Soul Food: A Book Recommendation

If you are on the lookout for a book recommendation for your spiritual reading, may I suggest, the new book (February 2024), “Come, Have Breakfast,” by Elizabeth Johnston, csj. As a lover of the psalms, beholder of God as creative mystery, and a member of our Federation Ecology Committee I found it a perfect fit for me.

I was pleasantly surprised to find how readable yet profound  this well known, erudite spiritual writer’s insights conveyed nourishment for my soul. I appreciated the author’s use of language laced with poetic and biblical images and the book’s format of individual one-sitting meditations.

Amazon eloquently introduces Johnston’s book to potential readers:

“In her latest work, prize-winning theologian Elizabeth Johnson views planet Earth, its beauty and threatened state, through the lens of scripture. Each luminous meditation offers a snapshot of one aspect of the holy mystery who creates, indwells, redeems, vivifies, and sanctifies the whole world. Together, [the meditations] offer a panoramic view of the living God who loves the earth, accompanies all its creatures in their living and their dying, and moves us to care for our uncommon common home.” -Amazon.ca

To sample Come Have Breakfast and have an opportunity to meet with its author, Elizabeth Johnston, csj I suggest viewing Sister Elizabeth in a one-on-one interview with her book’s publisher, Robert Ellsberg, below.

-Sister Nancy Wales, csj | Avid Reader

World Food Day - October 16th  

World Food Day is a time to celebrate food in all its diversity and goodness. It is also a day to remember that many people, in our cities and in our world, are food-deprived, and even suffer hunger and malnutrition. How can this be happening in this beautiful world which produces enough food for all? Can our systems of food delivery be lacking? Can the will to feed all Earth’s peoples be amiss? How do we approach this issue when it is so complex and fraught with challenges?  

Over 820 million people worldwide suffer from hunger and 2 billion people face food insecurity, yet 1/3 of food is wasted. This is a moral, environmental, and economic disaster. Many people contribute to their local food bank or soup kitchen. Community gardens also help to address this problem at the local level; but as individuals and as a society, is it past time to examine our practices around sustainability, food systems and delivery, and consumption?  

World Food Day is a call to action; since 1979, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN has highlighted the issue. Governments, businesses, and individuals must work together to feed the hungry and create a world where equality and dignity are respected and promoted. What is my response as I tuck into another wonderful nutritious and balanced meal? We do not need guilt; we need action. 

Questions to ponder:  

  1. What is my protein footprint? 

  2. Am I eating “local,” observing the 100-mile diet, as much as possible?  

-Sister Helen Russell, CSJ

Join Hike for Hospice

A large sign on our front lawn announces in bold letters, “Hike for Hospice, St. Joseph’s Hospice of London, October 19th, 2024. Register today!

In line with this initiative, a few days ago Teresa, a bright, pleasant woman who had been in my grade 9 English class over 40 years ago, had just come from St. Joseph’s Hospice, our neighbours next door, after delivering part of a sizeable monetary donation to the upcoming hike.  She stopped and chatted with me. During our conversation, I learned that she has been an avid hospice canvasser for over 14 years during which time her family endured the death of their mother, father and sister due to cancer. Thanks to hospice care across Canada, people in the last stages of life can experience compassionate care mentally, physically and spiritually as did Teresa’s family members.

Throughout the dying process, with hospice care, families are a continuing present with their loved one at various stages of care, be it at home, in hospital, or hospice setting. They are deeply grateful for the many comfort measures bestowed on them and their loved one until death.  In fact, my friend was determined to show her appreciation for wonderful hospice care. Thus, she decided to become a fundraiser.

Teresa’s enthusiasm for hospice means that she never stops engaging possible donors until her goal has been realized.  She began her canvassing by gaining the eager support of her siblings, family and friends.  Word traveled by word of mouth, other donors enlisted and from there, the hospice donations continued to grow to the point where anonymous donors send money through her link to hospice.  The total amount Teresa submits to hospice yearly reaches approximately $3,000. WOW!  That’s the power of one.

On October 19th, Teresa, her family, friends and many others will lace up their running shoes, don this year’s pink tee shirt and run, walk or jog to Eco Park London in memory of their loved ones. Moreover, they will run in thanksgiving for and support of St. Joseph’s Hospice London.  Might you be among them?

-Sister Jean Moylan, CSJ