The Power of Small - Why Little Things Make all the Difference.

Everything begins small.  You and I did. Everything does.  The mighty oaks began real small as did Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 perhaps better known as the “Ode to Joy.” Organic things grow from tiny seeds. Likewise, great art, architecture as well as incredible inventions, grew from small ideas. Undoubtedly, we have all experienced the power of small things, of small beginnings.  Think of a newborn baby, one that perhaps only weighed 850 grams at birth and over the years grew into manhood. Which brings to mind the saying, “The child is the father of the man.”  Think of little acorns from which mighty oaks grow. Or, as Ralph Emerson put it, “The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn.”  These are just a smattering of examples of the small beginnings of so many amazing things.  You probably have your own memories of things in your life that had small beginnings and continue to astound you by how they have grown. One might say small things, like seeds, are the anchors for mighty things yet to come.

Then there are those amazing small things that never grow big.  The bee, the ant, the flea, to name just a few.  Imagine life without those tiny busy bees. You know what I mean, those magical creatures that can shape hexagon honeycombs, can pollinate flowers and turn nectar into sweet honey.  Then think of the equally incredible ants, those tiny social creatures that live in organized colonies.

“the seeds that anchor a friendship tend to be mostly invisible”

I have always been fascinated by all things small.  Now you might think, “small things amuse small minds.”  Be that as it may, all small things are fascinatingly intriguing.  Think of friendships, for instance, and how they start, often in unexpected small ways, and can grow into strong, lasting relationships.  Unlike tiny seeds we can see with the naked eye, the seeds that anchor a friendship tend to be mostly invisible. When we tend those seeds with love and patience and nurture them carefully they grow and bear fruit.  Which raises a question that keeps popping up frequently in my mind of late, “what anchors me, what anchors us, especially during difficult times like this pandemic?”  Have you ever questioned what anchors you during difficult times?  It would be fascinating to compare notes, I would think.  Just think of the relatively small anchor that can “connect a vessel to the bed of the body of water to prevent the craft from drifting due to wind or current”. (Wikipedia)  What are some of those little things, seen and unseen, that anchor us? Who, or what, in our lives is such an anchor when we are in danger of being adrift during these endless weeks of lockdown and precautions? 

As impressive as the power of small things is, the power of the Coronavirus, invisible to the naked eye, now that is another story altogether of small things.  A deeply frightening story. I am by no means fascinated by this deadly virus. No, it is mindblowing what power this tiny invisible virus has. Talk about the power of small things!  How is it this invisible speck of a virus has brought our world to its knees?  Literally and figuratively speaking, brought us to our knees.  In prayer, in fear and trembling, we have been brought to our knees by the power of this tiny fiend.  It has claimed lives by the thousands, brought the economy tumbling down, brought our lives, as we know them, to a screeching halt. The power of small, so very small and invisible, yet so powerful. 

“The Parables of the Mustard Seed (Matthew 13: 31, NIV)
31 He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. 32 Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.””

In Matthew’s gospel, we read about the power of faith the size of the tiny mustard seed that can move mountains.  If we have such faith, we are told, nothing is impossible.  We have been on our knees.  We have prayed.  God has given us this anchor of prayer to prevent us from drifting during these difficult times when something so small and frighteningly powerful threatens to destroy us.  Most of us have first-hand experience of the terrifying impact this pandemic has had on our lives either directly or vicariously. Thankfully, though, we know that in him we live and move and have our being, for we are God’s beloved daughters and sons.

-Sr. Magdalena Vogt, cps

SOMBRE ANNIVERSARY CALLS FOR BETTER CHOICES

It’s estimated the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki killed more than 100,000 people. Photo from Wikipedia

This year marks the sombre 75th anniversary of atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan on Aug. 6 and 9, 1945.  Throughout the nuclear era, Canada has participated heavily in the global nuclear cycle, in part by selling radioactive uranium internationally.  Both nuclear-generated electricity and nuclear weapons rely on uranium as fuel.     

The Catholic Church condemns the possession and use of nuclear weapons.  While Canada does not possess such weapons, it still has not signed the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.  As a NATO member, Canada claims it needs the protection of the huge nuclear arsenal of the United States.

Pope Francis, however, has condemned the doctrine of nuclear deterrence.  This refers to building and possessing nuclear weapons to deter other states from using theirs.  Addressing a Vatican conference on nuclear disarmament in November 2017, the pope said both the threat of the use of nuclear weapons, “as well as their very possession, are to be firmly condemned" (National Catholic Reporter, Nov. 10/17).

Japan’s Catholic bishops have gone further to call for an end to nuclear power.  In 2011, their country was ravaged by an earthquake which triggered a tsunami and nuclear power plant meltdown in Fukushima.  Japanese people and their environment have known extreme suffering and destruction from two atomic bombs and a major nuclear accident. 

Photo from Unsplash

Pope Francis publicly highlighted the Japanese bishops’ call to ban nuclear energy during his visit to Japan in November 2019.  According to Reuters news agency, after his visit, he also told reporters, “In my personal opinion, I would not use nuclear energy until there is total security.  There is not enough security to guarantee that there will not be a disaster.”     

Now, New Brunswick, Ontario, and Saskatchewan are using public funds to help finance a costly new generation of nuclear reactors which will take at least 10 years to build and operate.  The nuclear industry promises carbon-free electricity generation to address climate change from these so-called small modular nuclear reactors.  The Canadian federal government is also enthusiastically in favour of such nuclear expansion. 

However, proponents of nuclear-free renewable energy emphasize the urgent need for climate action now – not 10 or more years from now when the new reactors might be ready.  They call for increased energy efficiency and investment in energy sources such as wind, solar, geothermal, and small hydro. 

Highlighting advantages to human health and the environment from renewables, they also note that jobs and other economic benefits will flow to rural as well as urban communities from renewable energy.  They point out that no safe solution has been found for the permanent storage of nuclear waste, which remains dangerously radioactive for countless generations.

Two nuclear technology companies from the United Kingdom and the U.S. have established offices in Saint John, N.B.  They each received millions of dollars in public funds to develop prototypes of next-generation nuclear reactors which may be mass-produced and sold worldwide. 

Canada would be an initial testing ground for this unproven and unnecessary technology.  Instead, investment in renewables is a far better choice to create jobs, while safely and efficiently meeting present and future energy needs. 

Remembering bitter lessons of history, Canada needs to show courageous leadership by signing the vital UN treaty to ban nuclear weapons.  It also needs to avoid nuclear energy expansion for the sake of present and future generations of humanity and all creation. 

Advocating in this way, people of faith can join other caring global citizens to promote peace and respect the earth, our common home.

                                                                                    ~ Roma De Robertis, SCIC

                                                                                                Saint John, N.B.

Roma is a member of the Sisters of Charity of the Immaculate Conception who participates with CRED-NB:  Coalition for Responsible Energy Development in New Brunswick (https://crednb.ca).  During sabbatical, she lived at the Sisters of St. Joseph London residence for six months in 2019.

Contemplating What We Have Learned From Covid-19

It is most evident how much we take for granted. Shaking hands, hugging, spending time with family and friends, travelling to other countries, and helping without fear are some of them. This pandemic is a very real and very scary threat so we have quickly learned to adapt our activities and behaviours to make health and security the top priority. The reality of this infectious and fatal disease has made us cautiously optimistic that things will get better if we all do our part.

“Mostly we have learned that
life is precious.”

We are discovering who we truly can be as a society. We have such great capacity for compassion and empathy as evidenced by frontline workers. We have learned how to cultivate courage and strength as we watch families connecting with loved ones in long term care facilities and seniors’ residences. Sheltering in place has given us the ability to be more imaginative with our time. We have been inspired to explore our own creative abilities by the many individuals sewing masks, making face shields and companies repurposing factories and tools to make much-needed ventilators and PPE for medical personnel.

Mostly we have learned that life is precious. We have learned that we benefit from living in the here and now, spending more time for ‘being’ instead of always ‘doing.’ We have learned to slow down, simplify our lives, and become more aware of the interconnectedness of all life. From that perspective, we can appreciate each new day and all of life.

- Grace McGuire, Associate of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Canada, Pembroke, Ontario

Determined to Break Through

Here, on this small piece of the planet, long-awaited summer is here at last. Though we are only just at the beginning of summer, we are already in the midst of a heatwave. Of course, doing those usual summer things like going to the beach is, well, you know, not happening. Lockdown rather cramps our style, sigh. Going for a long walk tends to be the highlight of these summer days. 

Since oppressive heat and humidity have settled in I much prefer evening walks. While out for a walk last night, I caught sight of a tenacious little sapling sprouting out of a stump.  I stared at it for quite some time, captivated by its determination and will to sprout and thrive.  Against all odds, it will not give up. 

Nor should we. This pandemic may threaten to cut us off from what we call our normal lives. However, despite everything we have been through during these difficult months, something new is determined to break through. Let us be the midwives helping to bring forth the new and life-giving for all people.

-Sister Magdalena Vogt, cps

Father's Day

Father’s Day

Father’s Day is such a mix of emotions for me.  

On the one hand, I think of my own dad who passed away four years ago this summer.  My dad loved me so much.  He consistently let me know every chance he had. I most definitely loved him back, although I wasn’t so outward showing about it at times.  

My dad was a very kind soul, who had an infectious personality that could make anyone laugh out loud.  I miss all the little things he did for me growing up.  Cooking my favorite meals, driving me to friend’s houses, always encouraging me to do my best, wrestling with me on the living room floor, amongst so many other things.

I really wish my dad was here with us now to meet his grandchildren.  He would have instantly fallen in love with them, and they would reciprocate that love.  I have no doubt about that.  

In some weird way, perhaps they may have already met.  Perhaps it was in Heaven.  Perhaps, my dad had something to do with the tiny miracles my wife and I had after a specialist told us to give up hope.  

I am a dad now.  Two times in fact!  We have a beautiful, energetic 2.5-year-old girl and an adorable 1-year-old boy who’s got quite the appetite - and dance moves!  

Believe me……It’s a lot of work.  Exhausting at times.  Two babies that are 19 months apart can wear anyone out.  Some days it feels like it is never-ending, especially in this COVID era, but then there are days where you wish the time with them never ever ends.  The joy, laughter, and fun make every hard day manageable.

My kids have taught me so much.  I’ve learned how to multitask in the non-digital form, how to make countless ponytails, the importance of nap times, and Advil...amongst many other things. 

It’s through my own kids that I experience the love, spirit, and bond that my dad and I had.  

Happy Father’s Day Dad!  I miss you.

-Mike Noronha, Guest Contributor