2008

JANUARY – MARCH – In March, Father Tom presented the parish financial statement for 2007. It showed charitable contributions increased by more than 8%, which he noted: "showed that the parish community of Holy Spirit takes your responsibilities to support the life of both the community and the faith community of our universal church very seriously."

He also said that the problem of upgrading the church continues – perimeter building leaks need repair and the church's main electrical system has been deemed obsolete and needs to be replaced – but requires a complete assessment "wiring must be tracked and labelled" before that work can start.

Despite all this he reported "we have significantly reduced our loan and will be able to report complete payment in the Archdiocesan report in 2008."

APRIL – JUNE – On Saturday May 31, Bill Radigan of this parish, along with eight other men, were ordained as deacons in the Archdiocese of Toronto by Auxiliary Bishop John Boissonneau before a near-capacity crowd at St. Michael's Cathedral.

"The mission of service is what the Father asks of Jesus and what is now asked of these men," said Boissonneau. The new deacons have been preparing for their call for the past four years at St. Augustine's Seminary.

Bill, with the dedication and support of his wife, Sally, has been appointed by the Archbishop to serve at Holy Spirit Parish. He will also likely work within the criminal justice system. Bill said he would also like to work with the families of offenders, as well as the offenders. Prior to this calling, he was very active in our parish's chapter of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Bill is himself, a Secular Franciscan.

While some deacons are single, the vast majority are married and share their ministry with their wives. Deacons are ordained to spend considerable time in places such as hospitals, prisons and seniors' centres, serving those in need. In addition to their service in the community, deacons have a strong presence at their local parish – from preaching and teaching to baptizing children, witnessing marriages and presiding at funerals.

All parishioners join in offering their sincere congratulations to Bill and Sally for a ministry filled with joy, peace, hope and love.

In June, Father Tom announced that he will preside at another four-week session of his popular Reflections book club group starting in November. The discussion gathering is open to all parishioners, but you must first, of course, register with the office.

English writer Evelyn Waugh's novel "Brideshead Revisited" is this fall's selected work. First published in 1945, the book, which has a secondary title – "The Sacred & Profane Memories of Captain Charles Ryder" has been chosen by Time Magazine for its list of All-time 100 Novels.

Waugh wrote that the plot: "deals with what is theologically termed 'the operation of Grace', that is to say, the unmerited and unilateral act of love by which God continually calls souls to Himself." This is achieved by an examination of the aristocratic Flyte family, as seen by the narrator, Charles Ryder.

These will be the only Reflection sessions offered in fall 2008 and spring 2009.

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