Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Out of the blue

It happens that I get to visit with some people quite often, and others I don't see except for perhaps one or two occasions per annum. Evidence the family I dropped in on yesterday. A quick phone call was enough to tell me that they were home, and that they were going to be there for the duration.

Actually this visit was quite fortuitous because not only did I get to see the usual occupants of the house, but their daughter who has been living State side for the last good number of years. She also brought with her, her two young boys, one of which is aged 9 now and the other who I had never had the pleasure to meet until now.

When the elder of the two dismounted from his quad ride (which was going on while I arrived), we exchanged the customary 'hi's' and 'how are you's' and I proceeded to ask him whether he remembered the last time I'd seen him. It turns out that that moment was about three years ago, and owing to the distance between our respective domiciles, we haven't crossed paths since then. It took a while, and a little bit of reminder about the Mountie bear that I have attached to my backpack - a souvenir that he wanted to take with him, before he remembered, but then it was smooth sailing.

As to his little brother, well the image of this two-year-old standing (almost hidden) in the knook of the cupboard, and his piercing blue eyes which peered from beneath a shock of blond hair with the wonder and inquisitiveness characteristic of little ones, springs to mind. I introduced myself to him, but got no reaction. This didn't phase me though; I just told him that when he was ready, he could come and say hi, and we'd be fine.

By the end of the day, we were best friends, sharing a meal together and chatting like long lost friends. It's wonderful for adults to get lost in the world of children every now and then. Seeing the world through their eyes gives us new perspectives on the ordinary stuff that we might otherwise take for granted.

When you let kids tell you about a walk around town, or a spontaneous basketball game played before a net that is at least ten times their own height, or the treats they got at the neighbourhood convenience store, or their syber friends named Mario and Weegee (characters from the Mario Cart game on the Wii system, life takes on a whole new meaning and we adults find an abundance of things for which we are thankful.

Monday, June 29, 2009

Celebrating

Far away, in the Vatican today, thirty-four newly-appointed Metropolitan Archbishops received the pallium (a custom-made lambs' wool scarf) from the Holy Father himself, during the Mass commemorationg the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul. The text of the Holy Father's homily for this occasion was published immediately after it was pronounced today in Italian, but the multi-lingual translations are not yet available as of the time of posting.

Every year on this date, the pontiff invests some of his confreres with this symbol of authority as a sign of their unity with him in governing the Church, and of his presence with them in close unity with the people of their respective Archdioceses.

A little closer to home, today is also the wedding anniversary of some really good friends. I've known them for a little more than 16 years now, and we've indeed become rather close confidants.

How does one describe a friendship such as this? I do believe that people are changed, moulded and formed as a consequence of those they invite into their close circle of friends, and this couple is certainly among the realitvely few who have been sources of comfort, challenge and consolation for me and for others throughout their more than 55 years of marriage. Even today, they continue to welcome friends old and new to their home, and to share with them the gifts of their friendship and love.

When people of faith live lives of commitment, they don't need a pallium to convince the rest of us of their authenticity. By their mere being, they radiate the love that they have shared together throughout these years, the love they professed for one another, and the support they continue to draw one from another, even as they share these precious gifts with others who are privileged enough to count themselves among their circle of friends.

Pay it forward

Today I received an email telling me of someone else's Attitude of Gratitude. I've always known of the contageous nature of positive enforcement, but it's wonderful to see it in action.

Reading about someone else's positive experiences, or their decision to be thankful for something that happens to them is evidence that this theory bears itself out in fact, and who knows how many other people may be affected by the words and thoughts shared here, or as a result of us shaing our experiences of gratitude with one another.

Parents have been speaking for years about the positive reinforcement methods of teaching children, and even in the world of management, complements have been proven to enhance productivity. Imagine the possibilities if each person were to find even one reason a day to be thankful for something that he or she lived, experienced or was involved in.

Paying it forward is the way to go ... and who knows where it will lead?

Sunday, June 28, 2009

How far is too far?

In late April of this year, the first warnings of the H1N1 Flu virus first hit the public media, concentrated in Mexico. In an effort to protect as many people as possible from this virus, Catholic parishes in this diocese were asked to implement a set of preventative measures which will remain in effect until we are advised that the threat of infection has passed.

Just a few weeks ago, the World Health Organization raised the worldwide pandemic alert attached to the H1N1 virus to Level 6 in response to the ongoing global spread of this virus. A phase 6 designation indicates that a global pandemic is underway, and as a result, churches and other organizations who must interact with the general public must be vigilent to do what we can to prevent the further spread of the disease.

Most people who we interact with are now aware of this epidemic, and although there have been more than 7000 cases reported in Canada, there are still some in our midst who appear to pay little or no heed to the health concerns of others.

I found myself in the midst of this battle this week when confronted with a group of parishioners who insisted on receiving Communion on the tongue, despite the warnings not to do so issued by the Bishop of the diocese. Their insistence caused me at first to react negatively to their request, in the interest of public safety and of upholding the precautionary measures we have put in place over these past two months, but no amount of reasoning would deter them from their quest.

After discussing this situation with the bishop himself, I was asked to find a way to respond pastorally to this expressed desire, while doing what I can to maintain the health safety of all concerned. The solution: I asked the parties concerned to approach at the end of the communion line, therefore there would be no other persons risking contamination after they had received, and I could then proceed directly to a disinfection station to purify my hands before continuing with the rest of the Mass.

Decisions like this are never to be made easily, but the fact that the preventative measures have not been adopted universally even within this country, leave lots of room for confusion on the part of those who move with relative liquidity from one parish to another, and even from one diocese to the next.

Even my own relucance to respond to a phone message left by the persons in question gave me pause to consider that as one entrusted with a postion of trust by so many, I needed to answer this request, but I needed to be wise about how I implemented any such decision. There is a part of me that I would like to believe has grown through this confrontation. If in some measure, this means that I've been able to find a solution that responds to the ligitimate concerns of others who hunger for the bread of life, then I must be content to accept this as another growing experience (albeit one that has stretched me once again in ways that I could never have imagined just a few weeks ago).

Personally, I am deeply grateful to those who have agreed to offer valuable advise about the benefits and shortcomings of this decision. There is still a question or a wondering within my heart though: Will this decision be seen as an act of compassion and love, as it is meant to be understood, or will it simply remain in the realm of a victory that has been won?

Saturday, June 27, 2009

The results are in

It's been a very busy year for the famous family athlete.

She's done interviews to explain how it all began, her coach was asked for his input on the matter of who she is and what she can accomplish, and then there was the Fesival of Excellence, held this year in Toronto at the newly-refurbished Varsity Stadium.

She's always said that family support is of utmost importance for her, whether they are physically present at the races, or half way around the world. The excitement that is generated is enough to make any onlooker catch the fever.

The video is not yet posted, but she placed second in a very tight final race today, ceding the top position to her long-time rival and friend Perdita Felicien who has made major strides and come back from the major disappointment she experienced at the Olympic Games in Athens (2004). Their long-time fellow competitor, Alberta's Angela White, placed third in the final competition which took place this afternoon at Varsity Stadium in Toronto.

From afar

'Do you speak Polish?'

The question was posed as I arrived at her hospital bed this evening. She was being cared for by the nurses who seem to ply their trade with such delicatesse and tender care, but her most pressing question was whether or not I could speak her mother tongue.

'I myself am not Polish,' I explained, 'but I do know some words in your language'. That was fine. I could continue in English please and thank you ... as long as we celebrated the sacrament, all would be well. As I completed the ritual, I bid her good night. 'Dzenkuje' I said (Thank you), and her reply came immediately, 'Proshe barzo' (literally you're welcome). She then proceeded to explain to me that she had arrived some time ago in this city, and had located the Polish community, who had become her confidants, her guides in the ways of Canadian culture, and her mainstay in terms of connections to other folk. I couldn't help wondering what it must have truly been like for her to arrive in this country, so far away from home, from family and friends, and not even understanding the language at first.

What wonderful examples of courage some people are, and I'm fortunate enough to meet so many of them. If only I had time to listen to their stories, to learn more about their histories and to appreciate the vast knowledge and experience that so many people have brought to this country. If only we would take the time to appreciate these gifts, how much better we would all be.

With appologies for the spelling errors in the foreign tongue ... I bid you dobranoz.

Interruptions

'Because of you I've gotten no work done today'.

Believe it or not, I think this was actually meant as a complement. I had called a friend to check in and to suggest that we should have lunch together today. It took a bit of scheming and planning, but we finally decided on the venue, so once we'd worked out the timing the rest was easy.

It turned out to be another glorious day today, so lunch on the patio was a wonderful surprise for both of us, recalling many happy memories for my companion, and providing a treasured moment for relaxation in the warmth of the summer afternoon for us both.

Later on in the afternoon, once we had both returned to our respective homes and the tasks at hand, my companion called to check in with me, and to remind me once again that I had interrupted her plans to get so much done today. Judging by the fact that we both enjoyed lunch so thoroughly, I'll take this comment as a complement and return the thank you for a moment in the sun that was truly a blessing to be savoured.

Friday, June 26, 2009

At the races

What a glorious day!

The sun has set, and night has fallen, but this afternoon, members of the Go Priscilla fan club (otherwise known as members of her extended family) were gathered in Varsity Stadium in Toronto. Priscilla was there too, for the qualifying rounds of the Canadian National Track and Field Championships and Worlds Trials. No, Jamaica's famous Usain Bolt was not there his time round, but that didn't dampen the spirits at all.

'Neath a gloriously sunny sky, the 100m Hurdles races led off the official beginning of the qualifying rounds, and Priscilla figured in the first heat of 8 competitors. She outshone the rest by more than a few body lengths, and now prepares for tomorrow's finals, which are slated to start at 16:50 local time in Toronto. Coverage of the races will be carried live on CBC television (coverage begins at 16:30) for anyone who can't be physically present but wants to be the first to know the results.

There are events in all disciplines of Track and Field events this weekend, as well as competitions for Special Olympians (or those who are aspiring to be there for the next round in 2012).

Priscilla's a busy girl. As soon as she completes the competition tomorrow, she's off and running. Scheduled stops in the coming weeks include Oslo, Norway; Lausanne, Switzerland; Rome, Italy and Rethymno, Greece, and all this before the end of July.

Pop icons

I was in an airport, cut off from the world outside and immersed in a good book for the majority of yesterday afternoon, so I didn't hear anything but whispers among fellow passengers until I got to my destination. That's when I confirmed the news that two major personalities from the world of entertainment - people whose names I was very familiar with throughout my 'growing up' years and beyond - had departed this world.

Many of us who were teenagers through the latter part of the 1970s and early 1980s were glued to television sets weekly if not more often and are only too familiar with Farrah Fawcett, and the Charlie's Angels series. I remember seeing a note in a newspaper a few weeks ago which I thought was announcing Ms. Fawcett's death, but apparently that was an update on the gravity of her mortal condition. Well, her struggle with cancer came to an end yesterday, and many who idolized her throughout her life and career are now mourning her loss.

Ms. Fawcett's death was overshadowed yesterday though by the sudden death of another pop star from days gone by. Michael Jackson, one of the Jackson Five, and perhaps the most well-known among generations who were on the music scene throughout the 1980s and 1990s, also met his maker yesterday.

Whether one was a fan or not, Mr. Jackson has enjoyed fame and fortune because of the music he made. His records sold more than any other artist I can think of, and people are still listening to his music today, chasing after recordings and idolizing him. As news of his death broke, crowds began to assemble outside the hospital where he had been rushed. Even in death, he makes big news, and images as well as stories of this passing quickly flashed across various forms of media.

The circumstances of his death, as of his life, are still suspect, and whether they will be made public still remains to be seen.

One thing is certain: both these personalities have played a part in influencing the lives of many millions of others who have followed their careers from near and far. Their passings mark milestones and all of us who enjoyed their work, or learned from them in any way should pause to give thanks.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

New partnerships

The second part of the dance happened this morning. Last week, representatives from our Beech Street Community Kitchen met for the first time with reps from the Sudbury Action Centre for Youth. The topic of discussion was rather exploratory but the aim is the possibility of setting up a partnership between our two groups so that some of the youth of the city, who haven't had a whole lot of breaks in life, might find a place to have some fun and learn a thing or two at the same time.

Today, the second part of this courtship happened, as we reciprocated the visits and took some time to see the premises of SACY for ourselves. In addition, we got a chance to meet some of the people, to associate the faces with names we may have heard whispered between collegues and to see first hand the operation that has been part of the fabric of Sudbury for 20 years now.

The folks at SACY are committed to youth: their energy, enthusiasm and their realism give the clients who either drop in throughout the day or come for specific programs, a safe place to flop, to find other friends, to keep in contact with one another and even to seek out some wisdom from those who await their arrival. This is an impressive operation, and we're proud to be working with them.

If all goes well, we will begin offering Community Kitchen events in partnership with SACY as early as September of this year. The possibilities are endless ... so as soon as we work through some of the logistical stuff, we're off to the races.

Friendship

One of the most delicate matters for priests, especially in today's world, is the cultivation of healthy friendships. We live in a world that judges all things by appearances, and this can often create limits, not meant to be confining, but necessary nonetheless. Defining these limits is not something new to anyone in the world.

A recent post on the website Universalis quoted a piece on friendship (posted as a reflection for the Solemnity of the Birth of John the Baptist). Here it is:

Friendship: the love that dare not speak its name

Once upon a time, there was friendship. Once upon a time, society accepted that the love of friends could be the single most important thing in a person’s life, and they did more than just accept, they celebrated the fact. Throughout history, discourses and sermons have been written in praise of friendship. When Alfred Tennyson’s friend Arthur Hugh Hallam died tragically young in 1833, he spent the next seventeen years writing the great poem “In Memoriam” as a memorial to his friend; and Hallam is a first name used among the Tennyson family to this day. Looking further back, we can see Damon and Pythias, Pylades and Orestes, David and Jonathan...

Perhaps the change was the fault of Freud and Oscar Wilde; and then again, perhaps not. But today no love is accepted as valid that is not in some way sexual, and even if we set out to reject the sex-obsessed outlook of today’s society, we think in those terms despite ourselves. When St Aelred writes of “this most loving youth”, we all say to ourselves “oh yes” in a knowing way, sure that we have guessed the smutty truth.

What a waste! What a wicked denial and perversion of love! God has made friendship – did not Christ have his own beloved disciple? – and how dare we corrupt it and deny it! Of course, we must not despise sex: sex is holy, divinely ordained as a way of love and procreation – but it is not the only love. Friendship is not “mere” friendship, not a second-best; still less is it a repressed substitute for erotic love. It is a love in its own right, powerful, holy, overwhelming. A world with Eros but without friendship is a world full of isolated, self-obsessed couples, of love unshared – a sad thing indeed. And we are heading that way. The denial of friendship is an evil thing and evil in its effects. When my pulse beats faster at the sight of my friend, when his presence feels like a bolt of electricity – is this really sex in disguise? Am I to run away – which would be a tragedy – in order to preserve my chastity, or am I to try to overcome my revulsion and make a pass – which would be worse? Modern society seems to give us nothing but this harsh choice between a cold heart and a hot body. Who knows how many of the impressionable young are led into ultimately unendurable vices precisely because they cannot face what seems the only available alternative? And when, as is inevitable, they have destroyed friendship by turning it into something it is not, what choice do we give them but to repeat the error, each time more desperately? As if one could see the stars by diving ever deeper into the mud!

Let us accept friendship. Let us accept it as a true and passionate gift of God. Let us accept it in others without reading anything else into it – “repressed” or not. Let us rejoice if it is given to us, be glad if it is given to others. Jonathan loved David not because of what he could get out of him, but because he was David: let us celebrate this motiveless love of the Other, an echo of the pure love of Heaven. We ought to love everyone like that: but one should at least start somewhere.

And if, like Aelred, we have made the mistake of seeking a physical consummation of a love that does not require it, then let us, like St Aelred, not recoil from that love but go forward, transcend that error, until the love becomes a redeemed and radiant thing that others will see and rejoice, giving thanks to God.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Against the odds

I've written in a recent post about the Sudbury Action Centre for Youth, otherwise known as SACY. As fate (or providence) would have it, a few of us from the Beech Street Community Kitchen were invited to attend SACY's Annual General Meeting this week.

Aside from the review of financial dealings, and reports about the progress that has taken place with this organization which specializes in giving teenagers and young adults a leg up at trying to be the best they can be, this was an opportunity to meet with some of the people who work behind the scenes, and most of all to get a glimpse of the youth who are the ultimate beneficiaries of the programs offered.

The people sitting at my table ended up all having connections of various and sundry sorts. Very different circumstances had brought each of us together with the others, but here were were all sitting around the same table, now focusing not so much on our own pasts, but on the possibility of a futre that might be somehow intertwined with the young people who were also in our midst.

Most of these young adults have not had easy lives, and all of them certainly have stories to tell, probably with more than just a little bit of colour thrown in to spice things up. From their various and sundry backgrounds, they too have found themselves sitting at a common table, helping one another to achieve their goals one at a time.

What the future holds will be made clear in the coming days, weeks and months. For the moment, we look to this opportunity with hope and thanksgiving: gratitude for teenagers who don't want to give up on themselves, and a hope that we at BSCK can help to add a certain spice to their lives too, perhaps offering them an additional possiblity for achieving their dreams.

All dreams begin with a wish, and every journey starts with one step, so stay tuned for the updates as this dream takes shape.

All my children

Over the past three years, I have had the extraordinary privilege of getting to know some of the most precious people in the parish where I live and exercise my ministry. Every Sunday morning from September to June, I meet a group of children who are invited to participate in the weekly Children's Liturgy.

The routine is pretty well established by now: I call them forward at the beginning of Mass, speak some simple words of encouragement with them, and then they leave the church and move to another part of the building where other adults (who some would call catachists) review the readings proper to the Sunday liturgy and then use discussion, arts and crafts and other means to teach these children the value of prayer.

This week, they prepared small oragami boats for their own fathers, and as luck would have it, they also prepared one for me, along with an oversized card which each child signed. In addition, this year they also had some fun. On a white T-shirt that I can now wear, each child who has been partaking in the Children's Liturgy program was invited to leave a colour imprint of his or her palm. There were also two smaller children (babies still in diapers) who left their foot prints instead of palm prints. There are no words written on this shirt, but because I know the children who prepared it with such love and affection, I don't need the words to know who they are. Each time I wear it - to do my walks around the city, early in the mornings or late at night - I will remember and pray for the young ones who have taken the time to prepare this most precious gift.

Of course I will also remember and pray for those adults who helped these little ones to prepare these precious gifts too. With a thankful heart, I pray for all those who work so dilligently to bring the light of faith to minds young and old. This is indeed a privilege which should never be taken for granted.

Surprises

For the past couple of days, I've been brooding with all kinds of other things that I want to write about, but unfortunately, it isn't until right now that I'm able to get caught up, so here goes:

On Sunday morning, I caught up with a friend who I haven't seen for quite some time, at least on the phone - but later that afternoon, I actually got the chance to sit with her and to get caught up. We haven't seen each other for quite some time, but it wasn't the stories that surprised me so much as her invitation for me to decide where we were headed for the afternoon.

'It's Father's Day, so this is your day', she said.

The thing is that Father's Day is an important cultural day that is observed by most families in these parts, but I never think of myself really as one of the elect, so I usually find myself relaxing somewhere on Sunday afternoon, either accompanied by friends who are far away from their own fathers, or who no longer count their fathers among mortals.

This was the first time that I remember someone offering to spoil me for the day. It was an amazing experience, one that I will remember for quite some time to come. In the end, we visited with some mutual friends, and went out for supper before returning home. What a wonderful surprise, and a reminder that every now and then it's a good idea to spoil those we love most, just for the fun of it.

Sunday, June 21, 2009

L

The year was 1959.

The top song on the charts was Mack the Knife by Bobby Darrin and top rated models of cars that were all the rage included the Buick Electra 225 dicast model and the Edsel Concept cars.

During that summer, as in countless other summers before and many since, couples fell in love and got married. Some of them are still married, and therefore this year are celebrating the golden jubilee of that most important day.

Some people love parties, and would relish the opportunity to mark such a momentus occasion surrounded with friends and family as well as acquaintences who they have known over the years, but perhaps don't have much cause for seeing too often otherwise. For others there is no need for fanfare, because the truth is that if a marriage is based on faith and love, it endures because the two who exchanged their vows have learned ... ehem ... are still learning perhaps, the value of seeing their partner as the best gift that God could ever have given them.

The older we get, the more we realize that life is really too short, and that all such moments should be celebrated with gusto, with love and in the company of friends. Life is meant to be lived, to be celebrated and shared. Sure, it comes with it's share of challenges (we all have them), but moments such as anniversaries and other joyous occasions often come along only once. Celebrating them may have very little to do with the people who are being fetted, and more to do with the ones who are throwing the party. It's one way that others can celebrate us ... so don't stand in their way. Instead, join the party and unpack the blessings that await.

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Companions

Every journey, whether we travel it on foot or by some other mode of transportation, whether it be a literal journey that takes us from this place to another or a figurative one that moves us by means of the imagination, has the power to introduce us to adventures well beyond our own boundaries.

Journeys help us to grow as we realize our own potential, but they also test us as they force us to move beyond our own limitations and to dream about a future that is yet to be. The process of discovery that leads us step by step along the journeys of life is an integral part of the travel that we all must undertake.

It helps now and then to know that we don't often have to make this journey on our own. If we're truly lucky or blessed, we discover the companions who walk beside us. These are the people who help us to put things in perspective. These are the people who laugh and cry with us. These are the people who listen when we must talk, and talk when we must listen. If we're wise enough, we'll know the difference.

Friday, June 19, 2009

Hitting the links

Sixty-nine strokes over eighteen holes is not too bad at all. That's the score we posted in the Third Annual KofC-Shriners Golf Tournament today.

Let me explain. This friendly competition began three years ago, when some of the Knights of Columbus and the members of the Shriners here in the city came together to sponsor a golf tournament in support of the Inner City Home of Sudbury. This annual event brought together twenty-five teams of four golfers who spent the afternoon playing 18 holes of golf in a best-ball tournament.

By the time we reached the 19th hole, our team score was 69, about 3 over par for the course. Not bad considering the fact that two or three members of the foursome that I was playing with (including me) don't play golf except for this tournament. We're not really into getting the low score, although we are elated when we get a good hit, and score a par. The important part of today is that we all had a lot of fun, shared a good meal, caught up with some friends old and new, and in the process raised some money to help the Inner City Home to continue responding to the needs of the transient and needy of our city.

What a wonderful moment of fraternity.

Requiem

In my haste to get things done this morning, I placed a call to the Saint Joseph Motherhouse, intending to speak with one of the Sisters, but the switchboard operator informed me, 'They're all getting ready to enter the chapel for the funeral Mass'.

Oops ... How could I forget!

The Sisters of Saint Joseph have been hit hard this week. They're in mourning over the deaths of two of their members. In truth, to say that a community is in mourning portrays some doleful images by earthly standards, but the Liturgy for the Mass of the Resurrection is more about celebrating and giving thanks, so I hope (no, I know that the Sisters are praising God this morning as they did a few days ago).

On Monday morning of this past week, we received the news that Sister Anthony Daniel, one of the artists of the community had died. This came as a shock to some, especially those who saw her only a few weeks ago, but probably not to others who have watched and ministered to her in her final days.

Just a few days later, we heard of the death of Sister Gabrielle (Gaye) White. While I was at the Motherhouse a few weeks ago, I had an opportunity for a brief visit with Gaye, and was very pleased to hear that she did indeed remember me, even though we hadn't seen each other for many years - at least 10 or more.

These women have spent their lives giving of themselves for love of God and others. May they now rest from their labours in the arms of the One they have loved and tried to serve, and may the Sisters and others who mourn their loss know the everlasting love and tenderness of the Lord who consoles us in our moments of grief.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Angels on the street

This morning, I had a chance to learn about another group of people who spend their lives doing good and planting seeds that hopefully will grow and sprout into something beautiful in the lives of others.

I had heard of the Sudbury Action Centre for Youth (SASY for short) through some other agencies here in town, but today I got a chance to spend some time with one of their own, and she graciously provided a very brief overview of what they're all about.

There's an amazing amount of cooperation between a whole lot of different groups in town, all of which are doing their little bit to reach out to others in our midst who might otherwise go unnoticed: the modern-day anawim. Examples include the Jubilee Heritage Resource Centre, which offers various programs for children of various ages, as well as parental and family support for young and single parents; the Sudbury Food Bank, which distributes food supplies to an ever-growing number of other agencies throughout the city who in turn make sure that the hungry are fed; and the Native Friendship Centre which provides a place for people of First Nation heritage to interact both with each other and with others in the community.

SASY has been around for quite some time now, offering a variety of programs all aimed toward our younger population. The clientele who normally grace their doors are aged 16-24 years. Most of them are street kids, or those who are struggling or have struggled with addictions of various sorts. Programmes offered by SASY include
  • a casual labour program so that youth can provide short-term labour for those in our community who are looking for occasional help of various descriptions;
  • a drop-in centre that allows young people to gather in a safe and non-judgemental place to interact and to hang out;
  • an outreach program which includes a needle exchange for those with addictions who seek a safe place to dispose of used needles; and
  • a housing component which tries to help youth in their quest to find affordable housing.

Whether young people are able to knock at their doors or not, those who are affiliated with SASY all must have an abiding love for teenagers - the often misunderstood generation - who are too often young children who have been forced to grow up much too soon for their own good.

To all those who watch out for our young people, and dedicate their lives to helping teenagers find their way, bravo to you ... you are the angels that some of these youngsters have longed for.

Reflections on priesthood

In ancticipation of the Year for Priests which begins tomorrow, the Holy Father published today a letter addressed to the priests of the world. This letter, which draws on some of the writings of Saint John Mary Vianney, otherwise known as the Curé d'Ars, is a wonderful starting point for priests and lay faithful alike to begin our reflections about the importance of priests in the world today.

In many parts of the world, priests have suffered because of the misdeeds of some. I can't help but wonder whether this year, devoted to the celebration of and prayer for priests will help us to take yet another step toward healing the wounds that have been inflicted upon so many, most of all on the hearts and souls of priests today.

Here then is the text of the Holy Father's reflection, published by the Vatican Information Service:


LETTER TO PRIESTS
PROCLAIMING THE YEAR FOR PRIESTS

Dear Brother Priests,

On the forthcoming Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Friday 19 June 2009 – a day traditionally devoted to prayer for the sanctification of the clergy –, I have decided to inaugurate a Year for Priests in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the dies natalis of John Mary Vianney, the patron saint of parish priests worldwide. This Year, meant to deepen the commitment of all priests to interior renewal for the sake of a more forceful and incisive witness to the Gospel in today’s world, will conclude on the same Solemnity in 2010. The priesthood is the love of the heart of Jesus”, the saintly Curé of Ars would often say. This touching expression makes us reflect, first of all, with heartfelt gratitude on the immense gift which priests represent, not only for the Church, but also for humanity itself. I think of all those priests who quietly present Christ’s words and actions each day to the faithful and to the whole world, striving to be one with the Lord in their thoughts and their will, their sentiments and their style of life. How can I not pay tribute to their apostolic labours, their tireless and hidden service, their universal charity? And how can I not praise the courageous fidelity of so many priests who, even amid difficulties and incomprehension, remain faithful to their vocation as “friends of Christ”, whom he has called by name, chosen and sent?

I still treasure the memory of the first parish priest at whose side I exercised my ministry as a young priest: he left me an example of unreserved devotion to his pastoral duties, even to meeting death in the act of bringing viaticum to a gravely ill person. I also recall the countless confreres whom I have met and continue to meet, not least in my pastoral visits to different countries: men generously dedicated to the daily exercise of their priestly ministry. Yet the expression of Saint John Mary also makes us think of Christ’s pierced Heart and the crown of thorns which surrounds it. I am also led to think, therefore, of the countless situations of suffering endured by many priests, either because they themselves share in the manifold human experience of pain or because they encounter misunderstanding from the very persons to whom they minister. How can we not also think of all those priests who are offended in their dignity, obstructed in their mission and persecuted, even at times to offering the supreme testimony of their own blood?

There are also, sad to say, situations which can never be sufficiently deplored where the Church herself suffers as a consequence of infidelity on the part of some of her ministers. Then it is the world which finds grounds for scandal and rejection. What is most helpful to the Church in such cases is not only a frank and complete acknowledgment of the weaknesses of her ministers, but also a joyful and renewed realization of the greatness of God’s gift, embodied in the splendid example of generous pastors, religious afire with love for God and for souls, and insightful, patient spiritual guides. Here the teaching and example of Saint John Mary Vianney can serve as a significant point of reference for us all. The Curé of Ars was quite humble, yet as a priest he was conscious of being an immense gift to his people: “A good shepherd, a pastor after God’s heart, is the greatest treasure which the good Lord can grant to a parish, and one of the most precious gifts of divine mercy”. He spoke of the priesthood as if incapable of fathoming the grandeur of the gift and task entrusted to a human creature: “O, how great is the priest! … If he realized what he is, he would die… God obeys him: he utters a few words and the Lord descends from heaven at his voice, to be contained within a small host…”. Explaining to his parishioners the importance of the sacraments, he would say: “Without the Sacrament of Holy Orders, we would not have the Lord. Who put him there in that tabernacle? The priest. Who welcomed your soul at the beginning of your life? The priest. Who feeds your soul and gives it strength for its journey? The priest. Who will prepare it to appear before God, bathing it one last time in the blood of Jesus Christ? The priest, always the priest. And if this soul should happen to die [as a result of sin], who will raise it up, who will restore its calm and peace? Again, the priest… After God, the priest is everything! … Only in heaven will he fully realize what he is”. These words, welling up from the priestly heart of the holy pastor, might sound excessive. Yet they reveal the high esteem in which he held the sacrament of the priesthood. He seemed overwhelmed by a boundless sense of responsibility: “Were we to fully realize what a priest is on earth, we would die: not of fright, but of love… Without the priest, the passion and death of our Lord would be of no avail. It is the priest who continues the work of redemption on earth… What use would be a house filled with gold, were there no one to open its door? The priest holds the key to the treasures of heaven: it is he who opens the door: he is the steward of the good Lord; the administrator of his goods … Leave a parish for twenty years without a priest, and they will end by worshiping the beasts there … The priest is not a priest for himself, he is a priest for you”.

He arrived in Ars, a village of 230 souls, warned by his Bishop beforehand that there he would find religious practice in a sorry state: “There is little love of God in that parish; you will be the one to put it there”. As a result, he was deeply aware that he needed to go there to embody Christ’s presence and to bear witness to his saving mercy: “[Lord,] grant me the conversion of my parish; I am willing to suffer whatever you wish, for my entire life!”: with this prayer he entered upon his mission. The Curé devoted himself completely to his parish’s conversion, setting before all else the Christian education of the people in his care. Dear brother priests, let us ask the Lord Jesus for the grace to learn for ourselves something of the pastoral plan of Saint John Mary Vianney! The first thing we need to learn is the complete identification of the man with his ministry. In Jesus, person and mission tend to coincide: all Christ’s saving activity was, and is, an expression of his “filial consciousness” which from all eternity stands before the Father in an attitude of loving submission to his will. In a humble yet genuine way, every priest must aim for a similar identification. Certainly this is not to forget that the efficacy of the ministry is independent of the holiness of the minister; but neither can we overlook the extraordinary fruitfulness of the encounter between the ministry’s objective holiness and the subjective holiness of the minister. The Curé of Ars immediately set about this patient and humble task of harmonizing his life as a minister with the holiness of the ministry he had received, by deciding to “live”, physically, in his parish church: As his first biographer tells us: “Upon his arrival, he chose the church as his home. He entered the church before dawn and did not leave it until after the evening Angelus. There he was to be sought whenever needed”.

The pious excess of his devout biographer should not blind us to the fact that the Curé also knew how to “live” actively within the entire territory of his parish: he regularly visited the sick and families, organized popular missions and patronal feasts, collected and managed funds for his charitable and missionary works, embellished and furnished his parish church, cared for the orphans and teachers of the “Providence” (an institute he founded); provided for the education of children; founded confraternities and enlisted lay persons to work at his side.

His example naturally leads me to point out that there are sectors of cooperation which need to be opened ever more fully to the lay faithful. Priests and laity together make up the one priestly people and in virtue of their ministry priests live in the midst of the lay faithful, “that they may lead everyone to the unity of charity, ‘loving one another with mutual affection; and outdoing one another in sharing honour’” (Rom 12:10). Here we ought to recall the Second Vatican Council’s hearty encouragement to priests “to be sincere in their appreciation and promotion of the dignity of the laity and of the special role they have to play in the Church’s mission. … They should be willing to listen to lay people, give brotherly consideration to their wishes, and acknowledge their experience and competence in the different fields of human activity. In this way they will be able together with them to discern the signs of the times”.

Saint John Mary Vianney taught his parishioners primarily by the witness of his life. It was from his example that they learned to pray, halting frequently before the tabernacle for a visit to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. “One need not say much to pray well” – the Curé explained to them – “We know that Jesus is there in the tabernacle: let us open our hearts to him, let us rejoice in his sacred presence. That is the best prayer”. And he would urge them: “Come to communion, my brothers and sisters, come to Jesus. Come to live from him in order to live with him… “Of course you are not worthy of him, but you need him!”. This way of educating the faithful to the Eucharistic presence and to communion proved most effective when they saw him celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Those present said that “it was not possible to find a finer example of worship… He gazed upon the Host with immense love”. “All good works, taken together, do not equal the sacrifice of the Mass” – he would say – “since they are human works, while the Holy Mass is the work of God”. He was convinced that the fervour of a priest’s life depended entirely upon the Mass: “The reason why a priest is lax is that he does not pay attention to the Mass! My God, how we ought to pity a priest who celebrates as if he were engaged in something routine!”. He was accustomed, when celebrating, also to offer his own life in sacrifice: “What a good thing it is for a priest each morning to offer himself to God in sacrifice!”.

This deep personal identification with the Sacrifice of the Cross led him – by a sole inward movement – from the altar to the confessional. Priests ought never to be resigned to empty confessionals or the apparent indifference of the faithful to this sacrament. In France, at the time of the Curé of Ars, confession was no more easy or frequent than in our own day, since the upheaval caused by the revolution had long inhibited the practice of religion. Yet he sought in every way, by his preaching and his powers of persuasion, to help his parishioners to rediscover the meaning and beauty of the sacrament of Penance, presenting it as an inherent demand of the Eucharistic presence. He thus created a “virtuous” circle. By spending long hours in church before the tabernacle, he inspired the faithful to imitate him by coming to visit Jesus with the knowledge that their parish priest would be there, ready to listen and offer forgiveness. Later, the growing numbers of penitents from all over France would keep him in the confessional for up to sixteen hours a day. It was said that Ars had become “a great hospital of souls”. His first biographer relates that “the grace he obtained [for the conversion of sinners] was so powerful that it would pursue them, not leaving them a moment of peace!”. The saintly Curé reflected something of the same idea when he said: “It is not the sinner who returns to God to beg his forgiveness, but God himself who runs after the sinner and makes him return to him”. “This good Saviour is so filled with love that he seeks us everywhere”.

We priests should feel that the following words, which he put on the lips of Christ, are meant for each of us personally: “I will charge my ministers to proclaim to sinners that I am ever ready to welcome them, that my mercy is infinite”. From Saint John Mary Vianney we can learn to put our unfailing trust in the sacrament of Penance, to set it once more at the centre of our pastoral concerns, and to take up the “dialogue of salvation” which it entails. The Curé of Ars dealt with different penitents in different ways. Those who came to his confessional drawn by a deep and humble longing for God’s forgiveness found in him the encouragement to plunge into the “flood of divine mercy” which sweeps everything away by its vehemence. If someone was troubled by the thought of his own frailty and inconstancy, and fearful of sinning again, the Curé would unveil the mystery of God’s love in these beautiful and touching words: “The good Lord knows everything. Even before you confess, he already knows that you will sin again, yet he still forgives you. How great is the love of our God: he even forces himself to forget the future, so that he can grant us his forgiveness!”. But to those who made a lukewarm and rather indifferent confession of sin, he clearly demonstrated by his own tears of pain how “abominable” this attitude was: “I weep because you don’t weep”, he would say. “If only the Lord were not so good! But he is so good! One would have to be a brute to treat so good a Father this way!”. He awakened repentance in the hearts of the lukewarm by forcing them to see God’s own pain at their sins reflected in the face of the priest who was their confessor. To those who, on the other hand, came to him already desirous of and suited to a deeper spiritual life, he flung open the abyss of God’s love, explaining the untold beauty of living in union with him and dwelling in his presence: “Everything in God’s sight, everything with God, everything to please God… How beautiful it is!”. And he taught them to pray: “My God, grant me the grace to love you as much as I possibly can”.

In his time the Curé of Ars was able to transform the hearts and the lives of so many people because he enabled them to experience the Lord’s merciful love. Our own time urgently needs a similar proclamation and witness to the truth of Love: Deus caritas est (1 Jn: 4:8). Thanks to the word and the sacraments of Jesus, John Mary Vianney built up his flock, although he often trembled from a conviction of his personal inadequacy, and desired more than once to withdraw from the responsibilities of the parish ministry out of a sense of his unworthiness. Nonetheless, with exemplary obedience he never abandoned his post, consumed as he was by apostolic zeal for the salvation of souls. He sought to remain completely faithful to his own vocation and mission through the practice of an austere asceticism: “The great misfortune for us parish priests – he lamented – is that our souls grow tepid”; meaning by this that a pastor can grow dangerously inured to the state of sin or of indifference in which so many of his flock are living. He himself kept a tight rein on his body, with vigils and fasts, lest it rebel against his priestly soul. Nor did he avoid self-mortification for the good of the souls in his care and as a help to expiating the many sins he heard in confession. To a priestly confrere he explained: “I will tell you my recipe: I give sinners a small penance and the rest I do in their place”. Aside from the actual penances which the Curé of Ars practiced, the core of his teaching remains valid for each of us: souls have been won at the price of Jesus’ own blood, and a priest cannot devote himself to their salvation if he refuses to share personally in the “precious cost” of redemption.

In today’s world, as in the troubled times of the Curé of Ars, the lives and activity of priests need to be distinguished by a forceful witness to the Gospel. As Pope Paul VI rightly noted, “modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if he does listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses”. Lest we experience existential emptiness and the effectiveness of our ministry be compromised, we need to ask ourselves ever anew: “Are we truly pervaded by the word of God? Is that word truly the nourishment we live by, even more than bread and the things of this world? Do we really know that word? Do we love it? Are we deeply engaged with this word to the point that it really leaves a mark on our lives and shapes our thinking?”. Just as Jesus called the Twelve to be with him (cf. Mk 3:14), and only later sent them forth to preach, so too in our days priests are called to assimilate that “new style of life” which was inaugurated by the Lord Jesus and taken up by the Apostles.

It was complete commitment to this “new style of life” which marked the priestly ministry of the Curé of Ars. Pope John XXIII, in his Encyclical Letter Sacerdotii nostri primordia, published in 1959 on the first centenary of the death of Saint John Mary Vianney, presented his asceticism with special reference to the “three evangelical counsels” which the Pope considered necessary also for priests: “even though priests are not bound to embrace these evangelical counsels by virtue of the clerical state, these counsels nonetheless offer them, as they do all the faithful, the surest road to the desired goal of Christian perfection”. The Curé of Ars lived the “evangelical counsels” in a way suited to his priestly state. His poverty was not the poverty of a religious or a monk, but that proper to a priest: while managing much money (since well-to-do pilgrims naturally took an interest in his charitable works), he realized that everything had been donated to his church, his poor, his orphans, the girls of his “Providence”, his families of modest means. Consequently, he “was rich in giving to others and very poor for himself”. As he would explain: “My secret is simple: give everything away; hold nothing back”. When he lacked money, he would say aimiably to the poor who knocked at his door: “Today I’m poor just like you, I’m one of you”. At the end of his life, he could say with absolute tranquillity: “I no longer have anything. The good Lord can call me whenever he wants!”. His chastity, too, was that demanded of a priest for his ministry. It could be said that it was a chastity suited to one who must daily touch the Eucharist, who contemplates it blissfully and with that same bliss offers it to his flock. It was said of him that “he radiated chastity”; the faithful would see this when he turned and gazed at the tabernacle with loving eyes”. Finally, Saint John Mary Vianney’s obedience found full embodiment in his conscientious fidelity to the daily demands of his ministry. We know how he was tormented by the thought of his inadequacy for parish ministry and by a desire to flee “in order to bewail his poor life, in solitude”. Only obedience and a thirst for souls convinced him to remain at his post. As he explained to himself and his flock: “There are no two good ways of serving God. There is only one: serve him as he desires to be served”. He considered this the golden rule for a life of obedience: “Do only what can be offered to the good Lord”.

In this context of a spirituality nourished by the practice of the evangelical counsels, I would like to invite all priests, during this Year dedicated to them, to welcome the new springtime which the Spirit is now bringing about in the Church, not least through the ecclesial movements and the new communities. “In his gifts the Spirit is multifaceted… He breathes where he wills. He does so unexpectedly, in unexpected places, and in ways previously unheard of… but he also shows us that he works with a view to the one body and in the unity of the one body”. In this regard, the statement of the Decree Presbyterorum Ordinis continues to be timely: “While testing the spirits to discover if they be of God, priests must discover with faith, recognize with joy and foster diligently the many and varied charismatic gifts of the laity, whether these be of a humble or more exalted kind”. These gifts, which awaken in many people the desire for a deeper spiritual life, can benefit not only the lay faithful but the clergy as well. The communion between ordained and charismatic ministries can provide “a helpful impulse to a renewed commitment by the Church in proclaiming and bearing witness to the Gospel of hope and charity in every corner of the world”. I would also like to add, echoing the Apostolic Exhortation Pastores Dabo Vobis of Pope John Paul II, that the ordained ministry has a radical “communitarian form” and can be exercised only in the communion of priests with their Bishop. This communion between priests and their Bishop, grounded in the sacrament of Holy Orders and made manifest in Eucharistic concelebration, needs to be translated into various concrete expressions of an effective and affective priestly fraternity. Only thus will priests be able to live fully the gift of celibacy and build thriving Christian communities in which the miracles which accompanied the first preaching of the Gospel can be repeated.

The Pauline Year now coming to its close invites us also to look to the Apostle of the Gentiles, who represents a splendid example of a priest entirely devoted to his ministry. “The love of Christ urges us on” – he wrote – “because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died” (2 Cor 5:14). And he adds: “He died for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised for them” (2 Cor 5:15). Could a finer programme be proposed to any priest resolved to advance along the path of Christian perfection?

Dear brother priests, the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the death of Saint John Mary Vianney (1859) follows upon the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the apparitions of Lourdes (1858). In 1959 Blessed Pope John XXIII noted that “shortly before the Curé of Ars completed his long and admirable life, the Immaculate Virgin appeared in another part of France to an innocent and humble girl, and entrusted to her a message of prayer and penance which continues, even a century later, to yield immense spiritual fruits. The life of this holy priest whose centenary we are commemorating in a real way anticipated the great supernatural truths taught to the seer of Massabielle. He was greatly devoted to the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin; in 1836 he had dedicated his parish church to Our Lady Conceived without Sin and he greeted the dogmatic definition of this truth in 1854 with deep faith and great joy.” The Curé would always remind his faithful that “after giving us all he could, Jesus Christ wishes in addition to bequeath us his most precious possession, his Blessed Mother”.

To the Most Holy Virgin I entrust this Year for Priests. I ask her to awaken in the heart of every priest a generous and renewed commitment to the ideal of complete self-oblation to Christ and the Church which inspired the thoughts and actions of the saintly Curé of Ars. It was his fervent prayer life and his impassioned love of Christ Crucified that enabled John Mary Vianney to grow daily in his total self-oblation to God and the Church. May his example lead all priests to offer that witness of unity with their Bishop, with one another and with the lay faithful, which today, as ever, is so necessary. Despite all the evil present in our world, the words which Christ spoke to his Apostles in the Upper Room continue to inspire us: “In the world you have tribulation; but take courage, I have overcome the world” (Jn 16:33). Our faith in the Divine Master gives us the strength to look to the future with confidence. Dear priests, Christ is counting on you. In the footsteps of the Curé of Ars, let yourselves be enthralled by him. In this way you too will be, for the world in our time, heralds of hope, reconciliation and peace!

With my blessing.
From the Vatican, 16 June 2009.
Benedictus PP. XVI

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Something for everyone

About two years ago, a new residence for the elderly was opened across the street from the church I call home. This residence is open to all seniors in the city, and there are a number of services provided including meals and some nursing supervision to make sure that those who need to take medication don't miss their dosages.

Shortly after they opened their doors, I got a phone call from the Activities Director, asking if I would consider being part of a team of priests (along with the priest from the neighbouring parish) to celebrate Mass with the residents twice a month. This would mean that each of us priests would be responsible for one Mass per month: on the first and third Wednesdays of each month. We alternate languages between English and French, and we even change weeks between us from time to time depending on other emergencies. The Activities Director even does her best to make sure that everything we need is provided, including the music that is played before and after each Mass.

Among the greatest rewards for me is the time I get to spend, limited as it is, in conversation with the residents. They are always grateful for the visits, and for the time we take to celebrate Mass with them. It's wonderful to see their faces light up when I greet them in their native tongues (even if it's just to say hi).

When I arrive, there is always someone who is willing to help me prepare. People are always ready to jump in, helping in any way they can to make the liturgy as meaningful as possible. Whether they proclaim the scriptures, or even just pass the basket after communion (liturgy takes on some different routines when we celebrate in some circumstances), there's always something to be done or a gesture of service that can be offered to someone in need.

Even more than the physical acts that are offered by so many, I think this monthly encounter reminds me of the value of people, people of all ages, and their ability and willingness to support others with their love and prayer, and for this we should always be profoundly grateful.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Random acts

I live in the downtown area, a place that has seen its fair share of comings and goings, and that still sees enough signs of life to know that it's all worth it. There seems to be a different breed of people who populate streets in the downtown area during daylight hours than there is at night, but each and every one of these people adds a certain flair to the place.

Other than the business folk who come in, park their cars and go about their daily routines before leaving for their homes (sometimes if not often located in suburbia), there are also a fair number of Secondary school students who wander the streets by day. Then there are those who come downtown to take part in the nightlife after dark.

Like most downtowns, the quiet reserved folk can often go unnoticed; it's usually only the roudies or the ones who leave their mark (both literally and figuratively) who tend to garner the attention of passers by and residents alike.

Today, I was out for a leisurely bit of exercise and from a distance, spied a famous red mailbox, but the box was sitting on its side, evidence that someone had been down this path before me, and had chosen to topple it, for what reason, I have no idea. As I approached, I discovered that there was a second box beside it, and that both boxes had been toppled. I could have chosen to walk on by, leaving the carnage for someone else to correct, but I was interiorly thinking about what it might be like if people were to perform random acts of kindness for each other rahter than what seem at times to be random acts of violence or mischief. Needless to say, I couldn't pass this opportunity up, so I paused for a moment, stooped and righted the two mailboxes.

I wonder whether other passers-by, in their cars or on foot, bothered to observe my actions, and I wonder what kinds of comments my actions might have provoked. One never knows the ripple effects of such random acts. Who knows whether a conversation sparked from that little act might not find its way to a family's dinner table tonight, and who knows what minds might be changed, or at least sensitized to the situation.

As I continued to reflect on this small act, I couldn't help hearing in my mind's voice, the voice of the Fred and George Weasley, characters from the mind of J.K. Rowling, uttering the now famous phrase 'Mischief managed'.

Celebrating priests

On Friday evening of this week, the Holy Father will inaugurate a special year dedicated to priests. The details of how this year will pan out are still in the works, but I'm sure that information about the diverse ways of marking this momentous occasion will come to light in a matter of time.

The Holy Father announced this special year of prayer for priests in March of this year, asking the Congregation for Clergy to organize the efforts which will be focused on building fraternity among priests and restoring the dignity of priests among the people in the pews.

In recent years, it has become more and more challenging to be a priest, but the trials which have brought pain and suffering to many in the Church will no doubt result in a renewed commitment to the leadership born out of service that we are all called to.

Celebrating priesthood can and will take on a number of various formats. Priests in the Atlantic region of Canada are finalizing plans for a Regional Gathering of clergy which will take place in Halifax this Fall, and the National Federation of Presbyteral Councils will host an International Meeting of Clergy in September in Niagara Falls.

Regional and diocesan celebrations of various kinds are also being planned and will be made public in the coming weeks. The Year for Priests, which coincides with the 150th anniversary of the death of Saint John Mary Vianney, will be observed from June 19, 2009 (Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and World Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of Preists) to June 19, 2010.

Monday, June 15, 2009

Renewed

After the freak storm that hit Sudbury yesterday afternoon, I was more than just a bit curious to see what the lasting effects were, so this morning I was out for a walk, with eyes eagerly darting around, but what I found was yet another example of the resilience of nature.

Yesterday afternoon, after the wind and rain had died away (for the most part) there were small piles of what looked like snow dotted around town. Closer inspection showed that it wasn't really snow, but hail - larger than pea sized hail - that had gathered (thanks to the wind) to remind us of the violence that nature can exhert every now and then.

Once the clouds began to clear, and the wind died down, blue skies returned with a promise of calm and wonderful summer weather that would follow. This morning, the skies are a brilliant blue, there is little if any breeze and the temperature promises a beautiful summer day suitable for tanning, getting out and enjoying some down time. Sure there are still traces of the storm around but leaves and branches can be swept up and relative order can be restored in time.

If only human beings could learn from nature, we might begin to master the art of recovering from the storms that sometimes ravage our lives. Like all things living, human beings do indeed need to recognize the damage that results from rocky relationships, from betrayals and from various other insults to the trust that is bestowed by friends and those who love one another, but we also need to discover how to recover from these storms, and how to allow the scars that result to help us learn the most valuable lessons.

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Praying in the catacombs

Would anyone show up? I wonder if we got all the details taken care of? Why are there so many more unanswered questions?

As the time for the start of today's Corpus Christi Mass approached, the skies were a mixture of blue, promising sunshine, and black, a foreboding of very unsettled weather. Then the lights flickered, the emergency lights illuminated and we were left in darkness, save for the brown out lighting in the church and throughout its hallways.

What was supposed to be a festive occasion, complete with organ music, a multi-voice choir and various other instruments including guitars, oboe and drums was transformed. The organ wouldn't work, the public address system lay silent and the lights in the church were barely shedding any light. Out of the darkness though, we began singing, accompanied by the non-electronic instruments, and we were off to the races.

What followed had to be among the most poignant experiences of the liturgy many of us have ever lived. With all remnants of electricity taken away, we stood in candlelight, reminiscent of what it must have been to gather with the first Christians, hidden in the catacombs to celebrate the liturgy. The gathered community, which numbered more than 300 (we ran out of hosts while distributing communion and had to pull on the surplus hidden in the tabernacle) responded with voices that spoke of faith and conviction, and sang with voices which combined to create some of the most beautiful music anyone could ask for.

When it came to the parade that was supposed to conclude the celebration, we couldn't take the chance of inviting the crowd to move outside. Not only had the electricity been cut, but all though the vast majority of this liturgy, rain and hail pounded the roof of the church and pelted the windows. Who knows what might have happened if we had asked people to move outside. Instead, the lights came back on, bathing us in renewed brightness while we were still part-way through the distribution of Communion, and we did the procession within the church instead of taking our chances on the slick roadways around the church.

Once the parade was over, people moved outside, into what had then become mostly sunshine and wind. Next door, at the neighboring parish, a BBQ awaited, along with a variety of musical entertainment that kept the crowd entertained for the better part of the afternoon.

Sometimes the best laid plans go awry, and the result is something totally unexpected, but utterly amazing.

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Lost things

June 13 is the Memorial of Saint Anthony of Padua. In the town in Northern Italy that bears his name, there is great rejoicing today, and throughout the world, all Italians are celebrating as only Italians can, with parades, festivals and of course lots of food, wine, laughter and song ... oh, and a bit of prayer to make all things right.

In the folklore that is the living history of faith, Saint Anthony has become known especially as the patron of lost things. Whenever we lose something, and must find it in a hurry, we say that we should pray to Saint Anthony and he will help us to find what we're looking for. Of course the rest of the story is that if we do end up finding that for which we seek, we should also be willing to thank him by making a donation to the poor whom Saint Anthony loved so much and was so devoted to serving.

The Franciscans, Saint Anthony's community brothers celebrate his renound and pray with us today that not only lost things, but lost persons may also be found, and come to know the inexhaustible depth of love that God has for all his beloved.

Watching out for each other

Just over a month ago, on May 1, 2009, the Province of Ontario lowered it's tollerance level for blood alcohol testing related to charging drivers with Impaired. Up until April 30, the legal limit was 80 miligrams of alcohol per 100 milileters of blood (.08 BAC) to 50 mg alcohol per 100 ml of blood (.05 BAC). This is only one of a number of measures that are being put in place in order to increase safe driving habits among Ontario's drivers.

The number of drinks that must be consumed in order to reach these BAC levels depends on a person's weight, gender, whether or not there is food consumed at the same time as the alcohol, and the time elapsed between the consumption of alcohol and the time the person starts driving.

There's a campaign afoot to inform Ontario residents about these changes to the law, and to help us understand how to calculate BAC. The hope is that the more we know about this limit, the more we will be aware of getting into the habit of planning alternatives when we want to consume alcohol.

Abuse of alcohol is only one way that human beings have been getting ourselves in trouble for years, but there are other alternatives all aimed at keeping ourselves alive and taking care of others who may be innocent bystanders. These alternatives might include designating a driver, making arrangments for transportation by taxi or with a friend, or even choosing to stay overnight instead of risking the possibility of major penalties.

Organizations such as Mothers Against Drunk Drivers and FOCUS do their part to promote safe usage of alcohol. If everyone else does a little bit, we can build a better world, one person, one circumstance at a time.

Real friends don't let their friends drive drunk.

Friday, June 12, 2009

Coming soon

We're already in mid-June. Some high school graduates have already experienced their grad ceremonies and are preparing (as we write) for the annual rite of passage known as the prom. In the coming weeks, some students will be writing their final exams, and all students will be receiving their final marks.

Today I celebrated a closing Mass with students from Marymount Accademy. Some three hundred students came to the church this morning for what has become yet another rite of passage (at least over the past few years).

During the liturgy, I reflected with the students about the importance of pausing every once in awhile to recognize not only the challenging moments we've lived in the past couple of months (the ones that make us grow), but also the moments of joy and celebration, for these too are important when it comes to making memories, and holding them close to our hearts.

Giving thanks isn't limited either to experiences we've lived. Gratitude can and should be shared with the people who are important in our lives: the ones who love us deeply, the ones who challenge us and give us opportunities to grow. Recalling happy moments, and times of celebration is relatively easy, but it's often in the difficult moments of life that we tend to glean the most valuable lessons.

This is also the time of year when some of the staff changes are announced. In particular, the principal of Marymount Accademy learned yesterday that he will be moving on to Saint Benedict's here in Sudbury come September. I'm sure the girls at Marymount will miss him, but I know that the students at Saint Benedict will enjoy him, and learn from him.

Teachers aren't always found in classrooms. They are sometimes our collegues at work, our friends and family and even total strangers. For all those who call us to grow and teach us to love more tenderly, we give thanks.

Do good

Early this morning, I found myself at a breakfast meeting with some pretty high-powered people. Coming from all walks of life, they are part of a network known as the Sudbury Commuity Foudation, one of a number of Community Foundations located in various cities across Canada.

The mission of the SCF is to enhance the quality of life and sustainability of our community throgh fund development, grant making and leadership.

The purpose of this morning's meeting was an occasion to formally present the most recent edition of Vital Signs, an annual checkup on the city's state of health. Packed with statistics that are gleaned from various community organizations, this report presents a snap shot of the health of the community, including the presence and impact of Aboriginal Community Life, Arts and Culture, how we are paying attention to the Environment, Health and Wellness, Housing and much more.

In the words of the Honorary Chair of the 2008 Vital Signs project, this report provides an opportunity for the private sector to benefit from another recruiting tool, for municipal leaders ... and for our citizens as an objective profile of our community.

Always concious of the need to improve on the present, a panel of experts will now begin to prepare for the next Vital Signs report, due at the end of 2009. With people like these watching out for us, and ready to help in any way possible, there is much to celebrate, and much promise for a brighter future for all those involved.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Excellence

It seems difficult to believe, but just over a year ago, most of the world didn't know anything about my cousin. Priscilla, as she's known to those of us who are part of her family, came from very humble beginnings ... even to the point of beginning her track career on a bet. She soon discovered that she was (and is) really good at it, especially in the field of 100m hurdles.

Since blazing onto the world screen at the 2008 Bejing Olympics, she has continued to make a name for herself in the world of Track and Field, competing all over the world, while she sets her sights on London, England (2012). Meanwhile, in her own words, every race is a new opportunity. Yesterday's race is already complete, and this is the only one that counts. This is a wonderful attitude to adopt, and it's part of the reason why she's able to concentrate so well on the techniques needed, and make them look so easy.

Last evening, she participated in the Festival of Excellence, a track and field exhibition which took place at Toronto's Varsity Stadium. Against a very competitive field, she came out on top with a time of 12.86 seconds.

Priscilla, we're all very proud of you, and we thank God for all that He is doing in and through you. With just two weeks to go before the Canadian Track and Field Championships, you're now number 1 in the country! Congratulations.

In our midst

In 1951, J.D. Sallinger wrote The Catcher in the Rye. This classic story has been widely used as a study in High School literature for many years, and the lessons it teaches keep coming back to me more and more as years go on.

I remember writing a comparative essay in the final year of High School involving Sallinger's work and Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness. The thesis for my essay was something along the lines of those who search for meaning in their lives often travel far and wide to find the answer to their questions, only to discover that the answers are right in their proverbial back yards.

This lesson came back to me today as I watched the staff here in the office going and coming. There is always someone visiting throughout the day, and the staff members here are always courteous to those who knock at our door. We try our best to greet all people with a smile or a pleasant word, and to attend to their individual requests as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Whether it's the secretary, the housekeeper, the handiman or the cook, all these people are very generous with their time and talents, and all are ready to lend a helping hand whenever necessary to make things run as smoothly as possible.

Often, it's only when we have the opportunity to step back from the sometimes frantic pace of regular routines that we're actually able to recognize the people who are part of our lives and how they impact the work we do, the lives we live and the people we are ... and if we're really blessed, we find occasions and means to express our gratitude.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

When expertise counts

Priests are perceived as wisdom people in the community. Throughout our history, they have provided counselling to those in need, rejoiced with those who are happy, mourned with those who are sad and lived right in the midst of the people they serve.

Especially in recent times though, priests who are called to serve in parish situations are facing a barrage of regulations and rules that our predecessors never had to worry about. Enter the dawn of committees, groups of lay people who are called upon to help with some of the decision making that is integral to running a good ship.

This week, I've had occasion to meet with two such groups: the Liturgy committee and the Property and Maintenance committee. Admittedly, priests can have a certain comfort level already established when it comes to things liturgical, but touching base with a representative group of the people in the pews always helps us to keep our fingers on the pulse of the people who are recipients of the things we have to offer. On the other hand, priests are not necessarily experts in the domain of things structural, so it is particularly helpful to have a group of people who know a thing or two about walls, doors, roofs and all things that hold them in place.

These periodic meetings don't have to be long, drawn out affairs, but they do need to be frank exchanges about the truth of the matter. Priests who rely on these committee members to share their knowledge need also to trust that the advise given is born out of experience or at least informed by a certain acquired expertise.

In the end, I am thankful to be able to glean some of the wisdom of these people, and to share with them at least some modicum of the burden of governance that comes with the exaulted or lowly position of shepherd.

A little taste of home

Alex Joseph arrived a few months ago, when the ground outside was still white and the temperature was considerably more frigid than it is in these past days. I couldn't help feeling a certain affinity for Alex, and a definite amount of sympathy. He had arrived directly from India, where the temperatures are always tropical, and had to quickly acclimatize to a very different culture, temperature, and way of life.

One of the ways that we keep cultural traditions alive is through the foods that we grow up with, so when I found myself with some curried shrimp and aloo roti (Indian flat breads stuffed with potato), courtesy of my own family's recent visit, I thought immediately of Alex. He has spoken to me on a number of occasions about the fact that he wants to share a meal here, and when I told him that I know how to make curries and Indian flatbreads, his eyes lit up immediately.

This morning, I went to visit with him, and in presence of many of the staff at his parish, I presented him with what might have been a bar of gold. He was definitely unbelieving at first, but after he opened the package and saw what was there, he couldn't wait to dive into it.

Sharing treasures with friends is always worth the effort.

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Lives that intersect

Some people come into your life for a short period, and others hang around for a very long time indeed. These words of wisdom bear out a certain truth the longer we spend on this earth, and eventually even the passing interactions - the ones you wonder about after they have passed, the ones that make you question whether they actually took place or were mere figments of your imagination - play a part in moulding us into the people we become.

Some interactions seem to be very superfluous but truth is often in the eye of the beholder. I received a series of emails over the past few days from a person who has been reflecting on the interactions I've had with her and with her family. In one of my responses, I commented that the small part I've played in their lives has hopefully brought a modicum of comfort. Her response, which came back in a matter of hours, was to reassure me that even what seemed to be a very simple act of being in the same room with them was indeed a moment of great significance to them.

Then I stop to wonder about the elderly lady I visited today in her infirmity. I was only there for a matter of moments, but as I left, her son told me that I had 'made her day'. How many times do we stop or even slow down long enough to realize the significance of our actions and words - insignificant though they may seem?

Sometimes we can glean much more wisdom from listening than we can from entering the fray. Evidence a meeting I was at tonight, where I chose to listen for the most part as ideas of various hues were being tossed around. Only once I had had time to begin chewing on some of the subject matter did I venture some commentary, and the result of the conversation still has me wondering because it was certainly not the outcome that I would have predicted prior to the meeting. Somehow there is a grace (or possibly more than one) that is still awaiting, and all we can do is live the experience and be open to the surprises.

Oh, and don't forget the walk in the sprinkling drizzle, a sure sign that this journey is not meant to be made alone, but that He walks every step with us, reminding us ever so gently that He's around, listening, waiting, celebrating and loving.

Sightseeing

Have you ever noticed that we never seem to have time to visit some of the local attractions except for times when we have visitors? This was the same this past weekend, as we finally took a few moments to visit Onaping Falls, located north of Sudbury. It seems that the only time I actually go to the Falls is to accompany some friends or family members who are visiting, but this location is always welcome because it reminds me (and my visitors) that there are parts of the world where concrete jungles don't exist, and where there is still an abundance of greenery, flowing water and rocks.

The peacefullness of the surroundings does the soul and the body good.

I can't wait for the next set of visitors, and to introduce them to some of the other wonders of this little piece of paradise. Will it be the IMAX cinema at Science North, or a walk along the boardwalk and in Bell Park? Perhaps it will be something completely different, but whatever it is, it will be another opportunity to feed the soul.

Catching up

Life has a way of running away with us from time to time. Even the best-laid plans don't always come to fruition if unforeseen events (and some foreseen ones) just crowd their way in. All the more reason that we should be as intentional as possible when it comes to identifying our priorities and making room for them in our days, weeks and months ... otherwise, they just seem to vaporize before our eyes, and we find ourselves perpetually trying to catch up.

Weekends are supposed to be relaxing times for most people, but for some of us, weekends tend to be our busiest times. Even in the midst of hectic schedules, it helps every now and then to have distractions, and visits with family are always welcome. Once the routine of the place was complete on Sunday, it was time to run away from the demands of work, and to find some precious time for visiting with family and friends from near and far. We even managed to surprise some friends with a short but very worthwhile pause in the day, and I'm sure that all who were present were very happy for the moment to renew friendships and to get re-aquainted.

When family members visit, we always find time for board games and cards, and this was no exception. No sooner did the dishes get done, than the Rummicub game would be placed on the table, and we would take turns joining in the friendly competition. For those who would have to wait our turn, a deck of cards provided another opportunity for some games of 500 ... all of this was good healthy fun that provided more than a few occasions for boistrous chatter and laughter ... all of which does the soul good.

Family visits are also an opportunity for me to get busy in the kitchen. When we cook together there is always a certain magic that seems to take place. I get rare opportunities to join in the preparation of old family recipies that most people around here wouldn't have a clue about, and perhaps would shy away from, but that's what the fibre of family and traditions is all about.

No matter whether there are enough rooms, beds or places to sit at the table, there is always room for another to join us, to join in the banter and to be included in the simple gift of faith and love that is family.

Friday, June 5, 2009

When Bethany comes

It seems that I had only just returned to this location, and was still reeling from the sudden shock of reality when some expected and warmly welcomed guests arrived at the door.

It's a wonderful blessing that I still have lots of family, even though they are so far away for most of the time. This afternoon, four of them and another dear friend arrived and will be staying for the weekend. When other people arrive, I often feel the need to entertain, but when family arrives, they are quite capable of entertaining themselves, so the busy schedule that is unfolding for this weekend will not be a hinderance to them making themselves at home.

I can't help thinking what a great blessing it is to have family around, and especially family that deeply loves and supports in ways that only they can. There's a special love between parents and children that can't be imitated or replaced, and those who have experienced this depth of constant support are truly blessed.

It's usually the case that I must leave this place and travel to the Bethany that is our family home, but it's especially wonderful when it comes to me.

Safe passage

With reluctance, I left the sanctuary of the retreat this morning, but not before one more visit to the tenemos that I had established for the week. As I had each morning during this brief respite, I ventured to the pool in the early hours of the day, as the sun was just rising over the horizon, only to meet some other retreatants who had already made their way to the sub-terranian haven. Silently, we would each go about our own routines, some doing various stretching exercises, and others zigzagging from one end of the pool to the other in a variety of strokes.

These morning ablutions complete, it was time to speak with Him in the daily ritual of Lauds and then to prepare for the journey that would bring me back to the 'real world'. One last conference in the now familiar setting provided a final taste of the restful yet thought-provoking atmosphere that had become so familiar over these past few days, and yet I knew in a strange way that this more relaxed pace could not last.

I tried my best to prolong the sojourn as I made my way in the car back to this place, choosing to leave the audio system shut off, and relishing the silence as the world sped by. No sooner did I walk through the door though, and the magical silence was instantly shattered like a bubble that is suddenly burst. The frantic pace of a parish that is in high gear invaded the calm and caused me to resist with all my might as I sensed the serenity sap from my surroundings.

On the bright side, I am left with a thankful heart for the blessings that were bestowed during these past days, and for the reminder that prayerful communion is only a matter of finding a moment in the day for some silence, some reflection and possibly even some swimming.

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Worth it

A time of retreat is always a moment of grace: a time when human beings step aside from the normal routine of life, which at times can be downright frantic, and focus on listening to the voice of God. Granted, we should always be attuned to the voice of God which speaks to us, trying to guide us through this life and to prepare us for the next life, but human beings are fickle at times. We get caught up in all sorts of other stuff, so we need to purposefully turn aside and listen for this voice that still calls to us.

Listening in this sense is never done in vain because the voice of God is always speaking, always calling to us and always ready to welcome us back into the fold. Sometimes, it takes moments like these though for us to remember that even though human beings have probably always been finding excuses to fill up our time with activities other than prayer and listening, fervour for Christianity has ebbed and flowed in varying intensities throughout history, depending on a number of factors.

It's somewhat of a proven fact that Christianity has the curious attribute of drawing more adherents when it's challenged. Throughout it's history, it's consistently been more appealing to the human heart when there are hardships than it is when times are easy. In short, the price that must be paid for faith has to be worth the work entailed, and it has to be perceived as such.

Similarly, giving thanks for faith is easier when faith has to be fought for than it is in times when matters of faith are handed to us on silver platters. In an epoch when life seems to be relatively easy for so many, is it any wonder that many people are turning away from faith and choosing rather to invest their energies in other places?

Is the price that must be paid for our faith worth the effort? Do the potential benefits outweigh the cost that must be invested? If so, we'll never have to worry about how many souls will be flocking to our doors. If not, there's not much that any amount of human reasoning will do to change it.

Be-attitudes

Perhaps the most well-known of the Beattitudes is the account in Matthew's gospel, but a more revealing look in terms of discipleship is found in Luke's account. Whereas Matthew outlines the things we disciples must be willing to do, Luke goes another step, not only detailing what we must do, but what we must also be aware of in terms of attitudes.

Among the blessed in Luke's account are the poor, the hungry, those who weep and those who are hated. These indeed are very strange descriptions for the ones who are favored. Certainly the world scorns the likes of these, but that's just the point. Jesus often chooses the downtrodden and focuses his energies on them as the chosen and the beloved.

Because we live in a world that is increasingly judged by the values of worldly advancement, it is increasingly difficult to remain focused on the call of true discipleship, which is so countercultural to the ways that we observe around us, but discipleship is not about keeping up with the Jones family. It's about listening intently for the voice of the Master, who is about the Mission of proclaiming his love. It's about being in communion with Jesus who spent his earthly life evangelizing in so many ways. It's about allowing the voice of God to mould us into the disciples who not only hear his voice, but then are sent into the world to proclaim His truth.

True disciples recognize our poverty every day - not necessarily the superficial poverty of a lack of riches (although that's a start), but rather the true poverty of recognizing that which we lack, that which causes us to thirst for justice and to look to God for guidance. True disciples know that we will always be hungry until the day when we are united with the One who has sent us. In the meanwhile, our hunger opens our eyes to the many ways that people around us still suffer and the many ways that we can do our part to respond to this hunger.

True disciples are able to weep, not because we are sorry for ourselves, or concerned for some injustice that we ourselves are suffering, but rather through the true gift of com-passion which allows us to weep for someone else who is in pain, to accompany those who are suffering and to offer them some small amount of understanding and love. True disciples run the risk of being despised by those who we must challenge and displace, but this kind of hatred is not to be feared because Jesus isn't running a popularity contest. Rather, this kind of hatred is meant to disturb the comfortable and to comfort the disturbed.

For the many ways that others comfort us, and disturb us into action ... for the many people who challenge us to remain faithful to the gospel ... we give thanks this day.