We welcome you! Watch the video here.
Pilgrimage - Living Beauty
Every two years, the Federation Vocation Animation Committee works in conjunction with Fontbonne Ministries Faith Connections to host an event for a pilgrimage with young adults, ages 18 to 30.
As we began planning this event a year ago, the idea was to hold the pilgrimage at Villa St. Joseph, a spirituality and ecology centre of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Canada. Due to Covid however, it was decided to hold the event virtually. This year’s theme was “Living Beauty”, a perfect theme as we were going to very shortly be entering the Season of Creation. We spent time in prayer, contemplation, sharing and hearing about Living Beauty.
Sister Mary Rowell was our first speaker as we journeyed through Catholic Social Teaching. She reminded us that we are called to live an all encompassing ethic of life. It is important that we encompass integral ecology as we remember that we are to value the dignity of all life and provide support to each and every person as well as all of Creation.
We then had some time for contemplating creation we remembered the words of St. Ignatius “Reflect how God dwells in creatures: in elements given them existence, in the plants given them life, in the animals conferring upon them sensation, in human beings bestowing understanding.”
Following our quiet time we heard Sabrina Chiefari speak on “The Space Between Two – Francis-es: 2020”. Sabrina reminded us that we are called to remember that faith and person need to come together as we hope to live out of a hope narrative. She also called us to remember that the Creator appears in his creations.
We are hopeful that next year we can gather in person at Villa St. Joseph and share the experience of Living Beauty surrounded by the beautiful grounds. Click on the link below to learn more about this beautiful centre and about Faith Connections.
We leave you with a beautiful reflection – The Tree by Sr. Mary Alban Bouchard, CSJ
Once upon a time there was a seed. The seed was planted in a little space in the earth and the soil surrounded it. And the seed waited. It felt the rain and the sun’s warmth. Then, according to the form and life within it, the seed began to unfold and grow. One day, like an answer to a call, it came out above the ground and appeared in the daylight as if to say, “Here I am!” It grew and grew, constantly nourished by the rain and the nutrients in the soil. And it became a tree. It branched out and put out leaves and buds. The buds flowered and were pollinated and with time the tree bore fruit. People came and ate the fruit, which made them healthy. In the centre of the fruit they found a new seed of life. The tree was a sheltering tree as well. Birds came and nested. Among them was the dove that rested there.
And God looked at the tree and said:: “This is a good tree, the tree of my choice.” And the tree became a parable of the Reign of God on earth.
And you are the tree.
Links:
Faith Connections: https://fontbonneministries.ca/faith-connections/
Villa St. Joseph: https://www.villastjoseph.ca/
Calling on Minister Freeland
An Open Letter from Faith Communities on Climate Action, Indigenous Rights, and Building A Just Canada
Dear Minister Chrystia Freeland,
Congratulations on your recent appointment as Minister of Finance. Building on a long history of work in ecological conservation, environmental activism, and advocacy for climate justice, Canadian churches and faith-based organizations marked the 50th anniversary of Earth Day this year by launching For the Love of Creation - A Faith-based Initiative for Climate Justice.
Called as people of faith to love and care for Creation, we have come together as national churches and faith-based organizations in the hopes of making a meaningful contribution in the next decade towards a sustainable future for all life on the planet.
Never before has the interconnectedness of all of Creation been clearer than it is right now. The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically impacted every aspect of our lives. As is too often the case in times of difficulty, existing vulnerabilities are being exacerbated; many are dying and many more face economic ruin. The way we respond is of paramount importance.
Even before the emergence of COVID-19, we knew that we were entering into a crucial decade for climate action. Addressing the climate emergency is more important than ever and must now be done while also responding to the pandemic and devastating economic, political, cultural, and social issues.
Indigenous Peoples have long spoken of the interconnectedness of all Creation. Respecting this interconnectedness is critical for ecological and economic integrity, right relations with Indigenous Peoples, and for holistic recovery from the pandemic.
The abrupt shift in human behaviour has resulted in very modest— but largely unsustainable— greenhouse gas emissions reductions and demonstrated the need for far-reaching systems change to stay within the temperature limits determined by science. We have an opportunity to build a just and equitable Canada.
As we mark the Season of Creation (September 1 - October 4), we call upon the Government of Canada to:
1. Commit to reducing Canadian GHG emissions by 60 percent below 2005 levels by 2030, while investing in a just transition to a fair, inclusive, green economy that creates good secure jobs, and promotes the well-being of everyone in Canada;
2. Honour the rights of Indigenous Peoples by recognizing and enacting the right to free, prior and informed consent, particularly in the context of climate policy, energy policy, and infrastructure development; and by legislating the implementation of the U.N. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples;
3. Commit equal support for climate change adaptation and mitigation measures in the Global South through international climate financing mechanisms, with additional funding for loss and damage, scaling up to a fair share contribution of at least $4 billion USD per year;
4. Respond to the pandemic in the Global South through multilateral debt cancellation and increased grant-based support for Canadian international NGOs.
A national petition— sponsored by your colleague MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith— with these same asks is currently open for signatures. In light of the prorogation of Parliament, however, and recognizing that important policy and budgetary decisions are being made right now, we felt that it was important to share our recommendations with you.
As a movement, For the Love of Creation will continue to explore how we can work together to build healthy, resilient communities, and a better future for all beings in Creation. We hope that you will join us in fulfilling this vision.
Sincere thanks,
The Most Rev. Linda Nicholls, Primate, The Anglican Church of Canada
The Most Rev. Mark MacDonald, National Indigenous Anglican Archbishop, Anglican Church of Canada.
Marilyn Manzer, Presiding Clerk, Canadian Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) The
Rev. Susan C. Johnson, National Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada
Rev. Amanda Currie, Moderator, The Presbyterian Church in Canada The National Indigenous Ministries Council of The Presbyterian Church in Canada
The Right Rev. Dr. Richard Bott, Moderator, The United Church of Canada
Murray Pruden, Executive Minister - Indigenous Ministries and Justice, The United Church of Canada
Kelly Di Domenico, Director of Campaigns and Communications, Development and Peace - Caritas Canada
Rick Cober Bauman, Executive Director, Mennonite Central Committee Canada
Will Postma, Executive Director, The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund
Sr. Denise Kuyp, Canadian Province Leader, Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions
Sr. Margo Ritchie, CSJ, Congregational Leader, Sisters of St. Joseph in Canada
Sr. Mary Ann McCarthy, CSJ, President, Federation of Sisters of St. Joseph of Canada
Sr. Georgette Gregory, CSJ Congregational Leader, Sisters of St. Joseph of Toronto
Willard Metzger, Executive Director, Citizens for Public Justice
Jennifer Henry, Executive Director, KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives
Agnes Richard, Coordinator, Global Catholic Climate Movement - Canada
Rev. Laurel Dykstra, Salal + Cedar Watershed Discipleship Community, Anglican Diocese of New Westminster
Blue Community News and Invitations August 2020
This summer, our CSJ Blue Community project has been active in supporting the People's Water Campaign -- an effort to connect and strengthen various water justice causes in Ontario.
There have been several online conversations already on some of the key issues: plastics, privatization, and the pending sale of Nestlé operations in Canada to Ice River Springs. These events help us all understand the related impacts of water politics and guide our plans for a more just and beautiful future.
New Posts Available
Our project Coordinator Paul Baines has prepared 3 new blog posts on the Blue Community website for you to read and share. Each post includes a video recording of the webinar and follow up actions.
Part 1: Plastics and Pollution
Part 2: All Eyes on Nestlé
Part 2: Water Privatization
There will be more events coming for the People's Water Campaign this September, including one by Paul Baines about the purpose and power of various water justice declarations and commitments.
Some Good (Blue Community) News
Celebrating Ten Years of the Human Right to Water -- by Vi Bui
July 28, 2020 marks a significant milestone in the fight to protect water. Ten years ago, the United Nations General Assembly recognized water and sanitation as fundamental human rights. Canada joined this international consensus in 2012, however, successive federal governments have failed to provide a framework or legislation to implement or enforce these rights. COVID-19 has made it even clearer that universal access to safe, clean water and adequate sanitation must be a reality to all.
You can click the link above to read the full story.
We’re on Facebook!
Did you know that our Blue Community project now has a Facebook page? On it, you will find related news items and recent project updates. You can join and invite others to join here:
https://www.facebook.com/bluecommunitycsj/
Upcoming Events & Gatherings
In-person events will likely not happen this fall so the CSJ Blue Community Steering Committee is helping Paul plan at least one online gathering. Here, you will be able to ask questions, connect to the growing water justice movement, and dedicate the upcoming Season of Creation to the life of water.
Stay tuned…
You can always connect with Paul Baines directly:
info@BlueCommunityCSJ.org
647.831.4525
Want to Widen our World?
To listen, to hear the other’s story, to let that story enter into us, to take possession of us, will widen our world, will change us. After listening and receiving the other with our eyes, with our ears... entering into their reality... we will never be the same again. Are we willing to risk that? Pope Francis tells us:
“The encounter with the other is also an encounter with Christ. He himself told us: it is he who knocks on our door, hungry, thirsty, naked, sick, imprisoned, seeking an encounter with us and requesting our assistance. And if we still had any doubt, here are his unequivocal words: ‘I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me’” (Mt 25:40)
Listen to the story of one refugee.
Listen to the story of one migrant worker.
Listen to the story of one unwed mother.
Listen to the story of one black mother.
And who else do we need to listen to this day?
Reflection by Sr. Rosemary Fry, Sisters of St. Joseph of Toronto
