World Day of the Sick

The theme of this 31st World Day of the Sick, “Take care of him,” is taken from the parable of The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). What thoughts arise in you as you reflect on this theme inviting you to Take care of him? Might your first thought be, who is this he and how would I take care of him, or her? 

We may never have occasion to take care of someone attacked and beaten by robbers, however, we are invited to be in solidarity with all who are hurt or sick in body, mind, or spirit and to pray for them. Recently a dear friend, seriously ill in hospital, described those who were praying for her as her backbone, as hers was crumbling. We are invited to be there for those who suffer. When we embrace be-attitudes, being there for others, praying and visiting the sick, we are their backbone. Through our prayer, we can make a difference in someone’s life.

In his message for this World Day of the Sick, Pope Francis invites “all of us to reflect on the fact that it is especially through the experience of vulnerability and illness that we can learn to walk together according to the style of God, which is closeness, compassion, and tenderness.” As important as it is to pray for our sick sisters and brothers, being good-hearted alone is not enough. It is a good start, but more is asked of us.  We also need to be present and attentive towards those who are ill. Visiting and compassionately supporting them, provides support and consolation in their suffering. 

Besides praying for the sick, offering gratitude to healthcare professionals, frontline staff, first responders, those who provide spiritual healing and volunteers. Holding them in prayer, is equally important. Just think of all those medical staff who spent the last years wearing PPE and battling to save people’s lives.

Many people live in environments that are not healthy, live lives that are not healthy. Let us pray daily for the sickness in our world as well as for our planet which itself is sick. Again and again, we hear that nearly half the planet is under threat. As a friend of mine tends to say, let’s change things by spilling good. Together, let us spill good and pray daily for all those who work for healing and wholeness for our ailing world and all who tend to our sick sisters and brothers.

We would do well to make our own the sentiment of the Quaker missionary Etienne de Grellet:

“I shall pass this way but once; any good that I can do or any kindness I can show to any human being; let me do it now. Let me not defer nor neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.”

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/sick/documents/20230110-giornata-malato.html

Sr. Magdalena Vogt, cps

An Interview about Christian Meditation

My grandson and I have had a nice chat about Christian Meditation. He thought that writing the blog as an interview would be easier for him. 

Hi Sister Ann,

In my blog my Grammy calls me James, that’s my middle name. Thank you for starting Christian meditation, it really got me to believe in God,and I do it all the time, thanks to you. Peace be with you.

Q. What is the best part about Christian Meditation for you?

A. Peace and quiet with God and having a good relationship with God.

Q. How do you get the peace with God?

A. How I get peace with God is easy, I go to a special place in my school and I do Maranatha.

Q. Where is your special place at school?

A. My special place is at the big field and then there is a cabin and right behind the cabin I do Maranatha.

Q. Do you only do Christian Meditation at school?

A. No actually I do it all the time, if I get mad in my house I just go up to my room and I do Christian Meditation. It is very peaceful up in my room. And when I’m done I feel very calm and relaxed. And I’m not angry anymore.

Q. Do you only do Christian Meditation by yourself at school?

A. Actually I do, I used to do it with friends but now I don’t. They all got bored of it.

Written by James.

From James’ mother:

James has definitely benefited from meditation. When we have noticed him getting frustrated and angered he then takes a few minutes to himself and he feels so much better. James has even caught me when I was feeling frustrated and would ask if I needed “maranatha time”? -Cheri, James’mother

Amazing Mushrooms

Photo by Sr. Pat Garrahan, sndusa

What did you do to survive Covid lockdown? My friend grew mushrooms. This brought back childhood memories of mushroom hunting with my grandmother and her tasty recipes which inspired me to learn more.

Mushrooms have long been the source of mythical intrigue, healing remedies and even magical fairy rings. Puffballs are still used for healing wounds and today a fungus called Aspergillus tubingenesis, has the ability to break down certain plastics.  What more surprises will the amazing mushroom hold for the well-being of humankind and the planet.

Mushrooms are part of the large fungi kingdom. Did you know that the mushroom we see is actually the reproductive body of fungi, known as the fruit body which produces microscopic spores so the fungus can spread?

Underneath the mushroom there is a vast network of hair-like filament threads known as mycelium which spreads over acres. These threads are part of the networks that allow plants and fungi to exchange nutrients and resources with each other in symbiotic relationships. They even enable trees to communicate with one another. Some trees will not survive if their fungi companions are not present. What a truly amazing web of life.

Mushroom appeal has spanned from the artist attraction to their beauty to medical researchers seeking new drugs and even scientists considering how fungi might break down asteroids making rich soil for food cultivation for space travellers.

Ontario has 5,000 varieties of mushrooms. Identifying these is a skill as they often have poisonous lookalikes. If you are interested in learning more about identifying and collecting mushrooms seek out your local Mycological Society.

Mushrooms are a source of 15 vitamins and minerals including vitamin D that is absorbed easily by the body – all good immune boosters. Commonly used white button mushrooms contain the highest amount of potassium, 300 mg per serving, which has been shown to reduce anxiety while cremini and portobello mushrooms have the most antioxidant properties. Portobello and shiitake mushrooms with their firm texture can be used as a meat substitute. They are prebiotic and stimulate healthy gut bacteria. Their nutrient value is preserved during cooking or when canned or dried.  

A serving is about 1 cup of raw mushrooms, 1/2 cup of cooked. 2 servings a week has been shown to decrease the risk of mild cognitive impairment.

And of course, there are magic mushrooms, that naturally contain a hallucinogenic psychoactive compound called psilocybin.  There is some indication that this might benefit people suffering from certain mental health issues such as depression. Ingesting too much can lead to death.

Have I interested you enough to try some recipes?

Images of giant puffball at Villa St. Joseph, Sept. 2022, by Sister Janet Speth CSJ

What to do with a Giant Puffball?

With their white flesh and sponge-like texture, they are quite similar to tofu and can be:

fried, grilled with rosemary and garlic, burgers, hummus, lasagna, used in soups, stews and stir-fries, and more.        

Recipes for Mushrooms

There are very easy recipes for stuffed mushrooms which make wonderful tasty appetizers.

Try this one. And here is one for portobello 4 ingredient steaks – gluten free, vegan, and vegetarian.

Bon Appetit!

-Sister Janet Speth, CSJ Toronto

REFERENCES:

1.     Edible and Poisonous Mushrooms of Canada, Agriculture Canada 1981

2.     The Newsletter of the Mycological Society of Toronto: Summer 2022, vol 48-no

3.     Kayleen Devlin; https://www.bbcearth.com/news/the-surprising-world-of-mushrooms

4.     https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/space-travels-most-surprising-future-ingredient-mushrooms/

Path of Freedom

My name is Myra Johnston and I have been a social worker within correctional environments for 30 years. Currently, my practice is at the Sarnia Jail.  Two years ago, my employer approved my attendance at a self-development program called Mindfulness-Based Wellness and Resiliency (MBWR), an evidence-based interactive program designed to engage and train participants in a broad range of simple, practical, communication, stress management, health enhancement, and resilience-building skills. Benefits include significantly reducing the risk of burnout and other serious workplace stress injury and trauma-related health risks faced by corrections personnel. 

Approximately six months after completing the MBWR program, I was invited to participate in training that would allow me to facilitate mindfulness-based programming with our client population.  Initially, I had doubts about my expertise and questioned if I even wanted to train in a new program so close to retirement in little more than two years’ time.  I finally decided to do it; I signed up and attended the 10-week Path of Freedom facilitator training program.  I am so glad I did! 

According to the literature, the Path of Freedom is an evidence-based program for genuine healing, self-development and rehabilitation.  The curriculum is specifically designed to address criminogenic factors, like antisocial attitudes, values and beliefs, and certain temperaments and personality types strongly associated with criminal behavior and recidivism.  Foundational to the curriculum is the power of mindfulness meditation, which creates opportunities for individuals to touch into aspects of themselves that are free, empowered, and essentially of value. When offered behind bars, Path of Freedom can help prisoners reclaim their own lost potential within the extremely challenging environment of prison life.  By attending Path of Freedom, participants have the opportunity to practice pro-social behaviors and develop greater awareness of their own negative attitudes, core beliefs, and self-identities.  Participants can learn to manage and even transform negative tendencies by becoming fully accountable and responsible for their choices.

Image: Unsplash/Lesly Juarez

In reflection, these self-development and training opportunities have been invaluable to my own self-development and increased resiliency within a very demanding and sometimes toxic environment.  It has allowed me to be more self-reflective and manage my own emotions in a healthier way.  Taking time to practice mindfulness either in daily practice or daily activity has improved my mental wellbeing and outlook on life.  I find myself to be more joyful and at peace, I am better able to manage everyday frustrations and disappointments and support others in their journey of change.

I have been facilitating the Path of Freedom program at Sarnia Jail for the past year.  The program follows the book Path of Freedom: Building Mindfulness-Based Emotional Intelligence by Kate Crisp. Each participant is given a copy of the book. Over the past year, I have worked with approximately 50 clients either individually or in small groups.  Some have been able to complete 5 sessions and some all 10.  I have had comments from clients telling me how helpful the program has been, how they are better to manage their emotions, and that this program has taught them more than the intensive programs in the federal system which are sometimes six months long.  I asked my group participants to complete a survey after completing the program.  When asked if they noticed any changes in themselves that they attribute to their use of mindfulness practice. This is what they said:

“I have noticed that I use my breath to help me calm down and settle my racing thoughts.”

“I noticed that I practice meditation in the shower almost every time.”

“I think it is a great group to join to learn control over your emotions.”

“I found this helps with sleeping anxiety and everyday problem-solving.  It made me more confident.  As well as made me feel better.”

“Since starting this program I get better sleep and I am less stressed out/agitated.”

“Because this group helped me so if can help me…it could help others as well.”

“This is the only time of the week where I can just relax and reflect.”

“I calm myself down faster.”

“I have changed my attitude towards others.”

“I noticed I do meditations on my own.”

“I feel this group/program will help people to deal with stress, and emotions while being sober, and having the ability to do this will help people be able to stay clean and sober in the future without turning to drugs, alcohol, etc.”

“Mindfulness has helped me with pain management as well as focusing on the present “here and now.”  Meditation has also helped me slow my mind down and to more easily fall asleep.”

“I use the content of the program every day to make good decisions, communicate feelings, as well as forgive’ which is super important for one to move forward and change characteristics of life.”

“Learning how to meditate and to breathe slowly by myself in my alone time [ has benefited me].”

“Mindfulness practice helps with life inside my cell and inside my head.”

-Myra Johnston, Guest Blog

Winter Solstice

Decades ago, I attended a Winter Solstice event at the Timothy Eaton Church in Toronto.  There was prayer and singing as the ritual evolved with a gradual lessening of the light until all were there, feeling each other’s life energy supporting one another in the seeming emptiness of complete darkness. All was still, a moment full of mystery blanketed by darkness and silence.

That trembling moment of standing in the absolute present, without guideposts to enable action also called forth an inner exploration of the energy moving within each of us individually as women, as beings, as one small part of the living being that is Cosmos and animates us all.  Imagine a Celtic cross, with energy moving north and south, east and west; from the Holy One to each individual and the depth of their being and then each individual sharing that energy with each other enclosed by a circle of safety, belief and wonder with the Centre bringing forth a cosmic crash of birthing light. There we were in one holy circle.

Our society stresses action and doing, not being.  It is difficult to remain in the darkness of expectant waiting when our world seems bereft and empty, when all that we have seen and known is taken away from us.  It is sometimes near impossible to remember that the light is ever-present while not visible and that life is gestating and preparing to birth again.  At least this was the case for me when our dearest daughter, Kristina, died in a tragic car accident on Easter Sunday, 1991. The powerful transmission of spiritual energy between the generations was suddenly curtailed; I felt suspended in the deep darkness of loss without knowing the way out. It would take years of psychological and spiritual direction before a safe path was hewed through the wild and untamed forests of grief.

Two experiences sustained me then and still do. That night at the hospital while praying with two Associate friends, the words from Isaiah, “You have given all to me, now I return it” were all I was able to articulate, yet their gift was the confirmation of a sure, unwavering faith in the cycle of life and the sacred mystery that is the Holy.  And then came the dream that called me “to the sanctuary, or spiritual center of my being” and took me “beyond linear and spatial limits” to a new consciousness (Geri Grubbs. Bereavement Dreaming and the Individuating Soul. Berwick, Maine: Nicolas-Hays, Inc, 2004). In the dream,

Kristina and I are walking along a dark alley when suddenly, she falls into a deep rectangular-shaped hole. Desperate to rescue her, I climb down the rocky face to rescue her.  The descent into the hole is slow and scary but I manage to do it. Lo and behold, there she is – just as she was – but cradled in a manger filled with straw! I am surprised that it is not dark down here; the space is filled with a deep, golden, warming light. I figure that we will have to climb up the way I came down but miraculously, over to the right, is a shiny, copper ladder fixed against the wall.  We climb up, me first; I woke before I ever knew if she made it out. 

She taught me that no matter how dark it may seem, there is always an ember of Light to sustain us; that, in fact, an ever-present Holy Fire animates our spirit if only we have eyes to see. And when it is time and we are ready, like the mythical Persephone we will be provided with all we need to rise up and out of the earth and flourish once again.  

Since that time thirty-one years ago, I have become a sacred circle dancer.  We always have special dances that honour the Solstices. Part of me never quite understood why dancers were asked to wear white during the darkness of our Winter Solstice Celebrations.  Now I do!

-Susan Hendricks, Associate of the Sisters of St. Joseph