A MEMORABLE VISIT

This summer I had an experience that I never imagined would come my way. For two weeks in July I had the marvelous opportunity of visiting the Northwest Territories (NWT). I was the eager guest of Sister Maggie in her cozy rented house on the banks of Hay River for which the town is named. Untouched by the forest fires are wooded areas that surround her home. Maggie is an avid gardener, and her variety of vegetables and bright flower plots attest to her creativity.  

Following a smooth flight, Sisters Maggie and Diane who have ministered in the North for decades, met me at the airport. After an enjoyable lunch with Sister Diane, in her Yellowknife apartment, Maggie and I set off for the five-hour drive to Hay River. Along the way, I had my first sight of a bison herd that was resting and grazing on the side of the road.  As we drove along the McKenzie Highway, I noticed stark evidence of past fires in the region. Thus began my introduction to the North.

Sister Maggie and Sister Loretta, 11:00 PM, Great Slave Lake, NWT 2023.

During my visit, Maggie, was the perfect hostess and tour guide.  Because of our travels, Fort Simpson, Fort Resolution, Fort Smith and Enterprise are no longer just names of which I have heard the Sisters speak.  They are localities I visited and was welcomed by people who call these places home.  As we travelled around the countryside, I was introduced to black bears and more bison. At one point, a magnificent caribou bounded across the road in front of us. Maggie who was always on the lookout as she drove, was able to stop in time for us to admire all these marvelous creatures as they made their way around or beside us.

The highlight of my trip was spending time with Maggie and accompanying her as she went about her daily ministries.  When at home, we sorted bundles of recycling, gardened, played with Ts’udaa, her entertaining cat, or just sat in the back yard and watched the antics of the birds and squirrels.

It was intriguing to look out the window at midnight and be able to enjoy the sight of God’s creation in the natural light of the summer sun not quite set. Unfortunately, because it was never really dark, the famous Northern Lights were not apparent in the night sky.

All too soon, two unforgettable weeks flew past, and it was time to bid farewell to Maggie and head for home. Because of the recent outbreak of a forest fire near Yellowknife, I had to rearrange my flight plans and fly to Yellowknife rather than having Maggie drive me. In Yellowknife, I bid farewell to Sister Diane and Linda and continued my memorable journey homeward.

I am grateful to my community for providing a wonderful opportunity to expand my horizons and visit the Land of the Midnight Sun.

-Sister Loretta Hagen, CSJ

Header image: Unsplash/Alexis Mette; all other images Sister Loretta Hagen.

Summertime

“Summertime and the livin’ is easy,”, croons Ella Fitzgerald from the 1934 opera, “Porgy and Bess”.  As July fades into August, this easy living is on my mind as holidays and the open road beckons me from the routine and tedium of everyday living.  As part of my personal summer renewal, I availed myself of the freedom and opportunity to visit family and friends after the long COVID siege.  Soon, I found myself packed and making my way north down the highways and byways to visit my sister and brother-in-law as well as planning a side trip to spend a little time with a dear friend.

My sister and brother-in-law’s home is always a haven of peace and serenity. We enjoyed tasty meals, relaxing days, and leisurely walks along the Saugeen River with its lush flora and fauna.  On our Saturday morning outing, we spied a magnificent blue heron with its long legs planted firmly in the shallow water, searching to surprise an unsuspecting fish.

On Saturday evening, stretched yoga-style on the living room floor, I felt on my back the silent, warm paws of gorgeous Sparky, the resident feline.  After a few steps, she stretched her purring self along the entire length of my back where she rested, and finally rolled to a waiting mat where she curled up and drifted off to sleep.  There, is a cat that knows how to relax.

Too soon, on Sunday afternoon I headed home after a wonderful summer visit. En route, I stopped to reconnect with a special friend from my teenage years. Linda and her husband Joe were waiting to greet me with open arms and a warm welcome.  What could be more refreshing than sitting under the shade of gracious maple trees sipping iced tea and eating oatmeal cookies? 

Soon their daughters arrived with children in tow to enjoy a swim in their beautiful backyard pool.  As we greeted each other and chatted, the young women were awed to realize that their mother and I had been friends for almost 60 years.  Even I was taken aback that six decades of caring and sharing had passed so quickly.

Driving home, I hummed a little ditty I had learned in elementary school: “Make new friends but keep the old; one is silver and the other is gold.”  As the sun set on my weekend excursion, I thanked God for peaceful summer spaces, the gift of family, and the treasure of faithful friends.

-Sister Jean Moylan, csj | Sister Jean has been a Sister of St. Joseph for 54 years.

““Make new friends but keep the old; one is silver and the other is gold.””

— old folk song

Ahhh…The Rest Nest

After three-and-a-half months of being grounded at the motherhouse in London, Ontario, four of us eager vacationers decided to honour our long-planned annual two weeks at the cottage and make a run for it.  No sooner was the trip confirmed than Sister Florian, a fine cook shifted into overdrive and baked enough cookies, muffins and loaves to last an entire summer.

On a bright sunny Monday, we headed first to Loblaws to pick up our pre-ordered groceries.  We were still in COVID daze and refraining from in-store shopping. Another restriction meant that we wouldn’t be leaving the Rest Nest area once we arrived there.  We had to ensure that we had enough supplies for the duration.

Upon unpacking our cache at our destination, we were relieved to learn that we had planned well, even if we were short on tomatoes and long on brown bread.

How relaxing it was to venture down the long, steep stairway to test the sparkling Lake Huron water and to sit in the shade of the leafy maples at the top of the hill.  There was treasured time for meditating, reading, or just “being” under bright blue skies where warm sunshine caressed us on every side.

We are all good cooks, so lingering at the table enjoying tasty meals was the norm.  Sr. Mary Raphael loves being sous-chef and like kids at an earlier age, we took turns doing the dishes.  Sr. Kathy brought a Canadian-themed jigsaw puzzle in a nod to Canada Day.  However, 1,000 tiny pieces were a challenge. One evening, as I was reading in my cozy room, a muffled roar arose from the first floor, followed by another outburst several minutes later.  Another elusive piece of the puzzle had been found!  Concerning other leisure activities, we were not much quieter playing cards.

Thus, ensued our lazy, hazy, precious holidays of summer.   Before we were ready, the calendar signaled it was time to head back to the city.  Returning home is also a joy.  Always, we are welcomed warmly as we embrace the shelter of each other and resume our duties with love and renewed energy.

-Sister Jean Moylan, csj

SUMMER

Summer days are upon us and we will kick back a bit and have a more relaxed posting schedule for our blogs. 

You will still see new content and some suggestions for some summer reading but we will very much be in summer mode!

A Tale of Two Summers

Calmly, I sit by my window on a rainy, late August morning, my thoughts roll back to earlier summer months. May comes to mind with its early spring buds. Daffodils, narcissus, tulips push through the warming ground to bright sunlight.  June explodes with nature in full bloom.  Birds cheer from the thicket, trees burst forth in full leaf, and grass is green and lush.

July and August offer months of freedom for children to cherish. Brides and grooms offer their lives to each other. For students, it’s a time of happy holidays. Fun and freedom abound as life changes gears. Family vacations, staycations and everything in between become the norm.  Reunions, barbecues and outdoor living spring up everywhere.  Regular, bountiful rain and life-giving showers are generously bestowed on the earth and gratefully received.

However, as I ponder wonderful summer, an unease stirs within me. The rain seems wetter, colder, more persistent under thick, low-hanging gray skies.  My mind turns to those in our beloved country who suffer under forest fires and long for blessed rain to relieve their misery.  Theirs has been a summer of danger and grief bringing with it lives forever changed.  While we have rejoiced these many weeks, they have lived with despair.

Musing on life’s blessings and challenges, I sense in the air a hint of fall to come.  Nostalgia visits my heart. Summer is waning. Sunrise appears a little later; I begin the struggle of rising in the dark.  Is this the first whiff of the coming cocooning and hibernation?  Holidays are dwindling. Stores are hacking back-to-school supplies. Routine is on the horizon.

Sadly, there were no holidays, barbecues or fun in the sun for families in the furnace of forest fires. I wonder will their workplaces still exist?  Will children return to school as usual?  One can only hope and pray for winds to turn direction and copious rain to fall upon the burning inferno. Meanwhile, let us hold in our hearts those who knew not summer’s joys. - Sr. Jean Moylan, csj