May 01, 2020 Eastertide Friday & Feast of St. Joseph the Worker
The Consecration of Parish and Diocese to Mary Mother of the Church
Parish Update
Some stories are easy to believe while others not so easy. Why do we believe some stories and others not? When a story goes beyond ordinary human experience it is less likely to be believed. If it borders on the fantastical it most likely is not to be believed. A person listening to a story that defies ordinary common sense will most likely ask for proof to determine it to be true or not. When a small child tells a story, an astute parent will ask all kinds of questions about the story, asking the child to repeat what happened, where it happened, or who was there when it happened. A parent is seeking proof. This is common sense because we have all heard all kinds of stories that are found not to be true. However, it happens that there are extraordinary stories that are true. The same methodology we use to determine the veracity of an ordinary story is also used to determine the veracity of an extraordinary story. Recalling the story a priest once told, when he was asked if he had ever witnessed anything extraordinary in his life, the priest, a professor of theology, said yes and told an extraordinary story. His sister was paralyzed from birth. She could not walk. His family, devout in faith, often visited a Shrine where they walked a path that led them along the Stations of the Cross. His sister, bound to a wheelchair, one day leaned towards one particular Station and kissed it. A warmth overcame her and she stood up and began to walk. She walked for the rest of her life. An extraordinary story. And a believable story.
The Mass readings today tell two extraordinary stories. The first story tells of the conversion of St. Paul. A man, who before his conversion, was on a constant rampage, rounding up, arresting, and executing anyone suspected of being a follower of Jesus. A man with murder in his heart. One day it all comes to an end. He is knocked to the ground, blinded by some mysterious light, a voice from nowhere speaks to him, witnesses hear the voice, and Paul asks who is it, and the voice says, “I am Jesus who you are persecuting”. An extraordinary story. A story with all kinds of proof. There are witnesses, a voice was heard, his sight was lost, then restored, he obeyed the voice, and hundreds if not thousands of followers of Jesus saw a man who was once a murderer, becomes a man who loves. A man now willing to give his life for Jesus. An extraordinary story that contains extraordinary proof the story is true. A second story, found in the gospel; Jesus tells a crowd who are following him, unless they eat his body and drink his blood you will have no life in you. An extraordinary claim. Did Jesus mean it for real? Those listening were repulsed by what he said and started to leave him one by one. It would stand to reason any man looking for political or economic power or looking to have followers would have called them back. He would have then apologized for any misunderstanding and explain he was only talking symbolically or metaphorically. Yet, Jesus allows them to leave. He does not call them back. An extraordinary story that contains extraordinary proof. If he meant his body and blood to be taken only as a symbol he would called his followers back. But he does not. Jesus is telling us, the Bread we receive at Mass is His Body and His Blood. An extraordinary story. Some stories are easy to believe, some not so easy, especially when they are extraordinary. However, even in the extraordinary God will always give us the ordinary proof we seek.
Important Announcement: Holy Rosary Parish will be consecrated to Mary, Mother of the Church in Time of Pandemic. The Act of Consecration can be found on Parish Webpage and prayed together as a family. Fr. Daniel and I will kneel before Our Lady in the church seeking her intercession and protections for our families, parish, diocese, nation, and nations of the world. For the healing of the sick and afflicted, for those dying, and for those received into his mercy. For the well being of all nurses, doctors, and personal care workers, and first responders.
The Bishops of Canada and the USA have decreed that all Dioceses and parishes are to be consecrated to Mary, Mother of the Church. May 01, 2020 @ 3 PM on 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 repose of the soul of Attilio D’Ulisse & for Berto Conte whose funeral was celebrated today . Berto is the son of Rita Conte.
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 that 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 presiding celebrant.
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
