Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits.
Mk 6:7-13
Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. This weekend Our Lord sends us out two by two, in the field, for Ultimate Frisbee, at the grocery store, around the coffee tables, kitchen tables, and in the vineyard, the mission of the Church. I’d like to say thank you once again to Fr. Gilles Marcil, and Deacon Steven Gaudet, for their help this year! It is exciting to be a priest, and ministry is possible when we work together. Let us continue praying for Deacon Steven who continues to prepare for ordination to the Holy Priesthood on August 4th. Again, his First Mass – open to everyone – will be at St. Finnan’s Basilica, on August 6th, Friday morning at 8am. His First Blessing will follow.
Last update until the end of July. Again, Nota Bene will take a short rest during the summer months, but we are still at work! Indeed, of the three pastoral priorities this summer – Pastoral Calendar, Sacramental Registrations, and new Parish Office, it is the latter that has taken most of my time this past week.
We had a beautiful meeting on Tuesday with the new Maison Shalom House Management Board, discussing and brainstorming new ideas for the Fall, working on a new operating plan, and working on the overall mission. Though Shalom House is also now our new Parish Office & Welcome Centre, it continues to exist as a Diocesan Retreat Centre, Diocesan Event Centre. The Board’s mission is to help the diocese continue to look for ways to make Shalom House successful going forward.
Finally, the Diocesan Pastoral staff all met at Shalom House this past week, both from our Kilborn and Cornwall offices. It was great to host His Grace, Archbishop Marcel Damphouse, and the leaders in our pastoral offices, and to show them also our new Basilica. Their main goal this week was also preparing to help parishes reopen this Fall. Many ideas were shared, including the themes of September as a Welcome Home, October as Thanksgiving, November praying for all our departed during this difficult COVID19 year, and December again as hope for a new beginning. I’ll share some of these discussions with the NGP Pastoral and Finance Councils in the following weeks.
Have a great week. Peace.
ps. Ultimate Frisbee on Sundays, 2pm.
