Blog
I celebrate
this journey
knowing
the enfoldment of love
of nurturing
of learning
the pain of weakness
of partings
of growth in
the desire to explore
to reach
to trust
the call to follow
to allow grace to flow
to love and be loved
to answer.
- Sister Mary St. Louis, csj, December 1987
IMAGE: Unsplash/Javier Allegue Barros
WORLD BOOK DAY
I have only two memories of my Grade One year and both have to do with reading. I was in the Bunnies reading group and I figured out that the Robins were better readers. I began to bring my reader home every day and pestered Mom as she was trying to make supper “what’s this word?” So in a very short time I made it to the Robins! A Substitute teacher read a story to us and her way with the printed word was such that I could really imagine “the tigers running around a tree and turning to butter!” I never looked at the pole in our basement classroom without that image coming into my mind.
In a day where there not many “story books” either at home or school, a gift of a book to me was a treasure. In Grade Six, our class received “a whole bunch of books” and our teacher captured our interest every day when she read a chapter of a selected book. As a result, all the class (boys included) became avid readers. Later as a teacher myself, I made it a practice to read to my class at least once a day.
Living in Zambia, the reality meant that books were more difficult to find. Canadian visitors came with novels which in turn enabled us to become “a lending library” for several teachers at our school. They became familiar with various authors and would request copies of their books to be brought back when we returned from home leave. Some even remarked that their English skills and vocabulary were improving.
I discovered in the late ‘80’s that my friend, who was working with me in the Development and Peace Committee was an Award-winning Children’s Author. After reading one of her books** to my Junior High class in Fort Good Hope, individual letters were written to her which included appreciation for her book; life in Fort Good Hope; or any other questions or comments they wanted to make. Imagine our surprise and joy when each student received an individual letter from her!
Good authors like Monica Hughes touch the lives, hearts and imaginations of young and old around the world through their writings.
**The book read to the Students was Hunter in the Dark written by Monica Hughes, who won the 1983 Canada Council Literature prize.
-Sister Amelia Belohorec,csj
Image: Unsplash/@rinckad
Do you, like myself, have a letter among your keepsakes that you fondly treasure and pull out to reread? Its words touching your heart and inspiring a commitment to live life more fully.
On April 22nd, Earth Day provides us with an excellent, appropriate opportunity to reread a published papal letter.
Read the letter here, or at least a summary of it signed with deep caring, only as “Francis”. This letter, called “Laudato Si’ ”, was officially published on June 18, 2015, and marks its eighth anniversary this June. Its global release was highly anticipated and was accompanied by a news conference which caught the attention of the world.
In the past, papal letters were written primarily as internal documents containing the present pope's views on church teachings and doctrine and were addressed to Catholic clergy and the laity. Surprisingly, or perhaps not so remarkably, Pope Francis addressed his wise, timely and respected words in Laudato Si’ to “the citizens of the world”.
Image: Unsplash/Noah Buscher
Pope Francis, relying on thousands of years of Catholic teaching and scientific knowledge calls on all of us to live our life and our faith by caring for our common home. He draws our attention to the deep connection between the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor. He weaves together the truths of science and spirituality throughout his public letter calling upon all humanity to heed creation and the Creator’s call.
The website, Space offers these realistic and encouraging words for us to take to heart. “When we hear terms like "code red for humanity" and "climate change", it can feel difficult to focus on the small actions individuals and communities can take to address the climate crisis. But Earth Day strives to highlight how everyone can be part of the change. “
Let us ask ourselves this Earth Day,
Image:Unsplash/Greg Rakozy
“What one thing can I change to contribute to the healing of the earth?”
Francis’ encyclical, “Laudato Si’” is indeed a letter to treasure.
-Sister Nancy Wales, CSJ
Header Image: Unsplash/Andreas Gücklhorn
