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.
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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