Category: Important Dates

UN Dates

National Child Day, 20 November

Posted on by Diane Smyth

National Child Day is celebrated globally each year to highlight the rights of children and youth, to create awareness of the problems children all over the world face on a daily basis, and to ignite hope for a healthy and happy future for all children and youth.

This day commemorates two historical events that happened on November 20: the 1959 signing of the UN Declaration on the Rights of the Child and the adoption in 1989 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. By signing on to this Convention in 1991, Canada made a commitment to ensure that all children are treated with dignity and respect and are given opportunities to reach their full potential.
This year UNICEF is calling upon patrons and supporters to share a positive message seeking equality and inclusion for every child.

El Día Nacional del Niño se celebra cada año en todo el mundo para poner de relieve los derechos de la infancia y la juventud, concienciar sobre los problemas a los que se enfrentan a diario los niños de todo el mundo y encender la esperanza en un futuro sano y feliz para todos los niños y jóvenes.

Este día conmemora dos acontecimientos históricos que tuvieron lugar el 20 de noviembre: la firma en 1959 de la Declaración de las Naciones Unidas sobre los Derechos del Niño y la adopción en 1989 de la Convención sobre los Derechos del Niño. Al firmar esta Convención en 1991, Canadá se comprometió a garantizar que todos los niños sean tratados con dignidad y respeto y tengan la oportunidad de alcanzar su pleno potencial.
Este año, UNICEF hace un llamamiento a mecenas y simpatizantes para que compartan un mensaje positivo que busque la igualdad y la inclusión de todos los niños.

COP27-part 2

Posted on by Diane Smyth

The waning days of COP27 saw a first draft of a deal being worked on at the COP27 climate summit in Egypt. The draft keeps the target of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.  However, many of the most contentious issues are still unresolved, and the summit is due to end on Friday.

For the first time in COP history, there were discussions on launching a Loss and Damage fund for countries most affected by the impacts of climatechange. However, some of these countries have pointed out that although thedraft deal mentions loss and damage, it does not include any details for launching a fund. Another unresolved issue relates to a specific plan to ratchet up targets for cutting climate-warming emissions.

COP27 officially ends on Friday, November 18, but consultation and the final draft of what has been agreed upon by the delegates will be released.

En los últimos días de la COP27 se ha presentado un primer borrador del acuerdo que se está elaborando en la cumbre del clima de Egipto. El borrador mantiene el objetivo de limitar el calentamiento global a 1,5 grados centígrados.  Sin embargo, muchas de las cuestiones más polémicas siguen sin resolverse, y la cumbre finalizará el viernes.

Por primera vez en la historia de la COP, se debatió la creación de un fondo de pérdidas y daños para los países más afectados por los efectos del cambio climático. Sin embargo, algunos de estos países han señalado que, aunque el proyecto de acuerdo menciona las pérdidas y los daños, no incluye ningún detalle para la puesta en marcha de un fondo. Otra cuestión sin resolver es la relativa a un plan específico para aumentar los objetivos de reducción de las emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero.

La COP27 termina oficialmente el viernes 18 de noviembre, pero las consultas y el borrador final de lo acordado por los delegados se harán públicos.

 

COP27 – part 1

Posted on by Diane Smyth

The Big Objectives of COP27 Being Held in Egypt, November 6-18.

The 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference, more commonly referred to as Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC, or COP27, is being held as the 27th United Nations Climate Change conference, and occurs from 6 November until 18 November 2022 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.

There are three key objectives:

  1. Mitigation: how are countries reducing their emissions?

Climate Change Mitigation refers to efforts to reduce or prevent the emission of greenhouse gases through using new technologies and renewable energy sources, making older equipment more energy efficient, or changing management practices or consumer behaviour. Countries will review and present more ambitious 2030 emissions targets since current plans are still not enough to avoid catastrophic warming.

  1. Adaptation: how are countries going to adapt and help others do the same?

Climate change is here. Beyond doing everything we can to cut emissions and slow the pace of global warming, countries must also adapt to climate consequences to protect their citizens from more fires or floods, droughts, hotter or colder days or sea-level rise for a more climate-resilient future especially for the most vulnerable communities. Developed countries agreed to at least double finance for adaptation. Players must come on board – governments, financial institutions, and the private sector.

  1. Climate Finance: the elephant that never leaves the negotiation room

Developing countries are making a loud call for developed countries to reassure sufficient and adequate financial support, particularly to the most vulnerable. The yearly $100 billion promise by developed nations isn’t being delivered.  Experts expect COP27 to actually make this pledge and other commitments a reality finally, in 2023.

You may wish to keep the participants & aims of COP27 in your prayers and are invited to post your prayer in our prayer room.

 

La mitigación del cambio climático se refiere a los esfuerzos para reducir o prevenir la emisión de gases de efecto invernadero mediante el uso de nuevas tecnologías y fuentes de energía renovables, haciendo que los equipos más antiguos sean más eficientes energéticamente, o cambiando las prácticas de gestión o el comportamiento de los consumidores. Los países revisarán y presentarán objetivos de emisiones más ambiciosos para 2030, ya que los planes actuales siguen siendo insuficientes para evitar un calentamiento catastrófico.

 2. Adaptación: ¿cómo van a adaptarse los países y ayudar a otros a hacer lo mismo?

El cambio climático ya está aquí. Más allá de hacer todo lo posible para reducir las emisiones y ralentizar el ritmo del calentamiento global, los países también deben adaptarse a las consecuencias climáticas para proteger a sus ciudadanos de más incendios o inundaciones, sequías, días más calurosos o más fríos o de la subida del nivel del mar para lograr un futuro más resistente al clima, especialmente para las comunidades más vulnerables. Los países desarrollados acordaron al menos duplicar la financiación para la adaptación. Los actores deben subir a bordo: los gobiernos, las instituciones financieras y el sector privado.

3. Financiación climática: el elefante que nunca abandona la sala de negociaciones

Los países en desarrollo están haciendo un llamamiento a los países desarrollados para que garanticen un apoyo financiero suficiente y adecuado, especialmente a los más vulnerables. La promesa anual de 100.000 millones de dólares por parte de las naciones desarrolladas no se está cumpliendo.  Los expertos esperan que la COP27 haga realidad esta promesa y otros compromisos finalmente, en 2023.

Si lo desea, puede tener presentes en sus oraciones a los participantes y los objetivos de la COP27, e invitarles a colgar su oración en nuestra sala de oración.

 

 

World Mental Health Day, 10 October

Posted on by Diane Smyth

The overall objective of this day is to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilize efforts in support of mental health.

The Covid-19 pandemic has created a global crisis for mental health. In addition to the isolation and anxiety which undermined the mental health of millions, there was a severe disruption of mental health services and a widening of the treatment gap for mental health conditions.

Furthermore, huge social and economic inequalities, the escalation of wars and other forms of violence, public health emergencies, natural disasters, the uprooting and migration of peoples at unprecedented levels all affect the mental health of individuals and communities, locally and globally.

This year the World Health Organization is partnering with other organizations to launch a campaign around the theme: Making Mental Health and Well-Being for all a Global Reality. This initiative aims to bring together people with mental health conditions, advocates, governments, employers and other stakeholders to increase awareness about which preventive mental health interventions work and what needs to be done to ensure that everyone has equal access to the mental health care they need.

El objetivo general de este día es concienciar sobre los problemas de salud mental en todo el mundo y movilizar esfuerzos en apoyo de la salud mental.

La pandemia de Covid-19 ha creado una crisis mundial para la salud mental. Además del aislamiento y la ansiedad que minaron la salud mental de millones de personas, se produjo una grave alteración de los servicios de salud mental y un aumento de las diferencias en el tratamiento de las afecciones mentales.

Por otra parte, las enormes desigualdades sociales y económicas, la escalada de guerras y otras formas de violencia, las emergencias de salud pública, las catástrofes naturales, el desarraigo y la migración de los pueblos a niveles sin precedentes afectan a la salud mental de las personas y las comunidades, a escala local y mundial.

Este año, la Organización Mundial de la Salud se asocia con otras organizaciones para lanzar una campaña en torno al tema: Hacer de la salud mental y el bienestar para todos una realidad mundial. Esta iniciativa pretende reunir a personas con problemas de salud mental, defensores, gobiernos, empleadores y otras partes interesadas para aumentar la concienciación sobre qué intervenciones preventivas de salud mental funcionan y qué hay que hacer para garantizar que todo el mundo tenga igual acceso a la atención de salud mental que necesita.

St. Clare’s Celebrates 100 Years

Posted on by Diane Smyth

In May of this year St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital celebrated the one hundredth anniversary of its founding.

In this special year of celebration, the Congregational Leadership Team and the members of St. Clare’s Advisory Council made plans to celebrate Mercy Day at the hospital.

On September 27 we met for a special morning prayer in St. Clare’s chapel, along with a number of managers from the hospital. Following the prayer, members of both groups went through every unit and work- place in St. Clare’s, distributing the specially-designed anniversary pins, along with a package of Lindt chocolates for each staff member, a total of nearly 1300.

Managers and staff were most appreciative of the gesture, and were especially delighted to have the opportunity of meeting members of the Advisory Council and seeing the sisters around the units.

National Day of Truth and Reconciliation – September 30

Posted on by Diane Smyth

The National Day of Truth and Reconciliation has been set aside to provide the people of Canada an opportunity to recognize and commemorate the intergenerational harm that residential schools have caused to Indigenous families and communities and to honor those who have been affected by these injustices.  The annual observance of this day was one of the Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.

In a news release from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador on September 14, 2022, the Honorable Lisa Dempster, Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation, wrote as follows:

We share a collective responsibility to learn and understa
how residential schooling in Canada had a traumatic and
 profound effect on survivors, families and communities …
 More than just reflecting and remembering, we must commit
and strive to do better.

Further information is attached here which includes links to videos and a prayer for Tolerance, Forgiveness and Reconciliation.

World Humanitarian Day, 19 August

Posted on by Diane Smyth

This day honors humanitarian aid workers all over the world. 

Established in 2009, World Humanitarian Daycommemorates the bombing of the UN headquarters in Iraq with great loss of life. Humanitarian aid workers provide life-saving assistance to suffering people in conflict zones and areas devastated by natural disasters. Thousands gave their lives and suffered injuries in providing support and protection to people in need. At one point in 2021, 235 million people in 26 countries required humanitarian assistance.
We honour them.

International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, 9 August

Posted on by Diane Smyth

In 1994 the United Nations decided that the International Day of Indigenous Peoples be celebrated each year on August 9. 
On this day people around the world are encouraged to spread the UN’s message on the protection and preservation of the rights of indigenous peoples. This year’s theme is The Role of Indigenous Women in the Preservation and Transmission of Traditional Knowledge.

Indigenous women are the backbone of their communities and play a crucial role in preserving and passing on traditional ancestral knowledge. However, they face many major issues in their everyday life, some of which are high levels of poverty, low levels of education, limitations in access to health, basic sanitation and employment, and the prevalence of domestic and sexual violence.

To learn more about this special observance, go to the following link:
https://www.un.org/development/desa/indigenouspeoples/international-day-of-the-worlds-indigenous-peoples.html

Fiestas Patrias Peru

Posted on by Diane Smyth

Las “Fiestas Patrias”, celebradas el 28 de julio, conmemoran la declaración de independencia de Perú de España en 1821.

Fiestas Patrias’, celebrated on 28th July  marks Peru’s declaration of independence from Spain in 1821.

Congratulations to our sisters and the people of Peru as they celebrate the feast of Peru.
May God bless them all!

Felicidades a nuestras hermanas y al pueblo del Perú en la celebración de la fiesta del Perú.
¡Que Dios los bendiga a todos!

Papal Visit to Canada, July 24 – 29

Posted on by Diane Smyth

Pope Francis is scheduled to travel to Edmonton, Quebec City and Iqaluit next week to meet members of Canadian indigenous groups, residential school abuse survivors and Catholics.

Logo of Pope Francis’ penitential pilgrimage

In an address at Vatican City on Sunday, July 17, Pope Francis said that he sees this visit as a “penitential pilgrimage” which he hopes will contribute to the journey of healing and reconciliation that has already begun.

This is a very significant moment in our history.

Join us in prayer for Pope Francis and for all the individuals and groups with whom he will be meeting during these days.

Ways to view the papal events include the following:

Salt & Light Catholic Media Foundation has a dedicated site for information and broadcast details for the papal visit –
https://slmedia.org/popeincanada (English) or https://slmedia.org/fr/papeaucanada (French). The network will air all public events.

Livestream links– papalvisit.ca and www.visitepapale.ca will provide links to a number of livestreams for papal events, broadcast in more than 10 languages, including many Indigenous languages, as well as sign languages. Visitors will also be able to access feeds from Vatican TV that include commentary in English, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese and German.

Novalis has produced a digital resource that includes texts for all the liturgies presided by Pope Francis, prayers as well as reflections on the significance of the Papal Visit. To download the resource, visit: ca (English) or prionseneglise.ca (French)