Author: Diane Smyth

Preserving Biodiversity: Creation Care from Faith to Action

Posted on by Diane Smyth

Join For the Love of Creation and Citizens for Public Justice for a thoughtful conversation on Biodiversity and Creation Care in Canada!

Expert and diverse panelists will talk about our planetary boundaries, the latest updates from COP15 and Indigenous perspectives on biodiversity. The online gathering will conclude with a theological reflection on creation care.

Thursday, March 23 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm

Register here

Queries here

For the Love of Creation (FLC) is a faith-based initiative for climate justice. Find out more about this initiative here

Citizens for Public Justice (CPJ) is an ecumenical, non-profit organization that promotes justice in Canadian public policy through research and analysis focused on poverty reduction, ecological justice, and refugee rights.
Find out more here

Pope Francis’ March Prayer Intention: “For Victims of Abuse”. Intención de oración del Papa Francisco para marzo: “Por las víctimas de abusos”

Posted on by Diane Smyth

“Asking for forgiveness is necessary, but not enough”: in the month of March, Pope Francis reflects on abuse, “especially to those committed by members of the Church” and asks that we pray with him for the victims, “who have to be ‘at the center’ of everything.”

At the same time, the Pope invites the Church itself to be “a model”: whether of transparency to “bring it to light,” of “concrete actions to repair the horrors they have suffered and to prevent them from happening again,” or of offering “safe spaces for victims to be heard, supported psychologically, and protected.”

“Pedir perdón es necesario, pero no suficiente”: en el mes de marzo, el Papa Francisco reflexiona sobre los abusos, “especialmente a los cometidos por miembros de la Iglesia” y pide que recemos con él por las víctimas, “que tienen que estar “en el centro” de todo.”

Al mismo tiempo, el Papa invita a la propia Iglesia a ser “un modelo”: ya sea de transparencia para “sacarlo a la luz”, de “acciones concretas para reparar los horrores sufridos y evitar que se repitan”, o de ofrecer “espacios seguros para que las víctimas sean escuchadas, apoyadas psicológicamente y protegidas.”

Earth Hour: Give an Hour for Earth on 25 March

Posted on by Diane Smyth

Earth Hour this year is on 25 March, at 8:30 pm your local time.

The world is  on course to breach by 2030 the 1.5°C global temperature increase limit set by the Paris Climate Agreement, and nature – the source of our very livelihoods and one of our biggest allies against the climate crisis – is also under severe threat,  facing alarming and unprecedented rates of loss globally.

The next 7 years are therefore crucial to all our futures – we have to stay under the 1.5°C climate threshold to avoid irreversible damage to our planet, and we need to reverse nature loss by 2030, ending the decade with more nature and biodiversity than we started, not less.  To make this happen, individuals, communities, businesses, and governments must all urgently step up their efforts to protect and restore our one home.

With this 2030 goal in mind, we too must step things up. Take your part:

Give an hour for Earth on 25 March by spending 60 minutes doing something – anything – positive for our planet

Great Works of Newfoundland Artist, Gerald Squires, to be sold at Auction

Posted on by Diane Smyth

Gerald Squires, one of Newfoundland and Labrador’s most distinguished artists, died October 3, 2015 at the age of 77 after battling cancer.

Since his earliest years Gerald had the mind, heart and soul of an artist. Although not “religious” he was a man moved by the Spirit and who lived with kindness, gentleness, generosity and love. His life and his art are testament to that.

At this date a large collection of Gerald’s art is on the auction block  https://bartlettauctions.com  His large acrylic paintings depicting the Last Supper, death and resurrection of Jesus were commissioned by the parish of Queen of the World in St. John’s, NL and fed the faith of thousands of faithful parishioners and visitors over the years.  Only in the past twenty years were complementary stained glass windows, also designed by Gerald,  installed  in the church.

Today that church has been sold to meet obligations of court ordered payment to victims of sexual abuse at the former Mount Cashel orphanage.  The sale of the church is part of the bankruptcy protection process established for the Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation which was found vicariously liable for the abuse.  The paintings among other treasures that are being sold.

Listen to Gerald Squires in this interview where he gives an explanation of his work of art

Gerald Squires was also a sculptor applying his genius to clay, fired in a kiln, then in a pit and covered in sawdust to form a Raku style ceramic.  The Sisters of Mercy commissioned a panel of six units in raku depicting the history of St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital in St. John’s.

“Mercy” was depicted in six different languages to represent the people who live in or frequented the shores of this part of Canada.

In 2014 Gerald created another panel of six pieces to depict the images of giving and receiving for The Gathering Place, a social and health service centre for the most vulnerable population in St. John’s.

In a film produced by award-winning Director Kenneth Harvey, “I Heard the Birch tree Whisper in the Night”Gerald Squires speaks of his own immanent dying.

Speakers’ Forum 2023: “Keeping Hope Alive in Challenging times”

Posted on by Diane Smyth

Hope is being able to see that there is a light despite all the darkness (Desmond Tutu)

We all face challenges- as individuals and as communities. We all experience hardship at one point or another. It’s part of being human.
How can we weather the storms and emerge into sunlight? How do we distinguish between Hope and optimism? What tools are available to us to assist us in becoming resilient?

Research has shown that people who are hopeful often cope more effectively with obstacles and challenges.

On Saturday, March 4 from 10:00 am to noon join Tony Bidgood, CSsR and Anne Walsh as, together, we explore what hope is, and ways that we can become practitioners of hope in daily life. To register, please contact Marilyn Stack at marilynstack@gmail.com

The link for the March 4 session is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87276536555

Ash Wednesday: Lent Begins on 22 February

Posted on by Diane Smyth

“Lent comes providentially to awaken us, to shake us from our lethargy” (Pope Francis).

Pope Francis’ Lenten message to the world for 2023 was presented on Friday, February 17. The theme is Lenten Penance and the Synodal Journey. “We need to listen to Jesus he said, “through the Scriptures and through our brothers and sisters, especially in the faces and the stories of those who are in need…Lent is a time of grace to the extent that we listen to him as he speaks to us.”

The full text of the Pope’s  message can be read here

Mercy International Association is offering a prayer service for Ash Wednesday which includes a poem by Brenda Peddigrew rsm and  online spirituality reflection series during Lent. Details can be found here

“La Cuaresma viene providencialmente a despertarnos, a sacudirnos de nuestro letargo” (Papa Francisco).

El mensaje de Cuaresma del Papa Francisco al mundo para 2023 fue presentado el viernes 17 de febrero. El tema es La penitencia cuaresmal y el camino sinodal. “Tenemos que escuchar a Jesús”, dijo, “a través de las Escrituras y de nuestros hermanos y hermanas, especialmente en los rostros y las historias de los necesitados… La Cuaresma es un tiempo de gracia en la medida en que le escuchamos mientras nos habla”.

El texto completo del mensaje del Papa puede leerse aquí

 

Our Common Home: A Guide to Caring for Our Living Planet

Posted on by Diane Smyth

“Our common home: A guide to caring for our living planet,” is the product of the collaboration between the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development  and the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI).

It connects the science of climate change, biodiversity and sustainable resource use with the messages of Pope Francis’s Encyclical Laudato Si’

The booklet, available in five languages, launched on 14 February 2023, distils the science on urgent environmental issues and explains how individuals and communities can take action to build a more sustainable and socially just future..

 

“Nuestra casa común: Una guía para cuidar nuestro planeta vivo”, es fruto de la colaboración entre el Dicasterio para la Promoción del Desarrollo Humano Integral y el Instituto de Medio Ambiente de Estocolmo (SEI).

Conecta la ciencia del cambio climático, la biodiversidad y el uso sostenible de los recursos con los mensajes de la Encíclica Laudato Si’ del Papa Francisco.

El folleto, disponible en cinco idiomas, lanzado el 14 de febrero de 2023, destila la ciencia sobre cuestiones medioambientales urgentes y explica cómo los individuos y las comunidades pueden actuar para construir un futuro más sostenible y socialmente justo…

 

Pray for the People of Türkiye and Syria

Posted on by Diane Smyth

Join us in prayer for the people of  Türkiye and Syria who have been devastated by the 7.7 magnitude earthquake on 6 February, now recognised as the sixth-most-deadly natural disaster this century.

The loss of life, the injuries, the destruction of buildings, the displacement of peoples and the critical needs of the citizens are extraordinary.

You can post your prayer in our online prayer space here.

You might like to pray these words;

“Be present, O Lord, our Good Shepherd, to bring comfort, relief, shelter and human kindness. Shield the people who suffer, console those who are bereaved, prosper the provision of relief, strengthen the work of emergency teams, and shine your light and hope in the midst of despair.” (Diocese of Europe)

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has launched two emergency appeals. Find out more here

March is Irish Heritage Month

Posted on by Diane Smyth

Throughout the month of March, Canadians are encouraged to learn more about the rich history of Irish-Canadian communities, to remember and honour their legacy, and to celebrate their continued contributions to our country.

The story of the Sisters of Mercy of Newfoundland is a story of valiant women, women of faith and vision, of courage and commitment, of hope and fidelity. It is a story pulsating with life and energy, a story to be remembered, celebrated and shared.

“Standing on Their Shoulders”, a book by Charlotte Fitzpatrick rsm tells the stories of 60 Sisters of Mercy who left Ireland  between 1842  and 1907 , all aged between sixteen and twenty years, to minister with the people of Newfoundland .

These portraits, most two or three pages in length tell in rich detail their compassion, courage, commitment and creativity.

Download the PDf of their stories here

World Day of the Sick, 11 February

Posted on by Diane Smyth

February 11 is World Day of the Sick which coincides with the commemoration of Our Lady of Lourdes.

Recognising that “Illness is part of our human condition”, in his message for today Pope Francis “calls for prayer and closeness towards those who suffer.” He reminds us that “Sick people, in fact, are at the centre of God’s people, and the Church advances together with them as a sign of a humanity in which everyone is precious and no one should be discarded or left behind.”

Post your prayer in our sacred space for the ill whom you know and for all in need of prayers, support and compassion.

For Reflection

“These past years of the pandemic have increased our sense of gratitude for those who work each day in the fields of healthcare and research. Yet it is not enough to emerge from such an immense collective tragedy simply by honouring heroes. Covid-19 has strained the great networks of expertise and solidarity, and has exposed the structural limits of existing public welfare systems.  Gratitude, then, needs to be matched by actively seeking, in every country, strategies and resources in order to guarantee each person’s fundamental right to basic and decent healthcare.”
Pope Francis

 

El 11 de febrero es la Jornada Mundial del Enfermo que coincide con la conmemoración de Nuestra Señora de Lourdes.

Reconociendo que “La enfermedad forma parte de nuestra condición humana”, en su mensaje para hoy el Papa Francisco “llama a la oración y a la cercanía hacia los que sufren.” Nos recuerda que “Los enfermos, de hecho, están en el centro del pueblo de Dios, y la Iglesia avanza junto a ellos como signo de una humanidad en la que todos son preciosos y nadie debe ser descartado o dejado atrás.”

Deposita tu oración en nuestro espacio sagrado por los enfermos que conoces y por todos los que necesitan oraciones, apoyo y compasión.

Para la reflexión

“Los años de la pandemia han aumentado nuestro sentimiento de gratitud hacia quienes trabajan cada día por la salud y la investigación. Pero, de una tragedia colectiva tan grande, no basta salir honrando a unos héroes. El COVID-19 puso a dura prueba esta gran red de capacidades y de solidaridad, y mostró los límites estructurales de los actuales sistemas de bienestar. Por tanto, es necesario que la gratitud vaya acompañada de una búsqueda activa, en cada país, de estrategias y de recursos, para que a todos los seres humanos se les garantice el acceso a la asistencia y el derecho fundamental a la salud.”
Papa Francisco