News Update #5
Dear Parishioners,
Remember that although we may be far from each other, the mystery of our faith is that God is never far from us. (Psalm 139:7-12)
How wonderful to be part of a community where sharing our faith is accepted and “normal”! It’s our foundation in these times.
My days are falling into a pattern with the central part of my morning being my prayer time with you at 10am. I read the prayer we share in common, and then I move on to do Morning Prayer and then some quiet Centering Prayer. If you are curious about Morning Prayer, and don’t have a BAS (our green Book of Alternative Services) at home, you can find it on line at www.missionstclare.com/english
If you like to pray in the evening, the brothers at the Society of St. John the Evangelist, are offering Compline (Compline – a service of evening prayers forming part of the Divine Office of the Western Christian Church, traditionally said (or chanted) before retiring for the night). Check it out at www.SSJE.org.
And more on prayer! If you would like the Prayer Circle to pray for someone you are concerned about, please don’t hesitate to contact me and I will ask Sher to post your request.
From God Calling, one of my favourite daily devotionals, March 26, 2020: “I am with you to guide and help you. Unseen forces are controlling your destiny…. follow Me, your Guide, and determinedly refuse to consider the problems of tomorrow. My message to you is trust and wait.”
It’s interesting as the world slows down, how Nature is getting a reprieve, and we, in turn, are being nurtured by Nature as we soak in the sights and smells of Spring. Just the tonic we need.
We can’t be careful enough: Margaret Nelson sent me this message from Dr. David Forrest at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. Have a listen if you need more encouragement, or someone you know needs to understand the rationale to practice social distancing/self-isolation:
https://www.facebook.com/leigh.gibsonunickow/videos/10156542363696895/?app=fbl
One of our newer parishioners, Martine Sallenbach wrote to say – Please pass on that I am available to shop and make deliveries for anyone who is in need! Wonderful, thanks Marty!
Jerry and Julie have written a message to the parish which is attached. If you would like to write something to everyone in the parish, send it along to me and I’ll include it in one of the Updates. It’s good to share favourite movies, books, words of inspiration, bible quotes, cartoons!
Just in from the Bishop, word about Easter celebrations:
“Despite our hope for the alternative, I am sorry to confirm that our church buildings must remain closed. We should not be in our buildings in groups of any size. I am also sorry that any gathering during Holy Week will not be permitted. I have been asked if we can gather outside (for example on the beach), but the answer must be no. The Canadian government and our health officials have instructed all people to stay in our homes and only come out for essential reasons. Thus, Easter, for us, must happen in our homes.”
I ask you to use your imaginations as we approach Easter. How might you celebrate this joyous occasion (Christ is risen!) from your living rooms and kitchen tables? How can you make this day special for you and your family, even if you are not all living under the same roof? Will it be through the sharing of food, the planting of seed, or the singing of your favourite songs? Share your ideas with others, and remember that when Christ rose from the tomb that day, he did not return to just that place (nor did he return to just our church buildings), but he returned to the whole of Creation and will be found everywhere again on April 12 this year.”
Let’s put on our thinking caps and get creative. How can we celebrate Easter in this new paradigm? What would be St. Mary’s community response?
This Sunday, I will post my sermon on the website and send out the link so you can read it. And if you would like to “attend” a church service, you can explore different churches online. Many are creating virtual services. Rev. Clara Plamondon invites St. Mary’s parishioners to attend St. Paul’s in Nanaimo on line. The link is posted Sunday morning by 9:30 and can be opened any time after that.
https://www.stpaulsnanaimo.ca/pages/worship
This Sunday we would be celebrating our March birthdays & anniversaries: Give a “shout out” to them!
Birthdays
Ray D March 19
Shirley H March 22
Carol A March 22
Elaine C March 27
Cindy C March 27
Clair D March 27
George W March 29
Tom A March 30
Anniversary
Linda & Fred H March 3
Dear friends,
Stay safe, balance your intake of TV News with the Good News, keep the faith, and know that we all are being led, even if we don’t know where we are going.I feel blessed to be part of this community!
God bless you all,
Selinde