International Day of Forests: March 21

 International Day of Forests: March 21

How many people even know that there is an International Day of Forests? Given the present situation of climate change, which is wreaking havoc on forests and all nature due, in large part, to us humans who should be shaking in our boots.  We have failed to do our share to prevent global warming. At this late date, can we atone and make a concerted effort to help to protect at least one of nature’s special treasures - our trees and forests?

In a world where over 90% of its people live in urban situations, it behooves us to take care of forests which, not so many years ago, covered much of the earth, especially in North America.  Early pioneers saw in trees and forests a wide variety of wood products which did, and continues to provide lumber for homes, dwellings, buildings, furniture etc.  Today, Indigenous Peoples and conscientious conservationists have taken a stand to protect our forests and trees from wanton destruction and clear cutting, often without success or support of governments that cast a blind eye to the cry for justice for the earth.

There are many forests throughout the world, including the largest, the Amazon which shares its location with nine nations: the Tropical Rainforests in Congo, New Guinea, Borneo, Burmese, and Valdwan. Other beautiful forests include Germany’s Black Forest, United States’ Redwood’s National and State parks, and Australia’s Duintree Rainforest to name a few.

Not to be outdone in beauty are Canada’s magnificent lakes and forests, located in every province, claiming almost 10% of the world’s forests.  Recently, I read about Canada’s amazing boreal forest which is the world’s largest intact forest ecosystem. It stretches across 1.2 billion acres (485 million hectares) of northern Canada, from Yukon to Newfoundland and Labrador.  It represents 25% of the world's only intact forest, even more than the Amazon rainforest.  In the almost decade since these statistics appeared, it would be interesting to know how much of the boreal (northern) forest has been victim to fires, climate change, resource development, pipelines, roads, and urban development.

Considering the greed in our world, we realize that only concentrated effort will help to preserve the trees and forests that populate our world.  Changing our lifestyle is our only hope, so go ahead, hug a tree, and thank Mother Nature on behalf of all those who care!

I share with you the lovely poem, Trees, by  Joyce Kilmer (1886-1918).

-Sister Jean Moylan, CSJ

Images: Unsplash: Arnaud Mesureur  | Olena Bohovyk                       

Civic Pride in Peril: Confronting the Issue of Waste in Our City

Our beautiful city, London Ontario, has numerous parks and a network of trails. I frequently walk on nearby trails where I encounter people of all ages, including groups of school children (and their teachers) joggers, cyclists, and children accompanied by parents, who feed ducks or catch and release frogs. But I am often saddened by the plastic bags and bottles, beer cans, coffee cups, styrofoam containers, candy wrappers, rotting food, empty snack bags, cardboard, paper, kleenex, cardboard boxes, and scrap paper that line our streets, spoil our trails and clog our parks. The amount of litter thrown on public property exceeds the capacity of City staff and ordinary Londoners who voluntarily pick up debris. 

Sister Pat with Jerry Pribil, London Council Member

A week ago, I spoke to Jerry Pribil, the Council member responsible for London’s parks and recreation departments, about the problem of trash in our city.  Mr. Pribil suggested that he accompany me on a walk. Accordingly, we walked along streets and the connecting North London trail adjacent to Ross Park. Mr. Pribil pulled a large garbage bag out of his pocket and proceeded to pick up garbage, hopping over the barrier along the ravine and reaching through bushes.  We mourned this regrettable garbage situation and discussed possible remedies.  I learned that Mr. Pribil, a member of Antler River Rally, participates in their monthly cleanups.  In these events, large groups of volunteers gather at an area in London bordering the Thames River to pick up and dispose of large amounts of trash. Information about this amazing organization may be found here. You may even want to join the group.

During our walk, we discussed the deplorable problem of garbage littering London’s parks, trails, and streets. Removing trash is essential but prevention is far more desirable than a cure; we need both. Occasional letters to the London Free Press indicate that Londoners are disturbed by the lack of cleanliness on our streets, trails, and parks. We require a culture shift. How, as a community, can we develop a mindset that views littering on our streets as unacceptable? How might organizations, businesses, and home or apartment owners help with the litter problem?  What constraints deter action and how can they be overcome?

I invite anyone reading this blog to respond by choosing to take one action towards resolving the problem of litter in our city.

-Sister Patricia McKeon, csj

Image: Markus Spiske/Unsplash

The Feast of St. Joseph

The Feast of St. Joseph - March 19, 2024

As a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph, I want to sing the praises of this humble carpenter whom we name the Patron and Protector of our Community.

Joseph was a humble man who rose every morning to work under the same sun that warms our lives.  Almost nothing is written about Joseph the carpenter of Nazareth.  However, anyone who is familiar with what we call ‘negative art’ can appreciate our Joseph by painting a picture of who surrounds him.

The Creator fashioned a woman in His own image to be Second-born of the Father and to have the dignity of the spouse and Mother of God and Queen of Heaven. In the womb of her mother Anne, the flesh of Mary gathered around her soul that continues to love and show mercy as long as she exists. She is second after the Son of the Father, Jesus, who is First-born of the Father.  Imagine the beauty of this woman who is created to bear the Son of the Father and who is the delight of the Holy Trinity.

Joseph is the man chosen to provide the love and protection of a husband for this woman chosen to be the Mother of God. 

Scripture tells us that Joseph was a just man, an upright man, a righteous man.  Mary would no longer be an orphan in the Temple nor would she be fearful of entrusting her virginity to Joseph.  She also trusted that God would reveal to Joseph all about the miracle growing within her and of the need for the protection of her reputation.  Joseph knew Mary for what she was when it was time for him to know.  For Mary, Joseph was the head of the family, and he was her protector and chaste guardian of her virginity.  Together they would anticipate hearing the voice of the Son of God calling them ‘father and Mother.’

Joseph’s arms were to become the cradle for the Redeemer.  When danger was imminent, it was Joseph, in tune with God’s design for the child Jesus and his mother, who fled with them to safety.  It was Joseph’s task to open the Son of God to knowing that he, Jesus was FROM the Father and that he was FOR the salvation of humankind—that he was the longed-for Messiah.  And didn’t Jesus say as a twelve-year-old boy that he had to be in his Father’s house? (Luke 2:43-49)

You would think that Joseph would be rewarded with the blessing of never having sorrow in his life.  In such a proximity to Mary, and to Jesus, tiredness, worries, troubles would likely challenge but not overwhelm him and never would hinder prayer; it would be a priority.  Prayer is said to blunt the weapons of Satan and Joseph is called ‘the terror of demons.’

We are privileged to have St. Joseph as Patron and Protector for our Community of women religious.  And as we decline in numbers and our active ministries decrease, we call on Joseph to intercede for us and to console the poor, give hope to the sick, and to accompany the dying on their final journey.  St. Joseph, pray for us.

- Sister Elaine Cole, csj

5th Sunday of Lent

5th Sunday of Lent 2024

As we get ever closer to the Easter Triduum the readings greet us with welcome, the reality of suffering with purpose and ultimately hope.

The first reading (Jeremiah 31:31-34) tells us that God is making a new covenant with us, that we will all know our God, that our iniquity will be forgiven. Welcome to the fold!

Hebrews 5:7-9 reminds us of our call to be faithful, as Jesus was, to the unique individual we are called to be. Sometimes answering that call tests our faith. Suffering with purpose!

“ Are we brave enough to accept this invitation?”

For me the Gospel (John 12:20-33) brings it all home. Jesus proclaims the need to “die so as to rise and bear much fruit”. He is troubled knowing the future for him will be beyond difficult but also acknowledging “it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. Father glorify your name”.

Do I know who I am called to be? Am I brave enough to accept that invitation? How will I live through the challenges knowing I am ultimately glorifying God’s name.

Given the time of year I am deeply aware of the acknowledgement that “unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains a single grain; BUT if it dies it bears much fruit. (John 12:24-26)

May you bear much fruit!

-Maureen Condon, CSJ Associate