Sisters Commit to Earth-Centred Focus

Gathering at their recent Chapter meeting held in Toronto Sept 11-16, 2016, over one hundred Sisters of St Joseph in Canada recognized the need to prioritize care of the earth for the common good. At this meeting they committed to using “integral ecology” as the lens for focusing their way of life believing that this reality recognizes the interrelationship of all things, as with others they serve in our “common home”.  Integral Ecology links inseparably, care for the Earth and all peoples, especially the most vulnerable.  It embraces Gospel values, interreligious and intercultural dialogue and all the world’s most urgent needs today.

For many years, the Sisters of St Joseph have been taking seriously the call to listen and respond to the “cry of the Earth and the cry of the poor”, rooted in their founding charism in 1650 France of unity and reconciliation.

Today they embrace further the notion of an earth-centred spirituality and ecological education supported by transforming action to fuel the hearts of the Sisters in the years ahead.

During these days of Chapter, a new leadership circle of the congregation was elected.  The congregation now welcomes Sisters Margo Ritchie, Joyce Murray, Anne Karges, Sheila Fortune and Nancy Sullivan with all their gifts of mission and ministry as they lead the congregation into their future of prayer and service for today’s world.

For more information, please visit:  www.csjcanada.org
Media Contact:  Sister Margo Ritchie
519 675 0137  mritchie@csjcanada.org

Paying Attention to What is Right with the World

In a recent course called Transformation in Business, Society and Self, this question emerged.

What can we do to transform personal, organisational and societal patterns to create disruptive and necessary change?

Many of us watch the daily round of news wondering where we are headed. Is there any hope? And why is all breaking news about a tragedy and about violence? What if the following flashed on our television screen as breaking news:

“There is an emerging an increasingly coherent community of change-makers and innovators globally who are dedicated to helping our society to shift for the better.” Marian Goodman who leads Innovation Labs and Leadership Journeys

The Sisters of St. Joseph, in partnership with PILLAR nonprofit and Kings University College invites you to join us for a two day symposium at Kings College in London Ontario. As we give our attention over to what is possible…together… something new can emerge for the well-being of all in our local communities and on our planet. Join us on November 11—12, 2016 for SHIFTING FROM EGO TO ECO: CREATING WELL-BEING FOR ALL.

We are delighted to be joined by Marian Goodman who works with groups around the globe on the topic of creating well-being for all and by Frederic Laloux, author of Re-Inventing Organisations. They will share their experience and invite us into our own.

As well, there is a stand-alone presentation by Frederic Laloux on Friday, November 11 at 7 p.m. evening.

Piqued your interest?? Learn more about the symposium and how to register HERE

Flyer in PDF

Margo Ritchie, CSJ

Finding My Path

“Mission is never the fruit of a perfectly planned program or a well-organized manual. Mission is always the fruit of a life which knows what it is to be found and healed, encountered and forgiven. Mission is born of a constant experience of God’s merciful anointing.”

The above quote of Pope Francis provides me with insight into what is meant by ‘MISSION‘. It seems to me that mission is born out of a life of prayerful discernment and attentive listening. Mission leads into ministry. Openness to the whisperings of the Spirit of God leads and guides me into active ministry.

For myself, Pope Francis’ words remind me of the responsibility I have taken on as a Christian and as a Sister of St. Joseph. I am continually being called to a life of prayerful discernment. In prayer I discover God’s call to be and to do.

Simone Batte, csj

Imagining a future world though the lens of sports…

The second round of world class sporting activity has begun in Rio. The opening ceremonies of the Para-Olympics was spectacular. I am looking forward to watching the incredible and truly inspiring efforts of these athletes who remind us of what we are capable of as humans even when barriers are put in our way. Sometimes it is these challenges that remind us that we all can do more. If we are attentive we can be awakened to new possibilities.

This came home to me as I watched the opening ceremonies of the Olympics in August. Much of the media attention before the opening focused on the environmental concerns wondering if Rio was the wrong place to host the Olympics when the world would be watching. Could Rio meet the challenge? Many were doubting. However, it was artists that called our attention to the environment and offered a new perspective. Not only do we come from the five continents, traditionally represented by the different coloured interlocking rings of the Olympic symbol, but they ended the ceremony with five interlocking rings of green leaves. In other words, the ecological crisis facing our planet is not a competition between us, but something that we all have to work together if we are to survive into the future. What a hope-filled message to send to people from all around the world. The challenges we face, are more than competition, but a crisis that requires great collaboration. And we need our artists to both inspire us and open our minds and hearts to such future.

The athletics who took part in the opening ceremonies yesterday are ones who have already overcome incredible challenges to compete. If they can do this should we not all search our own imaginations to reach beyond today and work together to build a more sustainable future for all.  

Joan Atkinson, CSJ

Sisters will be gathering . . . . .

It is just around the corner....Sisters will be gathering...we can feel the excitement in the air. Chapter 2016 for the Congregation of the Sisters of St Joseph in Canada is about to begin! 

A Chapter gathering in the life of any religious congregation is a time to look ahead to see where the Spirit is guiding the group.  Where is God calling us forward? To what do we continue to commit ourselves? The theme for this year's Chapter is: 'We are not finished yet...and neither is God' and this is the lens through which we will contemplatively dialogue through the week of Sept 11-16. 

In light of the many crises facing the world today, we also are moving forward with living with a spiritual and practical focus on enhancing, engaging and supporting crucial relationships with Earth.

Towards the end of the week, we will elect a new Congregational Leadership Circle to lead us through the next four years. Over 100 Sisters of St Joseph from Hamilton, London, Pembroke, Peterborough and beyond will participate in this important gathering with a representative group of our Associates/Companions present for part of the time.

We will also celebrate and thank the five generous Sisters who have led us through these first four years as a new congregation. They are an inspiration to us all and we will continue to hold Veronica, Loretta, Jean, Anne and Joan with grateful hearts.

Your prayers are greatly appreciated during this special time in the life of our new congregation.

Nancy Sullivan, CSJ