17th Sunday of Ordinary Time - July 25th, 2021

Our Lady of Peace Parish
Also Serving Our Lady of the Smile parish, Waterhen Lake and St. Jude’s Parish, Green Lake

Office Hours For Parish Secretary: Monday - Friday: 2:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Office Hours For Fr. Doug: Tuesday - Friday 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Office Phone:  306-236-5122 
Cell Phone: 306-304-7271
Parish Email: olpsecretary@sasktel.net Pastor Email: olpmlpastor@sasktel.net
Facebook: Catholic Church Meadow Lake
Website: https://www.meadowlakecatholicchurch.com/
Address: 504-3rd Ave. East, Meadow Lake, SK S9X 1H5
 
“You open your hand to feed us, Lord; You satisfy all our needs.”
Psalm 145 - Refrain
 
 
July 25, 2021 - 17h Sunday in Ordinary Time
 
Our Vision:
A Community of Disciples
 
Our Mission
We commit to form disciples who joyfully and faithfully
live out the mission of Jesus Christ
by enriching our relationship with God and neighbour
through the intercession of Our Lady of Peace.

Pastor: 
Fr. Doug Jeffrey, OMI
Parish Secretary:
Lorraine Thibeault
Pastoral Council Chair:
Doris Beaubien

SaskHealth/Diocese of Prince Albert Regulations:  Thank you for all you have done and are doing to keep your brothers and sisters safe during the pandemic. If you can be vaccinated, please get vaccinated to avoid illness and the unnecessary loss of life. Please be aware that if you HAVE NOT been vaccinated and you choose to join us for liturgy, you are EXPOSING YOURSELF TO SERIOUS RISK because of the COVID-19 virus. Vaccinated people may still carry and transmit the virus even though they are not aware of any symptoms. Let us continue to be respectful of people who are cautious and concerned about their health and the health of their loved ones. Please see below how we are managing re-opening in the Meadow Lake Cluster. 
 
Daily mass schedule: 

• Tuesday and Wednesday mass will be celebrated at 6:30 pm.
• Thursday, Friday and Saturday mass will be celebrated at 9:30 am.
• Normally if there is a funeral the daily mass will be cancelled for that day.
• Tuesday to Friday the masses will be livestreamed on Facebook.

 
THIS WEEK IN THE PARISH

1. Songs at Seven will be Thursday, July 29th at 7:00 pm.
2. A reminder to all!  Please get vaccinated if your health allows you to do so!  Don’t forget to register for your second vaccine when you are eligible!
3. Father Kendrick Beler from Goodsoil is on holiday July 26 – 30.  Fr. Doug will be covering for Fr. Kendrick should there be a need in the communities of Goodsoil, Loon Lake or Pierceland.
4. Statement from the Permanent Council of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops regarding the Saskatchewan "Catholic TRC Healing Response Appeal"
   https://www.padiocese.ca/news-articles 
5. Catholic TRC Healing Response Appeal in English and French
   https://www.padiocese.ca/news-articles
   
   

Mass Intentions

Mon., July 26 - Personal Intention

Tues., July 27 – 6:30 pm (Our Lady of Peace Church & Facebook) - For the needs of our families – Vi Dancy & Delma Iron

Wed., July 28 – 6:30 pm (Our Lady of Peace Church & Facebook) - Joe A Laliberte, Marne Louise & brother & sister by Laliberte Family

Thurs., July 29 – 9:30 am (Our Lady of Peace Church & Facebook) - Joe A Laliberte, Marne Louise & brother & sister by Laliberte Family

Fri., July 30 – 9:30 am (Our Lady of Peace Church & Facebook) - Anonymous

Sat., July 31 – 9:30 am (Our Lady of Peace Church) - Family suffering from addictions by Theresa Tourand

Sat., July 31 - 7:00 pm (Our Lady of Peace Church, Meadow Lake) - People of God

Sun., Aug. 1 - 10 am (Our Lady of Peace Church, Meadow Lake & Facebook) - People of God

Sun., Aug. 1 - 12:30 pm (St Jude’s, Green Lake) - People of God

Sun., Aug. 1 – 3:00 pm (Our Lady of the Smile, Waterhen Lake) - People of God

 
Thoughts from Father Doug
I had a wonderful break and I am grateful to all who made my holiday possible – special thanks to Fr. Kendrick. I am happy to be back among you. While I was away a number of people were busy helping to make our property look good. Work has begun on the east and west side of the Church building, flowers have been tended and continue to add color, weeds have been pulled, the stairs on the rectory deck have been relocated, the Parish Office was open to people and those in need have been prayed for and countless acts of love have blessed our brothers and sisters. Many thanks for your generosity in making the gospel visible in our time.
To honor and to pray for those who died at the Residential Schools and/or were impacted in a negative way, St. Jude’s Parish in Green Lake will gather for a special mass and lunch at the Cemetery in Green Lake. We can also visit and bless the graves of family and friends who have gone before us. Further details will be revealed as our planning continues.

Re-opening Practices for the Meadow Lake Cluster - Effective July 17/18

Introduction:  A warm welcome to those who are joining us after a time away from public gatherings. Thanks to everyone who has made sacrifices to reduce the spread of Covid-19 and keep our neighbours safe. Since it is our best protection against Covid-19, let us continue to encourage one another to get fully vaccinated. While we return to some normal practices, the virus has not gone away. There is risk in engaging in public activities. Please make choices to protect yourself and your loved ones. We will continue to monitor infection rates and case numbers and we will adjust accordingly.

Effective July 17/18
We continue to encourage people who are sick with cold or flu-like symptoms to remain at home.
We will no longer require registration for liturgical celebrations – mass, funerals, baptisms etc.
We will continue to ask people to sanitize their hands, and we will continue to sanitize our spaces after each liturgy.
The use of a mask in the Church is left to individual choice. Fr. Doug and Extraordinary Ministers of Communion will use a mask during the distribution of communion.
 
Obligation to attend Sunday mass:  The general dispensation from the obligation to attend mass is still in place and it will be reviewed by our Bishop on August 31, 2021. Live streaming will continue. People who can are encouraged to come to mass.
There is no obligation to social distance. For those who are concerned and would like to maintain social distance – the small pews on the right-hand side of the Church will continue to provide that option.
​
Regarding the celebration of Mass:

• Greeters will welcome parishioners – gently respecting those who are concerned about personal contact.
• People are invited to leave their donation in a basket as they enter the Church Building.
• We will return to having a Commentator and two Lectors at our liturgies.
• We will have a simple entrance procession – Cross, candles and Presider
• Ushers will not take up a collection, and we will not have an offertory procession at this time.
• We will resume kneeling after the Holy, Holy until the Proclamation of Faith.
• For the Sign of Peace, we will continue to bow or wave as a way of greeting each other.
• Distributing Communion – Those receiving Communion will process to the front as in pre-pandemic times. At this time, we will only receive the Body of Christ. If necessary, an Extraordinary Minister of Communion will assist Father. The Minister will sanitize his/her hands and wear a mask during the distribution of Communion. Communion will be given in the hand only. Fr. will take communion to people in the pews on the right-hand side of the Church.
• Music – The music ministers will gather in early August to discuss how we will proceed with music for Sunday liturgies. Weekday liturgies will make use of music as in pre-pandemic times.

Other
Parish Meetings – parish meetings will take place in the Parish Hall with appropriate precautions – people who are sick or have flu-like symptoms should remain at home.
Visiting the Sick – Visits to those in Hospitals or Care Homes will be guided by the guidelines in place. Home visits will take place with precautions and respect for the individuals being visited.
Sacrament of Reconciliation – By appointment
Funerals – Will take place as in pre-pandemic times. Funeral lunches are allowed with precautions.
Baptisms – We will continue to have baptisms privately until further notice.
House Blessings – Fr. Doug will bless houses as in pre-pandemic times.
Social Gatherings – After appropriate consultation, we will once again have parish gatherings, Pancake Breakfasts, Coffee, Picnics, and our Fall Supper. We will work to make sure we have appropriate food preparation protocols in place.

Fr Doug’s Holidays:  We welcome Fr. Doug back from his short holiday break. Thank you to Deacon Bill Thibeault who provided leadership for the liturgies on Saturday, July 17 and Sunday, July 18 at Our Lady of Peace Parish in Meadow Lake and at St. Jude’s Parish, in Green Lake.

Scripture Insights – 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time – pg. 282, Source Book for Sundays, Seasons and Weekdays 2021:  The Almanac for Pastoral Liturgy, LTP Liturgy Training Publications Copyright 2020, 3949 South Racine Avenue, Chicago, IL 60609:  John’s account of the Gospel often gives a different version of stories told in the Synoptic accounts, Matthew, Mark, and Luke.  His account of the Last Supper , for example, is remarkably different.  In the Synoptics, we hear the familiar story of breaking bread and blessing wine that is part of our liturgy.  But John recalls how Jesus washed feet at the Last Supper (John 134:1-11).  Eucharistic references are plentiful in John’s account, however, especially in chapter 6.  In the middle of Ordinary Time, the Church takes the time to read John 6 and savor the words and actions of Jesus as he talks about the bread of life and the hunger of humankind.
The chapter opens with the multiplication of five loaves and two fish.  This is one of only two stories that all four Gospels relate.  Jesus seems to be following in the footsteps of the great prophets like Elisha who multiplied loaves and grain, but two things set Jesus’ action apart from the Old Testament prophets.  First, he takes the bread and fish and gives thanks (in Greek, eucharisteo, from which our word eucharist comes) and then distributes them.  Second, he has the disciples gather up what’s left over.  Twelve baskets of fragments are left, one for each of the disciples who doubted they could feed the multitude.
Some commentators refer to this passage as an institution of the Eucharist because of what Jesus does with the bread and the fish.  There is no cup of wine, no table ceremony, no transforming words.  Nevertheless, the ritual of giving thanks and giving to others to eat is highly symbolic.  Later in the chapter, Jesus uses bread as a metaphor for himself.
The crowd follows Jesus because they see the signs he does. Believing only because of outward signs is the most tenuous form of faith.  At the end of the passage, the crowd wants to make Jesus king because of what they have seen.  They have misunderstood Jesus’ person and message.  He is forced into hiding because earthly kingship is not what Jesus came for (see John 18:36).

• The Greek word eucharisteo refers to “giving thanks.”  Our Lord gave thanks for the bread, as the people gave thanks for food and the presence of Christ.  This breaking of bread is Eucharistic and miraculous.
• We are called to “bear… with one another through love,” so that we may live in the love and peace that Christ has given his people.
• In Jesus, we do not need to be afraid, even in the darkest of storms that may occur in our lives.
• The feeding of the thousands is a Eucharistic story; thousand of people gave thanks and broke bread with our Lord.

PILGRIMAGES AT OUR LADY OF LOURDES SHRINE: 
   1.  August 15 - 7:30 pm Eucharistic Celebration and Candlelight Procession
   2.  September 8 - 7:30 pm Eucharistic Celebration and Candlelight Procession

 
What’s your Catholic IQ?   Last bulletin’s question and answer: Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family… (a) you did it to me.” In Matthew 25:35-46, Jesus tells his followers that, whenever they met the needs of others, they did these things to him.  And in the same way, whenever they failed to meet the needs of others, they did these things to him.
This week’s question:  It is against the eighth commandment (a) to lie (b) to destroy the reputation of another person (c) to be sarcastic at the expense of another (d) all of these.

 
DIOCESAN NEWS & BEYOND
 
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Mr. Jim Lucas, the father of Deacon Richard Lucas of our Diocese.
3RD ANNUAL ST. PHILOMENA WALKING PILGRIMAGE:  The 3rd annual St Philomena Walking Pilgrimage takes place in August leaving Yorkton on Aug 11th and arriving at Rama on Aug 14th. If you have any questions please email Dave Hudy at dave@stphilomena.ca.

THE SISTERS OF THE PRESENTATION OF MARY of the Prince Albert Diocese
225th Anniversary of the Foundation of the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary
Postponed until a later date.  For further information, please call Sr. Lise Paquette at 306-980-7878.

​GROWING IN WISDOM: SEEKING DEEPER GENERATIVITY - This two-year program beginning in September 2021 is an ecumenical program designed for those seeking to engage in their maturing years with wisdom and grace. This is a time in which we can begin as elders to look back on the life we have lived and find openness to new or previously undeveloped inner vistas. It is a time to begin to come to terms with our own mortality and the grace we find in facing this time in our lives with wisdom and satisfaction.  This program is a dynamic interplay between and among each participant, the Growing in Wisdom Community, and Divine Mystery, assisting in the inner transformation of participants as the journey unfolds.  Growing in Wisdom: Seeking Deeper Generativity invites you to explore how you might commit yourself to give both your life and your death to the world, in a way that both are the ultimate gift and blessing that you give to others.  Featuring Fr. Ron Rolheiser, the faculty of the Oblate School of Theology, and Canadian presenters, this program will be offered on zoom with possible in-person gatherings beginning in 2022. For more information contact Nancy Phillips, program coordinator:  dnphil@mymts.net ; 204-470-9437 

First World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly – July 25, 2021:  Pope Francis has been steadfast in inviting all of us to be bearers of compassion and mercy.  This new day set aside tyo honour our grandparents and the elderly reminds all of us to be bearers of Christ’s mercy and compassion to our grandparents and elders.  In his message, Pope Francis draws our attention to the fact that the pandemic has been particularly difficult both in terms of the loss of life and the isolation that our grandparents and elders experienced.  Through the celebration of this day, he is both reminding the grandparents and elders of the gift they are to their children, grandchildren and our society at large and reminding us the children, grandchildren and society at large to be attentive of our granparents and elders.  To assist in the celebration of this day, you will find below a number of resources on the diocesan website – a messaage from Pope Francis and a letter from out bishop.  At the top of the Message from the Pope, a French as well as many other translations are available.  Canada is one of the countries that has a day already set aside for the celebration of Grandparents and Elders, the second Sunday in September, this year September 12, 2021.  

• A  Message from Pope Francis
• A  Letter from Bishop Hero