May 04, 2020 Eastertide Monday
Parish Update
There is an instinct built in our human nature that wants to protect and save human life. The instinct to preserve life comes to us from God. Most mothers and fathers will defend their children with their lives. Even mother bears and birds of the air will fight to defend their babies. It is true some human beings will suppress the instinct and destroy human life. But most do not, and even those who do, usually will fight to defend their own. When we observe any society we notice most put a tremendous amount of time, money, and resources protecting human life. Societies create laws to protect citizens, build hospitals, raise up armies, all to defend life. Even complete strangers have been seen coming to the aid of someone in danger and end up losing their own lives trying to help. The God given instinct to preserve, protect, and sustain life is strong in human nature.
In the Mass readings today the Apostle Peter is being criticized for spending his time, his energy, his resources, on those who are considered outsiders. He endures the criticism and tries to explain. Peter’s instinct is to reach out to those beyond his own comfortable world, beyond his own family, group, tribe, culture, to try and help to save others. What Peter is attempting to say is that the God’s instinct to save is not a selective instinct meant only for some, or for those we like, or for those whom we get along with, but it is meant for all, even our enemies. It is an instinct to love others, to save others, to love life, and to love God. When Jesus says I am the Good Shepherd and I lay down my life for the sheep he is also conveying the instinct within his nature to save. It is God’s nature. He is willing to lay down his life for us. He is willing to lay down his life for the world. He loves the world. Jesus’s love, is not a selective love or choice, meant only for some, but is meant for all. There are some in the world who will go against their nature to love, or to save, and they will pick and choose who they want to save, or not save, but today, Jesus is saying he is the Good Shepherd who chooses to save us, willing to put his life in harm’s way for us, willing to lay down his life for us. (Scripture Ref: Acts 11.1-18 John 10. 11-18 )
Announcement: Holy Rosary Parish have been consecrated to Mary, Mother of the Church in Time of Pandemic. The Act of Consecration took place on Friday May 01, 2020 @ 3PM on the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker. Fr. Daniel and I offered the Act of Consecration in the church before the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary. The Consecration was offered for the well being of all our families of the Parish, for the sick, the afflicted, for those dying, those who have died of the virus, for the safety of all first responders, nurses, doctors, and personal care workers. The Act of Consecration can be found for personal prayer on the parish website.
Mass was offered on Saturday for the repose of the souls of Maria de la Cruz Pena & Gene Wayne Takacs. Sunday Mass for the living and deceased of Parish, and for souls Angelo Topan, Bruno & Polly Santos. And today’s Mass is offered for the repose of the souls of Bruno & Polly Santos.
Support Catholic Education Week. Pray for our Catholic Schools, Principals, Teachers, Faculties and Students. Bishop Crosby will offer a live stream Mass for Catholic Education on May 08 @11 AM. Link to found on Diocese website.
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. Thank you! Also don’t forget to donate your spirit bottles to grey bin to help raise funds for the capital campaign.
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 Fifth Sunday Easter 9 AM Mass will be live streamed. It will also be our Mother’s Day Mass! 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 that 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