Parish Bulletin for Sunday, June 5, 2005

Eucharist is a meal – Feeding at the table!

      When we assemble for the Eucharist, we are fed at two tables: the table of the word and the table of the Eucharist. Once the liturgy of the word is completed with the general intercessions, our attention shifts from the ambo to the altar, where we give praise and thanks to God in union with Christ.

      The physical activity involved in setting the table with cloth, corporal, book and cup marks the transfer of our attention from the ambo to the altar. These rites, which are part of the liturgy of the Eucharist, are called the Preparation of the Altar and the Presentation of the Gifts. The movements, gestures, prayers and songs which make up this rite might best be described as transitional and preparatory in character.

      In the reform of the liturgy following the Second Vatican Council, not only the name, but also the character of the rite was changed. Gestures and prayers of self-offering were replaced by the setting of the table, gestures of presentation and prayers of blessing. Returning to a more ancient tradition, once the table is set, the bread and wine are solemnly presented to the presiding minister.

      The preparation rites are intimately related to the communion rite. During the preparation rite, bread and wine are presented to be transformed by the power of the Spirit and the church's prayer, and to be received as the body and blood of the Lord in communion. Monetary and other gifts for the poor are also collected prior to the Eucharistic prayer. To be truly in communion with the Lord and with members of his body means that we are committed to self-sacrificing love and care for the least of our sisters and brothers, signs of the transformation which ought to take place in us through our communion in the Lord.

Taken from Celebrate! – Murray J. Koetsch

PROPERTY UPDATE

Last weekend I let you know we had a serious infestation problem affecting both the church basement and the rectory. While I wish I could tell you that the problem has been solved, please be assured that several aggressive actions have been taken to address this issue. It is important that you understand what has been done so that all of us can participate in making our worship space as well as my living space a safe environment, free from unwanted and uninvited guests. First of all, an exterminator has been hired to set traps. A contractor has been engaged to do a perimeter search for possible entrance access and to make recommendations for repairs to the exterior of the building. His findings are alarming. I was personally involved in an outside inspection and both the contractor and exterminator were in total agreement that our buildings are easily accessed and multiple repairs must be made to seal up the holes. Brickwork is compromised, vents and exhaust have no protective seals, the foundation has shifted and been neglected for so many years that separation and compromise have resulted in many areas. And finally, the basement area was a clear invitation for infestation with multiple areas of, I can think of no other word, junk. Last weekend, I asked all groups to co-operate and clear their areas of any and all belongings. Only a drastic clean up would give us a chance to win this battle! On Tuesday night I supervised a removal by an outside company of three full-to-the brim loads of everything from old doors to garbage that has been left to rot in the basement area. It was appalling to realize just what had collected over time. This was an expense to the parish that will now give us the chance to see where we go from here. A cleaning crew must now be hired to scrape layers of dirt from the kitchen area, followed by some work by a handyman to effect repairs to doors and drawers.

Mass Intentions for the week

TUESDAY, June 7

Weekday

12 Noon - † Lydia Arsenault

Requested by husband

WEDNESDAY, June 8

Weekday

8:30 a.m. - † Johanna Sheahan

THURSDAY, June 9

Weekday

8:30 a.m. - † Samuel John

Requested by daughter Roselyn Dunot

FRIDAY, June 10

Weekday

8:30 a.m. - † Marg Mahoney

Requested by Martha and family

Parish Bulletin for Sunday, June 12, 2005

GOD SAVES

(Taken from Language of the Heart – By Noel Cooper)

      From the beginning of the biblical story, the Jewish people knew God as Redeemer and Saviour. To redeem is to set free. From the book of Exodus through the psalms to the prophecies of Second Isaiah and Jeremiah, the people knew that "Our Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel" and "I know my Redeemer lives," says the book of Job, in a phrase that is sung at many Christian funerals.

      "God saves us" means "God reaches into our lives to lead us to wholeness." From the time of Moses, the Jewish people knew that God acts to free us from what oppresses us, that God chooses us and we belong to God, that God loves us and invites love in return, that God teaches us how to live in a way that is worthy of God's people, and that God forgives us when we fail. After the time of Moses, the people of Israel realized that God's faithful love had begin not with Moses, not even with Abraham and Sarah, but indeed with the creation of the world.

      The gift of Jesus was the transcending gift of God to humanity. Everything that Jesus did brought to culmination the saving action of God that began at creation, continued through the time of the patriarchs, developed profoundly through the experience of the people with Moses, struggled through the period of political decline, and was refined through the fiery integrity of the prophets and the wisdom of the sages. Jesus' life was another monumental action of God to lead humanity towards wholeness, towards salvation.

      Jesus repeatedly proclaimed that he had come to bring about the reign of God. Everything he did and said was designed to show people that God was initiating a wonderful new step in the process of salvation. Through the life of Jesus, the power of God has taken over in human history and in individual human lives.

      His death summed up His life. It was the ultimate expression of the self-giving love and integrity that marked Jesus' entire life. He understood He was giving His life – His whole life, including His death-to set people free, to redeem them.

      The resurrection was His vindication. The resurrection shows that Jesus was right, that suffering and death are not absurd or hopeless but can be profoundly meaningful, that love and integrity are the hallmarks of human wholeness, and that the power of God's love is stronger than any evil and even overcomes death.

Weekday Mass Summer Schedule

Please note that all weekday Masses, Tuesday to Friday during the months of June, July and August will be celebrated at 8:30 a.m.

Mass Intentions for the week

TUESDAY, June 14

Weekday

8:30 a.m. - † Stella Periera

Requested by Nalini Shakhar

WEDNESDAY, June 15

Weekday

8:30 a.m. - † James Sheahan

THURSDAY, June 16

Weekday

8:30 a.m. - † Gary Kyle

Requested by the John family

FRIDAY, June 17

Weekday

8:30 a.m. - † Dorothea and Robert Flynn

Requested by daughter

Parish Bulletin for Sunday, June 19, 2005

HAVE NO FEAR

– Matthew 10:26-33