Single Issue: $1.00 Publication Mail Agreement No. 40030139 JOURNAL Vol. 95 No. 27 December 20/27, 2017 appointed New church a symbol of reconciliation Rev. Jon Hansen, CSsR, has been By Andrew Ehrkamp future of the new building among Mary Immaculate, the missionar - relationship to the church and to appointed Grandin Media the people of the Deh Cho region, ies in Fort Simpson and the North- Catholic missionaries in the bishop of including healing the relationship west Territories. North. the FORT SIMPSON, N.W.T. with the church — in part, by The new church was packed Crossing that road to begin of Mac - (CCN) — Forgiveness. It’s a dif - incorporating the Dene language, for the consecration ceremony, but healing the relationship with the kenzie-Fort ficult road for most, even longer spirituality and traditions into the the often struggles to have has been difficult, Smith. The and tougher for the Dene of Fort mass and other ceremonies. more than 50 people on Sundays. survivors say, but the new church bishop- Simpson and the surrounding Deh “We’re very hopeful that this Many Dene people in the commu - building is a crucial signpost. elect, who Cho area who survived residential new church will make it possible nity are residential school sur - served as school. for there to be a real, future Dene vivors still struggling with their — DENE , page 5 pastor at St. Mary’s Parish in But here they are — men, church,” said Nick Sibbeston, a Saskatoon’s core neighbour - women, elders and their families former federal senator, who is a Ethics of fundraising hood for six years, replaces — filling seats that spill over into longtime parishioner at Sacred Bishop Mark Hagemoen, the back kitchen, celebrating the Heart. “The Catholic Church has who was recently installed new $1.3-million Sacred Heart to recognize and, just out of questioned in Saskatoon as bishop of Saskatoon. Church in Fort Simpson, a village respect, incorporate some of the — page 3 of 1,200 some 600 kilometres Dene spirituality and practice.” By Kiply Lukan Yaworski Indigenous rights west of Yellowknife. Sen. Nick Sibbeston and his The old church building, built wife, Karen, are longtime parish - SASKATOON — Questions in the 1920s, was torn down. The ioners at Sacred Heart. NDP MP Romeo Saganash’s about the ethics of fundraising new church opened on Sept. 17 Sibbeston resigned his seat in were raised recently in Saskatoon dream to thanks in part to the Archdiocese November, in part to spend more see Canada when it was revealed that two of , which contributed time bringing Dene traditions into Catholic organizations — St. Paul’s bring its through its Together We Serve the Catholic Church. Hospital and a Catholic elementary laws in line annual appeal, as well as dona - Sacred Heart is located directly school — were among the commu - with the tions from the local community, opposite an empty lot where the nity groups receiving funding from United private donors, Catholic Missions Lapointe Hall residential school a men’s organization that held a Nations in Canada, and the Diocese of was demolished in 2010. The for - fundraiser Dec. 1 featuring wom en Declaration Hamilton. mer school, built in the 1950s, had in G-strings dancing on raised on the There are high hopes for the been run by the Brothers of walkways. Rights of Indigenous A number of community groups Peoples (UNDRIP) has Build peace by welcoming and local leaders ex pressed sur - moved closer to reality. prise and concern about the nature — page 3 migrants, refugees: of the “Boys Lunch Out” annual Chaldean clergy charity fundraising event hosted by the Progress Club, while others PM file Louis Raphaël I By Cindy Wooden matters of great concern for all said the event was misrepresented Bishop Mark Hagemoen Sako of Babylon, head of those concerned for the safety of by the media. (CNS) — every human being,” the pope said In response to comments in ing position that all fundraising the Chaldean Catholic activities to benefit Catholic orga - Church, was accompanied Exploiting a fear of migrants and in the message, which was released the media suggesting that refugees for political gain increas - by the Vatican Nov. 24. Catholic organizations need not nizations must respect the dignity by Bawai Soro and of the human person and must not Emmanuel Shaleta and Rev. es the possibility of violence and The pope chose “Migrants and scrutinize fundraising methods, discrimination and does nothing to refugees: Men and women in Bishop Mark Hagemoen of the exploit human beings in any way.” Niaz Toma as he visited the The bishop noted that, for Ukrainian Catholic build a culture of peace, Pope search of peace” as the theme for Roman Catholic Diocese of Francis said in his message for the celebration Jan. 1, 2018. The Catholic organizations, fundrais - of Saskatoon. Saskatoon addressed the issue World Peace Day 2018. message is delivered by Vatican ing involves both an opportunity — page 6 with leaders of Catholic health “Those who, for what may be nuncios to heads of state and gov - and Catholic education in the and a responsibility to demon - Marian Centre political reasons, foment fear of ernment around the world. community, and released a clari - strate Catholic faith and values. migrants instead of building peace Presenting the message to the fying statement. “Respect for the human person After a long period of wait - are sowing violence, racial discrim - The statement released Dec. 5 is a foundational guiding principal ing, the members of the ination and xenophobia, which are — PEACE BEGINS , page 15 reiterates the diocese’s “long-stand - for Catholic institutions that pro - Madonna House vides insight and direction for all who staff Regina’s Marian our ministry activities, including Centre soup kitchen finally the efforts to financially support came back to work Dec. 11, such activities,” said Hagemoen. following major structural St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation repairs to the building, ultimately decided not to accept a which had been closed $25,000 donation from the Pro- since August. gress Club event. According to a — page 7 statement from Chris Boychuck, SPH Foundation chair, “We will Apocalyptic also be looking to ensure that our fervour gift acceptance process completely aligns with our policy, which states Evangelicals in the U.S. that ‘gifts must not compromise think Trump’s Jerusalem the Foundation’s integrity, nor be decision “was part of God’s derived from any activity that runs plan for the world, a step on counter to the mission and core the way to the reunification values of the Foundation or of the holy city (still consid - Hospital.’ ’’ ered occupied under interna - A spokesperson from Greater tional law) and the restora - Saskatoon Catholic Schools said tion of the ancient Israelite school division leaders are in Temple. In other words, agreement with the bishop’s posi - a step on the way toward tion and are evaluating their rela - tionship with the Progress Club. the apocalypse,” writes School officials are arranging a Matthew Gabriele. CNS/Junno Arocho Esteves meeting with the club to express — page 13 VATICAN NATIVITY SCENE DEPICTS WORKS OF MERCY — Life-size statues depict the corporal concerns directly before taking work of mercy of visiting the sick in the Nativity scene in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. any action. 2 Prairie Messenger INTERNATIONAL NEWS December 20/27, 2017 Australia makes 20 recommendations for church

MELBOURNE, Australia by some church leaders, and . . . to canonical criminal cases in mat - seriously and that they are willing of child sexual abuse and 4,444 (CNS) — After five years of hear - I stand ready to address any sys - ters of morals, where the accused to act swiftly in implementing the people reported allegations of ings, nearly 26,000 emails, and temic issues behind this.” cleric has died or 10 years have findings,” said Francis Sullivan, child abuse to church authorities. more than 42,000 phone calls from The Vatican, noting the com - elapsed from the condemnatory CEO of the church’s Truth, In a 2010 address to a seminar concerned Australians, the Royal mission’s “thorough efforts,” sentence. In order to allow for Justice and Healing Council. sponsored by the Canon Law Commission Into Institutional said the report “deserves to be delayed disclosure of abuse by “This process will start with Society of America and the U.S. Responses to Child Sexual Abuse studied seriously.” victims and to take account of the the TJHC doing a comprehensive Conference of Catholic Bishops, released its 17-volume final report A Dec. 15 statement reiterated limitation periods for civil actions analysis of the report and, in par - Mercy Sister Sharon Euart, a canon Dec. 15. the Vatican’s commitment to for child sexual abuse.” ticular, the recommendations that lawyer, noted that a bishops’ con - Among its 400 recommenda - “the Catholic Church in Aus - It said the bishops’ conference relate either generally or specifi - ference “is not a governing body tions, 20 were aimed specifically at tralia — lay faithful, religious “should conduct a national cally to the Catholic Church. We with the power to enact regulations the Catholic Church, whose lead - and clergy alike — as they listen review of the governance and expect to have this report final - binding its members, except in ers spent three weeks in February to and accompany victims and management structures of dioce - ized and provided to the church those matters where universal law testifying at a “Catholic wrapup.” survivors in an effort to bring ses and parishes, including in leadership early in 2018,” he (i.e., the Code of Canon Law) Several of the recommenda - about healing and justice.” relation to issues of transparen - said in a statement. requires it.” tions related to the Australian Several of the commission’s cy, accountability, consultation In February, the Royal Com - She noted that some provi - Catholic Bishops’ Conference recommendations aimed at and the participation of lay men mission said that, since 1980, sions worked out for the United working with the to improved screening and forma - and women.” seven per cent of the nation’s States eventually were applied change the Code of Canon Law tion for religious. “What now needs to be made Cath olic priests had been accused worldwide. “to create a new canon or series The commission also recom - clear by the (Australian) church of canons specifically relating to mended the Vatican retain for at leadership is that they take these Sunday has lost its sense as child sexual abuse.” least 45 years documents “relating recommendations and findings One recommendation was for day of rest, renewal in Christ the Australian bishops to work with the Holy See to determine if By Carol Glatz eucharist to truly live,” he said in the absolute secrecy concerning summarized remarks to Arabic matters discussed during confes - VATICAN CITY (CNS) — speakers. sion also applies to a child con - Just like a plant needs sun and “What kind of Sunday is it for fessing he or she has been abused nourishment to survive, every a Christian if an encounter with sexually. The report also said the Christian needs the light of the Lord is missing?” he asked in church should consider if “abso - Sunday and the sustenance of the his main talk. lution can and should be with - eucharist to truly live, Pope Unfortunately, in many secu - held” if a person confesses to per - Francis said. larized countries, the Christian petrating child sexual abuse. “How can we carry out the meaning of the day has been lost Sydney Anthony Gospel without drawing the ener - and is no longer “illuminated by Fisher and Melbourne Archbishop gy needed to do it, one Sunday the eucharist” or lived as a joyous Denis Hart, conference president, after another, from the limitless feast in communion with other said they did not see the church source of the eucha- changing its rules on confession. rist,” he said Dec. 13 Fisher, like most of the during his weekly Australian bishops who testified general audience. to the commission, said in a Dec. “We don’t go to 15 statement he was “appalled mass to give some - by the sinful and criminal activi - CNS/Kim Ludbrook, EPA thing to God, but to ty of some clergy, religious and PROTEST SLAVE TRADE IN LIBYA — A protester in Pretoria, receive from him that lay church workers (and) I’m South Africa, chains himself as part of a protest highlighting the slave which we truly ashamed of the failure to respond trade in Libya Dec. 12. need,” the pope said. Sunday mass is the Vatican needs to combat financial crime time and place Christians receive the and strength to By Cindy Wooden Moneyval — the Council of accounts it flagged for investi - remain faithful to his Europe’s Committee of Experts gation involved suspected word, follow his VATICAN CITY (CNS) — on the Evaluation of Anti-Money “fraud, serious tax evasion, mis - commandment to The Vatican earned praise from Laundering Measures and the appropriation and corruption.” love others and be Council of Europe experts for its Financing of Terrorism — In a statement Dec. 8, the credible witnesses in updated legislation against released a progress report on the Vatican said it is “committed to the world. money laundering and for its vig - Vatican’s efforts Dec. 8. taking the necessary actions in the The pope contin - ilance in flagging suspected The experts said the Vatican relevant areas to further strength - ued his series of cases, but the committee said the Financial Information Authority en its efforts to combat and pre - audience talks on the effectiveness of the Vatican “seemed to be working efficiently,” vent financial crimes.” mass in the Vatican’s efforts could not be proven until but although the Vatican court had The Vatican also highlighted Paul VI hall, which Vatican courts actually prosecut - frozen the assets of several ac - the report’s appreciation of “the was decorated with a ed someone for a crime. counts at the Vatican bank, “the creation of a specialized Eco- large Christmas tree Holy See had nomic Financial Crimes Investi - and a life-sized still not gation Unit within the Corps of Nativity scene. A brought a the Gendarmerie and the appoint - number of people in money-laun - ment of a specialized assistant the audience hall dering case to promoter of justice.” handed the pope — court. While The Moneyval report said the who turned 81 Dec. CNS/Max Rossi, Reuters considerable Vatican had hired two full-time 17 — Christmas GUADALUPE FEAST DAY — amounts of officers for the new unit, both of cards, notes and a swings a censer in front of an image of Our mon ey contin - whom are on leave from “the chocolate cake. Lady of Guadalupe as he celebrated mass Dec. ued to be froz - Italian police forces and both In his catechesis, 12 marking her feast day in St. Peter’s Basilica en, no criminal fully trained in modern financial the pope responded at the Vatican. case had yet investigation techniques,” but to the question of produced a Moneyval also recommended all why it is so important to go to pa rishioners and in solidarity with confiscation of the Vatican gendarmes re ceive mass on Sundays and why it is others, he said. order,” a Mon - training in fighting fi nancial not enough just to live a moral Also often missing is the im - ey val press crimes and suggested that the life, loving others. portance of Sunday as a day of statement said. Vatican City court “needs further Sunday mass is not simply an rest, which is a sign of the dignity Moneyval professional reinforcement in this obligation, he said. “We Chris - of living as children of God, not said the Fi - regard.” tians need to take part in Sunday slaves, he said. nancial “While this review cannot mass because only with the grace “Without Christ, we are con - Information form a view on the quality of the of , with his presence alive demned to be dominated by the Authority’s evidence adduced in financial in us and among us, can we put fatigue of daily life with all its 2016 report crime cases that have so far come into practice his commandment worries and the fear of tomorrow. indicated that before the (Vatican City) tri - and, in this way, be his credible The Sunday encounter with the CNS/Debbie Hill the main of- bunal,” Moneyval said, “the suc - witnesses.” Lord gives us the strength to live BETHLEHEM — Palestinians walk by a store sell - fences cess rate of the promoter (of jus - “Just like a plant needs the sun today with confidence and courage ing Christmas decorations Dec. 12 in Bethlehem, suspect ed in tice) before the tribunal so far is and nourishment to live, every and to move forward with hope,” West Bank. Vatican bank not encouraging.” Christian needs the Sunday he said. December 20/27, 2017 CANADIAN NEWS Prairie Messenger 3 Bishop-elect Jon Hansen has ‘a pastor’s heart’

By Kiply Lukan Yaworski people of Mackenzie-Fort Smith. his pastoral presence, his care and Subsequently, Hansen served as “It was a privilege to work compassion when in need, will associate pastor in Redemp torist SASKATOON — Pope Francis closely with Father Jon when he know Father Jon will bring a real parishes in St. John’s, Newfound- has named Rev. Jon Hansen, was serving as pastor of St. gift to the new role to which he is land and Labrador, and in , CSsR, as the new bishop of the Mary’s Parish in Saskatoon,” said called. We also recognize in where he was the director of “Out Diocese of Mackenzie-Fort Smith. Bolen, former Saskatoon bishop. Father Jon someone who was of the Cold,” a program that pro - Presently serving as pastor of “Dur ing part of that time, Father very purposeful, diligent and vides food and shelter to the Our Lady of Victory Parish in Jon also served as vice-chair of faithful in seeking to know and homeless in the inner city. In 2007 Inuvik, N.W.T., and in the missions the Coun cil of Priests. He was a follow God’s call in his life.” he became the director of forma - at Tsiigehtchic, Tuktoyaktuk, and great pastor, ready to accompany Hansen was born in 1967 in tion for Redemptorist students. Paulatuk — all in the Diocese of people, like a good shepherd.” Edmonton and raised in Grande In 2009 he was appointed pas - Mackenzie-Fort Smith — the Bolen noted that during his Prairie, Alta. After high school he tor of St. Mary’s Parish in Saska- Redemptorist priest is also well- time in Saskatoon, Hansen was attended the Northern Alberta toon. During his six years there, known in Saskatoon, where he also involved in the diocese’s rec - Institute of Technology and com - Hansen served on the Diocesan served for six years as pastor of St. onciliation work with indigenous pleted a diploma in construction Council for Truth and Recon cili - Mary’s Parish in the core neigh - peoples, and with justice outreach engineering. Returning for further ation and the Council of Priests, as bourhood. in the neighbourhood of St. studies, he completed a BA at the well as working with the diocesan “I am very grateful to Pope Mary’s Parish. University of Alberta. Office of Migration and the Office Francis for this unique opportunity Rev. Mark Miller, CSsR, ex - He joined the Congregation of of Justice and Peace. In 2015 he to continue serving the church of Kiply Yaworski pressed the support and prayers of the Most Holy Redeemer (the Re - was appointed pastor of Our Lady northern Canada. It is a place that Bishop-elect Jon Hansen, CSsR the Redemptorist community: demptorists), professing religious of Victory Parish in Inuvik. I feel at home and is filled with “With the help and support of his vows in 1998. He then studied at The Diocese of Mackenzie- people that I love,” said Hansen. ment, we welcome the news of Redemptorist confrères, Father Jon the University of St. Michael’s Fort Smith has 32 parishes and “Though the call of the north the appointment of Bishop-elect Hansen discerned several years College, Toronto, where he gradu - missions, with a Catholic popula - was strong, the hardest part of Jon Hansen as the seventh bishop ago a call to serve God’s people in ated with a Master’s of Divinity in tion of 20,110 served by three going was saying goodbye to St. of the Diocese of Mackenzie-Fort the far north. He prepared well for 2003. After a diaconal appointment diocesan priests, four priests who Mary’s Parish and the wonderful Smith,” he said. the new assignment — in Inuvik, in Sudbury, he was ordained to the are members of institutes of con - Diocese of Saskatoon. It was Hansen first came to serve in where he has been stationed for priesthood in Grande Prairie on secrated life, five religious sisters there that I first became a pastor the northern diocese while over two years. It is obvious that April 24, 2004, by Archbishop who are members of religious and it was there that I met so Hagemoen was bishop. he has found his home.” Arthé Guimond of the Diocese of institutes, as well as 18 lay pas - many faith-filled people that I “In the short time that Bishop- Rev. Ciro Alfonso Perez, Grouard-McLennan. toral workers. still call friends. In the end I elect Hansen has been in the north, CSsR, present pastor at St. Mary’s, decided not to leave them behind he has demonstrated a pastor’s reflected on the appointment of Sisters join global push but, instead, carry them with me heart that guides everything he Hansen, with whom he served in in my heart,” Hansen added. does,” said Hagemoen. “Hansen is Saskatoon. “Father Jon was pastor The installation and ordination also a capable administrator, which at St. Mary’s for six years and left to create a blue planet of the new bishop will be held he has demonstrated in the parish a strong imprint in the parish and March 16, 2018, in Yellowknife, and Arctic region, and as he has the Diocese of Saskatoon. Anyone By Meggie Hoegler to the World Health Organization. N.W.T. Hansen succeeds Bishop facilitated ministry and restoration who heard him as a homilist, or The Catholic Register In Canada, there are currently Mark Hagemoen. projects in the resource-challenged who read his journal in the Prairie close to 75 indigenous communi - Hagemoen — who was in - region.” Messenger since he became pastor TORONTO (CCN) — Blue is ties under drinking water advi - stalled Nov. 23 as the eighth bish - He added: “We are all grateful of Inuvik; anyone who followed the new green. At least that is the sories. op of the Roman Catholic to the Holy Father for providing a his reflections on the north and his case for the Federation of the The sisters plan to implement Diocese of Saskatoon while con - new shepherd for the diocese — a photo gallery will immediately see Sisters of St. Joseph of tinuing to serve as the apostolic man with such a shepherd’s way some of the gifts he shared with Canada. administrator of Mackenzie-Fort and the right gifts to pastor the us,” said Perez. On Dec. 10 the sisters Smith — greeted the Dec. 15 an - Mackenzie-Fort Smith Diocese.” “More importantly, anyone became the first religious nouncement of Hansen’s appoint - Archbishop Donald Bolen of who sought his counsel when community in Canada to ment with joy. Regina said Hansen’s appoint - feeling overwhelmed or without become a designated Blue “With gratitude and excite - ment will be a blessing for the hope; anyone who experienced Community. A global move - ment started by The Council of Canadians and the MP seeks to defend indigenous rights Canadian Union for Public Employees, the Blue By Deborah Gyapong Bishops and the Holy See’s repre - of dollars that are spent fighting Community’s purpose is sentative at the United Nations. In Aboriginal rights in this country. If twofold: to recognize water (CCN) — NDP MP 2010, the then president of the we are serious about reconciliation, as a human right for all and Romeo Saganash’s dream to see CCCB signed a joint letter with then that needs to stop as well.” to be conscientious of sus - Canada bring its laws in line with other religious leaders calling on Saganash pointed out the jus - tainable water usage. the United Nations Declaration the Canadian government “to work tice minister is obligated to en sure For their first order of on the Rights of Indigenous in partnership with indigenous any legislation is “consistent with business, the sisters plan to Peoples (UNDRIP) has moved peoples on a respectful process for the Charter before it’s tabled.” phase out bottled water at closer to reality. the full endorsement and imple - “We don’t have the equivalent all their events. mentation” of the UN Declaration. for Aboriginal and treaty rights. “We want to educate oth - In a news conference Dec. 5, This is what this bill is going to ers about water so it does Saganash, following the bill’s do as well, said Saganash, who not become an exclusive first of two hours of debate in the represents the Abitibi-Baie- commodity,” said Sister House of Commons, described James-Nunavik-Eeyou riding in Thérèse Meunier, congrega - Bill C-262 as “probably the most Quebec. tional leader for the Sisters Courtesy of the Sisters of St. Joseph important legislation that the Saganash, a Cree from north - of St. Joseph in Toronto. BLUE COMMUNITIES — Members of Parliament of Canada will have to ern Quebec, told the House Dec. “By being a part of the the Sisters of St. Joseph of Toronto par - consider in a long time.” 5 he is “a survivor of the residen - global Blue Community, we ticipate in a water ritual as part of the “What I’m proposing here is a tial school system where I spent are upholding the human Blue Communities initiative. legal framework for the future,” 10 years incarcerated culturally, right to safe, clean water,” he said. If a bill comes forward politically, linguistically, spiritu - said Leah Watkiss, program direc - changes in their own local com - on something such as a First ally even, in the residential tor of the Ministry of Social munities, from Toronto to Sault Nations control of First Nations school system.” Justice, Peace and Care of the Ste. Marie. Education Act, “these are the “I set out to do exactly two Earth for the Sisters of St. Joseph. “We plan to incorporate easy minimum standards the govern - things coming out of residential “We are ensuring water justice, but practical ways to conserve wa- ment has to respect.” school: first, to go back to the which means everyone has equal ter into our houses and programs Without this legislation, the land where I come from and live access.” across ,” said Meunier. meaning of treaty rights and off the land, hunting, fishing, and The sisters were inspired to Every little bit counts, from lit - CCN/D. Gyapong Canada’s constitution remains trapping. That is exactly what I join the movement after Pope tle reminders to turn off the tap Romeo Saganash “vague,” he said. did the first year I came out of Francis addressed the issue of while brushing your teeth to being “The United Nations Declara - residential school,” he said. “The access to clean drinking water in conscious of the length of your The Liberal government has tion on the Rights of Indigenous other thing I said to myself was his encyclical Laudato Si’ . Pope showers, she said. indicated it will support his pri - Peoples has the merit of clarify - that when I came out the objec - Francis calls it a “central issue in The sisters are also working on vate member’s Bill C-262 that ing what those rights are,” he tive for me that I set out was to today’s world and a problem that a video outlining what it means to would do just that. said. “That will hopefully avoid reconcile with the people who affects everyone.” be a Blue Community. Implementing the UNDRIP is us going to court every single had put me away for 10 years.” There are 844 million people “We want everyone to get also a position endorsed by the month.” on the planet who lack a basic involved,” said Meunier. “Water Canadian Conference of Catholic “There’s hundreds of millions — SAGANASH , page 4 drinking water service, according is a human right for all.” 4 Prairie Messenger CANADIAN NEWS December 20/27, 2017 Christmas story lived in Catechesis of Good Shepherd

By Deborah Gyapong ed in five infancy narratives the into the atrium in the beginning people who walked in darkness 1950s when a Scripture scholar children are exposed to at various of the year, we give them practi - have seen a great light,’ and was asked to give religious in- OTTAWA (CCN) — Children stages in the catechesis, McClure cal life lessons so the child can ‘Behold a shall conceive,’ ” struction to a boy of seven. Sofia participating in the Catechesis of said. These include the Annun- learn to care for the church, for she said. “We talk about how long Cavaletti found the experience the Good Shepherd in parishes ciation, the Visitation, the Birth the materials there, themselves before Jesus came the Jewish peo - life-changing so she began devel - across Canada have been pre - of Jesus Christ and the Adoration and the other kids,” she said. ple had been waiting and heard oping the program with Gianna pared to enter deeply into the of the Shepherds, the Adoration “The atrium was the place where prophets who listened to God with Gobbi, an expert in Maria Mon - Christmas story. of the Magi, and the Presentation the Jew ish people would prepare to the ears of their heart.” tes sori’s teaching methods. Since enter the Tem ple,” “During Advent and Christ - then, the Catechesis of the Good said Meghann mas, we’re not only remembering Shepherd has spread to 37 coun - Baker, a catechist at when Christ came, we’re not only tries. In Canada, its biggest con - Our Lady of the preparing to receive him now, centration of atriums is in On - Miraculous Medal we’re also waiting for the mo - tario, but the Catechesis of the in Russell, Ont. For ment of parousia, when Christ Good Shepherd Association of the children, the will come again,” Baker said. Canada lists atriums in the west - atrium is “a micro - “It’s so natural for them,” ern and Prairie provinces as well. cosm of the macro - Baker said. “Some of them have “It’s really growing,” said cosm of the these moments, like ‘Oh, wow, I Dorothy Burns, chair of the church.” get it!’ Other times it’s a lot more Board of the Catechesis of the “We proclaim peaceful than that,” she said. Good Shepherd Association of the Word to them, “Sometimes it’s peace, content - Canada. “Membership has more then together we ment, a quiet sigh. They’ll say than doubled since 2014.” ponder, we listen things, like ‘My whole body is “More and more people are together,” she said, happy.’ They feel it in their entire becoming engaged in the work noting the being. They feel the profundity of and the number of requests for approach is not it.” courses (to train catechists) has didactic. “We real - Baker said every time she is in doubled as well.” ly have to learn to the atrium with the children she The catechesis is now offered step out of the way understands what Jesus meant in French in one location, Burns Photo by Ruth Ann McClure and ask questions when he said ‘Unless you become said, and there is interest now in CATECHESIS OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD — Children participating in the and see what the like little children you will not Montreal. Level one covers ages Catechesis of the Good Shepherd in parishes across Canada have been prepared to Holy Spirit stirs in enter into the kingdom of God.’ three to six; level two covers ages enter deeply into the Christmas story. After a presentation children can handle the these little souls.” “I watch these little children seven to 12. Nativity set as they ponder the lesson (St. George’s Parish, Ottawa). “There’s a and the ease with which they re - Burns, who is from the Cal gary In child-sized “atriums,” the of Jesus in the Temple. movement of the Spirit within ceive God’s love, God’s promises area, said there are catechists in children are taught “auditorially, “We make a set of infancy nar - them,” Baker said. “It happens and God’s gift and the joy with , , Calgary, kinesthetically, and visually, in a ratives using little characters and it’s real.” which they respond to these Edmonton, Winnipeg, St. Boniface, total sensorial environment,” said made of clay or wood,” she said The preparation for Christmas things,” Baker said. “This is what Saskatoon, Toronto, Ottawa, North Ruth Ann McClure, co-ordinator Anchored in the church’s litur - involves entering deeply into the it means to receive your love and Bay, Peterborough, Sault Ste. and director of Catechesis of the gical year, the catechesis for three Advent season. to be happy.” Marie, Hamilton, and London. Good Shepherd at St. George’s to six-year-olds begins with the “In the atrium, we look at the The Catechesis of the Good Parish in Ottawa, one of six par - Bible and a geography lesson, Messianic prophecies — ‘The Shepherd began in Italy in the — CHILDREN , page 11 ishes using the Montessori- McClure said. They have a inspired catechesis in the Ottawa “beautiful globe of the world,” archdiocese. “The child will tell and a puzzle map of Israel show - Virtual reality fills in for cathedrals you it smells like God.” ing the various regions. The Christmas story is includ - “When the children first come By Agnieszka Krawczynski Saganash was first Cree to The B.C. Catholic VANCOUVER (CCN) — Pil - grims spend hours standing in line receive law degree in Quebec in the hot Roman sun to see one of the world’s most famous pieces of Continued from page 3 vate member’s bill, and not to put history: the Sistine Chapel. such important legislation forward Yet, when they finally get He was good to his word. as a government bill, “unfathom - inside, they are literally herded Saganash was the first Cree to able.” out within five minutes. It’s a receive a law degree in Quebec in “In the past, the Liberals have problem former video game and 1989. Among other leadership argued vehemently that any small animated film director Wilson roles, he became one of the nego - changes to the Indian Act and the Tang hopes to change. tiators and drafters of the UNDRIP. Labour Code must only be intro - “Five minutes is not enough to The work was “not easy,” he duced as government legislation, learn anything,” said Tang, now the told the news conference. where there is an opportunity for CEO of Yumebau, a new augment - “There were moments at the comprehensive reflection and not ed and virtual reality company. UN when I thought I just should just a couple of hours of debate,” “Mixed reality has an incredi - go back home and leave it there, she said. “I would suggest that the ble power to transport people to B.C. CatholicAgnieszka Krawczynski because it was difficult,” he said. bill before us today has more far- these places and in fact probably VIRTUAL REALITY — A woman uses virtual reality glasses to look “The challenges were great. We reaching implications than the give them a more intimate experi - around the inside of a church only she can see. started with trying to get member right to a secret ballot for union ence than they would in real life.” states to recognize we were peo - certification.” Tang, speaking to 50 creatives political conflict, physical disabil - no lights, there’s no movies, virtu - ples like all other peoples, not just Article 19 of the UNDRIP re - and professionals at the John Paul ity, or just not being able to afford al reality, or television. For the minorities in our countries, we quires the government to “ensure II Pastoral Centre recently, said the trip. most part, you probably lived in were peoples indeed with the free, , and informed consent new technology can allow a per - With virtual reality technology, hovels and it was pretty dark at same right of self-determination.” before adopting and implement - son to learn about and experience “we can allow people to really learn night. But you went to these It took 23 years to negotiate ing legislative measures that may the Sistine Chapel as if he or she in these places in a way they are not cathedrals, you looked through the the document and Saganash was affect them,” she told the House. was the only pilgrim in line. able to physically anymore.” rose windows, you looked at there from the beginning in 1984. She asked if this would apply “Maybe you get to see Tang spent some 20 years sculptures hidden in the shadows, In September 2007 the UN broadly to such legislation as the Michelangelo on the scaffolding, working in architecture, computer and you were transported to General Assembly accepted the recent marijuana bill that will at that first moment when he graphics design, animation, and another world,” he said. document, but Canada was one of affect indigenous Canadians as touches the brush to the ceiling. app design before creating “Architecture, and art, were four countries that voted against well as non. She also asked about What is he thinking? Does he Yumebau this summer. the medium of their time, even it, with the United States, New how the government would obtain know what he’s about to do is “It entertained people, but in though they were made of con - Zealand, Australia. Canada came this consent, since the national about to go down in history? the end there was an emptiness,” crete and steel. They were made aboard in 2010, he said. bodies representing indigenous Let’s see the painting as it pro - he said. “There is a lot of need for for the church, to transport peo - However, Saganash expressed peoples are advocacy organiza - gresses over eight years. What positive messages in the world ple’s lives away from the world disappointment that the Con serv a - tions, not rights holders. does it mean? What is the reli - today.” they lived in.” This is what Tang, tives are not backing his bill. Bill C-262 has another hour of gious significance? What is the Tang is most interested in the with new technology, hopes to do. The Tories’ Crown-Indigenous debate before a vote that would political significance? What is the educational and cultural possibili - The event was hosted by the Relations & Northern Affairs critic send it to committee. Saganash artistic significance?” ties of transporting people to Archdiocese of Vancouver and MP Cathy McLeod told the House told the House he believed any Others might be interested in another world, virtually. Catholic Creators, a network of Dec. 5 she found the Liberal gov - questions MPs have could be holy sites in Israel, but may never He told his audience to imag - professional writers, designers, ernment’s decision to support a pri - answered at the committee stage. get to see them due to religious or ine life six centuries ago. “There’s and other creatives. December 20/27, 2017 CANADIAN NEWS Prairie Messenger 5 South Sudanese women peace-builders tour Canada

By Deborah Gyapong most vulnerable, as well as food such as lentils, oil, sugar and OTTAWA (CCN) — Two flour, Deng said. women leaders from South Sudan Petia said representatives from toured Canada Nov. 24 - Dec. 11 the SSCC also visit displaced per - to raise awareness of women’s sons camps to ensure the most vul - peace-building and efforts to end nerable who can’t help themselves gender-based violence. get access to food and help. The tour, sponsored by The SSCC also offers work - KAIROS Ecumenical Justice shops for trauma healing, where Initiatives in collaboration with people who have been violated and Development and Peace and women who have been raped can Amnesty International, marked “come out to speak,” Petia said. the 16 Days of Activism Against Often a person who has been violat - Gender-based Violence, an inter - ed in war loses the ability to know national effort not widely known how they can contribute. The work - in Canada. The seven-city tour shops give “the person the knowl - included meetings with indige - edge of her potential when healed.” nous women to share their experi - The council holds workshops ence of reconciliation. to “build capacity in peace-build - In Ottawa, the women ad dressed ing and nation-building,” and in CCN/D. Gyapong a parliamentary breakfast sponsored giving women skills in various by the All-Party Women’s Parlia- WOMEN PEACE-BUILDERS — Rachel Warden of KAIROS, Awak Hussein Deng, youth co-ordinator for areas: good governance, peace- the South Sudan Council of Churches, Agnes Wasuk Petia, co-ordinator of the Council’s National Women’s building and economic empower - mentary Caucus and the Canada- Program, and Kelly Di Domenico of Development and Peace (from left), were on Parliament Hill Dec. 7. Africa Parlia mentary Association The tour, sponsored by KAIROS Ecumenical Justice Initiatives in collaboration with Development and ment,” Petia said. Dec. 7. Peace and Amnesty International, marked the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence. This was the second tour of “It is especially hard for Canada by women from a con - women in South Sudan,” said ties to hide their families from the is rain, the people are not able to “What we have learned in flict-torn country. The first No Agnes Wasuk Petia, who co-ordi - conflict.” bring their crops to the big towns, Canada, we have to learn to for - Mas Tour (No Mas means No nates the National Women’s Pro - In the process of running to where people are most affected give, so we can get healed and More in Spanish) took place last gram of the South Sudan Council hide, they can be exposed to gen - by hunger. become ourselves,” Petia said. year, bringing women from of Churches (SSCC), in an inter - der-based violence and hunger, The purpose of the tour was to “The youth need to be strong, to Colombia to talk about peace- view. “Where there is war, wom- she said. “share with Canada and learn understand who they are and building efforts there, said Rachel en are most affected.” “They are seeing their sons and from the Canadian experience on what they live for.” Warden, a spokesperson for South Sudan came into inde - daughters dying,” she said. “There violence and violations of human Awak Hussein Deng, youth KAIROS. pendent existence in 2011 after is no freedom of movement, so rights,” Petia said. They also co-ordinator for the SSCC, and a KAIROS works with partners decades of civil war in Sudan they can’t go to areas where they hoped to engage the Canadian representative of the Evangelical on the ground in South Sudan between its Muslim-dominated can cultivate big farms.” government, NGOs and people of church, said the council offers such as the SSCC and others in north and its largely Christian and Petia explained people in South goodwill “to support the grass - youth 35 and under a range of the Democratic Republic of Con - animist south. But since the for - Sudan live in towns and villages, roots women’s peace process.” seminars on leadership develop - go and Colombia where rape has mation of the new country, ethnic then walk several kilometres to “When you feel like you are ment, combating gender-based become a weapon of war, Warden violence has broken out among plots of land to farm, but it is no helpless and being violated,” it is violence, and help for women and said. various tribes. longer safe to leave the towns. difficult to see what can be done, girls to develop economic self- Studies have shown peace- Women and children are espe - In addition, South Sudan has Petia said. “We will go and tell sufficiency. building efforts that included cially vulnerable, Petia said. experienced two years of drought, the people some of the issues are The SSCC also collects money women “are more effective and “They have a lot of responsibili - she said. In the areas where there global.” and clothes to distribute to the durable,” Warden said. Hope for church in the North is to incorporate Dene traditions

Continued from page 1 Betthale-Reid said. “It’s hearing a large fire is built to honour the grandmother who was a member and ask them for their help and I our drums and everything, that air, land, water and all of God’s of Sacred Heart Parish. talk to them because I know they’re “Thank God. All I can say is bring us so much peace with God. creation. It’s been a part of other Sibbeston went on to become a in heaven close to God and Jesus, thank God. My dad taught me all “We are with the land, the ani - services, but parishioners want to lawyer, member of the Legis la - and invariably I get help from about my native spirituality, what mals and the people around our see it incorporated into mass. tive Assembly, and premier of the them,” Sibbeston said. God really means to him, and this church. That’s where we spiritually “How that’s done is the task of Northwest Territories. But like is now brought into the church,” grew up and are getting stronger. liturgists, bishops, the people to many residential school survi - said Rose Betthale-Reid, a former We’re starting to use our language, discern what is appropriate,” vors, outward success masked in - student at Lapointe Hall, tearing our native tongue, and our drums, Hagemoen said. “That’s exciting ner sadness, depression and lone - up after the consecration mass. which is so awesome.” and important. It’s not open season, liness. “We have to learn from our On Saturdays, Sibbeston attends and the Dene elders will be the first “I feel that I wasn’t a very good history, our battlegrounds, what a mass for Dene elders at local long- to tell you what shouldn’t be part of father. I drank. And I wasn’t able we went through — now we’re term care facility, translating the the Catholic mass, and it’s good to cope with what a normal family going through the healing.” Gospel, homily and key prayers into wisdom to guide a young bishop.” would have been. Because I didn’t Sibbeston, who attended resi - South Slavey, the local Dene dialect. Hagemoen said he supports know how,” Sibbeston said. dential schools in Fort Simpson, “Enculturation is a way — most more enculturation, but in the His wife, Karen, said she and Inuvik and Yellowknife, is among of the Catholics here are Abo - Mackenzie-Fort Smith diocese it their six children also suffered in- the leaders of that healing, by push - riginal — of honouring and living will be for his successor to de cide. directly from Nick’s years in resi - ing to have the Dene take a greater the life of the people,” said Bishop (Jon Hansen, CSsR, has been dential school, combined with his leadership role in their parishes. Mark Hagemoen, Bishop of Saska- appointed Bishop of Mackenzie- political work that took him away “There’s a kind of a backlash toon and the former head of the Fort Smith — see story, page 3.) from Fort Simpson. and anger at the church for Mackenzie-Fort Smith diocese. What the Dene want most, “I didn’t feel like I could be putting them through residential Church leaders say it has been Sibbeston said, is the blessing that present with them sometimes. school and they have rejected the a key message since Pope John the Dene traditions can be an inte - There were a lot of times where I Grandin Media modern church,” said Sibbeston. Paul II, who visited Fort Simpson gral part of the Catholic Church. was kind of preoccupied with Rose Betthale-Reid “If we could Dene-cize the in 1987, and locally through “We almost need for someone where he might be or what was church, we could use our lan - Bishop Emeritus Denis Croteau, to tell us it’s OK,” Sibbeston going on with him . . . I was In spite of his years in residen - guage and we could have songs in who recognized the need for local said. “There are no more priests, caught up in that as well, emo - tial school and his own past, our own language, people will Dene leadership. no more sisters. It’s either us do tionally and mentally.” Sibbeston said the future of the come back.” “In many communities the something, or there’s nothing. Nick Sibbeston went through a Catholic Church in the Northwest A small group of parishioners rosary is recited before mass be - There’s been a slow growth of period where he hated the Catho - Territories depends on making it at Sacred Heart Parish, Sibbeston gins and each decade is led by an the Dene people being involved lic Church, where he could have much more relevant by continu - among them, translates the mass elder who may have a small ex - in the church, participating and “burned the church down” be - ing to incorporate Dene traditions into Dene on Sundays. A birch- hortation or a prayer intention to leading, and that’s where we are cause he was so angry, but he and getting local people involved. bark basket and moose-hide blan - make, and that’s expressed in now.” credits faith, Marriage Encounter “Believe it or not, I used to say ket are used to collect the offering Dene,” Hagemoen noted. “It’s Sibbeston is hopeful after his workshops and — most of all — ‘Let the church finish. Let the and drumming is often part of the very moving and very beautiful.” own long journey toward healing prayer, for positioning him on the church burn down, and from the celebration. Nevertheless, Sibbeston said his relationship with the church. road toward healing. ashes of that, then there will be a “This is something I’ve always the Dene want more. He was five-and-one-half “I turn to God and in my spiritu - local Dene church’ . . . and in my dreamed about, something that has Many would like to see the years old when he was sent to al life, there’s been my grandmoth - view, this is what’s happening. our culture in it. It’s not just sitting Feeding the Fire ceremony — a residential school, coming home er and a number of Dene elders That’s the true hope for Catholic down, kneeling down, praying,” traditional Dene practice in which during the summer to visit his who I really respect. I turn to them Church in the North.” 6 Prairie Messenger LOCAL NEWS December 20/27, 2017 Chaldean patriarch visits Ukrainian eparchy

By Kyla Predy Ukrainian Catholic Religious Edu- Sako is seated as patriarch. still present in many of the divine lection of nativity scenes on dis - cation Centre (UCREC) bookstore After the exchange of gifts, liturgies across the eparchy. play, and how the scenes displayed SASKATOON — A little after of the Sister Servants of Mary Bayda led the Chaldean clergy While the Ukrainian Eparchy the culture of the country in which 5:30 p.m., Patriarch Louis Raphaël Immaculate to exchange greetings around the chancery office. Open - uses two languages, one of the each nativity set originated. I Sako, patriarch of Babylon and and gifts. ing the door to the chapel, he told Chaldean bishops remarked, “We On the way to St. George’s the head of the Chaldean Catholic Bayda and the Chaldean bishops the Chaldeans that, on long work - have three that we must handle: Cathedral, Bayda showed Sako Church, entered the Saskatoon discussed how the Ukrainian and ing days, “I open my office door Arabic, Chaldean, and Aramaic, the Panagia (Greek for “all eparchial communications office Chaldean Catholic communities in and the chapel door, and with the not to mention English.” holy”) of Our Lady of Guadalupe, with Bishops Bawai Soro and Saskatoon work together, and how direct line of sight to the tabernacle, Leaving the chancery office, which he wears around his neck, Emmanuel Shaleta and Rev. Niaz the Chaldeans here have their own I remember whose church this is.” the group headed outside to the ex plaining the significance of Our Toma. Council. Before leaving the chancery sound of the Sisters of St. Joseph Lady of Guadalupe for him. One Soro had been installed as Vicar General Rev. Janko Kolos- office, Bayda and the Chaldeans ringing the bell to the Shrine of of the questions that Eastern Bishop of the Chaldean Catholic njaji and Bayda presented each held a discussion about the diffi - the Martyrs Olympia and churches must consider is, “How Eparchy of Mar Addai of Toronto Chaldean cleric with a copy of culties faced by their respective Laurentia. Holding candles, the do you evangelize with culture?” two days previously, occasioning Christ Our Pascha: The Catechism . The issue of language sisters sang Mnohaya Lita for the “Our Lady of Guadalupe,” the visit from the patriarch. Mar of the Ukrainian Catholic Church . was brought up by the Chaldeans, patriarch. explained Bayda, “is a perfect Addai is the eparchy of the Sako, in turn, handed a blue velvet with the inquiry of what the The sisters took the Chaldean example of enculturation.” for all case to Bayda. Ukrainian Catholics were doing hierarchy on a tour of the shrine, The tour concluded at St. of Canada. The bishop opened the case to about it. Bayda replied that less explaining the significance of the George’s Cathedral, where the Bishop Bryan Bayda, CSsR, of reveal a gold scroll, rich with and less Ukrainian was being nun martyrs. A booklet about the Chal deans sang a hymn to its the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of imagery. The crest featured the used, as younger generations shrine, as well as a Christmas orna - patron. Bayda then accompanied Saskatoon, was ready to greet three wise men, which tradition were no longer as fluent in the ment with greetings in Ukrain ian them to Sacred Heart Chaldean them, and led them into the holds came from Babylon, where language, though Ukrainian is on the back, were presented to Catholic Church to celebrate mass, each of the Chaldean clergy, who which was followed by a reception Garden aims at healthy students were impressed by the diverse col - at Cathedral.

By Ramona Stillar of the student population is First youth and fewer seniors. Nation or Métis, the community Traditional teachings and NORTH BATTLEFORD, emphasizes the need to foster knowledge are at risk, but growing Sask. — Twenty per cent of fami - healthy physical, social, intellec - food demonstrates that they are lies in Canada live below the tual, and spiritual development not lost: they are relevant now and poverty line — a statistic that among students and staff alike. will remain so as we and future rises to a staggering 33 per cent in The school believes that generations learn to cherish our North Battleford, according to healthy connectedness through role as stewards of the earth. The 2016 census data. strong relationships with parents St. Mary’s School community gar - The 2012 Canadian Commu- and the school community leads den demonstrates that students nity Health Survey indicated that, to greater engagement, knowl - who think critically, ask questions, among off-reserve indigenous edge, and opportunity to gain new plan, sort, test, and investigate, people 12 years and older, 22 per perspectives for the benefit of develop higher literacy skills, bet - cent live in households that expe - everyone. Healthy students learn ter decision-making skills, and rience food insecurity — three better, and educated students are make more informed choices. Kyla Predy times that of the non-indigenous healthier. Like the mustard seed, the gar - SCROLL — While visiting the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of population. First Nations people St. Mary students are involved den will grow and thrive, creating Saskatoon, Patriarch Louis Rapha ël I Sako of the Chaldean Catholic are also more likely to be diag - in the construction and mainte - healthy youth who are committed Church presented Bishop Bryan Bayda with a gold scroll featuring the nosed with diabetes. nance of the garden, product selec - to investing in themselves and three wise men, which tradition holds came from Babylon, where Sako Health complications associat - tion and cultivation, and meal their community. is seated as patriarch. ed with food insecurity range from preparation. Their enthusiasm for malnutrition to obesity. It may growing their own food has appear contradictory, but it is pre - become increasingly evident. It is Nuncio encounters Eastern churches cisely those who experience food seen not only as a noble endeavour, insecurity who are more likely to but as a means to achieve improved By Kyla Predy oured to truly meet each person explained. “A factor in this is how suffer from obesity. One reason for overall health, better problem-solv - individually, giving him or her his to practise good stewardship over this apparent anomaly is that peo - ing skills, and an interest in food SASKATOON — On the full attention. This was in imita - the churches that are no longer in ple with lower incomes generally sustainability, which leads, in turn, morning of Nov. 25, Archbishop tion of Pope Francis’ encourage - use owing to the decline in the have reduced access to food that is to environmental sustainability. Luigi Bonazzi, Apostolic Nuncio ment to develop a “culture of population of Ukrainian Catholics affordable and healthy, and so they Since 2006, the Aboriginal to Canada, entered the chancery encounter”: instead of throwing in Saskatchewan.” turn to low-cost, high-calorie population has grown by 42.5 per office of the Ukrainian Catholic money at the poor, the Christian Leaving communications co- foods instead. cent — more than four times the Eparchy of Saskatoon to be greet - takes the time to see them and to ordinator Chris Pidwerbeski’s Low-income families face growth rate of the non-Aboriginal ed by the Sister Servants of Mary touch their hands. office, Bayda showed the nuncio many obstacles in following a population over the same period. Immaculate. Thus began the nun - Bishop Bryan Bayda led a tour photographs of the church leaders nutritious diet, including limited According to projections, the cio’s encounter with the workings of the offices, beginning with a Ukrainian Catholics pray for dur - access to fresh produce. The St. Aboriginal population will con - of the Saskatoon eparchy. greeting of the staff in the Guada- ing the divine liturgy. “We pray Mary Community School garden tinue to grow quickly, and in the Bonazzi made each moment of lupe Room. The tour continued in for our emeritus bishop,” Bayda is an ongoing project dedicated to next two decades is likely to ex - his visit deeply personal. He the Family Life Office, where said, “so why not this pope also?” changing this situation. ceed 2.5 million persons, with didn’t just say hello to people and Deborah Larmour discussed her and he pointed to a photograph of In a school where 93 per cent proportionally more children and learn their names, but endeav - work with the eparchy, including Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. creating a marriage preparation Bonazzi responded that he would course that ties in with Eastern have to send a note to the emeri - theology and traditions. Bonazzi tus pope, telling him that there is accepted a booklet that Larmour a whole eparchy praying for him put together, and expressed inter - in Saskatoon. est in the number of new mar - Before touring Bayda’s office, riages occurring in the eparchy. Bonazzi and the bishop stopped He commented that only 20 of the to pray in the chapel across the 500 official document blessings hall. he gives for couples each year are Another highlight of the nun - for new marriages; the rest are for cio’s tour of the chancery occurred significant anniversaries. in the front office of the Bishop Bonazzi voiced surprise at be - Budka Eparchial Stewardship ing shown the number of churches Society, Inc. (BBESSI), where the for which the eparchy is responsi - work of the Annual Eparchial ble in Saskatchewan. He noted Appeal interested him. After meet - Kiply Yaworski how eparchies go through seasons ing the staff and accepting a bro- in life, and how it is im portant to chure about the appeal, Bonazzi FILL THE PLATE — Sharon Powell, Vyenda McLean, Colette Chantler, and Jackie Saretsky were among the Catholic Pastoral Centre volunteers serving lunch with Bishop Mark Hagemoen at Saskatoon appreciate past seasons, the pre - expressed his thoughts on the Friendship Inn Dec. 8. Sponsorship of a “Fill the Plate” day at the inn was a gift from the diocese to the sent season, and also the future. importance of giving as a means new bishop as a way to mark his recent installation. Open for breakfast and lunch 365 days a year in “We just had a meeting of the of participating in the joy that Saskatoon’s core neighbourhood, Friendship Inn serves between 500 and 1,000 people a day. Those seeking Eparchial Stewardship Forum to Pope Francis often speaks of. meals and other services at the Inn include people without homes, street workers, couch surfers, individuals discuss how, in the next 15 years, The tour of the chancery con- and families struggling to survive on a fixed income, people experiencing addictions and mental health we can secure our places of wor - issues, single mothers and fathers, children, senior citizens, and new immigrants. ship and catechesis,” Bayda — EFFORTS , page 7 December 20/27, 2017 LOCAL NEWS Prairie Messenger 7 Actions identified Marian Centre reopens By Frank Flegel three who come in the morning to By Frank Flegel and each of us needs to meet him, socialize and play cribbage. over and over again — e.g., we REGINA — It was a long Bob Roy and Lino Palmarin, REGINA — The Dec. 2 need to go where the people are, summer for the members of the two of the regular Monday morn - Archdiocesan Pastoral Council with a strengthened ability to who ing volunteers, were there to help (APC) meeting spent a major por - speak about Jesus: by equipping staffed Regina’s Marian Centre get things back to normal. Roy tion of its time identifying specif - disciples to live as authentic wit - soup kitchen. The building was usually mans the dishwasher and ic actions to move toward achiev - nesses; by forming and supporting closed in August for major struc - Palmarin helps wherever he is ing the four archdiocesan priori - strong leaders and clergy. tural repairs, and staff were dis - needed; on opening day, he was ties Archbishop Donald Bolen 3) Listening and engaging in persed across Canada, including in the kitchen, up to his elbows in announced last August. The meet - dialogue, and seeking justice and to the mother house in Com ber - grease, dissecting a cooked turkey ing identified focused work areas reconciliation: mere, Ont. for the noon-day stew. Staff mem - — categories of work that will We are called to be a church in Director Hugo Istaz remained ber Katie O’Donnell was already accomplish the priorities — dialogue, which seeks to heal behind until the middle of Au - stirring the stew, which was according to Leah Perreault, who wounds in our society and in our gust, and then returned to his steaming and bubbling in a vat on is playing a leading role in the church, working with ecumenical home country of Colombia. He the stove. process. partners and other faith communi - came back to Regina toward the Sixty men, most of them previ - ties where we are able to. end of November to begin prepa - ous regulars, showed up for the 4) Growing a faithful and re- rations to reopen the Marian noon hot meal. There was a lot of sponsible stewardship: Centre for mid-December. chatter among the men, volunteers, To be able to share the gifts we Churches were contacted, and staff as they caught up on their have been given, we need to work donations of food and clothing activities over the summer. together, drawing on everyone’s came in, and on Dec. 11 at 10 The Marian Centre serves men gifts. a.m., staff member Charlie only. Women are invited to Perreault said the exercise was Cavanaugh unlocked the front Visitation House, which is not to get advice in terms of how we door. Several of the regulars who really a soup kitchen but provides move from these priorities to come for the noon meal were wait - lunches and other services for focused work areas, thus planning ing for the door to open, including women in the city’s downtown Frank Flegel transparently for our future in the core. Visitation House was estab - MARIAN CENTRE — Charlie archdiocese and in our parishes. lished and continues to be operat - Cavanaugh opens the door to the She went on to say that the ed by the Regina archdiocese. newly renovated Marian Centre focused work areas identified by Istaz said the entire renovation in inner-city Regina Dec. 11. The the APC group are the big picture project was estimated to be centre, which provides a hot noon themes, such as transmitting the $400,000, but he expects it will meal during the week and sand - faith, being a church that heals reach about $450,000 when the wiches on weekends, had been wounds, or the work we do with project is finally completed. Some closed since August for structural communications, which will, in of the extra costs resulted from the repairs. turn, lead to specific tasks. necessary removal of asbestos, and removal of some supporting steel PM file She used communications as some parging remains to be done beams from the interior basement, Leah Perrault an example: “We may look at the on the foundation; this will be done which in turn allowed two new distribution list of the archdioce - when warm weather returns in the rooms to be constructed. Bolen said he had arrived at san newsletter and ask if people spring. The Archdiocese of Regina “New windows and lighting the priorities after a period of dis - are reading it; is it the most effec - owns the building and signed the made the basement much brighter,” cernment that included prayer and tive way to communicate with original contracts with PCL said Istaz. The new walls built on consultation with stakeholders people; and if a task came out of Construction and the structural the new foundation were painted, throughout the archdiocese. Each that to make changes it would be engineering firm of J.C. Kenyon, and that also helped to increase of the four priorities is presented assigned to an individual.” OSU Inc. The archdiocese put up the brightness. with an explanatory paragraph. A complete work plan is ex- URSULINE DIES — Sister $450,000 it cost, but it will be Prior to closing, arrangements 1) Building vital and viable pected by spring 2018. Perreault Leona Leibel, OSU, Prelate, repaid. were made with Souls Harbour parish faith communities: felt that the general population passed away at St. Angela Merici “$200,000 has already been Mission, Carmichael Outreach Each parish is called to be a would not be interested in looking Residence in Saskatoon on Nov. raised and donations are still and Westminster United Church genuine community of faith with at a work plan, “but at the arch - 22, after 99 years of life, ministry, coming in,” according to Istaz. to make sure sandwiches contin - sustainable spiritual, financial, diocesan level we need to see the and service in the community. The repairs were extensive. The ued to be available for weekends. human, and capital resources. big picture so that we can see how She is remembered for her many foundations extended 20 feet The other soup kitchen service 2) Living evangelization and we are taking concrete steps years in classroom teaching, her below grade, and new footings organizations expanded their reg - discipleship: toward realizing growth in these love of things beautiful, and her were poured. A waterproof mem - ular programs to accommodate The world needs to meet Jesus, priority areas.” love of God and family. brane was attached to the exterior the increased numbers that would of the foundation and two new flow to them from the Marian sump pumps were installed to deal Centre’s closing. The centre regu - with water that may accumulate larly provides a hot noon meal beneath the building. The new during the week and sandwiches foundation allowed for the on weekends. Efforts will bear fruit

Continued from page 6 eastern-rite communities awaited his arrival: Ukrainian Catholics, cluded in the Guadalupe Room, Syro-Malabar Catholics, and the where Sister Bonnie Komarnicki, Chaldean Catholics to whom the SSMI, gave a presentation on the church belongs. Children from the catechetical efforts of the eparchy. Chaldean school attached to the Bayda presented the nuncio with a church sang as the nuncio entered signed copy of Christ Our Pascha , with Bayda and other Eastern after which Bonazzi expressed his Catholic priests. After a few intro - gratitude to the staff and shared his ductory words, the grade six stu - experience of catechism when he dents from Bishop Filevich was preparing for first communion. Ukrainian Bilingual Catholic There was laughter as he began School sang four songs for the speed-reciting some Latin text. archbishop, followed by a small “My body works well when I group of Syro-Malabar Catholics. have a good heart,” Bonazzi said, Bonazzi concluded the en counter encouraging the staff and volun - at Sacred Heart by speaking to those

Tim Yaworski teers to continue their work, gathered, focusing on the challenges knowing that their efforts would that immigrants to Canada face in SIMBANG GABI —The third Sunday of Advent was also the third night of Simbang Gabi, a pre- bear fruit in the community. the church community. Christmas novena of eucharistic celebrations by the Filipino Catholic community of Saskatoon. Rev. Deyre Azcuna, associate pastor at the Cathedral of the Holy Family, and Rev. Nestor Silva, OMI, pastor of St. “Be patient with your bishop,” “Moving from country to coun- Paul’s Co-Cathedral, presided at the celebration Dec. 17 at St. Paul’s, which featured traditional language he added, and he left the chancery try, always far from my home, I and music of the Philippines, and was followed by a potluck meal. Simbang Gabi reflects the dual character amid laughter. always feel at home because the first of Advent for Filipino Catholics: a time of solemn purification in preparation for the coming of the Lord Bayda and the nuncio then home in which I try to live is the that also builds joyful anticipation in the last days of waiting. The novena of masses is also seen as a way of headed to Sacred Heart, a home of God,” the archbishop said. accompanying the Blessed Mother as she waits for her child. Simbang Gabi continued each day between Chaldean Catholic church on the “I see also that each of you, my Dec. 15 and Dec. 23, with mass celebrated at different churches across Saskatoon. east side of Saskatoon. Three brothers and sisters, are my home.” 8 Prairie Messenger CHURCH AT HOME December 20/27, 2017 A gentle spirit: walking toward the Infinite

In his early teen years Dylan music might take him, even if that harmony and melody. found his true love in music. His meant going to extreme lengths and The last time I saw Dylan was spirit ascended beyond the nar - distances to attend festivals in in September on the Labour Day row limits of what our society Costa Rica, Eastern Canada, Eur - long weekend. That weekend was a Soul would deem as normal. Society ope or the U.S. Dylan was accom - transfiguring moment for me, be - demands that people conform to plished in the sound producing, cause in my conversations and Searching its expectations, and to follow a stage designing, and music mixing observances of him, I kept seeing linear track. Society expects all industry, and he was a wonderful glimpses of that little boy. How - the pieces to fit uniformly, but guitar player. He was at home ever, that long-ago little boy, who Tom Saretsky like those times with the puzzles when he played. He was comfort - was indifferent to whether a shape when he was a young boy, Dylan able and secure in music, because was placed into the correct place or My nephew Dylan died a little Dylan was never fazed by this. did not operate that way. He music has no linear structure. not, was now a grown young man. over a month ago from suicide. It He wouldn’t get mad at them or wanted a society in which his “Music is a more potent instru - Instead of plugging square shapes has been a difficult time. Nothing pout. He simply allowed his shapes and puzzles, which do not ment than any other for education,” into square holes, he was fashion - prepares a person for sudden and “mistake” to be corrected. In fit others’ expectations, could still wrote Plato, “because rhythm and ing his own many-shaped pieces tragic death. It’s surgery without Dylan’s mind, I don’t think there be part of a larger whole — a harmony find their way into the into his vision of a more kind, more anesthesia; it cauterizes one’s soul was a mistake made. Dylan just society in which diversity, and inward places of the soul.” Dylan’s colourful, more accepting and in order for a person to absorb the let it go. He simply “went with not conformity, is welcomed. soul wasn’t confined to structure, diverse society — one in which he enormity of the event. As well, it the flow,” as the expression goes. Dylan ventured out to wherever but was expanded by rhythm and would be more at home. renders one helpless to even say or Dylan’s home wasn’t here. His do anything that might lessen the was a spirit that eventually couldn’t pain of those most affected. What be contained by physical or tempo - does one do, beyond “thoughts ral structures. He yearned for some - and prayers,” or what does one say thing more . . . something more infi - beyond dusty words? nite. He wasn’t afraid to kiss the Dylan was my wife’s godson. infinite or to lose everything, be- He was the oldest grandchild on cause it was in “losing everything” Norma’s side of the family. I was that he truly gained everything. blessed in being able to watch However, this thought does not this gentle, enthusiastic and spir - make the pain any less intense or ited little boy grow up. I delight - our longing for his presence any ed in watching him at play, espe - less real. cially with his younger brothers. The Bengali poet Rabindra nath They would put puzzles together Tagore writes, “If you weep or maybe Dylan would try to because the sun has gone out, your place little toy shapes into the tears may blind you to the stars.” right place. Dylan, however, The view through our faith would wasn’t always able to put the tell us that Dylan is re splendent right piece into the right place. among the stars, lighting the night Sometimes the brothers’ frustra - sky so we can navigate through our tion at Dylan would compel them darkness; yet we leave room for to correct Dylan’s mistake; yet, tears. It is only through tears that our hurt stands a chance of healing, our souls have a chance of mend - Saretsky is a teacher and chap - ing, and our hearts have a chance lain at Holy Cross High School in Design Pics of recovering. The power of tears is Saskatoon. He and his wife, BELLS OF CHRISTMAS — A new year waits in the wings and the bells signifying the advent of the Christ that, through tears, we are brought Norma, have two children, Nathan Child are silent, writes Sandy Prather. But we can keep the bells of kindness and compassion, peace, justice closer to heaven, and there is no and Jenna. and love ringing throughout the year. coming to heaven with dry eyes. The bells of Christmas should ring for us, now and beyond

Advent, she would begin wearing ordinator remarked that he had carols were accompanied by a few bells that could be heard more offers of help than he need - Scripture readings that told the wherever she walked. Like her ed and that both money and gifts Christmas story and as I listened Breaking Open mother, she added more and more were still pouring in. I listened to to the familiar, beautiful story as the days progressed. The com - them, watched my grandchildren unfold, my heart calmed, anxieties munity, familiar with the story, earnestly cutting and taping, and I eased, and busy-ness was set the Ordinary used to tell her that the sounds swore I could hear the donkey’s aside. Peace entered my soul and helped them meditate more pro - bells in the background. donkey’s bells joined the choir. Sandy Prather foundly on the mystery of Advent The bells were ringing again But it is Christmas now and a and the coming of the Christ Child. when we gathered with our fami - season too soon over. Decorations This Advent, I too was blessed ly and dear friends for our annual are hastily packed away; fes - , founder of carrying the Lord, so really she to hear the donkey’s bells. One tree-decorating party. A tradition tooned trees are stripped bare and Madonna House, tells a lovely was the first church carrying Jesus, evening mid-December, my hus - for over 30 years now, we gather discarded; diets and discipline story about an Advent custom and the donkey’s bells were the band and I went with three of our the Sunday before Christmas, replace our feasting and excess. A from her childhood. When first church bells. grandchildren to an inner-city exchange simple gifts, partake of new year waits in the wings and Catherine was a little girl, her Starting around the second parish. Walking into the large a good meal and help the children the bells signifying the advent of mother would tell her that if she week of Advent, her mother church basement, we saw tables decorate our tree. The gifts we the Christ Child are silent. It’s was good during the Advent sea - would begin wearing a little laden with wrapped presents, exchange are our tokens of the over, it seems. son, then sometime, at first faintly bracelet that had tinkling bells. towers of them in some cases, deep affection we enjoy, one that But wait. Does it have to be and then more clearly, she would As her mother moved her hands, and volunteers at each table has grown over the years as we over? Would that we keep the hear bells. Her mother called them Dorothy could hear them tinkle wrapping more. We joined the have shared life and love; the rich bells ringing! After all, the Spirit the first church bells: they were the and, excited, associate them with work crew, wrapping and food celebrates the abundance of of compassion and kindness that bells around the neck of the little the donkey’s bells. During the labelling the donated toys as life and our joy in being together. moved so many to give so gener - donkey who carried Mary, preg - third week of Advent, her moth - “Boy 7-9,” “Girl 12-14,” etc. As the laughter rang out in our ously, the Love that was expressed nant with Jesus, as she and Joseph er’s bracelet miraculously got The gifts were being readied house that day, I was sure I was as families and friends gathered in made their way to Bethlehem. Our more bells on it and the sound for the parish’s annual children’s hearing donkey’s bells. joy, the Grace that moved us to Lady, said Catherine’s mother, was grew louder and louder the closer Christmas party where approxi - I heard them many times this hunger for and work toward peace it got closer to Christmas. As mately 800 children from the Advent season. Once was when I and justice: these have taken on Catherine and her found community would receive a was walking outside on a dark flesh and drawn near in a humble Prather, BEd, MTh, is a out later, her mother was wearing Christmas meal, meet Santa and starry night. The silence took over stable centuries ago and today in teacher and facilitator in the bells first around her wrist, then be given a gift. Everything, gifts and my heart’s deepest longings our hearts. Men and women still areas of faith and spirituality. She her knees, and then her waist, and food, was donated; all the surfaced. As I acknowledged my give, still love and still work on was executive director at Star of adding more and more as workers were volunteers. thirst for healing, peace and justice behalf of others. Christmas is not the North Retreat Centre in St. Christmas approached. By the Chatting with a woman at the to be born into the world, my ears the end of the story; it is the begin - Albert, Alta., for 21 years and time Christmas Day arrived, their table beside me that night, I were filled with the sweet sound ning. Christ continues to draw resides in Sherwood Park with little house was filled with the learned she worked for a social of the bells. I heard them again near and continues to be birthed her husband, Bob. They are sounds of bells. service agency and had brought a while sitting in a darkened concert every day and everywhere — and blessed with four children and 10 Catherine carried the custom work crew of about 10 people to hall listening to the sounds of car - the bells never cease for those who grandchildren. over to Madonna House. During help with the wrapping. The co- ols being lifted to the rafters. The have ears to hear. December 20/27, 2017 ARTS & CULTURE Prairie Messenger 9 Welcoming the stranger with light in the darkness

Screenings & Meanings

Gerald Schmitz

Who doesn’t like Christmas hostility toward the other are eas - lights? In the darkest season they ily stoked, how to mobilize a shine brightly and lift spirits. If compassionate response, to bring we take the Christian message light instead of heat to bear? seriously it is also a time to put a The plight of refugees and light out for the stranger, for any - migrants was a theme of several one seeking refuge from the dark - films in this year’s European ness. Union Film Festival put on by the In the gospel story, Mary and Canadian Film Institute of which Joseph were strangers seeking a I am an ambassador member. safe place, however humble, Two of the countries most im - when they arrived in Bethlehem. pacted by the human tide have Courtesy of Participant Media and AC Films Later we are told that they had to been Greece and Germany. In HUMAN FLOW — The latest work from Ai Weiwei, China’s most famous artist-activist, is the documen - flee with the child Jesus to Egypt Greek director Yannis Sakardis’ tary film Human Flow . “He acts as our personal witness as he goes to the front lines: of desperate people on to escape Herod’s deadly persecu - Amerika Square (Greece’s official the move seeking a place of safety; of the dangerous conditions they must often endure; of the harsh securi - tion. The Holy Family became entry for the foreign-language ty barriers erected to stop them; of the huge encampments in which some may be trapped for many years,” refugees. film Oscar), a resentful unem - writes Gerald Schmitz. Pope Francis has repeatedly ployed Greek man lashes out at called attention to the moral the newcomers he blames for taining, and incisive as timely human terms the experience of load of coal in the Helsinki har - imperative of welcoming, protect - making his Athens public square satire, it’s easy to see why it was what it is like to be a refugee or bour. A mechanic from the be - ing and supporting refugees and a place of migration and misery, Germany’s biggest box-office hit migrant. There are stunning shots, sieged Syrian city of Aleppo, it is migrants, emphasizing duties of while several refugees — a of 2016. from overhead birds-eye panora - the end of a harrowing journey justice, civility, solidarity, and Syrian man who becomes sepa - It says something about the mas to intimate close-ups, which involving human traffickers and hospitality that are rooted in the rated from his young daughter; an movie business that neither of the convey both the scale of what is multiple border crossings (Tur - gospels. (“I was a stranger and African woman being held by a above appears to have had any happening and its deeply personal key, Greece, Macedonia, Serbia, you welcomed me” Mt 25:35.) human trafficker — are desperate theatrical distribution in North impacts. Hungary). We later learn that, Some 65 million people, many to leave to find sanctuary else - America. However, here are two No one wants to be displaced after being attacked by neo-Nazis of them children, are refugees in where, preferably Germany. German productions that have from their home to become a in a Polish port, he stowed away today’s world, more than at any In Simon Verhoeven’s Welcome reached Canadian theatres this refugee. As one tells Ai: “Being a on a cargo ship that happened to time since the Second World War. to Germany a young Nigerian man month. refugee is much more than a be bound for Finland. At the same time, we see a right- Human Flow political status. It’s the most per - In the other narrative an older wing “populist” backlash against (Germany) vasive kind of cruelty that can be Finnish man, Wikström (Sakari growing numbers of asylum seek - exercised against a human being. Kuosmanen), walks out on his The Other Side of Hope (Finland/Germany) ers in many western countries. You are forcibly robbing this sullen wife, sells off his clothing Canada has remained relatively human being of all aspects that business, wins a fortune at a po - open but, is not immune. The whose family was killed by the Ai Weiwei is China’s most would make this human life not ker table, and invests in a restau - refugee crisis is testing our values. Boko Haram Islamist terror group famous artist-activist, with an just tolerable, but meaningful in rant called “The Golden Pint,” A month ago I attended an in - is seeking asylum when he is expansive humanist vision that many ways.” inheriting three employees who ternational discussion at the Uni - taken in by the Hartmanns, a di- has often clashed with the Com- Among the eye-opening facts haven’t been paid in three versity of Ottawa on the theme vided upper-class Munich house - munist party-controlled regime. presented are that an average of months. Never mind. The taciturn “Welcoming Refugees — Chang - hold, setting off all manner of con - He spends much of his time 34,000 people flee their homes Wikström seems content to man - ing the Public Conversation.” In sequences as touchy subjects abroad and has a studio in Berlin. every day. At the height of the age and turn things around. troubled times, when fears of and touch a nerve. Fantastically enter - His latest ambitious project took Syrian exodus 56,000 refugees Khaled, able to communicate him to 23 countries most affected entered Greece in a single week. in English, reports to a police sta - by the global refugee crisis, Germany’s extraordinary accep - tion, requests asylum, and is sent resulting in the 140-minute film tance of one million in 2015 con - to a reception centre. He be - Human Flow (http://www.human - trasts with the “Great Wall of friends another young man, a flow.com/), which premiered at Europe” in places like Hungary refuge from , who will prove the Venice film festival. He acts as and Macedonia. In 1989, when helpful in locating Khaled’s sister our personal witness as he goes to the Berlin Wall fell, there were 11 Miriam (Niroz Haji) from whom the front lines: of desperate people militarized border walls or fences he has been separated since los - on the move seeking a place of globally; today there are 70 (with ing contact while he was jailed in safety; of the dangerous condi - plans to build more). Jordan’s Hungary. At the centre there’s tions they must often endure; of refugee population of 1.4 million nothing to do but wait and smoke the harsh security barriers erected would be the equivalent to 60 until called for an official hear - to stop them; of the huge encamp - million in the United States or the ing. (In this picture all the men ments in which some may be European Union. (According to seem to smoke.) trapped for many years. the United Nations High Com - Khaled scrupulously follows Ai puts a distinctive human mission for Refugees, developing the procedures. He tells the inter - face on this massive flow of hu - countries host 86 per cent of all view board that his house in Syria manity, allowing us to see that refugees and less than one per was destroyed and that he has lost these are individuals and families cent of those are ever resettled.) his fiancée and entire family ex - with their own stories and situa - Behind these statistics and cept for Miriam, whereabouts tions, histories of loss and hopes news headlines Ai keeps remind - unknown, and a cousin trapped for a better future. As the film ing us of the human story repre - on the Syrian side of the closed opens he is among those helping sented by the numbers and of the border with Turkey. Yet Khaled’s anxious arrivals on the Greek challenge it presents to our com - case is rejected on spurious island of Lesvos and speaks with mon humanity. grounds even while scenes of a young Iraqi man escaping the Finnish master Aki Kauris - Aleppo’s destruction are flashing violence in that country, which mäki was awarded the Berlin film across television screens. Unable has seen four million displaced festival’s “silver bear” as best to accept being deported, Khaled since the 2003 invasion. director for his absorbing drama flees the centre and goes on the In addition to the European The Other Side of Hope , which run. After being beaten by white crossroads, Turkey and the Mid - also shines a spotlight on refugee nationalist thugs, Wikström finds dle East (notably Jordan, Leba- struggles to escape violence and him one day slumped beside the non, Gaza), Ai travels to Pakistan, find a new home. Beautifully restaurant’s dumpster. the Mexico-U.S. border, and filmed in 35mm and featuring This is where the friendless Kenya, which hosts the Dadaab strong performances, the movie Wikström discovers he has a refugee camp, the world’s largest. proceeds along two very different heart after all. He takes Khaled in Everywhere in images and words tracks that eventually converge. and gives him a job, hides him (including those of poets and As it opens Khaled (Sherwan prophets) he strives to present in Haji) emerges from under a boat - — DARK SIDE , page 13 10 Prairie Messenger December 20/27, 2017 December 20/27, 2017 DEEPENING OUR FAITH Prairie Messenger 11 What are our ‘epiphanies’ of the past year?

your life. Now don’t continue reading until you have As a former primary grades teacher, I know what a bur - thought of at least one. Ready for the next step? Here den mathematics can be for some people. But for me, my goes: Matthew says that a star led wise men from the East realization of the beauty of mathematics gradually evolved Liturgy to their epiphany moment. Homework and an insightful into an understanding that mathematics is, for me, and Cenacle Sister led me to mine. What “star” led you to your probably some others, a revelation of the beauty and glory and Life epiphanies? Hold on to that thought. of God. On the other hand, the beginning of any discus - Long ago, wise men in far-off lands looked to the heav - sion of astronomy or cosmology — the speciality of the ens and had an epiphany, a “sudden realization” that some - ancient wise men — causes my eyes to glaze over. God Margaret Bick thing important was about to happen. This realization was speaks to each person in language they can understand. To enough to send them on a journey to Judea. The church each their own. celebrates this epiphany story as key to our realization and In celebrating the universality of God’s love today, we “A sudden and important realization or manifestation.” understanding that Jesus came for all nations, all people: are challenged to open ourselves to the ways in which God That’s how the 1998 edition of The Canadian Oxford his offer of grace and is for everyone regardless is speaking to those outside the walls of our church. If we Dictionary presents the meaning of the word “epiphany.” I of race, nationality or culture, or any other category we cannot speak the God-language of the world of our daily can give a couple of examples of epiphanies from my own humans might use to divide ourselves. And this is the lives, we cannot hope to get Christ’s message to take root life. My earliest epiphany, that I can recall, was the cause of great comfort and joy, because most of us in the out there. moment I realized, while doing some Grade 9 or 10 math pews today, like the wise men of the Gospel, are quite Now for our final step. I said earlier that I believe an homework, that mathematics is actually beautiful. unlike the shepherds who were the first to acknowledge epiphany should be life-changing in some way. Luke’s (Epiphanies do not necessarily have religious content. Nor the child in that Bethlehem stable as Saviour and Lord. shepherds were, at least temporarily, sent to mission. In do they necessarily make sense to others!) We all need a star-like sign to remind us that we are the two verses following those read at Christmas Midnight Another epiphany came much later in my life when, Mass, Luke reports that “When they had seen him, they during a private retreat, I realized that God does, in fact, Isaiah 60:1-6 spread the word concerning what had been told them Feast of Epiphany love me. I’m not an etymologist by any means, but I Psalm 72 about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what would add the word “life-changing” to the Oxford defini - Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6 the shepherds said to them.” January 7, 2018 tion. Important realizations should be life-changing, other - Matthew 2:1-12 It’s difficult to tell how the experience of the wise men wise they would not be important. Certainly these epipha - in today’s Gospel story might have coloured the rest of nies of mine, each in their own way, made a difference in loved and embraced by God. A good look around most their lives. They had set out to find “the child who has my life. But enough of me. parish churches in Canada would show that indeed the been born king of the Jews.” Whether they came away I invite you now to stop for a moment and scan your nations are gathering in the name of our loving God. with a deeper understanding that he is Christ, the Lord” own life for moments of epiphany — moments when you If we return to our various individual daily epiphanies, (as the shepherds did) is never revealed. They simply paid suddenly realized a truth that has, since then, coloured I’m betting that if we shared them with others, we would homage. find a wide variety of epiphanies and a variety of “stars” This is a good time of year to reflect on what religious that led us to them. On this Feast of the Epiphany of the epiphanies, what realizations, we have experienced since Bick is a happily retired elementary school teacher who Lord, we do well to put energy into considering the many last year’s proclamation of this story. How has our under - lives in Toronto. She is a liturgist with a master’s degree in and varied epiphanies of others, especially their religious standing of God changed? How has our understanding of liturgy from the University of Notre Dame and is a human epiphanies. This is a day for celebrating the fact that God who we are as baptized people changed? How has God rights advocate working for prisoners who have experi - reveals God’s self to each one in ways that each one can invited us to mission? How has our response to our life - enced prolonged solitary confinement. appreciate. time of epiphanies evolved and grown this year? ‘Christ Child of the Year’ should be the world’s refugee children

his mother, Mary, and those with ment to our expectations, comes The face of God at Christmas genuine religious hearts, wanted uninvited, is perennially here, but is seen more in the helplessness of In him, but the world didn’t, at least is forever on the outside, on the children than in all the earthly and not on the terms on which he came, periphery, excluded by our imagi - charismatic power in our world. as a powerless child. Had he come nations and sent packing from our And so today, if we want, like the Exile as a superstar, powerful, a figure so doors. The real Christ is forever shepherds and wise men, to find dominant that knees would auto - seeking a home in a world within our way to the crib in Bethlehem, matically bend in his presence, a which there’s no room for him. we need to look at where, in this Ron Rolheiser, OMI messiah tailored to our imagina - So who best fits that descrip - demented inn, the most helpless tion, every inn door would have tion best today? I suggest the fol - of the children dwell. opened to him, not just at birth but lowing: Millions of refugee chil - Every year Time magazine rec - mas is to recognize where Christ throughout his whole life. dren . The Christ Child can be Children show ognizes someone as “Person of is being born in our world today, But Christ wasn’t the messiah of seen most clearly today in the the Year.” The recognition isn’t where 2,000 years after the birth our expectations. He came as an countless refugee children who, necessarily an honour; it’s given of Jesus we can again visit the infant, powerless, hidden in with their families, are being dri - appreciation to the person whom Time judges stable in Bethlehem, see the new - anonymity, without status, uninvit - ven from their homes by vio - to have been the newsmaker of born child, and have our hearts ed, unwanted. And so Thomas lence, war, starvation, ethnic Continued from page 4 the year — for good or for bad. moved by the power of divine Merton describes his birth this way: cleansing, poverty, tribalism, This year, instead of choosing an innocence and powerlessness. “Into this world, this de mented inn, racism, and religious persecution. Burns estimates about 2,500 individual to recognize as news - For Christmas this year, I sug - in which there is absolutely no They, and their families, best fit children across Canada are in atri - maker of the year, it recognized gest we honour refugee children room for him at all, Christ has the picture of Joseph and Mary, ums, with about 150 to 200 cate - instead a category of persons, the as the “Christ Child of the Year.” come uninvited. But because he searching for a room, outsiders, chists, who undergo extensive Silence Breakers , namely, women They bring as close to the original cannot be at home in it, because he powerless, uninvited, no home, training to be certified. who have spoken out about hav - crib in Bethlehem as we can get is out of place in it, and yet he must no one to take them in, on the “I think one of the things that ing experienced sexual harass - within our world today because be in it, his place is with those oth - periphery, strangers, labelled as struck me about the work is how ment and sexual violence. for them, as for Jesus 2,000 years ers for whom there is no room.” “aliens.” But they are the present- one of the immediate responses of Part of the challenge of Christ - ago, there is no room at the inn. There was no room for him at day Holy Family and their chil - children is gratitude,” Burns said. Jesus’ birth, like his death, the inn! Biblical scholars tell us dren are the Christ Child for us “Usually when you do a presenta - comes wrapped in paradox: he that our homilies and imaginings and our world. tion, especially on Scripture, you Rolheiser, theologian, teacher, came as God’s answer to our deep - about the heartlessness of the Where is the crib of Bethle hem say: ‘Is there anything you would and award-winning author, is est desire, badly wanted, and yet, innkeepers who turned Mary and today? Where might we find the like to say to Jesus?’ president of the Oblate School of both in birth and in death, the out - Joseph away on Christmas Eve infant Christ to worship? In many “The first time I did this, the Theology in San Antonio, Texas. sider. Notice that Jesus is born out - miss the point of that narrative. places, admittedly in every deliv - first little boy piped up and said, He can be contacted through his side the city and he dies outside the The point the Gospels want to ery room and nursery in the world, ‘Thank you, Jesus,’ ’’ Burns said. website: www.ronrolheiser.com. city. That’s no accident. He wasn’t make here is not that the innkeep - but “preferentially” in refugee “They told me this would happen. Now on Facebook: www.face - born a “wanted” child and he ers in Bethlehem were cruel and camps; in boats making perilous (The children) have such an book.com/ronrolheiser wasn’t an accepted child. Granted, calloused and this singular, poor, journeys across the Mediterranean; appreciation of the gifts of God at peasant couple, Joseph and Mary, in migrants trek king endless miles this age.” were treated unfairly. The motif in hunger, thirst, and dangerous The Catechesis begins with the of “no room at the inn” wants conditions; in people waiting in assumption the child already has a rather to make a much larger endless lines to be processed in relationship with God, McClure point, the one Thomas Merton hope of being accepted some - said. Advertise in the just highlighted, namely, that where; in persons arriving at vari - “We believe a child, when in a there’s never room in our world ous borders after a long journey prepared environment made espe - PrMaoinrdiaey - FMridaey s8:3s0 -e 5n p.mg. er for the real Christ, the one who only to be sent back; in mothers in cially for them, with materials doesn’t fit comfortably into our detention centres, holding their that fit their hands, will begin to Ph. 306-682-1772 Fax 306-682-5285 expectations and imaginings. young and hoping; and most espe - internalize the mysteries of our email: [email protected] The real Christ generally shocks cially, preferentially, in the faces of faith and understand the symbol - our imagination, is a disappoint - countless refugee children. ism and meaning in our liturgies.” 12 Prairie Messenger FEATURE December 20/27, 2017 Canada backpedals on nuclear weapons ban

possesses nuclear weapons may join the treaty, so long as it agrees to de- Pulpit stroy them in ac - cordance with a & Politics legally binding, time-bound plan. Dennis Gruending Similarly, a na tion that hosts another nation’s nuclear weap ons on its ter - It is fitting near year’s end, International Committee to Abol - ritory may join, so although worrisome, to learn that ish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) is a long as it agrees to the Bulletin of the Atomic Scien - coalition of civil society organi - remove them by a tists has set its Doomsday Clock zations from more than 100 coun - specified deadline. to two-and-a-half minutes before tries. ICAN’s 15 Canadian part - Once the treaty has midnight, closer to potential ners include the Anglican Church been ratified by 50 nuclear calamity than at any time of Canada, Physicians for Global states, the ban on since the 1980s. They point, for Survival, the Rideau Institute and nuclear weap ons example, to North Korea’s con - the Canadian Quakers. Since its would enter into tinuing efforts to develop nuclear founding in 2007, the group has force and become weapons, as well as bellicose worked to convince United binding under counter threats being made by Nations member states to create a international law the U.S. government. They point legally binding treaty to prohibit for all the countries as well to the escalation of ten - nuclear weapons. that are party to the sions between the U.S. and ICAN says the effort was treaty. Courtesy of National Nuclear Security Administration/Wikipedia Russia. “Wise public officials urgent because there had been However, the Nuclear test in Nevada in 1953 should act immediately, guiding two decades of “paralysis” in so-called “big humanity away from the brink,” multilateral efforts toward nuclear five” states on the UN Security without the support of nuclear but that is belied by its opposing the atomic scientists say. “If they disarmament. There are an esti - Council — the U.S., Russia, weapons states was a foolish and the UN’s historic treaty in July. do not, wise citizens must step mated 15,000 nuclear weapons in China, France and Great Britain utopian dream. Canada continues to insist, along forward and lead the way.” the arsenals of states that possess — have shown no interest in co- But ICAN and other cam - with its nuclear-armed allies, on One group of citizens has them. All of those countries con - operating or in adopting such a paigners, including the Canadian an incrementalist approach to abo - stepped forward and for their tinue to modernize their weapons treaty. They all possess nuclear civil society partners, point to lition that has failed for nearly 50 efforts they were awarded the and intend to keep, rather than weapons and want to keep them earlier initiatives whose success years. Our government also ig - Nobel Peace Prize for 2017, eliminate, them. and they want to control the appeared unlikely but which were nores a House of Commons reso - which was presented in Stock - Despite this opposition, the agenda. The U.S., for example, ultimately accepted even by the lution, passed unanimously in holm, Sweden on Dec. 10. The civil society campaign was suc - placed pressure on its NATO big powers. These include treaties 2010, calling for Canadian leader - cessful at the UN and in July 2017 allies to boycott the UN’s entire to ban biological weapons (1972), ship on nuclear disarmament. the Treaty on the Pro hi bi tion of treaty-making enterprise. Unfor- chemical weapons (1993), land - The Trudeau administration Gruending is an Ottawa-based Nuclear Weapons was adopted by tunately, the Canadian govern - mines (1997), and cluster bombs claims to “be back” at the UN but writer and a former member of 122 member nations. The treaty ment allowed itself to be bullied. (2008). is backpedalling on the pressing Parliament. His blog can be would prohibit nations from devel - In 2016, then-Foreign Affairs The Canadian government nuclear question as the clock found at http://www.dennisgru - oping, testing, producing, manu - Minister Stéphane Dion claimed continues to claim that it supports threatens to tick down to mid - ending.ca A somewhat briefer facturing, transferring, possessing, that a ban on nuclear weapons the abolition of nuclear weapons, night. version of this piece was pub - stockpiling, using or threatening to lished on the website of the use nuclear weap ons, or allowing United Church Observer on Dec. nuclear weapons to be stationed 8, 2017 (ucobserver.org) on their territory. A nation that 2018 ORDER BOSCO FOUNDATION John Bosco NOW! Child & Family Services Foundation The John Bosco Child and Family Services Foundation (Bosco 2018 Foundation) is a public foundation dedicated to the provision of buildings and facilities used for the treatment, education and housing of children, adolescents and adults who are in need of Calendar support. St. Peter’s Press, 1908 Bosco Foundation believes in assisting non-profit and charitable The Prairie Messenger 2018 calendar features local photography accompanied organizations who provide vital services which aid vulnerable by a meditation. The calendar measures 8 1/2 x 11” and includes the Sundays people in our society. We do this by providing our facilities to of the liturgical year, holy days, ’ days and the phases of the moon. various non-profit and charitable agencies at below market level rental rates. ORDER TODAY FOR A LOW PRICE OF $15.95 plus S&H Our facilities are used for social services group care, foster Mail coupon to: St. Peter’s Press care, adult mental health care, the St. Francis Food Bank, two Box 190, Muenster, SK S0K 2Y0 AA groups and a NE Edmonton cadet core among others. Phone: (306) 682-1770 Fax: (306) 682-5285 email: [email protected] In addition, we provide volunteer services to assist two small non- profit organizations working with low income seniors and victims Name ______of stroke with fundraising and volunteer recruitment assistance. Address ______The Bosco Foundation is currently working with a large service Town/City ______Prov. ______P. Code ______organization on a joint project with the aim of providing Phone # ______affordable housing for low-income seniors. Please allow 2-3 weeks for delivery K K 100% of donations go toward charitable purposes. Cheque/Money Order enclosed VISA/MasterCard Administrative expenses are covered by other sources. VISA/MasterCard #______CVV #______Expiry Date ______Name of cardholder ______Please forward your donation to: K Bosco Foundation Please send me ______calendars @ $15.95 for a total of $______315-6770 129 Avenue NW, Postage and Handling (Add $4 for 1st calendar and .50¢ for each additional) $______Edmonton, AB T5C 1V7 N 6% PST (Sask. residents only, on calendars only) $______Tel: (780) 809-8585 Fax: (780) 809-8586 5% GST (on calendar and postage) $______www.boscofoundation.com *Charitable Tax Number: 85985 8664 RT0001* Total $______

December 20/27, 2017 FEATURE Prairie Messenger 13 Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem: ‘apocalypse now’?

By Matthew Gabriele tual battle against the Antichrist.” its precise “biblical timing” set sacred, rather than secular time. as Jesus of Nazareth.” ©2017 Religion News Service His prediction is beginning to out in Leviticus. Michael Evans In other words, they show that This is the troubling subtext to come true — with Jerusalem said that America is “in the mid - they think the Jerusalem decision this evangelical apocalyptic sup - During the election campaign playing a critical role in that dle of prophecy right now” and was part of God’s plan for the port for the recognition of Jeru - last year many conservative evan - apocalyptic drama. compared Trump to King Cyrus, world, a step on the way to the salem as the capital of Israel. God gelical Christians saw then-candi - On Dec. 6, President Trump for - a pagan king who nonetheless reunification of the holy city (still wants the Temple rebuilt so that date Donald Trump as a man of mally recognized Jerusalem as the was an instrument of God and considered occupied under inter - the end-times battle between the strength who would make the capital of Israel. Met with concern helped Israel. At a rally for the national law) and the restoration forces of good and evil can begin. world ready for a final battle by almost all corners of the diplo - president in Florida, state Senator of the ancient Israelite Temple. In Those who support God’s plan between good and evil. matic world, it was greeted with Doug Broxson excited the crowd other words, a step on the way are good, while those who oppose As the historian Matthew excitement by a large segment of by declaring: “When I heard toward the apocalypse. it are evil. Muslims oppose the Avery Sutton wrote at the time, conservative Christians, especially about Jerusalem — where the And apocalyptic beliefs are par - plan, hence they are evil. they expected him to lead Amer - white evangelicals who are among King of Kings (applause) where ticularly strong in America among The logic is ripped in almost ica in “a real-world battle against his staunchest supporters. our soon coming King is coming white evangelical Chris tians. In a whole part from ancient texts. For evangelicals’ enemies and a spiri - As Trump “spiritual adviser” back to Jerusalem, it is because 2010 Pew Survey, 58 per cent said example, the wildly popular 10th- Paula White said, “Evangelicals President Trump declared Jeru- they believed Jesus would return to century “On the Antichrist” by the are ecstatic, for Israel is to us a salem to be capital of Israel.” earth in the next 40 years. Adso of Montier-en-Der Gabriele is an associate pro - sacred place and the Jewish peo - Such statements are important The immediate roots of end- includes a section devoted to the fessor of medieval studies in the ple are our dearest friends.” John because they shift the frame with times thinking in the American so-called Christian “Last Emperor,” Department of Religion and Hagee, the founder of Christians which listeners are asked to con - context can be traced to Hal who would unite Chris tians in bat - Culture at Virginia Tech. Follow United for Israel, responded to sider what happened. They posi - Lindsey’s 1970 book The Late, tle and conquer Jerusalem to begin him on Twitter at @prof_gabriele Trump’s announcement by noting tion Trump’s statement within Great Planet Earth , which re - the events of the final end. Even as packaged and reformulated much late as the 16th century, the work older Christian ideas. For Lindsey, of Martin Luther suggested that the the formation of the modern state invasions of the Ottomans into the of Israel was critical because it Holy Roman Empire might be a signalled a step toward the re - sign of the beginning of the final building of the Temple. These cosmic war. In all of those sources, ideas were reintroduced to a new Jerusalem plays a central role as the generation by the immensely pop - site of that final battle against those ular “Left Behind” books (and they saw as the agents of evil — movies), in which Jerusalem is at Muslims. the centre of a conflict between These traditions are not as dis - the Antichrist and the believers, tant as we may think. Modern and between Satan and Jesus. apocalyptic expectation such as But so what? These ideas don’t that of Lindsey, Hagee, and “Left seem, on the face of it, particularly Behind” series authors Tim dangerous. Americans by and large LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins, owes express overwhelming support for a huge debt to its predecessors. In the state of Israel. And Jerusalem each case, as Stephen O’Leary does undeniably play a critical role wrote in his 1998 book, Arguing in end-times scenarios. At the same the Apocalypse , the im portance of time, Christian tradition in the West the moment is framed similarly — tends to think of sacred history as now is a critical juncture in God’s moving in cycles. Jerusalem was plan, be cause a great evil threatens King David’s city, the capital of the to destroy us, so we must act. kingdom of Israel, and the location Not all white conservative for the pivotal moments in Jesus’ evangelicals think the apocalypse ministry, so it seems normal that it is at hand. But in Christian think - CNS/Debbie Hill would play a critical role in Jesus’ ing, there is an end to history so APOCALYPSE NOW? — Smoke rises as Palestinians protest Dec. 8 in Bethlehem, West Bank, in response Second Coming. Revelation 21 those ideas remain always there, to U.S. President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Some Evangelical Christians specifically describes the descent of sometimes latent, but ready to think the Jerusalem decision was part of God’s plan for the world, a step on the way to the reunification of a New Jerusalem in which the explode into being if certain con - the holy city (still considered occupied under international law) and the restoration of the ancient Israelite saved will dwell. ditions in the world seem to have Temple. In other words, a step on the way toward the apocalypse. . . . The question of who will be been met. When they do arise, saved is also a vexed one. Hagee’s they are potent. Apocalyptic ideas PRAIRIE MESSENGER PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY thoughts on it are outlined in his are not value-neutral, nor are they 2005 book Jerusalem Countdown , passive. Although they might which predicts that Israel will be not spark another crusade like MCKERCHER LLP BARRISTERS & SOLICITORS KAPOOR, SELNES, & covered in “a sea of human blood” they did a millennium ago, and the Jews will survive the final that rhetoric has been making a KLIMM SASKATOON: John Schachtel battle long enough to have “the comeback, and a single spark Barristers & Solicitors (306) 653-2000 opportunity to receive Messiah, apocalyptically framed could W. Selnes, B.A., LL.B.; L.J.(Dick) Batten, QC 1201 - 8th St. East G. Klimm, B.A., LL.B.; Michel G. Thibault Saskatoon, Sask. who is a rabbi known to the world have devastating consequences. David M.A. Stack,QC (306) 978-5200 Phone (306) 752-5777, P.O. Box 2200 Curtis J. Onishenko Melfort, Saskatchewan S0E 1A0 Galen R. Richardson     Phone (306) 873-4535, P.O. Box 760 Resist the dark side Tisdale, Saskatchewan S0E 1T0 REGINA:     306.565.6500 David E. Thera, QC      Continued from page 9 that Finland chose instead another WEBER Committed to serving the legal         co-production, Tom of Finland Barristers& GASPER & Solicitors needs of Religious Organizations when inspectors come, and pays (which I saw at the Tribeca Film for the past 90 years. Russel Weber (B.A., LL.B.) MALINOSKI & DANYLUIK to get him a fake but passable Festival), as its official selection Tabbetha M. Gasper (B.A., LL.B.) FUNERAL HOME identity card allowing him to for the 90th Academy Awards. It’s 517 Main Street, Humboldt, Sask. HWY 5 EAST HUMBOLDT come out from the shadows. based on the life of Touko Phone: 306-682-5038 Khaled joins the other staff in the Laaksonen, a decorated war veter - Fax: 306-682-5538 Humboldt’s only 100% mckercher.ca locally owned and operated. restaurant’s serial reinventions — an who, as an illustrator of gay E-mail: [email protected] PH : 306-682-1622 as a sushi bar, dance club, Indian erotic magazines, became cele - eatery. These scenes, shot through brated in America as an icon of VOLUNTEER INTERNATIONAL RAYNER AGENCIES LTD. with wry humour, add a humane queer subculture. The Other Side CHRISTIAN SERVICE www.rayneragencies.ca Est. 1948 lightness to the darker aspects of of Hope is not only , its requires Teachers, Administrators, Medical Professionals General Insurance Broker Systems Ltd. and Trades People, aged 21 - 65. If you are interested in Khaled’s plight. Spirits are lifted fictional narrative speaks to more serving overseas for two years, we may have Motor Licences & Notary Public an assignment for you! Please call 780-485-5505, 1000 Central Avenue, Saskatoon Hearing Aid Sales, Service & Repair further when Miriam is found in a important and timely truths. Email: [email protected] or visit Your Best Insurance Phone: 306-373-0663 Is An Insurance Broker Lithuanian refugee centre and As a last word, by the time you our Website at www.volunteerinternational.ca Ph: 306.979.4543 #16-1945 McKercher Dr. Shawn Wasylenko Norbert Wasylenko Cell: 306.881.8602 Saskatoon, SK S7J 4M4 Wikström helps to smuggle her read this the newest epic episode

Muenster, Sask. into Helsinki. Even after Khaled Star Wars: The Last Jedi S0K 2Y0 MAURICE SOULODRE Bookkeeping, is viciously attacked by a neo- (http://www.starwars.com/) will Charity Returns, Ph: 306-682-1770 Architect Ltd. Nazi (who ironically calls him a be blazing across screens every - Fax: 306-682-5285 Maurice Soulodre, B.A., B.Ed., M.Arch., SAA, MRAIC GST Filing, Fine Quality Printing “Jewboy”), the story survives where. We may not be equipped [email protected] FRAME Reports 1815C Lorne Ave., Saskatoon, SK S7H 1Y5 ACCOUNTING SERVICES despairing situations to come to a with the force of its light sabres. Tel: (306) 955-0333 Fax: (306) 955-0549 Place your professional ad here Specializing in parishes and parishes with schools. E-mail: [email protected] gentle close on the hopeful side. But we all have it in our power to Call 306-682-1772 Mira Salter ~ [email protected] As a footnote, I am surprised resist the dark side. 14 Prairie Messenger EDITORIALS December 20/27, 2017

Churchpersons of the year Both papers continued to be published weekly a standard as high as any publication in Canada.” until the Bote was discontinued in 1947. The last Readership of the Prairie Messenger reached its For more than three decades the Prairie Messenger issue was dated July 31. zenith in the 1960s — the decade of the Second has honoured someone as churchperson of the year. According to Colleen Fitzgerald in her history of Vatican Council and the renewal of the church by In this, our last year of publication, we have St. Peter’s Abbey, Begin A Good Work , the first copy Pope John XXIII. Pastors were eager to keep up with decided to honour a group: our readers. of the St. Peter’s Messenger in 1923 was flown to developments from Rome and many parishes sub - The Prairie Messenger has been published for 95 Regina and presented to the premier and members of scribed to “parish plans” and “parish bundles” to years, but this English newspaper had a German the cabinet. “The intent,” she wrote, “was not simply encourage their parishioners to keep abreast of the twin, of sorts. to promote a newspaper; the political mood of the news. The Prairie Messenger reached a high of more When the Benedictine first came to province was changing and the need to present the than 16,000 subscribers in the mid-1960s. Muenster in the then-Northwest Territories in 1903, Catholic community in a positive light was essential. In the age before the Internet and social media, they identified as a priority the publication of a week - Anti-Catholicism was a present and powerful force newspapers were the main source of information and ly newspaper. Within nine months of their arrival they in Canadian politics in the 1920s and 1930s. . . . The education. were publishing a weekly paper in German, because presence of the Ku Klux Klan in Saskatchewan fur - The Prairie Messenger staff has been heartened most of the settlers in the St. Peter’s Colony area were ther prompted the monks to publish not just a by the overwhelming number of responses received German-speaking. It was called the St. Peter’s Bote . Catholic paper but an intellectually and journalisti - from readers after they learned that the paper will be The German language was frowned upon after cally respectable Catholic paper.” closed in May 2018. Many comments were made pri - the First World War and the settlers in the now- “The content of the paper was varied,” Fitzgerald vately. But they all reveal the sadness our readers province of Saskatchewan were fluent in English. wrote. “Local news was still a part of the PM , as well feel about the closing of the PM . Because the children of the area were losing the as parish events and provincial news. But there were We thank you, our readers, for your support German language, the monks decided to begin an also syndicated columns, book reviews and film rat - throughout the years. Your financial response to our English Catholic weekly newspaper. They called it ings, and articles on events in Europe. Subscribers annual appeal has helped us add a few years to our the St. Peter’s Messenger . It saw its birth on May 24, read about complex events such as the founding of lifespan. And we rejoice that you have been nour - 1923. In a few years the Messenger was gaining read - the League of Nations and the Spanish Civil War. The ished and inspired by the content of our paper. ers beyond the St. Peter’s Colony area and in 1928 analysis of international events was grounded in the We salute you as churchpersons of the year. — the name was changed to the Prairie Messenger . Catholic intellectual tradition, and the writing was of PWN Dark days of winter can be some of most precious times of the year

Life In Canadian Arctic

Jon Hansen, CSsR

As I write this, Inuvik is say - arrives it is time to have faith. We ing goodbye to the sun for the last cannot cower indoors during the time this year. Once it slips below dark days. Work must continue as the horizon it will not be seen trap lines are tended and fish are again for 30 days and the long caught under the thickening ice. cold dark nights will now be fol - As the snowmobiles patrol the lowed by long cold dark days. length of the frozen river, their That might seem like a depress - headlights pierce the darkness just ing thought, and certainly an far enough to continue a little way extra dose of vitamin D is recom - and then a little more. When we mended for winter living in the have faith in God and faith in our North, but I have come to find the own abilities to cope with difficult Jon Hansen dark days of winter one of the situations, we persevere, moving Sunrise over Tuktoyaktuk most precious times of the year. forward a little bit at a time. It is not that they are not diffi - Then, we need to laugh in the pride that binds us together in a and a bonfire made from all the transformation has taken place. cult or that they don’t offer a face of hardship even when we way that just does not happen old wooden pallets gathered from The darkness has not just been a challenge to our ordinary daily feel like crying. This week we lost when life is too comfortable. the year past. It is a symbolic gap or a pause between one part of routines but, instead, it is precise - a beloved town member who suc - When the sun finally returns in torching of the old to make way the year and the next but, rather, it ly in those difficulties and chal - cumbed to the cold in a poorly early January there is a collective for the new. has been a crucible into which we lenges that we receive a wonder - heated house. It was a tragedy and cheer as the communities pull out As people’s faces are set aglow have been forged into something ful gift that perhaps helps us the town is grieving. It is impor - the stops to welcome the fresh in the warmth and light of the 40- new. And who does not welcome appreciate life in a way others tant to acknowledge that grief but, beginning. There are fireworks foot flames, one senses that a an opportunity to begin again? might take for granted. Here is like the cold, we must not lose my thinking: ourselves to it. So, every year we First, these days come as no use these darkest of days to have Shalom greeting has wealth of meaning surprise. We know they are com - the greatest of celebrations. ing, as they do every year, and we At the Igloo Church we open By Bishop Lionel Gendron, ever, is that shalom does not right and complete, and even evoke know we need to brace for the the doors to the whole communi - -Jean-Longueuil merely mean peace in the sense the fullness of existence replete darkness. Knowing that something ty for a grand celebration in of the absence of war. There is in with life, repose, and blessing. difficult is coming our way is a preparation for Christmas. As the At Christmas and New Year’s, this word a richness with greater Moreover, shalom denotes the great advantage, as it gives us time townspeople arrive they are greet - we enjoy sharing our very best implications. Let me illustrate well-being of day-to-day life to prepare. There is time to stock ed by beautiful decorations made wishes with those we love. Along what I mean with an example. marked by the harmony and up on good books and old movies, of ice and snow as we use the with “Merry Christmas!” and In 2 Samuel 11:7 we read: serenity of human persons with time to fill the pantry before the harshness of nature to our best “Happy New Year!,” one of the “When Uriah came to him, David themselves, with nature, with one grocery shelves empty while ice advantage. When life gets tough, greetings we so often hear and asked how Joab and the people another and with God. Thus, it is bridges are being built, time to put it’s time to laugh and sing and to repeat is “I wish you good health!” fared, and how the war was a notion with a plurality of mean - away extra firewood for those par - show the world and ourselves that It’s so important. Without denying going.” If one sticks to the literal ings which refer as much to each ticularly cold, dark days. we will not be overcome. the importance of good health, I translation of this passage, David person’s peace of heart as it does These days remind us that life Finally, there is solace in know - would like to journey with you to is asking Uriah about the shalom to peace-harmony-communion in is full of difficulties, but knowing ing that the sun will rise again. discover the source of the Word of of General Joab, his army, and families and societies, as well as that, we can prepare so we are not Though the sun is out of our view, God, that which is truly most thus of the war; in short, about the among nations. One could say caught off guard when they come. we see signs of its presence still as essential for the human heart. “shalom (peace) of the war.” Now that shalom -peace is the only Next, when the darkness beautiful displays of fiery red and We have all heard the Hebrew that provides food for thought! reality capable of truly fulfilling orange clouds skirt the horizon word shalom and know it is most So let’s dig deeper and explore the human heart. during the midday. These days often translated as “peace.” What the word shalom in order to appre - At the same time, the Word of Hansen is a Redemptorist priest without sunshine might seem long we may not always realize, how - ciate its wealth of meaning better. God leads us even further. It and pastor of Our Lady of Victory but, like all life’s difficult mo - In the passage just cited, if shalom teaches us that shalom is a gift Parish, Inuvik. See his website: ments, these too will pass. When means the “state,” “situation,” or from God, the Father of mercies, www.jonhansenccsr.com. He was they do we have the pride of say - Gendron is president of the even “evolution” of the battle, this revealed in the person of Christ. named bishop of the Diocese of ing we made it through another Canadian Conference of Catholic term, throughout the rest of the Mackenzie-Fort Smith on Dec. 15. season of darkness and that is a Bishops. Bible, can also indicate what is — GOOD HEALTH , page 15 December 20/27, 2017 LETTERS Prairie Messenger 15

Science can purify religion from error and superstition

The Editor: Our Victoria how science has informed Cath - formation” and “culture war” tac - Diocesan Conference featured olic teaching is manipulated by tics. “the pope’s astronomer,” Br. Guy unscrupulous operators in the After reading your Nov. 22 cov - Consolmagno, SJ. “culture wars” they designed. erage, I watched the speech. I had Br. Guy outlined how Catholic Again — to me — this is similar to be specific to see the “roll of the positions have evolved thanks to to how Catholic ignorance of what eyes.” It is that minor and it isn’t being informed by the various St. John Paul II calls our “social even when she is talking religion! sciences — particularly after the magisterium” is manipulated to fur - Basically, she makes points 13-year review of Galileo’s trial ther the “cultural wars,” which in - similar to St. John Paul II and Br. initiated by St. John Paul II. tensifies our culture of death while Guy. He stressed Pope Francis is not promoting their benefactors “liber - We need informed exchange the first to respect what the vari - tarian-when-convenient” agenda. be tween science, religion and poli - ous sciences have to offer. Br. “Religious” reporters and edi - cy makers so we can constructive - Guy mentioned St. John Paul II’s tors, unskilled at detecting and ly deal with the life-threatening position: “Science can purify reli - de constructing misinformation or challenges with which we are con - gion from error and supersti - “culture war” tactics, run the sto - fronted. Right now, Payette stated, tion. Religion can purify science ries. we can’t take for granted that is from idolatry and false absolutes.” Unintentionally they promote happening and she gave examples. To me, the first part of this is a an agenda that St. John Paul II She also expressed the need piece of what Governor General called “social” or “structural” sins for us to be vigilant while learn - Julie Payette was expressing in and Pope Francis calls a “culture ing to deconstruct misinformation the speech for which she is being of indifference.” so we are not caught in “echo vilified. Repeatedly Br. Guy com - The treatment of the governor chambers.” — Yvonne Zarowny, mented how Catholic ignorance of general’s speech is classic “misin - Qualicum Beach, B.C. Peace begins with saving lives, caring

Continued from page 1 including those dedicated to refugees, migrants and victims of CNS/Bridgeman Images resettling migrants and refugees. human trafficking find the peace media, Rev. Bruno Marie Duffe, But the pope also insisted that they seek. Anno Domini secretary of the for Pro - basic human decency requires “ ‘Welcoming’ calls for expand - In this world that spins too fast — moting Integral Human Develop - sheltering those whose dignity is ing legal pathways for entry and no Where news glorifies carnage vast — ment, said, “It is clear peace be - at risk. longer pushing migrants and dis - As bullets plunge their startled mark — gins with saving lives and taking Jesuit Father Michael Czerny, placed people toward countries Mad bombers set yet one more blast; care of people who are trying to undersecretary of the Migrants and where they face persecution and escape wars, discrimination, per - Refugee Section of the Vatican violence. It also demands balanc - Voices carol “Emmanuel” — secution, poverty and climate dis - Dicastery for Promoting Integral ing our concerns about national Pine scent enchants with zesty spell. asters.” Human Development, told security with concern for funda - Eons ago, swaddled in flesh, As work continues on the UN reporters the “prudence” Pope mental human rights,” Pope The Almighty came to earth to dwell. Global Compact on Refugees and Francis is calling for involves dis - Francis said in the peace day mes - the Global Compact on Safe, cernment and wise direction. He sage. By Peter C. Venable Orderly and Regular Migration, compared it to the responsibility Countries have a moral obliga - Pope Francis urged the interna - parents exercise in running a tion as well as a legal obligation tional community not to surrender household. under international law to protect “to cynicism and to the globaliza - “Prudent parents respond and those fleeing from real danger, he www.prairiemessenger.ca tion of indifference.” allocate resources wisely,” he told said. And no one should forget the Countries at the UN General reporters. “If resources are inade - very high and very real risk of Assembly voted in September quate, they adjust goals. They exploitation faced by migrating 2016 to develop the compacts; obviously do not expel members women and children. Shalom -peace means same after meetings around the world, a who seem overly needy. What Archbishop Silvano Tomasi, a draft of each compact is scheduled kind of family would do that? And Vatican diplomat, told reporters to be released in February and a yet that is what the human family that to reach the goal of peaceful as ‘to be in good health’ final vote is scheduled for sometimes seems to do to asylum coexistence, “relations among September 2018. seekers and refugees.” nations must change and be Continued from page 14 living their share of suffering, In his message, which was In the message, the pope also based on: solidarity; dialogue division, harrowing crises and signed Nov. 13, the feast of St. said that welcoming migrants and instead of force, which explodes The prophet Isaiah actually pro - even wars. We desperately lack Frances Cabrini, patron of mi - refugees actually contributes to in conflict; policies of collabora - claims the Messiah as the “Prince shalom -peace. What could we do grants, Pope Francis said thinking peace and benefits host countries. tion; and the participation of of Peace” (9:5). Indeed, Jesus better than to wish our world about peace naturally meant think - Migrants and refugees “do not everyone in the benefits of tech - gives peace to us his disciples shalom -peace! ing about “those who most keenly arrive empty-handed. They bring nology, access to markets” and when he breathes his Holy Spirit Furthermore, during this fes - suffer its absence.” their courage, skills, energy and other factors that allow them to on us. The night of Passover tive season of Christmas and International organizations esti - aspirations, as well as the treasures live a dignified life. “Jesus came and stood among New Year’s, couldn’t our “best mate there are some 250 million of their own cultures; and in this “Peace flourishes where there them and said, ‘Peace be with wishes” — as much for the international migrants around the way, they enrich the lives of the is less inequality and injustice,” you.’. . . He breathed on them and whole world as for our loved globe and that about 22.5 million nations that receive them,” he said. the archbishop said. “And when said to them, ‘Receive the Holy ones — be what the Lord wishes of them are refugees, who have When people in need are wel - there is less inequality and injus - Spirit. . .’ ’’ (Jn 20:19, 22). Our us? “Peace be with you!” (Jn fled war, violence or persecution. comed and valued, “seeds of tice, there is also less migration journey has led us to consider 20:19). At Christmas, let us unite In their search for a place peace” begin to sprout, the pope and people can exercise their right how in the world of the Bible the our voices with the angels to sing where they can live in peace, the said. “Our cities, often divided and of not having to migrate.” expressions “to be in good health” “Peace on earth!” and on New pope said, many are “willing to polarized by conflicts regarding Pope Francis prayed that the and “to be in shalom -peace” are Year’s Day, the World Day of risk their lives on a journey that the presence of migrants and refu- global compacts would be practically identical. Peace, let us join our prayers to is often long and perilous, to gees, will thus turn into workshops “inspired by compassion, foresight What’s more, the Gospel urges those of all our brothers and sis - endure hardships and suffering, of peace.” and courage, so as to take advan - us to look around ourselves and ters to plead for shalom -peace for and to encounter fences and walls As he said in a message re- tage of every opportunity to ask whether shalom -peace is not all humanity. built to keep them far from their leased earlier for the World Day of advance the peace-building also that reality that truly re - Above all, let us not forget that goal.” Migrants and Refugees 2018, co- process. Only in this way can the sponds to the aspiration of all a wish is a commitment. To wish Pope Francis acknowledged ordinated plans for “welcoming, realism required of international human be ings. A quick glance at someone shalom -peace is to com - the right and obligation of coun - protecting, promoting and inte - politics avoid surrendering to cyn - news media today is more than mit oneself to becoming shalom - tries to protect their borders and grating” newcomers are essential icism and to the globalization of enough to convince us that our peacemakers in our own commu - wisely allocate their resources, for helping asylum seekers, indifference.” world and Canadian society are nities!

Editor: Peter Novecosky, OSB 306-682-1772 Subscriptions: $15.00 until May 2018; tax included; U.S. $105.00 per year. Foreign $150.00 per year. Associate editors: Maureen Weber , Single copy: $1.00 GST#10780 2928 RT0001 Don Ward Copy and advertising should arrive 12 days before publication date. Layout artist: Lucille Stewart Change of address: Please allow 3-4 weeks for processing and send Advertising: Gail Kleefeld 306-682-1772 both old and new addresses. Circulation: Gail Kleefeld 306-682-1772 Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to: Website: http://www.prairiemessenger.ca Circulation Department Regina diocesan editor: Frank Flegel 306-586-7316, 306-352-1651 100 College Drive, Box 190, Muenster, Sask., S0K 2Y0 Saskatoon diocesan editor: Kiply Lukan Yaworski 306-242-1500, 306-651-3935 Prince Albert: Chancery Office 306-922-4747 Fax: (306) 682-5285 [email protected] Member of Winnipeg diocesan editor: James Buchok 204-452-2227 Published by the Benedictine monks of St. Peter’s Abbey. Canadian Church Press Saint-Boniface Chancery Office 204-237-9851 and the CCNA Printed by St. Peter’s Press, Muenster, Sask. CN ISSN 0032-664X Publication Mail Agreement No. 40030139 16 Prairie Messenger YEAR IN REVIEW December 20/27, 2017

The most recent issues of the Prairie Messenger are displayed in the PM office. The monks of St. Peter’s Abbey have been publishing a paper at Design Pics St. Peter’s Press since 1904. On May 17, 2017, they announced that the In April Justice Donald Layh ruled that the Saskatchewan govern - Prairie Messenger and St. Peter’s Press would close in May 2018. ment doesn’t have the legal right to give Catholic schools funding for students who aren’t Catholic. He said provincial government funding Bishop Mark Hagemoen was of non-minority faith students attending separate schools infringes on installed at the Cathedral of the religious neutrality and equality rights. The ruling is being appealed. Holy Family Nov. 23 as the eighth bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon.

Grandin Media Community hearings, like this one in Edmonton, have been taking place across the country for the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. A final report is scheduled for 2018.

CNS/Christinne Muschi, Reuters CNS/ L’Osservatore Romano via Reuters Pope Francis greets a young Rohingya refugee from Myanmar. From A two-year-old boy, whose family his trips to Egypt, Colombia, Myanmar and Bangladesh, Pope stated they are from Haiti, watches Francis tried to convince people that peaceful coexistence and even as an RCMP officer pats down his unity do not require the erasing of all differences. “The unity we mother before the two cross the share and celebrate is born of diversity,” he told the bishops of U.S.-Canada into Quebec Aug. 29. Myanmar Nov. 29. “Never forget this — it is born of diversity! It val - ues people’s differences as a source of mutual enrichment and growth. It invites people to come together in a culture of encounter and solidarity.” The violence in Myanmar against Rohingya Muslims has been called genocide. 2017 This year the Prairie Messenger honours our devoted readers — our Churchpersons of the Year for 2017.

CNS/Ettore Ferrari, Reuters Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asked Pope Francis to help Canadians “move forward on a real reconciliation” with CNS/Dario Ayala, Reuters the country’s indigenous people “by issuing an apology” on People gather for a vigil in support of the Muslim commu - behalf of the Catholic Church for its role in harming their Kiply Yaworski nity in Montreal. Faith and political leaders condemned a communities. At their annual plenary, the Canadian bish - An ecumenical service was held Oct. 29 at the Cathedral of shooting at Quebec’s main mosque at the end of January ops said they are in a process of “accompaniment and dis - the Holy Family in Saskatoon to mark the 500th anniversary that left at least six people dead. cernment” on the matter. of the . Commemorations were held worldwide.

CNS/Bob Roller The Women’s March in January was a worldwide protest to advocate legislation and policies regarding human rights CNS/Carlos Barria, Reuters and other issues, including women’s rights. In October the Devastation in Puerto Rico after Hurricane #MeToo movement spread virally to denounce sexual Maria. The 2017 hurricane season saw 10 hurri - The oldest monk at St. Peter’s Abbey, Brother Wolfgang Thiem, assault and harassment in the wake of numerous and ongo - canes in a row, which included Harvey and Irma, OSB, died Oct. 17 at the age of 93. Rev. Rudolph Novecosky, OSB, ing sexual misconduct allegations in the entertainment the greatest number of consecutive hurricanes in died Oct. 9 at the age of 81. industry, and increasingly all areas of life. the satellite era.