Everything and more

More than enough

Every one of us here today has wondered from time to time: do I have enough?  If unexpected guests drop by, the question will be: Do I have enough food?  In work situations, the questions are often: Do I have enough time to finish this project or assignment?  When we’re travelling in foreign lands, the question might very well be: Do I have enough money?  At times, even despite our best intentions, the question might very well be: Do I have enough energy to see this through?

• Listen to this homily

As we gather around the Eucharistic table over the next few weeks, the scriptures invite us to learn some valuable lessons from the Bread of Life discourse.  In short, we are invited to think of life not as something that each of us faces on our own, as though we ourselves were solely to be blamed for something that goes wrong, or praised for something that goes right.  Instead, if we learn to think of life as an adventure that we live with Jesus at our side then we are never alone.

The miracle of Elisha’s generosity toward the needy of his time, and the example of Jesus’ generosity toward the crowds who were gathered are examples for us of God’s promise that even if we ourselves might feel that we do not have enough, even the smallest gift offered with a generous heart is enough.  In fact, because Jesus shares the adventure of life with us, he transforms our meagre efforts and rewards them with great abundance.  With his help, we can indeed live in humility and gentleness, with patience and love.

Music for a Summer day

On a mid-summer's afternoon, here's a bit of music to brighten your day.  Given the recent trend for flash mobs, this might well be what one would encounter in Sabadell, Spain.  Actually this 'impromptu concert' was arranged to mark the culmination of the celebrations marking the 130th anniversary of the founding of the city.

Lessons from the monks

With the ear of the heart

Last weekend, I shared the news of the most recent clergy appointments announced for our diocese, and I also shared with you a word of wisdom from one of my colleagues who once commented that the period of transition is often the time when we learn how to pray.

• Listen to this homily

Then as now, this advice refers to the fact that for every human being, there are periods in our lives where we experience change, times when the routines of our lives are disrupted, moments when we are truly not at peace within ourselves.  At times such as these we can truly feel like boats without rudders, or as the gospel says today, sheep without shepherds.  Yet, at times such as these we truly learn to appreciate the importance of prayer, for it is at times such as these that we learn to listen carefully to the master’s instructions and to attend to them with the ear of our heart (Prologue to the Rule of Saint Benedict of Nursia).

Listening with the ear of the heart allows us to hear the voice of Jesus, the master who summons us here each week.  It is He who raises up shepherds to tend his flock.  It is He who has compassion for us when we are lost and stumbling like sheep without shepherds.  It is He who is always ready and willing to teach us many things.  Listen carefully then for the master’s instructions and attend to them with the ear of your heart so that we may learn the lessons he wants to teach, and so that we may be aware of His peace.

New percussion

It's Friday: time for a bit of whimsy as some people prepare for a summer weekend, and others prepare ... for other things.

Whether they will admit it or not, orchestral conductors rely on the percussion section to keep things moving.  The percussionists keep time, they also add just the right accent here and there to make the music 'sing'.  The truth is that almost anything can be transformed into a percussion instrument and with a bit of musical knowlege and just the right balance of humor and genius ... well, see for yourself.



The composer of this masterpiece was Leroy Anderson, and the piece in question is simply called The Typewriter.  Try doing this with a laptop!

Thankful

The saying Be thankful for small mercies comes to mind today, but not in the sense of forgiveness for some misgiving or misdeed. Instead, it springs to mind because of a video I uncovered just a few days ago: some stunning photography of nature at work.

Have a look, and see if you don't agree that there is stunning beauty in nature.  Even more stunning is the fact that each part of nature helps to nurture another: we all exist in tandem.  Perhaps this is why St. Francis praised Brother Sun and Sister Moon, and why every day we should be thankful.

He sent them out

Called and sent

Sometimes in life, when one question is answered, another question is left in its wake.  A few days ago, the mystery about which priest would be assigned as pastor of Holy Redeemer, and have the somewhat unenviable task of following in the footsteps of the Redemptorist Fathers who have shepherded that parish since its inception, was announced.  Along with it came a list of other clergy appointments, for making such decisions is never easy, and often involves a number of moves.

• Listen to this homily

So it is that as of September 1^st, Father Peter Moher, who is currently serving as the Pastor of St. Peter the Apostle parish in North Bay is being appointed as pastor of Holy Redeemer, and I will be appointed to succeed him as the pastor of St. Peter’s as well as St. Elisabeth’s parish in Temagami.  Beginning in September, two priests are being asked to serve this community:  Father Brian Dixon will be appointed as the pastor and Father Brendan Doherty, a Missionary of the Precious Blood who has served in various parishes throughout this diocese in past years is being appointed as Associate Pastor.

Knowing that my homily would involve sharing this news with you this weekend, I was not completely surprised to see that the gospel for today speaks of the commissioning of the twelve, and that the first reading speaks of Ezekiel’s call to prophesy in places he does not know.  Like these apostles, priests today never know how long we will be privileged to spend in any given community.  I cannot speak for others, but whenever and whereever I am called to serve, I try to respond in faith. In the coming weeks, there will be time to reflect with you about the years that have passed, about the blessings we have shared.  A wise priest once told me that the time between the announcement of a move and the date it takes effect is often the time that we learn most effectively how to pray.  Please pray with me that during these weeks, we will all be keenly aware of the presence of Jesus Christ in our lives and of the ways he invites us to turn the questions of our lives into opportunities, even as he fills us with spiritual blessings.

The first slate

Last week, late on Friday afternoon, fax machines all over the diocese were aflutter with the list of the newest appointments of priests issued by the Diocesan Bishop.  Tonight, the second slate is making its way across the wires even as I'm typing.  So here's the list of all the moves, so far:

On August 1, 2012 (just a few weeks ago) the Redemptorist priests who have been serving at Holy Redeemer in Sudbury since the 1940s are scheduled to leave.  Bishop Plouffe has asked Reverend Eric Pannike to provide pastoral ministry at Holy Redeemer for the month of August.

On September 1, 2012, there are a number of priests in the diocese who will be moving to new assignments.  Can you follow this list?

• Father Peter Moher, currently pastor of St. Peter the Apostle parish in North Bay will become pastor of Holy Redeemer in Sudbury;
• Father Anthony Man-Son-Hing, currently pastor of Christ the King parish in Sudbury will become pastor of St. Peter the Apostle parish in North Bay;
• Father Brian Dixon, currently the Episcopal Vicar for Economic Affairs and Diocesan Financial Administrator will become the pastor of Christ the King parish in Sudbury, while maintaining his duties as Episcopal Vicar for Economic Affairs and Diocesan Financial Administrator;
• Father Brendan Doherty, C.PP.S., a Missionary of the Precious Blood who is currently residing in Niagara Falls, Ontario will be appointed as Assistant Pastor of Christ the King parish in Sudbury;

Also on September 1, 2012, the following appointments will take effect:

• Mgr Richard Faucon, currently pastor of St. Joseph's parish in Chelmsford will become pastor of Sacré-Coeur parish in Sturgeon Falls.  Monsignor Faucon will also share the responsibility for pastoral ministry with Father Basil Agré, who is coming from outside the diocese to assume the duty of pastor of Ste-Thérèse d'Avila parish in Cache Bay, Notre-Dame-de-la-Paix parish in Crystal Falls; Notre-Dame-des-Victoires parish in Field and Ste-Rose-de-Lima parish in River Valley;
• Father Gérald Lajeunesse, currently pastor at Sacré-Coeur parish in Sturgeon Falls will become pastor of St-Jacques parish in Hanmer;
• Father Roch Martin, currently pastor of St-Jacques parish in Hanmer will become pastor of Ste-Anne-des-Pins parish in Sudbury;
• Father Ronald Perron, sj, currently pastor of Ste-Anne-des-Pins parish and St. Ignatius of Loyola (University) parish will become the Director of Spiritual Affairs at the University of Sudbury and will remain the pastor of St. Ignatius of Loyola (University) parish;
• Father Robert Giroux, currently pastor of Notre-Dame-de-la-Merci parish in Coniston; St-Marc parish in Markstay; and Notre-Dame-de-la-Rivière parish in Wahnapitae will become pastor of St-Charles-Boromée parish in St-Charles; St-Thomas Apôtre parish in Warren and will maintain his appointment as pastor of St-Marc parish in Markstay and Notre-Dame-de-la-Rivière parish in Wahnapitae;
• Father Guy Albert, currently pastor of St-Dominique parish in Sudbury will become pastor of Notre-Dame-de-la-Merci parish in Coniston while maintaining his appointment as pastor of St-Dominique parish in Sudbury;
• Father René Perron, currently pastor of Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes parish in Alban; Corpus Christi parish in Dokis, and St-David parish in Noêlville will become pastor of St-Jude parish in Espanola;
• Father Pierre Cholette, currently pastor of St-Charles-Boromée parish in St-Charles; and St-Thomas Apôtre parish in Warren will become pastor of Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes parishin Alban; Corpus Christi parish in Dokis and St-David parish in Noêlville;
• Father Gilles Grandmont, currently pastor of St-Jude parish in Espanola will become pastor of St-Joseph parish in Chelmsford; and
• Father Lionel Tanguay, who has been providing pastoral ministry at Ste-Thérèse d'Avila parish in Cache Bay; Notre-Dame-de-la-Paix parish in Chrystal Falls; Notre-Dame-des-Victoires parish in Field and Ste-Rose-de-Lima parish in River Valley is returning to the Diocese of Timmins.

We are told that there will be more appointments coming, so stay tuned for more developments. 

For the stake holders

Measuring up

• Listen to this homily
  

A few weeks ago, I was at an AGM.  For those who may not know this acronym, it stands for an Annual General Meeting, and it’s an opportunity for shareholders, or people who have a vested interest of some kind to get caught up on the successes and endeavors of the company in question.   It’s also an opportunity for the company’s shareholders to express their pleasure or malcontent about how the company is being run.

Every week, people come through the doors of this church.  We kneel in prayer, we listen to God’s word, the priest tries to interpret the message of the scriptures, we receive God’s gift of food for our souls, and then we go out the doors and into the world.  The Church is a place of prayer, of solace, of celebration, and of thanksgiving, but in today’s world, the Church is also a business.  I don’t know if I’ve ever heard of a Roman Catholic parish holding an AGM: it’s just not our way, but we do attempt to provide reports each year to the people who come through our doors, especially about the finances that are entrusted to our care.

At the entrances to the Church this weekend, you’ll find copies of what I’m calling the Annual Report for 2011.  Please feel free to take one as you leave the church, if you haven’t already taken one on the way in.  As in former years, I myself am filled with gratitude for your generosity.  If this report is any indication of your pleasure or approval of the endeavors we have undertaken, then the members of the parish Finance Committee and I are humbled.  If instead, it should be a barometer of malcontent, then like Jesus and Ezekiel in the readings this weekend, I’m afraid that we’ll be powerless to change what has happened, but we promise to try harder next year.

Words to inspire

I was in attendance at a graduation ceremony a few weeks ago.  The children who had completed their programme of study were there.  Their parents were also there, with the beaming smiles of pride in the accomplishments of their children.  Teachers were also there, understandably proud of the children with whom they had been privileged to work for the past number of years.  Invited guests were also there, craning necks and other parts of their bodies in order to get a suitable glance at the proceedings which seemed to move along, sometimes at a snail's pace, at the front of the room.

There was also a guest speaker, who had been invited to share some insights with the gathered crowd.  I couldn't help thinking that to be invited to speak in such a capacity is indeed a privilege which is rare, for it only comes along once in a lifetime.  The words spoken should therefore be carefully and craftily honed so that the best impact can be made with the fewest words.  After all, such an address is worthless if the listeners aren't listening.

Words worth reading, words worth listening to, words which inspire, this is the stuff of such a speech.  Evidence the Commencement address spoken recently by Dr. Donald M. Berwick, MD to the graduating class of the Harvard Medical School and the Harvard School of Dental Medicine.  In short, he encouraged his listeners:

Be worried, but do not for one moment be confused. You are healers, every one, healers ashamed of miseries you did not cause. And your voice—every one—can be loud, and forceful, and confident, and your voice will be trusted. In honor of all those who you will serve, please use it.

The numbers are in

Aside from tending to souls, one of the responsibilities of pastors is to tend to the financial aspects of the community which is entrusted to our care.  This includes overseeing the adherence to all the regulations and rules that are outlined by any number of other organizations, including government bodies.

Once a year, it's good practice to let the people in the pews know where we stand.  This is usually done by publishing a Statement of Accounts (of sorts).  People want to know where their money is going, and they want to see that it's being administered wisely.

It's taken six months to get all the figures lined up, but finally, the members of the Finance Committee and I are in a position to share the results of the fiscal year 2011 (which ended on December 31), and for the sake of comparison, we've also included the relevant figures for 2009 and 2010 as well.

Those who are aware of the recent changes will know that on January 1 of 2011, the parish which I serve was combined with a neighbouring parish: reunited in a sense to form the parish that was, but this time with two sites of worship.  In an attempt to make the finances easier to understand, we've detailed the sources of income and expenditure for each of our two sites of worship, but readers should understand that the totals for the fiscal year 2011 are combined for the sake of accounting and reporting to outside parties.

With each year that passes, I am continually impressed with the generosity of the people in our pews.  In the past year, we undertook a major restoration project (which is not quite complete yet, but well on the way).  The total costs of this project are reflected in the financial report, but the amazing part is that the total still owing on the loan which we had to take in order to complete the project is quickly being diminished.  This is a testament to the continued dedication of many individuals and families who generously give of their resources so that this place of worship can welcome all those who are in need.  The words 'thank you' seem never to be enough to express my gratitude, and that of the members of the parish Finance Committee.  Together, I am sure that we will soon have this debt paid off and be able to set our sights on future endeavors.

May God continue to bless you for your generosity.

On Canada's birthday

Do not fear; only believe

Last weekend, tragedy struck the town of Elliot Lake when a part of the Algo Mall came crashing down. The rescue and recovery which followed made national headlines. Against the fear of having to see friends or relatives injured or killed by this tragedy, people who stood by and watched lit candles as signs of hope and prayer for those trapped in the rubble.

• Listen to this homily
  

In the churches of Elliot Lake, and in churches all across our country, people are gathering this weekend to pray for the repose of the souls of the two women who lost their lives in this tragedy. As we listen to the words of the gospel, Jesus also speaks to us as he did to the gathered crowds who accompanied Jairus, the synagogue leader: do not fear; only believe. Do not fear for the souls of Lucie Aylwin and Dolores Perizzolo; only believe that they are at peace. Do not fear the questions and doubts that now arise in the hearts of all those who mourn their loss, only believe that the answers to these questions will be found. Do not fear for God has created us for incorruption, and made us in the image of His own eternity. Do not fear, for in his generosity, Jesus became poor for our sakes, so that through is poverty, we might become rich in mercy and forgiveness.

Our country celebrates its 145^thbirthday this weekend (today). What better way to celebrate this day than through sharing the gift of our faith with those we call our fellow citizens. Together, we give thanks to God for the freedoms that are ours. Whether we were born in this land or not, we give thanks today for the privilege to call ourselves Canadian, and we give thanks to those who continue even today to defend our liberties.

Dear friends, it is right that we should give thanks for the freedoms that are ours, even as we strive each day to grow in our belief that the tragedy of a temple official can see his daughter restored to health, and that a tragedy which catapults a small Northern Ontario town onto the national stage can unite its people in hope and prayer.

What to say

Hopes were high as the Women's 100m Hurdles were run in Calgary yesterday.  The favorites for the top spots were well on their way, but anything can happen during a hurdles race.

The qualifying rounds had been run on Friday, but some of the competitors had already achieved the standards necessary for Olympic competition prior to their arrival in Calgary and as a result were granted a buy into the semi-finals.  Others who had not yet attained the necessary standard had to establish their times on Friday afternoon, in anticipation of Saturday's races.

When the semis were complete on Saturday afternoon, the two front runners were qualified for the finals.  Priscilla Lopes-Schliep ran the semi in 12.81 seconds, and Perdita Felicien in 12.93.

That set the stage for the final race, but by the time the final was complete, these two had to face the unthinkable reality that their dreams of Olympic competition had been dashed, at least for now.  In the aftermath of the race, the interviews with media gave them occasion to speak with poise and grace, despite their obvious disappointment.

Before the sun set on the track, the text had already been prepared and published to report the results: Jessica Zelinka will represent Canada in the London games, while both Priscilla and Perdita will have to stay on local soil.

***
How does one even speak to the reality of dreams that have been dashed.  It seems that there are no words to adequately address the shock and the obvious disappointment on the faces of those who have worked so hard for this moment, only to have the dream dashed in a matter of seconds.  At times such as these, gestures speak louder than words so its the time for hugs, and if there be a word of encouragement, it must reflect the constant love that alone can be the source of undying pride and respect for a job well done.

Less than 24 hours after the dust had settled on the track, the athletes were on their way home, to rest, recuperate and to prepare for a better tomorrow.

Happy Canada Day

Today is the day.  The day that Canada celebrates its independence.  Today is the day we give thanks for the gift of our freedom.  Today is the day for red and white flags, adorned with the maple leaf that has come to be known world-wide as a symbol of this country.

Happy Canada Day!

This year, a special edition of the National anthem (sung by babies) was created.  Have a listen to at least the first few bars.