News from Visitation Province
Listening to Indigenous Voices Class for Seniors in PEI
Listening to Indigenous Voices sessions were given to people from the PEI Seniors College/UPEI over the winter and spring months at Marguerite Bourgeoys Centre in Summerside. Sr. Shelley Grant, CND, led these sessions along with invited guest First Nations speakers, Chief Mary Bernard and Keptin Jimmy Bernard, from Lennox Island. We had 17 people join this class and the pictures include a few of the students.
Shelley Grant, CND
JPIC Core Committee met on Zoom Tuesday, April 26
Members reviewed recent projects and continued the steps involved in hiring a coordinator. We hope to offer discussion groups to help everyone interested to study the book Listening to Indigenous Voices we received earlier this year.
We spoke of the recent transfer of the Hudson’s Bay Company building in Winnipeg to the Southern Chiefs Organization announced in the news earlier this week. This is seen as a huge positive step in the reconciliation journey. Plans are to use the building for housing units, social services such as a health centre, and businesses. "I think we're turning the page into what real reconciliation means," said Grand Chief Daniels.
Williams Lake, BC, First Nation reached a tentative settlement this week, 160 years after being forced off the land. Hope is still real. We need to keep looking.
Eleanor McCloskey for JPIC Core Committee
Voices for Peace 2
Blessed Are the Peacemakers | Free Online Conference
May 24, 2022 7:00 pm (Eastern Time)
In a time when war, freedom protests, autonomous weapons, and decolonization are daily news, what does the peace tradition of faith communities suggest for us today? Now perhaps more than ever, peace requires serious consideration. Join people from around the world as we gather on May 24, 2022, at 7 PM EDT, for our 2022 Voices for Peace conference – Blessed Are the Peacemakers. Our featured keynote — award-winning author and the publisher of Orbis books, Robert Ellsberg, will talk about what it is to create a culture of peace that embraces the radical vision of the Beatitudes. If interested register here.
Mary Myers, Associate
Establishing a CND Connection in Kemptville ON
On Friday, April 22, Mildred Chabassol and I went on a visitation journey to Kemptville, ON. On board, we had precious cargo – a statue of “Notre Dame” that we were commissioned to deliver to L’Academie Catholique Notre Dame. In response to a request from this newly established school, Marijke Gerretsen had quickly found this ‘Notre Dame’ in the Archives in Montreal and brought her to Kingston as a gift from the CND. Arriving in Kemptville, we were warmly welcomed and the treasure was unwrapped with anticipation and delight. We were asked about the journey this Notre Dame had made, where had she been before arriving here? Chantal and Marie-France (secretary and teacher) were sure the students would want to know her story. During our drive there, Mildred had prayed that Mary would bless each student and staff member who would pass by her in the years to come. We believe that this Notre Dame has found a warm and welcoming new home!
Rosemary Brosseau, CND
Council of Canadians Supported Initiative
Around the world, there are still at least 2.8 billion people who have yet to get their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. That includes countless workers on the frontlines who have been denied access to affordable vaccines and medicines. Big Pharma has clearly demonstrated that it has no interest in making vaccines accessible to all. If we are to end the pandemic and repair this gross injustice, we need to lift patents and other intellectual property rules protecting the vaccine monopolies so that countries can produce their own vaccines – something Canada has opposed at the World Trade Organization (WTO) for the last 18 months. You can read more details about this initiative here. Please continue to email Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at pm@pm.gc.ca to ask that Canada do its part to lift the patents, break the Big Pharma monopolies, free the vaccines, and end the pandemic!
Maura McGrath, CND, with the JPIC Committee
Press Freedom Day 3 May
3 May acts as a reminder to governments of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom and is also a day of reflection among media professionals about issues of press freedom and professional ethics. Just as importantly, World Press Freedom Day is a day of support for media which are targets for the restraint, or abolition, of press freedom. It is also a day of remembrance for those journalists who lost their lives in the pursuit of a story.
In this time of online misinformation, hate, cyber stalking, bullying and increasing lack of monitoring by providers particularly social media sites it is important to access and support trusted sources of information in spite of the challenges. You can learn more and see details about a May 4th event organized by the UN here.
Kathy Kelly, Associate