Feeling Unloved

As I am wont to do when I wake up in the night, I ease open my 8th-floor balcony door and gaze out into the night, checking that the moon is in its place, counting how many vehicles are travelling by (not many) and seeing if there are any people out and about at 3 am.

On a recent night,I observed a young woman shouting as she wandered down the street to the shelter for homeless women located nearby. She was wailing, “the person I love most in this world is my baby father but he doesn’t love me!” It was heart-rending her calling out her pain into the darkness.

The anguish of not feeling loved. Is there a worse feeling? I don’t think so.

“When was the last time we let our people know that we cherish them deeply?”

Though in this case, it was a specific person’s love she craved, it reminded me of the love that each of us has to share. When was the last time we let our people know that we cherish them deeply? Today would be a good day to remind them of our love. And who else can we reach out to that needs our care and compassion today? Let that person not need to feel unloved today.

-Sister Nancy Sullivan, csj

Fasting in the month of Ramadan

FASTING in the month of Ramadan by Elizabeth Rahman

Fasting is one of the tenets of many faiths, occurring in Lent for Christians, at Yom Kippur for Jews, and in Ramadan for Muslims. Fasting is one of the five pillars (or tenets of faith) of Islam along with the declaration of faith, prayer, charity, and the pilgrimage to Mecca.

Muslims fast from dawn to sunset every year during the month of Ramadan. Since Muslims follow the lunar calendar, which is shorter than the Gregorian calendar, Ramadan occurs 11 days earlier each year. In a span of 33 years, it covers all of the seasons so that the population of any given country is not always fasting during the challenging long hot days of summer or the short cooler days of winter.

The fast is beneficial to one’s physiological health, allowing for systemic detoxification, as well as brain health where fasting increases the production of a protein that improves brain function. Primarily, however, it is a method of spiritual self-purification and teaches self-control and patience. Muslims are required to abstain from all negative actions, besides abstaining from food and drink and also sex while fasting during the day. By removing worldly comforts, even for a short time, an individual gains some insight into the feelings experienced by those who are less fortunate, and helps to alleviate hunger by sharing food with others. Fasting also gives us an appreciation for the simple blessings we take for granted, such as pure water or eating whenever we feel like it. During Ramadan, Muslims also give zakat (alms or charity) to those who are less fortunate.

In the words of Dr. Shegufa Merchant, “Fasting in Ramadan has always felt like a purposeful spiritual activity. An active deed to contribute to, in solidarity with those that worry about each meal on their table. It is a feeling of blessed equalizing. An opportunity to reflect and be grateful in a structured manner each year. Fasting also gives me a feeling of practicing charity of well-being and spirituality just like there is charity with money and time. 

I am always amazed that on a routine day, when I don't infuse myself with tea and food I feel lax, weak and ravenous after a few hours. But when I am fasting, my body knows not to ask me for food and water, even on long summer fasting days. I actually feel de-stressed that I only have to think about cooking the one evening meal and this frees-up time for prayer and reflection. Moreover, that one meal together as a family has a unique charm because everyone first prays the evening prayer together and then breaks the fast together! (That is three 'togethers' in one brief sentence!)

When Ramadan is nearing the end each year, I feel like a good friend is leaving my home.”

Every year, millions of Muslims all over the world look forward to Ramadan. This year, the month of Ramadan is expected to begin in Canada on the evening of Monday 12th April, when Muslims will cook together as a family, and share food with friends – and sometimes strangers. At the end of the month of Ramadan, Muslims wait for the sighting of the new moon, and celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr with family and friends, with presents for the children and lots of food! In normal circumstances, many Muslim communities in Canada, including here in Peterborough, invite people of other faiths to celebrate with them.   

Dr. Shegufa Merchant & Elizabeth Rahman are co-founders of The Oasis, a community organization founded on Islamic principles of oneness in service to God and the community.

Microfinance: The Innovative Idea

MICROFINANCE: THE INNOVATIVE IDEA

By Dan Murray, CEO, Opportunity International Canada

According to the dictionary, to innovate is to make changes in something established, especially by introducing new methods, ideas, or products.  It is further stated that innovation is crucial to the success of any organization.

Opportunity International was founded in 1971 and is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.  Canadians were deeply engaged in the work from the beginning, with Opportunity International Canada eventually formed in 1998 to deepen the engagement.

Innovation has been a defining characteristic of Opportunity International throughout its fifty years. In fact, it was borne out of innovation – the innovative idea that a small loan with training was a more effective – and more dignified – pathway out of poverty than a handout.

At Opportunity, innovation isn’t about change for the sake of change.  The immense and diverse challenge of global poverty, spread over many countries, cultures, and demographics, demands the very best ideas to bring about real, measurable, and lasting change.

Innovation is demonstrated by the range of Opportunity programs that have already made an impact, including micro-loans, women’s trust groups, micro-savings, savings groups, and microinsurance, all in partnership and collaboration with local Partners. 

Recent transformative initiatives are just as innovative, including Education Finance, Agriculture Finance, and Digital Financial Services, each impacting the fight against poverty. 

Impact indeed!  That seed of an idea fifty years ago has grown into a massive engine of poverty elimination. In 2020, almost 19.5 million clients in 30 countries were served, with $2.4 billion in new loans, 7.13 million active loan clients, 14.9 million clients with savings, and 7.3 million children getting an education.

And the journey of innovation continues, with emerging initiatives to unleash the power of financial inclusion in refugee camps, among displaced persons, training for unemployed youth, community health in rural areas, and to help clients and Partners build climate resiliency.

It is said the more things change, the more they stay the same.  What hasn’t changed is that poverty is an attack on the dignity of those who are trapped by it.  And what hasn’t changed is the commitment of Opportunity International to fight poverty through holistic financial inclusion.  

But everything else is on the table as we relentlessly pursue more effective and impactful means to end the inter-generational transfer of poverty.

Reposted with permission.

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Opportunity International provides access to savings, small business loans, insurance and training to 17.5 million people working their way out of poverty in the developing world. Clients in 28 countries use these financial services to expand businesses, provide for their families, create jobs for their neighbors and build a safety net for the future.

Little Design Communities - Part III

A  LAY MOVEMENT OF SPIRITUAL FRIENDSHIPS

 “Beams of Love” © Mary Southard, CSJ, www.marysouthardart.org [i]

Welcome to the third and final conversation with Sisters Wendy Cotter and Rosemary O’Toole talking about Little Design Communities.

Wendy: Where do you see these Little Design communities in communication with our CSJ heritage today and in the future?  

Rosemary: I find myself pondering this question a lot and believe it is an important discernment. Of course, ever since our beginnings in Le Puy, lay partnerships have been a constant reality for us vowed religious. These small groupings of Little Design are not canonically linked, but they are guided by their common desire to live a Gospel way of life Father Médaille described in The Eucharistic Letter. He believed that if these communities maintained their spirit of littleness, hiddenness, and self-emptying love, they would thrive. And as we reviewed our beginnings and growth here in Ottawa in our earlier conversations, I do see them thriving, just as Father Médaille said they would.

Wendy: I think we as a congregation have been appreciating more and more the way laypeople do partner with us, sharing our charism and mission!

Rosemary: Most definitely so. Since Vatican II and the resounding call to embrace the universal call to holiness, we have been seeing and acting with a larger vision. What has always struck me as significant, is the fact that Father Médaille gave The Eucharistic Letter to Marguerite Burdier,[ii] one of the first six Sisters of St. Joseph. So it seems to me, that we must be needed as instruments in some way, to communicate its message and mission to the world. Noted historian, Therese Vacher, SSJ writes that Marguerite was not able to circulate the Letter much in her day (1660). That one copy, found in the archives in Lyon, is part of our spiritual patrimony. From our years of exploration, I believe the way of Little Design is enjoying a rebirth in the 21st Century and holds much possibility and promise for the church and the world.

Wendy:  Rosemary, in your view of our call to “the more”, you recognize also a call for, what you so aptly describe as “widening the space of our tent” (Is 54:2).

Rosemary:  That’s true. In fact, some CSJ federations are starting to speak of Sisters, associates, companions, agrégées, volunteers, and workers, all belonging to “the Joseph family!” This expresses the larger all-encompassing character of our charism and mission. After our twenty years working with Little Design communities and witnessing the global interest and attraction, Evelyn and I discerned that there was possibly a larger story unfolding. It would be good to listen to more voices within our own sisterhood. So in 2017, I spoke with our CLC, and with their encouragement, we arranged for a discernment weekend in Hamilton.   

Discernment weekend: October 26-29, 2017

Wendy:  Rosemary, what was your guiding question, and what was for you, most memorable about that weekend?

Rosemary:  Our focus was this question:

            “Is God calling us to welcome Little Design Communities as an expression of our charism?”

Wendy, it was so heartwarming and comfortable to be with these twelve Sisters. I am so grateful for the insights, lively conversations, and profound reflections we shared over that weekend. This was very important and meaningful for me and it awakened a desire to deepen our own living of The Eucharistic Letter. It was such a grace for me to hear them, unanimously, express the very important place the Little Design Communities have in our Joseph family. Then the question was, “How can we foster and welcome these Little Design Communities?”

Wendy:  What were the ways mentioned for fostering these Communities?

Rosemary: We thought the first way was to simply take advantage of opportunities to just tell others about Little Design. Introduce them to the website and The Eucharistic Letter. We discovered that the way of Little Design matched what we had been hearing from some members of our parish and/or centering prayer groups and from some of our directees seeking a supportive spiritual community. We sensed they would be interested and attracted to hearing about these small communities. Go gently with our next steps… be welcoming and supportive. Father Médaille wrote: “…take care to attract, instruct, and lead them (3 persons) to the profession of high sanctity” (par. 34).

Wendy:  Rosemary this has been such an interesting conversation with you. At this point, I know that you want to give some help to those who might find themselves ready to encourage a Little Design group. When anyone asks you how to start a Little Design Community, what do you suggest are good steps?

Rosemary: Wendy, I’m really glad you asked. On our Little Design Communities website[ii] we have prepared a guide for anyone wanting to start their own Little Design Community anywhere around the world! We suggest these five steps:

• Discern a few persons with whom you already feel some spiritual attraction. (You share a similar spiritual path; want to explore a more contemplative way of life; have a resonance with the spirituality of Father Médaille; are looking for a kind of community that will support and enhance growth in your spiritual life.)  

• Invite them to discern coming to an introductory Little Design Community gathering at your home (or Zoom). Skim through the website, especially the FAQ.   

• Pray with The Eucharistic Letter. Listen for an inner resonance.  

• Set a date for ‘come and see’ at your home (or Zoom). Share hearts. Discuss how you plan to go forward. We suggest monthly meetings sharing on The Eucharistic Letter. Enjoy simple refreshments.

• Resources: The book: Little Design Communities: A Way of Life for All Persons will be published and sold on Amazon later this year.  

Wendy: Rosemary, these WORDS FOR LIFE[iv] books that you wrote provide such a wonderful guide for members of the Little Design Communities!

Words for Life, published November 2019. Mini books published 2020 and 2021.

Rosemary:  Throughout our Chapter year, we have been speaking of legacy and generativity in our wisdom years. I hope these books, containing the research and reflection of many scholars and historians, as well as the beauty and creativity of several artists and poets, will be a much-loved and well-read companion on the journey for spiritual seekers for years to come.     

Wendy: What is your hope for these Little Design Communities?

Rosemary: Gratefully, Little Design Communities are already part of our now. I echo Father Médaille who wrote: “In a word, it (Little Design) will never appear to be anything in the world, or it will be in the eyes of God whatever that same good God, in His infinite mercy, will deign to make of his Institute” (par.2). And with that same spark of hope and aliveness, I believe, like Father Médaille, that we are already circling the world with Love: “I already envision our association established in a great number of places… God grant that it may be established throughout the whole Church” (par. 3).  

Wendy:  Thank you Rosemary for sharing these conversations with all of us.

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[i] Mary Southard, CSJ, LaGrange, Illinois, USA. Gratefully, Mary gave us permission to use Beams of Love for our Little Design Communities website logo in 2012 and for all printed LDC materials.

[ii] Monica Hartnett, SSJ, London, UK, A Message from Marguerite Burdier, 2017. View PDF slideshow.  

[iii] Little Design Communities: Circling the World with Love. Visit our website.

[iv] Rosemary O’Toole, CSJ, Words for Life, 2019 can be purchased on amazon.ca.