‘’The Law of the Lord is perfect, the decrees of the Lord are sure, the precepts of the Lord are right, the commandment of the Lord is clear, the ordinances of the Lord are true and righteous altogether..’’ Ps 19

Dear parishioners,

These words  from today’s psalm are so true. The will of the Father really is so incredibly right. We have a beautiful example in today’s gospel of the good Samaritan. It isn’t to say that the will of the Father is easy, but the fact remains that the will of the Father, such as the Old Testament and Jesus have revealed it to us, simply rejoices the human heart. Makes our heart skip a beat. How can you not subscribe to the excellence of this calling by Jesus to consider yourself the neighbour of anyone in your presence who is need of help? Even though we’re not always up to it, it remains true that at all times, we can and should live in thanksgiving to God for the lofty, excellent moral direction that we have received in both the Old and New Testaments.

Very little to report this week, other than that our multiple June events were by and large huge successes. Thanks to all who made them happen, and who made them known.

It’s really nice to be back at St. Mary’s after such a long absence. I arrived on July 4. Unfortunately I am leaving again this Friday, July 15, for Mexico, where I will participate in our Dominican General Chapter, which takes place every three years. I will be returning on August 9.

Next Sunday’s bulletin will be the last for a while. The next edition of the bulletin will appear on Sunday August 14th. Between now and then, if anything needs to be disseminated, Lorna and Marianne will send out an email to the cluster of addresses that we normally use for the pastor’s corner, and the same information will appear by clicking a link on the main page of our website which will read ‘’parish updates’’. In this way, many if not all will be informed of upcoming events.

This will be repeated in the weeks prior to Sunday, August 21, but just as a heads-up: there will be a Filipino festival on that Sunday, on the Clive Street parking lot, hosted by ‘’Refood’’, the people who distribute food to needy Filipino families from our church basement on Wednesdays. So be on the look out for more info on this festival, and remember that on that Sunday, the Clive Street parking lot will not be available for parking.

A heads-up also for ministry leaders. We are planning a ministry leaders’ retreat for this fall. In order to do this, we must update our list of ministry leadership teams for each ministry. Be on the look-out for an email from Lorna asking you to provide her with this updated information. Even if our information is current, please email her to let her know that there’s nothing new to report.

I save the best for last. I have already spoken more than once I believe about Fr. Joseph DSouza op,  the Indian Dominican priest who is to join us at St. Mary’s. He has received his visa, and should be arriving in our parish sometime between now and July 15th. I have a very good feeling about the positive addition he will be to our staff, and I can’t wait for us all to meet him. Please say a little prayer that his time with us will be fulfilling and happy for him.

Enjoy the week of summer that opens up before us, God bless, and keep safe, to the extent that that is still possible.

Fr. Guy