April 11,2020 (Holy Saturday & Easter Sunday)
Parish Update
It is Easter. A few days ago a young man came to the parish door carrying four bouquets of yellow and purple tulips. His mother’s gift to the parish for Easter. Each bouquet was carefully wrapped and one could see the tulip bulbs had not yet opened. Each bulb protecting and preserving the life of the tulip until nature tells the bulb it is okay to open and flower. Today, the bulbs are beginning to open. Nature has spoken. It is time. The tulips are beginning to open and flower for all to see in all their colour and glory. They are preparing to greet and smile at the world. God who will also smile today when His Son will burst forth from the bulb of a tomb. In a few hours, not unlike a little tulip anxiously waiting to burst free to flower, a man crucified, and killed, will come back to life and rise and all will see His glory. Jesus will rise from the dead. He will burst from the tomb. The nature of God will speak as it speaks to a little flower. Come out of your tomb. Come out of the dark and into the light. God speaks for Life. His Word is life. God’s nature is life and only life. It is never death. It is Easter. It is the beauty of God, the beauty of nature, the beauty of resurrection. Easter is a little tulip bursting to flower and bring smile to our hearts. It is God’s nature to bring us back to life. Tonight we will hear the greatest story ever told. A story that is true. God brings his Son back to life. This is our faith and our hope. He will bring us back to life, our families, our children, loved ones, and friends. We are living in times that are cold and dark, anxious, and uncertain for many. Many are standing outside the tomb waiting for an answer. The tomb is a pandemic threatening the world, the tomb is a lost business, the loss of employment, a virus, hospitals filled with the sick, a parish church that cannot open for the celebration of Easter. Life is full of tombs. But wait at that tomb, and pray with all your heart, and suddenly He will burst out of that tomb. The disciples, saws with their own eyes. The tomb was empty. He stands before them. He stands before us. He is alive. They see Him rising to greet the world. He greets us and he smiles. The tulips are in full bloom now. It is Easter. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. Happy Easter everyone!
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.
The Good Friday liturgy was offered for all families of the parish. For the world, for an end to pandemic, for the sick and dying. Holy Saturday Vigil Mass & Easter Sunday offered for our families living and deceased.
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, Mass intentions, messages, envelopes, letters. The mail box is carefully monitored. My gratitude for your continued donations.
Dry food items for food pantry can be placed in the grey bin outside office entrance doors. Thanks for the donations.
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 Parish Easter Sunday 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.
Loyola Jesuit Retreat House Website will lead you in reflection, meditations, and Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday celebrations. See the Loyola Jesuit Retreat House Website link. Look for “see the Easter Vigil Celebration.”
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
