Give Thanks for Speech

Earlier this week the mother of a friend died, Fran was ninety-two years old. We may think she was blessed with a long journey through life, and this is true; however, for the last 21 years as a result of a stroke she has not been able to speak. I can hardly imagine not being able to communicate without using speech. Our voice, which we take so much for granted, expresses our thoughts and feelings. Sometimes our voice conveys our pleasure and other times our displeasure or disappointment. Our voice even asks or answers questions, makes our opinion heard, enters into a conversation, or makes our needs known.

Think over the last day—how did your voice add or subtract to the world around you? Speech is something we take so much for granted—it is just part of our everyday life. Think of your mother’s speaking words: the endearing, “I love you” or the reprimanding, “you should know better young lady!” Her words of wisdom like “learn from your mistakes”, daily chatter, “so how was your day?” “call your sisters for supper.” or “be in the house before the street lights come on.”

Speech allows us to express our simplest needs: “I am hungry”, “I’m tired”, “I’m too hot”, “I’m too cold”, and many more…

Fran tried to communicate to the best of her ability but could never replace the power of the spoken word. You can hardly imagine how difficult this was for her family and friends, as they struggled over the years to encourage Fran and how saddened they were when at times they couldn’t relieve her frustration.

Now Fran is speaking, chatting, and singing all over heaven. In her first face to face with her loving Creator, I can hear her telling God how thankful she is for her family and caregivers—speechless no more! “Bless my family and caregivers I know they were your special gift to me!”

“Come to me, all you that are weary and heavy burdened, and I will give you rest, says the Lord (P5 11:28)” St. Fran intercessor for the speechless… pray for us.

Barbara Vaughan, CSJ

... In Flanders Field ...

How can one small red poppy which we wear on our lapels carry so much meaning?  The Battle of Ypres left buried in makeshift graves thousands of young men who gave their lives for freedom. From these poppy-laden fields emerged a simple symbol crying, “Never again war”!  

It was Canadian physician Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae who raised the poppy to prominence exactly one century ago.  His poem, “In Flanders Fields,” penned on the Ypres battle field in 1915, immortalized the fallen soldiers who were buried hastily among hosts of bright red poppies. His lament, echoes the horrific human cost of war.

Alas, a century later, our world is awash in conflicts, oppression and battles on many fronts.  As the aged soldiers of two world wars fade away, newly minted young men and women rise to take their place. They dutifully represent Canada at home and abroad fulfilling the plea of a grieving soldier on a blood-soaked battle ground:

“To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields”.

Jean Moylan, CSJ

A Grateful Pause

As November 11^th rolls around, Canadians are provided with yet another opportunity to REMEMBER. In recent years, Remembrance Day touches me more deeply than in previous years. Perhaps that is because I’m older and wiser. I’m more aware of the sacrifice brave veterans made on my behalf. I better realize the cost of the freedom and peace I enjoy. On the other hand, perhaps it’s because I’m brought closer to the reality of war through the media. No longer do I see war depicted in movies or vividly described in history books. Now I’m transported to the numerous global war zones by the nightly news. I witness struggles between rivalling people right in my living-room.  The visceral images of these war scenes in real time bombard my heart and increase my appreciation of Remembrance Day. I’m grateful that as Canadians we set aside November 11^tth as a special time to pause and recall collectively those who sacrificed so much for others.

Nancy Wales CSJ

As the Years Roll By

Soon it will be my birthday and the number of my years will turn from an age ending in '9' to one ending in '0'. As this significant (to me) day approaches, I am struck with the thought of another decade over-how is it possible it passed so quickly? A brand new decade stretches before me. What will these years bring? What will my health be like? Which of my relatives and friends will not be here ten years from now? What about my ministry? What will our congregation look like? What will the face of the church look like? What will the world be like?

A part of me is tempted to sit back and watch life happen. A stronger part of me though rises to the challenge put forth by Mary Oliver: 

"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" 

Certainly I have fewer years ahead than years behind but no matter my age there is always the opportunity to choose life. There awaits the chance to do what I can to protect our precious environment, to nurture loving relationships, to reach out to others who have needs I can satisfy and to be a responsible member of my congregation.

The years ahead are chock full of uncertainty but also of potential.  Bring 'em on!

Nancy Sullivan CSJ

What Time Is It?

One extra hour – wow, what a gift!

Unasked for but it has a no return policy. So, how did you use this gift? It must be used or lost forever, and yes, I’m talking about our return to standard time.

There are so many possibilities: I chose to stay up the extra hour in order to watch the baseball game between the Kansas City Royals and the New York Mets. I was well rewarded as the Royals turned the game around in the eighth inning, winning 5 to 3!  An obvious choice is claiming an extra hour of sleep and letting the transfer happen as we dream away – totally oblivious to what is happening. Perhaps you partied an extra hour celebrating Halloween! You may have spent it in prayer for many needs, or in prayer giving thanks for gifts received. Some may have been totally oblivious because they went to bed at their usual body time and when they awoke in bright daylight, would’ve been startled believing they had slept in or missed the alarm…

So you see nothing is as simple as it first seems: however, one fact that is true is that so called ‘extra hour’ is now history.

When daylight saving rolls around just the opposite effect will be in place; we will be losing a precious hour. How will we make up for it? Really, our God has a subtle but humorous wit and we fall for it every time.

“For all things give thanks to God, because this is what God expects of you in Jesus Christ.” (Thess 5)

Tick-toc, tick-toc!

Barbara Vaughan, CSJ