News from Visitation Province (Canada)
Atlantic Voice this Sunday
PE Islanders listening to our local CBC Radio broadcast this morning heard a clip advertising, “Atlantic Voice this Sunday, March 15.” Reporter, Isabella Zavarise produced a documentary called, "Visitation Place." Last fall, Isabella visited and interviewed the three women who form community at 32 Wendy Drive. It is privilege to connect in a meaningful way with these young women on a regular basis. Tune in Sunday, March 15 at 8:30 a.m.
Susan Kidd, CND
For this week, we are inviting you to pray for Canada
There is social and political unrest in Canada following the railroad blockades set by members of the Wet'suwet'en Nation, and many other groups in support of the Wet'suwet'en protesters who oppose a natural gas pipeline project. We pray for open dialogue and a peaceful resolution.
United in prayerful solidarity during Lent,
Maureen MacIsaac, CND with members of the leadership team
Congratulations to our new Canadian citizen: Beatrice Kouame! Beatrice writes: “I am thankful to the Lord who made the divine arrangement by which I came to meet TONY MARSH, SFM and Notre Dame Sisters VIRGINIA SULLIVAN and MAUREEN BALDWIN and Salesian Sisters. All of them have been and are still being a light in my life as an immigrant (Newcomer) and now on February 08, as a Citizen of Canada, the most welcoming country in the world!” Prayer partner is Elizabeth Babin, RGS. (From Becoming Neighbors)
Eileen Power, CND
Give It Up For The Earth Campaign
Hi Everyone,
We are forwarding examples of emission-reducing action(s) which we found on the Citizens for Public Justice website. The several examples are copied below. You can write in your actions on the postcard that you are sending to the Minister Jonathan Wilkinson.
Ambitious action is no longer optional. We must cut emissions and move towards a more secure, sustainable future.
I will Give it up for the Earth! by:
- walking, biking, or taking the bus
Canada has established an important climate action baseline. Yet even with recent measures, we are far from achieving the Paris Agreement temperature goals. Canadian climate policies must be improved, and emissions reduced as promised.
How will your government Give it up for the Earth?
International Women’s Day: Charlottetown
An amazing gathering sponsored by the Advisory Council on the Status of Women, PEI occurred on Sunday, afternoon, March 9. We were greeted by Lt. Governor Antoinette Perry, by the Minister responsible for the Status of Women, Natalie Jamieson, and by Selvi Roy, Provincial Coordinator, Atlantic Council for International Cooperation. This was followed by remarks and performances from three women: an
aboriginal woman, a young woman connected to the Dominican Republic, and an African woman. We were invited to participate in an aboriginal round dance, Chilean resistance movements and African dancing and drumming. (Not the drumming, though!) The gathering ended with the singing of the anthem Bread and Roses. The anthem comes from a political slogan formulated in 1911 at the time of the Women’s Labour Union Movement. They were emphasizing they needed not only bread because “hearts starve as well as bodies, so give us roses, too.”
Anne T. Gillis, CND
World Water Day – March 22
In 2017 I was part of the planning committee for a water themed conference for CRC JPIC. We organized a two-day event in Toronto and then later at St. FX University in Antigonish. Maude Barlow presented on water as a human right and Elder Josephine Mandamin led us through a reflection on water as sacred. Known as a 'water walker' Elder Josephine dedicated her life to the protection of water. She passed away in 2019. In celebration of World Water Day 2020, KAIROS and others are inviting us to remember Elder Josephine, and all other water and land defenders. Through their witness they call us to a deeper ecological conversion in the care of our common home. You can read about Elder Josephine here: http://indigenousrising.org/josephine-mandamin/
Links to prayers and reflections to honour World Water Day individually or as a group are posted under the JPIC Icon on First Class.
Monica Lambton, JPIC Coordinator
OK Water Project!
Edwin, the Cameroonian Director of the Water Project, reports that things are somewhat calmer there and the Cameroonian Water Project is at least being recognized after having been discontinued for a while. Message from Edwin to share with all: “Finally the Cameroon Government recognized OK Clean Water Project Cameroon. The documents for legalization approved. We are doing fine and there is some calm now. The projects are going on as planned. “
Carmel Horan, Associate