Hello to whoever receives this!
I’m just sending a note to let you know about an episode of the podcast I co-host called In the Thicket that may potentially be of interest.
This week’s episode will be released on Monday, October 31st and it’s on the topic of truth and reconciliation.
Fr. Cristino Bouvette (national liturgy coordinator for the Holy Father’s Canadian visit) was with us. We spoke about his family’s Indigenous and Christian heritage and about his experience at the Papal visit liturgies, but most of all we spoke about his kokum (grandmother). She went to residential school from the age of 6, and was a committed Christian who taught Fr. how to love the scriptures. She was, in a sense, an embodiment of truth, reconciliation, healing and hope, and the way Fr. speaks about her is so incredibly beautiful.
The whole episode itself was moving and very powerful. It’s not focused at all on the more political or descriptive aspects of reconciliation, but is a more personal look into one of the many stories of families around the issues of residential schools and Catholicism in Canada. Fr. Cristino loves the Church and Jesus and really challenges people in a couple of ways. The first is not to be apologetic for being Catholic or of speaking about Christ. The second is not to be apathetic, but for people to get to know the Indigenous communities near to them and to learn about their traditions and ways of life.
I wanted to let you know about this because I know dioceses are focusing a lot of efforts around collections and engagement on this issue at the moment. We strongly believe that this episode could help people to understand that there is a need to build relationships, and that we all have a responsibility in one way or another as the Lord calls us, and we wanted it to be a support for Bishop’s efforts if it’s helpful.
Since Fr. Cristino has such great love for the Church, but also for his Indigenous roots, it could also be a way of fostering openness with those who are hesitant (or totally resistant) around the topic of truth and reconciliation for whatever reason. The way Fr. speaks has a truly beautiful way of cutting through the polarization and sharing the heart of the issues, which is always about real people with real experiences building real relationships.
I would ask that, if you decide to share it through your social media or other channels, that you not share it until Monday, October 31st, and that you direct traffic either to the YouTube link which will go live that day (https://youtu.be/iFiCctsuTIA ), or to www.inthethicketpodcast.com , which has link to all the podcast channels it’s available on.
Here is a sample promo that can be used if you would like:
• Fr. Cristino Bouvette was the national liturgy coordinator for Pope Francis’ recent penitential pilgrimage to Canada, and he recently shared his experience with the In the Thicket Podcast hosted by Rachael de Souza, Erin Kinsella and Nicole Richard-Williams. Far from being an analysis of issues, Fr. Cristino shares personally about his own Indigenous and Christian family histories, the beautiful relationship he had with his kokum (grandmother), who herself attended a residential school, and about the moments that were most moving for him during the Papal visit. It is a beautiful conversation that cuts through much of the rhetoric around these painful topics, and which invites listeners to consider the real people and real relationships that bring about true reconciliation and healing. Links to watch or listen can be found at www.inthethicketpodcast.com.
It’s definitely a sensitive topic, so we absolutely understand if you feel that you’re not able to share it. Regardless, if you could please offer a prayer for those who will listen, we would be very grateful!
In Him,
Erin Kinsella (on behalf of In the Thicket Podcast)
The Collection for The Indigenous Reconciliation Campaign Fund will be taken up this coming weekend (November 5th & 6th) in all the parishes of Our Diocese. Please be generous in supporting this most worthy national effort.