Guest Bloggers

Embracing the Journey of Lent

First Week of Lent 2026

Embracing the Journey of Lent

A Scriptural Reminder

Matthew’s gospel sets the tone for the first week of Lent by recalling that “Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness” (Mt 4:1). During this time, Jesus fasted, prayed, and faced numerous temptations over forty days. Through steadfast fidelity to the Father, He overcame each challenge. Maintaining such fidelity can be difficult, but it remains essential in our spiritual journey.

Invitation to Reflection and Growth

As Lent begins, we too are called to listen intently to the Spirit and allow ourselves to be guided to spaces of reflection and growth within our daily spiritual lives. The invitation extends to fasting, prayer, and performing acts of kindness. These practices are gifts—gentle reminders to focus on what matters most, even as daily life becomes hectic and crowded with news, routine tasks, work, studies, parenting, and the distractions of social media.

Responding with Enthusiasm

Let us respond wholeheartedly to God, who desires to draw us closer. Through this journey, we can deepen our understanding of ourselves and our relationships and recognize God’s presence both in our neighbors and in our own lives. The effort is always worthwhile.

Timo Volz @magict1911 / Unsplash

Scriptural Encouragement

“Let the hearts that seek the Lord rejoice” (Psalm 104:3)

-Maureen Condon, CSJ Associate

Lent: A New Focus

Welcome to Lent!  Lent can be a wonderful time of renewal and refreshment if we put the time to good use. Although Lent can be seen, in part, as “do good and avoid evil” it is more than that. More also than give up something bad or add something good.

We can consider new attitudes and refocus our lives and efforts and resources. We can see where we stand in life and make efforts to "steer the ship "carefully .

Finally, we can let go of grievances, regrets, illusions and renounce what maybe holds us back or holds us down in life .

-Father Daniel Vere, Guest Blogger

Father Dan hails from Stratford and is the Priest-Chaplain of the London Health Sciences Centre and St Joseph’s Health Care. He works as on-call chaplain at the 4 London hospitals and occasionally at hospice.

St. Valentine's Day

In late October 2025, 19 Buddhist Monks in saffron robes set out on a journey that would take them 108 days and 2300 miles from Texas to Washington D.C. Their missions was, and is, to shine a quiet light on the need for Peace. They did not ask for money or material goods but only for people to see their walk for peace as a meditation. They experienced many hardships along the way: harsh weather, a serious vehicle accident resulting in an amputation for one of the Monks and exhaustion, but they kept going. Thousands of people of all nationalities and creeds lined the roads greeting them with silent reverence, food, accommodation and flowers. In return, the Monks offered blessings and mindful presence.

As Valentine’s Day fast approaches, I am so grateful for their profound invitation to LOVE one another in Peace and Tranquility. Their gift of love is my valentine this year and I will pass it on.

-Maureen Condon, CSJ Associate

 Image: Tim Mossholder @timmossholder/Unsplash

Remembrance Day

It is a privilege to acknowledge and honour the bravery, commitment and life-giving sacrifices of Canadian Veterans each year but this year I would like to highlight two intertwined celebrations.

Starting in 1994 in Winnipeg, National Indigenous Veterans Day has been celebrated on Nov 8th. This day acknowledges the significant contribution of Metis, First nations and Inuit veterans in various conflicts who faced systemic inequality and denial of the same post war benefits as their non-indigenous counterparts. Always resilient, they worked diligently, especially in the light of reconciliation efforts, to develop this day of special recognition. The local celebrations include such cultural features as drumming, smudging, singing, dancing and a sacred fire. It is a time to spend with family and community in a less formal setting.

November 11th, the traditional Remembrance day continues in all municipalities in Canada, noted by the singing of our national anthem, prayers speeches in honour of our veterans and their sacrifices, children singing “In Flanders Fields” and more often now welcome and significant involvement of our First Nation, Metis and Inuit brother and sisters. May we continue to move toward oneness of celebration and reconciliation on all fronts.            

Thanks Dad and ALL VETERANS !        

-Maureen Condon, CSJ Associate

Image: Annie Spratt @anniespratt/ Glib Albovsky @albovsky | Unsplash

All Saints Day

I’ve always loved Halloween and now enjoy seeing the excited children trick-or-treating for their candies.

Driving around these days I see so many houses decorated for All Hallow’s Eve and have to say there has been a significant shift in the choice of displays. I grew up with playful paper decorations of pumpkins, black cats, spiders and bats, if any decorations were present. Today most decorations, intended to scare the children, are inflatable devils, huge skeletons, flashing lights, smoke, ghosts, ghoulish clown, loud noises and tombstones. It’s making me think.

In Christianity, All Hallow’s Eve was originally the vigil of All Saint’s Day, a day to honour ALL saints, known & unknown. Traditionally, as Catholics, we honour them by attending Mass, reflecting on their lives and visiting the graves of our loved ones for All Souls Day.

Is the move to demonic decoration something I should attend to? Have I a responsibility to reconsider my own vigil preparation and witness to its original purpose? I think so.

Maybe in addition to giving out treats I will send each child/family away with a smile, a Happy All Saints Day greeting and a God Bless you. I look forward to the reactions!

And to you, Happy All Saints Day!

-Maureen Condon, CSJ Associate

Image: Neven Krcmarek/K. Mitch Hodge/Unsplash