Bulletin: 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Posted 2023-06-23 by @saintmichaelyyc

 

What you need to know from this weekend’s bulletin:

 

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God is Not a Genie…

June 25, 2023

You have read about the wonderful tale of Aladdin and the Magic Lamp where the genie plays a central role, that is, the servant who appears whenever someone rubs the lamp and fulfills that person’s every wish.
 
We tend to imagine God more or less like a benevolent genie whose main function is to solve our problems, eliminate obstacles, remove suffering or prevent disasters from happening.
 
The type of prayers we frequently make demonstrates this human tendency. We resort to novena prayers or devotions that would appear to guarantee us from most forms of unwanted events happening in our lives. Our prayers revolve heavily on asking or petitioning God for favors, material or otherwise. We have succumb to a popular religiosity that subscribes to the belief that God would intervene in our lives if only we keep our promise to do nine consecutive days/nights of praying, as dictated in a prayer pamphlet, similar to the idea contained in chain letters.  
 
Today’s gospel reading should help us dispel once and for all this fantasy about God— for it is only that, a fantasy. God’s involvement in our lives is quite different from that of a genie of the classic tale of the Arabians Nights.  
 
In our gospel passage today, we hear the words of Jesus in what is known as the Mission Discourse in all honesty and bluntness: “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul…” clearly predicting that some of his followers will be killed or severely persecuted in the course of history. And he also adds that not a single sparrow falls to the ground without God being aware of it. But the sparrow falls… He also adds that even the hairs of our head are all counted. But as we all realize, receding hairline happens. In others words, God does not act like a genie, preventing bad things from happening. This straight-forward statement from Jesus should dispel once and for all this genie-myth. God is not a magical genie and there is no magic lamp capable of conjuring Him.
 
In other words, God does not magically remove suffering from our lives. But He gives us strength to bear it and to profit immensely from it. He did not protect His own Son from suffering, but through suffering He made Him strong enough to save the world. “What Christianity promises is not the removal of evil from the world, but the taking of this twisted world into the mystery of Christ’s suffering, death and resurrection”. (Robert Farrar Capon, 1967)
 
FrEdmund@saintmichael.ca

 

Announcements:

 

A New Crucifix

A solid resin-stone cast, coated in light golden finish, of the crucified body of Christ by Timothy Schmalz was installed in our Sanctuary. It was mounted on a solid cross, similar to the existent cross design. Contributions or donations to cover the purchase are welcome.

 

Children’s Liturgy of the Word 2023

Attention all Parents/Guardians – Interested in registering your child for Children’s Liturgy? Program is designed for those entering grades 1, 2, and 3. Registration is open on the Parish website https://saintmichael.ca/children-youth, by using the attached QR code, or by using this link https://forms.gle/t7WBt8mFsc4LPMjz7. Please register ASAP. We will need to source the necessary material and support for Fall 2023. 

Questions? Please contact our Children’s Liturgy Coordinator (Caroline) cdixon@saintmichael.ca.

Help Wanted: Kids Kingdom Volunteers

All volunteers will need to complete paperwork and, in some cases, safe training modules. Please contact our Volunteer Coordinator (Marvin) mmatthews@saintmichael.ca.

 

Priest Announcements

Please welcome Father Jose Bustalino to St. Michael’s as our new Associate Pastor, effective July 1, 2023.

We would also like to thank Father Ajeesh for his help during these last few months at St. Michael’s and wish him all the best as he moves on to his new appointment as Calgary Hospital Chaplaincy.

 

Prayer Intention Basket 

We have revived the “Intention Basket” at Friday Masses. Prior to Mass there will be slips of paper for you to write a brief intention on – anonymity is fine – and then placed in a basket. The intentions in the basket will be prayed for during the “prayers of the faithful” and then you will have the blessed opportunity to take one of the intentions after Mass and keep that intention close to your heart and pray for them until the following week.

 

Altar Servers 

Sunday, June 25

The Altar Servers ministry is up and running. The next Altar Server training session will take place on Sunday, June 25 after the 11 am Mass in the main Sanctuary. If you or your children are interested please send an email to altarservers@saintmichael.ca or request access to the Altar Server group on Flocknote.

 

Saturday Night Lights with Michael Chiasson & Access 52

Saturday, June 24 – 6pm

All students for life (Grade 7-12) are invited to an amazing youth experience on Saturday, June 24, 6-8 pm after the 5 pm Mass. This will be the last session before the summer. 

To register please go to https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/saturday-night-lights-youth-group-june-tickets-656934317227.

 

St. Michael Dedication Mass

Thursday, June 29 at 9 am

The 12th Dedication Anniversary of St. Michael’s Church will be marked with the celebration of Daily Mass on Thursday, June 29, at 9 am in the Main Sanctuary where four Dedication Candles on the front walls will be lit. A celebratory cake will be served at the coffee reception that follows.

 

Feed The Hungry 

A sincere thank you to all the volunteers who contributed their time to serve dinner on Father’s Day as part of the Feed the Hungry program. Together we served dinner to 356 guests and provided 360 hampers consisting of fresh fruit, granola bars, juice and water.

 

St. Michael Catholic Community Pastoral Council

We wish all parishioners and visitors to St. Michael’s a safe and happy summer. May we all find comfort in the loving presence of our Lord, Jesus Christ!

Our first meeting after the summer break will be on Tuesday, September 26.  

 

If you would like to read the minutes from our most recent meeting, or any past meeting, please go to: www.saintmichael.ca/bulletin

 

Questions? Concerns? Please reach us at 403-249-0423.

 

Society of Saint Vincent de Paul 

Special thanks to all St. Michael parishioners for supporting the Society of St. Vincent de Paul! If you have lost your job please contact us for food support.

WE ARE LOOKING FOR NEW MEMBERS. If you are interested contact us by email SSVP@saintmichael.ca or phone 403-249-0423 ext 122 

DONATIONS OF NON-PERISHABLE FOOD ITEMS can be dropped off in the SSVP Food Chest in the church Gathering Area or make arrangements by e-mailing us at SSVP@saintmichael.ca. Currently we are looking for: cereal, pasta sauce, canned vegetables and canned fish/meat.

MONETARY DONATIONS can be deposited in the drop-box in the Food Chest or by online donations through the St. Michaels Parish website: https://saintmichael.ca/giving/. Please indicate funds are for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in the drop-down menu. 

If you or anyone you know needs assistance, please contact us by email SSVP@saintmichael.ca or phone 403-249-0423 ext 122.

 

Holy Land Pilgrimage

November 13 to 21, 2023

Join Fr. Edmund on a Pilgrimage to the Holy Land, November 13-21. Reservations are based on first-come first-serve availability. Air rates can vary and the legal names and dates of birth are required to request airline space. For more information visit: gateway.gocollette.com/link/1122663.

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12th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 25/06/2023, 793.46 KB

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