Ego: Gentle Friend, Combative Foe

Not so long ago I stumbled upon two people feeling misunderstood about an issue that started innocently enough but ended in a road block. I quickly go drawn into the conversation. The resolution seemed fairly uncomplicated to my way of thinking; once both parties understood the needs and circumstances surrounding the issue they would gladly come on board.

What seemed uncomplicated and straightforward quickly became complex and divisive. I noticed that I was taking sides and had become angry and defensive.   Interior peace was replaced with indignation. Relationships became emotionally charged. Distance replaced easy companionship and my energy was dissipated.

What originally was a question now became a dispute, and my false self was in control. It was at this point that I stepped back, acknowledged my feelings which were firing on all cylinders, and were influencing other unrelated situations. I was not at peace.

My true self, my gentle and undivided self, began to exert itself. I took some deep breaths, sat quietly and listened to my heart. In this peaceful environment I faced myself, and my need to be right, became aware of the pain/distress I was causing others and a deep down desire for healing.

I quickly regained peace of heart and a longing to make amends with those I had hurt and distanced myself. At this point my true self, my ego, led me on a path of peace and reconciliation.

My question: when will I ever learn?

Ann Marshall CSJ

Recovering Democracy : Our Task as Citizens

There is a disconnect between government, citizens, and their elected representatives. Low voting rates, social media, Idle-No-More, Occupy Wall Street, and anti-pipeline protesters on BC’s Burnaby Mountain indicate that many of us believe that our Government is unresponsive to its citizens and to the welfare of society. 

Parliamentary democracy was established on the principle that members of parliament represent their electors and are responsible for calling government, i.e., the prime minister or provincial premier and his or her cabinet, to account. Thus they are to act independently in choosing a leader. Changes in the past century have resulted in leaders being elected by their political parties and being thus perceived as responsible to the party, not to members of their caucus. Increasingly power has been centered in the leader on whom members rely for nomination, promotion, recognition, or continued membership in the caucus. Brent Rathgeber was compelled to resign from the Conservative Party for refusing to amend his private member’s bill on public salary disclosures. Bill Casey was expelled from this same caucus in 2007 when he opposed a bill which violated the Atlantic Accord regarding the rights of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland to oil and gas revenues. Mr. Casey has criticized the Conservatives for actions such as instructing members how they are to vote in committees or having staff bureaucrats script “responses” in Question Period which are not answers but simply attacks on the opposition.  Mr. Casey is now the new Liberal nominee in a Nova Scotia riding for the coming federal election.

Back benchers speak from “talking points” rather than conviction; aware of their lack of power, they avoid honest debate or even attendance in Parliament. Many politicians leave Ottawa on Thursday or early Friday to spend time with constituents, tending to requests, concerns and complaints because the power of constituents to re-elect them outweighs fruitless efforts to make a difference in governing our nation. Powerful corporations and lobby groups rather than ordinary MPs influence policy and governance. Is it any wonder that cynicism has replaced respect for politicians and that our most qualified citizens are reluctant to enter politics.

And yet, recent events portend hope of a return to a situation in which leaders are accountable to elected representatives rather than MPs or MPPs being accountable to the leader. MP Michael Chong has received support from all political parties with his private member’s bill which posits new rules for riding nominations and provision for MP’s to remove a leader by secret ballot. In Manitoba where Premier Greg Selinger’s conflict with his cabinet led to resignation of several ministers, Mr. Selinger has been forced to back down with a promise to hold a leadership convention in March, 2015. All of us need to support a return to democracy by using our voices and pens to hold our elected representatives accountable for their actions on our behalf. If we want our most ethical and capable citizens to govern Canada we have to demand changes that will restore the rightful place of those whom we choose to represent us.

Pat McKeon CSJ

Surveying Our Attitudes

The findings of a recently released CBC News Poll conducted by Environics Research Group on Discrimination revealed some interesting data on how Canadians engage with people from other than their own ethnic background.

Survey Statements

To what extent are you comfortable or uncomfortable with the following statements regarding immigration and multiculturalism?

Using the scale 5 very comfortable – 1 very uncomfortable.

Someone with a different ethnic background:

• as your next door neighbour
• as your boss
• as the spouse of your best friend
• as your choice of political candidate
• as married to your child/brother/sister
• as being with you in a romantic relationship [abbreviated]

~75% of respondents agree Canada is a welcoming place for all ethnicities.

~On the other hand, 73% agreed immigrants should make their best efforts to assimilate.

~56% believe their country is better off because it has so many distinct cultures

~Respondents who were in the visible minority group as well as born outside Canada expressed higher comfort levels across` the statements tested.

~55% of respondents agree immigrants are very important in building a stable Canadian economic future, while 30% agree [erroneously] that immigrants take away jobs from Canadians.

~Respondents residing in Quebec as well as the Prairies expressed somewhat less favourable opinions on immigration and ethnic diversity.

~Overall, those aged 18-29 expressed more positive views on multiculturalism compared to older demographics.  (From findings of CBC News Poll on Discrimination – November 2014) 

I am left wondering, if perhaps our attitudes towards those who ethnically differ from ourselves, is less about discrimination and more tied to our individual comfort level. It’s only reasonable to assume that our comfort level would tend to increase with the growing number of opportunities we afford ourselves to meet individual members from differing ethnic backgrounds. If we are to be, as we truly pride ourselves to be, multicultural, shouldn’t we take advantage of the numerous opportunities which present themselves to meet our neighbours and stretch our comfort zones?

Nancy Wales CSJ

Congratulations Sue Wilson!

Congratulations to our Sister Sue Wilson who, on November 13, received a 2014 John Robinson Award in London for outstanding achievement in ending violence against women. This honour was presented by the London Coordinating Committee to End Woman Abuse. Sue accepted the award for her work with community partners working to address human trafficking.

The John Robinson Awards, in their 25^th year, are named after Inspector John Robinson of the London Police Service, and were created to honour his ground-breaking work to end violence against women. His advocacy included the establishment of a mandatory progressive policy to ensure women’s safety that was implemented across the country.

Sue, who holds a doctorate in moral theology in the area of social ethics, is the director of the Office of Systemic Justice at the Canadian Federation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Canada. She advocates with the Sisters on a variety of initiatives:  global issues on poverty reduction in Canada, climate change (environmental issues), migrant workers, anti-human trafficking and women’s issues.

In all areas, Sue advocates for a systemic approach for change which has far reaching implications. At the core, systemic justice is about transformation or deep change. She and our congregation strive to integrate contemplation and justice by focusing on the connections between the change that is needed in the world and the change that is needed in ourselves.

Blessings, Sue, on your continued commitment to making a difference in our world.

Jean Moylan csj

Longing for a get-away place?

“God’s language is silence.” I learned that from the Sisters of St Joseph. There was a report on radio last week that a big part in marketing for hotels and resorts today is to guarantee “quiet” for a premium price.

Holy Family Oxley – a Retreat Centre since 1948 is not always silent. That is your choice. But it is a place of “quiet” in the sense of beauty, peacefulness and reflectiveness where you can come to get away from the noise and business of the day. Located on the shores of Lake Erie, approximately 30 kilometres from Windsor. It is a refuge from the pressures of the day and an opportunity to renew and refresh spirit and body. So often we hear “O I must do that.” “I need to get away.” The challenge is to do it. At least make the phone call, email or go onto our Web Site at www.holyfamilyrh.com

People come to the retreat house and lovely grounds for preached retreats, special group retreats, conferences, personally directed retreats, or private getaway time. We have 50 rooms, half a dozen “suites” of different types and a house with 4 bedrooms all available at reasonable rates. All accommodation includes meals for which we are renowned! We can accommodate approximately 78 people. Take 4 minutes to enjoy our new video.

The Spirit lives here and is always at work! Come and see! Just enter Oxley, 121 Victoria St. in your GPS.

For further information and reservations contact Mary Salmon msalmon@dol.ca 519 738-6136. Our mailing address is 121 Victoria St RR1, Harrow ON, N0R 1G0.

Guest Blogger Fr Michael O’Brien is priest in residence. He is responsible for Liturgy and spiritual guidance. mob@dol.ca 519 903-4901.