Green Goodbyes

Have you lived your life in a “green” way, responsibly recycling and caring for the natural world? If so, you might consider doing just that in death too. How? Well there is a fairly recent movement to promote “green” or “natural” burials. In fact the Canadian Natural Burial Association was founded a mere ten years ago in 2005 http://www.naturalburialassoc.ca/ as was the American Green Burial Council http://greenburialcouncil.org/ . 

Although the green burial movement is recent, this form of burial is actually a return to the way things have been done throughout most of human history. Embalming, in America, only began with the Civil War. Author Gary Laderman states that is was only "after the funeral journey of Abraham Lincoln's embalmed body from Washington D.C. to Springfield, (that embalming) slowly gained legitimacy". http://www.alternet.org/story/147435/why_has_it_become_standard_practice_in_the_u.s._to_embalm_our_dead

What is green burial? 

Some months ago, I was privileged to hear a presentation on green burial by one of the leaders of the movement, Father Charles Morris.  Morris stated that green burial is “a way of caring for the dead that furthers one or more environmental aims such as the protection of worker health, conservation of natural resources, reduction of carbon emissions and the preservation/restoration of habitat.”  Such burials are much less expensive and more eco-friendly because unlike traditional burials they require:

• No embalming, no toxic chemicals need to be used
• No vaults or metal caskets, merely a shroud or simple, easily decomposable casket
• No burning, unlike cremation, so no use of energy and no greenhouse gases are created.

Morris also outlined what he sees as the “Spirituality of Green Burial” namely that green burial:

• Brings us closer to the natural realm
• Embraces an aesthetic of simplicity
• Allows the family to be more involved in the burial
• Speaks to a vision that humans are “a part of” and not “apart from” creation
• Gives people a last way to witness to their values.

Where can a green burial happen?

Currently the U.S. has 49 green cemeteries and the U.K. has 300. Under the administration of F. Morris, Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Wyandotte, Michigan (near Detroit) became Michigan’s first and the first U.S. Catholic cemetery to be certified by the Green Burial Council.  For more information about F. Morris (he has done a lot more than just promoting green burials!) please click on the following link: http://archive.freep.com/article/20110417/BUSINESS06/104170449/The-Rev-Charles-Morris-Humans-were-put-Earth-gardeners- .

Ontario has three cemeteries that have reserved a portion of their land for natural burials, namely Cobourg Union Cemetery, Duffin Meadows Cemetery in Pickering and Meadowvale Cemetery in Brampton. Canada’s first, Royal Oak Burial Park, is in Victoria. To learn more about the Canadian situation go to http://www.thestar.com/news/death_and_dying/2014/05/26/green_burials_earth_friendly_even_in_death.html.

I highly recommend that you take the time to view this excellent video below.

Would a green burial fit with your values?

Ann Steadman
Associate

So what is the Nature of Light?

The spring equinox is upon us in North America this week. It is the day when we experience a balance of natural light hours and darkness. A welcome occasion for sure, one we have been anticipating as the hours of daylight have gradually lengthened.

So what is the nature of light? A Google search leads to 488 million choices to answer a question that has been pondered by scientists for centuries. Their discoveries have led to some very revealing facts. Light can’t be easily defined or studied but scientific advances lead us to a greater understanding of this mystery. We know for instance that light is not an either/or it’s a both/and - wave and particle.

• http://www.infoplease.com/encyclopedia/science/light-the-nature-light.html
• http://www2.mcdaniel.edu/Biology/botf99/photo/l2inature.htm
• http://phys.org/news/2015-03-particle.html

Light provides us with the ability to see clearly, to find our way, to make discoveries. We know that most living things gravitate toward light for its warmth, clarity and transformative powers. Without light, for example, the power of photosynthesis would not be possible. How different would our world be without light?

In many spiritual texts light is used as a metaphor for goodness, even for the Divine. We read, in reference to Jesus, in the prologue of the Gospel of John: The lights shines in the darkness, and the darkness does not overcome it.

These thoughts of the mystery of light were with me recently as I sat near a window. The sun came out just then. I felt the warmth on my back and I felt reassured and joyful. Winter is finally lessening its cold hard grasp. I felt energized and moved to get active. A few days later I realized I had exactly the same response to seeing a good friend’s face coming towards me. I felt warmed, reassured and joyful. A smile broke out across my face as we shared an enthusiastic hug.

Transforming energies are available to us in the ordinariness of life. We can be light for one another. Awareness of the gift of the mystery of light in my life and openness to being moved to action are essential elements in being transformed. What or who brings light into my life?

In this time of the spring equinox reflect and consider . . .  What could I do or be so that there would be more light in our world.

Ann Baker, CSJ Associate
Jean Bowden, CSJ Associate

Listen Carefully; Care for Each Other; Tell a Powerful Story

Popular Canadians, Susan Aglukark and Wab Kinew were anchors around which the London Area Local Truth and Reconciliation members built their March 10^th and 11^th conference, “It Matters to Us: Transforming the Legacy of Residential Schools” held at Western University’s Faculty of Education.  This was a collaboration of Western’s Centre for Research & Education on Violence  Against Women & Children and Sisters of St. Joseph in Canada.

On Tuesday evening, following a traditional opening ritual with well-known elders Dan and Mary Lou Smoke and songs by Western’s Sisters of All Nations, the evening belonged to Susan Aglukark who impressed the enthusiastic crowd with the skillful intertwining of songs and stories about her challenging and unique journey from tiny Nunavut to success as a Juno award-winning recording artist. In addressing the sufferings of Native peoples as a result of residential schools, Susan advised, “If we can forgive enough to heal enough”, we can survive the terrors of life --- and even thrive!  On that note, 400 people rose to their feet and joined in a joyous traditional circle dance around the auditorium. It was a memorable evening.

Wednesday’s program featured workshops wherein five residential school survivors recounted their powerful experiences of residential school. The brave and honest sharing of their childhood days cut short by the Canadian government mandating them into regimented schools that drowned their spirits and dulled their senses, provided a serious look at the reality of life for residential school students. It left indelible scars for the rest of their lives. In all, there were over 133 residential schools in throughout Canada where children were confined (1920-1969) for over a century.

Also included during the conference, were workshops  such as the “Blanket Exercise”, “Faceless Doll Project”, “Reconciliation in the Watershed” and various other informative experiences.  All provided valuable information on the far reaching effects of the Canadian governments’ encroachment on the lives and the lands of Indigenous people.

Wab Kinew’s address was the highlight of the conference. A well-known Aboriginal rapper, author and now host of CBC’s “Canada Reads” program, Wab outlined the dreadful impact of residential school on his family throughout several generations. However, he pointed out that in spite of their overwhelming trials, the Aboriginal children who were ripped from their homes in the Canadian government’s attempt “to take the Indian out of the Indian”, displayed the amazing strength, wisdom and beauty of Indigenous people.

Wab commented that in spite of 100 years of enduring the horrors of residential schools and its catastrophic effects on generations of Indigenous people, presently there exists an Indigenous resurgence. Over 27,000 Aboriginals are in post-secondary institutions and the languages of the people are experiencing a growth spurt.  Increasingly, young Indigenous people are found in professional positions and in leadership roles with women leading the way. Furthermore, British Columbia boasts an Aboriginal male in provincial parliament.

From a dark period in Canadian history, a new story is emerging. This May’s official closing of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Ottawa will see the tabling of the written account of all that has happened to the Aboriginal people. This story will find its home in the University of Manitoba. As one sad chapter in Canadian history wanes, a new and fresh chapter is unfolding before our eyes. 

Jean Moylan CSJ            

Helping Others Reach Their Someday

Recently, during yet another commercial break, my distracted thoughts were pulled back to attention by the words, “Helping others reach their someday”. I quickly scribbled the message down on a used envelope wanting somehow to retain their message. I made a mental note to myself, “This message deserves sharing”.

As I mused on these words I thought, “Might the commercial’s message hint at a modern application of the Lenten practice of almsgiving.” Almsgiving need not be restricted to monetary giving. Gifts may include time freely spent with others, words of appreciation, listening to someone else’s problems or dreams etc.

As Christians trekking through the days of our Lenten journey, we are invited to seek new hearts. This simple ad line aptly expresses the spirit of a giving heart.

During the season of Lent, I put forward this challenge to you - Discover what acts of encouragement  you might offer from a giving heart to bring another closer to reaching their hoped for someday.

Diana Ross, in her song, ‘Reach Out and Touch’, also expresses how we can help someone reach their someday. Enjoy a listen.

Nancy Wales CSJ

A Warm, Welcoming Presence

Every Monday evening, four churches in North London take turns preparing a hospitality supper for the needy in their church halls. Each parish is responsible for preparing and serving a meal to the hungry one Monday per month. This year, St. Michael’s Catholic Church is hosting the “Hospitality North” supper in their parish hall on the first Monday of the month.  

With a lot of volunteering, setting up etc., supper is served at 5:30 p.m. However, some hungry men and women appear at the door an hour-and-a-half earlier. The volunteers, wanting to be a warm, welcoming presence, decided that they would welcome the “early birds” as soon as they arrive.

Once out of the inclement weather, the guests are encouraged to gather in comfortable chairs in a small section of the hall. Refreshments are served and soon there is pleasant chatter among the volunteers and guests. Some women bring their knitting, some bring reading material and others enjoy the peace and quiet of the tranquil atmosphere, happy to be alone with their thoughts.

As dinner hour approaches, several members of the group quietly put the chairs away and each person expresses gratitude to the volunteers for providing hospitality and a time of nourishment and warmth.

Being a volunteer in the presence of our hungry guests, I find that they are individuals, just like you and me. They are grateful people. In spite of need, they are resilient in the face of hardship. I am present with them to converse, to serve and to give them my undivided attention. The men and women who come to dinner are the face of Christ made visible. For me, Monday without my St. Michael’s guests is like a day without sunshine.

Mary Jo Fox CSJ