Saint Benedict Parish

FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see – I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.”

This quote is an appropriate reflection as we celebrate this great feast of the Birthday of Our Lord – Christmas. During this holiday season, we remember that the Lord Jesus entered this world as a small child – a baby. He became a vulnerable persontobeginhismissiononearth. Jesuscametobringpeace to the earth and to create a new society of love. When we look on our earth we see that the presence of Jesus still needs to be brought to many people. We pray for peace on earth. We especially pray for those areas experiencing war and violence atthistime. WeprayforpeacefulsolutionsintheMiddleEast, the birthplace of Jesus and Mary. We pray for the people of Afghanistan,Syria,Iraq,YemenandNorthKorea. Weaskthat Jesus, the Prince of Peace bless these areas. We also pray for the vulnerable of our society – the poor and the marginalized. We pray for the elderly and unborn. We pray for those who struggle to provide for their families while living in poverty. We pray for those whose lives are scarred by abuse and violence, especially women and children. We pray for those who suffer physically and mentally. We pray for those individuals who are rejected by family and society. Jesus’ birthday is a reminder that we have much to do in God’s Kingdom here on earth.

The angel’s command of “Do not be afraid” is so timely as well as our world is continuing to deal with the coronavirus pandemic. We can be overwhelmed by the challenges that this virus presents to us. The uncertainty of our health, the care of our children, the safety of our frontline workers, the economy, our employment, the safety of our elderly and compromised members living in care homes and our freedom as citizens. A year ago, we did not expect this situation to come upon us but like the angel tells the shepherds, “do not be afraid”. The Lord God, in the form of the newborn baby, reminds us that He is among us and will take care of us. Let us always remember that when we are feeling down and scared – Jesus is with us!

This season is also about reflecting on the blessings we have received. As pastor of Saint Benedict Parish, I too, have many people that I am thankful for. I wish to publicly thank my staff: Deacon Leonard Gallant and his wife Lorraine, Janis AsdruboliniandAlmaPaje. Alloftheseindividualsgivemuch more than is expected of them. I thank them for their hard work in our parish community. I want to thank the liturgical ministers: our lectors, Eucharistic ministers, ministers of hospitality (ushers) and altar servers. Their commitment to the parish is deeply appreciated. I want to thank the Children’s Liturgy Leaders who strive to instill a sense of faith in our young people. I want to thank the musicians of our parish. They have made our liturgies more special by their talents. I want to thank the setup crew, under the direction of

Bill Aziz and Francis Paje, who setup our “Church”, not just at Christmas, but every weekend of the year, to ensure that our spiritual home is a place of beauty and reverence for God. I want to thank the service organizations of our parish: the Legion of Mary for the wonderful outreach they provide to ensure that the sick and elderly are part of our parish community. I want to thank the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Women’s League for their social and financial support of our parish. I also want to thank the administration and staffs of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Elementary School and Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Secondary School for allowing the parish community to use their facilities for the celebration of our Masses. Finally I want to thank the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul of our parish, who all year round provide assistance and compassion to individuals and families in our community. Due to the challenges of the last nine month, I also want to thank all the volunteers who assist with the greeting and screening duties for our Masses and for those who graciously give of their time to sanitize after the Masses so we can enjoy the privilege of having our Masses and the honour of receiving the Lord in the Eucharist. To anyone I may have forgotten, I apologize and I am truly grateful to EVERYONE who gives of their time, talent and treasure to our parish. We truly are the Body of Christ in our community.

As you may have seen, we have come to the point where we are almost ready to move into our new church. It is a beautiful structure for the honour and glory of God in our community. The blessing and dedication will take place in early July 2021 but we should be in the new church as soon as we are granted occupancy by the Town of Milton and Melloul-Blamey Construction Firm.

Personally, I would like to thank all of you for the cards, goodies and gifts that you have given me for Christmas. I am overwhelmed by your kindness and generosity.

It is my prayer that all of you and yours have a truly blessed Christmas and may the prayers of our Mother Mary, and the graces of the Christ-child come upon all of you.

Merry Christmas!

Father Jim Petrie Pastor

Message from Most Reverand Bishop Douglas Crosby, OMI

2020 Christmas Message 

As the Christmas feasts begin, I am pleased to send you greetings in the form of an excerpt from the 2019 Christmas homily of Pope Francis:

“A charming legend relates that at the birth of Jesus the shepherds hurried to the stable with different gifts. Each brought what he had; some brought the fruits of their labour, others some precious item. But as they were all presenting their gifts, there was one shepherd who had nothing to give. He was extremely poor; he had no gift to present. As the others were competing to offer their gifts, he stood apart, embarrassed. At a certain point, Saint Joseph and Our Lady found it hard to receive all those gifts, especially Mary, who had to hold the baby. Seeing the shepherd with empty hands, she asked him to draw near, and she put the baby Jesus in his arms. That shepherd, in accepting him, became aware of having received what he did not deserve, of holding in his arms the greatest gift of all time. He looked at his hands, those hands that seemed to him always empty. They had become the cradle of God. He felt himself loved and, overcoming his embarrassment, began to show Jesus to the others, for he could not keep for himself the Gift of gifts. … Dear brother, dear sister, if your hands seem empty, if you think your heart is poor in love, this night is for you. The grace of God has appeared, to shine forth in your life. Accept it and the light of Christmas will shine forth in you!”

Christmas is God who comes to us! Christmas saves us, lifts us up, fills us, and frees us! During this time of profound fear and suffering, I wish you the experience of light, life and love!

Merry Christmas!
+ Douglas Crosby, OMI

(Most Rev.) Douglas Crosby, OMI Bishop of Hamilton