St Joseph the Worker, 1 May

1 May is celebrated as the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker. 

Joseph the Worker, the church of San Lorenzo in Florence.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/paullew/52042230439

This special feast was instituted in 1955 by Pope Pius X11 as a counter-celebration to the communist May Day. It celebrates the dignity of work and gives us an opportunity to acknowledge, pray for and express gratitude to all workers, especially those who are employed in our congregation and in our various ministries.

Thank you for your many and varied contributions to the congregation’s life and mission.

May 1 is also known as International Workers’ Day and in some countries, it is celebrated as Labor Day.

May St. Joseph, patron of workers, bless and protect all workers!

El 1 de mayo se celebra la fiesta de San José Obrero.

Esta fiesta especial fue instituida en 1955 por el Papa Pío X11 como contra-celebración del Primero de Mayo comunista. Se celebra la dignidad del trabajo y nos da la oportunidad de reconocer, orar y expresar gratitud a todos los trabajadores, especialmente a los que trabajan en nuestra congregación y en nuestros diversos ministerios.

Gracias por sus muchas y variadas contribuciones a la vida y misión de la congregación.

El 1 de mayo es también conocido como el Día Internacional de los Trabajadores y en algunos países se celebra como el Día del Trabajo.

Que San José, patrón de los trabajadores, bendiga y proteja a todos los trabajadores!

Reflections on Mary for the Month of May

In Catholic  tradition, the month of May is dedicated to Mary. In May three of her feasts are celebrated: Our Lady of Fatima on May 13th; Mary, Mother of the Church on May 29; the Visitation on May 31.

Some years ago, Elizabeth Davis rsm recorded a series of 13 video reflections for Redemptorist TV on aspects of Mary. You might like to watch one of more of these during May.

Mary as Woman of Nazareth

Mary, the woman we know as Mother of God, was one like us, a person who lived each day and faced the joys and the challenges of each day. We meet her first in Scripture as a frightened adolescent who is being asked to do an almost impossible thing. The last time we meet her in Scripture she is an older woman, more confident perhaps, yet still being asked to do an almost impossible thing

Watch the video

Mary as Miriam of Nazareth

In my home province of Newfoundland and Labrador, when anyone meets a stranger, the first questions are “What is your name and who are you called after?” and “Who are your parents?” The first page of our New Testament, the beginning words of the Gospel of Matthew, could well have been written by a Newfoundlander! In these words we find the answer to the same questions about Mary

Watch the video

Mary of the Annunciation and Pentecost

At the Annunciation, a young woman whose name is Mary is visited by an angel who tells her that she is to bear a son who will be special in many ways. When Mary challenges the possibility of this ever happening, the angel’s reply is decisive, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you” (Lk 1:35). With this assurance, the young woman replies, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word” (Lk 1:38)

Watch the video

Mary of the Magnificat

Mary’s response was immediate. She spoke the most words spoken by any woman in the New Testament. She used echoes of words spoken by the women of the Old Testament: Deborah, Miriam and Hannah. In this song, she passionately gave what the theologian Edward Schillebeeckx called “a toast to our God,” which we call the Magnificat.

Watch the video

Mary as Displaced Person

In the days before Mary was to give birth, she and Joseph were forced to go to Bethlehem to be counted for the census. They had no choice in this matter. The late stages of Mary’s pregnancy and the difficult journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem did not matter to the political leadership of the day.

Watch the video

Mary as Mother of Sorrow

On another visit to the Temple to celebrate Passover when Jesus was twelve years old, Jesus remains behind and speaks with the teachers with authority, and then he says these mysterious words to his parents, “Did you not know that I had to be in my Father’s house?” This time the writer tells us that “His mother treasured all these things in her heart.”

Watch the video

Mary as Mother at the Wedding Feast

The young Jewish peasant girl has become a confident woman, a teacher, a mentor and a commanding presence. She has grown into her calling to be a partner with God in the work of Incarnation and Redemption. Having given life to her son, she now calls him into his new life of public ministry, she remains with him to support and nurture him to the end, and she will remain when he is gone to support and nurture the church which continues his presence on earth.

Watch the video

Mary and God

“Spirituality is that which gives us the strength to go on for it is the assurance that God is in the struggle. Spirituality spells out our connectedness to God, our human roots, the rest of nature, one another and ourselves.” In this way in 1994 the Third World Theologians redefined spirituality and began our thinking on “right relationships.”

Watch the video

Mary and the Environment

Let us reflect on Mary in right relationship with the environment. First we must speak to our emerging understanding of ecology, a new sense of how all creation has been created by God, is good and is interconnected. In the 13th century Meister Eckhart said, “Apprehend God in all things, for God is in all things. Every single creature is full of God and is a book about God. Every creature is a word of God.”

Watch the video

Mary and Self

There are several beautiful passages in the Gospels in which we get an understanding of Mary’s sense of self. At the Annunciation, we see Mary’s poignant inner turmoil in the face of an awesome task being asked of her, “But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be” (Luke 1:29). She then asks outright the question, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” (Luke 1:34)

Watch the video

Mary and Right Relationships: Family

These women ancestors of Jesus suffer indignities and oppression, but live to reflect the face of God, the righteous One, the merciful One, the maternal One, the One who is found in the company of those who are marginalized, oppressed, suffering, poor and powerless. Jesus, the son of Mary, has indeed inherited the qualities of his foremothers.

Watch the video

Mary and Right Relationships: Others

The beautiful prayer of the Magnificat which Luke ascribes to Mary is a powerful description of Mary in right relationship with other people. While the first part of her psalm focuses on Mary in relationship with her God, the second part expresses Mary’s love for people. Mary rejoices in God her Saviour because God‘s mercy is from generation to generation.

Watch the video

Mary and Right Relationships: Faith Tradition

Mary was first and foremost a Jewish woman, a practicing Jew who remained faithful to Judaism. She would have been aware of the Hebrew Scriptures, the sacred books she called Torah and we Christians call the Old Testament. She bears the name of the leader Miriam about whom God said in the book of Micah (6:4), “I brought you up from the land of Egypt, and redeemed you from the house of slavery; and I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam

Watch the video

Each week  on our website Elizabeth Davis rsm provides a written reflection on the Sunday readings. These reflections contain insights and images, poetry and prose, wisdom and scholarship. Access those reflections here

 

National Volunteer Week, 16-22 April

This week celebrates our individual and collective actions in helping to make a better world for all.  The theme of this year’s Volunteer Week is: Volunteers Weave us Together.

We were delighted to see Sister Rosemary Ryan and Sister Margie Taylor featured on The Gathering Place social media.

The Facebook entry that accompanies the picture reads as follows:

Sister Margie and Sister Rosemary volunteer in our dining room serving meals and smiles to the Guests every week. As members of the Sisters of Mercy, they’re a part of the kind and wonderful foundational history of The Gathering Place. Today we celebrate their contribution and how they connect with the Guests we serve every week.

We thank Rosemary and Margie and all our sisters, associates and colleagues who give of their time and talents in a variety of ways to make a difference in the lives of people, especially the most disadvantaged.

Esta semana celebra nuestras acciones individuales y colectivas para ayudar a hacer un mundo mejor para todos. El tema de la Semana del Voluntariado de este año es: Los voluntarios nos unen.

Nos ha encantado ver a la Hermana Rosemary Ryan y a la Hermana Margie Taylor en las redes sociales de The Gathering Place.
La entrada de Facebook que acompaña a la foto dice lo siguiente:

La Hermana Margie y la Hermana Rosemary son voluntarias en nuestro comedor sirviendo comidas y sonriendo a los Huéspedes cada semana. Como miembros de las Hermanas de la Misericordia, forman parte de la amable y maravillosa historia fundacional de The Gathering Place. Hoy celebramos su contribución y cómo conectan con los Huéspedes a los que servimos cada semana.

Damos las gracias a Rosemary y Margie y a todas nuestras hermanas, asociados y colegas que ofrecen su tiempo y talento de diversas maneras para marcar la diferencia en la vida de las personas, especialmente de las más desfavorecidas.

 

Earth Week (14-22 April) and Earth Day (22 April)

Earth Week (14-22 April), the week running up to Earth Day (22 April), is a week when environmental issues take center stage.

Earth Day, celebrated annually on April 22, seeks to highlight and promote efforts dedicated to protecting our planet and its natural resources. The theme for this year’s Earth Day, Invest in our Planet focuses on engaging governments, institutions, businesses and citizens in the work of restoring the health of our planet. We are all too aware of today’s many environmental crises that negatively affect our planet and pose a serious risk to our health and our future – global warming, deforestation, widespread pollution, loss of biodiversity, endangered wildlife, shortages of clean water, etc.

In 2022, COP27, the Climate Change Conference and COP15, the Biodiversity Conference, highlighted the role of nature and biodiversity in addressing climate change. These conferences enabled participating countries to make enhanced commitments towards mitigating climate change. While significant green policy initiatives have been taken by governments around the world, most countries are still not on track to meet the commitments made at these conferences.

This Earth Day is another opportunity for all of us to become more involved in the healing of our Earth Home. Pope Francis reminds us of our responsibility in this regard:

We all need to make a contribution to halt the destruction of our common home and to restore nature: governments, businesses and citizens. We must act like brothers and sisters who share the Earth, the common home God has given us.

La Semana de la Tierra (14-22 de abril), la semana previa al Día de la Tierra (22 de abril), es una semana en la que las cuestiones medioambientales ocupan un lugar central.

El Día de la Tierra, que se celebra anualmente el 22 de abril, pretende destacar y promover los esfuerzos dedicados a proteger nuestro planeta y sus recursos naturales. El lema del Día de la Tierra de este año, Invertir en nuestro planeta, se centra en implicar a gobiernos, instituciones, empresas y ciudadanos en la labor de restaurar la salud de nuestro planeta. Todos somos demasiado conscientes de las numerosas crisis medioambientales actuales que afectan negativamente a nuestro planeta y suponen un grave riesgo para nuestra salud y nuestro futuro: calentamiento global, deforestación, contaminación generalizada, pérdida de biodiversidad, fauna en peligro de extinción, escasez de agua potable, etc.

En 2022, la COP27, la Conferencia sobre el Cambio Climático, y la COP15, la Conferencia sobre la Biodiversidad, pusieron de relieve el papel de la naturaleza y la biodiversidad en la lucha contra el cambio climático. Estas conferencias permitieron a los países participantes reforzar sus compromisos para mitigar el cambio climático. Aunque los gobiernos de todo el mundo han tomado importantes iniciativas de política ecológica, la mayoría de los países aún no están en vías de cumplir los compromisos adquiridos en estas conferencias.

Este Día de la Tierra es otra oportunidad para que todos nos impliquemos más en la curación de nuestro Hogar Tierra. El Papa Francisco nos recuerda nuestra responsabilidad a este respecto:

Todos debemos contribuir a detener la destrucción de nuestra casa común y a restaurar la naturaleza: gobiernos, empresas y ciudadanos. Debemos actuar como hermanos y hermanas que comparten la Tierra, la casa común que Dios nos ha dado.

United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, 17-28 April

The United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) 22nd session “Indigenous Peoples, human health, planetary and territorial health, and climate change: a rights-based approach.” is scheduled in NY from April 17-28, 2023 .

There are more than 370 million Indigenous People in some 70 countries worldwide. Since 2000, it plays a critical role in addressing issues faced by Indigenous Peoples -ensuring their rights and concerns are considered by the UN.

The forum comprises 16 experts, 8 nominated by member governments and 8 by indigenous organizations. Its mandate was established in response to the challenges indigenous communities face in areas such as human rights, environment, development, education, and health.

La 22ª sesión del Foro Permanente de las Naciones Unidas para las Cuestiones Indígenas (UNPFII) “Pueblos indígenas, salud humana, salud planetaria y territorial y cambio climático: un enfoque basado en los derechos” está programada en Nueva York del 17 al 28 de abril de 2023.

Hay más de 370 millones de Pueblos Indígenas en unos 70 países de todo el mundo. Desde el año 2000, desempeña un papel fundamental a la hora de abordar los problemas a los que se enfrentan los pueblos indígenas, garantizando que la ONU tenga en cuenta sus derechos y preocupaciones.

El foro está compuesto por 16 expertos, 8 nombrados por los gobiernos miembros y 8 por las organizaciones indígenas. Su mandato se estableció en respuesta a los retos a los que se enfrentan las comunidades indígenas en ámbitos como los derechos humanos, el medio ambiente, el desarrollo, la educación y la salud.

Equality Day in Canada, 17 April

Equality Day is celebrated each year to mark the enshrinement of equality rights in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms on April 17, 1985.

Section 15 of the Charter states that every Canadian is equal under the law and is to be treated with dignity and respect. All Canadians have the right to equal opportunity and fair treatment, regardless of race, national or ethnic origin, religion, gender or mental or physical disability. Although the implementation of Section 15 of the Charter was a touchstone in Canadian history, ensuring equality rights for all is still very much a work in progress.

Much more needs to be done in our workplaces and in our society at large. We are still facing major problems – gender inequality, gender-based violence, discrimination, racism, access to clean water, medical accessibility, etc.  April 17 gives all of us an opportunity to become more aware of our country’s ongoing struggle for equality and a determination to do what we can to advance the inherent dignity of every person.

El Día de la Igualdad se celebra cada año para conmemorar la consagración de los derechos de igualdad en la Carta Canadiense de Derechos y Libertades el 17 de abril de 1985.

El artículo 15 de la Carta establece que todos los canadienses son iguales ante la ley y deben ser tratados con dignidad y respeto. Todos los canadienses tienen derecho a las mismas oportunidades y a un trato justo, independientemente de su raza, origen nacional o étnico, religión, sexo o discapacidad mental o física. Aunque la aplicación del artículo 15 de la Carta marcó un hito en la historia de Canadá, garantizar la igualdad de derechos para todos sigue siendo una tarea pendiente.

Queda mucho por hacer en nuestros lugares de trabajo y en nuestra sociedad en general. Seguimos enfrentándonos a grandes problemas: desigualdad de género, violencia de género, discriminación, racismo, acceso al agua potable, accesibilidad médica, etc. El 17 de abril nos brinda a todos la oportunidad de ser más conscientes de la continua lucha de nuestro país por la igualdad y la determinación de hacer lo que podamos para avanzar en la dignidad inherente a toda persona.

Holocaust Remembrance Day, 17 April

Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, commemorates the six million Jews and millions of others killed by the Nazis during the Holocaust (Shoah).

The internationally- recognized date of this day of remembrance corresponds to the 27th day of Nisan in the Hebrew calendar, which this year falls on April 17th.   The date was chosen to mark the beginning of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, a 1943 act of Jewish resistance which was crushed by the German army. This day is observed by Jewish communities and individuals worldwide.

On this solemn day of remembrance let us remember the victims of the Holocaust and all who suffer and die from hateful discrimination, violence and war.

The Holocaust Center for Humanity suggests a number of ways to honor Holocaust remembrance day including lighting a virtual memorial candle to remember one of the six million Jews killed in the Holocaust.

You can light a virtual candle here

Yom Hashoah, Día de Conmemoración del Holocausto, conmemora los seis millones de judíos y otros millones de personas asesinadas por los nazis durante el Holocausto (Shoah).

La fecha internacionalmente reconocida de este día de conmemoración corresponde al 27 de Nisán del calendario hebreo, que este año cae el 17 de abril. La fecha se eligió para conmemorar el comienzo del Levantamiento del Gueto de Varsovia, un acto de resistencia judía de 1943 que fue aplastado por el ejército alemán. Las comunidades judías y los individuos de todo el mundo celebran este día.

En este solemne día de conmemoración recordemos a las víctimas del Holocausto y a todos los que sufren y mueren a causa de la odiosa discriminación, la violencia y la guerra.

El Centro del Holocausto para la Humanidad sugiere varias formas de honrar el Día de Conmemoración del Holocausto, entre ellas encender una vela conmemorativa virtual para recordar a uno de los seis millones de judíos asesinados en el Holocausto.

Puede encender una vela virtual aquí

 

75th Anniversary of Foundation in Marystown (Newfoundland)

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of Holy Name of Mary Convent in Marystown, Newfoundland.

On September 29, 2002, the Sacred Heart Parish, Marystown held a celebration to mark the anniversary. The event began with a celebration of the Eucharistic Liturgy during which Father Ray Earle, pastor, paid tribute to the Sisters of Mercy for seventy-five years of ministry in the parish and community. He, and the president of the Parish Council, acknowledged, in particular, their contribution to youth through their service in the schools and their presence in the wider community as well. The mayor of the town, Mr. Samuel Synard presented the sisters with a plaque on which was the image of Catherine McAuley and an expression of appreciation.

Afterwards, a reception was held in the parish room during which the parishioners had the opportunity to come and express their personal congratulations and best wishes. It gave the sisters the chance to meet so many of their former students, many of whom are now leaders in both church and community. Later in the evening the sisters were invited to the parish hall for a dinner during which more words of appreciation were expressed.

Este año se celebra el 75 aniversario de la fundación del Convento del Santo Nombre de María en Marystown, Terranova.

El 29 de septiembre de 2002, la parroquia del Sagrado Corazón de Marystown organizó una celebración para conmemorar el aniversario. El acto comenzó con una celebración de la Liturgia Eucarística durante la cual el Padre Ray Earle, párroco, rindió homenaje a las Hermanas de la Misericordia por sus setenta y cinco años de ministerio en la parroquia y en la comunidad. Tanto él como el presidente del Consejo Parroquial reconocieron, en particular, su contribución a la juventud a través de su servicio en las escuelas y su presencia también en la comunidad en general. El alcalde de la ciudad, Samuel Synard, entregó a las hermanas una placa con la imagen de Catherine McAuley y una expresión de agradecimiento.

Posteriormente, se celebró una recepción en la sala parroquial durante la cual los feligreses tuvieron la oportunidad de acudir y expresar sus felicitaciones personales y sus mejores deseos. Las hermanas tuvieron la oportunidad de conocer a muchas de sus antiguas alumnas, muchas de las cuales son ahora líderes tanto en la iglesia como en la comunidad. Más tarde, por la noche, las hermanas fueron invitadas a una cena en el salón parroquial, durante la cual se expresaron más palabras de agradecimiento.

Earth Day 2023 Theme: “Invest in Our Planet”

The theme for Earth Day 2023 (22 April) is “Invest in Our Planet.” The theme is focused on engaging governments, institutions, businesses, and the more than 1 billion citizens who participate annually in Earth Day to do their part – everyone accounted for, everyone accountable.

“In 2023 we must come together again in partnership for the planet. Businesses, governments, and civil society are equally responsible for taking action against the climate crisis and lighting the spark to accelerate change towards a green, prosperous, and equitable future. We must join together in our fight for the green revolution, and for the health of future generations. The time is now to Invest In Our Planet,” said Kathleen Rogers, President of Earthday.org

El lema del Día de la Tierra 2023 (22 de abril) es “Invertir en nuestro planeta”. El tema se centra en lograr que los gobiernos, las instituciones, las empresas y los más de mil millones de ciudadanos que participan anualmente en el Día de la Tierra pongan de su parte: todos rinden cuentas, todos son responsables.

“En 2023 debemos unirnos de nuevo en una alianza por el planeta. Las empresas, los gobiernos y la sociedad civil son igualmente responsables de tomar medidas contra la crisis climática y encender la chispa para acelerar el cambio hacia un futuro verde, próspero y equitativo. Debemos unirnos en nuestra lucha por la revolución verde y por la salud de las generaciones futuras. Ha llegado el momento de invertir en nuestro planeta”, ha declarado Kathleen Rogers, Presidenta de Earthday.org.

World Health Day, 7 April

World Health Day is a global health awareness day, celebrated each year on April 7, sponsored mainly by The World Health Organization (WHO).

2023 marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of WHO. World Health Day provides an opportunity to look back at public health successes that have improved the quality of life for people over the past seven decades. It also aims to motivate governments and institutions to take action regarding the many health challenges nations face todaand into the future.

The theme for this year’s World Health Day is Health For All.

In his message for World Day of the Sick, 11 February 2023, Pope Francis said:

“These past years of the pandemic have increased our sense of gratitude for those who work each day in the fields of healthcare and research. Yet it is not enough to emerge from such an immense collective tragedy simply by honouring heroes. Covid-19 has strained the great networks of expertise and solidarity, and has exposed the structural limits of existing public welfare systems.  Gratitude, then, needs to be matched by actively seeking, in every country, strategies and resources in order to guarantee each person’s fundamental right to basic and decent healthcare.”

May governments and health systems be motivated to guarantee the healthcare that all of us need.

La Giornata mondiale della salute è una giornata di sensibilizzazione sulla salute globale, celebrata ogni anno il 7 aprile e promossa principalmente dall’Organizzazione Mondiale della Sanità (OMS).

Nel 2023 ricorre il 75° anniversario della fondazione dell’OMS. La Giornata mondiale della salute offre l’opportunità di ripercorrere i successi della sanità pubblica che hanno migliorato la qualità della vita delle persone negli ultimi sette decenni. Inoltre, mira a motivare i governi e le istituzioni ad agire per affrontare le numerose sfide sanitarie che le nazioni si trovano ad affrontare per il futuro.

Il tema della Giornata mondiale della salute di quest’anno è Salute per tutti.

Nel suo messaggio per la Giornata mondiale del malato, l’11 febbraio 2023, Papa Francesco ha detto:

“Questi ultimi anni di pandemia hanno aumentato il nostro senso di gratitudine per coloro che lavorano ogni giorno nei campi della sanità e della ricerca. Tuttavia, non è sufficiente uscire da una così immensa tragedia collettiva semplicemente onorando gli eroi. Il virus Covid-19 ha messo a dura prova le grandi reti di competenza e solidarietà e ha messo a nudo i limiti strutturali dei sistemi di assistenza pubblica esistenti. La gratitudine, quindi, deve essere accompagnata dalla ricerca attiva, in ogni Paese, di strategie e risorse per garantire il diritto fondamentale di ogni persona a un’assistenza sanitaria di base e dignitosa”.

Che i governi e i sistemi sanitari siano motivati a garantire l’assistenza sanitaria di cui tutti abbiamo bisogno.