Message From Father Boyd – April 14, 2020

April 14,2020  (Easter Tuesday)

Parish Update

During the Second World War when Nazi forces occupied the many countries they invaded it is estimated that some 300 thousand babies and young children were forcibly removed from the arms of their parents.  They were taken to be raised to become citizens of the Reich.  After the war many of these children as they grew older began to ask questions.  They wanted to know who they were, where had they been born, and where are their parents.  There is a book recently published called “Hitler’s Stolen Children”  that tells the story of a woman who spent 50 years searching for the truth, longing to know her true identity, her parents, where she came from.  It is a painful story.  A story of lies, denials, the truth withheld, governments refusing to provide  information, deep dark shameful secrets buried in archives.  And the whole story is true.  It is the story of life looking down dark tunnels, finding only dead ends, seeing into a black void, deep silence, no one willing to speak to her about her past or willing to help her.  Until one day, a letter arrives at her door.  A kind soul has heard her appeal and reaches out to help her.  After some 50 years of searching she will soon know the truth.  Today the Mass readings tell of a another young woman, not unlike, the woman in search of her family and her true identity, also searching, looking for an answer, looking down a dark tunnel, trying to find an answer, looking for her Lord.  Looking for Jesus.  Her name is Mary.  She has come to the tomb, she is sees a black empty of nothing in front of her.  There is only silence.  No answer.  She can’t find her Lord.  Like the woman searching, weeping, for her parents for 50 years.  And then suddenly, like the letter delivered to the woman in search of her identity, Mary hears her name.  Her Lord is calling out to her to look towards him, away from the dark tunnel.  And Mary turns and sees Jesus.  He is standing beside her.  He is alive, he is risen, he has never left her.  She rejoices.  She has found her Lord.  Like the woman in search of her identity she finds the truth.  She rejoices.  God stands beside all of us, in all those places in our lives, fears, worry, failing health, pandemic, looking for a loved one, the loss of our homes, nations, and identities.  He stands beside us when we see only black tunnels ahead.  He does not abandon Mary.  He does not abandon the woman taken from her parents by force.  He does not abandon us and never will.  He will answer our deepest prayer.  He might not answer immediately but he will answer.  The world might not answer, governments might not answer, bureaucracy might not answer, churches might not answer, families might not answer, but Jesus will always answer.

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.

Easter Tuesday Mass is offered for repose of the soul of Sam Grimes.  Please pray for Maria Scorziello received into God’s mercy.  Maria’s private burial will take place tomorrow.         

Pray the  Rosary at 4 PM in your homes offering prayers for end of the pandemic , the sick and afflicted,  nurses and doctors, first responders, and all serving the community for their health and safety.

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.

The Diocese has informed me today that Parish Offices will remain formally CLOSED until April 23, 2020.    

 

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