Single Issue: $1.00 Publication Mail Agreement No. 40030139 CATHOLIC JOURNAL Vol. 95 No. 35 February 21, 2018 Understanding Saskatchewan bishops issue statement sought

A range of community By Kiply Lukan Yaworski Indigenous Bishop of Missinippi; gelical Lutheran Church in Cana- toon; and Bishop Albert Thévenot partners, including the Bishop Robert Hardwick of the da; Bishop Michael Hawkins of of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon Diocesan SASKATOON — The Angli - Anglican Diocese of Qu’Appelle; the Anglican Diocese of Sas - Prince Albert. Council for Truth and can, Catholic, and Lutheran bish - Bishop Sid Haugan of the Sas - katchewan; Bishop David Irving Reconciliation, are working ops of Saskatchewan have re - katchewan Synod of the Evan- of the Anglican Diocese of Saska - — STANLEY , page 4 to come up with a concrete leased a statement in the wake of way of addressing divisions often-divisive reactions to the and bringing about under - recent not-guilty verdict in the standing and reconciliation trial of Biggar-area farmer Gerald between indigenous and Stanley for the shooting death of non-indigenous people. a young indigenous man, Colten — page 3 Boushie. “As bishops who serve Chris - Ticking clock tian communities in our province, we join all those who are longing An American $1.2-trillion to escape the slavery of preju - investment in new nuclear dice, racism, anger, frustration, weapons systems, plans violence and bitterness. We wish for tactical use of nuclear to join all those who are rededi - bombs on battlefields, cating themselves to work for threats of responding to reconciliation and peace among cyberattacks with a nuclear all people in our communities strike and rejection of inter - and in our nation,” wrote the national efforts — including bishops. pleas by Pope Francis — The letter was signed by to encourage disarmament Bishop Bryan Bayda of the have people worried. Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of — page 4 Saskatoon; Archbishop Donald Bolen of the Roman Catholic Spiritual Exercises Archdiocese of Regina; Arch - bishop Murray Chatlain of the The Spiritual Exercises of Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. Ignatius of Loyola have Keewatin-Le Pas; Bishop Mark CNS/Vatican Media been the core of the Jesuit Hagemoen of the Roman Catholic way of life since the Society POPE HAS LENTEN SESSION WITH PASTORS — Pope Francis holds his annual lenten meeting with Diocese of Saskatoon; Bishop the pastors of Rome parishes Feb. 15. The meeting, occurring in Rome’s Basilica of St. John Lateran, of Jesus was founded. In Adam Halkett, the Anglican included prayer, confessions and a question-and-answer session with the pope. the past 40 years, more and more lay people have been following this regimen of Acknowledge sin, but look for signs of God at work prayer and contemplation. St. Ignatius Parish in Winnipeg has provided By Cindy Wooden site and RomaSette provided your own style”; and finally, spend necessary. a means of doing them some information later in the day. time in private prayer and find a To priests who are 40 to 50 over the course of six or ROME (CNS) — While it is The questions were submitted good spiritual director with whom years old and have been ordained seven months. true that the world is full of sin by groups of priests according to to talk over what arises in prayer. a bit longer, Pope Francis said — page 6 and sinful behaviour, priests must how long they had been ordained. While forgiveness always is theirs is a time when ideals tend learn to scrutinize the “signs of The younger priests asked how available, the pope said, a person to become weaker and when the ‘Bad thoughts’ the times” for new trends and atti - they could fully live their voca - needs to learn how to examine the weight of ministry and adminis - tudes that are good and healthy tion. Pope Francis has three rec - things that lead to sin in their trative duties start to be felt. Among the deadliest of sins, and holy, Pope Francis told pas - ommendations: first, learn to bal - lives and, especially for that rea - writes Ron tors from the Diocese of Rome. ance commitments; second, “find son, a mature spiritual guide is — TEMPTATIONS , page 15 Rolheiser, While there is “moral conduct OMI, is that we aren’t used to seeing,” wrath. Raw such as the normalization of liv - D&P takes the Leap into manifesto hatred and ing together before marriage, anger justi - there also is a greater awareness By Michael Swan this is the decade to take decisive website on Jan. 31. fying them - of human rights, a push for toler - The Catholic Register action to prevent catastrophic “It has nothing to do explicitly selves on ance and equality and apprecia - global warming. That means small or implicitly with saying we sup - moral and divine grounds tion for the values of peace and TORONTO (CCN) — Devel - steps will no longer suffice. So we port the aims or objectives of other has never been more evi - solidarity,” he said Feb. 15. op ment and Peace has signed onto need to leap,” reads the manifesto, signatories,” Gauntlett told The dent. Just look at the com - “We should not be frightened a political manifesto that reflects which was introduced in 2015. Register . “We resist all inclination ments on social media. of the difficulties, but discern the in part the teaching of Pope A Development and Peace sig - that may surface to engage in any - — page 11 signs of the times, the things that Francis in a call for drastic change nature on the document was first thing in the way of partisan activi - Challenge of fasting come from the Spirit” and then in environmental policy. proposed at the organization’s ty. We’re not endorsing any politi - “help with the others,” he said, The Leap Manifesto was writ - May 2016 Ontario regional assem - cal party. We never have. I’m con - For Catholics, the practice according to RomaSette , the ten by the prominent Toronto hus - bly. The Ontario vote in favour of fident in saying we never will.” of fasting has fallen off the diocesan newspaper. band-and-wife team of filmmakers Leap didn’t make it to Develop- Pointing to the signature of for - screen, due in large measure As is customary on the day and activists Naomi Klein and Avi ment and Peace’s national council mer Progressive Conservative to the minimalistic interpre - after Ash Wednesday, Pope Lewis, son of the prominent NDP until November 2017. At that Attorney General of Ontario Roy tation of what church mem - Francis spent the morning with family of Stephen and David point Development and Peace staff McMurtry, Gauntlett rejects the bers are told “fasting” the pastors in the Basilica of St. Lewis and the bestselling author of recommended that national coun - idea the Leap Manifesto is a prod - means, writes Tom Ryan, John Lateran, the Rome cathe - a book on globalization called This cil members individually add their uct of internal NDP struggles. CSP. But a different inter - dral. The session began with a Changes Everything . The mani - names to the list of 49,486 signa - It was echoes of Pope Francis’s pretation should be given penitential liturgy and with the festo calls for a radical restructur - tories. 2015 encyclical Laudato Si’ some thought. pope spending almost an hour ing of Canada’s economy away After a long debate, the nation - throughout the manifesto which — 13 hearing confessions. from reliance on fossil fuels and al council decided it would sign as inspired the movement among Afterward, he responded to for stronger legal commitments to an organization, said Ontario na- Development and Peace members some of their questions. The honour treaties with indigenous tional council representative Keith to sign, Gauntlet said. event was closed to the press, Canadians. Gauntlett. The manifesto was post - although the Vatican Media web - “Climate scientists have told us ed to the Development and Peace — DIALOGUE , page 7 2 Prairie Messenger INTERNATIONAL NEWS February 21, 2018 Pope regularly meets abuse survivors on Fridays

By Cindy Wooden The director of the Vatican a question-and-answer session with Osorno, who had been accused of speak. There is not one piece of press office Feb. 15 confirmed that them. Weeks later, a transcript of covering up the abuse committed evidence against him. It is calum - VATICAN CITY (CNS) — the pope’s meetings with abuse the exchange is published by Civilta by his mentor, Rev. Fernando ny. Is that clear?” Pope Francis told a group of Jesuits survivors is regular and ongoing. Cattolica , a Jesuit journal in Rome. Karadima. The pope later apologized for in Peru that he often meets on “I can confirm that several times The transcribed and translated Pope Francis met with the the remark and, soon after return - Fridays with survivors of sex abuse. a month, the Holy Father meets texts from Pope Francis’ conversa - Jesuits in Santiago at the end of ing to Rome, sent Archbishop The meetings, which he said do victims of sexual abuse both indi - tions with Jesuits in Chile Jan. 16 his first full day in Chile. Earlier Charles Scicluna of Malta, an not always become public knowl - vidually and in groups,” said Greg and in Peru three days later were that day he had met with “a small experienced investigator, to Chile edge, make it clear that the sur - Burke, the director. “Pope Francis released in Italian and English by group” of people who had been to conduct interviews. vivors’ process of recovery “is listens to the victims and tries to Civilta Cattolica Feb. 15 with the abused by Chilean priests, accord - The pope told the Peruvian very hard. They remain annihilat - help them heal the serious wounds pope’s approval, the journal said. ing to the Vatican press office. Jesuits that it is a temptation for ed. Annihilated,” the pope had caused by the abuse they’ve suf - The Jesuits in Chile had not The meeting with the survivors people in the church to seek a told the Jesuits Jan. 19 in Lima. fered. The meetings take place with asked the pope about the abuse and with the Chilean Jesuits took “consolation prize” by comparing The scandal of clerical sexual maximum reserve out of respect for scandal, even though the scandal place days before Chilean re - statistics about abuse within the abuse shows not only the “fragili - the victims and their suffering.” was in the news, particularly porters asked Pope Francis about church and abuse within families ty” of the Catholic Church, he On his trips abroad, Pope because of ongoing controversy the accusations against Barros and or in other organizations. said, “but also — let us speak Francis usually spends time with over the pope’s appointment in he replied, “The day they bring me But even if the abuse rate is clearly — our level of hypocrisy.” local Jesuit communities and holds 2015 of Bishop Juan Barros of proof against Bishop Barros, I will lower in the church, the pope said, “it is terrible even if only one of our brothers is such! For God Pope, Melkite patriarch formalize full communion anointed him to sanctify children and adults, and instead of making By Cindy Wooden have shown our them holy he has destroyed them. church.” It’s horrible! We need to listen to VATICAN CITY (CNS) — At the end of the what someone who has been Formalizing their unity in the inti - mass, Pope Francis abused feels.” mate setting of the chapel of the asked the patriarch to At that point the pope told the papal residence, Pope Francis and join him in giving the Jesuits in Peru, “On Fridays — Melkite Patriarch Joseph Absi final blessing to the sometimes this is known and concelebrated mass together in few dozen people sometimes it is not known — I the presence of members of the invited to the morn - normally meet some of them. In Melkite synod of bishops. ing mass. Chile I also had such a meeting.” Instead of giving a homily at The pope, patri - The abuse scandal is “a great the early morning mass Feb. 13, arch and bishops also humiliation” for the Catholic Pope Francis explained the spe - had met Feb. 12 in Church, he said. “It shows not cial nature of Absi’s visit. the papal library. only our fragility, but also — let “He is the father of a church, a “At this difficult us say so clearly — our level of very ancient church, and he time, many Christian hypocrisy.” comes to embrace Peter, to say, communities in the Pope Francis also told the ‘I’m in communion with Peter,’ ’’ Middle East are Jesuits in Peru that “it is notable Pope Francis said during the mass called to live their that there are some newer congre - in the Domus Sanctae Marthae . faith in the Lord Jesus gations whose founders have fallen The Melkite church, one of the in the midst of many CNS/Vatican Media into these abuses.” He did not spec - many Eastern churches in full trials,” the pope told POPE MEETS MELKITE BISHOPS — Pope Francis listens as Melkite Patriarch ify which congregations, however. union with Rome, “has its own them. He prayed that Joseph Absi speaks during a meeting with members of the Melkite synod of bish - In the “new, prosperous congre - theology within Catholic theolo - the patriarch, bishops ops at the Vatican Feb. 12. The Melkite Church is an Eastern Catholic church in gations” where abuse has been a gy, it has a marvellous liturgy and and priests of the full communion with Rome. problem, he said, there is a combi - a people of its own.” Melkite church would nation of an abuse of authority, “At this time, a large portion live in a way that would encour - Catholics to join a day of prayer will not fail to remember, in a sexual abuse and “an economic of that people is being crucified age all the faithful “to remain in and fasting Feb. 23 specifically special way, Syria, which has mess. There is always money like Jesus,” the pope said, refer - the land where divine providence for peace in Congo and South been struck by indescribable suf - involved. The devil enters through ring especially to Melkites who, wanted them to be.” Sudan, he told the Melkites, “I fering these past few years.” the wallet.” like Absi, are from Syria. “We Pope Francis urged them to be offer this mass for the people, for “pastors — like the Lord with his Lent is time to notice God’s work: pope the people who suffer, for the per - disciples — who reanimate the secuted Christians of the Middle hearts of the faithful by staying East.” close to them, consoling them, By Cindy Wooden days of Lent as a time to reflect on Christians can learn from seeing The 71-year-old patriarch, who reaching down to them and their “anything that could dampen or the gestures others make that “keep was elected in June, told Pope needs; pastors who, at the same ROME (CNS) — Lent is a even corrode our believing heart.” the flame of faith and hope alive.” Francis, “I cannot describe how time, accompany them up, to seek time for Christians to get their Everyone experiences tempta - “Look at faces alive with God’s beautiful this moment is,” but he what is above, where there is hearts in sync with the heart of tion, the pope said. Lent is a time tenderness and goodness working said he was “very moved by your Christ, and not the things of Jesus, Pope Francis said. to pause and step back from situa - in our midst,” the pope said, point - fraternal charity, by the gestures earth.” “Let the Lord heal the wounds tions that lead to sin, a time to see ing to the faces of families who of fraternity and solidarity you While Pope Francis had called of sin and fulfil the prophecy how God is at work in others and struggle to survive yet continue to made to our fathers: ‘A new heart in the world and, especially, a love, the wrinkled faces of the I will give you, and a new spirit I time to return to the Lord, know - elderly “that reflect God’s wisdom will put within you; and I will ing that his mercy is boundless. at work” and the faces of the sick take out of your flesh the heart of Lent, he said, is a time “to and their caregivers who “remind stone and give you a heart of allow our hearts to beat once us that the value of each person flesh,’ ’’ the pope said Feb. 14, more in tune with the vibrant can never be reduced to a question celebrating mass and distributing heart of Jesus.” of calculation or utility.” ashes at the beginning of Lent. Hitting the reset button, the “See the remorseful faces of so After a brief prayer at the pope said, requires taking a pause many who try to repair their Benedictine’s Monastery of St. from “bitter feelings, which never errors and mistakes, and who Anselm, Pope Francis made the tra - get us anywhere” and from a from their misfortune and suffer - ditional Ash Wednesday procession frantic pace of life that leaves too ing, fight to transform their situa - to the Dominican-run Basilica of little time for family, friends, chil - tions and move forward,” Pope Santa Sabina on Rome’s Aventine dren, grandparents and God. Francis said. Hill for the mass. People need to pause from But most of all, he said, “see He received ashes on his head striving to be noticed, from and contemplate the real face of from 93-year-old Cardinal Jozef snooty comments and “haughty Christ crucified out of love for Tomko, titular cardinal of the looks,” he said; instead, they need everyone, without exception. For basilica, and he distributed ashes to show tenderness, compassion everyone? Yes, for everyone. To to the cardinals present, three and even reverence for others. see his face is an invitation filled Benedictines, three Dominicans, “Pause for a little while, re - with hope for this lenten time, in an Italian couple with two children frain from the deafening noise order to defeat the demons of dis - CNS/Jonathan Drake, Reuters and members of the Pontifical that weakens and confuses our trust, apathy and resignation. FLORIDA SCHOOL SHOOTING — Students mourn during a Feb. Academy for Martyrs, which pro - hearing, that makes us forget the The invitation, he said, is to 15 prayer vigil in Pompano Beach, Fla., for victims of the shootings at motes the traditional lenten “sta - fruitful and creative power of “return without fear to those out - nearby Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. At least tion church” pilgrimage in Rome. silence,” the pope said. stretched, eager arms of your 17 people were killed in the shooting. The suspect, 19-year-old former In his homily, he said the Use the pauses of Lent “to look Father, who is rich in mercy, who student Nikolas Cruz, is in custody. church gives Christians the 40 and contemplate,” he suggested. awaits you.” February 21, 2018 CANADIAN NEWS Prairie Messenger 3 Reconciliation sought among diverse communities

By Kiply Lukan Yaworski School, Mosquito School, the “We discovered there was a dents could come together and event, Rogal stresses. “We have RCMP, BTC (Battle ford Tribal definite need, and the inter- share.” In exploring culture, been asked by the local commu - SASKATOON — For the past Council) Justice, the City of North agency group indicated it would knowledge and values, Rogal nity to establish a long-term rela - eight months, members of the Battleford, as well as Red Pheasant be helpful for an outside group to adds, rural youth have the poten - tionship.” Diocesan Council for Truth and and Mos quito First Nations. Issues be involved.” tial to realize that they share Because some of the commu - Reconciliation (DCTR) have met regularly addressed by this group The inter-agency group and much in common. nities involved are in the Diocese with community leaders west of include health care, education, First Nations representatives en - The project will include a of Prince Albert, two deacons Saskatoon, working to come up employment, child care, trans - couraged the committee to “have a preparation event held in the from there are offering input into with a concrete way of addressing portation, community leadership, brave and a bold conversation, schools involved, including an the committee, adds Rogal. “They divisions and bringing about and barriers to services. focused on youth.” The committee information package for parents, have long-standing relationships greater understanding and recon - “We went to the community ultimately decided to focus on as well as a debriefing session in the area.” ciliation between indigenous and because we didn’t want this to be youth in Grade 7 and 8, and met afterward. The main event, hosted Key insights and leadership non-indigenous people. a program that we were imposing with the principals of local schools. at a First Nations school, would have been provided by Harry A range of community part - on anyone. We wanted it to be “We wanted to have a day fo - bring together some 50 young Lafond of the Office of the Treaty ners are now working on a newly something developed from the cused on traditional teachings — people for activities and teach - Commissioner, and Elder Reg created West Central Recon cili - grassroots, something we could the culture and values of both ings, and facilitated sharing cir - Buglar of Red Pheasant Cree ation Committee, planning an then assist with but was led by groups — a day in which indige - cles. First Nation, who serves as an event aimed at Grades 7 and 8 the community,” Rogal describes. nous and non-indigenous stu - This will not be a one-time elder at St. Francis Cree Bilingual stu dents from schools at Red School in Saskatoon. Pheasant Cree Nation, Mosquito The West Central Recon cili - First Nation, and Biggar, Sask. ation Committee is hoping the The group is planning a day- experience will build connections long experience of dialogue and among young people that will awareness for youth in May, which “reset the needle” on racism. “We will serve as a witness to the wider are hoping that students from the community, explains Myron different schools will find com - Rogal, diocesan co-ordinator of monalities in their love of the Justice and Peace in the Roman land, and perhaps even in their Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon. mutual feelings of marginaliza - “We are hopeful that the youth tion. We hope there will be dia - can come to know each other, and logue and relationship-building in that something of their experience the listening circles.” will be shared with their parents,” Rogal notes that the challenges says Rogal. facing First Nations and rural Established as part of a prom - communities are often similar: ise by the Saskatoon diocese at a “There are many commonalities. June 2012 Truth and Recon cili- Both are losing young people. ation Commission national event, Both want to pass on their tradi - the DCTR has been doing a range Tyler Gingrich tions. Both are dealing with com - of work around healing and rec - plex issues such as grief, and both WEEK OF PRAYER — The 2018 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity was celebrated Jan. 18 - 25 in onciliation. are facing the barriers of margin - Winnipeg with church leaders and representatives gathering for services throughout the week. Above, from DCTR members were inspired left: Rev. Tyler Gingrich, Very Rev. Paul N. Johnson, Most Rev. Richard Gagnon, Most Rev. Lawrence alization.” by the documentary Reserve 107, Huculak, Most Rev. Albert LeGatt, Rick Neufeld, Rev. Peter Bush, Rev. Noel Suministrado, Captain When reflecting on why it is which tells the story of reconcili - Gordon Taylor, Rev. Loraine MacKenzie Shepherd, Rev. Robert Polz, Théophile Tuyisingize, and Deacon important to make this effort, ation and healing among Men- Rudolph LeMaître. The photo was taken at the city-wide ecumenical worship service Jan. 21 at Westworth Rogal comes back to the Gospel nonites, Lutherans and the Young United Church. Other gatherings were held at St. John XXIII Roman Catholic Church, Golden West call: “We have a responsibility to Chippewayan First Nation in one Centennial Lodge (The Salvation Army), Holy Eucharist Ukrainian Catholic Church, St. Saviour’s open ourselves to this pain and Saskatchewan community. Anglican Church, Résidence Despins, and First Lutheran Church. this division, and to listen.” The area west of Saskatoon, between Biggar and North Battle - Alberta mourns ‘giant’ of a man in Archbishop MacNeil ford, has been the focus of much attention and emotion since area farmer Gerald Stanley was By Andrew Ehrkamp many people and certainly in the counter or through the sacra - insisted upon inviting other faith charged and recently found not Grandin Media life and the ministry of this ments, especially confirmation. leaders to the prayer service that guilty in the August 2016 shoot - church.” “He was a living history of this St. John Paul II led in Edmonton ing death of Colten Boushie, a EDMONTON (CCN) — “A gentle giant has gone,” diocese. He loved to talk and he in 1984. young indigenous man. Those Alberta’s Catholic community is added Rev. Gregory Bittman, had many, many stories,” Bittman events have also heightened the mourning a giant character in its Auxiliary Bishop of Edmonton, recalled. DCTR’s desire to address divi - storied history following the death who was ordained as a deacon, MacNeil took particular pride sions that plague many areas of of retired Archbishop Joseph priest and bishop by MacNeil and in the Edmonton junior and senior the province. MacNeil, a humble disciple with a was with him by his hospital bed - high school named after him, “Last year we called a com - unique ability to remember names, side when he died. which opened in 2003, and he mittee together of elders, repre - faces and details of the lives of Joseph MacNeil was born the loved visiting the students there. sentatives of the Catholic school thousands of people. oldest of three children in Syd - “He was just a wonderful priest, board, the University of Sas - “Archbishop MacNeil, through - ney, N.S., on April 15, 1924, and a wonderful bishop with a great katch e wan, ecumenical partners out his tenure here, was a larger- he had made Alberta his home touch, especially close to young and other stakeholders and held a than-life kind of a figure and he ever since he was installed as people,” Smith said. “He was able meeting with local pastors to was known far beyond the local Archbishop of Edmonton on Sept. to have that personal, direct touch gather their thoughts and insights Catholic community,” Edmonton 5, 1973. with anybody he came into contact on divisions in their area.” Archbishop Richard Smith told In 1984, as president of the with and it left a deep, deep At the fourth meeting, a feel - reporters and archdiocesan staff at Canadian Conference of Catholic impression.” ing of hesitation and uncertainty a news conference on Feb. 12. Bishops, he invited St. Pope John And if MacNeil met you, it’s about whether to keep going was “Wherever he was known, Paul II to his first visit to Canada more than likely he remembered ultimately dispelled when an wherever he was encountered, he in 1984, and escorted him on the you years later. elder spoke up and urged the was always met with profound Edmonton leg. But it was within “Probably the key standard of group to go ahead, saying that gratitude and respect for his per - the Edmonton archdiocese where measure, in his episcopal role, reconciliation is a profound need son, for his integrity, for his min - MacNeil’s impact was felt the that I find extraordinarily difficult that must be addressed. istry, for his dedication to people, most. to measure up to, is the way that The group asked for a meeting for his dedication to the church. During his term, he committed he knew everybody,” Smith said. His passing marks at the same himself to the reforms of the “He knew people. He remem - with the band council at Red Robert Bray Pheasant Cree First Nation, and time, I would say, the passing of Second Vatican Council, empow - bered their names. He could tell were invited to a regular Red an era,” Smith said. ering lay people in the church, you where they were from, proba - Archbishop Joseph MacNeil Pheasant/Mosquito Inter-Agency MacNeil, who led the Catholic building friendships with other bly the name of their pet, the Meeting on Oct. 25, 2017. community in the Archdiocese of faith communities, and extending names of their cousins. He knew Security was an especially sen - This monthly inter-agency gath - Edmonton for 26 years, died on the church’s efforts in social jus - them through and through. And sitive issue at the time, because the ering includes a range of commu - Feb. 11 at the Grey Nuns Hospital tice. In retirement, he continued people knew that and knew that visit came after an assassination nity partners, including Battle after suffering a stroke. He was 93. his ministry with personal visits because he knew them, he loved attempt on the pope. But MacNeil River Treaty 6 Health Centre, “In those 26 years, obviously and retreats. him.” and the Holy Father made plans to BATC (Battlefords Agency Tribal he was able to exercise a massive There are few Catholics in the That facility to make friend - visit Elk Island National Park, Chiefs) Social Development, impact, an impact that we proba - Edmonton archdiocese who don’t ships extended to people, and about 60 kilometres east of Ed- Kanaweyimik Child and Family bly never will be able fully to have a connection with MacNeil, leaders, of other denominations Services, Clifford Wuttunee measure, on the lives of many, either through a personal en- and other faiths. MacNeil even — ALBERTA, page 5 4 Prairie Messenger CANADIAN NEWS February 21, 2018 Wake up to the ticking clock on nuclear threat

By Michael Swan tank don’t base their worries on comments by Trump in the State Francis unequivocally stated pos - term process. But we’ve got to The Catholic Register science fiction. On Jan. 25 the of the Union address, it’s really an session of nuclear arms is gravely take a step down that road.” Bulletin of Atomic Scientists affirmation from that perspective immoral at a Vatican conference The Trump administration’s TORONTO (CCN) — Is the moved the Doomsday Clock to of the validity and legitimacy of on disarmament Nov. 10. Nuclear Posture Review is a step world moving closer to nuclear two minutes to midnight, the nuclear weapons possession.” “At best, it (the UN’s Nuclear in the opposite direction, Colecchi war? closest it has been to Armaged - This isn’t something happen - Weapons Ban Treaty) is ineffec - said. An American $1.2-trillion in- don since 1953. On Feb. 2 the ing just south of the border. tive and will do nothing to stop “We had hoped that the weap - vestment in new nuclear weapons United States issued its quadren - Canada’s defence policy is tied to regimes — such as North Korea ons would be taken off launch- systems, plans for tactical use of nial “Nuclear Posture Review,” NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty — from developing their nuclear on-warning status to avoid a cata - nuclear bombs on battlefields, proposing a complete overhaul of Organization of 29 allies reliant programs. At worst, it is counter- strophic accident. We had hoped threats of responding to cyberat - the U.S. nuclear triad and setting on America’s nuclear umbrella. productive in that it risks under - that instead of investing hundreds tacks with a nuclear strike and out justifications for breaking NATO has no plans for how it mining years of steady progress of billions of dollars in moderniz - rejection of international efforts — existing arms control treaties. On will operate or what it could be under the Non-Proliferation ing nuclear weapons we would be including pleas by Pope Francis Feb. 5 the 2010 New Strategic without nuclear weapons. Treaty,” said the NATO spokes - investing in diplomacy to reduce — to encourage disarmament have Arms Reduction Treaty came into “Efforts for nuclear disarma - person. the nuclear weapons threat,” he people worried. full effect without any new ment need to take into account “The fact of the matter is that said. “Not to sound alarmist, it’s a nuclear talks planned before the the realities of the threats and all the nuclear weapons states are Rather than operating out of wonder people aren’t running for Russia-U.S. agreement runs out challenges we face,” a NATO in violation of the Nuclear Non- fear, we should be investing in cover,” said Project Ploughshares in 2021. spokesperson told The Catholic Proliferation Treaty,” said the science and the rational diplo - executive director Cesar Jaramillo. “Of course, President (Donald) Register by email. “As long as Douglas Roche, former Canadian macy, said Colecchi. “Very authoritative observers and Trump has upended the traditional nuclear weapons exist, NATO Ambassador for Disarmament “Peace is something that if you stakeholders have said there is a understanding of American for - must and will remain a nuclear and disarmament adviser to the ask most Americans, it’s what real chance of thermonuclear war eign policy with a high degree of alliance.” Holy See. they desire. The question is, how in 2018. Maybe it sounds too close unpredictability, volatility, reck - Anti-nuclear voices include Under Article VI of the 1968 do we get there? It’s whether we to science fiction to be taken as lessness. Through a nuclear lens, the 122 nations who endorsed a treaty, the five nuclear powers will allow fear to dominate our seriously as it should.” those are very alarming red flags,” United Nations treaty last July to who signed on are obliged to decisions or whether we will Jaramillo and his colleagues at said Jaramillo. “If one looks at the classify nuclear weapons as ille - gradually, verifiably reduce their allow hope to dominate our deci - Canada’s ecumenical Christian details of the (Nuclear) Posture gal, indiscriminate weapons of nuclear weapons stocks with the sions. As people of faith, we are peace and disarmament think- Review, coupled with other recent mass destruction. And Pope goal of nuclear disarmament. always people of hope,” he said. While the number of warheads In October the 25 member has gone down, the practical denominations of the Canadian nuclear threat has either increased Council of Churches wrote to or remained steady as the sophis - Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia tication of nuclear weapons sys - Freeland asking Ottawa to use its tems has increased. diplomatic muscle at NATO and “A new nuclear weapons race the UN to nudge the needle has already started,” said Roche. toward disarmament. “It’s extremely disconcerting to “We find it disconcerting that be fed this bilge by the NATO Canada’s position on nuclear dis - press department that they’re armament aligns with that of doing everything they can to states with nuclear weapons,” move forward. It’s hogwash.” said the letter signed by Justice Rev. John Perry, Jesuit senior and Peace Commission chair Rev. scholar at the University of Paul Gehrs. Manitoba’s St. Paul College, So far, there’s been no reply rejects the charge that Pope from Freeland’s office. Francis has changed the Vatican’s Canada has taken a leading tune on nuclear deterrence. role in preparing for negotiations It isn’t Catholic teaching that of a Fissile Material Cut-Off has changed, rather the military Treaty, which would starve the doctrine of deterrence which has bomb-makers of material to make shifted over the last two genera - bombs. Roche calls it an empty tions, said Perry. gesture with no likely result. “The concept of deterrence is a “No negotiations have even very questionable moral position. started. In the discussions, all It’s based on the right to self- they’re talking about is cutting off defence, of course. But, of late, future production. It says nothing Gail Kleefeld there are those who would say about existing stocks,” said BLESS THE BEASTS — A young moose settled comfortably in the snow right outside the Prairie that deterrence includes a pre- Roche. Messenger office window on Feb. 13. While some may think a moose has a face only a mother could love, emptive strike,” he said. “They’ve Rather than making nuclear “You are not what others think you are. You are what God knows you are.” — Shannon L. Alder managed to change the idea of disarmament all about politicians, deterrence in such a way that we Roche craves a conversation in can no longer talk about it as Catholic parishes, schools and Stanley verdict ‘resurfaced profound pain’ something we can embrace as a universities, led by bishops who viable moral option.” are concerned about their flock Continued from page 1 called upon the community to commitment. Perry has no patience with the locally and globally. He calls on continue on the path of “building They also reiterated an earlier mental gymnastics of just war Canada’s bishops to spark that “The events surrounding the right relationships.” statement made by Saskatoon theory applied to weapons that conversation. tragic shooting death of Colten “The path of peace is more Tribal Chief Mark Arcand and can wipe out entire cities full of “We need to back the pope,” Boushie in August 2016, and the than simply avoiding conflict — it Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark: non-combatants and whose long- he said. “The Canadian bishops subsequent trial of Gerald Stanley is a call to active engagement and “We must continue to work with term effects include broken DNA, should be issuing a statement to and recent jury decision, have re- to concrete action that builds right each other in a good way, in a birth defects and disease into the back Pope Francis when he firm - surfaced profound pain to fami - relationships. Our biblical tradi - respectful way.” next generation. ly condemned the very possession lies and communities,” begins the tion highlights that violence The bishops concluded their “The theory of just war is not of nuclear weapons. Everybody statement, which was circulated breeds violence; that the path for - statement by asking for a renewed Christian in any proper sense of ought to wake up and listen to to parishes, churches, media, and ward encompasses acting hon - commitment to dialogue and to the word. It has no biblical, theo - those words.” on diocesan websites Feb. 15. ourably and seeking mutual re - building relationships. “As repre - logical or canonical foundation,” These events “have also raised spect as we address difficult sentatives of our churches, we he said. “Even using it, you can’t enormously important questions issues together. We acknowledge call our own communities, and justify nuclear deterrence.” and challenges for our province the message many of us are the wider community, to take The church isn’t living in a Are you and our country.” already hearing from indigenous concrete steps, in words and Care Bears movie, demanding a “We continue to offer our people across this province and actions, in a spirit of humility and global group hug to dissolve fears Moving? prayers for all of you, and remain beyond: ‘Be the change you want goodwill, rooted in profound fuelling weapons programs in Please let us know a committed to the spirit and princi - to see.’ ’’ prayer,” they said. North Korea and the United month in advance. ples of truth and reconciliation as The statement notes that build - “With a renewed commitment States. Write to: “We’re not naive,” USCCB Circulation Dept. we learn to walk together as ing right relationships has been to pursue meaningful, respectful Prairie Messenger indigenous and non-indigenous the goal of the Truth and Recon - dialogue and the building of posi - Office of International Justice and Box 190 people.” ciliation process that Canada has tive relationships between all Peace director Stephen Colecchi Muenster, Sask. S0K 2Y0 In the statement, the bishops embarked on in recent years, say - peoples, may we reject the evils told The Catholic Register . “We [email protected] said they were rededicating them - ing that all are now being chal - of racism and division, and strive know and Pope Francis knows — Undeliverable papers cost twice selves to work for reconciliation lenged and called to pursue that to work for peace and reconcilia - he has said this in a statement last as much to return. and peace in the province, and goal with renewed passion and tion for a renewed future.” year — that this will be a long- February 21, 2018 CANADIAN NEWS Prairie Messenger 5 Volunteers push back against assisted suicide

By Agnieszka Krawczynski environment with euthanasia?” issues will get worse. Already, more suicide is higher. I spent my ilies” and could be more vulnera - The B.C. Catholic Hospice supporters say impos - high-profile medical profession - whole career sending people to ble to suicide contagion. ing assisted suicide would exacer - als like Dr. Neil Hilliard, the psychiatric units because they “It’s been a long, long journey VANCOUVER (CCN) — bate the already difficult problem executive director of the Fraser were suicidal and needed help,” to convince society as a whole that Assisted suicide was legalized of providing quality palliative Health Palliative Care Program, she said. palliative care isn’t something you just over a year ago, but the care to all Canadians: only about are resigning over the issue. In hospice care, “people feel need to be afraid of. If you put debate is far from over. 30 per cent can currently access “It’s a very dangerous place to the pressure because they don’t MAiD in palliative care, people Various health care workers it. go,” said longtime Langley want to be a burden for their fam - are going to be afraid again.” and volunteers are continuing to They say the majority of ter - Hospice supporter Michele fight the practice in the face of minally ill patients who won’t Coleman. She said hospices also increasing pressure to end the seek assisted suicide might fear stand to lose substantial dona - lives of their patients. entering a hospice. tions. “I’m speaking on behalf of the “If people are afraid to access “We have a number of people sick and most vulnerable who it, there is going to be more suf - who are very much against MAiD cannot advocate for themselves,” fering,” said Macey. “There is who will withdraw their funding Nancy Macey, the executive going to be people ending up in and support,” said Coleman, who director of Delta Hospice Society, emergency departments, there solicited funds for the hospice told The B.C. Catholic Feb. 6. will be caregiver burnout, and while on the foundation’s board Macey, who created the non- people will die in emergency care of directors for 16 years. profit on her kitchen table 25 and hospitals, all the stuff we’ve Those funds contribute to years ago, was horrified to find been working on for 25 years to beds, staffing, and grieving pro - out the Fraser Health Authority avoid.” grams. “They do a fantastic chil - was moving ahead on plans to The Delta Hospice Society dren’s camp for children who force hospices to provide assisted operates under contract with have lost parents, grandparents, suicide, popularly termed medical Fraser Health and is not required or siblings,” offer various types assistance in dying (MAiD). to provide assisted suicide under of counselling, and host vigils at That was before Christmas, current policies. The Langley the bedsides of people who would and now she and many others are Hospice, however, is affected. otherwise die alone. raising the issue with local politi - “To mix MAiD with hospice “All of this type of thing is at cians, the media, the Fraser care makes absolutely no sense,” jeopardy” if the hospice loses Health Authority, and with any - said Kiernan Hillan, a volunteer donors who don’t support MAiD. one willing to listen. at the Langley Hospice for four Retired family doctor Karen “Hospice palliative care, as years. Mason also volunteers at Langley defined by the World Health “It’s contrary to the whole Hospice. She has recognized sui - Organization, does not hasten or direction the hospice should be cide contagion as a real issue in prolong death,” Macey wrote in a going in. It’s not a place of her practice and worries about the letter to Health Minister Petitpas killing. It’s a place where you live impact it could have in hospice Kiply Yaworski Taylor and seven local politicians your last moments. You’re not settings. BISHOP’S VISIT — Saskatoon Bishop Mark Hagemoen recently visited Feb. 1. going there to decide that you’re “If a kid commits suicide in a École St. Gerard Catholic School to thank students and staff for their Assisted suicide, Macey said, going to die. You’re going there high school, they bring a counsel - prayers and support. At a recent school retreat, students and staff put runs contrary to these principles. to live your last moments to the lor in to talk to the other ones together a booklet featuring a spiritual bouquet of prayers offered as a She wants to see hospices have fullest possible.” because they know the chance of welcome to the new Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon. the ability to opt-out of providing Hillan is passionate about car - assisted suicide on-site, and ing for the dying and feels it’s instead transfer patients who want important to be there as one of Youth look forward to pre-synod in Rome the lethal injection to their homes the few male volunteers and or other facilities. employees. However, he’s wor - By Jean Ko Din to Catholic and non-Catholic, and producer for Salt + Light “What we’re concerned about ried that if assisted suicide is The Catholic Register believers and non-believers and so Media Foundation. CEO Rev. is if you introduce euthanasia into forced in, he will be forced out. on, so his name was accepted also Thomas Rosica recommended her (hospice care), it’s going to put “We love people, we care for TORONTO (CCN) — in Rome,” said Gendron. as a candidate for her work as co- up barriers to access.” She’s wor - people, we listen to them, we Planning for this fall’s General Genaille-Dustyhorn is a second- host for a national youth forum ried the consequences of forcing make coffee for them, we get a Assembly of the Synod of year student in the Indian Teacher broadcast in October last year. assisted suicide into hospices, blanket, and we help them when Bishops on Youth has been Education program at University Callan said her work on that especially those who don’t want they eat. But now comes a point underway for some time, and of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon. broadcast was a great starting point to participate, will only make where we’re supposed to support recently the Canadian bishops Genaille-Dustyhorn said he is for her pre-synod preparation, but matters worse for the majority of them when they make a decision selected two people to represent approaching the pre-synod from a there is still more to learn. the dying. to end their life? No, that doesn’t the country for preparation ses - bit of an outside perspective. His “Recently, I’ve been doing a “Those who choose to have make sense,” he said. “If I’m sit - sions in Rome next month. mother is Christian and he said he couple of streeter-style, quick MAiD represent one per cent of ting there as a volunteer and Jacob Jason Genaille- has “grown up with that faith.” He interviews with young people on the population,” she said. “The someone in the next room would Dustyhorn isn’t Catholic, but his also attends regular youth nights the street,” she said. “A lot of these euthanasia people have choice be having MAiD, I don’t know if spiritual roots with the indigenous at The Bridge Fellowship Centre, young people had similar answers. anywhere they want it. Where I could be in that facility.” community has qualified him as a Christian-based community cen - . . . They had a lot of fears about does the choice come for the peo - He’s not the only one worried one of only two young people tre in Saskatoon, and is involved the future, about finding jobs, and ple who don’t want to be in an that existing hospice staffing selected by Canadian bishops (see with the Youth for Christ local good jobs, and enough money to PM story, Feb. 14, 2018). hockey league. Still, he identifies support themselves.” The 21-year-old Cree native more with his Cree spirituality. Although many of the young Alberta became home will join Emilie Callan, 28, who “Every religion, they all have a people she has interviewed do not works for Salt + Light Media Great Spirit that they look up to, necessarily belong to a faith, she Continued from page 3 didn’t seek the limelight but his Foundation, at the pre-synodal so it’s kind of hard not to believe,” said that they have the same life ministry — leading re treats or youth meeting March 19 - 24 that said Genaille-Dustyhorn. concerns as Catholics. As a youth monton, after a planned visit to making visits — continued will help set an agenda for this Genaille-Dustyhorn said he delegate, Callan said she sees the Jasper fell through because of the unabated. In the last few months, fall’s General Assembly of the does feel connected to the pre-synod as an opportunity to weather. he knew his time was short and he Synod of Bishops on youth. Christian faith through the friends have open discussions on hard “This was worked out between was preparing for his death. “Two people in the whole he’s made in youth group. topics that concern young people. the archbishop and the pope, A native of Nova Scotia, country is really not very easy but “Believing is the greatest chal - “I have friends in the medical nobody else knew this,” Smith MacNeil said — in an interview finally we got these two names,” lenge for young people today,” field that are facing really tough said, recalling the story. “Security shortly after his appointment to said Bishop Lionel Gendron, he said. “There’s a lot of material decisions in regards to listening to went crazy — ‘We can’t do this,’ Edmonton — that he missed the president of the Canadian stuff nowadays that are becoming their conscience on life issues,” ‘Nothing is secured’ — and the Maritimes terribly. But after dec - Conference of Catholic Bishops more important than spirituality. said Callan. “Listening to their archbishop looked at the head of ades as archbishop, he was partic - (CCCB). “When we were in They put their faith in something conscience and maybe risking security and said, ‘I don’t even ular about being buried in the Rome in December, they told us that can make them happy for losing their jobs is a concern, I’ve think God knows that we’re going Edmonton archdiocese. no more than two persons. So we maybe a year, instead of putting heard.” out to Elk Island! We’re going to Months before his death, finally looked for having a man their faith in something that can Issues about love, relationships be OK.’ And so off they went.” MacNeil made those arrange - and a woman, English and make them happy their whole and sexuality are also a recurring In the end, a photo of St. John ments with Rev. Adam Lech, the French, indigenous and so on.” life.” topic of discussion among her Paul II at Elk Island Park — alone chancellor of the Archdiocese of Gendron said it was a priority Genaille-Dustyhorn doesn’t peers, said Callan. among the trees, praying his Edmonton. for the CCCB executive council know what to expect for the pre- Callan and Genaille-Dustyhorn rosary as he often did — be came “He said ‘Adam, you are the to select at least one young per - synod, but he’s already doing his have yet to meet but are looking one of the most famous photos chancellor. You will bury me son who represented the native research. forward to working together ever taken of the Pope John Paul here. Here is my home. Don’t community. Callan grew up in a French- alongside 300 delegates from II. take my dead body anywhere. “He’s not a Catholic, but as the speaking family in Cornwall, Ont., around the world to discuss chal - After retiring in 1999, MacNeil Here I will be buried.’ ” pope mentioned, he wants to speak and works in Toronto as a writer lenges young people face today. 6 Prairie Messenger LOCAL NEWS February 21, 2018 Spiritual Exercises the core of Jesuit philosophy

By Johnston Smith the course of six or seven months. Retreatants commit to doing dates then decide whether they Another said: “I now will not This is the program that up to an hour per day of contem - wish to continue with the pro - make my own decisions without WINNIPEG — The Spiritual Winnipeg’s St. Ignatius Parish plative prayer, a method that gram. In October, the Exercises praying on them and talking to Exercises of St. Ignatius of has been offering for some 25 stresses the engagement of the begin. They conclude in May the God about what he wants for me.” Loyola have been the core of the years. imagination and the emotions. following year. The exploratory/introductory Jesuit way of life since the Some of the principal effects The focus of the Spiritual Exer - Several of the 2016 - 17 re- sessions occur this year at the St. Society of Jesus was founded people experience from the Spiri - cises is developing a personal, treatants offered comments on Ignatius Education Centre for five nearly 500 years ago. tual Exercises are: finding God in intimate relationship with Jesus, their experience. One spoke of consecutive Tuesday evenings, 7 In the past 40 years, more and ordinary daily life; developing a using Gospel stories as inspira - feeling greater emotion during - 8:30 beginning May 1. For fur - more Canadian lay people have personal relationship with the tion. While praying the exercises, prayer: “I now have the skills to ther information contact 204-453- been following this regimen of risen Jesus; learning how to iden - retreatants weekly meet one-on- think about God when I pray, 9243 or education.centre@stig - prayer and contemplation. The tify and be freed from desires one with a spiritual director who rather than just focusing on myself natiusparish.ca Spiritual Exer cises were designed that lead away from God; experi - has been trained in guiding others or the needs of loved ones.” to be made over 30 - 40 days in a encing the reality of God’s love; through the exercises. “I am closer to Jesus,” said Smith is a director in the St. monastic setting; however, St. and learning how to make deci - The program begins each May another, “and experience him Ignatius Spiritual Exer cis es pro - Ignatius provided for a means of sions that are guided by the Holy with an exploratory “taste” of the directly sometimes.” gram. doing them in ordinary life over Spirit. Ignatian style of prayer. Candi - Dahl speaks on ‘The Uncomfortable Pew’

By Frank Flegel “Ashley is in for some serious including prayers and responses as discomfort,” said Dahl. “It’s not well as when to stand, sit, or kneel, REGINA — We are in a new because Uncle Peter’s church is and washroom locations. Another era of ecumenical culture, said Dr. stodgy or traditional, it’s because suggested the presider, minister, or Darren Dahl, addressing a small everybody lives within a particu - priest offer a welcome to visitors, audience who were attending, on a lar and determinate set of offer a brief explanation of the ser - very cold evening, a workshop Christian traditions without which vice and ask everyone to greet those titled “The Uncomfortable Pew” at we cannot think of ourselves as next to them, and perhaps introduce Regina’s Living Spirit Centre. It practising Christians.” themselves. was an appropriate location, in that After Dahl’s introductory com - “We must find a way to cele - the centre houses three Christian ments, the group shifted to the brate together in ways that welcome communities: St. Phillip’s An gli - workshop. Participants represent - the neighbour by opening to them can, East Side United, and Bread ing different traditions were seat - the very practices that make us who of Life Lutheran. The workshop ed at tables where each was asked we are,” Dahl told the group. was a project of The Prairie Centre to describe a situation in which Dahl is the executive director for Ecumenism. they had experienced, or knew of of the Prairie Centre for Ecu me- Dahl said ecumenism has pro - someone who had experienced, nism in Saskatoon. There was no Photo submitted by GSCS gressed from the 1960s when peo - discomfort visiting their own or charge for the workshop, but par - SCHOOL VISIT — Bishop Mark Hagemoen of the Roman Catholic ple had no awareness of Christian someone else’s church. ticipants were asked for a free- Diocese of Saskatoon met with Grade 9 students at E.D. Feehan traditions other than their own, to One participant described a will offering to cover expenses Catholic High School Feb. 5, introducing himself and getting to know today, where people more easily situation where the welcome that included coffee and cookies more about Catholic schools in his new diocese, and answering stu - “move in and out of each other’s included an offer to be escorted after the workshop. dents’ questions. churches and places of worship. up the aisle to a seat; another That’s a good thing,” said Dahl. described a young couple who “However, this new ecumenical were excitedly greeted because Many foster families in need in Canada culture can produce situations of of their youth; and another very uncomfortable pews.” described being confused about He gave the example of, after appropriate behaviour when the By Myron Rogal services cannot fulfil, Chotowetz remain for churches and families a lifetime of not entering Uncle eucharist was offered. explained: the need to break to share these burdens and re- Peter’s Greek Orthodox Church, Participants were asked to re flect SASKATOON — “Who will down isolation through relation - spond to families’ needs. For cousin Ashley thinks she will on those moments, then offer some walk with me through my pain?” ship and friendship. some, this may eventually lead to arrive Saturday afternoon for the thoughts on what could be done to This was one of the questions that Today, Hands at Work builds a call to foster, but for most it family wedding as if she were make visitors more comfortable. speaker Lynn Chotowetz of Hands hope in 68 villages throughout involves building a friendship. arriving at her local community One suggested a visitor’s booklet at Work asked the audience Jan. South Africa. As Chotowetz Many basic needs can be met church. that would describe the service, 28 at St. Phillip Neri Church in began planning to return to in acts of friendship and support: Saskatoon, as some 40 partici - Canada, he and Jamie started bringing meals, offering parents a pants gathered to learn about a thinking about the “most vulnera - break, becoming mentors. Choto- growing ministry dedicated to ble of the vulnerable” in this wetz expressed confidence in the supporting vulnerable families. country. ability of churches to take on this The “Foster the Foster Looking across the spectrum kind of outreach, pointing out that Families” event was a joint effort of needs in Canada — “all of the government’s mandate is not of the Office of Justice and Peace which are extremely complex,” to love, and that love cannot be of the Roman Catholic Diocese of stressed Chotowetz — the couple “outsourced”: “Christ did not pay Saskatoon, Time out for Moms, saw that there was often a link to someone to go to the cross for and Hands at Work, with support the child welfare system. He and him.” from Pure Witness Ministries, Jamie discovered that, despite a The government is doing a which offered a youth component system with competent and caring good job, he said, it is “we in the for the evening. professionals, many foster fami - church who can build these need - Andi Early of Time out for lies remain in need when it comes ed relationships.” Moms welcomed participants and to the basic relationships and con - For Chotowetz, this is not an introduced the speaker. nections that can help sustain abstract theory, but a practice Chotowetz described a model them in their work. with a process. An entry point for of care for vulnerable families: For foster parents, there can be interested couples and families “Christ the King who was first a sense that they are under daily begins by attending a celebration and foremost a servant.” The pressures, yet “when we are most with foster families. background of this model, found - in need is when we are least like - The final challenge Chotowetz ed on friendship and relationship, ly to ask for help,” said Choto- offered was for “families to be - was born through Chotowetz’s wetz. This is not a fault of the come something bigger than our - experience serving in South foster parents, nor of a system selves.” As Mother Teresa said, Kiply Yaworski Africa during the AIDS crisis. that cannot work well when it is “The problem with the world is FRENCH LANGUAGE RETREAT — Amanda Chan, Youth Ministry Chotowetz and his wife, Jamie, overburdened. that we make the circle of our co-ordinator at St. John Bosco Parish in Saskatoon, speaks to some 110 were motivated by a desire to be Since policy and resources families too small.” Grade 7 - 9 students from seven different French schools across the with “the most vulnerable of the cannot ultimately solve this deep - For more information, contact province gathered for a French-language spiritual retreat Feb. 9 host - ed at Sts-Martyrs-Canadiens francophone parish in Saskatoon. Other vulnerable.” er need for connection, Chotowetz justpeace@saskatoonrcdiocese. speakers included Joseph Wacholtz, Sister April Mireau, PM, Daniel The need for families to sup - focuses on the opportunities that com Denis, and Nicholas Gerwing, with music led by Monique Mireau and port families was clear. Although assistance provided by a team of volunteers. The day featured talks services to meet basic needs were focused on deepening a relationship with Jesus Christ, opportunities available, depression, suicide, and for the sacrament of reconciliation, games, and prayer, as well as a family breakdown rates remained www.prairiemessenger.ca panel discussion and question-and-answer session that included high. There is a need within the Saskatoon Bishop Mark Hagemoen. hearts of people that even the best February 21, 2018 CHURCH AT HOME Prairie Messenger 7 The temporality of angels and friends: a blessed gift

By Edna Froese to the dusting, still brooding on the aftermath of family grief and an inevitable comings and goings of increasing anger over my church I dropped the angel on the friends, the joy and pain of find - experiences pushed me into spiritu - floor as I was dusting my dresser. ing and then losing what Anne of al crisis and depression. How was it The chunka-ka-chunk stopped my Green Gables called “bosom that she, a colleague and an breath — “please, no, don’t friends.” In the giver of the angel ordained minister, just “happened” break!” and the two clay women, I to be there? That we “happened” to Conscious or not, the prayer thought I had finally found a have grown up in similar family was answered. Not so much as a bosom friend. Ruefully I conclud - dynamics with equally fraught rela - chipped wing. Yet even in that ed that only in novels of yester - tionships with our mothers? As our beat or two of unknowing, I was year, or as clay statuettes, do friendship deepened, Becca also aware of an unwelcome “so bosom friends last a lifetime. faced the death of her mother, and what?” It wasn’t as if the giver of Back in April 2016 I had writ - then the loss of a job. Then it was the angel hadn’t already broken ten about the uncanny way books my turn to listen and comfort, faith with me a long time ago. have of falling off shelves into which I could do because I under - Dusty angel in hand, I was lost our hands precisely when we stood. There was between us a in memories, contemplating also need them. In-between such meeting of minds and hearts that another figurine on the other end incognito epiphanies, habitual neither of us had known before in of the dresser — two women readers, of course, choose many quite that way. Without her pres - seated, forever turned to one other books, some for delight, ence in precisely those years, I another in intimate, silent conver - some for profit, some out of would not be who I am today. sation. That too was a gift from obligation, some never finished. And then she moved to a dif - another country, which I had Of the books destined to be read, ferent country. She was not a let - interpreted as a promise that dis - some become beloved compan - ter-writer. tance wouldn’t matter. ions, each rereading another gift. In rare visits during the first But it did. Yet strangely enough, there are few years, our conversations Suppressing my impulse to books, once truly life-altering, Edna Froese picked up where they’d left off, toss into the trash both reminders that turn out to be a disappoint - Of Angels, friends, and letting go . . . and the only sign of prolonged of a friendship that was, I returned ment when picked up again years separation was the need to catch later. The right moment for the while others speak to our souls at together worth having as an end up on news. Nevertheless, a sub - reading has passed and will not the deepest level, so friends are in itself.” tle, unnameable change was Froese taught English litera - come again. not all alike. Wayne Booth, in In other words, some friends we underway. People, unlike books, ture at St. Thomas More College So, too, I have come to The Company We Keep, distin - keep company with because are not static, and while we may, in Saskatoon for many years until believe that the universe con - guishes three kinds of friendships they’re entertaining or they make a decades later, understand and her retirement. She currently spires to bring together friends as (actual or book-friends) based on given social context (dance clubs, interpret a book very differently works part time as academic edi - designated angels for one anoth - the gifts they offer — pleasure, schools, cooking classes, commu - than we did at first, the book itself tor while relishing the freedom to er. Just as books can be pleasur - profit, and “shared aspirations nity groups) more comfortable. responds — if one may use such read and write for pleasure. able temporary companions and loves of a kind that make life When graduation has passed or the an active verb for paper and ink — club membership is dropped, so out of its unchanging soul. Not so too do the friendships end. Friends our friends. As our bodies’ cells Scrabble, where hope springs eternal are also useful; we collaborate with are sloughed off and regrown, so colleagues, learn from teammates, we, too, change through our expe - the added challenge of adding share babysitting, carpool with riences, our decisions with their points while simultaneously plot - neighbours. Both these kinds of consequences, our losses, and our ting his next play. Without friendship — pleasure and profit other, newer friends. Scrabble, I’d probably never do — end naturally when circum - There is a time to laugh and to Everyday much arithmetic. I’d need to sign stances change. Unless the friend - mourn, to embrace and to refrain up for some brain games, instead. ships have advanced to another from embracing (Ecc1 3:1-8). It Theology Playing Scrabble is always level, they do not last beyond the follows that there is a time to challenging, even when games are boundaries of their making. laugh and weep together, and a The third kind of friendship is time to laugh and weep apart. As Louise McEwan going well. Strategy matters; a good player manages the tiles on qualitatively different, whether deep as the grief may be, it is the rack with both an offensive having begun that way or having time to let go. The gift that was “Why do we play this game?” I obsolete or archaic. Nevertheless, and defensive eye. developed into it. With these given — and I speak not of clay asked my husband for the words like “qi” (life force) and Scrabble can reduce an enter - friends, we can “be ourselves,” statuettes, but the expansion of umpteenth time. “qat” (Ethiopian bush) have rescued tainment budget. It can be a pleas - yet we also know that we are, in soul that happened in her pres - I was referring to Scrabble, and me from humiliation on more than ant way to spend time together, their company, becoming better ence — has not been withdrawn. it was not going well. Despite the one occasion. I recently discovered whether sitting before a fire on a people. The interaction feels sup - For that, and for all the friends claims on the box, not every word “qivuit” (belly wool of the musk- snowy afternoon or catching some portive, transformative; life seems who have walked with me, is a winner. Not all Scrabble ox), and can’t wait for an opportuni - rays on a beach. Once while on richer, more worthwhile. Abstract whether for a mere mile or two or games are fun. ty to lay it down, preferably plural - vacation on Vancouver Island, we language here inevitably fails for a thousand, I am grateful. I’m It is definitely not fun to lose ized for a seven letter word bonus. looked up from the Scrabble board because what happens between trying to remember that a by over a hundred points. Nor Two-letter words are an essential to see an orca and calf swimming a “bosom friends” is highly specific clenched hand receives no gold. does winning by a similar margin part of play, especially during frus - few hundred meters offshore. We and the friendship changes as it To receive new gifts, one’s hands give much satisfaction. trating games when the Scrabble hadn’t needed that expensive grows. must be opened and empty. For We don’t follow all of the offi - gods are against you. Building whale watching tour after all. The giver of the angel — let me the divine benevolence that grants cial game rules. We don’t chal - boxes with cheap little words can be Believe it or not, Scrabble has a call her Becca — and I were just us books and friends is always lenge words. Consulting a dictio - worth a surprising number of spiritual element. Because it requires getting to know one another when generous. nary before laying down tiles is points. The strategic placement of concentration and focus, Scrabble acceptable to us. And, although “zo” (hybrid yak) can be worth a keeps one in the moment. Like med - Dialogue is needed the official Scrabble rules permit minimum of sixty-two points. itative or contemplative practices, it the use of obsolete and archaic There are some games, though, calms the restless churning of the words, we don’t. when even Cheapo can’t help pull grist mill of the mind. Continued from page 1 certain sectors of Canadian society We know a great many uncom - a rabbit out of the hat. Those are Scrabble teaches patience and by signing onto this document,” he mon two-letter words, words that the games when playing “ot” humility. It is pointless to rail “Laudato Si’ was a seminal said. “Can we at least talk? That’s would never make it into every - (urchin) or “ai” (three-toed sloth) when a game is going badly or to document. . . . It’s just a wonderful what we would like to see happen day conversation. Yet, we use for four points leads to the ques - crow after a clever, high scoring document,” he said. instead of these sometimes quite these words with impunity when tion, “Why do we play this game?” play. Pride goes before a fall, and A motion to debate the Leap hateful attacks.” desperate to make a play. “Why, indeed?” We play for the tide may turn against you. A Manifesto at the NDP’s 2018 poli - Development and Peace joins a Our primary source for these reasons both mundane and pro - drubbing is just as possible as a cy convention was voted down at number of Catholic organizations words is a dictionary we’ve found. lopsided win. the party’s 2016 convention in and individuals who have support - dubbed “Cheapo.” Cheapo is a Scrabble is a great way to learn “Why do we play this game?” I Edmonton. ed the Leap Manifesto, including tattered Oxford English pocket new words — like qivuit. Without asked my husband for the “These downtown Toronto po- Jesuit provincial superior for sized dictionary that belonged to Scrabble, learning new words umpteenth time. “Because we are litical dilettantes come to Alberta English Canada Rev. Peter Bisson, one of my children when in ele - might require reading the dictio - hopeful people,” he replied. He’d and track their garbage across our his counterpart for French Canada mentary school. Cheapo’s best nary, something my daughter did hit the nail on the head. Like a new front lawn,” said Al berta labour Rev. Jean-Marc Biron, Catholic feature is a word game supple - at age nine to increase her vocab - day, every Scrabble game repre - leader Gil McGowan. novelist Yann Martel and philoso - ment that comprises two-letter ulary. Not being quite so Type A, sents a new beginning, another Development and Peace isn’t pher Charles Taylor, the national words and words beginning with I prefer Scrabble games. opportunity to face challenges, attacking Albertans working in oil ecumenical social justice organiza - “q” not followed by “u.” Scrabble requires adding, mul - successes and failures with grace. and gas by signing onto Leap, tion KAIROS and the Jesuit Unfortunately for us, most of the tiplying, and recalling the three We play Scrabble because hope Gauntlett said. Centre for Justice and Faith in “q” not followed by “u” words are times table. The scorekeeper has springs eternal. “We’re not trying to demonize Montreal. 8 Prairie Messenger ARTS & CULTURE February 21, 2018 Sundance shines a light on promising new dramas

age girl, Kayla, who lives with devoted single dad Mark (Josh Hamilton, also in Blaze ) while Screenings navigating the awkward hormonal peer pressures and anxieties of her & Meanings last year of middle school. Kayla posts selfie videos to her YouTube channel. Like today’s teens she’s Gerald Schmitz always on her phone, trying to be “cool.” But it’s her bundle of Two 2017 Sundance presenta - gives a remarkable performance. introspective insecurities that tions — Call Me By Your Name And as Heckler put the story’s makes her genuinely likeable and and Get Out — have made the driving force: “You can never puts us in her corner. Academy Awards list of best-pic - turn an enemy into a friend ture nominees (see next week’s through hate. You can only turn Butterflies (Turkey) column for my pre-Oscar assess - an enemy into a friend through Writer-director Tolga Karaçelik ment). Although a repeat of that love.” received the world cinema grand seems unlikely based on the 2018 jury prize for this fantastical tale of crop of new dramatic features, a Blaze a trio of squabbling estranged sib - great range of excellence was on Juliet, Naked lings living abroad who are reunit - offer. Here are some that most Directed by the remarkable Sundance Institute/Alex Bailey ed after many years when a letter impressed along with notable actor-author Ethan Hawke, who SUNDANCE FAVOURITE — Ethan Hawke, Rose Byrne, and Chris from their father brings them back mentions (all are U.S. produc - first came to Sundance with a short O’Dowd appear in Juliet, Naked , directed by Jesse Peretz, an official to their native village, by which tions unless otherwise noted). film almost 25 years ago, this selection of the Premieres program at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival. time he has passed on. The absur - “gonzo indie country-western dist tone is set early on when older Burden opera,” as he described it, is an Leave No Trace His upload of a track to Spotify, brother Cemal (Tolga Tekin) sets Winner of the audience award affecting tribute to legendary coun - Director Debra Granik is best- and her ties to a girlfriend, divert fire to himself in an astronaut suit in the U.S. dramatic competition, try-music troubadour Blaze Foley, known for the Oscar-nominated those plans and launch a new musi - on German television. Brother this true story of overcoming who died in 1989. Foley is bril - Sundance prize-winner Winter’s cal chapter. Offerman and Clemons Kenan is an unsuccessful actor and racial prejudice, 20 years in liantly played by Benjamin Dickey, Bone that propelled Jennifer opened the Sundance awards cere - sister Suzan a teacher who’s left an development as a film project by who received a special jury award Lawrence to stardom. Here she mony with a rousing rendition of arrogant husband. Ex ploding first-time writer-director Andrew for achievement in acting. His adapts the Peter Rock novel about the title signature tune backed up chickens (literally), a tale of when Heckler, strikes a chord in the faithful female companion and Will (Ben Foster), a homeless vet - by its ace composer-singer-song - butterflies come to die, an apostate current climate of racial tensions. muse, Sybil Rosen (Alia Shawkat) eran suffering from PTSD, who is writer Keegan DeWitt. imam, and a last request add to the In the mid-1990s a group of Ku — whose memoir is a source for roughing it with his 13-year-old bizarre happenings that end with a Klux Klansmen in Laurens, South the movie — had to put up with a daughter Tom (Thomasin McKen- Come Sunday blind shepherd under a tree. lot but never zie) in a makeshift camp in a park In this true-story Netflix pro - abandoned near Portland, Oregon. Its discov - duction (to be released April 13) The Miseducation of him. Foley’s ery by park staff brings social directed by Joshua Marston, Cameron Post talent vied with agencies on the scene including a Chiwetel Ejiofor is compelling as Director Desiree Akhavan won his self-de - sympathetic social worker, Jean the African-American evangelical the U.S. drama grand jury prize for structive side. (Dana Millican), who finds them pastor Carlton Pearson who this adaptation of the Emily Dickey and quiet lodgings and outdoor work preaches to a large megachurch Danforth novel about Minnesota Shawkat have for Will. While Tom thrives, he and broadcast following in Tulsa, high school student Cameron Post great chemistry does not, tormented and unable to Oklahoma, where the senior tele - (Chloë Grace Moretz) who, when in flashback adapt to society. Their return to the vangelist, Oral Roberts (played by discovered making out with anoth - scenes of their wilderness provokes a parting. Yet noted Catholic activist-actor er girl, is sent upstate by her strict relationship. the father-daughter bond endures. Martin Sheen), considers him to be Christian foster parents to a “gay The mythology Foster is excellent in the role, and a protégé and potential heir. conversion” Christian camp run by of Foley’s mu - McKenzie is a major new talent. Pearson, a bishop in the Church of a “converted” Rev. Rick (John sical influence God in Christ, is a star. But when Gallagher Jr.) and his forbidding emerges from Wildlife he begins to question the fear-and- psychologist sister Dr. Lydia interviews with Actor-director Paul Dano, hellfire fundamentalist gospel — Marsh (Jennifer Ehle). Cameron several associ - working with screenwriting life did not God’s unconditional love befriends two other outcasts, a girl ates (conduct - partner Zoe Kazan (who was in and the sacrifice of his Son redeem with a prosthetic leg, Jane Fonda ed as unobtru - last year’s Sundance hit The Big all of humanity? — he loses much (Saska Lane, also in Hearts Beat sively as possi - Sick ), adapts the Richard Ford of his flock, is spurned by his Loud ), and a Native American, ble by Hawke). novel set in small-town Montana church, and must find a renewed Adam (Forrest Goodluck). After Hawke has circa 1960. When Jerry (Jake faith to carry on. another troubled teen (who doesn’t his own star Gyllenhaal), husband of Jeanette want to be loved by Jesus?) is dri - turn as a leg - (Carey Mulligan) and father to Search ven to suicide, you have to cheer Gerald Schmitz endary singer- teenage son Joe (Ed Oxenbould), Directed by Aneesh Chaganty, when the three abscond. (Although AWARD-WINNER — Writer director Andrew songwriter loses his temper and gets fired winner of both the best of NEXT scientifically discredited, a January Heckler accepts the U.S. drama audience award Jan. from the past, from his job at a golf and country and Alfred Sloan prizes, this was 2018 University of California re - 27 for Burden , the true story of overcoming racial Tucker Crowe, club, he starts on a boozy down - an amazing thriller — the images port estimates that some 700,000 prejudice. in the Jesse ward spiral. After he leaves to entirely composed of those appear - Americans have undergone “gay Peretz-direct - fight forest fires, Jeanette is ing on electronic screens — that conversion therapy,” half of them Carolina, led by Tom Griffin ed Juliet, Naked , a Sundance wooed by an older man, Warren had me guessing until the final as adolescents.) (Tom Wilkinson), converted a audience favourite based on the (Bill Camp), the wealthy owner moment. Margot (Michelle La) is closed movie theatre into a Nick Hornby novel. Crowe has an of a car dealership. While young the 16-year-old daughter of David “Redneck Shop” and “KKK obsessive fan in Duncan (Chris Joe finds an outlet in satisfying Kim (John Cho), a good student Museum.” Griffin was a father O’Dowd), who lives with long- part-time work as an assistant in a taking piano lessons who dearly figure to an angry young man, suffering girlfriend Annie (Rose local photography studio, through misses the mom she lost to cancer. Mike Burden (Garrett Hedlund), Byrne) in a seaside English town. his eyes we also see the growing When Margot mysteriously disap - who had grown up in white-trash Although Annie couldn’t care less strains of his parents’ crumbling pears from her California home, it surroundings and participated in about Crow, her offhand negative marriage. The performances are sets off an increasingly frantic the Klan’s violence and intimida - reaction to a Crowe album arriv - all strong; that of Australian search through a trail of often mis - tion tactics that were protested by ing in the mail leads to an unex - Oxenbould, a revelation in virtu - leading social-media clues and the town’s African-American res - pected email correspondence with ally every scene, is outstanding. online identities. As a desperate idents led by Pastor David the man himself, and then to David interacts with detective Briefly Noted: Kennedy (Forest Whitaker) of the much more. The offspring of Hearts Beat Loud Rosemary Vick (Debra Messing) Joaquin Phoenix gives excep - New Beginnings Baptist Church. Crowe’s very mixed-up life, Brett Haley helms this audience who has volunteered to lead the tional performances in two Through the love of Judy (Andrea marked by addictions and aban - favourite, the winning upbeat story case, the investigation reaches a Sundance selections. In Gus Van Riseborough), a single mom with donments, will bring him to of vintage Brooklyn record store most unexpected destination. Sant’s Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get a young son, Burden began a London, and voilà, sparks fly. owner Sam Fisher (Nick Offerman) Far on Foot , he plays the icono - troubled journey from darkness There are separations, awkward and his talented daughter Sam Eighth Grade clastic and alcoholic Portland car - into the light of forgiveness. meetings with relatives you never (Kiersey Clemons), who create From writer-director Bo toonist John Callahan, confined When ostracized by the Klan, the knew you had, even a heart attack. some catchy music together even Burnham comes another story to a wheelchair as a quadriplegic couple found refuge in the pas - Yet things turn out in a way that though his Red Hook Records is involving the sometimes danger - after a crazed car crash. (In the tor’s home. Hedlund, who starred leaves one more lighthearted than going out of business and she’s ous world of social media and mil - movie, Jonah Hill is also great as in last year’s racially charged sorry. Not brilliant perhaps, but a preparing to fly across the country lennial adolescent youth. Elsie Deep South saga Mudbound , delight in its own right. to begin pre-med studies at UCLA. Fisher is remarkable as the teen - — FILMS , page 9 February 21, 2018 FEATURE Prairie Messenger 9 School division lives theme ‘be joyful in hope’

filled lyrics that call all of us to Nations people, standing on large hope, theological virtue and what proclaim and share why we can blankets spread out representing happens when it is stripped from and should “be joyful in hope” if the land of Canada. By the time the human soul. Catholic we believe in the message of the colonization is complete, few We have many souls in our Gospel. people remain, on tiny folded-up care in our classrooms who are in In another segment of the blankets. It is eye-opening and need of hope and joy. Connections retreat day, Holy Trinity staff mind-boggling. There is a crises experienced the opposite of joy After the exercise of meaning in Bernadette Cey and hope by being led through an everyone sat down our culture exercise detailing with what our for a sharing circle and the First Nations people felt and still that allowed partic - temptation This school year Holy Trinity virtues, the other two being faith often feel as a result of the legacy ipants to process to a School Division took as its theme and charity. Christian hope has its of European colonization. The and share their nihilistic “Be Joyful in Hope,” taken from origin and model in the hope of Blanket Exercise guides partici - experience of the worldview Romans 12:12. To get the year Abraham, our father in faith. God’s pants through the historical jour - Blanket Exercise. is great. As started the theme was introduced promise to him that his descen - ney of white settlement in Canada The point is not to Catholic at our staff retreats in late August dants would number as the stars is by narration and role-play. paralyze with shame educators we just before the new school year the source of his hope, which never In a bitter irony it was the First and self-guilt as white have the privi - began. Mark Selinger, our new wavers. Jesus’ teaching on the Nations who welcomed and then persons, but to be aware of lege of being agents Religious Education Consultant, beatitudes early in his public min - assisted newcomers to navigate our national and religious history of joy and hope, healing and rec - presented a reflection on the new istry becomes the foundation for the forests, rivers, mountains and and perhaps our own latent onciliation. Romans 12:12 that theme by taking a deeper look at Christian hope. No one can live plains of this vast land. It was gut racism. We can then become we began with finishes: “Be joy - the words joy and hope. without hope. It is our spiritual wrenching to become aware of agents of hope and healing in our ful in hope, patient in your trou - Joy is one of the fruits of the headlamp, the soul’s food, without the arrogance of the colonists and personal lives and especially in bles and pray at all times.” We Spirit. It is often equated with which we cannot live. Hope does the terrible things done to the our classrooms. could call it the 12:12 cycle. May happiness, which is very differ - not come from us, but is our First Peoples. With our theme of “Be Joyful Holy Trinity be led by the ent. Happiness is something we response to God’s promise. The Blanket Exercise is so in Hope” and the experience of promises of our loving God who experience when things go well. As joy cannot be equated sim - named because we begin with all the Blanket Exercise, we reflect - is always faithful and who is the Joy however, is a state of being, ply with happiness, neither can participants representing First ed on joy, fruit of the Spirit and foundation of our hope and joy. not a feeling. It is a deep peace, hope simply be equated to a wish - which comes from the indwelling ful feeling. It is rather a rock- of the Holy Spirit within a person solid certainty, a guarantee and Sundance films worth waiting for and endures despite hardships. anchor. Christian hope is not A great analogy Mark used to mere optimism, but a bold confi - Continued from page 8 Spy and Brad Anderson’s Beirut are parent in Hearts Beat Loud .) illustrate this is first-time parents. dence in a future that is founded moderately effective thrillers. Claire Danes and Jim Parsons Their lives are changed complete - on God’s promise to us. an HIV-positive gay man who Catcher tells the true story of are excellent in transgender direc - ly. Sleep deprivation, feeds, Staff groups shared what joy leads an AA group.) Phoenix is Jewish pro-baseball player Moe tor Silas Howard’s A Kid Like changes, renewed financial needs, and hope means to them, dis - even better as a hired killer in Berg (Paul Rudd) who was recruit - Jake , about parents coping with can be a huge adjustment. cussing how they might incorpo - Lynne Ramsay’s You Were Never ed as a secret agent during the concerns over their four-year-old However, lying on the couch with rate the division theme in their Really Here , which screened at Second World War and in 1944 boy Jake’s decidedly feminine your sleeping infant on your chest schools. Mark shared three con - Cannes and is scheduled for an sent on a mission to prevent the preferences. in a moment of quiet fills you temporary music videos on hope April release. Nazis from developing an atomic Writer-director Ísold Uggadóttir with deep joy and contentment in with staff to use for school Keira Knightley is convincing bomb, if necessary to assassinate received the world cinema jury’s spite of the sacrifices. assemblies or classroom discus - as the pioneering French novelist renowned physicist Werner directing award for And Breathe Hope is one of the theological sion and reflection. These songs, in Wash Westmoreland’s Colette Heisenberg. In Beirut , Jon Hamm Nor mally (Iceland/Sweden/ “Hope in Front of Me” by Danny (U.K.Hungary/U.S.). In Claire plays a senior American diplomat Belgium), a beautiful story of the Gokey, “My Lighthouse” by McCarthy’s Ophelia , based on the caught up in a deadly 1972 terrorist relationship that develops between Cey is the outgoing Religious Rend Collective, and “Go Light Lisa Klein novel, Daisy Ridley attack in the Lebanese capital who, an Icelandic single mother and a Education Consultant, Holy Your World” by Chris Rice, are a commands the title role to George a decade later with Israel threaten - female migrant from Guinea- Trinity Catholic School Division, mixture of upbeat and prayerful MacKay’s Hamlet. ing to invade, is sent back by the Bissau at risk of deportation. Moose Jaw. music with beautiful and hope- Ben Lewin’s The Catcher Was a CIA on a dangerous mission to Finally, although I generally negotiate the release of a former steer clear of midnight horror colleague held captive by Pales - movies, I can see why Sam tinian jihadists. Levinson’s Assassination Nation In Elizabeth Chomko’s What became an audience favourite. The They Had , Michael Shannon and violence run amok takes place in a Hilary Swank do good work as a fictional modern-day American brother and sister tangling with “Salem” of social-media trolling their father over what needs to be and manic vigilantism. It’s subver - done to deal with their mother’s sive, transgressive, excessive, and worsening dementia. (The mother sometimes bloody brilliant (em- is played by Blythe Danner who phasis on the first “b”) — a late- also has a somewhat similar but night cult movie in the making. minor role as an addled elderly You’ve been warned.

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10 Prairie Messenger DEEPENING OUR FAITH February 21, 2018 Religious orders ‘built’ faith on the Prairies

Both Lungs

Brent Kostyniuk

When the pioneer settlers came presence came in 1902 when to the Prairies, they brought with Metropolitan Andrei Sheptytsky them precious possessions that sent four members of the Order of would remind them of the lives St. Basil the Great, Revs. Platonid they had left behind, keepsakes Filas (superior), Sozont Dydyk, that would help see them through and Anton Strotsky, Brother the challenges and hardships that Yeremii Yanishewsky, as well as would be inevitable in the new four Sister Servants of Mary land. While material goods were Immaculate, to tend to the reli - essential, they also brought with gious needs of the Ukrainian pio - them a more valuable intangible neers. On Nov. 1 Rev. Filas, in possession — their faith. the company of Roman Catholic Settling on homesteads in the Bishop Emil Legal, travelled vast wilderness, the pioneers had from rail’s end at Strathcona to Photo courtesy of Basilian Fathers Museum, Mundare little to support their efforts to the area of present-day Mundare, BASILIAN MONASTERY — After 1910, the Basilian community in Mundare, Alta., became an impor - build new homes and raise chil - while the others took up duties tant centre for Ukrainian Catholics, not only in Western Canada, but throughout North America. In 1923 dren. Neighbours were few and around Edmonton. Two months a brick monastery dedicated to Sts. Peter and Paul was constructed in Mundare, under the direction of far between, stores and doctors later, in January 1903, Rev. Filas architect priest Rev. Philip Ruh, a Belgian-born Oblate who dedicated his life to serving Ukrainian often dozens of kilometres away. filed for a homestead and work Catholics in Canada. Yet even as they struggled to sur - began on building a house, with vive, they made plans to ensure the help of local settlers. This was future development in mind, a press was built in Mun dare in While the rich prairie soil is their faith would survive. Often to become the first monastery for church dedicated to Sts. Peter and 1936. This produced Ukrainian noted for the cereal crops it pro - primitive churches were built in the Basilians. Paul was built in Mundare in language religious publications, a duces, it has also proven to be anticipation of the arrival of a On July 12 1903, the Feast of 1910. The formal blessing, on Oct. boon for settlers who would other - fertile ground for religious voca - priest, who even after he arrived Sts. Peter and Paul (Julian calen - 23, 1910, took place during the wise have had little to read in their tions. Indeed, seven Ukrainian might only be able to visit each dar), a divine liturgy was celebrat - visit of Metropolitan Andrei own language. Catholic bishops either studied at community once or twice a year. ed at the monastery attended by Sheptytsky to Canada. The Basil- Together, the two monasteries the Mundare monastery or were Indeed, the wait could be even Ukrainian homesteaders from ian community in Mundare soon enabled the Basilians to provide raised in the region served by longer than that. The first group throughout the region. The event became an important centre for novitiate training for future mem - those first Basilian missionaries. of Ukrainian settlers arrived in is commemorated to this day by an Ukrainian Catholics, not only in bers of the order. As many as 60 The story of the Basilian mon- East Central Alberta in 1892, but annual vidpust — pilgrimage — Western Canada, but throughout young men lived there, receiving astery at Mundare is not unlike that it was not until the spring of 1897 which draws hundreds of Ukrain - North America. education in the arts, humanities, of St. Peter’s Abbey, the oldest that Rev. Nestor Dmytrow, a ian Catholics to Mundare on the In order to expand their activi - and philosophy. The novices also Benedictine monastery in Canada, Ukrainian Greek Catholic priest, last Sunday of June. By the end of ties, in 1923 a brick monastery worked the land at the “farm” and home to Prairie Messenger . made a visit to the colony some that year a simple chapel had been dedicated to Sts. Peter and Paul monastery, providing meat, veg - The abbey was found ed in Muen - 80 kilometres east of Edmonton. constructed, formalizing Mundare was constructed in Mundare, etables and grain for their own ster by monks who had moved The first permanent pastoral as the centre of religious life for under the direction of architect needs. Surplus produce was sold from Cluny, Illinois, to serve the Ukrainian Catholics in East Cen- priest Rev. Philip Ruh, a Belgian- to help meet the expenses of run - tral Alberta. From there, the born Oblate who dedicated his life ning the monasteries. — MONASTERIES , page 11 Kostyniuk, who lives in Ed - Basilian priests, along with the to serving Ukrainian Catho lics in monton, has a bachelor of theolo - Sister Servants, served the far- Canada. Ten years later a sub - gy from Newman and is a free - flung Ukrainian settlement. sidiary monastery was built at the The Diocese of Nelson lance writer. He and his wife Bev With the coming of the Cana - site of Rev. Filas’ original home - have been married for 39 years dian Northern Railway, Mundare stead. Expanding their missionary welcomes applications for the position of and have eight grandchildren. began to grow as a town. With its presence even more, a printing Diocesan Director of Faith Formation PRAIRIE MESSENGER PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY The Director of Faith Formation is responsible to the Bishop in designing and implementing programs for adult faith MCKERCHER LLP BARRISTERS & SOLICITORS KAPOOR, SELNES, & formation, children’s catechetics and sacramental preparation for use in the diocese and in supporting the ministry of the KLIMM SASKATOON: John Schachtel Barristers & Solicitors (306) 653-2000 laity. The Office is based in Kelowna but will require travel to W. Selnes, B.A., LL.B.; L.J.(Dick) Batten, QC 1201 - 8th St. East the various regions of the diocese. G. Klimm, B.A., LL.B.; Michel G. Thibault Saskatoon, Sask. David M.A. Stack,QC (306) 978-5200 The Director works in collaboration with: Phone (306) 752-5777, P.O. Box 2200 Curtis J. Onishenko G Melfort, Saskatchewan S0E 1A0 The Superintendent of Catholic Schools in the faith Galen R. Richardson   
  Phone (306) 873-4535, P.O. Box 760 development of staff. Tisdale, Saskatchewan S0E 1T0 REGINA:     G 306.565.6500 Parish pastoral teams. G David E. Thera, QC 
     The Diocesan Religious Education and Adult Faith WEBER Committed to serving the legal    Formation Committees.     
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seeking several things. The first among them is stuff: the unlike the other gospel writers, John places this action at more, the better and the newer, the better. Another is the the very beginning of Jesus’ public life. It’s kind of a dec - attention and approval of others. You’ll be more popular if laration: “If you want signs, I’ll give you plenty of them. Liturgy you look right, smell right, drink the right brand of beer, Just watch me!” and drive the right car. Jesus overturned and Life And much advertising the money tables in the energy is put into sell - temple as a sign that ing us strategies for pro - someone had lost sight Margaret Bick tecting ourselves and of what the temple is our stuff. After all, once about. From this point we have accumulated on, John’s Gospel fol - Paul tells the Corinthians that “Jews demand signs these status symbols, lows Jesus as he keeps and Greeks desire wisdom.” People in the first group want we have to protect the promise of signs signs that one is right with God, signs that a person’s them. At a certain point aplenty. In fact, Jesus words are true. Those in the other group want wisdom to our possessions begin to does not just give signs, know the right path of life. The signs and the wisdom are possess us. Life comes he is a sign. He is THE at the core of their deepest longings. to be about them. sign. And he hinted at What demand or desire is at the deepest core of your According to Paul, this in his answer to his being right now? If Paul were observing your life these people who are pos - opponents. He is God’s days, what would he think you are seeking in life? If Paul sessed by their posses - message to the world were observing your parish’s life together, what would he sions see the Christian concerning the way think your parish is seeking? way of life as foolishness. And rightly so. If we live humans are made to live in this world — a life of justice, I met an accountant once who was working with a according to the beatitudes and other gospel values, we mercy, love and peace. For Jesus, this is what being group of sisters. At their first meeting the group’s leader must look foolish to those who have been lured into the human is about. presented the accountant with their financial books and a traps laid out in the world of marketing madness. Poverty, We, the baptized who live in the 21st century, hear mission statement. “This is what we are about,” she said. meekness, social justice, and mercy have no role in a life this story proclaimed in the middle of Lent. Lent is when “Thank you Sister,” answered the accountant, “but all I we, the baptized, are preparing to make new again our need is your books. They will tell me what you are about.” Exodus 20:1-17 baptismal promises at Easter, in solidarity with those who Third Sunday of Lent If your life is an open book, what do people think you are Psalm 19 will make them for the first time when they are baptized at about? 1 Corinthians 1:18, 22-25 the great Easter Vigil. This story reminds us today that we, March 4, 2018 What is life in our modern North American society John 2:13-25 who are baptized into Christ, are baptized to be signs as he about? I think the accountant would tell us to check out was. In this story we are called to take a close look at our - the world of advertising. The marketing business is all centred on ourselves and our possessions. And there is selves to examine the extent to which poverty, meekness, about convincing us of what it believes our life should be certainly no role there for the cross. In the eyes of society, social justice, love and mercy have a place in our lives. about. To do this they must appeal to our deepest longings. if living for the life of the world is at the centre of our Are they among our deepest longings and desires? Ads, billboards and TV commercials tell us we should be being, Christians are baptized into an upside-down way of We are baptized to turn the values of the world upside life. down, by turning our own values upside down. Our lenten You might well ask at this point, “What does all this observance of prayer, fasting and almsgiving help us to Bick is a happily retired elementary school teacher who have to do with Jesus’ actions and teaching in the temple?” grow into the person we were meant to be from our bap - lives in Toronto. She is a liturgist with a master’s degree in Well, those who challenged Jesus’ actions asked him for a tism. If we “do” Lent as a community, Lent will help our liturgy from the University of Notre Dame and is a human sign proving that his actions — overturning the money parish to grow as a sign of God’s love to all the communi - rights advocate working for prisoners who have experi - tables and chasing out the money lenders — were OK ty, rather than just people who gather in a building round enced prolonged solitary confinement. with God, a sign they should pay attention to him. Now, the corner every Sunday morning. Anger, our most common sin, often parades itself as Godly virtue

the biggest problem here. More or morality to see raw hatred and those “bad thoughts” have to do seriously, anger too often parades anger justifying themselves on with anger. In itself as Godly virtue, as righteous - moral and divine grounds. A cynic, it’s said, is someone ness, as prophecy, as a healthy There is such a thing as healthy who has given up, but not shut up! divinely inspired militancy for prophetic anger, a fiery response He’s also someone who has con - Exile truth, for cause, for virtue, for God. when the poor of God, the Word fused one of the seven deadly sins, And so we define ourselves as of God, or the truth of God are wrath, with virtue. “holy warriors” and “vigilant being slandered, abused, or Ron Rolheiser, OMI defenders of truth,” taking justifica - neglected. There are important Monasteries tion in the popular (though false) causes and boundaries to be conception that prophets are angry defended. But prophetic anger is centres of faith Classically Christianity has list - these, but I suspect that the sin people, on passionate fire for God. an anger that emanates out of love ed seven sins as “deadly” sins, which most commonly afflicts us However, there’s a near infinite and empathy and always, regard - Continued from page 10 meaning that most everything else and is not much mentioned in spiri - distance between true prophetic less of the hatred it meets, still we do which is not virtuous some - tual literature is wrath , that is, anger and the anger that today exhibits love and empathy, like a growing Catholic colony in Sas - how takes its root in one of these anger and hatred. I venture to say commonly parades itself as prophe - loving mother in the face of a bel - katchewan. Like that of the Basil- congenital propensities. These are that most of us operate, however cy. Daniel Berrigan, in his criteria ligerent child. Jesus on occasion ians, the Benedictine mission the infamous seven: pride, greed, unconsciously, out of anger and this for prophecy, submits (and rightly) exhibits this kind of anger, but his began with a simple log and mud lust, envy, gluttony, wrath , and shows itself in our constant criti - that a prophet is someone who anger is antithetical to most of house. Later a wood monastery sloth . cism of others, in our cynicism, in takes a vow of love, not of alien - what masquerades as prophetic was constructed in which the In spiritual literature the first our jealousy of others, in our bitter - ation. Prophecy is characterized by anger today, where love and empa - monks could continue their lives of three, pride, greed , and lust , get ness, and in our inability to praise love aching for reconnection, not thy are so noticeably absent. prayer on the Prairies. Their ritual most of the ink and attention. others. And unlike most of our anger pushing for separation. Someone once said that we of gathering several times a day to Pride is presented as the root of all other sins, anger is easy to camou - And love isn’t generally what spend the first half of life struggling pray the monastic office has con - sin, Lucifer’s primordial defiance flage and rationalize as virtue. characterizes most so-called pro - with the Sixth Com mand ment, and tinued uninterrupted to this day. of God as forever echoed in our At one level, anger often ratio - phetic anger in our world today, then spend the second half of life Beyond this, the Benedictines own lives: I will not serve! Greed nalizes itself as justified indigna - especially as it pertains to God, struggling with the Fifth Com - worked tirelessly to serve the pio - is seen as the basis for our selfish - tion over the foibles, stupidity, religion, and defence of truth. You mandment: Thou shalt not kill! We neer settlers. The first task was to ness and our blindness toward oth - egotism, greed, and faults of oth - see this in its worst form in Is lamic see this illustrated in the famous simply find them on the vast prairie. ers and lust has often been given ers: How can I not be angry given extremism where, in the name of parable of the Prodigal Son, his Later they organized par ishes, erect - the ultimate notoriety, as if the what I see every day! Here anger God, every kind of hatred, vio - older brother, and his prodigal ed churches and residences, and Sixth Commandment were the shows itself in our constant irrita - lence, and random murder puts on father. The younger son is effec - established parochial schools for the only commandment. tion and in our quickness to cor - God’s cloak. Blaise Pascal captures tively out of his father’s house growing Catholic community. Not to deny the importance of rect, criticize, and make a cynical this well in his Pensees where he through wrestling with the seduc - These two monasteries, East and remark. Conversely we’re very writes: “Men never do evil so com - tive energies of youth. The older West, remain as centres of religious slow to praise and affirm. Per - pletely and cheerfully as when they brother is just as effectively outside life, not only for the monks who Rolheiser, theologian, teacher, fection then becomes the enemy of do it from religious conviction.” his father’s house, not through sin, inhabit them, but for the Catholic and award-winning author, is the good and since nothing and no He’s wrong on one thing; mostly but through wrestling with anger. communities they serve. They are president of the Oblate School of one is perfect, we’re always in crit - we aren’t doing it cheerfully, but As a young boy I was cate - precious re mind ers of the dedica - Theology in San Antonio, Texas. ical mode and we see this as a angrily. One only has to read the chized to confess “bad thoughts” as tion, foresight, and suffering of the He can be contacted through his virtue rather than for what it in fact letters to the editor in our newspa - sinful, but bad thoughts then were monks who bravely left their homes website: www.ronrolheiser.com. is, namely, an inchoate anger and pers, listen to most talk-radio sta - defined as sexual thoughts. As we to bring Christ to those pioneer set - Now on Facebook: www.face - unhappiness inside of ourselves. tions, look at social media, or listen age, I suggest, we might continue tlers who sought to make new book.com/ronrolheiser But our unhappy cynicism isn’t to any debate on politics, religion, to confess “bad thoughts,” but now homes on the Canadian Prairies. 12 Prairie Messenger FEATURE February 21, 2018 St. Peter’s Messenger defends Catholic teachings

This is the third of seven articles on the Prairie Messenger and the acceptance and legitimacy in a soci - speeches. Diefenbaker threatened press was essential in counterbal - past 100 years of the journalism of the Benedictine monks of St. Peter’s ety that was suspicious of Catholics to sue St. Peter’s Messenger. ancing the bias of the American Abbey. and people of German heritage. In his editorial Krumpelmann and Canadian press toward the Canada was largely British and expressed annoyance when Die - Catholic Church and Catholic By Paul Paproski, OSB Prairie Messenger in 1928. Anglo-Saxon Protestant and its fenbaker addressed an audience of immigrants. Front-page stories St. Peter’s Messenger (Messen - establishment wanted Can ada to Orangemen, whom Krumpelmann told of bigotry toward the church Twenty years after arriving in ger ) continued the two-fold mis - remain that way. The Messenger considered to be fanatics and big - and how the church was under Canada, the Benedictines added sion of St. Peter’s Bote in provid - became a vehicle to explain tradi - ots. The Orangemen were op posed siege in Mexico, the Middle East, another service to their apostolates ing news and teaching the Catholic tional Catholic values and defend to separate schools and were sus - Russia, China, and in Italy where — St. Peter’s Messenger . The first faith. Similar to the Bote , the them against criticisms and false picious of the Catholic Church and fascism had taken root. edition rolled off the press on May Messenger often defended the accusations. Catholic-run institutions. The Attacks on the church in Can - 24, 1923, some 19 years after the Catholic Church against outside The first editor of St. Peter’s Conservative candidate told the ada grew during the 1920s when first issue of the German newspa - attacks. The first anniversary edi - Mes senger was Rev. Lewis Orangemen that Canada should immigration from eastern Europe per, St. Peter’s Bote , was printed. tion of May 22, 1924, stated the Gwynn, a Benedictine O blate who always remain British. This state - fuelled bigotry and racism. As The monks were now publishing Messenger’s mandate: “The watch - served briefly in 1924. He was fol - ment, Krumpelmann said, proved Saskatchewan became more mul - two broadsheets, one in English word of the Messenger is service lowed by Rev. Cosmas Krum - Diefenbaker could not be trusted ticultural, the popularity of the and one in German. St. Peter’s in the defence of the church and pelmann, OSB (1924 - 26), and as a representative in Parliament. Ku Klux Klan rose among the Messenger became known as the advancement of its interests.” Rev. John Hable, OSB (1926 -31). Canada, he said, was an important Anglo-Protestant establishment. The terms “defence” and “inter - The first two Benedictine editors friend and trading partner of The Klan held rallies throughout ests” had very different meanings in had a common zeal for promoting England, but Can ada must remain the province. The rallies attacked Paproski is a monk of St. the 1920s than what would be Catholic teachings and pulling no an independent nation. the French and Catholic presence Peter’s Abbey, pastor, archivist understood today. The Catholic punches in defending them. The Messenger was born in a in Canada and accused Catholics and historian. Church was struggling to find Krumpelmann has the distinc - society where there were sharp of being disloyal citizens who tion of being not only divisions along denominational owed their loyalty to a foreigner, the first member of and ethnic lines. The Catholic the pope. In an editorial Hable the monastic commu - weekly made it known in front- warned readers to ignore all the nity to serve as the page stories and editorials who the statements against the church. Messenger editor, but friends and foes were of the “History shows us this practice is one of the most out - church. Conservatives, Masons not new. Their methods are repul - spoken. His frankness and Orangemen, who opposed sep - sive and their logic fallacious.” got him into conflict arate schools, could not be trusted. The Messenger conveyed loy - with a person who Communists were agents of the alty to the country during elec - later became a well- devil who were trying to destroy tions by encouraging readers to known public figure. the church, especially in Russia. be good citizens and vote. Cana- John Diefenbaker, a Masons proved they were opposed dians were urged to join the Cath - future prime minister, to Christianity by supporting the olic hierarchy in offering prayers was a Conserva tive persecution of the church in for His Majesty King George V candidate in the Mexico, and the American media when he became ill. Prince Al bert con - exemplified its anti-Catholicism by The Messenger was not a stituency during the largely ignoring the persecution. friend of the temperance move - Paul Paproski, OSB 1926 federal election. The editors of the Messenger ment, which had support among ST. PETER’S MESSENGER — The first edition of St. Peter’s Messenger rolled off Diefenbaker became were well-informed about local, Protestant churches. Both Krum - the press in the Diocese of Muenster (St. Peter’s Abbacy) on May 24, 1923. The incensed over an edi - national and international news pelmann and Hable believed the English-Catholic weekly was an important source of local, national and interna - torial Krumpelmann events and were outspoken in notion of forbidding people the tional news. It provided information on the Catholic faith and church issues. In had written about one sharing their views. The editors right to a drink was outrageous. 1928, the weekly’s name changed to The Prairie Messenger . of his campaign pointed out how the Catholic There were bigger issues to worry about, one being racism which was especially rampant south of Birthing barefoot, and finding God at the bottom the border. A growing concern for the still feels like a miracle. ply doing something to change Catholic press was sexuality in And then I got stuck. For three- something, in complete despera - movies, reading material and and-a-half hours, despite my effort tion. The other midwife whispered: advertising. The Messenger re - Barefoot and the midwife’s, we did not “You’ve had a really hard year. It minded parents of their responsi - move from seven centimetres. The makes sense that you would find it bility for teaching children reli - and Preaching pain deepened, my body fatigued, hard to trust the pain. ” gion. Parents were warned to stay and I hit a wall of fear. I heard Something shifted. I lost myself away from barn dances and to keep myself saying (more than I intend - and my thoughts. My body took their children away from them. ed to say), “I feel like I cannot do over. I shuddered through the next Barns were for cattle, not dancing. Leah Perrault this, like he is stuck, and some - 20 minutes, clinging to Marc and Editorials presented opinions on thing is wrong.” I begged for a trip crying until I heard myself say, issues and events, and they were I love giving birth. It’s a have been growing together. to the hospital instead of staying at “He’s coming.” And he did, right used to teach religion. Read ers strange thing to love, given the Birthing barefoot is showing up home, even though I did not want there in the living room, beside the were reminded that the church was pain it brings. However, I am a to see myself, my baby, and my to go. For oxytocin, for epidural, birthing pool that had eased so a divine institution and its hierar - recovering perfectionist, a doer of God in the unwinding. for surgery. Anything to bring the much of the intensity before. And chy was the leadership of the “one all things, and a prayer easily dis - I have never been so prepared unwinding to its right end, with no he was laying on my chest, warm true church.” Editorials praised tracted. Birth takes me over, and I for a birth. Ten hours of false more pain. and perfect. church leadership for maintaining go, willing and resisting, bare - labour the week before gave us The midwives did their moni - My instinct is shame at the the unbroken apostolic line, which foot, into the heart of it. time to have things ready. The toring. They ensured that my falling apart. The day after, a did not compromise beliefs Physically, the barefoot part is early hours before sunrise baby was not in distress. They midwife knocked on the door, and through dissension and division. bit of a given. My long hours of allowed for lunches to be made monitored my health. But more, let herself in. She checked us both The church was commended for labour start with a pony tail and and the floors cleaned. After so they heard the cry of my soul that over and reflected on the miracle. withstanding the assaults of the comfortable clothes and slippers. much grief, I have been ready for I had not heard. The last baby I She poured her experience on the world against morality, believing Each stage of labour brings less and anticipating new life. delivered was without breath, and story of it all, and helped me see some Protes tant churches had composure, less clothing, less The labour progressed in its was overshadowed by the death the moment when resistance sur - given in to secular values and had control. I am in labour and I am typically slow way for my body. It of the girl who was delivered rendered to possibility. become more accepting of birth labouring, and the focus becomes became more intense in a wel - with me. What if the new life I It is only in the thinking back control and divorce. less and less external and more comed way over hours. We moved longed for wasn’t going to arrive? on it that I can see the bottom of There was a new wave of think - and more internal. from the excitement of early Physically, I could feel my resis - my capacity as the greatest gift of ing in liturgy (public worship) And this is where the lines labour and the attentive timing of tance, but not spiritually. the barefoot birthing. I have been through the liturgical movement, between the physical and spiritual contractions into the second stage I felt like a complete failure. so afraid to trust the pain. I need - which encouraged public participa - reality blurred to incoherence. with visiting between pain and My other births had been physical - ed birth and a midwife to whisper tion at mass. Hable expressed his Each birth has been different focus in it. For me, the middle ly harder. I was begging for relief it to let God into the fear and admiration for Pope Pius X, who from the others, each one careful - feels familiar — like leaning into and caught in my own head. break it up. encouraged daily eucharist and ly unwinding two persons who the more difficult moments of my Hearing the reality, I was power - And so God arrives in a renewal in liturgy. A new mass life: taking deep breaths when the less to do anything else. I was at Christmas spilling into Lent, pour - book enabled people to be more kids throw fits, swallowing a reac - the bottom of my own capacity ing new life into a season marked consciously aware of the parts of Perrault is a wife and mom, a tion when someone speaks and God did not seem to be an - by ashes. Atticus is rising from the mass, and a Catholic missal was grateful employee of Emmanuel sharply, powering through pro - swering my prayers to take over. ashes buried with Claire and available in English to help parish - Care, and a speaker, writer and crastination and fear when I would While one midwife explained Abbie, and God is raising me with ioners follow at a time when mass consultant at www.leahperrault. rather give up. The middle is all what moving to the hospital would him, here and now, in the barefoot com optimism. Birth and my body in it mean, I listened with relief at sim - birthing of a baby and my life. — FINANCIAL, page 13 February 21, 2018 FEATURE Prairie Messenger 13 During Lent, give the practice of fasting two wings

By Tom Ryan, CSP their people to rediscover the spir - on us, and we just did it of it and to find the forms that it.” For Catholics, the practice of would give meaningful ex pression Now the church fasting has by-and-large fallen off to the sentiments of the heart. was asking its mem - the screen, due in large measure While Friday abstinence from bers to give it some to the minimalistic interpretation meat was itself no longer going to thought and to use the of what church members are told be required by law (except during tools of the spiritual “fasting” means: Lent), Fridays were singled out in life that fit their needs “Take only one full meal. Two the U.S. Bishops’ 1966 Pastoral and situation. smaller meals are permitted as Statement on Penance and Ab- Our interest here is necessary, but eating solid foods stinence as days on which we in a particular kind of between meals is not permitted.” should try to give special expres - fasting — fasting as a Should you convey that to a sion to our everyday call to love religious act. What is Muslim or Jew or Buddhist, who by entering into some service- there to guide us in might ask you what fasting means related activities. Scripture and tradi - for Catholics, be prepared to be “It would bring great glory to tion? Three major looked at with an uncomprehend - God and good to souls,” they themes in the history ing frown and then asked, “How is wrote, “if Fridays found our peo - and practice of Chris - that different from a normal day? ple doing volunteer work in hos - tian fasting deserve Don’t you normally eat one main pitals, visiting the sick, serving further attention. meal and two smaller ones? Or the needs of the aged and lonely, The first is mystical even if you do cut down a little, instructing the young in the faith, longing for fulfilment. why don’t you call that ‘reduced participating as Christians in “The wedding guests CNS/Dado Ruvic, Reuters eating’ rather than ‘fasting’?” community affairs, and meeting cannot mourn as long The point is well taken. For obligations to families, friends, as the bridegroom is MEANINGFUL EXPRESSIONS OF FASTING — After the Second Vatican most people in the world, the neighbours, and parish with spe - with them, can they? Council, Canadian and American bishops called upon their people to rediscover the spirit of fasting and to find the forms that would give meaningful expression to word “fasting” means what your cial zeal.” The days will come the sentiments of the heart. “It would bring great glory to God and good to souls,” doctor has in mind in saying to Most Catholics got the part when the bridegroom they wrote, “if Fridays found our people doing volunteer work in hospitals, visiting you, “When you come in for your about something being taken away, will be taken from the sick, serving the needs of the aged and lonely, instructing the young in the physical, I want you to fast from but most also seemed to miss the them, and then they faith, participating as Christians in community affairs, and meeting obligations to midnight the night before.” We part about something positive will fast” (Mt 9:15). families, friends, neighbours, and parish with special zeal.” know what that means: nothing being put in its place, namely, that The faithful, after but water. abstinence and fast, still valuable Jesus’ departure, are to fast as a of the attachments that bind us does not give to the poor what he We’re talking here about a and encouraged, could be either sign of their expectant longing for (like our routines around food and has saved but keeps it for later to spiritual practice that surfaces in complemented by or substituted by his return at the end of time. drink) that we might become freer satisfy his own appetite, does not just about every world religion, other forms of penitence, works of The second is liberation for service in love. fast for God.” so if it’s no longer on our screen, charity, and exercises of piety. through discipline. Paul’s great The third motif is the intimate The challenge is to hold the we might justifiably ask: Are we The leadership was summon - theme is freedom: “For you were connection between fasting and personal and the social dimen - missing something valuable here? ing us to be adults in the faith, to called to freedom, brothers and works of charity and justice. For sions together. What makes fast - When the American and Cana - act responsibly and with aware - sisters, only do not use your free - St. John Chrysostom, fasting ing a religious act is that it is dian bishops adapted the laws con - ness. dom for self-indulgence, but without almsgiving was not fast - something done for God and oth - cerning fasting after the Second As someone remarked in sum - through love become servants to ing at all: “Who benefitted from ers as well as for oneself. In Vatican Council, they weren’t say - marizing the previous approach, one another” (Gal 5:13). Penitence what you did not take?” And St. Augustine’s words: Give your ing that fasting isn’t important any - “Before, we just obeyed church is always oriented toward free - Gregory the Great, bishop of fasting two wings: prayer and more. The message was that fasting laws. It was an obligation imposed dom, to liberating transcendence Rome, preached, “The one who almsgiving.” is so important that it had to be res - cued from the legalism, minimal - ism, and externalism into which it Prairie town discovers similarities among traditions had fallen. Did we get that? Recognizing that the laws of participant lamented. The most salient parts re volved fast and abstinence from meat on Participants admitted strug - around the eucharist. Lutherans Fridays throughout the year had gling with old stereotypes of the and Anglicans had trouble under - become more or less rote obser - other: “A challenge for me was standing why Rome limits sharing vances, the bishops called upon Double trying to get past what was in - the eucharist and how that can be stilled in me as a child.” Yet, even justified from Scripture. Catholics Belonging to voice this struggle, daring to be were surprised to learn that Rome Ryan directs the Paulist North vulnerable, resulted in deeper asks them to refrain from sharing American Office for Ecumenical Rev. Marie-Louise Ternier understanding and closeness in holy communion in an Anglican and Interfaith Relations in Boston. the group. or Lutheran eucharist. By the time Financial issues A Lutheran participant noted: we explored this sensitive subject, In the past 50+ years a lot of everyone sort of knew each other “The written material made very however, mutual affection led one began early ecumenical agreements have been in this small community, rarely clear the reasons for the diversity Anglican to say to a Roman published by a variety of bilateral had they had occasion, or permis - between the Catholic Church and Catholic: “Well, if God moves you dialogue groups at national and sion, to share their faith at this the Lutheran/Anglican churches. to receive communion at our Continued from page 12 international levels. But for the personal a level. Moreover, the In the Lutheran Church we recog - eucharist, you can always go to most part these remarkable texts brave souls that participated felt nize Mary as the mother of Jesus. confession after.” was celebrated in Latin. are like unopened Christmas pre - initial hesitation and inadequacy I wasn’t aware of the extent to The final session was charac - The Messenger was a family sents, left on library shelves and in engaging such a comprehen - which the Catholic Church places terized by a strong desire that this newspaper. Columns explained in church archives. Rarely do sive document, full of theology Mary in their faith.” exchange not end. Using the cate - faith issues. Front-page stories they trickle down to the people in and history. But the beauty of One general sentiment was gories from Part II in the GTUM were always complimentary to the our churches. breaking open the text “in com - the group’s previous ignorance document ( Joint Study, Visible church, often reporting on ad - In our small prairie town of munity” soon became evident. of ecumenical dialogues that Faith Expression, Co-operation dresses of church leaders or suc - Watrous we wanted to change Engaging the text together re - have been taking place at nation - in Ministry, Shared Mission ), cessful church projects and mis - this. So it was that in six sessions placed apprehension with curiosi - al and international levels practical ideas were generated on sions. A Juvenile Page was devoted Lutherans, Anglicans, and Roman ty and openness, surprise, humour between our respective bishops how to continue to foster Chris - to youth, where pious stories were Catholics (LARC) dove into the and . . . more questions! and theologians . . . for the past tian unity in our prairie town: written on saints and topics that document Growing Together in The discovery that the simi - 50 years! Participants felt “left Week of Prayer for Christian taught morality. Edi torials to youth Unity and Mission published in larities between our traditions far out,” asking why they were not Unity, joint services on fifth Sun - explained morality and proper 2007 by the International An - outnumber the differences lifted informed of these developments days of the month, pray for one behaviour. glican — Roman Catholic Com - a lot of spirits. The realization years ago. This lead to a discus - another in the Sunday intentions, The Messenger struggled over mission for Unity and Mission or that each tradition has made past sion about the notion of recep - mid-week services during Advent the issue of needing more sub - IARCCUM. exclusive truth claims, thus dis - tion, and the arduous process this and Lent rotating churches, ecu - scribers and income. Readers It was no small task. While missing other denominational can be. One participant noted menical retreats, sponsoring were reminded, at the end of expressions of the Gospel, now rightly that an ecumenical vision refugees, regular sharing circles, every year, to pay their annual caused a good deal of liberating by local pastors is crucial for shared Good Friday service and subscription fee of $2. The edi - Ternier is an Anglican priest laughter. On the other hand, making the fruits of ecumenical Way of the Cross, joint Bible tors often expressed their dismay who serves the Anglican and some learning sparked shock, dialogue and agreements avail - studies — the list goes on. Some over the lack of appreciation for Lutheran parishes in Watrous, embarrassment and even anger: able and accessible, so that they of these are already happening. the local press. Lack of interest in Sask. This column is co-published “I am shocked and embarrassed can be unpacked and embraced Now that we have encountered the Catholic newspaper, they with the Saskatchewan Anglican. to learn that Rome does not rec - by the people in the pews whose one another as sisters and broth - said, is a symptom of a lack of Marie-Louise blogs at http://grace ognize Anglican and Lutheran lives are directly impacted by ers in Christ, there is no turning interest in faith. atsixty.wordpress.com ordinations,” a Roman Catholic these achievements. back. 14 Prairie Messenger EDITORIALS February 21, 2018

What Lent is about fast-day, and oppress all your workers. Look, you the Benedictine Abbey of St. Anselm. fast only to quarrel and to fight and to strike with Lent is a time for Christians to get their hearts Lent is usually presented as a time for penance a wicked fist. Such fasting will not make your in sync with the heart of Jesus, he said: “Let the and fasting. For example, the Canadian liturgical voice heard on high. . . . to let the oppressed go Lord heal the wounds of sin and fulfil the prophecy calendar says that Lent has two major purposes: “It free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share made to our fathers: ‘A new heart I will give you, recalls or prepares for baptism, and emphasizes a your bread with the hungry, and bring the home - and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will spirit of penance.” less poor into your house; when you see the take out of your flesh the heart of stone and give For many Christians, this is a negative obliga - naked, to cover them. . . . Then your light shall you a heart of flesh.’ ” tion, such as giving up something or depriving one - break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall On a practical level, he said Lent is a time “to self of something they enjoy. However, it must be spring up quickly.” allow our hearts to beat once more in tune with the kept in mind that the ultimate objective is always Pope Francis is on the same wavelength. In his vibrant heart of Jesus.” Hit the reset button, he positive. address to the pastors of Rome at St. John Lateran advised, and take a pause from “bitter feelings, This has been emphasized in Christian tradi - Basilica, he said that, while the world is full of sin - which never get us anywhere” and from a frantic tion. In his Rule, St. Benedict wrote a special chap - ful behaviour, priests must learn to scrutinize the pace of life that leaves too little time for family, ter on the Observance of Lent. He mentions vari - “signs of the times” for trends and attitudes that are friends, children, grandparents, and God. ous penances for the monks, including prayer, good and healthy and holy. An anonymous monk once wrote: “In this reading, and abstinence from food and drink. Then While there is “moral conduct that we aren’t world, what is important is not so much where we he adds the ultimate reason for these penances: “to used to seeing,” he explained, there also is “a stand that counts, but in what direction we are mov - look forward to holy Easter with joy and spiritual greater awareness of human rights, a push for toler - ing.” longing.” ance and equality and appreciation for the values of Much like training for the Olympics, we need In the Old Testament, the prophet Isaiah peace and solidarity.” to have a purpose and set our goals, make it a posi - warned against a false notion of doing penance. Pope Francis took the same tone during his Ash tive improvement for ourselves and society, and On the Friday after Ash Wednesday, his words Wednesday homily at the Dominican-run Basilica then our “training” doesn’t feel so difficult. — are: “Look, you serve your own interest on your of Santa Sabina on Rome’s Aventine Hill, next to PWN Fraser Health Authority orders hospices to participate in euthanasia

By Alex Schadenberg Authority. At the meeting Warawa call it what it is, killing people. executive director of the Langley tors who oppose euthanasia must commented that the battle to pro - Sorry, but that is what it is — (and hospice, stated: “When MAiD participate by doing an “effective The recent edict by the Fraser tect conscience rights “is not over. decide that) you’re going to put was first law, Fraser Health con - referral” for euthanasia. Health Authority in British Co - It’s just begun.” Warawa also stat - that into a hospice palliative cir - sulted with stakeholders and Dr. Will Johnston explained lumbia ordering (non-religious) ed: “That (permitting MAiD) will cumstance, is to completely con - agreed it would not be imposed on the pressures that are faced by health care facilities to participate destroy palliative care as it has tradict what palliative care is to hospice and palliative care facili - medical professionals in his arti - in euthanasia (MAiD), including developed.” begin with.” ties.” cle “The alarming trend of forcing hospices, is an infringement on the Mary Polak was forthright in The decision of the Fraser Health care workers’ con - hospitals and hospices into doing conscience rights of the medical her comments, stating: “To say Health Authority also affects science rights have become a assisted suicide.” His article was staff. I believe institutional con - that you are going to place med - plans to build a new hospice in national issue in Canada. Recently, published by Huffington Post on science rights are about the rights ical assistance in dying — or let’s Langley. Kathy Derksen, the an Ontario Court decided that doc - Jan. 29, 2018. of the workers within an institu - tion to not participate in acts that they consider wrong. ‘King-for-a-day’ solutions to homelessness don’t work The edict by Fraser Health directly affects institutions such as By Vivian Tam fingers were stiff from cold — of Initially, I was stunned. I had Toronto’s at-capacity shelter sys - the Delta Hospice that is opposed course, I had forgotten my gloves. only meant to do what I could, tems, respite takes the form of a to participating in euthanasia. Three years ago, I set out for a So I walked into one of the with the resources I had, in the sleeping mat on the floor. Janice Strukoff, an administrative clinic on the kind of morning like many stores lining Yonge Street place that I was in. But while this reactive leader with the Delta hospice, stat - those we’ve been having in and quickly emerged with two But I realized he had articulat - approach is necessary to address ed: “Hospice palliative care is not Toronto lately, where the hair in pairs of mittens, courtesy of a ed a valuable truth: as a society, crises, it’s no longer enough. If about hastening death and we your nostrils freezes with each buy-one-get-one-free discount. we’ve become really good at we’re serious about ending home - object to the bullying currently breath. I had walked about two When I left the store, I came king-for-a-day solutions. For the lessness, we need to institute taking place in B.C.” intersections before I realized my across an individual sleeping on chronically homeless or under- long-term solutions and invest in Nancy Macey, the founder and the street covered only with a thin housed, this has meant that over a public-health, preventive executive director of the Delta blanket. successive winters we’ve tem - approach to homelessness. hospice stated: “MAiD can be a Tam is the Ontario Medical Snow was falling and he porarily increased shelter capaci - We need an approach that tar - traumatizing experience for staff, Students Association director of looked cold. Feeling the extra ty. Just recently, the City of gets the milieu of causative fac - patients and volunteers, and all representation and a student mittens in my bag, I offered them Toronto has also heeded the call tors (primary prevention), sup - groups might not want to stay or expert with EvidenceNetwork.ca. to him. His response has stayed resounding on social media to ports those who are at risk of or work there if the principles of pal - She is finishing her final year of with me ever since. He said, #OpenTheArmouries to facilitate newly experiencing homelessness liative care are compromised. medical school at McMaster “Well, doesn’t everyone like to be additional shelter space. (secondary prevention), and Hospices are already grappling University. www.troymedia.com king for a day.” For many citizens using addresses those who experience with a shortage of health profes - chronic homelessness (tertiary sionals that compelling the society prevention), in equal measure. to provide MAiD could exacerbate Last November, the federal the problem.” government launched a $40-bil - In response to the order by the lion National Housing Strategy health authority, Delta hospice that aspires to reduce chronic rejected the order and Dr. Neil homelessness by 50 per cent over Hilliard, the medical director of the next 10 years. The strategy the Fraser Health Palliative Care, will create and repair housing stated in his resignation letter: units, and involve the develop - “Providing euthanasia or physi - ment of a $4-billion housing ben - cian-assisted suicide is not in efit, set to launch in 2020. accordance with palliative care The National Housing Strategy (which) ‘affirms life and regards is a welcome sign of emerging dying as a normal process . . . .’ ” progress. But it will only succeed Last weekend a meeting was if we also commit to addressing held in Langley, B.C., concerning the factors that make individuals forcing euthanasia upon medical vulnerable to homelessness in the facilities against the staff decision first place. to not participate in MAiD. Previous long-standing federal The meeting attracted 300 peo - divestment in affordable housing ple and featured federal MP Mark is one such cause. However, sys - Warawa and provincial MLA temic issues — including poverty, Mary Polak, along with represen - racism, discrimination, inade - tatives from the Fraser Health quate mental health supports, domestic violence and a history of colonialism confronting disen - Schadenberg is executive direc - CNS/ L’Osservatore Romano franchised individuals and popu - tor, Euthanasia Prevention Co - POPE MEETS HUMAN TRAFFICKER SURVIVORS — Pope Francis meets at the Vatican Feb. 12 with lations — also directly contribute. alition. Reprinted with permission Italian young people, adults and migrants rescued from human traffickers. The pope responded to the from his blog at [email protected] questions five of the young people asked about preventing trafficking and assisting survivors. — FACE OF , page 15 February 21, 2018 Prairie Messenger 15 Regina continues conversation on clergy sexual abuse

By Pamela Walsh sexual abuse on victims. Speaking them for what was done to them. and to help facilitate healing for as we heard from Pam. I found from a personal perspective, she Letourneau spoke about how these victims, and it is long over - both Pam and Sister ReAnne’s pre - In December presentations in shared how so many victims sit in the prayer services done by due. The church, in my opinion, sentations to the Council of Priests the Archdiocese of Regina were silence for decades; how many CARES Healing Community were has not done this enough but has a strong re minder of what victims given to the Archdiocesan Pastoral walk alone in hurt and pain, shame stepping-stones into the journey of elected to support the accused who have suffered abuse by clergy Council (APC) and the Council of and sorrow; how many sit in the supporting victims of clergy sexu - more than is proper or even neces - have to deal with constantly, on Priests (C of P) regarding an annu - pews too scared to share what has al abuse. An awakening within sary. We should all applaud this a daily basis. The least we can do is al liturgy on clergy sexual abuse. happened to them, bound by the allowed her to begin to listen to proposal and place our undivided to try to step into their experiences, The aim and focus was on educa - silence that has been created. the voice of victims, and it support behind the initiative. I, for even for an evening of prayer and tion, and to move from a single Those victims no longer in the changed her. She hoped it would one, intend to carry this message solidarity with their pain and suf - parish service to having a service church have also been bound by awaken others. She gave the full-strength to our deanery coun - fering.” in each deanery. Engaging the the silence surrounding clergy sex - example of how the service in cil and subsequent parish commu - Both presentations ended with APC and C of P in dialogue, the ual abuse. This is the dark reality March enabled St. Cecilia’s CWL nities to provide healing and sup - a question-and-answer period. hope was to move the service that many victims live in. to experience first hand the pain port for all of these victims of Both groups asked several ques - throughout the diocese and into The tragedy of clergy sexual and sorrow of victims; this in turn these terrible atrocities. I encour - tions and ended with commit - the hands of the deaneries, as a abuse does not just affect a single generated a good conversation at age everyone, as much as they ments from both APC and C of P way of reaching out to not only victim. It is multi-layered, genera - their next CWL meeting. can, to do likewise.” members to having services in victims, but to all people, allowing tional, continuing to harm unborn She reflected on how the church Of the presentations of the C of their dearies. There has been inter - for victims to be heard and the generations, not only within the can see Christ too as victim, reject - P gathering, Rev. Gerry Bauche est and commitment to have ser - scope of that conversation to families of victims, but within ed and put to death; this is a theme noted, “It is never easy to listen to vices in three deaneries and dis - widen on this very painful topic. parishes and communities; every in the season of Lent. She shared the account of how a victim of cler - cussions are ongoing in other Each presentation was tailored relationship a victim has is collater - how she had been resistant to this gy sexual abuse has been impacted, deaneries. to the participation that each coun - al damage to the abuse. This will topic, wanting to defend the church cil would be asked to provide. The continue unless everyone begins to because it was her family. Gradu - C of P deans were asked to work make a change, a change to open ally, she came to see Jesus in the with APC members to present a hearts, spirits and minds in order to victim (despised, rejected, perse - prayer service or Way of the Cross begin to understand the pain the cuted, abandoned) and recognized service in each Deanery, as well as darkness causes, Walsh said. The that they are part of her family too. having one service in French. journey of coming forward left her She finished by expressing the Archbishop Bolen started off the enduring the shattered reality of desire that these prayer services presentations by describing the being cast aside. There were repeat - begin to lift the silence and shame history and reality of clergy sexual ed attempts to silence her, but this around this reality so that change/ abuse within the Archdiocese. He was no longer an option for her. conversion can happen personally then introduced Pamela Walsh and She spoke of the fallacy people and within the church, so that vic - Sister ReAnne Letourneau, the co- have that all victims’ want is tims receive support, accompani - chairs of a liturgy committee that money. Going through the church ment, healing, justice, or whatever co-ordinated and presented a ser - process, her complaint was it is that they need. vice on clergy sexual abuse in deemed credible, but she has not APC member Marian Grady March 2017, and is currently taken a cent from the diocese. was quoted as saying: “The presen - preparing a second liturgy, a Way Instead she knocked at the diocese tation to the APC on Victims of of the Cross. door loudly and asked Archbishop Clergy Sexual Abuse focused on It was explained that the papal Bolen to walk with her. She asked the victims and the challenges they nuncio to Canada, Archbishop the same of the papal nuncio with live in a society and church that Gamache Luigi Bonazzi, requested a liturgy both agreeing to do so. She then isn’t always willing to admit this be held in all dioceses in Canada extended the same invitation to sad reality in our faith community. Flight on an annual basis. The nuncio those present at the APC and C of Their honest and sincere testi - confirmed his desire for the ser - P meetings, asking them to walk monies call us as church to truly Sometimes our takeoffs vice to continue when he met with into her world, into the world in listen to the voices of the victims are a little awkward; Walsh during his November visit which victims live, and together and move from years of denial to beginnings can be difficult, to Regina. She explained that last begin a new conversation, a new becoming a community of compas - endings, too. year’s service was a revision of an beginning where all are welcome sion and support for all whose lives But, oh! Advent service CARES Healing at the table; that the cross that vic - have been devastated by this cruel The soaring in between! Community wrote and helped to tims carry, that is so burdensome use of power and control.” By Donna Firby Gamache lead in various Regina parishes, and heavy, be shared and lifted so Estevan Deanery Rep. Bill from 2010 - 12. that we come to see victims in all Mann added his voice: “I believe Walsh then turned attention to their brokenness, and welcome this is the exact proper method for the reality and impact of clergy them for who they are, not punish our archdiocese to display support Temptations of middle age

Continued from page 1 by society. They also asked the Face of homeless increasingly diverse pope how he handled that mature The approach of middle age is phase of his ministry. Continued from page 14 needs of groups from youth to vet - vention of homelessness must a time of “many temptations,” he While the pope said he under - erans. A Housing First approach remain a priority. Redressing said, but also the time of a “sec - stood their unease with the fast- The solutions we develop must couples immediate access to hous - these systemic factors will entail ond calling from the Lord,” a call changing culture, he insisted that therefore seek to address the spe - ing for those with mental health a collective effort across sectors to greater realism about ministry what people need most today are cific needs of those we’re trying to concerns or other specific needs of government. But an initial step and greater maturity. things they are more than able to serve. The face of Canadians with a recovery-oriented approach for policy-makers will be to take “One cannot continue without provide: a smile, a listening ear experiencing homelessness (ap - that focuses on social and commu - an incremental approach and to this necessary transformation be- and “offering pardon without con - proximately 200,000 individuals a nity integration. recognize the impact of structural cause if you keep going like this, dition in the sacrament of recon - year) is becoming increasingly Implementing Housing First injustice on an individual’s abili - without maturing, making a way ciliation.” diverse. It has mounting represen - — in cities including Moncton, ty to retain stable housing. for crisis,” the pope said, “it will Elderly priests, he said, know tation from those with mental Toronto, Montreal, Winnipeg and It’s time to develop solutions end badly. You’ll end up living a the trials of life and the difficul - health concerns, adults with intel - Vancouver — demonstrates that address the causes and conse - double life or leaving every - ties and pain that people experi - lectual disabilities, women, new - unequivocally that individuals are quences of homelessness as a thing.” ence. They don’t have to talk comers to Canada, youth, the more likely to remain housed and whole. Anyone experiencing or vul - The older group of priests, much, but they should listen a lot. LGBTQ+ and indigenous peoples. experience improved overall nerable to homelessness in Canada those ordained more than 35 years In his own life, when he faced There’s sound evidence that well-being. deserves to be supported by a sys - ago, asked the pope about han - big changes in his ministry, he told strategies like Housing First are In addition to targeting hous - tem that’s responsive to their con - dling change, saying “we cannot the priests, what helped most was effective, cost efficient and can be ing strategies to the populations cerns year-round and not just when always draw on our experience to to spend more time in prayer and tailored to support the unique served, a focus on primary pre - we’re galvanized by acute need. respond to new questions” raised adoration before the tabernacle.

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By Drew Christiansen, SJ interacting, especially in cities. The forward movement on rela - China’s local Catholic churches. Rome were close to concluding an Candidates for the priesthood tions that has Pope Francis’ sup - With these tensions internal to the agreement, but no breakthrough News of the Holy See’s possi - study together in the same semi - port indicates he is inclined to underground church in mind, it is occurred. So people should not let ble rapprochement with China’s naries. Parishes often share the accept the idea of Chinese easier to comprehend why the Holy their hopes, or their fears, grow too communist government on the same quarters, with underground Catholicism rooted in the world’s See seems to regard the ecclesial high. China has been tightening reg - appointment of bishops has Catholics worshipping in the offi - most ancient civilization. common good as requiring unity ulation on nearly every group, and aroused charges of a betrayal of cial parish church at their own Because Pope Francis is a among the Chinese bishops and every week formerly trusted politi - the “underground church” and times, and pastors of the two Jesuit, moreover, who has spon - diplomatic relations between the cal leaders fall in anti-corruption fears of the abandonment of Cath- communities share rectories. sored events with the Chinese in Vatican and Beijing. There is a campaigns that consolidate power olics who, for decades, have suf - Anti-communist Catholicism: honour of the 17th-century Jesuit belief in Rome that locals could be at the top. Nothing is certain. But all fered for the sake of their fidelity Time for aggiornamento ? It has and Servant of God Matteo Ricci, assisted in dealing with these trou - the same, the Holy See seems to be to Rome. Western journalists have been 55 years since St. John whose methods of evangelization bles with an apostolic delegate or preparing for the day when the been too easily swayed by mis - XXIII’s encyclical Pacem in Terris respected Chinese culture, Bei - nuncio residing in Beijing. Catholic Church, united once again, leading accounts circulated by (Peace on Earth). At the time of its jing has reason to trust the gen - Over the years, there have been will enjoy a normal existence in the those opposed to an entente publication, the letter’s most con - uineness of this pope’s initiatives. frequent reports that Beijing and China of today and tomorrow. between Rome and Beijing. troversial affirmation was its open - Ricci is revered in Too many Catholics, Ameri cans ing to dialogue with political par - China still. Why, in particular, still see the situation ties of the left, including the Italian then, should the of Chinese Catholics through the communists. Pope John himself Catholic faith in lenses of the Cold War. Most for - penned the line that distinguished China be tied to the eigners are ignorant of the changes between adherents of an errant ide - forms of 19th- and that have affected Chinese Cath - ology and the ideology (Marxism) 20th-century Roman olics in recent decades. They also itself. Pacem in Terris cleared the Catholic culture ignore the transformation in offi - way for a new relationship with the while enculturation cial Catholic attitudes toward com - communist governments of eastern takes place in other munism and in favour of the encul - Europe and the re-establishment of cultures across the turation of the Gospel in local cul - the Catholic Church in the East. world? tures. In light of these develop - But even with shifts in the policies Tension in the un - ments, the new Vatican initiatives of the People’s Republic, that open - derground: Finally, on the nomination of bishops and ing to communists has not been one factor that led to the promise of normalization of the accepted by intransigent elements Pope Benedict XVI’s church’s life in China are not new of the underground church. Might 2007 letter was tension departures, but the outcomes of it not be time to apply John’s teach - in the underground long trends in the life of the local ing to relations with the Chinese church. There were church and of Vatican-Beijing rela - government? Why should China be internal rivalries and tions. Here are some developments an exception to world Catholi - factions in various dio - to consider. cism’s aggiornamento in church- ceses. Bishops held Joint appointment of bishops: state and political relations? onto office be yond On and off, the Vatican and Bei- Chinese culture and the Gos pel: retirement; sometimes CNS/Robert Carrubba, Reuters jing have been jointly appointing Pope Francis has his own theolog - they re-asserted their CONGO MASS FOR SLAIN PROTESTERS — Priests celebrate mass for citizens bishops for more than 20 years. ical rationale for a rapprochement authority after a killed in recent protests at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Congo in Kinshasa, Some times there have been prob - with Beijing, whose policy is to younger bishop had Congo, Feb. 9. Political unrest in and around the capital, Kinshasa, is just the lat - lems, especially when lay leaders “Sinicize” religion — that is, to been appointed. For est malady to afflict the Congolese citizens, said Chiara Nava, an adviser to the of the government-controlled give it a Chinese character. A cor - the benefit of Cath - AVSI Foundation, an aid agency focusing on education and child protection and Patriotic Asso ciation wanted to nerstone of his apostolic exhorta - olics themselves, the inspired by Catholic social teaching. “The political situation is not good at all,” she reclaim pow er within the process, tion “Joy of the Gospel” is that church had and still told Catholic News Service. “There are lots of public demonstrations, especially in but the trend has been for joint each culture produces its own has an interest in the capital.” Layered on top of the upheaval is ethnic fighting. Nava said there are appointment. unique synthesis with the Gospel. establishing order in 4.5 million internally displaced people in the country. At its best, diplomatic co-ordi - nation has led to joint appoint - ments for new bishops to succeed No youth should feel excluded from pre-synod meeting to the leadership of both registered and unregistered diocesan church - By Junno Arocho Esteves people. We must listen to young will listen to youth ‘live’ to better confirmed three young survivors es. Even before joint ap pointments, people,” Pope Francis had said. understand their situation: what would be present at the pre-synod most government-selected bishops VATICAN CITY (CNS) — As The theme chosen by the pope they think of themselves and of meeting. quietly offered their pledges of the Catholic Church prepares to for the Synod of Bishops, which adults; how they live their faith Filippo Passantino, a young fidelity to the pope. The joint welcome youth from around the will be in October, is: “Young and what difficulties they find Italian who will attend the pre- appointment of bishops illustrated world to a preparatory meeting for people, faith and vocational dis - being Christian; how they plan synod meeting, said a group of the common interest both Rome the Synod of Bishops on youth, cernment.” their lives and what problems young people are helping develop and Beijing have in the unity of Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri said The 300 young people invited they face in discerning their voca - the meeting’s social media and Chinese Catholics. the church is using every means of to the pre-synod meeting in tion; how they see the church use it as an “open forum for all.” Reconciliation between what communication available to listen March were chosen to represent today and how they would like to They plan to open a WhatsApp St. John Paul II called the “One to young people from all walks of national bishops’ conferences, the see it,” Baldisseri said. messaging group so that young Church-Two Faces” policy in life. Eastern Catholic churches, men The pre-synod meeting, he people from around the world can China was the goal of Pope Speaking to journalists Feb. and women in consecrated life added, also will include young send messages, questions and con - Benedict XVI’s 2007 letter to the 16, Baldisseri, the general secre - and seminarians preparing for the men and women from what many cerns during the pre-synod meet - Chinese church. It appealed for tary of the Synod of Bishops, said priesthood. consider the margins of society, ing, he said. church unity and unity among the social networks such as Face - The gathering also will include particularly young victims of “We are trying to open vari - bishops for ecclesial and theologi - book, Instagram and Twitter will representatives from other Chris - human trafficking and prostitution. ous doors so that many more cal reasons. But it is likely that allow young people to follow and tian communities and other reli - During an Oct. 12 meeting at than the 300 people invited can Pope Benedict also regarded unity interact “with their peers in gions and experts in the fields of the Vatican with adults and teen - enter the pre-synod meeting as a prerequisite for normalization Rome” attending the March 19 - education, culture, sports and arts, agers who had taken part in a hall,” Passantino said. of the church’s status within China. 24 pre-synod meeting. who “are involved in helping reflection on human trafficking, Stella Marillene Nishimwe, a Intermingling of Catholics in “In short, even through the young people discern their choic - Pope Francis said he hoped some young woman from Burundi also daily life: What most outsiders do new technologies of communica - es in life,” according to the synod survivors of trafficking would attending the gathering, told jour - not understand is how closely tion, the pre-synod meeting wants office. address the Synod of Bishops to nalists she hoped the synod will Cath olics from registered and to broaden as much as possible The Canadian Conference of share their stories and “call the be a new era in the church’s dia - unregistered churches are already the audience of young people Catholic Bishops announced in church to action.” logue with “all young people, not involved so that no one should January that their two-person del - “It is my great desire,” he said, just Catholics.” feel excluded,” Baldisseri said. egation would include a French “that young people representing “Who knows what fruit this Christiansen is former editor- Announcing the pre-synod Catholic woman and a member of the ‘peripheries’ would be the synod will bring? What I am sure in-chief and president of America meeting last October, Pope one of Canada’s indigenous com - protagonists of this synod.” of is that everything will depend and now distinguished professor Francis said he hoped Christian munities, who participates in a Baldisseri said the pope’s sug - on our participation,” she said. of ethics and global development and non-Christian young people variety of Christian activities but gestion was taken to heart, and he “The ball is in our court.” at Georgetown University and a from around the world would told The Catholic Register he senior research fellow at the attend so the church could listen identifies more with his Cree spir - Berkley Centre for Religion, to the hopes and concerns of all ituality. The bishops of India said How did the rose ever open its heart and give to Peace and World Affairs. His young men and women. Feb. 14 that they had chosen three this world all of its beauty? It felt the encourage - commentary on the controversy “Through this journey, the Catholics involved in youth min - ment of Light against its being; otherwise we all over recent Vatican negotiations church wants to listen to the voices, istry as well as a young Hindu and with China was published in remain too frightened. the sensibilities, the faith as well as a young Sikh. — Hafiz America magazine Feb. 12. the doubts and criticisms of young “In this pre-synod meeting, we