22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time - August 29, 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
 
“O Lord, who may abide in your tent?”  Refrain from this weekend’s Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 15
 
August 29, 2021 - 22nd 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
 
Have you been vaccinated? Getting vaccinated is the best thing we can do to stop the spread of the Coronavirus. If we want to keep people safe and engage each other as we once did, getting vaccinated will help us get there. 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 the health of one another.
 
THIS WEEK IN THE PARISH

1. Songs at Seven takes place on Facebook on Thursday, Sept 2nd at 7:00 pm.
2. 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 
3. Catholic TRC Healing Response Appeal in English and French
   https://www.padiocese.ca/news-articles
4. Thank you re:  Deep cleaning of the parish hall: Thank you to Peggy Calvert and to all parishioners and friends who helped with the thorough cleaning of the parish Hall last Monday and Tuesday. The Hall is looking good and things are nicely organized.  We are looking for volunteers to work with Peggy on Monday August 30 at 10 am, at the parish hall to finish things up.  Drop in and join her.
5. Landscaping Update – It is our hope that this week the landscaping will take place – on the West side of the Church, the parking lot will be built up and slope away from the Church to the ditches to help water run away from the Church. We hope to avoid the accumulation of ice in the winter. On the East side of the Church, we will again make sure the grade slopes away from the Church. In addition, we will create a garden space for the pastor. When the work is being done on the West Side of the Church, please park on the East side of the rectory. You can access the Parish Office through the main doors of the Church. When the work is being done on the West Side, please avoid using that area to let the workers do their job! Thanks!
   
   

Mass Intentions

When there is a funeral, the daily mass will be cancelled.
Tuesday to Friday and Sunday the masses will be livestreamed on Facebook.

Mon., Aug. 30 – Fr. Doug’s Day Off - Personal Intention

Tues., Aug. 31 – 6:30 pm (Our Lady of Peace Church, Meadow Lake & Facebook) - Sandra (daughter) by Adeline Scammell 

Wed., Sept. 1 – 6:30 pm (Our Lady of Peace Church, Meadow Lake & Facebook) - +Leroy Steier by Audrey Staruiala

Thurs., Sept. 2 – 9:30 am (Our Lady of Peace Church, Meadow Lake & Facebook) - Anonymous

Fri., Sept. 3 – 9:30 am (Our Lady of Peace Church, Meadow Lake & Facebook) - Frank Buscholl by Audrey Staruiala

Sat., Sept. 4 – 9:30 am (Our Lady of Peace Church, Meadow Lake) - Anonymous

Sat., Sept. 4 – 7:00 pm (Our Lady of Peace Church, Meadow Lake) - People of God

Sun., Sept. 5 – 10 am (Our Lady of Peace Church, Meadow Lake & Facebook) - People of God

Sun., Sept. 5 - 12:30 pm (St Jude’s Church, Green Lake) - People of God

 
Parish Sponsored Room for the new Northwest Community Lodge: – Last Sunday I proposed that our parish sponsor the furnishing of a room for the new Northwest Community Lodge that is being built. I was informed that the cost of furnishing a room was $12,000.00. I suggested that we could ask for donations and possibly do a couple of fundraisers/community-building activities to help raise the money. I asked people to let me know what their thinking is. I have heard back from a small number of people – about twenty and the folks have been in favor. If you would like your voice to be heard, please contact the Parish Office or myself with a phone call, a text or an email. This is our parish, so your voice matters!

Congratulations to EJ Soria and Elaine Tamang who celebrated the sacrament of matrimony on Saturday, August 28th! EJ and Elaine will continue to reside in Meadow Lake and practice their faith here! Let us assure them of our prayers and support as they begin this new phase in their life.

Condolences:  The father of Fr. Nestor Gregoire passed away this past year.  Fr. Nestor Gregoire, OMI was a pastor here in the Meadow Lake Cluster several years ago. The funeral liturgy for Paul Gregoire, will be held at St. Vital Parish on Saturday, September 4, at 10:00 am! All are welcome! Let us keep Fr. Nestor, his dad and his family in our prayers!

Music Ministry – If you would like to assist our music ministers at Our Lady of Peace, please approach those who are involved now and offer your assistance as a musician or a singer! We welcome and need your talents and generosity!
 
Lorraine’s holiday – Lorraine will be taking a brief holiday from September 1 – September 13. I will be asking for folks to come and answer the phone and welcome visitors to the Parish Office from 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm. Your task will be two-fold and it will be simple – be a welcoming presence in our parish office for those who stop in and take phone messages! If you would like to help in the Parish Office, please talk to Fr. Doug.
 
Scripture Insights – 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time – 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, pg. 314. 

Today all three readings are concerned with the disposition of the heart and its connection with outer actions.  Moses begins the first of his exhortations to the Israelites before they cross the Jordan into Canaan.  The law of God is just, more so than the laws of any other nation.  Obedience to the law of God, says Moses, will show Israel’s wisdom and discernment.  But hearing the word and desiring it with the heart must come first.  Conversion of the heart always has primary importance for Moses and the rest of the prophets.  Moses spoke of circumcision of the heart as a sign of the interiorization of the covenant (Deuteronomy 10:16).  Isaiah told the Israelites that God despised the festivals, sacrifices, and rituals because the Israelites were not caring for the orphan and the widow.  They were going through the motions of obedience without care for God and God’s justice.  Their attitude was apparent in their lack of compassion.
 
James understands the implication of “hearing” the law for the Jews.  To hear is to obey.  According to James, a good Christian is in the same position.  One cannot be a hearer of the Word without doing right as well, and following the law without a faithful heart has no place in the covenant relationship.
 
In Mark’s account of the Gospel, Jesus speaks precisely to the last point.  The Pharisees are concerned with outward appearances, not inner conversion.  When Jesus quotes Isaiah, he reminds them that such scrupulous behavior without the necessary conversion of heart is not true worship of God.  Jesus is not attacking the Jewish law here.  His point is about the systematic judgment of the scribes and Pharisees that does not ask first what is the disposition of the heart but, rather, whether every letter of the law has been observed.  Like Moses, Isaiah, and the other prophets before him, Jesus knows that lip service and outward obedience without inner transformation are not a sign of covenant relationship.

• To truly hear the law is to listen with the ear of the heart and make its message part of one’s automatic action.  Outward appearances do not matter, but virtue and obedience do matter to the Lord.  What is in our hearts can make us unclean more than the outward appearances of cleanliness.
• The ancient Israelites were subject to God’s law as it was given to the people.  They were not free to change God’s laws and claim superiority over God’s laws.
• We are charged with the responsibility of actively living out God’s word in the care of the poor and helpless in our society.
• We are called not to just preach the Good News but to live out the Good News.  We are not meant to direct others to do the good work of God’s people in our stead.

 
PILGRIMAGE AT OUR LADY OF LOURDES SHRINE:  Thanks to all pilgrims who attended the Pilgrimage on August 15 celebrating the Assumption of Our Lady.  We invite you to return for the Celebration of Our Lady's Birthday on September 8 at 7:30.

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:  Swearing a false oath is (a) rejecting the Canadian flag (b) a sin against the second commandment (c) intending to keep a promise (d) saying the Boy Scout Oath or the Girl Guide Promise and Law. (pg.27)

From the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops:  Statement from the Executive Committee of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops regarding the Corporation for the Catholic Entities Party to the Indian Residential School Settlement
 
The Executive Committee of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) wishes to address recent reporting on the Corporation for the Catholic Entities Party to the Indian Residential School Settlement (CCEPIRSS). As a Committee, we have been profoundly saddened by the recent uncovering of unmarked burial sites and wish to play a meaningful role in the journey towards healing and reconciliation. This journey requires long-term commitment, but we are encouraged by recent progress, which includes the confirmation of a meeting between Pope Francis and a delegation of First Nations, Métis and Inuit survivors, knowledge keepers, and youth this December.
 
We have made every effort to be transparent about the Church’s role in the residential school system, however, obtaining and assessing information has been much slower than expected. Notably, CCEPIRSS is no longer operational and we have had difficulty finding definitive information on settlement discussions, as the CCCB was not party to the agreement. Having said that, we have spoken to Indigenous leaders, clergy, and legal counsel who were involved and are able to clarify a few important matters.
 
Most notably, the Canadian Bishops have not and would not redirect funds meant for settlement payments to residential school survivors away from their intended use. We understand that these payments play an important role helping survivors respond to the lasting pain caused by residential schools and we wish to play a meaningful role in the healing process. As part of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement (IRSSA), our understanding is that the federal government agreed to paying compensations to survivors directly, whereas Catholic entities agreed to support a range of programs that would advance healing and reconciliation. We are told that these included cash payment contributions, in-kind services, and a national “best efforts” fundraising campaign, which were guided by the advice and contributions of Indigenous leaders, with regular updates provided to the Government of Canada.
 
Our research indicates that all the agreed upon cash payment contributions were provided, with the majority sent to the Aboriginal Healing Foundation and the Legacy of Hope Foundation. The “in-kind services” that Catholic entities worked on were overseen by a multi-party panel with appointments from the Assembly of First Nations, Catholic entities, and the Government of Canada, to ensure projects were sufficiently valuable to the Indigenous communities that they were intended to reach. There was enthusiastic uptake on these efforts across the country, with Catholic entities substantially exceeding their goal. While these services are no longer measured, many of them continue to operate to this day as part of a meaningful and ongoing dialogue between Catholic and Indigenous communities. The “best efforts” campaign represented a sincere, national push to engage Catholics and non-Catholics in fundraising projects that would advance healing and reconciliation. This work included outreach to major donors, regional committees tasked with engaging local businesses, and pew collections across the country. It did not yield the results that many had hoped for. The Bishops of Canada, for their part, are looking at creative new ways to support fundraising efforts across the country.
 
Reconciliation is a long and ongoing journey that inspires our work every day, however, it is the CCCB’s understanding that the Catholic entities party to the IRSSA honoured all their settlement obligations. We will continue to provide updates on fundraising, education, and reconciliation initiatives taking place as this important work progresses.  20 August 2021

DOOR OF HOPE SEEKING NEW EMPLOYEES, VOLUNTEERS:  For many people in the community, the Door of Hope is a source of support that provides relief through adversity and difficult times. While the organization often lends a helping hand to those in need, the non-profit is now turning to the community for assistance.  Over the last few months, the Door of Hope has seen several employees and volunteers depart from the organization to pursue other ambitions and plans in their life. This has left the community resource with multiple vacancies in both paid and volunteer positions.  Wendell Brock and his wife, Oda, are among those departures as the husband-and-wife duo is set to leave for Prince Albert at the end of the month. There, Wendell will take on a pastoral role with a church, allowing him to continue his community service through faith.

DIOCESAN NEWS & BEYOND
 
SOCIAL JUSTICE - https://www.padiocese.ca/social-justice
​HAITI NEEDS OUR SUPPORT - At 8:29 a.m. on Saturday, August 14, a magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck Haiti’s Tiburon Peninsula, about 150 kilometers west of the capital, Port-au-Prince. By August 15, it was being reported that the death toll had crossed 1,300; 13,600 homes were severely damaged; and that 800,000 people were directly affected. The victims were also bracing for a coming tropical storm, Grace, which was expected to bring torrential rains and, potentially, landslides and flooding to the areas. There is an enormous need for the enormous need for food, water, shelter, clothing, blankets, first aid supplies, hygiene kits, vehicles and fuel as well as first aiders and medical personnel.
Development and Peace’s partners, ITECA and Caritas Haiti, swung into action, sending relief trucks and assessment teams to the affected areas. These are the very regions whose recovery you had generously supported after Hurricane Matthew in 2016. Now, our partners need your support once again to step up their relief efforts and to develop a sustained recovery program.  Please donate now through Development & Peace - https://www.devp.org/en/civicrm/contribute/transact?reset=1&id=3&gl=24431
 
CANADIAN AID TO PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS (CAPC):  Abduction and Rape of Girls from Religious Minorities - We would like to bring your attention to the heartbreaking atrocity which three-year-old Aleena faced. Aleena was brutally raped by Mohammad Saleem in a school classroom on July 25, 2021, in Raiwand City. The school is funded by UNICEF.
A small Canadian Aid to Persecuted Christians (CAPC) team paid a solidarity visit to the family. The family raised the need for legal aid as Saleem seems to be politically and religiously influenced. No matter how connected the accused is, CAPC will legally fight to serve justice for Aleena and her family.
The abduction and rape of girls from religious minorities are getting very common in Pakistan. CAPC receives ongoing requests to extend its legal and financial support in such cases.
Canadian Aid to Persecuted Christians raise APPEAL for funds to release Christian girls and save them from atrocity, sexual abuse, rape, abduction, forced conversion to Islam, and forced marriages.
CAPC website Newslink. https://www.capc.life/index.php/2021/08/11/aleena-three-year-old-christian-girl-raped-in-school/

STRENGTHENING FAMILIES - Parent & Child Programs for this Fall
Go to their website, or click on the above link, and check out not only the ongoing programs provided but exciting new ones like; Equine Assisted Learning; How Long Does the Sad Last (program for child 6-10); Grief Support Group for Adults.  Please go www.cfspa.cc to see the Fall programs available and/or email strengtheningfamilies.cfspa@sasktel.net.