UN Women – Women Voices Growing Stronger

UN Women – Women Voices Growing Stronger

The United Nations on the Status of Women will soon hold their Commission on the Status of Women in 2022.  It will likely be online meetings, but it allows me to pause to better understand the work that has been accomplished by women around the world and how much has yet to be done.  No one person is responsible for the progress that has been made, but the work of so many women, along with men is needed to close the gaps that exist for women’s equality and human rights. 

The United Nations Under-Secretary and Executive Director of the Women, Phumizile Alanbo Ngcuka has stated so well:

“The Commission has recognized the importance of removing structural barriers to women’s empowerment, including ending all forms of violence against women; and harassment of women and girls everywhere, be it in the public or private space.  We have recognized that violence against women is an impediment to full equality, as well as to women’s economic empowerment.  We also recognized the importance of ensuring that all the structural impediments to women’s economic empowerment are addressed…  We have to start at home, by ensuring that there is an enabling environment for women’s economic justice and women’s empowerment.”

During this pandemic time, the curtain has been pulled back on how much more is needed to fully achieve equality and the many goals of the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations.  We cannot wait until… We each must do what we can to right the wrongs of the past.  If “no one is to be left behind” in this recovery or rebuilding, then we each must do something.  What can you do?

-Sister Joan Atkinson, CSJ, Office for Systemic Justice

The Word That Unites Us

In September 2019, Pope Francis promulgated the Third Sunday in Ordinary time to henceforth be the Sunday of the Word of God.  The purpose of this new decree is to remind us of the importance of knowing, what he referred to as, the Scripture of the Word.  Pope Francis explained: “The Word that saves us does not go looking for well preserved, clean, safe places.  It comes into our complexities, into our darkness.  Today, as then, God desires to visit those places where WE think he doesn’t go”. The next year, after Pope Francis celebrated Eucharist on the Sunday of the Word of God, he gave bibles to many of those gathered.

The bible is the most read book in the world.  I treasure my mother’s well-used, tattered bible which became her prized possession. It was Mom’s special companion during her long years as a widow. She received it decades ago from Sister Eveline Gagner, in a scripture course conducted in the church hall in our little hometown.  Sisters of St. Joseph have been evangelizers since our early beginnings. 

I often think that I should spend more time plumbing the depths of my own bible.  However, a few years ago, I heard that if one follows the liturgical cycles A, B, C and ponders the OT books, follows Jesus’ life in the Gospels of the New Testament and epistles of his followers, one will have covered a lot of scripture. Someone has counted it as 85% of the bible excluding counting the psalms.

January 18-25th is the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.  Before COVID time, various Christian churches gathered for annual intercommunity prayer services to celebrate the shared tenets of our faith, the most important of which is the Word of God.  Additionally, in the preparatory document for a Synodal, Pope Francis points out that we are called to deepen our relationship with other Church communities with which we are united by the one baptism. How can we fail to be united in heart when we share Jesus and the unfolding of God’s revelation throughout time and history?

-Sister Jean Moylan, csj

Image: Unsplash/Humble Lamb

It All Started With A Dream

There is evidence from many sources about the importance and significance of dreams. In 1999 two Pembroke associates, Susan and Richard Schmaltz, retired educators, had an experience that changed their lives and ultimately the lives of many when Susan had a dream that they were to go to Guatemala. She didn’t know why, but as the dreams persisted Susan was certain that they must go. With the support and encouragement of Richard, the Pembroke Sisters, associates and many other people they were able to follow the compelling message of Susan’s dream. This inspiring story has been written and published by Susan in her book, “Beyond Belief.”

The Schmaltzes began their work in Guatemala with Richard leading teams to build houses and Susan developing preschools and training teachers. In the evenings they would make lunches which they handed to the homeless as they walked the streets. They partnered with Safe Passage, an organization working with the poor at the Guatemala City dump, where Susan established a daycare program. Eventually they developed a non-governmental organization called Oneness Through Service, which was changed in 2017 to Planting Seeds International.

The educational programs based on the Planting Seeds Methodology created by Susan grew beyond Guatemala City dump. Teams of volunteers from the Ottawa Valley, among them many associates, Marjorie FitzPatrick, a Sister of St. Joseph, family and friends from other parts of Canada and the United States joined the Schmaltzes. They helped establish schools by building furniture for 23 classrooms, painting, creating learning activities, setting up a Teacher Training Centre, and one group undertook the planning, engineering, and funding for digging a well and bringing water to the mountain village of Sacala, where one of the preschool programs had been established.

Planting Seeds Methodology, an alternative approach to the rote learning used in Guatemala schools, is a child-centered, hands-on, activity-based learning philosophy and methodology that encourages the students to be creative, to become critical thinkers and decision makers. Respect and love for self and care about others is its essence, recognizing everyone’s value and goodness. In 2014 following several years of continued success the methodology was accredited by the Guatemala Department of Education to teach children from preschool to grade six.

That same year Richard and Susan made the decision to retire to Canada. After a time of discernment and searching, the Schmaltzes passed the torch on to two young volunteers who had worked with them since 2006. Shannon Moyle from Ottawa and Maclane Phillips from Chicago became co-executive directors of Planting Seeds International.

Pictured from left, Mac and Shannon in Guatemala

On December 12, 2021, a 20-year anniversary event was held in the Conference Room of The Best Western in Pembroke where supporters, Sisters and associates gathered to hear Shannon Moyle share experiences that happened over the course of the year, telling of successes and future plans.

20th Anniversary event in Pembroke, ON

Through a PowerPoint presentation she highlighted school and community activities and initiatives depicting children, teachers, youth and parents in the various programs operated by Planting Seeds International. Shannon’s love and passion for what she does shone through in her words:

“Every time I see the Ottawa Valley crew I get re-energized. I think what we have to be really, really grateful for is the fact that we’re all here together, 20 years later. It really warms my heart. We can’t all change the world, but we can be that person for somebody else, where they know they can count on you. They know they can come to you and trust you to be that one person. What else can we ask for.” (Pembroke Observer)

It is a daunting task to attempt to tell this story because there is so much more to it than recorded here. I hope their dream has inspired you.

-Grace McGuire, Associate

For more information and inquiries re: Beyond Belief please visit: www.plantingseedsinternational.org 

January Blues

Keeping in Touch

Image: Scott Ymker| Unsplash

Although the countryside might be covered in a blanket of fluffy white snow which can do a lot to lift our spirits, often mid-January days can feel long and gloomy.  On the horizon lies February, sometimes referred to as tunnel month because we think that we are under-ground and spring will never arrive.  We can feel alone and lonely, longing for friendship and support.  This is the moment to remember the importance of keeping in touch with our broader community.

We humans are social beings who thrive best in loving, nurturing families and support systems.  In fact, many animals live in community.  Horses and cattle live in herds, birds in flocks, whales in pods and fish in schools etc. They depend on each other for safety and survival.

On the human level, keeping in touch with each other is vital, especially during Canada’s long winters and recently imposed pandemic restrictions.  Think for a moment about the solace you receive from connecting with friends, family, and coworkers.  Ask any student what they miss about school and the reply is always the same, “I miss my friends”.

Image: Unsplash/Sixteen Miles Out

Keeping in touch doesn’t need to be arduous, it just means taking time to reach out to someone.  Sending a friend a short email, sometimes accompanied by a thoughtful or hilarious attachment. Have a brief phone chat with a neighbor. This can be more uplifting than a long, drawn-out conversation.  Try your hand at writing a note to a shut-in. Although it’s a disappearing art, we still know the thrill of finding a friendly letter in the mailbox.  A friend and I have sustained our friendship through 25 years of pen-and-paper communication.

Going for a walk with a loved one is uplifting; sharing lunch or afternoon tea, can keep the blues at bay. Today, renew your good intentions to keep in touch with others and watch the clouds disappear!

-Sister Jean Moylan, csj

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Title Image: Unsplash: benjamin lehman