A Visit to Holy Redeemer, Kanata - Jerome, Translator Extraordinaire

Holy Redeemer Church—Kanata, Ontario

MASS WITH WOMEN WHO COMMIT THEMSELVES

TO THE SPIRITUAL MOTHERHOOD OF PRIESTS

Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year “C”)—September 28, 2013

SHARING WEALTH WITH GOD'S POOR

[Texts: Amos 6:1, 4-7; [Psalm 146]; 1 Timothy 6:11-16; Luke 16:19-31]

Today's Old Testament reading and gospel present biting criticisms of luxurious living. Each faults those who possess an abundance of goods for their failure to show compassion. The psalm describes God as the champion of the dispossessed of every kind. Finally, the epistle calls to mind the commitment of the baptized to live their faith.

The prophet Amos denounced what today we would call conspicuous consumption. The seer's stinging criticism noted signs of opulence, people lying on “beds of ivory” and “lounging on couches”. He observed excess as they drank wine by the bowlful rather than from a goblet in moderation.

Amos preached his message in the second quarter of the eighth century B.C. It was a time of apparent peace that seemed to promise increasing prosperity. The Northern Kingdom dreamed of grandeurs to come (Amos 6.13-14).

Especially among the residents of Samaria—to whom the words we hear today were addressed—luxury and a certain snobbishness held sway. Beneath the superficial calm, however, a social cancer lay lurking.

Into this dream world Amos came preaching a social gospel rooted in radical faith in God alone. To those who lacked a social conscience Amos promised the first place in the coming deportation.

Faithful Samaritans ought to have cared for the poor with whom they were bound in a common faith. Instead, they cared not at all for the “ruin of Joseph”, their community of faith and culture. Their indifference would be met with a divinely-imposed recompense.

The positive side of Amos' proclamation foreshadowed that of the gospel of Jesus. He inquired of his hearers what things they possessed that they had not received from God, wondering how they could boast of them as if they were their own (cf. 1 Corinthians 4.7).

By stressing God's identification with the lot of the poor, Amos anticipated what Jesus would say, “what you did to one of these, the least of my sisters and brothers, you did to me” (Matthew 25.40).

An aspect of the teaching of Jesus regularly emphasized in Luke's Gospel is the prudent use of material possessions. Throughout Luke's narrative of Jesus' journey to Jerusalem (Luke 9.51-19.27), He offered instruction to various groups. In this case, Jesus spoke to the Pharisees who were said to be “lovers of money” (16.14) and illustrated His saying that “what is prized by human beings is an abomination in the sight of God” (16.15).

Jesus' teaching in this parable, the only one in which a character is given a proper name (Lazarus), illustrates the “everlasting dwellings” spoken of in the Parable of the Dishonest Steward (16.9). Likewise, it emphasizes the reversal of situations taught earlier about the rich and poor (6.20, 24)

The parable has two parts: in the first, Jesus taught that in the after-life there is a counterbalancing of the situation that held sway in this life; in the second, Jesus argued that even a messenger from the dead cannot effect repentance among rich people whose hearts have been hardened against the poor.

There’s a problem we have to face as we read these reflections and that is the question of God’s initiative in drawing us to himself and our response.

In his recent interview, Francis noted that men and women religious are called like Amos to be prophets. They are to show how Jesus lived on earth and proclaim how the kingdom of God will be in its perfection.

Pope Francis said, “A religious must never give up prophecy…The charism of men and women religious is like yeast: prophecy announces the spirit of the Gospel.” And yes, prophets make us uneasy.

In images, Francis returned to the patristic concept of the Church as a hospital for sinners.

“I see clearly,” he says, “that the thing the church needs most today is the ability to heal wounds and to warm the hearts of the faithful…The most important thing is the first proclamation: Jesus Christ has saved you. And the ministers of the church must be ministers of mercy above all.”

Each of us, you see, is called to share in the new evangelization, providing that you yourself are evangelized. Pope Francis has indicated that he wants to move the church away from ideological fixations of a moralizing sort and toward proclaiming the gospel. The order of church life must be inviting people to know God in Christ first. Then comes the moral order, as a response to one’s coming to know God’s mercy, forgiveness, and joy. Often the order gets reversed and that’s where trouble ensues. This is where the issues of abortion, contraception, active homosexuality, and other life issues come in. Virtuous behaviour in these areas is a response to God’s grace, not a pre-condition to belonging to the community of God’s Kingdom and the Church.

Most people need a close walk with the Lord to understand why the Church says no to abortion, gay marriage, and contraception. Without Jesus deeply in your life, it is hard to understand these prohibitions. But how do people get to know Jesus? People get to know him by God’s people—you—evangelizing and telling them about your Lord and Saviour. By you telling a person you know what Jesus has done for us and for you in particular. You must tell that person how Jesus has saved you, loved you, and healed you. Then you must let the Holy Spirit take over as you pray for that person.

I pray that all of us here today, especially those who have taken part in this program supporting women dedicated to the spiritual motherhood of priests may share the faith and serve the poor, enter fully into these sacred mysteries that we are celebrating at this Lord’s Day Mass. On this Saturday, which honours Our Blessed Mother, let us ask Mary’s aid in being drawn to her Son so that we, in our turn, may draw others to him.

Photo credit: David Chan

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ST. JEROME: SCRIPTURE EXPERT,
DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH

September 30 features the annual memorial of Saint Jerome, inspiration and patron of those engaged in scriptural translations and the teaching of Sacred Scripture.

Leonardo da Vinci’s, St. Jerome in the Wilderness (c. 1480) in Rome’s Vatican Museums.

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A Prayer of Saint Jerome for Christ's Mercy

O Lord, show Your mercy to me and gladden my heart. I am like the man on the way to Jericho who was overtaken by robbers, wounded and left for dead. O Good Samaritan, come to my aid. I am like the sheep that went astray. O Good Shepherd, seek me out and bring me home in accord with Your will. Let me dwell in Your house all the days of my life and praise You for ever and ever with those who are there. Amen.

Ottawa Priests' 2013 Retreat at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Cape

Our annual priests’ retreat (this year for the English Sector priests) brought together some thirty-plus diocesan and religious priests at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Cape (Cap-de-la-Madeleine, QC) in the diocese of Trois-Rivières.

Our leader was a layman Michael Dopp, president of Ministry of the Redeemer, a service to the Church, based in Ottawa, that assists Catholics to share their faith, taking up the new evangelization proposed by recent popes. He invited us to seek our own holiness through morning presentations on the theological virtues of faith, hope and love, and helped us see how to develop these same virtues in parishes, indicating how they can give energy to sharing the good news with others—helping “disciples” to become “apostles”.

When a bishop or priest makes the presentations, he usually delivers the homily at each retreat Mass. However, in this year’s circumstances, priests shared reflections with their peers in the homily: Fathers Frank Brewer, Jessimar Tapia and Brian Hennessey.

Our evenings were given over to celebrating the sacrament of reconciliation, an exchange with me on concerns in the archdiocese and an evening of Eucharistic adoration in the Old Shrine Chapel. On the latter occasion Father Carl Reid gave the reflection, and hymns were sung in Ibo by our Nigerian priests and out of the Anglican patrimony by Fr. Reid.

The Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Quebec held their fall plenary in the same retreat centre (Residence Madone) so via interactions in the dining-room and on the grounds each group agreed to pray for the other for our mutual spiritual benefit. The bishops were addressing important issues such as Bill 52, which opens the door to euthanasia, as well as the Charter of Quebec Values, both proposed in the National Assembly by the governing Parti Quebecois.

Early in the retreat, we were shocked to hear of the devastating OC Transpo bus collision with a Via Rail train in Barrhaven. The news became known to us just before Mass and so we were able to offer Mass for the victims, their families, first-responders and all touched by this tragedy.

Fr Steve Lemay with his Bishop, Mgr Luc Cyr

On Thursday some of us met Father Steve Lemay, pastor of the church in Lac-Mégantic, who had come to share with the bishops his experience of the sorrows and graces of this summer’s train derailment, explosion and fire. He thanked us for the support that came to his community from many Catholics across Canada.

Our closing Mass took place Friday morning in the chapel where 125 years ago (on June 22, 1888) a wondrous happening was reported: the opening of the eyes of the statue of Our Lady in the presence of three witnesses—a key layman, the parish priest and the Franciscan friar, Blessed Frederic Janssoone, beatified 25 years ago by Blessed Pope John Paul II.

We return to our parishes and ministries renewed in spirit, ready to address the challenges we face and, with God’s grace, to take part more deliberately in the task of evangelization. Please continue to pray for us.

Holy Korean Martyrs in the Church of Korea's Month of Martyrs

Today is the feast of Ottawa's Korean Parish, Holy Korean Martyrs, who are being celebrated in extensive fashion as the following excerpt from the UK's Catholic Herald indicates:

Although few know about these historical events outside Korean Christian circles, up to 8,000 Catholics were martyred during persecutions in Korea in the 19th century in the last great period of oppression before the age of Communism and Islamism.


In May 1984, 103 martyrs were canonized and this month the Catholic Church in South Korea is holding a “month of martyrs” with the support of Pope Francis. The first conversions in the traditionally Confucian country began in the late 19th century, around the time when the first Christian books written in Chinese were imported in 1777. By the time a Chinese priest arrived at the end of the century he found about 4,000 Catholics – none of whom had ever seen a priest. The faith had been maintained by aristocratic laymen, the only people who could read at the time, who had sent a delegation on foot 750 miles to Peking asking for a priest. They got two, but they soon returned and it was another 40 years before the arrival of Fr Mauban, Paul Chong Hasang, Augustine Yu Chin-gil and Charles Cho Shin-chol. Missionaries faced extreme penalties if caught and travelled only at night.

The first Korean priest, Fr Andrew Kim Taegon, was executed in 1846 aged only 25. Other martyrs included Paul Chong Hasang and his father Augustine, Peter Yu tae-chol, John Baptist Yi and Thomas Son Chason.

What especially irked traditional Koreans was that this new faith seemed to undermine class distinctions, encouraging the poor to mingle with their betters. By the time the persecutions had ended in 1866, there were only 20,000 Catholics left in the country, while the vast majority of martyrs were lay people....

Read more at: http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/spirituallife/saintoftheweek/2013/09/12/the-korean-saints-of-undying-spirit/

Ottawa Prayer Vigil for Peace in Syria - Photos de la Vigile de Priere pour la Paix en Syrie, le Monde

The Prayer Vigil for Peace in Syria was held yesterday afternoon from 1:00 to 4:30 PM in Saint Patrick Basilica.

Ottawa's Chapter of Communion and Liberation animated the first hour, with readings, reflections and hymns/devotional songs.

The Queenship of Mary Community animated the second hour with a French-English recitation of the Rosary and a sung version of the Divine Mercy Chaplet around 3 o'clock.

A francophone musician, Pascal Gauthier, led the third hour with meditative songs and antiphons.

I was very pleased with the turn out; alternating with six other confessors, there were quite a few confessions herard, offering individual reconciliation to many.

The Mass that followed at 4:30 featured penitential attire in purple vestments and solemn music led by the parish choir. 

Here are some photos, courtesy of Paul Lauzon

Vigile de priere/jeune pour Syrie - 07 IX - Prayer Vigil & Fast for Syria

MGR PRENDERGAST INVITE LES CATHOLIQUES À PRIER POUR LA PAIX EN SYRIE ET À DONNER GÉNÉREUSEMENT POUR AIDER CEUX ET CELLES QUI SOUFFRENT

Ce samedi 7 septembre, les fidèles sont invités à se joindre à Mgr Terrence Prendergast, s.j., archevêque d'Ottawa, dans la prière à la basilique Saint Patrick, 281, rue Nepean, Ottawa. À compter de 13 h, il y aura exposition du Saint-Sacrement, suivie de la récitation du chapelet et d’autres prières. Des prêtres seront également disponibles pour entendre les confessions à partir de 15 h 30. Ce temps de prière se terminera par la bénédiction du Saint-Sacrement, suivie d’une messe présidée par l'Archevêque à 16h30.

Dimanche dernier, le pape François a désigné ce samedi 7 septembre comme journée de prière et de jeûne pour la paix en Syrie. Il nous invite à nous unir à lui alors qu’il présidera une soirée de prière de 19 h à 23 h (heure de Rome) sur la place Saint-Pierre.

Mgr Prendergast invite les fidèles à se joindre à lui, ce samedi 7 septembre, dans le jeûne et la prière pour la Syrie, soit chez eux, soit dans leur église paroissiale, soit dans les autres lieux de culte, particulièrement à la basilique Saint Patrick.

Cette fin de semaine, les fidèles sont également invités à donner généreusement lors d’une collecte spéciale au bénéfice des réfugiés et des victimes de la crise actuelle en Syrie.

L'Archidiocèse d'Ottawa compte plus de 394 500 catholiques romains et dessert plus de 100 paroisses.

Ottawa, September 5, 2013

ARCHBISHOP PRENDERGAST INVITES CATHOLICS TO PRAY FOR PEACE IN SYRIA AND TO GIVE GENEROUSLY TO HELP THOSE WHO ARE SUFFERING

This Saturday, September 7, the faithful are invited to join the Most Reverend Terrence Prendergast, SJ, Archbishop of Ottawa in prayer at St. Patrick’s Basilica, 281 Nepean Street,Ottawa, beginning at 1 pm with the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Rosary and other devotions. Confessors will also be available from 3:30 pm on. This special period of prayer will conclude with Benediction and be followed by Eucharist, to be presided by the Archbishop, beginning at 4:30 pm.

Last Sunday, Pope Francis requested that the faithful fast and pray for peace in Syria this Saturday, September 7, uniting ourselves with him as he prays from 7 to 11 pm (Rome time) in St. Peter’s Square.

Archbishop Prendergast is inviting the faithful to join him this Saturday, September 7th, in a day of fasting and prayer at home, in churches and oratories, and especially at St. Patrick’s Basilica for special intercessions for Syria.

The faithful are also asked to give generously during a special collection at all Masses this weekend for those suffering in Syria or seeking refuge in neighbouring countries.

The Archdiocese of Ottawa is home to more than 394,500 Roman Catholics and serves more than 100 parishes.

"In Nomine Jesu": Une nouvelle version de mes armoiries…a new expression of my coat of arms

On Sunday, I will be at Notre Dame to preside at the beginning of Mgr Daniel Berniquez's ministry as Rector of the Ottawa's Cathedral Basilica (noon and 5pm Masses) as well as that of Father Geoffrey Kerslake as the Associate Rector (7:30pm). Both these men have other duties as episcopal vicars so we are pleased that the former Rector, Father Paul McKeown, OSM will continue to serve the faithful who come to the cathedral church for pastoral outreach as parishioners or occasional visitors. I am also grateful for the service rendered at the cathedral by priests who reside in the Archbishop's residence, as well as priests pursuing studies in Ottawa or other clergy who assist on a regular or occasional basis.

This week, a new representation of my episcopal coat-of-arms arrived and was installed above my bishop's chair (cathedra), held up by angelic hands. A description of these heraldic representations follows below.

Dimanche, je présiderai deux messes (à 12h et à 17h) durant lesquelles Mgr Daniel Berniquez, v.é., inaugurera son ministère comme Recteur de la cathédrale-basilique Notre Dame; et à 19h30 m. l’abbé Geoffrey Kerslake, v.é., commencera son ministère comme son vicaire. Nous sommes reconnaissant à l’ancien Recteur, Père Paul McKeown, osm, qui continuera à desservir le peuple de Dieu à la cathédrale ainsi qu’aux prêtres étudiants et autres prêtres qui assistent à la cathédrale régulièrement ou occasionnellement.

A cette occasion, on note l’arrivée d’Italie d’une nouvelle représentation de mes armoiries, située en haut de ma cathèdre, symbole du rôle de l’évêque d’enseigner, gouverner et sanctifier la portion du Vignoble du Seigneur qui lui a été confié par le Saint-Siège. Voici une description de mes armoires :

L’héraldique nomme les deux côtés d’un blason dexter et sinister ; c’est le côté droit et gauche, ils deviennent inversés lorsqu’on les regarde. Le sinister, côté gauche du blason (le côté droit pour le spectateur), nous renvoie à la famille et à la communauté religieuse de l’archevêque — un soleil doré sur lequel sont inscrites en noir, sur fond bleu, les trois lettres grecques du nom de Jésus. Celles-ci, de concert avec la devise, représentent les liens de l’évêque avec la Compagnie de Jésus (les Jésuites).


Au niveau supérieur se trouvent un trèfle et une rose, alors qu’un lis se retrouve au niveau inférieur. Ces éléments sont de couleur argent. Le trèfle et la rose représentent les ancêtres irlandais et anglais de l’archevêque, alors que la fleur de lis témoigne de ses racines montréalaises dans la province de Québec. La fleur de lis et le bleu représentent la Bienheureuse Vierge Marie, Mère de la Compagnie de Jésus.

Le côté droit du blason (le côté gauche pour le spectateur) amalgame la croix à double traverse des armoiries de l’archidiocèse de Halifax, choisies par Mgr Prendergast durant son épiscopat dans ce diocèse. La croix fleurie, tout comme un soleil éclatant, représente la puissance de la résurrection du Christ qui transforme nos expériences humaines en partage de la glorification de Jésus. Ce nouvel élément, de forme « Y », bleu et ondulée, représente les trois grandes rivières de la région de la capitale nationale: les rivières des Outaouais, Rideau et Gatineau. La présence de la croix au-dessus des éléments de la nature suggère la guérison apportée par le Christ, non seulement dans la vie des individus, mais dans toute la création.

La devise “In nomine Jesu” (au nom de Jésus) provient de l’hymne de saint Paul au Christ Jésus crucifié et ressuscité (Philippiens 2,10). En plus d’exprimer son désir que son ministère soit mené au nom et à la manière de Jésus, la devise exprime sa volonté de louer et glorifier Dieu, faisant ainsi écho à la devise des Jésuites Ad majorem Dei gloriam (“pour la plus grande gloire de Dieu”).

Le tout est complété par une référence au pallium, ornement liturgique tissé de laine et parsemé de trois croix noires. Ce vêtement, symbole de communion avec le successeur de Pierre, est conféré par le pape aux archevêques métropolitains, en signe de partage de la charge pastorale, avec l’archevêque pour la province ecclésiastique d’Ottawa qui comprend les diocèses de Hearst, Pembroke et Timmins. Le chapeau à grand rebord, le « galero », ainsi que la croix à « double traverse » sont également des emblèmes d’un archevêque métropolitain.

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Heraldry speaks of two sides of a shield - dexter and sinister - which are right and left sides; these are reversed when viewed. The sinister, left side of the shield (right to the viewer), makes reference to the Archbishop's family and religious community: "Azure a Sun in its splendour Or charged with a monogram of the Holy Name Sable" (a golden sun inscribed with the first three Greek letters of the name of Jesus in black, all on a blue background). These, along with the motto, represent the bishop’s ties to the Society of Jesus or Jesuit Order.

"Between a Shamrock slipped and a Rose in chief and a Fleur-de-lis in base all Argent" (on the upper level are a shamrock with stem attached and a rose, while on the lower level there is a lily - all these in silver). The shamrock and the rose represent the Archbishop's forebears in Ireland and England, and the fleur-de-lis his upbringing in Montreal, Quebec. The fleur-de-lis and the colour blue also represent the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Society of Jesus.

The right side of the shield (left to the viewer) blends the double-barred cross from the coat of arms of the Archdiocese of Halifax, chosen by Archbishop Prendergast during his episcopate there (the flowering cross, like the blazing sun represents the power of Christ's resurrection to transform human experiences into a share in Jesus glorification), with a new element the wavy blue Y-shape representing the three great rivers of the National Capital Region: the Ottawa, the Rideau and the Gatineau. The presence of the Cross above nature suggests the healing of Christ that touches not only people's lives but all of creation too.

The motto, "In nomine Jesu" ("at the name of Jesus") is taken from St. Paul's hymn to the crucified and risen Lord Jesus Christ in the Epistle to the Philippians (2.10). Besides expressing the desire that his ministry be in the name and manner of Jesus, it expresses its goal as the praise and glory of God, echoing the Jesuit motto Ad majorem Dei gloriam ("to the greater glory of God").

The achievement is completed by a reference to the pallium, a liturgical vestment (represented by the three black crosses on wool) conferred on metropolitan archbishops, by the Pope, who shares his universal jurisdiction with the Archbishop in the Ottawa ecclesiastical province, which includes the dioceses of Hearst, Pembroke and Timmins. The broad rimmed galero hat and the double-barred cross are also emblems of a metropolitan archbishop.

"Then people will come from east and west, north and south, and will eat in the Kingdom of God..."

Blessed Lord's Day!

Recently, Ralph Martin published a book with a variation of the question put to Jesus in today's gospel, "Will Many Be Saved: What Vatican II Actually Teaches and Its Implications for the New Evangelization" (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2012). It studies No. 16 of Lumen Gentium, the dogmatic constitution on the Church and the implied conclusion that non-Catholics can be saved without coming to explicit faith in Christ and membership in the Catholic Church. An interesting thesis and read.

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O God, who cause the minds of the faithful to unite in a single purpose, grant your people to love what you command and to desire what you promise, that, amid the uncertainties of this world, our hearts may be fixed on that place where true gladness is found. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.