Room For Christ at Christmas

 

Image credit: https://kelly-latimore.pixels.com/featured/tent-city-nativity-kelly-latimore.html 

Richard Rohr O.F.M. gives us this quote from Dorothy Day, Servant of God.

It is no use saying that we are born two thousand years too late to give room to Christ. Nor will those who live at the end of the world have been born too late. Christ is always with us, always asking for room in our hearts.

But now it is with the voice of our contemporaries that He speaks, with the eyes of store clerks, factory workers, and children that he gazes; with the hands of office workers, slum dwellers, and suburban housewives that He gives. It is with the feet of soldiers and tramps that He walks, and with the heart of anyone in need that He longs for shelter. And giving shelter or food to anyone who asks for it, or needs it, is giving it to Christ….

It would be foolish to pretend that it is always easy to remember this. If everyone were holy and handsome, with “alter Christus” [“another Christ”] shining in neon lighting from them, it would be easy to see Christ in everyone. If Mary had appeared in Bethlehem clothed, as St. John says, with the sun, a crown of twelve stars on her head, and the moon under her feet [see Revelation 12:1], then people would have fought to make room for her. But that was not God’s way for her, nor is it Christ’s way for Himself.

...

In Christ’s human life, there were always a few who made up for the neglect of the crowd. The shepherds did it; their hurrying to the crib atoned for the people who would flee from Christ. The wise men did it; their journey across the world made up for those who refused to stir one hand’s breadth from the routine of their lives to go to Christ. Even the gifts the wise men brought have in themselves an obscure recompense and atonement for what would follow later in this Child’s life. For they brought gold, the king’s emblem, to make up for the crown of thorns that He would wear; they offered incense, the symbol of praise, to make up for the mockery and the spitting; they gave Him myrrh, to heal and soothe, and He was wounded from head to foot….

We can do it too, exactly as they did. We are not born too late. We do it by seeing Christ and serving Christ in friends and strangers, in everyone we come in contact with…. For a total Christian, the goad of duty is not needed … to perform this or that good deed. It is not a duty to help Christ, it is a privilege. 

Dorothy Day, Selected Writings: By Little and By Little, ed. Robert Ellsberg (Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 1983, 1992), 94, 96, 97.

Cold Weather Alerts - Warming Information

During extreme cold weather, the Ray Twinney Recreation Complex and the Magna Centre are open as a temporary warming centre during regular hours of operation. 

Ray Twinney Recreation Complex, 100 Eagle Street West, Monday to Sunday from 5:30 am to 11 pm and the Magna Centre, 800 Mulock Drive from 5:30 am to 11 pm daily.  

In York Region, anyone experiencing homelessness or looking for shelter during a Cold Weather Alert should call the York Region Emergency Housing Central Intake Line at 1-877-464-9675 ext. 76140 or contact a seasonal shelter provider listed on https://www.york.ca/support/housing/emergency-and-transitional-housing

- Information and photo provided by Victor Woodhouse, Councillor for Ward 2 Newmarket

Homily for World Day of the Poor 2023

 

Do not turn your face away from one who is poor

- Sunday Homily by Deacon Marian, St. Elizabeth Seton Parish, Newmarket

Today, the Church celebrates World Day of the Poor.  This year’s theme is: Do not turn away your face from anyone who is poor.

St. Vincent de Paul is one of the very well-known saints of the Church. His life, commitment and dedication to God are inspirational and exemplary. He was a truly great servant of God, who devoted himself to the poor and the needy. This young Frenchman, shortly after his ordination to the priesthood, was abducted on a ship, auctioned off as a slave and spent two years in bondage. Through many of his own hard experiences St. Vincent de Paul helped those who were marginalized and underprivileged. He founded a congregation of people who were concerned about the care of those who had been neglected by society, ignored and abandoned, with no one to help or assist them. 

His works and ministry inspired many others during his life and after his passing, and eventually led to the foundation of the modern day Society of St. Vincent de Paul that is renowned for its work among the poor throughout the world.

The parable of the talents, which Jesus uses in today’s gospel is very interesting and challenging, and so appropriate on this World Day of the Poor.

We cannot forget that nothing is really ours alone. Anything we own is God's gift. God's gift is not only our money or possessions or ownership, but also our friendships, relations, skills, talents, spiritual powers and various charisms.

We should be and live, with all we have, in the view of all; like nature around us, like a flower in the sun, like the sun itself. We obviously need to own things, of course the right to private property is valid. St. John Paul II said it very clearly in his encyclical "On Social Concern": The goods of the world are meant for all.

The conclusions from today’s gospel parable are hard, when we consider that in our 21st century many people are still poor, hungry and suffering because of the  inadequate distribution of resources and other injustices. 

Obviously we as individuals cannot do much, but if we think and reflect on the life and service of St. Vincent de Paul, we definitely can start to build a bridge between those in need and ourselves. 

Having heard today’s Gospel let us be filled with the conviction and the desire to use our gifts, talents and treasure. Let us all be exemplary, righteous and worthy in all of our actions, so that we may truly be good role models for one another in our daily lives. 

Let us be mindful of our baptismal promises, our obligations and calling to serve God with faith and commitment, and to proclaim the Good News always by being Christ's real presence to all people in our world. 

And in our own ways let us assist all people in need.  May this  special Day of the Poor become an opportunity for opening our hearts to share some of our talents, gifts, time and resources.

Deacon Marian is a member of SSVP in Newmarket.

SSVP Seeds of Hope Project - November 2023

- from Linda Alexander

Hello my dear fellow Vincentians!    Thank you for your interest in bringing hope and opportunities to the precious children and families we serve through the 3 pillars of Health, Education and Wellness (HEW).

 

I wanted to use this month’s newsletter to shine a light on:  National Education Savings Week,   suggestion on how to help neighbours access ID,  sharing a story about a bank experience,  idea on how to use the Christmas bundles to also share educational hope, sharing a rent infographic and the new 811 resource (Ontario specific). 

 

I realize there is a lot of content in this month’s update, please feel free to call or email with any questions you may have. 

 

1. National Education Savings Week: November 13 to 17.    The Canada Education Savings Program (CESP) is conducting a number of virtual sessions and have created a new CLB resource page. 

 

Please follow this link for more information.  Education Savings Week 2023 is approaching (mailchi.mp)

 

2.  One the barriers to accessing the Canada Learning Bond is lack of identification – whether the ID has been lost in a move or never applied for.   Vincentians can assist in this regard.   I recently met a mom at the library and helped her go through the on line application process to access the Social Insurance Numbers for her children.  She did not have a laptop so applying was too difficult without assistance.  The numbers arrived without 2 weeks,  I helped her make an appointment at the bank,  met her there and her 3 children now have access to $6,000 of educational hope.   The neighbour can also make an appointment at Service Canada to get access to ID.

 

(Some background for Ontario only, when a child is born, the parents can use the online 5-in-1 newborn bundle, to register the birth, apply for the birth certificate, apply for the social insurance number,  apply for the Canada Child Benefit,  and request an Education Savings referral. Register a birth (new baby) | ontario.ca )

 

Offering to accompany a neighbour to the bank (if they want this help,  many do as are too anxious to go to the bank alone) can really help to increase access.   The application process is very straight forward and should take 30 minutes or so.   Especially if the neighbour already banks there.  The banker will open the RESP account and then complete the on line application to apply for the Canada Learning Bond and the Canada Educations Savings Grant.   I have attached a hard copy of the application only so you can see just how simple it is,  there are literally 4 pieces of information they have to type into the system, the parents name,  the child’s name, their date of birth and social insurance number, they hit enter and the application is on its way.  The neighbour will be asked where they want to invest the funds.   They want to preserve the capital as they have no to low risk tolerance, little to no financial market knowledge,  so the banker should be suggesting a Guaranteed Income Certificate (GIC).   This will allow the savings to grow at absolutely no risk.

 

3.  Many conferences offer Christmas support to our neighbours.   Please consider adding the RESP/Canada Learning Bond Family Fact Sheet that is on the SOH toolkit (link below) to also plant the seeds of educational hope. 

 

4.  Please note these 2 resources are Ontario specific.    We are hearing more and more stories of neighbours facing challenges from their landlords.   It is so important that they know their rights as tenants.   We can assist by referring them to the Community Legal Clinics.  I noticed the attached infographic shared in a recent newsletter from CLEO about rent increases that I found straightforward and helpful.  Home - CLEO (Community Legal Education Ontario / Éducation juridique communautaire Ontario)

 

Ontario announced an 811 number -  Health Connect.  An information sheet is attached.  https://health811.ontario.ca/static/guest/home

 

5.   We are determined that no child will be left behind in receiving the Canada Learning Bond !  Every child deserves hope for a brighter educational future.   

 

Please reach out to set up a zoom coaching session for your conference or for an individual coaching session.   The session content runs just under 20 minutes, with time available for questions after the presentation,  as well as support by email or phone after the presentation.  Join the growing number of conferences who are getting informed, making a list of families with children 19 years of age and younger and then reaching out to the families one by one to explain the opportunity and to walk alongside them to access!

 

Please use this link to access the SOH toolkit on the National website.

 

https://ssvp.ca/special-projects/seeds-of-hope/seeds-of-hope-toolkit/

 

https://ssvp.ca/fr/projets-speciaux/semences-despoir/semences-despoir-coffre-outils/

 

Please use this link to access the Ontario Rejuvenation and Recruitment workshop as we continue to work to build member capacity.  https://ssvp.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Rejuvenation-and-Recruitment-Workshop-June-2023-ANF-Notesv2.pdf

 

Please use this link to access the Social Justice workshop – Access to Resources https://ssvp.on.ca/socjus/en/workshops4.php

 

Thank you for your interest and support in bringing this much needed hope to the precious children we serve!

 

If you know of a fellow Vincentian who would be interested in learning more about the project,  please share this note along.    If you no longer wish to be part of the Seeds of Hope communication process,  please also let me know.

 

Take care,  Linda

 

Linda Alexander

Seeds of Hope Project Manager

Orange Shirt Day: How can you participate?

 

Image credit: https://orangeshirtday.org/merchandise/

The Orange Shirt Society has published a book, "Orange Shirt Day" © 2020 Medicine Wheel Education. Chapter 6 is titled, "How to Participate in Orange shirt Day". This contains some excellent suggestions, not just for the day itself, but also some things that can be done anytime, throughout the year. Here are some of the suggestions.

• Wear an orange shirt. This is the most obvious way to participate. You don't have to wear an 'official' shirt. You can make your own, so long as it has clearly written on it, "Every Child Matters." 
• Become familiar with, take to heart, and then share Phyllis Webstad's story about her orange shirt.
• Become an advocate for Orange Shirt Day, publicly supporting Residential School reconciliation, and creating awareness of the individual, family and intergenerational impacts of Indian Residential Schools, and awareness of the concept of "Every child Matters."
• Become educated… and then educate. As you become more educated on this dark chapter of Canadian history you can begin to share that information with others. Seek out educational material on Residential Schools, Survivor stories, and the process of reconciliation.
• Acknowledge the Traditional Territory. Educate yourself on the traditional territory where you live, work and spend your time. To show respect, and as an act of reconciliation, ensure you acknowledge the traditional territory at the beginning of any gathering or assembly in the proper protocol of the territory.
• Be flexible and prepared to unlearn old, stereotypical ways of thinking. Be willing to look at the past, present and future from a new perspective.
• Donate. Among others, you can donate to https://orangeshirtday.org/support/

First Go and Be Reconciled

 

Image credit: https://www.wltribune.com/news/indian-residential-schools-canadas-sad-legacy/

In the well known and beloved prayer, popularly known as "The Prayer of St Francis", even though the prayer did not exist before the 19th Century, there is a petition that states, "Where there is injury, (let me sow) pardon." In the prayer that Jesus taught us (Matthew 6:12,) we pray, "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us." And Jesus told Peter (Matthew 18:22) that we need to forgive not just seven times, but even seventy times seven times. This all rings extremely hollow and self-serving when the people preaching these texts and lofty sentiments are the very one who need to be forgiven. Indeed, Jesus also taught, "If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift." (Matthew 5:23-24)

As we approach National Day for Truth and Reconciliation it behooves Christians and, especially, Catholics to acquaint ourselves with the shameful truths surrounding the sad and scandalous history of Indian Residential Schools, as they were known. Some of these 'truths' are listed in the public apology that former Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued in the House of Commons on June 11, 2008. Let this help us remember that there are many, many brothers and sisters who have much against us. They have known the truth for generations, but they now want the truth to be known by us; but the good news is that they don't want revenge. They want reconciliation with us to follow our knowledge of the truth. We need never be afraid of the truth. Jesus says that the truth will set us free.

Here are some excerpts from that apology by the Canadian Government. Read it slowly, and let your heart be touched as well as your mind.

Mr. Speaker, I stand before you today to offer an apology to former students of Indian residential schools. The treatment of children in Indian residential schools is a sad chapter in our history. In the 1870's, the federal government, partly in order to meet its obligation to educate aboriginal children, began to play a role in the development and administration of these schools.

...These objectives were based on the assumption aboriginal cultures and spiritual beliefs were inferior and unequal. Indeed, some sought, as it was infamously said, "to kill the Indian in the child." Today, we recognize that this policy of assimilation was wrong, has caused great harm, and has no place in our country.

...The government of Canada built an educational system in which very young children were often forcibly removed from their homes, often taken far from their communities. Many were inadequately fed, clothed and housed. All were deprived of the care and nurturing of their parents, grandparents and communities. First Nations, Inuit and Métis languages and cultural practices were prohibited in these schools.

...It has taken extraordinary courage for the thousands of survivors that have come forward to speak publicly about the abuse they suffered.

...It is a testament to their resilience as individuals and to the strength of their cultures. Regrettably, many former students are not with us today and died never having received a full apology from the government of Canada.

...Therefore, on behalf of the government of Canada and all Canadians, I stand before you, in this chamber so central to our life as a country, to apologize to aboriginal peoples for Canada's role in the Indian residential schools system.

To the approximately 80,000 living former students, and all family members and communities, the government of Canada now recognizes that it was wrong to forcibly remove children from their homes and we apologize for having done this.

We now recognize that it was wrong to separate children from rich and vibrant cultures and traditions, that it created a void in many lives and communities, and we apologize for having done this.

...There is no place in Canada for the attitudes that inspired the Indian residential schools system to ever again prevail.

The full text can be found here: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prime-minister-stephen-harper-s-statement-of-apology-1.734250

The First Orange Shirt

 

#orangeshirtday, #everychildmatters

The story of the "first" orange shirt that gave rise to Orange Shirt Day, as told by Phyllis Webstad, can be found on the web page of the Orange Shirt society.

The beginning of Phyllis' story is reproduced here.

I went to the Mission for one school year in 1973/1974. I had just turned 6 years old. I lived with my grandmother on the Dog Creek reserve. We never had very much money, but somehow my granny managed to buy me a new outfit to go to the Mission school. I remember going to Robinson’s store and picking out a shiny orange shirt. It had string laced up in front, and was so bright and exciting – just like I felt to be going to school!

When I got to the Mission, they stripped me, and took away my clothes, including the orange shirt! I never wore it again. I didn’t understand why they wouldn’t give it back to me, it was mine! The color orange has always reminded me of that and how my feelings didn’t matter, how no one cared and how I felt like I was worth nothing. All of us little children were crying and no one cared.

Click on the link to read the rest of Phyllis' story: https://orangeshirtday.org/phyllis-story/

It is the feast day of St Vincent de Paul on September 27. It is Orange Shirt Day and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30. What do these two days have in common? The answer is, "Every child matters".

It is well known that St Vincent de Paul had a heart for the poor, but he had an especially big place in his heart for foundlings and orphans. Read about this aspect from the classic The Life of St. Vincent de Paul by F. A. Forbes.

Creating a Community of Compassion

 

Image Credit: 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2021-04/philippines-community-pantries-bishops-caritas-kindness-stations.html

Creating a Community of Compassion
- by Fr Richard Rohr OFM

(Published by the Center for Action and Contemplation) 

When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. 
— Matthew 14:14  

The gospel passage is quite good and delightful because it tells us very directly what God is about. Jesus is all about meeting immediate needs, right here and right now. There’s no mention of heaven at all. It seems we’ve missed the point of what the Christian religion should be about, but we see how the disciples themselves missed the point: “Tell them to go to the village and take care of themselves” (Matthew 14:15). But Jesus does not leave people on their own!  

Look at the setting. Jesus is tired. The gospel begins with him withdrawing to a deserted place to be by himself. Sure enough, the crowds follow after him, but he doesn’t get angry or send them away. He recognizes the situation and moves to deal with it. Then the passage goes further and states, “His heart was moved with pity” (Matthew 14:14). If Jesus is our image of God, then we know God has feelings for human pain, human need, and even basic human hunger. The gospel records that he cured the sick, so we know God is also about healing, what today we call healthcare. Sometimes, we don’t even believe everyone deserves that either! Jesus says, “There is no need for them to go away. We will feed them” (Matthew 14:16). 

The point in all the healing stories of the gospels is not simply that Jesus can work miracles. It is not for us to be astounded that Jesus can turn five loaves and two fish into enough for five thousand people, not counting women and children. That is pretty amazing, and I wish we could do it ourselves, but what Jesus does quite simply is feed people’s immediate needs. He doesn’t talk to them about spiritual things, heavenly things, or churchy things. He doesn’t give a sermon about going to church. He does not tell us what things we are supposed to be upset about today. He knows that we can’t talk about spiritual things until we take away people’s immediate physical hunger. When so much of the world is living at a mere survival level, how can we possibly talk about spiritual things?

The important thing that God seems to want to be doing in history is to create a community of compassion where people care about one another. It is not only the feeding that matters to us, it is also the caring for other people’s hunger and needs. Jesus never once talked about attending church services, but he talked constantly about healing the sick and feeding the hungry. That is what it seems to mean to be a follower of Jesus.  

(As published by the Center for Action and Contemplation) 

Words, Bones, Sticks and Stones

 

Image credit:
https://crossfitodyssey.com/sunday-story-sticks-and-stones/

When I was a little boy and people used unkind words I was told to retort, 

"Sticks and stones can break my bones,
  But words can never harm me."

At the time I believed this, and it helped me get past a few difficult situations as a young child, but I now know this not to be true. Words can and do harm; they have the power to harm or to heal, to instruct or to mislead. They can convey whether we are arrogant, officious, paternalistic and patronising, or genuinely compassionate, empathetic and caring. The words we use betray our unconscious attitudes and unchallenged stereotypes, or help us serve the poor with love, respect, justice and joy. 

For more on this, please have another look at our 8 minute training video "SSVP Mission, Respect and Stereotypes". 

The Light Which God Intends to Kindle

 

Image credit: https://unsplash.com

Spiritual Reading - selected by Deacon Steve

“Humanity, made in God’s image, is placed in the paradise of the world, a world which is still paradise, but which we have lost, by becoming alienated from ourselves and from the Creator.

In this world from which we are alienated, humanity can come to find ourselves and recover our right relation to the world, and to God, by the work which God has given us to do. Our worship, our liturgy, should rightly be not only worship but a theology of life, a theology of work, planting in us the seeds of understanding and wisdom which will flower in our work. But this means that our work must be purified of titanism, of self-will, of aspirations to self-assertion and power. And this means that it must be delivered from obsession with what we are not, with our past and future, what we have ceased to be and have not yet become and is based on what we are in our present reality. For only in the present can we come in full contact with the truth willed for us and in us by God. Thus, creation will become once again a lampstand, and humanity the lamp will be placed on it in order to be lit with the light of truth. For this is the light which God really intends to kindle in us. When we are in communion with other people and with the cosmos by our will, the light of truth is kindled in us.

The Book of Proverbs says: ‘The light of God is the human spirit, penetrating to the depths of our being.’ (Proverbs 20:27)”

from Merton, Thomas, “Seasons of Celebration” p. 132 – 133, Ave Maria Press, Notre Dame, 2009

Titanism: 
A spirit of revolt or defiance, like that of the Titans, against established order, social conventions, etc.

 

Questions for reflection:

As Vincentians, what is our "work" that needs to be purified?

Am I stuck, trying to live according to an identity locked into my past, who I used to be?

Am I pretending to be someone I would like to be in the future?

… or am I OK with letting people see me for who I am right now, warts and all, not perfect, but beloved by God?

Do I really believe that God loves me now, as I am?

Do I consciously remind myself that God deeply loves each of the families we serve, as they are?

What people remember - and forget

 

Become a Light

 

Reflection selected by Deacon Steve.

Easter - the resurrection of Christ. The feast of feasts! The final proof of Christ’s divinity! Easter the first feast of the early Church, around which all the other feasts grew like stars around the sun.

We celebrate Christ’s resurrection as something absolutely, fantastically beautiful that has happened and is still happening. The fact there is an Easter is something to be grateful for. Now death has become a passage. A passage to what, to where, to whom? It is the passage of you to God and me to God.

Yes, Easter is the apex of feasts, the feast of all feasts- Christ is risen! …It is eternal – it picks you up and drops you into eternity. 

God loves me. He loves me when I am good and when I am not so good, because he loves sinners. He forgives them too. His mercy is infinite and so is his love, his goodness, his forgiveness. My hand nestles easily in the immense hand of God, and I shiver with delight. 

Christ is risen! Let us love one another as Christ loved us. Then we are clothed in the shining garments of one who is baptised, one whose garments shine from far away and even through the night. Then we become a light to our neighbour’s feet.

- Catherine Doherty, “Season of Mercy; Lent and Easter” Madonna House Publications, 2011, Combermere, p. 92 – 95

The Test of Progress

 

The test of our progress

is not

whether we add more

to the abundance of those

who have much; 

it is

whether we provide enough

for those

who have too little.

― Franklin D. Roosevelt

Refugees (and Migrants) - a Spiritual Reflection

 

Sculpture by Banksy

REFUGEES
By Brian Bilston

They have no need of our help

So do not tell me
These haggard faces could belong to you or me
Should life have dealt a different hand
We need to see them for who they really are
Chancers and scroungers
Layabouts and loungers
With bombs up their sleeves
Cut-throats and thieves

They are not
Welcome here
We should make them
Go back to where they came from
They cannot
Share our food
Share our homes
Share our countries
Instead let us
Build a wall to keep them out
It is not okay to say
These are people just like us
A place should only belong to those who are born there
Do not be so stupid to think that
The world can be looked at another way

(now read from bottom to top)

Jesus is the master of challenging us to view the world and its values from the bottom up. Perhaps the best example is the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5 and Luke 6 (Sermon on the Plain). In his world and time, everybody believed and taught that the poor and sick were cursed by God. Jesus had the audacity to say that they were blessed and would inherit God's blessings.

Redefining Normal

 

Image credit: https://depositphotos.com/stock-photos/dark-clouds.html

Following Christ means redefining 'Normal'

"Peter, James, and John are so weirded out by this bizarre (Transfiguration of Jesus) experience that Peter babbles about building booths, James and John say not a word, and they all eventually fall on the ground prostrate in dread. Then, of course, Jesus acts normal and says “Rise and do not be afraid”. Really? And how exactly is life supposed to go back to normal after all of this?

It’s not. That is a big lesson learned through their discipleship. What they previously thought was “normal” in life was actually harmful to many. So what they considered “normal” had to change. And it could only change through a pouring out of God’s Spirit to challenge them, to open their eyes, and to offer a different way of living in the world that would lead to life and flourishing for the many who were victims of the violence of this “normalcy” and then blamed as “sinners” and “unclean” for crying out when they were injured. They had to learn to see the world again and then focus on the suffering of the sinned-against."

- from a reflection on the 2nd Sunday of Lent by KEVIN CONSIDINE, PHD
Click here for the full reflection on the Catholic Theological Union website.

Bl. Rosalie Rendu DC - Feb 7

 

Blessed Rosalie Rendu - February 7, 2023

This Tuesday February 7th, is the feast of Blessed Rosalie Rendu, who was a member of the Daughters of Charity, an order cofounded by St. Vincent de Paul and Louise de Marillac. They were founded in 1633, when Louise de Marillac began a systematic training of the women, particularly for the care of the sick. The sisters lived in community in order to better develop the spiritual life so as to more effectively carry out their mission of service. The Daughters of Charity differed from other religious congregations of that time in that they were not cloistered. They maintained the necessary mobility and availability, and lived among those whom they served.

It was this order that Jeanne Marie joined at the age of 16, and a few years later received the habit, taking on the name of Sr. Rosalie. Over the years Sr. Rosalie became known for her creative, relentless and effective work in some of the worst conditions such as revolutions and epidemics, not to mention the horrible poverty and destitution in which the people whom they served were living.

But it was Bl. Sr. Rosalie’s guidance combined with the dedication of the students of the History Conference formed by Bl. Frederic Ozanam that led to the creation of the Conference of Charity, which eventually became the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

***********************************************************

This year I thought we could reflect a little and pray about some of Soeur Rosalie’s virtues. In the work titled “Life of the Soeur Rosalie” the author wrote about some of Sr. Rosalie’s virtues, 

“The humility of Soeur Rosalie was equal to her charity. When told that a person had been speaking well of her, she replied, “He is very wrong to say it, and still more to think it.”

“She could not bear the poor to call her their benefactress. “Call me your friend, your sister, your servant if you will, for that is what I am.”

“She could not endure that any of her good works should be known and talked of. “One single grain of self-love,” said she, “is enough to spoil any good work.”

“What a folly it is,” she often said, “to take credit to ourselves for the success of any of our undertakings, when we owe it to the prayer of some poor man or the intervention of some unknow friend.”

From the book, “Life of the Souer Rosalie: Jean Marie Rendu” p. 62-63, published by Burns and Lambert, London, 1858 and reproduced in the same format as the original work. No attempt was made to update the language.

While the language is a little antiquated and sounds a little negative/harsh, it does help us as we reflect on her life and allow ourselves to remember our beginnings.

As we celebrate Bl. Sr. Rosalie Rendu’s feast, let us reflect on her instruction and pray to her for the grace to see Christ in every person. As we continue to draw closer to the poor may we be drawn closer to our Lord, whom we serve and who gives us the grace to do the work of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. 

Blessed Rosalie Rendu pray for us. As I said last year, may she say of us, “How good these young people are! Oh, how good they are.”  Enjoy the day all you “young people”!!!!

- Deacon Steve

Being Living Lights

 

Image https://www.photos-public-domain.com

The following is an extract from a reflection on the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time by Sr Mary McGlone, CSJ.

Read the full reflection here.
https://www.ncronline.org/spirituality/scripture-life/fifth-sunday-ordinary-time-good-world

This week, our readings from the Hebrew Scriptures give the most detailed description of what is entailed in being living lights.

Isaiah's instructions are quite striking when we ponder them. He tells us to share our bread with the hungry, to shelter and clothe those who are vulnerable in any way and to never turn our backs on our own. Isaiah's subtext comes down to saying that we need to treat everyone in need as one of our own, as our clan, as the people to whom we owe first allegiance.

Psalm 112 continues that theme, emphasizing that the just person is a light in the darkness of an unjust and cruel world. Those who treat needy others as members of their family are people whose experience of goodness and trust in God has freed them from fear of want, from the need to accumulate what others need for survival...

...It takes little to realize that these messages apply to communities, not just to individuals. The community Isaiah wants to build, the community that we, too, are called to build, will bring a new dawn to the world.

Isaiah tells us that when we treat another's need as our own, we create the kind of society that reflects the very glory of God. In such a society, no cry for help goes unanswered — not because God swoops in, but because the people of God live their vocation to reflect and effect God's love.

This is exactly what Jesus, the Jewish preacher, was talking about when he called his listeners to be salt of the earth and light for the world. Jesus knew Isaiah's teaching and he prayed the psalms. He realized that neither salt nor light exist for themselves, but to call attention to something else.

As salt and light, the people of God do not simply note the needs of others; they prove by their activities that such needs can be addressed and alleviated. Their light demonstrates that the reign of God is a real and growing phenomenon in our world.

Read the full reflection here.

Living Wage and Minimum Wage

I posted the above meme on our conference Facebook page. The first comment made on that post disagreed and asserted that, "Most minimum wage earners could live without any pay because they are living with parents. The lowest paid work is meant for workers with the least work experience and skills, i.e. teenagers."

This is is a very common and popular assumption about who makes up the minimum wage workforce. It is repeated so often that it is no longer even questioned by a majority of people. While it is true that a large proportion of the minimum wage workforce is made up of teenagers, it is by no means a majority, as can be seen in the Labour Statistics Research Paper published by Statistics Canada in September 2019 - Maximum insights on minimum wage workers: 20 years of data. As can be seen in the graph below, the trend is in the opposite direction, with more and more older workers joining that workforce.

The percentage of workers aged 15 to 24 years making up the minimum wage workforce was 60.7% in 1998, 63.6% in 2008, 52.3% in 2018. Even if teenagers made up as much as half of that cohort, that would still only be 32% in 2008 and declining to 26% in 2018 - not even close to "most...".

Source: Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey
See https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/75-004-m/75-004-m2019003-eng.htm

Canada Housing Benefit One-time Top-up

Canada Housing Benefit

One-time Top-up

The one-time top-up to the Canada Housing Benefit aims to help low-income renters with the cost of renting. You may be eligible for a tax-free one-time payment of $500 if your income and the amount that you pay on rent qualify.
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) administers this one-time payment.

Applications are open until Friday, March 31, 2023.
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/taxes/child-and-family-benefits/top-up-canada-housing-benefit.html

Google search: Canada one time top up

Telephone: 1-800-282-8079 with:
• social insurance number (SIN)
• full name and date of birth
• complete address
• assessed tax return, notice of assessment or reassessment, other tax document

Lights shining in the world

 

River Jordan. Image credit https://faith.nd.edu/

Selection by Deacon Steve: Feast of the Baptism of the Lord

“Jesus rises from the waters; the world rises with him. The heavens like Paradise with its flaming sword, closed by Adam for himself and his descendants, are rent open. The Spirit comes to him as an equal, bearing witness to his Godhead. A voice bears witness to him from heaven, his place of origin. The Spirit descends in bodily form like the dove that so long ago announced the ending of the flood and so gives honour to the body that is one with God.

Today let us do honour to Christ’s baptism and celebrate this feast in holiness. Be cleansed entirely and continue to be cleansed. Nothing gives such pleasure to God as the conversion and the salvation of people, for whom God’s every word and every revelation exist. Our Lord wants you to become a living force for all humanity, lights shining in the world. You are to be radiant lights as you stand beside Christ, the great light, bathed in the glory of Christ who is the light of heaven. You are to enjoy more and more the pure light of the Trinity, as now you have received – though not in its fullness- a ray of its splendor, proceeding from the one God, in Christ Jesus our Lord, to whom be power and glory forever and ever. Amen”

From the Second Reading- From a Sermon by Saint Gregory Nazianzus, bishop – Office of Readings, Liturgy of the Hours on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, p. 634- 635.