Celebrating August 9th Stretches Beyond Family

August 9^th has always been special in my family since it is my mom’s birthday. Recently, it was brought to my attention that August 9^th is also a day of worldwide celebration on the occasion of the International Day of World’s Indigenous People.

By the Numbers
The United Nations estimates that there are over 370 million indigenous people living in over 70 countries worldwide. This would equate to 6% of the total world population. However, this includes at least 5000 distinct peoples in over 72 countries. wikipedia.org

UN International Day of World Indigenous People
The United Nations International Day of World’s Indigenous People is observed on August 9 each year to promote and protect the rights of the world’s indigenous population. This day offers global citizens the opportunity to reflection upon the achievements and contributions to our global community made by our indigenous sisters and brothers. Many of us are becoming more familiar with the wealth Indigenous wisdom has to offer us.  For example, we are slowly coming to appreciate that land means different things to non-Indigenous and Indigenous people. The latter have a spiritual as well as a cultural, social and cultural connection to it. In our times when we are reminded, almost constantly of the environmental crisis facing our planet we would do well to imitate their wisdom in caring for the earth, our common home.

Setting It Right
On May 10, 2016, the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs, announced that Canada is now a full supporter of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. This historic move on the part of the Canadian government added noticeable intentionality to their commitment to establish a renewed nation-to-nation relationship with Canada’s indigenous partners. Canada has accepted its responsibility and gone on record to implement the principles laid down for the signees in the Un Declaration of on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Carolyn Bennett stated, “Adopting and implementing the Declaration is an important step in the vital work of reconciliation and will be breathing life into Section 35 (Section 35 of the Canadian Constitution found at http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/const/page-16.html) of Canada’s Constitution which provides a box full of rights for Indigenous peoples.”

94 Opportunities for Healing
August 9^th is a good day to check out the Calls to Action (Section 35 of the Canadian Constitution found at http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/const/page-16.html) in the Truth and Reconciliation Report. It has already been a year since its official release. Are there areas you can help implement?

Nancy Wales CSJ

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A Way to God

In his new book A Way to God: Thomas Merton’s Creation Spirituality Journey (2016), Matthew Fox writes from the perspective of not only knowing and corresponding with Merton, but also with an admiration of Merton’s readiness to be continually learning and growing.

A Way to God references numerous quotes from the writings of Thomas Merton linking these with his own writing as well as other well known authors such as Meister Eckhart, St. Augustine, Julian of Norwich, Carl Jung and D.T. Suzuki. Fox points out, “It is important to see the evolution in Merton’s thinking that Suzuki and Eckhart brought about – It was only later, and with the help of Suzuki, that Merton truly entered into Eckhart’s creation-centered worldview”.

This is a very insightful book which clearly explores the Four Paths of Creation Spirituality – the Via Positiva, Via Negativa, Via Creativa, and Via Transformativa. These Four Paths assist us in grasping the depth of Merton’s journey.

Valerie van Cauwenberghe CSJ

Matthew Fox on Thomas Merton

The Perfect Assist

This summer we had the honour of hosting at our sisters’ residence, a Syrian family awaiting admission to their apartment in the city. While they waited, mother, father and three young sons enjoyed their first floor accommodations close to a grassy area and winding sidewalk.

One morning, as two of the boys were looking out the window, they saw an elderly sister out for her morning walk suddenly fall. In a flash, before a nearby sister could run to help, the children raced from their room to assist the tall, stately woman. Although they tried to help with every ounce of their energy, they were unable to get her to her feet. Fortunately, aid appeared quickly. Sister was rescued handily as two pairs of bright shining eyes watched vigilantly.

The talk of the day was how two young boys brought instant care and compassion across age and language barriers to a woman in need. Now Sister, sporting a bright green cast on her left wrist, has two new Syrian friends–in fact, she has a whole new family of friends!

Jean Moylan, CSJ

My Father’s Garden

Every summer for as long as I can remember, my father kept a large garden. Even after my brother, four sisters and I left home, he continued to maintain a smaller plot in the back yard. He loved the thrill of cultivating the earth and growing vegetables. He took special pride in his six-foot staked tomato plants.

When the produce was ripe and superfluous for a household of two, he put the extra vegetables on a little table in the driveway.  From his perch on the front porch which he loved, he invited neighbours walking past to help themselves to the bounty.  Besides taking fresh produce to their homes, friendships blossomed between Dad and the neighbours for many blocks.

When Dad was no longer able to manage the garden, a man across the street, witnessing Dad’s outreach, offered to prepare the soil and do most of the planting.  Thus, Dad’s work of friendship and generosity continued.

Dad loved people and gardening. His fine garden was a vehicle to express his generosity and to help create a community of caring people. This was love in action. When you think of your own neighbourhood, where do you see kind acts of love?

Yvonne Parent CSJ

A False Sense of Security?

It was one of those lazy days of summer. Enjoying this precious gift of a lazy dazy day, we couldn't help but think - how blessed we are as Canadians! Blessed, you may ask? Yes, for the endless breaking news of tragedies happens someplace else – most of the time. So while the three of us enjoyed the gift of a vacation Friday, how could we not be struck by the oasis of peace we found on a small patio. Over our large coffees and breakfast bagels, we enjoyed each other's company.

For the most part we felt safe in that setting. We felt no need to constantly look over our shoulders. However, two of us who have lived in unsettled places know all too well the fragility of safety. Our third amigo commented, that no doubt our experience in these places, provides them with a deeper understanding of the fear incited by violence. In her opinion, the two of us experience the lack of safety more at a visceral than a cerebral level. Could this contribute to a false sense of security? She questions whether she and other Canadians too easily take for granted the blessings of the safety we experience as Canadians.

As we emptied our coffee cups, our spirits were lifted by the arrival of a friendly little sparrow, who, too, seemed to feel safe with us. His curiosity brought him closer and closer. For us, he became such a delightful symbol of trust. In this maddening world, trust of one another is something we have to hold onto. We can’t surrender our trust to violence.

Sr. Loretta Hagen, csj; Sr. Magdalena Vogt, cps; Sr. Nancy Wales, csj