Soul Health XXVII

Come for Communion this weekend and/or Confession

With churches now permitted to crack the door open -- accommodate 10 persons -- this weekend only* with the assistance of Deacon Bernie I will:

Open St. TM:

 

(Parishioners and others should feel free to come to either parish church for these Sacraments)

Saturday at 3:30, and Sunday 9am, for Confession, and quiet prayer before the Sacrament, and for Lighting of Candles.

From Saturday 4pm to 4:30 and Sunday 9:30 to 10am for distribution of Communion

At Saturday at 4:30 curbside Confessions will be heard and Communion offered to those in their cars on Rue Moffat (ignore the No parking signs that will be set up allow you space)

Open St. Willibrord:

 

At 11:55 until 12:20 for those who wish to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation and/or communion after the Sunday 11am livestream

And at 12:20 for curbside for those stopped in front of the church.

For those who can’t get out and live in the SouthWest, contact the office to have me joyfully bring sacraments to you on the weekend

* Subsequent weekend schedule will be decided next week

In Christ,

Father Robert+

Becoming spiritually strong in the face of pandemic lockdown

“All shall be well, and all shall be well
and all manner of thing shall be well”

Mother Julian of Norwich (14th century mystic)

There is no time like the present to shore up your inner well-being, when in-person Mass is unavailable beginning with Sunday Mass livestream:

1- In compliance with the new restrictions imposed by the provincial government, we regret that all in-person Masses are suspended until further notice. However, the St. Thomas More pro populo Sunday Mass is live streamed at 11am -- you can partake in Spiritual Communion: Click here to join live stream. A link is also available at: https://www.stthomasmoremtl.ca/ (with Wednesday 7pm and Friday 11am masses as well).

Now more than ever, “walk on new legs” – see this morning’s homily at the link above: 

 

2- I continue to hear Confessions by appointment in the parish office and Sacristy, or on your doorstep in the SouthWest – I will also bring Holy Communion. If this Sacrament of Reconciliation is not part of your spiritual discipline, now is the time to change that – call me to discuss (514-768-4741).

 

And join an online faith study group I’m leading beginning next week:

 

3- Seize the opportunity: There are a few spots left in Bishop Barron’s 6-week course on The Sacraments, Thursdays at 7pm, starting 21 January. Register with me by phone or email.

4- And Tuesday evenings at 7:30pm, starting January 26, we have a special study program: The Bible and the Church Fathers designed by St Paul Center. Email me for more info. As described by the coordinator: 

 

- Each session will start with the Holy Rosary, followed by a short video (20 to 30 minutes) and discussion and explanation of different points. Fr Robert Assaly, an expert in early Christianity, will be with us throughout the program.

 

The “Domestic Church” – your home, where you are your children’s primary faith educators:

 

5- Our parish’s new At Home Family Faith Formation & Sacramental Preparation with your children: Parents, To register yourselves for an upcoming online information session (time: TBA), email Alexandra Johnson: alexandra.stwillibrord@gmail.com

 

Help out St. Thomas More parish: 

 

6- Join me in this leadership development event next Saturday (Jan. 23). To prepare St. TM for the other side of the pandemic, let’s strengthen our lay LEADERSHIP WHERE IT MATTERS MOST: Parish leadership that transforms. Not sure? Call me or email.

 

How to further nourish your spiritual life?:

 

7- Well over a million people have already downloaded the free “Bible in a Year” podcast, you might appreciate it: https://tinyurl.com/ycu6hpaw

8- Avail yourself of the abundant resources by Bishop Barron at www.wordonfire.org

See you, or you’ll see me, online this weekend, and I hope on Zoom at one of the faith study groups above

In Christ,

Father Robert+

Soul Health XXV

Finding strength in a time of lockdown

The early Church Fathers, based on images St. Paul deployed in the Bible, compared spiritual strengthening to athletic fitness training (yes, this was a significant part of ancient Greek life – gymnasium is a Greek word – think Olympics). It was more difficult then, because they couldn’t do it online!

I encourage you to seize the opportunity lockdown has forced on us to train yourself to lean on God, and to strengthen your faith over the next month with these online opportunities – and spread the word:

1- All in-person masses are cancelled, but you can receive Spiritual Communion by joining any number of virtual masses. I will be offering this every Sunday at 11am. Links available by tomorrow: https://www.stthomasmoremtl.ca/ or https://www.stwillibrordparish.org/ (with Wednesday and Friday masses as well).

2- I continue to hear Confessions by appointment in the parish office and Sacristy, or on your doorstep in the SouthWest – I will also bring Holy Communion. If this Sacrament of Reconciliation is not part of your spiritual discipline, now is the time to change that – call me to discuss (514-768-4741).

3- Families: Our new PCL, Alexandra is wonderfully creative and energetic. She has put together a virtual Family Faith Formation & Sacramental Preparation programme. Online information sessions are Tomorrow (Saturday) 11am and Monday, January 11th at 7:30pm -- Register for one of these sessions by email: Alexandra Johnson: alexandra.stwillibrord@gmail.com

4- I am offering again Bishop Barron’s 6-week course on The Sacraments, Thursdays at 7pm. Note the starting date change, now: 21 January. Register with me by phone or email.

5- And Tuesday evenings at 7:30pm, starting January 26, a special study program: The Bible and the Church Fathers designed by St Paul Center. Email me for more info. As described by the coordinator: 

- Each session will start with the Holy Rosary, followed by a short video (20 to 30 minutes) and discussion and explanation of different points. Fr Robert Assaly, an expert in early Christianity, will be with us throughout the program.

6- Baptism prep will be offered online, for Baptisms anticipated mid-February. Call the office.

More next week.

O God of peace,
Who hast taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved,
in quietness and confidence shall be our strength:
By the might of Your Spirit lift us, we pray, to Your presence,
where we may be still and know that You are God;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

In Christ,

Father Robert+