St. Joseph's Day

Yes, he was a simple carpenter from Nazareth. He was a man in love with a young woman, Mary of Nazareth, and together they dreamed of building a life.

What might those dreams have been? Perhaps that his small carpenter’s shop would provide for their needs, while Mary’s hope, in time, would be to bring forth children who would continue the ancestral line of David. Like many young couples, they likely imagined an ordinary life—quiet, faithful, and rooted in their community.

Little did they know that everything would change. Mary was already with child.

One can only imagine what went through Joseph’s mind when he learned of Mary’s pregnancy. In their culture, a woman found to be pregnant outside of marriage faced the harshest consequences—stoning to death. The situation must have filled Joseph with anguish. Was he confused? Did he question Mary’s faithfulness? Such questions would be natural under ordinary circumstances. Yet these were anything but ordinary circumstances.

Matthew’s Gospel tells us that Joseph was deeply troubled:
“Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly.” (Matthew 1:19)

Joseph was a man of honour. Even in his turmoil, he sought a way to protect Mary.

image: Josh Applegate / Unsplash

Then Matthew recounts what happened next:
“Just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife…’” (Matthew 1:20)

Mary’s unconditional “fiat”—her yes to God—opened the way for Joseph to trust as well. Listening to the message carried in his dream, he followed where God was leading. Together they set out on a journey that would be filled with uncertainty and trust.

Later, amid the political turmoil of King Herod’s reign, Joseph again listened to the guidance of dreams. Warned of danger, he protected his family and fled. When it became unsafe to return to Bethlehem because Herod’s son Archelaus ruled Judea, Joseph was once again guided in a dream. He turned toward Galilee and settled in the small town of Nazareth.

Joseph was a man who trusted God’s quiet guidance.

Today, we see the spirit of Joseph alive in those who welcome the stranger, the unwanted, the unrecognized, and the displaced. In their compassion and courage, they reflect the inclusive spirit of Jesus—a spirit that refuses to treat anyone as a stranger.

We give thanks for Joseph, patron of the universal Church, and for the thousands of Sisters of St. Joseph who claim him as their patron. Like Joseph, they continue to listen for God’s voice in the dreams and uncertainties of our time, courageously moving into the unknown territories of today.

-Sister Kathleen Lichti, CSJ

Feast and Famine

To speak of feasting in these days of famine—especially in war-torn lands—can be a stark reminder of the disparity God calls us to address. Yet, feasting can be a sacred act—an offering of gratitude for the blessings we’ve been given and a call to celebrate. Shrove Tuesday calls us to gather in community, to enjoy the richness of food and fellowship not as indulgence, but as gratitude—using what we have with humility as we prepare for the reflective season of Lent. Feasting becomes a way to remember how deeply we’ve been blessed, and how those blessings can overflow toward neighbors near and far who live with far less.

This day also invites us to rediscover simple joys together—sharing meals, laughter, games, or quiet companionship. As we reflect on our own abundance, we’re gently asked: how might we share from what we have, and how might our feasting open our hearts to those who hunger?

Shrove Tuesday is also “pancake day” when in the Christian tradition, rich foods like eggs sugar and butter are used up by making pancakes.

So let us join the dance of feast and famine, being very mindful of where we dance, why we do so, how we dance and with whom we partner.

WHERE this might happen: in a neighbourhood, in a church gathering, in homes.

WHY we dance: to very intentionally celebrate the many gifts we have been given.

HOW might we dance? We might just decide to loiter with intent with someone with whom we have not spent time in a long while.

With whom might we dance? It might be with a grandchild playing a child’s game or an elderly person playing an elderly person’s game or it might be just talking with someone and listening to their story.

-Sister Kathleen Lichti, CSJ

Image: Milana Burlo @milanana444/Calum Lewis @calumlewisUnsplash

Women's Equality Day

Women’s Equality Day is a Statutory Holiday in the United States, to celebrate the ratification of the 19th amendment for women to vote and is celebrated on August 26th of each year.

In Canada it is also significant in marking milestones like women gaining the right to vote and hold office in 1918, and the Persons Case in which the British Privy Council in 1929 ruled that women were indeed persons under Canadian law and could be appointed to the Senate. This decision overturned a previous ruling by the Supreme Court of Canada and paved the way for women's increased participation in public and political life. 

I would just invite the reader to consider a few things about the Persons Case: if indeed we agree that women are also persons, then why are they treated differently in ordinary conversation?  If we truly believe what the Persons Case is stating, and which, by the way, was hard won by 5 women from Alberta, then I think we might consider the use of language referring to women as a “teaching moment” to the upcoming generation of young leaders.   

For example, phrases used by many waitresses or waiters will most often refer to women as “you guys”, “honey”, “dearie”.  This, to me if used referring to mature young or especially elderly women, is meant in good faith, but I would suggest there is an unconscious bias to not considering women as equal to men in the realm of personhood. 

The treatment of women in our Western Culture, leaves room for improvement which WE have the power and hopefully the will, to make.

For example, for waiters/waitresses, other words more appropriately used could be: “how may I help you ladies?” OR “Are you folks ready to place your orders?”.  In my opinion, the common unconscious use of “girls” in relating to mature women is so inappropriate.

I respectfully suggest that perhaps on this August 26th, might we intentionally use appropriate respectful language that exhibits an awareness of the real dignity of womanhood?

-Sister Kathleen Lichti, CSJ

Love Arising

Recently I was gifted with a lovely painting done by Sister Dorothy Ann Howley.  I was struck by the way in which it spoke to me and I offer this reflection/poem for your own personal use, if it is helpful.

Circling, ever circling,

The energy created.

Circling, ever circling

it sends us forth to be

the source of Love for all

to be to see.

We are that heart that beats

We are that drum that pounds

So on we must go

To where we n'ere have been

All is steady,

All is ready

for life unfolding

for Love unfolding

-Sister Kathleen Lichti, csj

Love Arising
My heart beats,

The drum pounds.

My heart pounds,

The drum beats

All is steady,

All is ready

for life unfolding

for eyes beholding

Feather-like she rises,

Gracefully so easily.

Heart ablaze with Love

with Love do we arise

School’s Out, Summer’s In!

YAY! We Made it!

The last week of June brings cause for many celebrations of school year endings, with mixtures of sadness and relief. In Ontario, the last day of classes for the 2024-2025 school year is June 25, 2025, for secondary students and June 26, 2025 for elementary students.

This is also a time when Indigenous communities celebrate Summer Solstice with Pow Wows.

Recently I had the privilege of attending a pow wow in which young people especially were encouraged to “strut their stuff” in song, drumming and tribal dances.  The host of the event kept saying” here we have the leaders of the future in their regalia who will carry our ways into a new World.” 

I sincerely believe that the Indigenous peoples will show us not only the importance of treating everything in a good way but can and will be our partners in showing us how to create a better world.

Yes, there are various graduation speeches delivered:

Grade 8 graduations typically celebrate student achievements and offer encouragement for the future. They often thank teachers and families, acknowledge the journey through middle school, and look forward to the new chapter of high school. Inspirational themes might include overcoming obstacles, the importance of friendship, and the value of individual growth. 

The high school graduation has its special characteristics of becoming leaders for the future.  It is time to move forward, keeping our relationships, inspiring each other.  “WE ARE READY” is the theme of hope and determination to create a better world.  This particular graduation address went viral:

If you barely made it through high school, these quotes are for you:

• “High school was easy. It was like riding a bike. Except the bike was on fire & I was in hell.”

• “Somehow I managed not to burn down the school or myself – Success!”

• “Well, I made it through high school… with minimal casualties.

• “They said ‘reach for the stars,’ but I’m just happy I reached graduation.”

•    “To all the teachers who said I’d never amount to anything: surprise!”

• “I may not have been at the top of my class, but hey, I made it to the finish line!”

• “Here’s to the classmates who made it interesting, the teachers who made it bearable, and the cafeteria food that made it memorable.

• “They said ‘the early bird catches the worm,’ but I prefer the ‘last-minute cramming catches the diploma’ approach.”

• “To all the late nights, early mornings, and countless cups of coffee: thanks for getting me through high school… barely.”

• “I survived high school like a pro: with a mix of luck, caffeine, and sheer determination.”“Here’s to the friends who stuck by me, the teachers who believed in me, and the cafeteria cookies that sustained me.”

"You will never have more energy or enthusiasm, hair, or brain cells than you have today." 46 Funny Graduation Quotes to Share.

In this your journey of LIFE, what would be your comment  as you graduate from one stage and move to the next?

-Sister Kathleen Lichti, csj