May 26, 2020 Eastertide Tuesday after the Ascension(Memorial St. Philip Neri)
Parish Update
When a person sees something beautiful and out of the ordinary they usually stop to look at it, admire it, and take as long as possible to appreciate it. A sunset, a meadow, a painting, a statue, a magnificent cathedral can be so beautiful it can stop us in our tracks. Beautiful works of art or nature have the ability to transform feelings and emotions and elevate our minds and hearts towards something higher. If a work of nature, a piece of music, or beautiful painting can inspire a person to something higher in life then it is a job well done. If the job of beauty inspires joy, happiness, love, and an appreciation for life, and all that life contains then it has achieved its purpose. However, the purpose goes further. It is meant to reveal the glory of God. Beauty, or anything beautiful, always points in the direction of God and His glory. The glory every soul is longing to see.
In the Mass readings today, the apostle Paul is reaching the end of his journey. He is exhorting all those longing to see the glory of God to keep their hearts and minds on God. He is encouraging the faithful to continue to seek the beautiful in life and see the glory. This is why Paul has never stopped declaring the whole purpose of God. To bring all souls to glory. And even if the world tries to ignore or kill the beautiful they must not be discouraged. The glory of God will be revealed. Today the world is suffering a terrible pandemic but there are signs of God’s glory all around. Paul is saying look and all those places in our day where the beautiful is pointing us towards God’s glory. A neighbour helping a neigbhour. A kind and generous word to someone. A light hearted conversation. A flower, a tree sprouting new leaves, personal care workers risking their lives. These are all signs of the beauty and glory of God. In the gospel Jesus is also coming to the end of his journey in this world. And he raises a prayer to his Father. It is a prayer of glory. A prayer thanking God for bringing glory to the world. A prayer thanking his Father for revealing His glory in all that is beautiful. But most of all, Jesus thanks his Father for all those who have come to know and love him. And so he says, to his Father, mine are yours and yours are mine. He is talking about us. He is giving us to the Father. And the Father now gives everything to us. This should stop us in our tracks because we are hearing something beautiful. We are hearing the glory of God speaking about us and loving us beyond anything more beautiful in this world. They want to share their glory with us. (Scripture Ref: Acts20.17-27 John 17.1-11)
Prayers Requested:
For those suffering pain, depression, anxiety, and fear.
For a relative of the parish asking for God to help a cousin suffering from leukemia and seeking a bone transplant in Italy.
Prayers for all health workers, doctors, nurses, personal support workers. For all who have been afflicted and who have succumbed to Covid-19.
For Fr. Tony Van Hee SJ pro-life witness, on Parliament Hill past 29 years, facing court proceedings for his witness to life.
Announcement: Following Government Guidelines the Diocese has extended parish closure to June 02, 2020.
For Your Information:
The Car Raffle continues but the draw date will be moved to a future time when the church reopens.
- Today Mass is offered for the intentions of Luisa Merida Arriaza de Dubon.
- 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 Pentecost 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
