May 12, 2020 Eastertide Tuesday Fifth Week
Parish Update
Every person encounters some fear in life. Fear is not always a bad thing to have. There are times fear can serve as a general warning and save a person from danger. If one stands too close to the edge of a cliff and we begin to feel fear, it acts as a warning bell, and we step back from danger. If one is driving too fast on an icy road, and the car starts to slip, that person will most likely feel fear, and it serves to get them to slow down. To have fear, at certain times and places in life, can in fact be helpful and even save one’s life. However, there is another level of fear that is not healthy or helpful. The fear to get up in the morning, the fear of life, the fear of the future, the fear of other people, the fear to love, the fear of God, and the list goes on. This level of fear so overwhelms and controls a person, that their heart, their mind, and even their body is paralyzed. A person lives in a prison within themselves. It is a terrible place to be in life. A man tells the true story of being out in his sailing boat, a storm hits, swamps his boat, and it sinks. He could see the harbour from a distance, and being a strong man, he decided to swim for it. But he current was too strong and he was unable to make any progress. He reached a harbour buoy and held on for dear life. He could see boats in the distance but none could see him. For two days, cold, wet, hungry, exhausted, the fear of death, he was losing all strength. He began to feel a fear he never had felt before. Knowing he was not going to be able to hold on much longer, he admits for the first time in his life, he said a prayer to God. He asked God to help him. Within seconds, he hears the blast of a ship’s horn, a ship is coming straight towards him, and saves him.
In the Mass readings today, we encounter the apostles who also face the worst fear of their lives. They too, not unlike a man, holding on for dear life in the ocean, are holding on day by day, under threat of death at any moment. The apostle Paul is viciously attacked by a mob who throw stones at him, to kill him, and they leave him for dead. The apostles fear for their lives. Yet, Paul, rises, and he walks on to the next city, and carries on the mission proclaiming the message of Jesus. The worst fear is conquered. The fear of death. God knows are worst fears. And God comes to us to save us in our worst fears. We need only to draw deep within ourselves and ask Him for help. He is waiting for us to ask Him. He knows our fears and hears our prayers. In the gospel Jesus says, do not let your hearts be troubled, do not let them be afraid, rise, let us be on our way. God raised and saved a desperate man from the ocean. He raised up the apostle Paul from a vicious attack. He is calling us to also rise. Rise from any fear. God does not want us to live in fear. It is the worst place to be. In this time of great fear and anxiety in the world a pandemic can control and paralyze us. Rather rise up in love. Do not let our hearts be troubled. God comes to us. If we ask him, if we pray to him, he will help us, and we will hear him say, rise, let us be on our way. (Scripture Ref: Acts 14.19-28 John 14 27-31)
Prayers Requested:
Fr. Daniel will be defending his thesis at the University this afternoon @ 1 PM. Pray God bless him, his work, and grant him successful defense of his thesis.
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.
On this Canada Health day, we pray for all health workers throughout the nation.
Announcement: Following Government Guidelines the Diocese will now extend parish closures to May 19, 2020.
For Your Information:
Knights of Columbus has granted the generous amount of $5,000.00 towards the renovations campaign for the Parish. The Parish thanks the Knights!
The Diocesan Foundation Ex Corde has awarded Holy Rosary Parish the generous amount $25, 000.00 towards the renovations campaign. The Parish thanks Ex Corde Foundation!
The Car Raffle continues but the draw date will be moved to a future time when the church reopens.
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
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 George Vincent Walker. Brother of Don Walker & brother in law to Sandy Walker. And for intentions of Margaret Mary Frederick.
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
