6th Sunday in Ordinary Time

St. Monicas Parish

February 15/16, 2014

THERE OUGHT TO BE A LAW by Alice Camille

My 85-year-old mother is addicted to cop shows and courtroom dramas. She's not an active lawbreaker herself, mind you, but she loves to invest her evenings in following criminals down their morally darkened paths, outsmarting clever law-enforcers and heavily-degreed legal counsels by slipping through loopholes in jurisprudence and all but disappearing behind the wall of their crimes in triumphuntil the end of the hour, that is, when some infinitesimal fact comes to light, condemning the guilty and vindicating the innocent. The disturbing thing is, Im not sure which my elderly mother enjoys more: that justice is finally served, or that the perpetrator almost got away with it! Many of us have a morally ambiguous relationship to law. We love having plenty of laws nailed into place to protect us and our property from other people. At the same time we play fast and loose with the laws that inconvenience us. Tax laws, traffic laws, and municipal laws are only three kinds of rules some of us are comfortable breaking if we think we can get away with it. Most of us are pleased to defend the rule of law until a particular facet of it gets in our way, and lets presume that we churchgoers are the law-abiding segment of the population! Some folks have far less respect for the rules than we do. So we become glued to serials like The Sopranos, Damages, Breaking Bad, or any story where the moral lines are vague between the good guys and the bad ones. Like my mom, were attracted to stories that confess a disconcerting truth: Were all ready to break the law given the right set of circumstances. Perhaps weve convinced ourselves that most laws are neither good nor bad but arbitrary. If a given law crosses our sovereign free will or basic self-interest, we might be willing to look the other way and break badjust this once. Biblical law was established to be a different kind of law altogether from what folks were used to. The Hebrew word for law is more like guidance or instruction than a line drawn in the sand. Divine law wasnt viewed as negatively prohibitive or punitive but positive and helpful. The point wasn't to constrict human freedom but to keep people safe, happy, and at peace. A red light isnt meant to make you late for an appointment, after alleven if it does just that; its intended to keep you and your neighbour from plowing into each other at an intersection. Law was deemed such a cheerful thing in Israel that psalms were written to praise the joy of living lawfully. Gods gift of law is evidence that God is serious about wanting to preserve the happiness of the community so favoured. When Jesus extends the laws as deep and high as you can conceive, is this his way of making life harderor simpler than ever?
Published by: PREPARE THE WORD Exploring the Word for Sunday, February 16, 2014 Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A

2014 Lenten Reflection and Prayer Booklets

The 2014 Lenten Reflection and Prayer Booklets are available for you to purchase at the main entrance of the church. The adult, family and childrens versions are priced at $2.00 each. Please put your payment in the Missalette and Newspaper Payment Box.

St. Monicas Pot Luck & Games Night

Saturday, February 22 @5:00 p.m. What to Bring? Food pantry donation! Favorite food to share! Games to play! Friends and family! More info: genevieve.c.gray@gmail.com or 514-839-2670

The Catholic Times newspaper is coming back in April

Saturday, Feb. 15 Our Ladys Saturday 4:00 In Loving Memory: Mike Kilbertus, Luigi & Rosa Mammone, Italo & Anna Mariani, Italo Falcone, Leonard & Terry Winslade, Deceased members of Charles J. McDonald Family, Ivica Izakovic, Alessandro Palladini. Sunday, Feb. 16 6th Sunday Ordinary Time 8:30 Deceased members of By Rosa & Luigi Salvati the Michetti Family 11:00 Alexander Cybulski By Claudia & George Ciampini Monday, Feb. 17 Weekday Mass 8:00 Ermando Giuseppe Nudo By wife Elvira Tuesday, Feb. 18 Weekday Mass 8:00 Antonio Bei By wife Gabriella Bei Wednesday, Feb. 19 Weekday Mass 8:00 Agnese, Martino & Antonio By the Family Gagliardi Thursday, Feb. 20 Weekday Mass 8:00 Theresa, Julian & Kevin Rooney By Gary Rooney Friday, Feb. 21 St. Peter Damian 8:00 Deceased members of the Petosa By Maria & Raffele Family Saturday, Feb. 22 Chair of St. Peter, Apostle 4:00 Carolina Ciallella By her Daughter Sunday, Feb. 23 7th Sunday Ordinary Time 8:30 In Loving Memory: Elena Casale Zilli, Leona Clarke, John Shanks, Sante & Francesca La Posta, Stella Smith, Derek Menezes. 11:00 Emma Pendenza Luisa & Angelo Falcone Your Generosity
Thank you for your on-going support of our parishCollection for the weekend of February 8/9, 2014 totalled $2,808.65

Adult Faith Enrichment January events

Bible Study Experiencing the Living Word through the Gospel of John, with Pastor Brent Walker continues this Wednesday evening, February 19 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the parish hall. Join us for a unique opportunity to develop a deeper knowledge and appreciation of the Scriptures. Pastor Walker will help us to take a closer look at specific scripture passages and how they invite us to experience the presence of Christ. Coffee and Conversation In this session of Boundaries with Kids, we will look at the laws of Activity and Exposure. Join us on Sunday, February 23, from 10 to 10:50 am, in the rectory dining room. Video Divina Fr. Raymond will present the movie The Gospel of John on Friday, March 7 at 7 p.m. in the parish rectory. Admission and popcorn are free, and stimulating discussion will follow the movie! All are welcome! Please refer to our brochure, website and the posters at the Church entrances for additional information.

The FECU: Pasta Luncheon Fundraiser

Fr. David Kiyingi is inviting you to a Pasta Luncheon Fundraiser on Sunday February 23, 2014 at 12:15 p.m. in St. John Fisher parish hall. All proceeds will help to provide high school education to underprivileged children in Uganda (FECU). The ticket is $30.00 for adults and $8.00 for youth 715 year old, and free for children under 7 years old. For more information and tickets, please call Fr. David at 514-4265593; cell. 514-213-5778.

2013 TAX RECEIPTS This weekend, tax receipts for 2013 donations are available for pick up at the back of the church. Did you know that your donations are tax deductible. That is why having a donation box is convenient--your donations are recorded. Special Pastoral Visit of Bishop Thomas Dowd, E.V. To St. Monicas Church February 22 to March 2, 2014

FAIR TRADE PRODUCTS ON SALE AFTER MASS WE HAVE A NEW COFFEE SUPPLIER AND THE COFFEE PRICES ARE REDUCED.