A Grateful Pause

As November 11^th rolls around, Canadians are provided with yet another opportunity to REMEMBER. In recent years, Remembrance Day touches me more deeply than in previous years. Perhaps that is because I’m older and wiser. I’m more aware of the sacrifice brave veterans made on my behalf. I better realize the cost of the freedom and peace I enjoy. On the other hand, perhaps it’s because I’m brought closer to the reality of war through the media. No longer do I see war depicted in movies or vividly described in history books. Now I’m transported to the numerous global war zones by the nightly news. I witness struggles between rivalling people right in my living-room.  The visceral images of these war scenes in real time bombard my heart and increase my appreciation of Remembrance Day. I’m grateful that as Canadians we set aside November 11^tth as a special time to pause and recall collectively those who sacrificed so much for others.

Nancy Wales CSJ

As the Years Roll By

Soon it will be my birthday and the number of my years will turn from an age ending in '9' to one ending in '0'. As this significant (to me) day approaches, I am struck with the thought of another decade over-how is it possible it passed so quickly? A brand new decade stretches before me. What will these years bring? What will my health be like? Which of my relatives and friends will not be here ten years from now? What about my ministry? What will our congregation look like? What will the face of the church look like? What will the world be like?

A part of me is tempted to sit back and watch life happen. A stronger part of me though rises to the challenge put forth by Mary Oliver: 

"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" 

Certainly I have fewer years ahead than years behind but no matter my age there is always the opportunity to choose life. There awaits the chance to do what I can to protect our precious environment, to nurture loving relationships, to reach out to others who have needs I can satisfy and to be a responsible member of my congregation.

The years ahead are chock full of uncertainty but also of potential.  Bring 'em on!

Nancy Sullivan CSJ

What Time Is It?

One extra hour – wow, what a gift!

Unasked for but it has a no return policy. So, how did you use this gift? It must be used or lost forever, and yes, I’m talking about our return to standard time.

There are so many possibilities: I chose to stay up the extra hour in order to watch the baseball game between the Kansas City Royals and the New York Mets. I was well rewarded as the Royals turned the game around in the eighth inning, winning 5 to 3!  An obvious choice is claiming an extra hour of sleep and letting the transfer happen as we dream away – totally oblivious to what is happening. Perhaps you partied an extra hour celebrating Halloween! You may have spent it in prayer for many needs, or in prayer giving thanks for gifts received. Some may have been totally oblivious because they went to bed at their usual body time and when they awoke in bright daylight, would’ve been startled believing they had slept in or missed the alarm…

So you see nothing is as simple as it first seems: however, one fact that is true is that so called ‘extra hour’ is now history.

When daylight saving rolls around just the opposite effect will be in place; we will be losing a precious hour. How will we make up for it? Really, our God has a subtle but humorous wit and we fall for it every time.

“For all things give thanks to God, because this is what God expects of you in Jesus Christ.” (Thess 5)

Tick-toc, tick-toc!

Barbara Vaughan, CSJ 

The GIFT of LIFE

The celebration of life is particularly meaningful when the donors, living or deceased and /or their families are honoured publicly.

Recently I had the privilege of attending such a dinner celebration.  As we entered the large room, there were two quotes among several that caught my attention as they were projected on the wall:

“The hero/heroine is one who kindles a great light in the world, who sets up blazing torches in the dark streets of life for men/women to see by.” (Felix Adler)

“You give but little when you give of your possessions.  It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.”  (Kahlil Gibran)

Those of us in attendance were deeply moved to hear two recipients express their profound gratitude for having their lives back. For the families of donors to know that their loved one lives on is a source of tremendous consolation, despite the loss of their “hero” or “heroine”. As the pictures of the deceased donors were displayed on the power point, we were all drawn into a communal sense of the bond that united us all: we had a hero/heroine as a family member.

 The generosity of living donors was/is an inspiration and as they came forward to receive their plaque of recognition, I was moved to ponder how ALL of us are called in some way to be donors, to be givers of LIFE in how we intentionally are present to those we encounter each day. How we can be signs and living witnesses that life truly is a gift to be shared with and on behalf of others is the vocation of each of us.

Even the word “gift” denotes that life is “on loan” and the quality of the lending period is a personal choice as to how this time is spent and how this gift is shared with others. We are all called to be heroes or heroines. We are all called to give of ourselves.

The question worth pondering each day might be: How have I been today a giver of life for someone else?     

Kathleen Lichti, CSJ 

https://beadonor.ca/

http://www.johnbrockingtonfoundation.org/more-organ-donation?gclid=CLewqqXDzMgCFQ6maQodp1cHIg

Everyday Saints

While travelling in the south of France a few years ago, I saw in many shop windows in Marseilles and the surrounding Provence area attractive displays of little figurines. I was intrigued by the colour, shape and variety of these little four- inch people representing a myriad of careers and walks of life. I soon learned that these pottery renderings are known as santons, “little saints” or everyday saints.

The first clay santons were created as crèche figurines by Marsellais artisan Jean Louis Lagnel (1764-1822). His Christmas scenes soon grew to include representations or colorful townspeople as well as traditional trades, activities and costumes of Provence. Their creation has been essentially a family craft handed down from generation to generation. Today santons have outgrown the manger tableau and have become popular, mass produced figurines of ordinary people sold in shops, churches and homes in several countries.

Back in Marseilles, I carefully chose my “dancing lady” from among a myriad of colourful santons and brought her safely home to Canada. She inspired me to realize that we are, in our own unique ways, “little saints”. This awareness has grown within me to the point where seeing the magnificent stained glass saints depicted in church windows leads me to ponder the ordinary aspects of their lives which are similar to ours in spite of the passing years and generations. Yes, each revered saint has made a special contribution to God and society in some spectacular or understated manner. However, daily I see men, women and children going about their lives doing good works while bringing joy and peace to those whose lives they touch. They are all saints too – everyday saints living in our midst.

Be Happy!  All Saints Day

Jean Moylan, CSJ