Single Issue: $1.00 Publication Mail Agreement No. 40030139 CATHOLIC JOURNAL Vol. 95 No. 11 August 30, 2017 Words and action Parolin visits Kirill, Putin in Russia Words must be met with action if the By Cindy Wooden meeting included “an exchange of expand our co-operation and Christian views on various themes, both bring us even closer together.” community VATICAN CITY (CNS) — international and relating to bilat - After a long morning meeting wants young Although he said planning a papal eral relations.” Aug. 22, the cardinal and Russian adults to trip to Russia was not on the Opening the meeting, Putin Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov become agenda, the Vatican secretary of told the cardinal, “I am very held a brief news conference, interested in state said his visit to Moscow was pleased to see that the dialogue telling reporters they had dis - church life, designed to build on the meeting continues between our churches,” cussed ongoing conflicts in says Frank Mercadante, exec - Pope Francis and Russian and he expressed his pleasure that Ukraine, Syria, Yemen, the Holy utive director of Cultivation Orthodox Patriarch Kirill had in Parolin had met Kirill. Land and Venezuela. Ministries in Chicago. Cuba in 2016. “There is no doubt that the Parolin said his meetings with — page 3 Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the common humanitarian values that government officials were de- Lonely nation secretary of state, visited Moscow the Holy See and the Russian signed to share “Pope Francis’ Aug. 21 - 24 and met with the Orthodox Church defend form the interest in bilateral relations be - For the first time in patriarch and Russian President foundation for relations between tween the Holy See and the Rus - Canada’s 150 years, the Vladimir Putin, as well as with the two churches and between sian Federation as well as his biggest single category of leaders of Russia’s Catholic com - Russia as a state and the Vatican,” concerns in the sphere of interna - munity. Putin said in his remarks. tional affairs.” households is people living The list of topics for the meet - Parolin told Putin, “I see a new “Obviously,” the cardinal said, by themselves. For the CNS/Paul Haring ings ranged from ecumenical dia - dynamic that has emerged over “the meeting offered an occasion church, this 21st-century Cardinal Pietro Parolin logue and inter-religious co-opera - the recent months and years in to discuss some concrete ques - reality is raising new tion to current world affairs and an hour together Aug. 23 at the relations between the two church - tions regarding the life of the pastoral challenges, climate change, he said in a series president’s residence in the Black es. I hope that all participants in Catholic Church in the Russian writes Michael Swan. of interviews before leaving Rome. Sea resort of Sochi, according to this process will continue work - — page 4 Parolin and Putin spent about the Vatican press office. The ing in this direction in order to — SOVIETS , page 13 FacetoFace

FacetoFace Ministries Jesuit, indigenous paddlers form bonds to ‘last a lifetime’ reaches out to Catholic youth across Western By Deborah Gyapong tougher” than the paddlers “One of my biggest hopes for They forged “deep relation - Canada. Founded in 1999, thought it would be, said Erik the pilgrimage was (to develop) a ships” and formed “bonds that the team, currently led by OTTAWA (CCN) — Despite Sorensen, a Jesuit scholastic who sense of deep connection between will last a lifetime,” he said. Jon Courchene, ministered physical exhaustion, storms, directed the pilgrimage. The pil - the paddlers,” said Sorensen. “That to some 27,000 Catholic rough waters, food shortages and grims quickly learned to pray for was there in spades in the end.” — PILGRIMAGE , page 4 youth last year. waking up to slip into wet socks sunshine. — page 6 some mornings, Jesuit paddlers “It would rain (some days), Holocaust designed Parish reports said a more than 800-kilometre everything would be wet, your canoe pilgrimage fulfilled all gear wet, your clothes wet and by sane, educated men their expectations and more. nothing would dry for a couple of A summary of the Regina The group of about 50 pad - days,” Sorensen said. “Putting on archdiocesan parish reports dlers completed a 26-day odyssey wet socks in the morning is not a By Frank Flegel One of the participants, Ada confirms the obvious: fewer along a historic river route trav - pleasant experience.” Paez, teaches history at Arch bishop people are regularly attend - elled four centuries ago by But enduring those challenges REGINA — Four Regina M.C. O’Neill Catholic High School ing mass. But it also contains explorers and Jesuit martyrs, helped give purpose to the pilgrim - Catholic School Division teachers in Regina. “I always thought they a positive surprise in the including St. Jean de Brebeuf. age and strengthen bonds among took part in a summer course and had to be mad, insane, but they growth of youth ministry. They arrived Aug. 15 at a First the diverse group, which included tour of the infamous Holocaust were ordinary, intelligent men who — page 7 Nations reserve near Montreal. Jesuits, indigenous peoples, reli - concentration camps in Germany sat down at breakfast in Wannsee The pilgrimage was “definitely gious and laypeople, he said. and Poland. House and methodically planned After suicide what do about ‘the Jewish prob - It’s incumbent on us, the liv - lem.’ It was shocking. You look at these men: they had PhDs, they ing who love those who have were smart, they were not idiots, died by suicide, “to redeem and they came up with this plan. It their memories, . . . to not let makes you wonder: how?” the particular manner of their Paez has a degree in European deaths colour and taint the history and had previously visited goodness of their lives,” Dachau, one of the more infamous writes Ron Rolheiser, OMI. of the extermination camps. “I “Suicide is the least glam - thought I knew it all — I knew the orous and most misunder - names, I knew the facts, and I knew stood of all deaths. . . .” the places — but I never imagined — page 11 how organized everything was. Vatican II That was the most shocking thing: to be in the room in that beautiful ‘irreversible’ mansion where these men sat down over breakfast, brainstormed and The Catholic Church must came up with that.” continue to work to under - Wannsee House is now a stand the liturgical reforms of museum, one of several the group the Second Vatican Council visited along with some of the and why they were made, concentration camps. rather than rethinking them, Paez, Michelle Phair, Milos Pope Francis said. “After this Menhart and Patrick Reed made magisterium, after this long up the group of four from Regina. journey, we can affirm with It was part of a course of study certainty and magisterial CNS/Dominik Haake, courtesy of the Canadian Canoe Pilgrimage originally set up by the York, Ont., authority that the liturgical CANOE PILGRIMAGE — Canadian Jesuits organized the Canadian Canoe Pilgrimage from the end of Catholic School Division. The reform is irreversible.” July to mid-August as a means of reconciliation with people of the First Nations. The pilgrims paddled Regina Catholic School Division — page 16 from Sainte-Marie Among the Hurons, in Midland, Ont., and ended at Kahnawake Mohawk Territory on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River. This photos shows them on a foggy day, Aug. 8. — WIESENTHAL , page 7 2 Prairie Messenger INTERNATIONAL NEWS August 30, 2017 KCs focus on families at international convention

By PM staff because of the government of Hun - gary. This example served as proof ST. LOUIS, MO — A family to the Knights of the impact of from Austin, Texas, that has shown returning families to their homes. special care for the homeless was The cost of resettling one fam - named the Knights of Columbus ily is around $2,000, the amount International Family of the Year the Knights are encouraging for 2017 during the Knights’ 135th councils, parishes and individuals annual international convention to donate. Aug. 1 - 3 in St. Louis. “These Christian communities The Knights also pledged to are a priceless treasure for the raise $2 million to assist families church,” Anderson said to the in returning to their homes in Knights attending the convention. Karamdes, a mostly Christian “They have every right to live.” town on the Ninevah Plain in The Knights have actively Iraq. Knights CEO Carl Anderson sought to provide humanitarian announced their pledge at the aid to Christians in Iraq, as well convention. as Syria and the surrounding In 2014, the Islamic State re - areas, donating over $13 million. moved hundreds of families of International Family of the Year religious minorities from their Larry and Beth Odom and their 10 homes in Karamdes. Just over two children typically carry supplies years later, the town, also known with them when they go out to as Karemlash, was liberated. give to those in need they en- “The terrorists desecrated counter. When fire destroyed the churches and graves and looted home of a single mom and her four and destroyed homes,” Anderson children, the Odoms took them said in his annual report. “Now into their home for five months. we will ensure that hundreds of “Larry and Beth have taught Christian families driven from their children to serve selflessly,” their homes can return to these said the application nominating two locations and help to ensure a the Odoms for the award. “Serv - CNS/Knights of Columbus pluralistic future for Iraq.” ing others is, for them, a privi - KNIGHTS FAMILY OF THE YEAR AWARD — Supreme Knight Carl Anderson, CEO of the Knights of The Knights are following the lege, not a burden.” Columbus, Texas State Deputy Douglas Oldmixon, third from right, Bishop Joe S. Vasquez of Austin, example of the Hungarian gov - “It’s a lesson I learned from Texas, and Baltimore Archbishop William E. Lori, far right, pose Aug. 2 with Larry and Beth Odom and ernment, whose new spending my parents,” Larry said in an their 10 children during the Knights’ annual international convention in St. Louis. The Knights named the bill allowed for $2 million to be Aug. 3 statement. “I remember on family from Austin as International Family of the Year for 2017 for the special care they have shown for sent to the Archdiocese of Irbil in more than one occasion, people the homeless. Iraq, assisting with the rebuilding stayed with us when I was a boy.” schooling in the Diocese of Austin. able to serve,” he said. construct a unique Christ-centred of a Christian community near Larry, an engineer for Silicon Larry described the award as Other awards given during the float for the local Santa Claus Mosul, Iraq. laboratories, has been a Knight for humbling and a tremendous hon - convention to Knights of Colum - parade. Each year, a council mem - Families who were previously 10 years. Beth teaches for a home - our. bus councils included recognition ber opens his farm’s heated shop displaced from their homes were school co-op and serves on the “We’re happy for the recogni - for community service, fundrais - where Knights from local councils able to return to their homeland bishop’s Committee for Home - tion and excited and happy to be ers, and family and church activi - and assemblies, in addition to ties: local families, work together for The church activities award hundreds of hours. This year, they Pope stands firm on euthanasia was won by Winnipeg St. John constructed an illuminated Brebeuf Council 1107 for its Nativity float led by a group of 35 By Simon Caldwell Nativity float in a local parade. Knights. The council won the For the past five years the council prize for best float in the parade. MANCHESTER, England has led the effort to design and With files from CNS. (CNS) — Pope Francis has given a Belgian religious order until the Pope saddened by ‘perfect’ end of August to stop offering euthanasia to psychiatric patients. Brother Rene Stockman, superi - Catholics who despise others or general of the order, told Catholic News Service the pope By Junno Arocho Esteves reveals God’s heart as the place gave his personal approval to a where suffering men and women Vatican demand that the Brothers VATICAN CITY (CNS) — can find love, compassion and of Charity, which runs 15 centres God did not choose perfect people healing, Pope Francis said. for psychiatric patients across to form his church, but rather sin - “How many people continue Belgium, must reverse its policy ners who have experienced his today in a wayward life because by the end of August. love and forgiveness, Pope they find no one willing to look at Brothers who serve on the Francis said. them in a different way, with the board of the Brothers of Charity The Gospel of Luke’s account eyes — or better yet — with the Group, the organization that runs of Jesus forgiving the sinful heart of God, meaning with the centres, also must each sign a woman shows how his actions hope,” he said. But “Jesus sees joint letter to their superior gener - CNS/ L’Osservatore Romano went against the general mentality the possibility of a resurrection al declaring that they “fully sup - POPE OPPOSES EUTHANASIA IN BELGIUM — Pope Francis of his time, a way of thinking that even in those who have made so port the vision of the magisterium greets Brother Rene Stockman, superior general of the Brothers of saw a “clear separation” between many wrong choices.” of the Catholic Church, which has Charity, at the end of a 2016 meeting of the Union of Superiors General the pure and impure, the pope Oftentimes, the pope contin - always confirmed that human life at the Vatican. Pope Francis has given the Brothers of Charity, which said Aug. 9 during his weekly ued, Christians become accus - runs 15 centres for psychiatric patients across Belgium, until the end of general audience. tomed to having their sins forgiv - must be respected and protected August to stop offering euthanasia to psychiatric patients. in absolute terms, from the “There were some scribes, en and receiving God’s uncondi - moment of conception till its nat - terminal” mentally ill patients on Stockman told CNS that if the those who believed they were per - tional love while forgetting the ural end.” its premises. group refused to bow to the ulti - fect,” the pope said. “And I think heavy price Jesus paid by dying Brothers who refuse to sign It also follows a joint investiga - matum “then we will take juridical about so many Catholics who on the cross. will face sanctions under canon tion by the Vatican’s congregations steps in order to force them to think they are perfect and scorn By forgiving sinners, Jesus law, while the group can expect to for the Doctrine of the Faith and amend the text (of the new policy) others. This is sad.” doesn’t seek to free them from a face legal action and even expul - for Institutes of Consecrated Life and, if that is not possible, then we Continuing his series of audi - guilty conscience, but rather sion from the church if it fails to and Societies of Apostolic Life. have to start the procedure to ence talks about Christian hope, offers “people who have made change its policy. Stockman, who had opposed exclude the hospitals from the the pope reflected on Jesus’ mistakes the hope of a new life, a The group, he added, must no the group’s euthanasia policy, told Brothers of Charity family and “scandalous gesture” of forgiving life marked by love,” the pope longer consider euthanasia as a Catholic News Service the ulti - take away their Catholic identity.” the sinful woman. said. solution to human suffering under matum was devised by the two The Brothers of Charity was The woman, he said, was one The church is a people formed any circumstances. congregations and has the support founded in 1807 in Ghent, Bel- of many poor women who were “of sinners who have experienced The order, issued at the begin - of the pope. gium. Today, the group is consid - visited secretly even by those who the mercy and forgiveness of God,” ning of August, follows repeated The ultimatum, he said, meant ered the most important provider of denounced them as sinful. Pope Francis said. Chris tians are requests for the group to drop its the group’s policies must be un - mental health care services in the Although Jesus’ love toward “all poor sinners” who need God’s new policy of permitting doctors derpinned by a belief that “respect Flanders region of Belgium, where the sick and the marginalized mercy, “which strengthens us and to perform the euthanasia of “non - for human life is absolute.” they serve 5,000 patients a year. “baffles his contemporaries,” it gives us hope.” August 30, 2017 CANADIAN NEWS Prairie Messenger 3 New census data shows increasing social isolation

By Deborah Gyapong cent in 2001. Statistics Canada Not all the lone-person tion,” then having children, then reports this level is about the households are elderly, buying a home. People are “flip - OTTAWA (CCN) — For the same as that of the United States however. ping that life script,” by getting first time since Confederation, the and the United Kingdom, but “People are getting into established in their careers and number of lone-person house - lower than France (33.8 per cent marriage later,” Mitchell buying a home first, before they holds now exceeds the number of in 2011), Japan (34.5 per cent in said. “We might have more get married, he said. families composed of couples 2015), Norway (40 per cent), and young people who are liv - “Generally we see fewer peo - with children and has become the Germany (41.4 per cent in 2015). ing alone, especially as ple being committed to mar - most common type of household The rise in lone-person elderly people are seeking more riage,” said MacDonald. “What’s in Canada, Statistics Canada is especially important to address post-secondary education the cause of that? Why is this? reported Aug. 2. now that physician-assisted suicide or working to establish Are they afraid of commitment? The new census data under - is legal, said Michel MacDonald, themselves a bit more.” Is it because they themselves are scores a host of new challenges executive director of the Catholic In addition to one-per - coming from broken families? for government policy, churches Organization for Life and Family. son households, the num - How do we respond to that?” and other social institutions, said “How are we as a society go - ber of couples without “Obviously the statistics are experts. ing to respond to that? How are children is growing faster telling us something,” he said. The data shows a trend toward we as a church going to accompa - than couples with chil - MacDonald pointed to Pope increasing family instability and ny these people?” he asked. “We dren, Mitchell pointed out. Francis’ words in his recent post- social isolation, particularly for really do have to reach out. These “Only 51 per cent of cou - synodal Apostolic Exhortation seniors, warns Peter Jon Mitchell, are people on the periphery, these ples have children, but that Amoris Laetitia , where he calls a senior Cardus researcher. are people right in our church, but number is declining.” for “encouraging openness to Not only will there be addi - they are on the periphery — the The number of couples grace” rather than simply stress - tional stress on adult children, lonely in our parishes.” that cohabit rather than ing doctrinal issues. who are also aging, but also on MacDonald believes data re - CCN/D. Gyapong marry is also rising (at 21.3 “We find it difficult to present government-assisted home care, veals challenges the Catholic Michel MacDonald per cent), though married marriage more as a dynamic path end-of-life care and social assis - Church must address. couples still represent the to personal development and ful - tance programs, he said. “We live in a culture where “For good reasons, our church - majority at 78.7 per cent of cou - filment than as a lifelong bur - “People living alone are going our physical needs are met for the es are focused on families and ples, the census shows. The high - den,” the pope wrote. to require more assistance,” he most part,” MacDonald said. “We family ministries, but we have to est number of cohabitating couples “I think that’s key,” MacDonald said. have all of the good things of life. be very aware of this current trend are in Quebec and Nunavut. In said. The answer, is found in #40 Lone-person households com - But St. Mother Teresa of Kolkata of people living alone, people Quebec, the number is twice as of the document where Pope prise 28.2 per cent of all house - talked about the spiritual poverty who are unattached and how our high as the Canadian average at Francis writes: “We need to find holds in Canada, up from 7.4 per of the West. It’s not material communities of faith are engaging 39.9 per cent of couples. In Nuna - the right language, arguments and cent in 1951 and up from 25.7 per poverty, but loneliness. those folks as well,” he said. vut, however, 50.3 per cent of cou - forms of witness that can help us ples live common law. reach the hearts of young people, “Fortunately, marriage still appealing to their capacity for gen - Words must be met with action remains the most common form erosity, commitment, love and of relationship for couples,” said even heroism, and in this way By Paul Paproski, OSB was good relationships with oth - and it becomes strained. Children Cardus Family director Andrea inviting them to take up the chal - ers. Christian hospitality is very are happier when their parents are Mrozek. “But the trend is lenge of marriage with enthusiasm MUENSTER, Sask. — Words important, Mercadante said, mak - in love. Children feel more secure toward less stable relationships. and courage.” must be met with action if the ing it imperative that parishioners when parents love one another. That implies more breakups, “We can’t moralize or wag our Christian community wants youth step outside their familiar bound - The authentic love of God more drastic changes in domes - finger, but we really have to live and young adults to become inter - aries and become welcoming. automatically flows to the spouse tic life, and more turmoil — the gospel in such a way that peo - ested in church life, Frank “Are we willing, as believers, and children, he said. Growth in things that can harm physical ple are attracted to it,” said Mercadante of Chicago said to 45 to take on awkwardness so others spirituality brings one to see Jesus and mental health, not to men - MacDonald. attending a retreat at St. Peter’s don’t have to feel awkward?” he in others. St. Augustine felt an tion any children who may be in “It comes down to fear of Abbey, Aug. 17 - 19, sponsored asked. “We need to give people emptiness inside that he knew the picture.” commitment, fear of seeing this is by the Ukrainian Catholic Church positive experiences of Christians, could only be filled with God. He The research is abundantly going to last, this can last,” he of Canada. and that means we need to develop is famous for saying that his heart clear that children do best in stable said. “People don’t see a value in a reputation for love,” he said, would always be restless until it families with two parents, so it’s marriage. They see a value in referring to a Gospel passage found rest in God. encouraging not to see a rising their relationship, but they don’t (John 13:35) which explains that Pope Paul VI, in his encyclical, proportion of kids in single-parent see a value in making that public. Christians will be known by their On Evangelization in the Modern homes,” says Mrozek. “It would Marriage is a public act, and as a love. The first Christians knew the World , said evangelization be even better if we could see that public act there’s a strength to it.” love of God and it was natural for embraces living fully as a Chris - proportion decline — something For Mitchell, healthy marriage them to understand that love of tian. A Christian becomes a wit - that could happen if Canada could requires positive role models. God and love of others goes ness when he or she is proud to raise its marriage rates.” “Institutions like the church together. Their attitude about the proclaim the name of Jesus and Mitchell pointed out there’s can provide examples of func - Gospel impressed many who con - live the promises of a new life in been a “shift from marriage as a tioning, healthy marriages within verted to Christianity through the the mystery of Jesus of Nazareth, starting point to build a founda - the community,” he said. good example of Christians. the Son of God. Jesus told his first “I am called to love” is a mission followers to go and make disciples Bishops press Trudeau for statement for every Christian, he of all nations (Matthew 28:18-20). remarked. The greatest command - The idea of evangelizing may action on mining practices ment says to love God with all our sound awkward, even frightening. heart and to love our neighbour as However, there are many ways to our self (Matthew 22:34-40). live as a Christian witness. By Michael Swan organizations which demanded People were created by God in Everyone can love in little ways. The Catholic Register Canada rein in mining companies Paul Paproski love and the first relationship Mercadante remembers his parish embroiled in conflicts with local and Frank Mercadante always begins with God who will priest, Fr. Bob, doing small acts TORONTO (CCN) — In a let - indigenous communities throughout sustain all other relationships, of kindness for others that were ter to Prime Minister Justin Latin America. The Prime Minis - Words do not have the same Mercadante commented. He and remembered many years later. Trudeau, Canadian Conference of ter’s Office has not yet replied to the meaning or value among millenn ials his wife, Diane, have six children Mercadante is the executive Catholic Bishops president Bishop April 25, 2016, letter from the as previous generations. The millen - and their relationship with God director of Cultivation Ministries. Doug Crosby has accused Cana - Churches and Mining Network nials of today are a “show-me gen - has sustained their marriage of 36 He is a spiritual author and has dian mining companies of “unethi - endorsed by 200 Latin American eration” which has been formed by years. This relationship will help designed and written youth min - cal, unjust and irresponsible ways bishops and signed by dozens of the inundation of information from build a solid foundation for those istry training manuals. He spoke of mining” in Latin America. Latin American organizations. the media, Mercadante, youth min - in church ministries, he remarked. at St. Peter’s Abbey to a gathering “We have heard stories of how Global Affairs Canada has not istry worker and spiritual author, “It wasn’t until I experienced of young adults attending “Unity,” threats, violence, extortion and responded to emailed questions said. They must see what we believe failure that I realized a lot of my sponsored by the Ukrainian even murder have been used to from The Catholic Register about through our relationships to them. identity was based on my success. Catho lic Church in Can ada and advance the progress of big busi - the government’s correspondence A survey of 250 churches That failure was my greatest suc - hosted by the Eparchy of ness and industry to the detriment with the Churches and Mining among the leading denominations cess. When I was building my Saskatoon. — both human and economic — Network. in the United States asked millen - youth ministry I lost my first Unity is held every three years of the poor,” said Crosby. “We “By sending our letter, we are nials what they liked about love. I wasn’t paying attention to for young adults, 18 - 35, from cannot accept the unethical way expressing solidarity not only with church life. The survey involved God,” he remarked. across Canada and the United Canadian mining companies have our brother bishops in Latin 10,000 hours of research and It is so easy to get caught up in States who gather to better under - been operating in Latin America.” America, but with all those nega - 1,300 interviews. The research work and lose sight of the first stand, embrace and celebrate the The Aug. 9 letter was prompted tively impacted by companies reg - found that a welcoming atmos - call to Jesus. Married couples Byzantine Catholic faith. The by the government’s non-answer to istered in our own country,” said phere was valued the most. The often get so busy with activities theme of Unity 2017 was “Into another letter from the Latin second most popular impression that they forget their relationship the Horizon: Focus on Faith.” American church and civil society — BISHOPS , page 4 4 Prairie Messenger CANADIAN NEWS August 30, 2017 As more live alone, church still welcoming community

By Michael Swan reality. It’s what we going to live with their children,” The Catholic Register actually live now. The said Spinks. “For some, it’s a church does offer the pooling of resources.” Have we become a lonely best solution because It isn’t just a tight budget that nation? the church is a com - pushes some families into the For the first time in Canada’s munity, a body of multigenerational model. The 150 years, the biggest single cate - believers,” said resources and workload to be gory of households is people liv - Missio. shared can include childcare, ing by themselves. For the For St. Patrick’s elder care, even running a family church, this 21st-century reality is Brampton pastor Rev. business. raising new pastoral challenges. Vito Marziliano, the “In some cases it’s a very posi - Households consisting of numbers are a tive experience. In others, it can be mom, dad and the kids are no reminder that the extremely stressful,” said Spinks. longer the norm, according to the parish has to remain Pan often spends time with 2016 census (see story, page 3). open, welcoming and older parishioners stressed out by One-person households com - available. life with Canadian-born grand - prised 28.2 per cent of Canada’s “If we are wel - children. 14.1 million private households coming — I think “The difference in culture — last year. That compares to 26.5 that’s the key word, in conservative countries you per cent of all households that hospitality,” he said. don’t hear young people shouting had couples with children. “I think the focus is to at the elderly. Here they do that,” It isn’t just Canada. Around keep finding opportu - Pan said. the world advanced nations report nities and be welcom - As immigration continues at that more and more people live Maureen Weber ing when, for whatev - record levels, language remains a alone. In France, 33.8 per cent of NEW CHALLENGES — Have we become a lonely nation? asks Michael Swan in er reason, they knock pastoral reality — particularly in households contained just one his feature on the challenges for the church in a society in which more people than on your door.” Canada’s big cities. More than 13 person. In Japan, 34.5 per cent ever before are living alone. “For the first time in Canada’s 150 years, the biggest People living per cent of us (7.75 million peo - live alone. In Norway 40 per cent, single category of households is people living by themselves. For the church, this alone may be the ple) claim a mother tongue other Germany 41.4 per cent. 21st-century reality is raising new pastoral challenges.” most common type of than English, French and the In Canada, a bare majority of household, but the Aboriginal languages. More than 51.1 per cent of all couples live the social skills and networks to families mainly by Skype and fastest growing category is homes three quarters of those people live with their children — the lowest be content while living alone, telephone. The parish also hosts comprising at least three genera - in six metropolitan centres — share ever. loneliness is a rising pastoral regular outreach to seniors. But tions of one family. The overall Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, But living alone doesn’t neces - issue in parishes, said St. Francis the unmet need is ever present, percentage is small — just 2.9 per the national capital region, sarily mean people are lonely, Xavier pastor Msgr. Edgardo Pan. Pan said. cent of households — but it rep - Calgary and Edmonton. said Nora Spinks, CEO of the “You find it in many parishes,” Rev. John-Mark Missio, a pas - resents 403,810 households Among the fastest growing Vanier Institute of the Family. he said. “It’s really a challenge.” toral and liturgical theology ex - nationwide. That’s an increase of languages is Tagalog — the “They may be living alone in a Pan recently received a letter pert at St. Augustine’s Seminary, 37.5 per cent since 2011 and Filipino language heard in parish - single-person household but may from a parishioner who wanted to believes the epidemic of loneli - means 6.3 per cent of Canadians es from coast to coast. Ranked be very actively engaged in their start up an outreach to the lonely ness is much broader than the live in a home where grandpar - number seven in 2011, Tagalog is community or very much con - of St. Francis Xavier’s Missis - numbers suggest. ents, parents and grandchildren now the number four immigrant nected,” Spinks told The Catholic sauga neighbourhood. “We live in a time in human share the same bathrooms and language, with more than half a Register . “You have to layer on “The name of the group would history when more people live kitchens. million native speakers. top of that the technology we now be ‘Someone Cares.’ It’s for peo - alone than ever have in human Multigenerational living ar - Among immigrant languages have access to, the public trans - ple who really feel neglected,” history,” he said. “That’s striking. rangements are most commonly historically associated with portation we now have access to. said Pan. It’s disturbing. It’s really thought found among immigrant and Catholic parishes, Dutch, Ukrain - We can’t jump to the conclusion Pan’s parish has already run provoking.” Aboriginal Canadians. ian, Italian, German and Polish that because 28 per cent of house - programs for newcomers, gather - The census numbers only con - “There’s no question in some holds are one-person households ing individuals who have come to firm a reality most Cana dians cultures that the grandparents are — CHURCH , page 5 that they are necessarily alone.” Canada to work. These parish - already have sensed, he said. Although many people have ioners remain in touch with their “This isn’t just a theoretical Bishops say their narrative Pilgrimage was dedicated to reconciliation is supported by reports

Continued from page 1 ited residential schools policy and food could be stretched for pad - Continued from page 3 is supported by the findings of the the harmful impact of those dlers expending thousands of Inter-American Commission on “What was unexpected was the schools on indigenous peoples, lis - calories a day, he said. There Archbishop Don Bolen, chair of Human Rights. In March 2015 sincerity and the depths we were tening to fellow paddlers share were complicated scenarios every the CCCB’s Episcopal Commis - Bolen and other North American able to go in the month. I knew personal stories about generational day, and every day things worked sion for Justice and Peace. bishops were present at hearings in there was going to be sharing and trauma raised his understanding to out in the end, Kelly said. It took The bishops have “correspond - Washington where some of the great participation, but this went a new level. about two-thirds of the trip before ed with Canadians, including worst failings of Canadian mining even further than I thought it was “To have someone whose they trusted things would work Catholics, involved in the extrac - companies were condemned. The ever going to be,” he said. mother was impacted, whose out each day. tive industry” prior to sending the IACHR findings largely supported The pilgrimage, organized to family is still working through “Coming to that sense of trust hard-hitting letter, said Bolen. a 2014 report by MISEREOR, an mark Canada’s 150th anniversary, impacts of residential schools, to was really important,” Kelly said. “However, there was no specific advocacy organization funded by was dedicated to the cause of rec - hear how their own lives have As for the physical challenges, consultation with the mining Germany’s Catholic bishops. onciliation with First Nations been, about healing from those Sorensen said not only was pad - industry on this particular letter.” MISEREOR looked at 22 people. It launched July 21 from experiences, it was really mov - dling all day extremely demand - The bishops did not intend to Canadian mining projects in nine Sainte-Marie Among the Hurons, ing,” Sorensen said. ing physically, being constantly imply that all Canadian miners in countries and found the Canadians in Midland, Ont., and ended at The pilgrims were supported wet on some days was a trial. Latin America are unethical, Bolen responsible for “serious environ - Kahnawake Mohawk Territory on along the route by several parish, “The weather is always a big told The Catholic Register. mental, economic, social and cul - the south shore of the St. First Nations and religious com - one,” said Sorensen. “We were Mining Association of Canada tural harms . . . as well as the viola - Lawrence River. munities, who welcomed the pad - really blessed with really good president and chief executive offi - tion of various rights of the neigh - Through shared struggles dur - dlers and provided food and a weather (but) we had rainy and cer Pierre Gratton insists the bouring communities, including the ing their travels, a sense of cama - place to rest. stormy days.” Canadian bishops don’t know what right to life, humane treatment, raderie and understanding devel - Although Kelly said the gen - One day, they thought it was they’re talking about. health and property.” oped among the paddlers, said erosity “exceeded all expecta - safe to depart, but after a couple “This narrative that the bishop Crosby also cited the Canadian Kevin Kelly, a Jesuit scholastic tions” and the communities were of hours the wind picked up, is repeating, that the NGOs have Catholic Organization for Devel- and trip organizer. Being in a “unbelievably welcoming and whipping up waves and forcing conjured up, that somehow opment and Peace’s 2013 Voice for position of shared “vulnerability incredibly hospitable,” not every - the paddlers to take cover, Canadian companies are flagrant Justice Campaign which sent more where you are struggling” helps thing went as planned. For Sorensen said. violators of human rights and than 80,000 signatures to Ottawa people learn about each other and instance, many communities “You realize how powerless engender conflict and are worse asking that Canadian mining com - “understand how similar we are, underestimated how much food you are when you are out in than everybody else is actually panies be held to Canadian legal even when we come from very 40 - 50 paddlers would need each nature like that, how attuned and empirically false,” said Gratton. and regulatory standards when different places,” he said. day, he said. attentive you have to be to nature “We’re actually doing a better job operating abroad. “It really does help you put “By the skin of their teeth, to be in harmony with it.” than other multinationals at The bishops are asking Trudeau yourself in the other person’s they would make enough food,” Sorensen said he does not think indigenous relations and commu - to fulfil a campaign promise to shoes.” Kelly said. he’ll do another 26-day canoe pil - nity relations. This whole narra - place an independent ombudsper - Sorensen said that while he had But on some days, organizers grimage, but he’d like to share this tive is not supported by the evi - son in charge of investigating com - a good intellectual understanding had to figure out where to get experience with others — on pil - dence.” plaints against Canadian compa - of the history of Canada’s discred - more food, or how the available grimages of four or five days. For many bishops, the narrative nies. August 30, 2017 CANADIAN NEWS Prairie Messenger 5 Former AFN CEO optimistic about reconciliation

By Deborah Gyapong they arrived in Ottawa Aug. 9. the pathologies plaguing indige - noticed people go through three The third reaction is: “We’re Inspired by the Truth and Rec - nous communities, such as high stages when they learn about the going to do something about it,” OTTAWA (CCN) — A key onciliation Commission’s (TRC) rates of suicide, addiction and residential schools. Though most Watts said. player in the Indian Residential Calls to Action, the paddlers also violence, could be “traced back to have heard of them, “when they Whether what they choose to Schools Settlement Agreement marked Canada’s 150th anniver - residential schools,” he said. understand the depth of the do “nudges this forward” or (IRSSA) says he is optimistic sary by following a similar canoe As the 2000s began people tragedy, they are shocked,” he said. “takes big steps in the reconcilia - about reconciliation. pilgrimage in 1967 on Canada’s started to ask, “what are we doing They ask, “How could this hap - tion process,” Watts said, “maybe 100th. to do about the residential pen?” even just thinking about doing The fundraiser at the Royal schools,” and the first class action Residential schools are “not an something is doing something.” Ottawa Golf Club in Gatineau lawsuit was certified, he said. The ancient history,” because the last “Thinking, reflecting, changes not only raised money, but, lawsuits began to grow until there one closed in 1996, he said. The the way they think about society, through a KAIROS blanket exer - were 10,000 individual lawsuits legacy is “with us right now and about indigenous people, and cise and Watt’s address, also and seven class action suits. it’s going to be with us for a long how to get past the settler/indige - raised awareness of the injustices The AFN, the Government of time in the future.” nous people paradigm,” he said. indigenous peoples in Canada Canada, and the churches in- The second reaction is people Watts said he believes Canada have suffered. volved in running the residential get angry, he said. “They get needs a “national condolence,” to “Admitting there is “a lot of schools came to the 2013 IRSSA, ticked off at their parents, their “lift the country’s spirit,” to “wipe ugliness in terms of our joint his - the largest class action settlement schools, their churches for not away tears,” and “clear the ears to tory,” Watts said he sees many in Canadian history. teaching this. ‘How could this hear better,” “wipe the eyes to see good people standing up for jus - Watts, who teaches now at have happened and we were not better,” to “wipe the heart, to make tice and participating in the spiri - Queen’s University, said he has told about it?’ ” our hearts work better.” tual process of reconciliation and healing. “It took a long time to get to Seal of confessional remains ‘inviolate’ the place we’re at now,” he said. “A lot of healing work needs to By Deborah Gyapong specific situation.” all the chaplains were consulted be done.” Chapdelaine said he had read in the issuing of the directive. While more needs to be done OTTAWA (CCN) — The seal about the Supreme Court of “We have a unique role,” she CCN/D. Gyapong at the level of government, Watts of the confessional for Roman Canada upholding solicitor-client said. “It is to journey with the Bob Watts said he is gratified to see “civil Catholic priests operating as mili - privilege. person, when a person is coming society, spiritual leaders, civilian tary chaplains remains inviolate, “I’m confident it will be to seek our advice, to seek our “I’m very hopeful; I’m very leaders taking ownership of rec - says Canada’s Chaplain General. respectful of privileged religious support.” pro-reconciliation,” said Bob onciliation, regardless of what For Catholic priests, according communication between a minis - On the issue of sexual miscon - Watts, former CEO of the governments are doing.” to Canon 983.1, “It’s a crime for a ter and a military person who duct, unless it involves a minor, Assembly of First Nations, speak - “Reconciliation isn’t just the confessor to betray a penitent in comes to see him or her.” there is no duty to report, she ing at a fundraiser Aug. 10 for the purview of the government, but any manner or for any reason,” “For Catholic priests, confes - said. Canadian Canoe Pilgrimage for of communities, individuals, said Brig.-Gen. Guy Chapdelaine. sion is very, very specific,” the “We provide direct pastoral 30 paddlers —Jesuits, indigenous church groups, NGOs and other “When it’s a confession, it’s dif - Chaplain General said. “It’s not support to the affected members,” peoples and others canoeing an civil society groups deciding they ferent from a person coming to something I see often. I have a lot she said. “We are not judging, we old trade route from Midland, want to work together to build a speak to me,” the Chaplain General of communication with people, are not forcing the person, we are Ont., on Lake Huron, to Montreal different future,” he said. said. “We have to make sure that but will not be under the seal of really there to support, to journey. (see related story, page 1). A residential school survivor it’s clear; it’s a confession.” confession.” We offer that space and that “The canoe is a powerful, recently told Watts he had finally Chapdelaine, the first Roman “When I was deployed, on my time,” she said. powerful vehicle of reconcilia - said, “I love you,” to his daugh - Catholic priest to serve as Chap - daily ministry, it’s very excep - tion,” Watts said. ter. Because of his being forcibly lain General, issued a 2015 direc - tional that people will come to Reconciliation comes through separated from his parents at the tive in response to “Operation see me and say this is a confes - “looking at each other in a way to school, he didn’t know telling his Honour” meant to deal with sexu - sion, and I would like to speak see each other’s humanity,” he children he loved them was part al misconduct in the Canadian about a specific situation,” he said. “We’re all related. We’re all of parenting, Watts said. Armed Forces said. “It happens of course, but brothers and sisters in this boat When former AFN National The directive outlined three it’s not something common.” together.” Chief Phil Fontaine began to talk circumstances under which con - Despite reports about con - He praised the canoe pilgrim - about his experience of being fidentiality “is not applicable”: cerns, Chapdelaine said he has age for meeting “metaphorically” sexually abused at a residential when a person poses a threat to never seen a court in Canada ask the challenges of reconciliation, school, “a lot of people were others or to him or herself; a chaplain to violate confidential - through “bursting myths and upset with him,” said Watts, who when abuse of a minor is in - ity, whether inside or outside the stereotypes” to “figure out a way served as his chief of staff. “They volved; or when ordered by a confessional. to paddle together.” thought he should leave well court of law. The Chaplain General said the The paddlers, who arrived in enough alone.” The directive applies to Cath- CBC article made it look “like we Montreal Aug. 14, had completed “Others said it was good he olic priests when they are coun - don’t respect confidentiality.” 80 per cent of their journey when was doing it” because many of selling outside of the confession - “We take seriously confiden - al, Chapdelaine said. “It has to be tiality and the trust of the person Church strategies for clear the person wants to confess. coming to us,” he said. “The three When the situation is clear that situations that I gave you are very welcoming have evolved it’s a confession, I have the re - unusual.” CCN/D. Gyapong sponsibility to protect the seal of “I don’t see these situations Chaplain General Brig.-Gen. confession.” happen often,” he said. “We need Guy Chapdelaine Continued from page 4 The two main Chinese languages The two-year-old directive compassion, we need to build are spoken by 1,204,865 people. came into the news recently after trust with the person and they The chaplain’s role is to pro - are all in decline. Across Canada, A census is just numbers. The a CBC news report on federal know of course we have some vide “a ministry of presence,” she Italian speakers declined by pastoral reality of any parish is documents revealed some chap - obligations.” said. “When we are in the coun - 30,260 — a 6.9 per cent drop. always more than that, because lains are concerned about “poten - “If they tell us they will com - selling session, it is the human The Canadian church’s strate - God calls us by name, not by tially breaching confidentiality of mit suicide in the next couple of being in front of us, whatever the gies for welcoming immigrants number. those receiving spiritual care.” hours, we have a responsibility to person, the rank.” and accommodating their lan - “What I see is a kind of won - The report also coincided with do something,” he said. The first The chaplains will encourage guages have evolved, said derful United Nations that’s news from Australia that its thing is to “convince them to people to seek further help and Marziliano. emerging in all of our parishes,” Royal Commission into Institu - report themselves,” or to seek fur - make them aware of help avail - “It’s far more than just lan - said Missio. “I think we’re actual - tional Responses to Child Sexual ther help. able, she said. guage,” said Marziliano, who has ly reflecting that reality already.” Abuse has recommended making We don’t want the members of Depending on the issue, “we pastored both Italian and multi- “I don’t think we’re going to it a criminal offence to fail to the Canadian Armed Forces not will inform” the person of the ethnic parishes. “It also has to do hell in a handbasket and I don’t report child sexual abuse with no sure about confidentiality,” he extent of confidentiality, she said. with culture. Even someone who think we’ve achieved nirvana,” exemption for the confessional. said. “We need to have this clear con - may have surpassed their difficul - said Spinks. “I think what (the Chapdelaine said he could not “We have some areas where versation, clear boundaries,” she ty with language still worships in 2016 census) does reflect is how comment about the news in we have no choice; they are very said. their culture.” families adapt and how families Australia, but in Canada he does specific and unusual.” “Usually, very often, chaplains The face of the church and the adjust. They are the first to not see any “sign of change,” For Col. Martine Belanger, a are the first line of intervention,” face of the nation is becoming respond to changes in society and when it comes to the seal of the lay Catholic chaplain, the direc - she said. “People will come to us, more Asian. It’s not just the economy and environment. confessional. tive is clear and has not posed a in crisis, to vent, they really need Filipinos on the rise. The No. 1 “If we pay attention to those “It’s a crime for us to (vio - problem for her or for other chap - to have a first ear.” non-official language in the coun - changes and understand those late) it,” he said. “It’s excommu - lains. “Personally for me, I am From there they may be try is now Mandarin, which changes then we will all benefit. nication from the church. I not aware of any chaplains or col - referred to a support group, or leapfrogged from number nine in If we try to fight against it . . . we would put the emphasis on the leagues that don’t feel comfort - other sources of help and support, 2011. Number two is Cantonese. may risk less positive outcomes.” freedom of religion and on the able with this,” she said, noting she said. 6 Prairie Messenger LOCAL NEWS August 30, 2017 FacetoFace reaches out to Catholic youth

By Darlene Polachic the organization when his parents respond. We try to ‘prime the the day, then break into different formed. How can I get that, too?’ urged him to attend a retreat. “I pump’ by getting kids ready for age-grouped activities, followed by that we’ve opened it to adults,” SASKATOON — Jon brushed them off,” he says, “but the encounter, then staying out of an assembly at the end of the day. Courchene says. Courchene and his team minis - in 2005 I became a parish minis - the way and letting God do the FacetoFace also runs an annual Besides four full-time staff, tered to some 27,000 Catholic ter and learned that a FacetoFace work.” summer bus pilgrimage to the FacetoFace typically employs youth last year. Courchene is retreat was booked for my area. I Three daily sessions at Ignite United States. Students go to two summer students to help executive director of FacetoFace saw immediately it was a legiti - involve praise and worship, hear - Steubenville, Ohio, to a weekend facilitate the summer program. Ministries, a ministry that reaches mate ministry, and I was im - ing a testimony from a volunteer conference run by the Franciscan “Plus, we have a whole bunch of out to Catholic youth across pressed with the team that led it, team member and a teaching University of Steubenville. Some amazing volunteers. An Ignite Western Canada. and the retreat which really kick- from a guest speaker, plus in - 2,000 Catholic youth hear top Camp will involve as many as 35 started our youth group.” volvement in small groups to speakers and great bands, de - young adults volunteering their Courchene began volunteering unpack it all. scribes Courchene. They also do time to make a difference in with FacetoFace while attending Courchene says the week also mission work in soup kitchens or someone else’s life.” the University of Saskatchewan, provides plenty of time for fellow - elsewhere to serve people in need. Funding for FacetoFace comes becoming executive director in ship. “We want youth to connect The biggest event of the year from individuals and a monthly the fall of 2012. and grow and see that there’s a for FacetoFace is the United donor base, which supplements The ministry has always been bigger church out there than their Conference that is held at Holy what isn’t raised through event based out of Saskatoon. In 2006, local community. Often the high - Family Cathedral in Saskatoon in registration. Courchene says do - it received registered charity sta - light of the weekend is eucharistic November. This is a youth con - nor giving makes the program tus, and the following year began adoration, which involves sitting ference with an adult track that affordable. For more information, branching out with more pro - in silence with the Lord.” draws about 350 people. visit www.f2f.ca. grams. FacetoFace regularly holds “The conference is youth- This article was previously One popular program is Ignite weekend youth retreats, but one focused, but we had so many par - published in the Saskatoon Star - Summer Camp which is held for of the biggest aspects of the min - ents saying, ‘My kid’s been trans - Phoenix. a week each summer at St. istry — and the Therese Institute of Faith and one that keeps Mission in Bruno, Sask. Some staff and volun - 100 youth come together for the teers busiest — is camp, that includes three teaching school retreats. Darlene Polachic sessions a day along with group The team does 80- Jon Courchene games and prayer. plus school re - “Ignite is a chance for youth to treats across West- The ministry had its beginnings grow in their faith. Everything we ern Canada each in 1999 when a parish youth min - do goes back to our vision: that year for elemen - ister, Ken Yasinski, organized a all people would encounter Christ tary, junior high weekend retreat at St. Walburg, and embrace the call to be saints. and high school Sask. The retreat went well and Our mission is to live and pro - students. Yasinski was invited to hold simi - claim the fullness of the Catholic Often, lar retreats in other locations. By faith,” Courchene says. Courchene says, 2003, he was doing it full time as “How do we facilitate this? these are repeat FacetoFace Ministries. God is always reaching out to us, visits. “A Catholic Courchene first heard about and we have the opportunity to school division will book us for a whole week and Eparchy of Saskatoon assign us to vari - ous schools. In continues Cana family camp large divisions, we may go to half the By Teresa Bodnar-Hiebert The retreat framework is schools one year Kendra Volk based on the “Cana Colony” and the other half OUR LADY OF FATIMA — Parishioners at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Fox DUCK MOUNTAIN PRO - family program at Madonna the next.” Valley, Sask., gathered Aug. 5 to welcome the international pilgrim statue of Our VINCIAL PARK, Sask. — The House in Com bermere, Ont. In elementary Lady of Fatima, part of an international tour of the statue that included stops in the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Nazareth Family Spirituality: schools, retreats Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon and surrounding area at some 15 parishes, at a Saskatoon held its third annual Celebrating Your Faith at Home start with a large local community centre, and at an annual pilgrimage held in Rama, Sask. The tour is Cana Continues! Family Retreat with Catherine Doherty, com - group assembly at being held to mark the 100th anniversary of the appearance of Our Lady of Fatima to three shepherd children in Portugal, between May 13 and Oct. 13, 1917. Camp Aug. 13 - 19 at St. Michael’s piled and edited by Rev. Blair the beginning of Camp, nestled in Duck Mountain Bernard, was the core resource Provincial Park in southeastern explored during the daily parent Regina annual report ‘a good start’ Saskatchewan. sessions. Participants searched There were daily opportunities through their own situations and to encounter Christ in simplicity: shared experiences. By Frank Flegel avenues and communication vehi - The financial situation is one families preparing meals, eating, Cana 2018 is tentatively set for cles will be used next year. of the challenges the archbishop and doing dishes together. There Aug. 12 - 18. Cana Continues! REGINA — For the first time “What we really need is not referred to. “We have major was a focus on sacrament through Family Retreat Camp is funded in recent history the Regina arch - just people coming out to meet - financial challenges but we are daily Divine Liturgy, with opportu - through the Annual Eparchial diocese has produced an annual ings but to be engaged in the not in a state of crisis. We’re just nities for confession and spiritual Appeal. Registration begins in report; it was made public at an challenges we face as a church in a time of challenge. Much of direction. Vespers were held on the January 2018 and more informa - annual meeting at the archdiocese and work together,” said Bolen. the church’s history has been docks of Madge Lake, at a camp tion can be found at http: offices. Brief verbal reports were given lived in a time of challenge. fire, and at the statue of St. Michael //skeparchy.org/ flo/ministries/our- “We are doing two new things by the archbishop; Robert Many of our parishes are in a the Archangel. cana-camp/ here,” said Archbishop Donald Kowalchuk, executive director time of challenge and when our Bolen in speaking with the for pastoral services; Eric Gurash, parishes are financially chal - Prairie Messenger . “First, we’ve co-ordinator for lay ministry and lenged, so is the archdiocese.” produced a good report, not a evangelization programs; youth Bolen also referred to declin - comprehensive view of where we co-ordinator Michelle Braden; ing attendance at mass — and are as an archdiocese, but an hon - and Chief Financial Officer especially young people not being est overview. Reports have been Deacon Barry Wood. visible in the church. “Perhaps it produced in the past but they “We decided we needed to shows we are not working closely haven’t been made public. communicate much more with all enough with Catholic schools.” Second, holding an annual meet - of our faithful. We need to be There are signs that the arch - ing is a new initiative. A number much more transparent with all diocesan church is spiritually of people came out and I think as the people in the archdiocese. It’s healthy: 10 seminarians, the we face current challenges, next something we’ve talked about for most since the early 1950s, are year more people will come out. I a long time,” said Kowalchuk. at various stages in their jour - think it’s a good start.” Simply titled Annual Report , it ney to the priesthood. Nine of About a dozen people plus is available on the archdiocese’s the 10 permanent diaconate staff were in attendance. One of website, https://archregina.sk.ca/. candidates (one withdrew be - the attendees questioned how the It contains more details of the cause of health problems) are meeting had been advertised, sug - various ministries and includes completing their third year in Teresa Bodnar-Hiebert gesting more people would have some bare-bones financial infor - the four-year program, and 550 CANA CONTINUES — Vespers is said at the dock during the third attended had they known about it. mation with explanatory notes Lay Ministry Formation alumni annual Cana Continues! Family Retreat Camp held in the Ukrainian The notice was on the website, that show revenues declining and are actively serving the arch - Catholic Eparchy of Saskatoon. was the response, but more expenditures increasing. diocesan church. August 30, 2017 LOCAL NEWS Prairie Messenger 7 Report has implications for Regina parishes

By Frank Flegel there are now 27,” said director “It has led us to a pretty robust requests data in 16 categories, but their own program. of pastoral services Robert discussion on how the church is this year it focused on seven: There are 28 indigenous re - REGINA — A summary of the Kowalchuk, who compiled the changing and what the responses youth ministry, bereavement, the serves in the Regina archdiocese. Regina archdiocesan parish re - summary. “That’s a growth rate are for the church,” said indigenous community, faith for - Fifteen parishes reported aware - ports confirm the obvious — of 800 per cent.” Kowalchuk. He also noted that mation, lay information and evan - ness of the Truth and Recon - fewer people are regularly attend - The archdiocese has always while the response to the original gelization, and ecumenism and ciliation Report (TRC) or were ing mass — but it also contains a collected data from parishes, and requests sent to parishes and stewardship. The report illustrates creating awareness of the report. positive surprise in the growth of in 2003 switched to electronic deaneries in 2016 was higher than the changes that have occurred The archdiocese has both rural youth ministry. data collecting which allowed for previous years, there are still over the 13-year period. and urban indigenous ministry fo- “Ten years ago, four of the 134 more detailed information and the some parishes that either do not The number of households has cusing on building relationships. parishes in the archdiocese had ability to do some long-term data have the data or did not report. declined by 27.2 per cent; the In lay ministry and evangeliza - youth ministry programs and analysis and develop trend lines. The archdiocese annually number of parishioners is down tion, there are 500 alumni of the by 11.8 per cent, funerals have Lay Ministry Formation program increased by 20.7 per cent, and but only 140 were identified as Priesthood Urquico’s childhood dream mass attendance has dropped by involved in parish ministry. 39.1 per cent. These numbers In ecumenism and stewardship, By Frank Flegel ence the world. He went back to should not be read as predictors two questions were asked and the university to finish a philosophy of the future due to a margin of responses clearly showed that REGINA — “It was my child - degree. While there he met a girl. error in data collection. parishes are active in these areas. hood dream to be a priest,” said They talked about a future togeth - As noted, youth ministry has The continuing trend of urban - Rev. Arpee Sacramento Urquico er, going to law school, but the grown by 800 per cent. Parishes ization has taken its toll on rural in an interview several days after thought of the priesthood never are supporting their youth in parishes. Kowalchuk pointed out his June 30 ordination, but his left him: “It was always there in attending youth rallies and youth- that many of the 134 parishes are dream took a convoluted route to the back of my mind.” related projects in foreign lands; small, some with as few as a cou - his goal. Then one day his girlfriend most of the growth occurred in ple of dozen families who contin - Arpee was born in a communi - called and said she did not want to urban centres. ue to support their church. ty about two hours south of be committed but just to continue In bereavement, parishes re- The 2016 Canadian census Manila, in the Philippines. In what they had. “I said no, that is sponded with the number of people reported 131,000 self-identified 1991 Mt. Pinatubo erupted, bury - not me,” and he took it as a sign over 65 and what is being done to Catholics in the Regina arch - ing his village in ash and mud. that he was supposed to be a priest. support their faith life. Responses diocese but the archdiocese has The villagers were evacuated to He completed his philosophy included home visits, funeral plan - about 60,000 registered, a differ - another village near Manila, and degree, then did a year of studies ning, praying with the families, and ence of about 70,000. this is where Urquico grew up toward a master’s in education, referring to existing bereavement The report is now in the hands Frank Flegel and completed his elementary and majoring in guidance and coun - services. The archdiocese frequent - of the six deaneries and their high school education. Rev. Arpee Urquico selling; he then took a job teaching ly receives requests for a Catholic- parishes. The report ends by not - His mother attended daily in a Catholic high school. based bereavement service. ing the numbers have significant mass and took him and his two shopping but afterward she herd - Two of his friends were invit - Regina’s Holy Trinity Parish sup - implications for the health of older brothers with her. His father ed them into the seminary. “My ed by a priest to visit a monastery ported the work of two individuals deaneries, parishes, and the arch - worked as a mechanic in Saudi first step inside, I felt different. I high in the mountains on a week - who have developed such a service diocese, inviting a discussion Arabia. Urquico became involved felt peaceful,” Urquico recalled. end and invited him to come and have presented it to three about how best to keep the church in his parish as a youth and met “I thought, ‘What is it that I am along. People came to mass Sun- Regina parishes that are developing alive and well. seminarians who came to his feeling?’ Maybe it was the Holy day morning after walking two church for their internship. Spirit. You know you’re in the and three hours to get there. He Simon Wiesenthal Centre “I want to be like them,” he right place when you and every - was impressed, and wondered if thought, but it wasn’t until high one around you is happy, and I God had wanted him to see that to helped sponsor tour school that the idea of becoming a was happy.” convince him to be a priest and priest became more firmly im- After graduation from high minister to these people. He re - planted in his hand, mostly school he entered the seminary. turned to the seminary. Continued from page 1 before the camp could be de - through the efforts of a Do minican He would try it for “just one It was then that his uncle in stroyed. It’s complete and could nun: “She kept bugging me about year,” he said. “But I fell in love Prince Albert suggested he come director of Education, Domenic be up and running again within a being a good priest, and came to with it.” to Canada. He applied, and within Scuglia, came to Regina from the couple of weeks.” my home to visit my parents. One After two years he was a few months arrived in Regina, York division and suggested the Paez described a round memori - time she tricked me and two advised by the formation team to where he was ordained to the summer course. al building within which is a friends into visiting the seminary.” take some time away from the priesthood June 30 (see PM story, The Simon Wiesenthal She had offered to take them seminary, get a job and experi - July 19, page 6). Centre for Holocaust Studies helped sponsor the trip along with the Regina school divi - Three seminarians instituted as acolytes sion and the participants themselves. Twenty-seven By Frank Flegel the grotto of the Shrine of Our rying out their ministry.” Ontario students along with Lady of Lourdes, St. Peter’s They were told they should some Ontario teachers made KRONAU, Sask. — Aug. 13 Colony. The several hundred in seek to understand the deep spiri - up the full group for the two- was a special day for seminarians attendance were there for a two- tual meaning of what they do and week tour of the camps in Reed Miller, Christopher Juchacz day pilgrimage, a celebration of daily offer themselves to God. Germany and Poland. They and Andrew Lindenbach. All the grotto’s centennial. “Bear in mind that, as you share also toured the sites of the three were instituted as acolytes Regina Archbishop Donald the one bread with your brothers Warsaw and Krakow upris - as a congregation of several hun - Bolen installed the three seminari - and sisters, so you form one body ings. dred participated and prayed for ans at the end of his homily on with them.” The trip started in Toronto them. Sunday, the second day of the cel - Bolen reminded them to be where they attended classes The installation took place in ebration. Each seminarian obedient to the Lord’s command: in which teachers from York received a cha - “Love one another as I have Cath olic School Division lice and paten loved you.” were teaching the course, from the arch - The three will return to St. titled, “The Holo caust in His- bishop, who Joseph’s Seminary, Edmonton for tory and Living Memory.” told them they their final year of study prior to They also met several have a special their internship year. If they con - Holocaust survivors who role in the tinue to move toward priestly gave them sealed letters Frank Flegel church’s min - ministry, they will be ordained to which were to be opened HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR — istry: “The the transitional diaconate at the when the group visited Holocaust survivor Anita Ekstein summit and end of their internship year, fol - Auschwitz-Dachau. Paez stands with Regina teacher Ada Paez. source of the lowed by one last year of studies, said the letter she received church’s life is culminating in ordination to the from Anita Ekstein told of her mound of victim’s ashes. “I have a the eucharist, priesthood. childhood memories and of being photo showing the students on the which builds Bolen introduced several other saved by a Polish friend of her other side of the mound. You can up the Chris - seminarians in the congregation, father. see it was quite heavy for them.” Frank Flegel tian communi - commenting that the archdiocese is Paez said there isn’t much left The four Regina teachers are ACOLYTES — Seminarians Reed Miller, ty and makes it blessed with a large number of of the camps, as the Nazis tried to now working with superintendent Christopher Juchacz and Andrew Lindenbach were grow. It is your seminarians. The archdiocese destroy the evidence before the Kathleen Ehman to develop a instituted as acolytes in the grotto of the Shrine of responsibility directory lists nine seminarians: Allied troops arrived. One excep - course of study which they hope Our Lady of Lourdes, St. Peter’s Colony, near to assist the seven at St. Joseph’s, one at St. tion was the Madjanek Camp in will win the approval of the Kronau, Sask., Aug. 13 as a congregation of several priests and Philip’s, Toronto, and another Poland. Ministry of Education and be hundred participated and prayed for them. dea cons in car - studying in Rome. “Russian troops got there offered as a summer course. 8 Prairie Messenger ARTS & CULTURE August 30, 2017 Remembering Roger Ebert, a beloved film critic

This article is from the August 2017 print edition of U.S. Catholic movie. Hated hated under the title, “A Good Critic.” Reprinted by permission of U.S. hated hated hated this Catholic magazine (uscatholic.org). U.S. Catholic is published by the movie. Hated it. Claretians. For subscriptions, call 1-800-328-6515 or Hated every simper - visit uscatholic.org ing stupid vacant audience-insulting By Pamela Hill Nettleton retiring film critic, Eleanor Keen. moment of it.” Here Ebert’s life course was set. (and in many other He was perhaps North Amer - From that day until his death reviews) he is fearless ica’s most beloved film critic, but in 2013 from cancer, Ebert filed in expressing his val - that is not what Roger Ebert review after review and wrote ues; he reveals his thought he wanted to be. book after book, relentlessly spirit of utter integrity. The way Ebert tells it, he ima- chronicling American filmmaking He suffered no fools, gined a career as a columnist, over six decades. In 1975 he won but somehow his something along the lines of being the Pulitzer Prize for criticism for prose never felt pre - a Mike Royko, the Pulitzer Prize- his film reviews of 1974, a year cisely mean. He winning Chicago Tribune colum - that included Chinatown, The appeared to love what nist who covered the city’s politi - Godfather Part II, and The Great film could be, could cal scene. Instead, Ebert’s boss at Gatsby , of which he wrote, “It do, and could say, and the Chicago Sun-Times , Bob would take about the same time when he was disap - Zonka, announced in 1967 that to read Fitzgerald’s novel as to pointed by a script or Ebert would replace the paper’s view this movie — and that’s a director, his was the what I’d recommend.” It was also crestfallen outrage of the year of The Texas Chainsaw an 11th-grade English CNS/Mario Anzuoni, Reuters Hill Nettleton is an assistant Massacre , which earned this bon teacher facing a poor REMEMBERING A MASTER WRITER — Beloved film critic Roger Ebert is professor at the Diederich College mot: “I can’t imagine why anyone performance by a seen in 2006 at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. “As his thyroid can - of Communication at Marquette would want to make a movie like promising student. cer treatment and surgeries robbed him of his ability to speak, he turned to the keyboard and journalled online to a growing audience of newcomers to his famous University in Milwaukee, Wis - this, and yet it’s well-made.” About the massacre at wit and his fearless and keen-eyed commentary on not only popular culture but consin, where she teaches media His 1994 review of North is The Dark Knight also on life itself.” studies, media literacy, arts criti - legendary, not only for its repeti - Rises premiere in cism writing, freelance writing, tion but also for its marked ab- Aurora, Colorado, he wrote in his decay of standards in movies may Publishing) — also the name of a and feature writing courses. sence of commas: “I hated this 2013 Movie Yearbook that “the be related to the decay of stan - documentary on Ebert — he is at dards in our society. I can’t prove his most magnetic and satisfying. it. But I fear it.” His storytelling is, in turns, funny, Certain words represent more serious issues Starting in 1975, he and Gene poignant, and telling. His thinking Siskel co-hosted public televi - is well-structured, clear, level- By Caitlin Ward remind myself that no one person considering the person I was talk - sion’s Sneak Previews , a program headed, and logical. Like a good is in a position to represent the ing about literally is Chinese, but of film reviews that rendered friend, he offers the gift of trans - So two days ago I sent this text feelings of an entire cultural even if it had been a misstep I’m famous their trademarked phrase parency about family difficulties, to a friend of mine: “what are group. It’s not her job to answer not sure publicly challenging a “Two thumbs up!” They moved his membership in Alcoholics your thoughts on white people all of my questions on race rela - well-intentioned person for using to commercial television in 1982, Anonymous (he stopped drinking saying the N word in the context tions, and it’s also easy to forget a potentially questionable turn of and the program name changed to in 1979), his marriage at the age of of singing a song?” that getting her personal opinion phrase would have been the most At the Movies with Gene Siskel 50 to the great love of his life, She needed clarification before on the matter is not the same as useful thing to do. It’s because of and Roger Ebert . Their on-air Chaz, and the health challenges he she could answer this question: having a definitive answer. moments like this that the whole arguments were hilarious master faced in the last years of his life. “as in, a white person wrote the Yes, I easily get tied up in debate around language doesn’t classes in critical thinking about In his memoir, he says he was song with that word in it, or a knots. But in my defence, it has always get taken very seriously. media and storytelling. They raised Catholic, attended Catholic black person wrote the song?” taken me a lot longer to write this Last night I had a conversation freely disagreed and seemed to grade school, and brought that tra - I meant the latter. I’ve been out than it did to think about it in with my father and my sister on genuinely respect each other’s dition and sensibility to his work. listening to a couple of rappers the moment, so it’s not as if I words that boiled down to this: lan - perspectives — a democratic His essay, “How I Believe in lately who say the N word a lot in spent half the day obsessing over guage is powerful, but it is power - quality much missed in current God,” is a delightful memoir of a their music, and I have this some - the two texts I sent to her. But ful because it holds the weight that politics and media. After Siskel’s second grader’s adventures in times impressive but sometimes these are the things that swirl we give it. That’s not to say, of death in 1999, the program con - spirituality and walks through his annoying habit of picking up all around in my head much of the course, that we can individually tinued on with lesser sparring lifetime of seeking answers to the words to a song very quickly. time. I think about words a lot. I decide what words mean and how companions, and once Ebert was impossible questions. His conclu - I wasn’t sure how I should be think about intentions a lot. I they can be used, but rather that we diagnosed with thyroid cancer, he sion in 2009, four years before his singing along to these songs in think about what both of those need to recognize that certain left the show in the hands of other death: “I am not a believer, not an my car. things mean in the context of my words often represent larger and hosts in 2006. atheist, not an agnostic. I am still more serious issues. That means Ebert’s were the go-to reviews awake at night, asking how ? I am Long Live the Chief these words need to be paid much for films, and his annual pub - more content with the question than I would be with an answer.” Jidenna mind, but we also need to lished collections — and his not- acknowledge that these words are to-be-missed compilations of his https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_AQFnqMY3E I read Ebert as a fan and as a not the issue in and of themselves. most scathing evaluations of dazzled fellow writer. His words The N word itself as a word dreadful movies — were beloved. have that marvellous ease on the I know. I’m alone in my car. friendships and also the larger does not hold some special magic His writing is first person and page that comes only from a fine No one can hear me. I would world. A lot. weight, but that word’s history and often autobiographical, yet in mind, applied with integrity and never say that word outside of the I also think about how superfi - use means that saying it invokes a unassuming and rather modest intention. Reading Ebert, I felt I context of singing along to a cial many of these things can be, whole world of prejudice, power, ways. As his thyroid cancer treat - was in the company of a truly song, let alone say it and mean it though, and how important it is and protest that must be acknowl - ment and surgeries robbed him of decent human being. I didn’t have as an insult. This is probably one not to get too bogged down in edged. And depending on who his ability to speak, he turned to to always agree with him to enjoy of those times when people will minutiae. I also know that people says it and how, it in vokes differ - the keyboard and journalled my time with his words. He was accuse me of being too neurotic — especially white people — can ent things. So when I listen to online to a growing audience of no one’s sycophant, and I doubt he about these things. I will likely be get a little overzealous about the Jidenna alone in my car, knowing newcomers to his famous wit and would have tolerated one. His writ - thought of as more neurotic when issue, probably because they’re from watching interviews with his fearless and keen-eyed com - ing is a joy because he was so at I tell you that I prefaced the ques - afraid of offending people. I will him how strongly he feels about mentary on not only popular cul - home with himself while he wrote tion with an apology for asking, never forget, for example, one white people using that word, I’m ture but also on life itself. He it — he was unapologetically because I felt it wasn’t entirely time when I said someone was not sure if I’m being sensitive or faced the challenges of his illness Ebert, and he knew himself well. fair. This friend is mixed race Chinese. One of my students overly scrupulous when this whole and impending death with great That is the task of life, it (half black, half white), you see, swiftly corrected me to tell me philosophical quandary comes up humour and transmuted what seems to me — to fully grow and I wanted her opinion as a the person I was referring to was in my head with the first line of surely must have sometimes been one’s self up, from whatever soil thoughtful person who cares Asian. Which, yes, she is — but “Long Live the Chief”: “Ni***s fear into frank, transparent explo - in which we find ourselves plant - about words, but I also wanted she is also Chinese. In the sense fighting over rings . . .” rations of the soul. He wasn’t ed, into actual maturity. Everyone her opinion as a person of colour. that her parents are Chinese, she The only real conclusion I have sappy about this, but his love of ages. Not everyone matures. But in asking, I also wanted to adheres to Chinese religious prac - been able to draw is this: if I need being human was palpable and Over the years, Ebert did. His tices, and she’s from China. to choose between defending my his desire to share the human early work didn’t feel nascent; it Now, I do know that the word right to use a particular word and experience with anyone who was as open and frank as his lat - Ward is a Saskatoon-based free - “Chinese” is sometimes incorrect - hurting someone with the use of cared to read what he wrote was ter reviews. But his person, that lance writer who spends her days ly used as a shorthand for anyone that word, I’ll err on the side of not generous. He became a teacher, first person in his work, was (and most nights) working at a from south-east Asia, but I’m not hurting someone. We may have of sorts, as he let us watch him someone he respected — hence, small Catholic college. Her less sure the situation warranted such freedom of expression in Canada, wrestle with the big issues. so did his readers. He thought eloquent thoughts can be found at a swift and sure correction. In this but I refuse to be obsessed with my In these blogs and in his autobi - www.twitter.com/newsetofstrings case, it was particularly funny, right to offend people. ography Life Itself (Grand Central — EBERT , page 13 August 30, 2017 ARTS & CULTURE Prairie Messenger 9 August movies: from the memorable to the mediocre

Screenings & Meanings

Gerald Schmitz

The lazy hazy days of summer ing population that soon crashed. are not generally a time when big In 1978 an excavation behind important pictures get released. Diamond Tooth Gertie’s Gambling Air-conditioned theatres offer a Hall unearthed hundreds of reels of more likely escapist inducement. old nitrate film that had been But it’s worth noting at least three stored and forgotten in what had exceptions, and I’ll start with the been a swimming pool under an one that connects to the smoky ice-hockey rink in a recreation cen - haze I experienced on Vancouver tre. Nitrate celluloid is highly flam - Island earlier this month. mable but, preserved by perma - With a warming planet, the frost and thanks to the efforts of threat from forest fires is expect - several local conservators, what ed to increase, as are the frequen - could be salvaged formed the basis A MASTERPIECE — Bill Morrison’s Dawson City: Frozen Time is a must-see “only in Canada” documen - cy and intensity of extreme for an extraordinary film archive. tary, writes Gerald Schmitz. weather events. (In contrast to Given that an estimated 75 per cent B.C., Ottawa set rainfall records of silent-era films have been lost, city a half-century ago. It begins rage in which black people and including a black Vietnam War in each month from April through it’s been called the King Tut’s with an animated prologue ob - business owners were the main veteran and several young white July.) Despite Trump administra - tomb of silent cinema. serving how millions of African victims of both the destruction and women vacationing from Ohio. A tion denials, the scientific evi - Morrison previously earned Americans from the south were the aftermath as Michigan state stupid prank with a toy leads to a dence of human-caused climate acclaim for Decasia (2002), a drawn to job opportunities in police, the National Guard and night of horror to which another change continues to mount, as meditation on the transitory and northern cities, and how a flight army troops were called in to key African American figure, confirmed this month by a leaked transcendent using decaying film of whites to the suburbs created impose an uneasy control. Melvin Dismukes (John Boyega), draft national climate assessment images set to a symphonic score. inner-city ghettoes in which “the Bigelow zeroes in on the moonlighting as an armed securi - promise of equal opportunity charged circumstances behind a ty guard at a nearby grocery An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power (U.S. 2017) turned out to be an illusion.” particularly tragic and revealing store, acts as a silent witness. Dawson City: Frozen Time Working from a script by long - incident, inserting bits of archival Suspecting possible sniper (U.S. 2016) time collaborator Mark Boal ( Zero footage to add to the gripping fire, several police officers barge Detroit (U.S. 2017) Dark Thirty ), Bigelow then thrusts realism with which she recreates into the hotel demanding answers The Dark Tower us into the sequence of events that this true story. A central character about the gun and the shooter. (U.S. 2017) began in Detroit on July 23, 1967, is aspiring soul singer Larry Reed There to provoke, not protect, The Glass Castle (U.S. 2017) after an aggressive raid by an all- (Algee Smith), a member of the they are led by the youngest offi - white police force on an unli - Motown group The Dramatics, cer, Krauss (Will Poulter), who censed after-hours bar in a black whose breakout performance gets has earlier been reprimanded for report compiled by 13 U.S. feder - In Frozen Time he combines a fas - neighbourhood sparked street cancelled by the unrest. Caught shooting a fleeing robbery sus - al agencies. Some inconvenient cinating historical narrative with a protests that escalated into days of up in the chaos, he and a friend pect in the back. The blonde, pale truths cannot be suppressed. flickering feast of recovered bits rioting, looting and arson in what seek refuge by getting a room in Krauss looks like he could still be Last January’s Sundance Film of found footage from films made was then America’s fifth largest an annex of the Algiers motel Festival opened with the timely in the first decades of the 20th city. It was a cry of frustration and where they mingle with others, — MORE FILMS , page 10 documentary An Inconvenient century when Dawson City was Sequel: Truth to Power (https: the end of the distribution line. Books //inconvenientsequel.tumblr.com/) The history includes striking peri - that centres on the global climate od photographs and the archival Dust-ship Glory : a ‘graphic’ take on a strange prairie story change activism of former U.S. montages are accompanied by a vice-president Al Gore in the haunting score. Dawson City was DUST-SHIP GLORY By Elaine M. Will. Cuckoo’s Nest Press, ©2016; $19.95. The book is available for decade since 2007’s Oscar-win - at the root of some storied fortunes order on Will’s blog: blog.e2w-illustration.com and at McNally Robinson in Saskatoon. Reviewed by ning An Inconvenient Truth . Not - — among them the Guggenheims, Maureen Weber. withstanding President Trump’s and Hollywood theatre tycoons decision to withdraw from the Sid Grauman and Alexander Some of you may be familiar with the story of a Tom has one friend, Vihtori, who provides what 2015 Paris Climate Accord since Pantages. There’s even a Trump man who built a ship on the Saskatchewan Prairies support he can as Tom becomes further isolated and that premiere, at which Gore spoke connection. His German immi - in the 1930s. His intention was to use it to sail to his ridiculed. Vihtori may not understand, but he is pre - with conviction, he has reason to grant grandfather, Frederick native Finland. Until I read Dust-ship Glory , Elaine sent. Their friendship is sensitively told. remain optimistic. Not only have Trump (anglicized from Drumpf), Will’s new adaptation of this story, I wasn’t com - Will has found a unique way to tell the story, other countries reaffirmed their cli - was among those who “mined the pletely sure if this legend of the prairies was true. moving back and forth in time, from Tom’s early life mate commitments, many Ameri - miners” through gambling, booze Tom Sukanen was a Finnish Canadian pioneer with his family in Minnesota beginning in 1906, and can states and cities have done the and brothels. who in his youth in Finland learned to build the as he continues to work on his ship throughout the same. What may be more signifi - Highly revealing about a for - components of wooden ships. He also had some 1930s and into the ’40s. cant is the clean energy revolution gotten era and a cinema thought nautical skills. As a young man Sukanen sailed to Will’s acclaimed first book, Look Straight that is underway as renewable lost in time, Morrison has fash - America to find a steel-working job, but circum - Ahead , is the autobiographical account of a journey alternatives to fossil fuels become ioned what Glenn Kenny of The stances led him to take up farming. He married and through mental breakdown. Dust-ship Glory is an increasingly available and afford - New York Times rightly calls “an he and his wife had four children. Farm life was not entirely different project, but Will’s exceptional able. instantly recognizable master - successful where they lived in Minnesota, so he artistic talent brings this story to life. From the Released during summer’s piece.” decided to explore opportunities in Canada. He opening pages she effectively illustrates Sukanen’s heated political climate south of made his way to Saskatchewan on foot in search of immense size and difficult disposition. We are the border, one hopes this pointed * * * his brother, who was already farming somewhere drawn into the story as the illustrations capture the sequel will spark challenging between Saskatoon and Swift Current. Sukanen action, the characters and the desolation of the Dirty conversations. I saw Detroit on the same day hoped to obtain free farm land and eventually immi - ’30s landscape. Depression needs no words in the an Aug. 14 headline in The New grate to Canada with his family. two-page spread of a prairie dust storm. * * * Yorker asked: “Is America Headed During the time he established his homestead, Will’s illustrations present us with a man of for a New Kind of Civil War?” In Sukanen became known in the area for his mechani - determination, anger, brute force, stoicism, at times Writer-director-editor Bill the wake of the Charlottesville cal genius, his robust size and incredible strength. optimism and gentleness, intelligence, grim obses - Morrison’s Dawson City: Frozen tragedy it’s certainly troubling to But tragedy ensued when he travelled to Minnesota sion and resignation. Despite the fantastical nature Time , which premiered at the have a president who draws sup - to gather his family and bring them back. Returning of Sukanen’s project, this is not the story of a weird, Venice Film Festival a year ago, is port from white supremacists and alone, he took up his dream — or obsession — to possessed man, as most of the neighbours see him. It a must-see “only in Canada” docu - neo-Nazis. Still, America has long build a ship to sail back to Finland. is a compassionate account of someone broken by mentary that starts with an incredi - been prone to spasms of racialized Will’s Dust-ship Glory takes the form of a circumstance who deals with his hardships in a way ble story. In the late 1890s hun - violence. During the civil rights graphic novel adapted from the 1987 novel of the he alone can understand. dreds of thousands of “stamped - era of the 1960s some of Amer - same name by Andreas Schroeder. The story begins Only Elaine Will could take a true prairie leg - ers” attempted to join the Klondike ica’s cities exploded in violent in 1934 with the hull of the ship well underway and end from the Dirty ’30s and, through her artistic gold rush in the Yukon, and what protests on a far greater scale. nosey, cruel neighbours calling out insults and even gifts, tell it in the form of a graphic novel. For those had been a tiny indigenous settle - Director Kathryn Bigelow’s trying to vandalize Sukanen’s work. The local priest who are not familiar with the genre, Dust-ship ment was explosively transformed timely drama recalls events that brings children to witness someone he believes to be Glory , and Look Straight Ahead , would be excellent into Dawson City with a balloon - took place in America’s motor “possessed.” introductions. I look forward to more of her work. 10 Prairie Messenger DEEPENING OUR FAITH August 30, 2017 Revised image: getting to know our Grandmother God

Do the people around us bask in our approval, or shrink from our judgment? Is Breaking Open it a loving gaze they en counter, or a disap - the Ordinary proving one? It’s enlightening to consid - Sandy Prather er the answers as we realize we might not always express the A few years ago a friend of make forts, racing around trees love we feel for those mine became a grandmother for playing tag, dressing dolls, or around us. the first time. She had waited a snuggled in bed with a child on It’s even more en - while for this to happen and took either side as she reads, yet again, lightening when we to it with delighted joy. She is Goodnight Moon . Her grandchil - take the question and now grandma to a four-year-old dren are still young, but a founda - apply it to our relation - girl and her 16-month-old broth - tional relationship with their ship with God. Our er. Since the children live out of grandmother has been set. In her response to the simple town, my friend has become a they find steadfast love, gentle question “What do I travelling grandma, driving three presence and a champion who most often hear God hours one way most weekends to never fails to take delight in them. Leigh Weber saying to me?” can be be with them. She counts as noth - For Mother’s Day this year the revelatory of our deep - UNCONDITIONAL LOVE — Can we believe in a God who loves us like a doting est belief about the ing the hours logged in her car children’s mother crafted special grandmother and, gazing upon us, says “I love you”? What might change for us in compared with the privilege of cards for each of the children’s our relationship with God if we truly were to believe that is so? nature of God. In our sharing her grandchildren’s lives. two grandmothers. The personal - prayer, our “conversa - On any given weekend she can ized cards consisted of a series of the most?” Grandma’s most fre - identify all too easily with the two tions” with God, what do we hear be found crawling under tables to questions asked of the four-year- quent comment, as reported by polarities represented: affirmation God saying to us most frequently? old about her Grandma and Nana the little girl, was “I love you.” of unqualified love on one hand, Is it affirmation, “I love you?”; or is and the results are as cute and Nana’s most repeated statement and admonishment to good behav - it an admonishment, “Don’t,” and a Prather, BEd, MTh, is a funny as one would expect. When was declared to be a pragmatic: iour on the other. Having experi - list of prohibitions. Do we feel we teacher and facilitator in the areas asked, for example, how old her “Don’t knock your brother over.” enced both and said both, I’m sure, are held in God’s loving gaze, or of faith and spirituality. She was Grandma was, the little girl Truth be told, the children’s it encourages some interesting self- more that we are being monitored executive director at Star of the thought she was probably 16 years Nana is equally as doting and reflection. If the people in our lives for infractions? North Retreat Centre in St. Albert, old. Nana fared a little better: she wonderful as my friend is, but were polled about what we say I expect our response will often Alta., for 21 years and resides in was thought to be only 14. delightfully for us, in this instance, most often to them, what would the be that we hear the latter, the Sherwood Park with her husband, However, the best responses the practical came to the forefront. answers be? Are we high on the “don’t” comments. We have long Bob. They are blessed with four came with the question, “What is It’s the juxtaposition of the two affirming, loving scale, or are our had a theology that focused on children and 10 grandchildren. it that Grandma/Nana says to you statements that we find funny. We comments critical and disparaging? behaviour more than the disposi - tions of the heart. As a result, for too many people, God is not a lov - More films worth seeing before the end of summer ing presence, but a strict taskmaster and a calculating judge who has to Continued from page 9 Danish director Nikolaj Arcel’s quish Walter. The condensed narra - migrates there. be obeyed and appeased in order for adaptation of the Stephen King tive doesn’t do justice to the source The movie shifts back and one to be welcomed, accepted or in high school, but his profile and eight-book series, The Dark Tower , material. As child versus monster forth between childhood scenes loved. God’s love has to be earned racist fervour are suggestive of disappoints, soon to be forgotten as stories go, it’s creepy and under - and Jeanette’s career as a fashion - through good behaviour, and equal - someone who would have eagerly a slight and silly sci-fi horror fanta - whelming. able magazine writer, juggling ly, can be lost through bad behav - joined the Hitler Youth. Abetted by sy in which a dark tower, the being engaged to slick financial iour. This merit-based system has officers Flynn (Ben O’Toole) and anchor of universes, is threatened * * * analyst David (Max Greenfield) permeated our spirituality. Demens (Jack Reynor), Krauss’s by demonic forces preying on the with the reality of having anti- Yet it is surely more scriptural interrogation turns into a serial ter - minds of children. New York City The Glass Castle , directed and establishment parents living as and truer to revelation to hold “I rorizing of hotel guests, including adolescent Jake Chambers (Tom co-written by Destin Daniel homeless squatters. Through all love you” as God’s most frequent the two girls, involving verbal and Taylor) sees them in visions and Cretton, is adapted from a 2005 the twists and melodramatic comments to us. The Bible comes physical abuse plus mock execu - plasters images on his walls includ - memoir by Jeannette Walls who is episodes Jeanette can’t shake a to us as God’s love story to tions. Other security forces come ing of a “gunslinger” who turns out also at the centre of this true story soft spot for the irresponsible dad humankind where God acts in his - on the scene but back off, although to be “Roland” (Idris Elba), and a of a highly unusual family, both as who calls her “mountain goat.” tory to form a people beloved of one soldier allows a detainee to “man in black” who turns out to be a child (Ella Anderson) and adult There’s a final reconciliation and, God. Steadfast, compassionate, escape. It takes a dim-witted actual the sorcerer, “Walter” (Matthew (Brie Larson). Jeanette’s parents, as her life takes a new turn, she merciful and kind: these are the murder to end the police power- McConaughey), a sort of supreme two sisters and brother live an anar - holds on to family, underscored attributes of God extolled by the tripping that leaves three young demon. As the city shakes from chic nomadic existence on the mar - by some affectionate closing prophets and revealed through black men dead at their hands. earthquakes, mom and stepdad gins. Mom Rose Mary (Naomi images of the real Jeanette, her God’s actions. They become in - What follows is almost as (Jake’s dad died fighting fires) call Watts) indulges her passion for parents and siblings. carnate in Christ and revealed in shocking. Dismukes, who would in the shrinks. Jake isn’t crazy, but painting, while chainsmoking dad While there’s some dramatic God’s words of blessing to Jesus: probably have been killed had he a seer who absconds, finds a portal Rex (Woody Harrelson), a drunk as exaggeration, and Harrelson’s por - “This is my beloved in whom I am tried to stop the homicidal officers, from “keystone earth” into “mid- well as a dreamer, indulges his fan - trayal verges on caricature, the per - well pleased.” These words shape was hauled in by police as a sus - world,” there to meet Roland, tasy of building a solar glass house. formances by Watts, Anderson and Jesus’ life, giving him the freedom pect. Although Flynn and Demens whose saving mission is to van - After settling near hillbilly relations Larson are strong. This is a family to act as a child of God. Love is the confessed to their role in the in West Vir - movie of the disturbing kind. starting point and all God’s actions killings, backed by the police ginia, Rex flow from this affirmation. union they and Krauss were let off briefly dries * * * What it would be like to live by an all-white “justice” system out and gets with that ringing in your ears! that essentially exonerated racially a job, but A few last recommendations: Truly Jesus invites us into the same motivated murder. Black lives generally Quebec director Christian realm of relationship with God that were ended, and many more chaos Duguay’s A Bag of Marbles , a he knows. We come to it in the scarred. Larry, whose friend was reigns. The Canada-France co-production, is a Spirit, where, given the courage to among the dead, abandoned a children stirring second screen adaptation of call God “Abba,” we too know promising career, salvaging some have to Joseph Joffo’s autobiographical ourselves to be the Beloved. solace with a local church choir. make it Holocaust novel about how two It begins with a declaration of The city Detroit has since fall - largely on Jewish boys, brothers in Nazi-con - love. A four-year-old offers us the en on hard times, losing much of their own trolled France, survive through insight, with a simple, beautiful its population and economy as wits. much pluck and luck while pretend - question, “What does Grandma say probed in documentaries like Jeanette ing to be Catholic and Algerian. to you most often?” and a simple, beautiful answer, “I love you.” Can Detroit on Fire and Detropia . The CNS/Annapurna Pictures joins sister The heist thriller Logan Lucky , movie Detroit speaks to a deeper Lori in we live in such a way that others DETROIT — John Boyega stars in Detroit , a film by propelled by a pair of brothers, affliction of race-based hatred escaping to marks a welcome return to film - might give that answer about us? Kathryn Bigelow. The film throws us into the sequence Furthermore, can we believe in a that continues to trouble the soul of events that began in Detroit on July 23, 1967, after an New York. making by director Steven God who loves us like a doting of America. It’s a compelling aggressive raid by an all-white police force on an unli - Still, the Soderbergh. reminder of what happens when censed after-hours bar in a black neighbourhood past follows Taylor Sheridan’s award-win - grandmother and gazing upon us, justice is denied and of why the sparked street protests that escalated into days of riot - her when ning Wind River is a taut drama of says the same thing? What might struggle for rights must carry on. ing, looting and arson in what was then America’s fifth the rest of crime and justice on a Native change for us if we truly were to * * * largest city. the family American reservation. believe that is so? August 30, 2017 DEEPENING OUR FAITH Prairie Messenger 11 Love as fraternal correction, forgiveness and worship

Bob, a member of a religious community, was beating only say that she saw Jesus in that young man’s eyes, himself up for having resigned from an important position understood him and no longer felt anger toward him, even in his community. A friend who witnessed this felt concern if he lied on the stand and expressed no remorse. Such was Liturgy for him, came up to him and told him, “Your refusal to the power of her love that she forgave just as Jesus forgave forgive yourself is worse than anything else you have ever on the cross. and Life done.” That one statement of fraternal correction was Jesus adds an important teaching — that when we enough to nudge Bob toward finally forgiving himself, forgive someone here on earth, that forgiveness happens and it made a huge difference in his life. in heaven as well. To forgive someone else is to help Sylvain Lavoie, OMI This kind of fraternal correction is one way that we build up the reign of God here on earth and also in heav - are being asked to express love to others. Another is en. To refuse to forgive someone is to hold back the through forgiveness. growth of the kingdom of God here on earth, and in How would you summarize the Bible in one sen - The gospel today is actually a mini-manual on how to heaven as well. tence? forgive. It is also probably one of the most critical yet least John decided to live out today’s gospel by writing a The answer by St. Paul in the second reading is sim - appreciated passages in the Bible. In it, Jesus is giving us a letter to his deceased father as a way of trying to forgive ple: “Love your neighbour as you love yourself.” very simple formula on how to forgive. All we have to do, him for the hurtful way his addicted father had raised him. It is clear that our No. 1 priority must be to love sin - when hurt by someone, is to go to that person alone and He poured into that letter all his emotions that he had cerely. However, there are many ways to express love. share our feelings with him or her. If the abuser will not never shared with his father while he was still alive, read it Today’s readings highlight three key ways — fraternal listen, then we can take others with us. If they still don’t to a pillow, and shed a few tears. A week later his counsel - correction, forgiveness and worship. listen, then we are to treat them like tax collectors or gen - lor asked if it felt more like an adult-to-adult relationship Fraternal correction isn’t mentioned or talked about tiles. with his father now. John was startled. That was it — he very much in either the church or our society these The key to understanding that last phrase is to realize was no longer the kid and his father the big daddy. They days. Ezekiel, in the first reading, writes about fraternal that, in the Gospel of Matthew, the tax collector is were now friends! correction as a mandate given to him directly by God. Matthew himself. And in the Gospel of Matthew, we are John was moved to the depths of his being as he real - As a prophet called to speak the truth, unpleasant as ized that if he was healing in his relationship with his that truth may be, he was appointed by God to be a sen - Ezekiel 33:7-9 father, then his late father was healing in his relationship Twenty-third Sunday try to the House of Israel, to point out their fault, to Psalm 95 with him. The words “what is loosed on earth is loosed in in Ordinary Time warn them to renounce their sin and infidelity, to Romans 13:8-10 heaven” suddenly took on profound meaning. He was September 10, 2017 change their ways. Matthew 18:15-20 experiencing the communion of the saints! If Ezekiel does this, even if they do not repent and In the last line of today’s gospel, Jesus adds another change, he will have saved his life. But if he does not do told to go to all the gentile nations and teach them to keep way we can express our love, this time for him, and that is this, then he is told that he will be responsible for the con - the commands of Jesus, to love and forgive one another. through worship. When two or three are gathered in his sequences of the other’s wrongdoing. This is a heavy bur - What Matthew is saying is to treat them like Jesus treated name, he is there among us. When we gather together to den laid on Ezekiel, and on us as well. We also share the him — he forgave him and called him to discipleship. We pray or to worship, there is a special presence of Jesus burden of fraternal correction — of warning our brothers are to forgive and keep on forgiving. among us. What great motivation for us to celebrate and and sisters when they stray from the teachings of Jesus Retreat master and spiritual writer Paula D’Arcy lost worship as we are doing now — for Jesus is truly among and are doing wrong. her husband and daughter in an accident caused by a us. drunk driver. That loss devastated her life. For months she The eucharist is in itself an experience of forgiveness. was like a zombie. It took her years to cope with her loss. Through word and sacrament, we are forgiven, healed and Sylvain Lavoie, OMI, Archbishop Emeritus of the In the process, she ended up in court one day face-to-face transformed into the Body of Christ who is forgiveness. Archdiocese of Keewatin-The Pas, is chaplain at the Star with the young man who caused the accident. Somehow, We are then commissioned to go out and practise that of the North Retreat House in St. Albert, Alta. He contin - perhaps because of her strong faith background, she felt same forgiveness. ues to live out his motto, Regnum Dei Intra Vos (the king - surging within her a powerful force of forgiveness. What So, inspired by the Word of God today, let us continue dom of God is among you), which is his overriding focus happened to her was visible to her lawyer when he saw building up the reign of God through love expressed by and passion. how she looked at the defendant on the stand. She could fraternal correction, forgiveness and worship. After suicide it is important to redeem the memory of a loved one

everyone who knew him with a around the issue and, in a small wrought, too bruised to touch, huge, gnawing question: What way perhaps, offer some consola - and emotionally crushed, as is In does this do to his work, to the tion to those who have lost a the case with most suicides. gift that he left to the church and loved one in this way. Essentially, God’s understanding and com - to the Hispanic community? Can I say the same things each year passion exceed our own. God Exile we still honour his life and his because they need to be said. As isn’t stupid. contribution in the same way as Margaret Atwood once put it, 4. We should not unduly sec - we would have had he died of a some things need to be said and ond-guess ourselves when we Ron Rolheiser, OMI heart attack or cancer? Indeed, said and said again, until they lose a loved one to suicide: What had he died of a heart attack or don’t need to be said any more. might I have done? Where did I cancer, his death, though sad, Some things need still to be said let this person down? What if? If One year ago, virtually every - More over, Virgil wasn’t just a would undoubtedly have had about suicide. only I’d been there at the right one who knew him was stunned gifted, pioneering theologian, he about it an air of healthy closure, What things? What needs to time! Rarely would this have by the suicide death of the most was also a beloved priest and a even of celebration, that we were be said, and said again and again made a difference. Most of the prominent American Hispanic warm, trusted friend to countless saying farewell to a great man we about suicide? For the sake of time we weren’t there for the very theologian that we have produced people. Everyone dies, and the had had the privilege to know, as clarity, let me number the reason that the person who fell up to now, Virgilio Elizondo. death of a loved one is always opposed to the air of hush, points: victim to this disease did not want hard, but it was the manner of his unhealthy quiet, and unclean grief 1. First, in most cases, suicide us to be there. He or she picked death that left so many people that permeated the air at his is the result of a disease, a sick - the mo ment, the spot, and the Rolheiser, theologian, teacher, stunned and confused. Suicide! funeral. ness, an illness, a tragic break - means precisely so we wouldn’t and award-winning author, is But he was such a faith-filled, Sadly, and this is generally the down within the emotional im- be there. Suicide seems to be a president of the Oblate School of sensitive man. How could this be case when anyone dies from sui - mune system or simply a mortal disease that picks its victim pre - Theology in San Antonio, Texas. possible? cide, the manner of that death biochemical illness. cisely in such a way so as to He can be contacted through his And those questions, like the becomes a prism through which 2. For most suicides, the per - exclude others and their attentive - website: www.ronrolheiser.com. muddy waters of a flood, immedi - his or her life and work are now son dies, as the does the victim ness. This is not an excuse for Now on Facebook: www.face - ately began to seep into other seen, coloured, and permanently of any terminal illness or fatal insensitivity, but is a healthy book.com/ronrolheiser emotional crevices, leaving most tainted. It shouldn’t be so, and it’s accident, not by his or her own check against false guilt and fruit - incumbent on us, the living who choice. When people die from less second-guessing. Suicide is a love them, to redeem their memo - heart attacks, strokes, cancer, result of sickness and there are ries, to not take their photos off and accidents, they die against some sicknesses which all the our walls, to not speak in guarded their will. The same is true in love and care in the world cannot HOLY LAND terms about their deaths, and to suicide. cure. not let the particular manner of 3. We should not worry undu - 5. Finally, it’s incumbent upon PILGRIMAGE their deaths colour and taint the ly about the eternal salvation of a us, the loved ones who remain Nov. 21 - Dec. 3, 2017, with Fr. Pius Schroh goodness of their lives. Suicide is suicide victim, believing (as we here, to redeem the memory of Visiting: Jerusalem, Mt. of Olives, Bethlehem, Church of Nativity, Dead Sea, the least glamorous and most used to) that suicide is the ulti - those who die in this way so as to Sea of Galilee boat ride, Cana, Nazareth, Mount Tabor, misunderstood of all deaths. We mate act of despair. God’s hands not let the particular manner of Masada, daily mass & more . . . owe it to our loved ones, and to are infinitely more understanding their deaths become a false prism ourselves, to not further com - and gentler than our own. We through which their lives are now CALL: GOSPA TOURS pound a tragedy. need not worry about the fate of seen. A good person is a good RR 5, Site 502, Box 9, Saskatoon, SK S7K 3J8 " So each year I write a column anyone, no matter the cause of person and a sad death does not Ph: 306-384-0169 Fax: 306-384-0565 on suicide, hoping it might help death, who leaves this world change that. Nor should a misun - Email: [email protected] produce more understanding honest, over-sensitive, over- derstanding. 12 Prairie Messenger FEATURE August 30, 2017 On the ‘awe-full’ bosom of Mother Earth

By Edna Froese before feeling again two or three slight shiftings, then all was still. I am a dual citizen on planet In the morning I discovered earth. As a lifelong prairie dweller, that of the six adults in our group, I made my peace long ago with a all of us tenters, I was the only one difficult landscape. When visiting who had felt the earth move. My family mock Saskatchewan as the story was greeted with courtesy land that God forgot, I defend not but unspoken skepticism — until only the clichéd delights — cro - the next-site neighbour told us that cuses, meadowlarks waving wheat her trailer had been shaken vio - fields, the scent of sage, sunsets lently enough to wake her, and she and sunrises — but also fierce wondered if mischievous teens winter blizzards, the spectacular had come through our site as well. percussion of summer storms, the When I told her what I had felt, utter lack of boundaries in the sky. she assumed that human hands Nevertheless, when, as a young had shaken our tent (I knew that woman, I lived in the Rocky was wrong). Later I heard other Mountains for a summer, I gave my campers whose trailers had been heart to their sublime and awful rudely shaken wonder who the beauty as if I had been in exile until culprits had been. All who had then and had only just discovered layers of human construction and my true home. Becoming a lifelong several feet of air between them vacationer in the Rockies seemed and the earth had experienced the as natural as breathing. There I Edna Froese tremors as a mechanical event of could forget the prairie’s harsh nar - Sunset over the Milk River valley in Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park. human agency. ratives of grasshoppers and Then came news that an earth - drought, and my own small stories for many years. Those vacations ty. Apart from the trees along the curiosity and wonder. My soul quake in Montana (5.8 on the of grief. The mountains felt clean, had always been so soul-restoring river, this was closer to desert than remained unmoved, as if it knew Richter scale) had sent tremors even uncontaminated by human failures for me, that it took no great act of anything we’d known before. that I was an outsider, one whose farther north than Writing-on-Stone. (although I knew they were not); I discernment to know that moun - Among the sage and grasses and heart had been given elsewhere My “I told you so” satisfaction gave could breathe here, I could feel the tains were my spiritual home. prickly pear cacti lived prairie rat - and couldn’t be truly present here. way abruptly to a reverent gratitude voice of the Divine. There I was often caught up in tlesnakes and cottontail rabbits; on Then came the night when that I had been “chosen” to feel By the time I first read about worship, speechless and ecstatic in the sides of immense hoodoos heat made sleep impossible. Un - those tremors against my body. the correlation between the essen - the face of a beauty both exquisite near the river nested cliff sparrows der an almost full moon, I needed What was a rattling disturbance for tial human spiritualities and the in its changeable colours and terri - in great colonies and pack rats in no light to walk the campground everyone in trailers was, for a tent primary landscapes — forest, fying in its physical demands. This their untidy holes. road. A scant breeze ruffled state - sleeper, an intimate pressure gentle plains (or desert), water, and terrain is not to be taken lightly. Writing-on-Stone has been ly cottonwoods into soft sibilant enough not to wake anyone. If I had mountains — our family had been Rocks may be ancient and solid; sacred territory for indigenous peo - music. Could I ever learn to love been sleeping, would I have awak - tenting and hiking in the Rockies they are also unforgiving and ples for hundreds of years. Their this place? The moonlight on the ened or would it have become part moveable in dreadful ways. Yet I stories are etched on the rocks in nearby Sweet Grass Hills across of my dreams? What does it really loved it all, and felt loved within it. symbolic pictures. On the barren the border in Montana was — mean to be at one with the earth? Froese taught English litera - This summer, our family tops of hoodoos vision quests were tender? No, wrong word. “Cool” The next day we hiked up ture at St. Thomas More College camped in Writing-on-Stone held and, even now, recent sacred was more like it, with its old through the hoodoos to seek in Saskatoon for many years until Provincial Park. Above the gash of offerings left for the Creator are meaning of chilly distance. refuge from the heat in the excel - her retirement. She currently the coulee, where the Milk River mute testimony of a strong human Back in the tent, I still couldn’t lent Visitors Centre. After a futile works part time as academic edi - flows past the hoodoos, lay the relationship with the earth. sleep, although I lay quietly now. effort to absorb information, I tor while relishing the freedom to prairies, shimmering with heat, Such a powerful spiritual place Then I felt it. The very soil — so volunteered to take my turn to read and write for pleasure. drawing the eye skyward to eterni - we were visiting, yet I felt only close under me, less than two inch - stay outside with the dogs. Since es of human-made substances they were content to pant beneath between me and it — rose and fell the picnic table, I was left alone Every work of art opens conversations in a rocking motion that nearly with the land, from the grasses stopped my heart in fear. Those 30 and sage at my feet to the tower - the power of art to actually trans - seconds of earth movement were no ing hoodoos nearby, from the form society itself. dream. A sudden scatter of agitated Milk River below me to yonder It is surely in recognition of voices nearby asking “what hap - Sweet Grass Hills. This, this was this that so many of our popes pened?” told me it was real. For the the land that had moved and had Figure of have spoken on the importance of next half hour I waited, alert now, moved me with it. art, including our last three pontif - Speech fs. For John Paul II: “Society needs artists . . . who ensure the Dr. Gerry Turcotte growth of the person and the development of the community.” For Benedict XVI: “Dear artists . . . “I have filled him with divine countered that public art should you are the custodians of beauty: spirit,* with ability, intelligence, be controversial and generate thanks to your talent, you have the and knowledge in every kind of conversations, citing the fierce opportunity to speak to the heart craft, to devise artistic designs.” opposition to the Eiffel Tower as of humanity, to touch individual (Exodus 31:3) a case in point. As Don Braid and collective sensibilities. . . .” pointed out, “in the late 1800s the And in speaking to the Patrons In Calgary a recent unveiling Eiffel Tower project tore Paris of the Arts in the Vatican of public art has once again apart. . . . Writers, painters, sculp - Museums, a group whose work reignited the debate on the value tors and architects vowed ‘to is dedicated to the restoration of of tax-payer-funded projects. In protest with all our strength and treasured works, Pope Francis particular, the launch of “Bowfort all our indignation . . . against the noted, “In every age the church Towers,” a rusted metal and rock erection . . . of the useless and has called upon the arts to give installation said to mirror the monstrous Eiffel Tower. . . .’ ” expression to the beauty of her region’s mountains and echo I will go out on a limb here and faith and to proclaim the gospel Blackfoot culture, has once again suggest that the latest Calgary pro - message of the grandeur of triggered visceral opposition. For ject is unlikely to become a God’s creation, the dignity of Edna Froese some the “consultation” with beloved cultural symbol for the human beings made in his image View from Illecillewaet Glacier near Rogers Pass elders appears questionable and city. And I will admit to a personal and likeness.” unlikely. Many are furious that dislike both of the design and the It may be a stretch to suggest the project went to New Yorkers cultural appropriation of the work that public art lays claim to such when local artists are crying out itself. However, it would be a pity lofty goals, but it shouldn’t be. for work; still others balk at the if a fraught work undermined an Every work of art opens a conver - Advertise in the $500,000 price tag when city art otherwise admirable initiative, sation that connects us to our groups are desperate for funding. which is to populate public spaces shared humanity, and reminds us Needless to say, many have with art. Creative works entering of the need for beauty in a blight - PrMaoinrdiaey - FMridaey 8s:3s0 -e 5n p.mg. er the public domain is always ed world. As Pope Paul the VI important, not just as a trigger for put it in 1965: “this world in Ph. 306-682-1772 Fax 306-682-5285 Turcotte is president of St. healthy dialogue and conversation, which we live needs beauty in email: [email protected] Mary’s University in Calgary. but also as an acknowledgment of order not to sink into despair.”

August 30, 2017 FEATURE Prairie Messenger 13 Of garbage and the albatross around our necks

chicks on the remote island of Midway Atoll in the northern Pacific. Soul The birds are being fed plastic by their parents, who soar out over the sea collecting what looks Searching like food to bring back to their young. On a diet of plastic gar - bage, tens of thousands of alba - Tom Saretsky tross chicks die on this island every year from starvation, toxic - In 1798 Samuel Taylor kills an albatross. When their ship ity and choking. The carnage is Coleridge published the poem is becalmed near the equator and horrifying. In the midst of decom - “The Rime of the Ancient the crew runs out of water, his position, the plastic retains its Mariner.” The idiomatic expres - shipmates, in anger and frustra - vibrant colour. The plastic could sion, “wearing an albatross tion toward the mariner, force still be reused. The dead chicks, around your neck,” originated him to wear the dead bird around not so much. from this poem. It’s an expression his neck. It is incomprehensible that that suggests how guilt becomes It’s a fascinating expression tons of garbage ends up in the an obstacle to success. According that should resonate throughout bodies of albatrosses on this to maritime superstition it is con - our world today because we, as island every year. Piles of our sidered unlucky to kill an alba - residents of this planet, are col - bottle caps, plastic bags, tooth - tross — a graceful large white sea lectively wearing an albatross brushes, cigarette lighters, find bird. In the poem, the mariner around our necks. Not long ago, their way to the stomachs of baby the CBC Radio program “As It birds on one of the most remote Happens” featured an interview islands on earth. Saretsky is a teacher and chap - with the director of a new docu - Because of this calamity we lain at Holy Cross High School in mentary film called Albatross . must ask the question, are we Design Pics Saskatoon. He and his wife, The film hopes to attract atten - harming our planet’s ability to DIET OF DEATH — A graceful albatross with her chick. The plastic Norma, have two children, tion to the alarming calamity of support life — including our we discard ends up in the ocean where these magnificent birds mistake Nathan and Jenna. dead and decomposing albatross own? Is the message conveyed by the particles for food, feed them to their chicks, and the chicks die. All these dead and dying creatures because we can’t be bothered to alter our wasteful lifestyles. alarming enough to awaken us to Ebert was always himself a more sensible relationship with ing toward an environmental cat - preserve the earth not only for our the earth? If the answer is no, astrophe. Plastic in the stomachs own survival, but for the sake of Continued from page 8 task, and it takes more skill and then what more will it take to of dead birds on a remote island our mother earth. The time to bravery than many possess: Be awaken us? in the Pacific — dead albatrosses change is now. I believe we need to deeply about his topics, and nei - yourself on the page. For that to Environmental clubs, organi - around all of our necks. change our ways, values, life style ther his logic nor his writing were work, you must first be someone zations and public awareness The words of Elizabeth Tapia, and ways of relating with creation. sloppy. He was his own life pro - interesting and worth knowing. campaigns exist to raise aware - Philippine environmental mis - We need to live in the sense of peo - ject, and he took responsibility Ebert was both, and he let his ness for environmental concerns. sionary, say it best: ple and creation. For I believe in and care with it. He made himself readers get to know him. Unfortunately, the stigmatization “I believe in the sacredness of the inter-wovenness of life. Creator into a good man. He didn’t lecture He was a master. As a profes - of those who champion environ - the earth, the integrity of the and Creatures. Cosmic and readers about this, but it was right sor, I use his writing to teach stu - mental causes remains. They’re whole of creation and dignity of Individual. West, North, East, there in every word. dents, not only those studying either branded as “tree huggers,” all people and creatures. We South. Rest and Prayer. Food and I didn’t read him (and read him how to write arts criticism, but or dismissed as irrelevant, be - believe in a gracious God who Freedom. Theolo gy and Ecology. I still; his ongoing website of great - those studying, you know, life. cause “pollution is simply the created humankind — male and therefore commit myself, together est hits is a comfort — http: In 2006, Ebert wrote about price you pay for progress.” It’s female, and gave them the with you, to take care of mother //www.rogerebert.com/rogers- Crash , “I believe that occasional - insane that this mindset still responsibility to take care of the earth. To advocate for peace and journal) just for the thumbs up or ly a film comes along that can exists despite the overwhelming earth. We need to care. justice. To choose and celebrate thumbs down of film reviewing have an influence for the better, climate-altering, species-vanish - “I believe that when we destroy life. Amen.” — any old snark can pen a sarcas - and maybe even change us a lit - ing, habitat-destroying evidence the earth, we eventually destroy Perhaps we should adopt these tic insult and get Yelped. I read tle.” He made us believe that that continues to pile up. ourselves. We must protect and words as our new creed. him for the purity of Roger in his about film, and art, too. And Unless we literally change the words. That is the writer’s great about ourselves. way we are living, we are head - Soviets have not returned PRAIRIE MESSENGER PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY churches they confiscated

MCKERCHER LLP BARRISTERS & SOLICITORS Continued from page 1 tlement of crises, fighting terrorism KAPOOR, SELNES, & and extremism, promoting the dia - KLIMM SASKATOON: John Schachtel Federation, including the difficul - logue among religions and civiliza - Barristers & Solicitors (306) 653-2000 ties that remain in obtaining work tions and strengthening social jus - L.J.(Dick) Batten, QC 1201 - 8th St. East W. Selnes, B.A., LL.B.; permits for non-Russian religious tice and the role of the family.” G. Klimm, B.A., LL.B.; Michel G. Thibault Saskatoon, Sask. David M.A. Stack,QC (306) 978-5200 personnel and the restitution of And, he said, it is important that Phone (306) 752-5777, P.O. Box 2200 Curtis J. Onishenko Melfort, Saskatchewan S0E 1A0 some churches, which are needed the strengthening of Vatican- Galen R. Richardson   
  Phone (306) 873-4535, P.O. Box 760 for the pastoral care of Catholics Russian relations is “complemented Tisdale, Saskatchewan S0E 1T0 REGINA:     306.565.6500 in the country.” Many church by the dialogue between religions, David E. Thera, QC 
     buildings were confiscated by the which was launched during the his - former Soviet government and torical meeting between Kirill and WEBER Committed to serving the legal        
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Judging the past Should monuments to heroes of the past be Paul was a devout Jew who persecuted Chris - removed or torn down? Ontario’s public elementary tians. On his way to Damascus one day, he had a CBC’s “Cross Country Checkup” on Aug. 20 school teachers think so. The Elementary Teachers’ conversion experience and became a fervent disciple explored the events of Charlottesville and asked, Federation of Ontario passed a motion at its recent of Jesus. “Could Charlottesville happen in Canada, and how annual meeting calling on all school districts in Over the course of history, both men have been should it be handled?” Ontario to rename schools and buildings named after honoured with monuments and buildings named after Charlottesville was the scene of a “Unite the Sir John A. Macdonald. them. St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome features a promi - Right” rally on Aug. 12. It was labelled the largest They want the name change because of what it nent statue of him with the keys of the kingdom. St. gathering of white nationalists in a decade. Neo- calls Macdonald’s role as the “architect of genocide Paul’s Basilica in Rome likewise features a statue of Nazis, Klu Klux Klan members, skinheads and mem - against indigenous peoples.” Macdonald was prime the apostle with a sword, indicating the manner of his bers of various white nationalist factions clashed minister when the federal government approved the martyrdom. with counter-protesters. During the violence, a car first residential schools in the country. Both apostles are honoured for the good they rammed the demonstrators, killed a 32-year-old The teachers’ motion has also stirred up opposing eventually accomplished. Paul became an apostle to woman and injuring more than two dozen. The rally opinions on how to deal with leaders who were hon - the gentiles. Peter became head of the church. featured opposing opinions about the legacy of the oured for one cause in the past, but have since However, they also had some major flaws from their American Civil War and the removal of statues and become maligned for supporting other ignoble causes. past. One denied Jesus at a critical time in his life plaques honouring Confederate leaders who support - This brings up an interesting parallel in church and the other led a major persecution of Christians. ed slavery and racism. circles. While we don’t condone the evil people do, we At a subsequent rally in Arizona, President Many churches, for example, are named after St. don’t agree people can be fairly judged by the norms Donald Trump criticized the removal of such memo - Peter and St. Paul. One was an apostle of Jesus, and of a different age and culture. A hundred years from rials. He said, “They’re trying to take away our cul - named “the rock” by Jesus himself. Yet, it was Peter now, another cultural shift will have happened. Some ture, they’re trying to take away our history.” His who denied Jesus three times. Can there be anything of today’s heroes will be the villains tomorrow. — comments stirred up further controversy. worse than that? PWN People of the Western Arctic celebrate a thanksgiving jamboree

strangers no more. appeased, as well as shamanism in communities devastated by dis - Trading among the Inuvialuit which certain individuals in a com - eases introduced by foreigners, Life In was a long-standing tradition munity were seen to harbour su - belief in traditional medicine and between neighbours but with the pernatural powers. One story tells practices fell out of favour and Canadian arrival of European fur traders that, when a Christian missionary reliance on the medicine of the and whalers the nature of trading taught that Jesus could raise people Tan’ngit became more acceptable Arctic changed. New commodities were from the dead, the people were not along with his religious practices. introduced into the communities surprised because their own sha - For a time, there was a harmo - that would make life easier, such man did those kinds of things all nious relationship between the Jon Hansen, CSsR as steel tools, traps and firearms. the time. Inuvialuit and the church with Along with these goods came Christianity was received many communities offering large unwanted and harmful baggage slowly but had an effect over time pieces of land for the opening of I am in Paulatuk where the peo - guage and collectively are known like new diseases and alcohol. bringing changes to traditional missions. The balance of power ple have gathered for “Iqalukpik,” as “Siglit,” people of the coast. Following the traders, mission - practices such as marriage which soon began to shift, however, with the annual Arctic Char Jamboree; Contact with outsiders first be- aries arrived. At the time, religious had not existed except as a practi - control of the people’s lives coming a thanksgiving celebration for the gan as rumours of “Tan’ngit,” tradition in the Arctic included ani - cal partnership, often arranged by more and more under the influence abundance of fish and wildlife strangers coming from the east and mism, a belief that all animals had parents and recognized by the which sustains the community west by land and sea. These strang - spirits that could be angered and community. Ironically, with many — WELCOME , page 15 throughout the year. It is a home - ers were the early European explor - coming event and people from ers searching for trade routes across the region have returned to through the Northwest Passage. It Statues tell a story people need to hear join the festivities. was not until the early 19th century As I look at the many faces that formal introductions took place By Gerry Bowler, Winnipeg of the Confederacy. next best thing is to keep them and families who have congregat - when an expedition by Captain We might well examine the apart where they are not already ed I ponder the questions of who John Franklin, to the mouth of the Frantic officials in the Ameri- racist speech of Civil War-era together. If white and black people these people are, where did they Mackenzie River and the nearby can south are joining with the politicians to see what motivates never get together in Kansas, they come from and how did they find coasts, revealed the Inuvialuit peo - Taliban and Islamic State as the the iconoclasts of today to act will never mix blood in Kansas.” their way to this beautiful but ple to the rest of the world for the latest group to destroy memori - against stone images. Here’s an Here’s another: remote part of the world? first time. als to the past. Specifically, they example to consider: “I am not, nor ever have been, Evidence shows that the Cana- News of the expedition spread are tearing down statues in praise “There is a natural disgust in in favour of bringing about in any dian Arctic has been populated by quickly and inspired many other the minds of nearly all white peo - way the social and political equali - human cultures for more than voyages and contact between the ple to the idea of indiscriminate ty of the white and black races; I 4,000 years. The earliest known Inuvialuit and European explor - Bowler is a senior fellow at the amalgamation of the white and am not nor ever have been in group were the Pre-Dorset who ers, fur traders and missionaries Frontier Centre for Public Policy; black races. . . . A separation of the favour of making voters or jurors migrated eastward from Si beria would quickly increase. For bet - he taught history at the University races is the only perfect preventive of Negroes, nor of qualifying them and the area we now know as ter or for worse, the people from of Manitoba for 25 years. of amalgamation, but as an imme - to hold office, nor to intermarry Alaska, and across the northern these disparate cultures would be www.troymedia.com diate separation is impossible, the with white people . . . there is a regions of present-day Canada. physical difference between the These people survived for a time in white and black races which I the difficult conditions of the north believe will forever forbid the two but did not flour ish and signs of races living together on terms of their presence in the western Arctic social and political equality. And show that they disappeared from inasmuch as they cannot so live, here about 2,500 years ago. while they do remain together The next wave of migration was there must be the position of supe - the Thule people who also made rior and inferior, and I, as much as their way east from Alaska about any other man, am in favour of 1,200 hundred years ago. The Thule having the superior position followed the seasonal path of the assigned to the white race.” bow whale which slowly extended Those statements — offensive eastward as the Arctic warmed and to modern ears — emerged from soon the people found themselves the lips of Abraham Lincoln, settling and adapting to the new whose monument in Washington, environment. It was from this small as of this moment at least, remains group of nomadic hunters that the untouched and whose portrait still modern-day Inuvialuit evolved and adorns America’s $5 bill. began to thrive in the region of the The supreme expression of western Canadian Arctic. sculpted American shrines is Today the communities of Mount Rushmore in South Paula tuk, Tuktoyaktuk and Ulukha - Dakota, with its giant heads of ktok hold on to this culture and lan - George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Jon Hansen Theodore Roosevelt. Two of Hansen is a Redemptorist DRUM DANCE — Residents of the western Canadian Arctic came to Paulatuk for “Iqalukpik,” the annual those were slave owners, one was priest and pastor of Our Lady of Arctic Char Jamboree. It is a thanksgiving celebration for the abundance of fish and wildlife which sus - in favour of deporting black Amer- Victory Parish, Inuvik. See his tains the community throughout the year. It included a drum dance for participants of all ages. It is a website: www.jonhansenccsr.com homecoming event for people from across the region. — HISTORY , page 15 August 30, 2017 LETTERS Prairie Messenger 15

Colonialism needs to be tackled in all its faces

The Editor: I support the calls denominations. This was an authentic cultures of life. for Pope Francis to come to intentional strategy to destroy tra - COLF, a joint venture of the Canada to apologize if it is for ditional indigenous families, cul - Supreme Council of the Knights of Catholics’ participation in histori - tures and governance structures Columbus and the CCCB, is well cal colonialism and to stop their so the colonizers could more easi - funded with access to the Knights participation in neo-colonialism. ly “develop” resources in a man - national network of volunteers. In a May 9 interview with the ner that suited them. KAIROS , an underfunded ecu - French La Croix Pope Francis The resulting intergenerational menical organization with few vol - stated: “The duty of Christianity harm kills and denies people life unteers, has an excellent experien - is that of service. There is no with dignity to this day. tial tool called The Blanket Exer - room for colonialism.” Catholic business executives, cise. It positions the residential The research done for the 1996 politicians and voters who value schools in their colonial context. Report of the Royal Commission profit over life or understand our In preparation for the pope’s on Aboriginal Peoples documents continuous pro-life ethic only in apology, if COLF sponsored this subsequent federal governments terms of anti-choice legislation introductory exposure to the orig - intentionally underfunded the were involved in the making of inal sin upon which Canada was Indian residential schools. these decisions, as they are in founded, substantive change It is incorrect to blame only ones about neo-colonialism today. could finally be realized. G. Schmitz the church charities and religious Given all the apologies, in - And perhaps Jason Kenny orders operating them for the con - cluding the 2008 one by Prime would not dismiss inclusion of Damascus Road ditions many experienced there. Minister Harper, have not resulted colonialism in Alberta’s social This research also documents in substantive change, the Catho- studies curriculum as “ideology” I know Paul, how the road felt as it came up to meet your face. siblings were sent to different lic Organization for Life and or “political correctness.” — Yours was stones and clay schools in different parts of the Family (COLF) has an important Yvonne Zarowny, Qualicum the stuff of Adam and new creation. country operated by different role to play if we are to co-create Beach, B.C. Mine was snow and ice, water, the stuff of death and birth So Paul how long did it take you Is there any way to save the Prairie Messenger ? to stop cursing the weather, the road, The Editor: I have been read - There is no other source that I bishops to recommend the paper to the dust up your nose and ing the letters to the editor and am aware of that will give me the all parishioners in their dioceses? the stubborn, stupid animal note that there are many sub - up-to-date information on the There are some sites on the Internet the causes of your downfall? scribers who would be willing to Catholic Church. Neither do I that give comments on Scripture How long did it take to realize pay for a large increase in yearly know of any other paper or maga - but I have not found any that are as who was the stubborn animal on that road rates if that would keep the paper zine that has such a variety of all-inclusive as the Prairie Mes sen - and see the hand of God? I understand it took you only a few days. alive. I know several of my writers with thought-provoking ger with reports on our religion and but then of course you are a saint and I — friends who have not written but articles. It has already been said by other faiths around the world . I am only me would like to see the Prairie Mes - many that the Prairie Messenger Is there any hope of saving the senger continue past May 2018. I is an invaluable source of informa - Prairie Messenger ? By Jo Oliver would pay up to $100 a year for tion and spiritual direction. A concerned and sad reader. — this special paper. Have you considered asking our Naden Hewko, Macklin, Sask. PM is read cover to cover Welcome guest at the Arctic jamboree The Editor: I am sorry to ed reading the Messenger in hear that the Prairie Messenger total each issue. It is our only will not be available after May, reliable source of religious- Continued from page 14 after a long and arduous process, ties of the Jamboree weekend I 2018. related information throughout the Inuvialuit Claims Settlement find myself a welcome guest I have subscribed since the the world. — Eugene Thera, of the church and of government. Act, known as the Inuvialuit Final amid a people who are proud of late ’50s and have recently start - Saskatoon This is perhaps best reflected Agreement, was signed into law their heritage, culture and tradi - in the residential schools which ensuring the self-determination tions. I represent a church which Thanks for offering different world view were opened across the north, the for the Inuvialuit about the future they love but which has also negative effects of which we are of their culture, the stewardship caused them pain. As we journey The Editor: I am deeply sad - varied content and differing now trying to heal across our of their environment and their and embrace the work of recon - dened that your are terminating opinions on so many current country. participation in the Canadian gov - ciliation and healing it is my hope this publication. For some reason issues. Today the Inuvialuit are re- ernment, society and economy. that we can continue writing the I was not aware of your financial Thank you for enriching my gaining their autonomy. In 1984, As I participate in the activi - next chapter of the story together. situation. spiritual life. Thank you for offer - Your articles have been greatly ing a world view different from so helpful to me over the years that I many views offered by the media History surfaces uncomfortable statements have been a subscriber. It has also outlets which so constantly assail been enjoyed by other family all our senses. Continued from page 14 his attorney general who was seek - Blood First Nations “were nothing members and friends. God bless you and keep your ing to talk to him about a racial but savages.” Your publication is one of the light shining for all his pilgrims icans to Africa, and the other incident in the south, “I warned The past is a foreign country, it few available in Canada, if not — Noella Dumesnil-Nuttin, spoke of native Americans as you not to call me again about any has been said, and they do things the only one, which offers such Saskatoon “squalid savages” whose lands of Eleanor’s n—s. Call me one differently there. We commit the had to be taken by the white race. more time and you are fired.” historical fallacy of “presentism” PM has been a longtime friend, mentor You could fill volumes with Saskatchewan Premier Tommy when we insist that figures of the uncomfortable statements Douglas, subject of a laudatory bygone days be judged by our The Editor: The PM , my meaning to go back and reread uttered in the past by people statue in Weyburn, in the same prejudices. Those who object to longtime friend/mentor/formation some fact-filled and/or meditative whom we now revere. Mahatma year that Adolf Hitler passed Nazi the statues to Robert E. Lee or (teacher) regarding my Catholic articles. I, as others, would be Gandhi objected to people of his eugenics legislation stated that Stonewall Jackson see them as religion, will be discontinued. willing to pay double or $100 per race sharing a railway compart - the immoral and the feeble-mind - bronzed hymns to slavery; those How sad!! year for a subscription. We need ment with the black African ed of Canada should be prevented who wish to keep them erect see But, like so many others, I the PM’s brilliant journalism and whose sole ambition, he thought, from breeding and that a test of them as honouring their sense of have pondered on the idea that the its factual, uplifting and impartial was “to collect a certain number genetic fitness should be required rootedness in a distinct culture. PM could be published every two reporting. of cattle to buy a wife with and, of all those seeking a marriage Society is better served by weeks as the paper is packed with My question is: has publishing then, pass his life in indolence licence. using such controversial images so much important information the PM biweekly or monthly ever and nakedness.” Louis Riel, honoured by two as teaching points, juxtaposing and even if it was published only been considered and could it be a Liberal icon Franklin D. statues in Winnipeg, committed these memorials with displays once a month, it would still be a possibility? This could be an Roosevelt appointed a former the now-unforgivable act of teach - discussing the issue. As citizens, consolation. option to keep the journal viable. member of the Ku Klux Klan to ing in an Indian residential school we must keep communicating Fortunately, over the last few — Odette Fafard Ste-Marthe, the Supreme Court and once told and opined that the Blackfoot and with each other and with the past. years I have kept all the copies, (Rocanville) Sask.

Editor: Abbot Peter Novecosky, OSB 306-682-1772 Subscriptions: $18.00 until May 2018; tax included; U.S. $115.00 per year. Foreign $175.00 per year. Associate editors: Maureen Weber , Single copy: $1.00 GST#10780 2928 RT0001 Don Ward Copy and advertising should arrive 12 days before publication date. Layout artist: Lucille Stewart Change of address: Please allow 3-4 weeks for processing and send Advertising: Gail Kleefeld 306-682-1772 both old and new addresses. Circulation: Gail Kleefeld 306-682-1772 Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to: Website: http://www.prairiemessenger.ca Circulation Department Regina diocesan editor: Frank Flegel 306-586-7316, 306-352-1651 100 College Drive, Box 190, Muenster, Sask., S0K 2Y0 Saskatoon diocesan editor: Kiply Lukan Yaworski 306-242-1500, 306-651-3935 Prince Albert: Chancery Office 306-922-4747 Fax: (306) 682-5285 [email protected] Member of Winnipeg diocesan editor: James Buchok 204-452-2227 Published by the Benedictine monks of St. Peter’s Abbey. Canadian Church Press Saint-Boniface Chancery Office 204-237-9851 and the CCNA Printed by St. Peter’s Press, Muenster, Sask. CN ISSN 0032-664X Publication Mail Agreement No. 40030139 16 Prairie Messenger INTERNATIONAL NEWS August 30, 2017 Scientists tinkering with DNA an ethical issue

By Dennis Sadowski the purpose of doing lethal experi - ity to pump blood. used in the work, 42 showed the bryos were used to create a baby ments on them. I think the public Shoukhrat Mitalipov, director gene correction, a rate of more than is problematic, however, for WASHINGTON (CNS) — needs to be well aware of that and of the Centre for Embryonic Cell 70 per cent. Cath olic ethicists, who say the Catholic observers and others are hopefully horrified by that reality,” and Gene Therapy at the Oregon Mainstream scientists were destruction of human life violates raising ethical questions about the said Gregory Schleppenbach, asso - Health and Science University, is buoyed by the high rate. the basic premise of church work of an international team of ciate director of the Secretariat of a leader of the team. He said the The fact that none of the em- teaching that all life is sacred. scientists who report that they Pro-Life Activities at the U.S. effort may lead to the ability to were able to edit the DNA in Conference of Catholic Bishops in edit genes to correct other debili - human embryos to correct a health Wash ington. tating diseases. disorder. “Certainly there should be Supporters of the research The questions focus on two concerns about genetically modi - hailed the breakthrough, saying it concerns: the creation of human fying human beings in a way that could lead to similar efforts to embryos for scientific experimen - we don’t really know what effect prevent cystic fibrosis, Hunting - tation and then destruction, and that will have to subsequent gen - ton’s disease, an inherited form of the still-unknown effect that erations,” he told Catholic News Alzheimer’s disease, and perhaps changing DNA will have on future Service. breast and ovarian cancer caused generations because the changes The focus of such concerns is by mutation in BRCA genes, could become a permanent part of a report that appeared online Aug. which produce tumour-suppressor a family’s genetic line. 2 in the journal Nature. Scientists proteins. “BRCA” stands for The success reported by the said they were able to edit the “breast cancer gene.” scientists in work funded by the DNA in human embryos without In their work, the scientists Oregon Health and Science introducing other harmful muta - obtained sperm from a donor carry - University worries observers, tions that have plagued other ing the heart disorder mutation and who said that it could lead to the efforts. used the sperm to fertilize dozens development of “designer babies” The particular experiment of eggs from healthy women. At with traits that make them seem involved gene editing to correct a fertilization, the researchers also superior. genetic defect that causes a heart injected a gene-editing tool known CNS/Nancy McNally “Now we’re specifically manu - disorder known as cardiomyopa - as CRISPR-Cas9. The scientists SOUTH SUDAN FACES HUNGER — Women carry bags of sorghum facturing human embryos solely for thy, which affects the heart’s abil - reported that of the 58 embryos and split yellow peas in Pajut, South Sudan. Up to 20 million people in South Sudan, Yemen, Somalia and northeast Nigeria face the prospect Euthanasia of psychiatric patients forseen of famine this year.

By Jonathan Luxmoore of the Dutch euthanasia law, said suicide is now concerned,” the Vatican II liturgical reform he fully favoured “self-determina - cardinal said. “But the Dutch OXFORD, England (CNS) — tion” and was unconcerned about bishops’ conference has warned ‘irreversible,’ pope confirms Recent increases in euthanasia the increase in euthanasia deaths. from the beginning against violat - and assisted suicide deaths among However, he added that he was ing the intrinsic dignity of human By Junno Arocho Esteves church must continue to rediscov - psychiatric and dementia patients alarmed by euthanasia’s extension life through euthanasia or assisted er the reasons for the reform and reflect the concerns church offi - to psychiatric patients, as well as suicide, because it is never ever VATICAN CITY (CNS) — “overcome unfounded and super - cials expressed years ago, said a to dementia sufferers, 141 of allowable to violate intrinsic val - The Catholic Church must contin - ficial readings, partial revelations, Dutch cardinal. whom were killed in 2016, com - ues, and because in doing so you ue to work to understand the litur - and practices that disfigure it.” Cardinal Willem Eijk of pared to just 12 in 2009. put yourself on a slippery slope. gical reforms of the Second Reflecting on the week’s theme Utrecht, Netherlands, said psychi - In an Aug. 1 statement to “But was it not naive, when he Vatican Council and why they — “A living liturgy for a living atrist Boudewijn Chabot was Catholic News Service, Eijk, who started this in the 1990s, to sup - were made, rather than rethinking church” — Pope Francis said the right to complain that doctors heads the Dutch bishops’ medical pose that ending life for psychi - them, Pope Francis said. liturgy is “alive” through the living were now ignoring legal require - ethics commission, said, “Chabot atric disorders would remain lim - “After this magisterium, after presence of Jesus. Liturgical signs, ments that a patient requesting is now complaining about a devel - ited to a few cases only?” the car - this long journey, we can affirm including the altar, direct the gaze death should be “suffering un - opment he himself initiated.” dinal asked. with certainty and magisterial of the priest and the faithful to bearably and without prospect.” “Of course, it’s good to read The Netherlands became the authority that the liturgical reform “Christ, the living stone, who was Writing in the NRC Han - that an initiator and early advo - world’s first country to legalize is irreversible,” Pope Francis told discarded by men but has become delsblad daily, Chabot, a pioneer cate of euthanasia and assisted euthanasia and assisted suicide in participants in Italy’s National the cornerstone of the spiritual edi - 2002 and has since witnessed a Liturgical Week. fice in which we worship.” rapid increase in related deaths, The pope’s speech to the 800 “The liturgy is life for the with 20 now occurring daily, ac - participants Aug. 24 was the entire people of the church,” he cording to a May report by the Re- longest and most systematic talk said. “By its nature, the liturgy is gional Euthanasia Commis sion. he has given as pope on the theme ‘popular’ and not clerical, because The report said 6,672 euthanasia of the liturgy since Vatican II. it is — as the etymology teaches deaths had been registered in 2015, Instead of reconsidering the us — an action for the people, but compared to just 150 from assisted council’s reforms, he said, priests also of the people.” suicide, while 431 patients had been and liturgists should work on The liturgy, he continued, killed without explicit consent. “rediscovering the decisions unites church members through Eijk said euthanasia had origi - made” in reforming the liturgy, prayer, and it “gathers in prayer nally been permitted only “at the “internalizing its inspirational all those who seek to listen to the explicit request of a patient in the principles and observing the disci - Gospel without discarding any - terminal stage of an incurable pline that governs it.” one; it summons the great and somatic disease,” but had been The National Liturgical Week is small, rich and poor, children and steadily extended and was now sponsored by the Liturgical Action elderly people, healthy and sick, accepted “before the terminal Centre, which organizes liturgical just ones and sinners.” stage of life.” training as well as national, region - “In the image of the ‘immense “When one breaks the principle al and diocesan conventions to multitude’ celebrating the liturgy that human life is an essential “disseminate and promote liturgi - in the sanctuary of heaven,” Pope value, one steps on the slippery cal pastoral guidelines proposed by Francis said, “the liturgical slope,” the cardinal added. “Dutch the Italian bishops’ conference,” assembly overcomes through experiences teach that we will be according to its website. Christ every boundary of age, confronted time and again with the After congratulating the orga - race, language and nation.” question whether the ending of life nization on its 70th anniversary, The liturgy is “not an idea to shouldn’t also be possible with less Pope Francis said the church has understand,” but rather a “source serious forms of suffering.” lived through “substantial and not of life and light for our journey of In a landmark case in the early superficial” events throughout its faith,” he said. Therefore, the rites 1990s, Chabot was found crimi - history, including with the Second and prayers become “a school of nally guilty, but spared punish - Vatican Council and the subse - Christian life” for the faithful “by CNS/Vatican Philatelic and Numismatic Office ment, for assisting the suicide of a quent liturgical reform. what they are and not by the EASTERN CHURCHES STAMP — The Vatican Philatelic and 50-year-old healthy woman suf - Citing the Second Vatican Coun - explanations we give them.” Numismatic Office is marking the 100th anniversary of the Congregation fering “existential distress.” cil’s Constitution on the Sacred Lit- “This is still the commitment I for Eastern Churches with a stamp featuring details from the chapel in However, in a January 2017 urgy, “ Sacrosanctum Concilium ,” the ask of you today: to help ordained the congregation’s office. The stamp will be released Sept. 7. petition, he and 200 other Dutch pope said the reform responded to ministers as well as other minis - doctors warned that legal protec - “real needs and the concrete hope for ters — cantors, artists, musicians tions were “slowly breaking a renewal,” which would offer a liv - — co-operate so that the liturgy The mind creates the abyss, the heart crosses it. down,” with many dementia and ing liturgy where the faithful were no may be the source and culmina - — Sri Risargadatta psychiatric patients being killed longer “strangers or silent spectators.” tion of the vitality of the church,” “without actual oral consent.” For this reason, he added, the the pope said.