ADVENT: A SEASON OF HOPE Advent 2017 Dear Parish Family As we approach the Season of Advent we are encouraged to lay hold of the hope we have in Jesus Christ. The Gospel was written for times such as ours. The level of anxiety throughout the world is at one of its highest levels. … [Read more…]
EASTER EVE The Liturgy of Redemption The Pascha (Greek) or Christian Passover has been celebrated in the Church from its earliest days. A vigil was held from the evening of Saturday to dawn on Sunday. After the preliminary blessing of a lamp or lamps by the deacon (“The light of Christ”), there followed a … [Read more…]
EASTER 2017 Dear Parish Family, Well it is getting to that time to end the chocolate fast, shed the drab winter coats and celebrate the birth of little creatures. Yes, I say that “tongue in cheek.” Unfortunately for most people that is their Easter. Another day on the calendar to gather the family and … [Read more…]
LENT 2017 Dear Parish Family What not to give up for Lent: HOPE What to take on during Lent: PRAYER It is well known that we are, by nature, drawn to watch a train wreck. We know we should look away, it is going to be horrible, nevertheless we watch it … [Read more…]
Christmas 2016 Dear Parish Family, God came to a world such as ours so that we might have forgiveness, reconciliations and hope; Life in its fullness. A simple statement but one which becomes more real and challenging each day. The world’s chaos has come to our doorsteps. Political upheaval and unrest, the … [Read more…]
ADVENT 2016 Dear Parish Family, Advent, a season of hope and expectation, is exactly what our world needs. Hope amid wars and rumors of wars. Hope amid political upheaval. Hope amid earth quakes, floods, and fires. Hope amid sectarian and racially motivated violence. The list could go on. Some may come back … [Read more…]
Harvest Home, October 2016 Dear Parish Family, After a long hot summer things are beginning to cool down. The weather has certainly been a struggle for farmers this year. Lack of rain, too much rain, hail and wind, we have had it all. Not too much unlike life. We prepare and plan for things … [Read more…]
Easter 2016 Dear Parish Family, “He is risen. He is not here.” (Mark 16:6) “Do not hold me. I must go to the Father.” (John 20:17) Of all the fears we struggle with, the fear of death is the greatest. In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus grappled with his forth coming death. He had told … [Read more…]
Lent 2016 Dear Parish Family, Did you see it? Classic wasn’t it. You live in Barrie. Did you really think it would never come? Snow has come to Barrie and those who failed to prepare for it, saw the rest of us drive on down the road – A visual lesson in the value of … [Read more…]
Christmas 2015 Dear Parish Family, The events of the world have set the stage for us to fully embrace the power and significant of the story of the Incarnation. Far too often the comfort of our sheltered social context has enabled us to drift into the gentle pastoral story of the manger scene. … [Read more…]