Thursday June 11, 2020 Ordinary Time (Memorial Feast St. Barnabas)
Parish Update
Every so often one will hear an incredible story. Almost too incredible to believe. Yet when one checks the source and finds it to be true, and if it is a good story, it can inspire the imagination, bring hope to the heart, and change one’s life for the better. Good stories can change one’s life. A brilliant woman made her way up the ladder working for a major corporation making a 6 figure salary and then chooses to leave her job to serve God and live a life of simplicity. Another does the same and takes up the clothes of an itinerant pilgrim walking, begging, serving God one town after another. A man builds a billion dollar pizza corporation and then sells it all and gives all the money away to build a greater work for God. Life is full of incredible true stories and incredible true people.
In the Mass reading today, we hear about the amazing true story, about amazing people, who owned property, owned businesses, taught in prestige schools, held positions of power and status, in their community, and who leave it all behind to begin a great work for God. Many of them will sacrifice everything they have to serve Jesus. Barnabas and Saul had everything. They had it all. Yet they see a treasure ahead of far greater value than anything they have in this world. They want to bring the treasure to others and share it with the world. The treasure is Jesus who has revealed to them a far greater treasure than anything this world can give. The faithful lay their hands upon Barnabas and Saul asking the Holy Spirit to send them into the world to begin the great work. The great work is the work of God. The work of love. In the gospel we encounter another incredible story. Jesus invites ordinary persons to go out into the world, and share the treasure of faith. To tell the world about him. And they are asked to raise up the dead, cleanse lepers, bring peace to homes and hearts, cure the sick. And they go and do it with simplicity without extravagant means. And they change the world. An incredible story, and true, of amazing people who changed the world. They challenge us to go into the world, into our homes, families, workplaces, and bring the treasure of faith to all those we meet. ( Scripture Reference: Acts 11.21-13.3 Matthew 10.7-13)
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. Updates will be provided on the opening this Tuesday and the protective measures that must be taken. Staff will meet today and begin 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 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 Sees Vladyslaw & deceased loved ones of Kotula Family. And for Andrian Potvin.
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 streamed mass. No live streams are 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
