Holy Family

https://vr.shapeservices.com/play.php?hash=2a186c6e8919d12b67e3d9c543c4f0269d4c55c50311e86ab

Merry Christmas

Christmas Day Homily

https://vr.shapeservices.com/play.php?hash=247b537c8b5b289901bd4d909af580c1f6a80208c0978d886

sorry about the sentence structure of last nights homily. I was seemly inspired by Sarah Palin.

Christmas homily

https://vr.shapeservices.com/play.php?hash=5abb45dc5b15fffdaf8134f16ac7d0534bea40775908186f6

Merry Christmas

You Don't Know Jack

THE DIGITAL STORY OF THE NATIVITY

We used to wait...

Santa's Helpers

Saint Vincent de Paul sharing the light of Christ

Fr. Barron comments on Leaving The Church

Jesuit author makes atheist arguments against God look silly - Book Reviews - The Catholic Register

Jesuit author makes atheist arguments against God look silly - Book Reviews - The Catholic Register

World Youth Day - Days in the Diocese

Food Glorious Food

Irish Miracle

Irish Miracle

Test Boo

Audio Boo is a application I am trying out to see if I can use it for podcasting.

Catholic Pick-up line song

Invisible Women

World Youth Day - Spain Theme song

The theme song has been released.



It will have to sit in my ipod for a while for it to grow on me... The english words are due out soon.

Podcasting

https://vr.shapeservices.com/play.php?hash=82ee1e420433cfd76630eb473391a27fa30a0694a8bd9b5c8

I am trying to find a way to start Podcasting again. I am testing this app for my iPod.



___
Sent via VR+

Our drainage problem

Here is what was left of the pipe meant to drain the roof at Sacred Heart.

Catholic Heaven?

One Pastor-One Pastoral Plan

Someone wise said to me, "Good change happens immediately yet
slowly." I am just beginning to get my head around the task at hand as
we form one faith community out of two parishes. This necessary change
will mean sacrifice but I am seeing it bear fruit already.
Our cluster transition takes a big step this week. Our new phone systems
should be up and running to serve you better. Before now I had four
answering machines to tend to. After this week you will be able to get
any of the faith community's administrative and pastoral teams by
phoning either office number. Mary Ann and Pam will still be able to
answer the phones but it will be much easier to connect to any member of
our staff. This will allow our two offices to act as one to serve St.
Michael's & Sacred Heart Faith Community better.

Antony and I have finally moved our offices into Sacred Heart so
that the majority of the team can work together. I want to thank Cathy
and Joanna who have temporarily moved upstairs to make room for us. Next
month we should be finished with re-enforcing the main floor of the
rectory at Sacred Heart so that we can use it as office space. Soon I
hope to display some plans laying out how the office space could be
re-organized at Sacred Heart. With the input of our staff, I think our
architect has come up with some wonderful plans, that may even give us a
few more bathrooms for the meeting room.

Our architect has also become busy trying to figure out where the
rain is getting into Sacred Heart. After scoping the drains, he is
concerned that the water from the new restored roof is not draining
properly. We hope that removing the blockage will solve our problem.

Finally, we welcome Ana Maria Moniz to our staff as Caretaker at
Sacred Heart. It is wonderful to have her with us. She reminds me that
the church is much more than a service provider. The church provides an
opportunity for each of us to give of ourselves. Ana Maria like the rest
of our staff, gives of herself.

My goal is to create an Administrative Team and a Pastoral Team
which will create the place where all the faithful can give of
themselves so that we might realize the fruits of the kingdom.

Please pray for our Faith Community as we learn to minister
together.

The Ministry of Deacons

A wonderful video on the ministry of Deacons.

Deacon David's ministry help encourage us all in our baptismal call to serve. Deacon David currently works at the hospital. My prayer is that we all hear the call to serve in love.

JoAn Farewell

Last week we had a wonderful send off to a wonderful lady of our parish. JoAn embraced life in our midst and in the world to come. Music had always been part of the her journey. She had planned many things for funeral including the songs and hymns. I thank Leanne and the choir for working with the family to ensure a beautiful celebration.
I have an apology to make. Not knowing what JoAn's plans were and never having experienced the ministry of the funeral choir; I made an off handed remark regarding "Time to say goodbye" which was refered to in her obiturary. It is a beautiful and challenging piece. I was wrong to assume that she had requested this for her funeral and wrong to infer in a blog posting that our choir could not "pull it off". I experienced a funeral music ministry at JoAn's funeral that was not only well planned and well executed; but centrally a gift of prayer and praise.
I hope my apology is accepted and my thanks for their ministry is known.

Funeral Monday

JoAn Groombridge

GROOMBRIDGE, JoAn - October 5, 1926 - August 18, 2010, peacefully at
home. "It's time to say good bye" are lyrics from a song. I've said good
bye to many friends over the years. Now it's my turn to leave. It has
been a busy life and although I have left many jobs undone I'm feeling
sort of tired. I was born JoAn Inslee back in 1926 in Port Huron,
Michigan. I'm the last of the Inslee family. Predeceased by my mother
Lenore Watman, father Horace Inslee, infant brother George Edward and
our sister Joyce Inslee (2008) and husband Warren (2005). I attended St.
Josephs' School and St. Patricks' High School, graduating in 1943. I
then went to industrial chemistry school in Toronto and went on to work
for Polysar for 6 years before marrying Warren Groombridge in 1950. We
raised five sons in Sarnia, Greg & Sabina (White) of Point Edward, Brian
& Kate (Brown) of Toronto, Matthew & Mary (Donohue) of Sarnia, Chris &
Sheila (Hampshire) of Sarnia, and Andrew of Georgetown. We enjoyed our
seven grand children; Brendan, Lindsay, Devon, Zach, Morgan, Rachael,
and Jack. Visitation with the family will be at the McKENZIE & BLUNDY
FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION CENTRE, 431 Christina St. N., Sarnia on Sunday,
August 22nd from 2- 4 & 7-9 p.m. with parish prayers at 8:30 p.m. Mass
of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday at 10 a.m. at Sacred
Heart Church. Interment Our Lady of Mercy Cemetery. As an expression of
sympathy, friends who wish may send memorial donations to the Heart &
Stroke Foundation, 774 London Rd., Sarnia N7T 4Y1 or the Multiple
Sclerosis Society of Canada, Sarnia Lambton Chapter, 155 Front St. N.,
Unit 110, Sarnia N7T 7V5. Messages of condolence and memories may be
left at www.mckenzieblundy.com <http://www.mckenzieblundy.com/> A tree
will be planted in memory of JoAn Groombridge in the McKenzie & Blundy
Memorial Forest. Dedication service Sunday, September 19th, 2010 at 2:00
p.m. at the Wawanosh Wetlands Conservation Area. 9380790

Installation at St. Michael's & Sacred Heart

Yup... It is offical. Thanks to Very Reverend Jim Higgins for installing me at St. Michael's... I will be installed at Sacred Heart on Thursday.

Caring & Sharing Mass and Potluck

The Caring and Sharing Ministry who support the elderly in our nursing home by bring the presence of Christ to them in Word, Song and Sacrament enjoyed a wonderful potluck on the lake front. Thanks to all.

Transition Update August 19th

Transitional Pastoral Council

A Transitional Pastoral Council has been working since July. Its
primary task is to form a permanent Pastoral Council for our Faith
Community by January 2011. The discernment process will begin in
September. Their secondary task is to assist in discerning some
immediate issue regarding the transitions. This has been most helpful.
The council was formed by the two previous parish councils who discerned
who should be approached. The council currently has three members from
each parish. They have helped formulate the following principles of
transitions.

Principles of Transition

1. We trust that the Holy Spirit will work through all of us to
build a vibrant faith community that transcends even the greatest vision
we could hold at this time.

2. We commit ourselves to the development of a transition process
keeping in mind the requirements and needs of all the faithful in each
parish, the Pastoral Plan of the Diocese and the decision of Bishop
Fabbro in Parish Reorganization.

3. We approach dialogue reverencing each parish as equal partners
in the building of our faith community.

4. We trust God will enable us to realize the common good.

5. We will approach the changes/challenges as opportunities as we
co-create a new reality.

6. We commit ourselves to meaningful dialogue with all the faith
community shareholders.

Transitional Finance Council

The two previous finance councils have been combined into one finance
committee representing both parishes. Eventually they will settle into
periodic meetings to review our finances. For now they are charged with
defining how each parish will contribute to the shared expenses based on
parish size. Each parishes portion will be reviewed annually in
January.

Administrative Team

Our secretaries have finished the initial process of review all the
administrative task they do and reviewing how some of these tasks could
be shared. While we are still growing into this; the two main
portfolios have been defined. Pam Robinson will be our faith
community's financial secretary while Mary Ann Bancroft will focus on
sacramental records. Laurie McCormick will produce the bulletin for our
faith community while Sheila Ramus will remain with us until next year
to help with the transition.

Two Offices - One Home

One of the most personal struggles that a priest has when he moves is
that he leaves his home to make his home with another community. I know
this can be a political football regarding where the priests lives and
works. It is important that the priests live together and that the
priests work closely together with the pastoral Team. To that end Fr.
Antony and I will be living in St. Bright's Grove and having our offices
in Sacred Heart beginning in September. I hope that this can help us to
be present to both communities.

Pamela Robinson will be our faith community's financial secretary. She
will continue to be present at St. Michael's. Mary Ann Bancroft will
become the sacramental secretary for the faith community working out of
Sacred Heart. The pastoral team will have their offices at Sacred
Heart. The main floor of the rectory at Sacred Heart will be renovated
to accommodate offices for the two priests, pastoral minister and our
two youth coordinators. The second floor will become a separate
residence for visiting priests. It will be important to be present in
Bright's Grove so Fr. Antony and I will strive to make our home there
while working out the office at Sacred Heart.

Mission Appeal

Our Associate, Fr Antony, who is from south India, is part of a religious order that does ministry in the north part of India.  His superior, Fr. John Olickal, is visiting from India and  will be speaking to us on the weekend of August 28/29.  He is the Provincial Superior of the Little Flower Province of Little Flower Congregation from India.

He writes, “Little Flower Congregation (C.S.T.) was founded in Kerala, India in the year 1931 by Rev. Fr. Basilius CST (Fr. Thomas Panat). St. Therese, known as “The Little Flower”, is the patroness of the Congregation. Our Charism is: ‘Be little; Serve the little.’ This means imbibing the attitude of a child like simplicity, love, trust and absolute surrender to God in the context of Gospel teaching and Theresian spirituality. The Little Flower Congregation, out of its missionary zeal to proclaim the Good News sent its members to Gorakhpur Region in North India in 1970. Pleased with its missionary works, the Holy See created the new Diocese of Gorakhpur in 1984 and entrusted it to the care of Little Flower Congregation.

In the Little Flower Province we have at present 50 priests, 25 professed Major Seminarians and 35 Minor Seminarians. The newly recruited candidates after their High School are trained in Kerala for one year and are sent to the Novitiate in the Punjab before they make the Profession.

The priests of the Little Flower Province are involved in missionary activities especially in the fields of faith formation and evangelization, education of the poor, community organization, job oriented training and community health education. Adult illiteracy, children not able to attend schools, unemployment, children straying in the streets as orphans, truants from schools and homes, child labor, child trafficking etc. are some of the crucial problems of the place. So we run formal and informal Schools, Vocational Training Centers, Rehabilitation Centers, Orphanages, Dispensaries, Social Development Centers, etc. We also run a Residential School for the children of the Chepang, a hill-tribe of Nepal, who are greatly in need of development. 

From Your Pastor:

I spent this past week with my family at Severn Lodge for our annual summer get away.  Great food, lots of swimming and best of all I can still beat my nieces at cribbage for the time being.   For me where the water hits the land is a good place to contemplate our life.  Here the eternal meets the ever changing.

This summer is the beginning of a time of change for the faith community of St. Michael’s & Sacred Heart.  We are two parishes, one faith community and me; one pastor to bring us together.  Many have asked since we have two priests why not just let each parish have their own pastor?  Good question, yet with the declining number of priests there is a great need for places for priests to minister together, learn and even convalesce.  This is a great place for Fr. Antony to learn about our culture and get his feet on the ground in Canada.  The cluster also prepares us for the possibility that one day we might have only one priest in our faith community.  I am still trying to figure out my role here in these two wonderful parishes.

Fr. Higgins our Episcopal Vicar will be installing me at St. Michael’s at the Saturday mass August 21st and at Sacred Heart at the Saturday mass September 11th.  Please continue to pray for me and our faith community.

Liturgy Committee

Liturgical Enivorment sub-committee: I hope to refound a liturgy
committee in our cluster. Much creativity has found expression over the
years. I hope to have a committee to focus and form our efforts. One
element a liturgy committee deals with is the liturgical ministries and
while another important part is physical elements of liturgy. These are
two different focuses yet closly tied together. In the fall I hope to
work with all those involved in Liturgical Ministries.
For now, I would like to meet with anyone who is interested in or
who has worked in our cluster creating the liturgical environment
(decorating) or help setting up for mass at 6:30 pm, Wednesday August 25
at Sacred Heart. My goal is two fold. First, that we form and support
sacristians who will be responsible for setting up for mass. Secondly,
that we create a liturgical enivorment sub-committee which will be
responsible for dressing the entire worship space for the liturgical
season. Please come out and give our input as form these vital
ministries.

Retirement

What a blessing of gifts we have in our cluster. St. Michael's &
Sacred Heart have been a place of great spiritual growth over many years
and it has taken many people to nourish and tend this growth. Harry and
Ruth Daamen have been an important part of the Staff at Sacred Heart for
many years. Last year, Ruth retired and this year Harry will be
reitring. They will continue to rent their house just north of the
church. They are a blessing to us. We will be having a coffee social
after Sacred Heart's mass Saturday September 25 to celebrate their
contribution to our community. Please come out and join us.

Scripture Web Sites

Great scripture sites recommended by Fr. John Donahue

www.textweek.com
www.nowyouknowmedia.com

Pictures to follow of the Scripture Institute.

Sent wirelessly from my BlackBerry device on the Bell network.
Envoyé sans fil par mon terminal mobile BlackBerry sur le réseau de Bell.

From your Pastor

This week I am away at the 42nd Annual Institute on Sacred Scripture at Misericordia University in Dallas, PA.  I am a regular at the conference and greatly enjoyed Fr. John Donahue, S.J., Dr. Bonnie Thurston and Fr. Michael Patella OSB who were presenters.  "The Institute on Sacred Scripture relates to those of all educational backgrounds with the simplicity and elegance of the Scriptures themselves."  So I hope that some parishioners will join me at the institute to grow in love with the scriptures, we had some complication with our communications while I was away.  We have been forwarding your calls through the various answering systems that each parish had.  This has caused some problems.  Soon we will have a new phone system which will allow us to answer your calls at both offices and forward your messages after hours.  The goal is to greet and handle your call at both numbers in the same way.  Until then I ask your patience as we continue to minister together at St. Michael's & Sacred Heart.
Sent wirelessly from my BlackBerry device on the Bell network.
Envoyé sans fil par mon terminal mobile BlackBerry sur le réseau de Bell.

Job Opening

St. Michael’s & Sacred Heart

Position Title: House Keeper/Cook

Closing Date: Aug 3, 2010

Part Time Hourly: Fifteen (15) hours per week. Rate in Accordance to the Diocese of London Guidelines.

Position Description: General responsibilities to include grocery shopping on a re-determined budget, providing meals on Tuesday and Thursday evening, do general housekeeping and laundry for resident priests and associates at Bright's Grove Residence. Job sharing will be considered if no other suitable candidates.

Required Skills: Ability to: maintain confidentiality, have own vehicle and driver’s license, work with others and independently, attention to clean and tidy, and demonstrate a variety of meal planning and cooking experience.

Please Send Resume, References and Other Information to:

St. Michael's & Sacred Heart
Attn: Search Committee
1465 Lecaron Ave
Sarnia, ON
N7V 3J4

Principles for Transition

Our transitional pastoral council is begin to draft some principles of transition.  We hope these will be a good starting point that wil create a vibrant faith communtiy.

Draft Statement of Principles for St. Michael’s and Sacred Heart Transition Process

July 7th, 2010 Draft

1. We trust that the Holy Spirit will work through all of us to build a vibrant faith community that transcends even the greatest vision we could hold at this time.

2. We commit ourselves to the development of a transition process keeping in mind the requirements and needs of all the faithful in each parish, the Pastoral Plan of the Diocese and the decision of Bishop Fabbro in Parish Reorganization.

3. We approach dialogue reverencing each parish as equal partners in the building of our faith community.

4. We trust God will enable us to realize the common good.

5. We will approach the changes/challenges as opportunities as we co-create a new reality.

6. We commit ourselves to meaningful dialogue with all the faith community stakeholders.

From Your Pastor

It is always good to review and renew. As we create a new faith
community, our goal to minister together at St. Michael's & Sacred
Heart. This means a new Pastoral Plan, Strategic Financial Plan and a
unified Personnel Plan for our faith community. A transitional Pastoral
Council has been named that will guide us in the formation of a
permanent Pastoral Council for the cluster which should be in place by
January. A Finance Committee is being formed that will create a
Strategic Financial Plan, oversee employee assessments, review quarterly
expenses/receipts and report to the parish annually. We have already
begun to work out some of the principles of cost sharing and
transitioning. There is also a need for a building committee for each
parish. Summer is a good time to mull over some of these things so that
in September we can minister together in St. Michael's & Sacred Heart
Faith Community.

World Youth Day - Spain

I am looking forward to join our youth as we make a spiritual pilgrimage to World Youth Day.

From your Pastor

We have two wonderful parishes coming together to co-create a new faith
community. It is a great opportunity to review and renew. Our combined
Pastoral Team and combined Admintrative Team are working to serve the
entire faith community of both parishes. I thank them and the principles
of transition our Pastoral Council are forming for leading us in our
work.

Fr. Antony and I have settled into our house in the Grove and soon we
will begin to relocate offices into the living space at Sacred Heart. We
look to your continued prayers as we continue to minister together in
St. Michael's & Sacred Heart.

Fr. Peter

Some of C.S. Lewis - Mere Christianity

Slowly, slowly

Slowly… Slowly the pieces are coming together.  It is wonderful to have Fr. Antony here with us.  Every time I feel lost, I think of Antony leaving everything to minister here with us.  I agree with him that the hospitality of the people makes the difference.  I have enjoyed that hospitality when forming a transitional Pastoral Council for the cluster and when I met with the Finance Committee of each parish.  These two committees will be essential to give direction to our cluster while providing transparency and trust.
     As we begin, everyone wants to know about two things... mass times and money.  First, weekend mass times will not be changing for the time being because we have two priests.  In August we may add some more weekday masses.  I understand that consistency is important so we will strive to create a schedule where masses will not need to be cancelled if one of us is away.
     In regards to money; each parish will continue to responsible for their own assets.  Whether that is the buildings you have built or the finances you give.  Yet, this will be balanced with the shared pastoral work.  We have a wonderful staff who will share the work of the entire cluster while our Pastoral Council will be responsible for creating a unified pastoral plan for the cluster.  This will help the staff and all of us to minister together in St. Michael's and Sacred Heart.
Sent wirelessly from my BlackBerry device on the Bell network.
Envoyé sans fil par mon terminal mobile BlackBerry sur le réseau de Bell.

First Weekend in Sarnia

Fr. Antony mass went well at St. Michael's. He was impressed at how well people participated, especially in organizing things.
For me at Sacred Heart the people and music were wonderful. I am beginning to realize all the things Fr. Lenn and Stella did. I did have the commentators sheet in the right place and I was confused by the many vessels for communion.

With the first mass jitters out of the way, Sunday should be great. I miss St. Boniface and St. Peter's but I know God (and the Bishop) have their reasons for sending Fr. Antony and me here. I trust that the Holy Spirit is working because I see the many fruits of the kingdom here.

Sent wirelessly from my BlackBerry device on the Bell network.
Envoyé sans fil par mon terminal mobile BlackBerry sur le réseau de Bell.

From your Pastor:

I feel like a baby starting over again. This is my first day and everything is new. Yet; even as Fr. Antony and I begin here at St. Michael’s and Sacred Heart, I realize we have a lot to be thankful for. The ministry of Fr. Joe Snyder, Fr. Len Desjardins, Stella Burns and most recently Fr. Peter Poel have been a continued blessing to this community. As we approach the anniversary of Fr. Joe death, it is important to remember all the contributions of those who have ministered in our communities and pledge ourselves to continue to bear the fruits of the kingdom.
Since it was announced that I was being transferred to St. Michael’s and Sacred Heart, I have met informally with the ministry and administrative staffs of both parishes. I am assured of their insight and support as we begin ministry together. A transitional Pastoral Council has been formed to give input into the practical pieces of the clustering and to craft a new permanent Pastoral Council in January which will be responsible for long term pastoral planning

As the Pastoral Council, finance committees, pastoral team and administrative team begin to work together, it will be important to keep you informed. We have two wonderful dynamic parishes which I pray will benefit from ministering together.

Transition Time

As you can see my blog is slowly changing... as we are all. I hope to use this blog to communicate how the transition is going. I hope to have your continued prayer support.

From Your Pastor

Boxes, boxes, boxes. My life is in boxes! Moving on is a
physically hard thing to do, yet can be spiritually taxing also. Just
as I was feeling sorry for myself; I met up with the priest from India
that I will be working with. Fr Antony has left everything familiar to
minister here is Canada. Everything is strange for him yet he seems so
at peace.

As we talked, I realized that the God who encouraged him to travel all
the way around the world is the same God who cares and supports you and
I. We pretend that the stuff we keep for security makes our home. This
is an illusion. In fact, every box gets in the way of us following
freely in the adventure of life. I am most inspired by the residents in
our nursing homes. They have left much yet still find their home care
and support of others.

As I pack, I pack memories, tears and smiles. I will need to unpack the
smiles often and hopefully keep the tears for later. I thank you for
making me a better priest and I know you will continue to grow in the
grace of God.

From Your Pastor

Distributing communion is a humbling ministry for me. It is
definitely an act of the Body of Christ. Communion is never self serve.
It must be received in an act of service. In receiving communion, a
member of the Body of Christ holds the Body of Christ before another
member of the Body of Christ and seeks acknowledgement, "The Body of
Christ". The "Amen" in reply is part of the reception of Christ.

As my time here comes to an end I realize the importance of community of
communion. You have made me be a better priest in service to the Body
of Christ. Thank You.

From Your Pastor

During the month of May we celebrate the motherhood of Mary and
motherhood in general. As spring gives birth to summer we see
everything springing to life. It is a primordial instinct to honour
that place of our birth in both a physical and spiritual sense at this
time of year.

As Catholics we honour Mary as that feminine connection with the
holy which gives us an intimate grounding of our humanity in grace.
Mary and all mothers make that overwhelming gift self that is necessary
to give life. Starting with the all encompassing embrace of the womb, a
mother's journey is an endless self giving of letting go... to give
life. Gratitude is the only response to such an uncalculating act of
giving.

We bring the first fruits of creation and honour Mary and our
mothers with the flowers of the field. The cut flowers mirror the
fleeting gift of life we are called to share. The bounty of life is
celebrated as our gratitude expresses itself in generousity.

As we celebrate this cycle of life we grow in relationship and
deepen the trust that sustains and supports us. Yes, flowers writher
and fade but their gift is the present. They are more than mere
decorations, they are fleeting expressions of love celebrating God's
bounty.

From Your Pastor

Welcome to Fr. Denys who will be celebrating with you this weekend while
51 of us are on the road to Montreal and Quebec. I pray this will be a
spiritual journey for us all.

We begin education week this weekend. I often reflect on the great gift
of Catholic Education in my life. More than just being able to pray in
class or have religion classes; Catholic School's provide a community of
caring that is an extension of the family. My family is very small so
being part of the larger family of the parish and school were very
formative. Learn more about our schools and share the gift of Catholic
Education.

From Your Pastor

It is wonderful to have Deacon John Vallely to celebrate with us on Vocation Sunday. We celebrate the gift of the Spirit that gets expressed in the church through the various vocation we are called to. Each vocation and ministry strengthens and fortifies one another. The deacons in our diocese make me want to be a better priest in the same way the married couples I know help me grow in my priesthood.
It is important to me that this Vocation Sunday we have Deacon John Vallely with us because deacons are an important part of the church. They are sacramental expressions of our universal call to serve and spread the good news. They remind us all of our baptism vocation. I am always praying for vocation and in Huron Perth I know there are many married men who are being called to serve as deacons.
The Diocese of London will be receiving inquiries from interested applicants for admission to the Permanent Diaconate Formation and Study Program.  An Information Session for Huron Perth will be held on Thursday, May 13, 2010 from 7:30—9:30 pm at St. Patrick’s Parish, Dublin.  If you would like more information on the Permanent Diaconate Program, please pick up a brochure from your Parish Office.

From Your Pastor

The resurrected Christ encounters his disciples on the beach in this week's Gospel. This simple intimate encounter of having breakfast on the beach summarizes my time in Bluewater. Where water and land meet has always been that special place of transition. I think that is why we are drawn to the shoreline. Here things never change because they are always changing.

Peter is challenged with the question, “Do you love me?” His affirmation is followed by the command to feed Christ’s flock. For me the same question and command resonate. As I begin to contemplate my move to Sacred Heart Sarnia and St. Michal’s Bright Grove in July, I understand what Peter felt on the beach. It was part of Peter’s vocation to follow Jesus and part of mine to follow where I am lead.

On the weekend of April 24-25 we celebrate vocation weekend. Deacon John Vallely will be here to remind us that we all have a vocation to serve in love. Deacon John serves our diocese as the coordinator of formation for our deacons. I know there are many vocations in our parishes. Hear Jesus ask…. “Do you love me?” in your answer you will comprehend the challenge to “feed my sheep”. In this constant dialogue we find our purpose and fulfillment.

From Your Pastor

It is with sadness that I announce that I am being moved in July. The hope of every priest is to leave their parishes a little better then they found them and ultimately to have some one capable to follow them that will continue on the good work of the parish. Being able to announce that Fr. Graham Keep will be your new pastor gives me the confidence to move on.

Born and raised in London, Ontario; Fr. Graham Keep went into the St. Peter's Seminary London after graduating from Catholic Central high school. He was two years ahead of me at the Seminary and helped keep me sane. (ie: he is funny).

He has been ordained for 17 years and has served in various parishes in the London Diocese. He has been on a study sabbatical since January finishing a Pontifical Licentiate Degree in the area of Pope John Paul II’s call for a New Evangelization in today’s culture (ie: he is smart).

Along with two other priests he will be helping evaluate and encourage evangelization in the diocese. (ie: he is dedicated) Before that he was pastor of Listowel and Hessen in Huron Perth and just recently 8 years at Mary Immaculate Parish in London. Mary Immaculate is a large parish with an active youth ministry especially a Life Teen group (ie: he is hard working).

Fr. Graham has given talks at conferences in several different countries, including the Ukraine, Slovakia, Ghana, and the United Sates. He was a speaker at the Journey to the Father Youth Conference in Cornwall Ontario (ie: he is a great speaker).

Best yet as of July Fr. Graham will be your pastor (ie: he is lucky)

Color after images

Stare at the cross in the center

Welcome to my Dylexic World

Yeah I am mixed brain dominant but strangely when I speak to most people about faith I feel like they don't not understand even grammar of faith, let alone the content. Here is a funny peace that perfect sense makes...

Share Lent 2010

Fast, Pray, Give - Busted Halo

Fast, Pray, Give - Busted Halo A great resourse for Lent!!

Confession 101 - Part II - How to go to confession.

Confession 101

Are You A Little Bit Married? - Busted Halo

Are You A Little Bit Married? - Busted Halo

Ethical Questions

Here are two great articles on very current issues.

Assisted Suicide

In Vitro Fertilization

World Youth Day - Spain

Days in the Diocese combined with World Youth Day Festival August 10 – 22, 2011
Click here for more Details

Good Websites

I was asked yesterday if I knew any good webistes... here are just a few.

AmericanCatholic.org hands down the first and most key resource. They have e-newsletters for website developers where most of the following were discovered. http://www.americancatholic.org/default.aspx

Pray-as-you-go.org gives a daily podcast or mp3 meant for communters to meditate on the bus. I just this everyday. http://www.pray-as-you-go.org/

StayGreat gives a daily Mark Link like reflection story http://www.staygreat.com/. Great but important to preach on scripture and not the story.

DailyScripture.net gives a solid commentary and some nice reflection questions. http://www.dailyscripture.net/

USCCB.org gives the daily readings from the NAB in both text and audio formats http://www.usccb.org/nab/

DivineOffice,org is hit and miss on a audio divine office. I hear their iApp works good. http://divineoffice.org/

Busted Halo gives you lots of great stuff. http://www.bustedhalo.com/

Center for Liturgy hands done gives the best free liturgy preparation stuff. http://www.liturgy.slu.edu/

Reference http://www.catholic.org/

Marriage http://www.foryourmarriage.org/

For those returning http://www.oncecatholic.org/

The franciscans are great for media. http://www.franciscanradio.org/americancatholicradio.asp

SQPN is GREAT Catholic Media. Check out Fr. Roderick. He is the Dutch Amszej!! http://sqpn.com/

Some strange priest from Huron Perth has too much time on his hands... oh yeah check out my blog http://rcbluewater.blogspot.com/

Let's shake on it

January 19, 2010
To all clergy, pastoral teams and other employees of the Diocese of London,
I would like to thank all of you for implementing Phase 1 of our Pandemic Plan over
the past few months. Based on the latest information from our parishes, medical
professionals and local health units, parishes may go back to Phase 0 of our Pandemic
Plan, effective at all Masses beginning the weekend of January 23-24, 2010.
Phase 0 Summary
• No restrictions in liturgical practices required
• Parishes should promote health and safety best practices
I would also like to thanks the professionals who volunteered to be part of our
pandemic planning team, including our diocesan director of personnel, parish nurses,
liturgical experts and representatives from our local Health Unit. They all have contributed
their wealth of expertise and knowledge to create our plan. They have continued, and will
continue, to monitor the H1N1 virus situation very closely.
Please note we are announcing this rollback of restrictions on the Diocese of London
website (www.rcec.london.on.ca) as well as through the news media. Please review the
attached summary of our Pandemic Plan phases and consider posting it in visible places.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Rev. Ronald P. Fabbro, C.S.B.
Bishop of London

Summer Road Trip!! - Notre Dame Vision

It is time to beat the Youth Ministry Drums!!! We are going to Notre Dame!! ND Vision is a conference for Highschool Youth and Adult Leaders of Youth Ministry. I hope to take a couple of car loads down July 19 - 23. Have a look at the ND Vision WEBSITE and tell me what you think?

Video overview

Good News about Rene Giroux

Just as I got in from mass I had this bit of good news

January 17, 2010
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Larry Brennan has just heard from friends of Father René Giroux.
Father René has survived the earthquake in Haiti. Thank you for
your prayers during this time of anticipation.
Your continued prayers and generosity for our suffering brothers
and sisters in Haiti are greatly appreciated.
In Christ’s Peace,
Bernardine Ketelaars
Executive Assistant to the Bishop

The Catholic Register - London Catholics praise newly ordained Bishop McGrattan

The Catholic Register - London Catholics praise newly ordained Bishop McGrattan

Development and Peace launches emergency appeal for earthquake victims in Haiti

January 13, 2010

Montreal


Development and Peace is launching an emergency appeal to support humanitarian aid relief in Haiti in the wake of a devastating earthquake that is estimated to have affected millions of people in the country.
The organization has already committed a first pledge of $50,000 to Caritas Haiti, which runs 200 medical clinics in the country but is in dire need of financial resources to respond to the growing humanitarian needs of this population in crisis.

“Caritas Haiti can count on our support to help them provide first aid supplies, food, shelter and other basic necessities. Our thoughts are with the people of Haiti in this time of crisis and we are anxiously awaiting news from our partners there. We are concerned for their safety and well-being,” said Michael Casey, Executive Director of Development and Peace.

All donations made to Development and Peace will be sent directly to its partners on the ground in Haiti, mainly Caritas Haiti.

Last year, Development and Peace supported eight community development projects in Haiti and provided funds for four emergencies, totalling $600 000.

Donations can be made through parishes of the Diocese of London or the Schools of Huron Perth Separate School Board.

Cycle of Life: from my homily

Bishop Ordination LIVE!!

The Ordinations for Bishop William McGrattan and Bishop Vincent Nguyen will be available to watch LIVE here on January 12th and 13th at 3pm ET. Click here to go to streaming site.

Ordination of Bishop William McGrattan
Tuesday January 12th at 3:00pm ET at St. Peter’s Cathedral in London Ontario.
Ordination of Bishop Vincent Nguyen’s
Wednesday January 13th at 3:00pm ET at St. Michael’s Cathedral in Toronto Ontario.
Click here for bio

Act against hunger in the world

Share Lent is very well received in our parishes. As a way of preparing for our compaign we will begin 6 weeks of education and reflection on the needs of the people of the world.

John Cleese - The Scientist - 2008

A classic!

Here is Brother Guy's whole talk

Brother Guy Consolmagno: God's Mechanics
It is long 55 min of Q & A. Part of it is on the previous post.

Was the Bible Meant to be Taken Literally? - Guy Consolmagno

C.V. of Dr. Guy Consolmagno, S.J.

Creation: The Scriptures and Science / Astronomy, God, and the Search for Elegance.
Br.Guy earned undergraduate and masters' degrees from MIT, and a Ph. D. in Planetary
Science from the University of Arizona, was a researcher at Harvard and MIT, served in the US Peace Corps (Kenya), and taught university physics at Lafayette College before entering the Jesuits in 1989. At the Vatican Observatory since 1993, his research explores connections between meteorites, asteroids, and the evolution of small solar system bodies, observing Kuiper Belt comets with the Vatican's 1.8 meter telescope in Arizona, and curating the Vatican meteorite collection. Along with more than 100 scientific publications, he is the author of a number of books. Dr. Consolmagno has served on the governing boards of the Meteoritical Society; is the past president of the International Astronomical Union, Commission 16 (Planets and Satellites) and secretary of Division III (Planetary Systems Sciences); and presently serves as chair of the Division for Planetary Sciences of the American Astronomical Society. This year he holds the Loyola Chair for visiting Jesuit scholars at Fordham University.

Church Closed

As of 8:30 am Highway 21 is closed and does not look like it will open
in the near future so...
Mass at St. Peter's Church is cancelled for Sunday January 3.

You can follow along with morning prayer at
http://divineoffice.org/

The readings of the day are at

http://www.usccb.org/nab/

and my homily is at

http://www2.hpcdsb.edu.on.ca/~Peter_Keller/FOV1-00023E45/

or from my blog at

http://rcbluewater.blogspot.com/

Stay safe and spread the word.

Fr. Peter Keller
22 Mary St.
Zurich, ON
N0M 2T0

(519) 236-4191

Ubi amor, ibi oculus - Where there is love, there is insight