April 30, 2020 (Eastertide Thursday & Memorial Feast St. Marie of the Incarnation)
Parish Update
When the parish had to close its doors a month or more ago, because of the pandemic and for health reasons, one can see from early morning to late evening every day, a steady number of cars coming to park and pray. The faithful come in their cars, each day to adore, and pray before the Lord. They remain in their car, or some come by foot, to seek God’s help for family, friends, the sick, for the world. The Blessed Sacrament raised high up in the office window of the church, surrounded by flowers and candle light that sparkle in the night, looks out upon the world, blessing the faithful, our families, the neighbourhood, in one of the most bewildering times of our lives in a world suffering a dangerous pandemic. Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament is with us and will always be with us. When we gaze up at Him in the Blessed Sacrament He draws us closer to Him. He has a drawing power like no other power in the world. The powers of this world come and go but the Lord remains forever. He is a gentle power. A power that comforts, consoles, and heals. The famous Catholic social activist Dorothy Day, a committed communist in her early years, reached a point in her life when she fell into great personal despair. In desperation, she walked into a Catholic Church for the first time, and she clearly recalled being drawn, compelled, moved towards the tabernacle. She did not know what it was, or why it was, but she said, for the first time, she felt a warmth, a love, and peace in her life. She converted to the faith. The power of the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.
In the readings today, a royal official is travelling a road called Wilderness Road. And on the road he meets the apostle Philip. The official asks Philip to explain to him the words of the prophets that he is reading. He is confused, bewildered, by the words and what they mean. Philip explains the words are prophecies about Jesus. The royal official is so moved by what hears about Jesus that he asks for baptism. Not unlike Dorothy Day who also was so moved by the power of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. In the gospel, Jesus says, I am the Bread of Life and no one can come to me unless drawn by the Father. When we look up at the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament and feel great peace, and feel moved to pray, to adore Him in the Blessed Sacrament, it is the Father in heaven, drawing us to His Son. The faithful who come to pray before the Blessed Sacrament in their cars are drawn to Him. A royal official lost along a road called Wilderness Road is drawn to Him. A great woman of the faith, when she walked into a church for the first time, and felt a great warmth and peace in her heart, stood before the Blessed Sacrament and was drawn to Him. The power of the Blessed Sacrament. The power of the Bread of Life.
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 the Church.
“Mary, Mother of the Church, 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 our 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 Bradley Gray, for the repose of the souls of Berto Conte whose funeral will be celebrated tomorrow, offered for Vivia Beitz, and for a little baby, Eli Solda, son of Michelle & Scott Solda received into God’s mercy this morning. Little Eli is now an angel in heaven praying for us.
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 in our 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. Fr. Roger Yaworski, SJ will be the presiding celebrant.
The Diocese has informed me that 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
