Wednesday June 10, 2020 Ordinary Time
Parish Update
Almost everyone loves to give their opinion. The world is full of opinions on every matter under heaven. However, most people know that some opinions are good and some opinions are bad. In fact some opinions are dead on, and others, dead wrong. The question is how do we know if an opinion is a good one or a bad one? How do we know if it is true when a person says my opinion is just as good as your opinion? An increasingly common refrain in our culture today. It comes down to a question of facts. Either the facts support an opinion or not. An opinion must have the evidence. A student in class once said they did not like a particular teacher. And the question was asked why? The student said that he believed the teacher did not like him. It was pointed out that the teacher was the very one, alone among faculty, advocating for the student to receive the school’s highest academic award. The student was stunned and withdrew his opinion. Not all opinions are based on fact. And can be quite wrong, and not as just as good as everyone else’s, as some might think.
In the Mass readings of today, King Ahab is dealing with a nation in turmoil. It is divided among itself. Strong and violent opinions exist. Not unlike many nations today in political chaos with groups fighting for their opinion to prevail. There is a majority opinion that favours the God of Baal they want to worship, while the prophet Elijah, representing the minority opinion, argues for the God of Israel. Elijah really represents the one against the many. The King asks the supporters of Baal and the supporters of Elijah to prove their opinion. Show the evidence for one God over the other by asking their God to show a clear sign. The God of Baal never delivers any sign. The God of Israel sends all the signs in the world. The signs become evidence and fact. And the majority opinion proves false. A person must seek out the facts for an opinion to be proven true or not. And so must a nation. In the gospel Jesus is also confronted with a strange opinion. Many come to him with the opinion that he has come to abolish the law and the prophets. Jesus tells them their opinion is false. In other words, that their opinion is not as good as his. He says, I have not come to abolish one letter of the law or the prophets. He proves it when he never changes one letter of the law or the prophets. The law of God stands. The law of mercy stands. The law of love stands. Not one letter is abolished. He proves it by showing the facts for all to see. His opinion is true. When he dies on the Cross for us. (Scripture Ref: I Kings 18.20-39 Matthew 5. 17-19 )
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: THE CHURCH WILL OPEN FOR WEEKDAY MASS TUESDAY JUNE 16 @ 9 00 MASS. THE CHURCH IS ALLOWED 30% CAPACITY. HEALTH DIRECTIVES WILL BE IN FORCE. THANKS TO ALL FOR YOUR FAITH, PRAYERS, AND DEVOTION HELPING ALL TO COME TO GET THROUGH THIS DIFFICULT TIME IN OUR WORLD. FURTHER INFORMATION WILL SOON BE FORWARDED REGARDING GOVERNMENT AND DIOCESAN DIRECTIVES CONCERNING HEALTH MEASURES AND LITURGICAL MEASURES THAT MUST BE FOLLOWED BY ALL. Staff will soon gather to prepare the church to clean and disinfect.
Prayers Requested:
For the repose of Edward Martin, husband of Vere Martin, who passed into the generous mercy of God. 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 living and deceased of the parish family. For the repose of all who have succumbed to Covid-19. For all suffering in hospital and for their healing.
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 Large group weddings will continue to be CANCELLED. A WEDDING CAN TAKE PLACE BUT ONLY WITH THE BRIDE, GROOM, WITNESSES and number not exceeding 10 until further notice.
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. This will be the last live stream mass. No live stream is permitted beyond opening of the church. 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
