Palm Sunday - Passion Sunday - March 28, 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
 
“Father, if this chalice cannot pass without my drinking it, your will be done.” Matthew 26.42
 
March 28, 2021 - Passion (Palm) Sunday
 
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
 
Finance Council Chair:

Mass Attendance:  If you would like to attend mass on Saturday nights or Sunday mornings in Meadow Lake, please call the Parish Office 306-236-5122 BEFORE FRIDAY NOON and leave a message.  Reservations are necessary as we have limited capacity (20 small groups) and we do not want to turn someone away from the door.
 
Holy Week:  We are beginning Holy Week, the week which precedes the great feast of the Resurrection on Easter Sunday. It includes the last days of Lent and the beginning of the Easter Triduum – the Great Three Days which begin at sunset on Holy Thursday and end at sunset on Easter Sunday. During Holy Week, the Church celebrates the mysteries of salvation accomplished by Christ in the last days of his life on earth; beginning with his messianic entrance into Jerusalem. These celebrations are important and central to the celebration of our faith. If you cannot be present physically be sure to take part virtually!
 
Mass Intentions
 
Saturday, March 27 – 11:00 am – Chrism Mass - Sacred Heart Cathedral in Prince Albert
This celebration will be live streamed from the diocese.
 
Mon., March 29 Personal Intention
 
Tues., March 30 – 11:30 am (Facebook) - +Abraham Family by Alice Abraham
 
Wed. March 31 - 11:30 am (Facebook) - +Carl Denis Tourand by Paul and Theresa Tourand
 
See Below for the times and places of the Liturgies During the Easter Triduum
 
THIS WEEK IN THE PARISH

1. Our ‘40 Cans for Lent’ project began Ash Wednesday. Each household was asked to contribute one can (cans of fruit, vegetables, soups, beans, chili, fish, or stew or anything else that is non-perishable) for each day of Lent – hence 40 cans for Lent. The contributions from our households were taken to the Door of Hope. Thank you to those who contributed for being mindful of the needs of our brothers and sisters.  If you forgot to drop off your donations, you are welcome to drop them off at the Parish office during Lorraine’s office hours.
2. Please note the changes in the times for liturgy and the opportunities for confession.
3. The office will be closed Good Friday, April 2, 2021.
4. You are welcome to bring Easter baskets for blessing at the Easter Vigil and on Easter Sunday.  Please keep your Easter basket in the pew with you and raise it up at the time of blessing. 
5. April 5, 6 & 7 – Fr. Doug will not be in the office on these days.

Meadow Lake Vaccine Clinic Reminder:  If you know someone 67+ who is waiting for a COVID-19 vaccine, appointments are still available for the local vaccine clinics next week on March 30, March 31, and April 1. Vaccine booking information is available at saskatchewan.ca/covid19vaccine or by calling the booking line at 1-833-SASKVAX (1-833-727-5829).

Sask Health/Diocese of Prince Albert Regulations – We have been informed by the Diocese that the Province of Saskatchewan has given us permission to increase the number of people taking part in our liturgy (March 19). At Our Lady of Peace Parish our Sunday morning 10:00 am mass can accommodate 20 households. If you would like to take part in our liturgy you must register, maintain social distance, wear a mask and sanitize your hands. A virtual liturgy continues to fulfill our Sunday obligation. As our attendance numbers increase, we must maintain our vigilance as the virus has not gone away – the risk here in Meadow Lake has diminished but we want to continue exercising caution.

New Bishop Appointed to Roman Catholic Diocese of Prince Albert - His Holiness Pope Francis accepted the resignation of the Most Reverend Albert Thévenot, Missionary of Africa, as the Bishop of the Diocese of Prince Albert, and today appointed his successor, Father Stephen Hero. At the time of his appointment, Father Hero was the Rector of St. Joseph Seminary in Edmonton. Bishop Thévenot has been the Bishop of Prince Albert for the past 13 years. He submitted his resignation to the Holy Father upon reaching the age limit of 75, as stipulated by Canon 401 of the Code of Canon Law.

Bishop-elect Hero was born on 19 December 1969, in Lachine, Québec. He earned a Bachelor of Arts (Philosophy) from the Seminary of Christ the King in Mission, British Columbia (1994) and went on to study at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) in Rome earning a Bachelor in Sacred Theology (1998) as well as a Licentiate in Sacred Theology (2000). He was ordained to the priesthood on 29 June 2000 for the Archdiocese of Edmonton, where he served as an assistant pastor in parishes and as Vocation Director for the Archdiocese. He returned to Rome to further his studies and obtained a Licentiate in Liturgical Theology from the Pontifical Liturgical Institute at Sant’ Anselmo (2005). Upon returning to Edmonton in 2005, he served as a member of the formation team at St. Joseph Seminary and was likewise a continuing lecturer at Newman Theological College in the areas of Spirituality, Liturgy, and Sacraments. In 2010, he was appointed as Vice Rector of St. Joseph Seminary and was appointed Rector in 2012.

Easter Card Project:  Sometime ago, some members of the Catholic Women’s League from Our Lady of Peace Parish talked about the impact of Covid-19 on our elders. They wondered if there was a way to reach out to people in our Elder Care Centres to support and encourage them. The idea surfaced that perhaps preparing and sending them greeting cards for Easter might be a helpful way to reach out and remind them that they are not alone. Thanks to the generosity of so many women from our CWL Council, numerous cards have been prepared for the residents of the Northland Pioneer Lodge.  Some were bought and others were home-made, all with beautiful messages for our senior citizens.   We now have enough for each resident.  These will be delivered to the Lodge on March 29.  To the ladies who have prepared these cards, thank you so much for your gifts of time and creativity.  May you have a Blessed and Happy Easter!

HOLY WEEK AND EASTER LITURGIES 2021
At this time, it looks like we will be able to celebrate Holy Week and Easter Liturgies with some restrictions. The following is a list of liturgies that we will celebrate if there are no new Sask Health or Diocesan guideline changes.
 
Confessions: Our Lady of Peace Parish – Fr. Doug will be available on Tuesday, March 30 – 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm and on Wednesday, March 31 – 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm (mass will be celebrated (virtually only) at 11:30 am on Wednesday.
 
Palm Sunday Liturgy
            Saturday, March 27 – 7:00 pm - Our Lady of Peace - Parish Hall
            Sunday, March 28 – 10:00 am - Our Lady of Peace – Church Building and Facebook
            Sunday, March 28 – 12:30 pm – St Jude’s, Green Lake
            Sunday, March 28 – 3:00 pm - Our Lady of the Smile, Waterhen Lake
Notes from the Diocese – Palms to be handed out in a safe manner - No processions – the parishioners may be invited to remain seated during the proclamation of the Passion.
For those unable to attend the Liturgies, palms will be available at the Parish Office door (west side of church building) on Sunday from 11:00 am – 12:00 noon or during Lorraine’s Office hours as supplies last.
 
Holy Thursday
            Thursday, April 1 – 5:00 pm - St Jude’s, Green Lake
            Thursday, April 1 – 7:30 pm – Our Lady of Peace – Church Building and Facebook
Notes from the Diocese – The washing of the feet ritual is to be omitted – adoration must end by Midnight.

Good Friday Liturgy
Friday, April 2 - 12:30 pm – St. Jude’s, Green Lake
Friday, April 2 - 3:00 pm – Our Lady of the Smile, Waterhen Lake
Friday, April 2 - 3:00 pm – Our Lady of Peace – Church Building and Facebook (Led by Lay Ministers)
Friday, April 2 – 7:00 pm – Prayer at the Cross – Facebook
Notes from the Diocese – There are to be no processions – The parishioners may be invited to remain seated during the proclamation of the Passion – the Veneration of the Cross will be celebrated by 2:00 minutes of silence – Communion will be brought to parishioners in their places – at the end of the liturgy people depart in silence.
 
Easter Vigil Liturgy
Saturday, April 3 - 8:00 pm - Our Lady of Peace – Church Building and Facebook
Notes from the Diocese – One vigil per parish – there is to be no fire – the Paschal Candle is to be lit at the front of the Church – no sprinkling rite – Easter baskets remain in the pew and are lifted up at the time of blessing.
 
Easter Sunday Liturgy
Sunday, April 4 - 10: 00 am - Our Lady of Peace – Church Building and Facebook
Sunday, April 4 – 12:30 pm - St. Jude’s, Green Lake
Sunday, April 4 – 3:00 pm - Our Lady of the Smile, Waterhen Lake
Notes from the Diocese – Easter baskets remain in the pew and are lifted up at the time of blessing – no processions – no sprinkling rite.
 
Please note that if you would like holy water, please bring your own containers and ask Father to fill your container.
 
Tai Le - Ordination to the Transitional Diaconate:  Seminarian Tai Le first served at the parish of Sacred Heart Cathedral in Prince Albert under Fr. Roque Concepcion and is currently serving at St. Theresa in Wakaw under Fr. Matthew Nguyen. These internships have been the final steps of preparation for Tai in fulfilling his calling to the Priesthood.  At 7:00 p.m. on April 30, 2021, on the feast of St. Marie of the Incarnation, Tai Le will be ordained to the Transitional Diaconate in the Rite of Ordination of a Deacon at St. Theresa Parish in Wakaw. Due to Covid-19 and possible restrictions at that time, attendance will be by invitation only.  Your prayers will be very much appreciated for Tai on this special day and for his continued journey towards fulfilling his chosen path as Priest in the mission of the Lord.
 
LENT 2021 RESOURCESDaily Emails - I am with You: Lessons of Hope and Courage in Times of Crisis from Loyola Press
- Led by the Spirit Lenten Reflections with Dr. Tim Gray from Formed 
- It's Not What You Give Up This Lent: It's Who You Become from Dynamic Catholic
Multiple offerings from Prayer and Retreats to Art to Reflections on Specific Holy Days from Loyola Press
For Young Adults:  Lent in Three Minutes from Busted Halo; Our Journey Through Lent from Franciscan Media; 25 Great Things You Can Do for Lent: Besides Giving Up Chocolate from Busted Halo; Preparing for Lent  and What's the Purpose of Lent from Fr. Mike Schmitz
Lenten Calendar - Lent-themed Daily Jolt and Microchallenge! from Busted Halo

Family Faith Formation for the Home:   A video series to support families in telling the Easter story to their children.  Posted on the RC Diocese of Prince Albert: Evangelization and Catechesis Facebook page and later on the Evangelization and Catechesis webpage on the RC Diocese of PA website.  Each video is between 15-30 minutes and contains a short reading from the story Benjamin’s Box, a Scripture reading, a craft, a challenge, and a prayer. By the end, families will have heard the Easter story and collected items symbolizing key moments of Jesus’ experience during his last days:  His triumphant entry into Jerusalem on a donkey , the last supper, Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus’ torture and crucifixion and the resurrection on Easter morning.  Here is the video schedule remaining: Monday 29; Good Friday - Apr 2;  Holy Saturday - Apr 3; Easter Sunday - Apr 4.
Other resources for families - Lenten Activities from Loyola Press:  40 Ideas for 40 Days, Catechetical Activities for Lent, Lent at Home, Lenten Activities for Children, Lenten Family Calendar, Lent Frequently Asked Questions: With Joe Paprocki; CatChat Productions - Treasures of Faith Journey


Our Lady of Czestochowa:  We received a note today, March 24, 2021, from Bishop Albert announcing that the parish of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Prince Albert has been closed. He writes, “To the Faithful of the Diocese of Prince Albert, Greetings to you as we continue our journey through the last days of the Lenten season with Holy Week soon upon us in which we celebrate the death and resurrection of Christ. It is with sadness that I write this letter to you today. After many conversations and meetings regarding the future of the parish of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Prince Albert with its pastor and parish council, the priests of the City of Prince Albert, the Bishop's Senate, and the College of Consultors, i have come to the decision that Sunday, April 1 1, 2021 will be the final celebration of the Eucharist at the parish. Subsequently, the parish will be closed for worship and the juridic person of the parish will be suppressed. It is my prayer that the parishioners of Our Lady of Czestochowa find another spiritual home among the parishes in Prince Albert. It is important for these parishioners to respect the history and the culture of the parishes that they attend. Conversely, it is up to the faithful of these parishes to welcome new people to their parish. Fr. Michael Fahlman continues as the pastor of St. Mary Parish in Christopher Lake and the Chancellor of the Diocese of Prince Albert, as well as his other duties and responsibilities. It is with great regret that I have come to this decision. It is my prayer that everyone involved will find peace with this decision.”   May we, the faithful people of the Meadow Lake Cluster, offer our prayer for all who have been involved in these conversations and decisions.