Blog
Vocation Vignettes
The Federation Vocation Animation team heard the question,
"where have all the Sisters gone?"
and developed a series of short video vignettes to offer an answer. Each month we release a new video, each on a different theme, or featuring one of our Sisters. This month, they offer you a story of "call" that spans the decades and the globe by sharing the story of Sister Divinia Pedro. Watch the video here: Sister Divinia Pedro.mp4 - Google Drive
The Federation Vocation Animation team heard the question, "where have all the Sisters gone?" and developed a series of short video vignettes to offer an answer! Each month we will release a new video, each on a different theme, or featuring one of our Sisters. This month, we hope you enjoy, "The Call".
Header image: Unsplash/Patrick Fore
Part III in a Series on Meditation and Faith
Father John Main writes “The most important thing to know about meditation is how to meditate”. The why is also important, but first know the how. The link below, by Paul Demeyer is 9 minutes and gives good information on the practice.
The mantra, maranatha, means Come Lord Jesus. It is Aramaic, the language Jesus spoke. When I explained that on one occasion a young student asked, when did Jesus learn English? A great question from an engaged student which brought a smile to my face.
I think of the mantra as an ego suppressant as it takes the spotlight of consciousness off ourselves. Father Laurence Freeman describes it as a bloodless sacrifice, a dying to self. However, distractions are sure to come, stay calm and focused and return to saying the mantra when you become aware that you are distracted. Don’t judge your prayer; be faithful to the discipline of the daily practice. Don’t look for success, meditation is an act of faith and even if you think nothing happened during your prayer, persevere. Our job is to show up, what happens during prayer is God’s business - grace. Mother Teresa is quoted as saying, “God wants fidelity not success.”
“what happens during prayer is God’s business”
Contemplation is a process of transformation writes Father Willigis Jager, osb. Over time a contemplative practice awakens in us an awareness of our false self, our shadow, our constructed self. We become aware of our biases, assumptions, beliefs, and world views that separate us and cause us to react to others in ways that put up barriers.
Image: Unsplash/Dingzeyu Li
Through fidelity in meditation gradually your whole life is changed in your attitudes, and behaviour; a peacefulness that is new moves you to say, ‘Thank you Jesus’ keep it coming.
Amen.
-Sister Ann Marshall, csj
Sister Ann Marshall works on Christian Meditation in the classroom, in partnership with teachers in the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board.
Image: Unsplash Colton Sturgeon
November 1st will be a day of remembrance for both Sister Kitty and I.
Like elders in families, it was important to accompany our guests to the driveway of our home, as they went on their way this morning to begin their new life in Canada. It was amazing to see that there was still some stuff that needed to fit into the car along with the parents and 2 young boys full of energy at what was awaiting them a few short blocks away.
IMAGE: Hermes Rivera @hermez777
Their journey to Canada began back in mid-August when they got word that they could leave Afghanistan as soon as there was room on an outgoing plane. With some delays, they were finally inside the gates of the airport and felt safe as they waited 4 more days to be called forward to board the plane with over 1,000 people all sitting on the floor in silence, praying and hoping that the flight would soon begin. Silence overshadowed any expression of excitement as they all were fearing for their lives and the waiting seem to take forever. On August 27th after 4 days in Kuwait, the family boarded a commercial plane with a flight path to Toronto Pearson. After landing safely, the family was asked to quarantine for another 2 weeks with only 10 minutes allowed outdoors once a day during this time.
The New Canadian Centre in Peterborough, a settlement agency that works with the Canadian Government to assist Government sponsored refugees is responsible for this family. Temporary housing was offered in one of the hotels so that the family could get vaccinated and begin looking for permanent housing etc. as well as beginning the journey of learning about Canada and what would be required of them.
Sister Kitty and I received a phone call in mid-October asking if we could assist with a 4 day stay for the family because the hotel rooms in the city were all pre-booked due to a weekend hockey tournament. When the 4 days ended, New Canadian Centre asked about them staying with us until the 1st of November when they would be moving into their own apartment. Offering short term hospitality to refugees was “why we moved back to Ontario in August 2020” – so we were delighted to assist with this request!
As the days went by, the family became more comfortable with us, and it was nice to hear giggles and laughter coming from the two little boys in the basement apartment. Mom wanted to learn some English while she was with us – and came up to the dining room to learn the days of the week; the denominations of money; the alphabet; the months of the year. It was evident that she is eager to learn English and is anxious to begin her classes sometime in November. The children were busy and went to the park nearby often to play soccer and play on the swings. Dad can speak English and hopes to get registered in the Community College and learn a trade so that he can support his family.
One of the things we learned is that – leaving family members and all of the life they knew was a huge sacrifice yet as the days unfolded here in Canada there seemed to be nothing that could change their hope of providing a safe life for their children and no obstacle was going to stop them going forward.
May those who live with us uprooted from their homeland,
find a new home in our country where their history is respected,
their gifts and graces celebrated, and their fear lessened.
May we be their home and the ones who open our hearts in welcome.
-Sister Ann MacDonald, csj
PART I IN A SERIES ON MEDITATION and FAITH
We are all born meditators. Recall how absorbed young children are gazing in awe at the magic of the Christmas Tree, how coffee tasted better as you sat wrapped in a spectacular sunset, how peaceful the sound of the waves rolling onto the shore made you wish for more, how time stopped as your baby gazed silently into your heart. Events like these are timeless and profound and full of peace. These experiences of wonder, joy and peace are the result of taking the attention off yourself and looking forward and beyond to the mystery of God at the core of all human existence.
Unfortunately, as we mature the pace of life blots out some of these precious memories replacing them with stress, hurry, and countless demands on a busy life. You may ask, is it possible for a busy professional, homemaker or retail employee to bring a modicum of peace to a stressful life? Unless you become like little children you cannot enter into the Kingdom of God. Matt. 18:3.
Having had the privilege of learning from children/students for the better part of 10 years listen to what they say:
I like to connect with Jesus because it makes me feel calm. - Kevin, 5
When I meditate it is as if I’m in another world, feeling at ease with the silence. - Lily, 13
I like Christian Meditation because it feels like peace and harmony, and it feels like a warm hug. -Maggie, 7
It gives me a sense of peace within myself and the world around me. - Chelsea, 16
I can forget everything that happened during the day. I can come back after connecting with God and feel good. -Grace, 11 *
Stay tuned as we continue this faith journey.
-Sister Ann Marshall, csj
Sister Ann Marshall works on Christian Meditation in the classroom, in partnership with teachers in the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board.
*Excerpts taken from the book, Christian Meditation Reflections by Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board Students. This book is dedicated to Sister Ann Marshall, CSJ, for her commitment to spreading the practice of Christian Meditation throughout the Hamilton-Wentworth School Board and in so doing, enriching the lives of countless students and staff by helping them to establish and nurture a genuine relationship with Christ.
