The cost of affluence

Those who have are defined by the world around us as the rich, the affluent, the ones who often have the power, but does the world actually see the true cost of affluence?  Many times, the human cost can outweigh the financial burden, and although the dollars and cents can get lots of coverage in the media, we seldom see the other side of the story making it to the airwaves.

Thankfully, there are other ways now to get the word out, like this photo essay prepared by Melina Laboucan-Massimo, a member of the Lubicon Cree First Nation located in Northern Alberta.

Sounds for Sunday

On a somewhat lighter note, I came across a couple of videos of late which remind me that the world is indeed getting very small.  Here's the setup:  On the island of Trinidad and Tobago, there is a long-standing tradition of music, specifically calypso.  One of the most well-known bands is made up of members of the Police force, and it just so happened that a few years ago, this band traveled to Germany to take part in the Berlin Military Music festival.


The precision as well as the musical talent is amazing.  Here's part two of the same performance:

From His heart

In the 'dog days of summer' the lessons continue.  Here is the second offering in the category of sermuncle (those shortened reflections that say little but leave us with much to be pondered).

The human heart of Jesus

Today’s gospel gives us a particularly interesting opportunity to peer into the heart of Jesus.  It begins by telling us that when he heard of the death of John the Baptist, he went away to a place where he could be by himself.  John was not just another friend, he was actually a relative.  Remember that Jesus’ mother Mary and John’s mother Elizabeth were related.  That makes Jesus and John relatives as well.  Anyone who has lived the experience of death and mourning will understand his reaction.  When we are faced with tragedy, it’s normal for the human heart to want to retreat, but the lesson for us today is that Jesus didn’t stay hidden.  In fact, the crowds continued to seek him out until they found him, and his reaction reveals another aspect of his conviction, his compassion and his commitment.

Perhaps when he withdrew to this deserted place, he wanted to spend time in prayer.  He had already cultivated an intimate relationship with the Father, and perhaps he was seeking answers.  He would most certainly have been familiar with the writings of Isaiah.  Perhaps he too was longing to hear the words we have heard read to us today: All you who are thirsty, come to the water ... listen, that you may have life.  There is a call of compassion contained in these words, and a promise that no matter how bruised and battered the human spirit may be, there is always hope.

In his own time, the apostle Paul came to understand the power and promise of these words.  He himself then encouraged others to believe that there is absolutely nothing known to us, no anguish, no distress, no persecution, no peril that will ever separate us from the love of God.   This promise stands today for our aching hearts.  It also beacons to the anguishing souls of those who are mourning in Norway, and to those who are being persecuted in places like Somalia and Sudan.  In a land of plenty, we may not be faced with material famine, but when our hearts are bruised by famines of other kinds, faith in Jesus gives us hope.  Come therefore, receive the food that he offers, and know that from his anguished heart, he was and is willing to feed us with the gift of the bread of life.

... and then there's Kingston

Also received this morning was news of the death of Archbishop Francis Spence, who until his retirement was Archbishop of Kingston (Ontario).

The website of the Archdiocese speaks thus of its former shepherd:

Archbishop Spence was born in Perth, Ontario, on 3 June 1926.  He was ordained a priest on 16 April 1950 and ordained a Bishop on 15 June 1967.  Archbishop Spence served as Auxiliary Bishop to the Military Vicar from 1967-1982, Bishop of Charlottetown from 1970-1982, and Ordinary for the Military Vicariate of Canada from 1982-1989.  He was installed as Archbishop of Kingston on 30 June 1982 and served until his retirement on 13 August 2002.   Archbishop Spence was President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops from 1995-1997.

With prayers being offered for the repose of his soul and for the peace of all those who mourn. Details of the Bishop's funeral have now been posted on the website of the Archdiocese of Kingston:

Archbishop Spence will lie in state at
St. Mary’s Cathedral, 279 Johnson Street, Kingston,
Tuesday, August 2, 2011,
from 1:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.,
with a Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m.  
Mass of Christian Burial
will be celebrated at 1:30 p.m.
on Wednesday, August 3, 2011, at the Cathedral.  
A reception will follow at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel, 285 King Street East, Kingston. 
Interment will take place on Thursday, August 4, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. at the family plot in Perth.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Priests’ Benefit Fund of the Archdiocese of Kingston would be appreciated.  
In the care of Gordon F. Tompkins Funeral Home, Central Chapel, 49 Colborne Street, Kingston, (613) 546-5454.

Timmins church mourns

News arrived earlier this week of the sudden death of His Excellency, Paul Marchand, SMM, who until Sunday afternoon was serving as Bishop of Timmins.

It appears that the bishop was feeling 'ill' for a short period but there was no warning of this sudden call home.  The Diocese of Timmins and the CCCB have both posted tributes to this beloved Bishop, whose funeral liturgies begin this afternoon with a period of public visitation which takes place in the Cathedral of Saint Anthony of Padua in Timmins (today and tomorrow).  At noon tomorrow, the Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated in that same Cathedral and then the Bishop's body will be transferred to Ottawa for burial.

Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.

Sermuncle

One of our older priests used to abandon the practice of providing homilies, especially when the whether got warmer.  Insetad, he would provide what he called a sermuncle (a short reflection meant somehow to get people thinking).  Proof perhaps that it doesn't take many words to provide food for thought.

Here then is my attempt at one such publication.  Of course, the podcast version is also available.

Great treasure

If today's gospel were to be told in modern-day language, I wonder whether we would not speak of a barista who is used to working long hours at the nearby coffee house. Perhaps one day, in addition to the tasks of brewing and serving coffee to customers, she is invited to open the sacks of coffee beans, freshly arrived in the warehouse, and to prepare them for the roasting that will impart the characteristic aromas and flavors that make this company's product so sought after. In today's world, she would be sworn to secrecy, or required to sign her life away with legal documentation meant to bind her to some agreement of confidentiality, but she would willingly enter into such an agreement if it meant that she would from that day forward have knowledge of the company secrets.

Jesus uses examples such as these in today's gospel in an attempt to explain to his listeners what heaven is like. He must have had a really rough time of it though. None of these people had ever seen heaven; aside from hearing him speak about it, none of them had even heard of the place, and worse yet, he had to try to explain something that many of his listeners had never known, nor would they ever have had a hope of achieving such affluence here on earth. That's the point of the story though: the reward of heaven is infinitely beyond human understanding. Throughout the centuries we've used words and images to try explaining it but how does one speak of a place never seen or experienced? Human logic would have us doubt such imaginings, and consign them to the world of make believe.

Perhaps there's a lesson to be learned though. What if heaven were a reward far more treasured than any company secret? What if heaven were a reward far more sought after than gold or pearls or any other commodity? What if heaven were a reward which could not be attained by anyone who conceived of it or asked for it, as though it were a reward for good deeds done or even life well lived? Rather, what if heaven were to be discovered only by those who seek wisdom: the gift of truly being able to understand what life is about and to discern what is right so that justice might prevail? It worked for Solomon. Why wouldn't it work for us?

Number 4

A regularly-scheduled construction site meeting was held earlier this week.  Some major progress has already been reported, and there are some further decisions to be made:

Progress so far

• The interior masonry reinforcing and repointing is complete on the East tower.
• Removal of existing mortar on the exterior portions of the East tower is 95% complete.
• Mortar removal in the interior portions of the West tower is now complete, and masonry reinforcing is currently in progress (ie helical ties are being installed).  Here's how:

•  Removal of existing mortar in the exterior portions of the West tower is 80% complete.
• The floor of the belfry (in the East tower) has been found to be sloping inward.  In order to correct this, a set of 2x4 sleepers will be installed so that positive drainage can be achieved.
• Additional wood joists will also be installed below the belfry in order to provide additional support, and to ensure that the reversal of the drainage on this level does not occur.

 Further decisions to be made

• The wooden decorative pieces which have surrounded the towers at the belfry level have all been removed and lowered to the ground level.  Detailed inspection has revealed that they are severely weathered and not suitable to be reinstalled.  Decisions will have to be made shortly about whether they will be reconstructed in wood, fibre glass or aluminum.  Details about these options as well as pricing for each option are forthcoming.
• The fabrication of steel reinforcement bands and beams is in progress.  In addition, metal access ladders are being created to allow safe access to the belfry levels of each tower.  As soon as they are complete, and the repointing in the interior portions of the West tower are complete, they will be installed.
• A first attempt at the exterior mortar was applied in a small section on the tower, however the colour did not match our specifications, so a second sample is to be applied this week.  Upon approval of the colour match, the exterior mortar installation will continue.
• Below the belt courses in each tower, there are a series of blind windows.  The top parts of these arches will need to be tended to in order to repair some damaged brick and to ensure that the mortar on the inner wythes is not too badly damaged.  Any damaged areas (such as that depicted below) will need to be repaired before the repointing continues.

All the necessary material for the completion of restoration to the bell has now arrived, however work on the bell itself will not commence until the restoration of the brick work in the tower(s) is complete.  The only exception to this will be the installation of a conduit to allow for the power lines to safely reach the belfry levels.  This work will take place just prior to the dismantling of the existing scaffolding.

While in the course of our inspection this week, we also noted that there is significant deterioration to the framing around the rose window, which will also merit some attention in the near future.  This does not figure in the scope of the current restoration project, but will need to be attended to shortly.  In addition, there is evidence of some needed repair to the masonry atop the chimney which protrudes from the top of the rectory.  This too will be reserved for future projects.

Preparing for the change

As the next couple of months unfold, the preparations and education for the people in the pews will ramp up.  Even in the lazy, hazy days of summer though, it seems that we're doing the preparation for the time when the teaching will take place.

We know that the new translation of the Roman Missal is scheduled to be implemented across this country and others beginning on November 27, but before that time, we need to explain the changes to the people in the pews, and give them ample opportunity to at least begin getting used to the changes.

Various materials have been published and are rapidly leaping off the shelves.  As of today, we have received copies of the pew editions of Celebrate in Song, and just today, we've received copies of the accompaniments for the hymns and Mass settings.  In the coming weeks, musicians will be learning these settings, and then they will be taught to parishioners before being implemented as part of the weekly celebrations of the liturgy.

As it stands now, the plan is to begin introducing these changes in September.  In addition, the Diocesan Liturgy Office will hold a series of workshops across the diocese in the months of September and October to help people to understand the changes that are being proposed.

You were thirsty ...

Went for a walk this afternoon.  The temperature in this part of the world today is showing up at present as 34 degrees celsius, with a humidex of 45, and there's a heat advisory issued for this city.  Now before you think I'm really crazy, let me explain.  I had to complete an errand at the local bank, just a few blocks away, so off I went.

Arriving at the doorway, I overheard the receptionist (her voice is well known to those who frequent that establishment), greeting newcomers who had preceded me.  To each one, she was careful to explain that there was a fountain of raspberry juice available for us, and a cooler filled with bottles of water.

I remember the last time I was in temperatures as severe as these.  We were in Rome for World Youth Day 2000, and the temperatures were in the low 40s.  Everyone around us was handing out bottles of water, and telling us to drink (even if we were not thirsty).  In such severe heat, the human body dehydrates very quickly and before we know it, results in lightheadedness and fainting.  The solution, keep a bottle of water (or a container of liquid of some kind) close to hand, and keep drinking ... even if you don't feel thirsty.

When I left the bank a few minutes later, I grabbed a bottle, and waved with gratitude for their attention to customers.  I would hope that we ourselves would all do the same.

Baptised, married ... now confirmed

Oh so many years ago, she was baptised in this church, just days before her marriage was convalidated.  From then on, much water has flowed under this bridge, and if there were time enough to tell and to listen, the details would fill story books.

Now, she sits in her room, alone.  Her husband has long been departed this world, and her children live in other locales.  Her physical sight has been taken from her, but she is still very insightful, in ways that could teach lessons to the rest of us.

A few months ago, she received a gift which she was told had arrived from the people of this congregation.  With a sense of wonder, she puzzled over such questions as How did they find me? and Why have they given me a gift?  When I first heard these, I couldn't help thinking that every one of us reacts in this way when we realize the gifts given by a gracious and loving God.  The thing is that this lady continues to puzzle over the answers to these questions, even as she continues to be skeptical about whether or not it its all true, and whether or not we will forget about her once again.

Conversations ensued, and she revealed the fact that although she had been baptised and had her marriage recognized by the Church, she had never pursued any of the other sacraments of the Church ... believing that she had no right to ask.  Thankfully, this is not true, and having heard of her plight, we arranged to follow up.  The result: she was Confirmed and received the gift of the Eucharist today (at age 89).  Her son was pleased to be present for this moment of celebration, as were we all!

Now, the questions remain for this one who lives in physical darkness but who continues to enlighten those around her with her wisdom.  Will they forget about me now? We could almost see the question etched on her face.  Answer: we'll do our best not to, and certainly God has never forgotten about her.  We may never understand why she's had to live so long without this moment of celebration, and many of us may continue to wonder at the questioning she has entertained over the passing years, but today we celebrate with her.

Hopefully we will continue the celebration for a long time to come.

Creation

It's amazing that when we're on the lookout for gratitude, they are so apparent.

This morning, I received yet another reminder of so many gifts we receive each day.  It came in the form of an on-line video entitled Creation, which was prepared and posted by Andie's Isle, and has been used by other faith traditions as part of their worship.  With reasons such as these to give thanks, how can we but be grateful.

In contrast, the United Nations is preparing to declare a state of famine in Somalia and other parts of the Horn of Africa.  All the more reason to be thankful for the abundance we enjoy, even as we remember those who are suffering the plight of malnutrition and the ravages of this terrible state of affairs.

From atop the towers

I had a chance this morning to climb the two towers, and to see first-hand some of the work that's being accomplished.

Once every two weeks or so, we have meetings with the engineer, the contractor and the foreman who is overseeing the project, and on this day, I too joined the band as we climbed into the skies to inspect the progress so far.  What we found was a mixture of blessings and further questions.

First, the view from atop the towers is absolutely breathtaking.  The entire city can be viewed from that vantage point, and indeed appears to be dwarfed because of the height of the towers.  As we climbed the scaffolding, the vista became increasingly spectacular until we could see the entire city laid out before us, complete with the heat haze that was present because of the scorching temperatures.  Fortunately, from the top of the towers, there was a pleasant breeze blowing, perhaps a sign of an approaching storm, but pleasant nonetheless, especially given the summer heat.

Discussions at this encounter focused on

• the wooden structures which have now been removed from the top of the towers. The wood which has stood sentinel at the apertures of the bell level on both towers has been in place since the 1920s and there is more than enough evidence that they are in sad condition.  In the next couple of days, a decision will have to be made about how we proceed with this challenge.  There are a number of possibilities, including reinstating the wood as is (not recommended given the age and condition of the existing structure); replacing it with a fibre glass structure, replacing it with a metal structure ...  Stay tuned for more on this subject;
• there is evidence, particularly directly below the belt courses (the white bands which can be found directly below the bell level on both towers) that the water damage to the bricks and mortar is indeed severe.  In some sections, the outer wythe of bricks is flaking away and can be removed with bare hands.  The middle wythe of bricks also demonstrates signs of water damage, including the perils of freezing and thawing over the decades.  In these cases, the sections affected will have to be removed and then re-built one brick at a time;
• the first samples of the outer mortar have arrived and have been applied on a small section of the brick.  However it would appear that the colour match is not appropriate, so a second sample will have to be applied in the coming days.  Once we get the colour match right, the re-pointing on the outer towers can proceed.
• the decking at the bell level of the east-tower will have to be modified slightly in order to maintain a slope which will guarantee that any water that gets into that level will indeed run off instead of pooling (which would result in further deterioration of the wood surface).

 There is also evidence that the casing around the rose window will soon need some attention, and that the chimney attached to the rectory will also soon merit some tender loving care.  These, and more will form the basis of future discussion.

A further set of pictures, taken yesterday will be posted in the coming days.  Stay tuned.

Wheat, mustard seeds and yeast

Life is filled with challenges.  Some of them can seem overbearing at times, but for people of faith, there is always hope.  Faith helps us to face each day, to find a reason to look forward, to face even the struggles with the knowledge that we're not alone.  Hope can be as faint as a flicker of light, and yet it has the power to see us through.

Listen to this week's offering or just read on:

Weeds among the wheat

Once a month (or so) this parish community welcomes new children into our midst.  Their parents come from all walks of life, yet they seek one thing in common: that their children be given the opportunity to celebrate the sacrament of baptism.  The reasons for which these children arrive here are as varied as are the histories their families bear, and yet ours is not to question the wisdom of God, nor the plan He has for each one of us.  Ours is the task of celebrating with these families, and doing what we can to help them grow in their faith.

When children are born, there is usually great excitement.  Assuming that all the material needs associated with taking care of such new arrivals can be attended to, there are still some questions that might plague the heart:  What will life bring for them?  Will they know love?  Will they find happiness?  Will they have opportunity to develop a set of morals and criteria to help them make wise decisions in life?  The answers to these questions will only be known with time, but the process of giving these children the necessary tools which will allow them to discover these answers begins right now, at the moment when they are youngest, and most vulnerable.

The sources of such wisdom are all around us, if we have the eyes to recognize them.  The trick is to identify them and to find opportunities to benefit from them: opportunities to listen for the words of guidance that will be offered, opportunities to practice the lessons they will teach.  Such opportunities may only come along once in life, and if they are ignored, much more the pity.

Fortunately, no matter what our ages, it’s never too late to start recognizing this wisdom, and to learn from it.  For those fortunate enough to still be too young to speak, hopefully they will be surrounded with others who have recognized the value of imparting life’s most valuable lessons.  This is the only way that they will themselves grow to know the difference between the wheat and the weeds that grow in the field that Jesus speaks of in today’s gospel.

There will always be temptation in the world, and opportunities to ignore the plight of others, but even the most tortured hearts still have the ability to learn love.  In fact, once they find it and trust it, they will soak it up.  Who better to teach us about love than the one who is love?  Who better than he to fill his children with good hope, because he gives repentance for sins?

We should fervently pray then for the children who will be baptised this weekend, and for their families.  In fact, we should pray that each of us will grow ever deeper in our appreciation for the virtue of hope made known to us in the person of Jesus, for having known this hope in our own lives, we in turn can welcome the newcomers among us with great joy on the day of their baptism.  We can also willingly help their parents and godparents to train them in the practice of the faith … to teach them to keep God’s commandments … by loving God and our neighbour.

Ours is not the task to answer why the weeds of challenge and adversity are permitted to grow alongside the good wheat, nor to all become botanists and be able to answer the scientific ponderings about how seeds become mature plants.  It’s enough to recognize that God is the sower, that He is the one who feeds us, that He is the one who brings about the growth.

Where there is unrest

They say that the ocean is so big that it's always in motion, even when it appears to be calm.  It would seem also that the Church is always in various states of peace and challenge.  Even from the relative peace of these shores, there have been reports in recent days of clashes between the officials in China and the recognized Church authorities in that country.

According to the most recent details, there are eight (that's 8) Bishops in China who are recognized by the Church of Rome to have the necessary authority to rule in union with the Successor of Peter.  Because the civil government in that country continues to defy the authority of the Church, there are (from time to time) reports of ordinations of bishops there which take place without the necessary permissions from the Eternal City being granted.

Today, the Vatican Press Office issued a declaration relative to the supposed Episcopal Ordination conferred on Reverend Joseph Huang Bingzhang, who was reportedly ordained to the Episcopacy (but without the letter of permission being granted by the Holy Father).  This action has incurred a grievous penalty for Father Bingzhang and is only one of a number of such challenges to the Church's unity and authority which has been staged in recent months.

I wonder how often we pause to give thanks that we live in a part of the world that does not have to undergo such strife, much less to be aware of those who suffer daily in such locales because of their faith.

Lessons from patients

Some lessons are learned without ever having to consult a book.

Earlier this week, we received a call asking that I (or someone else I designate) arrange to visit with a certain one of our parishioners.  Visits happen every day between friends and others, for all kinds of resons.  Visits are opportunities for us to get to know others and often can be occasions for us to find reasons to give thanks.

Visits with this person (there have been a few, and I know that there will be more) are wonderful because they allow me to benefit from the joie de vivre and the balanced approach to life that they both have.  Knowldge that time is to be cherished changes the way we use it, appreciate it, and share it with others.

One of the valuable lessons I learn every time I have opportunities such as these, I grow in my understanding that patients are among the most under-used sources of information especially when it comes to providing wholistic health care.

Another example of this same blessing arrived in my inbox today in the form of a video-preserved lecture which has been posted on http://www.ted.com/.  It's entitled Meet e-Patient Dave.  Check it out, and prepare yourself to learn some very valuable lessons:

Signs of life

A number of years ago, I received two bouganvillia plants.  They had been purchased in the early summer months and had grown merrily until the weather threatened to cool off to temperatures which would make it dangerous to leave these tropical plants exposed to the elements, so I moved them indoors.

Bouganvillia love sun and heat, but try as I might, it was never possible for me to find enough light and heat to see these plants flower while they were indoors.  Finally, I decided to move them outdoors about a month ago.  First, they were transplanted, and then moved into full sun where they would grace the steps for months to come ... so I thought.

At first I was shocked to see the leaves all change from their characteristic brilliant green to dried brown, but I soon undersood that the strong sun and heat were too much for the tender leaves to absorb (right away).  In addition, the fact that the plants had been transplanted meant that they had gone into shock.  Soon, the leaves dried and slowly fell away.  What had once been magnificent specimens of foliage was transformed into twigs, and passers by began to murmur their fear that the plants had died.

Not so.

Thanks to careful watering and feeding, there is reason for hope.  All the spindly shoots were cut away, leaving the sturdy woody branches exposed to the heat and humidity that have characterised the past couple of weeks.  Every day, people look, wonder and wait.  Finally in the past couple of days, there was first one little tender leaf, then another, and today there are a number of little red-tinged leaves sprouting.  With a little luck, and a lot of persistence, we just may see two fully vibrant, blooming plants in the coming weeks.

Lesson to be learned: have faith.  Even in the most trying times, there is hope, there can be new life.

Living from gratitude

When we learn how to let go and to trust, things just come our way.  One such thing that has arrived today is a reflection first penned by Wendy Betterini, author of the blog entitled Allow Abundance.

Here's her musing about Living from gratitude:

For most of my adult life I believed that an attitude of gratitude is a good thing to have. As often as possible I tried to be humble and grateful for the blessings I received, but I didn't fully grasp just how powerful a gratitude practice could be until I set an intention to "Live From Gratitude" for an entire day.

What does that mean, to "Live From Gratitude?"

I decided that I would stay in a grateful state of mind and give deep, heartfelt thanks for everything I did, saw, felt, and experienced that day.

From the moment I opened my eyes early that morning, I began giving thanks for everything and everyone that entered my awareness. I thought about each of my family members and friends, and gave thanks for their presence in my life. I gave thanks for my home, my business, my car, my clothing, my health, and my cats.

As I moved through my daily activities, I gave thanks for everything I touched, everything I saw or heard, everything I felt, and everything that happened to me - even the annoying and challenging experiences.

I gave thanks for our dishes and utensils as I washed them, as well as the water I was washing them in, and for my hands that enabled me to wash them. A few of those items were wedding gifts for my husband and I, and as I washed each one, I recalled our wedding day with joy and gratitude, and gave thanks for my husband and the life we share together.

During my business activities that day, I gave heartfelt thanks for my clients and the passionate work that fulfills me and allows me to make a difference in the world. I also gave thanks for the challenges my work sometimes brings, simply because they strengthen me.

I expressed sincere gratitude for everything I saw, heard, felt, did or experienced throughout the entire day, big or small, good or bad. Not only did I SAY "thank you" for these things, I made sure to really FEEL the fee lings of gratitude and appreciation for them. As I'm sure you can imagine, that was a LOT of gratitude!

The results that came from my day of living from gratitude were astounding. It was one of the most powerful days of my life.

All day long I kept meeting the nicest, greatest people everywhere I went. My income for that day jumped up to roughly three times what it normally was, without me having to lift a finger to make it happen. I kept noticing awesome opportunities, tools, and resources that would help me grow my business or improve some aspect of my life. Some of these things had been right under my nose all along, but I'd never noticed them before.

I received so many great gifts as a result of my day of living from gratitude, but the true gift of that day is the way I felt all day long.

Never in my life can I remember feeling so humbled, so blessed, so RICH. Everything around me became SACRED in ways that I can't even describe.

Struggle, strain, anxiety, frustration, fear, anger . . . they all just faded away. Everything I saw and experienced was uplifting, inspiring and beneficial. My life was transformed that day, into something that I never dreamed would be possible. I'd thought my life was good before that - but my new attitude of gratitude took it to a whole new level of goodness.

That day stands out in my memory as one of the best days of my life. In fact, it was so powerful that I've since adopted my "living from gratitude" mind-set as an ongoing intention. Every day I strive to live from gratitude - and each day gets more and more magical the longer I do it.

Try it yourself and see if it doesn't have the same wonderful effect on your life.

Saint Camillus

Today, the Church proposes the Memorial of Saint Camillus, a relatively unknown saint in these parts.  He was originally from Chieti, located in the Abruzo region of eastern Italy, and was most known for his asceticism (like many other holy people of his time) and for his particular devotion to caring for the sick.

Laudable as this calling is, this was not the reason that I was drawn to this particular saint today.  Rather, as I was reading a bit about his life story, his name twigged in me something from my past.  In fact, my maternal grandmother's name as Camilla Vera.  We always knew her as Vera, but she would always explain that her full name was Camilla.  I don't really know what she thought of that name, nor do I even know whether she was ever aware that her name was derived from this holy man, so devoted to caring for the sick (but then again, she probably knows that now that she's left this earthly life and has learned all the secrets of full knowledge).

I thought of my grandmother again during the celebration of today's Mass, especially as I heard the words of the scriptures proclaimed.  Grandparents are often the ones who pray us through life, so it should come as no surprise that my grandmothers were particularly influential in helping me to discern my call to priesthood.  This prayerful support was particularly evident as I heard the words from the book of Exodus today: words by which God spoke to Moses about the particular role that had been prepared for him.

Lest any of us be daunted by the invitation of our God, Jesus' words in the gospel should bring us particular comfort: Come to me, all you who labour and are burdened ... my yoke is easy and my burden light.  I'd like to think that during his day, Saint Camillus also proclaimed these comforting words to those to whom he ministered.

Lessons from the bush

Today, the story from the book of Exodus invites us to the scene of Moses at Horeb, where he encountered the burning bush.  There is always a part of me that wants to skim such stories when I encounter them.  My first instinct is to say ah, the story of Moses and the burning bush, and leave it there (without reading through the details).

However, read it we must.  Listen to this word, we must ... if we are to glean the wisdom that it wants to offer for today.  How else will we hear the advice that is offered?  How else will we learn of its wisdom?

Moses was being a good son-in-law.  The beginning of this account tells us that he was tending the flock belonging to his father-in-law Jethro.  This was (and is) a good and just thing to do.  While he was going about the daily task of leading the flock to pasture, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in fire ... and the bush, though on fire, was not consumed.

The sight of a burning bush that is not consumed should have scared him.  Instead it peaked his curiosity.  How often do things happen around us, causing us to react in fear?  Do we run away from such happenings, or do we tend to be more curious about things out of the norm, and want to investigate them further?  In fact, it was when he came closer to inspect the situation that God called to him.  Here then is the second part of the mystery.

Even if we are aware of God calling to us, such calls don't always involve spoken words.  They do however cause us to be curious, cause us to wonder (and sometimes to wander).  If we come closer, God can begin a conversation, and who knows where that might lead.  Actually, the concept of a conversation with God was almost unheard of in Old Testament times.  Then, God was understood as a far-off and menacing entity.  Perhaps we too have grown up with such a concept, but the more we enter into the personal encounter of prayer, the more we discover that this relationship with God is not a scary proposition.  It is a very intimate encounter with one who loves us deeply.

Jesus, who knew this intimacy perhaps most profoundly, revealed the loving heart of the Father, His Father, our Father, our Creator.  Who better to introduce us to the Father than the Son?  The image he presented was and is vastly different from the human understanding of a God who is far-off and menacing.  Instead, Jesus reveals a tender, loving gentleness.  In fact he praises God for having hidden these truths from the learned and the wise ... and for revealing them to mere children.  Those of us who consider ourselves wise in this world need then to learn the lessons preached by Jesus: become like mere children in the way we trust his promise.  Allow him to reveal to us the tender love of the Father, for no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

Some pictures from before

In case there should be any doubt about the necessity of the repairs that are currently taking place, here's your chance for a 'relatively' up-close look at the state of the towers (before the restoration began).

The first step was putting the scaffolding in place.  This allowed the brick workers to access the towers up close, and to discover exactly what they were facing.  Some pictures had been taken before hand, but only as we get up close and personal, and begin to peel away the first layers do we discover the true extent of the deterioration, and begin to grasp the scope of the work that's required.

From the ground level, the cement bands which encircle the upper portions of the tower appear to be in fine shape, but up close, we begin to see that the mortar has worn away (in some cases it's been washed away completely), leaving gaps between the masonry.

The result of the missing mortar is that water has seeped into the inner wythes of brick and caused more deterioration of the mortar, thus weakening the inner parts of the walls.

There is also evidence of water damage to the mortar in the blind arches.  Exposure to water over the years has eroded not only the mortar but in some cases the bricks themselves.

This section, taken from the south-east corner of the east-facing tower, shows extensive deterioration.  These bricks had to be removed, and the exposed section had to be shored up with wood as a temporary support until the wall could be rebuilt.

More evidence of the deterioration on the south face of the east tower demonstrates that this work is being done just in time.

Meanwhile, at the level of the bell, this preliminary look at the window opening already demonstrates the ravages of wind and time.  Closer inspection reveals more details about the deterioration that must be addressed.

The wooden capitals atop each of the posts are cracked and in need of replacement because they have been exposed to wind, rain and sun.  Even the meshing which appears in this photo wasn't enough to keep the birds out of the belfry, so this too will have to be addressed before the columns are re-installed.

Not only the captials, but also the bases supporting the columns will need to be replaced.  The jury is still out at this precise moment about the fate of the columns themselves, and of the supporting structures.  This decision should be made by early next week.

Thankfully, the work of repointing is progressing steadily.  We are told that the inner sections of the east tower have been completed (down to almost the level of the church roof), and that the exterior of the east tower has also been prepared for the mortar which should arrive early next week.  Meanwhile, efforts in the west tower continue, in the hopes that the inner sections will be completed within the next two weeks or so, thus permitting the supporting steel structures to be installed at that time.

The discovery of the extent of damage in the east tower has led to further measures being adopted as of yesterday.  Necessary steps though they are, they will inevitably add to the bill, but must be accomplished now in order to guarantee the existence of the towers for years to come.

Preparing a change

Sometimes you just have to keep up with the pace.

Yesterday, I received communication relevant to the pricing for some of the additional work that has been discovered and needs to be addressed in the towers.  This will include:

• Lead coated copper drip edge flashing which will be installed on the outside of each of the two towers, around the upper band, in order to deflect water and thus minimize future damage to the mortar;
• Replacement of damaged brick.  The estimate as we know it now is that about 500 bricks in the east tower are sufficiently damaged to warrant that they should be replaced.  It is still uncertain whether we will need less or more bricks for the west tower.  Once the work is further advanced (in the coming days) we'll have a better idea of this situation;
• Shoring for two arches (one in each tower) which will need to be addressed;
• Two metal access ladders which will replace some wooden ladders which have stood in the towers for some decades now, but which are not in conformity with the existing building codes.

These repairs are necessary in order to ensure the integrity of the structure.  I've issued the go-ahead for the issuing of the change order relative to these issues as of today.  Still outstanding at this point is a decision about the cost of repainting the wood frames around the windows in the towers (at the level where the work is taking place), and about the work necessary for the wooden pieces which provide the louvers at the top of each tower.

It is estimated that these changes will add another $100,000 to the cost of the project, bringing the total cost of the renovation to approximately $500,000.

Seeds scattered and sown

Perhaps it is fitting that the scripture passages for this weekend evoke images of planting.  It's already been a month or so since the planting of crops has taken place, and already there are fruits to some of our labours.  The image of planting, fertilizing and growth can easily be transferred to the domain of faith, and like the world of farming, there are some inherent challenges.

Listen to this week's reflection or feel free to read it:

Seeds to be sown
There’s a question that’s been brewing within me for the past couple of months.  Perhaps it’s time I share it with you.  Perhaps together we can try to find a suitable answer.  The world around us is changing.  At times it would appear that there are certain aspects about our society that are changing right before our eyes, and the challenge is for those of us who live within this modern-day society to keep up with the changes or be left behind.

Let’s consider one example.  On the evening of my ordination, during the homily that he spoke, the Bishop looked straight at the two of us who would soon have hands laid upon our heads in the ancient gesture of priestly ordination, and spoke to us about special food which the people of God need.  He exhorted us to feed them with this special food every day of our lives.  He was referring to the food that is the Word of God.  This Word must first be heard, both with the ears on the sides of our heads, and with the ear of our hearts.  It must then be chewed, wrestled with, swallowed and digested so that we can discover the truth it contains.  Only then can we feed it to someone else, and the trick is that even though it may be offered, that doesn’t mean it will be heard by another, much less enter into their own hearts.

Almost two decades after that night has passed, I often wonder now about the world that our children have grown up in.  Have we provided them the necessary tools so that they could develop the ears of faith to hear this word?  Have they even heard of the practice of listening with the heart?  Have they been able to sharpen their teeth on the puzzles of the gospel and its special food, or have they ground their teeth on other material, at times so much so that they are unaware of the riches our faith offers?

The book of Isaiah spoken in today’s liturgy compares this word of God to rain and snow which come down from heaven, and do not return until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout.  During what seemed to be an interminable Spring, this year we have seen so much water come from the heavens in parts of Canada that farmers were unable to even plant the fields, much less hope that the earth would bring forth and sprout.  If nothing is sown, nothing can grow, but even if the seeds are sown, other conditions can also contribute to the amount of harvest that we might see.

The seed of faith is sown on the day of our baptism, but from that day onward, the kind of soil in which this seed grows can and in fact does affect how much faith makes a difference in our lives.  Some seed falls on the path … Faith that has no soil to grow in will never germinate.  If parents of this generation have never been exposed to faith, how can they pass it on?  …Some seed falls on rocky ground … Have you ever noticed how young infants learn?  They’re like sponges.  They’re inquisitive and often more perceptive than adults, but this thirst for knowledge will only persist if it is fed.  If there is only rocky ground, with little soil, it will soon perish.  The same is true for faith.

… Some seed falls among thorns … Every time I travel outside Canada, I find myself returning with a renewed sense of thanksgiving.  This is indeed a country of great wealth in so many ways.  The problem with such affluence is that it can often lead to a sense of apathy, or worse yet, to a belief that material possessions hold the promise of success.  In such a world, faith gets choked off, ignored, until it is needed, as though it were a commodity for sale.  Luckily, some seed falls in rich soil.  There is still hope.  It’s not too late, but we must act now.  We must be people of conviction, courage and faith.  Only then will we understand that the sufferings of the present time are not worth comparing with the glory yet to come.  Our world needs to know that there is a reason to hope.

Many of the changes we’ve seen in modern times are good things, but some of them have the potential to do great harm.  The question is do we know the difference

Tower restoration continues

This morning, I met some of the stone masons who are currently working on the towers.  They tell me that the restoration of the inner wythes of the east-facing tower have now been completely re-pointed (at least the section that is free standing above the structure of the main church).

Work continues on the outside of the east tower while another set of scaffolding has now been erected inside the west-facing tower which will permit the repointing of the inner wythes of that tower within the coming weeks.

We expect that the steel frames and braces will be delivered and installed within the next three weeks or so.  In the meanwhile the wooden pieces are being removed from the upper sections of both towers in order to permit the work in that section to proceed.  These openings will also facilitate the delivery of the steel frames when they arrive.  Some of these wooden sections may need some tlc but we'll have to judge that once we get a chance to conduct an up-close inspection.

In all, we are very pleased that this project seems to be proceeding on schedule.  Reports are that the restoration should be complete by October of this year.

The party comes to an end

Weekends are occasions for socializing.  Weekends are occasions of celebration.

When there's a wedding involved, entire weekends are taken up with social engagements.  First there's the run-up to the wedding, which can include any number of events, but at the very least there's a rehearsal, and of course the accompanying dinner party which follows.  Then there's the day of the wedding, complete with all the last-minute preparation and then of course the big moment ... and no wedding would be complete without a reception and banquet to celebrate the nuptial day.

In most cases, there's also a third part to the weekend celebration.  This can take the form of a gift opening, usually accompanied by more food and socializing, but it can also take the form of a brunch, offered to guests just before they depart.

So it was that this weekend's nuptial celebration came to a close with a gathering on the water.  Why should this be any different from the rest of the weekend: the rehearsal party took place on the water, the reception took place looking out upon the water, and so the brunch and farewells also had to take place within a reasonable proximity to water.

Now that all of it is complete, all that's left is the cleanup, and the telling of stories which have already made for wonderful memories.

Jesus and the children

Summer's here!  As it happens, the liturgical celebrations surrounding the Easter season have also just recently been observed, and therefore we return to the 'season' of Ordinary Time.  The wisdom of the scripture continues, day by day and week by week.  In this case, it's spoken of in paradoxical terms.

Listen to this week's reflection or read the text below.

On paradox

Last fall, while I was traveling with a group of people in the Holy Land, one of the stops on our itinerary was in Bethlehem, in a souvenir shop of sorts. Most of the items for sale were wood crafts, and most of them were carvings from the local olive wood. I set out across the sea of sculptures in search of something that would speak of the experience of being in this place where Jesus himself had lived and walked. One of the treasures I uncovered was entitled Jesus with the children. Those of us who are not strangers to the writings of the scriptures know very well that Jesus spoke of children on a couple of occasions, mostly to reinforce the paradoxical nature of his message.

In the English language, the word paradox is used to refer to statements, persons or situations that appear to be self-contradictory. Aesop's fable about the tortoise and the hare is a classic example of paradox made evident in the story of a race between two animals which results in the slower-moving one triumphing over the more fleet footed. Paradox exists all around us, and can often furnish occasions for great wisdom to come to light.

Evidence the scripture readings we have just heard. Jesus appeared on the scene and came to be known as a great prophet. For his apostles and disciples, he held the promise of a long-awaited messiah who would somehow free them from the tyranny of oppressive Roman rule. Yet, the key to Jesus' rule had nothing to do with political power, or with any system of governance devised by human ingenuity. In fact, he thanked his Father Lord of heaven and earth for having hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and revealing them to infants. As I read this line of the scripture, my attention was drawn to the olive wood sculpture of Jesus with the children, and I began to puzzle over the wisdom contained in these words.

The wisdom of our faith is not disclosed by ordinary means, that is, according to human reasoning. In order to understand the power of faith, we must become more and more like little children. The relationship we cultivate with our God is meant to be one of deep abiding trust, like the relationship of trust that a child has with his or her parents, and once we discover this truth, we also come to realize that unlike worldly success which necessitates hard work and ambition, Jesus invites all those who are wearied out and carrying heavy burdens to come in search of rest. The paradox here is that human beings who live in a world where we must work to earn our living may have difficulty believing that in order for this relationship to be plumbed, we need to set aside our ambition, and learn to trust again like little children do. That's not easy, but thankfully God gives us the gift of little children to teach us how to do this. The secret to this kind of success is balance. There's a time for hard work and dedication, but there should also be time in our day for inquisitiveness, for persistence, and for play. In short, adults should never forget that they were first children.

Throughout the history of our faith, this paradox has been an integral part of the relationship between God and his people. Even in Old Testament times, the creator of the universe was spoken of as one who would appear triumphant and victorious (which usually meant accompanied by vast numbers of armies and chariots), but not so in this case. Rather the book of Lamentations speaks of this victorious God being humble and riding on a donkey, a colt the child of the most humble of animals. Here again, there is a lesson to be learned. This is not the story of conquering the world as a powerful army would, but of conquering hearts through humble child-like trust, which leads us to serve others in love.

Perhaps as the ultimate proof of the power of this paradox, Paul reminded the Romans that Jesus himself was raised from the dead by the Spirit of God and in fact that this same Spirit of God ... dwells in you and me. Because of this, Christ gives life also to our mortal bodies through the same Spirit that dwells in us. So my friends, the story of faith which we have gathered here to celebrate and to reinforce is not a reward for anything that we ourselves can do, rather it is a gift that has been given to us on the day of our baptism, a gift that strengthens and sustains us in this life and prepares us for the life to come.

The pieces are here

We're making progress.

As the work continues on the painstaking task of removing all the damaged mortar from between the courses of brick in the tower, and as fresh mortar is spread between each of the bricks to strengthen the walls and to freshen the structure, the supplies for one of the last parts of the renovation arrived this past week.

The bell that currently hangs (silently) in the east tower is in need of repair, and the mechanisms that will be needed for the repair were delivered a few days ago.  They are currently being kept in waiting and will be hoisted to the heights in the coming weeks.

One step at a time, this project which as been so long in the waiting is actually coming to fruition, and people from far and wide continue to watch and to wait for the day when the bell will once again sing it's happy song.

Mary's heart

The Church has accorded a place of honor to the Virgin Mary.  She is perhaps the model disciple, the one who shows us how to listen to the word of her Son, to ponder it, and to make room for it in our lives.

People of faith have long known of the Church's observance of the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart (on the Friday following the Solemnity of Corpus Christi), and the observance of the liturgical Memorial of the Immaculate (or Sacred) Heart of Mary (on the very next day).

Statues and images recalling this feast are often saccharin in their portrayal, but the truth of the matter is that this Memorial allows us to focus our thought and prayer on the inner life of Mary, just as the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart focuses our attention on the inner life of Jesus, on the love which he came to model for us, on the desire he has continually demonstrated for all of us, his disciples, to be close to him.

A healthy understanding of Mary's role and of her ability to love with a mother's love can help all of us to grow closer to Jesus, and after all, isn't that what it's all about?

On the water

Yesterday started out on water, and ended on water.

A wise man once told me that one of the keys to success is kowing the people we serve. This advice has stood me in good stead, for human beings have a wonderful capacity to want to share their lives with others who are genuinely interested in them.  We all cultivate relationships of varying levels: there are some people we greet each day but could never mention their names, and there are others who know us better than we know ourselves (it would seem) ... and all manner of levels in between.

As it happens, I began Canada Day in the company of one family, spending some leisure time with them.  A part of this day was spent in a boat, skimming across the water, and observing life which seemed to be just awakening around the lake, despite the fact that it was closer to mid-day than to dawn.

There is a certain magic that seems to cement those who sit around a common table to share a common meal, so when we returned to terra firma we spent the rest of the 'day' together sitting around the table, sharing conversation and sustenance.  For all of it, I for one am thankful.

As it turns out, I left that oasis in the latter part of the afternoon in order to conduct a rehearsal for the wedding that will take place later today, and once the practice was complete, we (the entire gathered group of friends and relatives) then migrated to the after party.  This gathering too took place on water (at least on the shore of a lake), and as the evening wore on, plans were made to embark in two boats in time for the annual display of fireworks (remember it's the National Day of Canada).

They happen every year (the fireworks) but not everyone is afforded an opportunity to view them from the middle of the lake.  This was a special gift indeed, and a fitting way to end the day.

Solemnity of the Sacred Heart

In the homes of my parents and many of the faithful, the tradition was to display an image of the Sacred Heart.  To do so demonstrated to all those who entered, a fervent devotion to the love of Christ present in the house, and within the faith lives of all its inhabitants.

On the Friday following the celebration of Corpus Christi, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart, and according to the reflection provided by Saint Bonaventure, today is a day for giving thanks, especially for the One through whom we have found the source of life.

Take thought now, redeemed man, and consider how great and worthy is he who hangs on the cross for you.  His death brings the dead to life, but at his passing heaven and earth are plunged into mourning and hard rocks are split assunder.

It was a divine decree that permitted one ofthe soldiers to open his sacred side with a lance.  This was done so that the Church might be formed from the side of Christ as he slept the sleep of death on the cross, and so that the Scripture might be fulfilled: They shall look on him whom they pierced.  The blood and water which poured out at that moment were the price of our salvation.  Flowing from the secret abyss of our Lordès heart as from a fountain, this stream gave the sacraments of the Church the power to confer the life of grace, while for those already liiving in Christ it became a spring of living water welling up to life everlasting.

Happy Canada Day

All is still in the normal places of negotiation today (with a few exceptions).

This day is all about celebrating the freedoms we enjoy and the blessings that are ours.  What better occasion than this to reflect on all for which we must be thankful: the privilege of citizenship in such a place of fortune, the freedoms we all too often take for granted, the family and friends who can live in peace and even the ones who have never known the struggle that is too well known by so many in our world.

Celebrate today Canada!

Give thanks today Canada!

Give thanks today for all that is ours, but never let us forget those who in our world would long to have that which we far too often take for granted.

At last

Sometimes it takes a bit of wrangling and lots of patience, but finally we managed to find a time and place that was suitable to all concerned.  In fact, there were only three around the table but as the conversation flitted from one subject to another, seeminly without seams, it wasn`t long before the entire evening had passed.

At the risk of elevating humans way beyond the place of honur that we have rightly merited, I couldn`t help thinking that this little gathering wasn`t so far different from what the intent for all of us must be like in God`s vision.  The example given is that of the Trinity, and in the classic icon (pictured above) it appears that the three divine persons are seated at a table, conceivably sharing one another`s company, discussing the affairs of life, laughing and cajoling one another as good friends do.

Would time pass as easily in their presence?  Would we far too soon notice that it is time to leave? or is it more the truth that people of faith are invited to sit at this table in perpetuity, bringing all that we are, and all that we have to the conversation as well. 

There is a deep sense of trust established when good friends gather, when the conversation is easy, when there is time for all and for everyone.  Yet there are some in our society who have never had the experience of such a table.  Instead, they live in a world where there are no such tables, no such companions to share dreams and cares, no such occasions for a momentary pause from the rush and demands of life.  Ah what a sad situation that would be.