24th Sunday in Ordinary Time - September 11, 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  
  
“I will get up and go to my Father.” Psalm 51 Refrain
 
 
September 11, 2022 - 24th 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

Masse 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. 12 – No mass 

Tues., Sept. 13 – No mass

Wed., Sept. 14 – No mass

Thurs., Sept. 15 – No mass

Fri., Sept. 16 – No mass

Sat., Sept. 17 – 7:00 pm (Our Lady of Peace Church) - People of God

Sun., Sept. 18 – 10 am (Our Lady of Peace Church, Meadow Lake & Facebook) - People of God

Sun., Sept. 18 – 12:30 pm (St Jude Parish, Green 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. September 11 - Happy Grandparents Day!
3. Fr. Doug will be out of the Office from Monday, September 12 to Saturday noon September 17!
4. Ministry Sign Up Sheets are available at Our Lady of Peace!
5. The Knights of Columbus will again be selling Charity Appeal Tickets. For tickets, please see Chris Bencharski after mass Sunday.
   

 
Sunday Collection – September 4:  Meadow Lake $1365.00           Green Lake $481.80
 
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.
 
Father Maurice Fiolleau has informed us of the death of Hilary Fahlman, the father of our Chancellor Father Michael Fahlman. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
 
Father Maurice Fiolleau sent the following information today. In Nigeria the village of about 3000 people, where Fr. Frederick Akah comes from was attacked and many people were brutally killed including his brother-in-law, John. Please pray for Fr. Frederick and for his family, especially his sister and her children and for the repose of the soul of his brother John.
 
Grandparents Day – We celebrate Grandparents Day today. Attached to the bulletin is a letter from Bishop Stephen Hero about honoring elders and grandparents.
 Here are 5 ways to celebrate our grandparents and elders:
  1. Make a photograph craft – grandparents and elders love photos of their favourite kids, so incorporate pictures into a project.
  2. Interview grandparents and elders – kids will be fascinated to learn what life was like back in the day.
  3. Make a special recipe or do a craft together – spending time together is a great idea.
  4. Offer thoughtful services – make a coupon book of things kids can do for grandparents and elders.
  5. Give or send a homemade card.
 
Ministry Sign – Up
The need for helping hands is a universal need, whether in the home, at work, in the parish community or in the wider community. Organizations cannot survive without the faithful commitment of its members. In the Church people who busy themselves carrying out tasks on behalf of the Parish Community in order to make known the Gospel and in service of their brothers and sisters are known as ministers. What they do is called ministry.
For our parish to maintain itself we need ministers and for our parish community to grow we need faithful committed ministers. Often in a parish, once a person starts to do something it is often assumed that they will do that task, that ministry for life. Some folks are okay with that, and some are not. This Sunday we are asking you to consider your gifts and your abilities and where you are at in your life, and we are asking you to make a commitment to a ministry within our parish community. I am asking that people pay special attention to our need for Pastoral Council members. Please complete the forms as soon as possible and return them to the Parish Office.
Again, our parish cannot survive or grow without your faithful commitments. Please be as generous as you can. We ask everyone to sign up. Please do not assume that since you have been doing a ministry in the past that we will simply include you in our lists. We need everyone to sign up and make a commitment for one year. We do not want to assume your generosity or take you for granted.
Thanks for all you do for Our Lady of Peace Parish.
 
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.
 
November 1 – All Saints Day – Bishop Stephen Hero will visit the communities of St. Jude’s in Green Lake and Our Lady of Peace in Meadow Lake. While there is still some planning to do it is our hope to have a prayer, some food and some visiting at Green Lake at 11:30 or so. Bishop will then come to Our Lady of Peace, and we will have a sung evening prayer at 5:30 followed by potluck supper and the opportunity to visit with Bishop Stephen and receive his blessing. Plans for the Bishop to meet and pray with the people of Our Lady of the Smile at Waterhen Lake are in process.
 
Introducing our New Youth Director:  Adam Rieger has been hired as the diocese’s full-time Youth and Young Adult Director as of September 6, 2022. Adam is bilingual, plays guitar, enjoys singing, the outdoors and playing hockey. He has experience working with youth in parishes and Catholic schools. He will reside in Prince Albert and have an office in the Pastoral Center. His contact information is 306-922-4747 ext. 232 or email at youth@padiocese.ca 
 
Your Prayers Please - Please pray for our brothers and sisters at James Smith Cree Nation and Weldon who are struggling to deal with the tragedy that has unfolded within their communities!
 
Scripture Insights – Twenty-Fourth 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. 330. 
 

• Today we are treated to a story-soaked Gospel. Jesus offers three parables that each point to the deep worth God sees in each individual – whether that be a person, a sheep, or even a coin. God cares about all and is concerned when even one goes missing or astray. God values all of creation with divine love. There is no being for whom God will not search high and low to find and call back home.
• Which character do you connect with in today’s Gospel? Are you like the prodigal son, feeling lost and unsure, hoping your loved ones will take you back? Are you like the father, eager to forgive a loved one and yearning for your family to be reunited? Are you like the elder son, trying to please everyone and pining for attention?
• The Prodigal son is a story of reconciliation. To be reconciled with another does not dismiss the hurt. Rather, to reconcile is to embrace God’s steadfast mercy and work toward healing. Where is reconciliation needed in your life?

 
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.
 
Meeting Dates to Remember – Fr. Doug and various members of the Parish are involved in the following meetings:
 
October 1 – Meeting of the Diocesan Commission for Evangelization and Catechesis
October 3rd – 6th – Clergy of the Diocese of Prince Albert meet in Waskesiu for our Study Days. It is an opportunity for us to meet and discuss pastoral issues of concern for the Diocese and for ourselves as faith leaders in the Church.
Saturday, October 29 – Meeting of the Diocesan Pastoral Council – all members of the Diocese are invited.
Saturday, November 5 – Meeting of the Diocesan Liturgical Commission in Prince Albert
 
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 on 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 25th 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