Articles

"Christmas, Valentine's Day, and now Family Day. There ought to be a day for us-just singles".

Family Day weekend really lived up to its name this year. On Saturday, our family celebrated the marriage of my dear niece Kimberly to her long-time love Cole. Together with my 90 year old mother, my brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, it was one very happy occasion. At 1:00 a.m., I had to ask my mother whether she was finished partying yet so we could leave! A new partnership begun.

On Family Day Monday we gathered again, this time with extended family and friends to celebrate the entrance into Eternal Life of our beloved Aunt Patricia who died peacefully at home one month short of her 97th birthday. As Aunt Patricia loved family, we were grateful that her funeral could happen on Family Day. 

Two life events saturated with loving family.

On Monday evening, I stopped by the Hamilton Out of the Cold Program dinner. One of the guests said, "There's Christmas, then Valentine's Day and now Family Day. There ought to be a day for us-just singles".  She proceeded to remind me that she and many other guests of Out of the Cold do not have any family whatsoever. After such a weekend filled with family for me, it was a stark reminder first to be ever grateful for family and second, to remember that others may not have family and need others to reach out to them and to foster oportunities for friendships to feel like family.

Nancy Sullivan, CSJ
Hamilton Neighbourhood 

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What inspires people to join in the common cause for a life-giving future?

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What can inspire billions of people with very different worldviews to join in the common cause of a just and healthy, beautiful, and life-giving future?

Happening, right now, there is a fresh way of identifying who and what we are and why we are here in this universe as humans. This is a way that makes sense both scientifically and spiritually.

What is this new way or perspective? It is an evolutionary awareness that affects everything that exists within and around us from the personal to the cosmic.

David Sloan Wilson, evolutionary biologist and a pioneer in the evolution of religion, writes, “I look forward to the day when evolutionary theory becomes part of the basic training for all people who study and run our governments and economics”.

It is not only government and economic leaders but also all those who influence others in any capacity who are now becoming involved in this evolutionary (or integral) approach. Would you like to:

  • Deal differently with polarization?
  • Engage conflict in new ways?
  • Learn to live differently?

 THAT IS WHY YOU ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SUMMER SYMPOSIUM 2014 CALLED

‘Becoming Agents of Evolutionary Change’

The Symposium, sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph in Canada, in partnership with King’s University College will be held July 4-6, 2014 at King’s, UWO, 266 Epworth Avenue, London ON. This event is planned to include a wide variety of participants such as teachers, school principals, chaplains, social workers, spiritual directors, Associates/Companions, community leaders etc.

The Keynote speaker, Carter Phipps, is author of the book Evolutionaries: Unlocking the Spiritual and Cultural Potential of Science’s Greatest Idea. He is also a journalist and leading voice in the emerging “evolutionary worldview” which combines the insights of Integral Philosophy, evolutionary science, developmental psychology, the social sciences, and evolutionary spirituality.

Our other presenter is Sue Wilson, csj. Sue is the Director of the Office for Systemic Justice for the Canadian Federation of the Sisters of St. Joseph where she is involved in research, advocacy, education and activism on a variety of justice issues. She has a Ph.D. in moral theology with a focus on social ethics.

To view a brochure, to register and to find out about accommodation possibilities please visit the Symposium 2014 webpage at http://www.etouches.com/ehome/79110.To follow us on Facebook connect at https://www.facebook.com/summersymposium2014.

We look forward to meeting and having you participate in this exciting new venture!

Mary Vandersteen, csj & Ann Steadman, Associate

 

 

F-E-B-R-U-A-R-Y

February – the most dreaded word in a grade three spelling bee. It is the shortest month of the year, even when once in four it has one day more. For being such a short month it is jammed packed with heart growth full opportunities.

Valentine’s Day (Friday, February 14th) is also known as “Happy Heart Day.” Let’s take it beyond mushy, let’s make it real. We think with fondness on the ones we love; this year we could make a special effort to reach out to one or two of those who could benefit from a smile or surprise card. As children, we remember counting our valentines – who received the most or least – the one’s we created for our mothers and fathers.

In our world as it is today we need “Happy Hearts” more than once a year. It will take some work but “it is a small world after all!” Heart to heart – we can make it happen.

A few years ago the Canadian Government decided that there would be a holiday every month of the year. February did not have such a day. So they instituted “Family Day” (Monday, February 17th this year), a wonderful concept for those families who are able to take advantage of it. I was always under the notion that “everyday” was family day. “What a wonderful world it would be.”

As a real plus this year we have the “Winter Olympic Games” that started on Thursday, February 6th in Sochi Russia.

Please explain to me why the unity of coming together every four years (Summer and Winter Olympics) can’t be extended to a broader base. The games are an opportunity for the best athletes from most countries to compete, mingle, and celebrate the best of the best. On the other hand we have Syria, Iraq, Egypt, etc. – their games are devastating, we must not forget the “war games: where nobody wins or celebrates. “Peace on Earth, Good Will TO ALL!”

February – F-e-b-r-u-a-r-y!

Happy Heart!

Happy Family!

Happy Games!

P.S. My apologies to Wiarton Willie and all groundhogs – I forgot to mention February 2nd Groundhog Day. 

Barbara Vaughan, CSJ

I Shall Not Hate

Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish, a Palestinian medical doctor is a man of forgiveness, hope and compassion. On the 6th anniversary of his three daughters’ massacre at the hands of the Israelis who bombed his home, this noble physician addressed a large audience at King’s University College in January. Tearfully, he walked us through his journey along the path of indescribable grief and pain to a stance of forgiveness and compassion. Through the lens of today’s bitter world-wide strife and war, he offered a path to peace and presented a challenge to humankind:

  • Today’s suffering is man-made.
  • War is a genocide and the slavery of humanity. It must be prevented.
  • Words and good deeds are stronger than bullets.
  • I may have the right to hate but it is a disease of the one who carries it.
  • The biggest weapon of mass destruction is hate in people’s hearts.

What can we do to challenge hate and move forward?

  • Do not blame.
  • The antidote to hatred is success.
  • Dig deeper to discover the problem below the hate.
  • Don’t ask others to change; change my heart so others can follow me.
  • Have faith, hope and ACTION.
  • Begin with something I can do to make the world we want for our children.
  • Help to relieve poverty which is the biggest enemy of the people.
  • Education is the best way to face the mystery of life.
  • Support your brother and sister.
  • Call upon the potential of the human being.
  • All must take action to alleviate the pain.
  • Make a difference.

 Read more in Dr. Abuelaish’s recently released book, I Shall Not Hate.

 Jean Moylan, CSJ

College Fad to Global Trend: Happy Birthday Facebook!

Can you believe that Facebook turns 10 today? Even if you aren’t one of its 1.6 billion users, a figure cited by CBC, no doubt you’ve heard of Facebook. In its Saturday edition, the Toronto Star’s entertainment section featured, “10 Years of Friending” by Raju Mudhar. The article points out that “Canadians are the most active users of [Facebook] in the world. He notes:  “Facebook’s most fundamental achievement is that it has indeed made us more connected….reducing the old six degrees of separation. In 2010, Facebook researchers found that it was actually 4.74 degrees and likely getting lower as more people joined the 1.2 users on the site.”

Western Astrology states, “Aquarians are quick to engage others … which is why they have so many friends and acquaintances. Making the world a better place is a collaborative effort for Aquarians.”

One could say that Facebook is a true Aquarian.

Nancy Wales, CSJ