Parishes open doors, hearts in auto centres

Tuesday, 23 December 2008

Written by Sheila Dabu, The Catholic Register,

...In Windsor, Ont., Canada’s automotive capital, the recession has been magnified because the city has long depended upon the auto industry as its sole economic engine.

London Auxiliary Bishop Anthony Daniels, who oversees the southwestern part of the diocese which includes Windsor, said although the city is suffering its worst economic downturn, he has also heard of stories of “remarkable generosity.”

“Parishes understand that the need is real,” he said.

The church’s role at this time is to care for those who need help and to be a voice for the poor and those who are struggling, Daniels said, adding that all levels of government should consider tackling poverty as an economic strategy. At Windsor’s St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, Fr. Tom Ashton said his desperate appeal for bread, milk, peanut butter and student bus passes at one Sunday Mass was sparked after hearing from many parishioners who had lost their jobs and were unable to pay their bills or buy food for their family.

A local reporter happened to be at Mass when Ashton delivered his homily in early December and asked parishioners to help fill the parish’s empty food bank and thinning resources. After a story was published in The Windsor Star, Ashton said the response was phenomenal. Up to $28,000 in cash and at least $10,000 worth of food was donated.

“I’ve never cried so many tears of joy and never said ‘Thank you’ so much in the last few days. It’s awesome,” Ashton said.

more...

For your Prayerful Preparation

THE GOSPEL
Midnight and Christmas Day
Luke, Chapter 2, Verses 1-14 and John, Chapter 1, Verses 1-18

The time came for Mary to have her child,
and she gave birth to her first born son.


In
those days
a decree went out.
Joseph went up to Bethlehem with Mary.
She gave birth to her firstborn son.
And the Word
was made
flesh.

Lord God,
you made your home
among
us

All
is holy now,
each blade of grass.
Each
one.

We dance with the stars!
We sing our song with the angels!

Glory to God in the highest and peace
on earth and good will
to all.




THE FIRST READING
Midnight
Isaiah, Chapter 9, Verses 1-6

You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing.


We were in darkness At long last we have light.
The yoke smashed and broken.
So is the taskmaster’s rod.

Mary birthed her son.

Upon his shoulders authority rests.
His dominion is vast and forever peaceful—
wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

Look at the names they give him: Wonder-Counselor,
God-Hero, Father-Forever
Prince of Peace.

Jesus.

Come,
let us adore him





THE SECOND READING
Christmas Dawn and Christmas Day
Titus, Chapter 3, Verses 4-7 and Hebrews, Chapter 1, Verses 1-6

For to which of the angels did God ever say: “You are my son; this day I have I begotten you”?



To
our ancestors
God spoke in partial and various ways.

Then,

God spoke directly through his Son who is the imprint of
his being, the radiance of his glory, through whom he
created the universe and the one who sustains
all things by his word. Oh yes, he took
down the wall when he brought
his firstborn into the world
and said to the babe
in the manger,

“You are my son; this day I have begotten you.”

O God, let us listen, help us hear.


Copyright © 2008, The Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University. All rights reserved.
Permission is hereby granted to reproduce for personal or parish use.

Homily Visual

 

For those listening at home this is the cell phone I mentioned in today's homily and of course the famous box of staples.

Prayer of Serenity

God, grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change,
courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time,
enjoying one moment at a time,
accepting hardship as a pathway to peace,
taking, as Jesus did,
this sin world as it is,
not as I would have it,
trusting that You will make all things right
if I surrender to Your will,
so that I may be reasonable happy in this life
and supremely happy in the next.
Amen

- Reinhold Niebur

On the Lighter Side - Pro-Weather Bias

As Canadians don't we love weather... when we are not stuck in it!

Weather Channel Accused of Pro-Weather Bias

“Suffering and diminishment are not the greatest of evils..."

“Suffering and diminishment are not the greatest of evils..."
"... but are normal ingredients in life, especially in old age. They are to be accepted as elements of a full human existence. As I become increasingly paralyzed and unable to speak, I can identify with the many paralytics and mute persons in the Gospels, grateful for the loving and skillful care I receive and for the hope of everlasting life in Christ. If the Lord now calls me to a period of weakness, I know well that his power can be made perfect in infirmity. Blessed be the name of the Lord!”

Those words are from the last McGinley Lecture given by Avery Cardinal Dulles, S.J. Father Raymond J. de Souza, a close friend of Cardinal Dulles, has written a poignant piece for National Catholic Register about the last several months of the Cardinal's life, including his private meeting with Pope Benedict XVI this past April.

Also, The New York Times reports on the funeral Mass for Cardinal Dulles.

One Last Christmas Celebration

Before we closed the hall for the winter we had one last party. Hot dogs, crafts and carols made for a new yearly tradition.

Simple little tune

I always liked the tune so I am glad to find the old Shaker words.



Simple Gifts

'Tis the gift to be simple,
'tis the gift to be free,
'tis the gift to come down where you ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
It will be in the valley of love and delight.

Refrain:
When true simplicity is gained,
To bow and to bend we shan't be ashamed.
To turn, turn will be our delight,
'Til by turning, turning we come round right

'Tis the gift to be loved and that love to return,
'Tis the gift to be taught and a richer gift to learn,
And when we expect of others what we try to live each day,
Then we'll all live together and we'll all learn to say,

Refrain:

'Tis the gift to have friends and a true friend to be,
'Tis the gift to think of others not to only think of "me",
And when we hear what others really think and really feel,
Then we'll all live together with a love that is real.

Refrain:


Simple Gifts was written by Shaker Elder Joseph Brackett, Jr. in 1848. It was first published in The Gift to be Simple: Shaker Rituals and Songs. Simple Gifts was a work song sung by the United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing (more commonly called the Shakers, an offshoot of the Quakers).

St. Peter's CWL Party

Another great party at St. Peter's

Confession…

It's not easy...
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a difficult one for most of us. We need think no further than the story of Adam and Eve in the garden. Rather than admit wrongdoing, it was so much easier for them to put the blame somewhere else. We can feel too, that God loves us more when we're doing good. We can even try to make ourselves believe God doesn't know about our wrongdoing.

God loves you...
God love us! God knows what the challenges of human life are all about. We can think about the story of the Prodigal Son, the great insult and hurt the son inflicted on the father, and how the father welcomed him back, without even waiting for an apology. I've had occasion to meet many people who were hurt very badly by family members and friends. When I ask the question, "Would you ever be able to forgive them?" the answer is usually, "Yes." If we as humans can be so forgiving, how much more is God willing to forgive us!

God waits!
He waits for our return. "But I haven't been to Confession for fifty years!" The response is simply ... "Welcome back! How good it is that you are here!"

Children's Examine

Examination for Adults

• Do I love God above everything else? Do I live as a child of God, confident in the Father's mercy?
• Am I prideful? Do I try to make the world revolve around me? Do I live out a sense of self -sufficiency, imposing my will on others, acting as if I were the cause of good in my life?
• Am I presumptuous? Do I think I can do whatever I want and that it will not matter to God?
• Do I yearn to know God's will and do I abandon myself to divine Providence moment by moment?
• Do I pray everyday? Do I go to Mass every Sunday and Holy Day?
• Do I devote myself to growing in faith?
• Am I thankful? Do I express my gratitude sincerely and outwardly, especially in works of mercy?
• Do I make excuses for my faults, blame others, rationalize, or relativize? Am I self-righteous?
• Am I forgiving? Do I harbour grudges, resentments - do I take delight in the misfortunes of others?
• Do I judge others, label others, exclude others, and condemn others?
• Is my life in any way ruled by anger, jealousy, envy, or impatience?
• Do I make gods of money, power, prestige, accomplishment, materialism, sensuality, pleasure, comfort, leisure, complacency, apathy, or anything else?
• Do I put myself first through self-centeredness, egoism, selfishness, vanity, self-aggrandizing, etc?
• Do I engage in extra-marital sex? Do I use sex recreationally?
• Am I patient? How's my driving?
• Do I dedicate myself to knowing, loving, and living the Truth as it is taught by the Catholic Church?
• Do I live in the Truth and do I tell the truth, always and without compromise?
• Do I misuse speech through cheating, gossiping, backbiting, profanity, blasphemy, complaining, being silent when I should speak, etc? Am I true to my vows, my commitments, my contracts, and my word?
• Is my mind filled with thoughts that are lustful, vicious, carnal, mean-spirited, prejudicial, venal, worldly, etc?
• Do I waste time? Am I generous with my time? Am I lazy?
• Do the priorities in my life reflect and serve the precious gift of faith God has given me?
• Do I live by faith or by emotions, by worldly philosophy, by current fads, by popular ideologies, by the pressures and deceptions of media and culture?
• Do I recognize how God is present and active in every moment of my life? Do I live by any standard other than the way of love revealed by Jesus Christ?

Act of Contrition
I am sorry for my sins with all my heart.
In choosing to do wrong and in failing to do good,
I have sinned against you who I should love above all things
I firmly intend, with your help,
to do penance, to sin no more,
and to avoid whatever leads me to sin.
Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us
In his name, my God have mercy.
Amen

St. Peter's mass cancelled

Since Hwy 21 is closed as of 8:30 am preparations for mass (snow clearing and sacristian duties) can not take place so mass is cancelled today at St. Peter's.

Please spread the word.

As always look for updates on http://rcbluewater.blogspot.com

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

Sunday Snowy Sunday

Boy it is windy! As of 8:00 am highway 21 is closed. Fr. Greg is in Grand Bend and I am in Zurich. So I guess we can have masses there. Anyone doing ministries should not feel obligated to risk getting here.

St. Peter's mass at 10:30 am is still in question... more to follow.
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

Fabbro's 'courageous' response to abuse praised

Fabbro's 'courageous' response to abuse praised based Crown Attorney Paul Bailey calls it an “absolutely courageous and unprecedented action.†Bailey was referring to the decision by Bishop Ronald Fabbro of the diocese of London...
Link to Catholic Register Aritcle

Test

Hi, I'm testing posting directly to my blog from my phone. Neat but I don't know if I'll use it.

Bye for now.

They are making this too easy.
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

St. Boniface CWL Christmas Party

Advent Conspiracy Promo Video

The Catholic Mass - Origins

A moving spiritual look at what we celebrate each week.

The History of the Mass

We are studying the mass at RCIA

Praying our way through Advent

Great Site to get ready for Christmas and pray your way through Advent.

Homilies

"Star Wars" - an a capella tribute to John Williams

Only watch if you are a Star Wars fan!!! or a fan of the composer John Williams.

Give Up Yer Aul Sins - Birth of John Baptist

Classic re-telling of Bible Classics by children.

Obama Win Causes Obsessive Supporters To Realize How Empty Their Lives Are

Obama Win Causes Obsessive Supporters To Realize How Empty Their Lives Are

Confirmation

A youthful look at Confirmation. Are you living this?

Good Advice for Vocations

Great Advice... keep praying

Conversion Story

How to pretend to be interested in the US Election

Today Now!: How To Pretend You Care About The Election

Conversion Story

Father Barron on Bill Maher's "Religulous"

Thank you Fr. Robert for commenting on Religious

From our Bishop

My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
"I have been finding the synod very stimulating. It is giving us a sense of how the bible is being used around the world, how the Word of God is bringing new life to the Church and how pastoral challenges are being met. We have been listening to interventions from bishops from the different countries. We will continue doing so for another week. Then, in the final week, we will formulate propositions to give to the pope. He has been at almost all the sessions.

The schedule is very full. We start with Mass at 7:00 am, have a morning
session until 12:30, then lunch and time for a rest, then an afternoon session
until 7:00 pm. That is the daly schedule from Monday until Saturday. Sunday is
a day of rest."

*****************************************************************************

At the morning session of the synod today, I made my intervention. A brief
summary, along with some personal observations, is included below:
Synod of Bishops - XII Ordinary General Assembly 2008
Intervention of Most Rev. Ronald Fabbro, C.S.B., Bishop of London A reflection
on Instrumentum Laboris, n. 41

SUMMARY

The Renewal of Parish Life

The dioceses of Canada realize that to renew parish life we need to foster a
prayerful listening to the Word of God in the Scriptures. A great obstacle to
developing a living relationship with Christ is formalism, which characterizes
much parochial life. Formalism means going through the motions of religious
practices without deep, engaging faith, without a living, personal
relationship with the incarnate Word.

We need to teach our people proven methods of becoming one with Christ, such
as the traditional practice of lectio divina, which enable them to meditate on
the Scriptures in a spirit of prayer. Under the impulse of the Spirit, this
prayerful reading of the biblical text draws us into a personal encounter with
Christ, who speaks to us in the daily circumstances of our lives, and who
gradually transforms, so that we can bring his message of love to others.
Prayerful meditation on the Scriptures leads us to the poor. When we are in
solidarity with the poor, our hearts are opened in fresh, new ways to the Word
which we listen to in the Scriptures.

Many of our people are coming to our churches for the Sunday Eucharist,
longing to hear God’s Word proclaimed in the Scripture readings. The breaking
open of the Word in the homily should help them to discover a firm reference
point for their lives. Within the context of this community of faith, a
remarkable transformation will occur. In a community which gathers to pray
and meditate on the Scriptures all dimensions of life are embraced and
challenged, producing in the members a sense of belonging and a commitment to
the Church’s mission.

It is incumbent on bishops to find ways to support parishes, to break through
the formalism that cripples many of our people and to lead all of them,
through the power of the Spirit, into a living, personal relationship with the
Risen Lord.

Eucharist: Beautiful Collision

Confirmation

The Mass Revealed

The great web site explaining the mass.

Eucharist: Christ inside out

Christ our Light

Education Campaign for Development and Peace

St. Boniface Pork Dinner

 

New Columnbarium

 

Bishop's Back To School Message

Here is acopy of Bishop Ronald Fabbro's message to students and teachers in our Catholic Schools. By the way he is standing in first year philosophy classroom. I getting kinda existential...

Bishop's Back to School Message

Disney Genetics

Disney Lab Unveils Its Latest Line Of Genetically Engineered Child Stars

What Canadians Need to Consider Before Voting

Bishops Offer Guide on Key Issues

OTTAWA, Ontario, SEPT. 18, 2008 (Zenit.org).- The defense of human life from conception until natural death and finding peace in Afghanistan are among the issues Canadian bishops are urging Catholics to take into account when voting in October.

The Episcopal Commission for Social Affairs of the Canadian bishops' conference released a four-page guide offering principles for Catholics to consider when they vote for Members of Parliament next month.

The bishops urge Catholics to "vote with discernment," to be better informed on the issues, and to make their voices heard by the candidates.

"[A] well-formed Christian conscience does not permit one to vote for a political program or an individual law which contradicts the fundamental contents of faith and morals," they affirmed.

The guide highlights four important issues to be kept in mind by Canadian voters: in the first place, respect for life and persons' dignity, as well as the preferential option for the poor.

The text also includes reflections on the war in Afghanistan, as Canada has troops there. Finally, the bishops urge consideration of the need for greater concern regarding the environment.

Speaking out

On another front, Cardinal Jean-Claude Turcotte, archbishop of Montreal, is also speaking out regarding human dignity. He announced that he will return the Medal of the Order of Canada, which he received from the Canadian Parliament in 1996, as a sign of protest that the same medal was granted this year to abortionist Dr. Henry Morgentaler.

"To date, I thought the Order of Canada was granted to persons whose works had an ample consensus," the cardinal to explained Vatican Radio.

Cardinal Turcotte added that with this gesture, he had hoped the Canadian government would review its decision to recognize Morgentaler.

"This has not happened," the cardinal lamented, "and, given that my silence could be misinterpreted, my conscience obliges me to reaffirm my convictions on respect for life from the moment of conception."

Cardinal Turcotte is the third person to return the award as a sign of protest. Father Lucine Larre and Gilbert Finn, former lieutenant-governor of New Brunswick, took the same measure.

Although the cardinal said that his gesture must not be interpreted in an electoral key, he does hope that it "will help Catholics understand the importance of the defense of life."

Morgentaler, a Jew who survived the Holocaust and was a renown pro-abortion doctor of the 70s, succeeded in 1988 at having the Supreme Court abolish all legal limitations to abortion in the country.

What Canadians need to consider before voting - Bishops' Document

Front Fell Off

The election is upon us and this classic clip helps me cut through the rhetoric.

Partical Physics Rap

WARNING THIS RAP SONG IS ONLY FOR GEEKS!!!


Strange that as a person of faith Quatum Physics really interest me. Here is a fun rap song from the thousand of scientist at CERN.

John Cleese makes it clear

Leave it to John Cleese to rebut a reductionistic theory for material determinism.

Strange that this world view drives so many people.

Student Blessing

Student Blessing

Jesus,
fill our children with your peace,
teach our children how to pray,
show our children how to love.

—Prayer Services for Parishes

Bible in a Minute

Sad but not true

Genetic Scientists Develop Sheep With Brain Of A Goat

Youth Mass Update

The monthly youth lead mass has been delayed until Saturday October 18 at 5:00 pm. This will give more time to make it a prayerful experience for all. Young people will be offering all of the regular ministries at the 5:00 pm mass at St. Peter’s followed by a gathering in the hall. Pizza is planned for the first meeting. So please plan on attending. Youth are invited to call Marc Crane if you wish to share your musical gifts.

Youth Cafe Awareness Trip

Many of our highschool youth have expressed a desire to learn more about the developing world so that we may live in solidarity with them. It is hope that some of our youth can go together to experience the Dominican Republic. We will be partnering with an organization called Rayjon based in Sarnia.

Rayjon awareness trips take place every year - March break for the Dominican Republic trip. To become involved, you should attend the Trip Information session which occurs the first Sunday in October at Sacred Heart Church meeting rooms, Lecaron Ave. Sarnia, from 2-4 pm. This is the first step for anyone who is interested. The trip meetings start two weeks later and continue for 4-5 more meetings until the trip departs for either Haiti or the DR in January or March.

More Information
Application Form

Message to the CWL London

Labour Day Classic

Oskee Wee Wee
Oskee Wha Wha
Holy Mackinaw
Tigers ... Eat'em RAW!!

(Cheer by Vince Wirtz 1941 as adapted by Paul Weiler a.k.a. Pigskin Pete)

I write this as a begin my yearly pilgrimage to the Labour Day Classic football game between the Hamilton Tiger Cats and the Toronto Argonauts. Each year I get one CFL football game in with some of my brother priests and friends. It is a great time to sit back and become part of the screaming masses of Tiger Cats fans that come out to support their team. There is a strong sense of fraternity among the Ti-Cat fans as our team goes out to battle the big city corporate types in Toronto. It is expected that we will lose so it is even more of a triumph if we win. Everyone loves the underdog.

This battle between the steel town boys and the big city boatmen reflects a deeper battle of ordinary laborers and corporate business. On this Labour Day the stands were full of ordinary people worrying about the future as they begin to realize that they may not fit into the economic equation anymore. Autoworkers, steelworker and farm workers that were once the strength of Ontario’s economic engine are now seen as a drain on business. This runs so contrary so Catholic Social Teaching. For Catholics, people were not created for work as mere resources but work was created for people to perfect us.

Work is a good thing for man--a good thing for his humanity--because through work man not only transforms nature, adapting it to his own needs, but he also achieves fulfillment as a human being and indeed in a sense becomes "more a human being."

(Pope John Paul II, Encyclical on Human Work promulgated 14 September 1981)

As members of the Catholic Women’s League we are well aware of the dignity of human labor. The many activities the League engages in are opportunities for our members to give of themselves. The gift of each member is more important than the task at hand. Christ is present when we are allow to give of ourselves and we are perfected in his image when share our time and talents.

As we begin the work of the League in the coming year, may we echo the refrain of this ancient Eucharistic hymn:

Where the many work together,
They with Christ himself abide,
But the lonely workers also
Find him ever at their side.
Lo, the Prince of common welfare
Dwells within the market strife;
Lo, the bread of heaven is broken
In the sacrament of life.

(Magnificat, Vol. 10, No. 7, Pg. 29)

Severn Lodge

Another beautiful day in paradise. 

Something small that brings joy - dancing!!!

I know what I want to do with my sabbatical. Do you think that the bishop will let me go!! Sometimes, I feel like I am just dancing through life like Matt. Keep dancing.

Scripture Institute

Camping and Sailing

Sing and dancing in the rain

Dancing Jimmy

Joe Overholt shines

Wasn't that a Party!!

Provincial Convention

CWL - Crazy Wacky Ladies

Provincial Catholic Women's League Convention

Here is the London Diocesan representatives to the Catholic Women's League Provincial Convention in Arnprior.

Pentiful Imagery

At the Provincial Convention we were to meditate on a stone, oh boy!

Here is my favourite poem by Billy Collins. It is great because it is so self aware.

Litany
You are the bread and the knife,
The crystal goblet and the wine...
-Jacques Crickillon

You are the bread and the knife,
the crystal goblet and the wine.
You are the dew on the morning grass
and the burning wheel of the sun.
You are the white apron of the baker,
and the marsh birds suddenly in flight.

However, you are not the wind in the orchard,
the plums on the counter,
or the house of cards.
And you are certainly not the pine-scented air.
There is just no way that you are the pine-scented air.

It is possible that you are the fish under the bridge,
maybe even the pigeon on the general's head,
but you are not even close
to being the field of cornflowers at dusk.
And a quick look in the mirror will show
that you are neither the boots in the corner
nor the boat asleep in its boathouse.

It might interest you to know,
speaking of the plentiful imagery of the world,
that I am the sound of rain on the roof.

I also happen to be the shooting star,
the evening paper blowing down an alley
and the basket of chestnuts on the kitchen table.

I am also the moon in the trees
and the blind woman's tea cup.
But don't worry, I'm not the bread and the knife.

You are still the bread and the knife.
You will always be the bread and the knife,
not to mention the crystal goblet and

--somehow--the wine.

Billy Collins

Time to celebrate at St. Boniface School

Our Principal, Rodney Marsh celebrates the Graduates

by actually sitting down and eating something!

Dear Teachers and Staff enjoy your summer!

We are ready

Join us on June 28 at 10:30 am
for the re-opening of St. Peter's

Wait! Who replaced St. Joseph
with St. Patrick (patron saint of Altar Servers)

The Blessed Sacrament Niche

Last minute touches

The Baptismal Niche

Things are going back in place

The altar and pews are going back in... all that is needed is you and Jesus.

A Little Exterior Work needed

Some of the exterior wood detail needs replacing.
It should be done when we paint next week.

49th International Eucharistic Congress in Quebec

Almost done!

Join us for the first mass at St. Peter's
Sunday, June 29th, 10:30 am

Just the pews are needed!!

Name my boat

My pretty little gunk holer is in the water.

Help me give her a name

Work continues

Where we were

This is how St. Peter looked a few weeks ago

St. Peter's Painting

It looks great!!

We are on schedule to be open by the June 28-29 long weekend!!

Now I have seen everything!

White Squirrel... White Squirrel... shake your bushy tail!!!

Fr. Peter bought a boat!! Finally!!!

For those who know me, you know I have wanted a boat for years now.
Last month a pretty little Siren came into my life. I'll have to have a competition to name her.

Where is Father's Boat?

View Larger Map

St. Peter's Bluewater

This was the interior of St. Peter's in the past. I was wondering if anyone could help me out with the date?

A new sign for Grand Bend

Thanks to Jim Dalton for making a more visable sign for Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Grand Bend.

The Painting at St. Peter's Continues

Kinkora Hall Openning Celebration

Some pictures from my last parish, where the parishioners helped build the hall. They will be celebrating the offical blessing of the building this coming June.

Good Work!!

Midland Youth Thingy

Yes, we are going to Midland July 17-20. It is the Ontario Regional World Youth Day Gathering in Midland hosted by the Office of Youth Ministry of the Arch-diocese of Toronto. Say that fast three times.

I still want a better name for our group but until Grace, Therese and Marty think of better name I am going to call it The Midland Youth Thingy. I have created a blog to keep you up to date.

Framing and Plaster Work

The confessional area has been renewed creating a niche for the bust of Brother Andre.

Blessed Brother Andre, Pray for us and our families.

Cluster Foodgrains Bank Project

See CBC Video

The daily ration for the Smith family contained 400 grams of cereal (cornmeal, wheat, or rice), 50 grams of pulse (lentils or beans), 50 grams of cooking oil, and 5 grams of salt, for a total of 2,100 calories per day. Water to drink.
Are you interested in taking the Three-Day Rations Challenge? Go to the End Hunger Fast website of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank for details. And tell us what you discovered after your 3-day experience by posting a comment to this webpage!

Local World Youth Day

World Youth Day 2008 Ontario Regional Celebration
Martyrs’ Shrine Midland
July 17-20, 2008

Not going to Sydney?
Come celebrate World Youth Day at Martyrs’ Shrine in Midland July 17-20, 2008

Some things you can expect @ the Shrine:

Catechesis
Music
Festival
Reconciliation
Adoration
Mass
Events in Sydney broadcast on 30ft. screen
See below for an outline of the intinerary of the events taking place that weekend

The cost of registration for WYD 2008 Local is $150 before May 15 and $175 afterwards. In addition, signing-up before May 15 will make you eligible for early-bird incentives. To receive more information updates including the start of registration and early-bird prizes, please leave your name and email address.

Itinerary Outline:

Thursday July 17, 2008

** Please note that Thursday is intended to be a “travel day” and, therefore, programming is slightly more informal. However, we do encourage you to try to be there in time to hear His Excellency, Bishop Hundt, as he will be on-hand to welcome you and help set the tone of the weekend. **

6:00 p.m. Participant Arrival/ Tent Set-up
9:00 p.m. Short welcome/ address by Bishop Hundt
9:30 p.m. Evening program begins
12:00 a.m. Lights Out

Friday July 18

7:00 a.m. Wake up
7:30 a.m. Breakfast
9:00 a.m. Official kick-off
10:00 a.m. Catechesis
11:00 a.m. Mass
12:30 p.m. Lunch
1:30- 6:30 p.m. Free Time/ Faith Connections Expo tent
6:30 p.m. Dinner/ Reconciliation
8:00 p.m. Way of the Cross
9:15 p.m. Break
9:30 p.m. Keynote address by Marc Kielburger
10:30 p.m. Evening event
1 a.m. Lights Out

Saturday July 19, 2008

7:30 a.m. Wake up
8:30 a.m. Breakfast
10:00 a.m. Catechesis
11:00 a.m. Mass
12:30 p.m. Lunch
1:30 - 6:30 p.m. Free Time/ Faith Connections Expo tent
6:30 p.m. Dinner / Reconciliation
8:00 p.m. Vespers
9:15 p.m. Break
9:30 p.m. Concert - Give Me A Voice Contest Winners
10:30 p.m. - Critical Mass
11:30 p.m. Evening event
1 a.m. Lights Out

Sunday July 20, 2008

7:00 a.m. Wake up
8:00 a.m. Breakfast
8:30 a.m. Prepare for Mass
9:00 a.m. Mass / Sending forth
10:30 a.m. Departure


Click here to see the website for Martyrs' Shrine in Midland.

Key Note Speaker for Regional World Youth Day

MARC KIELBURGER
Me To We
Marc Kielburger is an accomplished social advocate and leadership specialist, a bestselling author and a popular speaker. He is the co-founder and chief executive director of Leaders Today, the world's top youth leadership training organization, which delivers one-of-a-kind local and international training experiences to more than 350,000 youth every year. He is also chief executive director of Free The Children, the world’s largest network of children helping children through education.Kielburger has been recognized for his vision and leadership with Canada's Top 40 Under 40 award, has received an Ashoka Fellowship for his innovation and commitment to social change and has been honored as a 2007 Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum. He graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University, later winning a Rhodes Scholarship to complete a law degree at Oxford University. Kielburger is the co-author of the bestsellers Take Action! —A Guide to Active Citizenship and Take More Action. His most recent book, Me to We: Finding Meaning in a Material World, is co-authored with his brother Craig and published by Simon & Schuster. It recently hit the number five spot on The New York Times Best Sellers list. Together with Craig, Kielburger now writes a regular column for Canada's largest newspaper, the Toronto Star. A sought-after speaker, he has shared the podium a number of times with former U.S. president Bill Clinton, as well as with such world-renowned leaders as Nelson Mandela, Queen Noor and the Dalai Lama. Kielburger has shown the world that young people can become the leaders of today. His work has been featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show, CNN, CBC, BBC, 60 Minutes and profiled in numerous newspapers and magazines.

Beautiful Quote from: Pope John XXIII

Consult not your fears but your hopes and your dreams. Think not about your frustrations, but about your unfulfilled potential. Concern yourself not with what you tried and failed in, but with what it is still possible for you to do

May - The Month of Mary

Rosemarie

Not Nelson Eddy or Jeanette MacDonald but better yet a newly Knighted RCMP officer and Rosemarie my mom.

Dad looks good in his Tux as he became a fourth degree Knight of Columbus.