Sisters of the Presentation of Mary

Welcome to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Saskatchewan National Event

Yes, it is taking place at the Prairieland Park in Saskatoon on June 21-24. This is on this week!

And why is it important to be there? The Residential School legacy is the responsibility of all Canadians....

Sr. Raymonde Arcand and I have been involved in the preparation for this event and it has been a very important time of my life. I have met many interesting people of all nationalities and religious backgrounds. We worked together in harmony. Many people from Saskatoon put many hours to make it an interesting and memorable event. There will be opportunity to learn more about the legacy of the Residential schools and to listen to the stories of those who attended these schools. There will be times for reconciliation and for building good relationships. There will be food there and we can eat together and share stories at this table.

Every night there will be various cultural activities. Wed. there will be a powwow at Wanuskewin, Thurs. night, a round dance, on Friday night a concert.... It will be special! For more information on the program and much more visit the site: trc.ca. See you there!

I always find joy in seeing the garden grow.  The first radishes…then the lettuce…then the peas…then the potatoes.  Of course the tomato plants started growing in the house!  I have not planted them in the garden yet for fear of a frost and then all would be lost and I’d have to go and buy some and the joy of growing my own would be lost!  All this beauty makes me think of growth.  The seed must go into the ground and die to give life.  How have I died in my life and gained life or was able to give life to others.  The other day I was talking to a friend who was finding life difficult to live.  I could relate to what that person was going through because I had seen the darkness of being depressed.  How can I give life?  Well, I hope I was a living proof that there is life that can grow from the darkness.  So, when I see the seeds go into the soil in the garden, it reminds me that there is no darkness that doesn’t eventually bring about growth.  It reminds me of the scripture passage: “Unless a seed falls into the ground and dies, it does not bear fruit.  But if it dies, it bears much fruit.”

What kinds of seeds do we sow? 

Do those seeds bear much fruit? 

The following is taken from the Hallmark book: Joy for a Woman's Soul. It is a small bedside book that has short meditations or sayings that have given me a boost. I share one such story with you from the author, Lucy Swindoll with the tiltle: "Give Joy a boost"

Vision is when you see it and others don't. Faith is when you do it and others won't. With vision and faith things can be done.

One of the greatest by-products of believing in something, and then going for it is joy. I've often said, "My favorite thing in life doing something new while having a good time." That's the essence of joy.

Let's get practical. Perhaps you have an idea of something you would like to do, but you're scared. You've never done anything like it before. Maybe the idea just won't go away. But it's outside your comfort zone, and you don't feel adequate for the task. Start to pray, "Lord, if this desire is from you, will you bring it to pass? Help me know where to start."

And then start. This is the faith part. Work hard. Do what makes sense to you. Ask the Lord whom to talk to who might help you. Talk with them.

What he has given you the desire to do? You can do it.

Teach me to do your will, for you are my god; may your Spirit lead me on level ground Psalm 143:10

May the above inspire you to make the impossible, possible!

On March 20 was the Spring Equinox and we did a celebration which included the blessing of seeds and planting them. As I was holding a tomato seed in my hand I became more fully aware of the potential in that little seed. I could see last year's tomato plants in the garden laden with red tomatoes. All this was in this little seed that I held in my hand! What a marvel!

I am listening!

It reminded me also of when my dad would test the grain seeds from the granaries to see which ones he would use for seeding that year. He would take so many seeds, spread them out in a box and keep it moist and in a warm place. After a week, he would count the ones that germinated. That was his way of determining which batch of seeds he was going to use.

I am listening!

During the celebration we planted some tomato 6 tomato seeds and 4 zucchini seeds in pellets. My mom always planted her tomatoes on March 19th, the feast day of St. Joseph! A week later, 1 zucchini plant is growing and 3 tomato plants. The joy of seeing these fragile plants is a meditation in itself.

I am listening!

How are we celebrating Spring?

How quietly the earth breathes forth new life

How eagerly the sun bleeds forth the spring,

I am listening.

I am listening to seeds breaking open,

To roots growing strong beneath the ground,

To green shoots rising up from winter wombs.

I am listening.

(taken from The Circle of Life by Joyce Rupp and Macrina Wiederkehr p. 90)

Fasting! Me! Why not you!

In the "good old days" Catholics fasted from food every Friday during lent. Now we are encouraged to find other ways to make lent a special time of closeness to God. It might be an act of kindness, volunteering at a food bank, etc. and all these are very good. We do make a conscious decision to do good during lent. Not that we do not do it all the time!

Yet fasting is a very important way of finding clarity in our lives. The First Nations people have a unique way of doing fasting to help us discover what we truly desire to do with our lives. Some tribes call it a vision quest, while others call it a 4-day fast without food nor water. Sister Raymonde and I did two 4-day fasts in Saddle Lake, AB quite a few years ago. It was a very deep experience for both of us.

Before the fast, we had 4 days of preparation where we had sweats, sharing circles, got to know others who were doing the fast at the same time as we were and build our "hogans" (fasting tents made of willows). The rituals of building the Hogan and entry into the fast were very unique and spiritual. Once we were ready, we were in silence and prayer for the 4 days with a fire and a pipe in front of our Hogan. We had to keep our fire burning all through the 4 days. What about at night? Helpers would come around if we were asleep to make sure the fire was going. Elders were available to support and de-brief if we needed them. We were well taken care of. The first 2 days were quite relaxing. The 2nd day, my thinking was so clear. I have not experienced that to such an extent since then. The 3rd and 4th day were very difficult because my stomach started making lots of acid and I was quite sick but I made it! On the afternoon of the 3rd day, a helper came to ask us what we wanted to eat when we came out of the fast. I knew that I would have to be very careful so I remember asking a chicken broth to begin and a light meal.

The coming out ritual was as meaningful as all the rest of the experience.  We had a sweat where we shared water! Was it good to drink.... Then we were given tea to cleanse our stomach and we had to dress in clean clothes to be ready for a banquet. I had never before felt the energy from the food I ate, but this time I really did. It was amazing how much energy I had that afternoon.

It was beautiful, unique experience. If you have the chance, give it a try. And why not make it coincide with lent?

DISCOVERY! DISCOVERY! DISCOVERY!

AWARENESS! AWARENESS! AWARENESS!

These 2 words have been in my consciousness lately! Listening to the news and documentaries, most of the time people, scientist, doctors, ...etc. talk about discovering. Can it be that we have now realized that everything we need is there? Is the cure for cancer not so much in finding something that is not there but in realizing that all the pollution, pesticides, insecticides, preservatives, fertilizers, nuclear spills, etc. is the cause of cancer? Could it be that we need to be aware that a healthy way of life is the cure for cancer and other diseases? Maybe our pursuit for money has blinded from the negative effects of what we perceive as development!

When I read the book: The Transformation of Desire by Diarmid O'Murchu I realized that the sensible way of life is just about considered a utopia because it makes so much sense. Yet it will require such a shift in our way of thinking.

So, as Anthony De Mello used to say to those who would ask him what was the most important attitude to have he would always answer: AWARENESS, AWARENESS, AWARENESS.

Could that attitude save our planet? I think so. What do you think?

Come! Come into the fallow ground of our being

Allure us from doing into non-doing.

Reveal to us the hidden wisdom in our souls.

Restore what is out of balance in our lives.

O Come!

Taken from THE CIRCLE OF LIFE by Joyce Rupp and Macrina Wiederkehr.

What are some of the "non-doings" in your winter days? Do you have those memories of childhood where you just slowed down during the winter months and just sat to talk and enjoy each other's company?

Winter, a time of longer nights and shorter days can call us to spend more time in quiet. When I was young, at home, we took time to visit especially between Christmas and New Year's. My brothers were living on their own farms: some were married and others were not. Every night we would go to one place for supper and card playing till 3 a.m. sometimes! It lasted for a week and we were tired but it has stayed as a beautiful memory for me. We also did some skating on the ponds and would meet friends there. Now, I like to slow down during winter following the rhythm of nature. I really believe in that 'hidden wisdom in our souls'.

And as Macrina writes:"Embrace the season of winter with hope. It is a good teacher. It will lead you to your inmost depths where God is contemplating you.'

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

This is the title of a booklet published by: Canadian Catholic School Trustees' Association through the work of Tom Owens and Fr. Erik Riechers, SAC. Their philosophy of life has had me thinking for many years. Another author that challenges me is Diarmid O'Murchu. Lately I have been reading his latest book: Christianity's Dangerous Memory and the two are saying the same thing to me: Build Bethlehem Everywhere. And what does that mean for us? I get my clue from the crib scene. In a stable, all of creation is welcome: it is wide open! No locks, no reservations needed as in a hotel... Mary, Joseph and Jesus are there....the animals are there.... the shepherds are there with some of their flock, the wise men come bearing gifts from their culture, and who knows who else was there! There must have been some birds! All are welcome!

It reminds me of a cripple lady in The Pas, MB who lived on the street. She often visited with us and ate with us. One day, she was visiting a Sister at her office. The priest came to tell her that she had to leave. You see, she did take things from the Church! Later on, she came to visit us and drew a picture of Jesus with his arms wide open and she put as title: ALL ARE WELCOME. She was an artist and it was her way of expressing herself. Maybe, she had understood the meaning of the crib!

So, Build Bethlehem Everywhere is a reminder to me to live openness and caring for everyone including all of creation. The other day I was teaching guitar to children at the school and there were maple bugs. The children wanted to 'squish them' as they said. So, we talked further about respect for life and that they were our friends. So, we let them live. Later on during the lesson, one little guy looked again at the bugs and said: 'They are our friends, right!' to which I replied: 'They sure are!'. So, let's Build Bethlehem Everywhere!

Merry Christmas!

The heavens are telling the glory of God

And all creation is shouting for joy

Come dance in the forest, come play in the fields

And sing, sing to the glory of the Lord.