Spring/Summer 2015

Faith, Arts & Justice

Why Words

MatterSinger/Songwriter Brian Doerksen

Why Words Matter music works on us and in us, and matter we could say cruel things to each means of God-spoken words like ‘Let By Brian Doerksen because of the power of one additional other and nothing would change. But we there be light.’ These words, because of tool of language that we lyricists use to all know what happens when hurtful their inherent power and the power of Words have power. They make us erupt great effect: rhyme. Sing the lines ‘Why words get spoken. People get hurt. the One who spoke them, bring about with laughter or cause our heart to break. she had to go I don’t know, she wouldn’t say. Things change. the reality we find ourselves in the middle Most of you will know the words to the I said something wrong, now I long for of. This was my inspiration for the words I song ‘Yesterday.’ The reason you know yesterday.’ Decades after my first hearing Words matter because words have wrote in Creation Calls. these words is not simply because they of this amazing song I have no problem power. I have felt the wind blow, whispering your are part of our culture’s soundtrack. When recalling the words. They still speak. The name. words are wedded to melody they get first line I quoted speaks of the power of Those of us from the community of faith I have seen your tears fall when I watch the lodged in a part of our brain that words withheld. Even unspoken, words believe that words got the whole cosmos rain. functions as ‘God’s back up hard drive for have power. The second line speaks of rolling in the first place. The opening How could I say there is no God when all humans.’ When we need to access those the collective human experience of chapters of Genesis poetically describe around creation calls . . . words, they’re there because of how broken hearts and regret. If words didn’t the creation of the world through the continued on page 3 Check out page 7 for our new contest! This Issue:

The Power of Words mind while still living on her own. I had onto her balcony at night, and then sit in weep as I tore the edges from all of the felt good to make use of those nasty little Words of Healing, Words of Hope 4 gathered them up and put them in a file her living room and listen to her radio. notes and made them into smaller pieces notes that had been taking up space in Doug Lockhart when we moved her from her apartment to attach to the canvas. my files. They are now in a place of into the care home. Mom often misplaced The notes I had tucked away in my filing reminder that we need to show a bit more A Beautiful Synergy 5 personal items, and unable to admit her cabinet were addressed to these “visitors”, During the journey of helping and caring patience and love to those living in the Renate & Keith Worthington forgetfulness, her mind made up stories or “destroyers” as she sometimes called for my Mom, I had become a widow, and prison of their anxieties. An Essay on True Dialogue 6 about other people intruding into her them. She told them she couldn’t afford to was dealing with desperate feelings of my Deacon Adrian Martens sanctuary. When paranoia takes root, feed them, and that they should “get a own. My mother was immersed in her To quote Bette Davis, “growing old ain’t for reason decreases, and imagination job!” helpless little world, unable to comfort sissies…” Film Review 6 Journey Through Bill Locke increases dramatically. me. This brought on self-condemnation I knew that I needed to do something for wanting a mother back, to console me. Featured Artist 7 She told me about the people who with all these little notes. Throwing them I was angry that I had to be the parent and Rob Hudec insinuated themselves into her home to away seemed like a disregard for her not the child. Fortunately, with the love Dementia: eat her food, steal small items and move distress, so I decided to work them into a and support of family, friends and church Faye Hall works by day in the Winnipeg office Poetry 7 Naomi Shihab Nye My Mother’s Words things around – even rearranging her painting about dementia. I would attempt network, I received much prayer and of singer/songwriter Steve Bell. Her art has drawers, cupboards and purse. At the to put myself into her world and try to support to help wade through the muck been largely influenced by his music, “I am Immigrant” 8 Journey through Dementia: Like many people in my position, I found it fear. She had been brought in for tests worst stages, she imagined that these understand what she had felt. of my grief and loss. photography and the poetry of Malcolm Katarzyna Czyz My Mother’s Words difficult to explain my feelings to others. after a fainting spell. She was very folks had moved into the apartment Guite of the UK (a co-collaborator with Bell.) Books that Changed my Life 9 by Faye Hall Mom could be sitting right beside me, yet frightened, and when we wanted to take her above her, coming down to her kitchen I found a photo that I had taken of her in While creating this painting, I studied the Faye is releasing a book of her art in the fall of Dr. Gordon Smith I missed her terribly. Then there’s the guilt back to the care home, she literally fought us for breakfast. her favourite restaurant, shortly before her face of my Mom, noticing every wrinkle, 2015 called “ART begets ART - One Artist’s My mother, Helen Goertzen, was a loving, about feeling shackled to this person, like a desperate child, thinking the ambu- passing, and sketched the face on the shadow and highlight as an insight into Inspiration”, which shows many of the The Language of Grief 10 caring nurse for most of her life, looking even though you love them. Life seems to lance attendants wanted to kill her. She died Rev. Bob Glasgow Sometimes, “those people” brought their canvas. what she was feeling at the time. Every paintings influenced by Bell and Guite, and after my father who had a heart condition be passing you by. the next day. children along with them, allowing the stroke of the brush seemed to ease and tells some of the stories behind her work. See Theatre Review 11 and died far too soon. Upon her children to scratch her piano bench, pick What is it like to live in constant fear - release – something. her blog for details at www.fayehall.com. Meg Konditi retirement and the loss of my Dad, she My mother passed away suddenly in 2012 Some time later, the time came to clean out the leaves off her floral arrangements, and where one’s imagination goes wild, and Facebook at The Art of Faye Hall. slowly descended into a paranoid form from heart failure. Her last emergency day some files in my studio, and I came upon a Gathered Wisdom 11 cut the edges of doilies. She insisted that a everyone is “looking at you” and judging I can never hope to fully understand her Laura Locke of dementia. I helped care for her for over in the hospital was not pleasant, as her reminder of her suffering – little notes that man used a rope and harness to climb you? My hands shook and I started to anxiety and desperation, but somehow it 20 years. form of dementia often included acute she had written in her confused state of continued on page 2

Several years ago I went through a prolonged season of disorientation and darkness initiated by relational conflict in a church I had helped plant. The result – I lost my words. (A bit of a problem when you make your living with words as a songwriter.) After 2 years of not writing any new songs I rediscovered the power of the ancient words from the Book of Psalms. Since then I’ve become part of a new band made up of old friends. We are ‘The SHIYR Poets’ (Pronounced ‘Sheer’) and we are creating new inspirational folk rock settings of the Psalms. We sing the dark and difficult lament Psalms too, because we relate to them. Our first album ‘Songs for the Journey Volume One’ contains Psalms 1 to 10 and we are almost finished Volume Two which contains Psalms 11 to 20. These ancient words have helped keep me alive. kolbetimes Feature 2

Journey Through

Dementia:My Mother’s Words

Final Painting by Faye Hall

Faye Hall - Ebonie Klassen Photography mind while still living on her own. I had onto her balcony at night, and then sit in weep as I tore the edges from all of the felt good to make use of those nasty little gathered them up and put them in a file her living room and listen to her radio. notes and made them into smaller pieces notes that had been taking up space in when we moved her from her apartment to attach to the canvas. my files. They are now in a place of into the care home. Mom often misplaced The notes I had tucked away in my filing reminder that we need to show a bit more personal items, and unable to admit her cabinet were addressed to these “visitors”, During the journey of helping and caring patience and love to those living in the forgetfulness, her mind made up stories or “destroyers” as she sometimes called for my Mom, I had become a widow, and prison of their anxieties. about other people intruding into her them. She told them she couldn’t afford to was dealing with desperate feelings of my sanctuary. When paranoia takes root, feed them, and that they should “get a own. My mother was immersed in her To quote Bette Davis, “growing old ain’t for reason decreases, and imagination job!” helpless little world, unable to comfort sissies…” increases dramatically. me. This brought on self-condemnation I knew that I needed to do something for wanting a mother back, to console me. She told me about the people who with all these little notes. Throwing them I was angry that I had to be the parent and insinuated themselves into her home to away seemed like a disregard for her not the child. Fortunately, with the love eat her food, steal small items and move distress, so I decided to work them into a and support of family, friends and church Faye Hall works by day in the Winnipeg office things around – even rearranging her painting about dementia. I would attempt network, I received much prayer and of singer/songwriter Steve Bell. Her art has drawers, cupboards and purse. At the to put myself into her world and try to support to help wade through the muck been largely influenced by his music, Journey through Dementia: Like many people in my position, I found it fear. She had been brought in for tests worst stages, she imagined that these understand what she had felt. of my grief and loss. photography and the poetry of Malcolm My Mother’s Words difficult to explain my feelings to others. after a fainting spell. She was very folks had moved into the apartment Guite of the UK (a co-collaborator with Bell.) by Faye Hall Mom could be sitting right beside me, yet frightened, and when we wanted to take her above her, coming down to her kitchen I found a photo that I had taken of her in While creating this painting, I studied the Faye is releasing a book of her art in the fall of I missed her terribly. Then there’s the guilt back to the care home, she literally fought us for breakfast. her favourite restaurant, shortly before her face of my Mom, noticing every wrinkle, 2015 called “ART begets ART - One Artist’s My mother, Helen Goertzen, was a loving, about feeling shackled to this person, like a desperate child, thinking the ambu- passing, and sketched the face on the shadow and highlight as an insight into Inspiration”, which shows many of the caring nurse for most of her life, looking even though you love them. Life seems to lance attendants wanted to kill her. She died Sometimes, “those people” brought their canvas. what she was feeling at the time. Every paintings influenced by Bell and Guite, and after my father who had a heart condition be passing you by. the next day. children along with them, allowing the stroke of the brush seemed to ease and tells some of the stories behind her work. See and died far too soon. Upon her children to scratch her piano bench, pick What is it like to live in constant fear - release – something. her blog for details at www.fayehall.com. retirement and the loss of my Dad, she My mother passed away suddenly in 2012 Some time later, the time came to clean out the leaves off her floral arrangements, and where one’s imagination goes wild, and Facebook at The Art of Faye Hall. slowly descended into a paranoid form from heart failure. Her last emergency day some files in my studio, and I came upon a cut the edges of doilies. She insisted that a everyone is “looking at you” and judging I can never hope to fully understand her of dementia. I helped care for her for over in the hospital was not pleasant, as her reminder of her suffering – little notes that man used a rope and harness to climb you? My hands shook and I started to anxiety and desperation, but somehow it 20 years. form of dementia often included acute she had written in her confused state of Why Words Matter music works on us and in us, and matter we could say cruel things to each means of God-spoken words like ‘Let By Brian Doerksen because of the power of one additional other and nothing would change. But we there be light.’ These words, because of tool of language that we lyricists use to all know what happens when hurtful their inherent power and the power of Words have power. They make us erupt great effect: rhyme. Sing the lines ‘Why words get spoken. People get hurt. the One who spoke them, bring about with laughter or cause our heart to break. she had to go I don’t know, she wouldn’t say. Things change. the reality we find ourselves in the middle Most of you will know the words to the I said something wrong, now I long for of. This was my inspiration for the words I song ‘Yesterday.’ The reason you know yesterday.’ Decades after my first hearing Words matter because words have wrote in Creation Calls. these words is not simply because they of this amazing song I have no problem power. I have felt the wind blow, whispering your are part of our culture’s soundtrack. When recalling the words. They still speak. The name. words are wedded to melody they get first line I quoted speaks of the power of Those of us from the community of faith I have seen your tears fall when I watch the lodged in a part of our brain that words withheld. Even unspoken, words believe that words got the whole cosmos rain. functions as ‘God’s back up hard drive for have power. The second line speaks of rolling in the first place. The opening How could I say there is no God when all humans.’ When we need to access those the collective human experience of chapters of Genesis poetically describe around creation calls . . . words, they’re there because of how broken hearts and regret. If words didn’t the creation of the world through the

Faith, Arts & Justice 3 Feature Why Words Mattercontinued

Brian Doerksen

The SHIYR Poets

The words that we think and speak are My other prime focus in this season is to powerful and important, but perhaps mentor and encourage the next most powerful of all are the words we generation to write words in song. My sing. These words are not thoughtlessly hope in doing so is this; when they are in uttered and then forgotten, but deeply trouble – and suffering will mark each of engraved in our memory. It’s these words their young lives eventually – they will And let’s ensure that phrases like ‘I love Brian Doerksen is a JUNO award winning that help us in times of trouble. For me have songs in their musical mother you,’ ‘You are amazing,’ and ‘Will you recording artist, writer of songs like ‘Come, the writing of songs has been one of the tongue to help them remember. I’m forgive me?’ are often on our lips as we now is the time to worship,’ ‘Faithful One’ main ways that I’ve responded to the doing this at Prairie College in Three Hills, interact with people who need to and ‘Refiner’s fire’; member of ‘The SHIYR various storms that have blown through Alberta. experience the power of words in a Poets’; and a professor teaching songwriting my life. Hearing stories of how the words life-giving way. in the Music & Worship Arts program at to these songs have subsequently helped Words help us build a relationship with Prairie College in Three Hills. He’s been people in distress is one of my greatest our Maker and those around us. They married to Joyce for 30 years and they have motivators to keep on writing. I was help us express who we are and what we six children, including three with special stunned when I heard about people in a are going through. Let’s keep on singing needs. Visit www.briandoerksen.com shipwreck clinging to debris in the ocean the words that matter the most, singing ‘Faithful One’ for hours as they engraving them into our memory. To see videos of Brian Doerksen and awaited rescue, or my recent meeting The SHIYR Poets, visit www.kolbetimes.com with a woman who was about to commit suicide. At the last minute she discovered one of my least known songs on YouTube called ‘Enter the Rest of God’. Instead of ending her life and abandoning her then 2-year-old son, she gave her burdens to God and since then, every night she and her now 5-year-old son sing these words over each other. ‘Are you tired, worn out Musings and empty? Is your soul weary . . . I am the rest you need. I am the Prince of peace. Enter the rest of God.’ from the Editor’s Desk Laura Locke Several years ago I went through a Musings from the Editor’s Desk therapy group for seniors with and would lead us eventually to those prolonged season of disorientation and By Laura Locke Alzheimer’s, and never ceased to be profound “aha!” moments. darkness initiated by relational conflict in [email protected] amazed at how they sang along to jazz a church I had helped plant. The result – I tunes from the 1940’s and 50’s with such The late Rod Cameron, a priest and poet lost my words. (A bit of a problem when It’s interesting how certain conversations impressive gusto. As singer/songwriter who worked for much of his life among you make your living with words as a stick in our minds long after they take Brian Doerksen suggests in our cover the Aboriginal people of Australia, wrote, songwriter.) After 2 years of not writing place – especially stressful ones. story, rhyme is a great memory tool. “If human hope is like a bird in flight, then any new songs I rediscovered the power Cognitive researchers have identified All of which attests to the power of story is the air. It’s where we live. Story of the ancient words from the Book of something called the “negativity bias”, words, both good and bad – the theme fuels the fire of the mind, because when Psalms. Since then I’ve become part of a which means that we remember of this issue. we find our theme, we find ourselves. It is new band made up of old friends. We are interactions of an unhappy or negative God who speaks into the story of our ‘The SHIYR Poets’ (Pronounced ‘Sheer’) nature best of all. I certainly have a few Jesus knew all about the power of words. lives, for God is the meaning-maker of the and we are creating new inspirational folk stark personal examples, such as a He was one of history’s greatest world.” rock settings of the Psalms. We sing the nervous ‘boyfriend’ in high school, staring storytellers. His “source material” came dark and difficult lament Psalms too, at his shoes while muttering “Maybe we from the things right in front of him: We hope you enjoy this issue of Kolbe because we relate to them. Our first should just be friends from now on.” birds, children, women sweeping, Times, as we present a parade of stories, album ‘Songs for the Journey Volume I remember that blood-curdling moment farmers, trees, tenants grumbling, sheep, and explore how words lost, words One’ contains Psalms 1 to 10 and we are as if it were yesterday! Song lyrics tend to rich landlords, faithful servants. Rather found, words given, words painted, almost finished Volume Two which stick in our minds, too – especially the than preaching a systematic theology, words sung, words spoken, words read contains Psalms 11 to 20. These ancient ones from our childhood or teenage Jesus knew that concrete examples and and words written can fuel the fire of our words have helped keep me alive. years. I once volunteered in a music anecdotes would cling in our memories, minds and spirits. kolbetimes LivingFaith 4 Words of Healing Words of Hope

A group of women attending a church service in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, burst into delighted laughter after hearing a Bible story in their native language, Nyanga. front of the room. The exercise was a an overseer of women’s groups in 12 area powerful and moving reminder that Christ churches, she now travels regularly by had forgiven them, and He would horseback or on foot to lead Bible studies empower them to forgive their enemies. and hold teacher-training workshops. Another day, we visited the office and surgery of Dr. Ahuka Longombe, a Christian Olga’s worldview shifted when she began physician who specializes in reconstructive to read and understand the Bible. Through surgery for women who have been brutally the translated Scriptures, she perceived that raped. At the end of our interview, Dr. God valued her and had a place for her in Longombe put into words what I had been building His kingdom. Thousands more struggling to express. Quechua people are discovering Christ’s Olga Sacatoomani in Southern Peru love through His Word, and in the “We can care for these women in a medical Democratic Republic of Congo, the Bible is Words of Healing, Words of Hope The next day, a few of them shared their way,” he told us, “but we cannot heal. The teaching trauma victims that the key to By Doug Lockhart stories with us during breaks from the One who can heal is God, and the true healing is found through forgiveness. Photos by Wycliffe Canada / Alan Hood workshop. instrument we have for that is His Word. Without the Word of God, you cannot “All Scripture is inspired by God,” the Apostle ‘They’re still able to smile.’ The thought “In one village,” said Moise Mamlaka from come to true healing.” Paul wrote to Timothy, “and is useful to startled me, knowing that most of the 20 the Chitembo language group, “about 100 teach us what is true and to make us realize refugees assembled that evening at a people were killed. Several people had their Across the world in Southern Peru, God’s what is wrong in our lives” (2 Timothy 3:16, spiritual retreat centre in the Democratic arms cut off and I have a family member Word is transforming lives in a different way. NLT). Paul’s statement is as true today as it Republic of Congo had probably witnessed that doesn’t have legs anymore.” We met Olga Sacatoomani this past was some 2,000 years ago. Today, people unspeakable cruelty. November, at her home high in the Andes from every tribe, tongue, people and Hearing such stories and observing the Mountains. nation are finding hope and healing from Darkness had fallen on the city of Goma, pain etched in their faces, I wondered if the pages of God’s Word, when it is read and inside the dimly-lit dining room one healing was even possible. Surely any joy “Our lives had many difficulties,” Olga told and understood in their own language. could even hear occasional laughter rising they once knew had been forever ripped us as we sipped warm milk outside her above the subdued conversations around away, replaced by haunting images and small adobe house. Doug Lockhart is the senior staff writer for us. It was the spring of 2011 and I had just the echoing screams of suffering friends, Wycliffe Bible Translators of Canada. To learn arrived with a photographer colleague neighbours and family members. Her husband used to drink heavily and the more about Wycliffe’s work in Bible translation from Word Alive, the magazine of Wycliffe In the days following, I glimpsed something entire family struggled with poor health. and how you can be involved, visit Bible Translators of Canada. I was going to remarkable as God used His Word, Around that time, Olga heard about literacy www.wycliffe.ca. interview victims of trauma to discover translated into their heart languages, to classes being hosted by a local church. As how they were processing their pain with renew hope among the 19 men and a lone she began attending the classes and as she guidance from Scriptures translated into woman attending the workshop. Whether learned to read the Cusco Quechua Bible, their mother tongues. it was read, spoken or sung to sacred Olga discovered that God cared for her and melodies, passages from the Bible began her family. Through His Word, she realized As survivors of the country’s brutal civil war, to touch deep places in their hearts. Christ had forgiven her sin and she could the Congolese church leaders who had With them came the Lord’s assurance that come to Him with her pain, as well as her gathered at the retreat centre had few He had never forsaken them, and there hopes and dreams. As her relationship with reasons to smile or laugh. was a place of healing that transcended Christ grew, Olga felt a growing desire to their pain. share the life-changing Scriptures with “They’ve lost everything,” a workshop other Quechua women. organizer told me later. “They’re living here During the workshop, participants were in Goma as displaced people with no given slips of paper and instructed to write Through a Christian ministry called ATEK rights, no money—it’s just very, very hard.” some key words describing their trauma. (“the association that shines the gospel to They were then encouraged to come the Quechua-speaking world”), Olga forward and nail the papers to a cross at the learned how to effectively teach others. As Doug Lockhart 5 Faith, Arts & Justice

From Truth by Keith Worthington; Poet on a Cargo Plane

From Dangerous Poems; Puﬀs of Breath

From At the Family Home, After the Funeral; Poet on a Cargo Plane

A Beautiful Synergy: From Intruders; Words, Art and Life Puﬀs of Breath

In their collaborative eﬀorts, one sees a special joy from these two creative spirits. At the Family Home, After the Funeral Keith’s poetry provides Renate with By Keith Worthington opportunities to create new artwork suggested by his words. The results can be Memories are piled so high seen throughout his three books of poetry, I can’t get out the door: and also displayed in art shows and in letters, books, and photographs various collections. in heaps upon the oor.

“I’m intensely proud of the books that we’ve I know if I stop among them, done together,” says Renate. “It’s been a they’ll swallow me whole again: great experience to contribute to the world outside this silent house something together and then see it smaller than the world within. through – even sharing the frustrations of the proofreading and printing process.” From Poet on a Cargo Plane They both appreciate the power and significance of words. Renate’s enthusiasm as a calligrapher is evident as she talks about capturing and expressing the layers Dangerous Poems of meaning in words, and how various By Keith Worthington alphabet styles have different “personalities”. I like dangerous poems. As a writer, Keith adds his own perspective. When you get too close, they burn you Keith & Renate Worthington “The more poetry you write,” says Keith, “the or cause your heart to miss a beat. more you come to appreciate how word A Beautiful Synergy: Words, Art and Life “I’ve always enjoyed writing,” says Keith, “ choice has such an effect on the way I like poems that take you to the edge, By Laura Locke but I really started getting into poetry as I something will be interpreted. And the throw you over, and then save you, encouraged my students to write. structure of the words in a poem is just before you hit rock bottom. Synergy is defined as the combined power Teachers/writers Ralph Fletcher and Nancy important, as well as the white space – the of two, coming together to create Atwell, who believed in treating kids like places where there aren’t words.” I like poems that put into words something greater than the parts. Keith writers, inspired me. They wanted students crimes you know you have committed, and Renate Worthington embody that to live with ‘eyes wide open’. That has Keith relates how Renate has become very but won’t confess to. expression, not only in their marriage and become an important idea for me as well.” skilled at identifying key words that are I like dangerous poems. life together, but also in their art. Poetry important to the theme of a poem, and and calligraphy – a match made in heaven. Calligraphy has been an integral part of using calligraphy techniques to highlight From Pus of Breath Renate’s life since 1980. She is very involved them or create a special emphasis. Keith was born and raised in Calgary and with the Bow Valley Calligraphy Guild, and is Renate grew up north of Grand Prairie. They a well-known calligraphy teacher, putting “Words are the tools of the trade for a poet,” met when both were teaching Language on countless workshops through the years says Keith, “and Renate’s creativity adds a Arts at a Calgary Junior High School, soon for local organizations including St. Mary’s new dimension. We have some great were married, and now have two grown University, where she recently taught a discussions about my poems, which is daughters. Keith is the author of three Foundations of Calligraphy course in their exactly what you want to happen.” poetry books: Puffs of Breath (2007), Poet on Sacred Arts Program. She also creates a Cargo Plane (2010) and After the Flood: commissioned works. Her calligraphy is Check out their website for more examples of Hockey Poems (2013). Nature is an important displayed in many private collections, Renate’s calligraphy, Keith’s poetry, and source of inspiration for his poems, as are schools and other public institutions. information related to their books at memories of growing up and his insightful Last year Renate restored a large, faded www.languageartstudio.ca reflections on life’s lessons. Keith’s latest commemorative scroll from WWI for St. book is a celebration of his life-long passion Paul’s Cathedral in Kamloops, B.C. – a huge for hockey. project that she calls “an amazing experience”. kolbetimes who hears these words of mine6 and acts on them”), and the other builds his house on sand (which is “everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them”). For the man who acts on Christ’s words, “the rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on rock.” But for the foolish man who built his house on sand, “the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great was its fall!” (Mt 7: 25-27).

As Christians, with this principle as our centre, my friend and I can continue our shared ministry as we endeavour to discover what Christ-rootedness would mean in “expressions of proclamation, Dialogue: service and witness.” For we indeed both claim this to be our starting point (though I am sure we would all claim to fall short True Openness, individually, and to some extent, corporately). I think we would be surprised where we might end up, as we Steadfast Convictions Farpi Vignoli sculptor start at the bottom and have courage to climb together.

Dialogue: True Openness, Steadfast in the essentials of Christianity, he said involves remaining steadfast in one’s Convictions that he was very hesitant to work with deepest convictions, clear and joyful in By Deacon Adrian Martens Catholics who might be tied to one’s own identity, while at the same time expressions of faith that differed from being open to understanding those of the I was recently at lunch with a Christian those of his denomination. Getting into other party… ” It is my encounter with my family who are moving back into full-time the car after lunch I had to admit that I new friend that trust grew, that ministry as missionaries in Eastern Europe. was little frustrated. It had been a long enrichment already happened, and that The lunch was fun, cordial and relaxing. time since someone had so clearly perhaps an even greater closeness existed There were many similarities we shared: stressed parameters around possible work since we truly knew where both stood. the husband had married a woman from we could do together as fellow Christians. Eastern Europe, as I had; both the Another passage in The Joy of the Gospel Deacon Adrian Martens husband and wife were involved in But then I asked myself, “Have I, as a describes the importance of determining ministry, like my wife and I; they had Catholic, set parameters around some of what we see as essential truths of the Deacon Adrian Martens works as the interesting experiences with Immigration my Christian or non-Christian ministry Christian faith: “If we concentrate on the Coordinator of Social Justice, Ecumenical Canada due to the wife’s background, like contacts?” I remembered an offhand convictions we share, and if we keep in and Interreligious Affairs for the Roman us. After this small talk about our common comment I had made about Ash mind the principle of the hierarchy of Catholic Diocese of Calgary, and is also experiences, I raised the idea of Wednesday to the Calgary Council of truths, we will be able to progress President of the Calgary Council of Churches connecting them with some of the Churches. Yes, I set parameters, too. I had decidedly towards common expressions and co-chair of Abraham's Tent Catholic ministries and Dioceses in the little grounds for judging my new friend. of proclamation, service and witness.” (Jewish-Christian-Muslim dialogue). He loves region of Europe they were moving back Pope Francis, in The Joy of the Gospel, to spend his spare time in Chaplaincy work to. The husband’s response, however, speaks of the importance in maintaining Jesus uses the very simple analogy of two at the Calgary Airport, and with his wife caught me off guard. Even though we dialogue which cannot and will not play men who build houses: one man builds Maira and their new daughter Hannah. had been talking about our shared belief down the parameters: “True openness his house on the rock (which is “everyone

Film Review: Letters to Father Jacob though blind, is alert to the light of love. Film Review: By Bill Locke She, though sighted, is blind to the possibility of joy. The power of prayer, the She’s an ex-con, angry and ready to meaning of friendship, the lessons that can explode. He’s a retired, blind, elderly priest, be found in both helplessness and Letters to Father Jacob unaware of much around him. Put these selflessness – all these themes come very dissimilar characters together, and together, captured in simple but lovingly watch what happens. That’s the set-up for presented scenes. the 2009 Finnish film Letters to Father Jacob, directed by Klaus Härö and available on It’s not a film I wanted to enjoy. Watching it Amazon. is not entertaining in the usual sense of going to the movies. There are no thrilling How does it play out? It could have been action scenes or special effects, no big a comedy, or perhaps even a horror movie. name actors. The story moves slowly, with Instead, this is a quiet but strangely an emphasis on the sounds in Fr. Jacob’s compelling drama, set in the countryside blind world – whistling teakettles, rain of Finland. pattering on the window, creaking floorboards in his old wooden house. But I Letters is the story of Leila, convicted of found it terribly moving, like a quiet murdering a family member, who as the interlude in prayerful contemplation of film begins is pardoned after 12 years in what is important in life. jail. There are not a lot of jobs out there for middle-aged women newly released from In a way, this is a film that endorses the prison, so she reluctantly takes a position “slow” movement. It reminds us of the offered to her as assistant to Fr. Jacob. Her significance of ordinary actions, like sitting main duty is reading aloud his daily mail – down and having a cup of tea with the prayer requests from needy, lonely people. people we care about, instead of always Fr. Jacob lives for his role as intercessor for rushing around and making a lot of noise his scattered flock. Based on a story by that signifies nothing. Letters sets our Jaana Makkonen, Letters takes us speed dial back a couple of notches to stage-by-stage through Leila’s help us advance on a deeper level, metamorphosis, from sullen pragmatist, which much of the time we try very grudgingly bulldozing her way through hard to avoid. one letter after another for her blind boss, into a compassionate champion of the old Bill Locke is a former man. After a number of humiliating turns documentary in his life and ministry, Fr. Jacob undergoes filmmaker. He is a dark night of the soul. In a surprising turn President of Capacity of events, Leila is the one who helps him Builders Inc., a crawl his way out of hopelessness. consulting company that serves Letters brings its protagonists together at a community critical time in their lives. In a curiously organizations, and is poignant way, they are made for each co-author of The other, as they both come to grips with the Nurturing Leader. difficult cards they’ve been dealt in life. He, Bill Locke 7 Faith, Arts & Justice

Featured Artist

Rob Hudec The Narrow Road

Rob took up the guitar at the age of eight. usually pops in my head and I’ll hum it Rob’s latest album, The Narrow Road, is a He remembers well how it all started. into my little pocket recorder. Or if a little gift of 13 gospel songs. Familiar melodies, "hook" line I hear or see inspires me, I'll such as Go Tell It On the Mountain are “My brother, who is five years older than write it down. Eventually a song transpires lovingly presented in a roots/acoustic me, was learning to play an Eagles’ song, from that. It’s like putting a puzzle style. Rob chose songs that have always Lyin' Eyes, on a friend’s guitar one night in together.” touched his heart, and invited his musical our basement. I was supposed to be friends and family to join him. In fact, the asleep, but when I heard my brother, I Rob first album, Lost and Found, came out talents of 26 singers and musicians from knew I wanted to learn to play. The next in 1998 – a collection of original songs the Medicine Hat area are featured in the day my father gave me a chord book and that he’d composed during his ramblings album – including Rob’s son, his niece and the small guitar we had in the house, and I the previous ten years. His prowess as a even his parents, who sing a lovely started practicing.” blues guitarist/singer was front and centre rendition of I Come to the Garden, in his 2005 album, The Absynthe Sessions, accompanying themselves on piano and Rob has lived in Medicine Hat since 2000, featuring the Rob Hudec Trio. A gorgeous clarinet. and is a popular, well-known fixture on homage to the blues, the album covers the music scene there. His masterful songs by the likes of Willie Dixon and John Visit Rob’s website at www.robhudec.com. guitar-playing and rich, soulful voice can Lee Hooker. In 2010, Rob released Facebook: www.facebook.com/rob.hudec.3. be heard almost any weekend in Dandelion, an engaging eclectic mix of Medicine Hat, Swift Current or other original tunes, with threads of jazz, folk, All his albums can be purchased on his nearby spots – whether playing solo or reggae and R&B woven into his natural website or from iTunes. Watch videos of Rob with friends, or hosting jam sessions. blues-driven sensibilities. and his music at www.kolbetimes.com Though his passion has always been the Featured Artist: Rob Hudec sheer joy of playing live music to a crowd, in recent years Rob has been touring less Rob Hudec was born in Leader, and focusing more on writing songs and Saskatchewan – the eighth child in a recording albums. family of ten children. Music played a big part in the family’s life. As Rob puts it, “We “I feel so blessed to be able to play my weren’t the von Trapp family or anything music and stay pretty close to home,” says like that, but there was always music Rob. “I love working in my yard and on around the house.” numerous projects. In those "whistling while I work" moments a song melody Enter

Valentine for Ernest Mann PBy Naomi Shihaboetry Nye Our photo contest! You can’t order a poem like you order a taco. Send us one or two of your photos that best capture the theme of our next Walk up to the counter, say, “I’ll take two” and expect it to be handed back to you issue: “Power Beyond Words”. Email your photos to [email protected]. on a shiny plate. (Files of each photo should be high resolution.)

Still, I like your spirit. Anyone who says, “Here’s my address, Deadline for entries is June 15, 2015. write me a poem,” deserves something in reply. So I’ll tell a secret instead: poems hide. In the bottoms of our shoes, The top five entries will be published in our fall issue, and the first-prize they are sleeping. They are the shadows winner, chosen by our panel of judges, will enjoy one free night for two drifting across our ceilings the moment before we wake up. What we have to do people at the award-winning High Country Inn, located in beautiful Banff, is live in a way that lets us nd them. Alberta.

Once I knew a man who gave his wife two skunks for a valentine. Congratulations to Vicki Keung, who won two tickets to the Calgary He couldn’t understand why she was crying. “I thought they had such beautiful eyes.” Philharmonic Orchestra in our last issue’s contest. And he was serious. He was a serious man who lived in a serious way. Nothing was ugly just because the world said so. He really liked those skunks. So, he re-invented them as valentines and they became beautiful. We’d love to hear from you! At least, to him. And the poems that had been hiding in the eyes of skunks for centuries crawled out and curled up at his feet. Drop us a line if you’d like to comment on anything you’ve read or seen in Reprinted with the kind permission of these pages – or if you have a story idea for a future issue. Contact us at Maybe if we re-invent whatever our lives give us Naomi Shihab Nye we nd poems. Check your garage, the odd sock 403-816-0322 or email [email protected] in your drawer, the person you almost like, To watch a video of Ms. Nye reading this poem but not quite. and discussing the inspiration behind it, And let me know. visit www.kolbetimes.com Want to place an ad with Kolbe Times? Phone Bill Locke at 403-874-1814 or email [email protected] kolbetimes 8

I am immigrantimmigrant Photo by Juan Monino

“I Am Immigrant” Consequently, being unable to fully Learning a new language is a long process. Our country is still a haven for brave and By Katarzyna Czyz express yourself has a significant influence Even if you reach an intermediate level and ambitious people who courageously on the person’s perception of who you are able to “survive” in English, it is not overcome the language gap and regain “The limits of my language mean the limits of really are. The language problem becomes enough to give you a job in your the power of words. my world.” -Ludwig Wittgenstein the source of an identity crisis, and your profession. Many immigrants are not able self-esteem suffers greatly. You discover to study English full time because they Olga from Ukraine is a psychiatrist. Afshin that the ability to speak the language is the need to work, usually in low-level jobs, to from Iran is a civil engineer. Thao from most defining factor of who you are as a support their families. The lack of time to Vietnam is a priest. Ricardo from human being. My ESL students recall: study poses an additional challenge. Colombia is an architect. Parminder from “When I arrived in Canada, I felt like a baby Imagine working eight hours washing India has a PhD in microbiology. Huang, or a doll who couldn’t speak, only look dishes in a restaurant, and then coming to a math teacher, was a high school around”; “I couldn’t go to my kids’ school an evening class to study a new language principal in Korea. because I wasn’t able to talk with the – not for pleasure but for survival. teacher. I felt useless because I couldn’t They have one thing in common: they help my children”, “I was afraid to go You might ask: “Why do people who don’t speak English. outside by myself. I felt like a deaf-mute; do not speak English immigrate to like a handicapped person”; “I was Canada then?” Well, this is a whole A person who immigrates to Canada frustrated because I couldn’t be assertive. I different topic, related to economic and without or with little knowledge of English lost all my confidence.” One of my political situations elsewhere in the world. finds himself or herself in an extremely students, not being able to express what But thankfully, there are many Canadians difficult situation. In the first years of living he felt was one of his most important who welcome and come alongside new in a strange country, most adult personality traits, simply said, “You know, I immigrants, and respectfully give them Katarzyna Czyz immigrants experience culture shock that am really funny.” practical and caring help. I certainly is associated with adjusting to different experienced that myself. Katarzyna Czyz is an ESL instructor in weather conditions, different food, I myself experienced this rocky journey of Calgary, who is greatly inspired by her different customs, and missing family back being a new immigrant to Canada, when I Most ESL speakers are able to master students and their stories. home, to name a few. However, the most moved here from Poland 26 years ago. I English with time, and get good jobs. trying thing is losing the power of words. remember these same feelings that my The perfect knowledge of the language students are experiencing. You desperately you have spoken for your entire life proves want to be recognized and known for who to be completely useless in your new life as you really are: a sensitive, cultured, an immigrant. Communication with others intelligent person with high values. You are that used to be an enjoyable, effortless afraid of creating a bad impression to Rosary Little School activity becomes a stressful, and English speakers, or offending them by the sometimes ineffective, chore. Tasks as wrong choice of words. Montessori Communities simple as answering the phone, buying groceries, asking for directions, talking to a When a person functions like this for a doctor, talking to your child’s teacher, etc. prolonged period of time, they may First Saturday Devotions suddenly pose immense challenges. become impatient and angry with themselves. This is a dangerous moment St. Joseph Catholic Church This is how the ESL students that I work where you can fall into clinical depression. with describe their experiences: “At the One student, a teacher from Eritrea, 640 – 19 Ave. NW, Calgary, AB airport I couldn’t say good sentences. I said described feeling disconnected, helpless Phone 403-289-2591 only words and moved my hands”; “I and vulnerable in a dangerous world, couldn’t talk because I was afraid of where communication is “the centre of making mistakes”; “Sometimes I laughed everything”. She said, “Silence and sadness Confession: 8:30 a.m. when they laughed, and they thought I becomes a big part of your life.” A Korean understood”; “I couldn’t express myself fully businessman wrote in my intermediate Mass: 9 a.m. while talking to my Canadian doctor about ESL class, “I used to be a handsome, Children’s Rosary to follow my pregnancy and pains”; “I got a phone cheerful, extrovert, sensitive, very creative call from my bank and I didn’t know what person, but now I am ugly, introvert, they were asking me.” They recall feeling unhappy, sad person. I am immigrant.” Contact [email protected] stupid, frightened, embarrassed, frustrated, sad, misunderstood and confused. for more information 9 Faith, Arts & Justice Books that changed my life

This is the third article in our series, in which who was for many years the Dean of St. we ask leaders in our faith community to Vladimir’s Seminary north of New York City. discuss important books in their lives. Past Schmemann writes with winsome power contributors have been Bishop Frederick about the efficacy of God in the Henry and Dr. Gerry Turcotte, President of St. sacramental actions of the church and of Mary’s University. the joy that is found in and through our participation in the Eucharist. Yes, that is Books that Changed My Life precisely the word – joy! My upbringing Dr. Gordon T. Smith seemed to assume that the saddest moment of all was this rather sober and I grew up within an evangelical spiritual solemn approach to the Lord’s Supper and theological tradition and religious that we tacked on to our worship events sub-culture that was deeply ambivalent if once a month on the first Sunday of the not actually “anti” the sacraments. If we did month. It was an occasional event – not anything at all that even looked weekly; but more it was not in any way a sacramental, we insisted that it was merely happy event. No one looked forward to it; an “ordinance” – that is, “just an symbol”, as everyone viewed it as necessary, perhaps we were wont to say – and we further – because Christ had commanded it – but insisted that it had no redeeming value, no it was hardly a time when we felt any grace for the Christian. measure of joy! And here I am reading Schmemann who not only speaks of joy Well, a series of books – both fiction and as indispensable to human life but also non-fiction – led me to a change of heart of the Table – the Lord’s Supper – as the and mind, and into a deep appreciation of very means by which we are being drawn the sacramental life of the church. up into the joy of God. I read the book in one sitting. Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Life Together was influential in my life in so many ways, Since then, several other authors have including the rather intriguing suggestion contributed more insight into the meaning that each time the community of faith of the Eucharist for me. I have even myself gathers at Table they do so with the Risen gone on to write a book on the Lord’s HIGH COUNTRY INN Christ as their host. And, further, that the Supper (A Holy Meal, Baker Publishers, church is actually formed by the simple act 2005). But my gratitude to these authors is of eating together in the presence of not merely that I came to write a book on ! http://www.banffhighcountryinn.com/ Christ. the Eucharist, leaning on their insights, but the way in which they each, in different Then there is the priest – typically ways, helped me come to a greater referred to as the “whiskey priest” in appreciation of Table in the life and witness Graham Greene’s The Power and the Glory of the Church. In time I learned that all of – who is on the run for his life from this was part of John Wesley’s theology Mexican authorities at a time that the and practice, as is evident in his delightful church and religious were illegal in sermon “The Duty of Constant Mexico. Whenever he comes to a point of Communion.” And I began to see potential escape, crossing a state line, he references to the sacraments and to the feels compelled to stop and preside at Lord’s Supper in particular in A.W. Tozer, the Eucharist. And for one coming from who was so formative in my own tradition. my background, I was amazed that the “table” would matter so much – that it But that sequence – from Bonhoeffer, would mean so much to one who was to Greene, to Newbigin and eventually called into religious leadership. to Schmemann – had a deeply formative impact on my life. Lesslie Newbigin was also an essential Spacious and comfortable suites await voice in my formation as a young adult, Gordon T. Smith and he continues to be as significant a (Rev), Ph.D. is the guests staying at the High Country Inn. voice as any in my understanding of the president of church. His book, The Household of God, Ambrose From business travellers to large family remains in my life as one of the most University, in formative books when it comes to my Calgary, where he gatherings, this 70-room, family-owned appreciation of the vital place of the is also professor of sacraments and especially the Lord’s systematic and hotel o ers an array o accommodation Supper in the life and witness of the spiritual theology. church. Newbigin is another voice that He is the author of Tel: 1 (403) 762 2236 options able to suit many needs. insisted for me and to me that what a number of Fax: 1 (403) 762 5084 Two blocks from downtown Cable TV makes the church the church is that it publications, Dr. Gordon Smith • • Toll Free: 1 800 293 5142 gathers at table. including, more recently, Called to Be Saints: • Easy access to shopping, • Most rooms with private Email: info@banighcountry An Invitation to Christian Maturity (IVPress, restaurants, sights and balcony The above books were read in my twenties 2014), and Transforming Conversion: inn.com and thirties. But then, later in life – by then Re-thinking the language and contours of activities • Complimentary Deluxe Individual climate control Continental Breakfast into my forties – I came across the Christian initiation (Baker, 2010). He is 419 Ban Avenue • exquisite book, the capstone of them all for married to Joella; together they have two and air conditioning • Free wireless internet me: For the Life of the World, by Alexander grown sons. Ban, Alberta Schmemann, a Russian Orthodox priest • Mini fridge • Free local calls kolbetimes 10

The Language of Grief

picture of her son who had died ten years There is power in the words a grieving A gifted teacher and inspirational speaker, Bob The Language of Grief previously. She told the facilitators and the person speaks about the impact of their also founded the Alberta Health Services’ Grief By Bob Glasgow other parents that her family had removed grief. There is power in our loving, listening Support Program and served as the first all his pictures from view and stopped presence. non-denominational chaplain at Calgary’s talking about him - it was too painful. But Rockyview Hospital. Bob is currently a private the unexpressed grief was overwhelming And the power is for healing and growth. counsellor out of the FCJ Centre, a chaplain at her even more. She found community with Wellspring Calgary, and a bereavement trainer other bereaved parents who were all Bob Glasgow is an ordained minister, who for STARS Ambulance. Visit his website at struggling together to speak their grief. pastored churches in Edmonton and Montreal. www.soulconsolation.com His personal history with juvenile rheumatoid Both the cognitive and emotional impact arthritis birthed a desire to support those going need expression. People seek meaning, and through the losses and grief of a chronic illness. begin that process by trying to have their questions heard and honoured. They need to explore their spiritual beliefs and A friend has been diagnosed with a understanding of life. They might need to terminal illness. Someone we know express at times the excruciating details of Publication Information commits suicide. How do we give support their loved one's death. As they do this, they to people in profound grief? begin to thaw from the immobilization that trauma can induce. If this is what they need Kolbe Times is a Christian media ministry that o ers print and Many of us search for words. The right to say at that time, can we find the strength online content focused on faith, the arts and social justice words. Words that will diminish the griever's to listen? initiatives. Published by Merry Dancer Media, it is a meeting pain and ours. Those words seem elusive and awkward. Even the writers of condo- What about the wide range of struggling place for artists, writers and social innovators to share their lence cards don't capture what we want to emotions that must be expressed in order ideas. Our goal is to celebrate beauty and compassion, with a say. And so, instead of bringing a meal or to massage pain out of the human spirit? vision of spiritual renewal and unity in the Body of Christ. making an offer to help with practical Emotions are a precious part of all of us but needs, we don't even call or visit the the emotions during grief are not pleasant. sufferer. Supporters must be able to listen to these St. Maximilian Kolbe (1894-1941) is the patron saint of deep feelings such as guilt, anger and journalists. His faith, courage and use of media to When we realize there are no “right” words, anxiety without shutting down this very communicate God’s love are the inspiration that shapes then we can offer our compassionate, important healing catharsis. Kolbe Times. listening presence, and support starts to happen. When grievers are speaking their depth of sadness, we listen to the heart of grief. Some A widow stood to give a tribute at her of the emotions can pass quickly, but never Editor: Art Director/Design: husband's memorial service. She sorrow for a loving relationship. Sadness Laura Locke OFS Angus McIntyre commenced by saying, "At times like this and sorrow are probably the deepest and [email protected] McIntyre Communications we need words." This edition of Kolbe Times most genuine emotions of all. They are is about the power of words. The widow's present in the human spirit because one 403-816-0322 403-668-4552 words that day were powerful, as early on in has loved. We give a gift when we do not www.mcintyrecommunications.ca her grief (sudden loss) she found the rush the journey of sadness; mostly we Business Manager/Ad Sales: strength to speak of her husband's living listen to encourage reminiscing. Henri and dying. Nouwen once said, "One of the mysteries of Bill Locke OFS life is that memory can often bring us closer [email protected] The words that are spoken from the heart of to each other than can physical presence." 403-874-1814 a person in times of crisis can be very Scott Sullender, author of Grief and Growth, illuminating. Those words can help one start writes, "The ultimate goal of grieving is to to find oneself in the midst of the chaos. remember without pain." The words a comforter speaks to a suffering soul are often very impotent in diminishing When Job's friends came to be with him, pain. Rather than focusing on speaking they sat on the ground in silence because right words, we listen to the words of the they were so moved by the depth of his griever in order to bring support. grief. After a week they could not sustain just sitting with his suffering any longer, but I have a saying in the front of my day timer: when they tried to speak words to help him "If I speak what my heart feels, then what I they actually added to his anguish. Are you speak will save me. If I do not speak what the kind of friend/supporter who can sit my heart feels, then what I do not speak will with another in the throes of abject destroy me." If these statements are true, suffering, when words will not soothe but a then in times of suffering it raises the loving presence will? We listen with our importance of finding a person or a hearts and follow in behind the grieving community where the griever can speak person’s own process and pace. and be heard. A mom came to one of our kolbetimes.com bereaved parents' groups and held up a Faith, Arts & Justice

11 Theatre Review: The Miracle Worker Rosebud Theatre has powerfully brought this Rosebud Theatre miraculous story of how Annie Sullivan Theatre Review: By Meg Konditi unshackled Helen Keller’s life in their production of The Miracle Worker. The production tells the A deaf, blind girl trapped alone in darkness and captivating story with an array of characters, all silence until a young teacher miraculously breaks trying to love Helen in their own broken way. The Miracle Worker through. This is the true story of Hellen Keller, Although the play centers around Helen, unable to communicate with or comprehend (brought to life with a reckless abandon by Jenny the world around her. Her fiery young governess, Daigle) we also follow the winding journey of Annie Sullivan, battles the Keller family’s palpable Annie Sullivan, her teacher, played by Brynn hopelessness to provide Helen with the gift of Linsey. Supported by a fabulous cast, Linsey language. manages to embody not only the child-like fervor of Annie Sullivan, but also her selfless discipline In her 1903 essay entitled ‘Optimism’, Helen Keller and devotion. The Miracle Worker portrays a describes the freedom that words brought her gripping message but manages to maintain the and the transformation that they wrought not characteristic charming feel of every Rosebud only in her circumstances but also in her soul: play. Professional but not presumptuous - “Once I knew only darkness and stillness…my life showing that fearless and humble can coexist was without past or future…but a little word onstage. The play is a very physical one, with from the fingers of another fell into my hand that Helen lost in a wild untamed state, seemingly clutched at emptiness, and my heart leaped to unreachable in a world all her own. Annie and the rapture of living.” Helen are constantly battling wills in very well orchestrated fight scenes. Yet the cast manages Like Helen Keller we all find ourselves lost in a to maintain the poise and grace of the story’s era darkness and silence that is the inevitable human without taming the bold characters that make condition. We are born into a world – a cosmos – this story so powerful. already spinning and we must find our place and our purpose. Author David Jeffrey manages to The words formed in Helen’s palm eventually capture this human plight with the phrase shine light into her darkness, in this well-known “inextricably middled”. Not only do we find story of Annie Sullivan’s struggle to convey that ourselves “middled” in the story of our own lives, words have meaning. On stage we watch Helen, but also caught in the sticky throws of history desperate to participate in something beyond unable to see where it’s all leading. Like Helen, we her own survival, awakening from her dark and clutch at emptiness trying to find the meaning of confused existence. We cannot help but to see our lives. Just as Helen found vision through the ourselves, clutching and yearning for the same. power of words, so too we can discover our true Words birthed new life to Helen Keller, just as selves in words. God’s Word is the answer to our God’s Word brings us new life in Him. deafness and blindness – the only satisfying answer to the question of our existence. Through Meg Konditi lives in Calgary and loves her Saviour God’s Word we see our past, our future and the Jesus, her husband Tim and her puns intended. She language in which to understand our place and is a theatre enthusiast and has acted in Calgary’s purpose. All things were created through Him community theatre scene. Meg had a wonderful and for Him (Col 1:16): the glorious relief from our time visiting Rosebud and watching their darkness and silence. production of The Miracle Worker. For more information, visit www.rosebudtheatre.com Brynn Linsey and Jenny Daigle Meg Konditi in Rosebud Theatre’s The Miracle Worker Gathered Wisdom Gathered Wisdom C.S. Lewis: By Laura Locke “Pain removes the veil. It plants the flag of truth within the fortress of a rebel soul.” Okay, I’ll admit it. I’m kind of a quotations freak. When my youngest son started suffering from a number of severe neurological disorders, this When I was a classroom teacher, I started quote sparked some serious self-reflection on writing funny or provocative quotations on my part. I realized that I felt angry and the whiteboard every Monday morning. My depressed because I liked being in control of students seemed to really enjoy it, and many my life…and I definitely wasn’t in control would provide me with interesting quotes anymore. The “flag of truth” for me was all that they’d encountered. Later, when I was at about letting go and truly trusting in God’s home with my own children in their merciful love. baby/toddler years, I kept my sanity by indulging my love of reading….and searching St. Thomas Aquinas: for great quotes. I remember one year I set a “There is nothing to prevent human nature’s goal of reading every Charles Dickens novel, being raised up to something greater, even after and then moved on to Jane Austen, George sin; God permits evil in order to draw forth some Elliot, Thomas Hardy and the Bronte sisters. My greater good.” outer existence during those years was largely When I am overwhelmed by the “bad news” distinguished by baby food, diapers and walks stories in the media, St. Thomas encourages to the playground, but my inner life was filled me to keep my antennae up for touches of with exhilarating literary adventures. I also God’s grace – and also to pay attention to the started exploring the works of some people who reach out and help others in the wonderful Christian authors such as C.S. Lewis, midst of the distress around them. G.K. Chesterton, Thomas Merton, Henri Nouwen, Irma Zaleski, Richard Rohr, Anne Pedro Arrupe, former Superior General of the Lamott, Ron Rolheiser… I could go on and on. Jesuits, after suffering a debilitating stroke: They have made my life richer in every way. “More than ever, I find myself in the hands of God. This is what I have wanted all my life, from One day I started a journal of favourite my youth! But now there is a difference; the quotations, out of a desire to capture the initiative is entirely with God. It is indeed a sentences that somehow touched me deeply, profound spiritual experience to know and feel or gave me an insight into a particular struggle myself so totally in God’s hands.” in my life, or simply gave me a shiver of When my Mom’s Alzheimer’s disease became delight. It’s a habit I’ve kept up ever since. I’ve very advanced, I started to worry that perhaps now filled up two journals with quotations, Alzheimer’s was in my future as well. This and have recently embarked on my third. quote reminds me that there are opportunities for beauty, joy and spiritual It’s fun to read over my old journals once in a growth in every arena of human experience. while – they are almost like travel logs through Pedro Arrupe’s great insight was that by different phases in my life, and remind me of embracing our vulnerability we open the door what I was reading and learning and thinking to a deeper communion with God, and with about. Those journals have become like old each other. friends. Laura Locke is the editor of Kolbe Times. Here’s a few gems of “gathered wisdom” from my journals: Photo by Bill Locke kolbetimes 12

Celebrate the Mission and Vision of L’ Arche Calgary

L’Arche was founded in 1964 by humanitarian Jean Vanier after he recognized that the suffering and poverty of people with disabilities was related to rejection and loneliness—not their disability. Our vision is to protect and celebrate the lives of people who have a developmental disability. We aim to empower them, to help them grow and to provide opportunities for community inclusion in a way that creates a more human society for everyone. “The mystery of people with disabilities is that they long for authentic and loving relationships more than for power. They are not obsessed with being well situated in a group that offers acclaim and promotion. They are crying out for what matters most: love. And God hears their cry because in some way they respond to the cry of God, which is to give love.” ~ Jean Vanier

Learn more at www.larchecalgary.org See the ability beyond the disability or phone: (403) 930-2263

Trails to the Mount September 13, 2015

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�� Call: (403) 286-2468 or (403) 932-2012 Email: [email protected]

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