Civic Pride in Peril: Confronting the Issue of Waste in Our City

Our beautiful city, London Ontario, has numerous parks and a network of trails. I frequently walk on nearby trails where I encounter people of all ages, including groups of school children (and their teachers) joggers, cyclists, and children accompanied by parents, who feed ducks or catch and release frogs. But I am often saddened by the plastic bags and bottles, beer cans, coffee cups, styrofoam containers, candy wrappers, rotting food, empty snack bags, cardboard, paper, kleenex, cardboard boxes, and scrap paper that line our streets, spoil our trails and clog our parks. The amount of litter thrown on public property exceeds the capacity of City staff and ordinary Londoners who voluntarily pick up debris. 

Sister Pat with Jerry Pribil, London Council Member

A week ago, I spoke to Jerry Pribil, the Council member responsible for London’s parks and recreation departments, about the problem of trash in our city.  Mr. Pribil suggested that he accompany me on a walk. Accordingly, we walked along streets and the connecting North London trail adjacent to Ross Park. Mr. Pribil pulled a large garbage bag out of his pocket and proceeded to pick up garbage, hopping over the barrier along the ravine and reaching through bushes.  We mourned this regrettable garbage situation and discussed possible remedies.  I learned that Mr. Pribil, a member of Antler River Rally, participates in their monthly cleanups.  In these events, large groups of volunteers gather at an area in London bordering the Thames River to pick up and dispose of large amounts of trash. Information about this amazing organization may be found here. You may even want to join the group.

During our walk, we discussed the deplorable problem of garbage littering London’s parks, trails, and streets. Removing trash is essential but prevention is far more desirable than a cure; we need both. Occasional letters to the London Free Press indicate that Londoners are disturbed by the lack of cleanliness on our streets, trails, and parks. We require a culture shift. How, as a community, can we develop a mindset that views littering on our streets as unacceptable? How might organizations, businesses, and home or apartment owners help with the litter problem?  What constraints deter action and how can they be overcome?

I invite anyone reading this blog to respond by choosing to take one action towards resolving the problem of litter in our city.

-Sister Patricia McKeon, csj

Image: Markus Spiske/Unsplash

An Unexpected Encounter

Image: Unsplash/Matt Collamer

This is a story of a friend and his wife who have taken a chance in their town to reach out to the homeless community.  Upon finding there were 20 folks who camped in the subway station each evening seeking warmth and shelter, they decided that they would purchase Tim Hortons gift cards and give them out each morning, so the folks are able to purchase a hot breakfast.  As they continued their morning ritual over many months, the folks began to talk with them, and one gentleman asked about getting a Bible and inquired about seeing a Priest. 

Image: Steve Knutson/Unsplash

My friend obliged on both counts, giving his new friend a Bible, and inviting him to his parish and arranging a time that the gentleman could talk with the Priest.  There was a comfortableness growing between both parties and each morning they looked for each other so they could greet them and wish their new friends ‘a good day’ knowing they would meet again the following morning.  This had become a pattern for my friend and his wife and getting up at 4 am was not a hardship for them.

Feeling more comfortable the gentleman made his way to the Parish and spoke with the Priest a couple more times.  An unexpected thing happened for my friends.  On a morning as usual they went to the subway station ‘cards in hand’ only to be told their friend died in the night.  There was not any further information given.  Imagine the sadness of my friends and the shock they are continuing to live with.

As my friends told me this story, I couldn’t help but think ‘you took a chance with a stranger” and it changed your lives.  This homeless man had received respect and concern from them, and they granted his last wishes for a Bible and a meeting with the Priest.  There is a mystery here of God working within us if we but take a chance and engage with folks we meet on our streets each day.

I read a recent quote from Mirabai Starr:

“Our task is to mend our broken world.  We do this through acts of loving kindness, generosity and hospitality. Our actions count, but our loving thoughts make a difference.  They help mend the world.”

— Adapted from Living School Symposium, Albuquerque NW Center for Action and Contemplation

-Sister Ann MacDonald, CSJ

What Needs to Happen

On January 17th, 2024, United Way of Elgin Middlesex presented a thought-provoking meeting, launching their campaign to petition the Ontario government to double provincial social assistance in our province. A cross- section of London citizens attended the presentation at the Wolf Performance Hall to hear a panel who are well versed in present social issues surrounding poverty and homelessness.

The panel endorsed United Way’s recommendation to double Ontario’s social assistance and bring people above the official poverty line.

The presenters reminded us that we cannot condone the homelessness and hunger that has become part of our beautiful province. It is unconscionable that a single person on Ontario Works receives only $733 a month for rent and basic needs. This is an amount that has been frozen by the provincial government for the past 5 years.

In London, Ontario, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment unit is $1,364 per month.  Meanwhile, United Way points out that the poverty line in Ontario is $2,302 per month. What remains evident is our province needs to double Ontario’s social assistance rates to come closer for singles and families to have shelter and live as valued humans.

Looking at the above facts, what needs to happen? We may add our voices by writing to Premier Doug Ford and your local MPP calling for the doubling of Ontario’s social assistance in the upcoming provincial budget 2024-2025.

Next Steps: Letters and emails must be received in Toronto by Feb. 29, 2024. It is time to ensure that everyone has access to a dignified, livable income. You can endorse the United Way recommendation here or contact Doug Ford via the Office of the Premier website here or here. Or send a letter to: Premier’s Office, Room 281 Legislative Building, Queen’s Park, Toronto, ON M7A 1A1

-Sister Jean Moylan, CSJ

Image: Unsplash/krakenimages 

An Inspiring Affordable Housing Initiative

AN INSPIRING Affordable Housing Initiative

On October 26, 2023, over 65 supporters of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, gathered at the Goodwill Centre in London, Ontario for the announcement of the Society’s affordable housing Initiative.  Their presence in London for over 160 years serving people in need makes this society an ideal agency to respond to London’s high numbers of people searching for affordable housing.  Their colorful brochure states: “In response to the affordable housing crisis in London, the SSVP has obtained a portion of land from the Roman Catholic Diocese of London adjacent to the St. Andrew the Apostle Church located in northeast London. The location is ideal with easy access to shopping, schools, transit, and a community center”.

During the evening’s agenda, London’s CTV personality and MC, Nick Paparella called upon several speakers to make presentations.  Shelley Baker and Mary Michniewicz as co-chairs of this project, explained the background of the endeavor and commented on the many meetings held in the early stages of preparation for entering the affordable housing scene.  Alison Hanney, chief architect of Cornerstone presented a design of the new building. She also answered questions about the 72-unit apartment containing one-and-two-bedroom units – with 17 accessible and all designated affordable.

Rev. Jim Mockler, former rector at St. Peter’s Basilica, was guest speaker and congratulated SSVP on their track record of always walking with the needy.  He added, “Their quiet, tireless work shines as a beacon of hope in our society”.

Among the group gathered to support the SSVP affordable housing initiative were members of City Council, a local MPP, London Diocesan representatives of SSVP, and others from various parishes, as well as the Sisters of St. Joseph. The atmosphere in the room was upbeat. Speakers were received with enthusiasm and an eagerness to partner with SSVP’s Affordable Housing Initiative.    

Now is the time to reach out to Londoners to join in the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul’s “Build Hope for Housing” campaign. Are you inspired by this story? You can become a Partner in the Building Hope for Housing Campaign - donate through their website.

 -Sister Jean Moylan, CSJ

T + R = ?

SEPTEMBER 30 - National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Truth plus Reconciliation equals hard work, openness, forgiveness and a change in behaviour.

In 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation commission provided the Canadian people with specific guidelines in the 94 Recommendations that were drawn up. The 3 minute video “Reconciliation Thunder” outlines a systematic update of where each of the 94 Calls to Action is at this point in the life of the inception of the TRC Recommendatations. https://mailchi.mp/dfd338566063/call-to-action-65?e=40d3797d18

These recommendations came as a result of the legacy of the Residential School system and the very traumatic harm done to some 6,000 Indigenous, Metis and Inuit children and their families.

If we colonizers, and victims, as well as the surviving families of the Residential School system can look at truth together, there can be an honest opening of the mind, which can lead to a softening of the heart, and then constructive action can follow. See below the 20 minute video “They Came for the children” from the series. ( http://www.kmproductions.ca/id.html)

If, after watching this, your heart is moved, please acknowledge that first to yourself, then possibly to others and perhaps constructive action may be able to follow.

If you are non-Indigenous, there may be guilt, shame for what some of our ancestors and our government and Church did in the past.  If there is a genuine resolve to never let this happen again, a new harmony is possible.

If you are Indigenous, Metis or Inuit, as victims of this horrendous history, much healing is necessary in order for you to initiate the process of forgiveness.

Robert Schreiter in his book The Ministry of Reconciliation: Spirituality and Strategies, writes “It is through the victim that the wrongdoer is called to repentance and forgiveness. Seen from this perspective, repentance and forgiveness are not the pre-conditions for reconciliation, but are rather the consequences of it.” (p. 15)  (Emphasis mine)

Orange Shirt Day is inspired by Phyllis Webstad’s story of how her new orange shirt was taken away from her when she arrived at the residential  school near Williams Lake, BC in 1974 when she was only 6 years old. https://orangeshirtday.org/phyllis-story/

Eddy Charlie and Kirsten Spray, two Indigenous Studies students at Camosun College made this public and initiated Victoria Orange Shirt Day in 2015.

When we wear an orange shirt or ribbon for Sept. 30th, we are saying loud and clear that this day acknowledges that residential schools are a part of our history. Wearing an orange shirt is a national movement to recognize the experience of those who went to Indian residential schools, to honour them, and show a collective commitment to ensure that Every Child Matters.

 -Sister Kathleen Lichti, csj