23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time - September 4, 2022

Our Lady of Peace Parish
Also Serving Our Lady of the Smile parish, Waterhen Lake and
St. Jude’s Parish, Green Lake
Office Hours: Closed Monday
Tuesday - Friday 1-4:00 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  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
“Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.”
Psalm 90 Refrain
 
 
September 4, 2022
 
23rd 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:
Pat Bencharski
Pastoral Council Chair:
Doris Beaubien
 

Masses
Intentions

When there is a funeral, the daily mass will normally be cancelled.  Check Facebook for the most up-to-date information.  On Tuesday to Friday and on Sunday, Our Lady of Peace masses will be livestreamed on Facebook.

Mon., Sept. 5 – No mass
No mass

Tues., Sept. 6 – 6:30 pm (Our Lady of Peace Church & Facebook)
For the parishioners by Carmelita Cameron

Wed., Sept. 7 – 6:30 pm (Our Lady of Peace Church & Facebook)
+Leslie Morgenstern by Val & Marty Bishop

Thurs., Sept. 8 – 9:30 am (Our Lady of Peace Church & Facebook)
+Lawrence & Therese Bishop by Val & Marty Bishop

Fri., Sept. 9 – No mass
No mass

Sat., Sept. 10 – 7:00 pm (Our Lady of Peace Church & Facebook)
For Irene’s health by Family & Friends

Sun., Sept. 11 – 10 am (Our Lady of Peace Church, Meadow Lake & Facebook)
People of God

Sun., Sept. 11 – 12:30 pm (St Jude Parish, Green Lake)
People of God

Sun., Sept. 11 – 3:00 pm (Our Lady of the Smile Parish, Waterhen Lake)
People of God

 
THIS WEEK IN THE PARISH
 

1. Please exercise caution – COVID is still among us, and the numbers provincially are rising.
2. Sept 6 at 7:15 pm the Pastoral Council and Synod Committee will reflect on the Diocesan Synod Report in preparation for the Diocesan Pastoral Council Meeting which will take place on October 29, 2022.
3. September 8 is the Feast of the Birth of Mary. Join us for mass at 9:30 am and refreshments and snacks.
4. Father Doug will be away Thursday and Friday, September 8/9 for Oblate meetings in Saskatoon.
5. Happy Labor Day! Have a great long weekend.

 
 

 
 
 
 
Sunday Collection – August 28:  Meadow Lake $1310.75    Green Lake $317.05
 
The Pope’s Prayer Intention for September – For the abolition of the death penalty:  We pray that the death penalty, which attacks the dignity of the human person, may be legally abolished in every country.
 
Sisters of the Precious Blood – As you may or may not know the Sisters of the Precious Blood had a monastery in Regina. They arrived in Regina in 1933 and have served the people of Saskatchewan with their prayer and their work. The Sisters provided hosts for use at Eucharistic Celebrations across Saskatchewan. The Sisters are closing this monastery due to the aging sisters and the lack of vocations. Hosts will be available for the monastery in Calgary or the monastery in Hamilton. Please pray for the Sisters and let us join in giving thanks for their prayer and their work over the years.
 
Sacramental Preparation – Provincial and Diocesan guidelines had encouraged us to exercise caution re: our liturgies and our parish gatherings. As a result of the caution few people had come forward to ask that their children prepare for the sacraments of reconciliation, confirmation and first communion. Beginning this year, we will be preparing the children to celebrate the sacrament of reconciliation. We will also ask them to take part in the catechetical program which supports the preparation for the sacrament. Children must prepare for and celebrate the sacrament of reconciliation before they begin their preparation for confirmation and first communion.
 
If your child has not yet prepared for and celebrated the sacrament of reconciliation, please register your child by completing the registration forms which will be available starting September 6. You will be required to take part in a parent meeting where you will receive materials for the preparation and formation of your child. The Church reminds us that parents are the first teachers of their children and bear the responsibility for preparing their children for the celebration of the sacraments.
 
It is also imperative that the parents and the children physically take part in the Sunday liturgy as frequently as possible. On the one hand they belong to this faith community and on the other they will learn more about Jesus Christ and their faith by taking part in the faith life of the community.
 
The Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (September 8)
St. Laurent Shrine:     6:00 - 7:00 pm - - Priests Available for Individual Confessions           (Grotto)
                                    6:30 – 7:00 pm - - Marian Prayer, Rosary
                                    7:00 - 8:30 pm - - Celebration of Eucharist, Candlelight Procession (Please bring a long-stemmed rose to present to Mary before Mass)
                                    8:30 pm - - - - - - -Birthday Cake and Coffee (Food Booth)
                                   
(For more details go to www.padiocese.ca/stlaurentshrine or www.saintlaurentshrine.com ) Donations to Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine greatly appreciated.      
 
 
Scripture Insights – Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time   
Taken from Source Book for Sundays, Seasons and Weekdays 2022:  The Almanac for Pastoral Liturgy, LTP Liturgy Training Publications Copyright 2020, 3949 South Racine Avenue, Chicago, IL 60609, pg. 324. 
 

• Jesus uses harsh language in today’s Gospel to drive home his point: anyone who claims to be a follower of God must actively reject oppression and commit to bringing about justice with our whole beings. We cannot be halfway Christians. We cannot linger behind in our comfort and security, too timid to work for real change.
• Jesus demands more of his disciples. He calls us to be bold and brave in the battle against evil. He calls us to take up our cross, as heavy as it may be, and follow him. The road will be tough – but the reward of resurrection will be worth it.
• What do you need to get rid of in order to be free to follow Christ? What possessions, points of view, assumptions, or biases keep you from embracing all people as beloved children of God? Jesus emphasizes the importance of having a strong foundation. That often means not only building up what helps but also tearing down what hinders our life in Christ.

 
 
 
 
 
Synod Update – Walking Together
 
The Final Report from the diocesan phase of the Synod is now available in English and French on our website at the Synod Page https://www.padiocese.calsynod2023.
The prayer and consultation that took place during this diocesan phase identified six main areas or priorities for our parishes and institutions. These were condensed in the conclusion of the report but are not limited to:
 

1. Ongoing opportunities for listening to each other to continue healing and reconciliation in our parishes as we become more a Church that journeys together, particularly, with our Indigenous brothers and sisters.

 

1. Ongoing opportunities for learning how to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit as parishes and the diocese discern the path forward at this time. Continuation of the synodal journey that has begun.

 

1. Initiatives that will teach us how - with trust in the Holy Spirit - to accompany others where they are at on their faith journey especially those who feel separated or marginalized in our communities and schools.

 

1. Greater emphasis on outreach to those in our parishes who need support and those in need in our communities both local and global.

 

1. Ongoing faith formation for all age groups focused on kerygmatic catechesis, which includes opportunities for encountering Christ.

 

1. Ongoing formation for clergy and parish leadership to aid in the implementation of these initiatives in areas such as liturgy, RCIA, the new Directory for Catechesis, accompaniment. evangelization, etc.

 
 
As a way of moving forward together, each parish will reflect on the Final Report and then we will be invited to prayerfully make some choices.
 
All parishes will be expected to choose two of the initiatives to focus on in the 2022-2023 pastoral year. We will submit these choices to the Diocese and then we will consider our choices at the Diocesan Pastoral Council Meeting on October 29th in Prince Albert. This is a new opportunity for us in our Meadow Lake Cluster and in our individual parishes.
 
Indigenous Pastoral and Lay Leader Ministry Education 

Indigenous Pastoral and Lay Leader Ministry Education is an online continuing education program led by teams of Indigenous and non-Indigenous instructors. The program is jointly sponsored by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon, St. Thomas More College and the Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools. This educational opportunity is open to anyone who is interested in learning. Participants completing all four courses will earn an Indigenous Pastoral & Lay Leader Ministry Certificate.  
The following is the schedule for the courses being offered by Zoom for 2022 and 2023:
Course Offered
Tuesdays 4:15-5:30 SK

Introduction to First Nations Studies
Sept. 20, 27; Oct. 4, 11, 18, 25; Nov. 1, 8, 15 2022

Indigenous-Settler Relationship
Jan. 10, 17, 24, 31 Feb. 7, 14, 21, 28 Mar 7 2023

Introduction to Contemporary Effects of Colonization I: Social Justice
Mar 28, April 4, 11, 18, 25, May 2, 9, 16, 23 2023

Introduction to Reconciliation: The Church and Indigenous Peoples
Sept. 26, Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, Nov. 7, 14, 21 2023

You can register now for the Fall Course 1 (Introduction to First Nations Studies) – Tuesdays, Sept. 20 to Nov. 15, 2022; 4:15-5:30 pm. The cost for each course is $200.00. Please talk to Fr. Doug if you would like to take the course and need some assistance. Register and find reflections from previous program participants at https://rcdos.ca/ministries-services/indigenous-ministry-2/indigenous-ministry-education/ 
  
Registration Link: http://rcdos.ca/ministries-services/indigenous-ministry-2/indigenous-ministry-education/
 
DIOCESAN NEWS & BEYOND
 
World Youth Day – Are you thinking about going to the World Youth Day in 2023? Come join young people from around the world as we gather together with our spiritual father, Pope Francis. July 24 - August 7, 2023. Pilgrimage sites may include Lourdes, France, Spain, Fatima, and will conclude with 6 days in Lisbon leading up to a final Mass with Pope Francis. Deadline to register with our group is September 15 and we will have our first informational group meeting on September 18th in Prince Albert from 2:00 – 4:00 pm in the Cathedral Basement. Please contact Fr. Travis Myrheim to register. Email: sacredheart.rector@gmail.com Text: 3069602627
 
20 New Cardinals in the Church - On August 27th Pope Francis appointed 20 new cardinals. When we look at the composition of the College of Cardinals, we discover that they represent 89 different countries. Previously most of the Cardinals were from Europe. Under the leadership of Pope Francis, the College of Cardinals is slowly becoming more representative of the Universal Church. Since 2013, when Pope Francis assumed leadership of the Catholic Church the percentage of cardinals from Europe has dropped from 52% to 40%. Meanwhile cardinals representing the region of Asia have increased from 9% to 17%, the African Region 9% to 12% and the Latin American Region 16% to 18%. At the present time there are 4 Cardinals from Canada.  
 
In his comments to the Cardinals, Pope Francis reminded the newly appointed cardinals that they are to love the Church, to contemplate the mystery of Christ’s life, to proclaim the Gospel to all peoples, and they are to serve all people. Pope Francis invited the cardinals to nurture the virtues of humility, meekness and charity.
 
From August 28-30 Pope Francis gathered all the cardinals to a meeting in Rome. They discussed many issues within the Church. The Cardinals were divided into small language groups (English, Spanish, French and Italian) so that they could have a free exchange of ideas. One of the key items of discussion was the new document, Praedicate Evangelium which was issued by Pope Francis and reorganizes the structures of the Vatican Offices which serve the universal Church. The theme of Synodality was also discussed at the meeting and it was practiced at the meeting. People spoke and people listened. The speaking and listening were in light of what might the Holy Spirit be asking of us at this moment in our history as Church. This practice of speaking and listening, of Synodality, is rooted in the life of the early Church and can be seen in the Acts of the Apostles and in the New Testament Letters.
Information taken and adapted from the National Catholic Reporter