On Friday and Saturday we celebrated the ending of our Province as we are becoming a Region. It was a time to remember, celebrate and believe. The theme for these days was Dag Hammarskjöld's diary entry, “For all that has been — Thanks. For all that shall be — Yes.” It was a truly wonderful experience.
On Friday, we prayed in thanksgiving and hope. We had the opportunity to name someone who had touched our life or an experience that had impacted our life. As we shared we were invited to place a stone into a bowl of water. After everyone had shared we processed outdoors to a tree that was to be planted on our property and blessed the tree. Each table brought their bowl with the stones and water and poured it into the potted tree. After each group poured their bowl we sang “For all that has been we say Thanks, O Lord. For all that shall be we say Yes, O Lord. For the life that we share we say Thanks, O Lord.” It provided a beautiful mantra for the ritual. We then shared a video of remembrance of our sisters past and present using the song Standing on the Shoulders. After a short break we shared our hope for our new region. These hopes were written on a leaf and then placed on the model of the banner that is being made for us. We wanted a visible remembrance of the day and look forward to receiving the banner after it is quilted.
On Saturday we celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving with our associates, friends and colleagues. It was a wonderful way to complete the weekend of celebration. As we move into our new reality as a Region it will be a time of transition and hope. May we continue to be women of gratitude and hope as we move forward into the future.