April 16,2020 (Octive of Easter Thursday )
Parish Update
When Jesus appears to his disciples they find it impossible to believe what they are seeing. They can see him, they can touch him, they can eat with him, they can talk with him, yet, they still can’t believe it is possible they are seeing Jesus. It has always been a great struggle for human nature to trust and believe. Human nature is cautious. It does not want to make a mistake. It does not want to believe in something that is not true. If one holds something to be true, and then finds out it is not, and discovers it to be a lie, a delusion, a fantasy, it can break one’s heart in half. The Mass readings deal with the classic struggle to believe or not to believe. When Jesus appears to his disciples they are not sure to believe or not believe. They are filled with suspense and wonder, filled with joy, yet, also filled with fear and uncertainty, with doubt. The disciples are unsure. We can also be unsure. Jesus understands the struggle to believe. It is an important component of human nature to doubt. And so Jesus helps them to overcome their doubt. He employs what we might call today, the scientific method, and begins by asking a question. Any good scientific method begins with a question. He asks does a ghost have flesh and bones. He then invites them to touch his hands, touch the holes the nails have made in those hands, talk to him, sit with him, to give him something to eat. Jesus is in fact getting the disciples to utilize the scientific method. Jesus is not upset with doubt. Doubt is vital part of life and ought not to be avoided. It helps one to seek out and find the truth. God has made us to find the truth. Yet, Jesus is also saying, it is not good to live in doubt about everything forever. Rather seek out the truth. The truth can be found and the truth can be known. What Jesus is saying when we doubt, test the facts, question, observe, measure, touch, and see. The disciples test what they see and they believe. They are no longer have to live in doubt. Jesus is alive. He has truly risen from the dead. It is beyond all doubt. Many people struggle to believe and doubt the truth of Jesus. One can only encourage those who struggle with belief to test the facts. A beloved Italian doctor, scientific researcher, university professor, Dr. Giuseppe Moscati, had a very good friend and colleague. Both were scientists who did research together. His good friend was an atheist and did not believe in God. Yet they loved to debate and remained good friends. One day Moscati’s good friend during a medical lecture he was giving suffered a heart attack. Miles away at the time, the Lord spoke to Moscati, go quickly to his friend. When he arrived his friend, near death, looked up at Moscati and asked how did he know to come. Dr. Moscati only smiled. His friend understood and he no longer doubted. He asked Moscati to pray with him. God can make the impossible possible. The friend came to the faith. He questioned, observed , tested, measured, and like the disciples, he came to believe. Jesus is alive.
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 Thursday Mass was offered for the repose of the souls of Silvana Belsito the 1st Anniversary of her passing and for Linda Weeks.
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. Again thank you for your continued offerings. They are helping me pay for the lights and heat!
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 all parishes and parish offices closures are now extended to May 12th, 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
