Mercy Visits the Market

While in Winnipeg, Manitoba at The Forks, I encountered a busker in the market, who sat and played his mandolin. His mandolin case lay open to receive any possible donations. The passersby went about their business, paying little attention to this man and his musical talent. 

As I moved about the market stalls, I began to hear singing voices and was drawn to the source. Once again, I saw the busker; however, a transformation had taken place. This man was now animated, directing a choir of young adults. He was surrounded by a large circle of joy in the youthful faces of the women and men who had stopped to join him in sharing their love of music. The aloneness of the first scene had given way to the sense of community of the second scene. My heart was touched by these wonderful youth and their spontaneity. I met mercy in the market that day.

Where have you met mercy?

Kathy O’Keefe CSJ

The Lace Is Not Yet Finished

As I spend time here in Le Puy, at our CSJ International Centre and explore the streets walked by our first Sisters, certain themes come vividly to mind: “We are not finished yet,” the current theme of our communal gatherings as the new amalgamated Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Canada, and “The Lace Is Not Yet Finished,” a recent program offered at the International Centre of the Sisters of St Joseph in Le Puy.

For, from the very first days of our foundation and into the 21rst century, have we not been about lace-making, literally and figuratively, as in our various ministries we weave the diverse threads of a design known as the congregation of the great love of God? Over the centuries, Sisters, Associates/Companions and lay colleagues in ministry have followed the pattern, devoting themselves to our common mission of active and inclusive love, seeking the union of all in God.                 

Whether sitting in their own kitchen in the evenings or among neighbouring women lace-makers as they helped them to deepen their spirituality, our first Sisters in 17^th century Le Puy knew well the art of lace-making. And our lace-making way of being continues as our original congregation has spread throughout the world. 

The global dimensions of our CSJ charism and mission were highlighted for me as we welcomed Sisters, Associates and lay colleagues from at least 15 different countries to the International Centre in May. Some came for a program on multicultural diversity, others to learn the history of our origins and immerse themselves more deeply in our mission and spirituality. All were engaged in a wide variety of ministry to the “dear neighbour,” responding to multiple needs so that “all may be one.”

Our lace-making has indeed gone global and the lace is not yet finished.

Joyce Murray CSJ

Figure 1: Le Puy today
Figure 2: Héritage Kitchen of First Sisters
Figure 3: Today’s lacemaking in Le Puy

Surprised by Mercy

While waiting to board a bus recently, I had an experience that moved my heart.  There were two young men, in front of me in the line, who had a number of large suitcases. When one of the men handed his bus ticket to the woman bus driver, she inquired as to whether or not he had someone weigh his luggage.  She indicated that since some of his bags were obviously oversize, he would need to pay a service charge. The friend, who accompanied the passenger in the line-up, told the bus driver that his buddie was on the way to a rehabilitation centre in Northern Ontario.  It was then that mercy made an unexpected appearance. The woman bus driver’s facial expression softened.  Filled with compassion, she declared, “Congratulations!  Good for you! I wish you all the best! Don’t worry about paying for your bags.” This powerful encounter that I witnessed was clearly of God. There was such a sense of ‘rightness’ in her action. Her response, which moved so quickly towards mercy for this young man, made me wonder if someone close to her had suffered with an addiction. When it was my turn to give her my bus ticket, I felt moved to comment to her about the kindness of her heart. With a big smile, she thanked me.

Kathy O’Keefe CSJ   

The Great Wildfire Ordeal: A First Hand Account

In mid-May, I had the privilege of speaking by phone to a young man who lived through the perilous Fort McMurray wildfire days. He is the sister of one of our csj Sisters.  He explained that he, his wife and their 12-year-old daughter presently are living in Calgary in his brother’s apartment. They are alive and fortunate but the nightmare they experienced is with them constantly.

On May third, the fire came too close for comfort.  Both he and his wife were working on site at Suncor Energy Ltd.  As the fire leapt toward the site, he contacted his wife but she was unable to leave work.  Quickly, he and a friend jumped into a vehicle and raced to the school to rescue their daughters. He dropped his daughter at home and ordered her to begin packing as he proceeded to drive his friend and his daughter to their home.  The road was packed with vehicles crawling along the road to exit the city. Thus, a 15 minute drive took an hour-and-a-half.  The return trip was the same. Finally, father and daughter were on the road, joining a caravan inching down #63 toward Millenium Suncor camp.  Although husband and wife had been in communication throughout the ordeal, she was on a bus heading to Fort Hills, another huge Suncor camp north of Fort Mc Murray.

The family was separated for two nights but my friend was able to go by pickup truck from Millenium Camp to Fort Hills and return with his wife to Millenium Camp. The family was together for twenty-four hours when they were air lifted to an airport ironically named Fire Bag.  Picture sixteen greyhound buses arriving at Fire Bag where ten West Jet planes awaited them to fly several thousand people to Calgary or Edmonton!  It was a colossal undertaking in stressful circumstances.

Once safely in Edmonton and Calgary, ground transportation was provided to take the rescuees to either place as the passengers requested. My friend and his family went to his brother’s apartment in Calgary.

On May 12^th, Suncor summoned my friend, who is a safety advisor at the oil sands, to return to Fort McMurray to get the oil operation up and running in anticipation of bringing back workers to the sites.  Smoke remained noticeable but skies were clear. However, without warning, the fire returned with a vengeance, literally chasing workers as they leaped into the nearest company vehicles and raced to Calgary where they waited for the raging inferno to lose power and control.

Good news arrived on May 28^th when my friend was flown back to Fort McMurray.  The treasured family home is still standing in the Timberly area situated on a hill a small distance from town.  It has not been damaged by the fire or water but has a smell of smoke. There was no electricity outage and appliances are working – a miracle indeed. On June 4^th weekend, his wife and daughter will return from Calgary.

This brave family along with countless others who have been through the great wildfire ordeal, is aware of prayers and support from Canadians.  My friend pointed out that there are many heroes: first responders, firefighters, the Red Cross to name a few.  Such support will continue to assist in the restoration of Fort McMurray in the months and years to come.

Jean Moylan CSJ

Poverty Inc.

The subtitle for POVERTY, INC. says it all: “Fighting poverty is big business. But who profits the most?” This film draws attention to the many ways in which those of us in developed countries are getting rich at the very expense of the people we want to assist.

Some of us have the opportunity to feel good because we give our old hand me downs we don’t want to others who we pretend will not have them except for our generosity. Some of us can feel good about buying new shoes because at least we know a free pair will be donated to others in need. Some of us are actually able to gain monetary wealth because of our business savvy that “seems” to be doing good. As I watched the movie I found myself wondering how many textile companies have been put out of business by people donating clothes to developing countries. Why buy what you can get for free. How many local economies have come to a standstill because we import all kinds of manufactured goods from our Western cultures that could come from the local community?

Many of the people interviewed from many different countries repeated that it was good to give when people are in need but if donations are still needed five years later there is a problem.

The most striking aspect of the film was the way in which I was confronted by my own prejudices and misconceptions about life in the developing countries. As someone who has been actively engaged in a variety of social justice activities and organizations for a number of years I wasn’t expecting any great surprises. I was wrong. I am embarrassed to admit that I was startled by images of lush foliage as we listened to the words “where nothing ever grows” from the song (Feed the World) Do They Know It’s Christmas Time. Equally surprising were the images of solar street lights being developed in Haiti and computer businesses located in cities in Africa.

Throughout the movie it became absolutely apparent that those in the developing world need to participate in the global economy that they are currently being excluded from because of “paternalism”, the developed countries imposing what we think their needs are upon them. The message is clear – this doesn’t work. It is our responsibility to allow developing countries to develop. We must recognize that these countries can, and in fact need to become active participants in the global economic community to truly raise themselves out of the cycle of poverty.

But don’t take my word for it. I would encourage you to watch the film for yourself and make your own decisions about supporting our sisters and brothers in developing countries. The conversation needs to continue.

Guest Blogger
Annette Donovan-Panchaud
CSJ Associate
Campus Minister, King’s University College, London, ON