August 2nd, 2020
MEALS OF THE KINGDOM
For the last three Sundays we have read and reflected on the parables of the Kingdom of God in Matthew’s gospel. This Sunday we read of the multiplication of the loaves and the fish. The meal that we see described is the agape or love feast that the early Church community celebrated every day. They did so in anticipation of the messianic banquet that would celebrate the coming of the Kingdom of God. Jesus yearns for this eschatological meal : “I tell you, I will never again drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” (Matthew 26.29)
Our Eucharistic celebration bears this eschatological yearning. The Kingdom is among us, but it is also not yet realized. Our Eucharistic celebration, as well as all of our meals together as people of God, should be signs of that Kingdom.
Be informed on BILL C-7 - An Act to amend the Criminal Code.
If passed, Bill C-7 expands the eligibilty critera for physician-assisted dying even when natural death in not reasonably foreseeable or allowing a person to waive their final consent when death is foreseeable, putting them in a vulnerable position. As Catholics we affirm the right to life which cannot be taken away by others, the importance of compassion by relieving pain and suffering of the sick and dying and the responsibility to protect the most vulnerable among us. We need a public, transparent process taking into account inviolable moral and ethical principles where all voices are heard. Be sure your member of parliament (MP) hears your opinion! Send an e-mail, letter, or use the electronic form here:
https://www.canadiansforconscience.ca/
For more information, visit the Marriage, Family & Life “News and Activities” page on the diocesan website at https://www.archsaintboniface.ca/main.php?p=401 We have also created a one-page information sheet for you. You can download it here.
We must act now to protect all persons, including future generations from Bill C-7
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Effective Sunday, June 21st, provided that physical distancing is practiced, the maximum number of people allowed to attend indoor gatherings (Sunday Mass) has been increased to 50.
Photos and videos of Christian Mutombo’s, Jean-Baptiste Nguyen’s and Brian Trueman’s ordinations
A moving celebration of faith took place on Saturday, June 13th, when Brian Trueman was ordained to the priesthood at St. Bernadette church in Winnipeg. To view photos of this blessed event, visit the Photo Gallery on the diocesan website’s homepage, or click here. The ordination Mass can be viewed on the Diocesan Facebook page. And don’t forget to click here for Christian Mutombo’s ordination to the transitional diaconate (Friday, June 5th) and to click here for Jean-Baptiste Nguyen's ordination to the priesthood (Saturday, June 6th).
WARNING - BEWARE OF RECENT SCAM
Be advised that fraudulent emails have been going around using the name of our priests (Pastors) as bait.
Recently, some people have received emails claiming to be from their Pastor (or a priest) asking for money. In reality, criminals have collected the names of priests and are using their name/identity to deceive people.
It is up to each person to identify fraudulent emails and eliminate them.
We remind you to always use caution when dealing with email. Hackers use all sorts of tricks including identity theft and current news to try and bait people.
Below is information about identifying questionable emails:
How do you determine if you should open an email or not? Please find below tips to help identify questionable emails. If the authenticity of an email is questioned, it may be wise to simply delete it without opening it.
A few questions to help you identify bad emails:
1) How did they get my email address?
2) Do I know the sender?
3) Does the email really come from the sender and could his email address have been compromised?
4) Do I recognize the sender's email address?
5) Is there a way to verify if the information in the email is legitimate without clicking links from the email and without having to reply to the email?
6) Are they promising money or benefits?
7) Are they making it sound urgent to answer immediately?
8) Would this person/company contact me by email for such a request?
9) Is there errors in the text?
10) Are the links really going to bring me where I should go?
11) Is the attachment safe to open?
These are a few questions that can help reflect before responding to an email.
Scammers and spammers usually want:
1) Your personal information (bank account, PIN, email account and password, credit card number, confirmation of your name or email, etc.)
2) Infect your computer and gain control over it. They can then add it to their arsenal to collect names, accounts, passwords, to make SPAM attacks, to redirect you to Internet Sites, and for other possible reasons.
3) Money – they usually give a sense of urgency, appeal to your good nature to help someone in distress, or even promise a great deal of money if you respond.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
As of May 31st, the 11:00 am Sunday Mass in Our Lady of Hope Church has resumed. However, in compliance with the revised protocol, a maximum of 50 people can attend. If you wish to attend, you are to inform Father René beforehand by calling 204-268-2453. Respecting the present health safety measures, social physical distancing is still to be observed. (If you have flu-like symptoms – please stay home!)
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Let us “come together” in praying the Rosary
We know of the power of prayer and that in the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God and our Mother, we have the greatest of intercessors. Like a loving mother, Mary, who cares for us and listens to us, carries our prayers to her beloved Son, Jesus, our risen Lord and Saviour. Our Lord hears every sincere prayer! In these trying times let us place our hope and trust in Him.
I invite all parishioners (families, couples, individuals) of St. Mary and Our Lady of Hope, from your homes, to unite in praying the Rosary every day at 11:00 am. If you wish, you can have a different intention for each decade. Here are some suggestions. Let us pray : for an end to the COVID-19 pandemic; that all people in our communities be kept safe; for all who have died due to the virus and those who mourn their death; for all infected by COVID-19 and those who care for them; for the protection of all frontline health-care workers; that God’s Spirit may lead those involved in research to the discovery of a cure (vaccine); …
Our Lady of LaSalette … pray for us.
Our Lady of Hope … pray for us.
PLEASE NOTE : Till further notice, the St. Mary Church main entrance door is open on Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9:00 am till 6:00 pm so you can stop in and pray for a moment. Please do not come to the church if you have flu-like symptoms.
If you need assistance or spiritual help please call the office (204-268-2453). God bless you!
IMPORTANT NOTE : The Mass intention for each day will appear in the bulletin whether the Mass is celebrated privately or with a few people in attendance.
Masses are livestreamed via the diocesan Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ArchSaintBoniface/ As well as on the Saints-Martyrs-Canadiens Parish YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFLbnkM6HlRYpb4QjiXeBOg/live
