May 18, 2020 Eastertide Monday Sixth Week
Parish Update
Most people prefer to know the truth and want to know the truth. There are not too many people in this world, if any, who will say they don’t want to know the truth. Most people live in hope of finding and knowing the truth. Of course some people might resist the truth out of fear it will require a new way of thinking, a change of heart, or a new way of living. But in the end, most people prefer to know the truth than not the truth. As hard as this might be to let go of something false for something new. This is often the story of any conversion. When a person converts from something they have lived and believed for a very long time to something different and new can be an extraordinary journey in life. A person who chooses to let go of the bottle is a major conversion. To give up the bottle or drink that was perhaps their truth and their life, and to give it up, and to become free of it, is an extraordinary change of heart. A person who has dedicated maybe their whole life to a particular philosophy, political party, or religion and then give it up because they see it lacking in the fullness of truth, is a major conversion. Of course conversion can happen in reverse from something good to bad. Hopefully a conversion implies moving towards something good or towards the better. The story of the chief Rabbi of Rome who converted from the Jewish faith to the Catholic faith is a case in point. Some might argue it was for the worse, and others, for the better. The point is, a personal conversion is a search for the truth. In short, it is an extraordinary step to take. When one might be asked why they chose to convert most will say they were looking for the truth.
In the Mass readings today, the apostles are in travel, proclaiming Jesus, the truth of his message, a message rooted in the truth of the resurrection. Along the way they meet a woman whose name is Lydia. She is a devout Jew and loves God. She is also a successful businesswomen who is no doubt smart, practical, and shrewd. One can be certain when Lydia is listening to the apostles she is asking many questions about Jesus and all the evidence about him. And an extraordinary thing happens. Lydia converts to the truth of Jesus. She opens her heart to him. Her conversion implies a radical change with many implications. It is a conversion she is willing to begin. Today Jesus says I will send to you, from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who comes from the Father, to keep you from stumbling. Jesus does not want any to stumble into a life of error, falsehoods, or deceptions. He wants us to live in the truth. To live in truth brings about conversion. To live without the truth is a life destined to stumble. When a soul is open to the truth, or hears the truth, truth changes us, or converts. Throughout history, the truth of Jesus has converted millions. Millions have been led by the Spirit into the truth. Lydia, the chief Rabbi of Rome, saints and sinners have come to know the truth. Jesus sends us the Spirit to reveal the truth. It is the beginning of one’s conversion. (Scripture Ref: Acts 16. 11-15 John 15.26-16.4)
Prayers Requested:
For Margaret Thomas who passed into God’s mercy. Her private funeral burial took place at Hart Chapel on Saturday. May she rest in peace.
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.
Prayers for all health workers, doctors, nurses, personal support workers. For all who have been afflicted and who have succumbed to Covid-19.
Prayers in gratitude to God for April & Hugh Purdon on the occasion of the birth of their second child a baby boy Theodore. Congratulations April & Hugh!
Announcement: Following Government Guidelines the Diocese has extended parish closure to June 02, 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
PreAuthorized 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 souls of Bruno & Ida Cavasotto.
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 outside parish office door 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 Feast of The Ascension Sunday 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
