Tuesday June 09, 2020 Ordinary Time(Memorial Feast of St. Ephrem)
Parish Update
The greatest test of a person’s willingness to be generous is the day someone asks for a share of something they were preserving, saving, and hoping to keep for themselves. It might be the last piece of bread they are saving for themselves or their children. Then someone asks for a piece. It might be a person’s last 100 dollars and someone asks for it. It might be after a long day at work, and hoping for rest, someone calls asking for your help. These are moments in life that test a person’s willingness to be generous. Most in this world will refuse. However, some will be willing to share. Viktor Frankl world renowned neurologist, psychiatrist, and holocaust survivor observed those who gave up their will to live or who struggled to find meaning in life were often angry, possessive, and stingy. They lacked generosity. Many who sought meaning in the horror and survived were often generous of heart. It is a fascinating observation. Generosity of heart seems to be related to having meaning and purpose in life and in fact seems to help sustain one’s life and the life of others.
The Mass readings today involve the whole question of generosity. What is generosity? What does it look like? Why do those who are tested to be generous succeed in giving everything they have, even down to their last piece of bread, and find their way to the very summit of heaven, to the very purpose and meaning of life. A generous soul knows heaven is generous. A generous soul knows God is generous. God and all of heaven give their last piece of bread for us. In the first reading, Elijah asks the widow of Zarephath for a morsel of her bread. Elijah is starving but the widow and her son are also starving. Yet she gives her last morsel to Elijah. She trusts in the generosity of God. And for her generosity Elijah says the Lord will now rain bread upon you. The generous find their way to heaven. In the gospel Jesus says let your light shine before others, so that they see your good works. The light Jesus is talking about is the light of generosity. Generosity is giving to someone their last piece of bread. Giving away the very last thing we own, or possess, gives glory to God. Let us remember God was generous when he gave his only Son. St. Ignatius of Loyola wrote a prayer, Lord teach me to be generous, teach me to serve you as you deserve, to give and not to count the cost. The greatest test we will face in this life is to be generous to someone who asks for something and we don’t want to give it to them. It will determine the way to heaven. (Scripture Reference: I Kings 17.7-16 Matthew 5.13-16)
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 the repose of Edward Martin, husband of Vere Martin, who passed into the generous mercy of God yesterday. For his generosity of faith may God raise him into his Kingdom.
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 Charles Robertson in hospital. For Charles Cunningham in hospital.
For Your Information:
Mass today is offered for the repose of the soul of Edward Martin.
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 June 14 Feast of Corpus Christi 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
