April 08, 2020 (Wednesday of Holy Week)
Parish Update
It has been almost a month since the nation has been put on general lockdown. It has taken its toll on families, businesses, workplaces. Many are tired, fearful, and afraid for loved ones. The virus has infected millions and killed thousands. The world is weary anxiously awaiting any news, a word, to hear if the virus has reached its peak and the curve to flatten. Fear abounds. The world awaits to hear. Today in the Mass readings the prophet speaks of a world weary and tired. A Servant is coming to sustain the weary with a word. The servant is Jesus. A Servant who will have the power to sustain the weary with His Word. A word that can sustains us, strengthens us, and brings hope to us. How often has someone come to us in moments of crisis, a parent, a friend, a son or daughter, a doctor, and they encourage us with a word. And we carry on. Sometimes a simple ‘hello’ is enough to encourage. A kind and encouraging word can feed our souls greater than the food we eat. Jesus brings us the food that will sustain our spirit. He brings us his Word. A food that can encourage us in any crisis and sustain us in any time. It is his mission to sustain the weary. To sustain us. The prophet Isaiah is telling us to listen carefully to his Word and be sustained. We must open our eyes, our ears, our heart to his Word. When a child or catechumen is brought to baptism an ancient ritual is performed. The priest traces the Cross over the ears, the lips, and the eyes of the baptized. The following words are spoken ‘the Lord give you the power to hear, the power to speak, and may he soon touch your ear to receive his Word and your mouth to proclaim his faith’. The ritual is called the ephphetha, a Greek word, that means ‘be opened’. Tomorrow we begin the Holy Triduum. Let us be open to His Word. A Word that will sustain us in weary times. The Servant is about to be arrested. He will offer his Last Supper. The Supper of the Word. Some will hear and see what the Servant is doing and it will sustain them. Some will listen. Some will not. Some will be open to him. Others not. Some will understand. Most not. Some will be open eye and ear and heart to him. Some will grow weary and tired. And some will give up and betray. Those whose ears and eyes and hearts are open will be sustained, they will endure, the passion of Jesus. They will endure the general lockdown of a nation. The will be sustain in love. They will sustain in faith. They will sustain in the Servant’s Word to the end.
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 is offered today for the repose of the souls of Joyce Trudeau & Helen Obsteen.
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.
Mail drop off at the Rectory mail box kitchen door. Place prayer requests, messages, envelopes, letters.
Dry food items for food pantry can be placed in the grey bin outside office entrance doors.
DIOCESE DECREES 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.caunder 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
