Meeting with Friends

The train sped through lush countryside, fields promising harvests, backyards strewn with bicycles, swimming pools and childrens’ toys. I was heading home to London from a rich experience of three days of singing with my friends. For many, many years I have been a member of the Hymn Society in the United States and Canada. These friends enrich me with new hymn texts, melodies, and sheer joy.

We are a group of congregational song practitioners who live from the stance that the holy act of singing together shapes faith, heals brokenness, transforms lives, and renews peace. The Society’s mission is to encourage, promote and enliven congregational singing in the United States and Canada.

Gathered in Montreal, this month at McGill University, we renewed friendships, made new ones, told stories of congregational perseverance through the years of covid, laughed together and praised God for the gift song.

Image: Unsplash/David Beale

About 230 of us sang through three evening hymn festivals, attended various sectionals of our choice, and began each day with sung prayer in multiple languages.

Inspired by Indigenous presenters such as Kenny Wallace, who presently lives among the Munsee Delaware nation, who shared gospel songs that  helped him claim his original heritage of Choctaw. And Jonathan Maracle, from Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory near Belleville, Ontario who shared his songs rich with cultural roots of the First Nations people of North America. His mission is that of healing through song.

Both engaged us in a deeper understanding of how land, and language offer solid roots for claiming one’s inner freedom.

So many of the presentations this year opened our hearts to further ways of living inclusively, praying inclusively, and gathering inclusively.

-Sister Loretta Manzara, csj

You may wish to check out this promotional video:

Images: Unsplash//Michael Maasen

St. Joe’s Café: Honoring Treasured Volunteers

A warm, mid-July afternoon was the day chosen for the Sisters of St. Joseph and staff to pay tribute to the dedicated volunteers of our St. Joe’s Café.  The Sisters’ residence dining room was a cacophony of voices as the men and women greeted each other, and rejoiced in being together to celebrate, share stories and be part of an endeavor that offers hospitality, community, and meals to London’s lonely, hungry and most in need.

Tracey Morton-Sader, our hospitality centre coordinator, along with the team of Jamie, Larry, Nadine, and Fifi invited some 90+ volunteers that support our St. Joe’s Café to join us for a celebration of their incredible work with us.  Tracey led the proceedings with immense thanks to the volunteers for their collaborative work that makes St. Joe’s the welcoming place that it is. 

Sister Margo Ritchie, our Congregational Leader, addressed the group:

“When I am at meetings with our partners and say that we have about 100 volunteers, their eyes pop a bit. It is a truism to say that without you, we could not do it. And what is it you do?  Besides preparing meals, chatting with guests, problem solving, diffusing some heated situations, waiting on tables, doing dishes, which itself is more than enough.  You do this: you help people stay in their housing by providing food support; you help people (and perhaps yourselves) know that they belong; you offer hope by your consistent welcoming presence.”

Amid the joy and laughter of the afternoon, delicious food and treats were shared. Some volunteers tried their hand at games, while others engaged in conversation and catching up on what has been happening in their lives. A special joy was evident as Sisters greeted volunteers who had worked alongside each other for many years. 

The work of volunteers and people dedicated to justice and good works is as necessary these days, as it always has been. As we Sisters age and step back from the front line of duty, I think of the words of Colonel John McRae in his poem, “Flanders’ Fields.”  With two words changed, he penned,

“to you from aging hands we toss the torch; be yours to hold it high.”  

It is heartening to see that our works are continued through generous volunteers who embrace tending the dear neighbor wherever she/he/they might be.

Sister Jean Moylan, csj

Image: Unsplash/Dave Lowe

London Diocese's Linda Staudt Appointment

London Diocese’s Linda Staudt Appointment: Voting Participant at Synod in Rome

Read the article in the Windsor Star https://windsorstar.com/news/local-news/windsors-staudt-selected-by-pope-francis-for-prominent-role

Last week in early July, I heard a loud crash and realized that another woman had broken a glass ceiling! Linda Staudt of London Diocese was selected by Pope Francis as a voting participant at the upcoming Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops of Rome in October 2023. Ms. Staudt will be one of only seven lay people from North America to participate in the Synod which will listen to what has been gleaned in previous synodality diocesan meetings throughout the world. Participants will assist in refining where the Spirit and People of God are leading the faithful at this time through mutual communion, participation, and mission.

Bishop Ronald Fabbro of London Diocese nominated Linda for her leadership and participation in the diocesan synodality discussions, and as chairwoman and lead writer of the Synod Synthesis Team for the Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Ontario and presented the Ontario Synthesis to the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops in 2022.  For years, she has been a leader in Catholic education.

Prior to her retirement following eight years as Director of Education, London District Catholic School Board, Ms. Staudt was a teacher and administrator in her Windsor hometown.  She took a keen interest in sports and is, herself, a member of the Windsor-Essex Sports Hall of Fame for her excellence as a track athlete.

As Ms. Staudt prepares for her upcoming trip and participation at the Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in Rome, we accompany her and all the participants with our prayers.  We shower them with abundant blessings at this opportune moment as they read the signs of the time, seek the movement of the Holy Spirit, and listen to the faithful throughout the world. Let us “be a mission-oriented Church that forms disciples of Jesus.”1

-Sister Jean Moylan, csj

1.Introduction: Conversations in the Diocese of London for A Listening Church

Header Image: Unsplash, Francesco Maria Achille; Linda Staudt PHOTO BY DAN JANISSE /Windsor Star