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