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To the faith-filled people of the Meadow Lake Cluster:
My hope is that, whether this letter arrives by post, by email or by hand, you are doing well, that you and your family are safe, healthy and faith filled. This pandemic has provided all of us with huge challenges, financially, emotionally, physically, intellectually, socially, and spiritually. Today, as I read the gospel, John sends his disciples to ask Jesus if he is the one to come or, are they to continue waiting. The People of Israel were used to waiting, a skill many of us are working to develop. It has been some time since I was last in touch with you! Today, I wish you God’s blessing and God’s peace as you prepare for Christmas and the celebration of the birth of Jesus. I understand well that we cannot welcome people to our homes or gather physically with family and friends to celebrate the birth of Jesus. We are not without hope because we can read the story, we can sing or listen to Christmas carols, and we can pray. We can also connect with one another using technology. We can make phone calls, or we can use a smart phone/iPad/computer to facetime or organize a Zoom meeting with family and friends! Our desire for connecting to others can be accomplished safely with a little creativity. We do not have to be alone. As people of faith, we have lived through a lot this year. We have had a significant number of deaths in the Meadow Lake Cluster and suicide has emerged as a serious and a growing problem that needs attention. The ongoing need for reconciliation and change between our Indigenous Peoples and non-Indigenous peoples is real. The need to reach out to people who no longer feel connected to the Parish/Church is something we need to examine as a parish community and as individuals. Are we generous in forgiving and in welcoming one another? This year we baptized several young people, and a wonderful group of young people/families celebrated the sacraments of Reconciliation, Confirmation and First Eucharist. Here in Meadow Lake, we established a grotto and Our Lady of Grace now watches over us as we pass by. We have moved our Parish Office into the Chapel Hall and demolished the Old Rectory/Parish Office. While we spent money to do this, we should see some significant savings as we move forward. The number of people who helped make this possible is amazing! Thank you! We have added LED lighting, and we purchased new audio and video equipment to enhance our liturgies and to provide for live streaming. This summer parishioners trimmed back some trees and did some yard cleanup. We have also added and enlarged an exit from the Church, and we are in the process of adding emergency and exit lighting to our Church Building. These actions were asked of us by the Fire Inspector several years ago. Through the pandemic, parishioners continue to gather non-perishable food in support of those who are suffering (CWL Hamper/KofC Reverse Collection). We are in the middle of yet another successful Bishop’s Appeal. We are close to achieving our goal for the second year in a row. These things are possible because of your generosity and commitment. Our Facebook page and website enable us to reach out to parishioners. A remarkable number of people gather with us every day for prayer, for formation and for fun! In Green Lake and Waterhen Lake we gathered to remember and celebrate those of our family and friends who have gone before us. Our income has decreased as the grants from Catholic Missions of Canada have significantly decreased or ceased altogether! In Green Lake a newer furnace was installed this month. The parishioners also took it upon themselves to do some fundraising and to give the parish Church a facelift with some paint, some cleaning and organizing and a renewed commitment to decorating the Church. Many thanks to those who gave of themselves to these tasks. In Waterhen Lake we have done some reflecting as a parish community, but the virus has stalled our plans to gather and to visit parishioners who are shut in. We celebrated several baptisms and are delighted for the life they bring. The Good News is alive and well here! Presently, 30 people can physically gather for the celebration of mass. Some have commented that Church has been cancelled. Belonging to the Church and practicing our faith is not limited to gathering at the Church for prayer or rituals. While gathering as God’s people to celebrate our sacraments is an important expression of our faith, it is not the only expression of our faith. In fact, most people spend little time in our Church building at our prayer rituals. We are Church in our relationships, in our homes, schools and workplaces. It is in these places that we need to share the light of the Gospel. Perhaps now more than ever! Our Church is very much alive! As I look back over the year, I see much that reminds me that people in our Meadow Lake Cluster are intentionally choosing to follow Jesus. Are we perfect? Not at all! But we are working hard to take the gospel seriously and to allow it to impact our life choices. As we prepare for the birth of Jesus into our lives, my prayer for us as people of faith is that we deepen our trust in God’s love for us. We are loved and we are forgiven, and we share that love and forgiveness with others so that the goodness of God may be seen everywhere! While I may not see you for awhile, please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers every day. The Church needs you! We need your prayer, your financial assistance, and your presence in our community. We also need the joy and generosity that the Holy Spirit stirs within you! Merry Christmas! Doug Jeffrey, OMI (Pastor, December 2020)
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The Office for Evangelization and Catechesis, with the assistance of the Bishop’s Appeal sponsored a virtual conference with Dr. Josephine Lombardi a well-known author, teacher and pastoral worker. In our Cluster we gathered in Our Lady of Peace Parish Church to take part in the Zoom Conference. Dr. Lombardi spoke about the sacraments. Her theme was, “What are you looking for?” John 1:38.
Some highlights include: John knew his role, his gifts and limitations and he always pointed people to Jesus. The response of Jesus was, “What are you looking for?” People responded in various ways. Jesus invited them to come and see. Today people are looking for: something that gives life, meaning, a message of hope, love, purpose, acceptance, healing. In John’s gospel there is an invitation to follow, to see, conversion (a change of heart) People need to see that our encounter with Jesus changes our lives – they need to see in us a message of hope. Baptism – We are called, and we are sent. Know Jesus, believe in him, trust him, let him heal us. In Baptism we are reminded that God defines us, not social media or the negative voices of those who hate. Our family is bigger than our natural family – the communion of saints. Loneliness is hard on us. We need each other. In baptism we become like Christ. Confirmation – we are called and sent. Power is given to us in and through the gift of the Spirit. We cooperate with the gifts God has given us. Make the Good News accessible to all people. Eucharist – we are called and sent. We become what we consume. We are more than we are right now. We are sent to be a part of the Field Hospital. Marriage/Holy Orders – We are all called to be of service to one another, to be Holy, to love. We are to attract people by using our gifts to build up the Body of Christ. Our greatest achievement is not what we do but who we accompanied/raised up. Love is everything. Comparing ourselves to others steals our joy. We are to magnify God in all we say and do. Service is about building relationships. Collaboration is essential to building up the Kingdom of God. We cannot do it alone. Reconciliation – Evangelizing the wounded. Not all healing requires forgiveness, but all forgiveness requires healing. We need to be forgiven, and we need to hear we are forgiven. Anointing – Evangelizing the wounded. Pray for healing. What benefits my soul? We need to let go of our preferred outcomes and focus on what helps me to draw near to God. Healing is about surrendering – letting go of my wants and desires. When we surrender, God’s grace does hold us. In all things be hospitable. Be mindful of our tone. Our words and our actions need to say the same thing. 10/1/2020 0 Comments Praying the Rosary for VocationsThe Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful and Glorious Mysteries: Rosaries for Vocations
Our Diocesan Vocation Committee is inviting us to pray the rosary every day this month for vocations. Please join us! If you cannot say a whole rosary please say one Hail Mary every day asking Mary to intercede for our diocese, that we may have the priests, religious and deacons that we need to have our Church flourish proclaiming to all people that we are loved by our God! The Joyful Mysteries: A Rosary for Vocations 1st Joyful Mystery: The Annunciation Mary answers “Yes” to God’s call. Even though it was unexpected and the Archangel gives her only the details she needs to know at the present moment, she responds generously. Let us offer this decade for those who are being called to the priesthood or religious life that they, like Mary, may have the grace to respond whole-heartedly. 2nd Joyful Mystery: The Visitation Mary wastes no time in acting upon the grace of her vocation. Through her cooperation the plan of salvation is already unfolding. Let us pray for all those who accept to live a single life. May God’s grace hurry them forward to answer the call and thus begin to labor for the harvest. 3rd Joyful Mystery: The Nativity Our Savior comes to us in the midst of a family. How crucial is the role of the family! Let us offer this decade for all loving wives and husbands, for parents that they may provide an atmosphere of love and faith in the home, and for trusting children. 4th Joyful Mystery: The Presentation Joseph and Mary presented Jesus in the Temple and dedicated Him to Almighty God. They knew their Son was a gift from God to be given back to Him. Let us offer this decade for deacons and brothers. May they be faithful signs of God’s presence in their midst. 5th Joyful Mystery: The Finding of Jesus in the Temple This mystery tells of a very unplanned event in the life of Joseph and Mary. For days their hearts ached with sorrow until they found their Son. Let us offer this decade for those who have been called in any vocation but are hesitating. Like Joseph and Mary, may they continue to discern God’s will in their lives and accept it with courage and peace. The Luminous Mysteries: A Rosary for Vocations 1st Luminous Mystery: The Baptism of Jesus The mystery of our Lord’s Baptism is the mystery of Jesus taking upon Himself the mission of the Messiah. Thus begins His public ministry. Let us offer this decade for deacons and brothers. Lord, grant them the courage and fidelity in accepting the mission to which they are called. 2nd Luminous Mystery: The Wedding Feast of Cana Through the intercession of Mary, Jesus transforms ordinary water into extraordinary wine. What incredible things God’s grace can do in our lives! Let us offer this decade for those who are called to live the single life. May they trust in the power of God to bring all things into completion as they say “yes” to His call. 3rd Luminous Mystery: The Proclamation of the Kingdom Our Lord begins His public ministry by announcing the arrival of the Kingdom of God. What joyous news this is for all humanity to hear! Let us offer this decade for those who are fearful to accept their vocation. May they learn to accept the will of God and bear witness to it throughout their lives. 4th Luminous Mystery: The Transfiguration Jesus strengthened the faith of His Apostles by allowing His divinity to be momentarily perceived. Let us offer this decade for all the women and men called to the sacrament of Matrimony. As they strive to live faithfully, may they become loving and gracious parents. 5th Luminous Mystery: The Institution of the Holy Eucharist The gift of the Most Holy Eucharist is a mystery going beyond our ability to fully comprehend. Jesus gives Himself in the Holy Eucharist through the ministry of His priests. Let us offer this decade for all priests and religious. May God call many more and may they respond generously in love and peace. The Sorrowful Mysteries: A Rosary for Vocations 1st Sorrowful Mystery: The Agony in the Garden Jesus asked His Apostles to pray so that they “might not enter into temptation.” Our Lord knew they needed to pray in order to endure what would soon happen. Let us pray for those men and women whom God is calling to be priests, religious, deacons, single people or married couples, that they might respond courageously to God’s call, and to cultivate a deep and abiding life of prayer in order to remain faithful to the end. 2nd Sorrowful Mystery: The Scourging at the Pillar Our Lord’s suffering during the scourging was excruciating. For our sake Jesus offered himself to obtain our salvation. Let us offer this decade for the grace that many people might feel the desire in their hearts to offer themselves to God as deacons or single people. May their years of service be a beacon of life for others. 3rd Sorrowful Mystery: The Crowning with Thorns Jesus endured the terrible ridicule and mockery of the soldiers even to the point of accepting the painful crown of thorns. Let us offer this decade for those who have a calling to the priesthood but find it difficult to say “yes” because of painful obstacles in their lives or the inability to leave the pleasures of our modern world. 4th Sorrowful Mystery: The Carrying of the Cross On the way to Calvary, our Lord found comfort and assistance from a number of people: Simon of Cyrene, the women of Jerusalem, His Mother, and Veronica. How much those acts of love must have meant to Jesus! Let us offer this decade for the grace to always support, with our prayers and sacrifices, those whom God is calling to religious life. 5th Sorrowful Mystery: The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus At the foot of the Cross, there came into existence a new type of family. Before Jesus died He entrusted to the maternal care of Mary all of humanity, represented in the person of the “beloved disciple.” Let us offer this decade for those who are being called to the married life. Help them, Lord, to see that in serving you their family will be stronger and more fulfilled. The Glorious Mysteries: A Rosary for Vocations 1st Glorious Mystery: The Resurrection Our Lord’s Resurrection brought tremendous joy to His sorrowful followers. Never were their lives to be the same again. Let us offer this decade for an increase in grace in the hearts of those who are being called to be diocesan or religious priests. May they experience the immense joy of giving God their entire lives and saying “yes” to His call. 2nd Glorious Mystery: The Ascension Jesus ascended into Heaven, not to abandon us, but to be our hope. He continually intercedes for us before the throne of the Father and prepares a place for His faithful followers in the heavenly Kingdom. Let us offer this decade for an increase in the number of married couples who strive faithfully to attain their heavenly homeland. May these men and women always recognize the irreplaceable mission they have in raising their children in the faith through prayer and example. 3rd Glorious Mystery: The Descent of the Holy Spirit The coming of the Holy Spirit transformed the timid Apostles into bold witnesses for the Gospel. The Church was sent forth with courage and zeal! Let us offer this decade for the power of the Holy Spirit to come upon all He has chosen to labor as deacons or single people. May they respond boldly to the invitation to lay down their lives for Christ and His Church. 4th Glorious Mystery: The Assumption of Mary The Second Vatican Council reminded us that Mary’s role in salvation history did not end with her Assumption into Heaven. She continually intercedes for all of us, her children, as we journey through life. Let us offer this decade asking Mary to intercede for an abundance of faithful and dedicated clergy and laity who will continue to serve in the various ministries of the Church. 5th Glorious Mystery: The Coronation of Mary This mystery brings before us the beauty of the faithfulness of Mary, the first disciple of the Lord. She who referred to herself as the “handmaid of the Lord” is now exalted far above even the Angels. The one who said “yes” to God in all things is now the Queen of heaven and earth. Let us offer this decade for those who have been called to religious life that they may always have the grace to serve God with joy. 9/22/2020 0 Comments Something is happening!If you have passed by the front of the Church lately you have probably noticed that the two beds in front of the Church have been cleaned up! A word of thanks to Marie Mamchur, Melba Cariou, Peggy Calvert and Glenn Cariou who have cut out the ferns, dug up the roots, and tilled the soil. Thanks also to JP Beaubien who moved the cement drain block so the folks could get at the last few roots! The next step will be to transfer a few perennials, tulips, irises, bleeding hearts, and lilies to the beds. In the spring we hope to add some additional flowers so that the front of the Church has a little more colour as summer unfolds! Thanks for all the work that has been done! As we care for our property we are reminding all that our faith and our parish community is an important part of our life and deserving of our time and attention! Perhaps you also noticed a van parked in front of the Church! Marty and company are installing our new audio and video equipment. The installation of the equipment will allow us to do some additional things with our live streaming of programs, liturgies and rituals. For sure the quality will increase from what is possible with my little iPhone! Here are some pics of what is happening! Some additional information: Our request to spend money to make some adjustments to the Chapel Hall so as to move our Parish Offices there is with the Bishop's Office now - we hope that work can begin soon! Stay tuned for more information and please be sure to share this information with people who do not have Facebook or Internet Access! Thank you and Thanks for your support of our parish community! 8/28/2020 0 Comments Summer Speaker Series - 52020 is the 100th anniversary of The Catholic Women’s League of Canada (CWL). The CWL’s national convention/AGM was to be held in August 2020. However, with the onset of the COVID19 virus restrictions, all levels (diocesan, provincial and national) of CWL conventions/AGMs were postponed. The National Council of the CWL was proactive in using technology to engage several of the National convention speakers to give their presentations as webinars. The webinars are called the Summer Speaker Series. Well over 1,500 people from across Canada and from several other countries tuned in to the webinars. Today, I share with you some of my notes from the fifth session.
The Catholic Women's League of Canada is a national service organization of women who are members of the Roman Catholic Church, who work together to promote Catholic values and to carry out volunteer and charitable work. In the fifth session of the Summer Speaker Series, August 14 - National President and Chairperson of Laws, Anne-Marie Gorman spoke on "The League in 2020.” Ms. Gorman thanked all the presenters of the Summer Speaker Series as well as her staff and executive at the National level for all their work over the past few months. She reviewed CWL activities for the year 2020 and noted all the changes that took place due to COVID19 restrictions. We operate under a prohibition or a silence regarding holding virtual meetings and holding elections electronically, so all annual meetings/AGMs were postponed to 2021. The resolutions that were to be discussed at the 2020 Convention will be dealt with at the 2021 National Convention. National realizes that it has to consider changes to our Constitution and Bylaws (C & B) and to the National Manual of Policy and Procedures (the Manual) to allow us to deal with the situation when we cannot meet face-to-face as we are used to doing. She reminded us that if we had changes that we would like to see take place in the C & B and in the Manual that those recommended changes are due to National by the end of August. Any suggested changes would be discussed by a committee and vetted for pros and cons. The National executive would make recommendations for approval, and proposed changes would be brought to convention in 2021. Ms. Gorman noted that technology has been a gift to us during the pandemic restrictions allowing us to communicate more as provincial, National and implementation committees. We have had more live streaming of masses, rosaries, webinars, and trainings re: evangelization the use of technology. She encouraged us to communicate with our members at the parish and diocesan levels virtually, by phone and in courtyards, fields, and parking lots as the restrictions ease. She praised God for the power of women and their ability to react positively citing the Montreal 2020 National Planning Committee as an example. She encourages us to continue to support each other, to continue to provide services, and to reflect on our situation. She stated that women don’t know the meaning of the word ‘quit.’ She encouraged us to plant a tree for our 100th anniversary and to continue to support our voluntary funds: Catholic Missions in Canada (CMIC), Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA), the CWL National Bursary, and the Cody Fund. She noted that Catholic Missions in Canada is in dire need of contributions. She reminded us that October 1 is the CWL Day of Prayer for Home Missions and that funds for the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition are still being collected. We were encouraged to continue with the Pornography Hurts project using the postcards that are available through the League. Send them to government officials making sure to ask them a question to ensure that you get a response from them. Ms. Gorman responded to questions raised by listeners:
The League Prayer We humbly pray You, O God our Father, to bless the Catholic Women's League of Canada. Bless our beloved country, our homes and families. Send Your Holy Spirit upon us to give light to our minds and strength to our wills that we may know and fulfill Your great law of charity. Teach us to share with others at home and abroad, the good things You have given us. This we ask through Our Lord Jesus Christ and the intercession of our patroness, Our Lady of Good Counsel. AMEN 8/28/2020 0 Comments Summer Speaker Series - Session 42020 is the 100th anniversary of The Catholic Women’s League of Canada (CWL). The CWL’s national convention/AGM was to be held in August 2020. However, with the onset of the COVID19 virus restrictions, all levels of CWL conventions/AGMs were cancelled. The National Council of the CWL was proactive in using technology to engage several of the National convention speakers to give their presentations as webinars. The webinars are called the Summer Speaker Series. Well over 1,500 people from across Canada and from several other countries tuned in to the webinars. Today, I share with you some of my notes from the fourth session.
The Catholic Women's League of Canada is a national service organization of women who are members of the Roman Catholic Church, who work together to promote Catholic values and to carry out volunteer and charitable work. In 2020 the CWL has about 75,000 members in over 1,000 parish councils across Canada. The CWL is one of the largest women’s organizations in Canada promoting awareness and responding to political and social issues that affect all Canadians. While today, approximately 75,000 women make up the CWL, the organization once boasted a membership of over 100,000 women. For some years now, the national leadership team along with its members have been discerning the steady decline in membership and resistance of members to take on leadership roles. Across Canada, many other non-profit groups and associations are facing the same membership crises. In an attempt to stem the decline in membership and to fine tune the organization, the leadership team decided to plan strategically for the future. A plan was unveiled in August 2018. In the fourth session of the Summer Speaker Series, August 14, 2020, Fran Lucas, National President-Elect and Chairperson of Organization spoke on the topic: "The League of the Future: Part III." With a ‘Star Wars’ theme opening, Lucas reviewed the mission, the core principles and the purpose of the CWL. The mission is “The Catholic Women's League of Canada calls its members to grow in faith, and to witness to the love of God through ministry and service.” Its core purpose is to unite Catholic women to grow in faith, and to promote social justice through service to the church, Canada and the world. Core values are: faith – following Catholic teaching; service – local, national and international; and social justice – active involvement in society. We were encouraged to pray the Prayer for Renewal developed by Sr. Susan Scott at all our council meetings. [See end of this article for copy of prayer.] Ms. Lucas focused on Goal 4 – Addressing Critical Issues with help from the leads for this particular goal, Sharon Cieben and Lisa Henry. The objectives are:
Ms. Henry spoke on Goal 4:A1 – simplify procedures and reporting processes. The Reorganization group is looking at the following actions:
Building a foundation – having a new section on the CWL website dealing with social media and marketing contact with a uniform brand presence and a new social media program. Ten Storytelling vignettes and a 100th Anniversary video with achievements, milestones and resolutions that have had an impact on our society. Focus on connecting: Why join? If you only knew! Progressive thinkers, positive images, and a one-stop shop for faith, social justice and service. We were given a peek at what is coming up next: Goal 2: Increase members’ knowledge of Catholic social teaching – G2.A2 – Empower members by providing educational opportunities to learn more about Catholic social teaching. Goal 3: League Misconceptions – G3.A1 – Address misconceptions about The League. Goal 3: Encourage Diversity – G3.A2 – Embrace diverse cultures and ages. Goals 3: Toolkits – G3.B1 – Create ready-made adaptable toolkits for use in parishes. Goal 3: Spiritual Formation – G3.C3 – Focus on the spiritual and social aspects in councils. Goal 1: Increase the capacity and efficiency of leadership – G1.D3 – Capitalize on members’ willingness to take on short-term leadership responsibilities. Ms. Lucas concluded with the comment: “WE NEED YOU!” She encouraged us to sign up to complete the surveys that are sent out, to participate in focus groups, to complete questionnaires, and to volunteer for working groups. [Sign up by e-mailing clerk@cwl.ca and stating your intention to participate.] CWL Prayer for Renewal God of new beginnings, ever faithful God, we thank you for your constant care for the women of The Catholic Women’s League of Canada. We have sought to serve you in faith by service to your people. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and with the help of Our Lady of Good Counsel, we continue to discern Your call to seek justice and build Your Kingdom on earth each day. We ask your guidance as we plan the evolution of The Catholic Women’s League of Canada. Grant us wisdom, the grace of discernment, and strength. May each of us open her heart and mind to your will and welcome the new life you bring to the League. We ask this through Jesus, Your beloved Son and Our Lord, Who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. AMEN. – Sr. Susan Scott, CAF 8/19/2020 0 Comments SUMMER SPEAKER SERIES - 32020 is the 100th anniversary of the The Catholic Women’s League of Canada (CWL). The CWL’s national convention/AGM was to be held in August. However, with the onset of the COVID-19 virus restrictions, all conventions/AGMs were cancelled. The National Council of the CWL were proactive in using technology to engage several of the guest speakers for the National Convention to give their presentations as webinars. The webinars are called the Summer Speaker Series. Well over 1,500 people from across Canada and from several other countries tuned in to the webinars. Today, I share with you some of my notes from the third session.
August 12 - Sr. Nuala Kenny, O.C., M.D., F.R.C.P.(C) speaking on "Women and Healing Our Wounded Church" "All elements of the crisis of clergy sexual abuse of children and the vulnerable are in stark contradiction to Jesus’ mission, words and witness. Jesus Himself demonstrated a profoundly counter-cultural approach to children and to women. Together, we will review the harms to victims, survivors and the entire Body of Christ from the history of abuse. All are called to healing the Church from this scandal. This reflection brings specific insights from women’s experience and research on vulnerability, abuse of power, care and relational moral thinking.” (Introduction to Sr. Kenny’s webinar, Summer Speaker Series, 2020) Sr. Kenny’s goals for this session are:
Pope Francis said, “I see clearly that the thing the church needs most today is the ability to heal wounds and to warm the hearts of the faithful ... I see the church as a field hospital after battle.” (Oct 27, 2015) Dr. Kenny challenged each of us to enter into a topic that we may be afraid to approach. In the past 100 years during which the Catholic Women’s League (CWL) has served God and Canada, we have dealt with and/or are dealing with global crises:
Dr. Kenny asks:
Prophetic Possibilities for the Church (2014) a book by Dr. Nuala Kenney. “The recognition of the importance of underlying systemic and cultural factors is not new. In 1989, following devastating revelations of child sexual abuse by Irish Christian brothers and diocesan clergy in St. John's, N.L., I (Dr. Kenny) participated in the lay-led Archdiocesan Commission of Inquiry into the Sexual Abuse of Children by Members of the Clergy. Its 1990 report summarized the available literature on the sexual abuse of children. In assessing why and how the abuse had occurred, the Commission concluded that no single cause accounts for the abuse but that a number of factors coincided to allow the abuse to occur. It identified six factors in urgent need of further exploration by Church leaders for their role: power, education, sexuality, support for priests, a management approach and avoidance of scandal. Twenty-five years after Newfoundland and despite compelling research and experience, the hierarchy, with notable exceptions, is still unable or unwilling to acknowledge the systemic and cultural factors that have shaped and, at times, fostered the sexual abuse crisis. Why the moral blindness in failing to recognize the deeper issues of ecclesial sin and the denial of the pain and suffering inflicted on the whole Church? Agere sequitur esse is an old moral maxim. Action does indeed follow being, and Church leadership has responded to the global crisis with the same denial, minimization of harm and protection of image as in individual cases because of deeply enculturated attitudes and practices. Deep within a culture, a moral blindness can infect so that it becomes impossible to see and assess its dark side. This is when it is crucial to learn from others.” 8/19/2020 0 Comments SUMMER SPEAKER SERIES - 22020 is the 100th anniversary of the The Catholic Women’s League of Canada (CWL). The CWL’s national convention/AGM was to be held in August. However, with the onset of the COVID19 virus restrictions, all conventions/AGMs were cancelled. The National Council of the CWL were proactive in using (www.vatican.vatechnology to engage several of the guest speakers for the National Convention to give their presentations as webinars. The webinars were called the Summer Speaker Series. Well over 1,500 people from across Canada and from several other countries tuned in to the webinars. Today, I share with you some of my notes from the second session.
August 11th - Dr. Donna Orsuto, professor of spirituality at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, Italy spoke to us from Rome on "Women Together Caring for our Common Home." For more information on Dr. Orsuto, check the end of this article. Dr. Orsuto – Part I Dr. Orsuto emphasized that we as women can implement Laudato Si’ (www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/papa-frances). This encyclical, she believes, is more relevant now with the COVID19 pandemic than when it was released five years ago by Pope Francis. Orsuto encourages us to focus on the messages in Laudato Si’. She points out that Pope Francis is passing on Jesus’ message: “You Lord are calling on us.” Today is the Feast of St. Clare (1194 – 1253), the first woman to write a monastic rule for women. For St. Clare, Orsuto says, “less was truly more.”
Pope Francis, five years after his encyclical (June 14, 2020) released a book entitled Journeying Towards Care for Our Common Home: Five Years After Laudato Si’ in which he presents challenging proposals for the practical implementation of his encyclical throughout the church and in the wider world. Orsuto and the Pope believe that everything is connected. Each specific crisis we face is a part of a single, complex, socio-environmental crisis that requires a true ecological conversion. Orsuto refers to the Canticle of Creation (St. Francis of Assisi) which Pope Francis uses to open and close the encyclical, Laudato Si’. Our common home is a sister with whom we share our life and a beautiful mother who opens her arms to embrace us. We have an intimate relationship with nature:
Orsuto speaks of the methodology underlining Laudato Si’. We must SEE, JUDGE and ACT.
Dr. Orsuto tells us, “Change your Lifestyle!” Can I live without my air conditioner? We must live our vocation to protect God’s handiwork. This is intentional, not optional. We must face our tendency to consume and embrace a lifestyle where ‘less is more.’ We must develop a deep enjoyment which is free from the obsession with what we have. We must cherish each moment. We need an ecological conversion, a community conversion. Be connected with all creation. Spend time in nature. Be grateful for the gift of creation. Repent as an individual and as a society of our sin against the environment. Change our lifestyle. “Live simply so that others may simply live.” (St. Elizabeth Ann Seton/Ghandi) Read the pledge suggested by Pope Francis (www.livelaudatosi.org) and of the Global Catholic Climate Movement (www.catholicclimatecovenant.org/program/st-francis-pledge). “I pledge to pray, live, and advocate Laudato Si’.”
The pandemic has helped us to slow down. We must sustain this ‘slowing down’ and remain together as family living a simple life even after the pandemic. We can use Pope Francis as a model: He walks the talk, taking personal responsibility for his actions. Dr. Orsuto – Part II Women together can influence how Laudato Si’ is implemented in our homes, parishes and communities. SEE: Orsuto asks, “What have women done before? Mary Ward in 1670 said, “And I hope in God it will be seen that women in time will do much.” What are women doing now? What’s the best way forward? What are practical ways to act together? Three women who put into action ‘care for our common home’:
Orsuto feels that these three women were prophetic. Our grandmothers, our mothers, teachers, catechists and parish workers also have shown us in their actions that ‘less is more.’ In the present, our young people like Greta Thunberg are witnesses of ‘care for our common home.’ We need dialogue between the generations. The young are not in decision-making roles yet; the older generation is needed to make decisions. Women have already taken initiative:
JUDGE/DISCERN: How can women best implement Laudato Si?’ We need to be connected and co-responsible:
ACT: Where do we go from here? We need to react as a human family, to pray together that with God’s help we can make a difference. Dr. Orsuto encouraged us to say the Common Prayer for the Fifth Anniversary of Laudato Si’ available on the internet (laudatosiweek.orgwp-content/uploads/2020/04/LSW-Common-Prayer.pdf) and to continue to be inspired by Pope Francis. In closing, Dr. Orsuto shared a quote by Mahatma Ghandi, “We but mirror the world. All the tendencies present in the outer world are to be found in the world of our body. If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change. As a man changes his own nature, so does the attitude of the world change towards him. This is the divine mystery supreme. A wonderful thing it is and the source of our happiness. We need not wait to see what others do.” Originally from the United States, Dr. Orsuto lectures and gives retreats worldwide. She is the co-founder and director of The Lay Centre at Foyer Unitas in Rome and has authored various books and numerous articles in the area of spirituality. Dr. Orsuto is active in ecumenical and interreligious dialogue. She currently serves as a consultor for the Congregation for Divine Worship and is a member of the Commission for Ecumenism and Dialogue of the Diocese of Rome. In 2011, Pope Benedict XVI named her a Dame of the Pontifical Equestrian Order of Saint Gregory the Great. 8/19/2020 0 Comments Summer Speaker Series - 1From Aug. 10 – 15, 2020, The National Council of the Catholic Women’s League of Canada was to host their 100th anniversary celebration of the League at its annual convention and AGM. Because of pandemic restrictions, the convention was postponed to 2021 and guest speakers for the convention were recruited to present to thousands of members and interested people through a webinar series called Summer Speaker Series. Today, I present to you my summary of our first speaker, Dr. Cory Andrew Labrecque, Associate Professor of Bioethics and Theological Ethics, University of Laval speaking on "Speak to the Earth and it Shall Teach You: On the Christian Vocation to Tend, Guard, and Heal." For more information on Dr. Labrecque check the end of this article. Summaries of the other webinars will be highlighted later this week.
"The Catholic Women's League of Canada's Summer Speaker Series with Dr. Cory Andrew Labrecque. Labrecque began with the quote: “Rise! Let us be on our way.” (Mark 14: 42) These words were used by Jesus when Judas betrayed him to the authorities. ‘Betray’ infers a position that allows the betrayer to treacherously place the victim in a harmful situation. Labrecque believes that humankind has betrayed the earth. However, he sees the words of the quote as an invitation to continue and to do better after we’ve stumbled or failed. With the earth and with the poor, we must continue and do better. Dr. Labrecque spoke of the variety of pollutions and harsh realities that humankind has created: industrial, air, water, agricultural, and land pollution; overpopulation; over-consumption; deforestation; resource depletion; widespread destruction of species; loss of biodiversity; and global climate change. The encyclical ‘Laudato Si’ by Pope Francis says that our mother, earth, “groans in travail.” Labrecque invited us to think about our own homes – Would I throw garbage throughout my home, leak chemicals there, put toxins in the drinking water or bulldoze all the grass and trees in my yard? He asks us now to think of the earth as ‘our home,’ and he wonders why we would do all those things to ‘our home.’ Who is to blame? Labrecque referred to an article called ‘The Historical Roots of Our Ecologic Crisis’ (1967) by Professor Lynn White, Jr. White suggests that religion, particularly Christianity, is an important, and possibly the only factor in how human societies relate to the natural world. It puts humans at the centre – the earth serves humankind; earth is considered valuable only because humans can use it. At the end of his article, White writes: “Saint Francis, proposed what he thought was an alternative Christian view of nature and man's relation to it; he tried to substitute the idea of the equality of all creatures, including man, for the idea of man's limitless rule of creation. He failed. Both our present science and our present technology are so tinctured with orthodox Christian arrogance toward nature that no solution for our ecologic crisis can be expected from them alone. Since the roots of our trouble are so largely religious, the remedy must also be essentially religious, whether we call it that or not. We must rethink and re-feel our nature and destiny. The profoundly religious, but heretical, sense of the primitive Franciscans for the spiritual autonomy of all parts of nature may point a direction. I propose Francis as a patron saint for ecologists.” Labrecque presented the two accounts of Genesis: the first account involved the creation of the universe which Labrecque presents in a unique way. Environment – days one to four 1st Day: Light 2nd day: Sky and Sea 3rd day: Dry Land 4th day: Vegetation Inhabitants - corresponding to the first four days are found in days five to eight. 5th day: Sun, Moon and Stars 6th day: Birds and Fish 7th day: Animals 8th day: Humans God saw everything, and it was very good. He didn’t just see humans; all of creation was good. Fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over fish, bird, every living thing, and every green plant. Dominion can be despotism where we exploit and toss aside things or it can be stewardship where we look after everything because everything is very good. God asks us to be stewards, not despots. God’s creation of humans is one event among many events of creation. We were created in God’s image, and we need to be able to see that “everything” that God created was very good, not just us. Don’t be deluded that “the land is mine”; it is God’s and he wants balance and harmony There is a Sabbath, Shabbat (Jewish), a day of rest, for everything, not just for humans. Environmental rest is needed - 7th day, 7th year, 50th year (the year after 7 sets of 7 years.) We have stopped practicing this time of rest. Perhaps this pandemic we are dealing with today is the earth crying out for a time of environmental rest. Since the start of the pandemic, air pollution and toxic emissions have decreased. Carbon dioxide has been cut down. Labrecque moved on to the Second Creation: In the Garden of Eden, Adam was given the authority and responsibility to name the animals; Adam and Eve were commissioned to tend and to till. Their disobedience caused a strain between humankind and the earth. Labrecque points out that the main character in this story is the “garden” not humankind. Humankind was created from the earth, for the earth. There are several environmental themes in Catholic Christian Tradition:
Questions to think about: What are the challenges/obstacles for people? Does care for creation lead to nature worship? How does making reference to ‘the environment’ as ‘creation’ impact the way we approach the issues at hand? How are we called to act? Dr. Labrecque praised the Catholic Women’s League of Canada for their work on social justice issues through their resolutions. He encouraged The League to continue to “Rise! Let us be on our way.” About Dr. Cory Andrew Labrecque, Ph.D., is an associate professor of bioethics and theological ethics, and the inaugural chairperson of educational leadership in the ethics of life at the faculty of theology and religious studies at the University of Laval in Quebec City, where he also directs the program in applied ethics. Previously, he served as the Raymond F. Schinazi Scholar in bioethics and religious thought, and the director of the graduate program in bioethics at the Center for Ethics at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. He earned a bachelor of science in anatomy and cell biology, a master of arts in religious studies with a specialization in bioethics, and a doctorate in religious ethics at McGill University in Montreal. Dr. Labrecque’s teaching and research examine how the Abrahamic religions—with a focus on the Roman Catholic tradition—approach ethical issues in medicine, biotechnology and the environment. He is especially interested in ethical issues at the end of life and understandings of human personhood. He was recently appointed vice-president of the National Committee for Ethics and Ageing by the province of Quebec’s minister for seniors and was recently named corresponding member of the Pontifical Academy for Life. 6/30/2020 0 Comments Progress on the Grotto - June 30thJust a few photos to show the progress that is being made on the Grotto. If you would like to make a contribution - work/money - please be in touch with the Parish Office!
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Hi! My name is Fr. Doug Jeffrey, OMI and I am the pastor of the Meadow Lake Cluster. I serve the faith communities of Our Lady of the Smile, Waterhen, St. Jude's, Green Lake and Our Lady of Peace, Meadow Lake. I arrived in the cluster on August 15th, 2019. You can see more information about me on the home page!Archives
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