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Homily – June 17, 2018

Sunday, June 17th, 2018

This is the planting season. People are planting seeds or plants in their gardens and in the front of their homes. Planting can be an act of faith. We trust the seeds will grow, we trust the plants will take root, but we don’t know. There is a lot at stake. Will the coming months be too hot or too rainy? Will we use too much or too little fertilizer? Are we planting in good soil?

In today’s gospel Jesus tells two parables in which he describes the kingdom of God, the reign or the action of God in our lives. In the first parable Jesus tells us the farmer can do nothing to hasten to produce of hasten the process of grow of the plant; the seed will sprout and grow on its own. It doesn’t need the farmer. In the second parable he tells about small beginnings, the smallest of all seeds ending up as the greatest of all shrubs.

Both are about growth.

When we were baptized the reign of God began in our lives, the mustard seed was planted. Through our Catholic up bring, our reception of our First Holy Communion, our first Confession, our Confirmation, our religious instruction, our presence at Mass and our receiving Holy Communion, the example of family and friends plus our involvement in the life of the parish that seed, the smallest of all seeds, was meant to take root and grow. Unlike the farmer who has no control over whether or not the seed will fructify, we have a lot to do with the growth of the reign of God in our lives. God’s reign isn’t a place. It’s a condition, it’s a mindset of God’s love inspiring and guiding our lives; opening our hearts to all those who come into our lives.

We can ask ourselves these challenging questions; has the mustard seed planted in me at baptism grown in such a way that my branches are strong enough and wide enough to welcome all those men, women and children who have come into my life, regardless of where they come from, what they believe or what their life style. Are my branches strong enough to support those who need my help and understanding? Do they offer shade of comfort and relief to all who need my compassion and understanding?

These two parables are about growth, the growth of the reign of God, the love of God in our lives. Part of that growth is our willingness to be sowers of faith, kindness and social awareness ourselves. Like sowers, we scatter our activities, our tiny acts of faith and service flung out far and wide. Our acts of random kindness are taken by the wind, all landing somewhere. We sleep our nights and do our days, and the growth takes place. We may not even be conscious of the flowering but we continue the good work.

St. Paul challenged his listener to grow, grow to full maturity in Christ. That’s still our challenge, to be more Christ-like in our service to and acceptance of anyone and everyone who comes into our lives.

As we continue to celebrate our Mass we prayer for ourselves and for each other that we grow stronger in our love of God and in our love and service to one another.

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Homily – June 10, 2018

Sunday, June 10th, 2018

Today’s first reading is from the book of Genesis, the book of beginnings. Every religion and culture has stories that attempt to explain our beginnings. The Indigenous people of Canada have several such stories. Our Judeo Christian faiths have the story we read about today. It was an attempt to explain the pain and mix-ups of life. It couldn’t be God’s fault, humans must have messed things us. So the story goes that from the dust of the earth God created man and from man God created woman. There was an intimacy between God and his creatures. God walked with them in the cool of the day. Adam and Eve lived in a lush garden, plants and flowers and fruit bearing trees. Everything was theirs to use. But there were limits. They were not to eat the fruit of the tree of good and evil.

Along comes the tempter, the spoiler, the trouble maker. They were shown the fruit of the tree and it was pleasing to the eye and it offered great possibilities. Anyone who ate the fruit would become like God, knowing good and evil. The allurement was too much. Both Adam and Eve tasted the fruit and it’s been downhill ever since.

They broke their closeness, the intimacy with God. Things would never be the same. The garden was off limits. Adam would earn his bread by the sweat of his brow; Eve would suffer the pains of bearing children.

Our Christian faith tells us that Adams act of disobedience was undone by the obedience of Jesus, an obedience that brought him to his painful and shameful death on the cross, an obedience that was recognized by the Father’s raising Jesus from the dead. By the death of Jesus we were reconciled to God – Jesus made peace by shedding his blood on the cross.

The consequences of that primal act of disobedience are still with us. We could say the snake still slithers into our lives. St. Paul expresses that reality when he says of himself, ‘ the good that I would that I do not and the evil I would not do, that I do.’

The snake strikes when are tempted to anger or resentment toward family members of friends. The snake strikes when all we’re concerned about is satisfying our needs for sensual pleasure. The snake strikes when all we’re concerned about is amassing things. The snake strikes when we give up being concerned about poor people, homeless people and the working poor. The snake strikes when resent the presence of refugees and immigrants in our neighbourhoods. The snake strikes when we belittle the faith or cultures of other people. The snake strikes when we fail to see other people as sons of daughters of our loving God, who are our brothers and sisters in the eyes of God.

We are good people but at the same time we are mistake making beings. The good that we would do, we do not and the evil we would not do, that we do.

What’s saves us is the grace, the goodness of Jesus Christ. Christ in our victor. His life and death, his example and teachings all tell us that in the conflict between good and evil that we face every day of life, in the end love conquers hate, goodness puts an end to evil, and justice prevails over injustice. God’s love for each on us is the antidote to the serpents bite.

One author expressed it this way:

What the Genesis story tells us is that in the conflict between evil and humanity, humanity will finally win. Our victory comes from the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus. The roots of evil are healed by the grace of God drawing those who seek to do God’s will into a community that serves one another and reaches beyond its own interests. Such people know the power of God and rightly call one another sister and brother, no matter what their natural genealogy. The “family values” of Jesus stretch us beyond the private interests of our immediate family to a much larger world. God grant that we be members of that greater world.

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Bulletin – June 10, 2018

Saturday, June 9th, 2018

A MESSAGE FROM CARDINAL COLLINS

Save Summer Jobs and Reach Out to Your Member of Parliament.

Thousands of charitable organizations are being denied funding through the Canadian Summer Jobs Program. The federal government has introduced a litmus test. To qualify for funding, organizations must agree with the Liberal Government on issues such as abortion and gender expression. This has impacted more than 150 jobs and more than $1 million in funding in the Archdiocese of Toronto alone. Across Canada 1,500 groups had their applications rejected this year vs. 126 in 2017.

Cardinal Collins invites you to write to your federal Member of Parliament to respectfully express your concerns. Visit www.savesummerjobs.ca to send a message to your MP, a process that will take less than 3 minutes. You can also donate at the same time to support those organizations impacted by the new application guidelines.

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL – MARYGROVE CAMP

This Weekend, June 9th/10th

There will be a second collection for Marygrove Camp for Girls this weekend, June 9th/10th at all the Masses. Marygrove Camp is a residential camp situated on 39 acres of beautifully treed grounds and a quarter mile of Georgian Bay waterfront near Penetang, Ontario. This summer, 1,100 girls from less fortunate families will be attending camp.

Please support this important work of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Each and every child’s camping experience is fully subsidized through this collection. Thank you for your support! Envelopes are in the pews.

PARISH PICNIC

Sunday, July 8th after the 12:30 Mass

The Parish BBQ Picnic will be held on Sunday, July 8th after the 12:30 Mass in the parking lot. There will be hot dogs, games, face painting, lucky draws, music and more. Tickets are $2 each. Please bring your families, friends and neighbours to enjoy a summer afternoon with your parishioners.

We need more young volunteers to help and make this event happen. Please sign up by putting your name and phone number on the sheets at the back of church. For more information, you may call Linda Law at 416-918-8029.

CHILDREN’S FAITH PROGRAM – 2018/2019

Registration forms for the Children’s Faith Program are now available in the parish office. This program is for children of the Parish who attend other Catholic schools, public or private schools. Classes are held at St. Gabriel’s School every second Sunday beginning September 9th, 2018.

Please note that a separate Sacramental registration form is required if your child will receive the sacraments of First Communion, Reconciliation or Confirmation during the 2018/2019 year. These forms are also available in the Parish Office.

ANNOUNCED MASSES

June 11th to June 16th, 2018

MONDAY – FR. JOSEPH PAUL – Requested by Sophie
TUESDAY – ANTHONY OSBORNE – Requested by Frank & Rose Sulatycki
WEDNESDAY – MICHAEL LEO DEVINE – Requested by Mary Anne Barnes
THURSDAY – FR. PAUL CUSACK – Requested by Mark DesRoches
FRIDAY – LEONARD MARCHIE – Requested by Teresa Marchie
SATURDAY – MARIA ROSARIO CALIMBAS – Requested by Estrella Gavieta, Rachel Luke & Family

SHARELIFE

LIVING THE GOSPEL BY HELPING YOUTH REBUILD THEIR LIVES

Sarah couldn’t get along with her mother, so she tried living on the streets at age 14. She hitchhiked to Toronto to move in with her cousin, who soon kicked her out. Having no place to go, Sarah decided to try Sancta Maria House. She initially hated the structure and rules. However, the supportive staff won her trust and helped her return to school. At the end of her stay, she restored her relationship with her mother. ShareLife-funded agencies like Sancta Maria House are helping at-risk youth turn their lives around

Total Collected to June 4th, 2018 – $114,802
Please make a sacrificial gift to ShareLife through your parish or sharelife.org

FOOD FOR ROSALIE HALL & GOOD SHEPHERD CENTRE

Thank you for your generous support of Rosalie Hall and the Good Shepherd Centre. Your food donations are very much appreciated.

Rosalie Hall provides a wide range of child development, community, residential and educational services for young parents and their children.

Good Shepherd provides hot meals and shelter for the homeless in our city as well as a chance to start again through the Resettlement or DARE Programs.

With so many struggling to provide for their families and themselves, your food donations are more important than ever. Please check the expiry dates before donating since we cannot pass on food that has expired.

JUST COFFEE

Weekend of June 16th/17th

Fair trade organic coffees will be on sale after all the Masses next weekend.

Regular ground coffee: $5.50
Decaffeinated: $6.00
Whole Beans: $5.50
Chocolate Bars: $4.50 incl. Taxes
Hot Chocolate and Cocoa: $6.00
Teas: $4.25

YOUR USED FURNITURE WILL CHANGE A LIFE

Furniture Bank is a registered charity that provides quality furniture to people in need, including the formerly homeless, women and children fleeing violence, and newcomers and refugees. Furniture Bank is currently seeking donations of gently used furniture and housewares to help combat the growing issue of furniture poverty in Toronto.
Do you have unwanted furniture and housewares to give? Change the life of a family in the process?

Please call 416-934-1229 to book your drop off or hire Furniture Bank’s pick-up team to help transfer your unwanted furniture and housewares to its warehouse.

All donations of gently-used furniture and housewares are eligible for a tax receipt. Visit furniturebank.org to learn more.

EFFECT HOPE

Leprosy Mission of Canada Stamp Collection Program

Make a difference with your mail! You can get involved by collecting, trimming and sending your used postage stamps to Effect Hope, the Leprosy Mission of Canada. Please place stamps in the basket provided outside the Parish Office

COLLECTING EYEGLASSES

We are continuing to collect eyeglasses for the Lions Club. Throughout the year, the Lion’s Club volunteers collect used eyeglasses and deliver them to regional Lions Recycling Centres.

There volunteers clean, sort by prescription strength and package the glasses. Recycled glasses are distributed to people in need in low and middle income communities where they will have the greatest impact. Please place them in the baskets provided outside the office.

MARRIAGE PREPARATION COURSE

St. Gabriel’s Parish
Weekend of September 21st, 22nd and 23rd, 2018

A Marriage Preparation course will be offered here at St. Gabriel’s the weekend of September 21st, 22nd, and 23rd, 2018. The course will be held Friday from 7:00 to 9:00 PM, Saturday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM and Sunday from 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM. For a registration package please email Marie Deans at deansm@sympatico.ca.

POST SECONDARY CAMPUS MINISTRY

Attention high school graduates: Are you moving on to post-secondary education in the fall? Check out Campus Ministry! Connect to campus ministry by visiting www.chaplaincyconnect.ca and find your Catholic home on campus.

For information about the campus ministries in our archdiocese, please view the poster at http://bit.ly/PostSecondaryCampusMinistry.

MOTHER OF PERPETUAL HELP NOVENA TRIDUUM

Monday, June 25th to Wednesday, June 27th at 7:00 PM

St. Patrick’s Church, 131 McCaul Street

The Parish of St. Patrick invites you to join them at the annual Novena Triduum at the Shrine of our Mother of Perpetual Help, as they welcome Bishop Bob Kasun CSB and Fr. Mark Miller CSsR as the presiders and preachers. Each evening will begin at 7:00 PM and consist of Novena Prayers, Mass and Mission Homily. The first evening will focus on Family with a special family blessing at the end of Mass. The second evening will focus on Healing with the Sacrament of the Sick for those in need. The third evening will focus on the feast day to Our Mother of Perpetual Help. An international social will follow in the Parish Hall. For more information, please visit www.stpatrickstoronto.ca.

THE GARDEN SHED PERMACULTURE WORKSHOP

Sunday June 10th from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM

Please join Robert Cordy this Sunday, June 10th from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM for an afternoon of Permaculture with Garden Jane. Please visit Garden Jane’s website for more information about her work: www.gardenjane.com . As spaces are limited, please register in advance at the office or email Heather Bennett at heathermjb@gmail.com.

A series of seasonal permaculture garden workshops will be offered by Robert’s team over the summer and early fall:
June 17th;
July 29th;
August 5th and 26th;
September 30th.

All will begin after the 12:30 Mass. They will cover topics like weed management, wild foraging, mapmaking, composting, mushroom growing, preserving the harvest and more. Please drop in and learn with us as the season changes.

On June 24th, Robert has arranged a tour of Fiddlehead Nursery, near Collingwood. We will meet at the nursery at
2:00 PM. More information on the nursery can be found on their website http://fiddleheadnursery.ca.

If you are interested in joining the Garden Ministry, please leave your email address and phone number with the office, or email Heather Bennett at heathermjb@gmail.com.

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Bulletin – June 3, 2018

Saturday, June 2nd, 2018

CONGRATULATIONS!

Congratulations to the children from St. Gabriel’s School who received the Eucharist as a group on Sunday, May 27th, 2018.

Tony Jinwoo Baek
Andrea Cordova Guillermo
Andrei Philip Dizon
Andrei Mariee Ganon
Aidan Hu
Leah Kim
Lucas Layagan
Vanessa Lazzaro
Emma Yun Sue Lee
Brayden Marchak
Maya Olivia McCallum
Jonathan Muzhani
Charlene Erika Naz
Jackson Sparkman
Miranda Tirado-Farias

We wish these young people every blessing and promise to support them with our prayers as they continue on their journey of faith.

BLESSINGS AND SAFE TRAVELS

We would like to wish the 15 members of St Gabriel’s Parish who are travelling to Kenya and Tanzania on June 8th safe travels. While in East Africa, they will be visiting various Passionist Communities in both countries, witnessing the work of the local church. Blessings on your journey!

CALL FOR CONSCIENCE 2018 – AN INVITATION FROM CARDINAL COLLINS

Cardinal Thomas Collins, Archbishop of Toronto, recently issued a call to action in advance of the June 7th provincial election to promote palliative care, conscience rights and the protection of faith-based facilities. His Eminence has asked Catholics to visit canadiansforconscience.ca/ontario to send a letter directly to all candidates in their riding for the June 7th election. A pre-written letter is provided which people can amend as they choose. If you did not receive Cardinal Collins’ emailed letter and you would like to receive them in the future, please visit bit.ly/archtosignup Thank you for advocating on these important issues!

ANNOUNCED MASSES

June 4th to June 9th, 2018\

MONDAY – BRYAN MICHAEL HOPPER – Requested by Mary Anne Barnes
TUESDAY – FELIX CHAN – Requested by John Chan
WEDNESDAY – FR. JOHN MUTHENGI – Requested by the Parish Staff
THURSDAY – ANTHONY OSBORNE – Requested by Ursula Holt & Family
FRIDAY – ANN TSUN YAN HO – Requested by Roshin, Lorraine & Minh
SATURDAY – JULIA FERNANDO MARTINS – Requested by Maria

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

Friday, June 1st from 9:30 AM to 12 Noon

THE SALT AND LIGHT TV CHINESE SECTION

Sunday June 3rd at3:30 PM
St. Gabriel’s Church, Gabriel Room

The Chinese Section of Salt and Light TV will come to visit our Chinese Rosary Group this Sunday, June 3rd at 3:30 PM. They will introduce their works and mission for evangelize in the Chinese Community. All are welcome to join.

CHILDREN’S FAITH PROGRAM – 2018/2019

Registration forms for the Children’s Faith Program are now available in the parish office. This program is for children of the Parish who attend other Catholic schools, public or private schools. Classes are held at St. Gabriel’s School every second Sunday beginning September 9th, 2018.

Please note that a separate Sacramental registration form is required if your child will receive the sacraments of First Communion, Reconciliation or Confirmation during the 2018/2019 year. These forms are also available in the Parish Office.

ECO – SABBATH

There will be no Eco-Sabbath in June, July or August.
Eco-Sabbath will resume on September 9th

ROSARY GROUPS

Gabriel Room
English: Saturday, June 2nd at 3:15 PM
Chinese: Sunday, June 3rd at 3:30 PM
For further information, please contact Linda Law at 416 -918-8029.

SHARELIFE

Living the Gospel by the promoting mental health of kids
Jake wrote a story in his grade 7 class that made his principal worry he might harm himself. The principal called his mother and recommended she take him to see a counselor at Catholic Community Services of York Region, a ShareLife-funded agency. While the boy was very quiet during the first session, he eventually revealed his sadness and confusion about his parents’ divorce. As the counselor helped Jake learn how other kids respond to a family breakup, he was relieved to find out his grieving was normal. Jake started to feel much better. By donating to ShareLife, you’re helping kids like Jake find healing and happiness.

Total Collected to May 28th: $112,792
Please make a sacrificial gift to ShareLife through your parish or sharelife.org

GOOD SHEPHERD CENTRE CASSEROLES

Thank you to the volunteers who prepared 44 casseroles for May. For June, your prepared frozen casseroles will be collected at the Masses on the weekend of June 23rd/24th for delivery to the Good Shepherd Centre.

More volunteers are needed to become active in helping to feed our less fortunate sisters and brothers. Three different recipes are available in the Parish Office or online at the Church website. Casserole pans are also available in the Parish Office. If you require more information please contact Irene Albrecht at 416-221-2791.

FOOD FOR ROSALIE HALL & GOOD SHEPHERD CENTRE

Thank you for your generous support of Rosalie Hall and the Good Shepherd Centre. Your food donations are very much appreciated.

Rosalie Hall provides a wide range of child development, community, residential and educational services for young parents and their children.

Good Shepherd provides hot meals and shelter for the homeless in our city as well as a chance to start again through the Resettlement or DARE Programs

With everyone struggling at this time, your food donations are more important than ever. Please check the expiry dates before donating since we cannot pass on food that has expired.

YOUR USED FURNITURE WILL CHANGE A LIFE

Furniture Bank is a registered charity that provides quality furniture to people in need, including the formerly homeless, women and children fleeing violence, and newcomers and refugees. Furniture Bank is currently seeking donations of gently used furniture and housewares to help combat the growing issue of furniture poverty in Toronto.
Do you have unwanted furniture and housewares to give? Change the life of a family in the process?

Please call 416-934-1229 to book your drop off or hire Furniture Bank’s pick-up team to help transfer your unwanted furniture and housewares to its warehouse.

All donations of gently-used furniture and housewares are eligible for a tax receipt. Visit furniturebank.org to learn more.

LECTIO DIVINA WITH CARDINAL COLLINS

Sunday, June 3rd at 6:45 PM
Blessed Trinity Parish

All are welcome to come to Blessed Trinity Parish Hall for Vespers and Lectio Divina on Sunday, June 3rd. Cardinal Collins will speak on the theme “Death and Immortality” (Wisdom 2:17 – 3:9). Lectio Divina is the reading of a sacred text, which is then reflected upon and prayed with.

This event will be live streamed on the large screen in the Blessed Trinity parish hall from St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica. Prayer pamphlets will be provided.

Cathedral Vespers Choir will begin at 6:45 PM
Vespers with Cardinal Collins begin at 7:00 PM.
Lectio Divina begins at 7:30 PM.

The parish hall will be open from 6:00 PM. Coffee, juice and water will be provided before the event. There is no charge. All are welcome.

POST SECONDARY CAMPUS MINISTRY

Attention high school graduates: Are you moving on to post-secondary education in the fall? Check out Campus Ministry! Connect to campus ministry by visiting www.chaplaincyconnect.ca and find your Catholic home on campus.

For information about the campus ministries in our archdiocese, please view the poster at http://bit.ly/PostSecondaryCampusMinistry.

MOTHER OF PERPETUAL HELP NOVENA TRIDUUM

Monday, June 25th to Wednesday, June 27th at 7:00 PM
St. Patrick’s Church, 131 McCaul Street

The Parish of St. Patrick invites you to join them at the annual Novena Triduum at the Shrine of our Mother of Perpetual Help, as they welcome Bishop Bob Kasun CSB and Fr. Mark Miller CSsR as the presiders and preachers. Each evening will begin at 7:00 PM and consist of Novena Prayers, Mass and Mission Homily. The first evening will focus on Family with a special family blessing at the end of Mass. The second evening will focus on Healing with the Sacrament of the Sick for those in need. The third evening will focus on the feast day to Our Mother of Perpetual Help. An international social will follow in the Parish Hall. For more information, please visit www.stpatrickstoronto.ca.

MARRIAGE PREPARATION COURSE

St. Gabriel’s Parish
Weekend of September 21st, 22nd and 23rd, 2018

A Marriage Preparation course will be offered here at St. Gabriel’s the weekend of September 21st, 22nd, and 23rd, 2018. The course will be held Friday from 7:00 to 9:00 PM, Saturday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM and Sunday from 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM. For a registration package please email Marie Deans at deansm@sympatico.ca.

THE GARDEN SHED PERMACULTURE WORKSHOP

Sunday June 10th from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM

Please join Robert Cordy on Sunday, June 10th, in the Gabriel Room and subsequently in the garden, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM for an afternoon of Permaculture with Garden Jane. As spaces are limited, please register in advance at the office or email Heather Bennett at heathermjb@gmail.com.

Garden Jane is a permaculture designer, gardener, community developer, educator and coach. She has spent 20+ years co-developing healthy food programs with municipalities, non-profits and socially responsible businesses. Please visit her website for more information about her work: www.gardenjane.com

If you are interested in joining the Garden Ministry, please leave your email address and phone number with the office, or email Heather Bennett at heathermjb@gmail.com.

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Homily – May 27, 2018

Sunday, May 27th, 2018

Today we celebrate the feast of the Holy Trinity. This is a mystery basic to our faith as Christians – this is the mystery that separates us from the great faiths of Judaism and Islam. They too believe in the one God, the Father of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. But we believe that the “ God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob loved us so much He sent His Son to the world – not to condemn the world – but in order that the world, that we might be saved thru him.

We call the Trinity a mystery – a mystery is not something of which we can know nothing – a mystery is something of which we cannot know everything. Even when we see God face to face we will not, we cannot completely comprehend the wonder of God – for God is beyond the limited capabilities of our human minds.

This really shouldn’t come as a surprise – there are many times we are a mystery to ourselves – why did I do this – why did I say that – we are mysteries.

What this mystery teaches us in that the inner life of God is a life of relationships – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We pray in the Mass – all life, all holiness comes from you Father, thru your son Jesus Christ our Lord, by the workings of the Holy Spirit. And thru God’s goodness we are invited into those relationships when we were baptized God’s Holy Spirit was poured into our very being and gives us the boldness to call God – Father/Mother – God’s Holy Spirit permeates our very being, molding and fashioning us into the image of God’s Son Jesus Christ. St. Paul tells us ‘The Spirit bears witness to our spirit that we are children of God.’

The creative, life giving, love giving relationship of the Trinity is to be the model of all our relationships. Our very existence springs from the creative love relationship of our mother and father. Our whole lives are lived in relationships – the life and death of each of us has its influence on others. We do not go thru life untouched or un-touching.

Instead of trying to sort out the mystery of the Trinity we can use this feast to sort out the mystery of ourselves. We can use this feast to look at the health of our personal relationships. How creative, how life giving, how healing we are in our relationships – husband/ wife – mother/ father – brother/ sister / friend or lover / neighbour/stranger.

On this feast of the Trinity we can ask the question – in my relationships am I a source of life, love, growth, healing, forgiving. Do I enrich the lives of others by my friendship – are people better people thru their friendship with me? Do I encourage, foster the gifts and abilities of others. Do I give my spouse, my sons or daughters, my friends, the freedom to be themselves, to find their own way? Is my friendship strong enough that I am willing to confront or face up to issues that are not healthy, that can weaken my relationship? In any and all of my relationships am I dependable, trustworthy, and faithful?

Forming and maintaining good healthy relationships is not easy. Friends ‘fall out ‘husbands and wives split, parents and children are alienated. That’s why it’s important to question ourselves – am I a control freak – am I a demanding person, a needy person, do I try to manipulate, dominate family or friends. Does everything have to center of me? Living in healthy, life giving relationships is a life time task. When all is said and done – our whole lives will be judged on how we lived our many relationships – with family, friends or strangers – These are the facts by which our lives will be judged – I was hungry, thirsty, naked, sick, imprisoned – and you were there for me – welcome into the eternal life giving relationship of Father, Son and Spirit – for as often as you did these things to one of these, the least of mine, you did it to me.

This past year Pope Francis issued a letter to the world on the the environmental crises facing us all but denied by many. We really have messed up our relationships with the rest of Earth’s life systems, systems that support and sustain our lives. To satisfy our need for more and more we have polluted Earth’s lakes and rivers with our wastes from pulp mills and mines. We’ve polluted Earth’s air with toxic fumes and the soil with pesticides. We’ve ignored the fact that we are not lords of creation; we are kin, we are family with all other life forms on our common home, Mother Earth. You’ve heard me say this many times, ‘the earth does not belong to us, we belong to the earth and what we do to the earth we do to ourselves. We did not weave the web of life; we are a strand in the web and what we do to the web we do to ourselves. We humans have placed a great strain on our relationships with the rest of God’s good creation. The church, even common sense, calls us to live simply that others may simply live and to see that Earth’s bounty is shared equally by whole human family.

As we continue to celebrate this feast of the Blessed Trinity, this feast of relationships we pray for the ability to always live in holy, life giving, life sustaining, life healing relationships with all those who come into our lives.

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