It’s hard to believe that a full ministry year has come and gone! I am so pleased with the growth I have seen in youth ministry over the past nine months. Our Holy Family Edge Youth Group (for Grades 6-8) wrapped up on May 28th, and I am both relieved and sad about this. Relieved because we made it - there were no big catastrophes throughout the year, and by the last half of the year I did not feel stressed about those events anymore. The team and I hit a groove and it was wonderful to see all the youth and leaders become a family of sorts. And that’s where the sadness comes in. This was my first time organizing a youth group, and I am just so grateful for relationships that emerged and the strong foundation that was built...
I’ve always loved Bob & Doug McKenzie, though I wouldn’t typically call them inspirational. I mean, they’re probably best known for their version of the Twelve Days of Christmas, and they can’t get past day 8.
But here and there they have nuggets of wisdom. Please help me welcome… Elron McKenzie! <insert applause here>
I’d make a lousy superhero. Not just for the obvious reasons, such as a lack of super-strength, lightning-fast reflexes or the willingness to run into burning buildings (not to mention the fact that spandex and I shouldn’t be even in the same room). No, my reasons are much more practical. I operate in the world of facilities management, and my first two thoughts when I see a superhero in a movie crash through a glass building facade to stop a bad guy are:
Oh great volunteers of the Cathedral, shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?
Well, with poetry a land upon which I never tread,
I think it would be wise to take another option.
How about a story instead?
One of the privileges of my job as Admin Assistant is I get to work with a substantial number of the volunteers who selflessly give of their time here at the Cathedral. And truly, it is an honour to work with them… with you. From our ministry sign-up Sundays in the Fall, to the different asks and programs throughout the year, I am always astounded not only by how many different people respond to the call, but by the generosity of those who respond...
There is a saying, a proverb I found, that states: “a change is as good as a rest.” An interesting concept indeed. In small ways I have tried applying this proverb. A few weeks ago, I was lucky enough to have had a visit from the flu bug. My whole body ached, even my hair hurt, and I had zero energy. So, in efforts to not cause more distress by touching my hair and to conserve energy for higher priority things like breathing, I did not shave and allowed my facial hair to grow. It was a change. Now, I am not sure if any rest came from it, but I believe that I did save some energy and time in the morning not having to shave; plus, I probably saved some money too, but I will need to consult my financial council friends to help me analyze the savings on shaving cream, razor blades, water, electricity, etc that was a direct result of the non shaving...
My dear People of God,
Happy Easter!
Easter calls us out of the darkness that shrouds our lives into the light of possibility, of healing and of re-creation. In his rising from the dead, Christ enables us to bring into our own lives all that he taught and lived throughout his life: the love, compassion, generosity, humility and selflessness that ultimately triumphs over hatred, bigotry, prejudice, despair, greed and death...
March winds... April showers... Even though it is still early, I think we are all looking forward to the May flowers. After experiencing one of our coldest winters, and with spring just teasing us, I started a few seeds and already I am seeing results. The tomatoes however, I started for the second time but hopefully this time germination will be successful...
As I have observed, ‘Catholics are always ready to give God all the credit, but not their cash!’ Thus, Jesus reminds all of us of our duties as Christians. The Code of Canon Law states: “Christ’s faithful have the obligation to provide for the needs of the Church, so that the Church has available to it those things which are necessary for divine worship, for works of the apostolate and of charity and for the worthy support of its ministers” (canon 222, par. 1). When Jesus said, “The laborer deserves his wages,” he is also telling us, ‘Just as you pay the carpenters who build your house, so also you must support my messengers who maintain the upkeep of your souls and build my Church.’...
Life just sometimes feels like a roller coaster, doesn’t it? My February was certainly not what I expected and March seemed to fly right by. Now, on the doorstep of April, I can’t help but look back (even on just these two months) and be surprised by all there has been and is and all there is yet to be...