The Summer That Isn't....

This is the lovely view from the dock in from of Marion and John Bayfield's cottage on South Portage Road, Lake of Bays.

(This is the boathouse.)

Normally I visit for a week or so in August when one has to be aware of the afternoon thunder-showers and cooler evenings that can begin to arrive as early as August 15. July is usually a much warmer month, with temperatures in the high 20's--even as high as 30--but not this year.

Temperatures have been consistently in the high teens or low 20's but with a cool breeze, lots of cloud cover and regular rain. Overnight yesterday it was 5 degrees Celsius. Good for sleeping (day or night) and reading and walking but not for swimming or boating, etc. (however the golfers, and John is one, are not complaining)...

However, it is important to be thankful for life and breath and the beauty of all creation that surrounds. With these thoughts, I will log off for the day, wishing all who are on vacation a good break (even in the cool).

WITH THE KERRS EN ROUTE TO THE COTTAGE—A FEW DAYS AT LAKE OF BAYS—WITH MARION AND JOHN

On Monday, I began a few days of vacation with my sister Marion Bayfield and her husband John at their cottage at Lake of Bays in the Muskoka Lakes region (about 15 kilometers east of Huntsville, not far from the western edge of Algonquin Park).

Both the park, a magnet for serious camping enthusiasts (of which I am not one), and the Muskoka area boast spectacular scenery and, given this summer’s rain and cool weather, lush vegetation. I’ll be here until Friday evening.

En route, I broke the 350 km journey with a stop about half-way, in Barry’s Bay, with the Kerr family, friends from my years in Halifax: parents Annmarie (from Prince Edward Island, where news had arrived of the recent nomination of Toronto Auxiliary Richard Grecco as the successor to Bishop Vernon Fougere as Bishop of Charlottetown) and Colin (with his newly-minted PhD in Theology from Toronto’s University of St. Michael’s College) and children Isaiah, Sarah Grace, Rebecca and baby Stephen, whom I had last seen shortly after his birth on July 28, 2008.

We celebrated their newly-purchased home, just down the street from Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Academy where Colin teaches (I performed a house blessing for them, repeating a ritual performed at their other rented quarters on Siberia Road, the extension of Dunn Street where they live now) and getting caught up on news of OLSWA, etc.

I had pictures to post but the dial-up connection seems not to allow these at this time. They may be added later (now done, thanks to the Dwight Public Library's high speed wi-fi internet access).

Steubenville Closing Mass; Last Stages of the Trip

Today we had confessions in the early morning, a rousing field house wrap-up conference and a beautiful closing Mass. This is being written at the Service Centre six hours away from Ottawa on the New York State Thruway (wi-fi is a marvel of technology). Herewith some final photos of the trip.











We return home filled with gratitude to the Lord and pleased with the many new friends we've made.

To God be the glory!

Background Pix of the Youth Conference

The first night's sleep was a bit fitful, but refreshing. After breakfast, we carry all our gear for the day as the dorms are locked. Here are a few of the Ottawa delegation after the "Men's Session" in the "Glory Tent".



After the mile-long (kilometer-long?) line for lunch and the long wait for the hamburgers (which took longer than expected to cook), it was time for hanging out, playing a little touch football or just lying about.





The chapel in the background is the scene of several presentations: on youth ministry, exploring vocations and the sacrament of reconciliation (confessions), with priority given to the youth. On an average weekend, one half of the 2000 attending(approximately 1000!) celebrate the sacrament of peace.



Franciscan University's Faculty of Theology is the home base of Scott Hahn whom I have had the privilege to get to know. Supper was shared with is lovely wife Kimberley and three of their children who are still at home: Jeremiah (who took the picture), Joseph and David.

Scenes from the Trip to Steubenville, Ohio

Arrival of all at the Diocesan Centre by 5AM; departure on bus at 5:30. Quick arrival at Thousand Island border crossing (7:15) and clearance of customs by 7:45.

Lunch east of Buffalo on I-90; stretch break on arrival in Pennsylvania and first photo ops:



Where precisely is Steubenville? Our steady drivers....



On way to registration at Franciscan University of Steubenville an encounter with the inspiration behind the renewal and growth, Chancellor Father Michael Scanlan, TOR.

JULY 10-12: FROM OTTAWA, ON TO STEUBENVILLE, OH

“ABOVE ALL” (1 CHRONICLES 29:11)
The theme for the 2009 Franciscan University High School Youth Conferences is:

ABOVE ALL!

John K. Beaulieu, Director of Youth and Young Adult Outreach, explains the Scripture that will guide the programming is:

“Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty; for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours; yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all.” 1 Chronicles 29:11

We live in the age of super-sizing. Everyone speaks of living large, getting the most out of the moment, and seizing the day. But in teen culture, this philosophy has led to a frenetic, fragmented approach to life where the driving force of existence is stringing together one experience after another in hopes of finding happiness.

Teens are constantly driven to look for the next big thing, the higher “high” or the greater thrill. But often, there is no real consideration or contemplation for the purpose or meaning of their lives. Life becomes empty and is reduced to nothing. In turn, God is reduced to nothing with teens not really knowing who God is or what to believe.

But God is bigger. God is the ultimate. God is truly ABOVE ALL and He reigns as King of the Universe. His heart burns with a passionate, unconditional love for each of us. It is this love that changes hearts, sets people free, and draws us into deeper communion with the one who made us.

Jesus says in John 10:10, “I have come that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

This “real life” is discovered only when we take our eyes off of ourselves, the world, its false pleasures, its half-truths and give our hearts completely to the Living God.

In 2009, we will be calling young people to tear down the facade the world has thrown up in front of them. We will draw them into the presence of the God of the Universe where they will see that God truly is ABOVE ALL, better than anything else and living in their hearts through faith and Baptism.

We want to show them that God is not an experience but a journey. He is their beginning, He is their end. And He is in all, through all and with all of them as they journey through this life. And we want to call young people to make Christ King of their hearts – where He can reign ABOVE ALL!

Cathedral Rector Named Bishops' General Secretary

MSGR PATRICK POWERS TO HEAD UP BISHOPS SECRETARIAT

A beloved pastor and an extraordinary administrator will succeed Mgr Mario Paquette (of the Archdiocese of Montreal) as General Secretary of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Msgr Powers was born in Montreal and lived there his early years. After studies in business at Sir George William University (today part of Concordia University, Montreal), he first worked for a major Canadian company where he served as employment and personnel services manager, among other responsibilities, before entering the Ottawa major seminary at the beginning of the 1980s.

Ordained priest in 1986, Msgr Powers holds a bachelor’s degree in theology from Saint Paul University, Ottawa, and a licentiate in canon law from the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome.

Given his strong background in administration, he was asked over the years to serve the Archdiocese in a number of capacities, including as executive secretary to the Archbishop, episcopal vicar for administration, general secretary of the fundraising campaign for the 150th anniversary of the Archdiocese, and Vicar General.


He oversaw the restoration of Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica, Ottawa, and led the Ottawa diocesan youth pilgrims at the World Youth Day celebrations in Manila, Paris, Rome and Toronto. In 2005, while remaining a Vicar General of the Archdiocese, he became Rector of Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica.

Msgr Powers has also served outside the Archdiocese of Ottawa, including as a member of the Insurance Management Board of the Ontario Assembly of Catholic Bishops, as well as president of the Canadian Canon Law Society, 2002 to 2004.

This is the statement I made in today's press release marking Msgr's appointment:

“The appointment of Msgr Powers as General Secretary of our national conference is a tribute to his administrative and pastoral skills. Although he will be greatly missed in our diocese during his time at the conference, Msgr Powers’ appointment is being done with my consent and in the interests of the Catholic Church in Canada.

"I know that there are very few priests in Canada who have the requisite competence and experience to undertake this important position. I know that Msgr Powers will fulfill the responsibilities of the office with his usual dedication and ability. He takes up this new challenge with the assurance of my prayers and with the best wishes of the Catholics of our archdiocese.

"As for the future pastoral leadership of our Cathedral, I can advise you that succession planning is well advanced. I expect to make an official announcement in coming weeks. As Msgr Powers new responsibilities do not take effect until February 1st of next year, I know that we will be able to count him for a period of transition and the initiation of his successor.”