Star Gazer W22

Posted on June 03, 2022

Joan Chittister: Quest for the Common Good

We invite the public to join us for a Saturday afternoon, June 18th for a signature Aurora Living presentation by Sr. Joan Chittister on Frattelli Tutti. June 18th marks the last day of Aurora Living Year 1 and we are gathering mark this milestone occasion with both learning and ritual, followed by a celebration dinner. Limited dinner tickets available, so register early. We look forward to celebrating together!

Schedule:

2:30 pm (MT) Aurora Living Video Presentation by Joan Chittister
4:30 pm (MT) Aurora Living Year 1 Closing Ritual & Ceremony
5:30 pm (MT) Celebration and Dinner

Registration starofthenorth.ca/celebrate or call 780-459-5511:

Regular Online (after June 1) - $40
In-Person with Dinner Ticket - $60

Star Garden Update

Our garden is planted! Tomatoes, carrots, beets, snap peas, beans, potatoes, onions, asparagus, herbs and more. A huge thank you to all the volunteers helping out this week. We will keep you updated as your hard work begins to pay off!

Two rules of no-till, mulch-based gardening go something like this:

Don’t disturb the soil. Underneath our feet, the soil is at work. Microbial networks are latching onto the roots of each plant and bringing to each plant nutrient-rich offerings from far beyond that plants natural reach. Every time the soil is cut into, the networks are damaged and disrupted, affecting the richness of the soil and the health of present and future plants.
Keep it covered. In deep mulch gardening we work to keep the soil surface covered from the sun using grass, leaves, wood chips or other organics. By protecting the soil from the sun under a thick layer of mulch, the soil is able to stay cool and moist and the growing plants are protected from the elements. Weeds are more often buried with more mulch, than pulled.

We invite you to drop-in and visit Star Garden this week to see what we’re up to! We will continue our tours and weekly work-bees next week, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm (June 8-10). If you’re curious, but those times don’t work for you, send us a note and we’ll work something out.

This week we will be continuing regular afternoon drop-in work bees on Wednesday, Thursday & Friday (June 1-3) from 2:00 to 5:00 pm as the weather permits with our main focus on planting. Why not gather a small planting team and help us get a crop in the ground? If there are alternate morning, evening or event weekend times you are available, let us know. Contact Clint Porritt at 780-459-5511 or programs@starofthenorth.ca

There are still a number of practical things we are looking for to move this project along:

Extra garden plants and seeds
Untreated fence boards or wood

Interested in partnering in this project as a regular volunteer? Please take a minute to sign up on our volunteer list at https://forms.gle/z2DS6U75p2w6vprc7

Papal Visit to Canada: Indigenous Hopes & Catholic Responses

An Online Panel Conversation

Date: Thursday June 9, 2022 from 6:00 – 7:30 pm MT or 8:00 – 9:30 pm ET

The Oblates of Mary Immaculate administered 48 Indian Residential Schools throughout Canada, apologizing for this role in 1991. With the more recent apologies of the Catholic Bishops as well as Pope Francis, and the likelihood of a papal visit in summer 2022, how might we “live into” the spirit of these apologies for reconciliation and better relations with Indigenous peoples?

Galilee Centre with the collaboration of Star of the North Retreat Centre and Centre Oblat – Voice for Justice will be hosting a panel Discussion featuring:

Deacon Rennie Nahanee, Squamish First Nation
Lisa Raven – Executive Director, Returning to Spirit
Ali Nnaemeka – Oblate of Mary Immaculate

Cost: Registration is free and good will donations are always welcome.

Star Camino Fundraiser: June 25th

Welcome to the Star of the North Camino/Estrella del Norte 2022
Walk Where You are or join us to walk in Support of the Star!

Join us June 25th, from 8:30 am to noon with lunch provided after our walk

This year we invite you to join us on your choice of one of three local paths beginning from The Star of the North on Saturday, June 25th. Or chose a time on Saturday or Sunday and walk where you are, in your neighborhood or in an area of sacred nature you’d like to explore.

Walk a spiritual pilgrimage in support of the Star’s ministries of spiritual renewal through programs and hospitality on the pilgrim path. St. Augustine is quoted as saying, "It is solved by walking." Make your Camino intentional as a way to pray for an end to the war in Ukraine, for peace in our world, for immigrants and refugees, for our own hearts conversions, and to commune with nature, become more aware of our environment’s needs, and to ultimately draw closer to God.

Register to walk through starofthenorth.ca/star-camino ($50 individual/$80 for family) to create your camino, set a fundraising goal, and begin your pilgrimage in support of the Star!

Let God Rise Up - Silent Retreat

An Eight Day Silent Directed Retreat with Lucie Leduc and Archbishop Emeritus Sylvain Lavoie

Sunday, July 3 (3:00 pm) to Sunday, July 10 (1:00 pm), 2022

Registration: Live-in $900 (includes meals and lodging)

Find rest and renewal in a peaceful and healing environment. This retreat is an opportunity to come aside; away from the usual noise and busyness of daily life. The invitation to enter stillness, refresh your spirit, and renew your relationship with our loving God awaits you in this summer retreat. Prayer, daily reflections, individual direction sessions, Eucharist, healthy meals, walking trails, and rest are all elements of this retreat. Includes meals, accommodations, spiritual direction & brief daily reflections.

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