A City on a Hill Cannot Be Hid

The February 22^nd Rally to End Poverty sponsored by London’s Multi-Faith Social Action Coalition was as great as any purpose-filled rally, complete with jazz band, singers, speakers and buckets of energy and good will throughout Wolf Performance Hall. The coalition was supported by the Mayor’s Advisory Panel on Poverty working on the complex issue of ending poverty in London.

Musical numbers were interspersed with leaders and representatives of many faith groups in London giving short presentations outlining the complexity of the current situation of poverty and urging all the faithful to stay the course in finding ways to alleviate the harsh conditions in which the poor live out their lives.

The old English tune, “The Streets of London,” accompanied by guitar and banjo related the sights and signs of poverty and oppression right before our eyes that we fail to see. This was juxtaposed to Sonja Gustafson’s upbeat rendition, “We Can Build a Beautiful City”.

Steven Stape of Temple Israel pointed out that although London’s efforts to address poverty reach back several decades, “we must reeducate ourselves to gain momentum and move forward”. To illustrate this forward thrust, a wave of enthusiasm swept the theatre as two members of the Scallywags urged the crowd in song “to dream a little larger, walk a little further and sing a little louder if we want to change the world”. In addition, Dr. Wael Haddara of the Muslim community pointed out, “We must create societal ways that will work in order to eradicate poverty”.

Sue Wilson, a Sister of St. Joseph, built on Dr. Haddara’s statement by alluding to the systemic change that must occur “to bring about the sort of justice that is doable and will eradicate poverty”. Such justice would mean a living wage for workers and a guaranteed livable income for all so that there can be a roof overhead, food on the table and education for all.  To reach this attainable goal requires, “a strong social consensus that makes justice the criterion by which city council make its decisions”.

As if to join forces and endorse the belief and desire for strong social consensus, the audience joyfully joined Sarah Gustafson and the entire musical ensemble for a rousing rendition of “Lean on Me”. It witnessed to a resolve to go forward together and enlist our faith communities to raise our voices in a strong social consensus to remove poverty by bringing justice for all to the streets of London.  It was a powerful ending to a memorable rally.

Jean Moylan, CSJ

Reflection on Flint Water Crisis

It is not unusual for a group, to want “to do something” after a disaster. We want to help, heal, reduce pain, bring relief, and some balance through song, because our desires are deep and well-intended, loving gestures. At the same time, our intention “to act”, “to do” something, invites me to look deeper, “to wonder”, and ask the question, what might this situation be saying to me personally. What are the energies moving within me? How might such pain, loss, confusion, be also leading me personally to greater transformation?  

We can “do” but can we also allow ourselves “to be”, to feel the monumental pain of mothers with children, to grieve imperfections of our society and civic leaders involved in this horrific situation of toxic lead in the Flint water supply? Does this crises move me towards greater wholeness, oneness with others and self?  We do change and that is the paradox and mystery of pain.

Perhaps there is a challenge here. Can I listen to details of this tragedy without adding more waves of violence, anger and blame into our universe and towards others? Can I/we hold all the confusion and pain lovingly without judgement? There is no doubt in my mind that Divine presence is around us and within us, bursting forth in ways we cannot imagine, holding the pieces and threads of our groans, and us, intimately, in this darkness. Beatrice Bruteau in Holy Thursday Revolution, urges us “to exercise our imaginations to offset pessimism and despair”. In this situation as in so many other environmental disasters, consciousness expands bringing together new relationships and sculpting a new creation. At this moment it may not be clear, but in time, maybe hundreds or thousands of years from now, this water crises may be understood as related primitive roots of a new birthing. 

These are the energies I hold, the connections I make, and the new picture I paint. Seeking stillness. Open to a mindful presence. I like to believe that we as people, personally and collectively are evolving just like the original birthing of the universe and planet earth itself. According to Hildegard of Bingen, “God has arranged everything in the universe according to everything else”. Everything in creation is not perfectly shaped and beautiful, in fact it is as we have experienced before, it is both messy and Mystery.  We are on a journey, still unfolding.

Pat St. Louis, CSJ

Psalms of Lament in the Desert of Our Lives

During this Lenten season, as we reflect on Jesus’ time in the wilderness, we may recall our own times of inner emptiness. How often the Beloved weeps with compassion over those who are in deep sorrow and pain. God is ever ready to lighten our heavy hearts and to ease our burdens.

As I fondly remember my brother, John, on the anniversary of his sudden death, I present to you a psalm-prayer that I composed to help me put into words the anguish of my own grief. Over time, I have experienced that God has yet again raised us up and has not let our fears overwhelm us. 

Out of the depths of my being I cry aloud to You!

God, in your compassion, hear my sorrowful lament!

Let your heart be moved by your attentive listening to the voice of my anguished supplications.

To You I pour out my soul!

Our family knows of your steadfast love and faithful presence, Gracious One!

In the storms of our lives, You have been our refuge from one generation to the next.

We, your children, have found shelter and strength in your nurturing embrace.

For You alone are able to put our fears to rest, and transform them into peace.

As I ponder the mystery of life and death, I remember your Word: “Whatever the measure of our days; our life passes as a blinking of an eye! For the gift of life fades too soon away, yet how precious we are in your sight!”

John’s life among us was a cherished treasure from You. John is yours! His spirit has now been set free to soar as he is welcomed by You into new, unending life! Comforter of the widow and orphan, console John’s young wife and their children. Encircle them with your healing Light and enfold them in Your Love.

Indwelling God, we cried for help and You revealed your abiding presence to us. We will forever offer You songs of praise and thanksgiving!

You may find it helpful to compose a psalm-prayer for yourself to express your own experience(s). Use your own method or check out the this PDF “How to Write A Psalm”

Kathy O'Keefe, CSJ 

A View from the Rear Window

Does anyone remember the old classic “Rear Window” with Jimmy Stewart confined in his wheel chair whirling about catching a view of the antics of his neighbours? For me, this movie held a fascination regarding the curiosity within us all, “What’s going on around us; especially in our immediate neighbourhood”?

Rear Window came to mind the other evening amidst a blinding snow squall, as I sat at supper and peered out the dining room’s rear window into the storm buffeted by the tree line. The branches were laden with heavy fluffy snow. Snow was two feet deep on the ridge and one of our neighbours, a small deer, appeared plunging along its way. He was wearing his brown shaggy winter coat and feasting on the bark of a small sapling.

Then, two larger deer arrived on the scene. They were up to their bellies in snow with ears alert and twitching. The young deer kept enjoying his morsel of twigs as they passed. Next, two more deer trailed along and seemed to signal to their companions ahead, “It’s time to head for shelter; this blast is not going to abate”.

They changed course slightly with junior in tow and breaking trail, headed east, I presume, toward an evergreen shelter of pine in the woods behind the nearby Scouts Canada camp.

Yes, it’s February and this is our first blast of a roaring “old time” winter storm. A meteorologist doesn’t have to tell us how it is, we just need to look out our rear window.

Eileen Foran, CSJ

Six Week Challenge!

Sunday, January 10, 2016 was the Baptism of the Lord, last day of the Christmas Season and then WHAM, Wednesday, February 10, 2016 Ash Wednesday.  With the way the weather has leap frogged, we could see signs of Irises poking up in the soil!

Isn’t this the model of our weather lately? Usually we ease from liturgical season to liturgical season. Pretty hum drum this year! We have just packed away, Jesus in the Manger in time for Ashes and purple, travelling six weeks through Lent. When and how will we fast, pray and abstain. Guidelines we have practiced during Lent – prayer – fasting – alms giving.

This reminds me of two priests who couldn’t wait to sacrifice meat twice a week during Lent so they could have more of their favourite foods. They both loved fish, salmon, shark steaks and large shrimp, served up gourmet fashion as well as oysters and lobster in rich cream sauces. And “no thanks” to desserts (they were both diabetics). Don’t get me wrong, these were the most spiritual men that I had the privilege of working with, and both very good friends.

How will we spice up Lent?

Here is an idea for those of you who are active in your parish. Just before Ash Wednesday, February 10^th I approached the Grand Puba/Grand Knight. I asked if I could I borrow a roulette wheel (crown and anchor). After he got over the shock, he agreed and delivered the wheel and stand to the church. I cut triangles out of bristle board, printed some suggested practices, one on each triangle, e.g., extra Mass, speak kind words, do a RAOK, decade of the Rosary, refrain from gossip, etc. We explained this to the people and after Mass, those who wished spun the wheel and where it stopped was their act for the week. It was a huge success. In the following weeks there were line ups before and after Mass. Of course the pastor and pastoral team also took part. There seemed to be a little more curiosity when we took our turns. What will Father have to do?

So let’s use our imaginations!  What can we do personally or as a community to enrich our spiritual lives but not just in a hum drum way? “Come back to Me with all your heart.”  An invitation from our Creator. How will you respond? At least for six weeks.

Barbara Vaughan, CSJ