From the Pastor's Desk: This Second Week of Lent we continue our preaching series on healing.
Healing is an essential part of the Christian life because every person carries wounds in a broken world. These wounds may be physical, emotional, relational, spiritual, or rooted in grief and loss. The real question is not whether wounds exist, but where we turn with them. Scripture reveals that true healing comes from relying on the Lord rather than ourselves. In the Transfiguration, Jesus reveals both his glory and his path to the cross, showing that wounds are not meaningless and do not have the final word. Through his own suffering, death, and resurrection, Jesus becomes the wounded healer who understands every form of human pain. Healing flows from a personal relationship with him, marked by listening, trust, and intimacy, where wounds can be transformed into restoration and new life.
- Know? Everyone carries wounds, and healing is part of God’s plan for restoration. Jesus came to renew what has been broken and to make all things new. Wounds do not defi ne identity or determine the future. God can use even the deepest pain for redemption and victory. Because Jesus has suff ered in every way, he off ers trustworthy wisdom and real healing, and every path to healing is personal and unique.
- Feel? Encouraged, understood, and hopeful. There is comfort in knowing that pain is seen and not wasted, that wounds are not ignored or minimized, and that God is near and attentive. There is reassurance that healing is possible and that intimacy with God often grows most deeply in places of vulnerability.
- Next steps? Choose to rely on the Lord rather than self-reliance. Acknowledge wounds honestly and bring them into God’s presence. Spend intentional time listening to Jesus in prayer, especially through quiet reflection and adoration. Invite him into places of pain, trust his guidance, and remain open to the unique way healing may unfold through an ongoing, personal relationship with him.
Sacrament of Confirmation, (updated for the third time) March 3, at St. Francis de Sales Parish, for all our candidates. Please pray for them, as this is a big step in the growth and development of every Catholic! At Confirmation, we affirm our commitment to God and the Church and receive a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit. This sacrament deepens our faith, brings us into a deeper friendship with Jesus, and strengthens us to share his love with others.
Stations of the Cross, led by the youth of our parishes. During Lent, starting February 27th, we invite the youth of both our parishes (ages 12–17) to lead the Stations of the Cross every Friday at 6:30 PM at St. Francis de Sales Parish. Altar servers will assist with serving, and other youth will take turns reading the Stations. This is a wonderful opportunity for our young people to deepen their faith, serve their parish community, and take an active role in the Church. Our youth are the future of our Church, let’s encourage them to grow as leaders, disciples, and witnesses of Christ. If your child is interested, please contact Carmel Prince: carmel.prince@hotmail.ca (647-897-5299).
Update on Monthly Finances, Collections Update. Starting next month, we will share information on our parish collections and finances monthly rather than weekly. Each month, we will show:
- Sunday collections – what we received during Weekend Masses
- Other income – money coming in from other sources
- Total expenses – what the parish spent
This will give everyone a complete picture of how our parishes are doing financially. The first update will be shared in March, covering the collections and expenses from February. For any questions, please contact our parish office.
St. Vincent de Paul's Lenten Food Drive. Please donate canned tomatoes on February 28th and March 01st, and donate evaporated milk on March 07th and 08th. Please contact our parish office for more information.
If you wish to donate, simply put your donation in an envelope, address it to St. Vincent de Paul, and deposit it in the weekly collection basket; it will get to us. You can be assured that 100% of the funds raised will go to the less fortunate, and if you provide your address, a tax receipt will be mailed to you for any donation of $10.00 or more. Thank you for all your past efforts and thank you in advance for your contribution this year.
Women's Morning of Reflection. Please join us Saturday, March 7th, from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm at the Agora Catholic Centre, located on McConnell Ave. in Cornwall, for Mass, confession, breakfast, a talk, and the rosary. Our speaker is Fr. Hasina of Precious Blood parish. The title of the talk is “The Sacred Heart of Jesus and Lent.” A free will offering of $5 is appreciated. For any inquiries, please contact Heidi Krol at 613-362-5292 or Marilynn Light at 613-537-2021.
