25th Sunday in Ordinary Time - September 18, 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: [email protected] Pastor Email: [email protected]
Facebook: Catholic Church Meadow Lake
Website: https://www.meadowlakecatholicchurch.com/
Address: 504-3rd Ave. East, Meadow Lake, SK S9X 1H5  
 
“Praise the Lord who lifts up the needy.” Psalm 113 Refrain
 
 
September 18, 2022 - 25th 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


Mass 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. 19 – No mass

Tues., Sept. 20 – 6:30 pm (Our Lady of Peace Church & Facebook) - +M.T. Abraham by Swapna & Bijo Augustine

Wed., Sept. 21 – 6:30 pm (Our Lady of Peace Church & Facebook) - In Thanksgiving by Swapna & Bijo Augustine

Thurs., Sept. 22 – 9:30 am (Our Lady of Peace church & Facebook) - Mary McKay by Audrey Staruiala

Fri., Sept. 23 – 9:30 am (Our Lady of Peace Church & Facebook) - +Marlene (Pickett) Sitter by Audrey Staruiala

Sat., Sept. 24 – 7:00 pm (Our Lady of Peace Church) - People of God

Sun., Sept. 25 – 10 am (Our Lady of Peace Church, Meadow Lake & Facebook) - People of God

Sun., Sept. 25 – 12:30 pm (St Jude Parish, Green Lake) - People of God

Sun., Sept. 25 – 3:00 pm (Our Lady of the Smile, 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. Ministry Sign Up Sheets are available at Our Lady of Peace!
3. New lists are available at the back of the church for money counters.
4. Please register your child/children for sacramental preparation before October 1.

 
Sunday Collection – September 11:  Meadow Lake $725.05           Green Lake $157.65
 
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.

Changes to Mass Times – Beginning October 1 there will be no Saturday night mass in Meadow Lake. 
The Mass Schedule for our Cluster will be as follows:
Saturday 5:00 pm – Green Lake
Sunday 10:00 am – Meadow Lake. 
Sunday 3:00 pm – Waterhen Lake (2nd and Last Sundays of the month)
 
Father Doug elected to Saskatchewan Oblate District Leadership Team – With the selection of our OMI Lacombe Canada Provincial and Council complete, the Oblates across the country appointed their District Leadership Teams (think the work of a combined Finance and Pastoral Council). Fr. Mike Dechant, OMI was appointed the new Superior and Fr. Doug joins Fr. Bill Stang, OMI, Fr Joe Jacek, OMI, Darcie Lich, Gerry Weinkauf, Matt Sherry and Corrine Pambrin on the Team. The Team meets approximately every 6 – 8 weeks either in person or by Zoom. The complete list of meeting dates is yet to be determined. The whole of the Oblate District meets 4 times a year to deal with issues of concern.  Our District gatherings are like family gatherings where we deal with business concerns and with celebrations of birthdays, anniversaries and engage in social time and of course prayer and reflection. The Oblates are trying to return to in-person meetings which had been suspended due to Covid concerns. As the Fall unfolds, the District Leadership will decide whether in person meetings are prudent.
 
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 their members. In the Church people who busy themselves carrying out tasks on behalf of the Parish Community 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 week 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.
 
Outdoor and Indoor Work Bee – As you have probably noticed the days are getting shorter and the temperatures are falling. It is time for us to do a little work in our parish. A little window cleaning, trash pick-up and some landscaping are on the agenda. Weather permitting there will be a fall outdoor Work Bee, October 1 starting at 10:00 AM.
 
Sacramental Preparation – If your child has not yet prepared for and celebrated the sacrament of reconciliation, please register your child by completing the registration forms now available. 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.
 
Your Prayers Please – Father Fahlman has notified us that Paul Thevenot, brother of Bishop Emeritus Albert Thevenot, passed away September 10. Let us pray for the repose of the soul of Paul Thevenot as well as Bishop Thevenot and his family.
 
Catechetical Sunday – This Sunday we celebrate Catechetical Sunday. The theme is “This is My Body Given for You”. This Sunday is a reminder to all of us of how important it is to share our faith with others. In a special way it is a time to acknowledge the work being done to share our faith with interested adults, our children. It is also a time to recognize the importance of preparing our children for the celebration of the sacraments.
 
Queen Elizabeth’s Death – Queen Elizabeth passed away September 8 at her summer home in Balmoral, Scotland. Her funeral will be held on September 19 at Westminster Abbey in London. The following prayer is for the repose of HM The Queen:
           Almighty God, you are the author and sustainer of all human life;
           grant that your servant, Elizabeth our Queen, whom you granted a long and happy reign
           as Monarch of these lands may be forgiven her sins and rewarded with that eternal life
           promised to all those born again in the water of baptism and power of your Spirit.
           Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit
           God, forever and ever.    Amen
 
           Eternal rest, grant to her O Lord and let Perpetual light shine upon her.
           May she rest in peace.    Amen
 
           May her soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed,
           Through the mercy of God, rest in peace.   Amen
 
Scripture Insights – Twenty-Fifth 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. 338. 
 

• St. Teresa of Calcutta once said, “Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.” This holy woman filled her life with little actions, like giving a piece of bread to someone hungry or giving a hug to someone ill. These little actions made a big difference in the lives of the poor in Calcutta and inspired millions around the world. Jesus lifts up the value of “small matters” in today’s Gospel.
• How can you spot a person with integrity? Often you have to look very closely, as these folks tend to live out their core values in subtle, unassuming ways: admitting when they mess up, taking only what they need, and living in a manner truthful to the call they receive as a child of God. Jesus desires for us to be people of integrity, trustworthy in manners great and small.
• Reflect with parishioners: What is your relationship with money like? Does it drive any parts of your life? How can you practice healthier stewardship of your monetary resources?

 
Synod Update – Walking Together
 
The Pastoral Council and the Synod Committee met and discussed The Final Report from the Diocese (available in English and French on our website at the Synod Page https://www.padiocese.calsynod2023) and our parish report. We have selected Points 1 and 4 as our priorities for the coming year. If you have any thoughts or ideas, please be in touch with the Parish Office or Fr. Doug.
 
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.

 
 
Dates to Remember – Fr. Doug and various members of the Parish/Diocese are involved in the following meetings:
 
October 1 – Meeting of the Diocesan Commission for Evangelization and Catechesis in Prince Albert
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.
October 11/12 – Fr. Doug in Saskatoon for Oblate Meetings
October 24-27 – Fr. Doug in Saskatoon for Oblate Community/Study Days 
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.  
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: [email protected] Text: 3069602627
 
Catholic Health Association – If you are interested in the well being of the human person you may be interested in the Annual Catholic Health Conference. On October 27 – 28 in Saskatoon the Conference entitled “Hospitality: The Link That Builds Community”, will feature various speakers and information that help us to appreciate the need to look at our health as more than a physical reality. For further information please check out the following link: https://www.queenshouse.org/chasconvention2022/
 
Please pray for our bishop, Bishop Stephen Hero, as he attends Bishop’s Training in Rome. The newly appointed bishops of the Church gather in Rome for several days of training, information sharing, prayer and visiting to help prepare them for the work of Leadership. Bishops from around the world gather, meet one another and learn together how to best exercise leadership in a changing world and Church.
 
AMMI LACOMBE CANADA MAMI – Helping the People of Pakistan – The Missionary Association of OMI Lacombe Canada is encouraging us to think about the people of Pakistan. The monsoon rains which are necessary for the country and the growth of crops have come this year in abundance. Television and Internet news articles and pictures document the damage that has been done and continues to unfold in the country. Can you help us, help the people of Pakistan? Whatever you can offer will make a difference.
 
You can donate on-line through our website: www.omilacombe.ca/mami/donations; (Once you click on the “One Time Gift” button, there is a “Designate my Donation to” box after you enter your name and address. Please indicate Pakistan.) E-transfer to [email protected]; Call our office directly 1-866-432-6264; or send a cheque payable to AMMI Lacombe Canada MAMI and mail to 601 Taylor Street West, Saskatoon, SK S7M 0C9 with a note indicating the donation is intended for Pakistan.