Merry Christmas!

There is a Cherokee Legend that says:
When the plants and trees were first made, the Great Mystery - that is how they refer to God, gave a gift to each species. 
But first he set up a contest  - "I want you to stay awake and keep watch over the earth for seven nights," The young trees and plants were so excited - the first night they did not find it difficult to stay awake. However, the second night was not so easy, and just before dawn a few fell asleep. On the third night the trees and plants whispered among themselves in the wind, to keep from dropping off, but it was too much work for some of them. 
Even more fell asleep on the fourth night. By the time the seventh night came, plants still awake were the cedar, the pine, the spruce, the fir, the holly, and the laurel. "What wonderful endurance you have," exclaimed (God) – whoops sorry – the Great Mystery. 
"You shall be given the gift of remaining green forever. You will be the guardians of the forest. Even in the seeming dead of winter, your brother/sister creatures will find life & protection in your branches." Ever since then all the other trees & plants lose their leaves and sleep all winter - while the evergreens stay awake.

Today we celebrate the Birth of the ONE in whom we find life – Jesus, born in Beth’lehem, in hebre that means the House of Bread.
Placed in a Manger - a feeding trough for the animals - this is the one who will become the Bread of Life. 
Wrapped in swaddling clothes - like the lambs who were raised in Bethlehem for use in the sacrifices of the Temple in Jerusalem - for Bethlehm and Jerusalem were like Nobleton and Bolton! And these lambs were wrapped in swaddling clothes when they were born to make sure they had no blemish - for they needed to be free of blemishes to be used in the Temple! As was the Lord - who 33 years later would be offered not in the temple but upon the cross!

Here is our Savior - protection for all – in the harshness of our world, In the darkness of a seeming exile, here & now and in the winter coldness of our Sin – Here is our refuge – Here is our God who comes to us - The Great Mystery – The creator of Heaven and Earth enters into creation – not for God’s sake – for ours!
Here is our Saviour who saves us – for we can’t save ourselves!

New Parish Website!

Our New Parish Website is now Up and Operating!

As part of the Archdiocese of Toronto's Pastoral Plan - Project Connect has been working to bring all parishes in the Archdiocese onto a common website platform. Holy Family Parish has now been able to transition to our new website, and are pleased to bring you this updated website.
We have some neat new features, including events, and you can subscribe to updates as well - using the Sign-up feature!

https://holyfamilybo.archtoronto.org/

2nd Sunday of Advent

"To be parish is to be a place, to be a people, where God’s command to comfort the other is fulfilled."

- Rev. Terrance W. Klein, America Magazine, December 9, 2017

When we think of those who are around us when we gather around the table of the Lord each Sunday - there are many who need comfort:

• Those who are approaching their first Christmas after the death of someone, whom they have dearly loved. 
• Those who come to Christmas to celebrate the Word made flesh, knowing that cancer or some other disease has invaded their own flesh. 
• Those who are, late in life, once again raising children in their home because unless they do their grandchildren will have no nurturing home. 
• Those who, advanced in age, live in fear that this will be their last Christmas in their own home, still able to live life in their own way. 
• Those who struggle to make Christmas something their children will always remember but only add to the mounting worry about bills that cannot be paid. 
• Those who came to this country, desperate to find a new life, and who now live in fear that everything might be lost. 
• Those who want to live in the freedom of Christ but are still held captive by addiction. 
• Those who try to spread holiday cheer and comfort, all the while returning to homes where discord and distrust hold reign. 
• Those who are growing up different than others, in communities where young people are expected to mature in well-worn ways. 
• Those who are alienated from their family and friends, cut off from the faces meant to give them life. 
• Those, who think that they are alone in struggling with unbelief and with questions about their faith. 
• Those who are not here in the parish most Sundays because it has never been a place of comfort for them. 

We hear today in the first reading from the Prophet Isaiah - "Comfort, O comfort my people, says the Lord." This is a command, not a promise! How can we, as a parish, be a place of comfort for all of God's People?

Peace

Busy Times!

It has been months since I have Posted on the Blog - and for that I appologize! The business of life is an excuse that many use for not being at church regularly - and I find myself wanting to offer the same excuse - but it is just that - an excuse. 

Since I last posted there have been some great events and developments in the parish and in my personal life...

At the end of the summer - Julia Coffa - our Youth Minister for almost 2 years returned to University. Her studies are in the field of linguistics.  Best wishes Julia!  

At the beginning of September Eric Luscombe joined our staff as our new Youth Minister. Eric has a degree from Western University in London, in Catholic Studies! (I realize I do not have a Picture of Eric! That will need to be rectified!!!)

At the End of September, St. Michael's Secondary School celebrated their feast day - and a New Stained Glass window was blessed. This window was donated throught he generosity of the Knights of Columbus!

In the beginning of November I travelled to Vancouver to be a part of the National Lturgy Conference. The Presentations at the Conference were by Fr. Michael McGourty, a Priest of the Archdiocese of Toronto, on the Rite of Dedication of a Church and Altar.  Since I had Dedicated St. Michael's Chapel last year, and attended the Re-Dedication of the Cathedral the same day, I found this topic Facinating. I attended the conference in my capacity as the Vice-Chair of the Ontario Liturgical Coference, of which I am a Member at Large. (I was re-elected to another 3 year term as the Vice Chair for the Conference.)

So there is an Advent Update! I will be more mindful of posting Blog updates now! 
Peace