In the first reading count the number of times it says, “all the people”. Not counting similar words like “the whole assembly”, “the men and women and the children”, etc., there are at least 10 times that the reading says, “all the...
The words of the prophet Zechariah reflect the time after the Babylonian exile. After many years in exile, the Jewish people faced a choice, to return or not. Some became prosperous and settled in Babylon. Others returned home, but home had...
We are pleased to share the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops' news release of a national fundraising campaign in support of Indigenous Peoples. More information will be published in November, but goals, timing and distribution of funds will be discerned together with local Indigenous Peoples in each region. Read the complete news release by clicking the image to the left.
The Catholic Bishops of Canada, gathered in Plenary this week, took the opportunity to affirm and acknowledge to the Indigenous Peoples the suffering experienced in Canada's Indian Residential Schools in a Statement of Apology, dated September 24, 2021. Please click the image to read the full statement.
Mass on Thursday, Sept. 30th will be celebrated at 9:00 am. Following the Mass, you may wish to join the “Remember Me, Remember Us” community walk sponsored and organized by the Healing of the Seven Generations to spread awareness of and reflect on the tragedies experienced by Indigenous peoples as a result of the country’s former residential school system. We...
This week Bishop Crosby sent out the new Vaccine Policy for Hamilton Diocese. While there are still some clarifications and practical matters to address, we invite you to read over his letter and the policy to see how we are moving forward as a community during the COVID pandemic.
Sending his twelve out on mission, Jesus wanted them to travel light. It is definitely not an experience I enjoy. I take extra batteries just in case … I take extra food because I may get hungry … I always have a reason. Why? The disciples were...
St. Mary’s General Hospital is collecting hygiene products and in-demand seasonal products for in patients and out patients in need. This drive is a meaningful initiative for both givers and receivers. They are most in need of:...
Exalting the Cross in joyful celebration would seem to be an unthinkable possibility for many people in the time of Jesus and even now. In his letter to the Corinthians St. Paul said: “We preach Christ crucified . . . a stumbling block...
What’s interesting is that these humble words, spoken by a Roman centurion, were not actually spoken by the centurion to Jesus. This is because the centurion did not believe he was even worthy of going to Jesus himself. Therefore...
Though many commentators will try to point to the deeper spiritual principles that Jesus was teaching, first try to take His words at face value. He really said that you must offer the other cheek to someone who strikes you, to give your tunic to one who steals your cloak, and to give to everyone...
In celebrating the birth of Mary, today’s Gospel highlights Mary’s role in the Incarnation and how her “yes” changed the world. Yes, Jesus is the perfect expression of God’s love but Mary’s role was to foreshadow that love, to bring it to the light of day. Besides Mary’s “yes”, we cannot forget Joseph. The end of the genealogy: “… and Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary of whom Jesus was born, who is...
It is Labour Day and I want to continue my reflection of yesterday’s homily but with a slightly different twist. I said something like this: Jesus took the deaf man away from the crowd to be with Him alone, showing that Jesus desires to know each of us individually, personally because he cares for you and me. And we are called to develop an intimate relationship...
The Gospel scene in today’s reading is vivid and beautiful. Jesus is teaching the crowds. “The crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God”, to the point they were so many that he asked the fishermen to let him preach from their boat. He then works a...
The Responsorial Psalm says, “I trust in the kindness of God for ever.” At times I can be a pessimist, tending not to trust God’s mercy but to worry and try to figure out on my own how things should be done. I know God wants good for us, that He works all things for our good, but I still struggle. So how...