Celebrating 40 Years of Ark Aid's Dedicated Service to our Community

As November faded into December, a special gala evening of fun and fundraising was held at the Marconi Club on November 29th to mark the 40th anniversary of Ark Aid. As one of London, Ontario’s landmark shelters, Ark Aid serves as a crucial facility at 696 Dundas Street where people in need will receive a warm welcome, good food, and overnight accommodation in safe surroundings.

Honoring Ark Aid’s 40 years of compassionate service, party goers in festive dress were welcomed to the venue with singing and Christmas music. Red poinsettia dressed each white-clothed table in the cavernous dining room. Hundreds of volunteers, staff and supporters mingled and shared stories of the part they played in keeping Ark Aid the thriving outreach that it is for people in need.

In addition to sparkling drinks and a delicious dinner, several musical groups entertained the crowd.  Sarah Campbell, executive director of Ark Aid, presented a detailed account of what has been accomplished during the past year as well as Ark Aid’s hope for the future. It is interesting to note that the London Free Press, in a recent article, reported on Ark Aid’s request to extend funding for winter beds.  After some back-and-forth consultation and public outcry, the funding was granted.

Ark Aid Street Mission with its dedicated staff and volunteers are committed to recognizing the physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual needs of each person they encounter.  Caring staff assist clients to move forward in life by helping them to make connections with other agencies.

As cold winds whip around our city streets and snow announces that winter is here, we are grateful to Ark Aid and the warm welcoming refuge they have been for 40 years!

-Sister Jean Moylan, CSJ

Image: Ev @evstyle | Unsplash

A New Canadian Saint for All Saints Day

Have you heard that on Oct. 20th, 2024, another Canadian was declared a saint? She is Mother Marie-Léonie Paradis from Quebec and is among the 14 new saints the Vatican recently canonized. Marie-Léonie was born in 1840 in L’ Acadia, a small town across the river from Saint John-sur-Richelieu. Throughout her life, she developed a deep spirituality, performed a mountain of good works, and exuded interior peace of heart. St. Paradis felt called to establish the order of the Little Sisters of the Holy Family with the intention of supporting the material needs of priests. In 1895, the motherhouse was transferred to Sherbrooke, Quebec, where their work continues to the present time.

Recently, in a homily to our Sisters, Bishop Greco referred to the virtues of saints. While he was in Rome with Bishop Sherlock they visited their friend Cardinal Shoka, who had been Archbishop of Detroit and now was living in Rome and working at the Dicastery for the Cause of Canonization of Saints. From his work studying the lives of saints, he realized that all of those who were deemed saints, regardless of their other virtues and good works, every one of them in their lives possessed interior peace of heart. In that moment, it was clear to me that the bedrock of good works itself does not lead to people becoming saintly. Indeed, the interior peace of heart for which we strive all our lives, saints have achieved.

Blessed Mother Marie-Léonie Paradis is the third Canadian-born saint. Sister Marguerite d’Youville was canonized by Pope John Paul II on Dec. 9, 1990, and St. Brother André Bessette was canonized by Pope Benedict XVI on October 17, 2010. All three are Quebecers. In addition, Mother Marie-Rose Durocher of Montreal was declared Blessed by Pope John Paul II on May 23. 1982. We hope the day of her canonization is soon.

On November 1st let us hail the many people we call saints and emulate their lives of deep faith and feats of valor throughout many centuries. We can pray and strive to develop their interior peace of heart, a value so needed in our desperate world today.

-Sister Jean Moylan, csj

Image: Unsplash/Jon Tyson @jontyson

Join Hike for Hospice

A large sign on our front lawn announces in bold letters, “Hike for Hospice, St. Joseph’s Hospice of London, October 19th, 2024. Register today!

In line with this initiative, a few days ago Teresa, a bright, pleasant woman who had been in my grade 9 English class over 40 years ago, had just come from St. Joseph’s Hospice, our neighbours next door, after delivering part of a sizeable monetary donation to the upcoming hike.  She stopped and chatted with me. During our conversation, I learned that she has been an avid hospice canvasser for over 14 years during which time her family endured the death of their mother, father and sister due to cancer. Thanks to hospice care across Canada, people in the last stages of life can experience compassionate care mentally, physically and spiritually as did Teresa’s family members.

Throughout the dying process, with hospice care, families are a continuing present with their loved one at various stages of care, be it at home, in hospital, or hospice setting. They are deeply grateful for the many comfort measures bestowed on them and their loved one until death.  In fact, my friend was determined to show her appreciation for wonderful hospice care. Thus, she decided to become a fundraiser.

Teresa’s enthusiasm for hospice means that she never stops engaging possible donors until her goal has been realized.  She began her canvassing by gaining the eager support of her siblings, family and friends.  Word traveled by word of mouth, other donors enlisted and from there, the hospice donations continued to grow to the point where anonymous donors send money through her link to hospice.  The total amount Teresa submits to hospice yearly reaches approximately $3,000. WOW!  That’s the power of one.

On October 19th, Teresa, her family, friends and many others will lace up their running shoes, don this year’s pink tee shirt and run, walk or jog to Eco Park London in memory of their loved ones. Moreover, they will run in thanksgiving for and support of St. Joseph’s Hospice London.  Might you be among them?

-Sister Jean Moylan, CSJ

Changing Seasons

A few mornings ago, I gingerly opened the drapes to meet the new day only to be greeted by grey skies and unwanted rain.  My heart whispered what I had been thinking all week, “Autumn is on its way; the signs are appearing all around me”.

The stately maple tree viewed from my window is already wearing her fresh orange and golden leaves.  The flower beds are a riot of bright marigolds, tiny yellow mums, and purple chrysanthemums. Even the nearby brown cat tails are spreading taupe stuffing into the air.  It all looks like fall to me.

The calendar points to the beginning of another academic year.  It’s time to purchase new shoes and school wear, and backpacks.  Meanwhile, young adults are packing their belongings and heading off to institutions of higher learning at home and abroad.  Some parents will sigh in relief while others will be apprehensive about facing an empty nest.

Of course, unions know that as school reopens the country and harvesting is in full swing.  It’s the ideal time to strike and pressure government and big business to settle economic disputes and wage disparities.

As autumn 2024 begins on a serious note, we leave idyllic summer memories behind and embrace the unknown future that lies ahead.  As stalwart, concerned citizens, we will continue to work together to build a better world of justice and peace for all.

Autumn Blessings!

-Sister Jean Moylan, csj

Image: Samantha Hare @correliebre/Unsplash

Unusual Summer Visitors

Yvonne and Steve Houle with their rescue Alpacas.

On a bright and sunny mid-August afternoon, our Sisters gathered in our beautiful, enclosed garden to meet Reuben and Gibson and their expert caregivers, Yvonne and Steve Houle.  These large, elegant alpacas from S.A.M.Y.’s Alpaca Farm and Fabric Studio in Kerwood, Ontario are not traveling animals. They made a special visit in response to a request from a staff member who knows them and their work. 

When the two shy, gentle alpacas were led into the garden, we were awed to see them approach us with a timid, personable stride.   The Sisters were eager to stroke their long necks and offer oat treats which they gently nuzzled from outstretched elderly hands. 

During the afternoon, Steve and Yvonne brought the animals to meet each sister, some of our staff, Hospice staff, and several visitors.  Cellphones quickly appeared to capture the striking scenes of joy and interaction.  Special treats including cooling punch, alpaca-themed napkins and alpaca-shaped sugar cookies kept us fed and hydrated as we watched the alpacas admire their own images in the care centre windows. Throughout the garden, our animal visitors mingled among the fascinated onlookers. 

Steve and Yvonne were generous with their time, answering our many questions.  We learned that alpacas, originally from Peru and Bolivia, have made their way to Canada but not in great numbers.  They are raised for their fiber. May is shearing time, and the fiber is sent from their farm to a mill in North Bay, Ontario where it will be transformed into beautiful, treasured sweaters, etc. In fact, one of our Sisters has an attractive alpaca towel. 

All too soon, it was time for Reuben and Gibson to join the 48-alpaca herd back on the farm.  As we bade farewell to Yvonne and Steve, we were loud in our gratitude for introducing us to another one of God’s beautiful creatures. 

-Sister Jean Moylan, csj