday, every other month.
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Janet Daigle offered the following summary:
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January 31, 2022
A New Way to Serve Written by Janet Daigle
The associates from Skowhegan have found a new way to serve the church community at Notre Dame de Lourdes.
Since all the restrictions because of Covid, Father Jim has found many changes: no people in church, then a certain masked number, and finally more masked members are able to attend – but they do not.
Finances have taken a toll. The fear of health and Covid is still a strong fear.
Finally, Father Jim began asking for volunteers to help with the soup kitchen, saying the Rosary, coffee and donuts, counting money, cleaning the church.
Ah-ha! We ladies know how to clean!
On Monday, January 31st, seven members from our faith/sharing group met inside the church to begin our duties. We were told areas we were to clean, divided into groups and began. Amazingly, it did not take us too long. We even cleaned some areas not on the list. We hope to do this service the last Monday of every other month.
This is a small service but one we can certainly do. With everyone cooperating our community will continue until we can once again have a full congregation.
Skowhegan Associates September 2021 Meeting Summary
Our Associates meeting took place on September 27, 2021. We met at my house at 10:00am. Vi Ferland, Helen Bilodeau, Anna Wilbur and myself were in attendance. We had hoped to have Sr Claudette join us on ZOOM, but her computer is being fixed.
We always spend a few minutes filling in each other as to people we know and their situations. Jean Tekverk was waiting to hear from the Dr’s office about her CAT scan results, June Laney is packing for the Fryeburg Fair, Janet is in the hospital in Augusta, Diane Crowley is helping at her church on Mondays now.
I read the September letter, One Heart Ablaze with Hope. We opened our meeting by all reading the prayer to honor the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin. Our beautiful statue of the Blessed Virgin of the Assumption as well as a picture of the founding sisters were visible.
The reading of God creating woman from the rib of man reminded us that we want to be with others. Having been apart from other people during the last year and a half has made us realize this even more. We agreed that hugging and being hugged really has a positive impact on us as humans. Lots of sharing about divorcee and annulments ensued. As usual, we got off on different topics that weave a web of ideas and connections. I was not able to write down our ideas as I was running the meeting and we were all taking turns with the readings, so this is what I’m remembering this evening.
Yours truly,
Sue Ellen
How wonderful it was to be able to meet for zoom with Sr. Claudette at Sue Ellen’s house. Diane, Vi, Jean and Janet were there in person, having received our Covid vaccinations, we felt very safe to come together.
We studied the Third Sunday of Easter. The focus was “The Burning Joy of Jubilation”.
First Reading: Acts 3:13-15, 17-19 Peter told the people how their God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob had glorified Jesus through his death and resurrection. The people did not understand all that God had done for them (the removal of their sins if they acknowledged Jesus and asked for His forgiveness.)
Second Reading: I John 2:1-5a in this reading the author is more specific of what Jesus did for us. He states, “He is expiation for our sins, and not for our sins only but for those of the whole world.” What a perfect connection to Divine Mercy Sunday when we pray and “to those of the whole world”.
It takes a while for the people to realize this truth which is not surprising. Was not Jesus crucified at the will of the people? No one cried to save Him, only women wept who did not understand.
The Gospel – Luke 24:35-48
Two disciples did not recognize Jesus either as He walked with them on the way to Emmaus. He explained many events to them as they traveled, but only when they asked Him to stay and share bread with them did they actually realize that it was Jesus. They realized also that their hearts were burning “within them”. Surely, their Spirit recognized the presence of Jesus, their light and salvation.
What a fantastic joy to reunite with the Lord! To know that forgiveness for all our sins is possible. We must follow God’s commandments and live in a spirit of truth. John 8:32 “and you will now the truth and the truth will set you free” which will set us free.
We did share some of our own feelings too. We all expressed how joyful and peaceful it was to actually attend church services in person again.
Another said what a great joy and blessing it was to spend time with their grandchildren again. Having received the Covid vaccination they felt safe to hug and spend time with them.
Another shared how she felt so much more “free” after disposing of much of her “stored stuff” – all she deemed so necessary until she learned there was no more room to keep it – And life still goes on – more freedom, more space.
Another spoke of the joy in attending a service of Holy Hour Eucharistic Adoration and Confession on Divine Mercy Sunday from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. When we had a Deacon, we often had such Sunday hours.
One fried said she was a “character” and was happy to admit it which brought laughter from all of us. Are not we all characters in our own way?
Time to end our meeting. We will plan to meet to Zoom with Sr. Claudette in May. After our faith sharing usually closes for the summer months. In the fall we will hope to meet in person in our room at church.
Sincerely submitted,
Janet D. ASASV
Monday, February 1, 2021
Faith Sharing Zoom meeting at Sue Ellen’s
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We are doing better joining the “zoom age” for our ASASV faith sharing meetings. Janice and I joined Sue Ellen as we were joined by Sister Claudette, Anna, Vi and Jean.
We shared the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Times for February 7th. Today’s focus: We love this place. We love this moment – But cannot stay.
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First reading: Job 7:1-4, 6-7
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The story of Job is so sad. A good man, he has always loved and served God. Everything in his life has changed. What did he do wrong? Why is he so troubled and without hope? He declares “I will not see happiness again.”
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Second reading: 1 Cor. 9:16-19, 22-23
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Paul spoke of his obligation to preach the gospel. It is his duty delegated to him by the Lord, Jesus Christ. He is very earnest in his obligation. Despite his own hardships and arrest, he is anxious to preach the good news to all peoples.
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The Gospel: Mark 1:29-39
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Jesus has just begun his ministry with his new disciples. Entering the house of Peter, he finds Peter’s mother in law sick with fever. Taking her hand, he heals her. She gets up and serves them. Many, many people are brought to Jesus to be cured. Even the demons cry out. They know he is the son of God. Jesus heals them all. He is exhausted! Early next morning he goes away to pray (a short time of peace). But when the disciples find him, he is ready to leave. He must go to the nearby village that he may preach to them also. “For this purpose have I come.”
We are learning to discuss by zoom.
“I love this earth, but I cannot stay.”
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During this time of Covid 19 we are all living in rather difficult circumstances. We so miss people, to be able to come together and face to face share our insights. We must “live in the moment” being thankful for every blessing. Be mindful of our attitudes, our words, to be positive, to be prayerful.
Whomever we meet, where ever we meet, it is our duty as followers of Jesus and God to be positive, cheerful, compassionate, forgiving offering love.
As it was mentioned in our discussion “we are becoming”. I think of all the people who have sinned. They are encouraged to change, to become what God wishes them to be.
I think of our own young adults in our families. I pray so powerfully for them to be aware of what life has to offer them, to know God and “listen” to his guidance.
Jesus loved this beautiful earth his Father provided. He loved his Father even more and came to do his will. He did not stay, but through his suffering and death has opened Heaven to us.
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Thanks be to God.
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We closed by saying living and praying with the Word. Waved our good byes and signed off.
Until next Zoom time,
Janet
Check out our Skowhegan Associates latest project...
The "Free the Girls" project!
Sue Ellen Lexier writes, "We collected 45 bras for ladies/girls who have been freed from sex trafficking." Find out more about this project at freethegirls.org.
The Skowhegan Associates learned of the project from the NACAR newsletter. NACAR is the North American Conference of Associates and Religious and we are members!
Faith Sharing Meeting
March 9, 2020 7 Members
Sue Ellen asked Helen to lead our ASASV meeting this second Monday in March.
Today’s focus: The tender voice of Jesus.
First Reading: Exodus 17:3-7 The people were angry with God and, also, with Moses. They needed water. Now. God told Moses to strike the rock with his staff which he did. Water poured forth. The place where this happened was called Massah (a place of testing) God. Meribah (a place of quarreling) was meant to become a place of trust. God did provide.
The second reading: Rom 5:1-2, 5-8 states we have been justified by faith, hope and peace in our Lord, Jesus Christ.
The Gospel John 4:5-42 tells the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman. We discussed a great deal about this reading. Jesus spoke to a woman, a Samaritan, not one of their group. The fact that Jesus knew so much about her life was amazing to her. How could he know? Could this man, who offered her “living water” be the Christ?
She ran to the village to tell her neighbors what he had said. They listened to her and returned to hear for themselves. So much to ponder.
We also did some wondering. Where are all the members who should be in church? Where are our youth and young families? How dangerous is the new Corona 19 virus? What lies ahead for our world.
Finally, back to basics, we read the prayer for our Chapter 2020 and closed with prayer.
We are women of faith. We will continue to share, laugh and pray.
Respectfully submitted,
Janet Daigle
Faith Sharing Meeting
February 24, 2020 9 Members
Because of the holiday and stormy weather, we planned on this being our ASASV meeting, but Sue Ellen did not feel well. Jean led our meeting and collected the bras for our “Free the Girls” project.
We began reading about Lent, Jean led us as we studied for March 1st, the first Sunday of Lent.
In the reading from Genesis when the serpent tempted Eve and Adam to eat the fruit from the forbidden tree, we asked some interesting questions. Adam and Eve did not know of death. What did it mean? It had not been known before.
When the two were discovered in their sin, they were banished from the garden of Eden – a loss of the presence of God.
In the second reading (Rom. 5:12-19) we learned death reigned from Adam to Moses. Was this because Moses presented the Law which was written on the tablets? Christ’s death brings an end to the reign of death.
In the Gospel (Matt: 4:1-11) We read of Jesus’ time in the desert. He resists the temptations of the devil. In his power, he remains true to God and overcomes Satan and sin.
We had some interesting discussions and plan to ask Father Jim a variety of questions when he meets with us next Thursday. We are very fortunate that Father Jim is willing to give us of his time to meet with him. He is very knowledgeable and explains well and clearly. There is always so much to learn.
Some of us did meet for lunch. It is fun to share time and stories.
Respectfully submitted,
Janet ASASV
December 2019 Faith Sharing Meeting
December 16, 2019 16 Members and Sr. Claudette
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Sue Ellen invited our faith sharing group to her home in Cornville to share a Christmas gathering party. We would study scripture first.
We were warmly greeted by our hostess and her family of precious, friendly dogs and one willing cat. Putting our coats away and greeting each other, of course, took some time.
Sue Ellen started our meeting for the 4th Sunday in advent. Focus: God takes us in; we belong to God. Through all of life change can happen in an instant. “Through every possible future, we know that our true place of safety and rest is in God alone.”
We had read and discussed the readings from Isaiah and Romans when Sister Claudette arrived to join us. We read the Gospel of Matthew about the birth of Jesus.
Sister Claudette announced she had something to tell us. Several of us felt we knew what she was about to share. She was ready to go home – not to her family home which no longer exists, but to her spiritual home and her family of sisters in Marlboro, MA. We were very sad to hear this, but it is time. She has been so active and involved in so many outlets.
As long as we associates have known her, Sister Claudette has always dreamed of writing: writing from her journals, sharing the goodness of God through all her travels. At her new home she will have her own room and time, we pray, to concentrate on the next phase of her life.
We broke for lunch and chatted. We gathered together in closing prayer as we offered up prayers for so many.
We will take a two-week break over Christmas and the New Year’s Mass and will meet again on January 6, 2020.
Sr. Claudette has guided us well. As a family member of the SASV we will continue to work, grow, and do all we can to move forward in hope.