Celebrating Sacraments

This year has had many twists and turns, including a delay in the celebration of Sacraments of Initiation. Families who were involved in the preparation of their children for Confirmation and Sharing in the Eucharist have been on "hold" as it were for the past 5 months.  Thankfully we now have a process for children to come to the Table and Share in the Eucharist for the first time. 

After a family has returned to worship in the newly configured space - with Physical Distancing markings - they can speak to us about the final steps in the preparation process. This includes tasting the unconsecrated host, and being able to ask questions about the church and the process for coming forward to receive communion. Beginning this coming Sunday we will be welcoming families and children to the Eucharistic Table during Sunday Masses. 

Peace

Changes coming to St. Mary's

As many of you now know - there will be some changes that will be happening at St. Mary's Parish at the end of August.

After 3 years as associate Pastor - Fr. Jeremias Inoc will be moving to St. Michael's Cathedral effective August 27th. We will have a "Good Bye" for Fr. Jeremias at all the Masses on August 22/23. Lets pray for good weather...!

In his place we will be welcoming Fr. Neyomal Liyanage Silva, who is coming to us from Guardian Angels in Orillia, on August 27th.

And now this Sunday you have heard that Deacon Ron MacLellan will be retiring from active ministry at the end of August. Deacon Ron will be preaching for the last time on August 29/30. As a thank you, Deacon Ron has asked for gifts of Diaconal Service from Parishioners. Diaconal Service is any service to those on the margins of society. For all of those in need.

God Bless each of these men for their service to St. Mary's Parish Community!

Reopening of Churches

St. Mary’s Parish will be open for Personal Prayer:
Sunday June 14: 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Monday June 15: 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Tuesday June 16: 11:00 am – 5:00 pm

On Wednesday, June 17, 2020 the Church will be open at 8:30 am. Mass will be celebrated at 9:00 am and also at 7:00 pm.

Thursday, June 18 & Friday, June 19, Church will be open at 9:00 am, and Mass will be celebrated at 12:10 pm.

4th Sunday of Easter - 2020

Each year,  on the 4th Sunday of Easter  we become re-acquainted as it were with the image of the GOOD Shepherd. 
While many of us have never even seen sheep, except perhaps at a petting zoo, as Christians we feel very strongly about the image of Jesus as Shepherd. This Sunday - Good Shepherd Sunday is also
the World day of prayer for Vocations.

The word vocation comes from the Latin  -  vocare - to hear the voice.  Vocation.  We often think of Priest's and Religious as having Vocations. Sometimes we might acknowledge teaching  and  medical careers as being a vocation, because these "jobs" demand so much out of a person, but I think that each of us has a vocation as a Christian.

All of us - We hear the call of the shepherd - and we follow because the sound of the voice is familiar to us, because it resonates within us.

Often times it is a sound that can trigger a memory ... because it resonates with us.

A few years ago - in a parish a long, long, way away (no its May 3rd, not May the 4th be with you...) there was at the Easter Vigil someone in the assembly who was telling me afterwards,  
that the most Vivid memory - vivid  -  from life - 
was not a sight,   nor a smell,  not something touched  nor  tasted,   
But something heard - the water.
The most VIVID memory was the sound of the water
pouring over the newly Baptized: In the name of the Father, the Son the Holy Spirit ,    again and again the water poured.

The sound of the water cascading over these people filled the church. Neither the sight of the pool,   nor  the touch of the water sprinkled had as much of an effect as the sound of that water.
carried over the microphone, and at the same time as we knew  -deep down - that this sound of water was right   - because it resonated with us, The newly Baptized knew that this water was going to be vivid...  life giving for them, because it resonated within them.

The call of the Good shepherd is strong today in our world.
I was talking with my Dad on Friday about Authority & Relationship. My Dad – My Father … over time friend and confidant, advisor whose voice I recognize. Authority comes from our relationship. 
The Authority of Christ in our lives will stem from our relationship with Christ, the Risen Word of God.
Peace

Prayer for and with the People of Nova Scotia

We have wanted to add a time of prayer regularly during this Pandemic - and so we will have our first time of prayer on Friday April 24, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. 
We will remember the 22 victims of this horrible tragedy in Nova Scotia. This live stream will include music, Proclamation of the Word of God, a Litany, and Prayers of Petition.
Live-Stream on Facebook - then Uploaded to YouTube.

Peace

Living out of Love

First Reading: Acts 5: 27-33, Gospel: John 3: 31-36

Today's Gospel is one of those rare passages where we do not hear from the mouth of Jesus.  It is John the  Baptist talking with his disciples. And John is echoing the conversation of Jesus & Nicodemus that we have been hearing in the readings at Mass over the last few days about the one from above. Born from above - by water and Holy Spirit. The one who testifies. The one who witnesses. 

In the Acts of the Apostles - the Apostles are arrested. For the second time! Yesterday heard how they were freed by angel of the Lord. And what did they do? The went back to preaching in the name of Jesus Christ. Now they have been arrested again.
Brought before the Religious authorities - who are Afraid!
First - afraid of people following apostles, of losing them to this group. Second - afraid of the people who are getting roiled up - and the reaction of the Roman authorities. 
Do not preach in this name - The Jewish leaders don’t want to even speak the name of Jesus. All the apostles are there - not just Peter & John, and Peter is the spokesman. We must obey God - not human authorities. 

Yesterday afternoon - there was a Conference call of sorts for all the priests in the Archdiocese of Toronto. A "Webinar" with Cardinal Collins. Why are the churches closed? 
Is it because of a Government order. Or not being an Essential service? No - we are closed out of Love. Love of God - love of our neighbour - that’s what it’s all about. 
Protection of life. Care for the good - the common good is not always easy - but it is life giving!

Peter proclaims the heart of the good news. The Kerygma
Thru the death and resurrection of Jesus (St. Peter says) - whom you condemned - and whom God raised up - and has exulted - we have salvation and forgiveness.

We are in the great 90 days - Lent 40 days plus Easter 50 days.  We began the journey of Lent on Ash Wednesday marked with the words: Repent and believe in the Gospel - turn away from sin and believe in the good news. Repentance is seen as a gift from God

God's wrath is not an emotion like anger is for us. 
Gods wrath is not directed at people - but at evil. Because God is Love! 
God is not sending this virus against us. God is with us, against this evil. Jesus never sent sickness - on the contrary - he worked miracles of healing! And so we call upon Jesus. That name above every other name. In our fight. In the fight that Doctors, Nurses & all Health care workers fight. Out of Love. God who is Love - is very near to us. For the Lord hears the cry of the poor!

Peace!

Going back to Fishing

(Editor's Note: This reflection is from Thursday in Easter Week, 
but is published now, due to some computer problems last week!)

Thank you Lord – I am Grateful – Yes for the Resurrection

Really grateful - that Fish never became a Eucharistic Food!

How hard it is keeping things organized with bread & wine

Salmon/Tilapia - Imagine first communion with FISH!

Sometimes we live life on Auto pilot (Gloria spoken difficult)

The disciples seemed to have done gone on Auto Pilot

Today we hear how they have gone back to Galilee

     Back to fishing…fishing for fish

When they should have been è fishing for people

Today I am grateful – for many things – but in the sacred Scripture - I am grateful for the continuation of this story. how this passage concludes (which we do not hear today).

Grateful that Jesus allowed Peter to say “I Love You” so many times.

 

I can’t help but think of 2 places in the Holy Land:

St. Peter Gallicantu – where St. Peter denied the Lord 3 times

& Mensa Christi – where the Lord prepares Breakfast - bread and fish.

In the church of St. Peter in Gallicantu – there are 2 Icons – one on either side of the Altar. On the left - the image of Peter`s Denial  of the Lord 3 times  & on the right - the image on the shore of Galilee - where Jesus asks Peter Do you love me?   3 times

Here at this table of the Word is where God will greet us, 

Tell us he loves us – and allow us to say again and again how we love him.

Peace