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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 "Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord." Psalm 122 Refrain November 20, 2022 - Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe 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: 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., Nov. 21 – No mass Tues., Nov. 22 – 6:30 pm (Our Lady of Peace Church & Facebook) - +Pamela Ollenberger by Theresa Tourand Wed., Nov. 23 – 6:30 pm (Our Lady of Peace Church & Facebook) - +Rose Tourand by Theresa Tourand Thurs., Nov. 24 – 9:30 am (Our Lady of Peace Church and Facebook) - Personal Health by Guy McKay Fri., Nov. 25 – 9:30 am (Our Lady of Peace Church & Facebook) - +Ernesto & Bernadina Manding by Helen Malana Sat., Nov. 26 – 5:00 pm (St. Jude Parish, Green Lake) - People of God Sun., Nov. 27 – 10 am (Our Lady of Peace Church & Facebook) - People of God Sun., Nov. 27 – 3:00 pm (Our Lady of the Smile, Waterhen) - People of God THIS WEEK IN THE PARISH
Sunday Collection – November 13: Meadow Lake $487.20 Green Lake – $187.70 The Pope’s Prayer Intention for November – For children who suffer: We pray for children who are suffering, especially those who are homeless, orphans, and victims of war; may they be guaranteed access to education and the opportunity to experience family affection. Thank you to everyone who donated shoeboxes this year. Last year 45 shoeboxes were collected. This year we collected 47 shoeboxes from Meadow Lake and Green Lake, which will be given to needy children. Thank you for your generosity. Welcome – Last Sunday, just after the Gloria we had a little celebration to mark Jeremy Nightingale’s journey of faith. Jeremy has been discerning God’s call for him. He has expressed a desire to become a full member of the Catholic Church. We thank him for his prayer, and we welcome him to our community. Jeremy will be received into the Church at a Sunday celebration in December. New Sunday Missals are available – Our Church year concludes this Sunday with the Solemnity of Christ, the King. Next Sunday is the First Sunday of Advent and that means you will need a new Sunday Missal. They are available at the back of the Church. The cost for a book is $5.00. Remember, we don’t sing the Gloria in Advent. Please bring your Advent wreaths for blessing on Sunday, November 27th. Our Celebration of Mass – On Sunday, November 27 we will have a training session for ALL Lectors, Commentators, Extraordinary Ministers of Communion and Hospitality Ministers. If you signed up for these ministries, please be present for the formation session as we are adjusting how we do them at our Sunday Liturgy. Please plan to be here for at least one and a half hours as some people are involved in more than one ministry, and we want to cover all the ministries. Muffins and cookies will be available with water and juice. Changes to our Liturgy will take place on December 4th! Beginning Sunday, December 4, we will once again pass the basket for our Sunday offering and we will have the “Little Church” available for children to make an offering. We will ask various people to bring forward the bread and wine as well as the collection after the Sunday Offerings have been gathered. Those who are ministering for the Sunday Liturgy will gather in the Cry Room for a Prayer prior to the beginning of the Liturgy. Following our Prayer, the Commentator will invite us to prepare for the celebration of the Mass. Following this invitation to celebrate, we will begin the Entrance Procession. A simple reminder to everyone, we will continue to leave the pews on the west side of the church for people who are immune compromised. Covid is still present and circulating as are other respiratory illnesses and so we encourage you to take precautions if you are not feeling well. We will continue to live-stream our liturgies for those who are home bound. We encourage people, wherever and whenever possible, to physically take part in our Sunday Liturgy. Our gathering on Sunday is an expression of our commitment to the community and to our God. It is also an opportunity for us to give thanks and praise to God for all that is taking place in our lives. We join with Jesus and with our brothers and sisters in praising God. God reminds us that we belong and that we matter, and it is important for us to hear this message. November 20th – World Day of Youth – Instituted in 1985 at the conclusion of the International Year of Youth and in conjunction with Saint John Paul II’s World Youth Day gatherings, this observance has taken place on Palm Sunday. In 2020 Pope Francis transferred the date to the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. “Young people must say to the world: It is good to follow Jesus! You bring us the joy of faith and tell us that we must live the faith always with a young heart.” - Pope Francis page 413, Ordo November 20th – Please join us this Sunday for our Knights of Columbus Pancake Breakfast. Plan to enjoy some good food and visiting. Please take precautions if you are sick or feel vulnerable as Covid and various flus are circulating. Coats for Kids – The local Knights of Columbus are collecting good used coats which will be given to Green Lake School. If you have any good used coats, please drop them off in the box at the back of the church. Sung Advent Evening Prayer - The word ‘liturgy’ means Public Worship – the work of the people. Our work is to give thanks and praise to God. As I have mentioned before, the Liturgy of the Hours is the Prayer of the Church. We are encouraged – every Catholic – to pray this prayer. We had a recent taste of it when our Bishop visited us. Normally the Prayer is spoken but many of the monks and nuns sing the Prayer. We sang it when Bishop Stephen came. It is my plan that as a parish we sing the Evening Prayer on Sunday evenings during the season of Advent. To this end, I invite you to join us on November 27th, December 4th, December 11th and December 18th at 6:30 pm for a sung Advent Evening Prayer. We will follow the same format as when Bishop Stephen was here. We will have the candles, the sung acclamations, the reading of God’s Word and the intercessions for the needs of the world. We will have a moment of silence rather than a homily. Our prayer will take about 30 minutes. I invite you to join us as we give thanks and praise to our God. Christmas Carol Sing-along - Everyone loves to sing Christmas Carols. We seldom get the chance to do it. On Thursday, December 22nd from 7-8:00 pm at the Parish Hall, we invite you to join us as we sing Christmas carols and enjoy some hot chocolate and squares and the opportunity to visit. When you arrive, you will get a booklet of the song lyrics so you can sing along. Some of the carols have stories attached to them and they help us to celebrate some aspect of our faith. Join us for an hour of conversation, songs, and some hot chocolate. Expect a surprise story or two as we gather to sing and visit. Bishop’s Annual Appeal: “Walking Together in Hope” October 16, 2022 – December 31, 2022 Every gift is greatly appreciated! Bishop’s Annual Appeal The Bishop’s Annual Appeal supports Catholic Family Services both in Prince Albert and North Battleford and in the surrounding areas. Their goal is to enhance and strengthen the mental and emotional health of individuals, couples, families and groups. Catholic Family Services provides counselling and support. No one is ever denied service because of their economic situation. As a non-profit agency, they rely on funding from many sources including the Bishop’s Annual Appeal. With our financial support, we can help those in need. “A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.” Proverbs 18:16 As of November 13th, the diocese has received 19 pledges from Our Lady of Peace Parish for $6,549.00: 2 pledges from Green Lake for $700.00 and 570 pledges from the whole diocese for a total of $183,236.00 for the Bishop’s Appeal. Scripture Insights – Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe 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. 398.
DIOCESAN NEWS & BEYOND War in Ukraine – Our Oblates working in the Ukraine are asking us for help as they struggle to help feed the people who come to their door. The devastation of the cities is visible, and the needs of the people are many. Often those who are able, have fled the cities to fight or to make a new temporary home elsewhere. At the Oblate houses in Obukhiv and Tyvriv they try to provide food and shelter for as many people as they can. If you have the resources to help them Fr. Witalij Podolan, OMI and his Oblate companions would be so grateful. Fr. Witalij shares how hard it is for them to turn people away when they run out of food. You can make a donation on-line through our Mission website: www.omilacombe.ca/mami/donations ; E-transfer to [email protected]. Call our office directly 1-866-432-6264; send a cheque payable to AMMI Lacombe Canada MAMI or bring to Parish Office. Mail to 601 Taylor Street West, Saskatoon, SK S7M 0C9. Income tax receipts are available for all donations. Please see the Poster at the back of the Church for further information. Ecumenical Advent Series: What Are We Waiting For? As Christmas and the holidays approach, Christians experience the season of Advent as a time of expectant waiting and preparation. This year, there will be a special ecumenical series of Advent meditations and conversations on the question: “What are we waiting for?” with Canadian church leaders, including:
Also, each Monday during Advent, the church leaders will release an ecumenical Advent meditation focused on one of the four Advent themes and will address challenges and opportunities facing the Canadian churches. Find out more and register at https://presbyterian.ca/2022/11/08/ecumenical-advent/ 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 The Lord is coming to judge the peoples with equity. Psalm 98 Refrain November 13, 2022 - 33rd 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., Nov. 14 – No mass Tues., Nov. 15 – 6:30 pm (Our Lady of Peace Church & Facebook) - +Leonard Hofer by Jane/Ed Weber Wed., Nov. 16 – 6:30 pm (Our Lady of Peace church & Facebook) - +Ernie Hofer by Jane/Ed Weber Thurs., Nov. 17 – No mass due to Deanery meeting in St. Walburg - No mass Fri., Nov. 18 – 9:30 am (Our Lady of Peace Church & Facebook) - Philomene Corrigal by Florence Morin Sat., Nov. 19 – 5:00 pm (St. Jude Parish, Green Lake) - People of God Sun., Nov. 20 – 10 am (Our Lady of Peace Church & Facebook) - People of God THIS WEEK IN THE PARISH
Sunday Collection – November 6: Meadow Lake $2935.00 Green Lake – No liturgy due to weather The Pope’s Prayer Intention for November – For children who suffer: We pray for children who are suffering, especially those who are homeless, orphans, and victims of war; may they be guaranteed access to education and the opportunity to experience family affection. November 13 – World Day of the Poor – In 2017, Pope Francis instituted the World Day of the Poor so that “throughout the world Christian communities can become an ever greater sign of Christ’s charity for the least and those most in need.” - Message of his Holiness, Pope Francis page 408, Ordo Please Pack a Shoe Box - All shoe boxes must be at the church on or before November 13, 2022. New Pastoral Appointment – Fr. John Osom, MSP has been appointed administrator of Holy Cross in Glaslyn, St. Rose de Lima in Cochin and St. Charles Borromeo in Moosomin First Nation, effective December 10, 2022. Fr. Osom has been doing ministry in the United States and the Diocese of Prince Albert welcomes him. Papal Visit – This summer in response to requests from various groups of people Pope Francis came to Canada and made a few stops in various places so as to encounter Indigenous, Metis and Innu Peoples. His talks and homilies are available to us, and they provide us with a rich treasure of ideas, actions and principles to further our reconciliation as God’s people. I encourage you to make use of these resources to help grow the spirit of reconciliation in our hearts and in our communities! These works can be found at: https://www.cccb.ca/indigenous-peoples/pope-francis-penitential-pilgrimage/speeches/ November 20th – Please reserve this date as the Knights of Columbus plan to have one of their now famous Pancake Breakfasts at the Parish Hall after the 10:00 am mass. Please join us for some good food and visiting. Please take precautions if you are sick or feel vulnerable as Covid and various flus are circulating. Scripture Insights – Thirty-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. 392.
Bishop’s Annual Appeal: “Walking Together in Hope” October 16, 2022 – December 31, 2022 Every gift is greatly appreciated! Bishop’s Annual Appeal Another way that your donation to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal is put to good use is in the area of communications. There is lots of information to be shared in the Diocese and a number of ways to access it. These include the Diocesan website (www.padiocese.ca) and weekly bulletin inserts which can be sent right to your personal email. Just let us know if you would like to be on our list by contacting Laura ([email protected]). Thank you for supporting the Bishop’s Annual Appeal. As of November 6th the diocese has received 17 pledges from Our Lady of Peace Parish for $6049.00; 0 pledges from Green Lake for $0.00 and 472 pledges from the whole diocese for a total of $158,556.00 for the Bishop’s Appeal. DIOCESAN NEWS & BEYOND War in Ukraine – Our Oblates working in the Ukraine are asking us for help as they struggle to help feed the people who come to their door. The devastation of the cities is visible, and the needs of the people are many. Often those who are able, have fled the cities to fight or to make a new temporary home elsewhere. At the Oblate houses in Obukhiv and Tyvriv they try to provide food and shelter for as many people as they can. If you have the resources to help them Fr. Witalij Podolan, OMI and his Oblate companions would be so grateful. Fr. Witalij shares how hard it is for them to turn people away when they run out of food. You can make a donation on-line through our Mission website: www.omilacombe.ca/mami/donations ; E-transfer to [email protected]. Call our office directly 1-866-432-6264; send a cheque payable to AMMI Lacombe Canada MAMI or bring to Parish Office. Mail to 601 Taylor Street West, Saskatoon, SK S7M 0C9. Income tax receipts are available for all donations. Please see the Poster at the back of the Church for further information. 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 I shall be satisfied, Lord, when I awake and behold your likeness. Psalm 17 Refrain November 6, 2022 - 32nd 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., Nov. 7 – No mass Tues., Nov. 8 – No mass Wed., Nov. 9 – No mass Thurs., Nov. 10 – 9:30 am (Our Lady of Peace Church & Facebook) - +Minnie Hofer by Jane/Ed Weber Fri., Nov. 11 – No mass - Remembrance Day Sat., Nov. 12 – 5:00 pm (St. Jude Parish, Green Lake) - People of God Sun., Nov. 13 – 10 am (Our Lady of Peace Church & Facebook) - People of God Sun., Nov. 13 – 3:00 pm (Our Lady of the Smile, Waterhen) - People of God THIS WEEK IN THE PARISH
Sunday Collection – October 30: Meadow Lake $945.00 Green Lake $124.25 The Pope’s Prayer Intention for November – For children who suffer: We pray for children who are suffering, especially those who are homeless, orphans, and victims of war; may they be guaranteed access to education and the opportunity to experience family affection. Please Pack a Shoe Box – When you pack and donate a shoe box, they are delivered to children living in war, poverty and disaster around the world. Each box is an expression of our hope, and love for these kids who probably have never received a gift. This is Christmas. If you need more information, please contact Pat and Rhys Beaulieu at 306-236-5959. All shoe boxes must be at the church on or before November 13, 2022. Thank You! Thanks to all who gathered in Green Lake and Meadow Lake to pray with and welcome Bishop Stephen. This was the first visit of Bishop Stephen to our communities. Thanks to all those who helped prepare the prayer and helped to lead the prayer at noon and in the evening. Thanks to those who prepared the lunch in Green Lake and the potluck supper in Meadow Lake. We had great food. We sent food home with the Bishop too! We will be looking at a time for Bishop to come to Our Lady of the Smile in Waterhen in the near future. Again, thanks for your welcome, your visiting, your prayer, and your presence. Bishop Stephen expressed his appreciation for the prayer and the opportunity to meet parishioners informally! November 8/9 – Fr. Doug will be away in Saskatoon for Oblate Leadership Meetings. DPC Meeting in Prince Albert: On October29th Bishop Stephen gathered pastors, pastoral leaders and the faithful from across the diocese to reflect on the Synod. A committee gathered all the submissions from across the Diocese and summarized them into six points. Each parish was invited to pick two points as priorities. We were then invited to list a few things that we would commit ourselves to doing to make real the priorities we had chosen. During the course of the day we heard from each of the parishes in the Diocese. We also had the opportunity to listen to Abbot Peter Novecosky OSB, from St. Peter’s Abbey in Muenster who spoke to us about discernment and prayer and how prayer is key when we are making important life choices. Abbot Peter shared with us various types of prayer that can help us focus on God and the needs of God’s people. Abbot Peter stressed the importance of nurturing our relationship with God so that we can do what God calls us to do! In the coming weeks I will be sharing insights from Abbot Peter’s talk with you in the bulletin and in the homilies I will offer. Bishop Stephen shared with us the Synod Process and how it continues to involve. He also spoke about the synthesis made by the Western Canadian Bishops and how information from that synthesis can be found in the Canadian Synthesis. The next step will be a gathering involving representatives from Canada and the US – the Continental Phase of the process. The final gathering will take place in Rome in 2024. Thanks to Chris and Pat Bencharski from our Meadow Lake Synod Committee who accompanied me to the gathering. Papal Visit – This summer in response to requests from various groups of people Pope Francis came to Canada and made a few stops in various places so as to encounter Indigenous, Metis and Innu Peoples. His talks and homilies are available to us, and they provide us with a rich treasure of ideas, actions and principles to further our reconciliation as God’s people. I encourage you to make use of these resources to help grow the spirit of reconciliation in our hearts and in our communities! These works can be found at: https://www.cccb.ca/indigenous-peoples/pope-francis-penitential-pilgrimage/speeches/ November 20th – Please reserve this date as the Knights of Columbus plan to have one of their now famous Pancake Breakfasts at the Parish Hall after the 10:00 am mass. Please join us for some good food and visiting. Please take precautions if you are sick or feel vulnerable as Covid and various flus are circulating. Scripture Insights – Thirty-Second 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. 384.
Bishop’s Annual Appeal: “Walking Together in Hope” October 16, 2022 – December 31, 2022 Every gift is greatly appreciated! Bishop’s Annual Appeal Stewardship is a gift from God that enables us to share with others what He has entrusted to us. When we give, it not only benefits those on the receiving end, but it sows something even GREATER into us. It is a cycle that was designed never to be broken. The Bishop’s Annual Appeal is a perfect means of channeling parishioner support to essential ministries that provide care to those in need and support for our mission of evangelization in the Diocese of Prince Albert. Consider giving to this year’s campaign. Thank you. As of October 31st the diocese has received 13 pledges from Our Lady of Peace Parish for $5149.00; 0 pledges from Green Lake for $0.00 and 338 pledges from the whole diocese for a total of $117,896.00 for the Bishop’s Appeal. DIOCESAN NEWS & BEYOND War in Ukraine – Our Oblates who are working in the Ukraine are asking us for help as they struggle to help feed the countless people who come to their door seeking assistance. The devastation of the cities is visible, and the needs of the people are many. Often those who are able, have fled the cities to fight or to make a new temporary home elsewhere. At the Oblate houses in Obukhiv and Tyvriv they try to provide food and shelter for as many people as they can. If you have the resources to help them Fr. Witalij Podolan, OMI and his Oblate companions would be so grateful. Fr. Witalij shares how hard it is for them to turn people away when they run out of food. You can make a donation on-line through our Mission website: www.omilacombe.ca/mami/donations ; E-transfer to [email protected]. Call our office directly 1-866-432-6264; send a cheque payable to AMMI Lacombe Canada MAMI or bring to Parish Office. Mail to 601 Taylor Street West, Saskatoon, SK S7M 0C9. Income tax receipts are available for all donations. Please see the Poster at the back of the Church for further information. Development and Peace – Caritas Canada invites you to join us in celebrating 55 years of solidarity with our sisters and brothers in the Global South! Our friends and partners once again request our support in their fight for justice and human dignity, which represents a call to continue our campaign: People and Planet First. Learn about the status of ongoing calls for corporate accountability in the Canadian investment and mining sectors and join us for in an inspiring discussion on Pope Francis’ Fratelli Tutti (All brothers and sisters). Come out for some good fellowship and help us put People and Planet First! The City of Prince Albert workshop will take place on November 5th at St. Joseph's Parish, 260 25th St E.,1:00-3:00 p.m. To register, please contact Leroy at [email protected] Our North Battleford workshop will take place on November 6th at St. Joseph Calasanctius Parish, 1942 98 Street 1:00-3:00 p.m. To register, please contact Mike LeBlanc at [email protected] How To Pray When We Don’t Feel Like It By Fr. Ron Rolheiser, OMI If we only prayed when we felt like it, we wouldn’t pray a lot. Enthusiasm, good feelings, and fervour will not sustain anyone’s prayer life for long, good will and firm intention notwithstanding. Our hearts and minds are complex and promiscuous, wild horses frolicking to their own tunes, with prayer frequently not on their agenda. The renowned mystic, John of the Cross teaches that, after an initial period of fervour in prayer, we will spend the bulk of our years struggling to pray discursively, dealing with boredom and distraction. So, the question becomes, how do we pray at those times when we are tired, distracted, bored, disinterested, and nursing a thousand other things in our heads and in our hearts? How do we pray when little inside us wants to pray? Especially, how do we pray at those moments when we have a positive distaste for prayer? Monks have secrets worth knowing. The first secret we need to learn from them is the central place of ritual in sustaining a prayer-life. Monks pray a lot and regularly, but they never try to sustain their prayer on the basis of feelings. They sustain it through ritual. Monks pray together seven or eight times a day ritually. They gather in chapel and pray the ritual offices of the church (Matins, Lauds, Prime, Terce, Sext, Vespers, Compline) or they celebrate the Eucharist together. They don’t always go there because they feel like it, they come because they are called to prayer, and then, with their hearts and minds perhaps less than enthusiastic about praying, they pray through the deepest part of themselves, their intention, and their will. In the rule that St. Benedict wrote for monastic life there’s an oft-quoted phrase. A monk’s life, he writes, is to be ruled by the monastic bell. When the monastic bell rings, the monk is immediately to drop whatever he is doing and go to whatever that summons is calling him to, not because he wants to, but because it is time, and time is not our time, it’s God’s time. That’s a valuable secret, particularly as it applies to prayer. We need to go pray regularly, not because we want to, but because it’s time, and when we can’t pray with our hearts and minds, we can still pray through our wills and through our bodies. Yes, our bodies! We tend to forget that we are not dis-incarnate angels, pure heart and mind. We are also a body. Thus, when heart and mind struggle to engage in prayer, we can always still pray with our bodies. Classically, we have tried to do this through certain physical gestures and postures (making the sign of the cross, kneeling, raising our hands, joining hands, genuflection, prostration) and we should never underestimate or denigrate the importance of these bodily gestures. Simply put, when we can’t pray in any other way, we can still pray through our bodies. (And, who is to say that a sincere bodily gesture is inferior as a prayer to a gesture of the heart or mind?) Personally, I much admire a particular bodily gesture, bowing down with one’s head to the floor which Muslims do in their prayer. To do that is to have your body say to God, “Irrespective of whatever’s on my mind and in my heart right now, I submit to your omnipotence, your holiness, your love.” Whenever I do meditative prayer alone, normally I end it with this gesture. Sometimes spiritual writers, catechists, and liturgists have failed us by not making it clear that prayer has different stages – and that affectivity, enthusiasm, fervour are only one stage, and a neophyte stage at that. As the great doctors and mystics of spirituality have universally taught, prayer, like love, goes through three phases. First comes fervour and enthusiasm; next comes the waning of fervour along with dryness and boredom; and finally comes proficiency, an ease, a certain sense of being at home in prayer that does not depend on affectivity and fervour but on a commitment to be present, irrespective of affective feeling. Dietrich Bonhoeffer used to say this to a couple when officiating at their marriage: Today you are very much in love and believe that your love will sustain your marriage. It won’t. Let your marriage [which is a ritual container] sustain your love. The same can be said about prayer. Fervour and enthusiasm will not sustain your prayer, but ritual can. When we struggle to pray with our minds and our hearts, we can still always pray through our wills and our bodies. Showing up can be prayer enough. In a recent book, Dearest Sister Wendy, Robert Ellsberg quotes a comment by Michael Leach, who said this in relation to what he was experiencing in having to care long-term for his wife suffering from Alzheimer’s. Falling in love is the easy part; learning to love is the hard part; and living in love is the best part. True too for prayer. |
Parish BulletinThis bulletin is prepared by the Parish Secretary and the Pastor Archives
October 2024
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