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+