Lines from my reading chair - June 8, 2008

Helping hands

Last month, nature dealt yet another deadly blow.  The effects of cyclone Nargis are still being uncovered as various aid organizations attempt to restore order in the midst of devastation.

Responding to this catastrophe which has left more than 100,000 dead and millions homeless, the President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops has invited his brother bishops in this country to hold special collections in all Catholic parishes in Canada.

Through the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace, the Church in Canada will be able to assist Caritas Internationalis which has opened a special office in Thailand, which is to the East of Myanmar.

The Canadian International Development Agency will match every dollar donated to this cause prior to June 13, 2008, either through Development and Peace or through other Canadian charitable organizations.

Any donations toward this cause, received in the parish office by Monday, June 9, 2008 will be forwarded to Development and Peace on your behalf.  Should you prefer, donations can also be sent directly to Development and Peace, c/o Emergency Burma, 1425 René Levesque Boulevard West (Third Floor), Montreal, Quebec, H3G 1T7.  Donations can also be made by telephone (888-234-8533).

We continue to remember the Burmese victims in our prayers, asking God to have mercy on the souls of those who have died, and to bring comfort to those who are still suffering.

Thank you

At the end of the Sunday morning Mass last weekend, there was a parish breakfast held in the parish hall.  Thanks to the efforts of all those who assisted in the kitchen, and with the serving, the breakfast was a resounding success.

Profits realized from this breakfast have been donated to the Building Fund which continues to grow thanks to your generosity.  We look forward to the next parish breakfast which will take place in September.

Congratulations

We congratulate the children who received the Eucharist for the first time at Mass last weekend:

Tyler Bennett, Jayna Bradley, Jacob Burton, Kaylee Cacciotti, Alexandra Caverson, Joshua Clapham, Alexandria Dodkiewicz, Leila Khoury, Evan Lanthier, Keagen McCoshen, Cody Nkongolo, Aaron Whyte and Jaiden Wright.

On behalf of the children and their families, I would like also to thank Brenda Stankiewicz and Karen Bennett for their assistance with preparing the children for this very special occasion.