Holy Family Parish is Hiring!
Application Deadline (with resume) is December 7th - at 4 PM -
Submitted to the Parish office - to the attention of: Lydia Rogers.
Friday 28 November 2014
Employment
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
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
Wednesday 19 November 2014
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
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
Saturday 15 November 2014
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
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
Tuesday 11 November 2014
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 !
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| Geoffrey is in the back row - 4th from the left! |
Sunday 2 November 2014
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:
Peace
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:
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| Signal Hill - In the Fog! |
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| Atlantic Ocean Start to the Mrathon of Hope - Terry Fox Memorial |
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| The Basilica of St. John the Baptist |
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| 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 |
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| Not entirely healthy - but completely delicious! |
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| Stephanie appreciated that I had my Holydays Jacket on when I visited the most Easterly Point of North America! |
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