Sunday, June 27, 2010

Daily Quote from Thomas Merton

Daily Quote from Thomas Merton
My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following Your Will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please You does in fact please You. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing... - Thomas Merton

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Photos I took at the Mass to celebrate the 72nd Year of Novena Devotions to Our Lady of Perpetual Help

These devotions hold a special place in my heart. As a child I remember so vividly attending the Novena Devotions every Tuesday evening with my parents and brothers and sisters at 7:00PM in our Parish of Our Lady of the Annunciation Church on Saint Joseph Boulevard in Hull. I remember Father Fogarty and Father Allen leading the devotions and there was always a large crowd. We didn't have a car so we walked the distance each week which was at least a mile one way.  My parents had such terrific faith and I remember my dad telling us that Tuesday was a special day for us and invariably God picked that day to shower us with many blessings. I miss you mom and dad and I thank you !

See the Archbishop's blog for information about the celebration which took place - Wednesday June 23, 2010 – 12th Wednesday in Ordinary Time - St. Patrick’s Basilica, Ottawa, Ontario
http://archbishopterry.blogspot.com/2010/06/g8-in-huntsville-recalling-australia.html



















For more on the Anniversary Celebrations please see the Archbishop's Blog

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Celebrating 72 Years of Novena Devotions To Our Lady of Perpetual Help , OC Transpo bus passes and the Ottawa Earthquake Yesterday

I was on the bus heading downtown when the 5 magnitude earthquake hit Ottawa yesterday, so I didn't feel a thing. Actually, I was on my way to Saint Patrick;s Basilica to attend the Holy Hour at Three and the Anniversay Celebration afterwards.

On my way I decided to take the time to purchase a July bus pass at the Rideau Centre, but when I arrived at the OC Transpo counter I was told I needed some kind of photo ID in order for them to take my photograph for the pass. I didn't have any on me as I wasn't expecting I needed photo ID to buy a bus pass. That certainly wasn't the case when I had my last picture taken for them about ten years ago. You don't need photo ID when you get a bus transfer or when you purchase a day pass. What a bunch of jerks. The purpose of the photo attached to the pass you buy is just proof that the picture of the person on the pass is the same person who is using it. Total bureaucratic nonsense. We bought train and subway passes in Japan and never needed photo ID when we purchased them. What a stupid bureaucy OC Transpo has become.  Anyways, after wasting my time on this nonsense, I bought a coffee at Tim Horton's and did a sudoko puzzle in the food court to blow off steam. Fifteen minutes later I headed back to the bus stop on Mackenzie King Bridge heading west.

After I boarded the bus, the driver announced over the loudspeaker "For those riders who plan to take the O Train, it isn't running because of the earthquake" Duh? What earthquake? Anyways, I guess that explains why there were so many people on all the sidewalks dowtown.  Funny thing, I never felt or heard a thing.

I got off at Kent and  headed over to the Church and saw that there were dozens of people mulling around the church and sitting on the front steps. Oh great I thought  "Now the Church will be closed for the Anniversary Celebrations and I will be told not to go in." That wasn't the case. I was allowed in ( thank God because I really had to go to the bathroom by now.) All those people were from the Government Office buildings from across the street. Whew! I was on time for the Holy Hour but I thought I should phone Mike to see what was up and I phoned from the Church basement.  I wasn't able to get through so I went outside again and eventually after about 10 minutes I managed to reach him.  He said that the quake struck about 1:45 and yes, everything was ok. The walls shook and a few pictures on the wall are now crooked but that's about all.  Just the same, I was glad we have earthquake insurance ( just in case)

So by now I was a bit late for the Holy Hour which is at three every day at the Basilica. Afterwards, I stayed in the Church until mass and the Novena to our Lady of Perpetual Help at 4:30.  My sister Barbara arrived around 4:00 and joined me near the front of the Church.  The mass was celebrated by Archbishop Terrence Prendergast who, incidentally, didn't feel the eqrthquake either because he was on a plane returning from Ireland when it struck.  All in all, it was a very beautiful celebration although the Church was very hot.  I took a few pictures which I will add later. There was a reception afterwards in the Parish Hall which is situated in the nice cool basement, but Barb and I didn't stay because she had to go to work. We did however find a restaurant on the Spark Street Mall where we stopped to eat. 

After that I went home, and Barb went to work at her office in the West Block. I hope she was allowed in by then.  When I talked to Mike earlier, he thought that some of the government buildings were to remain closed until they had been checked out. Anyways, it was an interesting afternoon and I managed to get home before it started to rain very heavily. I still haven't straightened the pictures.

Monday, June 14, 2010

Trolling on Facebook: an ugly pastime

I joined Father Frank Pavone's  Pro Life Group on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=683416425&ref=mf#!/ProLifePage and I can't get over the very many ugly remarks made in this site which are directed at Christians in general and Catholics in particular. There are people who join groups for the sole reason of spewing hatred every chance they get.  I think they call  this pastime trolling but I am not sure. Correct me if I am wrong but Is it not a crime to promote hatred of individuals or a group of individuals based on religious beliefs? Why would individuals even make such publicly outrageous comments anyways? Employers now use facebook to see what their employees are up to. Oftentimes an employer will check facebook before hiring someone. It is common knowledge that the police also use facebook . So what gives? Are people stupid. It seems that some are very stupid.

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Closing of Year for Priests: Annunciation Parish, Ottawa Ontario

 Yesterday evening, the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Janet Warren of the Catholic Women's League of the Annunciation of the Lord Parish organized a rosary for all priests but especially for the intentions of our two priests, pastor  Monsignor Robert Latour and Father Johathon Blake.  Most of the Parish's Groups participated by taking turns leading a decade. It was beautiful, the Church was full and it was a  beautiful ending to the year for Priests proclaimed by Pope Benedict XVI. Of course we will continue praying for the Pope and all our clergy.

Saturday, June 5, 2010

Archbishop Terrence Prendergast CJOH Interview on Abortion

Ottawa's Archbishop, Terrence Prendergast was interviewed by CJOH's Graham Richardson earlier this week on the topic abortion". See my sister's blog at this link for the transcript of the interview
http://run-with-life.blogspot.com/2010/06/choj-interview-04-june-2010-of.html