Welcome Back from Summer Holidays. Parish Life, Holy Cross School, Upcoming Events.
- Summer 2020: I do not know whether to say I enjoyed summer this year. If not for anything, I sure enjoyed the heat 😉….. Though it has been a unique year, I did have a good summer – the busiest, most productive and grace-filled for me in terms of ministry. I sure hope that you and your families, under the unique circumstances of this year, still enjoyed the summer. Family from Nigeria visited me last week. They met some people at the beach who saw them trying to take selfies. They offered to help them take pictures. At the end, my family said to them: “Everybody here is friendly and happy.” And the new Canadian Friends replied: “Why wouldn’t we: we live in Paradise. We are very thankful to God.”
- School reopens: Holy Cross reopened on September 8 – the birthday of our Blessed Mother. Before reopening, the teachers and I had a one day retreat to prepare spiritually for the year. Our theme songs were: ‘Joy is the Flag Flown high from the Castle of My Heart’ and ‘The Joy of the Lord is My Strength.’ A line that stood out for me in the songs is: ‘The King is in residence here.’ In Holy Cross School, Jesus is in residence. We welcome Him and ask that He reigns in every heart and in every classroom.
- Catechism Class: begins Sunday October 4 for the Sacramental Class (Grades 2 & 7). This year we are doing something different: we want the children to see the connection between Catechism and Holy Mass. Catechism begins at 4pm and Mass at 5.30pm. Other classes will be on Tuesdays 6 – 7pm in St. Ann’s Hall.
- First Wedding since the pandemic: Owing to the pandemic, many have cancelled their wedding for this year. As things reopen, people are once again making new plans. On Monday September 7 (Labour Day), we had our first wedding of the year. It was between Nelson and Eminta. Nelson is Canadian (Summerland) and Eminta Indian (Kerala). Their wedding invitation read: Two countries, two people, one love! Love truly is an amazing thing! In the hearts of these two young people who are in their 20s, God has put something beautiful – love! St. Paul says ‘Love endures all things and it never dies.’ Their wedding day was truly a day when a new center of love was born in our city and in the world. Congratulations Nelson and Eminta. Please keep them in your prayers! May Jesus bless your marriage and your new home!
- First Holy Communion: We have 22 children for First Holy Communion. This year, we will do it in batches. First one will be October 4 at 1pm in St. Ann’s Church. Second batch will be in St. John Vianney on October 11 at 1pm. Please keep our children and their families in prayer that the day of Communion will be a day that will never die in their hearts! A day when they embark on a beautiful, life-long journey with Jesus.
- Confirmation: Plans are underway. An email from the diocesan Religious Education office indicates that the Bishop will communicate with us soon.
- For all celebrating birthdays and anniversaries for this month, we rejoice and thank God with you. May you always know the blessings of Jesus as you celebrate and always!
Happy Sunday!
Your brother,
~Fr. Obi