Reflections (Page 4)

On Christmas Day, our Churches will be looking beautiful. I think of all the decorations, the lights, the Christmas tree, the Nativity. I think of all the people that will be in the Church. I think of the moment when the Baby Jesus will be placed in the manger in the Nativity. I can’t wait. As I reflect on that, I also think of our hearts and souls. Is it not true that the beauty we find in our Churches…

It is 1:53am in Newfoundland. I’m thinking of you and would like to share a few things before I sleep. Well, I am now an honorary Newfoundlander. I was even given a certificate 🙂 I’ll show that to you upon my return. But the title and the certificate do not come without a ceremony. I did kiss the cod and had a shot of screech. Who wouldn’t enjoy screech after experiencing the cold of Newfoundland. There are many things I’d…

In one of the Christmas Vigil Payers, we ask God to help us catch our breath in this time of festivities. There’s a lot of deadlines to meet, lots of shopping to be done, there’s a lot of hustling and bustling. In all of this, we need peace. We need to catch our breath so as to truly prepare our hearts and families for the main reason for the season: the coming of Jesus into our hearts and our world…

On Thursday, December 19, we will be celebrating our Parish Advent Reconciliation Service. It is a celebration for everyone in our parish. It is a moment when we gather as God’s family to celebrate our Father’s love and mercy, for as Scripture says: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercy never comes to an end. They are new every morning… Lamentations 3: 22 At the beginning of the document proclaiming the year of mercy, Pope Francis tells…

On December 12 (Feast of our Lady of Gaudalupe), our own Fr. Bart van Roijen will be ordained the Bishop of Labrador and Corner brook. I received an opportunity to attend his ordination and witness this historic occasion in the life of the Church in Canada. Since I came to Canada, I have lived in Western Canada, so this is an opportunity for me to see other parts of Canada. Though I’m excited about the trip, someone asked me if…

The Joyful Season of Advent is here – a time of joyful anticipation and waiting for Jesus who comes to us as a baby at Christmas. How do we wait? The Gospel today speaks of being alert and watchful. How can we be alert and watchful as we wait? I’ll share a story about waiting. I lived in a city of hundreds of thousands of people. In fact, Lagos (former capital of Nigeria) had a population of about 20 million…

‘Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom’…. Fulton Sheen notes that this was the last prayer of the good thief or perhaps the only prayer he had ever said. He gained Paradise that day! Wow! While everyone derided Jesus, the word of the good thief was the only one that was not a reproach. We do not know what prompted him to ask Jesus to remember him. But one thing is sure: he realized that this powerless man…

I remember watching the World Youth Day in Poland in 2016. Today’s gospel was the gospel that was read at the closing Mass. Pope Francis, in his homily, spoke from his heart to over 3 million young people gathered there. I found his words very powerful, moving and uplifting for all of us who are God’s beloved children. These are the points that stood out for me: “Jesus does not simply preach or greet people. He passed through the city.…

Last week, I was in Kelowna for Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat. Once again, our loving Father showed us that He is a faithful God. For those who attended the retreat, their burdens were lifted; new life, love and hope were found. God’s grace is truly amazing. Thank you for your prayers for me and for all who attended. Upon my return from the retreat, I realized that I needed time to process all that happened during the retreat and also to…

This weekend, I’m off to Kelowna for Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat, of which I’m the Spiritual Director. This is a ministry of healing for those suffering from the trauma of abortion. Abortion hurts women in so many ways. Factors like coercion, fear, hurt, desire for success (to move on with life and not to be tied down by a baby), confusion and betrayal etc can lead to abortion. Abortion brings an immense sense of guilt that never goes away until a…