Hospitality & Prayer (Martha and Mary)

There is always a tension between Doing and Being Between Martha and Mary. Like Donny and Marie (There I am dating myself!) we are each a little bit of Marth and a little bit of Mary. The question is - which ought we to work on developing? 
Our world suggests everything about doing - capitalism values our productivity, our efficiency, our DOING. Jesus says that Mary has chosen the better part. Foucusing on our BEING may not appear to reward us in this life - yet it will help us now by keeping us focused on Eternal Life.

A Poem about Martha and Mary

Lord of all pots and pans and things, since I’ve no time to be
A saint by doing lovely things, or watching late with Thee,
Or dreaming in the dawn-light, or storming Heaven’s gates,
Make me a saint by getting meals and washing up the plates.

Although I must have Martha’s hands, I have a Mary mind,
And when I black the boots and shoes, Thy sandals, Lord, I find.
I think of how they trod the earth, what time I scrub the floor:
Accept this meditation, Lord, I haven’t time for more.

Warm all the kitchen with Thy love, and light it with Thy peace;
Forgive me all my worrying, and make my grumbling cease.
Thou who didst love to give men food, in room or by the sea,
Accept this service that I do — I do it unto Thee.

—Cecily Rosemary Hallack (1898-1938)

Praying for France and Nice

For the 2nd Friday in a row I woke up to horrible news of a violent incident the night before. Last week the shooting in Dallas, and this week the terror in Nice, France. 

It was 5 years ago I was in a different part of France for Bastille Day (I had no Idea I would be there on what is considered their national day.) I was just finishing dinner in a cafe and heard fireworks, and headed to the riverfront in Lyon, and saw a beautiful fireworks display. 

It was so natural for a group of people - young and old - to stand by the waterfront and watch the Fireworks - is that not the case here in Canada too!?  On Ontario Today - CBC's noon time call in show - the question they asked: "How do we feel a connection to others?" From Orlando to Iraq, from Dallas to Nice, how does one empathize with some victims more than others? I definitley feel a kinship with those in Nice, France today, and hold them in prayer as they suffer and mourn. 

Ontario Summer School for Musicians and Initiation Leaders & WYD 2016

While we are in the second week of camp - we made Father Squared butter tarts. Inspired by my father who is famous for his butter tarts - these are a miniature version and this photo was adapted through the Prisma App on my phone!

In addition I have been getting ready for the Ontario Liturgical Conference Summer School for Musicians and Initiation Leaders which will be in Hamilton from Sunday, July 17 - Wednesday, July 20. I will be among a team of 4 who are handling the workshops for Initiation Leaders. We have 4 from our parish attending - 2 in the Music stream, and 2 in the Initiation stream.

I return back on Wednesday Evening - and leave Thursday afternoon for Krakow Poland - for World Youth Day 2016. 

Pray for those who will be in attendance at WYD2016 and for the safety of all pilgrims!

Fr. Larry

End of School Year - Beginning of Summer

As the School year comes to a conclusion and we celebrate Canada Day - I am wishing everyone a blessed summer. We had 4 Elementary Graduations in the last weeks of School and St. Michael's Secondary School Graduation on June 28th. Congratulations to all of our Grads - and to their families who have supported these students in their educational goals. 

While many parishes wind down for the summer months - we actually "wind up" at Holy Family!  Our Holydays Summer Day camp leadership staff have been busy since the beginning of May with plans for programs, staffing, and outings, as well as doing a number of training sessions in June for the 10 Counsellors and 30+ Counsellors in training (CIT's).  Each week is sold out - except for the first week of August (Aug. 2-5). One of the highlights for me is baking with the children each Tuesday. (It is also a highlight with the Tuesday Morning Mass attendees - who get free samples!)

Two other significant items are on the Agenda this summer:

1. Ontario Summer School for Musicians and Initiation Leaders - which is in Hamilton July 17-20th, and
2. World Youth Day - in Krakow, Poland. I will leave with a group Thursday July 21st - August 1st.

This will mean I miss 2 Tuesdays of baking with Holydays! But Julia - our Youth Minister - will be my replacement...

Peace