May 07, 2020 Eastertide Thursday
Parish Update
We live in a world of masters and servants. Masters of this world tend to be strong and powerful. They are thought of as leaders, they are often rich, they can command many, and they often hold a privileged position in society. Some masters such as kings, presidents, or corporate business leaders can be great leaders. Some can be very nice and some not so. Many people long to be masters. Servants of this world tend to be less powerful. They are often not rich, they do not command, but are commanded, and for the most part hold no privileged position in society. Many in society perceive servants, even though the work they do is important, to be of less value. Even a servant might feel what they do is of less value, and long to be like a master. Years ago, when the novices were being trained in the Jesuit novitiate in Guelph, an elderly Jesuit priest, could be seen sorting and delivering the mail to every member of the community. It was the job he was assigned to do. And one could see him doing it, every morning, slowly, carefully, and with great care. To the immature mind, or the immature novice, or in the eyes of the world, this elderly Jesuit was just a servant. He was a nice man, but a servant, who held no powerful position in the community or in the Jesuit Order. In the eyes of the world, he was given a lowly job, and perhaps for some, he failed to be a master. Until one day, a novice asked, who is the Father who delivers the mail. The answer stunned. He was the Rev. Fr. John Swain, SJ who had served in high position in Rome for many years. He had led the Society of Jesus of some 36,000 thousand Jesuits around the world. He had been Vicar General. In the eyes of the world, or to the eyes of an immature novice, he was indeed a master. But how could it be that a master now delivers mail to novices. In the eyes of the world it just doesn’t make sense. But, in the eyes of God it makes all the sense in the world.
In the Mass readings the apostles are seated in a synagogue. For certain they are seated in the lowliest position in that synagogue. The masters of the synagogue now ask them to come forward and offer a word to the congregation. The word they speak is of kings, prophets, and judges, the great masters of the nation, who have prepared the people for the coming of Jesus. But these great leaders or masters were in fact servants. God chose them to be servants to proclaim, prepare, and do the work of God. Feed the poor, help the widow, look after the orphan, to defend, guard, protect the covenant, and to love one’s neighbour. Today Jesus says I tell you servants are not greater than their master, nor a messenger greater than the one who sent them. In the world of Jesus, a master is a servant, and servant is a master. Unlike the world we live in that makes a distinction between the two, in the mind of God, there is no distinction. All serve God. Every task, every position, every job we hold, every work we do in this world, is a sacred work. No one work is greater than the other. A person who sweeps a floor, washes a dish, cares for their family, looks after the sick, who deliver the mail, governs a nation or a powerful religious order, is a servant. No one is greater than the other. When a person serves by doing what they are called to do and serve with love, they are serving God. No task however small or humble in this world is of less value. Every work, when it is done for God is a sacred work. Servants need not long to be masters. And masters need not shun to be servant. A true master is a servant loving God, serving God, and serving others. ( Scripture Ref: Acts 13.13-25 John 13.16-20)
Important Announcement: The Diocese has informed parish closures now extend to May 19, 2020 following Government Guidelines.
For Your Information:
Parish Easter General Offerings April to May 06 2,735.00
Pre-Authorized to May 06 8,005.00
Regular Offerings 8,150.00
Loose Offerings 733.60
Total 19,623.60
Other Offerings
Bottle Drive: 1,097.05
Pantry: 1,865.00
Share Lent: 920.00
Good Friday: 630.00
St. Anne’s: 145.00
Mass was offered today for the repose of the souls of Bruno & Polly Santos, Fr. Rick Dales, Bill Goller, and Teresa Busato.
Support Catholic Education Week. Pray for our Catholic Schools, Principals, Teachers, Faculties and Students. Bishop Crosby will offer a live stream Mass tomorrow 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, all who have requested prayers for our families, nurses, doctors, 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.
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
