BEE-wildered

Recently I had one of those strange Déjà vu moments. It was triggered by a photo of our sisters in Rome standing in front of the imposing baldacchino in St. Peter’s Basilica. It brought back the memory of the first time I was bee-wildered by the Barberini bees.  ‘What kind of bees are they?’ you might ask.  Undoubtedly, you know about honey bees, but Barberini bees? Well, they are honey bees, and there are literally hundreds of them in St. Peter’s.  You can find them on those four imposing pillars of the baldacchino and throughout the Basilica, carved in stone, cast in metal, embroidered on silks. As I said, I was bee-wildered by the swarming bees.

So, why bees in St. Peter’s Basilica? Well, “the Barberini were a family of the Italian nobility that rose to prominence in 17th century Rome.  Their influence peaked with the election of Cardinal Maffeo Barberini to the papal throne in 1623, as Pope Urban VIII.” (www.wikipedia.org) Displayed on his family’s coat of arms were three golden bees, which before long were pushed into the spotlight. During Urban’s reign bees were scattered over buildings, fountains, sculptures, tapestries and various artefacts - and of course in St. Peter’s Basilica.  The famous Bernini was commissioned to design a massive bronze baldacchino in the centre of the Basilica, above the high altar. The upper parts of these massive columns are decorated with sprays of gilded bay leaves in which, yes, you guessed it, bees flutter.

Not only were bees considered symbolic of moral virtue, but their sweet honey was even compared to the Word of God as can be read in psalm 119.  In addition, they produced wax for candles. Then, as now, bees appear to work extremely hard.  (And to this day we refer to the hard working as ‘busy bees.’)  However, there are far greater reasons for the bee-wildering presence of these innumerable bees.  “In this context [they] indicate the role of the Pope as a type of Christ, and the healing power of the papacy generally … [the bee] is also an emblem of virginity standing for the Virgin birth, and the purity of Christ.” (https://Theframeblog.com/201708/22)

In spite of its relatively unimpressive size, the bee has found itself in the presence of popes.  Quite an accomplishment, one might say, for such a small creature.  However, how much more impressive when we think of the bee’s significance in our own daily lives.  Perhaps not so much as symbolic or ornamental, but as essential to our survival.  Yes, of course, we still frequently use the bee in a symbolic context.  I already mentioned the ‘busy bee’.  What about the ‘bee’s knees’ or ‘a bee in one’s bonnet’ or teaching kids about ‘the birds and the bees’ or taking part in a ‘spelling bee’ or helping in a ‘sewing bee?’  Ah, and then there is the ‘queen bee’.  However, we are all acutely aware that bees perform a task that is vital to our survival: pollination. Did you know, one third of our global food supply is pollinated by these tiny busy bees? Simply put, bees keep plants and crops alive. Without bees, you and I wouldn't have very much to eat. How bee-wildering a thought is that?

Glory-Bee, let’s save the honey bee!  Coming back to Popes and bees, did you know that on the Day of the Protection of Creation in 2011, “Italy’s largest farming association gave Pope Benedict XVI eight beehives containing more than 500,000 bees?” (www.zenit.org).  Furthermore, there is a traditional practice of blessing bee hives on the feast of St. Benedict. All of us might do well to occasionally pray this blessing for these tiny creatures.

“May [your] holy blessing descend upon these bees and these hives, so that they may multiply, be fruitful and be preserved from all ills and that the fruits coming forth from them may be distributed for [your] praise and that of [your] Son and the holy Spirit and of the most blessed Virgin Mary.” (www.catholicculture.org)

As we have seen, bees, both in ancient times and in more recent centuries, have always had around them a powerful symbolic aura. For centuries people have benefitted from these industrious little creatures.  Now it is our responsibility to help them survive so we, too, can survive.  Sound bee-wildering?  Just be bee-friendly!  - Sr. Magdalena Vogt, cps

Archivists Meet at Historic Conference

By: Kristen Whitney Daniels

Archivists and leaders from across the U.S. and Canadian Federations of the Sisters of St. Joseph.

Last month archivists, historians, and leaders convened on the Boston College campus to discuss the major issues surrounding Catholic archives across the world. Meeting from July 11-July 13, the "Envisioning the Future of Catholic Religious Archives" conference gave various groups a chance to exchange ideas and best practices while stressing the importance of preserving the future of Catholic religious.

According to the conference committee, this type of conference is a first of it's kind for Catholic religious archives. The conference included presentations, discussion groups, and break-out sessions that helped tailor the conference to each individual's concerns and interests. Note-takers were present at each session and table during break-out sessions to ensure that unique ideas were recorded. The conference's main goal was to be a "working conference," allowing archivists, historians, and leaders ample opportunity to use their expertise to spark new conversations surrounding a variety of topics.

One of the most important and central questions posed during the conference came from Kathryn Oosterhuis, archivist of the Mercy Heritage Center of the Americas. During her presentation, Oosterhuis posed the question "What do we want our legacy to be?" Continuing, she reminded the audience that archives are a key part of religious communities' enduring legacy.   

Pictured: Mary Kosta (In Canada), Sr. Mary Rita Grady (Boston), Sr. Jane Behlmann (St. Louis- Carondelet), and Virginia Dowd (Brentwood) talk best practices with their archives.

The conference included plenty of input and participation from the Sisters of St. Joseph family from both the U.S. and Canada. Attendees were first greeted by Carol Coburn, Ph.D., the director of the CSJ Center for Heritage, Spirituality, and Service at Avila University. Lisa Gibbon, archivist for the Congregation of St. Joseph, hosted a lightning round about the creation of collaborative and charism-based archives.  Coburn also spoke during the lightning round offering her perspective on the importance of congregational and community histories.

Members of the CSSJ family also in attendance were: Sr. Jane Behlmann, archivist for the St. Louis- Carondelet province; Virginia Dowd, archivist for the Brentwood congregation; Sherry M. Enserro, archivist for the Springfield congregation; Sr. Mary Rita Grady, archivist for the Boston congregation; Sr. Patty Johnson, director of the U.S. Federation of the Sisters of St. Joseph; Mary Kosta, archivist for the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Canada; Adonna Thompson, archivist for the Martha Smith, CSJ, Ph.D. Archives and Research Center, which houses the U.S. Federation's archives; Kathleen Washy, archivist for the Baden congregation; and Kristen Whitney Daniels, the assistant director of the U.S. Federation.

In the coming months, the conference hopes to release a "white paper" regarding best practices for Catholic archives. Using the notes from the discussion groups and presentations, conference committee members will utilize the input "to flesh out a national, even global strategy for preserving and providing access to the precious archival heritage of Catholic religious congregations and communities," according to conference staff. The white paper is expected to be available to the public following its release.

[Kristen Whitney Daniels is the assistant executive director of the U.S. Federation of the Sisters of St. Joseph]

Water: source of life, source of empowerment

Sisters of St. Joseph in Canada partner with SOPAR - a Canadian international development organization - to bring upon change.

It’s hard to believe but close to 800 million people on our planet do not have an easy access to drinking water. What does this mean? It means that these people walk long distances every day to fetch water. It might be 1, 3, or 5km. Back and forth. And back again to get some more. The water they collect is often contaminated leading to an array of diseases and health issues. The World Health Organization says that 340 000 children under five die every year from diarrhoeal diseases due to unsafe drinking water, poor sanitation and poor hygiene. Many water sources in the villages where SOPAR works face an extra challenge: they contain quantities of fluoride that surpass acceptable limits. Prolonged consumption of such water is known to cause serious damage to bones, joints and teeth.

Access to water is one of SOPAR's key programs. Our goal is to raise awareness on health and hygiene issues related to water. We help villagers get an easy access to water by building borewells and by installing water purification systems in needy villages.

Laxmi, pictured to the left, is one of the children touched by our Water Program. Laxmi lives in a small village in India’s state of Andhra Pradesh. She is 14 years old. Neighbors say that she is a brilliant and hardworking girl. She loves going to school and dreams of becoming a teacher.

Laxmi is an only child. She helps her mother with all the house choirs. Her biggest task is fetching water. Up until now, she was going to draw water from a well located 2 kilometers from the village. She had to do several trips every day to get enough water for her family’s needs. To arrive in time for school, Laxmi had to get up at 4 o'clock in the morning. Most days the queue at the well was very long and she would arrive 1 or 2 hours late at school.

Up to now, SOPAR has helped more 3 million villagers like Laxmi to get an easy and affordable access to water. But that is not all…

We believe people must participate actively and take ownership in all stages of their development, from needs assessment to finding solutions for their own problems. At SOPAR, it’s more than just building a well… We get villagers to invest time, energy and money in their projects. We support the creation of elected local committees that play a determining role in the projects’ management. And so, our Water Program acts as a catalyst in communities. Mobilized, trained, and proud, villagers are inspired to lead other needed development initiatives in their community. - Janice Aubry, Program Manager

Bishop’s Dinner Acknowledges Sisters’ Sesquicentennial

Last month, on June 13, 2018, in honour of the Sisters of St. Joseph’s 150^th anniversary in the Diocese of London, twelve Sisters represented the Congregation as guests of Bishop Ronald Fabbro, host of the 10^th annual Bishop’s Dinner for London and surrounding communities.

A crowded London Convention Centre twinkled in candlelight as supporters of the works of the Roman Catholic Diocese of London gathered in a celebration of faith, friendship and charity.  Prior to settling into the festive meal, Bishop Fabbro addressed the participants with thanks and appreciation.  He lauded the Sisters of St. Joseph for their 150 years of service in the diocese and far beyond its confines.  He gave a brief sketch of their beginnings when 6 Sisters arrived by train from Toronto to London on Dec.  11^th, 1867.  He outlined the congregation’s rapid growth and variety of ministries and founding of many missions in the diocese and beyond its borders to Edmonton, The NorthWest Territories, etc.  The bishop highlighted the community’s adaptability following Vatican II in the sixties when the needs of people saw the congregation[j1]  move from more traditional works in healthcare and education to many forms of assisting the poor in soup kitchen, work with immigrants, detox centre, social justice initiatives and a myriad of other ministries.  In addition, the sisters answered a call from the bishop, a mission was opened in Peru where the Sisters served for almost 50 years alongside volunteer priests from the Diocese of London. As Bishop Fabbro ended his tribute, the Sisters stood and were acknowledged with grateful applause and standing ovation.

Following dinner, six diocesan priests who chose the name “Vocati” performed light-hearted and beautifully stirring hymns to the delight of the crowd. Our own Sr. Loretta Manzara and Celine Murray provided piano and violin accompaniment respectively.  Many cameras were trained on the performers who on a special June evening made a name for themselves.         - Jean Moylan, csj

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Café Scientifique, A Free Community Event

"Café Scientifique" are events known for their informal and friendly atmosphere. Café Scientifique aims to demystify scientific research for the general public and empower non-scientists to more comfortably and accurately assess science. (Source: Wikipedia)

 Bedside to Bench:  Health Research with Real-Time Benefits       

On June 25, 2018, Dr. Arlene MacDougall moderated a panel of three researchers from London’s Lawson Health Research Institute (the research institute of London Health Sciences Centre and St. Joseph’s Health Care London) who gave presentations on their work in slowing the decline of neurodegenerative diseases.  The researchers use their experience with patients to shape research activities, and to directly apply what they discover to improve their patients’ lives.  Café Scientifique provided an opportunity for health practitioners and interested community members to learn about new discoveries and question the researchers.  

Dr. Jennie Wells clinical and research work involves Alzheimer’s Disease and Geriatric Rehabilitation. She focuses on the potential for non-drug interventions, such as diet and exercise, to slow down the progression of dementia.  As well, Dr. Wells is the principal site investigator in a study of drugs used to treat dementia, mild cognitive impairment and subjective cognitive impairment. 

Dr. Elizabeth Finger described her work in delineating the cognitive and neural systems that are affected in patients with frontotemporal dementia, related disorders, and the patients’ at-risk family members. She noted that persons who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis have an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

Dr. Mandar Jog fascinated the audience with illustrations of patients with Parkinson’s’ Disease walking on a specialized mat.  Telemetric data collected from the mat was turned into walking stick figures that illustrated the patients’ gait, e.g., speed, length, pauses, and varied weight of steps along the length of the mat.  Tremor disorders affect a significant number of people and these also can be analyzed by telemetric monitoring and treated.   Application of this research has led to effective treatments.  For example, injection of botulinum toxins in the brains of patients with Parkinson’s Disease results in improved gait.

I came away from Café Scientifique with useful knowledge:  Twelve minutes of meditation a day reduces inflammation of the brain in persons at risk of neurodegenerative disease.  Tai Chi, which combines elements of resistance training, aerobic exercise, and meditation has a triple beneficial impact. But most of all, I was awed by the quality of research being done in London’s Lawson Health Research Institute and the passionate dedication of researchers who spend far more than forty hours per week exploring ang applying knowledge that benefits humanity.  I hope that our government and individual donors will continue to support the health research taking place in London. - Sister Patricia McKeon