I Am The Good Shepherd

World Day of prayer for Vocations is this Sunday! The Fourth Sunday of Easter, Christians are invited to reflect on the meaning of God’s call and to pray for vocations. Christ, the Good Shepherd, continues to lead his people through His Bishops, Priests, and Deacons, and calls many to follow Him in this way. Priestly, diaconal, and religious vocations should be a constant concern in the hearts of God’s people. Let us continue to pray for vocations! During these current restrictions, St. Finnan’s Basilica will be open for Adoration and private prayer, every Fridays. We continue to have the 10-person limit, but all are welcomed to find rest and peace around the family table, the Altar, praying together with hope and confidence.

My priestly anniversary is coming up, May 2nd. In 2009, Archbishop Prendergast ordained me to the priesthood, and the journey continues! I continue to be overwhelmed by joy at the presence of the Lord in my life! I do not trust my weakness, but my trust is in God in Our Lord Jesus Christ! My desire continues to be to make Him known and loved by all. Again, here is a quick glimpse at the call that Our Lord put on my heart so many years ago.

This weekend our Holy Father, Pope Francis will be ordaining nine priests for the Archdiocese of Rome. I encourage you to read some of the comments, to see how God is at work in our lives. The journey also continues for our brother Deacon Steven Gaudet. He has officially petitioned Archbishop Marcel to be ordained to the Presbyterate in the Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall. This is wonderful news for us! We are still waiting on the word of the official date, but it will be at St. Finnan’s Basilica. Steven was ordained deacon on August 10th, 2020 (at St. Finnan’s). He is 26 years old and is completing his studies with St. Peter’s Seminary in London. He is originally from Finch, Ontario, and completed his pastoral year with Fr. Louis Groetelaars at St. Mary’s Parish in Williamstown, Ontario! Let us continue to pray for him, and his family. Finally, I invited Deacon Steven to stay at the rectory at St. Finnan’s before his ordination. Therefore, he should arrive in early May, after completing eight years at the seminary. Like I mentioned in last weekend’s homily, I am overwhelmed by joy, since he is also a great cook!

I spent six years at St. Augustine’s Seminary in Toronto. I enjoyed being there, the community, the studies, and the chapel! The chapel was at the centre of our spiritual life, and the Eucharist continues to be the heart of every priest. The seminary recently had a fundraiser to improve many things, starting with the chapel and the altar. When you have a minute, please view the hour-long concert the performed live. The songs are all Marian, leading us towards God! Also, at the 44minute mark, listen to Conor O’Hara, seminarian for our Archdiocese and to be ordained deacon later this summer, speak about the beauty of the chapel. All this brings me many great memories. Again, Our Lord continues to call men to serve Him in the priesthood. If you have questions about your vocation, or know someone who might be discerning, please invite them to talk with me, or the Director of Vocations, Fr. Pierre Champoux. “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” (Gospel of Matthew 9:37-38)