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Musings for Sunday, June 16
Last night (Tuesday), a thunderstorm rolled through our neighbourhood around midnight. I got up to peer out into the darkness. The rain was pounding on the roof and beating against the windows. Was that hail or were those big wind-driven raindrops? I wondered about the flowers in our courtyard. I did not step out into the rain – getting soaking wet was not on my wish list for that hour of the night. As l looked out into the darkness, I hoped that what had been planted by generous parishioners would survive this forceful deluge.
This Sunday, the Scriptures speak of planting and seeding and being close to the Lord to please him. In this season of planting and new life growing, this image of God starting new things, planting seeds, and wanting to be close to us is an image that resonates with us.
What can be a source of delight for us is the knowledge that God is at work in us, planting seeds. What kind of seeds? God is constantly inviting us to trust, to seek, to reach out, to be patient, to forgive, to rejoice, to comfort, to feed others, to offer hospitality. God is planting many seeds, seeds that we are often unaware of, and these seeds are all life-giving. They create life within us, and they create life for others. They come at a cost. We are invited to step out of our comfort zone. When we nourish these seeds of life, we are required to give of ourselves. Ultimately, we are giving our life.
The result of pouring out our life is greater communion, union with God and with the People of God. Some of us are reluctant to share in the sowing of these seeds and some of us are reluctant to give of ourselves. We think that the best approach is to take care of ourselves, to put ‘me’ first. Our God does not do this. Disciples of Jesus are encouraged to reject this attitude and behavior. The reward we receive far outweighs what we are required to give.
This Sunday we are invited to generate life by sowing seeds in imitation of Jesus Christ. What a wonderful thing if we were found sowing seeds of forgiveness, welcome, joy, patience, and kindness. What a harvest for our friends to enjoy!
Happy Father’s Day – Each year we celebrate Father’s Day on the third Sunday of June. Here is a blessing for our Fathers.
Fathers’ Day Blessing
(Adapted from Edward Hayes, Prayers for a Domestic Church)
Blessed are you Lord and Father of all life
Who have given to us
The gift of ‘Father’ for our family.
Today we honour him
And we thank you for the numerous good things
That are ours because of him.
His love for us
Has been a sign of your divine affection
And a sharing in your holy love.
His continuous concern for our needs and welfare
Is a mirror of your holy Providence.
And so as we honour him
We praise you Father of all peoples.
Bless him this day Lord
With happiness and good health,
With peace and good fortune;
So that he who has shared of his very life
May live forever with you,
His God and heavenly Father.
This blessing and all graces we pray,
Descend upon the Fathers gathered here
And those held in our memories
In the name of the Father, And of the Son
And of the Holy Spirit!
Amen
Congratulations – Carlito and Dawn Tauzon celebrated the Sacrament of Matrimony here at the Parish last Saturday. Congratulations to Dawn and Carlito as they begin their life together!
June is Indigenous History Month – June is set aside as an opportunity for us to delve into and explore the impact of Indigenous and Metis people on our local communities. In 1996 the Governor General proclaimed that Friday, June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day. It is an occasion for Canadians to come together, reflect on and celebrate the unique heritage, traditions, and knowledge of First Nations, Inuit, and Metis Peoples.
If you are looking for things to do to help honor the contributions of our Indigenous and Metis brothers and sisters check out the events being held in Saskatoon: Annual Events | Saskatoon.ca
Our Parish Truth and Reconciliation Committee also encourages us to look beyond Saskatoon and to consider taking in the Back to Batoche Days that are held in July!
Parish Pastoral Council – Two important items to consider:
- On Thursday, June 20, our Parish Pastoral Council will meet from 5 pm to 9 pm (supper included) to review the material that was given in response to the Synod gatherings that were held a few years ago. The information has been reviewed and put together and, from the synthesis the Pastoral Council, will choose some priorities to guide our work and formation as a Parish. Stay tuned for more information following our meeting on June 20.
- The second important item is a request to parishioners to think about contributing time to our Parish Pastoral Council. We need some people to help us shape the vision of our Parish and plan activities that will help us to do what a parish needs to do. If you are willing to meet once a month and look at the life of our Parish and help us imagine what would help us to grow, we need you. If you are willing to help organize and/or assist at events from time to time, we could use your help – please call the Parish Office, at (306) 343-0325 to get your name on our volunteer list. Thanks!
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