Celebrating Our Grandparents and Elders

Celebrating Our Grandparents and Elders

In 1969, a 9-year-old boy wrote to President Richard Nixon asking the President to consider naming one day a year to celebrate grandparents.  The idea from this youngster took another 8 years before the US Senate signed legislation into law proclaiming that the First Sunday after Labor Day would be known as National Grandparents Day.

In January 2021, Pope Francis established a World Wide Day to honor and recognize grandparents and the elderly. This day will take place yearly on the 4th Sunday in July close to the Feast Day of St Anne and St. Joachim, the grandparents of Jesus.   Pope Francis, in establishing this day, wanted to remind all of us of the role that our grandparents and elders have played in helping each of us develop into mature adults.

“hearing the words “I love you” seemingly for no reason at all”

Having a chance recently to ask some friends and family members who are grandparents “what is the best thing about being a “Nana or Papa” – “a Nona or Nonno”  - “a grandma or granddad?”  All of them said, “it was the best time in their lives and sometimes it was one of the most difficult.”  The best times included sleepovers;  cheering on the grandkids at baseball and hockey games; cooking their favorite foods which included lots of ice cream and pizza;  playing laser tag (and letting them win); as well as receiving spontaneous hugs and hearing the words “I love you” seemingly for no reason at all but just for being present.

Some of the difficult times came when hurts were expressed from not being included in a game at school;  being bullied in the schoolyard or on the ice rink – and as the grandparent, we needed to offer words of encouragement and show examples of treating those who hurt them with kindness.  Other times came when they were confronted by an unexpected family breakdown and as a grandparent being called to listen to the feelings of confusion as they were expressed; being there when sudden death came of a pet or a sibling or another grown up.  “We just did not want our grandkids to suffer hurts or sadness so, as their Nana and Papa, we wanted to take the hurt away as best as we could.”

“Angels cannot be everywhere and that is why God created grandparents”

I noticed a small plaque on the side table at the home of a friend.  It reads: “Angels cannot be everywhere and that is why God created grandparents.”  In listening to her grandchildren – actually teenagers now - who have come through the days of childhood - talking about their jobs, their girlfriends/boyfriends, and their new interests brought a smile to the face of the “esteemed grandparent who could proudly claim ‘I had something to do with this person – and WOW did I do a great job!”

The flower named to honor our grandparents and elders is the Forget-me-Not.   A rather appropriate flower to recall and remember times with our grandparents and the elders in our families as we celebrate their day on September 12, 2021. 

-Sister Ann MacDonald, CSJ

World Day for Consecrated Life

“CELEBRATING THE EVER ANCIENT – EVER NEW”
I’ve just watched a short video clip, sent to me by a friend, of a TV interview with two young nuns who are members of the community of Poor Clares in Arundel, England. The interview was as a result of their “chart-hitting” recording, “Light for the World”, music from their enclosed convent. Their singing has touched thousands of people across the globe and especially so in these days of pandemic struggle. Who would have thought that such an impact could be made from this hidden life of a small community of contemplative women in a secluded place? Clearly, the two TV interviewers on a popular morning show were surprised and deeply moved. They were touched by the sisters’ profound joy that they had been invited into this musical initiative. It was for them a means to reach out to a world in need of great light at this time. The interviewers were impressed by the sisters’ expression of having made a life choice “of freedom to love”; to share God’s love beyond their physical walls but from an all-embracing and open heart in tune with the pulse of the world. The Sister’s commitment to consecrated life enabled them to do this.

The consecrated life, whatever its form, cloistered or ministerial, is celebrated on the World Day for Consecrated Life held on January 2 each year (observed in parishes on the following Sunday) since its inception by Pope John Paul 11 in 1997. The celebration is held on the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord also known as Candlemas Day; a day on which candles are blessed symbolizing the Light of Christ.

All Christians and indeed everyone, whatever our call in life are to be light in our world. We were poignantly reminded of this during the recent U.S. Presidential Inauguration by a young poet, Amanda Gorman in her stunning poem, “The Hill we Climb” which ends with the following words: “There is always light if only we are brave enough to see it. If only we are brave enough to be it.” This call is universal but those who are called to consecrated/religious life express it through particular vows made to God, within the Church, and for the light and life of the world. God continues to call women and men today to this way of life through the vows of poverty, celibate chastity, and obedience. These are vows of total self-giving to God who first gives love to us. They are vows for service to the other, all others, human, and in all of creation. Understood in more contemporary expressions these vows call women and men who commit to them for life as Sisters, Brothers, Priests to the simplicity of lifestyle, a spirituality of “enoughness” in the world as it is today, to a freedom to love inclusively and to a life of “listening”, of discerning God’s evolving Design for an ever new day. It is a radical, counter-cultural lifestyle that stands as witness to hope in today’s broken world and church. A central characteristic of consecrated life is its “ever ancient, ever new” nature. Rooted in the unchanging richness of contemplation, Gospel living and service it is also ever-evolving in response to the joys and sufferings of the world in which it is deeply immersed.

This was depicted clearly in the video clip mentioned above in which Sisters living a life of contemplation in a religious order, almost unchanged from its inception in 1212 embraced very modern means of communication to share the gifts of their daily prayer with a world of darkness and struggle now. And… how much that has meant to the lives of so many! Similarly, religious men and women who belong to communities that are ministerial, working in the world, constantly discern new ways of service. As the world “turns” a new day, so do they! From their traditional services in schools, hospitals, and parishes, we now find them in new ministries also including environmental work, justice initiatives, standing with the poor, vulnerable and disenfranchised, finding ever new ways to be the Light of Christ expressed in a contemporary form.

It is this life that is celebrated and affirmed on the World Day for Consecrated Life. For those of us who are members of communities of consecrated life, we give thanks for the joy and privilege of this vocation, God’s gift, and on this day too we ask the prayers of all peoples for fidelity, integrity, and complete love in our life. We commit anew!

As Pope Francis reminded us in his 2019 celebration of the World Day for Consecrated Life: “This then is the consecrated life: praise which gives joy to God’s people, prophetic vision that reveals what counts. … It is a living encounter with the Lord in his people. It is a call to faithful obedience of daily life and to the unexpected surprises from the Spirit. It is a vision of what we need to embrace in order to experience joy.”

So, Let’s celebrate this life, and perhaps if a reader “out there” has felt a call, however, quietly to such life, let’s talk!

Sister Mary Rowell, CSJ, Vocation Coordinator, Sisters of St. Joseph in Canada

mrowell@csjcanada.org |Telephone: 905-372-2741

How to Join

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

18 - 25 January 2021

At least once a year, Christians are reminded of Jesus’ prayer for his disciples that “they may be one so that the world may believe” (see John 17:21). Hearts are touched and Christians come together to pray for their unity. Congregations and parishes all over the world exchange preachers or arrange special ecumenical celebrations and prayer services. The event that touches off this special experience is the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

The 2021 theme – Abide in my love and you shall bear much fruit (John 15:5-9) – calls us to pray and to work for reconciliation and unity in the church, with our human family, and with all of creation. Drawing on the Gospel image of vine and branches, it invites us to nourish unity with God and with one another through contemplative silence, prayer, and common action. Grafted into Christ the vine as many diverse branches, may we bear rich fruit and create new ways of living, with respect for and communion with all of creation.

Please join us during these challenging times of the pandemic, to pray for unity not only among Christians but among all peoples.

https://www.weekofprayer.ca/2021-week-prayer-christian-unity

-Sister Magdalena Vogt, cps

Be Part of Something Big: Giving Tuesday - December 1, 2020

Giving Tuesday was added to the calendar in 2012, as a global day of giving that falls annually after Black Friday and Cyber Monday. GIV3 and CanadaHelps are co-founders of Giving Tuesday in Canada.  You’re probably already aware of making donations to charities through Canada Helps which offers a very convenient platform to link donors with registered Canadian charities.  This registered charity’s goal of increasing the level of charitable giving has borne great success. However, are you familiar with GIV3 and the story behind it? I wasn’t so I turned once again to my research assistant, Google.

As GIV3’s website indicates, “GIV3 is a privately registered Canadian charity which does not solicit donations from Canadians but it encourages everyone to be more giving through volunteering and donating to registered charities of their choice. The GIV3 movement stands on three pillars: Giving, Inspiring others, and Volunteering. Its mission is to engage Canadian charities and the public in activities to encourage these pillars. Watch this 2-minute video to learn how one granny’s birthday gift started a movement and inspired a generation to care, connect, and contribute to their communities.

Retailers bombard shoppers with bargains available on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Similarly, as Giving Tuesday approaches, an increasing number of social agencies also request your contributions to support your neighbor. You have the pleas of Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Giving Tuesday all competing for your dollars. The first two designated days encourage shopping while the third option suggests donating to a charity of your choice. Giving Tuesday encourages a donation of time, resources and talents to address community needs.

Giving Tuesday has already proved increasingly successful since its inception in 2012. Canada Helps announced that more than $21.9 M was donated to charities on Giving Tuesday last year. However, this year the COVID Crisis is upping the need for generous donors. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, charities are facing increased demands for their services while finding their resources dwindling and their usual fundraising activities curtailed or cancelled.

You can make a much-needed difference. Celebrate Giving Tuesday. Contribute to a charity of your choice and be part of something big!   -Sister Nancy Wales, csj

Indspire Awards:Celebrating Indigenous Achievement

Canada’s National Indigenous Peoples Day, formerly called National Aboriginal Day, is held annually on June 21 to celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures, and outstanding achievements of the nation’s Aboriginal peoples.  www.timeanddate.com/holidays/canada/national-aboriginal-day

The 2020 Indspire Awards ceremony, filmed earlier in Ottawa at the Ontario National Arts Centre will be broadcast on APTN, CBC, CBC Radio, and CBC GEM on Sunday, June 21, 2020, at 8:00 pm / 8:30 pm NT. Celebrating its 27th year, the Indspire Awards continues to bestow the highest honour on Indigenous Peoples. Over the years, 373 First Nations, Inuit, and Metis have been recognized for their outstanding achievements.

Eleven awards of the 2020 recipients have made significant contributions in the fields of education, art, culture, business, health, law, sports, and public service within Canadian society. These honourees exemplify Indigenous excellence. Their personal stories and careers inspire, uplift, and educate us about the tremendous contributions Indigenous people make to our country.

Three Youth Award winners are also being honoured for their accomplishments, serving as role models to other First Nations, Inuit, and Métis youth in their communities and across Canada. 

Jeanette Corbiere is the recipient of this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award. For more than fifty years, she has championed causes that have resonated across Canada and beyond.  She lost her Indigenous status according to Section 12 of the Indian Act when she married her non-Indigenous husband in 1970.  She challenged this decision at the Supreme Court of Canada in 1973 under the reasoning that it discriminated by gender.  Although unsuccessful, her action led the way for subsequent challenges and was finally overturned in 1985.

“In all they do, these individuals are deeply inspirational, and as leaders in their respective fields, they are motivating young Indigenous people to strive for success.” Roberta Jamieson, President, and CEO of Indspire and Executive Producer of the Indspire Awards. 

From past experience, Sunday’s programming promises to be a celebration of culture showcasing the diversity of Indigenous peoples in Canada including performances by Canada’s biggest names in Indigenous entertainment.

Each of us has the opportunity to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day by tuning in to the 2020 Indspire Awards (APTN, CBC, CBC Radio and CBC GEM). We will witness the superb contributions that Indigenous people are making across our country. https://indspire.ca/events/indspire-awards

- Submitted by Sister Nancy Wales, csj