“New comers to Canada today have a lot of support than people who came here years ago” Says Radenka Lescesen, a Career development worker with SISO, who has lived in Hamilton for the past ten years. Radenka went on to reiterate that “There are many programs and services specifically catering for new comers like the host program; child minding centres, foreign credentials certification programs, and a host of volunteer programs tailored to new comers needs”. Radenka maintained that new comers to Canada have incredible amount of support from the government, but what is still lacking is help from the private sector. However, Radenka thinks that many new comers are not fully utilizing the help out there for them. She believes that what is holding many new comers back is that many of them are still getting settlement information from friends and family members who were here before them. Most of the old folks came when there were drought of settlement programs and services. Many new comers are being told by friends and family members who were here before them that they cannot do this or do that. As a result, many new comers waste valuable times doing nothing and not tapping into opportunities that present themselves. Radenka had similar experiences like recent new comers to Canada. When she
left Bosnia ten years ago as a refugee with her husband and 2 children, people she met here told her how difficult it is to succeed in Canada. Radenka spoke no word
of English then, and that was a big problem to others than her. For her, life is what you make out of it, and nothing was going to stop her. Some people advised her to forget about school for at least five years and raise her young children. Others told her to go into sales instead of schooling; at least, that guarantees her a pay cheque. Radenka’s husband who was a nurse from
Bosnia was advised to forget that and look for a construction job. All those advices were the product of the Hamilton society then.
Radenka chose to listen to her inner voice instead of people. She researched, found St. Joseph Immigrant women centre and enrolled with them. Radenka was fortunate to be taught by a teacher who shaped and changed her life for the better. The teacher was Kathy Brown, who taught her and her fellow new comer friends to believe in themselves and reach out for excellence. Radenka believes “the role
of a teacher to shape the perspectives of any person especially new comers in any given society is very crucial and important” When others ignore and belittle what qualities one has, the teacher’s insightful urging and support can make all the difference. Radenka through the support of her teacher went to Mohawk college, got a diploma in career development, and now co-ordinates two programs for SISO; The Hate Crime program, and Career development and Bridging for Engineers. Though Radenka could not finish the Law program she dropped when the war broke out in Bosnia in the early 90’s, she still feel her work with victims of hate crimes brings her closer to her first dream – being a lawyer. Her advice to new comers is to be patient but persistent. Radenka call on all foreign trained to tap into all opportunities as they present themselves. She calls on Hamilton to utilize the skills and educations new comers bring with them to this city. To her, lack of utilization of foreign trained credentials is a personal as well as a societal loss. ■
Every month the Voice in Diaspora will try to publish articles from different faith groups
Assumption of Mary August 15 of Joseph of the House of David and awaiting their imminent formal home-taking ceremony (the concluding Jewish wedding rite).
Mary (called since medieval times Madonna (My Lady), was, according to Christian tradition, a Jewish resident of Nazareth in Galilee and known from the New Testament as the mother of Jesus of Nazareth. The New Testament describes her as a young maiden – traditionally, Greek parthénos signifies an actual virgin – who conceived by the agency of the Holy Spirit whilst she was already the betrothed wife
Blessing by Rev. Apostle Anthony Miah (National Head) ‘Church of Penticost Intl. during Pastor Fynn-Sackey’s send-off service
The Roman Catholic Church teaches as Dogma , that the Virgin Mary, “having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.” This means that Mary was transported into Heaven with her body and soul united. The feast day recognizing Mary’s passage into Heaven is celebrated as The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary by Roman Catholics. This doctrine was dogmatically and infallibly defined by Pope Pius XII on 1 November 1950 in his Apostolic Constitution Munificentissimus Deus. The Assumption of Mary into heaven is also taught by the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Oriental and Coptic Orthodox Churches, where it is known as the Dormition of the Theotokos. In those denominations that observe it,
Thank you speech by Pastor Fynn-Sackey during his send-off service in Hamilton
the Assumption is commonly celebrated on August 15, a Holy Day of Obligation in Roman Catholicism. Some Protestants, including certain Anglicans, Methodists and Lutherans, embrace veneration of Mary and also hold some of these doctrines. Others, especially in the Reformed tradition, question or even condemn the devotional and doctrinal position of Mary in the above traditions. Mary also holds a revered position in Islam. The Feast of the Assumption is a Public Holiday in many countries, including Austria, Belgium, Cameroon, Chile, Croatia, France, some predominantly Catholic states (such as Bavaria and Saarland) of Germany, Greece, Italy, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Malta, Mauritius, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Spain, and Vanuatu. In Guatemala it is observed in Guatemala City and in the town of Santa Maria Nebaj, both of which claim her as their patron saint. Also, this is the celebration of Mother’s Day in Costa
The Fynn-Sackey’s family being blessed by Apostle A.K.Miah National Head) Church of Penticost Intl.
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Rica. In many places, religious parades and popular festivals are held to celebrate this day. In Anglicanism and Lutheranism, the feast is kept, but without official use of the word “Assumption”. Her feast day is Fête Nationale of the Acadians, of whom she is the patron saint. Businesses close on that day in heavily francophone parts of New Brunswick, Canada. The Virgin Assumed in Heaven is also patroness of the Maltese Islands and her feast, celebrated on 15 August, apart from being a public holiday in Malta is also celebrated with great solemnity in all the local churches. In New York City, alternate side of the street parking rules are suspended. ■ (From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
Pastor Joseph Fynn-Sackey & Wife Mercy (Pastor of the Hamilton Church of Penticost, during their sendoff service August 10, 2008)
Aug-Sep 2008 • Vol 1 • Issue 10-11
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