FINDING GOD IN ALL THINGS

Recently, I’ve reached the ten-year milestone of ministering to the sick and dying in one of Canada’s largest hospitals, and I might be tempted to say, ‘I have seen it all.’  On many a day, that includes the good, the bad and the ugly.  At times, sadly, it is more of the bad than the good. Thankfully, on the many days when the good by far outweighs the bad and the ugly, it is easy to find God present amid the suffering and pain.  On the fewer more difficult days, it is much harder. 

Today was one of those days of mixed blessings.  A bit of everything made up the fabric of my day.  Homeward bound, my mind dwelling on nothing other than answering the call of nature before leaving the hospital, I pushed open the door to a washroom.  Much to my surprise, with arms outstretched, there sat a Cabbage Patch doll, sans clothes, on the window ledge. Despite its blue eyes, it looked more like a troll than a doll.  Don’t ask me why, but this forlorn looking imp inspired me to recall what Jesuits encourage us to do, “find God in all things.”  Why, I wondered.  Why, here of all places, in a public washroom, did a Cabbage Patch doll prompt me to think of this Jesuit maxim?   Jesuits teach that God can be found in everyone, in every place and in every-thing. Even in a child’s doll left behind in a washroom?  How could I possibly find God in this wee troll-like creature?  If God gives life and being and existence to everything, finding God in all things is just a matter of opening our eyes.  In this case, it may seem a bit of a stretch. Since subtlety tends to be God’s métier, I took a picture of the lonesome looking doll, wondering how God might be present in this odd encounter. 

As I drove home, I reflected on my encounter with this butt-naked Cabbage Patch doll, surely much loved by the little girl here at the hospital, who found comfort in cuddling her doll.  We all know about the pain of loss, of being lost ourselves. I could well imagine the mother comforting her child upset about losing her cuddly friend. I said a little prayer for this unknown child, and for all who are dealing with the loss of someone precious.  Grateful to God for using this doll to remind me of God’s presence everywhere, in everything, I prayed for the grace to remember that though lost we are never alone. We are always in God’s presence, for wherever we are, there is God.

- Sr. Magdalena Vogt, cps

A gift to the people of God

"I do not believe in death without Resurrection.  If they kill me, I will rise again in the people of El Salvador."  - Saint Oscar Romero

St. Oscar Romero - What a gift to the people of God!!

Ever since I heard of the canonization of Archbishop Oscar Romero of EL Salvador, I knew that I wanted to write a blog about him.  And, as I puzzled over what aspect I would choose, I was fortunate enough to meet a man from El Salvador, now living in Canada, who had worked along with “Monsenor Romero,” and was in his presence the day before he died and attended his funeral.  This man, let me call him Pedro, is very familiar with the economic and political struggles of his country, with the constant tensions between left and right wing politics not only in the government, but also powerfully dividing the Catholic Church.  Moreover, my embryonic friendship with Pedro afforded me a glimpse into his eye witness accounts of the life of Oscar Romero.      

Initially, Pedro’s sharing focused on the continuous, intense struggles of the Salvadoran people of God against the powerful forces of oppression in the government, in the armed forces and in the media which resulted in appalling fear, increasing poverty and escalating targeted deaths.  Pedro was associated with the church groups that formed under Romero’s courageous leadership and contributed to the possibility of hope and positive change.   Eventually, in our short conversation, Pedro moved from the big picture to the presence of Romero amidst his country’s suffering yet hope filled people.  He focused on Romero’s courageous Gospel based words spoken and broadcasted throughout the country, which brought hope and courage to thousands, as well as on the simplicity of his life style and his humility. 

I was particularly touched when Pedro recounted the attentiveness Romero showed towards others. He gave the example of being at a meeting where an older woman arrived, and the only empty chair was designated for the mayor of the town who had not yet arrived. Pedro described how Romero encouraged this woman to sit in the chair while another one was brought for the mayor.  This is one small example of why Romero was revered not only for his courage and deep faith, but especially for his constant love of the poor.

At his last retreat, St. Oscar Romero made this note in his journal: “it is not easy to accept a violent death, which is very possible in these circumstances, and the Apostolic Nuncio to Costa Rica warned me of imminent danger just this past week ... my attitude should be to hand my life over to God regardless of the end to which that life might come … I shall feel God very close as I draw my last breath; but that more valiant than surrender in death is the surrender of one’s whole life – a life lived for God.” 

St. Oscar Romero Presente!!

 - Mabel St. Louis, csj

Archbishop Oscar Romero of San Salvador will be proclaimed Saint this Sunday, October 14, 2018.

Sharing Inspiration

Reading Nan Merrill’s website   Friends of Silence   one is able to reclaim in a fresh way, hope, peace and compassion. There, poetry and prayer heal, unravel confusion, pain and darkness. Great quotes from current authors add   further inspirations and is a rich resource to turn to again and again.

Nan Merrill has also written Psalms for Praying: An Invitation to Wholeness    an inspiring contemporary   rendition of the Psalms for our times.  

I hope you will find these resources as inspirational as I have. 

- Sister Patricia St. Louis

Water... FIRST

The Sisters of St. Joseph congratulate Water First   for its concrete action in addressing water issues in Indigenous communities.

As one of the growing number of Blue Communities we are thrilled to be a part of the work that Water First is doing.

We have financially supported Water First to continue its training program leading towards achieving government certification. Last month, CBC Radio Morning North host Markus Schwabe interviewed Kendra Driscoll, a Water Quality Specialist with Water First, about the Internship Program on Manitoulin Island. You can    listen   to the interview here, on cbc.ca. In addition, they shared a story about it online. You can   read the article here, on cbc.ca. Water First is training Indigenous students to be prepared to fill the employment gap in water treatment plants.

Visit our Federation website   to see other things we are discovering about the many issues surrounding water.

The Federation of Sisters of St. Joseph of Canada are committed to clean drinking water as a human right. We are the first group of religious communities to be designated a Blue Community and urge others to join us.

Water ...for profit?

Recently, I found myself disturbed by a 46 second commercial by Nestlé. What prompted my unease was the skillful combination, might I say manipulation, of visuals and messaging.  The first image that greets us is the Nestlé Pure Life logo which stands out as it is centred on a white background. The scene shifts to a close-up of a blue-eyed girl that immediately transforms to a side view of the same young girl enjoying a drink of Nestlé bottled water. Simultaneously, we see the words and hear voiced, “THIS IS WHERE EVERYTHING STARTS”. Next our attention is captured by the young girl diving into a water-filled magical world.  The messaging continues, “THE FUTURE IS BUILT EVERY DAY”, “THERE ARE NO LIMITS”, followed by “EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE”. The last lines make the exaggerated claim, “A future of possibilities starts by drinking pure quality water now”.  The video ends as it begins centred on the company’s logo which becomes the featured product, Nestlé Pure Life surrounded with the parting message - “pure life begins now”. I was left feeling cheated as childhood images of innocence, trips to magical lands, skipping rocks and blowing bubbles aligned and had been co-opted by product messaging.

The disturbing pitch is the product of ‘bottled’ water…when we know what bottles are doing to the very same future they are selling us. Our commitment at the Sisters of St. Joseph to be a Blue Community and that access to free   potable water is a human right and the ever growing importance of protecting our water made this commercial - and "water for profit",  all the more disturbing.  I invite you to view the commercial here and offer your comments.

Here are some compelling articles and a deeper look at the "water industry":

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2017-09-21/nestl-makes-billions-bottling-water-it-pays-nearly-nothing-for

For more information about the Sisters of St. Joseph's Blue Community please visit, https://bluecommunitiesnow.wixsite.com/water/blog/water-as-a-human-right

Take action to protect Ontario's water

When you no longer drink disposable bottled water you save money, live healthier, and join in the movement for global sustainability.  And yes, water is PURE LIFE what it doesn’t need is to come in a bottle, or with a label… - Sr. Nancy Wales, csj.