Pentecost 2012

I know its been some time since I posted, sorry about that!
On the Holiday Monday my Dad and a friend he is traveling with to Ireland arrived at the rectory in the late afternoon, and I drove them to the airport.  Then I went up to Alliston for the Annual Priests' Retreat.  Half of the priests go on week one - and the other half go on week two.  I was on week 2 - which was lead by Bishop Michael Miller, the Archbishop  of Vancouver.  He reflected on the priest as sanctifier, prophet, and shepherd.  He also spoke on the promises of Celibacy, Simplicity, and Obedience.  In some ways it did not feel like a real retreat because I still had to travel back to the parish for the celebrations of Confirmation on Tuesday and Wednesday evening.  
Thursday Morning Cardinal Collins updated the priests on the Bill 13 and issues around anti-bullying in the province and the Church's concerns with this current Bill.  Are Catholic School boards being bullied by the Provincial Government?
You can read the full text of the Cardinal's letter here.


The retreat ended Thursday with lunch, and I was back in Bolton in time for Judith Smillie's funeral at Egan's Funeral Home. A poignant and difficult time for all the staff at Egan's as well as for Judith's family.



On Pentecost - I wanted to take pictures before Mass of all the people wearing red!  Way to go folks!  Many of you remembered!  I am already looking forward to next year!


This is a busy week ahead!
Peace!

Judith & Tory

This Morning we learned of the death of Judith, one of the Funeral Directors at Egan Funeral Home.  Along with Paul Egan, Judith was one of the first people I met when I came to Holy Family Parish.  
She was a dignified strong, and courageous woman. Over the last year and a half she has been battling cancer, which was diagnosed after her return from a long anticipated trip to China.  
One of my many memories of Judith is how she would stay in the Church during a funeral liturgy, and as a faithful Anglican she would come forward during the communion procession for a blessing.
I was able to see Judith at Bethel House on Thursday Afternoon, before one of our Confirmation Celebrations.  It was a time of Grace for me.  Her is a portrait that was hanging in her room there:

Judith and Tory - 1984

Usually we speak of cancer as Limiting, but really 

CANCER IS SO LIMITED …

It cannot cripple LOVE

It cannot shatter HOPE

It cannot corrode FAITH

It cannot eat away PEACE

It cannot destroy CONFIDENCE

It cannot kill FRIENDSHIP

It cannot shut out MEMORIES

It cannot silence COURAGE

It cannot invade the SOUL

It cannot reduce ETERNAL LIFE

It cannot quench the SPIRIT

It cannot lessen the

POWER OF THE RESURRECTION

Peace

New Auxiliary Bishop

The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, Friday morning appointed Msgr. Wayne Kirkpatrick, a priest of the Diocese of St. Catharines, Ontario, as auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Toronto. Bishop-designate Kirkpatrick commented on the Papal appointment:
“I am humbled by the confidence placed in me by the Holy Father to serve God’s people as an auxiliary bishop. While it will be difficult to leave the Diocese of St. Catharines, where I have served since my ordination day, I very much look forward to working with Cardinal Collins, the other auxiliary bishops and the vibrant faith community of the Archdiocese of Toronto.”
Cardinal Thomas Collins welcomed the announcement:
“We give thanks for the appointment of Bishop-designate Kirkpatrick. He brings with him many diverse gifts and a wealth of experience from his years of service to the Diocese of St. Catharines. Our thoughts and prayers are with him as he embarks on this new chapter of ministry.”

Msgr. Wayne Kirkpatrick was born June 5, 1957 in St. Catharines, Ontario. He studied at the University of Waterloo, St. Jerome’s College, earning a Bachelor of Arts (Philosophy) before entering St. Augustine’s Seminary in 1980. He completed a Masters of Divinity and was ordained to the priesthood on September 1, 1984. He also studied at St. Paul University in Ottawa, receiving a Licentiate (Masters) in Canon Law in June 1990.
Bishop-designate Kirkpatrick has served the Diocese of St. Catharines in diverse roles since his ordination, including 22 years in diocesan administration, concurrently serving in parish ministry as a pastor for 17 years. He presently serves as moderator of the curia, chancellor and judicial vicar of the diocese, as well as rector of the cathedral. Bishop-designate Kirkpatrick was named a Prelate of Honour by Pope John Paul II in June 1999, a Papal Honour that bestows the title of “Monsignor” on priests recognized for their service to the church. Bishop-designate Kirkpatrick will be ordained as a bishop in St. Catharines at a date to be determined before commencing his duties with the Archdiocese of Toronto. He will join three other auxiliary bishops who currently assist Cardinal Collins in caring for the pastoral needs of the 1.9 million faithful of the Archdiocese of Toronto.

Love as Christ has Loved

Love one another as I have loved you.

So that My Joy may be in you, 

and your Joy may be complete.

We are here as Christians because of the scene in Chapter 10 of the Acts of the Apostles. That took place at Ceasarea Maritima with the Roman Soldier - Cornelius.   The debate among the followers of the way did a gentile have to become a Jew in order to be a  Christian. Peter submits to the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit guides Peter, the first pope; the Holy Spirit guides Pope Benedict - HS Guides the Church – God shows no partiality
No favorites. Jew or Gentile. But that is hard for us to comprehend.
God loves the prostitute on the street corner in Rome as much as the Pope in the Vatican; God loved the Drug dealer – as much as the drug addict; and dare I say God does not love Michael Rafferty any less than God loves Victoria Stafford. God loves the sinner - but not the sin.  Said another way - God hates the Sin - but loves the sinner.
God loves the Rich comfortable home owner, as much as the Unemployed person who is a client at the food bank.

I participated in the Food box Challenge this week – of course I survived: I survived the isolation; the lethargy; I survived the lack of nutrition, lack of choice, and lack of options.
After only 5 days, It ended for me. But it doesn't end for the regular Food Bank user …Challenge you to read: WWW.CCS4U.ORG
So that we will be aware now - so when as a community we can move forward, we as a parish will be ready to help - to serve - to love, as Christ loved.

God loves us perfectly. Because God IS love. We don't love other people because we want to be loved back. We don't serve because we want to be served back. Its not about what we get – it’s about what we give. Christ loved the ones crucifying him, as much as the one at the foot of the cross!

In the rite of Ordination there is a line: "May God who has begun this good work in you - bring it to fulfillment. God began good work in us in baptism. God brings that joy to fulfillment in the Eucharist. At the Table of the Lord we are graced - as friends of the Lord - To Love one another as He has loved us.

Peace

Food Box Challenge - Challenge to Holy Family

Check out the Final Blogs on the CCS Website and you will be impressed!


I want to challenge us as a community of faith - to be ready when the Caledon community is ready to move forward with a Recipe for Resiliencey  we will be ready to step up to the plate and participate.  
You can also contact Kim D'Eri - the manager for poverty reduction partnerships - if you want to volunteer now at CCS and help plan for this upcoming Food Support Program.  Food Bank boxes don't supply healthy solutions for nutrition! That I have learned!
Peace

Food Box Challenge - Day 5 - Hunger is not a Game!

What I have realized this week is that 

Hunger is not a Game!

Because of the Food Box Challenge - I heard this week about a single parent (a regular food bank client) who keeps empty boxes (like granola bars) in the cupboards at home so that if someone comes by and happens to look in them, it doesn't look like the shelves are bare.  This father does the same thing in the fridge with expired condiments ... How we have all been schooled in the game of keeping up appearances ... 


Thursday night we had another confirmation retreat. I was thinking - I won't bring a peanut butter sandwich (I don't want to be eating alone again) so I'll bring my rice and chicken salad. Guess what I forgot to pack??? So there I was - nothing to eat - and then I remembered the 2nd meat pie I had cooked earlier this week (You remember the one - with 42% of my daily saturated fat allowance!)... so I heated it up in the Microwave. The young people at my table thought the pie looked tasty! But they still ate their pizza!


While I have been able to get by this week, a number of my normal routines have changed:

• I did not eat Pizza with the young people, preparing for Confirmation while they were on retreat;
• I did not go out to any restaurants;
• I did not participate in the Tim Horton's Coffee Pool at the office;
• I did not use any drive-thru places, even for a snack or bagel;
• Sometimes I ate late, because I forgot to pack my meal;

All in all - I am aware of how nutritionally poor a Food Box diet is, and how easily I snack on all kinds of things at all kinds of times!



I pray that we as a community will have the courage to commit to a food security program that will allow for fresh vegetables and fruit for those in need.  Eating Peanut Butter sandwiches (even alone) is not a game!

Check out the CCS Website

with my fellow Food Box Challenge

participant's reflections.

Peace

Food Box Challenge - Day 4 - Carbs, Carbs and more Carbs

Greetings All!  I took a nap today!  After a busy morning in the parish with Students from one of our Elementary Schools (its Catholic Education Week!) and a "Carb" rich lunch - I had a nap. 
I heard I was short with people this morning before Mass. 

Tortellini soup and
Fish Sandwich

I was having a bit of a head ache, and I thought - I have some time - so I took it.
Here is the only picture I have of Fr. Damian's Lunch! Ummm looks good... 
Meanwhile I had Tomato Soup (with some of the Rice and KD Noodles) and a "Tuna Casserole" (which was KD Noodles, some of the Cheese sauce pack and my can of Tuna).
Did I tell you that I don't like Tomato soup? I like creamy soups. 

KD & Tuna Casserole

Did I tell you I didn't choose milk, as a purchase or a pantry item? That meant the KD was made with water and oil, not milk and  margarine/butter! It was OK - But again - its the repetitive nature of all this that I am very aware of.... Carbs, Carbs, and more Carbs.  They are filling - but not always healthy.  I am craving veggies - and looking forward to the meal tomorrow that will include some real veggies...


What I was really aware of yesterday, as I was caught in the rain (I have been trying to use my car less) was that I am still going about my life in all kinds of ordinary ways.  In a sense this food box challenge has really only been done as a segmented part of my life. In all other respects I am going about things normally.  I went to the bank and bought foreign currency as a gift for my Dad who is going to Ireland in 2 weeks, I paid my weekly tax on the poor (Lottery Tickets) and went to the Barber. Then I went to the drug store (not the dollar store) for a card for dad, and picked up one of my prescriptions and I only had to pay $3.00 of the $95 cost because of my drug plan. If I was a regular client at the food bank - would I be doing all that?
Would I have waited another few weeks for my hair cut? or would I get someone else to play barber with a clipper from the store?
I certainly wouldn't spend $4.95 on a birthday card!
again and again I realize how blessed I am.

Go to the CCS Website!

Check out the other great reflections 

on the Food Box Challenge Blog.

Food Box Challenge - Day 3 - To Have or Not to Have

Some more pictures of my meals:

Breakfast - Tuesday - Friday

Lunch on Tuesday - Pasta with Lentils and tomato sauce

Supper Tuesday Night - Meat Pie and Salad (& Kidney Beans!)
You might not notice that some of the salad is browning!

Wednesday Lunch - Multi grain Rice from Uncle Ben's
And the Canned Chicken Salad - with Mayo from the Pantry

So the question I asked myself Sunday Night - as I was eating plenty of meat and "stocking up" on a bag of raw veggies: Is it better:
1. to have and then not have - or 
2. to not have - and then have?
Neither is desired - to be sure - but which is better?  At least psychologically - or emotionally - I figure option 2 is better - maybe that's just me!
I decided that since I only have 4 yogurts - and 5 days - that I would not have yogurt on Monday Morning - and then have it each morning after that. Ultimately this awareness campaign is about no one being left behind and not having food (and housing) security in our community.


Nutrition Concerns:

I visited my Doctor Tuesday afternoon - I have had cholesterol and other issues for years yet in the last 2 years a new concern was adult onset diabetes.  I lost some weight (some of which I found again!) and reduced the amount of carbs I eat.  Well this Food Box diet is all about the carbs.  Like another participant - I am realizing that I will have enough filling food - I just wont have enough "Healthy" food. I made some choices in my "Food Box": Whole Wheat Pasta, Light Soup, Multi Grain Rice, and Tuna as a meat.  I chose 12 grain bread.  
But some of the other choices - which I thought were good because of economy are not good nutritionally.  My Iceberg lettuce - while it fills a bowl nicely, is essentially water. Spring Mix is better nutritionally - but is much more expensive!  
The Meat Pie I had for dinner Tuesday was only $ 0.67, (and did not really look like the picture on the outside of the box!) yet it had 41% of my daily saturated fat. And not a lot of protein!  On top of all that it was to cook in an oven for 35-40 Minutes.  Imagine the energy I would use on just one - so I cooked both and will have the second later this week...
The doctor is sending me for a full set of blood work tests, but he advised I wait until after the challenge this week - so that my blood starts to get back to normal!

Continue to follow 

the Food Box Challenge

on the CCS Website

There is even a food bank client

writing about her experience!

Peace!

Catholic Education Week

Catholic schools and churches throughout the Greater Toronto Area are in the midst of Catholic Education Week, a province-wide celebration taking place May 6-11, highlighting the significant contributions of Catholic education over the last 160 years. Cardinal Thomas Collins will mark the occasion by traveling extensively throughout the Archdiocese, joining parents, educators, clergy and students for special events taking place in six Catholic school boards within the Archdiocese of Toronto.

“The tradition of education inspired by our faith is alive and well in the English and French Catholic school boards of our diocese,” said Cardinal Collins, who was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI last week to the Vatican’s Congregation for Catholic Education.

“... Catholic schools prepare our young people for a life of positive, productive faith-filled service to all those they meet along the way. Catholic Education Week is an ideal opportunity to proudly celebrate the important contributions made every year by 300,000 students in more than 500 Catholic schools across the Archdiocese of Toronto.”

There are many activities taking place within Bolton - Including a Mass with students From Pope John Paul II School on Thursday Morning in the church.  In what is hoped to be an annual event - the "Odd" numbered grades (1, 3, 5, and 7) are being bused to the church and we are celebrating Mass.  There will be a program before and after for the 2 groups of students coming at different Busing times - quite the Logistical planning!

We are thankful to Mr. Consitt, the Principal, and the Parent Council at Pope John Paul II for their work and financial support in making this day possible.

Peace

Food Box Challenge - Day 2 - Social Isolation

Well I made it through fine yesterday - and was only tired in the mid afternoon.  I had packed a Peanut Butter sandwich for yesterday's meal - and I had to eat my dinner in my office - because one of the confirmation candidates was allergic to Peanuts.
This morning one of my friends called to wish me happy anniversary - May 8, 1993 I was ordained a priest - and to invite me out to Lunch to celebrate. No can do!

Social Isolation
This is one of the hidden costs of hunger.  Those who lack food security are often isolated in our society.  There are not enough apples to share for a snack, so classmates cannot come over after school.  There is barely enough food, and certainly not many treats, so friends do not stop by for "tea" and cookies. People don't invite you over because you can't invite them over. Even my case of having to eat my sandwich alone in the office - is just a symbol of the isolation those who experience poverty experience on a weekly basis. And I will still get to go out with my friend - it will just be next week.

I looked at this rotting apple that was in the parking lot of the High School - I actually took a second look - thinking - this might be salvageable... Really.
I would never normally think of something like this. I am blessed.  I really have no concerns about food. If I want something I get it.  Like many these days - I opt for unhealthy choices and I eat fast food way too often! But I can afford it, at least financially - my doctor, who I see today, would say I can't afford it physically!


Off to prepare my Lunch - and hope that I will get a few meals out of my "Pasta" and sauce. Yeah Lentils!

Check out the CCS Web site here

Peace.

Food Box Challenge - Day 1

Here we are - the 10 People participating in the Caledon Community Services (CCS) Food Box Challenge.  

Here is the Link for the CCS Blog

There are lots of great entries already!

Here is what I have had today:

Breakfast

Coffee (Brewed at home - Not Tim Hortons!)

1 Piece of bread with peanut butter on it.

Lunch

For Lunch I had a "Salad" with lettuce from the outside of the head that was starting to brown, &

1/8 of my red pepper

4 Cherry Tomatoes 

(Cut in half - to make it look like more!)

and 1/3 of my can of White Kidney Beans

(Have I told you how much I dislike Kidney Beans!) I used some Salad Dressing - one of the 5 items I am allowed to use from my "Pantry"

I had a full glass of water before the meal - and drank one glass with the meal, it helped me feel full.

Dinner

Tonight we have the 3rd of 4 Confirmation retreats.  At the retreat we provide snacks (none for me) and Juice and Pizza for dinner.

I am not going to have Pizza, but I packed a Peanut Butter Sandwich (With some lettuce on it) and an Apple.  I am hoping that none of the Confirmandi have Peanut allergies - otherwise I will be eating alone in my office.

The apple I picked up at CCS at the front desk.  They have free fruit available to everyone who comes to the offices - including Jobs Ontario participants, Crisis Clients, and LINC class students. 

I will have a bag of Popcorn when I get home - The box of microwave popcorn is another of my 5 Pantry Items.

Peace

Hunger Awareness Week

Hunger Awareness Week is about raising awareness of the solvable problem of hunger in Canada. Food banks across the country hold events to tell the story of the work they do, and the stories of hungry Canadians assisted by food banks.
Food Banks Canada, along with its provincial members and food banks across the country, are asking all Canadians to mark Hunger Awareness Week and to Give It Up for Hunger - to make a positive impact on the issue of hunger across the country.

There is hunger in Canada because... Too many Canadians do not have enough income to pay for rent, bills, clothing for growing children, transportation, medication – and food. Food is unfortunately one of the most flexible household expenses, and it is often nutrition that suffers when money is tight.
Hunger in Canada is a significant issue. Which is why it's so critical to dedicate a week to talk about it and work together to make a change. Hunger Awareness Week, May 7-11, 2012 is a week for communities and individuals across Canada to take action in reducing hunger.


Here is my Box of Staples - that one would get from the food bank, and in the Basket is my "Purchased items" for less than $ 8.00 (My actual spend was $7.79)

Here is the link for the CCS Food Box Challenge:
http://www.ccs4u.org/foodboxchallenge.aspx

Events this week

This week has been busy in the Parish!  We have had 2 Confirmation retreats - with 135 of our young people.  The nest part is that there are 12-15 young people (Teens and Twenties) who are part of the team that conduct the retreat. With Fr. Damian, Deacon Robert Catherine and myself, the retreat involves reflections on the gifts of the Holy Spirit, The components of Mass, and different prayer forms - Music as prayer, praying with Scripture, and Intercessory Prayer. We have 2 more retreats next week!


Our Edge and LifeTeen Youth Ministries are also busy - not only helping with these Confirmation Retreats - but also a full day Edge retreat on Saturday. Fr. Damian and I will be helping with Reconciliation Saturday Evening.

Our Holydays Summer Day Camp is looking forward to another tremendously successful summer day camp.  Since we opened registrations on April 21, we have filled over 362 of 440 spots available over the 5 weeks we are offering camp! 80% sold out! And we have 2 weeks that are completely sold out already!  Erin and Stephanie have been doing a great job in preparing for camp, Hiring counselors, and looking at ways to serve the whole community.  One of the ways we do that is by offering places to Caledon Community Services to refer clients in need of support in the summer months. 


On a related matter (CCS) I have been scouring the ads for food specials and have put together my "Box" for the "Give it up for Hunger" challenge next week.  I will share a photo of the contents of my box on Sunday and will share how things develop as the week progresses. I even have had some advice from my staff about what they think is "allowed" as far as other food! (Like do I get to eat the Pizza the Retreat participants get on Monday and Thursday?)

Finally the CWL of the Archdiocese of Toronto have their annual convention this week, and I will be at the opening Eucharist this afternoon.  Our own CWL will be hosting a Mass next Wednesday Evening where we will crown the statue of Mary.


A Busy week in the life of the Parish!
Peace

Give it up for Hunger

Next week - May 7-11, I will be participating in the Caledon Community Services - Food Bank awareness campaign "Give it up for Hunger".  Food Banks Canada (The national association of food banks) is conducting their Hunger Awareness campaign from May 7 – 11. They are challenging people across Canada to “Give It Up for Hunger” during this week. They have asked all food banks to get involved and plan activities for their own community.
One of the main hopes is that this type of campaign will increase empathy with the experience of people who are living on a low income - the unemployed, underemployed as well as those who rely on social assistance and other income support programs.

Here in Caledon - it may surprise people to think that there is a need for a food bank...But
• The Caledon Food Support program is currently providing assistance to 846 clients. These are families, individuals and children living in our community.
• On a monthly basis we distribute $7,000 in food certificates (secured through fundraising initiatives such as the CCS Santa Fund).
• Currently, our Food Support Program provides clients with a monthly grocery gift card (average amount for a family of four is $70 per month or $35 for individual) and 1 box of food per person.

Here is my shopping list:

• 1 – 1lb bag of pasta of your choice

• 2 cans of beans (Choice of chick peas, 

          pork and beans, kidney beans or lentils)  540 ml each

• 2 cans of soup (Usually tomato, mushroom 

          or chicken noodle) 284 ml each

• 1 box of macaroni & cheese

• 1 package of rice (Uncle Ben’s/No Name)

• 1 can of spaghetti sauce

• 1 can of vegetables 398 ml

• 1 can of meat (175 g)

• 1 Speciality item:  Box of cereal; jar of peanut butter; 

          jar of jam; pancake mix

• $8. – Your choice (Must be spent in a grocery store, 

            not a restaurant)

I will blog throughout the week - and there will be others in Caledon doing the same.

Peace