Blog – Articles

What are the Seasonal Colors of the Church?

In Ordinary time the color is green ;

Advent colors are pink or blue and violet;

at Christmas and Easter  we use white ;

at Pentecost and for Confirmations we use red :

Special Solemnities/Feasts we use gold. 

This includes the vestments the priest and deacon

wear as well as the altar cloths.

 

Within Native tradition we are incorporating

the use of the 4 colors

(red. yellow, white and black)

buckskin vestments and altar cloths with beading.

Also we make use of the drum in the music.

Dianne Musgrove – Liturgy

 

By Fr. Gerry McDougall

On the holy night when Jesus Christ was born, the angels of God brought good news of great joy to poor shepherds, who camped in the fields about Bethlehem, watching their flocks: their Saviour and ours had come!  The shepherds went to the stable, the humble place of Jesus’ birth, and reverenced the miraculous child, Emmanuel.  They told the angels’ message to his mother Mary, to his guardian Joseph, who listened to them in wonder and awe.  After their amazing encounter, the shepherds went forth praising God.

Christmas is a feast of great joy for the world, when we remember in thanksgiving the Saviour’s birth in our own lives, our own hearts.  In recent years, Pope Francis has shown us, in words and actions, the joy that is central to the good news of faith by which we live.  We have seen and felt joy through the special angels of our own lives, who have brought the good news to us: the deep, sincere and unwavering joy in the hearts of people like DOS Rose Peltier, who passed away in May, and DOW Clara Trudeau, who passed away in December.  Like the shepherds in the fields of Bethlehem, poverty of spirit prepares the human heart to receive the good news these angels bring, by word and deed, good news of joy that sends us on, to move forward, seeking the incarnate presence of Christ in the world, in our neighbour, in ourselves.

Encountering Christ today, we find him in the joyful, but also the sorrowful of the world.  The suffering of victims of war, of refugees, of the politically and economically oppressed, of the religiously persecuted, of the victims of disasters, must always be forefront in our hearts.  The daily struggles of those living with abuse, with addiction, or with illness, physical or mental, beg the light of Christ.  Grief for the loss of loved ones challenges superficial attempts to create Christmas happiness.

These realities of our times call us to bring the good news we have heard with love in all of its dimensions.  Like Mary and Joseph, we are called to love with compassion, mercy, patience and fidelity.  With the Holy Family, we must always put our trust and hope in God, the Creator who loves each one of us without measure, and see every human being truly as a sister or brother of Jesus.  The good news of Jesus Christ is for all people, and all creation.

As we go forward to the feast of the Nativity and beyond, may the love of God renew in our hearts the joy, hope and peace of Christ.  May we be amazed, in awe and wonder, of the salvation God has given to us.  May we bear the message of angels, that Jesus Christ is born, to the many whose lives he wants to touch and heal.

 

Year of Mercy – Loving our Neighbour

At the Waaseandimikaaning September board meeting it was decided to include the sharing of the story of the Solidarity visit to the Diocese of San Cristobal de Las Casa and the Indigenous peoples of Chiapas, Mexico to celebrate the legacy of Bishop Samuel Ruiz trip, and to share this more broadly with those in local Native ministry at the parish level, while engaging the concepts of de-colonization of native ministry, and sharing local faith based activities with one another.

A committee was struck with a rep from each major community. A pamphlet was designed to send by e-mail and regular mail to DOS and those in the Ministry program to distribute to councils as far north as Thunder Bay and east to Garden Village. The brochure was sent at the end of October from the office. 

 

Highlights from the weekend are:

We began a New Church Year – ADVENT 2016

We shared community-based activities with one another (resources, children’s sacraments, liturgy, music, fundraising, bulletins, outreach, etc.)

We explored a path for future cooperative initiatives.

We explored de-colonization in the Native Church of Canada (Chiapas presentation)

We facilitated small group conversation on 1.) Liturgy   2.) Community Building 3.)Administration   which led to encouragement and inspiration for future initiatives.

We introduced the Pastoral Cycle as a process for decision-making.

We created an Advent wreath with each person adding cedar to the wreath.

An Advent Wreath Prayer was shared with participants, for them to take home to their parishes.

 

Who was there?

• Six DOS members were present: Rosella Kinoshameg, Debbie Ense, Pauline Toulouse, Dianne Musgrove, Marjorie Trudeau, Marjorie Spanish
• 20 members from 4 parish communities: Sagamok, Birch Island, M’Chigeeng, Wikwemikong.
• 3 Jesuits: Fr. Gerry McDougall, Fr. Tony Baranowski, and  Fr. Philippe Landenne.

 

What did people experience?

 “I think the weekend inspired our parish to work together, … all the communities realized how much teamwork is needed to keep our parishes up and running, and that the sharing time and coming together was vital. By getting together, it has made us a bigger/closer community, by involving new parish members to see what happens at our ministry weekends. The members from our church were very glad to have attended.”

Debbie Ense – Immaculate Conception Parish M’Chigeeng

 

“As a floater among all small working groups, I experienced the rich dialogue among the members of each group and how they were sharing ideas of various activities in their own communities and showing the pride in carrying these out to help out in whatever they could or they saw what needed to be done.”

Rosella Kinoshameg—Holy Cross Mission

Wikwemikong 

 

“The topic for our group was “Administration” .  For Administration we discussed a) Parish Council Leadership;  b) Meetings;  c) Bulletins d) Building Maintenance e) Church Records. For most Parish Councils there is no designated chairpersons. The committee is made up of parish community members who show up for the meeting. For other Parish Councils there are chairpersons who are appointed or elected  by the Parish Community.  Parish Councillors are nominated and voted in by the Parish community.  Some church staff are paid a stipend. Most meetings are held on a regular basis, at least once a month. Church bulletins and Public Announcements are usually written by the church secretary.  Building maintenance seemed to be a concern for all parishes especially the heating of the church for the Sunday services.  Most parishes fundraise to pay for the high cost of heat for their churches. Another concern that the group seemed to find difficult is to get a handle on is how to maintain Church Records.” 

Pauline Toulouse —St. Raphael Parish

Sagamok 

 

Participants were inspired by the work parishes are doing to keep the heat on in winter and faith alive among the people’

The parish representatives communicated clearly with one another. Their sharing helped to reassure the good work being done and to give clearer direction to volunteers on how they might make changes in their parish.

Sharing of Scripture in the language at mass is possible in all parishes.

Through Friendship Cafés, brunches, and bingos the parish gives back in community building and sharing food.

Networking in the community is a bridge to those healing from loneliness, loss, bereavement, abuse, and issues such as the missing and murdered Aboriginal women.”

The participants left the weekend more informed and deeply inspired hearing the faith life and discerned actions of our indigenous neighbours in Chiapas.

The weekend provided: opportunity to connect, to belong, to listen and to understand and to lift each other up. We will gather again!

 

For the Late Fr. Michael Stogre and deceased ASC community members

On Saturday, September 10/16, a memorial mass was celebrated honoring Fr. Michael Stogre and local community members who  have been involved with the ASC since its beginning.

Among those named at the ceremony were Charles Shawanda, Dominic Eshkawkogan, Fr. Maurice and Fr. Michael Strogre.

After mass, we blessed and dedicated cabin 3 and named it after Fr. Stogre. The plaque, which was designed and made by Leonard Cywink, celebrated Fr. Stogre’s life as a physician, writer, priest, hockey player, and hunter.

The afternoon closed with a potluck supper of wild game and traditional foods.

 

In Remembrance

Sam Debassige,Deacon                Fall, 1981

Duncan Desmoulin, Deacon                February 8, 1991

Angus Neganijijig, Deacon                March 23, 1992

Dominic Eshkakogan, Deacon October 9, 1994

Rose Fox                                        April 24, 1996

Richard Sayers, Deacon                April 6, 2001

Dennis Wawia, Deacon    June 6, 2001

Agnes Webkamigad, DOS    January 5, 2002

EmerickShigwadja, Deacon    July 14, 2002

Marjorie Misibinijima      November 29, 2003

Coleman Trudeau, Deacon     December 10, 2003

Fred McLeod, Deacon    May 10, 2010

Gladys Eshkakogan, DOS    February 5, 2011

Delma Cooper        October 11, 2011

Martin Assiniwe      November 26, 2013

Lyda Mishibinijima      July 3, 2014

Gerry Ense        October 13, 2014

Millie Desmoulin      January 28, 2015

Rose Peltier, DOS      May 20, 2016

Charles Shawanda      June 26, 2016

Beatrice Lake, DOS      August 17, 2016

 

Vision Statement

Waase’aandimikaaning – A place of enlightment for spiritual nourishment, growth and healing.

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Mision Statement

Waase’aandimikaaning – provides the opportunities to find the Creator within self, others and in all creation as guided and inspired by our ancestors, elders and Jesuit tradition.

This year the Centre offered our first pilgrimage, in what we hope will become a long-standing tradition. After weeks of planning and preparation, myself, Iona and Father Teo, and fourteen pilgrims were ready to make the long journey to visit blessed Saint Kateri Tekakwitha’s tomb in Saint Xavier’s Church and Mission, Kahnawake.

The morning of departure, Father Teo gathered us all together in the main room and we blessed each other with holy oils from Jerusalem. Each of us turned to our fellow pilgrims and made the sign of the cross on our palms and foreheads, praying for a safe journey and successful pilgrimage. Iona and I were then brought into the middle of the room and with hands raised given a blessing from the group to lead them for the next five days.

Waking up in sunny Montreal the first day well rested, we made our way to the world’s largest Saint Joseph’s shrine. St. Joseph’s Oratory is perched on Mount Royal overlooking the city. We walked through this magnificent place where beloved Saint Brother Andre once provided care for those in need. Using blessed lamp oil from beneath a statue of Saint Joseph, Brother Andre healed many people, and continues to inspire and heal today. As we walked through the Votive Chapel we could feel the heat generated by ten thousand candles, each one a prayer intention given for St. Joseph to intercede on their behalf. In the middle of the chapel lies Brother Andre himself, entombed in black marble along with a bronze bust that has been felt by believers so much that its facial features are beginning to change color. After seeing the colossal Basilica we celebrated Mass in the Crypt Church that was full pilgrims from far and wide who were on similar journeys.

The next day we found ourselves on the bus singing  joyful Saint Kateri hymns on our way to Kahnawake. We arrived at Saint Xavier’s Mission a 17^th century French architecture brick building with bright frescos covering the ceiling. It was there we discovered Saint Kateri’s tomb in a brilliant white marble. After a walk through the museum to see the many relics and historical artifacts, we celebrated Mass, and then took some time to pray and appreciate what Saint Kateri and her humble life story meant for us on our journey.

The final day in Montreal we visited Queen Mary of the World Cathedral, which was modeled after the Sistine Chapel in Rome. A company of statues of Saints greeted us from a top the Cathedral, and inside along the pillars of the great structure. We later made our way down the street to Saint Patrick’s Basilica to celebrate Mass, while appreciating the many portraits and fine carpentry done on each pew. Our last event took place at the famed Notre Dame Basilica. It was here the Basilica’s history was explained by the commentary of the deceased architect, with great white curtains projected on with images of the past. As the story progressed, the curtains were slowly removed to reveal the magnificence of the Basilica with the help of different colored lights. As you looked up, the ceiling was covered in stars. The altar had many levels of statue’s depicting themes from the Old and New Testament, the Crucifixion being the centre of the altarpiece. The intricate designs and contrast of light and dark gave this gothic style interior the ability to earn gasps and awe’s from us onlookers. You cannot help but leave the Basilica with a sense of reverence for the beauty of this great tradition.

It was through our open faith sharing, mealtime conversations, jokes and constant laughter that all seventeen of us on this journey grew closer in a common faith. Saint Brother Andre, and Saint Kateri became important inspirations of this great journey, helping to guide and focus us all on our different faith quests, while bringing us together in faith, and prayer.

Thank you to all my fellow pilgrims who came and supported each other, and to the Anishinabe Spiritual Centre for giving us this opportunity. You all made this a meaningful and memorable trip that has strengthened my own faith, and I hope it can continue to strengthen others for years to come.

God Bless,

 

The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola have helped many people over the years to come and reflect on their lives and to deepen their relationship with God.

At The Anishinabe Spiritual Centre, we continue our mission of inviting women and men from diverse backgrounds and traditions to experience this spiritual tradition. We have been blessed by the response of persons who choose our spiritual centre to come away to “be formed and led by God’s grace.” The Anishinabe Spiritual Centre is known for its setting, the quality of its retreat programs and spiritual directors and the reverence of its creative silence.

Located close to Manitoulin Island, the Centre known for its warm welcome, quiet and serene atmosphere. Retreats and Programmes are inspired by Ignatian spirituality – a Christian approach to prayer, sorting out priorities through discernment and the Jesuit spiritual tradition.

We hope to welcome you in the near future to this sacred place.

Anishinabe Spiritual Centre
Espanola, Ontario

If you wish to book a retreat call us: (705) 869 4994

 

During the last 10 months, Iona Ferguson from Scotland and Jason Burr from B.C. have been on a journey of learning and teaching through service as volunteers, helping at the Centre in different areas and also working with youth in First Nations Communities like Sagamok and Wiki; We all learn from them, many children and youth in the communities become their friends, which shows the connection and care that Jason and Iona have had towards them.

They faced many challenges but they were always giving the best of themselves to get through it.

Many Blessings and our best wishes to both Jason and Iona in their life journey.  On behalf of ASC staff,  we have no doubt that you have a brilliant future on your hands.