Rev's Place

Palm Sunday Homily

2009-04-08T06:39:00.004-05:00

Peace be with you!

I had the privilege of giving the homily on Palm Sunday at St Paul the Apostle Parish this year. By clicking on the title you can listen to it. We are blessed this year to read Marks account of the passion.

A blessed Holy Week to All.

4th Sunday of Lent - Gospel and Homily

2009-03-23T07:29:00.002-05:00

Greetings,
I hope everyone is having a blessed Lent. For your information here is the Gospel reading and homily proclaimed at St Paul the Apostle Parish, Burlington.
Peace,
Deacon Randy

Ash Wednesday - Gospel and Homily

2009-02-26T16:51:00.005-05:00

Greetings!
With Ash Wednesday we begin our Lenten journey to Easter. I invite you to listen to the Gospel and Homily of Ash Wednesday - February 25th, 2009.
Peace,
Deacon Randy

The Conversion of St Paul - Homily

2009-01-28T14:52:00.005-05:00

Greetings,
Here is another new venture! Posting my homilies in audio format, what a better time than the occasion of celebrating the Conversion of St Paul. I offered this homily on January 25th at St Paul the Apostle Parish in Burlington. I am grateful for the encouragement our wonderful parishioners. Especially to our holy associate pastor Fr Mariusz who recorded this homily for me.
To listen to the homily 'click' on the title of this post and follow the prompts.
Peace.

Calling

2009-01-22T17:53:00.002-05:00

In preparing to give a homily for last Sunday I came across a commentary that I found very pertinent. At least for me, maybe for yourself as well.

You see I have a Blackberry. Now I am not here to promote one brand over another or even to promote cell phones. For me these types of devices are very handy and I find it very useful. But I must be very conscious ... does it control me or do I control it.

It is very functional, it fits in my pocket, it contains a lot of good stuff - my schedule, addresses, it is a calculator - all very functional for my busy life. And yes I can make calls or receive them! Now what is really interesting is that when someone calls me - if they are in my address book their name, number and possibly a photo appears. If the person calling is not in my address book what appears is a unknown number or a number of which I do not recognize.

I have choices!

Do I want to speak with this person or not. Is this person enjoyable to speak with or not? Is it good news or not? Will they want something or my time....

I can answer the call or send it into 'voicemail'! Then I can decide to call them back later or ignore them all together.

God is calling us all the time! Do we answer the call? Do we recognize the number? Are we afraid of what He may be asking us to do? Are we afraid to spend time with Him?

You see it is not just cell phones, we may have the service on our home phone ... and in our hearts

Telephone technology really does not matter ... it is the technology of our hearts.

Are we prepared to answer His call!

Giving Birth to Jesus ... as Mary did ...

2008-12-27T11:54:00.002-05:00

I read with interest recently a homily given by Fr Cantlemessa. He refers us to being like Mary ...

We conceive Jesus and we give birth to him. Well not in a physical sense, but in a spiritual way. The conception takes place in our hearts when we allow the Holy Spirit to reveal the love of God to us.

We give birth by allowing the Holy Spirit to overshadow us, transforming our lives and we manifest this by our actions. Giving birth to our Saviour!

If we conceive, but not give birth - have we not done a spiritual abortion?

At this joyous time of the year - Christmas - may we be open following the role of Mary by allowing the Holy Spirit to work in our lives and give the gift of Jesus to all we meet.

Walking Pilgrimage to Canadian Martyrs Shrine

2008-06-30T14:58:00.003-05:00

This years walking Pilgrimage will begin on Saturday August 2nd with Mass at St Paul the Apostle Parish in Burlington. Mass time is 9am.

This will begin an 8 day journey with stops in Caledon, Mono Mills, Alliston, .... ending with Mass at the Shrine on Saturday August 9th.

For information please view http://walkingtomidland.blogspot.com/

Happy Easter

2008-03-24T15:30:00.003-05:00

Grace and Peace of our Risen Lord be with you.

Dear friends,
It has been awhile since I have posted. I have experienced computer issues - which I hope are now resolved. I look forward to getting back at it.

I want to extend to you all my best wishes for this Easter Season. We are fortunate because this joyous season lasts til May 11th with the Solemnity of Pentecost!

Let us rejoice and be glad!

God bless +

Deacon Randy

Going Home for the Weekend

2007-12-03T20:35:00.001-05:00

This past weekend I had the pleasure going back home. This is a common saying amoung Islanders. And once an Islander - always an Islander!

There are many times in my life that I consider myself very fortunate. For me it all began with being blessed with loving parents. And on top of that being born in Prince Edward Island. Can you ask of anything better - God loving parents and being born in God's country!

Over the course of my life I have been privileged to be able to visit the Island and most importantly the people that make the Island. For many when you refer to PEI there are thoughts potatoes, lobster, mussels, scenic views, sandy beaches, golf, .... and for me homemade rolls and biscuits. For all of this, which is good in there own right, for me it is the people. Generations past, grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, and friends. It is always a time for me to come in contact of roots and heritage. Which for me it gets all rolled up together and intertwined in our faith.

I am always impressed by my family how they live their lives. To all of you I say thanks!

My God continue to bless us all.

We've come together to sing God's Praise

2007-09-17T17:02:00.000-05:00

September 18th, 2007 is our 25th Anniversary of Marriage!

We've come together to sing God's Praise. The theme of our wedding day and of our marriage. We are grateful to our family and friends that have been and are part of our lives - and those who God will bring into our life!

Joanne and I are ever thankful to God for His many blessings.

THE BEST THING WE CAN DO FOR OUR COUNTRY ....

2007-07-06T16:49:00.000-05:00

IS TO LIVE OUT OUR FAITH!

Recently we celebrated our country - CANADA July 1st or USA July 4Th.

As people of faith, we must remember that it is through our faith that everything comes into focus. Not by separating our lives from our beliefs. Let us not be fooled by secular humanism or relativism. No matter who we are or what we do we are followers of Jesus Christ first. I know many of you who read this blog (thank you by the way) are Catholic. I also know many are of other denominations. No matter the denomination - it is our faith in God that should influence, and dictate how we live our lives.

As a RC deacon I am privileged to be able to do baptisms. At our parish we do this two times a month - averaging 8 children at a time. The rite of baptism is very beautiful. Over the course of the ceremony we recall our Christian heritage and inheritance. When doing this service I am often compelled to remind the parents, god parents, family and friends of what it is that is happening at this precious time.

The child is being welcome into the Christian community and is taking on Christ - priest, prophet and king! And all the promises He made for us.

This needs to be put into perspective with our real life experience.

When a couple discovers that they are with child, many things begin to happen to them. The obvious is there is new life created in the woman - Mom. She will experience the changes biologically and emotionally. Dad, will change as well although not necessarily physically - he might think he is though!

There will be plans, change in life style. Dreams, hopes, and yes some fears of what is to come. Much consideration will be given to finances, health, education, will we nurse or formula ... will someone stay at home ... and for how long ...

All these things are important, but what takes place at baptism and its significance is much much much more important - it is eternal! All the other cares although important are temporary. So as young parents this is paramount in life decisions.

We take on the characteristics of our parents and the environment that we live. After all, how many times have we heard he has his fathers eyes ... she has her mothers nose ... it goes on and on. Or for young people and young adults when we suddenly realize we are becoming more like our parents. What a realization!

Or as parents when our children do something we say he or she gets that from me ... or if it is something not so favourable we note that he/she must have gotten that from your side of the family!

The point is we have a heritage, either by genetics or environment. How much more important it is when we take on Christ. After all we are now talking about an eternal reality. The salvation of our souls, and that of our families, friends, society, and yes our enemies.

Let's get our priorities straight.

God First

Our Marriage and Family Second

Employment Third

By putting everything into this perspective we can be who God wants us to be ... we can and will take on the characteristics of Jesus, people will recognize us as Christ like. I can think of nothing better to be ...

Do it for your country, do it for your loved ones, do it for yourself ... most of all do it for Jesus the Christ!

After all, 'You are our inheritance, oh Lord!'

Psalm 16

verse 11

'You show me the path of life.

In your presence there is fullness of joy;

in your right hand are pleasures for evermore.'

Simple yet Profound

2007-06-05T18:49:00.000-05:00

Let us begin with a 'simple yet profound' sign of our faith. These where the words of a priest as he began Mass recently.

'In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit' +

How appropriate. The mystery of our God - 3 persons, one God. Who can figure this out. As Fr Bob Stainsby says 'it is enough to drive a mathematician nuts'

It is the mystery of our God. In our tradition we will often make the sign of the cross to begin and end prayer. In doing so we are blessing ourselves while making an act of adoration and profession of faith in the Blessed Trinity. It is an opportunity for us to be reminded of our loving God and to profess it to one another.

Pope Benedict, in his letter on Love, states a basic truth in our faith. That is God is Love. The Trinity is the perfection of love.

The Father, creator, who created us in his image - male and female; and created us in Love.

The Son, who carried out and demonstrated this mission of Love and what it means

The Holy Spirit, the advocate, sent by God to carry on the mission of Jesus.

We have been assured that the Holy Spirit will be with the Church to reveal to us all that needs to be revealed by God. We know that this happens in the Church and we will be taught all that needs to be taught.

The Holy Spirit is also active and alive in our own personal lives. This is something that is often easily forgotten.

Think about it, the same Holy Spirit of the Trinity wishes, desires to reside with us! This is a bond that God wishes to share with us. At Confirmation the Bishop will anoint the candidate and say ' Be sealed with the Holy Spirit'.

God will show and express His love for us in our human experience. Just think of when you are most loved or when you are in love. We can take this experience - in marriage, family, parent - child, brother - sister, relative, friends, Christian community, ... Whatever it may be we can multiply it 10 or 100, 1000, 1000000 ... what the heck infinite! With all this we will have only touched the hem of His garment of His LOVE for us.

The Son demonstrated this on the cross - opening His arms wide in submission and love to His Father! And for you and I!

Let us be open to all that God has for us. Let us not let the limitations of our human existence of suffering and sin prevent His love to abide in us.

Let us take a moment to invite the Holy Spirit to abide in us so we may be one with our God!

Simple yet Profound!

May Almighty God bless you + Father, Son and Holy Spirit!

Walking Pilgrimage to Martyrs Shrine, Midland

2007-05-16T20:34:00.000-05:00

This will be my sixth year participating in a walking pilgrimage to Canadian Martyrs Shrine in Midland. I have created a separate blog to provide information and updates.
Please visit.
Peace.

www.walkingtomidland.blogspot.com

Busy, how about you?

2007-05-06T15:59:00.000-05:00

Have you noticed that most people we know (including ourselves) when asked how are you or how are things going the response it 'busy, how about you'. At first we can consider this a badge of honour. After all, we are doing very important things, and isn't everyone busy. Isn't it good to be busy doing good things. Even retirees will say how busy they are and will often add 'I don't know how I ever had time to work'.

Now there is nothing wrong with being busy if, we have time for the important things! This is where things can be a little confusing ... what are the good things.

"My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me."
John 10: 27.

We are taught God first, then family, then work, ...

Hmmm ... God first. How does God become the most important part of our lives? How do we know God? After all, Jesus said 'my sheep hear my voice'.

Is all our business getting in the way of hearing Gods voice. When do we take time to 'hear' his voice. If we hear his voice we know him and his love. Otherwise we are going according to our will and desires, not God's.

For many people they are justifiably busy. I think of parents of a young family, caring for family needs including the demands of society - keeping up with Jones and getting a career up and going.

It may be just taking that quiet moment before falling asleep, or as we wake up to take a quiet moment to invite God's voice or presence to be with us. Or dropping into a local church and spend 'quiet time' in God's house. He is there and wants us to hear his voice. We need to invite him.

To know God is to invite him into our lives and give him access to our ears and most importantly our hearts.

When will you spend time with God? His daytimer, blackberry, itinerary ... is

ALWAYS OPEN!

For I have set for you an example ...

2007-04-05T15:11:00.000-05:00

As we begin the Triduum(the name of a three day period of prayer) of 2007, we have finished Lent for another year and reflect on what we have been taught.

On Holy Thursday two very real things happen as we begin the Triduum. For many who will attend Mass this evening we will recall the 'Last Supper'. An event in which Jesus institutes the Eucharist and gives us His example of Charity.

Above is a picture of Christ's Example. This artwork was given to me for my ordination to the Diaconate by Joanne and my children. It sits in my office and is a constant reminder of my call as a deacon, and to all of us as Christians. Here are a few excerpts from the Gospel of the day:

It was before Passover, and Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and to return to the Father.

He had always loved his followers in this world, and he loved them to the very end.

2Even before the evening meal started, the devil had made Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, decide to betray Jesus. 3Jesus knew that he had come from God and would go back to God. He also knew that the Father had given him complete power.

4So during the meal Jesus got up, removed his outer garment, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5He put some water into a large bowl. Then he began washing his disciples' feet and drying them with the towel he was wearing.

6But when he came to Simon Peter, that disciple asked, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" 7Jesus answered, "You don't really know what I am doing, but later you will understand." 8"You will never wash my feet!" Peter replied."If I don't wash you," Jesus told him, "you don't really belong to me." 9Peter said, "Lord, don't wash just my feet. Wash my hands and my head." 10Jesus answered, "People who have bathed and are clean all over need to wash just their feet. And you, my disciples, are clean, except for one of you." 11Jesus knew who would betray him. That is why he said, "except for one of you." 12After Jesus had washed his disciples' feet and had put his outer garment back on, he sat down again.

Then he said:

Do you understand what I have done? 13You call me your teacher and Lord, and you should, because that is who I am. 14And if your Lord and teacher has washed your feet, you should do the same for each other.

15I have set the example, and you should do for each other exactly what I have done for you.

John 13

May we have the courage to accept the love God has for us.

God's Love - Mercy meets Misery

2007-03-27T16:58:00.001-05:00

And Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again." John 8:11

Love the sinner, hate the sin!

These are words I remember being taught by my parents at a young age. I was reminded of these words this past weekend as I proclaimed and reflected on the Gospel - John 8: 1 - 11.

'The Woman Caught in Adultery'

The one who is in misery, without hope, soon to be stoned.

In this passage Jesus uses the opportunity to show the crowd in a new way the love of the Father. This new way is counter cultural and will challenge what modern day society thinks is the 'right thing'. It certainly presents a quandary for the scribes and Pharisees. After all, doesn't the law say that someone caught in adultery is to be stoned?

What are the 'right things' or 'codes' in our lives that God is challenging us about?

Here we have a woman, a person, who has sinned. She has been judged, persecuted, and oppressed. She is in a state of misery, suffering in great mental and emotional distress. Her very life is in jeopardy. I cannot think of anyone more vulnerable and alone.

'Let any one amoung you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her' v7

A new way, a new answer ... certainly not the answer expected by the crowd. Instead of an act of violence in a mob setting, Jesus calls each person to remember their own sinfulness. As the passage continues, the people left the scene starting with the elders, one by one, until Jesus was left alone with her.

She meets her salvation - Jesus.

Jesus to, although sinless, will also experience the same persecution in His Passion. Jesus, will suffer for her, for us, ... He will do this in obedience of the Father, for the salvation of the world.

This passage from the Gospel of John was forefront in my mind as we were discerning opening Shifra Homes http://www.shifrahomes.com/ a maternity home for young women and teens.

After all, when a young woman or teen is faced with a crisis pregnancy she can be in a state of misery. Especially if she is rejected by family and friends. Like the woman in the Gospel she can fall into judgement of others. She will be accused of all sorts of things. The difference is that in our day and age she will not necessarily be accuse of a sin, but rather 'how could you be so stupid ... this is going to change your life ... you are not able or worthy ... this is a major inconvenience ...'

She will not be threaten with stoning, or at least not with rocks or stones. She will be 'stoned' with emotional and psychological volleys. 'Rid yourself of your condition ... run ... you don't have my support ... get out ... abort'
This will work entirely against her natural instincts to nurture the life within her.

She is conflicted and confused.

This is reality for many teens in our area (Region of Halton) and I am sure it is same throughout the western world. In Halton there are over 200 teen pregnancy a year. Only 50 result in births. The balance are aborted!

We at Shifra Homes are here to be a place of mercy. Our loving environment will nurture and protect life for the moms, baby's, and fathers.

'Go your way, and from now on sin no more'

The one thing I have noticed amoung our young residents is the lack of self esteem and confidence. An important aspect of our ministry is to teach life style skills, but even more critical is for us to demonstrate how much they are valued as a person. As a Christ Centred ministry, we do this by example, based on the teachings of Jesus. By doing so we are enabling them to grow in self confidence and to develop life skills to 'sin no more'. To be able to live a life as dignified person.

As a follower of Christ, how do we offer mercy to those in misery?

Who is the Lord presenting to you today?

God bless,

Deacon Randy

St Joseph -March 19, 2007 - My first log or should I say blog

2007-03-19T17:51:00.000-05:00

Well here I go ... my first venture into blogging! For the record I do not pretend to be a good writer.... So as I begin ... I ask for your patience and tolerance. Through my weakness may this be of the Holy Spirit and for the greater glory of God!

Today March 19th, I reflect on Saint Joseph.

Matthew 1:16 - 'Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called the Messiah.'

God chose Joseph to be the faithful foster father and guardian of our Saviour Jesus the Christ. Joseph was called to care for those who God had entrusted to him as he protected and nurtured the lives of Jesus and Mary.

As part of my call and ministry in the Diaconate, we have started Shifra Homes Inc. www.shifrahomes.com a maternity home for young women and teens. Shifra (Shiphrah) meaning beautiful in Hebrew, Shifra was a mid wife in the Old Testament (Exodus 1:15) who protected and nurtured life. Shifra Homes has the same mission in our modern day. To provide a loving environment for young women,teens and their babies - unborn and born! When these women find themselves without support because of their pregnancy, we are here to provide a home and loving support. This ministry exist as God's work and I am delighted by the many faithful servants (benefactors, volunteers, staff, and board members) He has called to be involved at Shifra - It is a joy to serve with you.

In this blog 'Rev's Place' I hope to share with you my life in Christ. Through this ministry and all that God affords me in His Love.

Rev's Place. The name of this blog ... how did I come up with this title? Well it was given to me! Here is the story: One evening while spending time at Shifra Home we were watching television and having casual conversation. At one of the commercials breaks I was asked:

'Hey Rev, what does it mean to be baptised?'

The name stuck. And there has been many meaningful conversations that have begun with 'Hey Rev ...' and many more to come. And what a significant first question 'what does it mean to be baptised?'

I pray that this blog will allow me to explore more fully what it means to be baptised, to be a new creation in Christ. And I look forward to sharing this journey with you!

As time progresses I hope to share with you - stories, homilies, talks, photos, ... and whatever else the Lord puts on my heart.

May this blog 'Rev's Place' to be done for the greater glory of God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

God bless,

Deacon Randy