Reflections

Lloyd John Ogilvie, the author of Silent Strength of My Life, tells the story of a young boy he met while travelling. He noticed the boy waiting alone in the airport lounge for his flight to be called. Boarding began for the flight, and the young boy was sent ahead of the adult passengers to find his seat. When Ogilvie got on the aircraft, he discovered the boy had been assigned the seat next to his.

The boy was polite when Ogilvie engaged him in conversation and then quietly spent time colouring in an airline colouring book. He showed neither anxiety nor worry about the flight as preparation was made for take-off.

August 15th is the date for the Feast of the Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary. The Feast commemorates the Assumption of Mary into Heaven at the end of her earthly life. The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, body and soul into heaven was one of the last dogmas of the Roman Church to be declared. It was formally declared by Pope Pius XIII in 1950, but the idea of it has been around for centuries.

“Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is risen.”

Easter is the commemoration of a unique event, unparalleled in history. Nothing like this has ever been heard before Christ or after Christ. Lazarus in the Gospel was raised by Christ from the dead, but he died again. Jesus Christ rose from the dead to die no more. He is risen from the world of dead, with unearthly splendour and glory. So it is a celebration of triumph of life over death, hope over despair, light over darkness, goodness over evil.

Every thoughtful Christian instinctively recognizes that Lent is a very special, grace-filled, and challenging time of the year. Lent is the season of the Christian year where believers examine their own humanity and ways they separate themselves from God to prepare for Jesus' death and resurrection. It lasts for forty days, reflective of the forty days Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness. As Christians enter their own symbolic wilderness during Lent, they remember their own humanity, vulnerable to temptation, just like Jesus in the wilderness.

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

Peace and greetings to you from Fr. Joe!

On behalf of the parishes of St. Gerard & St. Anne and Holy Spirit, it is a joy for me, again this year, to convey to each of you, warmest wishes for a Christ-filled Christmas and a New Year filled with the loving presence of the God of life.

Welcome Advent 2015! It is a season of longing for the coming of the Savior. We celebrate the coming of the Savior in three ways. We prepare for the birth of Jesus at Christmas. We long for the second coming of Christ at the end of time. Advent reminds us that one day we will meet our Savior and our life on earth is to be a time of preparation for that encounter. Finally, Advent reminds us that the risen Christ comes into our lives each day. We are to open our lives to Christ each day and allow Him to come into our hearts and lives.

October is the month of the most Holy Rosary and thereby Mary. Why does God wish us to pray to Mary? We pray to Mary because she is the Mother of God and her prayers are very powerful. When we pray the Hail Mary we combine worship of God and honour of Mary. We combine both our prayers to God and her prayers to God. We do not worship Mary; we only worship God. When we pray to Mary we honour her as the Mother of God, and as our Spiritual Mother. When we need help the most, we not only go directly to God by ourselves, we ask others to pray for us and with us. When we pray the Rosary, we have Mary, the Holy Mother of God, pray to God for us and with us. God wishes us to honour Mary because of her special role in God's plan of salvation. He wished her to contribute to the redemption of man, just as much as Eve contributed to the fall of man.

Father's Day is celebrated with a lot of vigour, fanfare and enthusiasm by children all across the world. It gives them a perfect opportunity to articulate feelings and gratitude to their dearest daddy. Right from throwing a grand party to hosting a brunch or even getting gifts and presents, there are a lot of things that children indulge in. While entertainment takes most of the celebration aspect, expression of love, care, concern and gratitude follows a close second.

It is a day to honour our fathers for the blessing that they are to us. This is good and right that we do this and be sure to honour your father today!