Remembering: A Lesson in the Classroom of Life

This coming Sunday, June 5, at St. Peter's Church, we remember the past with gratitude.  25 years have passed since the 75th anniversary celebration for St. Peter's School in 1987.  At that time, students assembled items to place in a 'time capsule' (trunk) along with some memorabilia and photos from previous generations. 

The contents of this trunk will be publicly displayed for the first time as we return to where the school first began: in the basement of St. Peter's Church.  Following the 10 a.m. Mass, a short program will take place in the church hall with a ceremonial opening of the time capsule followed by a time of fellowship and refreshments.  The school building may be no longer, but the memories remain strong.  All are welcome!

"Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit..."

This weekend, seven of our parishioners will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation during our 10 a.m. Sunday Mass, at which the Most Reverend Fred J. Colli, Bishop of Thunder Bay, will preside. 

We pray for these candidates that they may be strengthened in the gifts of the Holy Spirit.  We pray also for their sponsors, families, and our whole parish community, that the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation may bring about a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our midst.  To quote a seminary professor: "When the Holy Spirit is at work, it's good to be in the neighbourhood!"

Stuck in a rut?

Don't worry.  You're not alone!

While tidying up the church grounds this past week, a couple of Knights of Columbus volunteers nearly lost a trailer loaded with trash to a hungry sink-hole in the back yard.  Quick thinking and a heroic rescue effort on the part of the Knights saved the trailer from its untimely demise.   With thanks for a job well done!

Feast of St. Philip Neri

This coming Thursday (May 26th) we celebrate the feast of St. Philip Neri.  From the Liturgy of the Hours comes this brief biography:

"Saint Philip Neri was born at Florence in 1515.  He went to Rome and began to work with young men among whom he fostered Christian life and formed an association for the poor and the sick.  Oradined to the priesthood in 1551, he founded the Oratory where spiritual reading, singing and works of charity were practiced.  He excelled in his love of neighbour and in evangelical simplicity along with joyous service of God.  Saint Philip died in 1595."

Of local interest is the mission church of St. Philip in Hymers, a small village about 30 minutes south-west of Thunder Bay.  Sunday Mass is held there during the summer season for area Catholics as well as tourists and campers.    A couple of photos of the church:

Merciful Father,

you continually raise up your faithful

to the glory of holiness.

In your love

kindle in us the fire of the Holy Spirit

who so filled the heart of Philip Neri.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Yearning for Learning?

Finding a post-secondary institution of learning that is both affordable and dedicated to fostering faith can be a real challenge.  Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Academy , in beautiful Barry's Bay, Ontario, is one such institution which is committed to forming  "young hearts and minds to play a role in the revitalization of authentic culture." 

Since it's founding in the year 2000, the Academy's Catholic liberal arts program has succeeded in equipping many young Catholics with the "intellectual tools needed to be an effective apostle in the third millenium."  Please consider including the faculty and mission of the academy in your prayers so that they may continue to be blessed in their much-needed apostolate.   

(main academy building on far left, next to St. Hedwig's Church) 

(another picture of  more of the campus)

On a related note, the Feast of Our Lady Seat of Wisdom is celebrated on June 8 of each year.