Happy International Day of Happiness!

If you’re happy & you know it …👏👏

In 2012 the United Nations implemented the first International Day of Happiness and went further stating that happiness is a human right and worthy of celebration. It is annually celebrated on March 20th, a week of celebrations which bring happiness, or at least that possibility, to us specifically.  The ultimate goal of the day is to spread awareness that progress is not only about increasing bottom lines and encouraging economic growth, but well-being and human happiness. To give happiness as much priority as economic opportunity is an ambitious goal.

Happiness isn’t a given, it takes effort to attain, appreciate and understand one’s own happiness. Many people live very unhappy lives, and we have a responsibility to make happiness an option for them. Easier said than done.

On the third year of the international celebration Pharrell Williams gifted the world with his uplifting song “Happy” - I dare you to sit still as you listen!

In 2019 the Jerusalem challenge offered us a bit of happiness in the early days of Covid. It touched many cultures who couldn’t wait to dance…

Currently the people of the Ukraine are struggling to find comfort let alone happiness, meanwhile a 7-yr. old Ukrainian girl in a basement shelter brought joy to many by singing “Let it go” from the movie “Frozen”. Providing a moment of happiness for so many.

The Maxims of the Sisters of St Joseph ask us to:

  • Return happiness freely to those who dish out unhappiness #51

  • When you are with others, blend your serious side with joy, gentleness, and refreshing candor #45

  • Everything in balance: heart, humility, detachment prayer, trust, solitude, love of God and neighbour, a life joyous and free. #100

I cannot guarantee happiness to anyone but I can offer some possible options to attain their quest for happiness. For me, a further look at the Beatitudes offers hope that I can attain more happiness through specific actions and offer that same wisdom to my dear neighbour. Will you join me?

  • What do you do when you are happy?

  • What do you do to get happy?

  • How can you share your happiness?

 -Maureen Condon

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL DAY of HAPPINESS!

This year HAPPINESS FOR ALL, UKRAINE is the official 2022 International Day of Happiness campaign announced by HappinessDay.org, the campaign arm of UNIDO Happiness, the official home and secretariat of the United Nations International Day of Happiness. [https://happinessday.org/]

Image: Unsplash/Szilvia Basso

Header Image: Unsplash/Szilvia Basso

On the 3rd Sunday of Lent

On this 3rd Sunday of Lent, the Gospel of Luke presents us with a parable about a fig tree; the owner of the vineyard; and a gardener who takes care of the vineyard. 

Image: Unsplash/Jametlene Reskp

The fig tree (representing humanity) is not bearing fruit.  The owner (God) is frustrated over this situation and suggests that it is time to cut the tree down.  The gardener (Jesus who has been preaching repentance for 3 years) suggests that the owner give the tree a little more time, so that He can water and fertilize it.  The vineyard owner grants another year of life to the fig tree.

Over the past two+ years with COVID restrictions and all that this pandemic has entailed personally and collectively most of us perhaps have identified with the fig tree in the Gospel.  Cut off from family, friends, work etc. questions such as “what can I do” or “how am I to live in this new time” often arose in many of us on a daily basis.  We felt barren and not able to be the people we were before the pandemic took over our entire lives.   I am wondering if in our own minds, can we imagine God’s frustration with us and our response to these cautionary health restrictions which in some cases caused division across our province and our world.

Image: Unsplash/Elena Mozhvilo

With the immediacy of the current world crisis, I see the image of the fig tree (humanity) beginning to bear fruit  these past weeks as we (almost the entire world)  stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine. We are seeing humanity on two sides of the same coin.  One side continues to send missiles, block roads, cut off power, food and shelter for the people AND the other side reaching out and welcoming strangers into their homeland offering food, shelter, and support. 

Image: Unsplash/Delia Giandeini

God (the owner) in His mercy grants us another day, another hour, another breath, another opportunity. During these Lenten days Christ (the gardener) once again stands at the door of our hearts calling us to turn away from sin, repent, and embrace the Gospel message of love, so that through the grace of transformation our words and actions will bear fruit that will last. 

The Prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 55:v 6) reminds us to “seek God while God may be found, call on God while God is still near”.  These present day realities starkly remind us that we are living on borrowed time.  How will I choose to live in this time?  Who is my neighbor and to whom am I neighbor?  How am I listening to God, to the universe, to the pulse of our world?

Reflection by Sister A. MacDonald and L. Bordonaro

Saint Joseph's Day - March 19

© Michael O’Neill McGrath, OSFS www.bromickeymcgrath.com

Joseph, one who trusted the outrageous freedom summoned by his night dreams; one who lived beyond the cultural norms of his time.

Joseph, whose whole life was grounded in care for others.

With Love on St. Joseph’s Day from all the Sisters of St. Joseph

Artwork: “This version of the Flight into Egypt was inspired by the plight of the refugees fleeing oppression and murder in Northern Iraq because of their religion. Images of parents and little children reminded me of St. Joseph fleeing with his family to Egypt, to escape Herod. Together let’s pray for something beautiful in your own world, wherever you live, to counter hatred and terrorism.”

-Michael O’Neill McGrath, OSFS | © Michael O’Neill McGrath

Honouring St. Patrick

Some say that Maewyn Succat was kidnapped from his home in Roman Britain in the 4th century and sold into slavery in Ireland. For the 6 years of his enslavement his Christianity grew. To escape slavery, he stowed away on a cargo ship heading for his homeland. Others say he was the slave trader himself. (Smacks of St. Paul's pre-conversion experience!)

Spinning exciting tales to remember history has always been a part of the Irish way of life. These two tales would seem to support that theory.

No matter which account is accurate Maewyn felt a religious calling once back home in what is currently Wales. There he was ordained and ultimately consecrated a bishop receiving the name Patricius: Patrick to us.  He successfully asked to be sent back to Ireland where his knowledge of the land and language would assist him to spread Christianity among the Druids and Pagans. Cleverly combining Irish pagan beliefs with Christian sacramental rituals, he was very successful not only in converting Ireland to Christianity but also to having the Irish fall in love with him.

What were some of his combining rituals you ask?

  • The most well-known is the use of the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity.

  • He used bonfires to celebrate Easter since the Irish honoured their gods with fire.

  • He superimposed a sun, a powerful Irish symbol, onto a Christian Cross, creating the Celtic Cross.

St. Patrick was never canonized by the Catholic Church because during the first millennium there was no formal canonization. Saint Patrick was proclaimed a saint by popular acclaim, by the Irish to whom he ministered. March 17th, the day of his death, has been celebrated for well over 1000 years. Though a National Holiday in Ireland the largest parade is still held in New York followed by Dublin, then Sydney Australia.

As the daughter of an Irish Mom and a Canadian/Irish Dad named Pat, St. Patrick’s Day was always a day to look forward to - Mass, Irish Stew with lamb, corned beef & cabbage, soda bread and family stories. And so, in true Irish style, I bless you all on this day.

May the road rise up to meet you

May the wind be always at your back

May the sunshine warm upon your face

And the rains fall soft upon your fields

(unknown origin)        

OR

May you be in heaven a half hour before the devil knows you’re dead!

Like St. Patrick we have all experienced some sort of trauma,  enslavement. Have I been as generous and forgiving to those responsible? It's never too late. 

St.Patrick, Pray for us.

-Maureen Condon

Header Image: Unsplash/Adrian Moran

TRANSFIGURATION  

Image: Unsplash/Joanne Francis

Did you know that it is the intense heat of a forest fire that releases the seeds of the pinecone so that new growth can take place?

…tall, black tree trunks scarred from fire, now delicately outlined with fresh, white snow

…the lush, green of the forest floor in spring, following a fire

…the pinkish, purple blossoms of the fireweed plant growing in the spaces left vacant by fire.

These are images I see as I drive along our highway and roads after several years of intense summers of forest fires, These are transformation images for me.

 

As I reflect on the encounters I have had in my varied ministry, they too, speak of transfiguration.

…from two seven- year- old children in First Communion, one sharing her time when she talks with Jesus and the light in her heart as He speaks to her, and the other child telling of seeing Jesus, authentic, true and transforming.

…to the man who asked if I would come with him to a telehealth conference call…holding his anxiety.

…to the Inuit woman, sitting on my living-room floor, sharing for the first time her story of pain, trauma, and abuse, she, being transformed in the telling, me being transformed in the holding of story.

…to keeping vigil with my dying friend and eventually being able to say, “It is okay to go.”

In this second week of Lent, Jesus invites us to go up the mountain with him. He had a conversation with Moses and Elijah about his imminent death. Yet, in the intensity of that conversation, new life, glory, is proclaimed by the Father.

What conversation will Jesus have with you, with me? What transfiguration moments do I recognize each day?

 -Sister Maggie Beaudette, csj

Images: Unsplash/Johannes Plenio; David Dilbert