Single Issue: $1.00 Publication Mail Agreement No. 40030139 CATHOLIC JOURNAL Vol. 94 No. 45 May 10, 2017 D&P celebrates Development and Peace marks 50th This week’s issue pays tribute to the work of By Kiply Lukan Yaworski the empowerment of the laity mator in Saskatchewan; Nettie Development and Peace, shaped Development and Peace in Macala, a social activist and sup - which was established in SASKATOON — Past, present, a profound way.” porter in the Archdiocese of 1967 by the Canadian bishops and future were highlighted during Finally, the focus in Devel op- Regina; Therese LeClair, named in response to Pope Paul a program held April 30 in Saska - ment and Peace has always been on president of social justice for the toon to mark the 50th anni versary partners in the global south, and Diocese of Gravelbourg in 1983; VI’s encyclical Populorum of Development and Peace. relating to them in a way that is Joe Meehan, “a fierce defender” Progressio , on the develop - Speakers at an anniversary “truly empowering and respectful.” of Development and Peace from ment of peoples. ban quet held at St. Mary’s Parish A lively “reader’s theatre” panel North Battleford; and Sister — pages 1, 6, 10-13 in Saskatoon related the history of presentation written by Sister Margaret Bernard, a Bruno Ursu - the Canadian Catholic organiza - Teresita Kambeitz, OSU, gave an line in St. Peter’s Abbacy “who Notwithstanding tion, and highlighted local heroes overview of the history of the fearlessly chaired” the Devel - who have supported, nurtured and Canadian Catholic Organiza tion for opment and Peace committee Premier Brad Wall has decid - furthered efforts by Development Development and Peace (CCODP), there for many years. ed to invoke the notwith - and Peace to “put the Gospel into created by the Catholic bishops of The work of Development and standing action” both globally and locally Canada in response to Pope Paul Peace was also highlighted by the clause of over the past 50 years. VI’s ground-breaking encyclical panel, including Share Lent, The Cana - Emceed by Michelle Dinter- On the Development of Peoples and which began in 1968 and has dian Char - Lipinski, the evening began with a his observation that “the new name raised some $650 million for proj - Kip Yaworski ter of Rights prayer led by Christine Zyla, “lift - for peace is development.” ects in 120 countries; and the Fall Arch bishop Emeritus and Free - ing up our hearts in gratitude and The panel of Brendan Bitz, Action Campaign, which was ini - James Weisgerber joy” to thank God for “50 years of Kim Paisley, Judy Corkery, Larry tiated in 1982 with a three-year doms to put camaraderie, of solidarity, of part - Yakimoski, Celeste Woloschuk education and action campaign on year, while youth delegate Desiree on hold a recent court nership and learning.” and Richard Medernach recalled militarization as an obstacle to Nelson spoke about the impor - decision denying funding Gertrude Rompré spoke about the visit of Romeo Maione, the development. tance of official membership, and for non-Catholic students Development and Peace as a first executive director of CCODP “In 1996, when there was a the impact of supporting CCODP attending Catholic schools. movement coming out of the (1967 - 1973), who spoke at Holy national ecumenical campaign on with a monthly donation year — page 3 Second Vatican Council, and en - Cross High School in Saskatoon the forgiveness of debt, Saskatch e- round. counters among bishops from all in the 1970s. wan collected almost 28,000 signa - Margaret Schwab of the Cath - Holocaust memorial over the world. They also discussed which de- tures, the highest percentage of all olic Women’s League spoke about Vatican II also opened the parted Development and Peace regions of Canada,” said Corkery. the league’s longtime program of The annual Yom Hashoah doors and “imagined the laity in a supporters they would like to meet As the program continued, support for Development and memorial service at Beth whole new way,” Rompré pointed in heaven, including Susan Eaton, Danny Gillis presented informa - Peace, while Lawrence Townley- Jacob Synagogue in Regina out. “The laity were called to who in 1976 became the first full- tion on a book and other merchan - Smith spoke on behalf of the was more sombre than usual become leaven in the world, and time Development and Peace ani - dise created for the anniversary Knights of Columbus. Former provincial animator this year this owing to the Michael Murphy explained the unexpected death of the Vatican investigates euthanasia in Belgium origin of the name of the Devel - guest speaker, Holocaust opment and Peace newsletter, The survivor Amek Adler. By Simon Caldwell sonally examining the situation. tact with the Vatican — the Caragana , sharing a song about — page 6 Stockman complained directly Congregation (for Institutes) of how the hardy prairie hedge with MANCHESTER, England to Rome after the Brothers of Consecrated Life (and Societies of its strong roots “keeps the topsoil Trudeau visit (CNS) — The Vatican is investi - Charity Group, which runs 15 cen - gating the decision of a group of tres for psychiatric patients across — BROTHERS , page 8 — ECONOMICS , page 7 Following in the footsteps psychiatric care centres run by a Belgium, rejected a formal request of his father, Pierre Elliot Catholic religious order in Bel- from him to reverse the new policy. Christian leaders issue Trudeau, gium to permit doctors to perform In a May 4 email to CNS, Prime euthanasia of “non-terminal” men - Stockman said: “Because it is a appeal to help South Sudan Minister tally ill patients on its premises. matter of the Belgian group, I Justin Brother Rene Stockman, superi - informed the Belgian bishops’ con - By Deborah Gyapong Trudeau or general of the Brothers of ference in order to ask for their 2011 that has been wracked by civil Charity, told Catholic News Serv- opinion and to ask a clear state - war since 2013. Canada has con - recently ice that Cardinal Pietro Parolin, ment of them.” OTTAWA (CCN) — Canada’s tributed 10 peacekeepers so far. paid a visit Vatican Secretary of State, is per - “At the same time, I am in con - Catholic bishops have joined other “We are continuing to hear dis - to Miller Comprehensive Christian leaders in making an turbing reports of gross violations Catholic High School urgent appeal to Prime Minister of fundamental human rights car - in Regina. The elder Justin Trudeau to help South Sudan. ried out with total impunity,” the Trudeau had visited “Mr. Prime Minister, if the vio - religious leaders’ letter said. the school during lence continues unabated, the eth - The letter pointed to recent a national tour in 1972. nic tribes in South Sudan risk communications from the Catho - — page 7 becoming further alienated from lic bishops of South Sudan who one another, making the governing report human rights violations on Islam and of this young country more diffi - the part of both the opposition and cult and complex when eventually government forces. These include: two popes there is a cessation to the vio - the killing and torture of civilians; lence,” said an April 27 letter rape and sexual violence as a tool The global growth of Islam signed by the president of the of war; unlawful detention; muti - and in particular the rise of Canadian Conference of Catholic lation, burning or dumping of Islamic extremism have Bishops (CCCB) Bishop Douglas human bodies into sewage tanks; forced recent popes to set Crosby of Hamilton, the Primate collective punishment on civil - out, with increasing of the Anglican Church of Canada ians; crop destruction; and the urgency, a strategy for Archbishop Fred Hiltz, and the blocking of humanitarian assis - CNS/Julien Warnand, EPA Moderator of the Presbyterian tance, the ecumenical leaders said. engaging the religion. BELGIUM PUSHES EUTHANASIA — Activists of the collective Church in Canada Rev. Douglas In a Feb. 16 communiqué the The two divergent Yellow Safety Jacket take part in an anti-euthanasia protest Feb. 11, H. Rollwage. South Sudan bishops warned 4.9 approaches of Francis 2014, in Brussels. A group of psychiatric care centres run by a Catholic The ecumenical leaders urged million people will soon face a and Benedict are explored. religious order in Belgium has announced it will permit doctors to Canada to consider increasing the “food crisis across the country” and — page 15 undertake the euthanasia of “non-terminal” mentally ill patients on its number of peacekeepers it has com - the number could grow to 5.9 mil- premises. The Brothers of Charity have asked the Vatican to investigate mitted to the UN mission in South the decision of their lay board of directors. Sudan, a new country formed in — CANADA , page 5 2 Prairie Messenger INTERNATIONAL NEWS May 10, 2017 American Catholics join People’s Climate March

By Dennis Sadowski bly with the planet, remember the needs of others around the world WASHINGTON (CNS) — and to reduce consumption and Carrying banners and signs with energy usage for the sake of God’s quotes from Pope Francis’ en - creation. cyclical Laudato Si’ , hundreds of They also wanted to send a Catholics joined the People’s message to President Donald Climate March to call for moral and Trump that his policies on the prayerful action to protect creation. environment and energy develop - On a sweltering day that rein - ment do not follow the pontiff’s forced the message about the need call to protect Earth. to respond to climate change — the For Manny and Mary Hotch- 91-degree temperature at 3 p.m. kiss, the march was their second April 29 tied a 43-year-old in two weeks. Both scientists, the Washington record for the date — couple from Portland, Oregon, many in the Catholic contingent joined a regional March for said they felt they had a moral obli - Science in New Orleans April 22 gation to witness in the streets. as they made their way on a cross- “We march for our grandchil - country trip to a meeting of dren. Stop global warming,” read Maryknoll affiliates in Ossining, one sign propped up in the back of New York. St. Dominic Church in Wash ing - After the mass, Mary Hotch- ton, where about 300 people gath - kiss, 72, a chemist, said the cou - ered before the march for mass ple’s involvement was required by celebrated by Dominican Father their Catholic faith. Manny CNS/Dennis Sadowski Hyacinth Marie Cordell, the Hotchkiss, 74, a mechanical engi - MARCH FOR CLIMATE CHANGE — Faithful gather at St. Dominic Church in Washington prior to the parish’s parochial vicar. neer, expressed dismay about the start of the People’s Climate March April 29. “The Vatican is solar. What president’s policies. about US?” read another. “We “The most important thing I see ly. He said each person must act in according to what is best for all, ber of the Congregation of St. resist, we build, we rise,” read a with this political scene, and it any way possible to protect God’s especially for the poor and for Joseph in LaGrange Park, Illinois, sign from St. Francis and Therese brings a tear to my eye to think creation: reducing energy usage; future generations,” the Domini - was pleased to hear Father Cordell Catholic Worker Community in about it, is that everything I tried to limiting waste; choosing carpool - can said. “This ecological conver - stress the encyclical’s themes. Worcester, Massachusetts. teach our kids growing up (about ing or biking and walking more; sion calls us to self-examination, “I feel like I’m marching for Underlying the messages on science) is fully rejected by the and buying less. to make an inventory of our lives the children, for the future,” she the signs and banners were people current administration,” he said. “We can learn increasingly to and habits so that we can learn to told Catholic News Service. who shared a heartfelt concern to The 300 people at the mass act not only with our own good be better stewards of our common “Earth is getting bad for us. If we carry out Pope Francis’ call in his heard Cordell call for an “ecolog - and convenience in mind, but home and its resources, which are don’t do something there’s not 2015 encyclical to live responsi - ical conversion” during his homi - above all to think and choose meant for the good of all.” going to be anything like we’ve He said such steps require a rev - known for the future generations, olution of the heart, as Pope Francis and it breaks my heart.” Egypt is a beacon of hope and refuge has called each person to under - Other members of Sherman’s take. He described it as a “change congregation joined a satellite By Junno Arocho Esteves that part of the world suffered Muslims in Egypt, he said, is a toward responsibility and virtue, a march in Chicago, but she made famine, Jacob and his sons went sign of the country’s identity “as a transition to thinking about the the trek to Washington on her own VATICAN CITY (CNS) — there. Then when Jesus was perse - land of civilization and a land of common good, future generations, because she said she felt it was Just as it had been for centuries, cuted, he went there,” he said. “ covenant.” the poor, other living beings, God’s important to take a message direct - Egypt can be a sign of hope for Egypt, for us, is that sign of hope “For all of humanity, Egypt is glory and the environment in all of ly to administration officials. those who long for peace, Pope both in history and for today, this synonymous with ancient civiliza - our decisions instead of thinking “I think it’s so essential that we Francis said. brotherhood.” tion, treasures of art and of knowl - only in terms of a short-term, fleet - connect climate degradation with During his weekly general The pope’s April 28 - 29 visit edge, of a humanism that has, as ing and superficial good or conven - economic and racial justice,” audience May 3, the pope reflect - to Cairo began with a gathering an integral part, a religious dimen - ience for ourselves.” Sherman added. “It’s just the ed on his recent visit to Egypt and organized by Egypt’s al-Azhar sion — the relationship with Sister Kathy Sherman, a mem - whole sense of the oneness.” said that because of its religious University, Sunni Islam’s highest God,” he said. and cultural heritage as well as its institute of learning. Christians in Egypt, the pope To evangelize, one must get role in the Middle East, Egypt has The visit to the university, he continued, play a pivotal role in the task of promoting a lasting said, had the twofold purpose of contributing to peace in the coun - up, go out and listen: pope peace that “rests not on the law of promoting Christian-Muslim dia - try and are “called to be a leaven force but on the force of law.” logue and promoting peace in the of brotherhood,” but that is possi - “For us, Egypt has been a sign world. ble only if Christians themselves By Cindy Wooden Ananias and Sapphira, who used of hope, refuge and help. When Peace between Christians and are united in Christ. their position in the early Christian The historic agreement signed VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The community for their own gain. by Pope Francis and Coptic Or- best formula for Catholic evange - The day’s first reading was thodox Pope Tawadros II ending a lization is “go and listen,” not “go from the eighth chapter and longtime disagreement between and proselytize,” Pope Francis described the story of the Apostle the churches over the sacrament of said. Philip and the Ethiopian. The baptism “renews the commitment” “All men and women have a “angel of the Lord” tells Philip to to peace and is “a strong sign of restlessness, whether good or bad, “get up and go” along the road communion,” he said. in their hearts. Listen to that rest - where he will eventually meet the “Together we prayed for the lessness,” the pope said May 4 Ethiopian. martyrs of the recent attacks that during his early morning mass. “To evangelize,” the pope said, tragically struck that venerable The first step in sharing the one must “get up and go. It does church,” Pope Francis said. “Their faith, he said, is always to go out not say, ‘Stay seated, relax, make blood made fruitful that ecumenical and the second is always to listen yourself at home.’ No. To be faith - encounter, which included Ecumen - to the joys, questions and concerns ful to the Lord, the church always i cal Patriarch Bartholomew of Con - of the people one meets. must be on its feet and walking.” stantinople, my dear brother.” To evangelize one must know Next, the angel tells Philip, Talking about his mass with the what the other person thinks. “But “Go and join up with that chariot” country’s Catholic community if they have wrong ideas? I want in which he found the Ethiopian and his meeting with the country’s to hear those wrong ideas in order reading the Book of Isaiah. Philip priests and religious men and to understand where the restless - draws near and asks the Ethiopian women, Pope Francis said he en- ness comes from,” he said. what he thinks the prophet is say - countered a “community of men Pope Francis told those attend - ing, giving Philip an opportunity and women who have chosen to ing mass in the chapel of the to explain who Jesus is. give their lives to Christ for the Domus Sanctae Marthae that the “But this was possible only kingdom of God.” first eight chapters of the Acts of because Philip drew near and lis - “I have seen the beauty of the the Apostles, used for the mass tened,” the pope said. church in Egypt,” he said, “and I readings in the Easter season, He ended his homily praying, prayed for all Christians in the “summarize the whole history of “May the Lord gives all of us the CNS/Paul Haring Middle East so that, guided by the church,” from the initial grace of living in the church on POPE MEETS MYANMAR LEADER — Pope Francis exchanges gifts their pastors and accompanied by preaching of the apostles, to the our feet and going out, listening to with Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of Myanmar, during a private audience consecrated men and women, they miracles and persecutions, but the restlessness of the people and at the Vatican May 4. may be salt and light in that land.” also the “ugly sin” of those like always full of joy.” May 10, 2017 CANADIAN NEWS Prairie Messenger 3 Premier Wall to invoke notwithstanding clause

By Kiply Lukan Yaworski If allowed to stand, the ruling standing clause, and to provide ue as usual within our division for and that Catholic schools might would force some 10,000 non- details about a recently announced the foreseeable future,” she said. continue to welcome the children SASKATOON — Premier Catholic students out of Catholic appeal of the court ruling. “We will continue to provide the of families who aspire to faith- Brad Wall announced May 1 that schools in the province, according “The government’s decision highest quality Catholic education based education,” said the letter the Saskatchewan government to a government media statement, does not lessen the need for an in partnership with our families, signed by the bishops of Prince will invoke the notwithstanding which also said that the ruling appeal,” said Boyko. “A success - church and community for anyone clause of The Canadian Charter could also risk provincial funding ful appeal would overturn the who chooses that for their chil - of Rights and Freedoms to put on of 26 other faith-based schools, decision.” dren. We are proud of the educa - hold a court decision denying including Luther College, the “The decision to appeal has tion our Catholic schools provide, funding for non-Catholic students Regina Christian School, the been unanimously endorsed by all and we believe Catholic education attending Catholic schools. Saskatoon Christian School and eight Catholic school boards in matters.” Section 33 of the Charter gives the Huda School. the province. The case is specific She reminded the GSCS com - provincial legislatures the author - “We support school choice, to Christ the Teacher division, but munity to contact elected officials ity to override certain portions of including public, separate and affects all Catholic education in to endorse the government’s re - the Charter for a five-year term. faith-based schools,” Wall said. the province,” said Saskatchewan cent action to support parental Invoking the notwithstanding “We will defend school choice for Catholic School Boards Asso cia - choice in education, and to en - clause requires an Act of the students and parents.” tion (SCSBA) spokesperson Tom courage the government also to Legislative Assembly, which is The premier said the govern - Fortosky at an April 28 news con - appeal the ruling. being initiated, the premier said. ment decided to announce their ference. “The legal team repre - The Catholic bishops serving The decision to invoke the intention to invoke the notwith - senting Christ the Teacher School in Saskatchewan also issued a let - clause comes after an April 20 standing clause in order to pro - Division in this case has carefully ter addressing the court decision Court of Queen’s Bench ruling vide parents with clarity and reviewed the trial judge’s lengthy and encouraging the faithful to addressing the enrolment of non- assurance that there will be no decision, and we believe that there contact elected officials. Catholic students in a Catholic change to the situation in Sas - are several strong grounds for “The outcome of the current separate school in Theodore, katchewan schools in the immedi - appeal.” tensions regarding funding for File photo Sask., which was formed after the ate future. Boyko said the premier’s an - faith-based education will have a Premier Brad Wall public school district announced Greater Saskatoon Catholic nouncement about invoking the deep, lasting impact on the Cath- plans to close the community Schools board of education chair notwithstanding clause was good olic Church in Saskatchewan, its Albert, Regina, Keewatin-Le Pas school. The court ruled that the Diane Boyko sent a message to par - news for parents, as it removes role in education, our relations Catholic dioceses, the bishop of provincial government must stop ents, guardians, staff and communi - some of the uncertainty around with our ecumenical and inter- the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of funding non-minority faith stu - ty members about the government the court ruling. faith partners, and with the com - Saskatoon, and the diocesan dents to attend separate schools. decision to invoke the notwith - “Know that things will contin - munity at large,” the bishops stat - administrator of the Diocese of ed. Saskatoon. “As leaders of the Catholic “We have much to offer, and Holocaust memorial held in Montreal churches in Saskatchewan, it is society has much to lose if reli - our strong hope that our society gious faith is marginalized and By Eric Durocher recital of the traditional Jewish centration camps, among them six will allow religious faiths to play our values are not able to con - prayer for the departed, Kaddish, million Jews. a constructive role in education as tribute to the common good,” said MONTREAL (CCN) — Dec - sung by cantor Heather Batchelor. Reunited with her father after in other areas of our common life; the bishops’ letter. ades before nations started ob - Holy Family pastor John the war — her mother perished at serving Holocaust Remembrance Baxter presided at the liturgy; Treblinka — the family emigrated Religion is still a strong days — Germany (1996), Canada Rabbi Sherril Gilbert from Syn - when Eva was eight. (2003), United Nations (2005) — agogue Dorshe Emet joined him Wanting to be “just another force in Canada: poll Montrealers have been gathering for the commemoration service. Canadian kid,” Eva did not active - to remember, to build bridges and Following the homily, which ly seek information about her dif - to remain vigilant so that no group emphasized inviting the loving ficult childhood until 2005, when By Michael Swan many as six surveys planned this be subject to such atrocities again. God into our lives, Eva Kuper she made her first of several The Catholic Register year to look at what and how More than 400 packed Holy focused on the theme of love as return trips to Poland. Canadians believe. Family Church in Montreal’s well in her poignant testimony as a To her astonishment, she dis - TORONTO (CCN) — Cana - “We live in a religious society,” Little Italy for the 38th Christian “hidden child” and Holocaust sur - covered that Sister Klara was still dians are mostly faithful believers in Cardus vice-president Ray Pennings Commemoration of the Shoah vivor (see related story, page 5). alive. Although Eva remembered God who value family life, honesty told The Catholic Regis ter . “We (Holocaust). The city is home to Born in Warsaw in 1940 just neither her face nor her voice, she and concern for others, ac cording to may have a secular state, but our Canada’s oldest Jewish communi - months after the German inva - experienced an instant “emotional an Angus Reid Institute survey. society is not secular. You see that ty; the nation’s first synagogue sion, Eva narrowly escaped death connection” once again in the arms The vast majority extol for - all around in everyday life.” was established here in 1768. several times during her first five of her 94-year-old protector. It was giveness and morality. Solid ma - The negative perceptions Cana- The 90-minute eucharistic cele - years of life, all due to the selfless a life-changing moment for Eva. jorities believe in heaven, life after dians have of religion as an institu - bration, held April 30 at the con - courage and sacrifice of her “It made me aware of the most pre - death and that God is active in our tion reflect a problem in Cana dian clusion of Holocaust Remem - Jewish parents, a cousin, a kind cious gifts she had given me . . . not world. religious literacy, said Pennings. brance Week, included the lighting woman and a Franciscan nun. It only the gift of life but also, the gift In a country that is less than 40 “Institutions are part of what of seven memorial candles and the was through the latter, Sister of love.” per cent Catholic, almost three- creates the private religious faith - Klara Jaroszynska, that Eva was Eva’s powerful witness was quarters of us (72 per cent) view fulness. You don’t get the one with - protected for three years from the followed by the lighting of seven Pope Francis as a positive influ - out the other,” he said. “It’s some - Durocher is the editor emeritus raging inhumanity that saw 12 ence in the world. Even the major - what naive to make that distinction of Catholic Times Montreal. million people butchered in con - — MEMORIAL , page 4 ity of non-believers (54 per cent) — to say you can have good reli - endorse Pope Francis’ positive gion without good religious institu - effect. tions. It’s not possible.” Four out of every 10 Canadians The Angus Reid study divides pray regularly to God or some Canadians into four groups or other higher power and just over a mindsets on religion: non-believ - quarter of us say we experience ers, the spiritually uncertain, the God’s presence. privately faithful and the reli - Despite all this positive reli - giously committed. The religious - gious feeling, a sizeable number ly committed, who take an active of Canadians are suspicious of and public part in their religious religion, don’t like overtly reli - tradition, represent 21 per cent of gious people and shy away from Canadians. Those who simply religious institutions. don’t believe in God and organ - Only a quarter of Canadians ized religion are 19 per cent. told the Angus Reid Institute they The mushy middle is divided believe the word “religion” has a between 30 per cent who are “spir - positive meaning, compared to a itually uncertain” — who keep a third (33 per cent) who said they distance from religious institu - view the word negatively. Even tions and are reluctant to commit among the most religiously com - to a creed, but concede that there mitted, more than 11 per cent said are spiritual realities — and anoth - they thought the word “religion” er 30 per cent who are “privately had negative connotations. faithful.” This last group may be These numbers are all part of queasy about committing to a faith an Angus Reid Institute poll or a faith community themselves, Eric Durocher undertaken in partnership with the but at the same time they believe HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL — Rev. John Baxter looks on as Jorge Falla Luque, an ecumenical animator Cardus think-tank’s Faith in Can - such commitment can be a good with the Université de Québec à Montréal , lights the seventh memorial candle. ada 150 program — the first of as thing. 4 Prairie Messenger CANADIAN NEWS May 10, 2017 Aspiring opera star meets his benefactor at concert

By Jean Ko Din agency Chalice since he was a child and the support of the U.K.-based from outside of Kenya,” he said. In fact, her daughter, Julianna The Catholic Register growing up in Kenya. Because of Martyn Donaldson Music Trust. “It had that exotic feeling to it.” Psarris, is sponsoring a child in the support of Mirijam Spoelstra, Since then, it has been their shared When letters arrived in Spoel - India through Chalice. Psarris has TORONTO (CCN) — What do Mony has been able to pursue a dream to meet and perform together. stra’s mailbox, it was an event for written a new novel entitled The you say to a stranger who changed dream of being a star on the opera But before the world of music the family, too. Faded Yellow Envelope , and will your life? stage. opened up to Mony, there was “It was very, very exciting be donating 70 per cent of profits Eddie Baraka Mony has been “To finally go and meet her and Chalice. when we would get a letter in the to Chalice’s sponsorship program. see the person Chalice is a Canadian Catholic mailbox,” said Spoelstra. “We Spoelstra sponsored Mony that made this charity that supports community would sit down and read it and see through his four years in high possible. . . . It’s initiatives in developing countries the pictures and we became very school and his first two years at very exciting, but through sponsorship of children and connected. . . . For me, it was a Kenyatta University. Mony has also emotional, elderly in need. Last year, it spon - parental connection.” since transitioned out of the spon - sentimental. It’s sored almost 50,000 children and Spoelstra has sponsored many sorship program but they still many things I elderly in 15 developing coun tries. children through Chalice and var - keep in touch via email. They cannot explain,” Mony was 14 years old when he ious organizations. In fact, it was communicate almost every day, said Mony. first applied for Chalice’s sponsor - her late husband, Stuart, who first especially as they have been plan - It is only fit - ship program in 2007. His father began sponsoring children in his ning for the concert. ting that Mony died when he was only seven years early 20s. When they were mar - Mony said he will always be and Spoelstra old, which made it difficult for his ried in 2001, the couple decided it grateful for the opportunities he intend to cele - mother to afford schooling for him was something that they would was afforded through Chalice, and brate their first and his four siblings. continue to do. now through his partial scholar - meeting through Mony’s mother works as a pri - Stuart died of brain cancer last ship and support from the Martyn their passion of mary school teacher in the public year, but Spoelstra hopes to con - Donaldson Music Trust. music. sector. With her salary alone, the tinue sponsoring children for He dedicates his summers Spoelstra, who family could not afford to send all many years to come. going back to his high school in is director of the five children to school without help “It is a privilege to be able to Kenya, volunteering as a music Belleville Choral from an organization like Chalice. help someone,” said Spoelstra. “I teacher. Society, or ga nized Through Spoelstra’s monthly feel just as grateful probably as “It’s me giving back to my so - a spring concert donations, Mony was able to leave Eddie. We’re so happy and so ciety,” said Mony. “Besides hav - May 14 in Belle - his small village to attend high grateful that we’re able to do this.” ing good Kenyan music teachers at ville, Ont. Mony school at Starehe Boys’ Centre and Spoelstra said watching a Starahe, I was inspired by a volun - performed a col - School in Nairobi. Chalice helped child’s life change because of your teer from the Martyn Donald son lection of classical pay for his tuition, his uniform, his individual support is the most Trust music program. . . . Now, I arias, opera ex - books and anything else he needed humbling experience. Sponsoring volunteer to do the same for some - cerpts and tradi - for his education. a child is contagious, she adds. one else.” tional Kenyan folk Mony said studying in Starehe songs. opened the world to him. He Catholic Register Mony has sung began to dream about being a PURSUING A DREAM — Eddie Mony was spon - on many interna - lawyer and maybe perhaps a chief sored through Chalice as a child growing up in tional stages, per - justice in Kenya. Kenya. Because of the sponsorship of a woman forming as a tenor Then a group of volunteers named Mirijam Spoelstra, Mony has been able to soloist in Kenya, from the Martyn Donaldson pursue a dream of becoming a star on the opera Finland and the Music Trust program came to visit Retreats & Workshops stage. United States. the school one summer. He Spring Fling — Tickets available for daily cash draws each day in May. This first per - always loved singing Kenyan folk Simply download the Spring Fling brochure from the Queen’s House website, contemplating that question as he formance in Canada, though, will songs, but this was the first time complete and return as directed. prepares to visit Canada for the be extra special. that he encountered classical, Spiritual Formation Days: Great topics! Great presenters! first time. Three years ago, Mony wrote to opera music. $40/session, includes lunch. Saturdays, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Mony, 24, arrived May 6 to Spoelstra and told her that he was “That sort of exposure to music FIRST NATIONS SPIRITUALITY — Bishop Sylvain Lavoie & Harry Lafond finally meet the woman who admitted to the prestigious Jacobs strengthened my desire to actually Saturday, May 13 helped change his life by sponsor - School of Music at the University of select music as a career,” he said. SOCIAL JUSTICE & SPIRITUALITY — Bob McKeon. Saturday, June 17 ing him through the Catholic Indiana, with a partial scholarship “It inspired me and I just loved it. Iconography Retreat — Anne Mycyk & Gisele Bauche Music has given me more gifts Monday, May 15 - Friday, May 19, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. than I could have ever imagined.” Cost: Commute $525 (includes lunches). Memorial stones placed Spoelstra’s encouragement also Abide In Me: played a significant role in Mony’s A Retreat for Clergy, Pastors and Ministry Leaders Continued from page 3 pressed a mutual desire for their desire to pursue music. Even with Fr. Paul Matheson, Fr. Kevin McGee & Dianne Mantyka, MDiv. clergy to have a forum to share their very different life experi - Sunday, May 28, 4 p.m. - Monday May 29, 4 p.m. Cost $150 (includes meals). memorial candles. The Holocaust information and to collaborate. ences, their shared passion con - Taizé Prayer for Christian Unity survivor lit the first candle, dedi - The group soon became ecu - nected them through the distance. Second Tuesday of the month, June 13, 8 p.m. - 9 p.m. cated to the memory of all Jewish menical and included lay mem - Mony vividly remembers when Donation at the door. Holocaust victims. bers. In 1980 it organized the first he first heard Spoelstra’s name. A Transitions: Journey of Transformation through Grief and Loss Successive candles were lit by Christian Commemoration of the Chalice sponsorship officer had Sarah Donnelly, MDiv. Thursday, June 15, 7 p.m. - Sunday, June 18, 1 p.m. designated representatives in mem- Shoah, held at Christ Church An - just told him that he had been Cost $390 (live-in only, includes program, bedroom, meals). o ry of: Jewish survivors; Holo caust gli can Cathedral. matched with a sponsor. (Call Sarah at 306-717-3707 for information & registration.) victims; those persecuted because During the last 38 years the Mony remembers saying her 11th annual Oblate Golf Tournament — Saturday, June 17. of difference (origin, culture, reli - commemoration has been held in name over and over again in his All proceeds for programming and maintenance of Queen’s House. gion, etc.); Righteous Gentiles different Montreal-area churches, mind because he wanted to mem - See website or call 306-242-1916 for details. (those who risked their lives to save both French- and English-lan - orize it together with his Chalice Silent Directed Retreat: “Be Still and Know” others during the Holocaust); sol - guage. It is usually incorporated sponsorship number. Dianne Mantyka, MDiv. Monday, June 26, 6:30 p.m. - Thursday, June 29, 1 p.m. diers who liberated the camps; and into the regular worship service of “I mean, it’s a stranger that you Cost: Live-in only $499 finally, the millions for whom there the host church, Dialogue vice- don’t now know that decided to Summer Stillness — Fr. Ron Rolheiser, OMI is no one to mourn. president Jean Duhaime ex - invest in your future,” said Mony. Public Lecture: Monday, July 10, 7 - 9 p.m. A Secret Hidden Since the Foundations In a Jewish gesture of remem - plained, “to make the memorial “The kind of emotion that one has of the World — The Cross as Revealing the Basis for Trust. Cost: $20 brance, about 10 youth placed experience available to the widest in hearing of such news cannot be Tuesday, July 11 - Thursday, July 13, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.: A Spirituality of Charity, memorial stones before each can - group of people within their own clearly explained. I was just Justice and Prophecy — Why Simply Being Good-hearted is Not Enough. dle signifying that future genera - faith context.” thankful. That’s the simplest way I Cost: $400 live-in; $200 commute (includes lunch). tions will continue the tradition of While Christian leaders in can put it.” Companions on the Journey: remembering. some Canadian cities attend Most of the boys that attended A Retreat for Religious Men and Women — Fr. Ron Rolheiser, OMI The event was organized by the Holocaust memorial observances Starehe school were also spon - Thursday, July 13, 1 p.m. - Tuesday, July 18, 11 a.m. Cost: Live-in only $500 Christian-Jewish Dialogue of organized by their fellow Jewish sored through Chalice. They were Mon treal, which meets monthly citizens, Montreal appears to be all encouraged to write letters to For program details visit www.queenshouse.org and is comprised of eight the only city that organizes a their sponsors and keep in touch. To register please call 306-242-1916 Christian de nominations and rep - Chris tian commemoration of the Mony said delivery days were or email: [email protected] resentatives of the major Jewish Shoah, as far as Duhaime knows. an event at the school. He and his traditions in the city. Mary Deros, the mayor of the friends would sit together under www.facebook.com/Queens-House-Retreat-and-Renewal-Centre The dialogue was formally es- Montreal borough where Holy the shade of a tree to share stories tablished in 1971, after Arch- Family is located, attended the from their sponsors and then talk 601 Taylor Street West, Saskatoon, SK S7M 0C9 tel: (306) 242-1916 fax: (306) 653-5941 bishop Paul Grégoire, Roman event and lit the sixth candle. No about what they would write back. Catholic leader of Montreal, and provincial or federal representatives “The letters were precious not DO YOU NEED A FACILITY FOR: Rabbi Langner, president of the were present, although invitations just because they came from our Inservices, seminars, workshops, retreats, or any occasion? BOOK QUEEN’S HOUSE TODAY! (306) 242-1925 or [email protected] Board of Jewish Ministers, ex - had been sent. sponsors but because they were May 10, 2017 CANADIAN NEWS Prairie Messenger 5 Hidden child of Holocaust believes in power of love

By Eric Durocher natural to a mother, whose every Arriving at the convent in most precious instinct cries out to hold her child Laski, Sister Klara emerged, sup - gifts she had MONTREAL (CCN) — Eva close.” ported by two younger nuns. She given me . . . not Kuper believes in the power of Soon after, Eva and her father immediately spread her arms only the gift of love. It’s the reason the 77-year- escaped from the ghetto. He wide, and Eva said she “flew into life, but also the old Holocaust survivor agreed to assumed a Catholic identity and them.” gift of love. She speak at Holy Family Parish April entrusted Eva to a kind Catholic “Because I was so young dur - made it possible 30 to mark the annual Christian woman, Hanka. However, within ing the war, I had no memory of for me to be the Commemoration of the Shoah. months the woman’s health deteri - her, not her face, her voice . . . person I am today The first Christian Com memo - orated as she had tuberculosis. nothing. Yet, when I was in her . . . a person who ration was held here in 1980, “Desperately looking for a place arms, and we were holding each loves her family, organized by the Christian-Jewish for me, she came upon a group of other and crying, I felt like I had her friends, her Dialogue, probably the first held nuns, one of whom she knew,” Eva come home . . . a strong connec - community and in Canada. learned decades later. “She pleaded tion. I call it ‘emotional memory’ who finds pleas - Kuper is among the few Euro - with the nun to take ‘her little girl,’ and it was very moving.” ure and suste - pean Jewish children who escaped since these nuns were already look - “She told me that she had fallen nance through the genocidal policy of Hitler’s ing after a number of blind chil - in love with me . . . a tiny child contact with oth - Germany. Only an estimated six dren.” The nun reluctantly agreed, with bright dark eyes and an en - ers and through to 11 per cent survived, mainly and Eva re mained at the convent gaging manner. When she met ‘giving back’ to because they were hidden. Kuper for three years, until the end of the Hanka Rembowska, who begged society.” was such a “hidden child” and she war when she was reunited with her her to take me, I apparently ran to “Sister Klara shared the intimate, stark details father. her, put my arms around her legs filled in a black of her early life in Poland under The family lived as Catholics in and looking up at her face said: hole for me, Nazi and then Soviet regimes. Soviet-occupied Poland, emigrat - ‘please pick me up.’ She said that telling me stories For most of her adult life, ing in December 1948. It was only God had brought me to her, and about myself as I Kuper did not want to know too when they were safe at sea that the she had no choice but to risk her grew up,” Eva many details of her tragic child - eight-year-old learned she was not life and the lives of all who were explained later hood nor did her father talk much Catholic, but Jewish. After a short with her during the war, by taking during a tele - Eric Durocher about it. It was her daughter, stay in Toronto, the family settled me.” phone interview. WAR MEMORIES — Eva Kuper recounts war Felisa, who later on urged her to in Montreal in 1950. It was, the elderly nun said, “It was healing.” memories for Holy Family parishioners in look into her traumatic past. “I was appalled. I was a Cath- “the right, the moral thing to do.” This leads Eva Montreal. It was only in 2005 that Kuper olic child who prayed, had made Sister Klara died in 2010, but to conclude: “I steeled herself to travel back to the her first communion . . . it could during the last five years of her share my story believing that it will which all that we have in common country of her birth, where her not be true,” she recalled. “It took life, their relationship grew. make my audiences understand our as human beings, will be more im- mother, Fela, perished in 1942, me many years to become com - “My reunion with her changed history with the hope, however portant and binding than the differ - having been summarily included in fortable with my Jewish identity my life. It made me aware of the slim, that we can create a world in ences which tear us apart.” one of the regular roundups that and to take pride in the history and occurred in the Warsaw Ghetto. contributions of my people.” Clutching two-year-old Eva, During her 2005 trip to Poland, Moral theologians have a duty to listen her mother was herded into a cat - she met with American genealo - tle car bound for Treblinka. Her gist Yale Reisner, based at the By Deborah Gyapong “So the time now is to sit down friendship. “When you are friend, cousin Regina, upon learning that Jewish Historical Institute in War - where we are to listen to what is the first point is that you are con - Fela was in the roundup, dashed saw. After learning her story, he OTTAWA (CCN) — Pope the experience of faith of those fident,” he said. “If I am your to the queue, shouting that Eva consulted a book listing convents Francis’ post-synodal apostolic who are not in the line of disci - friend, I will be confident with was, in fact, her child and that instrumental in saving Jewish exhortation Amoris Laetitia has pline of the church,” said Cadoré, you. I am not sure you will always Fela had been minding her,” children and found a passage that left moral theologians an impor - who was at Dominican University do something right, but I am con - Kuper told the assembly. said: “a nun, Sister Klara tant duty to listen, says the master College May 1 as part of a visita - fident that, if you do something “For some unfathomable rea - Jaroszynska, a member of the of the Dominican Order. tion to Canada. wrong, I will be able to talk with son, my mother was permitted to Franciscan Sisters of the Cross, Asked whether Amoris Laetitia you and you will be able to listen pass me hand-to-hand until I was whose mission was to educate and represents a development in moral to me and we shall have new con - literally thrown off that cattle car care for blind children, had saved theology, or needs clarification in versation even if I did something into Regina’s arms,” Kuper the life of a Jewish little girl.” the five “Dubia” or doubts put for - wrong, or you did something recalled. “I was speechless,” Eva ex- ward by four cardinals, Cadoré wrong, the confidence is that we “Only as a mature adult did I claimed, “certain that this little said: “I’m not one to say anything can go on in conversation.” truly understand the choices made girl was ME!” about what Pope Francis is doing.” “This is the conviction of the by Regina and by my mother . . . Eva then learned that Sister But the duty to listen is “not Catholic Church, not because we to pass a beloved child off forever Klara, now 94 years old and blind, just to promote a decision,” he decided that, but because the Lord in order to take the infinitesimal was not only alive but her memo - said. “For me the point is to pro - used to do that, to do the same.” chance that she could be saved ry and sense of humour were very mote a conversation.” When asked about the state of from certain death, a choice un - much intact. “One first step in the theologi - the Dominican Order in Canada, cal work is to listen to the faith of Cadoré said he was “very im - the others, the faith of the mem - pressed.” Canada needs to speak up bers of the church,” the master “We are facing a difficult time said. “And this is true for the fam - in the church in so many move - Continued from page 1 has been dropping food aid from ily, this is true for the technical, ments in so many countries so we planes to famine-afflicted areas. scientific mastering of the world, could complain about what is lion people by July. The Cana dian The Canadian bishops’ overseas this is true in ecology, this is true going on,” he said. religious leaders pointed to the development agency, Devel op- for the youth, this is true for Though the church has been bishops’ concerns about the ment and Peace, has been assisting everybody.” fortunate and very strong in “dreadful and man-made famine Catholic aid groups under the “We have first to listen to what Canada, “we are in a different being inflicted upon the country.” Caritas umbrella since before is the experience, the difficulties, age,” he said. “But when I look The ecumenical leaders cited South Sudan’s independence to the joys, of faith of the believers,” my brothers and my sisters, I see news reports that 100,000 are now help with food shortages. Cadoré said. And through this lis - that they are doing exactly what is experiencing famine. They urged Development and Peace also CCN/D. Gyapong tening, see how the long tradition needed, to see what we have to do Canada to speak up about the food “prioritized peacebuilding efforts” Brother Bruno Cadoré of the church would make the to proclaim that the kingdom of crisis at home and abroad and to in the run-up to the independence conversation more intelligible — God is coming, and there are some encourage more food assistance in referendum and supported the “We have to listen to the expe - the conversation “the Lord would reasons to hope.” addition to helping restore the rule newly formed Caritas South Sudan rience of faith of those who are like to have with this concrete, He praised the work of Do - of law and protecting human in supporting up to 27,000 house - believers who are living these sit - present world.” minican brothers and sisters work - rights. They also asked that Can - holds, according to its website, uations,” said Brother Bruno “The Catholic Church is the ing with migrants; in equipping ada work with the United Nations www.devp.org Cadoré, a moral theologian who sacrament of God’s friendship,” laypeople to proclaim the faith; in Security Council, the international Aid to the Church in Need is has led the Dominican Order since he said. “We just have to do that. organizing communities; in being community and business interests also active in South Sudan. “In the his election as master in 2010. Friendship.” present among those who have no to prevent weapons and war mate - last three years, more than 50,000 “The church doesn’t exist just “What is friendship? To speak voice; and in organizing academic rials from coming into the area. have died and nearly 2.5 million as a group or as an institution,” about friendship in the world is institutions to help people “think The letter included thanks to people have been forced from said Cadoré, who was a medical not just to use an easy word,” about what is happening in the Canada for $37 million allocated their homes in this, the world’s doctor before joining the Do- Cadoré said. “When you are world.” to South Sudan out of a $119-mil - youngest country,” says the Holy minicans in his native France. friends with someone, the Cath- “I see them trying to find an lion funding package to that coun - See charity’s website. “The faith - “The church is the community of olic Church has to be like a sacra - equilibrium in this country be - try, Yemen, Somalia and Nigeria, ful continue to live the horrors of believers and of only one Christ ment of this friendship of Our tween the French-speaking culture in March. bloodshed, abduction and assaults who would like us to be his body Lord with the Creation.” and the English-speaking cul - The UN World Food Program on women and girls.” in this history.” Cadoré spoke of confidence in ture,” he said. 6 Prairie Messenger LOCAL NEWS May 10, 2017 D&P regional assembly held in Saskatoon

By Kiply Lukan Yaworski and Reconciliation Commission’s monies that call together indige - he recently gave at the University calls to action were highlighted nous and non-indigenous people of Edinburgh, Scotland, Hrynkow SASKATOON — “Solidarity during a public lecture April 28 at who really hear what it is to be described efforts to foster wel - at the Heart of Action” was the Queen’s House. treaty people — because we are come and reconciliation at STM, theme of an annual regional D&P member Christine Zyla of all treaty people,” she said. Treaty the federated Catholic college at assembly of the Canadian Catho- the diocesan Office of Migration, elders have also been invited into the University of Saskatchewan. lic Organization for Development who also works in the area of rec - parishes to share their insights and An associate professor in the and Peace held April 28 - 30 in onciliation, described the work of wisdom. department of religions and cul - Saskatoon. a Diocesan Council for Truth and Zyla also spoke briefly about ture at STM, Hrynkow also serves Reconciliation and solidarity Reconciliation (DCTR) which Reconciliation Saskatoon, an as chair of the college’s Academic with indigenous peoples were was established in the Diocese of effort in the wider community to Working Group on Indigenous highlighted in presentations at the Saskatoon in response to the na- engage in what it means to be on Engagement. annual gathering, as was the 50th tional TRC process. this journey of reconciliation. Hrynkow gave an overview of anniversary of Development and “We are guided by elders who “What a gift we have been STM’s location on traditional in- Peace, the Canadian Catholic are part of the consultation, because handed as settler people in this digenous territory, and of in dige - Church’s international develop - of their input and deep engage - land by the indigenous peoples nous-settler relations, including ment organization. ment. I feel we have moved for - who have been terribly wronged the history, abuses and ongoing Development and Peace was ward in a very real way,” she said. by so many actions and attitudes,” impact of the residential schools. established in 1967 by the Cana - Through the work of the she said. He then outlined the college’s dian Conference of Catholic Bish - DCTR, understanding is growing, The Truth and Reconciliation Kiply Yaworski efforts to respond to the TRC, ops. It is now also known as Caritas and initiatives are underway in the Commission’s final report and its Chris Hrynkow including curriculum develop - Canada, as a member or ganization diocese, she said. For instance, 94 calls to action are a gift to this ment, hiring indigenous staff and of Caritas Internationalis , a con - space has been provided for elders country, said Zyla. “Every one of first evening of the regional faculty, and engaged learning federation of 162 Catholic relief and children to meet regularly and the calls to action is a hand assembly, in the absence of key- opportunities that further dialogue and development organizations speak the Cree language, and reached out to us, to say, ‘Come, note Harry Lafond of the Treaty and reconciliation. working on behalf of the poor and treaty plaques have been installed let us move forward together.’ ” Commissioner’s Office, who was A Chair in Indigenous Spiri - oppressed around the world. at the cathedral and in other loca - Chris Hrynkow of St. Thomas unable to attend. tuality and Reconciliation has Local responses to the Truth tions in the diocese “in cere - More College also spoke on the Repeating a presentation that been established at STM and the new chair’s advisory circle has launched a number of initiatives, Regina Holocaust memorial a tribute to Amek Adler including hosting a public address on reconciliation by former By Frank Flegel promise of ‘Never Again.’ There is the high cost of prejudice. She lit understanding, tolerance and empa - national chief Phil Fontaine. no such thing as a faceless individ - the fifth candle. thy.” He lit the last of the six candles. Hrynkow also described how REGINA — The annual Holo - ual; it did happen to people like us David Arnot, chief commission - Rabbi Jeremy Parnes lit a sev - the college’s working group on caust memorial service, Yom sitting here tonight.” He then lit the er of the Saskatchewan Human enth candle as a memorial to Adler. indigenous engagement spon - Hoshoah, held April 25 at Beth second candle. Rights Commission, reminded Parnes continued with the program sored a public forum in January Jacob Synagogue, was more Other guests brought greetings everyone that Saskatchewan passed that had been prepared prior to entitled “What should a Catholic somber than usual this year owing and each lit a candle until six were the first Bill of Rights in Canada in Adler’s demise and an nounced spe - college know to be truly welcom - to the unexpected death of Amek burning, representing the six mil - 1948. The Bill was written by cific dates in Adler’s Holocaust jour - ing to indigenous peoples?” Adler. lion Jews who died during the Morris Shumiatcher, a Canadian ney. He read a brief excerpt from Six Panelists Marie Battiste, Verna St. A Holocaust survivor, Adler Holocaust. lawyer noted internationally for his Lost Years , which was followed by a Denis, Erica Violet Lee, and John was scheduled to speak to a morn - MLA Muhammad Fiaz said it work in human rights and civil lib - short video of Adler talking about Merasty offered insights and sug - ing audience of about 1,000 stu - was an honour for him to be at the erties, and a member of Beth Jacob what happened on that date. gestions for nurturing relation - dents from the Regina Catholic service on behalf of the Gov ern - Synagogue. The Leo Morgan Community ships and understanding, and and Public school divisions gath - ment of Saskatchewan. He asked “Canada is very blessed,” Arnot Choir performed several short building a welcoming community ered at Resurrection Roman for a moment of silence for Adler. said, but noted that 52 per cent of pieces and the 23rd Psalm was and positive academic experience Catholic Church, and again to the “The world cannot be silent,” said Canadians do not support multicul - recited at the end of the service. for indigenous students. evening congregation at the syn- Fiaz. “We have to teach our chil - turalism. Arnot noted that anti- The memorial service was well The theme of reconciliation agogue. The waiting audience was dren that the freedom we have in Semitism is on the rise and that the attended and was a meaningful continued the next day, with dele- shocked to hear that Adler had Saskatchewan cannot be taken for Holocaust began with words: “Ed- presentation in spite of the loss of died earlier that morning. granted. We remember, because ucation is the base that leads to the intended speaker. — D&P AIDS , page 7 Synagogue president Barry millions still suffer, and we must Braitman welcomed everybody to face the terrible Holo caust.” He the evening service and an - then lit the third candle. Regina CWL elects new executive nounced Adler’s death. He re - Interim NDP leader Trent ferred to the candles set up in a Wotherspoon described the loss of By Lynn Rogers menced the business session. Marjorie Butel; education and row on top of the lectern and lit Adler as profound, but his story Provincial president Jean Reader health — Sharon Mayor; legislation the first one. lives on in his book, Six Lost Years . SHAUNAVON, Sask. — The updated the members on provin - — Vicki Mayer. Hengen remains as Regina Wascana member of “It is a story of resilience to an 2017 Regina diocesan CWL con - cial business. Prince Albert dioce - spiritual adviser. Parliament Ralph Goodale, repre - unimaginable evil, and about vention took place at Christ the san president Shirley Lamoureux Following tradition, the Tra - senting the Government of Can- strength. Adler never lost hope.” He King Parish in Shaunavon April and Saskatoon diocesan president velling Madonna was passed on ada, said, “It is essential for us to then asked everyone to take some 23 - 24 with 169 members, digni - Marlene VanDresar brought greet - from the Regina Regional Council be here tonight. It is about 70 years time to reflect on Sas katch ewan’s taries and guests attending. ings. Greetings were also read to Our Lady of the Prairies and ago that this happened and it is fad - motto, ‘From Many, Strength.’ ” Activities began on Sunday at from national CWL president Our Lady of the Fields Regional ing into history. We have a respon - He lit the fourth candle. 1:30 with registration, the rosary Margaret Ann Jacobs, MP David Councils, co-hosts of the 2017 sibility to speak out for future gen - Regina city councillor Barbara and opening mass at 4 p.m., cele - Anderson, and MLA Doug Steele. convention. erations to come to live up to the Young said the Holocaust teaches brated by diocesan spiritual advis - The diocesan executive deliv - Regina Archbishop Donald er Rev. Ed Hengen, with attending ered their reports, mentioning the Bolen, speaker for the afternoon, priests concelebrating. 12 Hours of Prayer for Palliative spoke on “Beyond the Year of Following mass, the banquet Care, Euthanasia and Doctor Mercy.” He shared four central was held in the parish hall. Guest Assisted Death, the Theodore points with regard to mercy: speaker Carla Carlson — author, School Board decision, and other mercy is here to stay — it is the lawyer and CWL member from areas of concern. Lynn Rogers, heart of the Gospel; mercy is a Swift Current — spoke on her outgoing president, was presented kind of love — God loves us and book Everyday Grace: Finding with the Maple Leaf Service Pin. cares for us despite our sinfulness; Your Extraordinary in Ordinary This year was an election year. mercy gives rise to internal virtues Everyday Life . She challenged The following is the diocesan exec - of faith, hope and love; and mercy participants to discover their utive for 2017 - 19: president — gives rise to external virtues such everyday grace and live a life Marilyn Schuck; past president and as justice, compassion and reach - incorporating daily acts of mercy. archivist — Lynn Rogers; presi - ing out to others, especially the Her stories inspired members to dent-elect and organization chair — poor. He encouraged members to start their works of service from a Yvonne Bachelu; first vice-presi - carry forward the Year of Mercy foundation of love. dent and resolutions chair — Janette by being people of hope. Staying Alive, a local enter - Rieger; recording secretary — The convention ended with the tainment group, capped off the Marilyn Mudry Lautsch; correspon - retiring of colours and a closing eve ning with familiar tunes and ding secretary — Wendy Pitre; mass celebrated by Bolen, with ST. PETER’S CHORUS — St. Peter’s Chorus celebrated its 50th some musical theatre. treasurer — Donna Seebach; spiri - other priests in attendance concel - anniversary with two concerts and an anniversary banquet: one concert Monday began with morning tual development — Denise ebrating. The new executive was at Knox United Church in Lanigan, Sask., April 28 and another at devotion, followed by the Presen - Soroka; Christian family life — installed at the mass. A commis - home in St. Peter’s Church, Muenster, April 30. Over 500 people have tation of Colours. Notice of Bernice Gobeil; communications sioning prayer was celebrated fol - been involved in the choir since it was first organized in 1967. Calling of Convention com - — Lynn Jones; community life — lowing the installation. May 10, 2017 LOCAL NEWS Prairie Messenger 7 Prime minister visits Miller Catholic High School

By Frank Flegel Miller Catholic Comprehensive ing of Miller’s 50th anni versary in the school’s Makerspace, where the middle of the classroom and High School in Regina. It was an 2016, organizers reached out to he briefly played with some of both Bredin and the official pho - REGINA — Forty-five years election year, and while on a member of Par liament for Regina- the robotics created by students. tographer for the Prime Min - ago, in 1972, Prime Minister national tour Trudeau wanted to Wascana, Ralph Goodale, to facil - He then spent some time in the ister’s entourage took several Pierre Elliot Trudeau visited visit this nationally recognized itate an invitation to the current Grade 12 classroom of teacher group shots. school for which prime minister to repeat the visit Dave Hambleton. A few minutes later, Trudeau the federal govern - of his father. Trudeau answered a variety of was escorted to the main floor, ment had provided After several false starts the questions from the students, but down the main hallway and out funding. schedules came together and he made no speeches. “The ques - a side door to his waiting vehi - School principal showed up on April 27 with a tions asked were probably an - cle and drove off leaving the Liza Donnelly, in security entourage, to the delight swered by him hundreds of times, school abuzz about his visit. an interview with of students, staff and trustees. but he was relaxed and respectful The 1972 visit of his father was the Prairie Mes - Trudeau’s entry through the of each student’s question and never referred to during the sen ger , said that in front doors was greeted with they were respectful of him,” visit. 1964 provincial squeals, shouts, applause and said Rob Bredin, photographer The prime minister’s visit legislation in clud - flashes from cellphone cameras. for the Regina Catholic School received advance coverage on ed Catholic high After greeting Donnelly — with Board. He was one of the few some radio and TV newscasts, but schools in the pro - staff and trustees lined up outside people allowed into the class - it attracted little attention in the vincial tax-sup - the principal’s office door — he room be cause of the limited surrounding neighbourhood and port ed education was whisked away for a quick space. There were no selfies there were no demonstrators to system; two years tour of the facility. He was shown taken but Trudeau jumped into interrupt the occasion. later construction began on Miller with the aid of fed - Knights hold annual convention eral funding. Miller was a REGINA — The Saskatche - of Columbus fully support the honoured to have Bishop Bryan Frank Flegel state-of-the-art wan Knights of Columbus held Catholic School Boards of Sas - Bayda of the Eparchy of Saska - TRUDEAU VISIT — Prime Minister Justin institution and re - their 95th annual convention in katchewan, and that the Govern - toon continuing as State Chaplain Trudeau, following in his father’s footsteps, visit - ceived national Regina the weekend of April 28 - ment of Saskatchewan be encour - and Denis Carignan, Battleford to ed Miller Catholic High School in Regina. The rec ognition in at 30. The business meetings fo - aged to join in the appeal of the continue as Immediate Past State elder Trudeau had visited the school during a least one Cana dian cused on informing all present decision regarding the funding of Deputy. national tour in 1972. Behind the prime minister magazine. In plan - about the important issues facing non-Catholic students attending From the opening mass cele - is school principal Liza Donnelly. ning the celebrat - the church, the community, and Catholic separate schools.” brated by Archbishop Donald the order with guest speakers in - Other resolutions included Bolen, Saturday’s mass celebrated Economic system ‘a disaster structing delegates on the infor - continued prayers for the cause by Bayda, to the memorial mass mation they should be taking back for the canonization of the celebrated by Rev. Danilo Rafael to their home councils. The dele - founder, the Venerable Rev. and concelebrated by Bayda, the for most of the world’ gates passed the following resolu - Michael J. McGivney; memorial convention was a great success, tion in support of health care donations to the Saskatchewan holding firm to the principles of Continued from page 1 souls to it.” workers who believe in the sancti - Knights of Columbus Charitable the order: charity, unity, fraternity This economic system “con - ty of life: Foundation on the passing of a and patriotism. from blowing away and holds sumes us and we end up consuming “That the Saskatchewan Knights member; and increased recogni - The delegates left Regina bet - down a way of life.” much more than we have a right to, of Columbus continually lobby our tion of a council’s financial secre - ter informed and inspired to go Sister Miriam Spenrath, OSU, and much more than we need, and elected MLAs and MPs by letter, tary, who plays the weightiest role back to their communities and and Rev. Lawrence DeMong, OSB, we think this is OK,” he said. “The phone calls and personal visits until in the viability of a council join together to “Be the Light of discussed how religious communi - economic system benefits us by Health Care Workers Rights legisla - through his actions by preparing the Lord. ties have intersected with Develop - depriving a lot of the world, more tion is adopted.” and maintaining council records ment and Peace over the past 50 than half of the world, of any pos - There is constant pressure on and keeping accurate fiduciary D&P aids years. sibility of getting ahead. They are health care workers to violate accounts. Development and Peace poor because we are rich. It is very their religious and conscience The state council re-elected the Global South strength ens “our relationship with clear. And secondly, this unbeliev - beliefs to perform abortions and following executive effective July our creator God and with every able consumption really is destroy - euthanasia. 1: State Deputy — Brian Schatz nano-piece of creation,” Spenrath ing our planet.” Another resolution adopted by of Regina; State Secretary — Continued from page 6 said. “It pulls us forward to more Disciples of Jesus must let their the 122 delegates representing Chris Bencharski of Meadow actively embrace the cry of the im - lives go, Weisgerber asserted. “We 160 councils and 10,600 members Lake; State Treasurer — Joe gates participating in the blanket poverished and the cry of the earth.” have to be countercultural people. was an endorsement of action to Riffel of Saskatoon; State exercise — an interactive repre - DeMong spoke about the rela - We can’t continue living the way defend access to Catholic educa - Advocate — Larry Packet of sentation of the history of indige - tionship that The Prairie Messen- we live. And our young people I tion: Davidson; State Warden — René nous peoples and the effects of ger , published by the Bene dic- think are telling us that: they want “That the Saskatchewan Knights Gaudet of St. Louis. The order is colonization. tines, has had with Development a vision, they want a purpose — In another session, Gillio and Peace over the past 50 years. and the Gospel is that purpose.” Brunelli presented information “One thing I always noticed as a Over the past 50 years, De - about Development and Peace’s member of the community was velopment and Peace has shown collaboration with indigenous how D&P was an instrument of us a way of understanding and liv - partners in the global south. education that became a dialogue ing the Gospel, he said. “But our Jackie Block, regional represen - with the PM. Those editors not challenge is to move that into the tative of the Canadian Food grains only promoted D&P, they were centre of the church. Bank, and Hélène Tremblay- educated by D&P.” “This is at the centre of our faith Boyko of Development and Peace At the end of the evening, Arch - as Catholics, as Christians, as disci - gave a presentation on learning bishop Emeritus James Weisgerber, ples. This is not optional for people tours to Lebanon. former bishop of Saskatoon and who like it; this is what it means to The 50th anniversary was high - retired archbishop of Winnipeg, be a disciple. And when we look to lighted early in the program by reflected on moving forward into the future, unless we do that, I Danny Gillis, and was later cele - the future. don’t think there (will be) any brated with the wider community He noted that Development and Development and Peace, and there at a mass and banquet held April Peace has always had two arms: will be no church in Canada.” 29 at St. Mary’s Parish. the financial arm, which has been Weisgerber continued: “We need Bishop Albert Thévenot of “a success extraordinaire” thanks to allow the Gospel to challenge us, Prince Albert presided at mass to people’s generosity, and the edu - because that’s the only way to know with Archbishop Emeritus James cational arm, which has not had the love that God has for us. That’s Weisgerber and Rev. Lawrence quite the same success. “This is not the only way. There is no other. DeMong, OSB, who is presently for want of good programs, but Jesus said very clearly: if you hang serving as pastor of parishes in La because people think this is option - onto your life for yourself, you will Tim Yaworski Ronge and Southend, Sask. al,” said Weisgerber. lose it all. If you give it away, you DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY — Hundreds gathered at the Cathedral of A program of speakers, presen - The economic system that we discover who you truly are. the Holy Family on April 23 to celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday at a tation and awards was part of the live under “is a disaster for most “God passionately wants us to diocesan service that included the Divine Mercy Chaplet and prayer 50th anniversary banquet that fol - of the world,” said Weisgerber, discover that we are his beloved before the Blessed Sacrament. Presiders were Rev. Deyre Azcuna and lowed (see related article, page 1). summarizing the papal encyclical children. He wants us to be filled Rev. Nestor Silva, OMI. In the year 2000, Pope John Paul II presided The regional assembly conclud - Laudato Si’ . “It (the economic with joy. I think Development and over the canonization of Sister Faustina Kowalska (1905 - 1938), a ed April 30 with an annual general system) benefits such a small Peace truly is the way forward. It Polish nun who spread the Divine Mercy message, and he established meeting, including a re port from number of people and in order to is a way in which we can and will Divine Mercy Sunday as a feast to be celebrated worldwide on the first Saskatchewan and Keewatin-Le benefit from it, we have to sell our build hope.” Sunday after Easter. Pas animator Armella Sonntag. 8 Prairie Messenger DEEPENING OUR FAITH May 10, 2017 We are unbearably thirsty, though not just for water

Questioning Faith

Mary Marrocco

Growing up by the shores of one white wall behind it, and stark and of the largest fresh-water lakes in simple against the white, a dark the world, I never thought of water bowed figure on a dark wooden as a resource needing to be con - cross. Written on the wall, in dark served, or an essential commodity plain lettering: I thirst. Arrested by over which people would fight the photograph, I marvelled that the wars. I loved looking at it, drinking Haitians had written their cry of it, and playing in it. Though I knew thirst on the wall over the altar. I needed it, I had never come any - Eventually it broke in upon me that where near the limits of that need. this was Jesus’ cry of thirst from the Then, a friend of mine went to cross (John 19:28). Wait . . . whose work in an orphanage in Haiti. cry was it . . . theirs or his? Who During a coup d’état there, she had was the “I” crying out? Or . . . were to return to Canada temporarily. they two different cries at all? When visiting me, she kept turning Jesus, the Gospels leave no M. Weber off the water faucet I’d turned on, doubt, was unbearably thirsty and scolding me for wasting water. amid the slow, tortuous asphyxia - NEED FOR WATER — Water: looking at it, drinking it, playing in it. “We humans get thirsty . . . it’s part of Wasting water? Was that even a tion of crucifixion. He wasn’t being human. . . . Yet our thirst really leads us somewhere else. In recording Jesus’ need of water, John’s Gospel category? Apparently, and certain - affecting thirst to make a good also points to a different, equally human, need. There’s an emotional, psychological thirst in us, too . . .” ly from that day on, for me. Amidst story or exaggerating it to teach a all the desperate need she’d lesson. He cried out in the anguish somewhere else. In recording addiction, “a thirst for wholeness.” God’s thirst that we might have observed, she emphasized the need of an unbearable need for water. Jesus’ need of water, John’s Gospel All this we hear resounding life, life to the full. Abundant life of water, its preciousness, and the What was Jesus’ suffering on also points to a different, equally poignantly across the centuries means only one thing: relation - care taken to care for it. the cross? Centuries of thought, human, need. There’s an emotion - through these two simple words, ship and communion. Because of She brought stories and pictures experience and reflection have al, psychological thirst in us, too: given in John’s Gospel, “I thirst.” who God is, that’s the only life of the children and community she been devoted to this question. for one another, for connection and We may be only vaguely aware there is. was getting to know. She’d visited John’s Gospel gives only three sen - companionship, meaning and pur - of our physical thirst. Even more, No wonder we can never get Mother Teresa’s sisters in Port-au- tences Jesus spoke from the cross. pose, especially when we suffer. we may be astonishingly unaware “out” of thirst. Prince, and loved their austere The Evangelist wants us to know This deep human longing is as of our deeper thirst. Perhaps We can’t get out of thirst; but chapel: a white-draped altar, a Jesus suffered thirst — physical, burning as the physical thirst of the Jesus’ thirst is also for this, that we can get into it. In accompany - agonizing thirst. We humans get dying man on the cross, or of the we waken to our real, inner thirst. ing Jesus to and on the cross, we thirsty, and we can’t get out of it. deprived child suffering from the And what is this inner thirst? can discover that our thirst is Marrocco is a marriage and It’s part of being human, like it or political chaos she didn’t create The white-walled Haitian God’s thirst in us. In accompany - family therapist, teacher of theolo - not. Our need can turn us against and cannot escape. Our thirst for chapel, the printed words, and the ing Jesus to humiliation, abandon - gy, and writer, and co-ordinates each other: the battle for water is water echoes the profound thirst ambiguity in the “I” of “I thirst,” ment and death, we can receive St. Mary of Egypt Refuge. She can ancient, contemporary, and perpet - inside us. Alcoholics discover their confused me. Fortunately. That our true humanity with its outer be reached at marrocco7@sympa - ual in human history. seemingly insatiable thirst is really, confusion opened me to a new and inner thirst. In descending tico.ca Yet our thirst really leads us as in Carl Jung’s description of awareness that changed every - with Jesus into hell, where he con - thing. The Haitians’ thirst is Jesus’ quers rather than being conquered, thirst. Even at my safe distance, I we can receive the gift of life, the Brothers may withdraw from health care could feel Jesus’ thirst that these, human life God gives us and the his suffering people, be cared for. divine life God equally shares with Continued from page 1 of mental health care services, institutes,” he said. “We always In the need of water. In the need us. In rising with Jesus from the serving 5,000 patients a year. The refused to let euthanasia be done not to be abandoned. In the need tomb, we can receive one another, Apostolic Life) and the secretary order also runs schools, employing inside the walls of the centre.” of Jesus himself, the living water, thirsty and weary and confused as of state who asked me for more about 12,000 staff nationwide. He rejected suggestions that the revelation of the one God who we are, yet somehow radiant, information,” said Stockman, a The Brothers of Charity Group many of the Brothers themselves is Lord of life and shepherd of all. luminous with the taste of living psychiatric care specialist. announced it would allow euthana - favoured the policy, insisting Our thirst is God’s thirst — water on our lips and in our hearts. “I hope that there will come a sia on its premises in a nine-page instead that the order upholds the clear answer from the Belgian document in March, about a year doctrine of the Catholic and “can - bishops and the Vatican,” he con - after a private Catholic rest home not accept the law on euthanasia.” tinued. “I have trust in it.” in Diest, Belgium, was fined Stockman said: “The whole Self Adhesive Personal He suggested that the new poli - $6,600 for refusing the euthanasia mentality in Belgium is changing Address Labels cy could force the brothers from of a 74-year-old woman suffering very fast and there is pressure from Order from: providing psychiatric care in from lung cancer. the government against any refusal DESIGNER LABELS St. Peter’s Press Belgium. About 12 psychiatric patients in of euthanasia. But until now, the 180 for $11.95 (colour) Box 190, Muenster, SK S0K 2Y0 Stockman said: “I wait for the the care of the Brothers of Charity institutes have had the right to Phone: 306-682-1770 Fax: 306-682-5285 clear answer of the church and that are believed to have asked for refuse.” email: [email protected] answer will be presented to our euthanasia over the past year, with “I see it as a real crisis and I call K 1001 1002 1003 1004 1005 Cheque/Money order enclosed organization, in the hope that it will two of them being transferred else - it a door that is opened and cannot K VISA/MasterCard adapt its vision . . . I hope we will where to receive the injections to be closed anymore,” he added. Card No: ______Expiry date: ______not have to withdraw our responsi - end their lives. “More groups will be touched by Signature: ______bility in the field of mental health The new policy document har - it: It started with somatic suffering, 1006 1007 1008 1009 1010 All label orders are sold in sheets Label order form: care in the place where we started monizes the practices of the cen - now psychiatric suffering, after - that fold for easy storage. Size 2 5/8 x 1”. Please send ______Style # ______labels @______as a congregation with such care tres in the group with Belgian law ward people with a severe handi - Choose from a variety of pictures. Add $3.00 for postage and handling ______1011 1012 All pictures are in colour on the label. more than 200 years ago.” on euthanasia. cap, elderly people and so on.” Add 5% GST (on materials and postage) ______The Brothers of Charity was It sought to balance the Catholic Belgium legalized euthanasia in Sask. residents add 5% PST (on labels only) ______founded in 1807 in Ghent, Bel - belief in the inviolability of inno - 2003, a year after the Netherlands STANDARD LABELS Total ______(Please allow 2 - 3 weeks for delivery) gium, by Rev. Peter Joseph Triest, cent human life with duty of care became the first country since Nazi 180 for $9.95 (black & white) Please print information to appear on labels whose cause for beatification was under the law and with the de- Germany to introduce the proce - Maximum of 5 lines of 24 letters and spaces per line. opened in 2001. mands of patient autonomy. dure. W Inspired by the spirituality of St. Stockman said, however, that Technically, euthanasia in Bel- 1201 1202 1203 1204 1205 Vincent de Paul and dedicated to for the brothers, “respect of life is gium remains an offence, with the working with the elderly and the absolute and cannot be offered for law protecting doctors from prose - mentally ill, the order initially was the autonomy of the patient.” cution only if they abide by specif - 1206 1207 1208 1209 1210 Daytime phone# ______known as the Hospital Brothers of The group’s largely lay board of ic criteria. *Style for monograms only (#1203). St. Vincent and spread to 30 coun - directors, he said, see euthanasia as In 2014, the law was extended Monograms and stock logos are available on the standard label only. tries. a medical act, but the brothers to “emancipated children,” and Style A - ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ In the Flanders region of “cannot accept it as a medical act.” doctors are increasingly giving Style B - ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ Style C - ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ Belgium, the group is considered “Finally, they agree that eu - lethal injections to people who are ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ to be the most important provider thanasia should be done inside the disabled, demented or mentally ill. Style D - May 10, 2017 DEEPENING OUR FAITH Prairie Messenger 9 The spirit of truth continues to move among us

During my time as the president of the National Council containing two religious magazines. The attack by a covert of the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development arm of the South African security forces would destroy and Peace (D&P) in the late 1980s, the struggle against the both his hands and cause him to lose the sight in one eye as Liturgy racist apartheid government of South Africa had reached well as sustain serious burns. They did not silence him. global dimensions. D&P took strong stands, such as calling Today he serves as director of the Institute for Healing of and Life on the Canadian government to evoke comprehensive sanc - Memories in Cape Town, South Africa. His organization tions against the repressive South African regime. Hate let - holds a vision that sees it “Striving to be a leading agent of ters addressed to me as president denounced our support of hope, transformation and peace by empowering individuals, Michael Dougherty communists like, they said, Nelson Mandela. communities and nations through healing of memories.” In We proudly stood by prophetic witnesses such as this way it seeks to contribute to a more peaceful and just Archbishop Denis Hurley of Durban, South Africa. In the future for all of us. Certainly they hope we all can see that The whole country seemed seized by forces beyond late 1980s the archbishop travelled across Western Canada we and our world are in need of healing, because of what their control. An alien culture threatened to overturn long- where he spoke out against apartheid at events organized has been done to us, what we have done, and failed to do. held values. Religiously inspired zealots used terrorist tac - by D&P. As chair of the Southern African Catholic How many other voices have we heard from over the 50 tics to destabilize the regime they regarded as illegitimate. Bishops’ Conference he had drafted a pivotal pastoral letter years that D&P has been with us? Do you remember the Defenders of the status quo came down hard on new beliefs in which the bishops denounced apartheid as “blasphemy” Mothers of May Square? During the darkest days of the challenging their tenuous grip on power. and “intrinsically evil.” military dictatorship in Argentina they travelled across the In the midst of this repressive political climate Philip, a We hosted other speakers, among them Rev. Michael Prairies on a “secret” tour urging us to help them defend new disciple not one of the Twelve, we hear in the first Lapsley, a committed member of the African National basic human rights there and by extension here in our own reading, “went down to the city of Samaria.” Desperate for land. A few weeks ago they celebrated 40 years of action, some hope-filled words the women and men there “listened Acts 8: 5-8, 14-17 which continues to inspire us. Sixth Sunday of Easter eagerly to what was said by Philip.” They “accepted the Psalm 66 How about Filo Hirota, the Mercedarian Missionary nun word of God.” “(T)here was great joy in the city.” 1 Peter 3, 15-18 from Japan whose work in the Philippines during the diffi - May 21, 2017 Today we seem to be teetering either on the edge of a John 14:15-21 cult days of the Marcos dictatorship called us to action. Or great awakening or a cataclysmic spiral into chaos as every Christopher Mwoleka, the Bishop of Rulenge, Tanzania, human and natural system seems to be breaking down after Congress. After a long day of presentations in Prince Albert, whose simple lifestyle and inspiring words on the impor - centuries of exploitation and abuse. Aren’t we also desper - I drove him to Rosthern where a car from Saskatoon would tance of small Christian communities pushed us to examine ately grasped with the desire to hear the Word, which will meet us and take him on to more presentations. if we were too focused here on institutions and buildings give us hope today? I guess I had expressed my despair at the lack of respon - rather than the task of building truly Christian, just and sus - Spreading the Good News in first-century Palestine or siveness to our calls for global justice. He counselled me to tainable societies. Sister Mary Hartman from Nicaragua, in 21st-century North America can mean taking risks. Peter recognize the importance of the struggle and to see solidar - Bishop Mauro Morelli from the slums outside Rio de tells us in the second reading that you may be maligned or ity as an ongoing journey. He prophetically shared with me, Janeiro, and many more proclaimed the message of Christ abused for saying what needs to be said. But “it is better to it turned out, that our faith allows us to persevere in the among us. suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God’s will, face not only of indifference but even violent resistance. Let there be joy in our towns and cities. As Jesus said in than to suffer for doing evil.” A car found us at the rendezvous point, then he headed the Gospel of John, “I will not leave you orphaned.” It is off into the night and I returned home. I would hear in hor - true. The “Spirit of truth” continues to move among us, to ror just weeks later that Father Lapsley back at his home in call us to accept the Word of God and live accordingly Dougherty is co-chair of the Social Justice Committee exile in Harare, Zimbabwe, would, while going through a today just as in the first days of that small struggling com - at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Whitehorse, Yukon. stack of mail, trigger a letter bomb hidden inside a packet munity of believers. An extraordinary book about an ordinary saint who cannot be dismissed

cans who, he suggests, connected Day, Hennessy shares stories about The book is a story too of some spirituality to a life of service in an some of the key people surrounding of the people who played key In extraordinary way: Abraham Lin - Dorothy: her relationship to the roles in founding the Catholic coln, Martin Luther King, Thomas man who fathered her child, Forster Worker: Peter Maurin, Stanley Merton, and Dorothy Day. This new Battenham, with whom she main - Vishnewski, and Ade Bethune. Exile biography gives us an honest pic - tained a lifelong friendship. This isn’t a story that follows the ture of who this remarkable woman Hennessy’s biography shatters the classical genre for the lives of the Ron Rolheiser, OMI actually was. myth that upon her conversion saints, where form is often exagger - This book is extraordinary for a Dorothy coldly and forever turned ated to highlight essence and the number of reasons: Kate Hennessy her back upon this man. Not true. result is an over-idealization that is a very good writer, the book is They remained close their whole paints the saint into an icon. Dorothy Day is alleged to have Dorothy Day, soon to be officially the product of years of research, lives and Forster, until her death, Hennessy highlights that Dorothy’s said: Don’t call me a saint; I don’t canonized by the church, into she’s Dorothy’s granddaughter and remained an intimate companion faith wasn’t a faith that never want to be dismissed that easily! what she feared: a plaster saint had a very close and special rela - and a faithful supporter. doubted and which walked on A new biography on her by her who can be piously doted upon tionship with her, and she manages Central too to this biography is water. What Dorothy never doubt - granddaughter, Kate Hennessy, and then not taken seriously. in telling Dorothy’s story to keep the story of Dorothy’s daughter, ed was what faith calls us to: hospi - Dorothy Day — The World will be We’re all, I’m sure, familiar with both a healthy critical and aesthet - Tamar, who, while vitally impor - tality, non-violence, and service to saved by Beauty: An Intimate who Dorothy Day was and what her ic distance. Her insight is both tant in Dorothy’s life, is unfairly the poor. In these things, Dorothy Portrait of my Grandmother , will, life’s work was about. Indeed, Pope privileged and rare, privileged absent in virtually everything was single-minded enough to be a I believe, go a long way in pre - Francis, in addressing the U.S. because of her intimate relation - that’s known about Dorothy in the saint and that manifested itself in venting anyone from turning Congress, singled out four Ameri - ship with Dorothy and rare because popular mind. Tamar’s story, her dogged perseverance so that at most authors who are that intimate - which holds its own richness and the end she could say: “The older I ly tied to their subject cannot main - is not incidental to the history of get the more I feel that faithfulness NOW AVAILABLE tain a balanced critical distance. the Catholic Worker, is critical to and perseverance are the greatest Hennessy admits doing this understanding Dorothy Day. vir tues — accepting the sense of e-Edition subscriptions was no easy task: “That is the dan - visit: www.pmonline.ca There’s no understanding of failure we all must have in our for more information ger of holiness on your own Dorothy without understanding work, in the work of others around Receive 45 issues per year doorstep, in your own family. her daughter’s story and that of us, since Christ was the world’s Either you cannot see it for the her grandchildren. To understand greatest failure.” Mail coupon to: Prairie Messenger, Circulation Dept. view is too close, or if you do, you Dorothy Day you also have to see That being said, her life was Box 190, Muenster, SK S0K 2Y0 feel you haven’t a chance of being her as a mother and grandmother. messy, many of her projects were Phone: (306) 682-1772 Fax: (306) 682-5285 the person she was. You feel it is a Hennessy shares how, when her often in crisis, she was forever email: [email protected] sad mistake that you are related.” diaries were opened some years over-extended, and, in her grand - J And that combination makes for One Year $37.00 after Dorothy’s death, Tamar ini - daughter’s words: “She was fierce, J J an extraordinary book that lets us tially was bitterly resistant to hav - dictatorial, controlling, judgmental, U.S. $170.00 Foreign $269.00 see a side of Dorothy Day we Applicable tax included ing them released for publication and often angry, and she knew it. It J J would never see otherwise. Beyond and how that resistance was only took the Catholic Worker, her own New Renewal this being a closeup of Dorothy lifted when, thanks to the man creation, to teach her lessons.” who transcribed them, Robert This is hagiography as it Name: ______Rolheiser, theologian, teacher, Ellsberg, the family and Tamar should be written. It tells the story Address: ______and award-winning author, is herself realized that her resistance of how a very human person, president of the Oblate School of was rooted in the fact that caught up in the foibles, weak - City/Town: ______Prov: ______Theology in San Antonio, Texas. Dorothy’s diaries themselves were nesses, and mess that beset us all, unfair in their neglect of Tamar’s can, like St. Brigid, cast her cloak Postal Code: ______Tel: ______He can be contacted through his website: www.ronrolheiser.com. story and the role of her story upon a sunbeam and see it spread Visa/MC: ______Expiry: ______Now on Facebook: www.face - within the bigger narrative of until it brings abundance and book.com/ronrolheiser Dorothy’s life, work, and legacy. beauty to the entire countryside. 10 Prairie Messenger D&P: 50TH ANNIVERSARY May 10, 2017 A journey of discovery with Development and Peace

By Hélène Tremblay-Boyko Canada and finally settling down I agonized over the prospect of my early D&P roots. ally. It has called me to stretch on a farm in Saskatchewan. giving up coffee on my way home I started my service in De - beyond my comfort zone and I first became aware of the Sometime in the mid-90s I was that night (an 80-km drive). I velopment and Peace as my moth - develop skills I never dreamed I work of Development and Peace teaching Grade 8 Christian ethics knew I had to teach by example, er had, at the parish level. Then I had. It has allowed me to broaden through its advocacy. As the when Al Gerwing came to our but how could I possibly face the became deanery leader, diocesan my worldview through travel to El teenaged daughter of a very in - school to present a slide show of morning without that all-impor - co-chair, and was eventually elect - Salvador and more recently in the volved parish volunteer, I heard the street kids who frequented the tant cup of java? Then, it came to ed national member for Sas katch - Middle East. D&P has also chal - about the injustices perpetrated by shelters in São Paolo, Brazil, for me: fair trade! This would be a ewan Keewatin-Le Pas. Through - lenged my paradigms through my multinationals in the Third World. which he was fundraising. My rich teaching opportunity! We out that time, we started a Just participation at the COP 21 In addition to her parish work on students were moved by the saga would research the many and var - Youth group in the school, organ - Climate Summit in Paris and the fall campaigns and Share Lent, of peasant families kicked off the ied NGOs working to improve the ized many ThinkFasts, petition World Social Forum in Montreal. my mother organized and facili - sugar plantations where they had lives of the marginalized. and card signings in the parish, The work of Development and tated a parish youth group which worked for generations, and In the next few weeks the stu - school presentations with Soli - Peace is the one coherent and insis - allowed my friends and I to begin whose dreams of finding work in dents would scour Google in pur - darity visitors and we even pulled tent voice of the Catholic Church our journey of caring for our sis - the city were shattered in the suit of information. Then, one off a Social Justice Fair! which has nourished my faith ters and brothers around the slums where they found them - day, another voice rose from amid Development and Peace has through the years and called me to world. A few years later, as I selves. In response, and carried by the chatter of classroom work: been many things for me over the personal growth. I can’t wait to see began my teaching career, I par - the students’ own compassion, I “Madame Hélène! We have to do years. It has taught me how my what the next 50 years brings! ticipated in Development and declared that they would all have this!” The students had stumbled lifestyle here has an impact glob - Happy 50th anniversary D&P! Peace’s 10th anniversary confer - to boycott candy since the mecha - upon a play on fair trade coffee ence in Montreal. Then, I moved nization of sugar plantations was published by Ten Days for Global away from home and family influ - responsible for this terrible injus - Justice. This would prove to be a ence. I spent the next several tice. Silence. Then, from the back watershed moment. The students years building my own family and of the classroom, a voice piped put the play on for the parish and career, venturing out to Western up: “Don’t they grow coffee down brought in fair trade coffee for sale. there too?” I considered the coffee In addition, I attended a Ten Days cup in my hand and felt the world conference in Fort Qu’Appelle Hélène Tremblay-Boyko, Na- shift. I could not, in fairness, ask where I met a Development and tion al Council member for them to do what I was not also Peace activist, Christine Zyla. I Saskatchewan, lives in Yorkton. prepared to do. had finally found my way back to Holy Cross with D&P from the beginning

By Holy Cross staff to contribute loose change. ful educational experiences during For several years activities their high school years. Since 1967, Holy Cross High extended beyond the school. One More recently, Holy Cross stu - School in Saskatoon has been in- Lent, many students took part in a dents and staff have participated in volved in educational and fund - “candle drive” throughout the east ThinkFasts and a school-wide Box raising activities for Development side of the city, offering small Lunch Auction where classes cre - and Peace. From the very begin - candles to homes in the area with ate themed lunches which are auc - ning, the staff and students cele - the request that these be placed in tioned off to the highest bidders. brated Share Lent by holding a windows on Good Friday as These meals always sell for more “Poverty Week” during which prayers for peace. All of these than their actual value, thus devel - they hosted speakers from devel - activities were always planned, oping a spirit of generosity or the oping countries, showed movies organized and carried out by a idea of “giving more than we get.” about D&P partners and held committee of students and staff. This auction is about solidarity, social justice prayer services. The teacher-facilitators be - awareness and education in keep - Fundraising activities included lieved that the medium is also the ing with the values of Develop- Tremblay-Boyko dance-a-thons, cake auctions, box message. That is, as they supported ment and Peace. How ever, the Hélène Tremblay-Boyko participates in the opening march at the World lunch auctions, international tal - Development and Peace, they also funds raised — over $300,000 in Social Forum in Montreal in August 2016. ent shows, bake sales and raffles. supported the development of lead - the past 17 years — have also gone One year during the famine in ership skills among the students in a long way to supporting partners Ethiopia they collected a “barrel a peaceful, co-operative way. in the Global South. of rain” by rolling a barrel around Many years later, former students Holy Cross High School and De - Development and Peace helps me put my to all 40 home rooms daily for claimed that these D&P activities velopment and Peace — 50 years of about a month, inviting students were some of their most meaning - partnership and participation. faith into action. The work we do through D&P allows me to respond to the real needs of those who are suffering in the world in a way that respects the wisdom, agency and dignity of our partners. D&P transforms my activism into discipleship!

— Gertrude Rompré

Holy Cross High School BOX LUNCH AUCTION — Each year the staff and students at Holy Cross High School in Saskatoon organ - ize a Box Lunch Auction. Each homeroom is invited to organize a meal to be auctioned off. Creativity is at its peak with regard to the menu, the location, the number of people to partake in the meal and sometimes even D&P/Etienne Dion the method of dining. The top-dollar coveted meal is lunch in the staff room. It has become the tradition that CRISIS IN IRAQ — A child of the village of Kharsinia (Iraq) proudly the Grade 12 class goes to heroically generous heights to have the bragging rights of winning and eating that shows us the heating system donated by our organization that allows lunch. On auction day the entire school gathers in the gym, with students waving placards and cheering. An her to stay warm during the winter months. See more about programs auctioneer is brought in and the bidding begins! As much as $42,000 has been raised in one auction. in Iraq at https://www.devp.org/en/emergencies/iraq May 10, 2017 D&P: 50TH ANNIVERSARY Prairie Messenger 11 Happy 50th birthday, Development and Peace!

By Joe Gunn al activities among parishioners to illuminate the causes of underde - 1967 seems like such a long velopment. The Canadian Catholic time ago — heck, Canada celebrat - Or ga nization for Development and 50 years ed its Centennial Year, and it was Peace was born — now referred to the last time the Leafs won the as “Development and Peace — Stanley Cup! CARITAS Canada.” of solidarity I was still in grade school that Looking back, my own faith year when the Beatles released life, theology and action in the “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts world seem to follow a path guid - Club Band” and Twiggy heralded ed by the struggles that D&P has JOIN US! that fashion breakthrough called encountered and overcome. the miniskirt. Almost half a mil - In the 1970s, diocesan represen - lion American servicemen were tatives from across Saskatche wan fighting in Vietnam, while the would meet periodically in Saska- number and frequency of peace toon on Friday evenings for long rallies multiplied at home. meetings to discuss D&P’s annual In church history, 1967 marked a education campaigns and other momentous occasion. In the previ - business matters. Frank Hegel ous 70 years before the 1960s, only (back then a teacher, but later two social encyclicals had guided ordained as a Scarboro Mis sionary Catholic social thought. Then, Pope priest who served in Ecuador), Tim Paul VI released Pacem in Terris in Lilburn and Rev. Bill Mahoney 1963 and on March 26, 1967, represented the Diocese of Gravel - 1 888 257-8533 | devp.org Populorum Progressio , his encycli - bourg. Rev. Jim Weisgerber and I cal on the development of peoples. travelled from Regina, Prince The church now recognized that the Albert was represented by Michael serious disagreement. By 1982, the Latin American Projects ners, and we stuffed photographic “social question” had international Doherty, and Saskatoon by Colin after two years of consultations, Approval Committee. It was ex - proof and written testimonies of implications, and de velopment be - Stuart. Only in the later 1970s did D&P was ready to approve a new citing and inspirational to approve human rights violations into every came “the new name for peace.” the province’s first animator, Susan constitution for the organization. financing for Christian activists in piece of clothing and luggage I In response, the Canadian Cath - Eaton, get hired. The Archbishop of Toronto (who a region struggling to defend had. All this material left the coun - olic bishops established an interna - I represented Saskatchewan on preferred the national offices be human rights and the promotion try in my uncomfortable posses - tional agency with dual objectives: D&P’s National Council for three moved from Montreal to Ottawa) of the poor, girded by liberation sion through the diplomatic to collect money to finance projects years, and that was the first — not argued for delay, but the Bishop of theology and overcoming vicious lounge, safely and without official overseas, and to develop education - the last — time I saw bishops in St. Jean-Longueil countered that dictatorships. The lay staff of questioning. Bill later made sure the bishops were in agreement with D&P in those early years were all the documents were carefully the process and contents. The vote militants from the movements of delivered to North American and D&P has given me the opportunity to passed, much to the chagrin of the Catholic Action and Young Chris - European human rights groups archbishop. (Evidently, archbish - tian Workers, people like Romeo who challenged those militarized understand specific issues that those in ops were then not used to serving Maione, Jacques Champagne, Central Ameri can dictatorships. on boards where a democratic vote Tom Johnson and Mike Flynn. In Canada, D&P has mobilized the Global South face at a given time. It could go against their wishes.) They knew Catholic social en - church support for positive social then affords me a tool to reflect on how My favourite D&P volunteer cyclicals by heart, and were change like no other Catholic or - experience was when I served on trained in the “See, Judge, Act” ganization. When I worked for the my lifestyle, actions and/or inactions methodology of Belgian Cardinal Catholic bishops, they wanted to contribute to those issues and to consid - Cardijn. The staff with overseas respond to John Paull II’s call to Gunn is the Ottawa-based experience, however, were mostly make the Jubilee Year 2000 come er implementing ways that will create a executive director of Citizens for former missionaries — the few alive by cancelling the debts of the positive change in our Global Village. Public Justice, www.cpj.ca. In the Canadian Catholics then who had countries of the Global South. But interest of full disclosure, while he good, lived knowledge of the how? Working with other Chris - has never worked for D&P, in countries of the Global South. tians, in the Canadian Ecumenical From 1982 - 1990, I lived in Jubilee Initiative, D&P supporters — Maureen Sonntag 2013, the organization granted a certificate of honour to Joe for his Central America where I was gathered over a half million signa - “international solidarity efforts.” extremely proud of the ground- tures on a petition toward this end. breaking projects and selfless pro - (Other Christian churches gathered motion of beneficial social change about 70,000 more signatures.) The pain of one is the pain of another that D&P partners represented. I’ll never forget preaching in I remember organizing a tour favour of debt cancellation in a By Armella Sonntag appreciation for this acknowledg - connecting the whole. It was a and translating for a delegation of Catholic pulpit, and hearing the ment is primarily a celebration of powerful experience (telling me) Canadian members of Parliament priest celebrant announce at the “D&P and I have a long histo - the ways the Canadian bishops and that we aren’t separate. The pain of in Honduras and Nicaragua, help - end of mass that Finance Minister ry,” Sister Margaret Sadler, sej, the members of D&P (and now one is the pain of another.” ing them understand the guerrilla Paul Martin was among the con - wrote me in an email recently. D&P - CARITAS Canada) have Thank you, Sister Margaret, for war then raging with the covert and gregation, “and surely got our Indeed they do! Sister Margaret helped our Canadian Catholic connecting people and connecting illegal support of U.S. President message loud and clear.” said she has been involved with Church be more informed and con - the whole! Ronald Reagan. Leav ing from the D&P’s ministry has not only the work of D&P for 49 years and nected to our brothers militarily secure Tegucigalpa air - been about financing projects — remembers helping with the first and sisters in the port, the Canadian Embassy and we also learned that “solidarity” Share Lent campaign. Global South and Honduran Foreign Ministry staff was a virtue, and a way of making In the early years she animated elsewhere.” invited our delegation into the our faith come alive, even before D&P in the high school in B.C. One of the cam - diplomatic lounge for quick and John Paul II established this fact where she worked. When she was paigns that stands out comfortable processing. But I first in his 1987 encyclical Sollicitudo in Manitoba, where she spent most particularly for Sister had to dash off to the men’s room Rei Socialis . of her years, she was Winni peg Margaret was the on the departures level to meet Ad multos annos D&P! South - diocesan president for three years, 1979 letter-writing Rev. Bill Smith, SFM, D&P’s ern partners working for justice, and served on the national Edu - campaign supporting Latin American Projects Officer. and the Canadian Catholic Church, cation Committee for six years in the Grand mothers of Bill had been visiting D&P’s part - need your example more than ever. the 1980s. the Pla za de Mayo in She promoted the work of D&P Ar gen tina. Their chil - D&P become a member wherever she could, in the parish - dren and grand chil - es, missions, among CWL mem - dren had disappeared bers, in her religious congregation under the military Are you an existing member or want to become a member of and among the associates of her dictatorship. In 1993 Development and Peace? To celebrate our jubilee, we are offering congregation. Her most recent she visited Ar gen tina free lifetime memberships. years of service have been in the for her congregation As part of Development and Peace’s 50 year celebrations, exist - northern Archdiocese of Keewatin- and had the opportu - ing members will be recognized with lifetime memberships and Le Pas from 2000 to 2015. nity to visit the Plaza will no longer have to renew their membership cards! Sister Margaret will be receiving de Mayo. “I walked Additionally, as part of our membership drive efforts leading up to a D&P 50th Anniversary Certificate in the plaza and our 50th birthday, those who become members before Oct. 20, 2017, of Recognition. In response, she prayed and I felt that will also be offered lifetime membership cards free of charge. wrote, “I certainly learned a lot and I was touching some - A special lifetime membership card with a new logo will be mailed was influenced by many people thing very im portant; A. Sonntag out to all individuals who qualify for this exciting membership! within the organization. I think my connecting people, Sister Margaret Sadler, sej 12 Prairie Messenger D&P: 50TH ANNIVERSARY May 10, 2017 Making informed choices, strengthening faith

By Desiree Nelson san D&P council for a When I learned of the term couple of years, tak - social justice, I felt like pieces of Who invited and/or inspired ing on a secretarial the puzzle had finally come you to be involved with D&P? role. together. The further I journeyed I was introduced to Develop - I started in the to become Catholic, the more ful - ment and Peace by Sarah (Dauk) Youth Rep position filled I felt, knowing that this was McKay and Gertrude Rompré at when our current a part of our Catholic faith and St. Thomas More College during youth rep was unable supported by the CCCB. my first year of university. I was to attend the National I loved that D&P was working interested in helping others, espe - Youth Assembly. for long-term and sustainable cially those on the margins, and From that point on, I practices, while not neglecting the through the STM Just Youth was involved as a needs for immediate charity or group I learned that there were youth rep for several emergency relief. It was vital to others with the same heart, a heart years in both Saska- me that D&P work at a grassroots for social justice. toon and Regina. level with the people. Not only do Through Development and During this time I also I feel like I have been able to Peace I was finally able to define gave presentations on invest myself in an organization the way I looked at the world and Share Year Round, as I that makes a difference, but I also have a place where I could invest truly believe in the know that I have been given an my gifts to help others here and importance of this education through D&P that has abroad. Gertrude’s mentorship monthly giving pro - informed my worldview and also and personal involvement helped gram, even as a uni - informed those around me. me to find my roots in this won - versity student on a I received a degree in sociolo - derful organization and I knew budget. gy and believe that choosing this early on that this foundation was I have attended the major was also influenced by my only going to grow. National Youth Assem - D&P involvement with D&P. Because bly a few times and one Gertrude Rompré (left) and Desiree Nelson of D&P, I understand a vocabu - What role(s) have you had year I was also named lary that has become part of my within D&P and when? the anglophone delegate at the fran - gate to the World Social Forum, bly, and recently became a Co- daily language (such as solidarity, I began as a member of the cophone Youth Assembly. That was where I had the opportunity to rep - Youth Rep again to assist in a sustainable, mining justice, social STM Just Youth group in 2006, a wonderful op portunity to meet the resent D&P and work as a bilingual vacancy until we are able to elect justice, grassroots, agroecology, assisting with the campaigns on francophone youth members and team to present workshops on spe - the new one. This year I have also etc.) and this has been shared with campus, as well as helping lead practise speaking French. This past cific themes, such as fair trade. taken the lead at a parish level to family and friends. As an exam - the annual high school retreat. I year I was blessed to have been cho - I have participated in core present on the Fall Action and ple, through this passing of also was involved with the Dioce - sen as an anglophone youth dele - meetings and our regional assem - Share Lent campaigns. knowledge, there have been oth - ers I have spoken with who have How has the Canadian Cath - chosen to purchase ethically olic Organization for Develop - mined diamonds, thanks to the ment and Peace developed your information I was taught during a faith, yourself as a person and fall action campaign focused on your understanding of the mining. world? That is a huge part of my love When I first joined D&P, I for D&P: we are given informa - wasn’t Catholic. I had started the tion to make informed choices, we RCIA process but knew nothing can share that information with about social justice or Catholic others, we can contribute with our social teaching. I just knew that I time and/or finances and we can had a heart for others, especially improve the lives of those living those who were vulnerable, had in developing countries, all while no voice, or anyone to advocate building up our church communi - for them. ty and strengthening our faith. Celebrating 50 years

By Bernice Daratha Jubilee Initiative, with the support of Development and Peace, raises “I have come so that you may 640,000 signatures to cancel the have life and have it to the full.” debts of the world’s poorest coun - — John 10:10 tries. 2000s: $21 million raised for Do you remember these events relief and reconstruction efforts and projects? for victims of the Indian Ocean 1960s: Emergency appeal for the tsunami. war and famine in Biafra, Nigeria. 2010s: Water for All campaign D&P/Khoudia Ndiaye 1970s: Peasant land struggles encourages water bottle-free zones MISSION IN DRC — In the Democratic Republic of Congo, Development and Peace takes on issues of non-vio - in Brazil; Pastoral land commis - across the country. lence, democracy and civic engagement. The organization has been supporting RCK (Katanga’s community sion becomes an important Amazing! The “new life” that radio for over a decade and organizing public markets to help promote women’s activities.) In the Democratic Development and Peace partner. these and so many other projects Republic of Congo, 47 per cent of the population is under the age of 15. To learn more about Development and 1980s: Opposition to the have helped to bring and continue Peace’s work in the Democratic Republic of Congo, visit https://www.devp.org/en/emergencies/drc Apartheid regime in South Africa to bring to our sisters and brothers — 120,000 signatures requesting around the world. That’s why I that the Canadian government have been drawn, led, called to be Share Lent: a legacy of generosity increase sanctions against South involved in Development and Africa. Peace. In giving I have also 1990s: Canadian Ecumenical received that “fullness of life.” By Armella Sonntag grimage as it made its way across signing, hosting of people from the country. This pilgrimage was the south and visits to the south, As we are enjoying this happy an opportunity for Development meetings with media and mem - Easter season, we look back to and Peace to thank Canadians who bers of Parliament. D&P has helped me to live my life in soli - having just completed Develop - have so generously made these 50 People’s creativity has known ment & Peace’s 50th Share Lent years of solidarity possible. no bounds in raising money for darity with people in need, and has shown Campaign. This is a remarkable There are countless images of our human family in need. me the courage and resilience they have feat in the history of our Canadian selfless work in fundraising, edu - Development and Peace has been Catholic Church and remarkable in cation and advocacy in parishes, primarily an organization blessed and need to live their lives. May God bless the tireless generosity of its people. schools and the communities at by the Widow’s Mite (Luke 21:1 - On Ash Wednesday of 2016, large. People of all ages have 4). Thousands of people have con - them and may he give us the strength and D&P launched a Solidarity Quilt given of themselves in so many tributed what they could in time courage to continue our work. Pilgrimage. Beginning from the ways — the penny and stamp col - and money. This legacy of gen - east and west coasts, Catholic dio - lections, monthly giving, fasting, erosity is a foundation for our ceses in Canada created a quilt prayers, meetings, workshops, future and for which we are pro - — Agnes Parisloff square, which was added to the pil - talks, baking, marches, petition- foundly grateful. May 10, 2017 D&P: 50TH ANNIVERSARY Prairie Messenger 13 Anniversary celebrated with publication of new book

The following excerpt is from Jubilee: 50 Years of Solidarity, pub - lished by Novalis. Reprinted by permission of the Publisher.

Our Jubilee see the poor. We do not see the poor as ‘less than.’ They are poor because they are victims of injus - 50 Years of Solidarity tice and oppression. But neither and Partnership do we see them primarily as vic - tims. Nor do not see them as ben - eficiaries, recipients or develop - In the world of international ment targets. For Development solidarity, partnership is a word and Peace, we see the poor as the used by all stripes, so much so its protagonists of their own history. meaning feels diluted. However, We see the poor as agents of their since the early years of its exis - own development and creators of tence, Development and Peace their own future. It is for that rea - has worked to define a meaning of son that we want to become part - partnership that is deeply and ners with the poor. We want to uniquely its own and lies at the support their right to live in full - heart of our identity. ness and dignity. We want to be an The organization’s partnership ally in their struggles for libera - policy describes the rich relation - tion. ships, based on equality and mu- Our vision of partnership also tual engagement and benefit, that springs from our faith in the should exist between ourselves Nazarene and our trust in a lov - and our partners. The characteris - ing God. The poor are especially tics of partnership have been privileged of this love. Like the learned, articulated, and practiced Good Samaritan, Development through hundreds of relationships and Peace responds by protecting and thousands of experiences. But life, by joining with the poor in D&P where does this vision spring their desire to achieve the full - IN NEPAL — Sarasuoti Kalki, a 30-year-old farmer, sprays natural pesticides on his crops. Development from? What is so unique about it? ness of life, and doing for the and Peace and its partner ICCO provided the seeds and farm equipment. For more information on the work Our vision of partnership starts poor what we would not hesitate in Nepal visit https://www.devp.org/en/emergencies/nepal with ‘a look.’ It begins in how we to do for Jesus. This is the ulti - mate test of faith and of action The vision is also rooted in changing things. They are the true consider themselves ‘pure.’ that is consistent with faith. We how we understand social change. drivers of change and it is from How will Development and Jubilee: 50 Years of Solidarity look to and we contribute to the The rich and even those who are the poor that real change will Peace remain faithful to the mis - is available from Novalis social teachings of the church neither rich nor poor have no real come. Consequently, when those sion that has been entrusted to it (www.novalis.ca) in English or (inset) as we strive to put this interest in transforming the world. who believe in social justice want by the Church? How will we over - French. 160 pages; $34.95 vision into practice. It is the poor who are interested in to join in struggles against pover - come these challenges over the ty and injustice, it is to the peo - next 50 years? ple’s movements and other organ - Proclaiming Jubilee izations of the poor that we must turn, and it is their struggles we Near the beginning of his pub - must support. lic ministry, Jesus visited the tem - Challenges ple in his home town. He stood up and announced what we would We face two main challenges today call his ‘mission statement.’ in trying to implement our vision He said that he had been sent to of partnership. The first is true of win liberty for the oppressed and any organization that has a fund - to proclaim a year of jubilee. This ing component. Money gives was good news for the poor. The power and tends to establish an men in the temple were very uneven relationship. This has the familiar with the idea of jubilee. potential of creating dependency They knew what God had said to among the ‘funded.’ Overcoming Moses on Mount Sinai: “And you the inequality created by money shall hallow the fiftieth year and requires rare spirit and intellectual you shall proclaim liberty courage. through out the land to all its in - The second challenge comes habitants. It shall be a jubilee for from being an organization of the you” (Lev. 25:10) Church. The mandate given De - Jubilee was an important vel opment and Peace by our bish - social regulation in the Old Testa - ops propels us into the heart of the ment: a time to share resources, modern world and into the com - forgive debt, grant freedom and plex alliances and networks we D&P let the earth rest. Society has a need to effectively fight poverty tendency towards becoming un - HELLO FROM TACLOBAN — This is one of a number of portraits of the people who survived Typhoon and injustice. As we struggle for equal. In equality breeds poverty, Haiyan, the strongest typhoon on record in the Philippines. The photos were taken over a period of 18 justice without discrimination, injustice and oppression. These months in the context of visiting reconstruction projects supported by Development and Peace. To learn and therefore without regard for realities were far from the cove - more about Development and Peace’s work in the Philippines, visit www.devp.org/Philippines religion, we face accusations of nant made between God and infidelity by Catholic groups that God’s people. Jubilee was a way to restore the covenant to its true Justice work: bringing Gospel to life and original promise. From the beginning of his preaching, Jesus By Judy Corkery determine the root causes of of poverty and injustice. Development & sought to re store the prophecy. poverty. What are the unjust Later on came even harder Jubilee was at the heart of the How has the Canadian Cath - social, political and economic questions: How is my lifestyle Peace means lob - good news. o lic Organization for Develop - structures that keep people from contributing to the conditions of bying for and This is the deeper meaning to ment and Peace developed your flourishing as God intended? poverty in the Global South? This be taken from the 50th anniver - faith, yourself as a person and I learned about the Catholic was a call to examine my own work ing towards sary of Development and Peace. your understanding of the social teachings, particularly “the actions and the actions of our Peace and Justice. Celebrating a 50th year is like world? Preferential Option for the Poor, government and Canadian corpo - declaring a jubilee in the biblical In the mid 1990s I joined the Solidarity and The Common rations. D&P taught us how and Like Pope Paul II sense. It is a time to join the poor social justice group in our parish Good,” and how to bring these when to be political ac tivists in a says, “You cannot in their struggles for liberation. It and was introduced to Develop- Gospel values to life in justice positive and respectful manner. is a time to reinvest in the radical ment and Peace (D&P). Here I work. It was inspiring to see that As an individual I have often felt have peace with - transformation that is occurring learned about the trials and tribu - D&P didn’t send “Canadian powerless to effect change, but today. It is an opportunity to re - lations of my brothers and sisters experts” to tell people how to when I gathered with other out justice.” store the movement with the same in the Global South. I learned that solve their problems; instead they enthusiastic, hope-filled people, I prophetic power that gave it birth although it is vital that Canadians supported local groups who were began to see that together we can — Marcella Pedersen and which must continually reju - share, it is even more important to working to dismantle the causes and are making a difference! venate us. 14 Prairie Messenger ARTS & CULTURE May 10, 2017 Earth care: country wisdom and global challenge

Screenings & Meanings

Gerald Schmitz

Our economy where it meets the landscape is violent, toxic, commu - nity-destroying, family-destroying, and there is no perception of it in the places that matter, except perhaps indifference. — Wendell Berry

Earth Day was April 22. But and old, unfolds over six chapters shouldn’t we care for our mother and an epilogue. Berry, who has earth every day? Reflecting on an aversion to being photographed that this springtime, I’m grateful or filmed (he’s only shown in for having grown up on a family archival footage), is nonetheless farm in Saskatchewan. There’s a powerfully present as an obser - connection to nature, to habits of vant narrator reading from his work, and to simple country wis - work. “Imagination in Place” situ - dom that has stayed with me ates his life and words in the nur - through decades of urban living. turing agrarian environment from It’s also a source of enduring which he draws inspiration. Mary Courtesy of Collective Eye Films earthy values that can be pushed recalls being taught from an early SEED: THE UNTOLD STORY — Harvesting corn in the Sierra Norte Mountains north of Oaxaca, these aside in a society and economy age how to appreciate it, to “look corn varieties are endangered of disappearing forever. The photo is from the documentary Seed: The Untold driven by technology, consump - and see.” The evocative cine - Story. tion, the aggrandizing ideologies matography throughout, which of new and improved and bigger received a SXSW special jury brother Den runs The Berry Center red snapper, which has been put at health over corporate wealth.” is better. award, is by Lee Daniel, re - (www.berrycenter.org), says her risk from poorly controlled “The environment doesn’t A major voice calling attention nowned for his work with Richard father “doesn’t watch screens.” exploitation of the resource. know any boundaries” is an to those values is the American Linklater. (The film’s producers But this film inspired by him is Veteran fisherman Wayne Werner underlying theme of Circle of writer-poet-philosopher-farmer include Terrence Malick, Robert definitely worth watching on any describes how the commercial Poison (http://www.circleofpoi - Wendell Berry, a passionate Redford, and Nick Offerman.) screen. fishery had to learn to curb over - sonfilm.com/), the title of which defender of agrarian life and the The Unsettling of America lays Another compelling Sundance fishing through regulations and draws on a book by David Weir recipient of many awards and bare the effects of the industrial - documentary, Rancher, Farmer, individual fishing quotas. He’s and Mark Schapiro, Circle of honours. ization of agriculture — the pres - Fisherman, directed by Susan concerned that a lack of rules gov - Poison: Pesticides and People in Among the impressive docu - sures to “expand or get out,” the Froemke and John Hoffman, erning that catch by well-heeled a Hungry World original pub - mentaries at the 2016 South By resort to chemicals, the impera - draws on the eponymous book by and well-connected recreational lished in 1987. This led to a Southwest festival (SXSW) was tives of agribusiness and a food- Miriam Horn that celebrates the fishers will upset the balance and “Circle of Poison Prevention director/producer/editor Laura industrial complex (some of example of “conservation heroes once again imperil fish stocks. Act” being introduced in the U.S. Dunn’s portrait of his work enti - which is dependent on Mexican of the American heartland” (see These are plain-speaking folks Congress in 1991, but it never tled The Seer. An updated version, migrant labour). It’s an ideology http://rancherfarmerfisherman. who are “conservative” in the best became law. The investigation by Look and See: A Portrait of that’s been pushed by both gov - com/). At one time 80 per cent of sense of that term. They might be directors Evan Mascagni and Wendell Berry (http://lookand - ernment and corporations, often Americans made their living described as salt-of-the-earth (and Shannon Post reveals how chem - seefilm.com/), was a selection of leaving farmers trapped in a cycle from the land and sea. Today sea) working men with a message icals developed for military use the 2017 Sundance film festival of debt. At the same time, as the only one per cent do. And they to the country worth heeding. were adapted for agro-industrial and is the one reviewed here. chapter “Nowhere” shows, family have become the front line in applications, stating bluntly: It opens with a speeded-up farms disappear, communities protecting the country’s precious * * * “Without war we wouldn’t have montage of our current manic decline from depopulation and natural assets from multiple pres - pesticides.” Giant multinational industrial civilization addicted to rural areas suffer from a stereo - sures. Also deserving attention are chemical corporations control a “progress” set against the warning type of “backwardness.” With narration by television several excellent documentaries global pesticide market estimated lines of W.B. Yeats’ poem “The The fourth chapter, “It All broadcaster Tom Brokaw, the examining the growing vulnera - to be worth $US65 billion. They film’s trio of stories unfold down bilities in our industrialized food spend heavily on lobbying legis - Look and See: A Portrait of Wendell Berry the middle of America from systems. Directed by Jon Betz and lators and co-opting regulators. Montana to the Mississippi Delta. Taggart Siegel, Seed: The Untold There are examples of chemical Rancher, Farmer, Fisherman The first profiled is Montana Story (http:// www.seedthe - compounds (e.g. endosulfan) that rancher Dusty Crary, who is com - movie.com/) addresses the threats were banned for use in America Seed: The Untold Story mitted to the protection of remain - to seed biodiversity, noting that 94 but still allowed to be exported. Circle of Poison ing wild places and wildlife habi - per cent of vegetable varieties The filmmakers’ message is tats. That has led to involvement have disappeared over the course that contamination of the earth’s with the Coalition to Protect the of the 20th century, and that some soil, water and air is “an unfor - Rocky Mountain Front and organ - 90 per cent of current crop seeds givable sin” that threatens the Second Coming” that “the centre Turns on Affection,” is an appeal izations like The Nature Con - in common use are controlled by long-term human prospect. cannot hold.” Contrasted to this for the restoration of values rooted servancy. Heritage legislation huge biotech chemical corpora - Harmful chemicals have spread compulsive frenzy the camera in family and community bonds isn’t popular with some landown - tions like Monsanto. The film to all parts of the globe including then follows a serene path in the that are not beholden to the idola - ers who protest any restrictions as underscores the importance of the polar regions. Exposure can woods of rural Kentucky’s Henry try of the money economy. “extreme environmentalism.” But seed seekers, savers and pre - lead to genotoxic effects and County where Berry has lived and Against an “age of divorce” that the five-generation rancher sees servers, including the role of pub - deformities in children. So-called farmed with his wife, Tanya, since divides and polarizes, the core of no contradiction between his lic seed banks and Norway’s “chemical corridors” that contain the mid-1960s. We’ve entered a Berry’s philosophy proposes a belief in property rights and in Global Seed Vault on the high concentrations of chemical plants place with space to breathe and search for connection and coher - “wilderness values.” Arctic Svalbard archipelago, have also become known as contemplate what has served as a ence. The last chapters, “A We next visit the operations which I visited last summer. It fol - “cancer alleys.” creative wellspring. “When we Homecoming,” and “The Handing of Kansas farmers Justin Knopf lows the efforts of farmers, scien - All of these films question the make art,” observes Berry, “we Down,” see the rural and agricul - and Keith Thompson. Their con - tists, lawyers and indigenous peo - prevailing industrial-corporate are also making our lives and I’m tural vocation as devoted to the cern for the care and conserva - ples determined to protect access model of agriculture and food pro - sure the reverse is equally true.” care of the earth. One of the tion of the soil has led them to to seed diversity. They worry duction on the basis of human and Berry isn’t some backwoods farmer commentators, Steve develop practices of “no-till about the corporate patenting of ecological costs. We know the character. He achieved academic Smith, who switched from grow - farming” that avoid the cycle of seeds and genetic modifications harms. Like getting off our addic - distinction and taught at big-city ing tobacco as a cash crop to plowing and chemical spraying. for profit, and about compromised tion to carbon-polluting fossil universities before moving back organic farming, explains that the Instead they use crop diversity regulatory systems that are a fuels, restoring the earth and mov - to the country where he has since land responds to care as people and rotation to build up and “revolving door between govern - ing toward sustainable alterna - published over 30 books includ - do. Recovering such agrarian val - maintain healthy soils that are ments and corporations.” Their tives is the challenge facing this ing the seminal 1977 volume The ues will take more than “local resistant to erosion and infesta - message in a nutshell: “human generation. Unsettling of America: Culture & food” movements and the like; a tions (weeds, insects, disease). Agriculture. cultural shift toward earth care is Calling themselves “rugged co- Look and See , which includes needed. Much has been lost, but operators,” their success has interviews with wife, Tanya, and the film’s epilogue gives hopeful attracted a lot of interest. www.prairiemessenger.ca daughter Mary as well as friends expression to that vision. The third segment focuses on and fellow farm advocates young Mary Berry, who with her the Gulf Coast fishery, notably for May 10, 2017 FEATURE Prairie Messenger 15 Francis and Benedict: two divergent approaches to Islam

By Christopher Lamb developing world — precisely ©2017 Religion News Service where Islam is growing, often in competition, but sometimes in The global growth of Islam and collaboration. in particular the rise of Islamic The risk for religion, Francis extremism have forced recent explained at Al-Azhar, is not just popes to set out, with increasing about finding a balance between urgency, a strategy for engaging faith and reason, as Benedict tried the religion. to explain. It is also about striking As Pope Francis’ brief trip to a balance between the public and Egypt demonstrated, the most personal realms. recent pontiffs have come up with “Religion tends to be relegated starkly different approaches — to the private sphere, as if it were though it’s not yet clear if one is not an essential dimension of the better than the other, or if either human person and society,” will be effective. Francis said. When Pope Emeritus Benedict “At the same time, the religious XVI addressed the question of and political spheres are confused Islamic extremism he did so dur - and not properly distinguished,” ing a speech at a university in his he warned. “Religion risks being Bavarian homeland where, as a absorbed into the administration of priest and professor, Joseph temporal affairs and tempted by Ratzinger had worked decades CNS/Paul Haring the allure of worldly powers that earlier. PERSONAL ENCOUNTER — Pope Francis and Sheik Ahmad el-Tayeb, grand imam of al-Azhar in fact exploit it.” That 2006 address in Regens- University, attend a conference on international peace in Cairo April 28. The pope was making a two-day In this context, the pope urged burg, Germany, was a theological visit to Egypt. Egyptian Christians to be a posi - master class on the relationship tive force within society; to be between faith and reason. But it fact, is the “personal encounter” ing an “explosive situation in gious communities,” Reynolds people of dialogue who are “sow - also angered Muslims who object - with Muslims that the pontiff put Europe.” explained. ers of hope” and able to forgive ed to Benedict citing a 14th-centu - his own safety at risk by going to Catholic defenders of Benedict’s “He is counting on the prestige those who wrong them. ry Christian emperor who claimed Cairo, a trip that took place less Regensburg address insist that he of Al-Azhar and its grand imam in This is no easy task in a coun - that the Prophet Muhammad had than three weeks after 45 worship - correctly addressed some uncom - particular, to join with him in try where the ancient Christian only brought the world things that pers were killed in bomb attacks fortable truths within Islam and they broadcasting this message.” communities suffer growing per - were “evil and inhuman.” on two Egyptian churches. point out that the speech led 138 Al-Azhar, an influential 10th- secution and in some places are Moreover, Benedict also deliv - The pope even shunned a bullet - Islamic scholars to write to Bene - century mosque and university, being driven out. ered his message to Islam from proof vehicle and when he arrived dict in 2007, a letter that paved the and its leaders are taking an active Nevertheless, Francis told afar. at a sports stadium for an open-air way for a new Catholic-Muslim role to try and crack down on them that “true faith” makes peo - mass he greet - dialogue initiative. extremism in Islam. They are ple “more merciful, more honest ed the crowds Yet while it was Muslims who revered experts in interpretations and more humane” and that the from an open- approached Benedict a decade of the Qur’an and that is key to only fanaticism for a religious topped golf ago, under Francis things are the countering the largely Sunni- believer should be that of charity. bug gy. other way round. inspired ideologues of the Islamic The increased vulnerability of “Whereas Francis’ approach to Islam is State, or ISIS, who use Scripture Egypt’s nine million Christians, previous popes characterized by a willingness to to justify terrorist violence. the vast majority of whom are — even in “cross over to the other side” — Uphill task Coptic Orthodox — there are only more secure Egypt is the seventh Muslim around 272,000 Coptic Catholics places — have majority country he has visited in But those religious leaders also — could be bringing them closer ridden in bul - his four years as pope. And a face an uphill task and a power together. letproof vehi - papal visit to Bangladesh, where struggle with the Egyptian gov - In Cairo, Francis reprised a cles, Francis almost 90 per cent of the popula - ernment over who gets to reform favourite phrase about an “ecu - showed his tion are followers of Islam, is what. menism of blood” between Catholic cour age in planned for later this year. President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi martyrs and Orthodox ones while Egypt, and his This has always been his style. has made it his business to keep a signing an important joint declara - will to be close When he was archbishop of lid on extremist violence since tion with the Coptic Orthodox pope, to the people, Buenos Aires, Francis — then taking power in a 2013 coup Tawadros II. In that accord, they by this simple Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio — that overthrew the country’s first recognized a common baptism gesture,” became the first Catholic bishop to democratically elected president, among their believers. explained visit Argentina’s Islamic Center, Mohammed Morsi of the Muslim Historic moment Gabriel Said and the Jesuit pope has continued Brotherhood. Reynolds, a to focus on building personal con - El-Sissi’s administration has, Perhaps even more significant, professor of nections with Muslims. for example, tightly controlled the however, was the historic mo ment Islamic studies In Egypt, this was symbolized content of Friday sermons deliv - when Francis, Tawadros and Pa - at the Uni ver - by his embrace of Sheikh Ahmed ered at the country’s 100,000 triarch Bartholomew of Con stan - sity of Notre el-Tayeb, the grand imam of Al- mosques in an effort to curb grow - tinople, the leader of Eastern Or - Dame. Azhar mosque, following the ing fanaticism. It hasn’t, however, thodoxy, sat alongside each other Reynolds pope’s address to their peace con - stopped ISIS from picking off dis - during an ecumenical prayer serv - took part in a ference. affected members of the Brother - ice. recent Vatican- Powerful image hood. This puts the pope’s at - It is believed to be the first CNS/Paul Haring Muslim forum tempts into perspective. time these leaders of three ancient COURAGE IN EGYPT — Pope Francis greets the at Cairo’s Al- It was a powerful image of “It is not clear what kind of an streams of Christianity have crowd as he arrives to celebrate mass at the Air Azhar universi - Muslim and Christian fraternity impact a Catholic pope can have shared a platform, and it repre - Defense Stadium in Cairo April 29. He shunned a bul - ty, a major cen - that had echoes of St. Francis of in reaching the hearts of Muslims sented an important — if symbol - let-proof vehicle when he arrived at the stadium. tre of Sunni- Assisi’s mission to Islamic lead - who are attracted by extremist ic — united front in defence of Islamic learn - er Sultan Al-Kamil 800 years ideology, even if the pope is their flocks. Francis, on the other hand, has ing with global influence and ago. speaking with the grand imam of In the end, however, Francis’ made it his business to try to build expertise in interpreting the Qur’an. This personal approach has al-Azhar,” Reynolds added. short Egypt trip will primarily be bridges with the Muslim world The dialogue that Reynolds is part been bolstered by Francis’ consis - What all this underscores is remembered for his willingness to with the energy of a missionary. of only restarted under Francis — tent refusal to link the Islamic faith how intertwined religious prob - take risks in the cause of peace That approach was on display who was elected in 2013 — after re - per se to terrorism, and has made lems are with the politics of and his demonstration that the during his 27-hour trip to Egypt, lations had soured under Benedict. the Islamic world take notice. Egypt, a phenomenon that is com - Catholic Church can work with viewed as the leader in the major - Yet even as the current pope It also meant that when Francis mon across the Arab world. Islamic leaders on combating reli - ity Sunni Islamic world, and a pushes for a personal encounter issued one of his strongest and Special challenge gious extremism. nation that is making a serious — with Islam, his predecessor’s most detailed condemnations of That the pontiff and the imams though controversial — effort to lega cy of engaging Islam via a religious violence during his Al- That is also a special challenge are on the same page can only be a crack down on extremist-inspired theological challenge to extremist Azhar address, his speech was to those in the secular West who good thing for peace, and a crucial violence. elements among Muslims contin - welcomed and frequently inter - think if religious faith was side - step forward following the con - So important to Francis, in ues to hold some sway. rupted with applause. lined then the problems go away. tested approach of Benedict XVI. Indeed, just as Francis was “He knows that the only effec - Yet it presents an opportunity But whether the extremists will heading to Egypt a letter appeared tive way for his message of peace to the pope and the Vatican as heed any counsel other than their Christopher Lamb is the from the retired pope to the presi - to touch the hearts of the larger leaders of an ancient western reli - own is the real question, and one Vatican correspondent for The dent of Poland in which Benedict global community is to speak gious institution that is also expe - that may not have an answer any - Tablet of London. accused “radical Islam” of creat - together with leaders of other reli - riencing major growth in the time soon. 16 Prairie Messenger FEATURE May 10, 2017 Visions of a radiant mother, pinning sheets to the sky

Porch Light

Stephen Berg

The day my father first saw my was sure pretty,” he said, allowing mother he was driving a team of himself a bit more candour. horses hitched to a wagon. Passing When my father told this story by a farm he saw a figure through a the creases on his forehead thin stand of trees. He leaned back, smoothed out and his blue eyes reining in the horses. The trees deepened. moved by slowly, allowing him to One day my dad stopped the see a young woman bending over a horses, or the car, or whatever he rake. She was in a garden, close to was driving, and said Hi. A the road. She was wearing a light- cracked and yellow-edged picture coloured dress but he was drawn to from their courtship shows Mom her profile. She caught him staring sitting on the front of a 1930- when she raised her head and something Chevrolet. Dad has his looked back over across the shal - arm around her waist and is lean - low ditch. Dad said he remembered ing into her, one foot is raised and her face: shy smile, bright clear is resting on the running board. eyes, wavy long brown hair. “She My mom’s face has that shy smile Design Pics and those bright eyes that dad RADIANT — “My mother was a vision, as radiant as an angel, beautiful as she stretched and stood on her spoke of; and she seems light, toes pinning white sheets to the sky.” Berg, a freelance writer and ready to float up off the fender. poet, currently lives in Victoria, They married, raised a family, and The greater the difficulty, the more stoop of our house after three sion on young imaginative minds. B.C., where he also volunteers at settled into the vagaries of farm Bible verses. They also showed up years of almost no contact. I The rapture is the belief that Our Place, a care facility for life. in the tobacco pouch I thought I couldn’t just walk in like I had before the great tribulation, men - homeless people. His poetry and Mom’s faith was displayed in had hid well enough. During my always done before, and I felt sad tioned in the book of Revelations, prose have been in staged per - Bible verses: needle pointed, high school years I think the entire about this. I knocked on the green God will rapture, that is, take up, formances and have appeared in embroidered, stitched into pictures New Testament passed across the screen door. My mother answered all true Christians from the earth. such publications as the that hung on the walls. Most of all refrigerator door. and for a brief second stood before I was nine or 10 years old the Edmonton Journal, Orion, Geez, they were taped to her fridge. If It was her that welcomed me me without a sign of recognition. I day it happened. It was Saturday and Earth Shine. He blogs at she was worried, more verses home, as prodigal. It was late couldn’t blame her. My hair hung and I had slept in. The morning www.growmercy.org would appear on the fridge door. afternoon when I stood at the in long strings over my shoulders was fresh and bright. But the house half-way to my waist, and I was was still. There was no usual rail thin. I said, “Hi Mom,” and muted mid-morning clamour. No Life is held together by polarities waited. Suddenly she reached out squeak in the floor that told me dad and pulled me through the en - was leaning back in a chair. There contains and embraces them. trance like she was pulling a was no little sister rustling around, This very life, on all levels, is drowning man into a boat. no usual rattle in the kitchen. held together by polarities and The years evaporated and I was I went downstairs. I stood at Outlooks from opposites. “Conflict is Life” is the home, and, to Mom, nothing else the landing and knew the rapture first chapter in the best little book mattered. The only thing that had happened. The door was wide the Inner Life I’ve read on the subject, entitled came between us was my own open, they hadn’t gone through Tensions by H.A. Williams (1919- guilt at being absent all that time. the ceiling, they were sucked 2006), the eminent British priest She soon set about making me a through the door. I was left Cedric Speyer and theologian. He goes on to sandwich and boiling water for behind. And this amazingly bright explore what we all have to navi - instant coffee. And in-between day turned dark. gate if we’re not going to collapse slicing bread and trips to the I ran outside in a blur. I turned “Enlightenment is not a simplified state. Not at all. It is the supreme our consciousness into the rigidity fridge she asked to hear all about toward the street — nothing. I ran tolerance of cognitive dissonance.” — Robert Thurman of fundamentalism on one hand, my time away. I told her the things to the back of the house, my moth - or the false peace of disengaged I could and then I said I was com - er was hanging up clothes. Oh no! “The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed detachment on the other. We have ing home to get re-established. Mom didn’t make it either! I stood ideas in the mind at the same time, and still retain the ability to func - to find our way through the nar - The words made it sound like I blinking. Noises from the world tion.” — F. Scott Fitzgerald row gate between dependence and was implementing a career around me returned, my sense autonomy, faith and doubt, con - change. I was surprised at how I returned, and I realized that if my I remember seeing an interview evolved into Benedictine Christian templation and activism; not to could still pretend in the face of mother was still here, nothing on CBC that the brilliant Barbara meditation and centring prayer. all the contrary evidence. I was happened. She would easily have Frum did with Maharishi Mahesh There was a telling moment in mention the ground level dilem - reaching for a bit of dignity. She been one of the first to be Yogi. He was the guru who estab - the interview when the Maharishi mas of city or country, staying put nodded and knew what I meant snatched up. lished Transcendental Meditation said with his characteristic “tran - or travelling, solitude or commu - and knew what I needed just then. The day returned to me in a ™ and brought the spiritual prac - scendent” giggle that “life is nity. As Thérèse famously said as She let me be and she was beauti - blaze, twice as fresh and twice as tice of twice daily 20-minute med - bliss.” Without missing a beat, a child, “I choose all!” ful to me. bright, as a result of my survival. itations to the masses (even into Barbara replied, “Not in my expe - St. Thérèse herself was charac - I saw her beauty in other unex - My mother was a vision, as radi - corporate culture!). At first he was rience.” terized by extreme paradox and pected ways. Being raised in an ant as an angel, beautiful as she endorsed by The Beatles and other Fast forward to this past Easter contradiction. A pampered child evangelical home we were taught stretched and stood on her toes celebrities; then his organization and reflections I read positing a who became selfless. A tortured a doctrine known as the rapture . It pinning white sheets to the sky. became a kind of McDonald’s of mystical resurrection before death soul full of joy. An uneducated was preached about with some And to me, this is how she meditation. Yet the inevitable spir - in counterpoint to the one after - woman who became a Doctor of intensity and it made an impres - remains. itual materialism involved in such ward. Here is the description of the Church. A self-proclaimed mass marketing was outweighed the former: “It is awakening to saint professing “the little way.” by the fact that he did introduce the infinite or eternity within us. Yes, we are called to embrace my generation to contemplative This happened to Jesus at the infinity and eternity . . . yet as long practice, and for that I am eternal - moment of his baptism. He tran - as we inhabit a mortal body in finite ly grateful. In my case, the practice scended the horizontal moment of time, all the other tensions ensue: HOLY LAND time and entered into the realm of believing in a God we can’t see; PILGRIMAGE infinity and eternity.” Now it’s learning to love when pierced by Nov. 21 - Dec. 3, 2017, with Fr. Pius Schroh Speyer is a Benedictine Oblate my turn to say . . . not in my expe - hatred; seeing abundance in spite of Visiting: Jerusalem, Mt. of Olives, Bethlehem, Church of Nativity, Dead Sea, as well as an author, subject mat - rience! In fact, as far as I under - lack; discovering freedom where Sea of Galilee boat ride, Cana, Nazareth, Mount Tabor, ter expert for e-therapy, clinical stand the call of Christianity, with control is the state religion; main - Masada, daily mass & more . . . consultant and director of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux for back - taining self-worth when stripped of InnerView Guidance International up, the Sacred Heart doesn’t do dignity; finding beauty in the midst CALL: GOSPA TOURS (IGI). Connect with Cedric on away with the crux of the hori - of ugliness; keeping faith when RR 5, Site 502, Box 9, Saskatoon, SK S7K 3J8 https://www.facebook.com/cms94 zontal and vertical, i.e. the contra - faced with uncertainty. “Everything Ph: 306-931-7741 or Toll Free: 1-888-261-0781 or via [email protected] dictions and tensions of life. It is a grace . . .” Email: [email protected]

May 10, 2017 CHURCH AT HOME Prairie Messenger 17 Abandon security and risk living with both arms

a pew far back in the sanctuary, how those missionaries rejoiced to resolution. Private life is, after all, adjusting the volume and tone be arriving with news of the Jesus what humans go out in public to controls on the amplifier, then set - who would forgive them and take fight for. The subjective half of Around the tled down, his main sabbath duty their benighted souls to heaven reality is where ecstasies and ter - done, and dozed off. someday, no matter the fate of the rors and guilts are lived, and where I used to turn my head often to pursuing demons. peace amid commotion seems Kitchen Table check, and can’t recall ever seeing I did not venture so far geo - almost as rare and tenuous as any him awake during a sermon. On graphically, only far enough to accord reached in the outer world Lloyd Ratzlaff weekdays he ran a business called learn for myself the mind’s heavens after enough agony has been “Underground Services.” Some - and hells and voids. Henry David borne. times I’d watch him on the seat of Thoreau claimed to have “travelled One of my aging friends who, “It costs so much to be a full learned that we humans have his yellow Massey-Harris indus - a good deal in the town of Con - for most of his life has suffered the human being that there are very waged about 14,000 wars in 3,000 trial tractor, manipulating hy - cord,” and reluctant as I am to sug - assaults of both physical and men - few who have the enlightenment years of history, and my gratitude draulic levers as the bucket dug a gest any comparison with such a tal illnesses, says that his main or the courage to pay the price. began deepening as I realized that trench through a pasture to bring towering mystic, my own small objective is to leave the world the One has to abandon altogether the not one of these wars had running water to someone’s farm - “Concord” has been the life of this way he found it. I hope I can do at search for security and reach out to involved me directly. yard, looking nearly as relaxed as one mind. Often enough it’s been a least that much — or as little. the risk of living with both arms. At my last birthday I turned 70, he did in church rotating his dials. battlefield with One has to embrace the world like and feel I’m still beginning to I had no idea what such a serene Old Jehovah a lover. One has to accept pain as a fathom how rare it must be to live life might be like, and in a way (and I have a condition of existence. One has to out a lifetime spared the horrors envied it. limp in my court doubt and darkness as the and carnage others have endured But then, I had my own. psyche to show cost of knowing. One needs a will — or are enduring — in our In hindsight, it’s astonishing for it), or with stubborn in conflict, but apt species’ crazy penchant for war - how many missionaries that small the Lu cifer always to total acceptance of every mongering. In my youth I was country church produced, and who was al - consequence of living and dying” haunted by the King James Bible’s among them were a good number most as fear - (Morris L. West, The Shoes of the forewarning, “The days of our of my own kin. These relatives some as God Fisher man ). years are threescore years and 10; travelled far from home geograph - himself, or I was born just after the Second and if by reason of strength they ically — not to fight wars, but to with a horde of World War ended. In my adoles - be fourscore years, yet is their save souls — although (also in lesser devils cence the Vietnam conflict was a strength labour and sorrow; for it hindsight) their minds mostly like those my distant fray to our pacifist Men- is soon cut off and we fly away.” seem to have stayed at home in Uncle Ed’s nonite community. In midlife I And by now the adage has the prairie revivalism that had jeep was sup - become even more trenchant. shaped them. To me as a child, posed to quash. While growing up I was vague - their tales were exotic. One letter “Three - Ratzlaff is a former minister, ly aware of some leftover stigma from Uncle Ed and Aunt Edna score and 10 counsellor, and university lecturer. attached to “COs” — the dismis - described their approaching an years” — this He has authored three books of lit - sive label given to conscientious Ethiopian village in a jeep. biblical maxim erary non-fiction published by objectors, like my father, who had Several miles out, they were met requires me to Thistledown Press, and edited an claimed this status on religious by a contingent of natives who think about the anthology of seniors’ writings grounds at a time when pacifism jumped from the bushes and raced measure of a published by READ Saskatoon. He in Canada was highly unpopular. ahead of them just inches in front life, and the has been short-listed for three Yet it hardly seemed to me that of the bumper. Every few seconds full cost of its Saskatchewan Books Awards, won many of my people fought with someone leaped aside, and darted living. And two Saskatchewan Writers Guild God the way I did. Take for back into formation a step or two I’m still not literary non-fiction awards, and instance the man who operated the ahead of the moving vehicle, and sure. I’ve been served on local, provincial, and “loudspeaker” in the Salem coun - this continued all the way into the spared the national writing organization try church. As Sunday services village. This (as they explained outer butchery boards. got underway he sat at the end of later) was to kill the evil spirits of war, which that would be accompanying the may account missionaries, so what had looked for the dubious Design Pics like a welcoming ceremony was “luxury” I feel RISK LIVING — One has to abandon altogether the also to get the spirits run over by of living an search for security and reach out to the risk of living the jeep without any harm coming inward life to with both arms. One has to embrace the world like a BOSCO FOUNDATION to the people themselves. And its own kind of lover. John Bosco Child & Family Services Foundation PRAIRIE MESSENGER PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY

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Euthanasia in Belgium The group’s new policy document, drafted in March, The suffering of psychiatric patients must be consid - comes about a year after a court fined the St. Augustine ered hopeless, unbearable and untreatable if a request for This week’s front-page story about Belgium Catholic Catholic rest home in Diest, Belgium, for refusing to allow euthanasia is to be granted, the policy says. It adds that psychiatric hospitals allowing doctors to euthanize “non- the euthanasia of a lung cancer patient on its premises. requests must be voluntarily and repeatedly made by a terminal” mentally ill patients will raise alarm bells across The home was ordered to pay 6,000 euros after it pre - competent adult. Canada. History warns us that developments in Europe vented doctors from giving a lethal injection to Mariette After three doctors assent to the patient’s request, the eventually find their way to Canada. Buntjens, 74, who instead was taken by ambulance to her euthanasia can go ahead on the Brothers of Charity prem - The Brothers of Charity Group stated in a nine-page private address to die “in peaceful surroundings.” ises, the document concludes. document that it would allow doctors to perform euthana - Carine Brochier, a Catholic bioethicist from Brussels, Raf De Rycke, chair of the board, said April 25 that sia in any of its 15 centres which care for more than 5,000 said the pro-euthanasia movement “is really happy about the group was guided by three fundamental values in pro - patients a year. There are carefully stipulated criteria. what is happening.” She believes internal as well as exter - ducing the policy: respect for the patient’s life, the auton - The decision was made by a board made up mainly of nal pressures influenced the recent decision. omy of the patient and the relationship between the care lay members. Brother Rene Stockman, superior general of “The Brothers of Charity work with laypeople,” she provider and the patient. the Brothers of Charity, explained that “only a few broth - said. “Those people think that euthanasia should be Belgium joins two other European countries that ers are still involved in the government of the organization, allowed in the premises.” allow assisted suicide for people with psychiatric prob - so the majority are lay people.” He said the board faced a The new policy harmonizes the practice of the hospi - lems. Canada is debating similar measures. lot of political and financial pressure. But, he added, tals with Belgian law on euthanasia. It seeks to balance Commentators note that dozens of psychiatric patients “Pressure doesn’t mean that we have to capitulate.” Catholic belief in the inviolability of innocent human life have already been euthanized in Belgium. Now it will be Stockman has opposed the decision. He took three with duty of care under the law and with the demands of easier for people suffering from schizophrenia, personali - steps. 1) He informed his congregation of Brothers that patient autonomy. ty disorders, depression, autism or loneliness to access it. the religious congregation did not accept this decision The policy promises to take requests for death serious - There are few institutions in Belgium where euthana - because it went against their charism of charity. 2) He ly and it argues that “a carefully guided euthanasia can pre - sia is not offered as an option. informed the Belgian bishops conference and the papal vent more violent forms of suicide.” The policy acknowl - The Brothers of Charity wonder if they can continue nuncio. 3) He informed the Vatican. Secretariat of State edges the difficulties in providing euthanasia to psychiatric to sponsor their ministry to the mentally vulnerable. It’s a Cardinal Pietro Parolin is investigating the situation per - patients because Belgian euthanasia law was “primarily development Canadians will have to monitor closely. — sonally. written for physical suffering in a terminal situation.” PWN Redemptorist is missionary in remote Western Canadian Arctic

By Rev. Jon Hansen, CSsR go south to north from Yellow - nities in the Beaufort Delta. It is a trees but it does not do justice to knife to Inuvik. If you want to town of about 3,500 people and is the beauty that is present here. As I am a missionary priest. My drive you can count on about three a mixed community of Inuvialuit, one flies into the community your mission territory is not in Africa and a half days. It’s pretty big. Gwich’in and people from the senses are overwhelmed as the or Asia but right here in Canada, In the northwestern corner is the south of Canada and around the sun sparkles off the thousands of north of the Arctic Circle. The area of the diocese where I live. It is world. The parish in Inuvik is tiny lakes glistening like dia - diocese in which I work is the Land of the Midnight Sun, gate - called Our Lady of Victory but the monds highlighting a mossy green Mackenzie-Fort Smith, the second way to the Beaufort Delta and west - church is most often referred to as and crimson canvas. largest diocese in the world geo - ern Canadian Arc tic. This mission the “Igloo Church” according to Sister Fay Trombley, SCIC, graphically speaking. territory was pioneered and nur - its architectural similarity with the has been serving the mission of Over 1.5 million square kilo - tured by the priests and brothers of traditional winter shelter of the Our Lady of Grace for the past 12 metres, the diocese ranges from the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, northern nomadic peoples. From years along with local elders, Jean the Alberta border in the south the Sisters of Charity of Montreal the parish in Inuvik the Redemp - Gruben and Dorothy Loreen. (with parts of northern Sas katch - (Grey Nuns) and most recently torists serve three other missions. Together they foster the faith of ewan), Nunavut in the east, the tended by missionary priests, broth - Tsiigehtchic sits high on a the small Catholic community as Yukon to the west and then north ers and sisters from across Canada prominent bluff overlooking the well as serve the needs of the larg - as far as you can go. To give you and around the world. confluence of the Arctic Red er community through the St. an idea of how large that is, it I have some big shoes to fill River with the mighty Mackenzie. Vincent de Paul outreach takes a two-hour flight in a jet to and I am grateful to be here now It is a Gwich’in community, the Paulatuk, also an Inuvialuit with the support of my Re demp - home of fishermen and fur trap - community, lies at the head of Rev. Jon Hansen in his winter cap. torist brothers of the Congregation pers as well as teachers and gov - Darnley Bay on the Arctic coast Hansen will be writing regu - of the Most Holy Redeemer and ernment workers. There are very 300 kilometres to the east of 350 people. Services take place in larly for the PM about life in the my Bishop, Mark Hagemoen. few services here; the nearest Inuvik. Marlene Wolki is the lay a little quonset hut that was built North. See his website: www. Inuvik is the commercial and police detachment is an hour leader of the parish community of next to the old Oblate mission jonhansencssr.com government centre of the commu - away. Connection to the highway Our Lady of Lourdes serving this relies on a short ferry ride or the primarily Catholic community of — ISOLATION , page 19 use of the ice road across the river once winter arrives which is usu - Canada answering global ally in early October. The church here, Holy Name of Mary, is served by Grace Blake. Grace pre - need for health research sides at Sunday service when the priest is not around. In Grace’s By Steven Hoffman, Ottawa tion nation” of immigrants and words, “not too many attend travellers, we’ve had a stake in church anymore but it is important April 7 was World Health Day, nearly every major global health that we pray and lift up the com - which should remind us that the threat of the last two decades. munity.” health of Canadians is interlinked Many Canadians’ first en - Tuktoyaktuk is an Inuvialuit with the health of people every - counter with a global health community located on a peninsula where. threat was the severe acute respi - jutting into the Beaufort Sea. Canadians know this best. In ratory syndrome (SARS) out - Barren describes the land’s lack of addition to being the “globaliza - break in 2003. It was caused by a virus that originated in China and spread around the world. Toronto was hit particularly hard with a travel advisory slapped against the city. Nor will Canadians forget the recent Ebola outbreak — for better and worse. While we fortunately had no cases in Canada, it was front- page news for most of 2014 - 2015 and we closed our borders tem - porarily to people from West Africa. Today, the threat is Zika. This virus, which has most recently erupted in South America, has been found to cause debilitating microcephaly in babies. We’ve had 478 travel-related Zika cases The Mackenzie-Fort Smith diocese north of Alberta and Saskatchewan in Canada — so far. With summer is the second largest diocese in the world geographically. The region Rev. This map shows the parishes where Redemptorist Father Jon Hansen Jon Hansen works in is in the northwest part of the diocese (circled). ministers. — DISEASE , page 19 May 10, 2017 Prairie Messenger 19 A dramatic moment of awakening

By Tillie Aessie, Saskatoon My awakening moment was I notice the approving glint of really quite dramatic. I was at - gratitude and see we have made a Have you ever felt an uneasi - tending my usual one hour once a good connection. ness in your life and had strong week Sunday mass, giving hom - Their body language says it all feelings that God wants you to do age and performing my duty as a when I receive a hug, and it gives something more? Do you hear his Catholic. me a feeling of self worth and sat - voice in Scripture, in a dream, or The gospel reading of the day isfaction. Being caring, compas - from one of his earth angels? Do was from Matthew 6:19-21. As sionate and doing something for you think you might be sum - my pastor was proclaiming this another human being that money moned by the Holy Spirit? How Gospel, I suddenly began to feel cannot buy and people cannot pay do you respond? chilled; tears welled up in my back is joy in itself. This is my story. eyes, and then came an ache in my A few years ago and several “I slept and dreamed that life heart. My heart was burning and days before Christmas, feeling was a joy. I awoke and saw that heavy with regret for those words stumped on how to entertain my life was service. I acted and had a powerful effect on me. I family, I suggested we all go to behold, service was joy” (Rabin- immediately knew what I had to the church to help assemble and Tom Grant dranath Tagore, Huffington Post). do. The next day I terminated 17 deliver Christmas hampers. They As I reflected on this quote, I years of employment. were skeptical of the idea, but By The Old Waterfront Station soon realized that indeed service is Shortly after that, I enrolled in afterward I asked, “How do you joy. Perhaps I should explain why I a two-year Lay Formation pro - feel now after helping and know - feel that way. In the year 2000, I gram. This course of study gave ing that you unselfishly gave of By the old Waterfront Station had a full-time job in a retail store. me a greater understanding of the your time and helped the poor?” I sat down and wept I would spend most days and Scriptures, and through prayer Everyone replied, “I feel great, for the victims of war and terrorism, weekends at work, coming home and discernment, discovered what it was something I always wanted the wounded from gender battles, tired and dissatisfied, even though God had in store for me. It is to do!” It is this wonderful eu- and the poor and the outcast in retail lingo, I had a good and where I learned the value of the phoric feeling you experience gathering at the barricades profitable day and store sales were phrase, “Strive not to be served, after doing a good deed. waiting for the second coming. up. But, I knew there was some - but to serve.” I presently serve in It is through this action that we thing missing. I often thought to many ministries available to acknowledge we are brothers and And I remembered the old streets myself, “Is this all there is? Why Catholic women and indeed have sisters to one another and the of my younger days do I feel so unfulfilled and sad?” been rewarded with “the joy of more often we surrender ourselves where fire and wind flowed service.” to service, the more we grow. It’s over placards and slogans, I am frequently asked, “Why like a divine circular exchange: over marches to Jerusalem Aessie is a life member of the do you do this? What do you get God gives us grace, and we grow. over Eden’s deep peace. Catholic Women’s League and in return?” I simply smile and When we surrender our time and national chairperson of the answer, “This is my ministry, I do priorities we grow some more. Why did You bring us to Spiritual Development Committee. not expect to be paid for the work And God gives us even more This article appeared in the CWL I do and I do not need to see my grace. this station of brick and glass league magazine to introduce name in the newspaper or be on I have found nothing but hap - where ads shill for souls their theme for the next two years, television. Sometimes I do not piness and contentment respond - where every inch is rented, “Inspired by the Spirit, women even receive any thanks, but, ing to this call. Yes, there is joy in and nobody knows your name? respond to God’s call.” when I look into the person’s eyes, service! Still, Your autumn sun falls through the windows, Disease causing bugs becoming immune between pedestrians striding for home Continued from page 18 funding agencies, Canada has But we have so much further to and through the glass I see made scientific contributions to go. youth coming down Seymour Street travel looming, many more cases global health that have been cele - As the world gets more inter - heading for the front doors are expected. brated internationally. connected, we’ll depend more on hope from the ages sparking If the threat of pandemics was - For example, Canada spear - research to learn how to improve off their cellphones n’t enough, our nation also faces headed critical research in devel - the health of all — and that de - reaching north of night. heightened risks from antimicro - oping an Ebola vaccine — both in pendence means an increasing By Michael Dallaire bial resistance where disease- its original development at our need to invest in this area. causing bugs become immune to National Microbiology Laboratory Whether it’s developing new the drugs available to kill them. and in conducting the innovative vaccines, researching the health Canadians also face an ava - trial in West Africa that showed its effects of climate change, or find - lanche of fact-free misinformation effectiveness in protecting people ing ways to ensure antibiotics Sense of isolation palpable on the Internet and social media. It against the virus. remain effective against deadly can spread faster than the fastest Today, through CIHR, we are pathogens, global health research Continued from page 18 the most self-reliant person under - pandemics through the Twitter funding three Canadian teams to benefits Canadians and is key to stands that they can’t do every - accounts of celebrities like Jenny work with researchers in Latin solving collective health prob - house which still stands strong, even thing on their own. Some things McCarthy and Gwyneth Paltrow. America and the Caribbean to lems. The challenge is to build if a little weather beaten after many take the work of a community. answer key questions about the greater public support for such Arctic winters. There is also pain here. Social There is good news, though. Zika virus and how it spreads. global engagement and to contin - Paulatuk is accessible only by issues and addiction are evident. Canadian researchers have built Canada is also helping to tack - ue growing this research field air or sea. The sense of isolation is The legacy of the residential school a strong foundation for mo bilizing le the worldwide rise of non-com - within Canada. palpable. To imagine the conditions system is a memory that is not very scientific efforts to re spond to municable diseases as a member The recent federal budget was the early missionaries must have distant and although there is a deep global health threats. With support of the Global Alliance for Chronic generally good news for health endured, not to mention the people spirituality among the people, resist - from the Canadian Institutes of Diseases. Through this alliance, with targeted research investments who have thrived on this land for ance and a cautious attitude toward Health Research (CIHR) and other we’re funding research projects in two areas: climate change and 5,000 years, is both daunting and the church is sometimes apparent. on hypertension, diabetes and substance misuse. As a researcher, inspiring. Therefore, ministry here re - lung disease that will help low- I’m pleased to see the value Can - What these communities share quires more listening and less talk - Hoffman is the scientific direc - and middle-income countries pre - ada is placing on tackling global is the friendliness and welcoming ing, more time spent being present tor of CIHR’s Institute of Popu la - vent or manage these chronic dis - health challenges that so desper - attitude of the people. While there with and less presiding over, more tion and Public Health and an eases. ately require a global effort. is a real sense of independence and consoling and less cajoling, taking associate professor of Law, Medi - Canadians can be very proud But the world needs more self-reliance, it does not hinder the the time to first listen, learn and cine and Public and International of these accomplishments. They Canadian global health research. desire for relationship and commu - discern what the Spirit is asking Affairs at the University of Ottawa. are wins for Canada and wins for We all need to mobilize to act on nity building. Perhaps it even while I am in this magnificent land www.troymedia.com the world. that need. serves as a catalyst because even among these wonderful people.

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By Carol Zimmermann taking big steps to protect religious In an interview with Catholic requiring most religious employers Trump told the religious lead - liberty” and he assured them the News Service at Reagan National to provide coverage of artificial ers that the order’s attempt to WASHINGTON (CNS) — government “won’t stand for reli - Airport just after the White House birth control for their employees lessen restrictions of the amend - Many religious leaders viewed gious discrimination.” ceremony, DiNardo said the meet - even if they morally oppose it. ment will be “giving our churches President Donald Trump’s execu - Three religious leaders, includ - ing with the president was brief But DiNardo also stressed that their voices back.” tive order on religious freedom, ing Washington Cardinal Donald but productive. the U.S. bishops will “have to which he signed in a White House W. Wuerl, offered prayers during Earlier, in a statement, the car - review the details of any regulato - Rose Garden ceremony May 4, as the ceremony. Just prior to the dinal said the executive order ry proposals.” a step in the right direction. event, Wuerl and Cardinal Daniel “begins the process of alleviating The text of the order, “Pro - In a ceremony for the National N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, the serious burden of the HHS moting Free Speech and Religious Day of Prayer prior to signing the president of the U.S. Conference of mandate,” referring to the mandate Liberty,” states that cabinet offices executive order, Trump told the Catholic Bishops, met with Trump issued by the federal De partment “shall consider issuing amended assembled religious leaders: “We’re about the order. of Health and Human Services regulations, consistent with appli - cable law, to address conscience- based objections to the preventive- ‘Major defects’ in American health act care mandate.” During the White House cere - By Mark Pattison proposals from the bill that will elderly and the working poor,” mony, Trump told some of the affect low-income people — Smith said in a May 4 statement. Little Sisters of the Poor in the WASHINGTON (CNS) — The including immigrants — as well as “Over the past several years, we crowd: “Your long ordeal will soon American Health Care Act that add vital conscience protections, or have seen the flaws of Obamacare, be over.” The sisters are just one of passed by a four-vote margin May begin reform efforts anew. Our including increased premiums and the groups that challenged the fed - 4 in the House has “major defects,” health care policy must honour all deductibles, diminishing health eral contraceptive mandate all the said Bishop Frank J. Dewane of human life and dignity from con - care options and patients losing way to the U.S. Supreme Court. Venice, Florida, chair of the U.S. ception to natural death, as well as plans they were assured they could Mother Loraine Marie bishops’ Committee on Domestic defend the sincerely held moral and keep. These very real problems Maguire, superior of the Little Justice and Social Development. religious beliefs of those who have underscore the need for meaningful Sisters’ Baltimore province, said “It is deeply disappointing that any role in the health care system.” bipartisan reform,” Smith added. in a statement that the sisters are the voices of those who will be most One of 20 Republicans to vote Those opposing the bill cited “grateful for the president’s order severely impacted were not heed - against the bill was Rep. Chris reductions in coverage and cost and look forward to the agencies ed,” Dewane said in a May 4 state - Smith, R-New Jersey, co-chair of increases. Those favouring the bill giving us an exemption so that we ment. “The AHCA does offer criti - the Congressional Pro-Life Caucus. cited its pro-life provisions. can continue caring for the elderly cal life protections, and our health “I voted no on the AHCA large - “The vote falls far short of pro - poor and dying” without fear of CNS/ L’Osservatore Romano via EPA care system desperately needs these ly because it cuts Medicaid funding tecting the millions of Americans government punishment. safeguards. But still, vulnerable by $839 billion; undercuts essential who have insurance or gained it Another aspect of the order is a VIETNAMESE SAINT — people must not be left in poor and health benefits such as maternity under the Affordable Care Act,” weakening of what Trump called Vietnamese Cardinal François worsening circumstances as care, newborn care, hospitalization said a May 4 statement from Do - the “unfair” Johnson Amendment Nguyen Van Thuan is pictured at Congress attempts to fix the current and pediatric services; includes ‘per minican Sister Donna Markham, during the May 4 event. The 1954 the Vatican in this 2001 file photo. and impending problems with the capita caps’ and weakens coverage president and CEO of Catholic amendment bans churches and Pope Francis advanced the saint - Affordable Care Act.” for pre-existing health conditions Charities USA. “It also fails to pro - non-profit organizations of all hood cause of the cardinal, who He added, “When the Senate — all of which will hurt disabled vide access to affordable health care types from participating in parti - spent 13 years in solitary confine - takes up the AHCA, it must act persons, especially and including for the millions who still live with - san political activity at the risk of ment during his country’s com - decisively to remove the harmful children and adults with autism, the out coverage.” losing their tax-exempt status. munist regime.