I am what I am because of who we are together.

Today, October 19th is Mission Sunday in the church. It calls us to think more globally and maybe even for a few moments insert ourselves into the lives of our brothers and sisters around the world.

When I was approaching 60 years of age, I knew that something was stirring inside which I had to pay attention to. I believed that I was being called to something more!!!! I wanted to go to the edge and make a difference. I felt if I did not respond to this intuitive feeling it may never happen again.

Not knowing what this call to the more really meant I began to pray with a favorite passage of scripture from Jeremiah. “I know the plans I have in mind for you – plans for peace not disaster – building a future full of hope and then I waited for clarity.

I was led to Scarboro Missions and missioned to join the team in Malawi, located in Central Africa. My ministry was at St. Peter’s secondary school teaching life skills and social studies. I went to the missions with great energy and fervor and I was going to change the world. But it was I who was changed!!!

As a high extrovert, it was easy to become immersed in the life of the students and staff at the school and I found it very life-giving. Of course the teaching was a challenge since I was not a teacher by profession but I managed – and the students even passed!!!!     

In preparing this article, I came across an African proverb that I want to share with you -

“The African world is about our living as one family, belonging to God.” And, it goes on to say “I am because we are.”

Family is the central point of life for the Malawian people and their deep faith and trust in God to provide for them is such a strong reality. Given the many hardships they face on a daily basis their deep faith in this God they love is so profound that I was often left speechless. They too have hopes of a better life for their families, dreams of education for their children and longings for a more just distribution of the world’s resources.

Many families struggle to find school fees for their children so they can attend school as there is a belief that the only way out of poverty is to have an education. Students walked miles to attend school and often came without anything for lunch.

I found myself watching the kids to see if I could figure out why they were so happy with so little. I saw their joy expressed as they chatted together or worked on a mathematics problem or were playing on the soccer field. I learned that a simple expression of joy can lift the spirits of everyone. 

I was humbled when some students who were living with me would suggest that we pray together and share about a passage of scripture. Their relationship with God was personal and alive and I learned a lot from these young people.

The longer that I lived with and among the Malawian people I grew in my own awareness that is was not about what I was doing in ministry but is was about how I was being in relationship with all those who came into my life.

It was my opportunity to meet God within the other and there was always time ‘to loiter with intention’. Life is lived at a slower pace and I certainly came to like this way of going about my day.

As I reflect on my experience in Malawi, one of the things that became quite clear while I was living there is that I grew in my awareness that we are sisters and brothers to each other. This heightened consciousness of solidarity with others different than myself was certainly important for me as I sought out a ministry of meaning here in Windsor. I am currently volunteering at the refugee office and feel at my best when I am chatting with refugees from Palestine, Senegal, Bosnia or Liberia. I know this would not be the case had I not lived within another culture where I was embraced as a sister! (small ‘s’)

Since my return I have often reflected on the words of that African proverb – “I am what I am because of who we are together.” This was a gift of my 6 years with and among the people of Malawi…and my prayer is that this new consciousness will carry me into the remaining days of my life.

In closing, I would like to invite you to go to that place within where God dwells and listen again to these words from Jeremiah:

“I know the plans I have in mind for you –– plans for peace, not disaster, reserving a future full of hope for you. Then when you call to me and come to plead with me, I will listen to you. When you seek me you shall find me. When you seek me with all your heart, I will let you find me…..it is Yahweh who speaks.”

Ann MacDonald, CSJ

Sammy Squirrel and Benjamin Bunny

During my time at the lake house, I had a lot of opportunity to observe Sammy and Benjamin. They both were out and about most mornings and early evenings. They did not bother with each other even though they occupied the same grassy area. (Well maybe the occasional glance.) Sammy rushed about stopping and working furiously to stuff his cheeks with seeds from the maple keys. Benjamin on the other hand casually savoured a blade of grass. Both had their ears perked for the sound of an approaching enemy. Obviously they had no fear of one another.

This peaceful scene made me think about our world situation today. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if countries could so peacefully exist, occupying common ground (earth), but respecting one another’s values? Some of us are squirrels and others bunnies (as in rabbits). This observation applies personally, as well as worldwide. It takes all kinds to make the world go round.

We can’t help but be aware of the many catastrophes taking place on an hourly bases. We shutter at the brutality. 

Now back to our own small worlds. How do we exert brutality on ourselves and on others? Do I put myself down? Do I do it to others? Usually in a small way – not really meaning to.

Let’s learn from Sammy and Benjamin – enjoy your space but be willing to share. “It’s a small world after all.”

Barbara Vaughan, CSJ

… in the Midst of Upheaval

This year, Thanksgiving occurs in the midst of many challenges. The world is saturated in war. Ebola threatens to invade not only Africa but the USA and Canada. Work is scarce and poverty continues to increase the disparity between the rich and poor. Heavy rain pelting the window confirms my fear that the late growing crops will not be harvested this fall.

What is one to do in the face of all this bad news? One might be tempted to play Job and curse one’s fate. However, my morning walks confirm that the sun’s healing rays still shine on us. Beauty surrounds us on every side. Crisp fall mornings lighten my spirit. Bright autumn flowers and the magnificent neon reds and oranges of trees are a feast for the eyes. Happy children wait for the school bus watched by attentive parents.

In the wider world, the United Nations is hammering out a new global agreement on reducing carbon emissions. We teeter on the cusp of a global transition to a new safe energy economy. New attempts are being made to redirect locating new fossil fuel deposits to exploring new safe energy initiatives. Young Emma Watson of Harry Potter fame recently addressed the UN to endorse the “Heforshe” initiative for gender equality.

Year after year, Thanksgiving reminds us of the good gifts God brings in spite of massive turmoil. In the haunting words of “Desiderata”, the poet Max Ehrmann reminds us: “With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.” Happy Thanksgiving.

Jean Moylan, CSJ

The Canadian Goose Saga

“April is the cruelest month.” (T. S. Eliot) It was April and as I looked out my window from the Crow’s Nest, I spotted Mr. & Mrs. Canada Goose inspecting the property.

They seemed to aspire to an upscale place to raise their family. After much wandering about with Mrs. Goose in the lead; she appeared to choose a spot out front very close to the entrance of the residence under shrubbery. However, cars were whizzing about and Mr. Gander with his flat feet firmly planted, stood in the middle of the drive and cars had to circumvent him.

After a while they wandered off and to our surprise they had chosen a spot at the south of the building, directly over the chapel. A remote area with no access to human kind. Mrs. Goose settled comfortably into this new abode, scratching together a few grasses and feathers for a nest.

And there she sat for twenty-eight days incubating the eggs. She faced south with her long neck reaching over the concrete edge.

Did she have an audience? Yes, you bet! We, the Sisters, were congregating in other Sisters’ suites following this phenomenon – of a Canada Goose and her trials. She rarely left the nest – squatting and shifting her weight. We discovered that she had three eggs and later four.

April was indeed cruel to her. The weather was rainy and nasty. One evening, I peered out to see her weathering a ‘south-wester’ which reminded one of ‘A Storm at Sea.’

But Mrs. Goose persevered by lifting her body more and propping her feet to protect the incubating eggs. Behold one day three goslings, balls of yellow fluff appeared. Immediately Mother Goose took them on a tour of their surroundings. No food! No water!

She was very positive the little goslings would toddle along behind her. She seemed to give a signal with her tail if one fellow was faltering, but he flipped his little wings and marched on.

Many of us were in a panic wondering how Mrs. Goose would get her little offsprings off the roof, as there was a fall of thirty to forty feet. But she did and one early evening they were gone. Her motherly and patient instinct had conquered all obstacles.

One egg hatched after the family was gone. It seemed to be weak and perished very soon. The Canada Goose Saga has inspired us all. How nature overcomes all obstacles. Now that fall is here and the Canada Geese begin flying south overhead, they may give a salute to the residence on Windermere where life began.

Eileen Foran, CSJ 

We are who we stand with!

Some years ago, at a union convention, I was drawn to a particular T-shirt which was being presented for sale. It wasn’t the usual type of offering.  The graphic on it seemed to have a deeper meaning beyond what is frequently imprinted on union garb; no logo, no strident union message. What I saw was a depiction of ordinary people, of all ages and abilities relating with one another with the statement “WE ARE WHO WE STAND WITH”.  “Yes”, I thought, “this is the essential meaning behind the union movement. We have to represent the ‘ordinary folks’ who struggle”. I bought the shirt.

Fast forward to August 2014 and the recent Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) Assembly in Nashville, Tennessee   ...   

I have been following this conference with great interest given the ongoing investigation of the LCWR by the Vatican’s ‘Congregation of the Doctrine of Faith’. What I have been reading is a tremendous affirmation of the journey of American women religious communities since Vatican II. This, I would suggest, is mirrored in Canada. Women religious have been true to what was asked of them.  

Originally, in North America, women religious provided health care and education, founding many hospitals and education systems, and yes they looked after the orphans and the elderly.  Today, however, what they continue to do is to identify current collective needs and then work toward making change happen. You see, these religious women do great work and then step aside as society catches up with them!  They engage on the leading edges of emerging concerns, always looking for the “needs of the new margin dwellers.” (Nancy Scheck, OSF)

Who are the people /issues that women religious are standing with now?  As Nancy Scheck said at the Assembly, this has happened and is continuing to happen, “from racism to climate change, from trafficking to the nuclear threat, from the concerns of the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) community to global economics, women's equality and violence, ethics in health care, issues of abortion and the death penalty, drones, immigration and peacemaking.”

Has this ‘prophetic stance’ come at a cost? Yes!  As stated by Sr. Miriam Ambrosio CRB, in terms of women’s religious life, it is “the awareness of our "non-place" in society and in the church. Religious belong on the margins, with other marginated people”.  

Because sisters have gone to the ‘edges’ and supported the ‘marginalized’ they are ‘counter-cultural’, perhaps even in terms of the institutional church. They truly live the slogan,” WE ARE WHO WE STAND WITH”!  Would not Jesus not have agreed?

Please take the opportunity to access all of the wonderful addresses given at the LCWR 2014 Assembly, as well as a great video at https://lcwr.org/calendar/lcwr-assembly-2014 . 

Ann Steadman, CSJ Associate