International Day for Malala

International Day for Malala – July 12, 2022

Many will remember Malala, who at age 17, received the Nobel Peace Prize for advocating on behalf of young girls in her country, Pakistan to receive an education along with the boys who were schooled without question.  Pakistan was under the rule of the Taliban and still today education for young girls is forbidden.  As a youngster wanting the opportunity to learn, Malala defied this rule and went to school – and one day was brutally attacked for her action against the rules of the Government.  This forced her family to flee Pakistan for medical help and also to protect her family members.  Her passion and commitment did not wane and up to the present day, Malala continues to use her voice on behalf of the many girls and women desiring an education in her country and other countries around the world. 

On July 12, 2013, the United Nations called for world wide access to education with the institution of Malala Day.   Her words that day still are heard across our broken world: “Malala Day is not my day.  Today is the day of every woman, of every girl, of every boy who have raised their voice for their rights.”  (UN Address, July 12, 2013)

A line from our own Sisters of St. Joseph Statement, Moving With Love, comes to mind for personal reflection on the current situation in our world:

            “We commit to risk taking and justice making”…

What risks do we need to take to build a more just world for all?

Where are we being invited to use our voice to promote justice for all? 

-Sister Ann MacDonald, csj

Sunrise

Rose-glow seeps into my slow wakefulness

Soft suffusions of a dawning day

Silently

Vermillion valets of the golden sun

Prepare the world anew

For glorious rising

Night darkness gone

Time leaps expectant of the coming morn

Waiting…until

Bright-white bursts the splendour of the day

Illuminating life with light

And God’s fidelity

Bow down my soul

And greet the promised day

Love’s herald

In reverent awe give thanks

And praise!

-Sister Kathleen Lyons, csj

Etched in My Heart Forever

This morning I was reading a short reflection written by one of the MacKenzie-Fort Smith Diocesan staff.  She points to the question “Who is our neighbor?”  The parable of the Good Samaritan tells us that our neighbor is everyone!  Like Jesus’ story, we’ve all had the experience of being passed over in time of special need. This is illustrated in an experience I had last week on my birthday. 

I woke up feeling a wee bit out of sorts.  I tried to shake it off but the feeling of being in a funk continued.  So, I decided to take a long walk around Frame Lake neighborhood (Yellowknife, Northwest Territories) to explore the rugged beauty that surrounds me. This most often grounds me and offers me a new perspective.  After walking about 2 kilometers I saw some men sitting on a semicircular cement block.  They were laughing and swinging their arms.  I wondered if they were playing “hand games” a familiar Indigenous sport that usually attracts hundreds of people.  Anyway, I inquired if this was what they were doing.  The men laughed and said they were throwing stones at a small target along the bank. They were simply enjoying each other.  I could tell they had spent the night outdoors and enjoyed a night of bottled spirits. 

I was about to walk away when I realized that I had my tiny purse with me and perhaps a couple of gift cards for A&W.  Oh, let me backup for a moment.  Over the past 18 months or so, whenever I receive small donations, I purchase $10 A&W gift cards and give them away to people asking for money on the street.  This way, they can buy a burger and a drink for about $9.52.  I looked in my small purse thinking I might have at least a few cards on hand.  Well, lo and behold, I had 7 gift cards!  Was this meant to be or what?

I passed the gift cards to each of the men and received several comments.  There is one comment that will be etched in my heart forever.  

One of them asked, “Is it okay from now on if we call you MAMA BURGER? “

My response, “It sure is.”

I laughed and chuckled all the way home. I have a street name now!  And that feeling of being in a funk was completely lifted.  Mama Burger received the BEST gift on her birthday!

-Sister Linda Parent, csj

Canada Bans Single-Use Plastic

Guest Blog from Karen Wirsig, Plastics Program Manager

Karen Wirsig, Plastics Program Manager, Environmental Defence made remarks at the announcement in Toronto, ON. Photo by: www.shaymarkowitz.com / Shay Markowitz

We finally did it! Canada’s single-use plastic bans are for real

Big news this week! With a series of live announcements held across the country, the federal government finally released the final regulations to ban six single-use plastics – straws, stir sticks, check out bags, cutlery, some takeout containers, and six pack rings. 

Pat yourself on the back. This is only happening because so many of us demanded it.

The bans will start to come into force this year, earlier than suggested in the draft regulations. The final rules also ensure that these harmful products can no longer be exported to other countries by the end of 2025. These improvements in the final regulations are the result of so many of us insisting on them.

Check out our Instagram Live and learn more about what the new single-use plastic bans mean, what they can accomplish and what still needs to be done.

By the end of 2022, companies will no longer be able to manufacture or import single-use plastic stir sticks, checkout bags, cutlery and certain takeout containers. The same rule will apply to six-pack rings in mid-2023. A year after the manufacture and import ban comes into effect, these items will no longer be allowed to be sold or given away with other products. Straws will continue to be available, but only in packages in retail stores intended for people who need them for medical and accessibility reasons.

The news was met with celebration, as these bans are an important first step in reigning in the plastic pollution crisis. But not everyone was feeling so joyous…

It’s sickening that the main producers of plastic in this country – including Nova Chemicals, Dow Chemical and Imperial Oil – are still trying to kill the government’s action on plastic pollution. Yes, the outrageous Big Plastic lawsuit against federal regulation of plastics is still before the courts. Now these same companies have sent a new round of letters to the government specifically to oppose the bans. 

Countries on every continent are imposing bans on plastic. It’s wonderful to see Canada join that club. 

By this time next year, we shouldn’t have to pick up any more used straws on the beach or fish plastic bags out of streams and tree branches. The government estimates that the bans will mean 1.3 million tonnes less of plastic waste over a ten-year period, and 22,000 tonnes less of plastic litter leaked directly into the environment. 

Of course there’s much more to do to end plastic pollution … including further bans on harmful single-use plastics and easy access to reusable and refillable packaging. And you can count on us to keep the pressure on to make sure these things happen – we hope you’ll join us. 

We’ll have more to announce on the next steps soon, so stay tuned!

- Karen Wirsig. Plastics Program Manager, Environmental Defence Canada

Learn more: https://environmentaldefence.ca/