Cheer Up the Lonely Day

Who knew there was a “National Cheer Up the Lonely Day”? I certainly didn’t until just recently. It originated in Detroit Michigan by quiet & kind Francis Pesek. His idea was to have such a day to remind people specifically to be kind to the lonely. One man with one idea that caught on. Now, on July 11th every year, this day is celebrated in the USA and many other countries.  One might ask, why only the lonely? Well you have to start somewhere! National Cheer Up the Lonely Day encourages us to bring joy and cheer into the lives of those who are struggling with loneliness. 

The Campaign to End Loneliness states “Loneliness can affect anyone. Experiences of loneliness can vary, but its effects can be profound and wide-ranging. It is considered by many to be one of the largest public health challenges we face.”

  • In 2022, 49.63% of adults (25.99 million people) in the UK reported feeling lonely occasionally, sometimes, often, or always [1]

  • Approximately 7.1% of people in Great Britain (3.83 million) experience chronic loneliness, meaning they feel lonely ‘often or always’ [2].

  • This has risen from 6% (3.24 million) in 2020, indicating that there has not been a return to pre-pandemic levels of loneliness [2].

Types of loneliness

  • Emotional loneliness – 'the absence of meaningful relationships'

  • Social loneliness – a 'perceived deficit in the quality of social connections'

  • Existential loneliness – a 'feeling of fundamental separateness from others and the wider world.'

Please be kind to someone today even if they are not lonely. Heck, I’ll go out on a limb here & suggest we be kind to everyone every day!

-Maureen Condon, CSJ Associate

Header Image: Unsplash/Ante Hamersmit

REFERENCES: [1] Campaign to End Loneliness with Dr Heather McClelland (2023) Analysis of quarterly report data provided by the ONS from the Opinions and Lifestyle Survey for Jan-Dec 2022 using a representative sample of people aged 16 and over in Great Britain. Note: an average of 2,625 participants engaged with the ONS Opinions during each wave of the Lifestyle Survey over this period.

[2] Campaign to End Loneliness, The State of Loneliness 2023: ONS Data on loneliness in Britain (2023).

With a book in hand...

"Said the river:  imagine everything you can imagine, then keep on going...."

This quote by the poet Mary Oliver bookends this story which takes place in England during the years 1939 to 1962.  The central date is March 1960.

In 1939 a mum sends her two daughters to the country for protection from the anticipated German bombers. The elder, Hazel (14) often cares for Flora (5). She weaves elaborate stories about an imaginary world that only the two share. One day Flora falls asleep on a blanket by the river; Hazel goes to a nearby tree to visit a friend.  When she returns, Flora is gone.  Despite a massive search, Flora is never found.  For Hazel, how long can she hope?  Now comes March, 1960...

An intriguing story with many unexpected twists and a satisfying ending. 

- Jackie Potters, csj Associate

Header Image: Unsplash/Dan Dumitriu

Saint Peter and Saint Paul

JUNE 29 - Feasts of Saints Peter and Paul

This official Colombian public holiday is a liturgical feast that honors the martyrdom of the Apostles Saint Peter and Saint Paul. Its origins stem from ancient Christianity, with the date being significant as it is the anniversary of either their death or the translation of their relics. Both St. Peter and St. Paul were a part of the 12 Apostles of Jesus Christ.

 What more is to be said about Saint Peter and Saint Paul?  They were two men who lived their lives in accord with the prompting of the Holy Spirit.  When we read of the sufferings they endured while living in accord with the prompting of the Holy Spirit, it gives one pause to take them as models for our own life.

Peter with his brother Andrew were the first to leave everything and follow Jesus.  Originally Peter was called Simon but Jesus changed his name to Peter, meaning Rock.  He was to be the rock on which Jesus would build his church (Matthew 16:18-19).  In the beginning, Peter, along with the other apostles, was told not to preach to the Samaritans or the Gentiles but to go to the lost members of the house of Israel (Matthew 10:5-7).

Paul on the other hand, was called Saul by Jesus and told to stop persecuting Him (Acts 9:4-5).   Saul who was an educated pharisee was at first feared by the followers of Jesus.  By chapter 13 in the Acts of the Apostles, Saul is being called Paul.  The name Paul was more acceptable when he began teaching the Gentiles about  Jesus, the unknown God who rose from the dead (Acts 17:18, 23).

In summary, Peter got his name from Jesus.  However, it seems Paul got his name from the community of believers.  Both men allowed themselves to be led by the Holy Spirit to create a lasting foundation upon which God’s Kingdom is to be built.  Jesus is the cornerstone.

-Sister Elaine Cole, CSJ

Header Image: Unsplash/Ivan Zhuldybin