COMMEMORATIVE TREE PLANTED

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On the bright, sunny, afternoon of June 17/03, a brief but significant ceremony marked the planting of a sturdy young maple tree on the lawn at Morrow Park to commemorate Sister Winnifred O'Mara, who died in June 2002. Planned and led by sisters Eva and Priscilla Solomon, Sisters of St. Joseph of the Sault Ste Marie Congregation, the ritual led us to see the hole as representing the void left by Winnifred's death; this we filled with our private memories of her life.

Bishop John O'Mara, brother of Sr. Winnifred, read from Revelation 22:1-9, a passage rich in imagery of life and hope. He commented on its relevance to Winnifred's life and to our own expectation of resurrection. Marcelline Brown and Sister Mechtilde, two of Winnifred's sisters, then led a short litany of prayers of petition, and the gathering witnessed a healing rite based on the four medicines of aboriginal spirituality.

Many of the Sisters from the Motherhouse and House of Studies Communities joined in adding earth or water to the roots. Infirmary Sisters participated from their rooftop patio. The ceremony closed with the singing of 'This is Holy Ground' and was followed by a reception in the parlour. The tree is to the north of Morrow Park entrance.

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