Christmas 2014

"The shepherds went with haste to Bethlehem"

In the great feast of Christmas, we celebrate the Mystery that God chooses to be with us - to be one with us.
On December 17th 1903 the Wright brothers flew for 1st time
it was in Kitty-Hawk – North Carolina.  On the 5th attempt with their new flying machine - it was Orville who flew – for 12 seconds. After landing – his brother - Wilbur - ran to telegram office to send a message back home to their sister - Catherine 
"We have flown for 12 seconds - Will be home for Christmas"

After she received this message she ran (with haste!) to the local newspaper office and spoke to the senior editor about her Brothers' flying Machine and that they had flown for 12 seconds – and that they would be home for Christmas – if he wanted to set up an interview. He said that would be nice and he would be sure to put something in the Newspaper the next day.
2 days later – on Dec 19th – On the 6th page – there was a small note: 
Wright Brothers to be home for Christmas
The Editor had missed the major headline for that year: 
Man flies for the first time!
Will we be missing the major headline this Christmas?
The newspapers / TV shows / Commercials / On line ads are all about the message BUY, BUY, BUY.  If that is what captures our hearts – we will be missing the major headline this Christmas

Christmas Peace does not come from sales or discounts, it does not come from mistle-toe or flying sleighs, it does not come from tasty treats – though I really like tasty treats alot!
Christmas peace does not come from a product, or a gizmo, or a thing. Christmas peace comes from a person – Jesus - the word made flesh - who dwelt among us.

The jewish word Bethlehem is the combining of 2 words
Beth – Lehem – House of Bread.  Jesus Son of God and Son of Mary is born and placed in a Manger – an animal feeding trough! The Eternal word – The Bread of Life – is laid in a feeding trough 
We do not have to go to Bethlehem for today the headline is - Bethlehem comes to us!

I invite you – as you come forward to receive the Eucharist this Christmas season to very consciously open your heart in a new way to receive Christ in a new manger - your heart. Because he is the headliner – and focusing on him will give us Christmas peace!

God Bless!

Christmas Eve 2014

Photo: ERBIL, IRAQ - DECEMBER 12, 2014:
Iraqi Christian children look at a nativity scene that is displayed in a tent erected in the grounds of Mazar Mar Eillia Catholic Church, in Ankawa, that has now become home to hundreds of Iraqi Christians who were forced to flee their homes earlier this year.

If you want,
the Virgin will come walking
down the road
pregnant with the holy,
And say...
"I need shelter for the night, please take me inside your heart,
My time is close."
Then, under the roof of your soul, you will witness the sublime
intimacy, the divine, the Christ
taking birth
forever,
As she grasps your hand for help, for each of us
is the midwife of God, each of us.
Yes, there, under the dome of your being does Creation
come into existence eternally, through your woman, dear pilgrim-
the sacred womb of your soul,
as God grasps our arm for help, for each of us is
His beloved servant
never far.
If you want, the Virgin will come walking down the street pregnant
with light and...sing.

St. John of the Cross
Love Poems to God

Peace

Lights at the Rectory

In my first year as an associate pastor in Brampton, I learned that Fr. Vid - my Pastor - had arranged for some of his former parishioners to decorate the rectory each year.  The rectory was a regular home in the neighbourhood. There was no church building (we celebrated in a High School Gym) These friends of his would put up an artificial tree, would put garland on the stairwell, etc....
There were never lights outside - on the house. It was always cold outside when they would set up inside - and no one planned far in advance to do things outside! 

Each year Christmas comes - and I think - I need to do something about lights outside the house... and then in January I would be grateful I was not taking down lights!

Finally this year - because of the hard work of Fr. David - we have lights outside the Rectory!!!

Fr. Joe Fenech - RIP

Fr. Joe Fenech died suddenly on Monday evening this week. He was very much a part of our parish because his Sister - Vivian Borg lives here - along with many of his neices and nephews and their families. He was 86 years old and in his fifty-fifth year of the priesthood.  He was ordained to the priesthood on July 5, 1959 in England by Bishop J. Rudderham.  Father Fenech was Associate Pastor at St. Bernard de Clairvaux Parish, Toronto and Epiphany of Our Lord Parish, Scarborough.  He was the founding Pastor of St. Aidan’s Parish, Scarborough, and Administrator of St. Leo’s Parish, Etobicoke and St. John the Evangelist Parish, Weston.  Father Fenech retired in 2006 and was living with his family.

His funeral will be at the Parish that he built: 

St. Aidan's Church 

3501 Finch ave. E., Scarborough

on Saturday December 13, at 11:00 am.

Eternal Rest grant unto him O Lord,

and let perpetual light shine on him.

May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, 

Through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Family of Faith

This past Sunday I spoke at all masses about the Family of Faith Campaign that is rooted in the Pastoral Plan of the Archdiocese - released February 2013 .

Part of the Family of Faith Campaign supports the renovations at the Cathedral. Here is a great video that talks about the scope of work at St. Michael's Cathedral.

Peace

Employment

Holy Family Parish is Hiring!

Holy Family Parish is now accepting applications for a Part Time Office Position (Evenings and Weekends).  The application form is available on line - or it can be picked up from the Parish Office.

Application Deadline (with resume) is December 7th - at 4 PM -
Submitted to the Parish office - to the attention of: Lydia Rogers.

Plates Spinning

When I was growing up I remember my Mom often watched the Mike Douglas show on TV.  It was an afternoon show - 4:30 - 6:00 pm I think. (Like Dr. Phil and Oprah these days.)  For some reason I remember how there was a performer on this variety / interview show that would spin plates on long thin poles that were fixed to a beam. It has been a full week.  With the Death of Robert Gordon, and the end of the Liturgical year, I feel like there have been many "Plates" to keep spinning!

Monday afternoon (Ususally my day off) was occupied with meetings about a project that is underway in the parish, as well as a meeting after mass for the same project.

Tuesday saw Morning Mass at the parish, Mass at St. Michael's in the afternoon with 2 grade 9 classes, 3 Appointments, and the Caledon Community Services Board Meeting! In between all these - I visited a parishioner at the Hospital who had a hip replacement - I am happy to report that Barb - from the 10:00 am Mass is doing very well!

Wednesday Started with our annual joint Zone meeting with the Dufferin Peel Catholic District School Board (DPCDSB) Personnel.  The Archdiocese is divided into Zones - Pastoral regions where priests and lay workers meet together to discuss and address Pastoral concerns.  Each year Bishop Boissonneau arranges a meeting with the priests in Zone 9 (Brampton-Caledon) and Zone 10 (Mississauga) and the DPCDSB. So that took up the morning - then I travelled across the diocese to Markham to pick up our Advent Wreath Candles, then I went downtown to the Archdiocese office to be part of the St. Michael's Choir School Advisory Board which I have been on for years (even though I am not a really great singer!), then travelled back through rush hour traffic - and took longer than the GPS expected - to make it for Mass at 7:00 (Just in time) then a Wedding Rehearsal, and another appointment!

After the Funeral & reception on Thursday, I went to the Hospital in Newmarket to visit a parishioner - a Daily Mass Attender - who is going to have Triple Bipass surgery - now scheduled for Tuesday. I also was able to see a friend in the Hospital who was having a follow up proceedure from an operation last month! I was back for an appointment with a couple for Baptism of their infant, and then the Parent Meeting about reconciliation.

So I have to say that after Mass this morning, the wedding this afternoon, and picking up the Advent Wreath greenery - I was very glad to head to the Airport to pick up Fr. David - who has arrived back from his visit to Kenya!  It sounds like he had a terrific time and appreciated some time with his Mom.

None of the plates has come crashing down! At least not yet.
As we head into Advent - maybe this is a time to look at the plates we feel we have to spin - and ask ourselves - "Do we really need to have all these plates spinning...?" 

Peace

Jesus does not ask us to preserve His Grace in a safe!

Each Sunday at Noon the Holy Father leads the Angelus - an ancient prayer of the church - in St. Peter's Square.

This week he spoke of the Sunday's Gospel of the Servants and the Talents.  Here is part of the Text:

Dear brothers and sisters,

This Sunday's Gospel is the parable of the talents, taken from Saint Matthew (25, 14-30). It tells the story of a man who, before leaving for a trip, calls his servants and entrusts them with his wealth in talents, ancient coins of great value. That master entrusts five talents to the first servant, to the second two, and the third one. During the absence of the master, the three servants must make this fortune fruitful. The first and the second servant doubled each of their starting capital; the third, however, for fear of losing everything, buried the talent he received in a hole. Upon the master’s return, the first two receive praise and a reward, while the third who only returns the coin received, is scolded and punished.

The meaning of this is very clear. The man of the parable represents Jesus, we are the servants and the talents are the wealth the Lord entrusts to us. What is this wealth? His Word, the Eucharist, faith in the Heavenly Father, His forgiveness, so many things. In short, his most precious goods. This is the wealth that he entrusts to us. Not just to guard it, but to make it grow. While in the common language, the word “talent” refers to a distinct individual talent - for example, in music, in sports, etc. - , in the parable, the talents represent the goods of the Lord, that He entrusts to us so that we make them fruitful. The hole dug in the ground by the “wicked and lazy servant” (v.26) shows the fear of risk that blocks the creativity and fruitfulness of love.  Jesus does not ask us to preserve His Grace in a safe. Jesus does not ask us this! He wants us to use it for the benefit of others and that’s how it grows. It’s as if He tells us: “Here is my mercy, my tenderness, my forgiveness: take it and use it.”And what have we done? Who have we “infected” with our faith? How many people have we encouraged with our hope? How much love have we shared with our neighbor? They are questions that do us well to ask.

This parable urges us to not hide our faith and our belonging to Christ, to not bury the Word of the Gospel, but to make it circulate in our life, in our relationships, in our concrete situations, as a power that undermines, that purifies, that renews. Likewise forgiveness, which the Lord gives us especially in the Sacrament of Reconciliation: let us not close it in ourselves, but rather let it unleash its power, that breaks down those walls that our selfishness has built up, that it makes us take the first steps in relationships that are stuck, to resume dialogue where there is no more communication. Make these talents, these gifts that the Lord has entrusted to us be given to others, so that they grow and bear fruit with our witness. Today, it would be a beautiful gesture if each one of you would open the Gospel at home. The Gospel of St. Matthew 25, 14-30. Read this and meditate it. My talents, my riches, all that God has given to me spiritually, the Word of God; how do I make this grow in others? Or do I just preserve it in a safe?

The Lord does not give everyone the same things and in the same way: He knows us personally and entrusts us with what is right for us; but He has the same, immense trust in us. God trusts us, God has hope in us! And this is the same for everyone. Do not disappoint Him! Do not be fooled by fear, but reciprocate trust with trust! The Virgin Mary embodies this attitude in the most beautiful and fullest way. She received and accepted the greatest gift: Jesus, and in turn has offered Him to humanity with a generous heart. We ask Her to help us to be “good and faithful servants”, to participate “in the joy of our Lord.”

Encouraging words for each of us!
Peace

COPE Dogs - Volunteer Opportunities

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24th from 6:30 – 8:00 pm
At THE EXCHANGE, 55 HEALEY ROAD in BOLTON

Are you interested in volunteering, but not sure where? What if you, volunteering, could change the life of a student and create a whole new world for someone living with mobility or other medical challenges? If you are crazy about dogs, would like to become part of our community and develop new friendships, this could be the perfect place for you.

COPE Service Dogs is offering the following Rewarding Volunteer Positions:

• Become a COPE Puppy Raiser – Imagine being part of a program that nurtures future service dogs who will impact the lives of more than 40 people even before they are matched with someone living with a disability. That’s what COPE Puppy Raisers accomplish – their contribution is invaluable. Puppies in training are placed with Puppy Raisers from the time they are 8 weeks old, until they move on to do their life’s work approximately 2 years later.

• Become a COPE Puppy Sitter – Puppy Sitters are needed from time to time to support Puppy Raisers when the puppies need short-term care.

• Become a COPE Community Canine Partner – Picture yourself and your wonderful canine companion being out in the community offering therapy visits where they are so badly needed. COPE Service Dogs is looking for special people or families who would love to own a dog while having them professionally trained as a therapy dog in our “Canines in the Classroom” program.

• Become a COPE Community Volunteer –COPE Service Dogs is looking for people who would love to help bring COPE’s awareness to our growing communities. Positions available are Puppy Sitters, Event Volunteers, members of a COPE Steering Committee and Administration Assistance.

For further details about joining COPE Service Dogs please join us at the Exchange, 55 Healey Road in Bolton on Monday November 24, 2014 at 6.30pm

Questions? Please email angela@copedogs.org

For more information please visit http://www.copedogs.org

Proud Godfather - Again!

My Godson - Geoffrey Schemitsch plays Hockey now at Acadia University in Nova Scotia.  He is also quite a bright guy - if I do say so myself!!! Acadia University honoured 95 student-athletes who were named as Canadian Interuniversity Sport Academic All-Canadians at a luncheon celebrating their 2013-14 accomplishments on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2014. This year's 95 eclipses last year's record of 91 Acadia student-athletes named Academic All-Canadians. Geoffrey is in the back row!  Congrats !

Geoffrey is in the back row - 4th from the left!

National Liturgy Conference - St. John's Newfoundland

From Monday - Wednesday this week I attended the National Liturgy Conference in St. John's Newfoundland. 

I have been a Member at Large of the Ontario Liturgical Conference for a number of years, and as such have attended  meatings that this group (an advisory body to the Bishops of Ontario on liturgical matters) has on an annual basis.  Every 3 years there is a National meeting - which rotates location through the 3 english speaking Zones in the country (West, Ontario, Atlantic).

This year's topic was "Funerals and Weddings as moments of Evangelization".  One of the Speakers was Fr. James Mallon who has done a lot of work on the topic of Evangelization in the last few years. He is a priest of the Archdiocese of Halifax, and was just starting at St. Augustine's Seminary when I was in my final year of studies.  Another presenter was Ann Walsh - who I have worked with on Conferences on RCIA.

It was so good to be able to meet with many people who I have come to know across the country - who all have a desire to celebrate the Church's Liturgy well!

Some pictures of time exploring Newfoundland:

Signal Hill - In the Fog!

Atlantic Ocean Start to the Mrathon of Hope - Terry Fox Memorial

The Basilica of St. John the Baptist

Redemptorist Mission Cross in the Basilica - Made of wood from Ieper, Belgium
I was in Ieper this past Fall, and there are many tales of the bravery of NFLD soldiers in WW1 

Not entirely healthy - but completely delicious!

Stephanie appreciated that I had my Holydays Jacket on
when I visited the most Easterly Point of North America!

Peace

Beatification of Pope Paul VI

Pope Francis moved a predecessor closer to sainthood on Sunday, beatifying Pope Paul VI on the last day of a gathering in Rome of church leaders from around the world.
This was also a Mass to end the Extraordinary Synod on the Family that has been held these past 2 weeks.  There has been open - and often conflicting opinions expressed during the synod.  Here is an article from the Jesuit Magazine - AMERICA that describes Pope Paul VI and his legacy. Click Here

Peace

Synod on the Family

From Oct. 5-19, all eyes will be on Rome as the Synod of Bishops convene and address Pastoral Challenges to the Family in the Context of Evangelization. It is a preparatory session bringing together presidents of national bishops’ conferences, heads of Eastern Catholic Churches, and Vatican officials ahead of a larger Synod of Bishops to take place in 2015. 

The additional participants include a dozen or more voting members named by the pope, three priests chosen by an umbrella group of men’s religious orders, a dozen or more expert advisers, about a dozen representatives of other Christian churches, and up to 30 observers – more than half comprised of married couples who will be encouraged to address the assembly. 

This synod will address issues pertaining to marriage, family, and sexual morality – including those that are controversial both within and outside the Church – the themes are those that the majority of Catholics deal with every day in the real world. 

Here is a video from Salt and Light TV that prepares us for the Synod - showcasing Salt & Light's multi-lingual staff:

Prayer of Pope Francis for the Synod

Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
in you we contemplate
the splendour of true love,
to you we turn with trust.

Holy Family of Nazareth,
grant that our families too
may be places of communion and prayer,
authentic schools of the Gospel
and small domestic Churches.

Holy Family of Nazareth,
may families never again
experience violence, rejection and division:
may all who have been hurt or scandalized
find ready comfort and healing.
Holy Family of Nazareth,
may the approaching Synod of Bishops
make us once more mindful
of the sacredness and inviolability of the family,
and its beauty in God’s plan.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
graciously hear our prayer.


Amen.

Peace

Over a Month!

Well It has been a while since I have written a Post!
Early September was full of meetings and planning sessions as our different youth ministries prepared for launch. We had our Ministry Appreciation Reception on Sunday afternoon - September 7th, and it was great to be able to host all of those who help and minister within the parish community!

We had a terrific Faith day with our Elementary and Secondary Teachers on September 12th - where we reflected upon the Communion of Saints - and each School received a gift from the Parish of 2 Books: Patron Saints / Saints in Times of Need.
Each teacher also received a prayerbook with reflections on the Sunday Mass readings throughout the year.

On Sept. 14th, I headed off on Vacation, and journeyed to Belgium and Amsterdam with my Dad and a few other friends. Belgium is famous for Chocolate, Beer and Frites (Fries).  All three were consumed! 

Frites with Mayonase - Ahhh no fat here!

The Sunday we were in Brussels was car free - So this was the mode of transport for one couple!

This sculpture by Michelangelo is in Brugges - and is the only sculpture of his outside Italy -
Made famous in the recent movie Monuments Men

The Canals of Amsterdam

I was able to climb the 'e' in "I AMsterdam" Sign - By the main Museum

Flanders Fields Museum in Ieper - Our first village visited

Hill 62 Memorial - Outside of Ieper - near Paschendale 

It was a terrific Vacation - much sunnier and warmer than we expected!

St. Michael Statue on a Bridge in Ghent -
outside St. Michael's Church

This week we celebrated Mass at St. Michael Secondary School and had the Feast Day Celebrations. This is now a wonderful tradition - with all kinds of celebrations, Pep rally, and Sports.
I used the 2 swords we have in our Youth Ministry props (for the "guards" at the "Stations of the Cross" Drama) as a visual reminder for the students of St. Michael's of 2 of the tools we each have in the battle against evil: 
Prayer & Sacraments.
St. Michael the Archangel - 
      Pray for us!

Peace

Edge Camp 2014

We had another wonderful Edge Camp this year! This is the 6th year we have been running Edge Camp with a number of other parishes - and now the Office of Catholic Youth with Archdiocese is helping to begin a second week of Edge Camp in order to expand the possibilities of Edge Camp offerings!

The theme this year was Fearless. 

Each camper received a Cinch bag, a T-Shirt, a Water Bottle, and a pair of Sun Glasses withe the Fearless Logo.

This is an adventure camp - so there are many activities that the young people get to take part in: High Ropes, Leap of Faith, Zip Line, Kayak & Canoe, FLOID (like a play ground on water) Swimming, Colour Run Obstacle Course, Mountain Biking, Archery, Arts and Crafts.  

The Leap of Faith Platform!

Despite rain in the forcast there was lots of sunshine!

Yet this is also an Edge Camp - and so each day also involved a Catechetical Session: Reconciliation, with even a model of how to go to confession; the Mass, connected to Abraham and Isaac; Adoration, a moment to appreciate that communion we have in the Eucharist; and finally facing our fears - David and Goliath - and the 5 stones he used translated for campers today... Trust - Friends - Eucharist - Reconciliation - Prayer.

Campers at the Main Hall - Just after a Mass

After Reconciliation a talk - reflecting on the grace they now have received...Mystagogy

It was a terrific camp - and our young people had such a great time. Thank you to our Teen and Adult leaders who helped with Edge Camp: Stephanie, Shawn, JP, Lucas, Asia, Julia, Katie, Talia, Laura, & Dario. You guys ROCK!

This week we are collecting school supplies again for those who are heading back to School and do not have enough resources to purchase these many supplies on their own. 
You can bring these donations to any Mass this Saturday or Sunday and leave them in the Parish hall.  We will pass them on to The Exchange for distribution to families in need. Thank you for your Christian Generosity!

Frisbee and Edge Camp

WWhen you have 20 teens in the church hallway at 8:10 on a Sunday morning - it can only mean one thing: FRISBEEEE!
Sunday was a terrific day in terms of weather - and once again our youth have won the Archdiocese of Toronto Frisbee Tournament held each August in Orangeville.

Champions again - even as the team was split into 2 parts at times - and often had competition with fresh legs.
Way to go team!

This week we head up to Edge Camp - 45 campers and 9 team leaders! This is a picture from last year's Edge camp. 300 youth and almost 100 Teen and Adult leaders & priests !

This year our theme is  Fearless. We have an awesome week planned for the youth - and we return on Sunday afternoon. Keep us all in your prayers this week!

Peace!

Carlota Ryan

Carlota Ryan was a woman of wonderful faith. Perhaps at times like Mother Teresa - she was not always aware of how strong her faith was - and how much of an impact she had upon others.

Her funeral is tomorrow - Friday, August 8th at 10:00 and there will be a time of visitation this evening Egan Funeral Home from 6:00 to 9:00 pm with prayers at 6:15 pm this evening. 

Carlota struggled these last few years with Cancer and we usually speak of Cancer as limiting a person - but for Carlota it was the Cancer that was so limited!

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 

CANCER IS SO VERY LIMITED!

March on August 10, 2014

A protest march against the persecution of Christians in Iraq will take place on Sunday, August 10, 2014.  The march will assemble at Bay and Front streets at 3:30 p.m. and march to the front of the Ontario Legislature Building - Queens Park by 4:45 p.m.  

This is being organized by a number of Christian Churches in the Toronto Area.

Library Preparations and Prayers for Peace

Each year we have a meeting with ALL of our staff: part time, full time, housekeeper, Pastoral staff and Maintenance.   Last week was the time of that staff meeting - and we began moving forward on plans for a library in the parish.  A place for parishioners to access spiritual resources, and grow in faith.  Yesterday Evening the Knights of Columbus helped assemble the shelf units from Ikea!

So we have begun! Over the coming weeks the books we have will be sorted further - and the Library should be open by the end of August!

Tonight we will pray in a special way for peace during Adoration from 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. 

A Sunday Reflection

Joy & Treasure

Does finding the Treasure give us Joy?
     Or might our Joy help us find the treasure?
Have you got something that is very precious to you? 
It might be something that isn’t very important to anyone else, but is very special to you. Maybe it is something you would grab in a house fire, or flood. Would you be willing to give it away or swap it?  In the Gospel Jesus tells us that God’s kingdom is like a priceless treasure that one would give their most precious possession for. God’s kingdom begins here and now, in this life. 
It is not simply something in the Future - on the other side of death. Deacon Robert and his wife Gabrielle tell me that Fr. Bob McDougall s.j. was fond of saying that the Kingdom is not just Pie in the Sky after you Die, but it is Steak on the Plate while we wait! God, the Lord of all creation, is always present to His creation. Often it is us - the creatures who are not present to God! 

This is quite evident - when we see the horrible suffering inflicted on Christians & other minorities in Iraq and Syria;   
   Seeing the fighting and killing in Israel and Gaza; 
      When we hear of planes shot down over Ukraine.
Yet it is just as apparent when we are unkind to each other: when we select the bad over the good because it is ‘popular’ or is ‘socially acceptable’ to do so.
The Kingdom of God, the Reign of Heaven is here and now.

When we have a true and deep encounter with God - that is a Real Treasure! no matter if that authentic experience of God is:

• Found in nature / in a time in the wilderness, or the beaty of a sunset;
• Or found in a time of quiet Prayer, experience a deep presence of God;
• Or in singing a song - and being surrounded by others singing praise to God and being in utter communion;
• Or in the mystery of Love - in a Husband and Wife, in the joy of the birth of a new child - realizing the Joy of Family

We often would give up everything in that moment to remain there – to have & keep that ‘treasure’. Yet we will all face the Cross. and for us the image of the middle parable in today's set of three parables can give us consolation. The pearl of great value - of great price.

Pearls, of course, are not created in a vacuum. They are born from friction, hardship. Out of that struggle comes a miracle: a jewel of profound simplicity and humbling beauty, our Joy – The Joy of the Gospel – enables us to bear our cross / to hope thru suffering and to allow God to bring forth the K of G here and now - this beautiful Pearl.

Peace

Fearful Times in Iraq / Syria / Israel / Gaza and Ukraine

The Arabic letter N - for Nazarene - being used to mark the homes of Christians in Iraq and Syria

If you visited Facebook or Yahoo or Bing on Friday afternoon, you would see all kinds of stories trending - about celebrities, and movies and TV shows. You would have to look very hard to find any discussion at all about what we might say is the most important, most harrowing story of the week—quite possibly, the most historically significant story of this year.
That is: the obliteration of Christianity from Iraq.
The world is only now waking up to a horror that is unfolding before our eyes. Mainstream media coverage has been scant. Our government has been largely silent. But attention must be paid. The gospel we hear this Sunday is about a pearl of great price – the kingdom of God. Some of our brothers and sisters seeking that pearl are paying the ultimate price. They are paying for it with their lives.
In the city of Mosul, the second largest city in Iraq, the church bells have fallen silent. For the first time in 1600 years, there are no Christian church services, no Masses, no liturgies. Crosses have been ripped from churches. The cathedral has been turned in to a mosque. A monastery has been raided, looted, overtaken; the monks have been expelled, taking only the clothes on their backs. In a video that is, frankly, incredible, the ancient tomb of the prophet Jonah—one of the holiest sites in the region—was bombed and destroyed.

Men, women and children are literally running for their lives, fleeing to safer places to the north. In some towns, ISIS – the Islamist extremist group now dominating the country—has cut off water supplies and electricity. They have confiscated medicine. If they catch people trying to flee, they take everything they have – passports, medicine, wedding rings. The edict has gone forth: convert to Islam, or pay an outrageous tax that no one can afford. If you do not pay, you will be killed. It’s not an idle threat. Some people are being crucified.
And it is happening for one reason only: because they are Christian.
Seventy years ago, men and women fought a war to stop genocide in Europe. Now it has returned, in another place, targeting another group, going by another name. One Catholic archbishop has called it, bluntly, “religious cleansing.” 
The first Christians were baptized in Iraq nearly 20 centuries ago. Some speak the same language that Christ himself spoke, Aramaic. Now they are being crushed under the heel of evil.
Last week, during his general audience, Pope Francis led a moment of silence to pray for the people of Iraq. The Chaldean Catholic patriarch Louis Sako wrote an open letter, saying that for the first time in his history, Mosul is completely empty of Christians, and warning that the country is facing — quote – “a humanitarian, cultural and historical disaster.”

Some are trying to stop it—including Muslims. Last week, professor Mahmoud Al Asali at the University of Mosul spoke out against the reign of terror being inflicted on Christians, saying he believes it goes against the Muslim commandments. For his courage, he was killed.  And yet, even now, other voices are continuing to be raised.
Friday, Jordan’s Prince El Hassan – himself a descendant of Muhammad – called for an end to violence in the name of religion in a statement that was signed by several religious and secular leaders. He wrote: “We cannot stand idly by and watch as the lives of the most vulnerable, our women and our children, are destroyed in the name of religion.”  Last Sunday, in Baghdad, both Muslims and Christians gathered in the St. George Chaldean Church to pray together—and to weep together. Some Muslims carried signs: “I’m Iraqi, I’m Christian” – a powerful show of solidarity.

In Mosul, members of ISIS have been marking Christian homes with the Arabic letter “N,” which stands for “Nazarene” – meaning Christian. It is reminiscent of the Star of David that marked Jews in Nazi Germany. But now, that “N” has swept social media and is even being seen on tee shirts. The message: no matter what our belief or our nationality, we are all Christians. We are all Iraqis. We stand together in defiance of genocide, of persecution, of hate.

If there is any consolation here, it is this: Our brothers and sisters in the Middle East are not facing this alone.  Neither are we.
Many in the media may be ignoring this onslaught. We cannot.
We hold in our hearts our own pearl of great price: a pearl of faith and hope. Pearls, of course, are not created in a vacuum. They are born from friction, hardship. Out of that comes a miracle: a jewel of profound simplicity and humbling beauty, giving off radiance and light.
Let us offer that pearl in prayer to the Holy Family: for Joseph and Mary know only too well the tears that are being shed, the desperation that is being felt. The Holy Family has known their terror, spoken their language, and have been refugees, fleeing from tyrants.   
Let us pray for Peace!

Summer Food Needs

A Note from the Manager of the Exchange: We have some gaps on our shelves and was wondering if you could help to fill those gaps. The items we most need are cereal, peanut butter, juice, children's snacks, canned meat/fish and crackers. If you are able to donate some of these items to us, we would greatly appreciate it. Regards, The Exchange

Pictures from St. Louis

 Some Pictures from the NPM in St. Louis.

Kirkwood Presbyterian Church - with a Casavant (Quebec made) Pipe Organ (This was in the St. Louis Suburbs

Main Stage area during Taize Prayer service - Beautiful!

I Visited the Arch on my Birthday!

Just before the Eucharist Thursday Evening - what a beautiful way to cap my Birthday festivities!

Peace

National Association of Pastoral Musicians Convention 2014

"Meet me in St. Louis" is how the song goes (from the 1904 world's fair!) and so they did just that - some 2,500 Musicians, Priests, liturgists and those involved in supporting the singing and praying church gathered for the 37th Annual Convention of the National Pastoral Musicians Association in St. Louis this past week. There were a few of us from Ontario - Nicholas (10:00 organist) and I travelled with 2 musicians from St. Christopher's Parish in Mississauga. Down there we met Bill Target from the Archdiocese of Toronto, and David Jafalice from Newmarket, as we explored the theme - "Proclaim the Good News".

There were fantastic Speakers - including Jerry Galipeau - who gave our Parish Mission in Lent 2012.  He spoke on proclaiming good news when we are broken or alienated from institutional Church. Paul Westermeyer spoke on how Musicians claiming their art will allow them to proclaim good news.  Ann Garrido spoke powerfully on Conversion - and the practice of conversation as key in proclaiming good news. Sr. Honora Werner, OP, spoke wonderfully on the church - in Vatican II - as bearing good news.

I did not get to hear the concluding talk by Msgr. Ray East - Sent to proclaimn Good News (But I will watch it on www.praytellblog.com)  The entire week was a source of inspiration and refreashment for my soul! I am grateful I was able to be able to attend!
Peace

Victor D'Souza - R.I.P.

Victor D'Souza is the Father of our Seminarian Shawn D'Souza. Victor died on Thursday afternoon after a lengthy illness with Brain Cancer. Please keep Shawn, his Mother Veronica, and the family in your prayers. 

Here are the details for the funeral:

Visitation
Meadowvale Cemetery & Visitation Centre
7732 Mavis Road, Brampton, L6Y 5L5
Sunday,  July13, 2014 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Funeral Mass
St Francis Xavier Catholic Church
5650 Mavis Rd., Mississauga, L5V 2N6
Monday, July 14, 2014 10:00 AM

Burial
Assumption Catholic Cemetery
6933 Tomken Road, Mississauga, L5T 1N4
Following the Funeral

Reptile Day at Camp

If you are not a fan of some of the Items in Genesis 1:24 "... creepy things and all things that crawl on the earth -  then you would not have been a fan of Camp this afternoon!
Here are some pictures:

Red legged Tortoise from South America

Candycane the snake

"Marshmallow" is a Burmese Python - Albino - 16 feet long 

Creepy Crawly Things - Yeah!
Peace