Embracing Togetherness

FAMILY DAY - February 19, 2024

Canada’s first Family Day occurred in Alberta in 1990. Ontario first celebrated this special day only sixteen years ago in 2008. If asked about the roots of Family Day, we might find ourselves with few words to say about it. “Professor Google” provided the following information as to how this day spread across our nation:

• Family Day in Canada is celebrated on the third Monday in February, and technically is not a national, federally mandated holiday.

• Most Canadians live in areas that celebrate Family Day as a province-level statutory holiday as does British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, New Brunswick, and Saskatchewan.

• Other provinces have statutory holidays on the third Monday in February,  but these are not called Family Day. The holiday  is referred  to Louis Riel Day in Manitoba, Heritage Day in Nova Scotia, and Islander Day on Prince Edward Island.

• Also, in the Yukon, the February holiday is called Heritage Day, celebrated on February 23, not as a statutory but a contractual holiday.

Image: Unsplash/Rod Long

Today, society as a whole recognizes that families come in various shapes. A family does not necessarily consist of blood relatives. Perhaps you have witnessed strong family ties among close knit people who love and support each other and see themselves as family.

The third Monday in February has no deeply rooted traditions associated with it as there are with Christmas or Thanksgiving. Whatever the February holiday is named, it provides a three-day winter weekend with precious time to celebrate the bonds of love among and between individuals who identify as family.

Let’s find ways to make Family Day 2024 an occasion to reconnect and  express our gratitude for the role families play in our lives and society.

-Sister Nancy Wales

A Different Approach to Lenten Almsgiving

Image: Unsplash/Mayur Gala

There are three traditional Lenten mainstays: prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Almsgiving, one of the three, usually translates into extending charity, or showing God’s kindness and compassion to our neighbour. It is often but not necessarily giving in the form of financial aid or material goods.  

I awoke one morning thinking of the two words: almsgiving and compassion. My early morning thought sparked this blog.

One of the ways we might focus on almsgiving during the Lenten season is by reflecting more intently on the guidelines for living Gospel compassionate action. The Corporal Works or Acts of Mercy provide an excellent roadmap for displaying God’s kindness and mercy in the actions of our daily lives.

Matthew 25: 35-40 provides us with the pattern for Christian living given by Jesus:

I was hungry and you fed me,
I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink,
I was homeless, and you gave me a room,
I was shivering, and you gave me clothes,
I was sick, and you stopped to visit,
I was in prison, and you came to me.

I read in a church bulletin a revised wording of the Corporal Acts of Mercy composed by Barbara Molinari Quinby, MPS. which turn words into action:

• Share what you have with those who need it, down the street or around the world.

• Share your joy and hope with those whose lives are dry and lonely, and those who are literally without water. 

• Stand up for those who are weak and vulnerable. 

• Advocate for those whose voices are not heard.

• Help prisoners and those who are confined due to fear, illness, or sadness.

• Make everyone welcome in your heart. Give people simple, decent places to lay their heads.

• Be with people who need you. 

• Love and respect the person who has died.

This Lent, why not extend the scope of almsgiving to incorporate the Works of Mercy? John’s words point the way, “Let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action.“ 1 John 3:18

-Sister Nancy Wales, CSJ

The Seven Corporal Works of Mercy | Artist Studio of David Teniers the younger | c.1642-3

This painting seemingly depicts a crowded genre scene in a Dutch village, but there is more to it than meets the eye. The various groups of figures composing the scene symbolically illustrate the seven corporal acts of mercy: to feed the hungry, to give drink to the thirsty, to clothe the naked, to give shelter to travellers, to visit the sick, to visit the imprisoned, and to bury the dead. This composition is known in several versions.

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Credits: Matthew 25:33-40; 1 John 3:18 - Bible Gateway

Corporal Works of Mercy - Barbara Molinari Quinby, MPS, a coordinator of Social Justice Ministries at Sacred Heart Cathedral, in Raleigh, NC

Valentine Inspiration

How many song titles can you recall that include the word, LOVE?  Do you remember the old tunes, “Love Makes the World Go Round”, “Put a Little Love in Your Heart”, and even Taylor Swift’s “Love Story”? The list is endless.  In today’s world of upheaval, war, and strife more than ever we need a little love in our universe and hearts.

February 14th has arrived and Valentines Day along with it. As usual, the stores, media and online platforms are drenched with hearts and cupids juxtaposed with the horrendous aftermath of the latest bombings near and far.  Still, we who live in more peaceful climes try to carry on with life as usual despite food shortages, homelessness and growing personal debt.

As Valentine’s Day arrives, I picture men running to stores at the last-minute thinking of expensive roses and chocolates that few can afford today, to say nothing of costly gems and jewelry.  Meanwhile, we waste away on a media diet of guns and weapons.  We might well wonder, “Who was this obscure St. Valentine who creates an annual February love frenzy in the midst of seeming darkness”?  In fact, research explains that there were two men named Valentine who were martyred several years apart on February 14.  Google states, “St. Valentine of Rome was martyred in AD269. Two centuries later, on February 14, AD469 St. Valentine’s Day was established by Pope Gelesius, in honor of the Christian martyr”.

Throughout the intervening centuries, St. Valentines Day has continued to be celebrated as a special day honoring love and loved ones. Yes, roses, chocolates and fancy cards are fine, but the legend of St. Valentine about which I learned in elementary school, was a different story.  This Valentine was a humble priest who sometimes lamented that he was neither a revered monseigneur nor exalted bishop but a lowly pastor.  One day, as Valentine was sitting downcast, he heard a whisper, “Do the little things, Valentine, with great love”.  Valentine heeded God’s urging and became a generous, loving presence to his parishioners.

We too, can make St. Valentine’s Day more than the gifting of manufactured hearts and fresh roses. We can craft a card with heartfelt wishes or practice daily acts of love:  helping around home, visiting a shut-in, making a special phone call, cultivating a thankful heart, and sharing lots of hugs.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

 -Sister Jean Moylan, CSJ

Image: Unsplash/Pawel Czerwinski

It's All About Love

As a child Valentine’s day was something to look forward to and prepare for; making Valentine cards for family and friends, getting sweets in the shape of hearts. On the other hand, Ash Wednesday was a day for fasting and prayer, reminders of our need for repentance and receiving the ashes to remind us we were mortal. I admit it was also fun to wear the ashes and have the kids at the neighbouring school wondering what we were up to. That these two feasts are happening on the same day this year raises the question of whether there is a gift available in their unusual coming together.

Image: Unsplash/Kelly Sikkema

Recently a dear friend passed away after a long, loving and faith-filled life. While reflecting on her life, the gift of these two feasts became abundantly clear.  It’s all about LOVE. Her life witnessed her love of family and friends faithfully, consistently, and delightfully with kindness, humour and quiet presence; Valentine love if you will. Her deep love of and gratitude to God were made obvious not just when she had ashes on her forehead but by her loving presence not only at church but in her community where she faithfully ministered. Thank you Rose.

As we begin our Lenten journey may we bring with us the gift of our growing awareness of what it means to BE LOVE personified.

-Maureen Condon, CSJ Associate

Be a Book Nut!

“Be awesome! Be a book nut!” — Dr. Seuss

As an avid bookworm, I once again find myself engaged in beginning a new series of novels set in England during the World War II period.

I just finished reading A Peculiar Combination on my Kindle while taking a few days to visit my friends in Cincinnati. A Peculiar Combination begins Ashley Weaver’s Electra McDonnell four book series, with number four, Locked in Pursuit, yet to be released until May 2024. It follows up on A Peculiar Combination (2021), the Key to Deceit (2022) and Playing it Safe (2023).

In A Peculiar Combination, Ashley introduces us to Electra and her Uncle Nick. Not wanting to be a spoiler, I’ll just say Electra and her Uncle Nick find themselves working with the initially hard to read Major Ramsey to avoid facing imprisonment. Employed by the British government Electra and Uncle Nick find themselves eager to do their bit for king and country. Thus begins their close calls and the novels twist and turns.

You might want to check out your local library’s catalogue. I found A Peculiar Combination is available at the London Public Library.

-Sister Nancy Wales, CSJ