Calling Santé Québec
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Calling Santé Québec

The human voice is a powerful instrument. Through speaking, singing, whispering and shouting, our voices express much of the human experience. Our voices are also basic to our sharing meaningfully with others. Through verbal communication we express a range of emotions and experiences: anger, desire, sympathy, fear and amusement, among others. I became particularly attuned…

Uplifting Words: To seniors

Uplifting Words: To seniors

Every day you come to my office (we stopped making home visits last April) to tell me your stories. You want someone to listen to your hopeful stories. Each one demonstrates that God is looking after us. Yesterday, today, forever! Our God is for us! After burying a parent or a spouse, you tell me…

Uplifting Words: To justice seekers
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Uplifting Words: To justice seekers

The North African bishop Augustine of Hippo famously said that hope has “two beautiful daughters; their names are Anger and Courage. Anger at the way things are, and Courage to see that they do not remain as they are.” The last year was extraordinarily difficult for many, and the temptation to lose hope is real….

Uplifting Words: To parents doing online school
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Uplifting Words: To parents doing online school

For families with school-aged children and for those involved in education, the terms school closure, remote learning, Google Classroom and Zoom likely increase your blood pressure and accelerate your heart rate. In the 62-year history of the school where I work, 2020 marked the first time when students were not permitted to come to school:…

Uplifting Words: To students and teachers
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Uplifting Words: To students and teachers

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To students May you know that the effort you make in classes and your community are like stones thrown into a pond that ripple and have effects you won’t see at first. May you know that you have lived through things that can help you. May you remember what you know about love, yourself and…

Vaccines and Social Media
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Vaccines and Social Media

In a recent column (“Anti-Vax Reversal?,” June 8), I ended with the hope that a vaccine for COVID-19 might be developed quickly. Scientists are working on many possible vaccines in an amazing time frame. Our government has partnered with multiple companies to make a vaccine available for Canadians, and the Americans have implemented “Operation Warp…

A Prayer of Lament
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A Prayer of Lament

Lord, in case You haven’t noticed, things are falling apart down here. Of course, I know You’re omniscient, so I realize that You are aware, but I wonder if You’re really paying attention, Lord. This corona virus is plaguing the entire globe, and especially ravaging the poor, vulnerable and minorities, who for so long have already been suffering so much pain and injustice.

The Prayer Project
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The Prayer Project

In his boldly-titled blog post “Beauty will Save the World,” Dr. Curt Thompson urges readers to find and create beauty in art and the natural world even, and especially, during the stress of a global pandemic. He argues that noticing and creating beauty brings us into the present moment.

(Trying to) Choose Joy
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(Trying to) Choose Joy

To follow my previous column (CC May 11), our family has appreciated having a community nurse return to our home for weekly hours. I am thankful for the help with medications, pain management and extra time over the dinner hour. Though a sense of familiarity in routine has returned, I cannot ignore the persistent feelings of discontentment. Rachel and Janneke cannot verbalize this to me, but they are missing the informal connections with classmates.