Nancy Wales

World Book and Copyright Day

“World Book Day, also known as World Book and Copyright Day or International Day of the Book, is an annual event organized by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) to promote reading, publishing, and copyright. The first World Book Day was celebrated on 23 April in 1995 and continues to be recognized on that day.” -Wikipedia

Books are magic carpets that transport us to new places where we can experience life and meet new folks. Mary Schmich, award winning journalist, observes that, “Reading is a discount ticket to everywhere.”

Prolific, South African writer, Helen Exley, cautions us that books are powerful catalysts that can shift our thinking. She warns, “Books can be dangerous. She gives notice that, the best ones should be labeled “This could change your life.”

American novelist, Joyce Carol Oates, asserts that books offer us a chance to walk in someone else’s shoes. She verbalizes that, “Reading is the sole means by which we slip, involuntarily, often helplessly, into another’s skin, another’s voice, another’s soul.”

“Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers.”
— Charles William Eliot

Personally, as a self-proclaimed reading addict, I strongly agree with historical writer, Taylor Jenkins Reid, in her belief that, “…a good book should be either the entry point inward, to learn about yourself, or a door outward, to open you up to new worlds.”

Today, to celebrate World Book Day, I invite and challenge you to share, with a friend or colleague, a book you discovered as a delightful or informative read.

-Nancy Wales, csj

Images: Unsplash/Susan Q Yin/Jaredd Craig

Stories within our History

As time passes, more and more of our Canadian story is coming to light. A significant part of our nation’s story encompasses the unique yet not so uncommon stories of individuals.  The historical account of British Home Children is one such little known part of Canada’s history.

You may ask, “Who are the British Home Children?” The Government of Canada’s website answers the preceding  question in the following manner. “Between 1869 and 1939, over 100,000 children were sent from Britain to Canada through assisted juvenile emigration. These migrants are called “home children” because most went from an emigration agency's home for children in Britain to its Canadian receiving home. The children were mostly placed with families in rural Canada.”

Children of all ages, both boys and girls were sent across Canada from England to spend their early life respectively as farm workers and domestics. Although Canadians believed them to be orphans only two percent actually were parentless. Because there was no social system to help parents or sole parents who had fallen on hard times through difficult circumstances these youngsters were often surrendered into the care of organizations. Dr. Barnardo’s Homes was one of the largest of these organization.

Inspired by true events, The Forgotten Home Child is a moving and heartbreaking novel about place, belonging, and family—the one we make for ourselves and its enduring power to draw us home.

Some of these children were blessed to ended up in loving families. Unfortunately, this was often not the fate they experienced.

I learned more about this aspect of Canadian history and the experiences of these children through reading The Forgotten Home Child by Genevieve Graham.  An inspired story based on a composite of true events touching the heart and highlighting the phenomenon of finding one’s family identity beyond blood ties.

An enlightening read that I would very much recommend.

- Sister Nancy Wales, CSJ

Tent Dwellers and Foot Washers

As we savour the mystery and blessings of Jesus’ Resurrection  may we turn our thoughts and attention to the words of Isaiah to discover the manner in which we as Easter People are called and challenged to live out the message of this good news.

Enlarge the site of your tent,
    and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out;
do not hold back; lengthen your cords
    and strengthen your stakes. Isaiah 54:2

More than ever in our current times we are challenged to enlarge our tent, symbolically to extend hospitality and refuge to one another.

Ironically, Robert Ingersoll, although nicknamed “the Great Agnostic” reminds us , as I presume Jesus, the Risen One would that we rise by lifting others up. In what ways are we being called to lift the spirits of one another?

This generosity of spirit is set as an example for us by Jesus as he washed the feet of his disciples at the Last Supper. He calls upon us to wash one another’s feet. (John 13:1-17)

As renewed Easter People let us be welcoming tent dwellers and warm-hearted foot washers for those we encounter.

-Sister Nancy Wales, CSJ

What the World Needs Now: PEACE

Might you be looking at how you might support your prayer practice during this Lenten Season? May I suggest you consider getting yourself a copy of “Praying with the Earth: A Prayerbook for Peace” J.P. Newell’s, user friendly compilation of morning and evening prayers are rooted in the prayers, scriptures, and artistic riches of the faith traditions of Jews, Muslims, and Christians. Nowell provides individuals with a spiritual pathway to a contemplative oasis where one can discover soul food and find oneself nourished from these long-standing wisdom sources.

We become spiritually grounded as we pray on one of the beatitudes. Each of the daily morning and evening prayers gently challenge us to live out of this wholistic attitude, one Jesus called blessed. Using this prayer aid fosters global peace, one day, one person at a time, as we reflect, find our inner peace, and voice our desire for peace.

-Sister Nancy Wales, CSJ

Header Image: Sunguk Kim/Unsplash

Embracing Togetherness

FAMILY DAY - February 19, 2024

Canada’s first Family Day occurred in Alberta in 1990. Ontario first celebrated this special day only sixteen years ago in 2008. If asked about the roots of Family Day, we might find ourselves with few words to say about it. “Professor Google” provided the following information as to how this day spread across our nation:

  • Family Day in Canada is celebrated on the third Monday in February, and technically is not a national, federally mandated holiday.

  • Most Canadians live in areas that celebrate Family Day as a province-level statutory holiday as does British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, New Brunswick, and Saskatchewan.

  • Other provinces have statutory holidays on the third Monday in February,  but these are not called Family Day. The holiday  is referred  to Louis Riel Day in Manitoba, Heritage Day in Nova Scotia, and Islander Day on Prince Edward Island.

  • Also, in the Yukon, the February holiday is called Heritage Day, celebrated on February 23, not as a statutory but a contractual holiday.

Image: Unsplash/Rod Long

Today, society as a whole recognizes that families come in various shapes. A family does not necessarily consist of blood relatives. Perhaps you have witnessed strong family ties among close knit people who love and support each other and see themselves as family.

The third Monday in February has no deeply rooted traditions associated with it as there are with Christmas or Thanksgiving. Whatever the February holiday is named, it provides a three-day winter weekend with precious time to celebrate the bonds of love among and between individuals who identify as family.

Let’s find ways to make Family Day 2024 an occasion to reconnect and  express our gratitude for the role families play in our lives and society.

-Sister Nancy Wales