Jean Moylan

International Day of Forests: March 21

 International Day of Forests: March 21

How many people even know that there is an International Day of Forests? Given the present situation of climate change, which is wreaking havoc on forests and all nature due, in large part, to us humans who should be shaking in our boots.  We have failed to do our share to prevent global warming. At this late date, can we atone and make a concerted effort to help to protect at least one of nature’s special treasures - our trees and forests?

In a world where over 90% of its people live in urban situations, it behooves us to take care of forests which, not so many years ago, covered much of the earth, especially in North America.  Early pioneers saw in trees and forests a wide variety of wood products which did, and continues to provide lumber for homes, dwellings, buildings, furniture etc.  Today, Indigenous Peoples and conscientious conservationists have taken a stand to protect our forests and trees from wanton destruction and clear cutting, often without success or support of governments that cast a blind eye to the cry for justice for the earth.

There are many forests throughout the world, including the largest, the Amazon which shares its location with nine nations: the Tropical Rainforests in Congo, New Guinea, Borneo, Burmese, and Valdwan. Other beautiful forests include Germany’s Black Forest, United States’ Redwood’s National and State parks, and Australia’s Duintree Rainforest to name a few.

Not to be outdone in beauty are Canada’s magnificent lakes and forests, located in every province, claiming almost 10% of the world’s forests.  Recently, I read about Canada’s amazing boreal forest which is the world’s largest intact forest ecosystem. It stretches across 1.2 billion acres (485 million hectares) of northern Canada, from Yukon to Newfoundland and Labrador.  It represents 25% of the world's only intact forest, even more than the Amazon rainforest.  In the almost decade since these statistics appeared, it would be interesting to know how much of the boreal (northern) forest has been victim to fires, climate change, resource development, pipelines, roads, and urban development.

Considering the greed in our world, we realize that only concentrated effort will help to preserve the trees and forests that populate our world.  Changing our lifestyle is our only hope, so go ahead, hug a tree, and thank Mother Nature on behalf of all those who care!

I share with you the lovely poem, Trees, by  Joyce Kilmer (1886-1918).

-Sister Jean Moylan, CSJ

Images: Unsplash: Arnaud Mesureur  | Olena Bohovyk                       

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

What Needs to Happen

On January 17th, 2024, United Way of Elgin Middlesex presented a thought-provoking meeting, launching their campaign to petition the Ontario government to double provincial social assistance in our province. A cross- section of London citizens attended the presentation at the Wolf Performance Hall to hear a panel who are well versed in present social issues surrounding poverty and homelessness.

The panel endorsed United Way’s recommendation to double Ontario’s social assistance and bring people above the official poverty line.

The presenters reminded us that we cannot condone the homelessness and hunger that has become part of our beautiful province. It is unconscionable that a single person on Ontario Works receives only $733 a month for rent and basic needs. This is an amount that has been frozen by the provincial government for the past 5 years.

In London, Ontario, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment unit is $1,364 per month.  Meanwhile, United Way points out that the poverty line in Ontario is $2,302 per month. What remains evident is our province needs to double Ontario’s social assistance rates to come closer for singles and families to have shelter and live as valued humans.

Looking at the above facts, what needs to happen? We may add our voices by writing to Premier Doug Ford and your local MPP calling for the doubling of Ontario’s social assistance in the upcoming provincial budget 2024-2025.

Next Steps: Letters and emails must be received in Toronto by Feb. 29, 2024. It is time to ensure that everyone has access to a dignified, livable income. You can endorse the United Way recommendation here or contact Doug Ford via the Office of the Premier website here or here. Or send a letter to: Premier’s Office, Room 281 Legislative Building, Queen’s Park, Toronto, ON M7A 1A1

-Sister Jean Moylan, CSJ

Image: Unsplash/krakenimages 

A Winter Snowstorm

Here is what people were saying a few weeks ago, “I guess we will have a green Christmas in 2023. “I don’t mind a little snow from time to time”. “Crops do better when the land has had a winter blanket of snow”.  “I am just glad I don’t have to shovel the stuff.  “These mild days point to climate change, for sure”.

What a surprise when a winter snowstorm rolled into Southwestern Ontario on January 12th.  People pulled on their winter coats and headed for refuge at home.

Darkness fell and a mixture of rain and snow pelted icy windows. I awoke after midnight to the sound of sirens rescuing people who refused to reduce speed.  Later, thumps and bumps signaled that snowplows were clearing roads and driveways. Indeed, it seemed to have the makings of an old-fashioned winter storm.

As I awoke in the semi-darkness and prepared for the day, the storm and wind   abated, but rain was making slush of everything. No doubt, planes would be grounded. I worried that my brother and sister-in-law might be enroute already from Cuba where they had fled Canada in search of sunshine.

In contrast to the present, our country was once a land of ice and snow from early November until late March. We were hearty people brandishing snow shovels and clad in sturdy boots, heavy coats, warm mittens, and bright winter scarves. A favourite pastime was reminiscing around the fireplace about the arduousness of living in Canada through fierce snowstorms.

I was a young teacher in London when a giant storm ripped through the area. I had managed to make it to school and was preparing for class when a telephone call alerted me that my sister, who was close to giving birth, was being transferred by ambulance from a small town an hour’s drive north to an awaiting physician at a hospital in our city. The stormy trip took much over the usual hour before arriving at its destination. I will never forget worrying my way through my teaching as the storm choked the roads and blinded city drivers. Finally, I received a call that a beautiful baby girl had arrived in the early afternoon of January 26th. Soon after the birth, the new father arrived at the hospital as the roads closed behind him. What followed was seven stormy days before safe travelling was restored and the little family headed for home. People had been stranded far and wide and newspapers proclaimed the calamity of the great snowstorm of January 1971. Now that’s an old-fashioned snowstorm!

-Sister Jean Moylan, CSJ

Local Crops that Feed the World

This summer, while travelling the highways and byways of our beautiful countryside, did you ever wonder what happens to the crops in the fields along the way after they are harvested?  Well, here’s one answer.  Tucked into the landscape on Hwy. 8 in southwestern Ontario is the pretty town of Mitchell.  Set off to the left amid the fields ripe for the harvest and down a lane sits a constellation of huge silos and dryers waiting to receive the precious mature grains from the millions of acres of crops grown in the miles of surrounding fields.

A small army of skilled workers labor year-round and especially during the summer months at Mitchell’s mammoth grain elevators to receive the bountiful harvest of corn, canola, soybeans, white beans, etc.  Following the harvest, these grains are hauled by an assortment of huge trucks and grain wagons to the waiting elevators where they are sorted and dried, if necessary.  Then, the produce is poured into various sized bags and bins and shipped worldwide.  Some of the countries receiving the grains include the USA, Europe, England, Australia New Zealand, and parts of Africa.

My nephew has been employed at the Mitchell grain elevators for several decades. On chatting with him recently, I was amazed as he related the daily process to prepare crops from field to destination to ensure that the product will make its way around the world to feed the hungry in foreign lands. This scenario is repeated many times in grain elevators that dot the land throughout our countryside. Indeed, across Canada, many other foods are grown locally and exported to distant places. Think of potatoes from PEI, grains, and a variety of vegetables from Ontario, wheat from the prairie provinces, delicious apples from Beautiful BC as well as dairy products from most provinces. These are a fraction of products grown in Canada’s fields and greenhouses.

Not all land in Canada is arable. We must pay close attention to protecting rural areas and precious farm soil.  I’m sure you’ve heard the recent saying, “They’re not making land anymore”.  Therefore, I wonder how a group of greedy developers could convince Ontario’s premier to dip into Toronto’s Green Belt and destroy thousands of acres of precious protected land! Thank God for the uprising of thousands of voices that caused the Ontario government to reverse its decision and enable the Green Belt to continue to help feed the world for generations to come.

 -Sister Jean Moylan, CSJ

IMAGE: Unsplash/Ant Rozetsky