Sixth Sunday of Easter May 5, 2024

 
        
       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 has revealed his victory in the sight of the nations.
Psalm 98 Refrain
  
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. Uche Umechikelu, MSP
Parish Secretary:
Pat Bencharski
 
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., May 6 – No mass
 
Tues., May 7 – No Liturgy with Communion at the Lodge
 
Tues., May 7 – No mass
 
Wed., May 8 – No mass
 
Thurs., May 9 – No Adoration before mass
 
Thurs., May 9 – No mass 
 
Fri., May 10 – No mass  (Holy Spirit Novena Begins)
 
Sat. May 11 – 5:00 pm (St. Jude’s Green Lake) - People of God

Sun., May 12 – 10:00 am (Our Lady of Peace Church & Facebook) (Ascension of the Lord/World Communications Day) - People of God

Sun., May 12 - 3:00 pm (Our Lady of the Smile Waterhen) - People of God

THIS WEEK IN THE PARISH

1. Daily rosary during the month of May – Monday to Friday at 6:00 pm and Sundays before mass.
2. Fr. Uche will be away all week attending priest’s retreat at Queen’s House in Saskatoon.
3. We will be starting a 9 day Novena to the Holy Spirit from May 10 – May 18 at 6:00 pm daily. Please be actively involved.

Sunday Collection – Apr. 28:  Meadow Lake $861.15  Green Lake $35.00  Children’s Collection $6.35  
 
Sunday Church Attendance – April 28 - Adults 111  Children  20   Total  131
                                               
The Pope’s Prayer Intention for May – for the formation of religious and seminarians – We pray that religious women and men, and seminarians, grow in their own vocations through their human, pastoral, spiritual and community formation, leading them to be credible witnesses to the Gospel.
 
May Devotion to Mary – We will pray the rosary daily (Monday – Friday) at 6:00 pm and before mass on Sundays. During this month of May, let us rediscover her maternal role in each of our lives and come to her with prayers for healing of mind, body and spirit.
 
Diocesan Priests Retreat – All priests will be on retreat from May 6 – May 10 at Queen’s House in Saskatoon. There will be no daily mass this week.
 
Pope’s Pastoral Works – May 5 – This collection provides an opportunity for Catholics to make a financial offering to assist the Holy Father for his charitable contributions to those most in need throughout the world, as well as for the support of the Holy See and its activities.
 “Each individual Christian and every community is called to be an instrument of God for the liberation and promotion of the poor, and for enabling them to be fully a part of society. This demands that we be docile and attentive to the cry of the poor and to come to their aid.  . . .The old question always returns: ‘How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods, and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help?’ (I Jn 3:17).”           Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium, 187           Taken from Ordo page 120
 
Parish Pictorial Directories – We were sent 15 extra directories. If anyone would like to purchase any of these directories please call the office. We are selling them for $10 each.
 
Registration for RCIA Classes – Anyone who wishes to register for RCIA in preparation for joining the Church Easter 2025 is asked to contact the office during the month of April. Classes will begin in the first week of May and will be held twice a month – dates and times to be announced before classes commence.
 
Our Lady of Peace Graduation Scholarship – We are hoping to present scholarships to graduates who want to pursue educational opportunities. We are asking for donations from parishioners to help fund the Scholarship. If you wish to donate to this Scholarship please indicate on your envelope or cheque “Scholarship Fund”. Graduation is at the end of May this year. Thank you in advance for your support.
 
Scripture Insights – Sixth Sunday of Easter
Taken from Source Book for Sundays, Seasons and Weekdays 2024:  The Almanac for Pastoral Liturgy, LTP Liturgy Training Publications Copyright 2023, 3949 South Racine Avenue, Chicago, IL 60609, pg. 194.
 
 We are introduced to the Gentile Cornelius. In the verses immediately preceding today’s selection, Cornelius has a vision in which he is instructed to meet Peter. Meanwhile, Peter has a vision that confounds him and that he will later understand as a sign that Gentiles who proclaim Jesus as Lord should be welcomed into this new community. Upon his first meeting with Peter, Cornelius falls before Peter’s feet. While a conversation between the two ensues, a large crowd gathers. For the first time, Peter begins to teach “that God shows no partiality” between Jew and Gentile. The Holy Spirit descended upon the believers, and the baptism of Cornelius and his household followed.
The Gospel emphasizes that the love that exists between the Father and the Son is the same love that must characterize the relationships of Jesus’ followers. This love is so foundational for Christians that we are commanded to love one another. The noun friend, which Jesus uses to describe his relationship with the disciples, is derived from the verb to love. Thus, the friendship identified in this Gospel emphasizes mutual self-giving. Such friendship is far more than a casual relationship with another person.
                    

• The Scripture passages from the Acts of the Apostles show how the Holy Spirit was at work in the early Church. Many times, the spirit surprises the early Christians, bestowing blessings on people who may at one time have been deemed unworthy. Today, this Spirit is still surprising us, pouring out gifts on those we may least expect. Think who those people might be today: women, young people, immigrants, the LGBTQ+ community. Where are we failing to recognize those whom God has chosen?

·         Again, St. John implores: it is about love. Those who don’t know love do not know God: whom are we failing to love today? How might God’s love be shown through us, simply by extending a hand, greeting a stranger, sitting with one who mourns?
·         Notably, these passages where Jesus pours out his repeated messages of love for one another do not mention how we have earned this love, or what we did to deserve it. There is nothing we can do to deserve the kind of love that has prompted our God to lay down his life for us. We did not even choose him: he chose us. We did nothing to earn this, and yet God has found us worthy. This kind of bond should in turn prompt us to change our lives to strive to be worthy recipients, to learn to lay down our agendas for one another.