“Discover Global Solidarity this season as we unpack all the great things going on in our movement for social justice starting right here in Saskatchewan!” – Michael LeBlanc

[This Regional Newsletter from Development and Peace-Caritas Canada is re-published with permission.]

By Michael LeBlanc, Development and Peace Regional Animator

Christmas has always been a meaningful time at Development and Peace.

For one thing, all of our themes – development, peace, social justice, solidarity – ring especially true and present at the birth of our Saviour.

Now, as we transition into a new campaign focused on Jubilee justice and the debt crisis, we also continue to acknowledge the importance that peasants hold for feeding our global communities.

Most of all, and most dear to my heart, it is the knowledge that within the manger of Bethlehem, and with the young un-sheltered parents nearby, we see all the people we have supported and held in prayer this year. May our prayers and efforts not be in vain!

Fall Campaign results

Our Fall Action cards continue to roll in from across the country. How, might you ask, amid a postal strike? Why, the Animators have personally carried them to Montreal, of course!

See below for actual photo evidence of me pulling action cards out of every pocket on my coat at our Montreal office:

 

Officially, our tally is at 2,589 but that number will rise dramatically as dedicated staff count the stacks of action cards brought in during the last round of meetings Dec 10-12, 2024.

Did you miss campaign materials or running the “Fall Action” campaign in your parish?

Never fear, simply reach out to Animation staff (Animator Michael LeBlanc, Saskatchewan/Keewatin LePas at (306) 205-2334 or email: ) to request your materials and run the campaign this January! Thatis what a number of Parishes do, for a variety of reasons including the timing of the Bishop’s Annual Appeal).

The Harvest is in

 

The growing season for Grow Hope Saskatchewan has wrapped up, and we can report that the ecumenical project, thanks to the work of generous farmers and donors, has raised almost a quarter of a million dollars for the hungry of the world through the Canadian Foodgrains Bank.

Development and Peace supports this mission and is a member agency of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank.

Our portion of Grow Hope Saskatchewan stands at 10.7% (based on donations or “sponsored acres”) which represents an income of $25,249.19 to our vital projects fighting hunger in Somalia, Sudan, and Palestine. Thanks to ongoing contributions from Global Affairs Canada, this number may rise to as high as $126,245.95 as we are often eligible for these additional grants from the Government of Canada. This is truly something to thank God for!

“I will take $1-million in stamps?”

As the giant box in the photo (above) implies, I took a LOT of stamps with me to Montreal.

Did you know that since we started tracking the program, about 15 years ago, we have raised almost $1 million from collecting stamps? ($893,000 to be more precise). This year alone (and the year is not over!), stamp sales raised more than $11,000.

This entire project is done by volunteers who love the mission of Development and Peace and who also know their stamps! Read more in this article from 2023.

Create Hope as a national community

Because we are a democratic movement, Development and Peace meets as a National Community over Zoom every January. This is the meeting which governs the organization, but it’s also an amazing recap of our year, a look forward into next campaign season, and an excellent time to meet the new candidates for “National Council” – our board of directors. This year the meeting will be split into two.

Sign up for our Zoom meetings on the evening (6 pm CST) of Tuesday Jan. 14 (LINK) and the afternoon of Saturday, June 25 (Noon CST; link upcoming).

Share Lent 2025

Along with the entire Universal Church, Development and Peace is proud to proclaim Jubilee 2025 as “the year of the Lord’s favor” (Isaiah 62:2, Luke 4:19).

As Pilgrims of Hope, we are creating hope this year by calling for a debt cancellation of countries damaged by Climate Change and a history of Natural Resource Extraction.

A central theme is: who owes whom?

Due to the history of exploitation and empire, northern countries owe a tremendous ecological and moral debt to their southern neighbours; however, this debt remains hardly paid and most unfortunately the opposite reigns today as southern nations are unable to provide basic services for their people due to the crushing loads of their indebtedness to northern countries, institutions, and individuals.

How do we reverse this trend and let Justice reign? One way we can help kickstart this new tide is by showing solidarity this season through generosity and advocacy. This Share Lent we will do both — it will be an exciting time in our parishes!

Resources will be available to order early in the new year.

Palestine

During this time of family and thanksgiving, the thoughts of many turn to the devastation in Palestine. Despite ongoing calls for a ceasefire, the conflict wages across the land of Our Lord’s birth, showing no signs of stopping.

Please consider being an advocate for peace by writing to your MP using this letter as a guide. Please also consider sharing the good news of the hard work of Caritas Jerusalem, our partners in Gaza and the West Bank. Here are a series of three stories you can explore with friends and family:

• An Advent of courage: the story of Ahmad Al-Daya
• An Advent of revival: the story of Mai Qaisy
• An Advent of smiles: the story of Mohammed Suleiman Shbeir

As the (tax) year comes to a close…

Please know that donations of any amount are accepted at Development and Peace and tax receipts will be issued for the 2024 tax year if received/postmarked before Dec 31, 2024. Please see this link to donate to Gaza, Ukraine, Grow Hope Saskatchewan, or wherever the need is greatest.

May the God of Bethlehem bless you and your family abundantly this Christmas.

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Mike LeBlanc is Development and Peace-Caritas Canada Regional Animator for Saskatchewan & Keewatin-Le Pas, 306-205-2335.

Communications and Catholic Saskatoon News are supported by gifts to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal: dscf.ca/baa.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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(Michael LeBlanc is the Development and Peace-Caritas Canada Provincial Animator for Saskatchewan and Keewatin-Le Pas.