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The Sisters of St. Joseph are concerned about how proposed changes to the federal health care program for newly arrived refugees will have negative impacts on refugees, refugee claimants, and health care systems across Canada.
Our Office for Systemic Justice has sent the following letter to the federal Minister of Health and the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada/IRCC to raise these concerns.
Read the letter here.
Patrick was my father’s name. He grew up in Douro, a small, distinctly Irish township situated just east of Peterborough, Ontario. My mother, Bridget, was born in Newbridge, County Kildare, Ireland. When she married my father and met the people of Douro, she remarked that their accents were even more Irish than those in Ireland itself! This background meant that St. Patrick’s Day was always a special occasion for our family. Our celebrations included attending morning Mass, watching a parade, enjoying Irish music, and sharing a meal of Irish stew and soda bread. We continue to honor these traditions to this day.
St. Patrick was never formally canonized by the church because he lived and died before the official process of canonization began in the 12th century. Instead, he was recognized as a saint by the people, admired for his remarkable achievements in spreading the Christian faith to nearly every part of Ireland.
St. Patrick was renowned for his preaching and his deep devotion to prayer. Much like Jesus, he would retreat to quiet places for prayer and reflection. One such place is Croagh Patrick, a mountain in County Mayo, which remains a site of pilgrimage to this day. Perhaps this March 17th, you will join me in reciting this beautiful Prayer of St. Patrick or listen on to Rita Connolly singing “The Deer’s Cry”.
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise, Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks for me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me, Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me.
-Maureen Condon, csj associate
Images: Quentin Rey/Allec Gomes/K. Mitch Hodge | Unsplash
Sister Elaine Cole, left.
World Day of Prayer 2026 was held at Trinity Lutheran Church in North London on Friday, March 6. The prayer service was prepared by Christian women in Nigeria with the theme, "Come Unto Me". The program included testimonials of a Nigerian widow bearing the burden of systemic oppression; of a Nigerian woman bearing the burden of religious persecution; of a Nigerian woman bearing the burden of poverty and despair. The members of the planning committee led the singing of the Theme Song that was written and composed especially for the service entitled "Come Unto Me". The first verse is as follows:
Are you down and feeling lonely, are you weary and oppressed, you don't have to be discouraged, Jesus says, "Come unto me".
The women in the photo are members of the planning team for the event and are from the Anglican, Lutheran, United and Roman Catholic Churches. Sister Elaine Cole, far left, was a member of the team representing the Sisters of St. Joseph. You can find her behind the flowers and flags.
In 2027 World Day of Prayer will be celebrating one hundred years of Christian women from around the world coming together in spirit, uniting on a common day to pray for relevant issues affecting women and children. Amen!
Header Image: Milada Vigerova/Unsplash
