Canada: Real People, Real Needs
A refugee is defined as someone who flees, especially to a foreign country to escape persecution. But, is it possible to flee persecution? Sometimes, I suppose it is. But, the journey to freedom is much longer than the winding, arduous path that bureaucracy requires for those who flee from one country to another. Persecution continues in new forms in the minds, hearts and bodies of women who are refugees and who have been trafficked. Even if or when a trafficked person, who is also a refugee, finds open hearts and welcoming arms to take her in, one kind of persecution stops as another begins. Physical safety and material needs are not enough. Ongoing, supportive and mutual relationships in a new country provide the rich, nurturing soil for the long, painful spiritual journey “home”.
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The Long Journey "Home" 
Thailand, LM/JRS
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I thought I could offer you safety and peace, Your faith is saving you sister, daughter, friend. No family, no friends, no country. Your hope is saving you sister, daughter, friend. |
When I witness the pain and beauty alive in the depths of your soul,
I see that you are a real person with real needs who has been disabled and denied
recognition from the very earliest
moments of your capable and fragile life.
Yet, you love and are loved.
Love is saving you sister, daughter, friend!
Sheila Smith rscj
Province of Canada
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The RSCJ Province of Canada continues to sponsor refugees coming to Canada. Sheila contributes through her volunteer work with PACT-Ottawa, a local anti-human trafficking group that she helped found in her city. Her recent post-graduate studies in theological ethics are focused on the context of human trafficking. |
English : Hello All: Just a "wee" note to let you know how we are all connected. God has sent me on a journey many years ago to study theology and do my post-graduate work in theology thanks to the support of the RSCJ community. In my vocation the last fifteen years I have engaged with the refugee community of Ottawa and the wonderful volunteers that I have had the pleasure of connecting with. I have met so many amazing newcomers who have travelled from many parts of the globe to begin their new lives here in Ottawa. I have been humbled by their courage and their strength to begin anew. Thank you for your wonderful reflection Sheila it reminds us all how fragile we are and how we can find strength in each other. Blessings! Julie
Castellano : Hola a todos, Sólo una nota breve para mostraros cómo estamos todas conectadas. Dios me envió a un viaje hace muchos años para estudiar teología y hacer el post-graduado gracias a la ayuda de la comunidad de RSCJ. Mi vocación, durante los últimos quince años, me ha unido mucho con la comunidad de refugiados de Ottawa y con el maravilloso mundo de los voluntarios con los que he tenido el gusto de conectar. Me he encontrado a nuevos miembros de diferentes partes del globo empezando sus nuevas vidas aquí en Ottawa. Me ha impresionado mucho su valor y su entereza para comenzar de nuevo. Gracias por tu bonita reflexión, Sheila, nos enfrenta ante nuestra fragilidad y cómo podemos encontrar la fortaleza en los demás. Qué Dios te bendiga! July
Français : Bonjour à tous, Seulement un mot pour vous faire savoir combien nous sommes tous reliés. Il y a bien longtemps, Dieu m'a envoyée en voyage pour étudier la théologie et arriver au terme d'un post-graduat en théologie grâce au soutien de la communauté RSCJ. Dans ma vocation, ces quinze dernières années je me suis engagée avec la communauté des réfugiés et avec les merveilleux volontaires avec qui j'ai eu le plaisir de collaborer. J'ai rencontré tant de nouveaux venus qui venaient de différents points de la planète pour commencer une nouvelle vie ici à Ottawa. J'ai admiré leur courage et leur force de recommencer à neuf. Merci pour ta merveilleuse réflexion, Sheila, elle nous rappelle combien nous sommes fragiles et combien nous pouvons nous fortifier mutuellement. July