Good People Make Good Things Happen

While I enjoy discussing such topics as sports and politics, I would not be a reliable source regarding true facts related to these two subjects. Teaching school has always been most fulfilling for me, but I would never claim to be an authority in Education.  And while secretly, and mostly for fun, I like to read articles and watch documentaries surrounding the mysteries of “The Paranormal”, I have yet to discover any astounding insights into this “realm of the unknown”.

However, there is a topic in which I do proclaim to be an EXPERT!  Yes, it is right here in our own home. We refer to it as our CARE CENTRE. Now while I am far from being a hypochondriac, the frequency of my “stays” in the Care Centre (a “break” here and a fall there) qualifies me to express my observations and feelings. So pleasant is the atmosphere and so complete is the care I receive, that I am overwhelmed with gratitude.

When first built, I believe this Care Centre was primarily designed for Retired Sisters requiring nursing care, but today any of us can approach a nurse, twenty-four hours a day or seven days a week.  A Sister’s problem could be as small as a toothache or as serious as chest pain and still she would receive full attention.  I have yet to meet a staff member in the Care Centre who indicates to me that I am inconveniencing her. Whatever your request may be, the common response is always -“Not a Problem”.

Image: unsplash/Nick Fewings

Teamwork is at the heart of the Care Centre staff. They know each other’s job(s) and can move in and out of all tasks with great ease and proficiency. And all of this is done amid life changing to death, cords being pulled, and phones ringing to assist in another location. The dedication and kindness of the staff, who treat everyone as family, reminds us all how hurts and pains can be absorbed by efficient and loving people who create a positive environment.

It is for this reason that I wanted to recognize the present and past staff of our Care Centre and to express our gratitude to the many good people - who make good things happen.

Thank you.💗.

-Sister Paulette Mellon

Celebrating Our Centenarian

Celebrating Sister Rita Heenan: Our Centenarian

On April 19th, an elegant afternoon tea in our front foyer was the setting for the celebration of the 100th birthday of Sister Rita Heenan.  She arrived from the care centre on the arm of her loving sister, Rose and looked radiant in her special suit on the lapel of which was pinned a stunning white orchid.  Amid smiles and clapping from family, friends and community members, Sr. Rita took her place in front of the decorated mantel.

The celebrations honouring Sr. Rita included the presentation of a framed Papal blessing from Pope Francis. Michelle Vermeeren, local administrator, spoke in absentia of the yet to arrive greetings from Queen Elizabeth and Governor General, Mary Simon.  Other presentations included congratulations from our Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada and Premier Doug Ford of Ontario. 

There was a nostalgic moment at the end of presentations when a former graduate nurse of the class of 1967 presented Sr. Rita with a beautiful basket of flowers from the graduating class of that year. This was to honour Sr. Rita, then known as Sister St. Roch who was teacher and director of Sisters of St. Joseph School of Nursing in London from 1946-1969. 

As birthday cake was cut and shared, Sister’s guests rejoiced in her becoming a centenarian. In fact, living to the age of 100 puts Sister Rita in a unique class of her own.  Although more people today are living to reach the 100 milestone, only about 1 in 4,500 people in America are centenarians.  In Canada, that relates to about 0.0173%.

Sister Rita is a poster person for the outline of how to live to be 100: eat a healthy diet, manage stress, don’t smoke 😉, think positive, and sleep well. No doubt she would add,

“Live a life of deep faith and service to the dear neighbour”.

-Sister Jean Moylan, csj 

World Book Day Canada - April 23

“In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God”. (John 1:1)

When we were teens, my grandmother gifted each of her granddaughters with a white bible – the kind with the leather cover that zipped up on the side with a cross as the pull tab. She had spent her childhood polishing the pews of the old Scottish kirk where her grandfather was groundskeeper and believed with all her heart in the saving grace of Jesus Christ. She wanted this for us. It was such a meaningful gift that I carried it with an orchid attached as my ‘wedding bouquet.’

I am looking through it now and am surprised to find the yellowing newspaper notice from my parent’s wedding in it. Curiosity made me turn it over only to find that the flip side of this happy notice holds part of a news article about a tribunal examining the Nazi treatment of their Jewish prisoners. It is hard to take in this juxtaposition of opposites: descriptions of taffeta gowns, orange blossoms and nosegays of violets and sweetheart roses opposed to our inhumanity toward others, with Jewish prisoners forced to stoke the fires of the death chambers of those who preceded them in the line of death.  My heart sinks and folds unto itself, wondering if we have learned anything in these intervening years. Wars continue; violence and inequity are rampant. In my own life, I do not always live up to the ideals of Christian love and each day is a lesson in humility and growth. How do I face this reality with the equanimity of gentleness, peace and joy that allows compassionate action?

As I flip through the pages of this precious Bible and take in the fact that it is split into two parts – Old and New Testaments – the structure of the book itself seems to be teaching the lesson of our being given a choice between opposites such as love and hate, peace and violence, life and death. All is one; the coin cannot exist without both its sides.  We each contribute to the Oneness that is life. Nothing is wasted or invaluable.  There is always movement to the ‘more’.

Where do you focus your attention? 

What book has been your guidepost through life?

- Susan Hendricks, Associate, Peterborough Neighbourhood | former librarian and lover of books since early childhood