A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step...
The Spirituality committee, having had two conference calls, was delighted to gather for the first time on November 20-22, 2014, at Seton Spirituality Center, Terence Bay, NS. Sister Evelyn Williams, SC, gifted us with her engaging facilitation. We were reminded that in this work of ours we are called and we are “on a mission” with the entire Province. So let’s go together!
In preparation for this meeting, we first asked a number of sisters to respond to the following question:
What is happening to further enhance your spirituality where you live?
CATW applauds Canada and Ireland for their historic passage of laws
New York, December 1, 2014 - The Coalition Against Trafficking in Women (CATW) applauds the legislatures of Canada and Ireland for their historic passage of laws that respectively target the demand for prostitution or buyers of sex, and decriminalize prostituted individuals. They follow in the footsteps of Sweden, Norway and Iceland, which passed a set of laws, known as the "Nordic Model,” that penalizes the purchase of sex, exempts prostituted individuals from punishment and recognizes prostitution as a cause and consequence of gender violence and discrimination.
The Second Week in Advent or Managing Expectations
In the reading from Isaiah, Israel hungrily awaits a Messiah. In words of comfort and tenderness, the great prophet tells Jerusalem that in spite of “her sins,” or maybe even because of them, God is coming in glory and will rule with power and a “strong arm,” with reward and recompense. The valleys will be filled, the mountains made low, the rough terrain made plain and he will care for his people. And tell your friends!
Certainly, in the historical context, Israel was looking for muscle, and not necessarily a Prince of Peace. So the fact that a strong and powerful God was coming to move mountains and to make the playing field even was not just good news, but great news; but, as it turns out, not the best way to manage expectations. It is no wonder that it was difficult for Jews to believe that a carpenter’s son from Nazareth, with a message of peace and love, was the tremendous ground force that was foretold by the prophet Isaiah.
