Introduction to the Liturgy – The Prophet’s Pain – Of all biblical vocations, the of the prophet ins the most difficult.  For his truthful but ominous oracles, Jeremiah is viewed by Judah’s leaders as a demoralizing force; he is thrown into a cistern and left to die.  Jesus today speaks of the pain which his mission will entail, his own death and a later division even among family members which faith in him will cause.  Hebrews looks to the outcome of it all in pointing to God’s vindication of the prophet.  Jesus was brought through trial to glory. So too will we if we remain faithful.

From the Saints – Homily on Matthew by Saint John Chrysostom, bishop – Do not think, he says, that you are destined for easy struggles or unimportant tasks. You are the salt of the earth. What do these words imply? Did the disciples restore what had already turned rotten? Not at all. Salt cannot help what is already corrupted. That is not what they did. But what had first been renewed and freed from corruption and then turned over to them, they salted and preserved in the newness the Lord had bestowed. It took the power of Christ to free men from the corruption caused by sin; it was the task of the apostles through strenuous labor to keep that corruption from returning.  (Matins, 20^th Sunday of Ordinary Time)

In your prayers kindly remember the sick and those who care for them, the lonely, the handicapped, those     isolated, and those who have died, especially Nelson Bowers, Donald Recoskie, Bruce Macheska, George Dumont, Gale Sarazin and Rick Irving.

HAVE A BLESSED AND HOLY WEEK

Your total offering for last Sunday was $3117.00

Thank you for your generosity and support

Turn your eyes, O God, our shield;
and look on the face of your anointed one;
one day within your courts
is better than a thousand elsewhere.

(Entrance Antiphon – 20^th Sunday in Ordinary Time)

FROM THE RECTOR’S DESK:  It is with sadness and hope that we say our farewells to our seminarian Lukas Casta.  Lukas will be studying for another two years at St. Augustine’s Seminary in Toronto.  We are extremely grateful for the variety of assistance that Lukas has given to the parish over the last year. During that time, we moved our office and everything else out of the rectory. Lukas pitched in wherever he was needed, thank you Lukas.  I ask that you keep Lukas in your prayers during his studies and that he will embrace Gods calling.  Father Jim

NOTICE FROM THE PARISH OFFICE:  From July 1^st until September 6^th the Parish Office will be open Mondays thru Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. Thank you.

Gift Shop: The Gift Shop will be open following the 10:30am Mass every Sunday starting in September, the exact date will be announced. If you wish to purchase anything from the gift shop in the meantime, please contact Becky Chaput at 732-8711.

JOIN AN ONLINE PRAYER GROUP FOR THE EVANGELIZATION PROJECT: Join us online every Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. to intercede for the evangelization efforts in the diocese of Pembroke. We pray the rosary, sometimes a novena, or meditate on a Gospel passage. The zoom link to connect is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81378641646.

MADONNA HOUSE IS CELEBRATING 75 YEARS IN COMBERMERE: Join us for an open house & picnic on Sunday, September 4^th from 1-9 p.m.

1-3:00 p.m.   Main House/Training Centre tours: Take time to pray at Our Lady of Combermere and The Island Chapel & Catherine’s cabin. MH Gift Shop, Book Shop & Pioneer Museum will be open. See St. Raphael’s Handicraft Center and Outdoor Kiln.

3-9:00 p.m.    St. Mary’s (2768 Dafoe Road): Tea Time/Activities for families, adoration & benediction

6:00 p.m.  Picnic Supper: Every family should bring a picnic supper (no grilling). Madonna House is providing dessert.

6-9:00 p.m.   Bonfire/Music/Visiting.

Another way you can join in our celebration is to watch for photos and videos posted at: www.madonnahouse.org/75th

“Assumption of the Blessed Virgin”

The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains: Finally the Immaculate Virgin, preserved free from all stain of original sin, when the course of her earthly life was finished, was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory, and exalted by the Lord as Queen over all things, so that she might be the more fully conformed to her Son, the Lord of lords and conqueror of sin and death” (LG 59).

The “Assumption of the Blessed Virgin is a singular participation in her Son’s Resurrection and an anticipation of the resurrection of other Christians” (CCC 966). “In giving birth you kept your virginity; in your Dormition you did not leave the world, O Mother of God, but were joined to the source of Life. You conceived the living God and, by your prayers, will deliver our souls from death” (Byzantine Liturgy, Feast of the Dormition).

The Assumption of Mary anticipates the general resurrection from the dead at the end of time; that sublime day on which Christ will return in glory and raise the just to the resurrection of life. At that moment in our future, we will follow Mary in a perfect way. Deacon Frederick Bartels–joyintruth.com/

https://www.fanpop.com/clubs/blessed-virgin-mary

Father in heaven,
all creation rightly gives you praise,
for all life and all holiness come from you.
In the plan of your wisdom
she who bore the Christ in her womb
was raised body and soul in glory to be with him in heaven.
May we follow her example in reflecting your holiness
and join in her hymn of endless love and praise.