Special Honour for Sister Ruth Hennessey

On October 27, 2018 at Showplace Performance Centre in Peterborough, the inaugural Peterborough-Kawartha Women’s Leadership Awards event took place, organized by Honourable Maryam Monsef, the local MP and Minister of Status of Women, and featuring 54 area women who had been nominated.  In the filled- to- capacity audience were a number of Sisters of St. Joseph as Sister Ruth Hennessey CSJ accepted from Maryam the 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award for her notable contribution to refugee resettlement in Peterborough. In presenting this award, Maryam noted that she and her family were recipients of Ruth’s hospitality and care when they arrived from Afghanistan in 1996, and expressed gratitude to her and to the Sisters of St. Joseph for their generous response to newcomers.  Ruth thanked the people of Peterborough for the welcome they have extended to new arrivals, and for the many ways in which this ministry has been supported.

Sister Ruth’s involvement with this work began in the 1970s as a participant in the local welcome to Vietnamese boat people. In the early 90s the congregation undertook to support a transitional house for refugees in Fort Erie, Ontario, and Ruth took responsibility for the occasional family who came to an apartment on the Mount property. Aware of the tremendous need, the congregation purchased a house on Downie St. in 1994 and Ruth was asked to take charge of this new ministry, known as Casa Maria.  Here refugees were welcomed from any religious or cultural tradition, of any race, sex or social background. In 1997 Sister Ruth retired from teaching, and devoted herself full-time to the service of refugees. With the support of an advisory board, numerous Sisters and volunteers from the lay community who helped with fund-raising and responding to the many needs of the newcomers, this ministry flourished. Within five years two more transitional homes for refugees were added. Not only was temporary housing provided, but this ministry included assistance with legal processes, language training, schooling, obtaining health care and eventually employment and permanent housing. Sister Ruth’s passion for this work and her unflagging commitment to it has touched many lives in unmeasurable ways. Casa Maria Homes has welcomed more than two hundred people from almost every continent in our world, and a few of these who were present at this celebration were pleased to be recognized. In the recent influx of refugees from Syria and the Middle East to our area, Sister Ruth played a leading role, as new and ardent sponsors took advantage of her vast experience generously shared.  With the standing ovation that accompanied this Life Achievement Award, the highlight of the evening, the audience acclaimed the choice of Sister Ruth Hennessey.

-Joan Driscoll, CSJ

Pictured above, Sister Ruth Hennessey   with Maryam Monsef, MP

The WIDOW’s ‘Might’

She gave extravagantly what she couldn’t afford – she gave her all. (Luke 21:4; The Message)

Remembrance Day has drawn to a close.  How extraordinary that it happened to be on a Sunday we commemorated the 100^th anniversary of the end of WWI, along with all the brave men who died for our freedom.  When the Last Post began to fill the air during our memorial service, it brought tears to my eyes.  A somber mood settled over me. I thought of all those men, and women, whose lives were lost during that terrible war.  Foremost on my mind was my maternal grandfather who did not return home.  Though I do not even know his name, I think of him with deep gratitude, admiration and sadness.  

With a heavy heart I made my way to Mass.  Distracted, I continued to dwell on those who laid down their lives for their country, for freedom, for us.  Suddenly, I was pulled out of my reverie by the Gospel reading.  It was the familiar story about the poor widow that got my attention: “Many rich people threw in large amounts [into the treasury]. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents” (Mark 12:41-44). This story used to be known as ‘The Widow’s Mite,’ in which Jesus commends the poor woman for her generosity. Perhaps a more fitting title would be: ‘The widow’s might.’ Eugene Petersen, author of The Message, wrote, “She gave extravagantly what she couldn’t afford – she gave her all.”  This got me thinking.  It would seem to me, all those young men, and women, who died during WWI, much like the widow, gave extravagantly – of what they couldn’t afford.  Their lives.  They gave their all. 

How often do we think to ourselves ‘what can I do?’ or ‘what if I’m not enough?’ Did those young men, and women, who fought for our freedom, have these doubts as they went into battle?  What does it mean, ‘to be enough’?  Is it only enough when we are wealthy?  Or is it enough when we love wholeheartedly, ready to give our all, even when it seems little?  Is it not so much that we have been given a ‘mite’ but rather that we have been given ‘might’ to love and give of ourselves wholeheartedly for others?  Those young men who died in the trenches loved mightily with their whole heart.  They gave their all.

Every Remembrance Day provides us with an opportunity to broaden our understanding of those who laid down their lives for our freedom. However, how might we broaden our understanding of the many things stirring within the hearts of the those who managed to make it back home? What do they continue to face?  Many continue to give what they cannot afford – their all. These veterans may have recovered from their physical injuries; however, the psychological stress cannot be healed as effectively.  Just like the poor widow, they continue to give what might look to some like a mere ‘mite’.  Though the rich may place their ‘lavish gifts into the treasury’ it is ‘the poor’ who continue to give their all.

- Sr. Magdalena Vogt, cps

The Poppy Man

Every fall during my elementary school years when WW II was only a decade past, into our one-room school limped Mr. Butson, the poppy man. Dressed in his navy blazer adorned with medaled ribbons, gray pants and a veteran’s tam, he arrived bearing bright red poppies for us to wear and sell.  Although he seemed old to me, he was probably in his late fifties or early sixties.

Throughout my years at school (SSS#4 Hibbert), Mr. Butson’s annual visit left a deep impression on me. His dedication to the poppy drive piqued my interest in the war, veterans and Remembrance Day.  He was interested in our education and to this point, he avidly promoted our participation in the Royal Canadian Legion Public Speaking Contest. Through this initiative and the work of our dedicated teacher, Mrs. Melady, many of us students benefitted by learning the rudiments of elocution and participated in annual speaking contests at the township, county and provincial levels.  Mr. Butson attended every event, smiling from the sidelines at our diligence and progress.

Right to the present time, every Remembrance Day, my thoughts roll back to Mr. Butson.  He taught eager groups of students through both his words and his memorable presence about valor, sacrifice and love of country.  Thanks to him, I can recite with nostalgia Colonel John McCrae’s famous poem, “In Flanders Fields.”  How could I ever forget the fallen soldiers’ plea, “If ye break faith with us who die, we shall not sleep, though poppies grow in Flanders fields.”

Thank you, Mr. Butson.  We won’t ever forget.  - Sr. Jean Moylan, csj

Decorated Nurse Part of St. Joseph’s Storied Nursing Past

The Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph Archives and St. Joseph’s Hospital cooperated on making an exhibit that was on display at the Ontario Legislature for several months. In the process of selecting photographs for the exhibit, our Congregational Archivist came across an interesting photograph, showing Helen Woolson, a graduate of the St. Joseph’s Hospital School of Nursing, receiving an award from the future King Edward VIII. If you recall, he is the King who gave up his throne for the woman he loved. This photograph fascinated Noelle Tangredi, who heads the hospital historical committee, and so she researched Helen Woolson’s life, by visiting Western University archives, who hold the records of her life.

To learn more about Helen Woolson and the St. Joseph’s School of Nursing, please visit this link:

https://www.sjhc.london.on.ca/our-stories/decorated-nurse-part-of-storied-past

- Mary Kosta, Congregational Archivist, Sisters of St. Joseph in Canada

Putting the Focus on Girls’ Education

Here in Canada, our rituals around school and education touch each and every one of us – from sending our children to school, to memories of our own school days. It is such a commonplace routine in our lives that sometimes we forget how fortunate we are to live in a country where education is available to all.

Even though more children go to school now than ever before in human history, we still have a ways to go before every child is enrolled in school. UNICEF and our partners are working hard to reach the day when there will be quality education available and accessible for every child.

In particular UNICEF is working with families, communities, governments and NGOs to empower adolescent girls and help them navigate the myriad of challenges they encounter. In many countries, but especially those in crisis, girls are less likely to be enrolled in school, as they are often kept at home to assist their families or entered into arranged marriages from a young age.

Providing girls with an education helps break the cycle of poverty: educated women are less likely to marry early and against their will; less likely to die in childbirth; more likely to have healthy babies; and more likely to send their children to school.

When I was recently in Bangladesh visiting camps of Rohingya refugees who had fled violence in Myanmar, I met some of these girls that UNICEF is working to reach.

 

© UNICEF/UN0158183/Sujan

Even though the illiteracy rate amongst adult Rohingya refugees hovers around 50%, they want their children to go to school.  Perhaps as farmers the need for literacy was less important, but since they do not want to return to Myanmar, they know their children will need to be literate. UNICEF now offers classes to almost 90,000 primary school age children in these Temporary Learning Centres and partners have space for 40,000 more. 

The centres I saw were well designed.  They may not be very spacious, but they aren’t overcrowded – there are about 30 children per class, the same as some classes in Canada.  The younger children have play stations like kindergartens do in Canada, and UNICEF works to emphasize the importance of play as well as learning numbers and letters. 

Nevertheless the children worked hard to teach me to count to ten in their language, but by the time I mastered 8, 9, 10, I had forgotten how to say 1, 2, 3.  I may not have been a good student, but at least my inability to speak was entertaining for the kids.

The work UNICEF is doing in Bangladesh to provide education to the most vulnerable children is the same work that’s being done by dedicated UNICEF staff around the world.

© UNICEF/UNI116533/Pirozzi

For instance, in Niger, children’s education is a national challenge: one in three children do not go to school. For girls, the situation is even worse: only one in two girls goes to primary school, one in 10 to secondary school and one in 50 to high school. With this in mind, UNICEF and the Nigerien Government combined their efforts and made it a top priority to provide a nurturing environment for children in the school and realize their right to education.

Garin Badjini is one of the 600 primary schools in Niger that have committed to work towards obtaining the Child and Girl-Friendly School label by 2013. The approach is targeted at the most disadvantaged areas and aims to promote child-centred teaching, health and hygiene education and non-discriminatory, child rights-based practices. It also seeks to enhance the participation of children, parents and community members in school improvement initiatives.

© UNICEF/UN0220210/Sibiloni

We are currently facing the largest wave of young people in history, with millions of children and youth out of school in crisis-affected countries. Far too many go their entire childhood living in uncertainty and are facing a future with no potential opportunities. For children around the world caught in conflict and disaster, education is a lifeline, especially for girls.

Soon the population of under-30s in the most fragile and unstable countries is going to spike. Adolescent girls in particular are in an incredibly important yet delicate position. They are significantly impacted by the decisions leaders make, yet disregarded in important discussions. They are vulnerable to threats like gender-based violence, discrimination, child, early and forced marriage, early pregnancy and motherhood, and lack of access to healthcare and quality education.

All children, regardless of circumstances, should have equal opportunities in education. However, children often face barriers to accessing education due to personal circumstances, like poverty, gender, ethnicity, orphan status, disability and/or living in a conflict zone. Thanks to global efforts, girls’ education is gaining more momentum and enabling girls to gain confidence and knowledge.

Through my work and travels with UNICEF, I’ve met so many girls with enough talent, optimism and determination to put many of us to shame. Girls can and should grow into future leaders, innovators and educators. Around the world, girls have the potential to create change and inspire progress – if they’re given the chance.

Guest Blogger, Martha Spears, Director, Development (Major Gifts)

UNICEF Canada

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