Fr. Bob's Corner - Ideas and Sites

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2007-08-22T15:34:00.000-04:00

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Deacon Ernest Bellefeuille - Rest in Peace

2007-08-18T11:01:00.000-04:00

When I arrived back from vacation at the beginning of August, I sadly learned that Deacon Ernest Bellefeuille had died, and I found myself answering a question many silently wonder. "Did I make a difference?" If you were asking this question Ernie, I would like to answer it. "Yes Ernie, you did, a big, big difference!"

I became friends with Deacon Ernie while I served at St. Columban's Parish in the early 90's. Ernie was a pharmacist (graduated from the University of Toronto's School of Pharmacy in 1953), and founded the Medical Arts Pharmacy in Cornwall in 1956. He and his wife Shannon (MacDonald) raised five wonderful children. In the late 70's Ernie, a deeply religious man, heard God's call to the Diaconate, and in 1982 he was ordained at Nativity Co-Cathedral. For 25 years he ministered at St. Columban's Parish along with his wife Shannon. I'll always fondly remember our Pastoral staff meetings every Tuesday morning in the living room of St. Columban's rectory. While working full time and long shifts at his pharmacy, he always arrived early to happily help plan the pastoral programs of the parish. Giving generously of his time and talents, Deacon Ernie preached at a daily Mass, served as Deacon at the Sunday Eucharist, preached at all six masses once a month, and along with his wife Shannon coordinated the Marriage Preparation Program, the RCIA, and the St. Vincent de Paul Society, along with numerous other pastoral duties. Ernie never asked for anything in return. He was indeed a good and generous man, and an inspiration to all of us, as he quietly gave of himself in God's service. And, as I and many others discovered, Ernie was always available as a kind and supportive friend and listener. Thank you Deacon Ernie, may the Lord reward and bless you with eternal joy and peace. Let us all remember Deacon Ernie, his wife Shannon, his children, and his grand-children in our prayers.

An Audience At Any Cost - Selling the Children

2007-08-18T10:13:00.000-04:00

CBS is about to launch a new reality TV show called, 'Kid's Nation'. When I read in the New York Times what these children endured and the medical services they required after their 40 day ordeal I was shocked-outraged.... It would appear that even our children have become a commodity to be marketed and sold. If you would like to read this article click this link to the New York Times. (You will need to set up a free account to read (email and password only), but once you do there is free access to many of their news items.)

So Much for respect and working together?

2007-08-18T08:43:00.002-04:00

Pretty hard to be hopeful when there is so much dis-trust, fear, and and narrow mindedness on our small little planet. Can we not let our light shine in this world, and let the power of God's Spirit do the rest. It appears that many would say NO-No-No!

Sydney, Aug. 16, 2007 (CWNews.com) - Islamic leaders in Australia may encourage participation in the 2008 World Youth Day celebration, in exchange for a promise from Catholic leaders that there will be no effort to convert young people of other faiths, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.

Organizers of World Youth Day in Sydney had issued an invitation for other religious groups to join in the planning and participate in the celebration. The Islamic group responded positively, saying that the event could help "break down barriers" in Australia. (Muslim organizations have offered their halls and facilities to help house participants in WYD.)

Here are some Individual Catholic Reactions from the USA:

-If other religious denominations are being included it is NO LONGER CATHOLIC. That is a big mistake.

-So the Moslems down under have forced the hand of the evangelization leaders with the leaders' promise not to evangelize. My hat is off to the Moslems on this one; they have gutted half the program with one concession.

-WYD is a bunch of N.O. nonsense that does nothing to promote Catholicism--it is just one big party. And the fact that these infidels even proposed this nutty idea ought to indicate to every Catholic how far from authentic Catholic teaching Vatican II-style ecumenism has led the Church. Rome is in great danger from the spread of indifferentism. The Lord promised protection from the gates of Hell, but He didn’t say anything about protecting us from the stupid bishops.

It would seem that some are ashamed, and that we should apologize for seeking to lead Jews and Muslims to Christ. Not I!

All this serves to lull our intellect into thinking that Islam is just as benevolent a religion as any other.

Should the speakers modify their speeches and homilies so as not to offend anyone? Most Catholic schools and colleges do that quite well now...

Catholic World News (CWN)

Is God a Part of my life? (Nineteenth Sunday -C)

2007-08-11T17:47:00.000-04:00

Gospel - Luke 12:32-48

We can call ourselves Christian because we were baptized as babies, but unless God becomes real to us, and is part of our life's journey, we are Christian in name only.
God implanted in the human heart the need to search for God on our personal life's journey. God constantly seeks us, and wants us to sincerely seek God, truth, and God's ways until the day we die. And of course, if we honestly do this, the God that dwells within us will be revealed, and make a big difference in how we live our lives.

Presently there is a great search and hunger for God in China (formerly an atheist nation by government decree), and it is thought by some that China will become one of the largest Christian nations in the not too distant future. (Proof to me that God never gives us up, and of who we are as human beings.) At the same time we find that citizens of many Christian nations are turning away from their faith, and dismissing their need for God. Partly, is it because we have mistaken our Christian identity and religion itself for God and God's ways?

Most of us were baptized Christian and Catholic as babies, and it is easy for us to take God forgranted and forget that faith is an active personal relationship with God, other believers, and all we meet. It is not just a name or religion that we call ourselves, and it is far more than dogma, community, clergy, rituals, and buildings (albeit important). God wants me and you to know him in our hearts and to be very much a part of our lives.

Ont. Bishops, the laity, and next election

2007-08-11T08:56:00.000-04:00

TORONTO, Canada (The Catholic Register) – Ontario’s bishops have offered Catholics a different way to engage politics with their latest redrafting of “Taking Stock: An Examination of Conscience."“Taking Stock” casts a wide net, identifying 12 areas of concern for voters. With references to the 1997 Catechism of the Catholic Church, papal encyclicals and the Gospels, the bishops point to ways faith can help a voter decide how to cast a ballot. The 12 policy areas covered in “Taking Stock” are listed in alphabetical order. They are: the criminal justice system; the economy; education; employment; the environment; life ethic; the family; health care; housing; labor relations; the poor; and taxation. (Read full Article)

The uphill journey of Catholicism in China | National Catholic Reporter Conversation Cafe

2007-08-04T18:30:00.000-04:00

Christianity is exploding in China with about 10,000 new Christian converts a day (according to some estimates). At this pace China is on the road to becoming one of the largest Christian nations in the world. Who would have thought? Yet, for Catholicism the road still seems to be difficut and laborious, and forught with persecution. If this Christianization trend continues, it sure to have global consequences in the near future. For a more indepth perspective on a people's search for God read Fr. John Allen's report on China and Christianity at the following link:

The uphill journey of Catholicism in China | National Catholic Reporter Conversation Cafe

When the same is not the same?

2007-07-27T07:42:00.000-04:00

When the same is not the same National Catholic Reporter Conversation Cafe

If you read the above article on how different Americans are from Australians, you'll probably find yourself wondering about your Canadian identity, and what ....

Candians - Politics - Creation

2007-07-18T11:57:00.000-04:00

According to the poll released July 3, 26 percent of Canadians believe “that God created human beings........

Canadian Catholic News: Poll shows Canadians divided on role God played in human creation - Catholic Online

Catholic Identity-Changed or Lost?

2007-07-13T13:08:00.000-04:00

When I was growing up in the 40's and 50's, I had a strong Catholic Identity. I considered my self, as a Roman Catholic, a true Christian, and a member of the true church. Catholics, in my mind, were the real Christians and all others who called themselves Christian were heretics. We were a people that did what God wanted: attended a Latin Mass every Sunday and other Holy Days of Obligation, abstained from meat on Fridays, and confessed our sins to a priest on a regualar basis, (at least once a year, as our Easter Duty.)
In the 60's the Vatican Council inspired a new Catholic Identity. One that recognized with a new respect the faith and baptism of other Christians, and the revelatory presence of God in othe religions. Mass was celebrated in English, abstinence from meat on Fridays was no longer compulsory, and confession became more communal. Today, the great excitement of the years of the Vatican Council is long forgotten, and most who call themselves Catholic know little of their faith, and attend Mass a few times a year, particularly at Christmas. Do we still have a Catholic Identity? Should we have a Catholic Identity? Many would say no, or who cares, to the first question. The second question is a little harder to comment on, but few would want the relgious bigotry of the 40's, and 50's. John Allen in this article comments on recent vatican decisions from the point of view of present day Roman Catholicism and its identity in the secular west. (Read his article)

UNIQUE ROLE OF CATHOLIC CHURCH

2007-07-09T21:11:00.000-04:00

Catholic World News : New Vatican document will reaffirm Church role (updated): "Vatican, Jul. 7, 2007 (CWNews.com) - The Vatican will soon release a new doctrinal document, addressing the unique role of the Catholic Church in God's plan for salvation, according to informed sources in Rome. "

THE FAST TRACK

2007-07-09T21:04:00.000-04:00

SHOULD YOU SLOW DOWN? Read this article and judge for yourself. (Left click title)

The New Bishop of Ottawa

2007-06-29T21:15:00.000-04:00

One of Canada’s most outspoken Catholic bishops is going to the nation’s capital, where legislators, judges, policy makers and media will be counted among his flock. Read more about him in this recent article in the Catholic Register

Ready To Listen

2007-06-29T20:59:00.000-04:00

Cartoon prior to President Bush's meeting with the Pope.

Lay ecclesial ministry and the feminization of the church | National Catholic Reporter Conversation Cafe

2007-06-29T16:31:00.000-04:00

According to the National Pastoral Life Center, there are 31,000 lay ecclesial ministers working in Catholic parishes in the United States today, surpassing the 29,000 diocesan priests in the country. Growth has been rapid. As of 1990, there were just 22,000 lay ministers, meaning that American Catholicism generated an additional 9,000 lay ministers in just a decade and a half. During the same period, the total number of priests, diocesan and religious, dropped by almost 6,000, from 49,054 to 43,304. Lay ecclesial ministry and the feminization of the church National Catholic Reporter Conversation Cafe

Tridentine Mass OK'd

2007-06-27T20:23:00.000-04:00

The motu proprio liberating the Tridentine Mass for the entire Catholic Church has been given to about 30 bishops from all over the world in the Sala Bologna of the Apostolic Palace by Vatican Secretary of State Tarcisio Cardinal Bertone Read More

2007-06-26T08:36:00.000-04:00

Rév. René Dubé

Rest in Peace

A few months ago, Fr. Dubé (Priest of Diocese of Alexandria-Cornwall) was diagnosed with Lou Gherig's Disease. Undaunted by this terrible diagnosis, he accepted it, and inspired many by his faith and positive attitude. This was his new ministry, he stated.

Fr. Dubé passed away on June 25th, 2007. As soon as, I know the funeral arrangements, I will provide them. Let us remember him in our prayers.

Funeral Arrangements:

Visitation will be at Lahaie and Sullivan Funeral Homes, East Branch, on First Street E., Saturday, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The body will be transferred from Lahaie and Sullivan to Nativity Co-cathedral, Sunday (Canada Day) at 2 p.m., with visitation between 2 and 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Former diocese priest, Bishop Luc Bouchard, and friend of Rev. Dube will celebrate the funeral Mass on Monday, 11 a.m.

New Bishop for the Diocese of Mackenzie-Fort Smith

2007-06-23T07:21:00.000-04:00

CECC / CCCB - Nomination of Coadjutor Bishop for the Diocese of Mackenzie-Fort Smith

Where are we going?

2007-06-22T18:29:00.000-04:00

Sociologist can study and give us insight, but unfortunately they have to leave it up to those that read their investigations and studies to decide what to do. This winter two sociologists released a report that concluded that, "Young adult Catholics have a strong Catholic identity but do not feel much of a commitment to the institutional church or its moral teachings...." Read full article at this link:

CNS STORY: Sociologists see strong identity, less commitment in young Catholics

Jesus, the poor man

2007-06-16T15:02:00.000-04:00

Here is a link to a video that explores the person of Jesus, as one who is poor himself. From this perspective the gospel for this eleventh Sunday of ordinary time (Luke; 7:36-8:3) takes on a much deeper meaning. Watch Video

There is another short video called: Jew nor Greek, which reminds us of our neighbor. Would these people be welcome at our table? Watch Video

And, another short video along the same theme: Watch Video

Summer Novel??

2007-06-14T18:06:00.000-04:00

THE MONK UPSTAIRS
By Tim Farrington (2007)
Ron Charles recently reviewed this Novel in the Washington Post. In his review he comments on the authors first Novel about an ex-monk:
The Monk Downstairs earned praise from a variety of venues; the New York Times chose it as a "Notable Book of the Year."
Now, Farrington has returned with a sequel called The Monk Upstairs, and, if anything, he concentrates on the function of prayer even more, but he still maintains the same ironic humor that welcomes readers of any religion -- or no religion.

After reading his review, I was left thinking that this is a book I should read. I'll let you know what I think, when I get a chance to read it. Please feel free to comment, if you have read it.

Blair 'may become a Catholic deacon' | the Daily Mail

2007-06-14T17:42:00.000-04:00

Here is a headline in a U.K. Newspaper
Blair 'may become a Catholic deacon' | the Daily Mail
Not sure what to make of this given other false and misleading headlines re the catholic faith in the U.K. press. Even if it is true, it seems to be a personal matter, and should not be a public part of the Prime Ministers official visit to the Vatican. If priests that know Tony Blair are making the comments reported in the above article, they should be ashamed of themselves. Is nothing private and confidential anymore?

A Rabbi Debates With The Pope

2007-06-14T16:57:00.000-04:00

Neusner commented on the pope’s book in an article published on May 29 in the Israeli newspaper “The Jerusalem Post.” Rabbi Jacob Neusner States: "Someone once called me the most contentious person he had ever known. Now I have met my match. Pope Benedict XVI is another truth-seeker.
We are in for interesting times."

His (Rabbi Neusner) is the first important commentary on “Jesus of Nazareth” on the part of an authoritative non-Christian religious representative – the first, more importantly, on the part of a member of the Jewish faith: (Read full article at this link)
www.chiesa

Catholic schools under fire

2007-06-09T08:24:00.000-04:00

TORONTO - Raising kids with the faith of their heritage has become a political hot button in the run up to this fall’s Ontario election. Read More:

The Catholic Register - Catholic schools under fire

Pope makes flurry of episcopal appointments

2007-06-09T08:13:00.000-04:00

OTTAWA - On June 1, Pope Benedict XVI made three Episcopal appointments in Canada and accepted two resignations, close on the heels of recent appointments to Ottawa, Edmonton and Saint John, N.B.
Read More:
The Catholic Register - Pope makes flurry of episcopal appointments