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ST. JOSEPH, PRAY FOR US!
Having just celebrated the year of St. Joseph, we all know that St. Joseph is the patron of the Universal Church and the principal patron of Canada.
2023 Weekly Creation Care Tip
Creation Care Tip:
Celebrate new life today by planting some seeds or seedlings, or plan your summer garden.
Pot up some herbs on a windowsill or plant a dwarf tree in a container on a porch or deck.
Eating food grown locally saves drastically on the carbon footprint from food grown at great distances.
Check out Barbara Kingsolver’s book Animal, Vegetable, Miracle for some great inspiration about growing and eating locally grown food.
Creation Care Tip:
“But the people thirsted there for water; and the people complained against Moses and said, Why did you bring us out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and livestock with thirst?'” — Exodus 17:3
As the climate continues to change, millions suffer from a lack of clean water for drinking, washing, and irrigating.
Even if your community isn’t suffering from drought or reduced supply, do something big or small to reduce your usage.
If you have the means, the next time you buy a dishwasher or washing machine, purchase one that uses less water.
Learn about capturing the gray water from your washing machine to use in your garden.
Often the conversion is simple and inexpensive.
Consider replacing your thirsty lawn with a drought tolerant landscape.
On a smaller scale, cut back your shower time a few minutes.
Seeds of Faith blog for May 1st
St. Joseph the Worker
One of our Catholic Social Teachings is the dignity of work. People ought to be able to use their skills and knowledge to accomplish a purpose and to have self-worth and self-esteem. The work may not be perfect in the earliest stages of a career or vocation but with mentoring and skill development, the work gives the worker a sense of accomplishment. When the work is valued, the worker can feel satisfaction for a job well done. We have not always appreciated the work of tradespeople. At the end of high school I was coached by guidance counsellors to go to university to get a degree. Some of my friends attended community college. I remember feeling badly that these friends were selling themselves short. My attitude has changing drastically as I realize the need for skilled labourers and trades. There is nothing wrong by using your hands and the sweat of your brow to make contributions to community. Joseph provided for Mary and Jesus through the work of his hands as a carpenter. Mary would have likewise kept their home clean, gathering water from a well and preparing food for meals. Jesus would have learned the value of work at the side of Joseph; he would have apprenticed as a carpenter’s helper. He probably had household chores that were his contribution to his family’s life. I have appreciated seeing holy cards with Joseph and Jesus working side by side in the carpentry shop; quality time spent together learning how to make useful tools and furniture. When I see children working alongside their parents it is heartwarming. On this feast of St. Joseph the Worker, let us make time to reflect on the work that we do each day. Does it bring joy? Does it provide a creative outlet? Does it have dignity? Are we growing as we use our knowledge and skills to assist others or to provide a service? Let us pray.
Loving God, creator of the universe, it is your desire that we work to build your kin-dom here on earth. You have created us with talents, skills and desires. Like St. Joseph guide us to use our work as a way to witness to you, to provide for our family and to serve the greater good. When we feel frustrated, nudge us to humbly ask for help from others. Amen+