Resiliency and Hope

Photo by Sister Loretta Hagan, csj

August 13, 2023 was a typical Sunday morning. My plans for the day were to attend Mass at Assumption Parish in Hay River, NWT and then possibly travel down the highway to catch the last part of the music jamboree in the hamlet of Enterprise. That afternoon our lives would be changed, and our plans up-ended.

These are the words that began a blog I wrote on October 2, 2023, titled A Journey Through Wildfire Evacuation. I told my experience of the evacuation in Hay River, NWT (North West Territories) which lasted 5 weeks. The words that ended my blog are as follows,

We know that next spring there will be new growth, bright green amid the charred trees still standing and beautiful purple fireweed will bloom.

Well, spring has come, and summer 2024 has arrived, and the fireweed has grown and blossomed.

The journey did not end with the blog in October of last year. Little did I realize the deep, lasting effects of that Sunday afternoon in 2023. A strong wind, a certain colour in the sky, the smell of smoke, or smoke blowing in from distant fires, would cause anxiety. Tears would flow at the most unexpected times or circumstances. It did not matter in which direction I drove that I was not met with vast expanses of burnt trees. Tears would run down my cheeks as I drove.

Photo by Doug Swallow

And then, guilt set in. Why was I feeling this way when I had not lost my home as many had in Enterprise and in Patterson Road?  I did not experience the flames and falling trees as folks did who left, not much later, the one road out, compromised with debris. I was blessed to have been given a ride out, with my cat and a beautiful home to stay in, while others had only a hotel room with children and pets, in some instances.

Picture of the fireweed by Doug Swallow

On three separate occasions, three people who know me well suggested that perhaps I should see a counselor. In December I took their advice. It was the best decision I could have made. With guidance, I saw that I did lose something in the loss of the trees, in the displacement or perhaps death of some animals and their habitat. I was not able to help, as I would normally do in a crisis. My feelings were validated, and I was given strategies which would help me in times of anxiety or sadness.

Last week Sister Loretta and I drove along the back road to see the fireweed. Yes, that is what people were saying, “The fireweed has come”, as if it were a soothing salve. It gives me hope.

On Saturday we went down the highway to Enterprise. Approximately 90 % of homes and structures were destroyed in the fire, and yet the annual music jamboree was held. There was great joy in coming together as a community and yes, tears were shed as we remembered.

Today marks one year since the evacuation alert sounded. Today we see the gift of the fireweed…and resiliency and hope.

Sister Maggie Beaudette, CSJ

Photos: Doug Swallow, Sister Loretta Hagen

Day Tripping: An Enjoyable Way to Vacation

Here we are, half-way through summer 2024.  There are still sunny vacation days left to think about and where we might travel for a little excitement and change of pace. For me, this summer’s excursions were fun and not far from home.   

Being a lover of Shakespeare, dear friends treated me to the Stratford Festival where we saw the delightful, “Twelfth Night”.  Although it was staged in modern dress, we were whisked away to another era of fantasy and revelry.  It was a perfect day in late May to leave the city and spend time with loved ones in the theatre and parks of beautiful Stratford, Ontario. 

Sister Jean on the farm

A month later, I enjoyed an annual family gathering called “Moylan Mayhem” on my nephew’s 172-year-old farm near Seaforth.  My great grandfather officially leased the land in 1852 from the Canada Company.  Now, my nephew, his wife and their four beautiful daughters represent six generations having lived on the homestead. There is no better place to gather for a weekend with our tents and trailers to reminisce about days of yore, present times, and future plans. 

Next on my leisure list, was a glorious time at a cottage near Camlachie, only an hour’s drive from London. (Pictured below, Sister Florian, and a stunning Lake Huron sunset) Amid the rest and leisure, there was a visit to the well-known Victoria Playhouse in Petrolia.  It was uplifting, and delightful to attend the original cast and crew presentation of, “Sweet Soul Music”. Some were inspired to sway and dance in the aisles to the time-honored sounds of Motown music of the ‘60’s. After the performance, I was thrilled to meet one of the fine co-producers who was a student at Assumption High School in Windsor when I taught there in the 80’s. 

Finally, back at home, I realized that every venue I visited was no more than an hour’s drive from home.  Unaware of it, I was day tripping!  What a wonderful, economical way to experience the sights and sounds of summer.  I can rise early, pack a delicious lunch, hop into my car and enjoy day tripping. 

You too, might get the day tripping bug. Think of all the interesting places near home that you might want to visit or revisit at leisure.  There’s no need to hurry.  You can return home and sleep in your own bed or stay overnight or for a week, knowing that home is only an hour away.  I’m planning my next day trip to Huron County Playhouse in Grand Bend.  Maybe I’ll see you there! 

-Sister Jean Moylan, CSJ

Happy Friendship Day

World Friendship Day - JULY 30th

Some may say it was merely a coincidence. For me, it was more like a Godincidence. A couple of weeks ago, a dear friend asked if I might write a blog for the International Day of Friendship. Being my friend, I gladly agreed to do so. Today, July 22, is the Feast of Mary Magdalene, my patron saint, a fitting day to write about friendships. Among the cards I received for my name feast day, one stood out as it speaks about friendship.

“The friendship we share is a rare and remarkable thing. The easy, natural way we relate to each other means so much … it's what makes me comfortable just being myself. I believe that ours is one of those friendships too wonderful to have happened by chance. Common interests may have brought us together, but I know it was the grace of God that made us friends!”

It most certainly felt like more than a coincidence to be gifted with this card on the day I was about to write about friendship. A Godincidence. “The grace of God made us friends.”

““Whatever our souls are made of yours and mine are the same.” ”

— Emily Brontë

While I was thinking about friendship, I paged through John O’Donohue’s book, Anam Cara, Gaelic for Soul Mate. This reminded me of a beautiful quote Jeopardy host Alex Trebek shared in his book “The Answer is…”  To describe his relationship with his wife Jean, he mentions the quote from their favourite movie, Wuthering Heights: “Whatever our souls are made of yours and mine are the same.” Alex then describes his relationship with Jean with these words, “That’s the way I look at our relationship. We are one soul in two bodies.” Soul mates share enduring affection, esteem, intimacy, and trust. Friendship is a lifeline. Connecting with like-minded people who genuinely care about one another is a gift from God. Indeed, “The most wonderful places to be in the world are in someone’s thoughts, someone’s prayers, and in someone’s heart.” (Helen Barry)

““The most wonderful places to be in the world are in someone’s thoughts, someone’s prayers, and in someone’s heart.” ”

— Helen Barry

I consider myself hugely blessed. I have amazing friends and soul mates. Nothing could replace what their friendship has meant and means to me. Their love, support, and care are invaluable treasures. I am blessed to have such dear friends who have known me for decades and we have shared both the light and shade of each other. Friendships of any length are based on a continued, mutual forgiveness. In one of Richard Rohr’s recent daily meditations, he speaks of the dance of repair, a healing dance between friends. Anyone who is blessed with dear friends knows that without tolerance and mercy a friendship can die. As David Whyte puts it, friendship is a mirror to presence and a testament to forgiveness. Friendships support us and enrich our lives. Furthermore, according to science friendships can, among other things, slash our risk of mortality in half.

The Age of Innocence Credit: Marco Mancinelli

On this International Day of Friendship, connect with your friends and give thanks for the gift of friendships, especially those that survived hiatuses, silences, distances. They are the connections that never die.

-Sister Magdalena Vogt, cps | Guest Blogger