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By Associate Chenna Bonequi

"If I could fly like a bird I'd have visited you many times by now."  St. Julie wrote those lovely words to her friend, Françoise. Since we can't fly to our Sisters in Zimbabwe or South Africa, we did the next best thing.

Associate Candidate<br />Gina Dorst
Associate Candidate
Gina Dorst
Hectic schedules and cold rainy weather didn't get in the way of Associates taking time to get together on the Feast of St. Nicholas. We had a mission! After enjoying the good company, a potluck meal and prayer, there were Christmas notes to write and small gifts to wrap for each of our Sisters in the Zimbabwe/ South Africa Unit.

Many thanks to all who made this collaborative effort a success: donation of gifts, money for mailing, the gift wrapping, note writing, handmade ornaments made by our second graders at Notre Dame Elementary and all who accompany our Sisters in prayer. This became a perfect opportunity to do something personal for our Sisters on the other side of the world.

Sisters in Zimbabwe and South Africa send their greetings and heartfelt thanks.
Sisters in Zimbabwe and South Africa send their greetings and heartfelt thanks.

Following are a few of their letters of thanks:

Dear Jeanette, a big thank you to you all for the five boxes that I have just collected from the Post Office.... How thoughtfully each parcel was packed and the contents so useful and fun as well. A big thank you to the Associates. Christmas gifting will continue for the next couple of days. Sr. Biddy Rose

Dear Ruth, What a lovely card you included in the parcel. I really appreciate the prayers you said and I hope that you will continue them for the whole year. It is wonderful to be remembered from the other side of the world. It was so exciting to receive a parcel. Everyone had a name so we knew that they had been specially chosen. Meditations with Teilhard to Chardin will give me much food for thought. There was something in the folder for both soul, body and ministry. Sr. Marie Andre Mitchell

Dear Libby, Sr. Julie Philomena is 98 so is beyond writing, but she asked me to tell you how grateful she is to be remembered. The gifts in the folder were thoughtfully chosen meditations with Juliana of Norwich one of Julie's favourite mystics, the lavender sachet to put among her clothes, the notelets for all occasions, the Kleenex and the candies. Julie always says she does not have a sweet tooth, but the candies disappear. Sr. Julie Philomena

Dear Associates, Thank you very much indeed for the parcel. You sent us such a lovely surprise and wonderful gifts. God bless you. Sr. Margaret Mary Bowskill and Sr. Jannet Tambu

Dear Gina, I want to say how much I appreciate the parcel that you sent me for Christmas. The folder will be very useful and also all that was in it. It was like opening a Christmas stocking so brought back such happy memories. You included something for both the body and the spirit and for my ministry. Sr. Marie Andre Mitchell

Dear Kay,thank you so much for the lovely calendar. Lovely to have on my desk. What a wonderful Christmas box from the Associates. So thoughtful with such a super variety of useful and enjoyable goodies. Sr. Margaret Mary Bowskill


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Deepening Notre Dame Relationships | 4 comments
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.
Pat Stacker writes: We can't help but feel a special bond with our Zimbabwe Sisters after these last several years of sharing letters, photos and sending them much needed goods.
Chenna Bonequi writes: Our sharing the evening of St Nickolas day with a meal and warm comraderie was certainly a treat! Extending out our joy, concern and loving good wishes to our Sisters in Zimbabwe was cause for me to deepen my gratitude for all the blessings that I experience in my connections with Notre Dame. Thanks to all who prepared and participated in this event, proclaiming again the great goodness of God.
Sr Faustina Agustino writes: Beloved Associates

Thank you so much for your wonderful gifts you send us.May God continue showering His blessings upon you.
We assure you of our prayers.Lots of love
Kay McMullen, SNDdeN writes: Thank you ... California Associates for your tremendous generosity in sending all these gifts to our Sisters in Zimbabwe and South Africa. And ... thank you, Sister Faustina, for your friendship and note of appreciation. We keep you and your Sisters in Zim and South Africa in our prayers and love.