Thursday June 04, 2020 Ordinary Time
Parish Update
There is something one might notice when having a conversation with another person, perhaps with someone they are meeting for the first time, or perhaps with someone they have known for a long time. A person notices what the other person talks about, the subjects they like to discuss, the topics they are interested in, what is on their mind, and what motivates their thoughts. Every person has particular interests and many like to talk about their interests. If a person is interested in sports they often talk sports, if a person is interested in family they talk family, if business, politics, literature or movies is their interest, then they spend a lot of time talking about them. One can see what motivates or interests person simply by listening to what they talk about. Or do not talk about. This is not necessarily a good thing or a bad thing. It is just an observation about persons. Persons speak about what interests them and it reveals so much about what is in their heart. If a person speaks negatively about others or the world, all the time, it reveals at the core of their speech a negative heart. If a person speaks positively about others and the world, it reveals at the core of their speech a positive and hopeful heart. Speech reveals so much about a person, what they believe, what interests them, and what motivates them in life. Speech reveals what is in the heart.
The Mass readings today are really a discussion about what people think, what people say, what motivates their speech, and what is in their heart. For what is in one’s heart will be in one’s speech. When Paul writes a letter to Timothy we notice the first thing out of Paul’s mouth. The very first thing he says to Timothy is to remember Jesus Christ raised from the dead and that is my gospel. What Paul is saying, what he is speaking about, what interests him, motivates him, is the person of Jesus. Jesus is what is in his heart. There is no other thing or person in this world that could be of greater interest in his life who he wants to talk about. Everything that motivates him and everything he speaks concerns Jesus. That is his gospel. That is his speech. For Paul the core of his life, the core or his heart, his speech is Jesus. It reveals so much about Paul. He is hoping the same for Timothy as well. In the gospel the scribes ask Jesus to speak. They ask him what is the most important commandment of all. What is the first thing out of Jesus mouth? He says love God and love your neighbour. Again what Jesus speaks reveals everything about Jesus. We live in a world of many voices, speeches, and words. We living in times when we are hearing the best and the worst out of the mouths of many, especially in these times when we see rioting and looting and screaming in the streets. What is the speech we are hearing in the streets. Do we hear words of love or hate? What we hear tells so much about our culture and society today. Let our words be the words of Paul. The words of Jesus. Let the first words out of our mouths be the words love God and neighbour. That ought to be our gospel. That ought to be our speech. (Scripture Ref. 2Tim.2.8-15 Mark 12.28-34)
Announcement: Ontario Government and Diocese now extend health emergency and closure of parish until June 30, 2020. The Diocese and Government are preparing 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 Ennio suffering from leukemia and seeking a bone transplant in Italy. For Danilo, also in Italy, gravely ill.
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 a mothers request for her son, Adam, for his intentions and needs.
For the repose of the soul of Jesuit Brother Joseph Frechette, SJ passed into God’s mercy yesterday. Br. Joe served faithfully for many years working at the Jesuit novitiate and Loyola Retreat House here in Guelph.
For Your Information:
The Car Raffle continues. The draw date will be moved to a future time when the church reopens.
Today Mass is offered for the repose of the souls of Attilio D’Ulisse & Br. Joe Frechette, SJ. And for the intentions and needs of young man Adam.
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
