June 21, 2020 ​ Dear Friends in Christ: Since my last email to you there have been significant developments around the restrictions for the current COVID19 pandemic. What is of significance to us is that, as of last Thursday, gatherings of up to 50 people are now permitted, providing personal/social distancing is observed. Friday afternoon we received the guidelines from Archbishop Mancini that we are required to observe for the celebration of mass and the sacraments. We expect to be able to celebrate mass on the weekend of July 5. Mass times and details you will be required to observe will be announced next weekend. This is an exciting time for us because we will soon gather for the Eucharist again. Our experience of gathering for the Eucharist will be different and with some restrictions that absolutely must be observed. The health and safety of parishioners is our paramount concern. The way we will determine which people will be able to go to mass will also be announced next weekend, as we cannot accommodate everyone at this time. Our weekly recorded mass is recorded Saturday and made available on Facebook Sunday morning. To find the broadcast mass look on Facebook for St. André Bessette Parish or to our parish website strosefallriver.com and click on the live mass link/box. The mass may be watched anytime after 10:00 am Sunday morning. If you have any concerns about going out to mass when this becomes possible this remains a good way for us to be together. The paperback copies of "Breaking Bread" hymn books from St. Rose church are available for parishioners to take home. If you would like a copy for your personal use, the church will be open for pick up on Monday, Wednesday and Friday of this upcoming week from Noon till 1. If these dates don't work for you, you can contact Elaine Morrow (elmorrow@shaw.ca) to arrange another time. Equip Program: I invite you consider applying to the diocesan EQUIP program to be prepared to be an evangelist in our parish and the wider community. EQUIP is a 3-year program where you will experience retreats, classes at Atlantic School of Theology, and practical webinars to help you develop your God-given gifts and live out the mission God gave you. Online-programs let people from across the diocese take part from wherever they are. The program begins in September, but applications close on July 15 so visit the website and apply today. Scholarships available for successful candidates. For more information visit www.halifaxyarmouth.org/EQUIP or email Chris O’Hara at cohara@halifaxyarmouth.org. Maintenance Moratorium: On June 14 I announced a maintenance moratorium in all three churches for all projects that do not need immediate attention. Given the present financial uncertainty this is a necessary and prudent way to proceed. Items that do need urgent attention will receive it. Steubenville Live: As we work together to find new ways to do ministry, many parishes and parish leadership teams have expressed concerns about being able to reach your youth – now more than ever. We’re pleased to partner with Franciscan University to offer Steubenville Live as a ministry and fundraising opportunity for your youth this summer! Steubenville Live is the first ever fully virtual Steubenville Conference. It will be live streamed from Florida on July 17-18, and will feature the incredible Steubenville format, speakers, and music that we’ve come to expect, delivered in a fully interactive, participatory livestream portion. Your youth can gather in socially distanced groups at your parish (if possible at that time) or participate individually from home. Franciscan University set the price for this conference at $40 USD per person, but we have negotiated a $15 USD price for Atlantic Canadian participants. Of that price, the diocese will rebate back $10 CAD per registration to your parish to be used for youth programming. There are a few different registration options – please visit https://store.steubenvilleconferences.com/live/atlantic/ to learn more and begin inviting your youth! If you have questions, please contact Elizabeth Craig at ecraig@halifaxyarmouth.org. Following my weekly note you will find Deacon Dan’s homily from this weekend’s online mass. Following that I have included a prayer to St. Joseph for Fathers and a litany Prayer for National Indigenous Peoples Day. Let us pray for one another, care for one another as best we can in these circumstances and keep well. Yours in Christ, Fr. Michael J. P. Walsh, Pastor Homily - Feast of Corpus Christi ​ Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time, June 21,2020,Year A In today’s sacred scripture; Jesus says: “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. We also hear words of reassurance and comfort such as: Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. And even the hairs of your head are all counted. So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many more sparrows.” As we hear these words of the reassurance of Christ, we must also hear His warning “Do not be afraid!” What is that saying: There is nothing to fear but fear itself.” Two of the most common fears people have, are the fear of dying, and the fear of public speaking. In fact some would choose dying over speaking in public! What is Truth? Truth always at the core of our being in all circumstances of our life, it is a grace and strength, that will lead us to the love of God; in whose presence fear should be non-existent. In order to understand and experience truth we must be steeped in prayer. This is evident in today’s scriptures as the Lord says: “What I say to you in darkness, speak in the light. He encourages us to proclaim what we speak from the housetops. (Simply put; in those days the housetops were flat roofs, designed to dry hay on them.) So when a baby was born or some newsworthy item, they would shout it from the roof tops because they had no billboards or other ways to announce such things and that was how they spread the news throughout their communities. Have no fear of those who can destroy our bodies, in other words fear nothing; ,for God is always with us. Perhaps we should ask ourselves a few important questions: 1) Do we know the Truth of Life 2) Do we believe that God controls our earthly and heavenly existence, (in Him we live and in Him we die but either way we are His.) 3) Do we abandon fear of any kind in our lives to trust in Him who loves us so much that He gave His life over to death on a cross that we might be with Him eternally. Today’s scripture invites us to go into the quiet of our hearts and there to meet Jesus, and proclaim as we do at Eucharist… My Lord and my God. We have been created by the Father, for the Son, and inspired and sanctified by the Holy Spirit. Fr. Mike said something last week during his homily that settled deep in my heart. All the time we have, since covid time to reflect, to pray, to be in relationship with the meaning OF WHAT EUCHARIST IS to each of us? Here we have started a new journey in moving forward as one parish, formed from 3 faith communities. Right in the middle of our journey we’re hit with the Corona virus. (creating a physical isolation from our community) I know many have fears, concerns, and anxious moments which have all been a part of this journey. Many questions were asked, and for now there are no immediate responses that seem to satisfy some of those questions. The fear we experience seems real, however it is also selfish, and really a lot of wasted energy. All that we are experiencing going forward is new, but really, in Christ it is all so very exciting, to be a part of a new church. Our churches are in crisis and have been for some time, yet we still resist change… our past of being church has not created any substantial growth, in fact we have shrunken in our numbers. I’m sure if I asked any of you, you could relate to me in a personal way, that many of our own loved ones have stopped going to church. This time we have, and we have a lot of it; instead of fearing what lies ahead; let us trust God that together as 3 individual communities of faith, we can embrace and share GOOD NEWS of Jesus Christ as disciples with a vested interest in the good of all people. Let’s become excited, let’s pray for a vision of a church that will renew welcome, re-enlighten souls, not to simply attend a building but to share the goodness and life of the people of that building and share in the Eucharistic celebration! There are many who are wanting, even longing, for a place to be loved, and a place to offer love. As brothers and sisters in Christ let us, the people of St. Andre Bessette parish; proclaim the message of God’s love; from the rooftops. Let us denounce our fear, and with one voice say: yes Lord, we are taking this time to be reflective and prayerful, to seek what it is You are asking of each and everyone of us. For the communities of St. Bernard’s, St Rose of Lima, and Holy Cross; let us create together a vision of church that is filled with God’s Spirit, and together let us honour our patron St; Andre Bessette by becoming servants of love in even the simplest of tasks and let go of our fears. Amen. A Litany for the Healing and Restoration of our Church From the Anglican Diocese of Rupert’s Land, 2017 Holy Creator, in whom all things in heaven and earth have their being, Have mercy on us. Risen Christ, through whom the whole creation is reconciled to God, Have mercy on us. Life-giving Spirit, whose love and truth fills the world and searches the depths of our lives, Have mercy on us. Blessed Trinity, source of both unity and diversity, Have mercy on us. From our failure to recognize and respect the revelation of your truth and love in the First Peoples of this land, Saviour, forgive and heal us. From our participation in the systematic oppression of indigenous sovereignty, language, culture and spirituality, Saviour, forgive and heal us. From our role in the Indian Residential Schools designed to eliminate the unique society, wisdom and beauty of the indigenous peoples of this land, Saviour, forgive and heal us. From our complicit tolerance of the decimation of Indigenous family structures leaving children vulnerable to abuses of every kind, Saviour, forgive and heal us. From our continued acceptance of unjust legal, educational, health and social structures that continue to oppress and destroy the lives of many indigenous people, Saviour, forgive and heal us. O God, we pray for the gifts of your grace and your love which never gives up on us and is forever faithful. Inspire our minds with a vision of the reconciliation of your kingdom in this time and place. Hear us, O Christ. Touch our eyes, that we may see the sacredness in all creation. Hear us, O Christ. Touch our ears, that we may hear from every mouth of every peoples the hunger for hope and stories of refreshment. Hear us, O Christ. Touch our lips, that we may speak of the beauty of every tongue and dialect proclaiming the wonderful works of God. Hear us, O Christ. Touch our hearts, that we may discern your mission in which you call us to be immersed, particularly in partnership with the First Peoples of this land. Hear us, O Christ. Touch our minds that we may witness to your Good News in our neighbourhoods, communities, and all parts of the world. Hear us, O Christ. Touch our hands, that we may forever shun violence and embrace the work you give us to do. Hear us, O Christ. Draw your Church together, O Lord, into one great company of disciples, together following our Lord Jesus Christ into every walk of life, together serving you in your mission in the world, and together witnessing to your love on every continent and island of your creation. We ask this in the name of the Risen Christ in whom we are one. Amen. Happy Father’s Day Prayer to St. Joseph for our Fathers St. Joseph, guardian of Jesus and chaste husband of Mary, you passed your life in loving fulfillment of duty. You supported the holy family of Nazareth with the work of your hands. Kindly protect all the fathers who trustingly come to you. You know their aspirations, their hardships, their hopes. They look to you because they know you will understand and protect them. You too knew trial, labour and weariness. But amid the worries of material life your soul was full of deep peace and sang out in true joy through intimacy with God’s Son entrusted to you and with Mary, his tender Mother. Assure those you protect that they do not labour alone. Teach them to find Jesus near them and to watch over him faithfully as you have done. Amen -St. John XXIII