“When you send forth your Spirit, they are created;
And you renew the face of the earth.” Ps 104

Dear parishioners,

Pentecost! The older I get, the more this solemnity is precious to me, because the more vivid becomes my awareness that everything that we are as Christians is the work of the Holy Spirit. Of all the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which are in fact as varied as there are Christians, and as there are circumstances in our Christian lives, certainly one of the most precious to me is one of which St. Paul speaks: “The Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit itself intercedes with inexpressible groanings. The one who searches hearts knows what is the intention of the Spirit, because it intercedes for the holy ones according to God’s will.’’ Rm 8,26-27 

How heartening it is to remember that the Spirit that is in us lifts up to the Father, all the time, a prayer that is in conformity with the will of God, and that is therefore pleasing to God.  Even when we’re not aware that we are praying, we are praying. Incredible, and how ever so heartening, reassuring, consoling. Is this thought not an incredibly effective source of renewed Christian hope? Happy Pentecost!

Now for a bit of news.

After 19 years with us at St. Mary’s, Ossie is leaving us. We have posted a job offering to find someone to replace him. If you are interested or you know someone who might be, please contact Lorna at [email protected] for a full description of the position being offered, and for information as to how to submit a resume and letter of application. Ossie, on behalf of the whole parish, thank you and God bless you for the time and work you have given to St. Mary’s. We pray for health, well-being, and happiness for you and Mariette as you venture into the next chapter of your lives.

An important event in our parish this week, “Songs of Spring”, the celebration of the 90th anniversary of our school and our spring choir and band concerts, the former in the church, the latter in the gym. Prior to the concerts, there will be food trucks and all kinds of activities that you can engage in. It’s all happening this Tuesday June 7, 4:30-8:00 p.m. Join us!

By the time you read this, I will be on a flight to Ottawa, where I will spend a month participating in our Dominican provincial chapter. My return is planned for July 4th. I will be replaced by Fr. Prakash Lohale, op, a fellow Dominican from Toronto whom I’m sure you will enjoy immensely. I pray for a safe, pleasant month of June for you all.  My next pastor’s corner will appear on Sunday July 10. Until then, the “pastor’s corner” in the bulletin will be “Lorna’s corner”. She will keep you apprized of the events of the coming week, as well as other things she thinks you should be aware of.

See you sometime after July 4 and in the meantime, let us be as one in prayer.

Fr. Guy