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I’m counting my blessings
On fingers and toes
On eyes and on ears
On mouth and on nose.
I’m not nearly finished
But that’s how it goes.
When you stop to ponder
What’s good and what’s bad
You remember the good things
Not the perplexing and sad
So take time to thank God
For great friends you’ve had.
- Sr. Eileen Foran
During the Second World War, in 1941, Canadian women lobbied the federal government and were successful in having military organizations for women. Thus, there were over 50,000 women who served in the armed forces and made valuable contributions serving Canada in uniform and doing their part to assist the success of Canada’s Victory Campaign.
Several Sisters of St. Joseph who were civilian women in 1942, joined the growing ranks of the women serving in the war effort. Sister Olga and Sister Pauline, now in their late nineties, were two of our group of women who made contributions to the war effort during their “salad” days.
Sister Olga Barilko (pictured left) belonged to the Women’s division, Royal Canadian Air Force (WDs). She was born in Edmonton, AB and served in Halifax as a clerk operational filter. Her task, along with several WDs, was to monitor all the air, sea and land traffic on the Canadian East Coast and report activity to the next level. Sister reported that during the midnight shift when there was little radar traffic, some of the women played bridge to earn 15 cents for breakfast. In her spare time, Olga played successfully in the army, navy and air force women’s hockey league.
Sister Pauline Leblanc, (pictured right), from St. Albert, Alberta, joined the Canadian Women’s Army Corps, better known as the WACs. In deference to the abbreviated name, she recounted that they called themselves the “Army’s Cutest Women” and the moniker stuck. Pauline’s responsibility was to ensure that all supplies needed by the German prisoners of war located in Calgary, were collected and delivered to the camp. She loved the work and considered the guys like brothers because most of them were still teenagers. They were just happy to be safe in a country that treated them well. Be assured that “the boys” were well cared for on her watch.
Many stories could be recounted about the considerable number of service women who later entered our congregation sometime after the war ended. There was Sister St. Philip Neri who died on Nov. 28, 1984. She served during her civilian life as Barry Bowles in the Women’s Nursing Sisters (as the Canadian military nurses were known) and was decorated for her deeds of valour as a nurse on the front lines.
Such were the good deeds of thousands of valiant Canadian women during the Second World War.
- Sister Jean Moylan, csj
As I was driving to work one morning this week, I heard a radio announcement advising listeners that the local cable station would be televising area Remembrance Day celebrations. Stopped and waiting for the traffic light to change, my thoughts spontaneously turned to the tremendous cost paid for our freedom. Initially, I pondered the lives of the many soldiers who sacrificed their young lives for us. As the light switched from red to amber then green, I continued on my way shifting my attention to the present individuals whose lives have been undeniable altered by their battle scars of mind and body. Their war wounds have had a long-lasting affect on them and have rippled out into the lives of their loved ones. These sobering thoughts mingled sadness and gratitude within my heart. As I arrived at work, I was left with the thought of how appropriate it is that we annually set time aside to remember the brave women and men who have borne the scars of war and thus have secured our peace.
- Sister Nancy Wales, csj
[i] A title of a book by Shlomo Ben- Ami published in 2007 on The Israeli-Arab Tragedy
What is this life beyond the grave of which our faith speaks? Where does our spirit go when we have, as Shakespeare writes, “shuffled off this mortal coil?” Every day in every way, humankind has wrestled with the issue of immortality.
In Christian tradition, the Church celebrates All Souls Day on November 2nd. This month’s damp and dreary weather in our Western Hemisphere seems to be an ideal time to stop and pray for our loved ones who have gone before us. In churches, we write the names of our dearly departed in a special book of remembrance which remains in a prominent place throughout the month.
Many people ask, Is there really life after death? From earliest days to the present century, philosophers have grappled with the world’s eternal questions. Why are we here? What is the meaning of life? What is the meaning of death? Is there an afterlife?
I too, have thought deeply about the existence of eternal life. At the end of my search, my faith, my upbringing and one defining moment satisfies my query. Several months after my beloved father’s death at age 64, I was walking in the grotto area of our spacious grounds, thinking of all that had transpired since his untimely death. I could feel his comforting spiritual presence as I sometimes did. Suddenly, I sensed a quick “whosh” like air racing upward beside me and a letting go beyond me. I whispered, “O Dad, you’ve gone.” Instantly, I sensed he knew that I would be fine without him. His spirit was in another dimension.
How does one put into words what we know instinctively but cannot explain? Undoubtedly, each of us has had experiences of deceased loved ones being close at hand. However, some experiences are too deep for us to share. Why would anyone believe us anyway?
Every November, I am grateful for our annual All Souls Day to honour departed family members, friends and all those who have died before us, signed with the seal of faith.
- Sister Jean Moylan, csj
