May 11, 2020 Eastertide Monday Fifth Week
Parish Update
Every human being longs for love. To be loved and to love. In the heart of every human being there exists the strong desire to find love, and it could be argued, will spend a whole life looking for it. Most search for a love that is forever, eternal, never failing, and never to be denied. Some find it, unfortunately many do not. Many begin their search for love in many kinds of relationships, in family, friendships, acquaintances, marriage. Yet, so often, the love one is searching for in all these many kinds of relationships will not be found. Of course, in some relationships it is possible for that eternal love can be found, but for many it is never found. And when it is not found, that human heart starts looking for it in other places. One of those places it tries to find it is in material objects, or possessions, to help soothe and comfort the human heart restless for love. Some of those possessions can become clothes, cars, or videos, money, drink, drugs, or one relationship after another. But eternal love is not found in any of these things. Mortal objects can never offer eternal love. Mortal persons can never offer eternal love. In fact all things mortal will fail in love, will disappoint in love, will make mistakes in love, because all things mortal will never be perfect. There is a tendency in the human heart to look for the perfect in mortal things or persons only to be sorely disappointed in the end. For some it causes a psychological breakdown. Those who discover eternal love and who are at peace find it in immortal love. It is found in God. There is no other way.
In the Mass readings today, the apostles have traveled to the Greek city of Lystra. It is a city that worships mortal things. It believes mortal objects or mortal persons can offer that eternal love, hope, peace, their hearts are longing for. The apostles perform a miracle and the city is abuzz thinking that the apostles are gods and begin to worship them. But the apostles rip off their clothes to show they are but only mortal men. They explain only the immortal one can make miracles possible and bring to them the eternal love they seek. The immortal one is Jesus. However, many continue to worship the apostles, and in their frenzied desire for love, bring them sacrifices. It is a lesson in the how the human heart, so often, tricks itself, constantly falling into the trap believing eternal love is found in mortal things. How many people have given up everything, sacrificed everything, and lost their homes, livelihoods, families, marriages, and even nations have done the same, for mortal things that do not last. It should not surprise to see throughout history how whole populations and cultures have forfeited everything to certain governments or individuals, in order to find that eternal love, and follow the mortal leaders of this world, who promise eternal bliss, and eternal happiness, the Mao’s, the Hitler’s, the Dear Leaders, who in the end, bring it all to a crashing end. Mortals who offer the world, eternal love so many hope for, but never follow through, and at worst, bring hurt, death, and destruction to others. Today Jesus says to those who seek eternal love, those who love God, who listen to the command of love, the Father will love them and will come to them, and make home with them. When we love God, when we love his Son, we begin to love what is true. We begin to love the immortal. God is the immortal one. God is eternal one. His Son is the eternal one, unfailing in love, forever. Jesus is the love the human heart seeks. The human heart can never replace God with mortal things or persons, for if it does, it will never rest or be at peace. The human heart finds eternal love only in the Immortal One. (Scripture Ref: Acts 14.5-18 John 14.21-26)
Prayers Requested:
Fr. Daniel will be defending his thesis at the University tomorrow afternoon. For God to bless him and grant him success in his defense.
For a relative of the parish asking for God to help a cousin suffering from leukemia and seeking a bone transplant in Italy.
For Chuck Robertson in hospital.
Announcement: Following Government Guidelines the Diocese will now extend parish closures to May 19, 2020.
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
- 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 soul of Annie Cardenas. Weekend Masses offered for repose of souls of Bruno & Polly Santos, Jane & John Van Haeren, Gian Luca La Roca, Franco Ferrero, & Ferrero Family.
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 Sixth 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.
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
