Guest Editorial

God's gifts are magnificent and plentiful

By Sr. Frances Brady, O.L.M.
May/June 2010

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Only the limitless diversity of creation can begin to reflect the glory of God to us for our appreciation and participation. Recognizing that we are dependent for survival on all the amazing variety of life forms on this planet Earth leads us to appreciation and gratitude.

Many in Canada are privileged to experience this diversity daily among the people of various cultures, cus-toms, faiths, and talents with whom we live and work. We live and learn that God gifts us in limitless ways; that each person has something special to contribute to the human family and to the Earth that nourishes us; that the unique charism of each religious group can be expressed in a variety of ways responding to a wide range of needs and circumstances.

After many years spent abroad in various missions, the majority of Our Lady’s Missionaries are now living in Toronto, the most multicultural city in the world. Toronto provides wonderful opportunities to experience the beauty and variety of cultures in our midst. Music, food, art, language, literature, and just about everything else from most places on the planet are placed within our reach.

With benefits come responsibilities: to meet differences with respect and to ask important questions. In our beautiful and welcoming country, how do we decide whom we welcome? How do we help newcomers to use their talents, skill, and education for the benefit of their families and the Canadian community? How can we balance our appreciation of goods from around the world with the cost, to human life and to the planet, of bringing them to us?

What God has created is magnificent and plentiful. Genuine gratitude invites us to responsible use and generous sharing of what is given for everyone. Such a sincere and heartfelt response is the one that will bring about our fulfilment and enjoyment of God’s vast, diverse, and beautiful creation.

Sr. Christine Gebel and Sr. Noreen Kearns

We are grateful for the continuing friendship and support of all at Scarboro Missions, for Kathy Gillis, editor of Scarboro Missions magazine, Sisters Christine Gebel and Noreen Kearns (above L-R) who worked with Kathy to prepare this issue, and for all of you who read our stories and encourage our missionary work.

Thanks to Ministry of the Arts, Congregation of St. Joseph, La Grange Park, Illinois (www.MinistryOfTheArts.org) for permission to reprint images from their 2009 calendar, “The New History of the Universe” in this issue of Scarboro Missions magazine. Below is a listing of all calendar artists and writers:

January: Universe Story—Our Story by Mary Southard, CSJ
February: Beyond Silence by Nancy Earle, SMIC
March: Once Upon A Universe by Mary Southard, CSJ
April: Sun Loving Earth by Dana Lynne Anderson, Courtesy of Dawn Publications
May: Life Emerging by Anne Camozzi
June: Cataclysm by Mary Southard, CSJ
July: How Flowers Changed the World by Mary Southard, CSJ
August: Wonder Awakens by Mary Southard, CSJ
September: Earth With A Human Face by Mary Southard CSJ
October: The Rise of Civilization by Dana Lynne Anderson Courtesy of Dawn Publications
November: Passion of Earth II by Mary Southard CSJ
December: Communion by Nancy Earle, SMIC
The Story Writing Team: Kathy Sherman, CSJ, John Surette, SJ, Barbara Foreman, Mary Southard, CSJ.

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