The 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

September 2, 2012

The Gift of the Law: A Loving Gift

In Todays first reading we see Moses handing down The Law, to the fledgling Israelite nation. In his preamble he exhorts them to follow the law diligently. for this will show your wisdom and discernment to the peoples, he tells them. This new Law, Moses tells them, is a sign of how close their God is to them; never before has God spoken to anyone in this way. In the Law, God offers a path for his people to follow. Throughout the years that followed, the Israelites tried hard to follow the Law. They studied it diligently and defined it and redefined their understanding as various new situations occurred. There was a real determination for them to be faithful followers of Gods great gift. Every rule and every directive was carefully applied to ensure that no i was without a dot and no t remained uncrossed. They believed and hoped that they had lived up to Gods expectations. Then along comes Jesus. He has not come to abolish the Law, but he does not insist that every act or word be scrutinized before it is done or said. He does not demand rigidity. Instead he tells his people that the Law, like all gifts, was made to be opened. God never intended the Law to so tie people in knots that they could not move. We must go beyond the outer wrappings of dos and donts to open the spirit of the law; Gods path of love. The gift of the Law is not dead words on a page, but the living Spirit within. Jesus isnt worried about whether you washed your hands before you came, or that you are wearing the correct clothing. He is telling us that wisdom and discernment are only possible when we have cleansed our hearts and nourished our spirits. When what is inside us is wholesome and spirit-filled, then what we say and what we do will reflect what is within. From the beginning, the Law is about our relationship with our loving God. We do not follow rules so that we can be loved by God. We know that we are loved by God, so our lives conform to the spirit and nature of the rules, Gods law of love. This is the spirit of the Law to which Jesus is calling us.

RAFFLE IN SUPPORT OF THE HALL RENOVATIONS 1st Prize is $1,000 cash + many other subsidiary prizes. Draw will be held on Sunday, October 7th following the 11:00 am mass. Tickets are $10 each and are available at the doors of the Church. Would you consider taking a book of 10 tickets to sell to your friends, family, coworkers and neighbors? Your help would be greatly appreciated. Please contact Odette trough the parish office (514) 481-0267 or by email at Odette.Quenneville@stmonica.ca.

SPECIAL LITURGY AND BLESSING OF THE NEW HALL A special liturgy is being planned for Sunday, September 23rd at 10:00 am. Please note that there will be NO 8:30 am mass on that day. Following the liturgy, we will all proceed to the new hall for a blessing ceremony and a reception in gratitude for all God has done for us. Please mark your calendars for this special event and plan to attend. Bakers are needed as well as helpers for the set-up and cleanup. Your help is greatly appreciated. Please contact Sharon DiFruscia or Odette Quenneville through the parish office (514) 481-0267. TWILIGHT RETREAT Sent Forth by the Holy Spirit as Pilgrims on a Journey th Friday September 7 , 5:00 9:30 pm Please mark this event on your calendars. A retreat led by Fr. Mike Shaw, for all those interested in deepening their sense of belonging to St. Monicas parish community. A meal will be provided at a cost of $10.00 per person. For more information or to register, please contact Odette Quenneville or Sharon Di Fruscia through the parish office (514) 481-0267.

Mass Intentions September 2 9, 2012

4:00 September 1, 2012 Vincenzo, Antoinetta, Sante & Francesca LaPosta John & Mildred Liston Gertrude Clairmont September 2, 2012 Alba Paliotti Betty Huza 11:00 The loving Memory September 3, 2012 Rosa & Pasquale Ferrara Duilio Guiani September 4, 2012 The Intentions of Gerry & Clarissa Saldanha & Family September 5, 2012 The Intentions of Ivan & Prisca Fernandez & Family September 6, 2012 Giuseppe Fiori September 7, 2012 Giovanna, Pietro, Americo & Argeo Forlini Pat Shaw September 8, 2012 Franco Sparapani & Giuseppe Caucci Robert Cartman Domenico Cesare September 9, 2012 Annunziata & Antonio Castelli Rosolo Ricci Franco Sparapani Vincenzo Saluzzi Jonglim Irena Lee Our Lady's Saturday Concetta LaPosta The Family Beatrice Gagnon The 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time The Paliotti Family & Friends Deacon Dennis & Linda Stimpson Society Monday, St. Gregory the Great, Pope Vincenzina & Michele Ferrara Arnaldo Guiani Tuesday, Weekday The Saldanha Family Wednesday, Weekday The Saldanha Family Thursday, Weekday His Wife & Family First Friday Vincenzina & Michele Ferrara The Brabant Family Saturday, The Nativity of the BVM Teresa Caucci His wife Frances Maria Teresa Palucci The 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time The Piccolino Family Beata Ricci & Family Emedia Sparapani & Family Maddalena Saluzzi & Family Benedict & Rosa

ADULT FAITH ENRICHMENT

UPCOMING EVENTS
Invitation to join a Faith Sharing group Are you longing for a deeper faith, a closer relationship with Christ, and to more fully apply your Christian spirituality in your daily life? Then, you are invited to journey with us through the 12-session Renew International Faith Sharing program, Longing for the Holy, based on the insights of best-selling author, Fr. Ron Rolheiser, OMI. For details, consult the posters at the Church entrances and our website at www.stmonica.ca. Registration to join one of our groups will take place after each Mass on Sept.15-16, and registration forms will be available at the main church entrance until Sept. 30. Please contact Anna at (514) 481-0267 or at Anna.Diodati@stmonica.ca for information and to register.

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Faith First Classes

Guaranteed registration for Faith First is now CLOSED. From this point on, new and returning students who have not registered yet will only be accepted if a space is available. If you have not filled out the 2012-13 registration forms, they are available from Jennie Armstrong, on our web site at: www.stmonica.ca, or at the parish office during regular office hours. FRIENDS OF ST. MONICAS IS YOUR FAMILY NAME ON OUR WALL? If not, St. Monicas Parish Needs You Now! By donating $1,000.00 to your parish, your family will be remembered on our Friends of St. Monicas Wall. WILL YOU HELP YOUR COMMUNITY? To pledge your support, please contact Odette Quenneville at Odette.Quenneville@stmonica.ca or through the parish office at (514) 481-0267. Income tax receipts will be provided. PASTORAL HOME CARE VISITORS RETREAT. Members of the St. Monica Pastoral Home Care Visitors team are invited to attend our annual retreat which will take place on Friday, September 21 from 9:00-3:00 at St. John Fisher Parish. Please contact Deacon Dennis if you plan to attend.

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Thank you for supporting your parish Last weeks collection was: $2,686.23