Message From Father Boyd – June 5, 2020

Friday June 05, 2020  Ordinary Time( Memorial Feast St. Boniface)  

Parish Update

It is of vital importance to pay attention.  A person who does not pay attention to important instructions, safety guidelines, or information helpful to one’s well- being is a danger to one’s life and the life of others.  If one does not pay attention to the rules of the road it can bring disaster.  If an engineer is not paying attention to the mathematical equations necessary for building a bridge it might very well collapse.  And so paying attention and learning to pay attention to good instructions is helpful to building up life, family, marriage, friendships, and community.  When a person chooses to ignore or not pay attention to vital instructions they miss out on good opportunities, or at worst, can lose their way in life.  Paying attention then is vital for the health and well- being of any person.  Likewise paying attention to the spiritual life of the soul is also as vital to any person.  Lack of attention to one’s soul is as serious as an engineer not paying attention to the details that go in to building a strong bridge.  If the soul is the bridge to God, and if it is not paid attention to, then the soul can also very well collapse.  It is important to pay attention.  A man went to mass all his life and never really paid attention to the Eucharist.  He received it every week, but admitted he never really knew what it was, or why he took it.  When he was told who he was holding in his hands when he took the Eucharist he was amazed.  He never had heard it before.  It changed his life, his home, his family, his marriage.  Paying attention is important.

In the Mass readings today the apostle Paul writes to Timothy reminding him to pay attention, to remain alert, to observe all that he has been taught.  He explains the aim of life, faith, love, patience in sufferings, are all details and instructions that help achieve life in Christ.  Everything in scripture is an instruction for our salvation.  Everything that comes to us in life is useful for training our souls for God.   Therefore, continue to pay attention in all that Jesus teaches in order to become proficient and equipped for every good work.  Not paying attention is to lose out on a great opportunity.   In the Gospel Jesus explains how the scribes have not paid attention to what God has revealed to them.  They have missed the boat so to speak.  They are not listening to what the scriptures reveal.  Jesus explains they have not paid attention to what David says, whom the scribes revere, when he alludes to Jesus coming to them as their Messiah and Lord.  But the scribes are not listening.  They are not alert.  It is fatal mistake for one not to pay attention to the words and instructions of Jesus.  The salvation and the safety of one’s soul depends on it. ( Scripture Ref.  2Tim.3.10-17   Mark 12.35-37)

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 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.  Br. Joe served faithfully for many years working at the Jesuit novitiate and Loyola Retreat House here in Guelph.   .

For Nicola Contini who passed into mercy of God.  And whose funeral internment will take place today.   May he rest in peace.

For Fr. Roger Yaworski, SJ,  superior of Jesuits in Guelph, who celebrates his 49th anniversary of ordination today.  Congratulations Fr. Roger!

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  Iadorola Antonio and loved ones of the Iadarola family.  And for Nicola Contini.

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 Feast of the Most Holy Trinity 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