Tuesday June 02, 2020 Ordinary Time (Feast of Saints Marcellinus and Peter )
Parish Update
Most of one’s life is spent in waiting. Waiting in thousands of ways. We wait for a job to get done, we wait for meals, we wait for a telephone call, we wait for friends to arrive, we wait for a new day. Life is a series of long waits and short waits and there seems to be no avoiding having to wait in life. For waiting seems to be an inescapable part of life. Especially in these times waiting for the pandemic to end, the lockdown to be lifted, for a vaccine to be discovered. One might ask the question what is the purpose or reason for all this waiting? Is there really something or anything truly worth waiting for? Or do we just wait and wait, until we wait to die, and all waiting comes to an end without purpose or meaning. Some hold to this view, however, there is another view that proves waiting is a preparation for something that is worth waiting for. And the little waits, and long waits of this life, are a preparation for that moment, as one waits, for all to be revealed. It is the great wait. The great wait of one’s faith.
The Mass readings today explain the purpose or reason why one waits. The apostle Peter says one waits earnestly and desiring for the coming of the day of God. He explains the sort of person one must be, as they wait for the great day, for the new heaven and new earth where righteousness is at home. The sort of person must live in great patience and not lose ones stability as they wait. By this the apostle means one does not live carried away in worry or despair or in error thinking there is nothing of value to wait for. Faith teaches there is something to wait for, to be patient, to work, and pray in all the long and short waits of our lives, to be loving, helping, serving others, bringing a message of hope for others encouraging them that they too will see the new heaven and the new earth. The purpose and the reasons of one’s existence, their very being, is to wait in hope for that great day when it comes. Everything God has designed must wait. A tree waits to blossom, a flower waits to bloom, the grass waits to grow, a mother waits the birth of her child. In the Gospel the Pharisees ask Jesus a question. And they wait for his answer. They ask must one serve God or the emperors of this world. And Jesus says, give to the emperor what is the emperor’s and give to God what is God’s. In other words, in this life, the world will demand one wait on the emperors of this world, wait for hunger to end, for poverty to end, for injustice to end. But one must go on working and waiting in the short and long waits of this world. Helping to bring peace to others, kindness, compassion, forgiveness, giving to God what is God’s. All the waiting is a preparation for what God will reveal. It is great wait, for that day, when God will reveal a new heaven and a new earth. (Scripture Ref: 2 Peter 3.12-18 Mark 12.13-17)
Announcement: Following Ontario Government regulations the Diocese now extends the closure of parish until JUNE 09, 2020. The Diocese and Government are working on health guidelines to follow when the Parish reopens.
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.
For Ashley Kinsheneg of Manitoulin Island for his healing.
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 and needs of our families and parish living and deceased and for all the prayers sent in to the Office requested by the faithful.
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 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
