The 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

September 1, 2013

Three Little Words: Jesus Prayer - Witness

In our readings today, Jesus reminds us that humility is the path to the Kingdom of God. Humility is not a very popular concept today. We confuse it with humiliation, with being a doormat, with putting ourselves down. But humility is really about being down to earth. Humility is being rooted in the self-knowledge that comes when we acknowledge that all we have, and that all we are, is a gift of God. It is an invitation to shifting my focus away from me, myself, and I, to the Holy Trinity: inviting God into that place in my heart which God alone can fill. In her witnessing last Sunday, Odette gave us some very helpful advice from Pope Francis about how to do this. Put on faith, and your life will take on a new flavor, it will have a compass to show you the way; put on hope and every one of your days will be enlightened; put on love and your life will be like a house built on rock, your journey will be joyful, because you will find many friends to journey with you. She also reminded us, as we prepare for the launching of our three-year evangelization plan, of Pope Francis Pentecost message about how we can communicate faith effectively today? I shall answer with just three words. The first: Jesus. What is the most important thing? Jesus. If we forge ahead with our own arrangements, with other things, with beautiful things but without Jesus we make no headway, it does not work. Jesus is more important. We are true evangelizers when we let him guide us. Letting ourselves be led by Jesus. Jesus is our leader. The second word is: prayer. Looking at the face of God, but above all - realizing that he is also looking at us. The Lord looks at us. He looks at us first. My experience is what I feel in front of the tabernacle, when I go in the evening to pray before the Lord. Sometimes I nod off for a while; this is true, for the strain of the day makes you fall asleep, but he understands. I feel great comfort when I think of the Lord looking at me. We think we have to pray and talk, talk, talk.... No! Let the Lord look at you. When he looks at us, he gives us strength and helps us to bear witness to him. And the third word: witness. Faith can only be communicated through witness, and that means love. Not with our own ideas but with the Gospel, lived out in our own lives and brought to life within us by the Holy Spirit. There is, as it were, a synergy between us and the Holy Spirit, and this leads to witness. The Church is carried forward by the Saints, who are the very ones who bear this witness.

PARISH EVANGELIZATION RETREAT: JESUS, PRAYER, WITNESS

Inspired by these words of Pope Francis, we have invited Fr. Guylain Prince OFM, a dynamic Franciscan preacher and biblical scholar, to lead our parish in a retreat day this coming Saturday, September 21st, beginning at 9 a.m. and concluding with the 4 p.m. Mass. Please mark your schedules and make every effort to be there! Nourished by our faith in Jesus, rooted in prayer, and joyful in our witness, let us embark together upon this adventure of the New Evangelization!!

Adult Faith Enrichment

August 31, 2013 4:00 Saturday, Upcoming events St. Monicas Contemplative Prayer Group St. Monicas Contemplative Prayer Group meets every Tuesday evening at 7 PM in the parish rectory. After listening to a talk on the spiritual journey, we meditate together for up to half an hour. We invite you to join us! For information, please contact Audrey Booth or Pat Brabant through the parish office. Please refer to our website and the posters at the Church entrances for additional information. If registration is required, kindly use the appropriate sign-up sheets at the main church entrance or contact Anna at the office. In Loving Memory: Anna Maria Fiori, Dorothy Moore, Dino Grotto, Edgardo Poce,Luigina Cicciarelli, Antonietta Piccioni, Giuseppina & Antonio Piccioni, Veneranda & Giovanni Primiani September 1, The 22nd Sunday in 2013 Ordinary Time Colombo& Emma The Salvati Family Salvati Ascenzia & Luigi Their Daughter Berardina Fiori & Family September 2, Monday, Weekday 2013 Margaret Aabio Theresa Alleyn September 3, Tuesday, St Gregory The 2013 Great Pasquale& Rosa Vincenzina & Michele Ferrara Ferrara September 4, Wednesday, 2013 David Fournier Lilly Bini September 5, 2013 Giuseppe Fiori September 6, 2013 Pietro, Giovanna, Americo & Argerio Forlini September 7, 2013 Antonio Bie Thursday Wife & Family Friday, Weekday Vincenzina & Michele Ferrara

8:30 11:00

8:00

8:00

8:00

ATTENTION ALL PAST, PRESENT, AND PROSPECTIVE ALTAR SERVERS!

There will be a gathering for all altar servers at 6:30 PM on Friday, September 6th. Led by Sr. Lorraine Lebert and Father Ray, our time together will begin with a pizza supper, followed by games, icebreakers, teambuilding activities, and prayer. This will help us serve the Lord with joy as we minister together at the altar. We invite all present altar servers, all those who have served in the past and who might be interested in returning or helping as team leaders, and any new altar servers (grade 4 and above). To confirm your presence, please call Sr. Lorraine at 514-300-1912 or send her an email at llebert@videotron.ca
FAITH FIRST REGISTRATIONS

8:00

8:00

Saturday, Wife Gabriella Bie & Family

4:00

8:30 11:00

September The 22nd Sunday in 8,2013 Ordinary Time In Loving Memory:Joseph Onesi, Luigi&Rosa Mammone, Giuseppe & Vittoria Caucci, Isa Mazzella Giacomo Fioro Wife Berardina Your Generosity
Thank you for your on-going support of our parish Last weekends collection was $2,549.50

You can still register your children for the 2013-14 season of Faith First. To guarantee a place for your children, please fill out a registration form and return it to the rectory as soon as possible. Space is limited. For further information please contact Jennie Parsons-Armstrong at 514-481-0267 or jennie.armstrong@bell.net.