World Water Day - March 22, 2022

Seeing with new eyes

Image: Unsplash/Silvan Schuppisser

I turn on the tap and water flows. But where does it come from?

London, Ontario's water system and supply of clean water come from both Lake Huron and Lake Erie, through a network of treatment plants, reservoirs, and pumping stations made up of more than 1,620 kilometres of pipes.

Being a city gal, I am used to the fact that water from the Great Lakes moves through pipes to purification stations and then into my tap. I have childhood memories of visiting relatives at their summer cottage where my aunt pumped water from the well directly into her sink. That water comes from aquifers.

Aquifers are geological formations of rocks, sands and gravels that hold water. This water feeds springs, rivers, lakes, and wetlands, and also seeps into the ocean depending on the geographical area. The water accumulates from rain and snowfall.

This year for World Water Day, March 22, 2022, we are invited to celebrate and recognize the importance of groundwater (water from aquifers) – the invisible gift that supports drinking water, sanitations systems, farming, industry, and ecosystems.

People who draw drinking water from private wells do not currently have any enforceable safeguards. “Over 40 municipal drinking water systems throughout Ontario are not covered by the Clean Water Act.” See: https://watercanada.net/feature/ontario-drinking-water-safe

The data sheet for World Water Day 2022 states that almost all liquid freshwater in the world is groundwater, and it will play a critical role in adapting to climate change. Life will not be possible without groundwater.

So how do we protect groundwater?

Contribute to the voices opposing the provincial government’s permit to Blue Triton to continue to take 3.6 million liters of water daily from the Aberfoyle Plant, and 1.1 million liters of water per day from the Hillsbourgh location.

Read Wellington Water Watchers, World Water Day Statement: Wellington Water Watchers.

To avoid depletion requires policies on energy, land use and irrigation.

For a good news story, read what is developing among the Dairy Farmers of Canada: https://dairyfarmersofcanada.ca/en/who-we-are/our-commitments/sustainability/water.

World Water Day each year reminds us to cherish water as gift, as medicine,  as sacred, and to ensure that water is available for everyone without becoming a commodity.

2 billion people live without access to safe water. Let’s support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #6 to achieve water and sanitation for all by 2030.

Raise a glass and look with new eyes!

World Water Day 2022

-Sister Loretta Manzara, csj

We are a Blue Community.

March 21, International Day of Forests

March 21, International Day of Forests

Image: Unsplash/Maxim Hopman

Forests evoke a sense of mystery and awe for me. I recall the wonder I felt walking alone in a pine forest in our Northwest Territories: I am mesmerized by photos of giant trees in BC that beckon me and awake a longing to spend silent retreats in their midst. Yet such forests also evoke sadness.  Stories of new oil pipelines and clear-cut logging in what remains of the never-to-be replaced old-growth forests in BC seem catastrophic. Why is it that we have not protected this national heritage?   And then there is the Amazon rain forest. In the March 17, 2022 edition of The Washington Post, an article by Terrence McCoy “The Amazon Undone; Death in the Forest” describes the ongoing destruction of a place of beauty, a place that preserves our climate. Along the 500 mile Highway 319 which runs through a largely preserved area of the Brazilian Amazon.  New sideroads, extreme violence, land grabbers, fires, and deforestations are present. People disappear and their bodies are never found. Large new farms on illegally deforested land are hidden among the trees.  And there is conflict between environmentalists and citizens. For example, Manaus, a city of 2.2. million is cut off from Brazil’s highway system and wants the highway to make travel easier and enable development. Yet environmentalists claim: “What has historically been a carbon sink could suddenly become a ‘carbon bomb’ upending the world’s efforts to avert catastrophic warming.”

I believe action to preserve forests is required of all of us. Some wonderful work has been done by researchers in Canada and the Amazon. We need to keep ourselves informed of such research, stories about the destruction of forests, and add our voices to those who protest these events.

-Sister Pat McKeon, csj

International Day of Forests

image: unsplash/Geran de Klerk

Spring has arrived! On Tuesday, March 22nd we will celebrate World Water Day! And in between, you might want to nestle into the breathing lungs of our planet: trees!

The International Day of Forests, celebrated every year on March 21st raises awareness about the values, significance, and contributions of the forests in balancing the lifecycle of the earth.

Nalini Nadkarni shares her love of the forests, the trees that drew her into a career in forest ecology. By researching religious texts of many faith communities, she celebrates with profound awareness, the gift of trees.  Her energy and insight are brought to us in conversation on Tapestry: Connecting to our Roots: the Spirituality of Trees. I found this a joy to listen to. Why not join me in wonder and delight.

Earlier this month Nalini spoke with the CBC, and asked us to reimagine our relationship with trees. Read & listen here.

 -Sister Loretta Manzara, csj

Happy International Day of Happiness!

If you’re happy & you know it …👏👏

In 2012 the United Nations implemented the first International Day of Happiness and went further stating that happiness is a human right and worthy of celebration. It is annually celebrated on March 20th, a week of celebrations which bring happiness, or at least that possibility, to us specifically.  The ultimate goal of the day is to spread awareness that progress is not only about increasing bottom lines and encouraging economic growth, but well-being and human happiness. To give happiness as much priority as economic opportunity is an ambitious goal.

Happiness isn’t a given, it takes effort to attain, appreciate and understand one’s own happiness. Many people live very unhappy lives, and we have a responsibility to make happiness an option for them. Easier said than done.

On the third year of the international celebration Pharrell Williams gifted the world with his uplifting song “Happy” - I dare you to sit still as you listen!

In 2019 the Jerusalem challenge offered us a bit of happiness in the early days of Covid. It touched many cultures who couldn’t wait to dance…

Currently the people of the Ukraine are struggling to find comfort let alone happiness, meanwhile a 7-yr. old Ukrainian girl in a basement shelter brought joy to many by singing “Let it go” from the movie “Frozen”. Providing a moment of happiness for so many.

The Maxims of the Sisters of St Joseph ask us to:

  • Return happiness freely to those who dish out unhappiness #51

  • When you are with others, blend your serious side with joy, gentleness, and refreshing candor #45

  • Everything in balance: heart, humility, detachment prayer, trust, solitude, love of God and neighbour, a life joyous and free. #100

I cannot guarantee happiness to anyone but I can offer some possible options to attain their quest for happiness. For me, a further look at the Beatitudes offers hope that I can attain more happiness through specific actions and offer that same wisdom to my dear neighbour. Will you join me?

  • What do you do when you are happy?

  • What do you do to get happy?

  • How can you share your happiness?

 -Maureen Condon

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL DAY of HAPPINESS!

This year HAPPINESS FOR ALL, UKRAINE is the official 2022 International Day of Happiness campaign announced by HappinessDay.org, the campaign arm of UNIDO Happiness, the official home and secretariat of the United Nations International Day of Happiness. [https://happinessday.org/]

Image: Unsplash/Szilvia Basso

Header Image: Unsplash/Szilvia Basso