July-August-September Issue

Summary

contents

(VOL. 60, No. 3 /July-August-September 2017)

Columns

Spiritual Life

An Inexhaustible Spring — André Gadbois

In our weary society, who will acknowledge the refreshing spring inside us and encourage us to welcome those who cross our paths?

The stretch of land behind our house reaches the horizon; whether the soil is cultivated or covered with snow, the rising sun creates such marvellous beauty.
The evening sunsets are just as wonderful in February as they are in August. I recently decided to devote more time to the sun. I watch its slow passage and nourish myself with its divine Beauty to help me cope injuries Humanity continues to inflict upon itself. Citizens are increasingly silent; they are treated as simple customers who have nothing to say. The common good has become a term used by rich shareholders, by many politicians who remember that
cause for a moment (at election time) but then fail to fulfill it. Our ability to act in the world and to live humanely is at stake. We humans continue to act as though we have the luxury of acquiring a new planet. We don’t take the time to think about our actions or take firm steps to provoke change. We are unconsciously damaging our wellbeing, our environment, and the lives of the less fortunate who seek to live here. In other words, we’re shooting ourselves in the foot. When we feel overwhelmed, we often flee our responsibilities, leaving space for the power-hungry who want to shape Humanity as they see fit and who want to become “KING”.

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Youth

Searching for Our Summit — Audrey Charland

Every fountain has a source, and every source has water.
The logic of this affirmation might seem obvious upon first glance. However, many people, absorbed in their individual lives and worries, have forgotten the basic principles of human existence. They no longer know where they came from, or where they’re going.

Cultures and Mission

Water: A Source of Life and Development — Suzanne Lachapelle

Originally from Donnacona, Quebec, Gilles Raymond has been living in Indonesia for the past 16 years with his wife and two children. In the early 70s, Raymond worked closely with OpérationDignité (Operation Dignity), a social movement that protested the town closures occurring in the Gaspé and Lower St. Lawrence – a historic moment in Quebec that has now nearly been forgotten. When Raymond moved to Indonesia, he continued to live by his principles. Believing in the solidarity and responsible action of the collective, he decided to implement honour loans – a system that was used in Quebec a few decades ago – to help the poor in Indonesia. “Whether you’re born here or somewhere else is pure chance,” Raymond says. “We’re all human. We can’t remain indifferent.”

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IN FOCUS

LET SPRINGS FLOW 

Photo Story – S.O.S. Peru 2017 — Monique Fortier, m.i.c.

The importance of water in our lives is undeniable. It can save lives but it can also destroy. Recently in Peru, torrential rains caused rivers to overflow;  massive mudslides swept away roads, bridges, and farms in the region of Huachipan. Families have lost everything. These devastations awakened the hearts to solidarity—reaching out to those most in need. The photos which we are publishing show the generosity and the ingenuousness of the people.

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Creating Your Own Happiness — Marie-Paule Sanfaçon, m.i.c.

There is an old saying that, if you want to be happy, you must laugh for at least five minutes a day to maintain a healthy life balance. But we know very
well that our hearts are not always light, and opportunities to laugh don’t come along every day. How can we find happiness in our daily lives?

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Bloom Where You Are Planted — Pham Thi Dieu Hien, m.i.c.

I was born on October 24, 1983 in Sóc Trang, a city in South Vietnam. My parents are originally from North Vietnam. In 1954, when the communists took over the country, a priest advised my parents to move south; in doing so they could practice their faith freely. With great fervour and courage they travelled by boat leaving everything behind them. Since then, all my relatives settled in the south. In collaboration with other Catholic members, my family cleared a piece of land which was given to them and they built their own church. It was named Thiêt An, which is a combination of the two words of the parishes where they came from: Thiêt Tranh and An Quý. My parents were married in 1975 when South Vietnam became independent. I am very grateful to have been raised in a very religious and God-fearing family. I am the fourth child of seven children: four boys and three girls. My elder sister Teresa is also a Sister with the Sisters of Providence of Portieux (SPP). When I was a child, my father never missed waking us up early so we could go to Mass every day. Later, as a youth, I got involved in Church activities.

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ABOUT THE MICs

Let Your Sun Shine — Suzanne Labelle, m.i.c.

On January 22, 2017, a Thanksgiving Mass was celebrated at the Precious Blood Monastery in Saint-Hyacinthe in honour of Mother Catherine-Aurélie of the Precious Blood, who was declared “Venerable” by Pope Francis in December 2016. We would like to highlight this event and remind our readers that the missionary Sisters are supported in their apostolate by the prayers of contemplative Sisters and devoted Christians who care about extending the Reign of God.

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A Vegetable Greenhouse Beats the African Sun — Huguette Ostiguy, m.i.c.

In the Spring issue 2017, Vol. 44, No. 2, Sister Huguette mentioned, in her article, the consequences of drought weather in Malawi and its effect upon the poor population. In this edition, she describes a fantastic project which gives rise to hope.         

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Thirst

In countries with hot climates, the inhabitants know what it’s like to be thirsty. In the city of Les Cayes, Haiti, researchers have located a plentiful spring, one that flows day and night. When it was first discovered, the people said: We will turn off our taps to save this precious water. But according to specialists: The water must flow at all times, otherwise the spring will be diverted.

Our current issue’s theme, Let Springs Flow, reminded me of this event. Inside each person flows a spring to be discovered, one that must be channelled, directed, developed, and shared. We must overcome our fear that it will dry up, and journey to the water tables of our selves to develop this precious treasure. We must help it grow from a simple trickle of water into a veritable cascade. Through Baptism, we were submerged in the spring of Love. It flows plentifully inside us. We are the ones who have to tap into it. Aurélie Caouette, recently proclaimed venerable, and DéliaTétreault both knew how to listen to this spring. Through their contemplative and missionary prayers, they shared God’s immense love with the world.

In the Gospel, the Lord asks the Samaritan woman for a drink: Give me a drink. And again, on the cross: I’m thirsty. What is Jesus asking for? Water? Perhaps. However, according to Saint John, the Christ is thirsty for love. We must have something to gain by rediscovering these plentiful springs inside us.

Are you thirsty? How many people strive towards an ideal and desire a life that bears plentiful fruit? Surveys have revealed that many people no longer believe in electoral promises or reports from journalists or other sources. Why? They are thirsty for the truth, for a society that is fair and just, for real achievements. These desires are the first steps along the path toward the true spring. Jesus was thirsty; the young and the old are also thirsty for this pure and plentiful water, this spring that regenerates the human soul and never dries up.

Are you thirsty? Inside this issue, you will find trickles and rivulets leading to the inexhaustible spring. Don’t turn off your tap! It will flow plentifully to quench the thirst of those who need it.

The Team

Marie-Paule Sanfaçon, Directress of publication

Originally from Quebec, Sr. Marie-Paule was a missionary in Haiti; she worked with high-school students in the field of catechesis and also in youth ministry.  She is now directress of the MIC Missionary Press.

Carole Guévin, Direction's assistant

Assistant Director of the MIC Missionary Press, Carole lived in Nicaragua and Lebanon as a lay missionary.

Translator : French to English - MIC Mission News

Sr. Claudette is a former missionary in Malawi, Africa.  She also worked in the Archdioceses of San Francisco, California; Toronto, Ontario and Vancouver, British Colombia as Archdiocesan coordinator and promoter of mission awareness activities. Within parish contexts, she coordinated religious education programs and accompanied youngsters on their faith journey.

André Gadbois, Editorial Board

Married and father of two children, André Gadbois, after several years in pastoral work, taught children with serious learning disabilities for 20 years and was school director for ten years. He has been very involved with catechumens of the Church in Montreal, and is the editor of their journal, le Sénevé.

Audrey Charland, Editorial Board

Audrey Charland, a 25-year-old graduate student with a master’s degree in Religious Studies, is trying her hand at something new: first the thesis, now the news article! After studying the history of Catholic missionary nuns in India, she has joined the MIC Missionary News team as the new Communications and Development Officer. This position will allow her to take on new and exciting challenges, and put her knowledge and skills into practice.


Léonie Therrien, M.I.C., Editorial Board

Occupation: She is a member of the editorial team for the missionary magazine Le Précurseur/MIC Mission News. She is also responsible for a group of MIC Associates (ASMIC).

Experiences: Educator; youth group animator as well as animating groups of Associates; member of an intercommunity mission animation team.

Emilien Roscanu, Editorial Board                                                                            

Emilien Roscanu History and politics are his passion as well as the arts scene and dramatic art.  Dedicated to his community, he is a young man who also loves debating ideas.

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