PA Day - Sept 2015

For the last 7 years we have gathered the Staffs of our Elementary Schools on the Faith Day / PA Day in September. This year our topic was the Jubilee Year of Mercy...

In the last couple of years Pope Francis has been gaining the attention of people in the Church and outside the Church – he is able to get lots of media coverage – much of it would fall into the category of positive media coverage. On April 11, 2015 Pope Francis issued an Apostolic letter calling for an Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy – 

What does a jubilee year mean?  In the Biblical sense a Jubilee Year was one year after 49 years (7 times 7 = 49 ... so every 50 years.) In 1983-84 Pope John Paul II (now St. John Paul II) announced a Holy Year of Salvation and Redemption (1950 years since the Death and Resurrection of Jesus) The most memorable item that flowed from this Jubilee year - was the World Youth Day Cross. Attached to the WYD Cross (which has travelled thru our community)  is:

My dear young people, at the conclusion of the Holy Year, I entrust to you the sign of this Jubilee Year: the Cross of Christ! Carry it throughout the world as a symbol of Christ's love for humanity, and announce to everyone that only in the death and resurrection of Christ can we find salvation and redemption.

The Jubilee year of Mercy will begin on December 8th – the feast of the Immaculate Conception – and the 50th anniversary of the closing of the Second Vatican Council and the year of Mercy will end on the Feast of Christ the King, Nov. 20 2016. 

What is mercy – we are talking about the mercy of God – how do we describe this? Mercy is the unearned and undeserved compassion - usually of one more powerful than oneself.

We are a door – others encounter God’s love and mercy through us 
If you think of many different doors – the classroom – the door into our school – into our home – the door we keep locked – so no one can enter without us being aware of their presence.  Walking through a door – or crossing a threshold takes us to a new place. 
A child (and even an adult) can be terrified of opening the door to a new room – a school. When we are on the other side of the door – literally or figuratively we are in a place of power – of leadership – of influence. 

Pope Francis said 

A Door of Mercy through which anyone who enters will experience the love of God who consoles, pardons, and instills hope.  

Do we long to be able to offer this love of God and consolation – the love of God who pardons and gives hope to each person who walks through the door of our home – of this parish.
In listening to Pope Francis and the way others respond to him, we see that our image of God determines the way we reflect God’s love to others. 

Where does our image of God come from?

Who influenced your image of God? 

Does our image of God change  - what may lead it to change? In part my image of God changed when I first began to reflect on original grace – The story does not start with the eating of the forbidden fruit in the Garden - It starts from Original Grace...

How are we able to reflect God’s mercy to others? 

Maybe when we can name how we have offered mercy or received mercy we will be able to recognise how we are called to reflect God’s mercy.

Before you come to Mass Sunday - I invite you to take a moment in silence and recall family, friends and strangers who have reflected God’s love and mercy to you. We gather with grateful hearts ready to praise our God. 
Peace.

Neat Reflections on "Who do you say that I am?"

Who do you say that I am?

Mark 8:27-35

There are many sites that I find interesting on the web - and some offer reflections on the scripures we use at Mass. 
This is a translation of a reflection by a Spanish speaking priest who works with small Christian Communities...

Recognizing Jesus Christ

The episode has a central and decisive place in Mark's story. The disciples have been living with Jesus for some time. The moment has come for them to express themselves clearly. Who are they following? What do they find in Jesus? What do they grasp from his life, his message and his plan?

Since they joined him, they've been asking themselves about his identity. What strikes them is the authority with which he speaks, the power with which he heals the sick, and the love with which he offers God's forgiveness to sinners. Who is this man in whom they feel so present and so close to God as Friend of life and forgiveness?

All kinds of rumors are running around among the people who haven't lived with him, but Jesus is interested in his disciples' position: "But who do you say that I am?" It's not enough that there are different, more or less correct opinions among them. It's essential that those who are committed to his cause, acknowledge the mystery that lies within him. If not, who will keep his message alive? What will become of his plan for the kingdom of God? Where will that group that is trying to implement it end up?

But the question is also vital for his disciples. It affects them radically. It isn't possible to follow Jesus lightly and unconsciously. They have to know him more and more deeply. Peter, recollecting the experiences they have had with him so far, replies on behalf of all: "You are the Messiah."

Peter's confession is still limited. The disciples have not yet known Jesus' crucifixion at the hands of their opponents. They can't even suspect that he will be raised by the Father as a beloved Son. They haven't had experiences that would allow them to grasp everything that lies in Jesus. Only by following him closely, will they gradually discover him with growing faith.

For Christians, it is vital to recognize and acknowledge ever more deeply the mystery of Jesus Christ. If it doesn't know Christ, the Church doesn't know itself. If it doesn't know him, it can not know the most essential and decisive part of its task and mission. But, to know and confess Jesus Christ, it isn't enough to fill our mouths with impressive Christological titles. It's necessary to follow him closely and work with him every day. This is the main task that we must promote in Christian groups and communities.

Rev. José Antonio Pagola
http://blogs.periodistadigital.com/buenas-noticias.php/2015/09/07/reconocer-a-jesus-el-cristo

Men's Group at Holy Family

I am really excited about a Men's Group that we are forming at Holy Family.  Back in 2014 Fr. Vid Vlasic - the Pastor at Merciful Redeemer Parish in Mississauga - shared with me his expereince of the Men's Fraternity program.  He had been running this program for 7 years! I brought this idea back to our Staff Meeting - and finally after some thought - I reached out to some men in our parish - and we have met 3 times now - and are ready to launch "The Quest for Authentic Manhood" series on Saturday September 26th at 8 AM.

The Quest for Authentic Manhood is the original curriculum in the Men’s Fraternity series. A captivating journey composed of 24 sessions, this series helps men understand their masculine identity and shows them how to make the pursuit of authentic manhood a lifelong priority that is incorporated into the fabric of their everyday lives. It offers a clear definition of what a man is and challenges each man to develop his own personalized manhood plan.

We are really looking forward to beginning this quest with men from our community. 

Peace

New Beginnings at St. Michael's

This past week grade 9 students have been at St. Michael's Secondary School with some of their teachers - as part of the Head Start program. Thursday was a full day retreat for all of the grade 9's - and all but 25 were there for Mass, Co-Operative Games, School Tours, Lunch and separate talks for the guys and the girls.

Thursday was also a Staff Professional Development Day - and the staff also Joined the Grade 9's for the Mass, and all welcomed the new Principal of St. Michael's: Michelina Battaglini.   

We are looking forward to a great year for the grade 9's  and for all the Students at St. Michael's Secondary School!

God Bless!