On September 30th, we observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which provides an opportunity for all Canadians to recognize and commemorate the legacy of residential schools.
IBVM Canada supports and participates in the process for truth and reconciliation with all indigenous peoples of this land.
The Native Peoples' Mission commemorated the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation within the 12:30 pm Native Mass at St. Ann's Parish, Toronto on September 26. Elder John Robinson (Ojibway) conducted the purification ceremony. The day was dedicated to prayer and reflection on the pains and sufferings caused by the Indian Residential Schools.
Since this year is also the commemoration of the 500th year of Christianity in the Philippines, Sr. Petite Lao, RNDM, a Native Peoples Mission volunteer and Filipina researcher shared her reflection on the topic, "The Filipino Catholics and the Challenges of the Truth and Reconciliation Process." She encouraged the Filipino Catholics, a visible face of the Catholic Church in Canada, to reflect on their participation in relationship-building with the Indigenous Peoples of this land and to engage in education on Indigenous justice as they live out their faith in the context of the truth and reconciliation process.
The Eucharist was celebrated by Fr. Wilson Andrade, CSC, Pastor of St. Ann's Parish and Native Peoples Mission, and other co-celebrants. There were representatives of various religious congregations present, including Sr. Mary Mallany, ibvm and Sr. Sarah Rudolph, ibvm. The event was well-attended.
On September 30, in response to the invitation of Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc [See: https://tkemlups.ca/drum/] to drum for the children, the Loretto House Community will drum and sing on the front lawn at 5:15 pm EST, which is 2:15 pm PST.