Grace unexplainable to those who will not believe - from Walter J. Ciszek's book He Leadeth me

Grace unexplainable to those who will not believe

“This simple truth, that the sole purpose of man's life on earth is to do the will of God, contains in it riches and resources enough for a lifetime. Once you have learned to live with it uppermost in mind, to see each day and each day's activities in its light, it becomes more than a source of eternal salvation; it becomes a source of joy and happiness here on earth.

The notion that the human will, when united with the divine will, can play a part in Christ's work of redeeming all mankind is overpowering. The wonder of God's grace transforming worthless human actions into efficient means for spreading the kingdom of God here on earth astounds the mind and humbles it to the utmost, yet brings a peace and joy unknown to those who have never experienced it, unexplainable to those who will not believe."

From Walter J. Ciszek's book He Leadeth me

40 Days for Life Ottawa 2022, Closing Rally on Sunday November 6 at 6:00 pm

 The 40 Days for Life campaign of concentrated prayer and fasting for an end to abortion.

Closing Rally Sunday, November 6 at 6:00 pm, vigil site at the southwest corner of Queen and Bank streets.

 

St. Paul encourages us to stay connected with others of faith, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together . . . but encouraging one another . . .”  (Hebrews 10:24-25) 

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as you are doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

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Canoe Pilgrimage from Martyr's Shrine Midland ON August 11, 2017 - Pat's pictures

While cleaning up my extremely messy computer I found these photos yesterday.

Barb, Pat, and I joined Father Hasina and Ottawa's Indigenous Community

to welcome the pilgrims at Naategamaa Lodge Fitzroy Harbor

https://www.cccb.ca/announcement/canadian-canoe-pilgrimage-journeying-toward-dialogue-reconciliation-and-friendship/

 Kateri Native Ministry

https://www.katerinativeministry.ca/

Canadian Canoe Pilgrimage: 

Journeying toward dialogue, reconciliation, and friendship Monday, August 14, 2017

On 21 July 2017, a group of thirty men and women began a canoe pilgrimage of some 800 kilometers, inspired by the Calls for Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. They departed from the historic sites of Sainte-Marie among the Hurons and the Canadian Martyrs Shrine in Midland, Ontario, and plan to arrive on 15 August, the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, at the First Nations community of Kahnawake, near Montreal, which is also the home of the Shrine of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha and where she is buried. Following the traditional trading route used by the First Nations, as well as the 17th-century Jesuit missionaries and the early European explorers, including Samuel de Champlain, the canoeists have traveled through Georgian Bay, the French River, Lake Nipissing, and then the Mattawa and Ottawa Rivers, and will finish on the Saint Lawrence River.

Working in collaboration with their project manager, Jesuit seminarian Erik Sorensen, the participants are from different parts of the country, representing various Aboriginal groups, religious communities and other organizations. They include Mr. Kyle Ferguson, Advisor for Ecclesial and Interfaith Relations with the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), as well as Sister Eva Solomon, from the Henvey Inlet Ojibwe First Nation and a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Sault Ste. Marie, who is currently based in Winnipeg and is part of the Building Bridges program founded by the Western Assembly of Catholic Bishops and focuses on Indigenous inculturation and interculturation of faith.

Along their pilgrimage route, the canoeists are being greeted by local parish and Aboriginal communities as well as communities of religious life. Upon their arrival in Gatineau, on 9 August, they were welcomed by the Most Reverend Roger Ébacher, Archbishop Emeritus of Gatineau, on behalf of Archbishop Paul-André Durocher. The next day, the Most Reverend Terrence Prendergast, S.J., Archbishop of Ottawa, welcomed them to Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica for a Eucharistic celebration and a meal, followed by a talk by the Jesuit historian Father Jacques Monet on the history of the route they are following.

Photos by Pat Maloney

Barb and me

Going to the River to welcome the pilgrims

Pilgrims arriving 

pilgrims continuing on their way to Ottawa

Father Hasina on the far right waving

Before we left to go home we walked through the beautiful Stations of the Cross that were built by John, Donna, and Jean's brother

The Canadian Canoe Pilgrimage (CCP) is a project inspired by Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) with the hope of encouraging intercultural and interreligious dialogue and learning. Participants, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, will be immersed in each other’s customs and traditions. Through this immersion, the goal is to foster respect, trust, dialogue, and hopefully friendship — the building blocks for reconciliation. The canoe route is a traditional First Nations trading route that was travelled by early European settlers such as Samuel de Champlain and Jean de Brébeuf, who were welcomed and guided by the Indigenous Peoples of this land. This pilgrimage will begin at Sainte-Marie among the Hurons in Midland, on the shore of Georgian Bay, on July 21 and end on August 15 on the St. Lawrence River at the Kahnawake First Nation, close to Montreal. The community of paddlers making this 850-kilometre, 25-day voyage is comprised of Indigenous Peoples, Jesuits, English and French Canadians, men and women – all desiring to travel together on a path of healing and friendship. The route follows a similar one paddled by 24 young Jesuits in 1967. For more information, and to donate, please go to the Canoe Pilgrimage website.

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Let's Talk About Abortion - Deacon Isaac Longworth C.C.

Ottawa's Archbishop re. The Ottawa Catholic School Board allowing schools to fly the rainbow (gay pride) flag during the months of June ( May 28, 2021)

 

ARCHBISHOP’S MESSAGE

May 28, 2021 

Decision difficult to understand

Last Tuesday, May 25, the Trustees of the Ottawa Catholic School Board voted 9-1 in favor of a motion to allow schools to fly the rainbow (gay pride) flag during the months of June. This decision, despite my opposition, leaves me confused and disappointed. Many of you share my pain and suffering. I am very aware of this. I have received many e-mails from parents, teachers, and members of our Catholic community who have expressed their displeasure and incomprehension about this important decision that goes against the teaching of the Church. For some, the reactions have been very strong. Faced with this reality, many questions arise. How should we react? What are we to understand about the current state of our Catholic schools in Ontario?

One thing is certain. It is never wise to react and make decisions when emotions are still high. We risk saying hurtful words, judging too quickly with condemning comments, or making hasty and unreflective decisions. As Archbishop, I must exercise my leadership with wisdom and serenity. It seems to me essential to take actions that will give life and not destroy it. Therefore, I need time. Time to calm the emotions and time to acquire the facts to better understand the state of things. Time to consult and ask all the necessary questions.

It is important for you to know that I have no legal authority over Catholic schools or school trustees. The province funds and controls our Catholic schools. Trustees are elected by the people. I can only exert my influence on religious education and moral issues. I did this at the Trustees’ meeting itself. You can find my presentation on the diocesan website.

I understand that this is just one of many school boards in our archdiocese. But you can be sure that the pressure to do this, as in many other school boards in Ontario, is forcing the leaders of all our Catholic schools to reflect and take a stand. For those who feel discouraged by these facts, do not allow yourselves to be drawn into the pit of despair. Instead, turn your attention to the good that exists. How can we nurture and strengthen that which is good?

Let us remember that as a Church we have a mission to see to the well-being of all souls. The thousands of young people in our Catholic schools are among those souls and deserve the best. I believe that more than ever they need our presence and witness to grow in faith. It would be easy to give up and declare defeat. Instead, the Spirit of Pentecost gives us courage, guidance and wisdom to bring about the Kingdom of God. Jesus Christ never told us that it would be easy.

Rest assured that I am personally committed to accompanying the stakeholders at all levels to ensure Catholicity in our schools. It will be long and hard work, but necessary. Prayerfully, together we will succeed. There are many good people who are well intentioned in our school boards. It is a matter of accompanying them well. Perhaps we have missed the mark in this regard. I think it is important to recognize where, as a Church, we have not done everything possible to educate, train and prepare people for mission. It is never too late to start.

 Please continue to pray for me, as I do for you.

 Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us.

 Saint Joseph, pray for us. 

X Marcel

Priests Going Legit Underground - Fr. Mark Goring, CC