Thanksgiving, Yes!

Let’s restore our sense of calm this Thanksgiving in the midst of a world of darkness. Remember the words of St. John’s Gospel, “The light shines on in the darkness and the darkness will never overcome it.” Let’s look at the other side of every tragedy of 2017: famine, floods, fires, earthquakes, terrorism, wars and rumours of wars. In the face of each disaster, we see a great outpouring of love and self-sacrifice for which we owe a debt of gratitude.

For every hurricane disaster, we see daring people racing to the rescue even as they themselves are stricken. News reports show earthquake survivors digging frantically to assist those trapped beneath mountains of rubble. In record time, outside help arrives with equipment large and small as food arrives by the truckload. Waterbombers, risking their own safety, fly over vast forests, attempting to extinguish fires of unimaginable proportions. Everywhere, people share what they have to make a difference in the lives of those facing enormous loss.  In all, countless acts of generosity and heroism abound.

In the face of today’s tragedies, there is powerful light in the darkness. As we gather for our annual Thanksgiving celebrations, let’s take time to pause and bow our heads, aware that in spite of the woes currently prevalent, we are people blessed with faith and resilience. We have countless opportunities to rise above ourselves and reach out in love to make a better world.  It is love and thanksgiving that will keep us together.

Jean Moylan, CSJ

Undampened Spirits

In the pouring rain, on September 19^th, four of us with rural roots arrived at the 100^th International Plowing Match and Rural Expo in the tiny village of Walton.  Sisters Teresa, Kathy and I along with friend Helene were excited to meet Teresa’s brother Jack Ryan. Jack with his family hosted the five-day event held on his farm which had been Teresa’s childhood home. Wearing his chain of office, Mayor Ryan reigned over the tented city and the neighbouring 800 acres. The oldest to the latest information and developments in agriculture and agri-food industry were showcased. Over 500 exhibitors displayed the latest in technology, business and innovation. No wonder we were excited!

Smiles greeted us as we boarded one of the many large tractor-driven shuttle wagons from our pasture parking lot to the welcome tent and entered a world of everything agricultural. Bygone steel tired tractors and threshing machines now long replaced, sat beside huge digital and diesel machinery of every sort. Horses waited in their stalls, soon to be freed to demonstrate how ploughing used to be done.

The opening ceremonies held in the huge Mutual Square tent, featured local, provincial and federal politicians of every stripe. They emphasized what they had done for rural Ontario and how they planned to assist with educational, agricultural and lifestyle issues, to name a few. As the rain beat down on the canvas roof and threatened to slow the day’s events, a local speaker pointed out to the assembled politicians that this was a perfect example of how rural livelihood is subject to vagaries of the weather. Loud applause ensued. Point taken.

As we slipped and slid on the muddy “streets”, activities and entertainment on eight stages attempted to continue. The aroma from large food tents beckoned us. Exhibitors showed their wares. Nowhere did we see disgruntled faces. Smiles of welcome were everywhere among the crowd. The day’s representatives of the 1,500 volunteers cheerfully carried out their roles. Huron County hospitality reigned supreme.

At the end of the day, as we climbed aboard another bright red wagon that took us back to the parking area, we agreed that we had thoroughly enjoyed our historic day in the rain.  See you next year in Pain Court, Chatham-Kent!

Jean Moylan, CSJ

Attracting Peace . . .

There is a growing unease and anxiety throughout the world as the rhetoric between North Korea and the United States escalates around nuclear threats.  In response, Dr. Ericka Simpson, PhD and associate professor at Western University, is working with others to get a nuclear non-proliferation treaty signed.  She will be speaking at the Central Library on Wednesday evening in London.  Her presentation will begin at 7p.m. in the Stevenson & Hunt Meeting Room A.  The address is 251 Dundas Street, London, ON.

Come and learn what national and international peace groups are doing and learn some practical steps to support peace efforts at the local level.

There will be a large size petition for people to sign.  We hope you will join others as we seek ways to make our world safer.

Joan Atkinson, CSJ

The Spirituality of Canning

These late summer days, I await the showing of those first red tomatoes in my small garden. I anticipate their delicious taste fresh off the vine and the enjoyment of preserving them for sauces and soups for cold winter nights.

Participating in the ‘4 P’s of Local Food: Planting, Picking, Preparing and Preserving’* and following the 100 mile radius for purchasing local food continually raises our consciousness about care for Earth. We impact global warming by reducing long distance transportation; we foster relationships with local farmers; and by canning we provide local food year round, decrease food waste and reuse glass Mason jars. However, beyond the environmental impact how does preserving: bottling and canning, deepen our evolutionary spirituality? A few sisters** generously offered to expand my musings.

Julian of Norwich prayed, “Within us-as a sheer gift of God—is the capacity to bring forth what has never been before.” Canning is a work of art and in this creative expression we participate in new unfoldings of the Universe. Graced with Earth’s abundance we share in its cycles of dying and re-birthing as fruits are transformed into delicious jams and jellies and zucchini and cucumbers into zesty relishes and pickles. Our rootedness in Earth’s values of diversity, inter-dependency and intimacy is embedded in these sacred relationships with the natural world.

Inter-relatedness is also enlivened as we recapture fond memories of our mothers and grandmothers lovingly putting down garden produce. A sense of belonging to cultural identities and ancestral heritage is nurtured as we now carry forward generational wisdoms of the land. Even if we are not attracted to doing canning, we are steeped in these connections each time we enjoy tasty homemade preserves.

Essential to inter-dependency is community building. Nature manifests this in the intricacies of eco-systems. Canning embodies our charism of presence to the dear neighbour. Together, Sisters Sharon Miller and Pauline Guidon (SSM) make jelly from their crab apple trees for the community at North Bay’s ecumenical “Gathering Place,” which welcomes the homeless, disadvantaged and economically and spiritually challenged. Sister Gwen Smith (Toronto) makes preserves with the participants at the Mustard Seed Community Kitchen. The communion climax is, “Taste and See the Goodness of the Lord,” with all sharing a dish made from the fruits of their labour. Sisters Linda Gregg and Mary Rowell (In Canada) ensure that food from the Community Gardens at the Villa is preserved and used to nourish the many retreatants that come throughout the year.

Mary Oliver in her poem, Answers, writes: “How she (her grandmother) poured confusion out, how she cooled and labelled / All the wild sauces of the brimming year.”

Preserving the fruits of the earth is a holy activity. It takes time, patience and care and fosters joy. It invites us to attend the body of Christ with reverence and a grateful heart. Even the simple act of giving a gift of preserves to family and friends is a reaching out in love. Most importantly it is an act of hope and optimism trusting in the providence of the divine, bestower of fruitfulness, ever promising the flourishing of all life.  

Guest Blogger: Janet Speth, CSJ, Toronto

Photo: Making jelly...Srs Sharon Miller and Pauline Guindon (SSM)

* Planting, Picking, Preparing and Preserving … These are the 4 P’s of Local Food, as coined by Neil Tilley, an organic farmer and advocate for environmental stewardship from Newfoundland.  

** Thank you to Sisters Betty Lou Knox, Pauline Guindon, Sharon Miller, Gwen Smith, Linda Gregg and Mary Rowell

Reconnecting and Connecting

Can you imagine a reunion of your 62 sisters? Can you hear the gaggle of excited voices! The hellos. The echoes of 'what have you been up to'? The laughter echoing in the crowded hotel lobby full of bodies and suitcases at Peterborough's Best Western Plus ... I don't have to imagine this scene - I was in the midst of it.

On the picturesque banks of the Otonabee River – the river that beats like a heart, my religious Sisters and I met for our annual gathering. The 62 of us from our Federation of Sisters of St. Joseph came together to celebrate being in one another's company. Greeting each other was like coming home. We were warmly welcomed by the members of the planning committee attired in red cowboy hats in the spirit of Canada's 150th birthday. Our meeting room was also fittingly adorned with festive Canada finery.

As usual, our speakers were from our own ranks, with their own extensive life experience. Ranging in age from 50 to 90 plus, we pondered maturing with grace and graciousness. In my London home community, I recently had a first-hand experience of the 100th birthday of two sisters who model gracious aging. Here is the interesting paradox of aging. While our physical ability lessens, our spiritual capacity often deepens. This is the gift of community living and life experience.

To keep a wholesome balance, we spent leisurely evenings playing games, and enjoying each other's company. I can't wait to celebrate the 20th anniversary of our gathering next year.

Loretta Hagen, CSJ