Guest Bloggers

World Book Day Canada - April 23

“In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God”. (John 1:1)

When we were teens, my grandmother gifted each of her granddaughters with a white bible – the kind with the leather cover that zipped up on the side with a cross as the pull tab. She had spent her childhood polishing the pews of the old Scottish kirk where her grandfather was groundskeeper and believed with all her heart in the saving grace of Jesus Christ. She wanted this for us. It was such a meaningful gift that I carried it with an orchid attached as my ‘wedding bouquet.’

I am looking through it now and am surprised to find the yellowing newspaper notice from my parent’s wedding in it. Curiosity made me turn it over only to find that the flip side of this happy notice holds part of a news article about a tribunal examining the Nazi treatment of their Jewish prisoners. It is hard to take in this juxtaposition of opposites: descriptions of taffeta gowns, orange blossoms and nosegays of violets and sweetheart roses opposed to our inhumanity toward others, with Jewish prisoners forced to stoke the fires of the death chambers of those who preceded them in the line of death.  My heart sinks and folds unto itself, wondering if we have learned anything in these intervening years. Wars continue; violence and inequity are rampant. In my own life, I do not always live up to the ideals of Christian love and each day is a lesson in humility and growth. How do I face this reality with the equanimity of gentleness, peace and joy that allows compassionate action?

As I flip through the pages of this precious Bible and take in the fact that it is split into two parts – Old and New Testaments – the structure of the book itself seems to be teaching the lesson of our being given a choice between opposites such as love and hate, peace and violence, life and death. All is one; the coin cannot exist without both its sides.  We each contribute to the Oneness that is life. Nothing is wasted or invaluable.  There is always movement to the ‘more’.

Where do you focus your attention? 

What book has been your guidepost through life?

- Susan Hendricks, Associate, Peterborough Neighbourhood | former librarian and lover of books since early childhood

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Earth Day

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Each year on April 22, we observe the birthday of the modern environmental movement, which began in 1970. Earth Day celebrates its 52nd anniversary this year.

“In the decades leading up to the first Earth Day, Americans were consuming vast amounts of leaded gas through massive and inefficient automobiles. Industry belched out smoke and sludge with little fear of the consequences from either the law or bad press. Air pollution was commonly accepted as the smell of prosperity...America remained largely oblivious to environmental concerns and how a polluted environment threatens human health.”

I remember the publication of Rachel Carson’s book, Silent Spring, in 1962, “which raised public awareness and concern for living organisms, the environment and the inextricable links between pollution and public health.”

Senator Gaylord Nelson from Wisconsin had already been concerned about environmental deterioration in the USA, when, in January 1969, a massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, California ravaged the area. Wanting to harness the energy of the student anti-war protests and direct them into consciousness about air and water pollution, the Senator came up with the idea of a teach-in on college campuses. April 22 was chosen as it occurred on a weekday between Spring Break and Final Exams, to maximize the greatest student participation.

Denis Hayes who did the initial organizing realized that all Americans could participate in this movement. As ever more organizations, faith groups and others joined in the various events across the country, the name was changed to Earth Day. National media coverage resulted in “20 million Americans... taking to the streets, parks, and auditoriums to demonstrate against the impacts of 150 years of industrial development which had left a legacy of serious human health impacts... By the end of 1970, the first Earth Day led to the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of other first of their kind environmental laws... “

In 1990 “Earth Day went global, mobilizing 200 million people in 141 countries...30 years on, Earth Day 2000 sent world leaders a loud and clear message: Citizens around the world wanted quick and decisive action on global warming and clean energy.”

But more challenges faced the environmental community in 2010, as climate change deniers and well-funded oil lobbyists, etc. continued their opposition. But Earth Day continued and EARTHDAY.ORG prevailed, making Earth Day a main proponent for global action for the environment.

Today, as the climate crisis grows and the fight for a clean environment is even more urgent, it is imperative we do our part to work for our planet and its people.

-Sister Patricia Cataldi, CPS/The Missionary Sisters of the Precious Blood

(Adapted from www.earthday.org) 

World Bee Day - May 20th

A few years ago a local organization started a community beekeeping program in Peterborough. I have always found bees fascinating creatures and so I decided to join an enthusiastic bunch of other people. What I learned took me down a path of self-discovery, which was both educational and illuminating. It was nothing like the path the Israelites took out of Egypt (Exodus 3:8) but it was still a turning point for me -- and although beekeeping did not flow with milk there was always lots of honey.

It is estimated that in the world today there are between 20,000 – 30,000 species of bees, with approximately 4,000 species native to North America. Up to 75% of our crops rely on bees and other pollinators like butterflies. At the same time all pollinators are seeing a dramatic drop in their populations due to climate change, use of insecticides, loss of habitat, and other factors. And the main culprit of all this damage is humans.

The star of the bee world is the honeybee. We see it everywhere, from packages of seeds to a Cheerios box. Often overlooked but just as important are solitary native bee species like the Leafcutter, Mason or Sweat Bee. The European honeybee was brought by settler colonialists 400 years ago to Turtle Island (North America), for the sole reason that it produced honey and beeswax. This type of bee is not a native species but is considered by biologists to be an invasive species.

In our human history, honey has been a constant. For example, honey has been found in the pyramids in Egypt. It was coveted for its purity and sometimes became more valuable than gold. It was also used by many cultures through the ages as a medicine, taken internally or used as a salve for burns or other injuries.

In our world now, stories of bees and insects often fill the news; in the past few years we’ve read about killer bees and murder hornets. These are chilling images, but not new ones, as these scary harbingers of fear and death show up elsewhere in the story of the Israelites. (Exodus 23:28 and Deuteronomy 7:20). I would wager that the majority of people would prefer the honeybee over a murder hornet any day. Having worked with honeybees and having had unfortunate run-ins with hornets I would definitely take the former.

We live in a world struggling to come out of a pandemic, seeing the terror of war, facing climate change and addressing so many existential crises coming at us we can easily become overwhelmed and discouraged. The decline of bees and other pollinators has affected the ecological balance of the planet. What can each one of us do to be the change in the world? It starts with educating ourselves (and those around us) and being aware of the world. To look at things with a child’s viewpoint. There is nothing more wonderful then when I work with children at a hive or in the classroom, and when I see the wonder of this blue orb in space (we call Earth) through their eyes.

We – adults and children—can help bees and other pollinators by planting flowers which attract them. We can help bees by buying honey from local beekeepers, not using insecticides, letting dandelions grow in the spring (as they are one of the first sources of nectar) or by learning more about native bee species in our gardens. If we help one species we help all the world. That would be a good lesson for humanity to finally learn. It’s appropriate that the purpose of the UN World Bee Day is “Bee engaged: Build Back Better for Bees”.

By: Tom Childs

Tom is a husband, father and grandfather, was born and raised in Toronto and now lives in Peterborough. He is also an ordained elder and lay missionary in the Presbyterian Church in Canada.  

Happy International Day of Happiness!

If you’re happy & you know it …👏👏

In 2012 the United Nations implemented the first International Day of Happiness and went further stating that happiness is a human right and worthy of celebration. It is annually celebrated on March 20th, a week of celebrations which bring happiness, or at least that possibility, to us specifically.  The ultimate goal of the day is to spread awareness that progress is not only about increasing bottom lines and encouraging economic growth, but well-being and human happiness. To give happiness as much priority as economic opportunity is an ambitious goal.

Happiness isn’t a given, it takes effort to attain, appreciate and understand one’s own happiness. Many people live very unhappy lives, and we have a responsibility to make happiness an option for them. Easier said than done.

On the third year of the international celebration Pharrell Williams gifted the world with his uplifting song “Happy” - I dare you to sit still as you listen!

In 2019 the Jerusalem challenge offered us a bit of happiness in the early days of Covid. It touched many cultures who couldn’t wait to dance…

Currently the people of the Ukraine are struggling to find comfort let alone happiness, meanwhile a 7-yr. old Ukrainian girl in a basement shelter brought joy to many by singing “Let it go” from the movie “Frozen”. Providing a moment of happiness for so many.

The Maxims of the Sisters of St Joseph ask us to:

  • Return happiness freely to those who dish out unhappiness #51

  • When you are with others, blend your serious side with joy, gentleness, and refreshing candor #45

  • Everything in balance: heart, humility, detachment prayer, trust, solitude, love of God and neighbour, a life joyous and free. #100

I cannot guarantee happiness to anyone but I can offer some possible options to attain their quest for happiness. For me, a further look at the Beatitudes offers hope that I can attain more happiness through specific actions and offer that same wisdom to my dear neighbour. Will you join me?

  • What do you do when you are happy?

  • What do you do to get happy?

  • How can you share your happiness?

 -Maureen Condon

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL DAY of HAPPINESS!

This year HAPPINESS FOR ALL, UKRAINE is the official 2022 International Day of Happiness campaign announced by HappinessDay.org, the campaign arm of UNIDO Happiness, the official home and secretariat of the United Nations International Day of Happiness. [https://happinessday.org/]

Image: Unsplash/Szilvia Basso

Header Image: Unsplash/Szilvia Basso

Honouring St. Patrick

Some say that Maewyn Succat was kidnapped from his home in Roman Britain in the 4th century and sold into slavery in Ireland. For the 6 years of his enslavement his Christianity grew. To escape slavery, he stowed away on a cargo ship heading for his homeland. Others say he was the slave trader himself. (Smacks of St. Paul's pre-conversion experience!)

Spinning exciting tales to remember history has always been a part of the Irish way of life. These two tales would seem to support that theory.

No matter which account is accurate Maewyn felt a religious calling once back home in what is currently Wales. There he was ordained and ultimately consecrated a bishop receiving the name Patricius: Patrick to us.  He successfully asked to be sent back to Ireland where his knowledge of the land and language would assist him to spread Christianity among the Druids and Pagans. Cleverly combining Irish pagan beliefs with Christian sacramental rituals, he was very successful not only in converting Ireland to Christianity but also to having the Irish fall in love with him.

What were some of his combining rituals you ask?

  • The most well-known is the use of the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity.

  • He used bonfires to celebrate Easter since the Irish honoured their gods with fire.

  • He superimposed a sun, a powerful Irish symbol, onto a Christian Cross, creating the Celtic Cross.

St. Patrick was never canonized by the Catholic Church because during the first millennium there was no formal canonization. Saint Patrick was proclaimed a saint by popular acclaim, by the Irish to whom he ministered. March 17th, the day of his death, has been celebrated for well over 1000 years. Though a National Holiday in Ireland the largest parade is still held in New York followed by Dublin, then Sydney Australia.

As the daughter of an Irish Mom and a Canadian/Irish Dad named Pat, St. Patrick’s Day was always a day to look forward to - Mass, Irish Stew with lamb, corned beef & cabbage, soda bread and family stories. And so, in true Irish style, I bless you all on this day.

May the road rise up to meet you

May the wind be always at your back

May the sunshine warm upon your face

And the rains fall soft upon your fields

(unknown origin)        

OR

May you be in heaven a half hour before the devil knows you’re dead!

Like St. Patrick we have all experienced some sort of trauma,  enslavement. Have I been as generous and forgiving to those responsible? It's never too late. 

St.Patrick, Pray for us.

-Maureen Condon

Header Image: Unsplash/Adrian Moran