Taking yet another step

Did you know that Canadians were the first to observe the Feast of the Holy Family? Yes, that's true! If this Feast is observed in present day in other parts of the world, then Canadian Catholics are to be thanked for originating this particular observance. Yea for us!

Speaking of firsts, I made another leap into the realm of modern-day electronic communications today. Starting today, the homilies that have been podcast for the last year or so are now live!

When I began this venture last October, I wanted very much to record the spoken reflections live while they were being spoken to the congregation, however it has taken a little bit of time to get all the ducks in a row. Finally I managed to procure the necessary equipment, thanks to our established customs of exchanging gifts on the occasion of Jesus' birthday.

In addition, I conscripted the help of the lucky person who happened to be scheduled as lector at the liturgy this morning, and asked her to take charge of the recording device. Cudos for the wonderfully clear recording. I'm still learning about all the ups and downs, ins and outs of the technical world and how it's best suited to proclaiming the word to those who can't be with us in person.

Perhaps it's apropos that my reflection for this weekend focused on family, since we are all part of God's family, even those who aren't with us in person. If you know of someone who might be excited to try out listening to these musings on the web, or even if you think someone needs to hear these words, feel free to pass the word along. You might be surprised at the results, and people might even thank you for the suggestion.

As always, you can read the text of my reflection on the holiness of families or you can listen to the podcast. Beginning with this post, we are also including the entire Liturgy of the Word, beginning with the proclamation of the readings upon which this reflection is based, and concluding with the Prayers of the Faithful which were offered at today's Mass.

We are always looking for ways to make your on-line experience more enjoyable. If you have a suggestion about an improvement that we might consider, please send an email.

King Wensaslaus and Saint Stephen

The Christmas season which is celebrated in the Church from the Feast of the Nativity of the Lord (December 25) until the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord is characterized by joy and festivities of various sorts. In particular the music of this time is some of the most well known throughout the world. Various melodies have been adapted and words inserted depending on various languages and customs, but regardless, the musical traditions are among the most well known.

Take for example the English carol Good King Wesceslaus. According to one source, the words to this carol were composed in 1853 but the music has been in existence since the sixteenth century. The carol in question refers to the Feast of Saint Stephen, a deacon in the early Church who is believed to be the first Martyr. Stephen is venerated as a saint in both the Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church.

According to the account written in the Acts of the Apostles, the apostles and the early Christians appointed 7 deacons to attend to such things as the distribution of aid to elderly widows. Probably a Hellenist himself, Stephen was well known for his oratory skills. In fact the account of his martyrdom speaks of the fact that even as he was being stoned as punishment for apparently having spoken out against the Sanhedrin, for blasphemy against Moses and for speaking out against the Temple and the Law (Acts 6:13-14), he continued to teach about Jesus and the Gospel he had come to proclaim.

The first evidence of Saint Stephen being venerated in the Church dates back to the fifth century. The first mention of veneration of the Tomb of Saint Stephen appears in 415 AD. When Christian pilgrims were traveling in large numbers to Jerusalem, a priest by the name of Lucian apparently reported knowledge of Stephen's tomb existing somewhere north of Jerusalem.

In some parts of the world, Saint Stephen's Day is a public holiday but it continues to be an observance of one of the oldest recognized days consecrated to the memory of one of our own who dedicated his life to the service of the Church, to helping the poor and the abandoned of his time. The mission of the Church continues even today, and is perhaps nowhere more recognized than when we concentrate on the needs of the less fortunate among us.

As we give thanks today for the abundant blessings that are ours, let us not forget that the fortune we have is indeed very rare, and that there are many this day who still seek the most basic of comforts, the welcome and warmth which can be called home, and the acceptance of others who truly love us and who share a part of their story of faith with us.

Christmas for children

Normally, children look to adults for guidance and counselling, especially when it comes to learning the most valuable lessons of life. Parents for instance model for their children such important things as forgiveness, acceptance and love by the way that we demonstrate these traits to the little people in our lives.

Have you ever noticed how especially young children tend to soak up such experiences like human sponges? Sometimes I wonder whether adults just get lost in the heightened pace that our lives often seem to be traveling at, and seldom find the time for such reflection and learning.

Christmastime though is one of those magical times of year when adults who are lucky enough and wise enough to look to children for guidance, can learn a whole lot about trust, surrender and the power of a playful spirit to overcome many obstacles.

Charles Dickens knew this power and illustrated it in the heart of Ebenezer Scrooge, one of the most famous characters in English literature, and the source of some of the most powerful lessons about love and its power to change our hearts.

Other examples of the power that children have to change the hearts of those who consider themselves more experienced at the game of life may be found in the countless children's pagents which bring the Nativity to life.

Make some time for children in your life this Christmas. Dare to allow yourself to be taught the most important lessons of the season ... sometimes by the most unexpected of teachers.

Merry Christmas

Christmas has arrived, in some hearts like a lamb and in others like a lion.

As we spend time with family and friends in the coming days, it might not be a bad idea to pause for a moment to recognize the blessings we share. In some parts of the world, families are torn apart and cannot spend time together. In others, they choose not to because of unfortunate circumstnaces. But this is a time for family.

As clumsy and uncomfortable as the experience might be, the ideal is to recognize the gift of love that exists between siblings, parents, children and others who might knock at our door.

This Christmas, my reflection speaks of Christ and his family. They too did not necessarily have the most easy time of it, but they did manage to celebrate together because there was more than enough love. This is my wish for you ... that you will have enough, no more than enough love, laughter, joy and reasons to celebrate and give thanks.

As usual, you can choose to read the text of my homily or listen to the podcast. Whichever mode you choose, the wish is the same .... Merrry Christmas.

'Twas the night before Christmas

Here we are on the day before Christmas. If your life is anything like mine, the furthest thing from reality is the poetic imagery of not a creature stirring in the house ... not even the mice. Instead, we are often surrounded with all manner of last minute details to be attended to.

Even the decorations department might still be a bit behind. I for one only managed to get the annual village scene set up last night, where it joined the likes of the Christmas tree and the crèche. Increasing numbers of people choose to decorate the outside of their family dwellings with lights, but few have probably gone as far as to choriograph their light show with music on the side.

If this isn't enough, how about some examples of outside Christmas decorations from San Francisco? Since there is no snow, they actually create the illusion of snow and the rest of Santa's entouage ... all in lights!

Personally, I much prefer to dwell on other aspects of the Christmas season, such as the music that has been developed over the centuries. Whether it's instrumental renditions or somewhat more jazzed up vocal versions of the traditional favorites, music for the yule season has a character all its own.

As we celebrate the One who first gave us the gift of His presence, let us be thankful for the many traditions, old and young, that allow us to celebrate and give thanks for all that we have received.

Merry Christmas to all ... and to all a good night.

Joseph gets his moment in the sun

The limelight is usually focused on Mary by the time we get to the fourth Sunday of Advent, but this year, as we light all the candles around the Advent wreath, we turn our attention to the other figure in the story. What was it really like for poor Joseph to fit into this story?

Christian tradition speaks very little of the role of Joseph, and yet there are some important lessons here about commitment and caring for one another, if we have the patience and pondering hearts to consider the situation.

Brother André, c.s.c., of Saint Joseph's Oratory fame was one of the Canadians who probably worked most ardently to promote Joseph's cause. André was convinced that poor Joseph is often forgotten by many since he was a quiet figure in the story of Christianity. Like many others in our society who are often forgotten, he took it upon himself to never leave Joseph out, to pray to him each day, to do his part so that Joseph wouldn't fall into obscurity.

In the final days of Advent, as the world seems in some ways to be passing by us at a frantic pace and many are under great stress to make sure that all things are in place in time for the great festival of gift giving, perhaps we would do well to pause for a moment to consider some of the first gifts given, prayer, love, concern and care on the part of the young couple of Nazareth.

As always, you can read the text of my reflections on this matter, or if you prefer, you can listen to the podcast. I hope that these few thoughts might help to add a new understanding of the season and to enrich your experience of this holy season.

Simple acts

People spend their entire lives building relationships. From the time we are children, some of us put enormous amounts of time into developing friendships, and if we're really lucky, we come to appreciate the blessing of siblings and other members of our immediate families.

In former days, the family unit was so central to everything we did that we paid particular attention to our elders - grandparents and others who could no longer care for themselves. In some cases today, due to various reasons, the elderly among us are no longer able to stay in their own homes, and children are so busy with careers and other obligations that it is difficult if not impossible for them to care for their aging parents.

Unfortunately, this means that at least in some cases, the elderly among us suffer most from loneliness and depression. These realities are all the more prevelant as we near the celebration of Christmas, because this holiday is traditionally associated with family gatherings, with enjoying the company of good friends and with giving thanks for our abundant blessings.

It only takes a moment to visit with or call someone who is elderly or shut in due to illness. A kind word shared today can go a long way to mending bridges or to reinforcing the ties that bind us. Why not make someone's day today by reaching out to someone who you haven't spoken with for a while, or someone who you've been meaning to contact, or someone who'se been in the back of your mind? You might be surprised by the result, and the reward may just possibly be two fold.

The Annunciation

More than five hundred teenaged girls arrived at my place this morning. Some brought various musical instruments, others brought prepared texts, and some brought their senses of wonder and excitement. What was the occasion you ask?

For the first time in a number of years, students from Marymount Academy, one of the neighboring High Schools came to the church to celebrate an Advent Mass with the Bishop of the diocese.

The divine irony about this was that the gospel passage proper for today speaks of the apparition of the angel Gabriel to Mary of Nazareth. Conscious of the fact that we were in the presence of five hundred other young ladies, each of which could have been that young girl who met an angel so many years ago, I started to wonder. How would a young woman greet such an occurence today? Would it be much different from Mary's encounter? Would there still be questioning and wondering? Would such a recipient still ponder such a happening in the same way?

Then I went on ... perhaps there are many among this very group who do indeed wonder, ponder, muse and yes even pray about the decisions they must make in life. They may not be willing to show this vulnerable part of themselves to too many others, but at times a hardened exterior hides a lot.

In his homily, the bishop referred to his annual message to the faithful of the diocese and invited those present to ponder the gift that is given this Christmas, and how they in turn are called to be gifts to one another and to others they meet. In this way, he touched on a common call that is given to all of us: God never gives a gift without asking that we use it to proclaim his presence.

How is Christ calling us to make a difference in the world today? What are the risks involved? Are we willing to accept His invitation or is there still something holding us back?

Out of the mouths of babes

'Hello. This is Matthew. Can you come to my Christmas concert today? It's at 1:00 o'clock.'

With these words, I received a personal invitation from a grade 3 student today to attend the annual Christmas concert. Of course that meant that I needed to re-arrange a few things, but I just couldn't turn down the inviation. I really wasn't too surprised when I arrived at the school to find that there were cars all over the place, and it seemed that every parent was also there to watch as their child(ren) sang, acted and led a series of celebratory moments recalling the innocence of youth, and the blessedness of the season of giving.

Every time I get to visit at the neighbourhood school, I know that I will be surprised by the complete trust and openness of the children. They ask some tough questions at times, but when all is said and done, they just love.

Isn't this the most valuable lesson to be learned in life? Perhaps that's why we focus so much on Christmastime as a reminder of the divine love that was and is shared with us each day. Have you ever noticed how at times this Yule time is an occasion for children of all ages to allow the season to return us to a time when we all were children? when we trusted absolutely and dared to believe that the impossible could truly come true? Why does this have to change when we grow up?

Let a child teach you this Christmas. Listen to the invitation that is offered - to come to a Christmas concert, to play for just a moment, to love without limits, to experience God's grace and the miracle of a child who comes to bring peace.

Who is my neighbour?

Today, the local United Way office distributed $30,000 worth of funding for community based programs that help women in this city to improve their lives. Among the recipients of funds was the Beech Street Community Kitchen, an outreach program which was begun by the parishioners of Christ the King parish to help people in Sudbury who are food insecure to provide nutritious meals for their families.

Since its inception in mid-October of this year, the Beech Street Community Kitchen has been meeting twice a month for three hours at a time. Participants prepare meals together and then take them home to be shared with their respective families. Besides the physical reward of taking home some food for their families (something which is provided free of charge to qualifying participants), there are a number of other benefits (blessings if you will) that have already been identified.

Perhaps first among those who have already been rewarded are the parishioners who volunteer their time to assist participants who come to cook at the Beech Street Community Kitchen. News about this initiative has already begun to spread throughout this community and beyond, and the responses are all good.

Overcoming the challenge of food insecurity might seem to be insurmountable when one considers the fact that there are 1 million families in Canada who face this challenge, but every proverbial journey begins with one step. Blessed Teresa of Calcutta also faced such a daunting prospect when she realized the myriads of poor and dying in the streets of that city, but she chose to love one at a time, and that has made all the difference.

Love is the key, to serving one another and to making a difference in the world. As we prepare for the festival of Christmas, perhaps we would do well to back away from the frenzy of shopping malls and the often self-imposed pressure of getting everything ready. Instead, spend some time reflecting on the importance of love. How has love made a difference in our lives? How do I too pass on the invaluable lessons of love to others?

Exceding joy

There's a funny dichotomy going on between the historical importance of this day in the liturgical calendar and the images presented in the gospel for today's liturgy. The third Sunday of Advent is traditionally known (in Latin circles) as Gaudete Sunday - the Sunday of great joy.

I don't quite remember where I learned about the meaning of this day, but somewhere in the recesses of grey matter, I seem to recall that the thinking goes something like this: Advent is a season of joyful anticipation as we prepare for the birthday of our Saviour. Like the joy of anticipating a major party, birthday or other celebration, the excitement about the approaching festival of Christmas continues to build until we burst into song with the Christmas antiphon Gloria in Excelsis Deo. But we're not quite at Christmas Day yet.

In the meanwhile, the liturgy takes a little turn today, and we add the light of the pink candle in the Advent wreath to the two other purple ones as a sign that the joy of anticipation is about to bust out all over.

In contrast with this excessive joy, the portrait painted by the words of John the Baptist in the gospel for this day is one of doubt and questioning. To be sure, doubt is at the heart of all questions of faith, and the questions posed by the Baptist might very well be not far from our own musings at times.

My reflection for this weekend is entitled Is this all there is? As always, you can read the text on our parish website or you can listen to the podcast.

Oh, while I'm on the subject, greetings and wishes for joy are abounding these days. Check out the Christmas message issued by the Bishop of Sault Ste. Marie and the one issued this week by the President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops.

For those who are already looking ahead to the New Year, the Holy Father's message for the 41st World Day of Peace, customarily observed on January 1 each year has also been published this week. As far as I know, none of these messages is available in podcast format yet, so maybe there is something to hope for ....

Happy reading!

Angels among us

A few months ago, I got to know a man named Derek. He now lives in another city, but sent me a very interesting email yesterday. First let me give you some background so you will understand where he's coming from.

Derek is Roman Catholic but has not completed all the Sacraments of Initiation, so he asked me one day what he would have to do to be Confirmed. I explained that normally, adults who wish to be Confirmed or to complete other Sacraments of Initiation are invited to follow a series of adult faith formation gatherings which we refer to as the Rites of Christian Initiation for Adults (or RCIA for short).

A few months have now passed, and Derek finally made it to his first RCIA class ... almost. What he did experience that evening though is just as valid in terms of God moments: the opportunities and expereiences that come our way from time to time that allow us to see, touch and appreciate the face of God. Here's his story:

It was a dark and very snowy night ... last night in Ottawa!! I had returned home from work. (After having supper), I cleaned the snow off of my car while it warmed up and made my way to my first adult initiation meeting.

The roads were slippery, but I come from Sudbury and know how to drive ... hehe! I arrived at Good Shepherd parish shortly before the meeting (was scheduled to) begin. To my surprise the only thing in the parking lot was snow!! No other car could be seen. I got out of my car because there was a young woman standing near a door, and I thought to go ask her about the meeting. She said that she had been talking to the parish secretary and was told that someone would be around that would be able to allow her access to the food stores so that she could feed herself and her daughter. She told me her story - that she had to pay her hydro bill and had nothing left, and that it felt horrible to be in this situation at Christmas, especially thinking of her daughter!!

We waited in the snow for about 10 or 15 minutes. No cars came, so I went to call at the rectory/office. The lights were on, but their was no one home. I returned to the young woman and she stated that she would not be able to wait much longer because she had walked 20 minutes to get there and that her ex-boyfriend/husband was supposed to bring her daughter at 8pm.

I asked if there was somewhere close where she could get some groceries. She stated that there was a Loeb's two minutes from her home. I immediately offered to drive her home and buy her some the groceries. She was shocked and said "are you sure....you don't even know me"! I introduced myself and we got into the car. We made it to the grocery store safely and we gathered the basics that she would need to get her through a couple of days, milk, eggs, butter, bread, and I decided to throw in bananas too! She thanked me very much as I thanked her, and we parted ways after this as she was comfortable walking the short distance home.

I felt like GOD allowed me to be an angel, and for this young woman and her daughter I guess I was!!! To be honest I felt like crying, because I was touched by HIS grace allowing me and calling on me to be there for her in her time of need!

Thanks Derek for sharing this wonderful story. We never know when angels may appear on our road, or when we ourselves will be invited to be angels for someone else, so be on the lookout.

Renaming the season

Some of the more organized among us are probably ready for Christmas. The decorations are up, the baking is done, the shopping is complete and the presents are wrapped. Some of us are also finished decorating our places of residence and have sent the annual greetings, letters and cards.

Every year, I keep telling myself that by the time I actually hit the second week of Advent, I want to have all the fussing complete so that I can actually take some time to enjoy the beauty of the season. In fact, this is usually only a dream which rarely if ever comes to fruition. Many if not all of us do indeed manage to get some of the preparations done, but very few of us ever are finished the planning until the very last minute, and then there is always something forgotten or not done because we just ran out of time.

In the words of a very good friend, we should perhaps rename this liturgical season and call it Madvent because many of us seem to be driven well beyond the limits of our normal patience as we get swept up in the ever-increasing pace of the season.

Was it that much different when the Son of God actually came to the earth? What was that night really like - the one we refer to as O Holy Night? Was it quiet and peaceful, with just a faint breeze blowing? or was it more likely a warm night where the smells and sounds of animals and nightlife spoke more about the need for crowd control and some ear plugs?

God didn't come to the earth in a postcard world, so why do we even dream of the possibility of such an existence? We might be much further ahead to try finding him in the ordinary events of life. He is present, bringing peace to the world which is at war, bringing forgiveness to the world that has become ever so competitive, bringing love to the world that has lost sight of the strength that is found when we rely on one another.

If we even began to appreciate these miracles, perhaps we might be able to truly appreciate the liturgical season of waiting, and Advent might truly be re-discovered as the season of promise.

Setting the tone

Permit me a bit of a diversion from the routine of interpreting literature for our times - in the strict sense of the term at least. Just as good literature has the power to stir the soul, so does good music sometimes conjure images and deep emotion.

As we prepare for the festival of Christmas, opportunities to appreciate the music of the season seem to abound. Whether one is inclined to partake in the annual participatory renditions of Georg Handel's masterpiece The Messiah, or the various orchestral and choral renditions of tratidional and not-so-traditional carols which have been composed throughout the centuries, the music of Advent and Christmas are a genre unto themselves.

Sometimes we happen upon some new renditions of the old classics which seem to awaken us once again to the simple but true beauty of this season of light. Thus was my fortune yesterday. We had just completed the celebration of a parish penitential service at one of the neighbouring churches when I noticed a poster which had been placed near the entrance of the church. A group known as Strada were to perform a concert entitled Kadou: Noels d'ici et d'ailleurs within a few hours' time. I knew nothing of them, but had heard that this was to be a concert using 'period instruments'. I departed with visions of harpsicords dancing in my head.

A few hours later, the concert began: the five members of the troupe arrived on stage donning various manner of simple dress which conjured images of the shepherds of yore and began to recount the history of the mid-winter festival which has been celebrated throughout the world for more than two centuries. The recounting of story captured the attention of the waiting crowd and the interweaving of words and music to masterfully maintain the attention of children of all ages made for an evening of true magic.

In the coming weeks, as we continue our preparations for the celebration of Christmas, may you too have the opportunity to explore the magic, music and story of the season. Return to the innocence of childhood and dare to dream of a time of miracles, peace, joy and love.

Times, they are a changin'

Have you ever noticed that there are times in our lives, especially when we are under pressure, or put to the test, that we wish with all our hearts that things would change, become better, and the faster the change the better thank you very much?

At other times, when we are enjoying life, when things seem to be going well, we long for time to stand still.

The wisdom of the ages tells us that change is constant, and whether we wish it or not, change always affects us, whether we ourselves effect the changes in our own lives, or whether they are imposed upon us. The difference in how they are handled depends on whether or not they are accepted or rebuked.

The bible and other books of philosophy and religion speak constantly of change, usually indicating the possibility for growth in the persons affected, but the human heart is a creature of habit so it resists change, preferring the comfort of the known world rather than the unknown. Yet, there is also a strange intrigue with the unknown, especially in the hearts of the adventurous types among us.

The readings proper to the second Sunday of Advent (Year A) present the figure of the Baptist who calls for change and speaks of better things to come. In my reflection entitled Time for change, I muse over the fact that we have already experienced much change in our lives, and yet we doubt that the things that still seem impossible might actually come about if we have the faith to believe John's predictions. As always, you can read the text of this reflection on the website of Christ the King parish (Sudbury), or you can choose to listen to the vocal score which is podcast every week.

Other musings about this week in parish life are also available in my regular epistle to the flock.

Two more weeks to go ... got your Christmas preparations all under control yet?

Call it what it is

We began the season of Advent a few days ago. This is a four week period of preparation for the Solemnity of Christmas which we celebrate on December 25.

Some of those who will read these words are probably wondering why I've taken the time to write out these details. Doesn't everyone know that Christmas is celebrated on December 25th? Doesn't every Christian know about the celebration of the Advent season?

Well, I've noticed in the past couple of years that the retail sector of our society is seeming to take over. Christmas appears less and less to be about a miracle that has been celebrated for more than two thousand years, and more and more about consumerism. The story of God's act of love, the birth of His Son in a manger in Bethlehem seems to be relegated to the telling of stories in a church, but outside the places of worship where people may gather in the coming weeks, there is very little evidence of the story being told.

Last year at this time, I went shopping at my friendly neighbourhood bookstore, looking for books that would explain the Christmas story to small children. Imagine the surprise of the clerk when I asked for a book that would tell the REAL story of Christmas. We had to look for quite some time to find one.

Even as early as mid-November of this year, people in stores started wishing their customers 'Happy Holidays'. Whenever I hear this greeting, I want to ask the greeter which holiday they are referring to. Were they perhaps thinking of American Thanksgiving (celebrated on November 22 this year)? or were they just afraid to insult someone because they might be celebrating Hanukkah rather than Christmas?

To be fair, there is actually a small ground swell which seems to be making a name for itself because some people are actually daring to speak out against the tide. Among those of note there is an email circulating these days with a printed version of a reflection by Ben Stein which explains that he is Jewish but is quite OK with the fact that not everyone is, and that we celebrate different festivals in our faiths, and that's OK. Why do so many people fall under the pressure of political correctness and fail to appreciate the beauty of celebrating our differences?

Even the on-line world of YouTube has sprouted a few challenges to this societal trend. Check out for instance the video entitled Christmas with a Capital C or go even another step further and check out the music video entitled It's about the Cross which is a contemporary rendering of the Christmas story as it fits into the entire salvation story.

It takes courage to live faith, and living faith each day means being ready to make a difference by standing up for what we have learned. How else will children learn the lessons that some of us take for granted? How else will the message be heard? In some parts of the world, people are persecuted on the grounds of faith. Throughout history, Christianity has flourished whenever it is challenged. Are you willing to make a difference? Are you willing to stand up for what you believe?

Where your heart is

Have you ever had one of those experiences that makes you stop and think, or truly give thanks for the blessings you have? One of the most precious blessings is that of family; they are always willing to support us when we are in need, and they are often the source of the first lessons we learn about how to live life.

A few months ago, I met a woman who is the youngest of fifteen children, all of whom lived in a two-bedroom house while they were growning up. The funny thing is that they grew up next door to my father! The two families lost touch with one another until this past summer, and partly through my chance meeting with Paula, our families have now been reunited.

Paula's brother Michael Walcott wrote a book a few years ago (ISBN 1-4196-1084-8) entitled A Cathedral Inside. Recounting the stories of growing up in a family of fifteen, who had very little in the way of worldly possessions but had an overabundance of love and concern for one another which has continued even to this day, the reader is actually encouraged to recognize the many blessings that we often overlook in daily life.

Throughout the book, Mr. Walcott reminises about the valuable lessons he learned while growing up: about valuing relationships, the simple and innocent pleasure of children at play and the not so innocent meanderings of teenagers and young adults who are living the normal experiences of life.

Physical poverty robs us of many opportunities but it often also rewards us by opening new doors and providing expereinces which teach us to seize every opportunity to live life to the full. Remember that wherever your riches are, there will your heart also be (Mt 6:21).

On hope

This past weekend, His Holiness, Benedict XVI published his second encyclical letter entitled Spe salvi. Based on the advise offered by Saint Paul to the Church at Rome (Rom 8:24), Benedict's latest publication encourages us to remember that 'in hope we were saved'.

Who ever said that the Vatican think tanks were out of touch with modern marketing smarts? Having published his first encyclical Deus caritas est (God is love) on Christmas Day 2005, echoing the fact that God came among us in the form of a child to teach us love, Spe salvi, which focuses on the virtue of hope, was published just in time for the first Sunday of Advent - the season when we are reminded of God's hope for all people.

Just before repeating the traditional Angelus after the Sunday Mass celebrated in Saint Peter's Square yesterday, the Pope said that 'the world needs God, otherwise it remains without hope'.

Watch the commentaries that will now be published ... that have already begun to be written about this newest publication:

An initial commentary published by ZENIT is only the beginning. The now well-known blog Whispers in the Loggia quickly provided a link to the text, and in the coming days will doubtless publish at least one commentary about it.

Perhaps the contemplatives among us have gotten it right for years. In the midst of a world that seems to be chasing its tail at times in search of hope, the answer has been right in front of our eyes all along. God himself is the source of hope, and Advent calls us to rediscover the simple truth of (re)turning to Him who is the remedy for cultural despair.

For whom the bell tolls

For more than seven decades, the towers which contain the bell at Christ the King here in Sudbury have stood as landmarks for all those who know the downtown area of this city. Like all things mortal, even the bell towers are in need of repair, maintenance and tender loving care from time to time.

At present, there are signs of major wear and tear, just normal ravages of time, but signs nonetheless of some repairs which will need to be done. It is our hope that with the help and generosity of parishioners as well as others who know the history of these towers, the necessary repairs can be made in a timely fashion.

The first signs that a fundraising campaign to facilitate these repairs is on the horizon appear in my Lines from the reading chair this weekend. Tune in often for updates as the project continues to take shape.

Signs of hope

This has been a crazy week! In the midst of trying to get prepared for the beginning of Advent, we have also had a number of other divine interruptions to the schedule which I have learned is anything but tranquil on the best of days.

Today, the Church celebrates the first Sunday of Advent. This four-week period of immediate preparation for Christmas invites us to recognize our dependence on God - something which seems to be increasingly left by the wayside by those who put their trust in other realities with which the more fortunate among us have become accustomed.

Faced with the rather insidious belief that all will be well if we just work hard and invest wisely, many eventually discover that no amount of planning or hoping will guarantee such wealth. By contrast, the scripture passages for this first Sunday of Advent call God's people to renewed hope in the promise of life that has been proclaimed since Jesus himself walked this earth.

My homily, entitled Choose hope, speaks of the power of hope to overcome even the greatest of barriers imposed by fear or despair. It's available, as always in text format as well as in podcast format.