Unité Pastorale Paul VI

Today was a lovely sunny day, so after Abbe Daniel Berniquez and I drove over to Paroisse Sainte Genevieve where we would be meeting with parishioners from it and the parishes of St. Thomas d'Aquin and Nativité de Notre Seigneur Jesus-Christ, we went for a leisurely walk in the neighbourhood.

It was pleasant to walk in 25 degree weather along shady paths in a largely residential area developed in the post WWII years.

On arriving at the parish hall we descended to the cool and brightly-appointed parish hall for a delicious catered supper in a large rectangular dining-setup that allow everyone to see the other diners.

Following the meal, we had an exchange over the past year's experience of their new reality: three parishes comprising a new pastoral unit. They had much to inform me about in regard to their successes (coordination of sacramental preparations,a new integrated Mass schedule, a parish retreat, a Good Friday Way of the Cross, etc).


They also asked if I had decided on one of the possible patrons they had proposed to me about a month and a half ago. I had and was pleased to declare I had accepted their favoured name, Pope Paul VI.

As Giovanni Battista Montini had been a hero of mine from the date of his election and his ministry of reaching out on missionary journeys (in the spirit of St. Paul) and his sound teaching, I was pleased to accede to their demand.

His teaching, among other topics, on the Church (Ecclesiam suam), the perils of contraception (Humanae Vitae) and evangelization (Evangelium Nuntiandi) as well as his governing the implementation of the Second Vatican Council all are part of his memorable legacy.

Visiting "Home" (Montreal): Family and Jesuits

Yesterday after the Feast of St. Anthony: Mass and Procession with the Statue of St. Anthony through the streets surrounding the church (about 45 minutes, by which the crozier was starting to weigh heavily), and festive meal of pasta and the chance to meet many of the parishioners and to appreciate the service to them of pastor Father Paul McKeown and the other Servites of Mary and the Marian Sisterhoods, I drove to Montreal to have a barbecue in my brother and family's backyard.

******
Sister-in-law Renee Prendergast, daughter Caitlin (just graduated from McGill with great distinction and accepted into medical school there) and friend Tolly. A very pleasant evening, with summer weather finally here! It was wonderful to see how Sonia and John's children Clara and Paul are growing by leaps and bounds. Renee is excited that the homestead of 32 years has been sold; now she and Caitlin, the last child at home (but for how long?), are looking for new quarters by September 1st.

******
Pied-a-terre at the Jesuit Novitiate
The Pedro Arrupe House community of novices at 5611 Gatineau in the Cote-des-Neiges neighbourhood extended their hospitality to me overnight as I carried out a couple of devotions of filial piety: a visit to my parents' grave in Notre Dame-des-Neiges Cemetery (established 1855) and a mini-pilgrimage to St. Joseph's Oratory.

Though I have dropped in on this community over the years it's only the second time I've stayed at this residence. But I boast of being "from the neighbourhood" as St. Mary's Hospital where I and my other siblings were born is only a few minutes' walk away on Lacombe Avenue. French Canada Provincial Daniel Leblond came by to see the Novices off (they leave on Wednesday for Regis University, Denver for a month-long history of the Jesuits) and superior of the house, Bernard Carriere was celebrating his 73rd birthday.

Still, I was honoured to be asked to preside at the community Mass just before supper and to join in the birthday traditions: Instead of "Happy Birthday", Quebec has its own birthday song (found also in Ottawa and other French-speaking regions), "Mon cher Bernard, c'est a ton tour de te laisser parler d'amour", which was sung with great gusto!

******

Walking Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Cemetery
Generally when I come to pray at my parents' resting place, I drive. So walking through the cemetery gave a whole other feel to the experience, a sense of its breadth, peace and vastness. There are at least a half-dozen large mausolea and new styles of grave markers with stylized glass monuments; there are a number of temple-like tombs being constructed. It's hard to keep up with innovations of funeral practices.

My family's plot is in one of the older sections (Troie) and in the very first row as my grand-aunt Catherine Cooney passed away in 1930; her sister, my grandmother Mary Skerry died in 1953 in her 79th year; my father John Vincent Prendergastpassed away in 1970 and my mother, who remarried (so is listed as Marion Bridget McCarthy), died in 1988. Relettering was done at that time, but it looks as if it needs to be touched up a bit.

Oddly--and perhaps due to the wet spring or some natural cycle--the cottonwoods in the Montreal region are abundantly shedding their white wispy moulting, balls of which blew steadily across the backyard yesterday evening during the barbecue; today the residue made it seem like a light snowfall had fallen on parts of the cemetery.

******
The legacy of Brother Andre
As a youngster, I often took visiting relatives on my guided tour to St. Joseph's Oratory, the largest shine to the Foster Father of Jesus and Spouse of the Blessed Mother in the world (it was recently designated a basilica but I'll wager that title will not catch on).

Over the years, the Oratory, directed by the Congregation of the Holy Cross, continues to be upgraded and ameliorated for the more than two million pilgrims and tourists who come annually to pray and rest and be uplifted. There are new, faster elevators and on level 4, there is a display about Brother Andre Bessett's life (that reflects what used to be in the small chapel) and here his heart is displayed.

[The heart was once located near his tomb on the first floor outside the crypt church, stolen by miscreants and held for ransom, but no one would pay up and finally the perpetrators let it be known it was in a locker in the main Metro (subway) station.]

We are invited to pray that the "Miracle Worker of Mount Royal" will soon be canonized.

The large upper church continues to be developed and there are new pews in about two-thirds of the space, with the grey folding chairs continuing to fill the rest. I was disappointed that there aren't kneelers in these pews, but someone said they came from Protestant churches that had closed.


The Crypt Church is still, to me, the most peaceful and awesome site in the Oratory complex. The statue of St. Joseph with the Child Jesus above the altar is spectacular, yet gentle in tone. So too is the large crucifix before which pilgrims pray while touching the feet of their Crucified Lord; like the feet of St. Peter in Rome, the toes are worn from human touches.

On this brief pilgrimage, I gave thanks to the Lord for graces spiritual and material received from God's provident hands at the intercession of St. Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church and of Canada.

******
There is a new logo on a banner in the sanctuary which says, "C'est une fois qu'un portier a bati pour un charpentier" (This time a door-keeper did the building for a carpenter.) St. Joseph and Brother Andre are closely bound in the minds and hearts of Montrealers and those who come to pray and unburden themselves at "the Oratory".

The Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ

The Church issues from the Eucharist
Pope John Paul II said in Ecclesia de Eucharistia (The Church of the Eucharist):

“I have been able to celebrate Holy Mass in chapels built along mountain paths, on lakeshores and seacoasts; I have celebrated it on altars built in stadiums and in city squares. ... This varied scenario of celebrations of the Eucharist has given me a powerful experience of its universal and, so to speak, cosmic character.”

“Yes, cosmic! Because even when it is celebrated on the humble altar of a country church, the Eucharist is always in some way celebrated on the altar of the world. It unites heaven and earth. It embraces and permeates all creation.”

The late Holy Father spoke of the privilege he experienced during the Great Jubilee Year 2000 in celebrating the Eucharist in the Cenacle of Jerusalem where, according to tradition, it was first celebrated by Jesus himself.

Today's feast of Corpus Christi allows the Church to stand back--after the Lenten and Easter seasons—to contemplate the profound mystery of the Eucharist. As the readings from John's Gospel in the summer will allow for consideration of Jesus' “Bread of Life” discourse, the focus of this reflection is on the meaning of the covenant life established by the shedding of blood.

In biblical writings “blood” is not only that which is essential to life, it is also the seat of life's power. Though sometimes used simply to designate mortal life (as in the term “flesh and blood”), blood was often related to God, the life-giver. Blood could not be consumed and spilling it was forbidden under pain of death (cf. Genesis 9:4-7; Leviticus 17:10-16).

Blood occupied a significant role in Old Testament theology, particularly in the work of priests and their role in sacrificial atonement. Blood becomes an important expiatory agent in sin offerings--especially on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16)—when it was applied to the altar by the priest who was set apart by blood consecration (Exodus 29:19-21; Leviticus 1-7).

The Passover celebration recalled the blood on the doorposts of Hebrew houses in Egypt (Exodus 12:7) and the deliverance God accomplished in establishing the Covenant, as in today's first reading from Exodus (24:3-8). On Mount Sinai, Moses dramatically and liturgically bound God and the people in covenant fellowship, dashing half the blood of the sacrificial animals on the altar (representing God) and the other half on the people. He declared, “See the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you”.

The writings of the New Testament develop the image of blood by focusing on the shed blood of Jesus and its atoning character (the means by which the guilt-punishment incurred by sin—the violation of God's will--is overcome and reconciliation [“at-onement”] with God is realized).

The pouring out of Jesus' blood (anticipated at the Last Supper in the shared cup and realized in His death on the Cross) is interpreted in terms of the obedient surrender of His life to God. This becomes the foundation for God's new covenant of grace.

Chapters 9-10 of Hebrews, from which today's second reading is drawn, develop the significance of the shedding of Jesus' blood. The sacred author underlines that Jesus' sacrificial self-offering took place in heaven, the true temple and, because it occurred “once for all”, needs no repeating.

So the Mass is not a “repetition” of Jesus' oblation on Calvary but the “remembering” or “making present” in various times and place of His unique and unrepeatable self-gift. Here, as the Pope John Paul reminded the Church so effectively, is the foundation for Christian appreciation of the Eucharist.

******
Today, following Mass at St. Anthony's, one of two Italian parishes in the Archdiocese, I will be travelling to Montreal to visit with John, my youngest brother, Sonia and their two children Clara and Paul. Not sure when blogging will resume.

Buona Domenica! Blessed Sunday!

June 13, Feast of St. Anthony of Padua (1195?-1231); Jesuit Novices Visit; Adult Faith Formation

"The saints are like the stars. In his providence Christ conceals them in a hidden place that they may not shine before others when they might wish to do so. Yet they are always ready to exchange the quiet of contemplation for the works of mercy as soon as they perceive in their heart the invitation of Christ" (from the sermon notes of St. Anthony).

Tomorrow, I will visit the Parish of St. Anthony directed by the Servite Fathers (Pastor is Father Paul McKeown, O.S.M.), for the celebration of the Feast of St. Anthony, whose extent ranges into the neighbouring streets: and the road closures on account of the feast will make for total chaos as half of Preston Street is already being dug up for the replacement of sewers, etc, to the chagrin of restauranters and other small businesses that are suffering from such disruptions for the second year running!

******
This afternoon as I was dozing over The Saturday Citizen, enjoying life on the patio outside my quarters, I was told that there were "seminarians" come to visit me. Well, the term Jesuits use for beginners is novices and three of them from the Montreal Novitiate (Edmund Lo, John O'Brien and Santiago Rodriguez) had dropped by for refreshments after attending the funeral in Gatineau of the younger sister of their Superior, Pere Bernard Carriere.

We were able to get caught up on some of our news and plans for the future (for example, they will be going to Regis University, Denver, CO for a month-long program on the history of the Society of Jesus on June 18), something that I hope to learn more when I visit them on their home turf.

Meeting young people like these men on fire with love for the Lord and zeal for his Kingdom always edifies me, reminding me too of the energy I had "way back when", almost 48 years ago when I left home in Montreal to enter the noviceship, then located at Ignatius College, Guelph, ON.

******
Catechesis for Adults
This afternoon following an anticipated Sunday Eucharist to mark the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi), we held a brief ceremony, presided by Father Mark Slatter, Director of Adult Faith Formation, to honour those from the English sector of the Archdiocese who have successfully completed a three-year (180-hours) of adult faith formation courses, programs and events with a diploma to this effect; others who had engaged in a significant number of these exercises were awarded a certificate of participation.

After three participants shared statements of what the program meant to them, Ms. Carol Kuchmozka, who had directed the program until last year spoke about the importance of addressing adult modes of learning, including that of one's faith. She began her remarks by harking back to Pope John Paul II's first post-synodal exhortation (October 16, 1979, the first anniversary of his election) Catechesi Tradendae, which includes adult Christian learners among those who are to be catechized (a step post-evangelization) in their knowledge of Christ, the Church and all that flows therefrom:

To continue the series of receivers of catechesis, I cannot fail to emphasize now one of the most constant concerns of the synod fathers, a concern imposed with vigor and urgency by present experiences throughout the world: I am referring to the central problem of the catechesis of adults.

This is the principal form of catechesis, because it is addressed to persons who have the greatest responsibilities and the capacity to live the Christian message in its fully developed form.

The Christian community cannot carry out a permanent catechesis without the direct and skilled participation of adults, whether as receivers or as promoters of catechetical activity.

The world, in which the young are called to live and to give witness to the faith which catechesis seeks to deepen and strengthen, is governed by adults. The faith of these adults too should continually be enlightened, stimulated and renewed, so that it may pervade the temporal realities in their charge.

Thus, for catechesis to be effective, it must be permanent, and it would be quite useless if it stopped short at the threshold of maturity, since catechesis, admittedly under another form, proves no less necessary for adults. [#43]

Cemetery Commission; Stanley Cup Final

The Archdiocesan Cemetery Commission met this morning to welcome the new Director Mr. Benoit Bariteau and to elect Mr. Jules Dagenais (Diocesan Financial Officer) to the board and to receive the audited financial statements for Notre Dame and Hope/Espoir cemeteries (there are are also many parish cemeteries throughout the breadth and length of the Archdiocese).






The other members of the Commission besides the archbishop, who serves ex officio are: Msgr Kevin Beach and Mr Ron Dagenais (no relation of Jules).


******
Tonight I watched the Stanley Cup Final (the first game of this year's playoffs I have been able to take in: Confirmation celebrations are almost over--last ones next Thursday, Friday and Saturday).

I've had a soft spot for the Penguins and Sidney Crosby who hails from Cole Harbour, NS, part of my former Archdiocese of Halifax; and where folks followed the career of the "Next One" with Maritime pride from the time he was drafted by the Rimouski Oceanique and the Penguins after Pittsburgh won the special lottery to be able to draft him.

It was an exciting game, but I know a devoted Red Wings fan in HRM (Halifax Regional Municipality who is declaring not so softly tonight, "wait till next year!" It's a song we former Habs fans and presently Sens fans can only wistfully contemplate....

Friday, June 12: "Cor Jesu" Chapel at St. Margaret Mary Parish (Cumberland)

Last evening, seminarian Matt Chojna drove me out to St. Margaret Mary Parish, Cumberland for the dedication of the Cor Jesu Eucharistic Adoration Chapel, which has been in operation around eight years, under the inspiration of the late Father James (Jim) Whelan and, since his death, his successor Father Daryll Kennedy.

There is a large contingent of francophone Catholics in the parish and while it is no longer bilingual (but English-speaking with readings and prayers in French as circumstances warrant and the capacity of the ministers allows), the celebration of St. Barnabas, the Apostle was fully bilingual, which pleased the large number of visitors.



The need for priestly vocations (as well as those to consecrated life) is great, so we have determined to storm heaven with regular prayer at Mass for priestly vocations. This lead the adorers to determine to devote themselves to this priestly intention, and parishioners prepared a new sign to indicate this intent (cf. photo).

There was a great deal of socializing, as those who participate in Eucharistic Adoration 24/7 come from neighbouring parishes such as Sainte Trinite and St. Edith Stein (Rockland), Sainte Marie and Divine Infant (Orleans), Good Shepherd (Blackburn Hamlet), Annunciation of the Lord (Gloucester)--to mention only the most prominent names I came up with in my informal polling of those rejoincing at the social.

May the Lord heed our prayers and send us zealous and holy priests, sisters and brothers.

NATIONAL DAY OF RECONCILIATION

Nova Scotia Mik'maq elder and myself at October 2008 Pilgrimage for Healing after the papal audience in St. Peter's Square.

The Conference of Catholic Bishops of Canada, in the person of Executive Committee member Most Reverend Paul-Andre Durocher of Alexandria-Cornwall, participated in ceremonies on Parliament Hill marking the recurrence of Prime Minister Stephen Harper's historic apology in the House of Commons for the harm done to Native Peoples and those associated with them for the harm inflicted on the survivors of the Indian Residential School system.

For the occasion, I have prepared the following statement:

June 11, 2009 marks the first anniversary of the federal government’s Apology to First Nations for the residential schools. This day is truly an historic moment that we must keep alive for the future.

I am happy to join my voice to all who rejoice in this event, and invite all the faithful of the Catholic Archdiocese of Ottawa to take note and be counted. This historic moment may produce different effects. To some, it is a reminder that not enough has been done to undo the harm, and that much more is yet to be accomplished. And to others, it is a momentous event that gives energy to continue forward on the path before us.

As Christians, we celebrate many historic events: Christ’s birth, his suffering, death, and resurrection that obtained salvation for all men and women. In a Christian context, the act of remembering is not only observing a date on a calendar. Each “remembrance” brings with it the opportunity to enter fully into the moment, into the redeeming event that continues to be effective. Each person is also called to make the event their own. Each individual is invited to let the message and action remembered transform their life.

On this first anniversary of the formal Apology to First Nations for the residential schools, it is my heartfelt wish that every member of Canadian society will take the steps necessary to heal the many wounds suffered as consequence of the residential schools system. These wounds deeply affected not only the ones who lived the experience, but also members of their families, close and extended, then and now. May every Canadian resolve to let their attitude or actions be transformed so that this part of our history is never repeated. May we all work together to bring about present and future healing.

This day is the beginning of a new life inasmuch as we let it be. It is in our power to do so. We must never forget, but use the experience of the past to shape our handling of the future. The future begins today. Each person has the capacity to move forward, one step at a time.

Unless one has “walked in another’s shoes”, he, or she cannot know exactly the impact of personal or family events. But one can respectfully acknowledge the hurt and try to be an instrument of healing. May our faith communities be fully united in this work.

Let us give thanks to God our Creator and Saviour for the signs of hope and new life in our society and in our lives. Let us ask that the Spirit of God will enlighten our path, will create new ties between non-native and First Nations Brothers and Sisters. Let us ask the Spirit to strengthen in us the courage to create a Canadian nation where are all truly equal and responsible for each others wellbeing.