Canadian Bishops release a Statement on Water
The issue of water – as sacred and as a human right that so many are deprived of – has been frequently mentioned by sisters and associates as a way to live out care for our common home and going to the peripheries. JPIC is currently preparing for several upcoming actions around protecting water. And so we were very happy to receive the news that the CCCB recently released a statement on water. It is quite a good document and it is helpful to have such encouragement for action on water to come from the Bishops. Council of Canadians Chair Maude Barlow said in an e-mail message, "Always glad to have new and important voices on this issue and the Bishops represent one of them." You can read the full statement here: https://www.cccb.ca/site/images/stories/pdf/CCCB_Drinking_Water_2018.pdf
Word on Fire
Our Lady of Hope Retreat Centre welcomed associates, sisters and friends to retreat days in PE. Father Bill Brennan of Fredericton was the facilitator offering “a time to tend the eternal flame of the Sacred” within us and in the world. We learned new prayer paths. We explored our own personal graced history, remembering both the bitter wine and the best wine, and we rejoiced in discovering anew the extravagance of our loving God. With words, music, laughter, “spiritual conversation” in groups, quiet time and social time, we shared our stories. Many thanks to Father Bill, and also to Anna Rowley, our associate co-coordinator, planner and organizer of this retreat time.
Annual Memorial Lecture
Some of our Sisters in the Charlottetown area had the opportunity of attending the 27th annual Daniel O’Hanley Memorial Lecture held on Sunday, October 28, in Our Lady of Assumption Parish Hall in Stratford. The topic was “If You Love This World: Climate Justice and Indigenous Wisdom.” The presenter was Hon. David MacDonald, a well-known United Church of Canada minister and also a former MP. In the late 1980’s, he chaired the first House of Commons Standing Committee on the Environment. As a United Church minister, he has also worked as advisor and facilitator in issues concerning our indigenous peoples. Our UN Sustainable Development Goals regarding the health of our planet are not being met, and the next few years are CRUCIAL. Our indigenous brothers and sisters have long cared for this Earth. It was most fitting that Dr. Judy Clark, a Mi’kmaq from Epekwitk, member of the Abegweit nation and Elder in Residence at UPEI, had been invited to respond and share the indigenous wisdom we have so ignored and are lacking today. The presentations ended with a fruitful question period followed by a time for entertainment and refreshments. It was a very informative and challenging afternoon.
