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Second Sunday of Advent

The second candle, also purple, represents faith. It is called the “Bethlehem Candle” as a reminder of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem.

December Reflections

December has some important dates: December 6 is National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women in Canada. And December 10 is the anniversary of the 1948 United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

First Sunday of Advent

The Sisters of St. Joseph of Toronto would like to share the season of Advent with you. Advent is the period beginning four Sundays before Christmas, observed in commemoration of the coming of Christ into the world.

Job Posting: Occupational Therapist

Reporting to the Administrator/Director of Care, the Occupational Therapist promotes functional independence in self-care, productivity and leisure, optimizing each Sister of Joseph of Toronto’s quality of care and quality of life and supporting her ability to enjoy health, independence, choice and dignity throughout all stages of her life.

National Housing Day

I find it appropriate that National Housing Day is on November 22, the day that we celebrate Mother St. John Fontbonne, the re-foundress of the Sisters of St. Joseph, who had a deep commitment to loving the dear neighbour.

CSJ Associates' Retreat 2019

We are truly grateful for the wonderful Retreat Weekend held at Queen of Apostles Retreat Centre on September 13 ‐ 15. Twenty Associates and one Sister attended. Sister Susan Davy, CSJ presented on the topic, “Grace Is.”

Prayer in Response to the Climate Emergency

On Monday, September 23, 2019, the day of the UN Climate Action Summit, please join Catholic Sisters across Canada at 12 p.m. EST to pray in response to the climate emergency. Click here to download the special interfaith prayer in English and French.

Climate Emergency Statement

On September 1, all 64 Canadian congregations of Catholic Sisters in the UISG (International Union of Superiors General) released a joint statement and prayer regarding the climate emergency. Please click here to see them.

CSJ Associates Commitment Day 2019

Each year during springtime, Associates gather together with Sisters to renew their Commitment as CSJ Associates.

Urging Ontario to Reconsider Legal Aid Cuts

On April 22, the Office for Systemic Justice, Federation of Sisters of St. Joseph of Canada, sent Premier Doug Ford the following letter:

Associates’ Assembly Day 2019

To Walk Humbly with God in Haiti was the theme of the Associates’ 2019 Assembly Day. The 35 Associates and five Sisters gathered together to explore the topic of the poor in Haiti and pray from the heart for understanding, solutions and supports for the Haitian people.

Fifth Sunday of Lent: Solidarity Sunday, April 7

Sister Divinia Pedro is engaged in ministry in Fort St. James, British Columbia. Mark Hayter, a parishioner with Sister Divinia at Our Lady of the Snows Parish, shared this beautiful and moving reflection on migrants and refugees. We have his permission to share his reflection here.

April 4: Refugee Rights Day

Becoming Neighbours has created a prayer service for Canada's Refugee Rights Day along with suggestions for supporting and welcoming newcomers.

World Water Day: Blue Communities Update

Paul Baines, Blue Communities Coordinator, would like to share this update for March 22: As part of helping the CSJ Blue Communities get ready for World Water Day, I called Dillon Koopmans from Water First about their water quality testing and training programs.

Human Trafficking Awareness Day - February 22, 2019

February 22 was Ontario’s Human Trafficking Awareness Day. As such, Toronto Counter-Human Trafficking Network (TCHTN) hosted An Open Conversation on Human Trafficking Through an Anti-Oppressive Lens.

Meeting on Parliament Hill

On February 20, the Toronto Counter Human Trafficking Network met with the co-chairs of the All-Party Parliamentary Group to End Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking.

Statement Re: Closing the Office of the Provincial Advocate for Children & Youth

The Sisters of St. Joseph of Toronto have sent the following email to Ontario's Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs.

National Housing Day: November 22

In 1998, the homeless advocacy group, Toronto Disaster Relief Committee, declared that homelessness was a national disaster. The State of Emergency Declaration was formally released in October 1998. This raised immediate support from individuals, community agencies, faith groups, labour unions and similar such voices.

Statement by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Toronto Regarding the Repeal of Bill 148

The Sisters of St. Joseph of Toronto express concern with the Ontario Government’s decision to repeal Bill 148, the Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act.

Sister Gwen Smith on Food Security

Since 1992, the United Nations has recognized October 17 as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, a day to reflect upon poverty and promote awareness of how it affects others.

CSJ Associate Retreat

Our CSJ Associate Retreat weekend began Friday evening on September 21, 2018 at Queen of Apostles Retreat Centre, Mississauga. The theme of the weekend was “The Place of Silence in Our Spiritual Life” and was presented by Sister Mary Mettler, CSJ.

Reflection & Prayer for International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples

In a resolution in December 1994, the United Nations’ General Assembly decided that the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples shall be observed on August 9 every year.

Visit the Blue Community Website

The Blue Community website for the Federation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Canada is online and illustrates the Sisters’ commitment to clean drinking water as a human right. Click here to see its resources and views on water conservation and protection. Please also consider sharing the site on Facebook and Twitter.

The Spirituality of Aging

Sister Mary Rose Marrin was inspired to start a Ministry with Maturing Adults in 2007. For Seniors' Month, the Archdiocese of Toronto's blog featured Sister Mary Rose's insights on aging and spiritual growth. Please click here to read it.

World Refugee Day (UN): Stand With Refugees

June 20 is a day when the whole world commemorates the resilience and strength of refugees. Currently, there are more than 65.5 million forcibly displaced people around the world.

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