Blog
We are talking to ourselves. We are not talking to the rivers; we are not listening to the wind and stars. We have broken the great conversation. By breaking that conversation, we have shattered the universe. All disasters that are happening now are a consequence of that spiritual “autism.”
- Thomas Berry
With September just ahead of us, I hear a lot of conversation that expresses our longing to return to some kind of “normal”. Usually, shortly after that, I hear other talk wondering what the new normal is going to look like. And at the same time we are witnessing the struggle all of us, governments included, wondering what kind of choices are before us.
We have all been impacted by this pandemic. But we have never before in our lifetime had the opportunity to make real substantial change in our programs, our economics, and our social lives. The kind of change needed affecting jobs, education, investment, health care, etc. are not minor things that just tinkering around the edges of policy can fix. We need changes to lift everyone to a place where they can participate in their communities using the abilities, and creativity of everyone. That means acknowledging the inequities around us.
On our social media platforms – Twitter and Facebook - we are posting ideas encouraging all of us to talk with others suggesting ideas about creating a society that allows all of us to use and enjoy the goods and services in our towns, cities, and beyond. Talk with your MPs or MPPs, or city Councillors. And talk with your neighbours. The magnitude of these changes will not be easy, but we will never again have an opportunity like now to reshape the communities that can include all of us. Often the best ideas begin with the ordinary and casual conversations with those around us. Be curious about what others are thinking, and ask questions of why, or how. Be curious and not certain – all change begins with curious questions. Let’s not wait to begin these conversations!
- Joan Atkinson, CSJ
They planned their wedding for August 2019 but life got in the way. So it was rescheduled for August 2020 before COVID was a world phenomenon. She was so excited, he wanted it to be her special day; both of them put personal preference aside to accommodate the other. As the pandemic gained momentum and uncertainty mounted about what would be allowed, wedding plans took a hit and were scaled back, and back and back. The big day arrived, many of the original guests were sent a zoom link rather than an escort down the aisle. Now it didn’t matter if you were a guest of the bride or groom. It also wasn’t important if you were wearing night attire or yard clothes. It actually didn’t feel like a real wedding anyway.
Much to my surprise, I found the close-up pictures of the families and chosen guests arriving in their Sunday best most exciting. The mother-of-the-groom lit a candle for the groom in the rotunda of the church a few minutes before the mother-of-the-bride did the same. I think originally they were meant to do this together in the sanctuary, but physical distancing put a stop to that. The groom arrived and took his place beside the best man and anxiously started counting down the minutes wondering what could possibly be keeping the bride. Little did he know that any self-respecting bride had to be politely late to raise the temperature of the occasion.
She arrived stunningly beautiful on the arm of her father carrying white and pink roses. The wait was well worth it. The groom visibly relaxed and the ceremony began. What was a pure gift to us zoomers was the close-ups of each and every detail of the wedding. So in the end, although disappointed at not being present I have to say thank you to technology or I wouldn’t have had such a great front-row seat.
-Sister Ann Marshall, csj
Confronted with the necessity of learning to use zoom, and wading through a variety of apps, I managed to install a zero-cost Zoom app on my computer. I had already mastered the skill of opening a Zoom meeting by clicking on the link sent to me via e-mail. I bravely joined a small group of learners in an on-line webinar taught by Sister Kathleen, a patient member of my CSJ community. With some extra private coaching, I succeeded in learning computer etiquette, to check the volume of microphone and speaker, join a meeting, move between gallery view and speaker view, adjust my camera, mute, unmute, leave the meeting, etc. Now I was ready to learn how to initiate meetings - on to the advanced class!
In the first session, I was expelled because I somehow managed to render my Zoom app “encrypted” and the resulting cacophony made the meeting inaccessible to all. My teacher refused to give up; more private tutoring followed. In the second class, I was again invited to exit the session early after a guided exercise in leaving and then rejoining the group resulted in my computer having two almost simultaneous versions of the meeting occurring, not quite synchronously, for all participants. Nevertheless, our instructor has not despaired. More private tutoring and assurances that I could master this next step have given me a modicum of confidence. This evening, I have a semi-private lesson scheduled in which my intrepid teacher will coach another student and me in learning how to invite each other to schedule a Zoom meeting. Fortunately, our teacher can rove between her students’ adjacent locations to coach each of us. I wish her success and hope for a happy outcome.
“Computers are a means of teaching us humility”
In my deplorable state I am encouraged by knowledge if children can learn to use computers then so can I! And I am comforted by a remark from Connie, one of our most accomplished staff members (who has shown remarkable restraint and patience in dealing with my computer woes). Computers, she says, are a means of teaching us humility. Developing a new skill will yield added benefits.
- Sister Patricia McKeon, csj
