April 28, 2020 (Eastertide Tuesday)
Parish Update
Health nutritionists often tell us in order to be healthy one must eat healthy. A good nutritionist knows and the science shows a person becomes what they eat. A poor diet often leads to poor health whereas a good diet helps to enhance better health. It stands to reason then if a person spends all their time eating only chips and chocolate bars this can only have a negative effect on health. However, if a person eats a well- balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, protein, these foods help the body function at its best. A class of children of the parish were preparing for their first communion and they were asked the question why does a person come to Mass to receive Holy Communion? Why does anyone come to Mass to receive the Eucharist? All the children knew the Eucharist was Jesus and that the Eucharist is His Body and Blood, but many struggled with the question, why was it necessary to come to Mass to receive Him. One student put up their hand and said to become more like Him. The best of answers. Simple yet profound. From the lips of a Grade 2 student. Perhaps adults who have received Eucharist all their life might struggle with the question. Many do. And many don’t know the reason. We come to Eucharist in order to become more like Him. We become what we eat.
In the Mass readings today, Stephen tells the authorities about Jesus, and he no doubt speaks about the Eucharist. How the Eucharist is our health and well-being for body and soul. But the authorities refuse to believe Stephen and become so enraged that they stone him to death. Notice what the authorities have been eating. The food of hate, anger, death and destruction. Stephen dies for Jesus, he dies for the Eucharist, the FOOD that helps us to become like Him. Let us remember we become what we eat. Let us remember the reason why we come to Mass every week. When Jesus is speaking to the crowds, they ask him for a sign from heaven, just as Moses gave them a sign when manna rained down from heaven, but Jesus says Moses did not give them the manna, rather it was His Father in heaven who gave it to them, yet it was not the true bread. It was only a sign. The true manna is Jesus. Jesus is the true Bread. Today Jesus says I am the Bread of life. It is the Bread that makes the body and the soul well. Those who come to receive the Bread will never hunger or thirst. Jesus is saying if we eat His Body and drink His Blood we are properly fed. The soul is fed, the body is fed. And we become more like Him. We are what we eat. A soul that feeds on the mercy and love of God is a healthy soul. It is a soul that rests in peace and becomes more like Him. (Scripture Ref: Acts 7. 51-8.1 John 6. 30-35 )
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.
Thank you to Holy Rosary Catholic & St. Patrick’s Catholic School’s 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.
Mass this morning was offered for the intentions of Branka Patrck and the intentions of Magda Pleyer the godmother of Elizabeth Crha ill at this time in Austria.
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 Fourth Sunday Easter 9 AM 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.
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
