April 27, 2020 (Eastertide Monday)
Parish Update
God created every human being for a great work. In the eyes of the world some works are believed to be of better value, or greater value, and then some of lesser value. In fact, many works in our world are considered of lesser value or unimportant in value. But a work done for God, be it a small or large, it is a great work. A mother or father providing for their family, a labourer sweeping a floor, a personal care worker looking after the sick and elderly, an athlete winning the gold, a child drawing a flower for their mother, an astronaut flying into space, these are all great works when done for God. Often the world judges great works in terms of monetary return or value. But God judges great works in terms of the love poured out from them. God will not judge someone as greater who has built the highest or tallest building to someone who has built a small humble little home and deem them the lesser for it. Rather God watches to see who builds with hearts and hands for the love of God. This is the greatest work anyone can do.
A great architect of the past century, Antonio Gaudi, began to build in Barcelona, one of the most magnificent cathedrals in all the world, done with his bare hands, one stone, at a time. Built in the shape of a forest, it is visual masterpiece receiving 20 million visitors a year. He did not live to see his work completed. He died in poverty. But the wealth of this world did not matter to him. He wanted to build a great work for God. When walking home he was accidentally struck by a street car and mistaken for a poor homeless man and taken to a poor man’s hospital. When they found Gaudi they wanted to bring him to a better hospital but Gaudi refused. He said, I was born poor, I worked with the poor, and now I will die with the poor. His whole life was a great work. A work of love.
Today, in the Mass readings, Stephen is about to be stoned for his love for Jesus. Not unlike Gaudi who was willing to build a cathedral with his bare hands one stone at a time, Stephen allows the world to pick up stones with their bare hands and kill him for doing a great work of God. The work loving God and nieghbour. His sacrifice, his death, built a cathedral of faith. Two great men. Two great works for God. When Jesus crosses to the other side of the sea, and crowds follow him, Jesus asks for what reason are they following him. Is it to see another miracle, another multiplication of loaves for them to eat, for a miracle that will dazzle them and fill their stomachs for another day? Or have they come to do a great work for God. The crowd is coming to fill their stomachs but not their hearts for the love of God. They have come to get something rather than give something. The crowd then asks Jesus what great work is it that he is asking them to perform. And Jesus answers, and Stephen answers, and Gaudi answers; the great work is to believe in Him who he has sent. This is the greatest of works. The work of love. Perform love in our homes, families, and marriages. Build cathedrals of love. (Ref: Acts 6. 8-15 John 6. 22-29)
Important Announcement: The Bishops of Canada and the USA have decreed that all Dioceses and parishes are to be consecrated to Mary, Mother of Our Lord, on May 01, 2020 @ 3 PM the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker. The consecration is seeking Mary’s protection to keep safe our families, homes, and parishes during this time of pandemic. I will consecrate the parish on your behalf united in prayer and faith with you. You might want to say the prayer of consecration in your homes at 3 PM this Friday May 01, 2020.
Prayer of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Mother of Our Lord.
“Mary, Mother of Our Lord, may the Cross of your Son, planted in our hearts, be known as the Tree of Life, whose fruit is visible and available to all in the garden of this world. WE place out parishes, dioceses, homes and families, under your protection, in the sanctuary of your Holy Heart for we know that there we will find Jesus, who lives and reigns with the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.” Say one Our Father, three Hail Mary’s, and one Glory Be.
Updates:
Thank you to Holy Rosary Catholic & St. Patrick’s Catholic Schools principals, teachers, students, and families for encouraging your children to bring food for the poor to the grey bin outside the church doors. For placing a prayer rock in the garden below the Blessed Sacrament window. Thanks for praying for the sick and afflicted before Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.
The 9 AM Sunday Mass was offered for Salvatore & Malvina Furlan, Anne Dmetriuc, the Living & Deceased of the Parish, also for the repose of Mary Stuart, and Don St. Jules. Today’s Monday Mass is offered for the repose of the souls of John Chris Gillis and for Orlando, a young man who has suddenly passed away.
Thanks for those who signed up for Care for Neighbours Team. Those assigned please keep a check on your neighbours.
Pray the Rosary at 4 PM in your homes offering prayers for end of the pandemic , the sick and afflicted, for all nurses, doctors, and personal care workers. Pray for all nursing homes.
Mail drop off at the Rectory mail box kitchen door. Place prayer requests, Mass intentions, messages, envelopes, letters. The mail box is carefully monitored. Thanks for your continued offerings. Very much appreciated.
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: The 9AM mass on the Fourth Sunday of Easter will be live streamed. Instructions are posted on the Parish Website https://holyrosaryguelph.ca/ under the “MASSES” header of the home page. 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.
Holy Rosary Catholic Women’s League will sew 100 protective gowns for medical staff for St. Joseph’s. Any parishioner willing to help, or donate thread, can call President Cathy Whyte @ 519- 824-5115.
Support Catholic Education Week May 03-08. Bishop Crosby will celebrate a Live Streamed Mass offered for our Teachers and Students May 08, 2020 @ 11 AM. A link to the Mass will be forthcoming.
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
