Parish Bulletin for Sunday, April 4, 2004

Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion

      It is interesting to note that through the centuries this day has been called Palm Sunday and will continue to be named such for many years to come. Liturgical reform as a result of Vatican II has restored this day to the ancient tradition of viewing it as an anticipation of Good Friday. Every year on this day, we hear proclaimed the passion of the Lord according to the cycle, namely, the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. Yet there have been times that the procession with palms, recalling for us Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem, has overshadowed the true focus of today's liturgy. Perhaps we need to remember that the cries of Hosanna will turn to cries of crucify him in a very few days. Jesus is very aware that Jerusalem is his destination; that fidelity to his mission means entering the city that holds the greatest danger for him. Yet he continues the journey up to Jerusalem and to the completion of his work on the cross.

      In the entrance gospel, Luke does not mention the use of palms; rather, he has the people offering their most valuable possession, the cloaks that keep them warm and dry, to pave Jesus' way into the city. Nothing is too good for the master. Luke also reveals his belief that Jesus is the bringer of peace; his crowds echo the song of the angels in his recording of Jesus' birth:

"Peace in heaven, glory in the highest." A true cry indeed!

      Luke's passion narrative also reflects the themes peppering his whole gospel. It is important to remember that Luke is writing for a predominantly Gentile crowd; they need to understand who this Jesus is for them and we need to understand who he is for us. Luke's Jesus is for everyone, but most especially for the poor, the neglected, the outcast, and the socially inferior, especially women. God's love and mercy are infinite and are offered over and over, even in the face of rejection. Jesus is most vulnerable in Luke's passion – completely identified with the poor and the weak and at the mercy of those with evil intentions. In this story we also find clear indication of Luke's New Israel, an Israel meant for all people and to be spread throughout the whole world.

      We are meant to listen with clean and open hearts to this beginning to the holiest of weeks. The promises God made to Israel have been fulfilled in Jesus in a way far different from what was expected and more far reaching than could be imagined. God's plan of salvation continues to be worked out through the followers of Jesus. For Luke, those who follow the Christ are the poor and the outcasts, those most in need of his saving grace. For us, we are called to listen and to learn. Year after year we hear the story from four evangelists. Each writer had a particular point of view and a particular focus. It is our responsibility to hear what it is they are trying to tell us. This is the story of salvation, the history of our faith journey from the beginning to this day. Will you listen to the story and take it to heart? Let us pray this day for the grace to truly hear what God is calling us to do and open our minds and our hearts to the God who loved us first and continues to offer that love to all people everywhere. Can we do less?

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CELEBRATING THE TRIDUUM

      At the end of the season of Lent, the Christian community gathers together to celebrate the most holy of days in our Christian experience. The triduum is a single celebration that takes place over a three-day period – from the Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday and continuing until the conclusion of evening prayer on Easter Sunday.

      One of signs that marks these three days as one celebration is the silence that is woven through the fabric of the triduum celebration. We are called to remember and celebrate the saving death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus. As followers of the Christ, we are meant to focus on our immersion in the paschal event and to discover anew how we are to live the saving death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus – right here and right now. When we celebrate the triduum, we find ourselves placed right at the centre of the paschal mystery.

Holy Thursday
THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 2004 AT 7:30 P.M.

      The one feast of the triduum begins with the Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday evening. The gospel reading from John draws us into a deeper understanding of Eucharist. Through the powerful symbolic washing of feet, we ourselves are called to embrace the lifestyle of the servant Jesus. This is no mere role-playing or re-enactment but rather a clear message that eucharist and service are intimately intertwined.

Good Friday
FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2004 AT 3:00 P.M.

      The Mass of the Lord's Supper ends in silence and the gathering of the community for the Celebration of the Passion of the Lord begins in silence. The focus of this day is the saving death of the Lord Jesus and our participation in it. How do we live out the values of the reign of God so that we are able to stand as a stumbling block to the forces of darkness and evil?

Holy Saturday
Easter Vigil SATURDAY, APRIL 10, 2004 AT 8:00 P.M.

      The Vigil begins in darkness and silence. As the third celebration in the triduum, the Easter Vigil proclaims Christ's victory over sin and death and our sharing in this wondrous gift of salvation.

      The great Paschal Triduum is meant to be celebrated as one. A solemn proclamation from the Lord God begins the liturgy of the word on Holy Thursday; the solemnity of solemnities has begun. From the original celebration of Passover, when the Lord liberated Israel from captivity, we progress over the next three days to the fulfillment of the Passover, when the risen Christ liberates us from sin and death. Join your community of faith as we celebrate the Easter Triduum

Holy Spirit Church

Triduum

Holy Thursday       Mass of the Lord's Supper at 7:30 p.m.

Good Friday       Celebration of the Lord's Passion at 3:00 p.m.

Holy Saturday       Easter Vigil at 8:00 p.m.

Prayer Services

Stations of the Cross       Good Friday 12:00 noon

Morning Prayer       Holy Saturday 9:30 a.m.

Easter Sunday

8:30 a..m. 10:00 a.m. 11:30 a.m.

MASS INTENTIONS

MONDAY, April, 5

Monday Of Holy Week

8:30 a.m. – † Saverimuttu and Elizabeth, Peter, Emmanuel, Philomina and Theresa

requested by Thomas and Rita

TUESDAY, April 6

Tuesday Of Holy Week

12 noon – † Mrs. Leonarda Rico and Dr. Felisa Rico

requested by Flora Rico

WEDNESDAY, April 7

Wednesday Of Holy Week

8:30 a.m. – † Margarita P. Briones

requested by Briones and Arayata family

THURSDAY, April 8

HOLY THURSDAY

7:30 p.m.

FRIDAY, April 9

GOOD FRIDAY

3:00 p.m.

SATURDAY, April 10

HOLY SATURDAY

Easter Vigil

8:00 p.m.

Important Notice

Easter Monday

      The Church will be closed Easter Monday and will re-open for Mass on Tuesday at noon.

      Reconciliation is not scheduled to be celebrated during Holy Week. The next celebration of Confession will be offered on Saturday, April 17 at 3:30 pm.

A LENTEN REFLECTION

      Lent is a time for reflection and thanksgiving. Each of us need to reflect on all that God has given us; from His presence in our daily lives, to what we can do for those who are less fortunate than we are.

      Take the time now to pause and give thanks for all that you have received or are about to receive and reflect during this Holy Week on what you can give back to those less fortunate.

      As a Disciple today – we are called to share our time, talent and treasure! Together, Let's ShareLife!

Sharelife Campaign in Holy Spirit Parish Community

      The results of our first of three collections are 25% higher than last year! The generosity of all of you has made this possible. You are living the gospel message in your support for all 28 agencies that cannot operate without the support of this entire Archdiocese. May God's blessings shower you, your families, and the recipients of Sharelife funding during this most holy and joyful season.

Clothed with Love

"Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other – above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."

QUEEN OF APOSTLES RENEWAL CENTRE

      A Women's Lenten Retreat has been scheduled at Queen of Apostle Renewal Centre in Mississauga on the April 2-4 weekend.

      The Retreat will be a conference style Retreat, with time for input, personal reflection, and small group sharing.

      For further information or to register, please call the Centre at 905-278-5229

Stations Of The Cross

      Every Friday during Lent, Stations of the Cross will be said in the church at 7 p.m. except for Good Friday, when it will take place at 12:00 noon.

Facilitators: April 2 – Jennifer Lee and Andrew Ferreira.

HOLY SPIRIT EASTER FOOD DRIVE

Sponsored by St. Vincent de Paul.

      Once again you have stepped up to the plate in this Lenten collection for those who need our help. Many people will benefit from the food collection. It is truly in both the giving and the receiving that we reveal the face of God to one another. Thank you to all who participate in this ministry-both the givers and those who receive!

Easter Egg Sale

      Thank you to all who supported the sale of Belgian chocolate Easter eggs. The centre now has a $755.00 donation to help with this most valuable ministry. The Centre wishes to thank the Pastor, the helpers and all those who enjoyed the eggs.

Marguerite Bourgeoys Centre

The Shepherd's Trust

      The Shepherd's Trust would like to thank everyone for their support of the Trust. Your generosity during the November collection was evident, we received $1,282,915.28 from Diocesan Parishes and $277,697.19 from Religious Order Parishes towards the retirement needs of our clergy.

      The amount collected from the Religious Order Parishes will be distributed this month according to the number of Religious Order priests distributed this month according to the number of Religious Order priests working within parishes of the Archdiocese of Toronto.

Again, thank you for caring for those who have always cared for us!

Parish Bulletin for Sunday, April 11, 2004

EASTER SUNDAY
AN EASTER WISH

      The third and final act of Thornton Wilder's classic play, OUR TOWN, takes place in a cemetery. Some of the characters that were alive in the first two acts now await the resurrection of the dead. A funeral procession approaches. It is the funeral of a young woman whose wedding had taken place earlier in the play. Emily has died giving birth and now joins her deceased relatives and friends. Not quite sure about how she is to feel about what happened to her, Emily asks to revisit one day in her life and even thought she is cautioned against doing that, she goes ahead and revisits her twelfth birthday. It is a painful experience as Emily becomes aware of all the simple things that she missed during one day. She returns to the cemetery and watches as the man who was her husband comes to grieve. Watching him fall prostrate, one of the dead comments, "Goodness! That ain't no way to behave!" The recently deceased woman comments, "They don't understand. Do they?" Another replies, "No dear. They don't understand."

      There is wisdom here, because there is much in life that we don't see and we don't understand. Sometimes we just miss it and sometimes we convince ourselves that life is just easier for ourselves if we just choose not to see or to understand.

      The resurrection of Jesus was something that was not initially or easily understood. Our ancestors in the faith struggled to figure out what Jesus' resurrection meant and to find a language that would explain the unexplainable. The women at the tomb, who are greeted by messengers or angels are being politely told that they have no business being there. Jesus is among the living , not the dead, thank you very much. There is always a matter of confusion and doubt in the resurrection stories. We stand in good company if we don't get it right away.

      That doesn't let us off the hook. We have to own our faith, or it isn't faith at all. The key to understanding the resurrection of Our Lord is found in everything that has preceded it. The ministry of Jesus, His teachings and His signs all reveal the powerful activity of our God. A God who transforms the experience of people, a God who shows the sacredness of life, a God who saves. The life and death of Jesus of Nazareth reveals the generous love of our God, a God we are encouraged to address as, Abba, Father.

      This love is not there just to make us feel good. God loves me. That's so wonderful. I'm so lucky. Thank you for dying on the cross for me and my friends. It goes without saying, that's an inappropriate response.

      God's love changes us and as we share in that love we recognize it's deepest value when it is shared with others. Love can be the only valid response to this story. Love is the key to experiencing and beginning to understand the resurrection of Jesus.

      St. John of the Cross says that, "in the evening of life we shall be judged upon our love". May our love imitate and be an expression of the love of Jesus. A love that transforms the world, a love that celebrates the sacredness of life here and now and in eternity.

      When we wish someone, "Happy Easter", we are in fact wishing them to share completely in the experience of Jesus. We wish them transformation and the experience of living in God's grace and hope. So I wish that for you this day, that you will continue to allow God to touch your lives, to be transformed by Him, to continue to grow in Him, and be true disciples of Our Risen Lord, Jesus Christ.

May this Easter be filled with peace and hope.

MASS INTENTIONS

MONDAY, April 12

Easter Monday

No Mass

TUESDAY, April 13

Easter Tuesday

12 Noon – † Felicidade Vaz

requested by Jacinto Vaz and son

WEDNESDAY, April 14

Easter Wednesday

8:30 a.m. – Intentions of Romanie and Praxie

requested by Thomas and Rita

THURSDAY, April 15

Easter Thursday

8:30 a.m. – † Frank Liotta

requested by Mamie Liotta

FRIDAY, April 16

Easter Friday

8:30 a.m. – † Joseph Cusimano

requested by Mamie Liotta

SATURDAY, April 17

Easter Saturday

9:00 a.m. – † James Sheahan

requested by Wife and family

The Easter Challenge

You believe because you can see.... Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe.

Every year it happens:

earth shakes her sleepy head,

still a bit wintered and dull,

and feels new life stirring

Every year cocoons give up their treasures,

fresh shoots push through brown leaves,

seemingly dead branches shine with green,

and singing birds find their way home

Every year we hear the stories

empty tomb, surprised grievers,

runners with news and revelation,

unexpected encounters,

conversations on the road,

tales of nets filling with fish,

and breakfast on a seashore

And every year

the dull and dead in us

meets our Easter challenge:

to be open to the unexpected,

to believe beyond our security,

to welcome God in every form

and trust in our own greening

Taken from Out of the Ordinary (c) 2000 by Joyce Rupp. Used by permission of Ave Maria Press. All rights reserved.

WELCOME TO THE COMMUNITY!

      This Easter Vigil was a time of initiation for the parish community of Holy Spirit! Seven adults celebrated full initiation – Baptism, Confirmation and First Eucharist. You will be seeing these Neophytes at the Sunday celebrations during the Easter season and will recognize them in the wearing of their baptismal white garment. Five young people celebrated Baptism, one who was fully initiated and three who celebrated First Eucharist as well as Baptism. One of our candidates celebrated Confirmation and First Eucharist. Two additional candidates celebrated Confirmation. Four children from our parish program celebrated First Eucharist. Our community has surrounded all of these people with prayers, good works and witness to what it means to be a participating community of faith. Let us continue to nurture those who are new among us and welcome all of them to the table of the Lord.

REMINDER – CHURCH IMPROVEMENT COLLECTION

      The Church Improvement collection will be taken on the third Sunday of the month – April 17 and 18. Look around you this Easter season and enjoy the improvements that have been accomplished just in time for Easter! The front entrance with the Holy Family sculpture, the church doors (beautiful cedar was nestled inside all those paint jobs), the railings to the altar, the railing for the choir loft, the repair of the stairs to the choir loft, and multiple other repairs and renewals so necessary to continue operating. Our funds are being put to good use and the next plans for improvement depend on all of us pulling together. You can see what has been accomplished by your generosity and we will continue to work for the renewal of our prayer space with your help.

Parish Bulletin for Sunday, April 18, 2004

SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER

      For many of us, the old saying seeing is believing rings a note of truth in this gospel story. Yet we forget that it is really Thomas's ears that lead him to a proclamation of faith rather than his eyes. This particular gospel is often called the story of Doubting Thomas. This aspect of the gospel is really a story within a story. We hear John's gospel proclaimed in all three cycles of the church year as he records for us the first appearance of Jesus among his disciples

      Jesus appears to his apostles in a locked room. He has come to allay their fears and to encourage them to take the next steps so necessary for the building of the kingdom he has come to establish. Conflict arises when Thomas finds the appearance story a little hard to believe. One can almost feel his doubts as we recognize that age-old struggle – we want to believe, but we find it so difficult in a world torn apart by struggle, doubt and confusion. It is in the victory cry of "My Lord and my God" that we identify with Thomas. All but a very few early Christians have been challenged to faith through proclamation – the Good News of salvation comes to those who hear God's Word and believe. It is every Christian's struggle to believe without having seen. Thomas believes only when he hears the Lord's call to belief.

      Thomas calls for proof in the name of all who seek faith. He is the voice for all of us who search for faith in the midst of a world that finds other gods to worship and that demands instant gratification for all wants and needs. Jesus answer then is our answer now: "I am the way." Thomas gets his proof and is filled with the Spirit in his cry of faith. Jesus is not rebuking Thomas in his response:

      Blessed are those who have not seen And yet have come to believe.

      This reply is for all of us. It brings the message home loud and clear. We are called to follow the Lord, the Son of God, who brings us the gift of new life. The message is thrilling and powerful. The kingdom is upon us and we celebrate that gift with the Alleluias of Easter. As we travel these 50 days of celebration, let us remember and embrace the gospel message. The Lord has risen. What does this mean in our lives in the here and now? What answer do we offer to the call to discipleship? Do we believe? Are we ready to embrace our lives and live in the new life we have been offered? Or will we choose to remain imprisoned in our doubts and fears and refuse to offer the cry – "My Lord and my God."

MASS INTENTIONS

MONDAY, April 19

Easter Weekday

8:30 a.m. † George Smola

requested by wife Ann and family

TUESDAY, April 20

Easter Weekday

12 noon † Leo McLaughlin

requested by Mr. and Mrs. Gerald De Veau

WEDNESDAY, April 21

Easter Weekday

St. Anselm

8:30 a.m. † Alfredo Ersilia Gallucci

requested by daughter Caterina

THURSDAY, April 22

Easter Weekday

8:30 a.m. † Mary Sandrasagra

requested by Esther and Pillai

FRIDAY, April 23

Easter Weekday

St. George

8:30 a.m. † Fred Locicero

requested by family

SATURDAY APRIL 24

Easter Weekday

St. Fidelis

9:00 a.m. † Patrick Stanislaus Fernandes

requested by family

FATHER TOM SAYS:

      What an experience of Triduum we have celebrated at Holy Spirit. This community of faith came together for the three days of the Triduum and entered into the celebrations with a prayerful anticipation that culminated at the Easter Vigil with great celebration.

      Many of you expressed your joy in participating in three very meaningful days and for your feedback I am very grateful.

      When we can celebrate with such prayerful and joy-filled liturgy, it means that we are truly offering praise and glory to the God who so loves us. When you express your reaction to such liturgy, it means we are truly forming a community of faith that nurtures and grows in relationship with each other and with our God. Many of you worked behind the scenes to create the space to celebrate.

      Everyone who actively participated – the musicians, the liturgical ministers of the Word, the Eucharistic ministers, the Hospitality ministers, the Altar society, the pastoral team, the office staff, the presiders, and the assembly at large contributed to the success of the celebrations. Let us continue to worship with such heartfelt dedication in our praise and glory to God.

Thank you – thank you to all.

Parish Bulletin for Sunday, April 25, 2004

THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER

JOHN 21:1-19

      The Easter season continues and we are again listening to the gospel according to John. This week's reading comes from a chapter thought to be added at a later time by the members of John's community. Chapter 21 brings together a number of separate happenings and gives them new meaning as they unfold. We find an appearance of Jesus as the Risen Lord, a large catch of fish, a shared meal cooked by the Lord himself, and a reminder to Peter that he is called by the Lord to continue the work of salvation in a most meaningful exchange.

      It appears that the disciples, particularly the seven who are together in this story, are at an impasse and decide to go back to what they know well. Peter leads the group on a fishing expedition that is not very successful until a man on shore invites them to cast their nets on the right side of the boat. Lo and behold, the nets are full to overflowing! The man is showing such interest in the seven is none other than Jesus himself. It is the beloved disciple who first recognizes the presence of the Risen Lord. This appearance of Jesus, like other accounts following the Resurrection, is not immediately recognized, even by what we consider to be his inner circle. It should not surprise us overly much.

      How often do we fail to see the God who operates in the ordinariness of our lives and sometimes miss his presence entirely because we are expecting the spectacular, the miraculous, the out of the ordinary. Yet the Lord is revealed in the extraordinary catch of fish for John. The Lord's presence turns a failed expedition into an especially successful catch of fish. What follows is further revelation in the breaking of the bread. Jesus provides the meal, cooks it himself, and shares it with his friends. In the context of the meal that is shared, we find echoes of previous celebrations. The story so far reminds of the feast of Cana, the multiplication of the loaves and fishes, and, of course, the Eucharist, that same meal shared today at the table of the Lord.

      The story continues to unfold with the commissioning of Peter. Three times Jesus asks Peter to declare himself. Imagine the feelings this must arouse in this particular disciple who just hours before was suffering from a lack of direction. One could almost feel the depression sending this volatile and emotional man back to what he came from. Yet Jesus uses this most solemn method to reaffirm the mission of not only Peter, but all who would follow the Lord. "Feed my lambs; Tend my sheep; Feed my sheep." Three is a symbolic number that many scholars seem to think represents an emphasis or solemnity to this commission to mission. The declaration of love is being affirmed and the call to what true love compels us to do in return is very clearly identified: we are all commanded, in love, to "Feed my sheep."

      This exchange with Peter also identifies his position as the chosen leader of this community that will form the nucleus of faith. Jesus clearly marks Peter, in all his faults, in all his weaknesses, and in all his strengths, as the one to lead. What great trust and love in this disciple. For us, this reveals the depths, once again, of the great love and mercy of our God. This is the same disciple who denied the Lord on the night of his arrest and trial – not once, but three times! This same forgiveness is ours as well. This forgiveness, this great love, overcomes our times of failure and our moments of weakness while it restores the direction and strength of our journey toward wholeness. Imagine the dawning for Peter as he realizes the Lord does not doubt his declaration of love. Rather, he is affirming it in his entrusting of his lambs and sheep to Peter's care. Peter has been tested and understands the pain of failure. Over and over in the years to come as he leads this community of faith, he will be tested again and again. Each one of us is tested; genuine love is put to the test over and over again. If it is not, then it has not truly touched our hearts.

      What message do we take from this gospel? What will change in our lives because we have reflected on the message of love, of discipleship, of forgiveness, of mission? Today let us pray for the wisdom to hear what God is calling us to do and for the courage to follow his path to wholeness.     Amen

MASS INTENTIONS

MONDAY, April 26

Easter Weekday

No Masses on Mondays

TUESDAY, April 27

Easter Weekday

12 noon † Cesare Cerminara

requested by Mary, Bert McCollam

WEDNESDAY, April 28

Easter Weekday

St. Peter Chanel

St. Louis Marie de Monfort

8:30 a.m.† Mrs. Robert Bink

requested by Chad McCollam

THURSDAY, April 29

Easter Weekday

St. Catherine Of Siena

8:30 a.m. † Mrs. John Cronin

requested by Chad McCollam

FRIDAY, April 30

Easter Weekday

St. Pius V

8:30 a.m. † Edward Rose

requested by Lita Lachica

SATURDAY, May 1

Easter Weekday

9:00 a.m. † James Sheahan

requested by wife and family

PLEASE NOTE

CHANGE IN MASS SCHEDULE

Weekday Masses (new)

Tuesday – 12 noon

Wednesday – 8:30 a.m.

Thursday – 8:30 a.m.

Friday – 8:30 a.m.

Saturday – 9:00 a.m.