ADVENT: A Time to Lighten Up!

On these dark November days, I have been thanking God for glorious sunrises, stargazing, Northern lights, and supermoons.  This time of year, world religions celebrate Festivals of Light.  For Christians, in this Advent season, we anticipate the celebration of the birth of Christ who is “the true light, the Light of the World.”  In the beautiful prologue to John’s Gospel, we read: “The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” 

The theme of darkness is a common thread running through the course of our lives. Darkness is a rich symbol in our spiritual life inviting us to grow and embrace our vulnerability.  In her book “Radical Amazement”, Judy Cannato proclaims: “Life is a Mystery, shrouded in darkness.  But the darkness is a place of possibility and power” leading to transformation.  Even our body was formed in the darkness of our mother’s womb.  When we were born, we passed from darkness into light.  In fact, I was born on the Winter Solstice: Light and darkness are part of who I am.  Since birth, I have had an inoperable cataract which means that while I have vision in my left eye, I cannot see with my right eye.  I was given the precious gift of sight and light and not total blindness and darkness.  

Whether a firefly, a flashlight, a porchlight, a bonfire, a fireplace, Christmas lights or Advent candles, we are drawn to the light.  It brings comfort, penetrating our wounds.  We can be sparks of light bringing hope to each other in the storms of life.  Within us we carry our greatest treasure, the Christ-light.  May we experience anew the Presence of the Cosmic Christ illuminating all of Creation. This Advent 2025, welcome the Light!  Be the Light!

-Sister Kathleen O’Keefe, CSJ

Image: Waldemar Brandt/Paolo Nicolello/Unsplash

Show a Little Kindness

A good friend of mine often tests my word skills by sharing the “word of the day” from the Word Trivia website. One unfamiliar word recently added to my vocabulary is “fabulist.” If it is new to you, think of Aesop, the author of Aesop’s Fables. A fabulist is a storyteller who crafts short moral tales, often using animals with human traits to bring lessons to life.

One quote widely attributed to Aesop is, “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” While it does not come from a specific fable, it reflects the moral spirit that runs through his tales.

That sentiment resonates deeply as we mark World Kindness Day offering a gentle reminder that kindness is a universal value, transcending borders, cultures, and religions.

The intent of World Kindness Day is to encourage individuals, communities, and organizations to perform acts of kindness, big or small, creating a global, ripple effect of goodwill.

So, what small act of kindness can you do today, and every day, to help nurture a spirit of generosity, creating 365 days of kindness?

What the world needs now is love, sweet love
It's the only thing that there's just too little of
What the world needs now is love, sweet love
No, not just for some, oh, but just for every, every everyone.
— What the World Needs Now, Dionne Warwick

 -Sister Nancy Wales, csj

You can find many great resources here.

Image: Kelly Sikkema @kellysikkema / 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

Always Remember

Charlie Mackesy has just released his sequel to his inspirational offerings of wisdom in The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse. His newest words of truth are to be found in The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, the Horse and the Storm. An initial read highlights several well-to-be-remembered quotes.

One quite applicable quote to recall as we celebrate November 11th is:

“Whatever happens if I lose you?

We are forever even if I’m not here,”

said the Horse.

November 11th is rightfully called Remembrance Day, a day to give thanks for those who have given their lives or, in some ways, a portion of their quality of life to preserve our freedoms.

May we take time to remember these veterans  with gratitude, to honor their courage, and to carry forward their legacy of peace, hope, and love. The very qualities Mackesy so beautifully reminds us to cherish through his words and whimsical drawings.

-Sister Nancy Wales, csj

Image: Klemen Vrankar @klemenvrankar/Unsplash

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We Can Do So Much Together

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Helen Keller once reminded us, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” Those words perfectly echo Fidelity Canada’s message: “Accelerate your Dreams.”

That connection came to mind after a wonderful experience I had recently. I learned about an ambitious dream taking shape right here in the Old East Village — a dream that is already inspiring so many. The amazing team at the Cross-Cultural Learner Centre (CCLC[1]) first imagined this project, and now it is becoming a reality on a newly purchased piece of land.

CTV’s Gerry Dewan shared a great story about it in his article, “An opportunity for London to lead with vision’: Doorways to Dreams capital campaign is launched,” [2]published online this past May.

In short, CCLC is tackling one of the biggest challenges newcomers face when they arrive: finding a home. As they explain on their website, “For newcomers, home is the first step toward building a new life. Doorways to Dreams isn’t just about bricks and mortar; it’s about creating a safe place for newcomers and their families to settle and thrive.”[3]

To make this dream come true, CCLC is reaching out to partners and community members to help raise its $2-million share of the building costs. Each contribution counts, whether large or small, and together, we can make a lasting difference. The project goal is to open the new Doorways to Dreams building in 2028, providing a true home base for new beginnings.

Let’s work together to tackle the housing shortage and make this bold dream a reality. Together we can provide a safe haven for newcomers and many other Londoners who need safe and affordable housing.

What We’re Building, Together

Located at 763-773 Dundas Street, CCLC’s Doorways to Dreams development for newcomers and many other Londoners who need safe and affordable housing will feature:

  • 247 one, two and three-bedroom units  

  • A 6-storey building and 24-storey high-rise tower with an energy-efficient design

  • At least 30% (or approximately 75) affordable units

  • 22% (approximately 54) accessible units

  • Underground parking, on-site laundry, gym facilities, meeting rooms, space for community-based programs, commercial space, and a health and wellness centre.

 https://www.lcclc.org/doorways-to-dreams

-Sister Nancy Wales, CSJ