I was recently inspired by a CSJ nun – Sister Divinia – who gave a talk to the associates of the Sisters of St. Joseph and who is working in Fort St. James with First Nations people there. She ministers by listening to them and by not trying to change them. This was evident in her stories about participating in drumming, learning their culture by watching the kids go fishing, clean and process them and in praying and singing in their language.

Sister Divinia told many more stories such as bringing the Eucharist to grateful communicants and the witnessing of a life conversion of someone struggling with drugs with whom at first she did not want to associate.

When the 215 graves were discovered Sister Divinia was afraid. But due to her authentic love for the people in Fort St. James they responded in kind and asked her to join  “Every Child Matters” events with them.

In her presentation there was also a photo of a white teepee which housed the Blessed Sacrament at an Annual Rose Prince pilgrimage. It was a powerfully beautiful symbol of the unification of two cultures and of the universality of Christ.

Listening to Sister Divinia’s talk about her life among the Indigenous made us witnesses to the planting of seeds of hope. She is a light in the darkness.