An Awesome Pilgrimage

Tuesday Evening I returned home from the Pilgrimage to Israel, and a few days off afterward (in Sicily). The Pilgrimage was terrific, and other than the first day - there was no rain that got in our way!  

Sunrise in Haifa - overlooking the Port

After celebrating an outdoor Mass on Mount Arbel - overlooking the Sea of Galilee

The Chapel of St. Joseph in Nazareth - remembering that St. Joseph taught Jesus a trade.

An Icon from the Greek Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth.

Touching the past at Kfar Kedem - dressing in garb of the time of Jesus - this is Charlotte.

From outside of the Church of St. Peter in Capurnaum - where we celebrated Mass in a church that is built hovering over the House of Peter - uncovered from an archelogical dig.

Shore of Sea of Galilee - that mark the place where Jesus asked Peter 3 times: "Do you Love me?"

Chruch of the Transfiguration - with Moses and Elijah on either side...

The Sacristy in Church of Transfiguration - Bishop of Stolkholm being shown old vestments.

Our Ride on the Sea of Galilee

This is a boat from the 1st Century - preserved on the Kibbutz where we stayed - Knof Ginosar

The caves of the Dead Sea Scrolls are not far from this Spa on the Dead Sea.

Dawn in Jerusalem 

The Parish Church in Bethlehem - Built by the site of the birth of Jesus.

St. Jerome - was the first one to translate bothe the Hebrew and Greek scriptures into Latin.

A Pillar in the "Upper Room" which has carved on it a Pelican.

A new glass cross in the lower chapel of the Last Supper that the Franciscans have built.

The Famous Chagall Windows in the Synagoge of the Hadassah Hospital 

Just outside of Jerusalem - near Ein Karem

Lions Gate in Jerusalem

The Empty Tomb - "why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here. He has Risen!"

A piece of artwork in the chapel of the Holy Seplecre - the Tomb of Jesus

Chapel where we celebrated our last Mass of the Pilgrimage - Resurrection!

St. Peter in Gallicantu

One of the most interesting churches I have seen built in Israel in the 8 trips over the 20 years I have been going there is St. Peter in Gallicantu. This is built over the ancient place where Jesus would have been held Holy Thursday night - after his arrest.
It is the site where St. Peter denied the Lord 3 times before the Cock Crowed. 

In the church there are 2 icons - on on either side of the Altar on the lower level of the church:

 
On the left - Peter denies Jesus 3 times - on the right - Peter declares his love 3 times.
Peace

Busy Times

As I head off on pilgrimage to Israel - there are 3 upcoming events that have been in the works for some time now.

1) On Sunday, May 1st Jerry Galipeau (who conducted our Parish Lenten Retreat 4 years ago) will be speaking at St. Elizabeth Seaton Parish in Newmarket. (Directions Here)

The topic is:   "Living as the One Body of Christ"
Gathering: 7:00 pm      Evening Prayer: 7:30 pm
Presentation: 7:50 pm followed by refreshments!

I hope many will make the 40 Minute drive to Newmarket for this delightful evening!

2) On Tuesday, May 3rd at 7:00 pm we have Dr. Moira McQueen speaking on the Catholic response to the Issues of Physician Assisted Death. after the presentation there will be time for Questions and Answers. (You may remember that this was the talk that was rescheduled from March 1st.)

3) On Sunday, May 22nd we will have a Walking Pilgrimage from Holy Family Parish to St. Patrick's Parish (Wildfield).  St. Patrick's is one of the Jubilee Doors of Mercy for the Archdiocese of Toronto. This pilgrimage will be less than 10 km, and be an opportunity for us to recall that all of our life is a pilgrimage! From the Womb, to the Tomb; From Birth, to Death; From the Font, to the Altar.  This will be an opportunity to also partake of the Jubilee of Mercy Indulgence. 

Please hold our pilgrim group in Israel in your prayers as I will hold you in mine these weeks!
Peace

Easter Vigil

This is the Night!

Good Friday

Loving God,you sent Jesus, who reveals your glory,to pay the price for our sinsso that we might share in eternal life.On the night he was betrayed,he remained obedient to your will and,humbling himself, was led to the Cross.Even in the midst of his arrest,Jesus showed compassion by healing the servant.Show us compassion, O God, when we abandon you.Heal our suffering, which can lead us to deny your majesty.Grant courage to those who are weak and raise up the fallen.Strengthen our love for you so thatour hearts and minds may remain focused on Christ’s Paschal Mysteryand forever delight in his triumph over death.Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Assisted Suicide

I feel like today is the calm before the storm, figuratively and literally now listening to the weather!

Last week I was able to attend a course on walking with people through end of life issues. One of the disturbing trends happening in Europe is the state of Assisted Suicide (I say this deliberatly) and the ease with wich it is accessed.

Here is an Australian documentary video - with disturbing content - from Belgium. There are 2 cases followed in this video - but the senior citizen case is really unsettling.

How slippery is our slope?

Peace

End of life Issues

I recently wrote this letter - and a variation on it to the Minister of Health and the Prime Minister:

Dear Minister Wilson-Raybould,
     As a Roman Catholic Priest, I am very concerned about the protection of vulnerable people in our society.  I am also gravely worried about conscience rights for Canadian physicians who refuse to participate in assisted suicide/euthanasia. While I am opposed to any form of assisted suicide, I recognize that our government must prepare legislation on this issue following the Supreme Court of Canada decision last year.
     I am concerned that the recommendations of the Commons-Senate Committee on Physician Assisted Death do not protect doctors’ conscience rights adequately. A referral, even to a third party, is a form of moral participation. I am also very troubled by the recommendation that facilities should not be allowed to opt-out of providing physician-assisted death in their facilities. Many of these institutions pre-date the confederation of Canada. 
     As one who works with people who experience mental health issues, and in particular depression, I find it deeply distressing that Canada would allow access to assisted suicide for those suffering from depression and other mental health issues. My question to the Prime Minister, and to the Minister of Health is: why are we not providing greater support for these people, and access to palliative care for all Canadians?
     I believe the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects Canadian citizens from being forced by the state to act against their moral or religious convictions. There are certainly alternative ways to respect a patient's request without compelling dedicated physicians to face professional disciplinary action simply because they wish to follow their conscience or forcing the closure of facilities that will not provide doctor assisted death.
     I ask you and those who will craft this upcoming legislation to please carefully consider my concerns as these policy deliberations are conducted. I request that whatever legislation is developed respects and protects the vulnerable as well as the conscience rights of Canadian physicians, other health care providers, and all facilities objecting to providing assisted death.

If you feel strongly about this issue - I encourage you to also write a letter to the Attorney General and or thed Prime Minister.

Peace