April 06, 2020 (Monday Holy Week)
Parish Update
A Tale of Two Cities is an historical novel written by Charles Dickens during the time of the French Revolution. The novel begins it was the best of times and the worst of times. The novel observes the best and worst of humanity in times of social and political unrest. Perhaps anytime in history could be called the best and worst of times. In the present time of global pandemic we are seeing the best and the worst of humanity at work. We see neighbours helping neighbours, getting groceries to those unable to get to at store, dropping food off at the parish food pantry, caring persons checking in on others by phone or email, we see fire and police responders in front of hospitals cheering nurses and doctors, restaurants barely hanging on donating meals to volunteers helping the sick and hungry. The best of times. And then we see those trying to profit from the crisis, charging astronomical prices for basic necessities of life, persons acting out of rage when they think someone is trying to get ahead of them, cruise ships with the sick and dying wandering aimlessly looking for a port for permission to dock. The worst of times. Human beings are often a mix of the worst and the best. Today Mary comes to anoint Jesus with ointment she has bought and paid for with her own money. It is her gift to Jesus. She knows the worst is about to happen. And she anoints his feet with perfume. It is an act of love for her Lord. It is her gift of compassion for her Lord about to die on a Cross. In Mary we see only the best of times. However, Judas is watching Mary and what she has done. The worst is about to happen. Judas is a representation of the worst. He attacks her, calls her out for wasting money on an unnecessary luxury. He demeans her for it, scolds her for it, and embarrasses her for it. We ought to notice how Jesus responds. When Jesus sees someone offering an act of kindness, an act of love, an act of generosity, he will defend it with his life. He defends Mary. It is the best of times. Today, we enter Holy Week. Let it become a holy time, a generous time, a prayerful time, a time of faith. Offer the best of times to one another in our homes, families, and friends. Offer our gratitude to Jesus, and anoint him, as Mary anointed him, with our prayer and our love, for showing us how to live in the best of times in the worst of times.
Parish Messages:
Thank you to all who have signed up to help CARE FOR NEIGHBOURS TEAM. Those who have been asked to help a neighbour please keep a check on them.
Mass Sat. April 04 was offered for the souls of Guiddo Gatto & Vito Piovesan & intentions of Sasha Buchek. Mass Sunday April 5th was offered for Parish living and deceased & soul of Mike Marchesano. Today’s Mass offered for souls of Bruna & Frank Nadalin, & Luigi Tonizzo.
Pray the Rosary at 4 PM in your homes offering prayers for the sick, and afflicted, our nurses and doctors, and an end to the pandemic.
All mail drop off at the Rectory mail box kitchen door. Place any prayer requests, messages, letters.
Dry food items for food pantry can be placed in the grey bin outside office entrance doors.
THE DIOCESE HAS INFORMED ME THAT PALMS COULD NOT BE DISTRIBUTED ON PALM SUNDAY OR LEFT ON PARKING LOT FOR PICK UP. IT FOLLOWS GOVERNMENT ORDER TO AVOID GATHERINGS. IT IS HOPE THAT PALMS CAN BE DISTRBUTED WHEN THE CHURCH REOPENS.
DIOCESE INFORMS ME THAT ALL WEDDINGS MUST BE CANCELLED UP UNTIL JUNE 30, 2020. A WEDDING CAN TAKE PLACE BUT ONLY WITH THE BRIDE, GROOM, AND WITNESSES.
FIRST COMMUNIONS AND CONFIRMATIONS ARE ALL CANCELLED . TO BE RESCHEDULED AT A LATER DATE.
Reminder this Sunday 9 AM Mass will be live streamed. Instructions are posted on the Parish Website https://holyrosaryguelph.ca under the “Masses” header on the home page of website. A link to a recording of the previous Sunday Mass is also available in the same location.
Courage everyone. Pray. With my blessing.
Fr. Vernon P. Boyd S.J.
Pastor
Holy Rosary Parish, 175 Emma Street, Guelph, ON, N1E 1V6
519-822-4701 x 22 www.holyrosaryguelph.ca
