Full Stories - August 2009
Weekend Retreat - Exploring the Call to Mission (September 25-27, 2009)
Discover what it means to be a Scarboro priest or lay missioner overseas!
Date: September 25-27, 2009
Place: Scarboro Missions Centre, 2685 Kingston Road, Scarborough
For more information and registration, contact the Lay Mission Office, 416-261-7135, ext. 265, lmo@scarboromissions.ca
The above information is contained in a PDF poster - please post it on a church or school bulletin.
Milestones in Recent Catholic-Jewish Relations
This document chronicles, on a year-by-year basis, the dramatic advances in Catholic-Jewish dialogue since the Second Vatican Council. This detailed profile of significant changes and developments in Catholic-Jewish relations will be very useful to teachers, students, researchers, historians, interfaith practicioners and others. This document can be downloaded free of charge. Read more
Special magazine issue - Mysteries of the Rosary. Order bulk copies for home, parish or school
Now available May-June 2009 special issue on the Rosary
Order bulk copies for your school or parish, friends and family at the special low price of 30 cents each (postage extra). Phone Penny at 416-261-7135 (or 1-800-260-4815), ext. 284 or email order to mid-penny@scarboromissions.ca.
This special issue on the rosary presents the 20 mysteries (Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful, and Glorious), each with three reflections: thoughts and questions about the mystery; ideas on how we as Scarboro missionaries often understand the mystery; and an Amazon Word. Scarboro missionaries have worked in the Brazilian Amazon since 1962 in the Prelacy of Itacoatiara and the Diocese of Roraima. Each mystery of the rosary is accompanied by a photo from a country where Scarboro missioners are present. The images from other lands represent the universality of our faith. We hope that these short reflections will help you in praying the rosary and in deepening your sense of Jesus and Mary acting in your life. May you be blessed as you pray the rosary. We ask that you remember us in your prayers.
LAY MISSION OFFICE NEWS
Fields of Green
Glenn and Anne Harty's Arrival in Chiang Mai
Article by Scarboro Lay Missioner – Anne Harty
In Thailand
It is the end of February in Thailand and we are now approaching the hot season. Almost all of the rice fields are planted once again, creating a sea of Irish green which is a delightful treat for the eyes as we ride to and from the Catholic Mission.
Rice is such an important commodity that all stages of growing rice are a community and family affair. All members of the family take part in planting, tending and harvesting it. Many family members leave their traditional jobs at specific times of the year to participate.
These times are reminiscent of the days on the Canadian prairies whereby an entire community came together to erect a barn. After the barn had reached completion, a party was organized in celebration.
Here in Thailand it is much the same – communities get together to plant and harvest and this is repeated the next day with another community. When all the planting or harvesting is finished a celebration is held.
At harvest time the first gleanings of rice are saved and used in a family blessing ceremony, thanking the God of harvest for another year of sacred rice. Rice is used in numerous dishes in Thailand, just as we in Canada eat wheat.
In the Wiang Pa Pao area where we are, the farmers are fortunate to be able to harvest two crops per year, but in other areas there is only one harvest in a year. We pray that this years harvest will be a good crop for the farmers who have suffered in past years and still have unpaid debts.
Our witness of this rice growing experience has once again opened our eyes to the bountiful goodness of God and we have developed a deeper respect for the farmers.
Glenn with little boy named Earth
Girl displaying her needlework to Anne
Communities working together in the rice patties
Working in the Rice Patties
Working together in the Rice Fields
Field of Green
Blessing Ritual in Brazil
by Bev Trach
Scarboro lay missioner in Brazil
I will pour out my spirit and my blessings on your children. They will thrive like watered grass, like willows on a riverbank.
Isaiah 44:3-4
Beverly Trach with street children in Brazil
No matter how well life is going, or how difficult things are, there is always a certainty that changes are possible. In my own belief, I know that the one constant is that God is here. There are many churches, books, magazines and speakers that try to help us see that God is present in our lives. Practices and rituals help to remind us of God's presence. Daily prayer, church on Sundays, and a walk through nature is a means that help us to grow in our appreciation of God's presence in our lives.
Being aware of God's presence is only part of it. Our communications and interactions with God, remain important. In scripture, it is very common to hear of the people asking God for a blessing, either for themselves or for the people they love. God's blessing is a gift.
One of the rituals, in Brazil, that I have witnessed on many occasions is that of a child asking their parent/s to invoke upon them God's blessings. It is a combination of words and actions. When children awaken in the morning and during their first encounter with their parent, they will ask the parent for God's blessings. The parent will say, "May God bless you" and at the same time the child takes the hand of the parent as in a handshake, kiss the parent's hand and then the parent will in turn kiss the child's hand, while still holding it.
Beverly Trach doing crafts with street children in Brazil
This same request for a blessing and giving of a blessing may happen between children, siblings, parents, grandparents, God parents, aunts and uncles. This ritual occurs first thing in the morning, before the child goes to school or work, when they return home and before they go to sleep at night. In many cases, it happens so quickly that it may go unnoticed to a visitor but if the child forgets, they are reminded by the parent to ask for their blessing. I have also witnessed this being done over the telephone. Following their initial greeting, a request for a blessing is asked before any further conversation takes place.
Dyulliana, who is seven months pregnant shared with me that she asks her mother every morning and evening for a blessing. Normally, Lucivania, the mother will bless the baby in the womb by rubbing Dyulliana's belly and at times kisses it. On the rare occasion, that Lucivania does not give a blessing to the baby, Dyulliana said the baby begins to stir and move around a lot. For the two of them, there is no doubt the value of this blessing begins with the beginning of life.
This ritual is not only a reminder of the goodness and presence of God, but also keeps the connection of a child to members of his/her family and their faith.
Dyulliana's mother kisses a blessing on her daughter's hand
Dyulliana kisses her mother's hand with a blessing
Dyulliana kisses a blessing on her God mother's hand
Are you interested in becoming a Scarboro Missioner?
Lay Mission work in October 2006 Magazine Issue
To read about the current Lay Mission work in the latest magazine issue, click here
INTERFAITH DESK NEWS
Review of Scarboro Golden Rule Movie
Earlier this year, Scarboro Missions released its Golden Rule video entitled, Animating the Golden Rule. The movie features Grade 11 students embodying Golden Rule values by way of skits, artwork, song, dance, rap and interviews. An exciting review of the DVD has been published in the Toronto Interfaith Unity newsletter. To read the review, click here.
13 Golden Rule Texts Translated into Hebrew
Scarboro Missions is proud to announce that the Golden Rule sacred writings from thirteen religions have been translated into Hebrew. This new addition complements translations in Spanish, French, Italian, German and Portuguese that are already posted on our website.
To view or download the thirteen Golden Rule texts in Hebrew, click here
Learn about Official Church Documents on Dialogue
This listing features official Church documents on interfaith dialogue that have been published during and since the era of the Second Vatican Council. Included here are papal encyclicals as well as documents produced by the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, by Bishops' Conferences and by Congregations within the Vatican (e.g. the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith). Each listing contains a one or two-sentence description of the document's contents. To read listing, click here.
JUSTICE AND PEACE OFFICE NEWS
Pope Benedict XVI's new social Encyclical "Caritas in Veritate" promotes integral human development based on love and truth
Pope Benedict XVI's third encyclical "Caritas in Veritate" (Charity in Truth) was published on July 7th just prior to the G8 Summit in Italy. The Pope regards the principle of "charity in truth" to be at the centre of the Church's social doctrine. The encyclical begins with the explanation that "Charity in truth, to which Jesus Christ bore witness by his earthly life and especially by his death and resurrection, is the principal driving force behind the authentic development of every person and of all humanity. Love – caritas – is an extraordinary force which leads people to opt for courageous and generous engagement in the field of justice and peace. It is a force that has its origin in God, Eternal Love and Absolute Truth."
The encyclical builds on the work of Pope Paul VI's "Populorum Progressio" (On the Development of Peoples) published in 1967. Pope Benedict elaborates in depth on several themes related to human development including poverty, culture, the global market, reform of economic and financial systems, food security, respect for life, the environment, rights and duties, development aid, migration, labour, technology as well as the cooperation of the human family based on communion, solidarity and subsidiarity.
In his concluding remarks Pope Benedict states "Awareness of God's undying love sustains us in our laborious and stimulating work for justice and the development of peoples, amid successes and failures, in the ceaseless pursuit of a just ordering of human affairs... God gives us the strength to fight and to suffer for love of the common good, because he is our All, our greatest hope. Development needs Christians with their arms raised towards God in prayer, Christians moved by the knowledge that truth-filled love, caritas in veritate, from which authentic development proceeds, is not produced by us, but given to us."
To read the encyclical and related resources go to the following links:
"Caritas in Veritate" (Charity in Truth) by Pope Benedict XVI
"A Better Future for Everyone Is Possible" – Pope's reflection on new encyclical
Vatican Summary of "Caritas in Veritate"
Detailed Précis of "Caritas in Veritate" by Jim Hug, S.J. of Center of Concern
Encyclical study guides from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Article by Brendan MacPartlin, S.J. published in "Thinking Faith"
Order a printed copy of "Caritas in Veritate" from CCCB Publications
Papal Letter to Italian Leader ahead of G8 Summit appeals to Reinforce Aid for Development
Holy See urges priority for the poorest countries in address to United Nations conference on "The World Financial and Economic Crisis and Its Impact on Development"
Make Poverty History News: Meagre Results from July G8 Summit
KAIROS News: "Pedal for the Planet" cross Canada Bike Tour in support of Kyoto Plus
Sign the Kyoto plus petition
Canadian environmental and public interest organizations are asking individual Canadians to sign the KYOTOplus Petition. The petition calls for Canada to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at least 25 per cent (from the 1990 level) by 2020. They are targeting a minimum of one million signatures for this petition. They will deliver these signatures to the United Nations climate conference that will take place in December 2009 in Copenhagen, Denmark. This conference will make the crucial decision about a second phase of the Kyoto Protocol. Canada must be part of the solution, not part of the problem.
The Petition for Concerned Canadians reads as follows:
Whereas global warming is an unequivocal threat to our environment, our economy and to people's lives; and
whereas global warming must be kept as far below 2øsius as possible (relative to the pre-industrial level) in order to prevent catastrophic consequences; requiring developed countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 25 to 40 per cent (from 1990 levels) by 2020; and
whereas Canada should join the global community in agreeing to these reductions at the United Nations climate conference in Copenhagen, Denmark in December 2009; therefore
I call on elected officials to ensure that Canada honours its Kyoto commitment and sets a national target of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by at least 25 per cent (from the 1990 level) by 2020.
Canada must have a credible plan to meet this 2020 target, including:
- a just price on greenhouse gas pollution;
- world-leading regulations and effective investments to cut greenhouse gas pollution from vehicles, buildings and other sectors;
- strong measures in support of energy conservation and renewable energy; and
- urgent measures to minimize climate change impacts on people and ecosystems here and abroad.
Go here to sign the petition online...