Sisters of St. Joseph give thanks!

369 years ago today, October 15, 2019, in a small town in the South West region of France called LePuy en Valey, the Sisters of St. Joseph formally began as a group of women religious serving those who no one else was helping.  Since then, this little movement of women and associates exists in 54 countries around the world continuing to respond to the unmet needs in our world in the places we live and work. Today we give thanks to God for the blessings and the challenges that are part of our daily journey and for the many good people with whom we work. 

- Sister Joan Atkinson, csj

How Shall I Begin These Thanks Which Have No End?

As I sit in my cozy little living room these Thanksgiving evenings, I realize that life has been a blessing in every way. Where do I begin to express the thanks that swells in my heart and fills my soul?

I need not leave my room to pour out my heart with gratitude. The beauty of nature I view from the window speaks to me in the gold and reds of the graceful maple trees across the road. The daily gorgeous sunsets seen from the west window thrills my heart. A photo of my parents, now deceased, sitting in a place of honour near the window fills my heart with gratitude for the nurturing that was mine from birth until my wings were strong enough to fly into adulthood and take my place in the world.

The family photo of my maternal grandparents and their nine children causes me to thank my brave ancestors for daring to leave a homeland for Canada, a land of freedom and opportunity.

The gift of television and technology brings the world, with its joys and sorrows, to me through the little screen across the room.  Telephone calls bring me ample opportunities to hear and assist those who need a listening ear, attention, and friendship.

Dotting the walls are photos of friends and loved ones whose lives bring me friendship and the blessings of community.

A bowl of bright red apples sitting on the kitchen counter reminds me of the abundance of nature.

The crucifix on the wall over my bed speaks above all else, the true meaning of life and happiness. It is life surrendered, broken and poured out in love for each of us so that we might live not for ourselves but for others.

We need not venture outside our front doors to offer thanksgiving and know that we are truly blessed every day in every way. Truly, our thanks have no end.

-Sister Jean Moylan, cs

Holy Listening

Stillness of new design

and shattered lace

give listening space and life

            to retired nurse  abused by father

                 now his caretaker

            to midlife nurse in peak of career struck with fibromyalgia

                 now single parent fighting for disability

            to grandmother, caring for two autistic grandchildren

                 now layered in her own chronic pain

            to abused child from catholic boarding school

                     now diminished, depressed and addicted

            to disassociated working mom with deaf husband

                  and adopted son with schizophrenia.

                  She, red-faced, perspiring, smiles through fatigue,

      tears up, declares, “just glad to be here”.

Unfold, unbind weary hearts,

pierce us with vulnerable tenderness

inspired by softness of breath,

movement,

as dance, transforms

creates.

Let music ripple knotted muscles

fleece frazzled thoughts,

meditate, slow down.

Trust bonds of friendship

as sacred stories re-written,

permeate unscripted edges,

oozing Divine love

in holy listening.

- Sister Patricia St Louis, csj

Realizing an Impossible Dream

The Mount Community Centre, former residence of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Peterborough, is moving ahead to complete the second phase of their plan to respond to the critical need for affordable rental housing in the city.  After unavoidable construction delays, 10 new apartments will be available this fall, as well as five specially-designed units for Shared Dreams for Independent Living, a group that sponsors five developmentally-challenged young men. This accomplishment brings the number of affordable apartments now available at The Mount Community Centre to a total of 58. Construction will continue as 5 new units, designed for families, will soon take shape on the top floor.  The drawings are complete for 2 basement apartments in the A wing as well, bringing the total affordable residential units in the building to 76.

The number of non-residential tenants has grown significantly this year. The Rowan Tree Pre-School has expanded its program to include Junior and Senior Kindergarten.  St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church, forced to find other space when their sanctuary was condemned by the building department, has settled into the beautiful corner complex that includes what was once our priest’s apartment, large reception room and bishop’s parlour.  The auditorium has become home to a new Art Gallery with a wide collection of works from 21 different artists. An Early Childhood Education Program is being run by Sir Sanford Fleming College this fall in Austin Doran Hall. What we knew as the old St. Joseph’s Hall is now rented by The Dennis Group fundraisers. That means there is no longer any office space for rent in this huge building. 

The food centre has expanded its enterprise to provide food services to the Kawartha Cardiology Clinic and baked goods to the Silver Bean Café.  The Peterborough Community Training and Development rents the food centre every Monday to Friday, as chefs in training prepare food for Meals on Wheels, and 4 different VON locations.  Every Sunday our kitchen is rented to a local chef who prepares about 400 PALEO meals to deliver to clients.   A collective kitchen program, called “Cooking with Andrew” runs twice a month. Tenants are invited to cook and eat together, then take home food or fill mason jars to support clients at the St. Vincent de Paul food pantry.  Bumper crops from this year’s vegetable gardens are enjoyed by tenants and processed in the food centre kitchen.

Significant developments appear on all fronts of this project. Within, a high-efficiency hot-water heating system has been extended throughout the house.  One half of the pews from the former chapel has been redistributed throughout the building, thus leaving space for a wider use of this area. It is now possible to host a wedding reception as well as the ceremony in Austin Doran Hall. On the property, the old orchard has been revitalized through a $1000 project of the Peterborough Kawartha Rotary Club to plant fruit trees and berry bushes with the help of tenants. The home, land and gardens provided the base for a summer camp experience for elementary school children this summer. Garden plot spaces, shared with interested neighbours, flourished this year.

Amid this beehive of activity, volunteers continue to save the project thousands of dollars as they donate time and skill to endless tasks of constructing, repairing, painting, cleaning, gardening. etc.  This summer “the Mount crew” was recognized with a civic award by the Mayor of Peterborough.  If you pass through The Mount Community Centre today, you may run across a piano teacher, a meditation group, a pre-school child at play, a couple preparing for their wedding, a volunteer in hard hat, or a staff member passionately engaged in carrying out the mission of providing a space of safety, companionship and dignity for all who come in need.  The dream for this project, called impossible five short years ago, is now being realized in an amazing way that could never have been predicted, but always hoped and prayed for.

- Sister Joan Driscoll, csj                 

Keeping the Momentum Going

As highlighted in the infographics produced by Elections Canada,  pictured below, voter turnout showed an increase over all age groups in the 2015 Federal Election over the previous numbers in 2011. This increased voter turnout  was most notable among youth 18-24. However, the percentage of eligible youth voters who cast a ballot was still the lowest percentage of any group going to the polls among all age groups.   

As the infographic to the right shows, eligible youth voters cast ballots in greater numbers for the 2015 Federal Election across all regions of the country.

Will that pattern be repeated in 2019?

Statistics indicate that the largest segment in the pool of eligible voters for the 2019 federal election are between the ages of 18 and 38. "We're looking at Canadians between the ages of 18 and 38 who will represent upwards of 37 per cent of the electorate," Abacus Data CEO David Coletto told   Cross Country Checkup   host Duncan McCue.

This election, to build upon the momentum of increased voter participation in this millenial demographic, I offer several suggestions:

• Candidates need to make specific efforts to engage youth.

• Campaign speeches and party platforms must address issues that concern youth.

• Youth need to encourage their circle of friends to exercise their democratic right to vote.

• Youth can use social media to challenge peers to be the group with the highest voter turnout.

• All of us can encourage youth participation and ensure that they register to vote.

• Lead by example by making plans to vote.

In the remaining days leading up to October 21st,  let’s invite and encourage young adults to actively participate in the 2019 federal election. Their voice indicates the kind of country they want Canada to be. 

 - Sister Nancy Wales