4th Sunday of Easter
Good Shepherd Sunday
World Day of Prayer for Vocations
Dear Friends in Christ,
The Fourth Sunday of Easter is also known as Good Shepherd Sunday because the Gospel appointed for this day is always a passage about the identity of Christ as our shepherd and his disciples as his flock. The Latin word for shepherd is pastor, and this word, of course, has come over into English to describe the office of one who has the care of souls. Because of this association of the office of pastor with the Fourth Sunday of Easter, the Church also designates this feast as a World Day of Prayer for Vocations. So this weekend, we'll consider the life to which priests are called.
You know, where the Christian faith is truly believed and steadfastly lived, young men will step forward and offer themselves to the Church for lifelong service in the priesthood. And the place in which that Christian faith must be believed and lived is the Christian Family: both the natural family of parents and children and the spiritual family of the parish church. It is only in a family that the title Father makes sense, whether for a husband or a priest, and so it is in the family of the Church that men learn to understand, revere and be drawn towards fatherhood.
Fr. Justin
PS - Please read this excellent article, especially appropriate Mother's Day & Good Shepherd Sunday weekend.
Our Seminarians
Mr. Jude Thusiar
I was born in North York in the GTA. I moved around the GTA quite a bit, hitting Scarborough, Pickering, North York, and Mississauga. I moved to Kingston, to study Mechanical Engineering at Queen's. Once I completed my degree I worked as a contract engineer for a tech start-up here in Kingston. At a young age, I received a call from the Lord in a very humorous way (ask me about it sometime!). That call, stayed in my heart, and I never stopped thinking about it. As I started work as an engineer, I also started seriously discerning the Lord's call! Soon I was certain that the Lord wanted me to further discern the priesthood in the seminary. So with His grace, I applied! I hope that the seminary will help me to further discern the Lord's will for me and to grow in holiness and mission! I am incredibly excited to see what the Lord has in store for me, He has never disappointed me in the past, and He always promises the best! Please pray for me as I continue discernment on my path to the priesthood. Verso L'alto!
Mr. Savio Cyril Kocherry
Praised be Jesus Christ, now and forever! My name is Savio Cyril Kocherry and I am entering the Propaedeutic (Spiritual) Year at St. Augustine's Seminary for the 2021-22 academic year.
Born in India, my family moved to Canada in 2006 after several years in the Middle East. I graduated from Queen's University with a BScH in 2019 studying Life Sciences. During my time in Kingston, I got involved with the Catholic Chaplaincy, Newman House, and matured in my faith living at Frassati House, a men's Catholic residence. After graduation, I was employed at the chaplaincy; active in ministry, and formation of students on campus. A vocation to the priesthood took root during my University days. With time and prayer, an invitation to receive the gift of the priesthood of Jesus Christ became apparent. It was a gift that I did not merit, nor deserve, but one that God was offering. He chose me, and now I choose to follow Him. Please pray for my fellow seminarians & I as we prepare to receive this gift more fully.
Mr. William Danahy
I was born in Chicoutimi, QC into a vibrant family. We moved to Belleville when I was four and have been there ever since. We would go to Mass on Sunday’s and pray before bed, but my faith was not much more than that; I knew He was real, but I didn’t feel like He really cared about me. In turn, the idea of my becoming a priest was not even a question—plus, everyone gets married and only old people are priests, I thought. But those ideas started to change while on a retreat in grade nine. While I was in prayer, I had a beautiful experience where I felt as though a warm blanket was covering me and God was watching over me. I felt as though God cared for me, knew me, and loved me; and I wanted to share that with others. That same year, my heart was struck again. My parish priest shared his vocation story during his homily. He explained that he made the decision of becoming a priest in order to lay down his life for the community. While he was speaking, I no longer saw “just an old man”, but a warrior, a leader, a general sacrificing himself for his people. I no longer saw “just an old man”, I saw Christ. I no longer saw the priesthood as something boring and plain, but as something beautiful and attractive. I came to see a more balanced view of both the married life and Holy Orders. A couple of years after high school, I had to make a decision about what I wanted to do the upcoming year. After some thought and prayer, I decided on the seminary since I felt like it was the best place for me to answer the questions that I had: “Do I want to be a priest?” And “Is God calling me to be a priest?”. So here I am, “discerning”—as it is called—in the seminary; listening to His Voice, and to where He is leading me. I would be grateful for your prayers as I continue through formation for the priesthood.
One of my favourite commercials...
I think filmed in Quebec.
Sacred Heart of Jesus
Weekly Schedule
Sat, May 7 @ 9am-1pm
SHJ Cemetery Clean Up
If you are able to come for a couple of hours your help would be greatly appreciated. Please bring a rake, work gloves and a shovel if you have them.
Sat, May 7 @ 5pm
Fr. Bill Maloney
(req. Louise & Neville Rodericks)
Sun, May 8 @ 11am
Intentions of the Tai Family
(req. John & Kom Tai)
Lector this Weekend
5pm: Anne Marie McGregor
11am: Jacques Lambier
Sun, May 8 @ 3pm
Mother of Perpetual Help Devotions
- Holy Hour
- Holy Rosary
- Novena Prayers
Mon, May 9 @ 9am
Bernard Doyle †
(req. Mary Doyle)
Tues, May 10 @ 6pm**
Living & Deceased Members of KofC
(req. Knights of Columbus)
** note the time change
Tues, May 10 @ 6:30pm
Knights of Columbus Meeting
SHJ Parish Hall
Wed, May 11 @ 9am
Valeriana Valledor †
(req. Clarita Zantua)
- followed by Mother of Perpetual Help prayers
Thur, May 12 @ 9am
Lucien Lambier
(req. Jacques Lambier)
Our Lady of Fatima (OM)
Fri, May 13 @ 9am
Sister Mary Driscoll †
(req. Bev & Joe Maloney)
Fri, May 13 @ 9:30-10:30am
** Holy Hour! **
Sacred Heart of Mary
Weekly Schedule
First Saturday
Sat, May 7 @ 9am
Peace in our World
(req. Mothers & Fathers of our Parish)
Sun, May 8 @ 9am
Pro Populo
Lector this Weekend
9am: Charlotte Lahey
Wed, May 11 @ 9am
Intentions of Darlene O'Connor
(req. Teressa Krentz)
Wed, May 4 @ 5pm
Combined SHM & SHJ Choir Practice
SHM
SHM
Our Lady of Fatima (OM)
Fri, May 13 @ 9am
For the Church & society who witness to the dignity of every human person as a Child of God
(req. Charlotte Lahey)
Mass offered on Our Lady of Fatima Shrine Altar
Fri, May 13 @ 9:30-10:30am
** Holy Hour! **
"Almighty God, we pray that your angel may take this sacrifice to your altar in heaven. Then, as we receive from this altar the sacred body and blood of your Son, let us be filled with every grace and blessing."
If you'd like to schedule a Mass intention, fill out one of the envelopes at the entrance of the church or contact our secretary Pauline Davis at the parish office @ 613.472.2220 or rcmarmoramadoc@gmail.com
If you or another sick Catholic you know desires to receive the Sacrament of the Sick, feel free to call the office (613 472.2220) or Fr. Justin directly (416.556.7802) to arrange
Don't forget that great online Lenten resources are available to every member of our parish including books, movies, podcasts and more at Formed.org. To gain access to all of FORMED’s content, follow these simple steps:
Go to https://signup.formed.org/
Enter our parish’s postal code (K0K 2M0)
Enter your name and your email address.
Upcoming
Yard and Bake Sale at
Sacred Heart of Mary
Fri, May 27 - Sat, May 28
- Please consider donating items to our upcoming yard and bake sale. We are extremely grateful for your donations of all types of gently used items.
- Due to space limitations we are accepting only small items of furniture and no clothing please.
- Items may be brought to O'Neill Parish Hall on Wed, May 26th between 10am-1pm and on Thur May 27th from 7pm-8pm.
- If you need assistance to get your items to the hall or for more information please call either Charlotte Lahey @ 613.473.4349 or Debbie Wood @ 613.473.5413.
- Kindly contact us if you are able to volunteer a few hours of your time to this worthy project. Thank you for your continued support!
Knights of Columbus Garage Sale
Sat, May 21 & Mon, May 23 @ SHJ
Spring cleaning? Our Knights of Columbus Council 7301 council will be holding a Yard Sale Sat May 21st & Mon, May 23 at Sacred Heart of Jesus, Mamora. Please consider turning your surplus household items into cash for worthy local causes. We are currently accepting items for the sale (no clothing though), and if you need any donated items to be picked up, speak to one our Knights or Gary Poirier @ 613.969.8618.
We will accept most household items in good condition but no clothes. Money raised will be forwarded to the many charitable groups the Knights of Columbus support. Don't miss this opportunity to contribute. Thank you for your continual generosity and support!
Applications for the Sacred Heart of Jesus CWL Secondary School Bursary are now available
- Graduating parishioners of Sacred Heart of Jesus are invited to apply.
- Deadline for applications is May 31, 2022.
- If you would like an email application, please contact Anita Bedore @ anitabedore@gmail.com.
- Applications will be available at the church entrance beginning on Sunday, May 8th.
- If you have any questions, please contact Anita Bedore @ 613.847.0161 or by email.
When Was the Last Time You
Watched a Movie on the Big Screen?
St. Mary’s Parish, in cooperation with the Aron Theatre Co-op, is bringing the recently released “Fr. Stu” to Campbellford.
Wed, June 8th & Thurs, June 9th
Doors Open @ 6:30pm
Movie @ 7pm
Based on the true, life, story of Stuart Long played by Mark Wahlberg, this film attempts to chronicle the conversion experience of an agnostic bad boy. This is not a “blue movie”; but the language is sometimes that colour.
The price of a ticket is $10 plus a non-perishable food item for our local Fair Share Food Bank.
Seating is limited to 140. All current COVID 19 protocols will be followed.
Recommendations, Links & Random Thoughts
- Please pray for our Holy Father, Pope Francis.
- SHM Parishioners: Don't forget that the Holy Rosary will be prayed every day during this month of May at 8:30am.
- If you have not taken the opportunity to contribute for aid to Ukraine, there are still PINK envelopes at the entrance of the church. You are encouraged to do so in the next week or two. Of course this total doesn't include what many of you have already sent to other agencies to assist Ukraine. Praised be to God for your generosity!
- SHM/SHJ Parishioners: For those parishioners returning back to Church after COVID (great to have you back!!), your new envelopes are at the back of the churches. Please do not use your old envelopes as numbers#'s have changed.
- RESPECT!
- LOL
- One of the first things people say when they walk into Sacred Heart of Mary is not only how beautiful it is, but how well-maintained and clean it is kept. This is thanks to Iris Doyle, who for many years has lovingly cleaned the church (and O'Neill Parish Hall). Sweeping, dusting, decorating, moping, polishing, scrubbing - Iris has done it all, but now she wants to hand on the reigns to another younger person! Fortunately for us, Iris will continue to look after the flowers. So on behalf of the parish, thank you for keeping God's house in immaculate condition Iris. We're happy that Fr. Michael Gauvreau will take over this role going forward.
- Love to see it!
This reminds me of a priest from the Peterborough Diocese telling me that a bunch of Catholic mothers wanted to started a diocesan group called "MASS": Mothers Against Sunday Sports.
- Lots of folks talking about this piece this week. Please read it.
- The Parliamentary Committee reviewing the provisions of the revised law on euthanasia is accepting comments from groups and individuals until May 9.
- It is important that the Committee hears from as many people as possible stating their opposition to the proposed changes. This may not be enough to change procedures already legalized, but it is always worthwhile to register views that promote life from conception until natural death.
- Please take a few minutes to state your belief in life until natural death, assisted by good palliative care and concern for human dignity! Recommend that the committee's proposed changes should not be accepted.
A few important points to remember now:
The law no longer requires a person’s natural death to be reasonably foreseeable as an eligibility criterion for MAID.
Have a serious and incurable illness, disease or disability (excluding a mental illness until March 17, 2023). (It is highly unlikely that this will be changed. The delay in implementation was to ensure safeguards would be adequate, i.e., as far as Government is concerned. Apart from anything else, questions of consent are considered almost sacrosanct in Canada, therefore the possibility of proper consent in situations of mental illness surely presents legal and ethical challenges to any notion of 'safeguards.')
Had a lovely school Mass yesterday with SHJ school yesterday, hosted by Mrs. Nickle's Gr. 5/6's, and then joined them for the living Rosary, which the students prayed reverently. We offered each decade for specific intentions: 1) The recovery of their former principal, Mrs. Ramp from cancer; 2) The end to the invasion of Ukraine; 3) For the Gr. 2 candidates as they approach their first Holy Communion; 4) For friends and family who are sick or going through a tough time; & 5) For their own personal intentions. God blessed us with a beautiful sunny day.
The This Man Is You (TMIY) group had our final and 26th session of the semester this morning. It was a fantastic series with the theme "The Fight of Faith". Bitter sweet, as we don't resume until the Fall. As you can see, we celebrated at 6:15am with some non-alcoholic sparkling wine. A special thank you to Mike Neuendorf for organizing us each week, and for Brad Freeman and Sharon Neuendorf for providing us with a delicious breakfast week in and out. Due to the generosity of the men, $500 donations were made to 1) Paradisus Dei; 2) Foundations Youth Center in Madoc and 3) CNEWA for Ukraine aid.
- Lots of Christians know Jerusalem only as an idea. But in reality it’s all about the actual stones, the physical embodiment of the city itself and the living stones - the people who constitute the oldest continuous Christian community in the world. To visit the actually ground where our Saviour trod is a profound wonder and privilege.
- So for those interested in possibly joining Fr. Justin on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land in October, there will be an information evening to learn more on Wed, June 1st @ 7pm at SHJ. The itinerary is below. We're about half sold out already - seems to be a great desire to travel, especially before inflation gets worse! Copies of the itinerary at the entrances of the churches.
Crowning of our statues of Mother Mary at SHJ (above) and SHM (below) marks the beginning of the month of May, which is dedicated to Our Lady.
The four new pew cushions arrived the other day, which Jacqueline Dawson from Springbrook made for SHJ. So we have six now in total on each side of the front pews. Any contributions to help offset the cost of these, which were $1K, would be greatly appreciated.
- I mentioned last week how it's good to make a May pilgrimage to a Marian shrine/church/site to honour Our Lady and seek renewal and healing for ourselves too. I forgot to mention though that for SHJ parishioners, travelling to SHM and visiting the official Our Lady of Fatima shrine altar is a good idea. And of course there is Greensides too.
- Wherever you decide, May is an ideal time to take a road trip with the family to a close Marian shrine. Journeying to holy places has great value for the entire Church. Therefore, the Church offers special blessings for pilgrims, special prayers and in many cases, it is possible to gain a Plenary Indulgence.
- What I do is say one rosary on your way to the site, one rosary when you're there, and then one rosary on the drive/walk back. But to each his own.
- So cool!
- Chef's kiss
- Kyrie eleison
- Nothing surprises me anymore...
- Thanks to many of the Knights for finishing the sweeping of the grounds and parking lot and installing the new sacristy side door.
At the school Mass, we proposed to and taught the students O Sacred Heart All Holy as a hymn that could be used as a parish and school anthem.
Don't forget: Saturday SHJ Cemetery Clean-up from 9am-1pm
- Bring work gloves and a shovel if you have one.
Thank you for contributing financially to the parish according to one’s means by using the offertory envelopes o every week. As you know, supporting the work of the Church with one’s financial resources is an essential and intrinsic part of Christian discipleship and stewardship. E-transfers are a convenient way to make contributions to your parish home when you are away.
shjpayments@gmail.com (SHJ)
shmpayments@gmail.com (SHM)
Funeral Luncheon Ministry - SHJ Church
Sacred Heart of Jesus Church has had a long tradition of providing luncheons for families following the funeral Masses at our church. The parishioners in our Parish provided some coordinators and a large group of volunteers - mostly from our CWL - who provided sandwiches, squares, coffee and tea and other items for these luncheons. Unfortunately, with COVID-19 restrictions, we have not been able to use our hall for any type of reception for the past two years. Therefore, it is not surprising that many of our key players are no longer available for this Ministry at this time.
In an attempt to revive this Ministry, we seek parishioners who would consider volunteering some time to help coordinate these events, and others would volunteer to provide food for the luncheons. We ask those who have been providing food in the past to let us know if you are willing to continue your support. Please email Anne Marie McGregor at mcgmanor@hotmail.com, or call Anne Marie @ 613.472.0371.
This is an excellent opportunity for those new to the Parish to get involved and meet others. If you would like to volunteer food or help coordinate, set up, and/or serve at the luncheon, please contact Anne Marie. Many hands make light work!
25th National March for Life
Parliament Hill, Ottawa
Thur., May 12th, 12:30pm
This is an opportunity for us to come together in prayer and love to defend the sanctity of human life, because we’re all lovingly made in the image and likeness of God and deserve the right to life. Now is our opportunity to stand up for those can’t.
Thank you for your prayers for last weekend's Project Rachel retreat, which was a blessing for all involved. Incidentally, the remarkable founder of Project Rachel, Vicki Thorn, had just died a few weeks before. May she have her reward.
Thanks to Fr. Price generously agreeing to covering the 9am Mass, Fr. Justin will be in Ottawa for the March.
"Sometimes we hear people say, “You Catholics do not accept abortion; it’s a problem with your faith”. No, the problem is pre-religious. Faith has nothing to do with it. It comes afterwards, but it has nothing to do with it. The problem is a human problem. It is pre-religious. Let’s not blame faith for something that from the beginning has nothing to do with it. The problem is a human problem. Just two questions will help us understand this clearly. Two questions. First: is it licit to eliminate a human life to solve a problem? Second: is it licit to hire a killer to resolve a problem? I leave the answer to you. This is the point. Don’t blame religion for a human issue. It is not licit. Never, never eliminate a human life or hire a killer to solve a problem. Abortion is never the answer that women and families are looking for." ~ Pope Francis
Friends,
One splendid way to honour the Mother of God in this Marian month is to promote the welfare of all mothers, especially those in need of assistance, and to that end I ask every family in the parish to share in a simple form of service to mothers with crisis pregnancies.
Anchor of Hope is a local organization in Madoc which provides direct assistance to women with unplanned or unwanted pregnancies and who are probably considering an abortion. Such women are often poor, alone, and frightened, and they may be placed under great pressure from family and friends to kill their unborn child. Responding to the Gospel of Life requires us to give direct, practical assistance to these mothers in an effort to save the life of the child, and that means giving our financial support to the groups able to assist women in crisis pregnancies.
Since 2003 the Baby Bottle Campaign has provided opportunities to give vital support that empowers women to make informed pregnancy decisions and receive practical help for everyday challenges. During this month of special Marian devotion, we will make available at the door of the church small baby bottles to be used to collect money for the support of mothers in distress.
Every dollar, even every nickel counts in this simple but critical work of assisting troubled mothers to receive the lives of their children as a gift to be treasured, and in this humble service we honour our Mother in the order of grace, the Mother of God and Mother of the Church.
The Baby Bottle Campaign runs from Mother's Day to Father's Day.
100% of donations stay in the community to help our clients.
E-transfer bookkeeper@anchorofhope.ca
Mail
Anchor of Hope, PO Box 431 Madoc, ON K0K 2K0
"If we believe in the sanctity of human life, it must be really a sanctity; we must make sacrifices for it, as the old creeds made for their sanctities. There must be no murdering of men wholesale because they stand in the path of progress."
