News from Visitation Province (Canada)
A Message from the CRC’s KAIROS Representatives: In this time of unbelievable suffering of all, and primarily of the most vulnerable, we are more than ever graced to represent you, the members of the Canadian Religious Conference, on the steering committee of KAIROS. Together, the CRC through KAIROS works with Indigenous, settlers and newcomers in Canada, people of faith or conscience all over the world, for ecological justice and human rights.
In the early weeks of the pandemic, Jennifer Henry, Executive Director of KAIROS at that time, summoned us with this prayer:
Let us pray for an abundance of kindness in this time of turmoil and crisis.
Let us pray for an abundance of awareness and action for oppressed people and vulnerable places at greater risk. Let us pray for an abundance of support, for first responders and health care workers, doing impossible jobs, and for decision makers and scientists striving to do their best. An abundance of ‘we,’ An abundance of ‘in this together,’ An abundance of reaching out (virtual and voice), An abundance of global community. For this let us pray
Marguerite’s Social Justice Call: On Tuesday, February 23, a group of 46 Sisters and Associates met in a ZOOM gathering to celebrate World Social Justice Day. Anna Rowley from Central Office of Associate Relationship was the host, and Dominik Tremblay-Perron, Head of the Social Justice Action Network, was the facilitator. Dominik first invited us to share our thoughts on the question: What is Social Justice? She then read the United Nations definition for us.
Then we were asked, “How did Marguerite embody social justice”?
Participants responded with clear and rich answers, from our hearts and our lives of following Marguerite. In small groups of four, we named the gifts and skills we see around us and within us to bring social justice practice into the world. We heard each other speak of attentive listening, compassion, energy, perseverance, being fair, everyone equal, respect, risk, put words into action, sign petitions… And more. We are all grateful for the experience we had in this session. Thank you, Dominik!
Eleanor McCloskey, CND
Human Trafficking Transportation Corridors in Canada: A detailed report including maps on the routes and methods used in all provinces to traffic women and girls was released this week. It also includes sections on Exiting Human Trafficking, Services Needs and Systems of Intervention and Conclusions and Recommendations. Link will bring you to the news release summary and within that a link to the full report.
Kathy Kelly, Ottawa associate
Give It Up for the Earth campaign: For the past three years, Visitation Province has participated in the Citizens for Public Justice (CPJ) Lenten campaign, "Give It Up for the Earth." It began with the Truro group of Associates, grew the next year to include all Atlantic Sisters and Associates and then spread to the entirety of Visitation Province, with an invitation to Marguerite Bourgeoys Province to join us. In a similar way the Give It Up for the Earth campaign has been growing. We will be participating again this year.
JPIC Core Committee
Book recommendation: “One of the most beautiful gifts in the world is the gift of encouragement. When someone encourages you, that person helps you over a threshold you might otherwise never have crossed on your own.” ― John O'Donohue, Eternal Echoes: Celtic Reflections on Our Yearning to Belong
Eleanor McCloskey, CND