7th Sunday in Ordinary Time

St. Monicas Parish

February 22/23, 2014

Meet The Bishop! Introducing Bishop Thomas Dowd

As an insert in this weeks bulletin, Bishop Thomas Dowd, Auxiliary Bishop of Montreal and Episcopal Vicar for the English-speaking faithful, has written a letter explaining the nature of his pastoral visit here from Feb 22 March 2. When I asked Bishop Tom whether there was a biographical note we could use to introduce him to the parish, he referred me to his Wikipedia page! (Not surprising for someone known as the blogging bishop!) Born in Lachine, the eldest of three children, Tom grew up on the West Island where he attended Pierrefonds Comprehensive High School, Marianopolis, and Concordia University, obtaining his Bachelor of Commerce degree in 1992. While at Concordia, Tom served on 25 different committees: he was president of the Commerce and Administration Student Association, and served on Concordia's Board of Governors and Senate. After leaving Concordia, he started working for Ericsson Research Canada, eventually becoming manager of their Global Integration and Verification Organization. He remained with the company for 3 years until he left to study for the priesthood. In 1995, Tom entered the Grand Sminaire de Montral, where he eventually received bachelors degrees in Philosophy and Theology and a Masters in Divinity. Concurrently, Tom pursued studies for the Licentiate in Theology from the Universit de Montral, completing his studies in 2002. After serving his pastoral internship at St. Monicas and St. Augustines in 2000-01, Father Thomas Dowd was ordained a priest at St. Monicas on 7 December 2001. After his ordination, Fr. Tom was assigned as assistant pastor at Holy Name of Jesus (Laval) from 2001-2002 and Saint Thomas Becket (Pierrefonds) from 2002-2005. Between 2005 and 2006, Fr. Tom was assistant pastor of St. Lukes and served as chaplain at the Lakeshore General Hospital in Pointe-Claire. From September 2006 until his episcopal ordination, Dowd worked in the diocesan curia as Associate Director for the Office of Pastoral Personnel, and Director of Diocesan Formation Services. Having been in the technology industry before his ordination, Fr. Tom became in 2003 the first Canadian priest to have a blog, as well as providing expert guidance for the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops online presence. Bishop Tom continues to use Facebook, Twitter and his own personal website http://bishopdowd.net) to reach out to members of the Church and the world. He has also, in his spare time (!), learned Spanish and Italian, and recently completed a licentiate in canon law from the University of Strasbourg. On July 11, 2011, Fr. Tom Dowd was nominated by Pope Benedict XVI to be an Auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Montral. At the age of 40, he would be one of the youngest Catholic bishops in the world. He and Fr. Christian Lpine were consecrated as bishops on September 10, 2011 by Cardinal Jean-Claude Turcotte.

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.

Adult Faith Enrichment

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 Monday, Feb. 24 Weekday Mass 8:00 Luigi & Alba Paliotti By the Paliotti Family Petronilla Mora McLean By Ursulene Mora-Farmer Tuesday, Feb. 25 Weekday Mass 8:00 Emilia Francesco By Ernesta Ciampini Ciampini Wednesday, Feb. 26 Weekday Mass 8:00 Antonio & Rosa Paoli By Pietrina 8:00 Thursday, Feb. 27 Giuseppina Maiolo & Cosimo Franze Friday, Feb. 28 Anna Bond Saturday, March 1 Vincent Tedeschi Sunday, March 2 John Caporicci Weekday Mass By Brother & Sister-in-law St. Peter Damian By Sr. Mary-Ellen Francoeur Our Ladys Saturday By his Wife & Family th 8 Sunday Ordinary Time Teresa Supino Bible Study Experiencing the Living Word through the Gospel of John, with Pastor Brent Walker continues this Wednesday evening, February 26 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. 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.

8:00 4:00 8:30

WALKING IN THE DESERT

Facilitator: John Carey New and experienced pray-ers may feel their prayer life is flat or boring at times. The saints often called this the desert. This feeling of Gods absence can be reflected in our workplace or through the crises in our Church and parishes or in family transitions. What do the mystics, both modern and traditional, have to tell us? This workshop will tap into the traditional spiritual wisdom of the Desert Mothers and Fathers, including John of the Cross and Teresa of Avila as well as the experience of more contemporary writers. Date: Saturday, March 1, 2014 Time: 9 am - 3 pm at Ignatian Spirituality Certre of Montreal, 4567 West Broadway, Montreal, Quebec (Coffee and cookies included. Please bring a lunch) Cost: $60 For more information please contact the Ignatian Centre at 514-481-1064 or at centre@ignatiancentremtl.ca

11:00 In Loving Memory: Joseph Onesi, Giovanni & Norina Onesi, Fioravante Rotiroti, Francesco & Angela Supino, Maureen Lynch, Deceased members of the Cullen Family. Your Generosity
Thank you for your on-going support of our parishCollection for the weekend of February 15/16, 2014 totalled $2,815.45 and the Pillars Trust Fund collection totalled $1,454.55

2013 TAX RECEIPTS

This will be the last weekend to pick up your tax receipts for 2013 donations. Those remaining, will be mailed out.

ASH WEDNESDAY MASSES There will be two masses offered on Ash Wednesday, March 5. The usual morning mass will be offered at 8:00 a.m.; and a second mass will celebrated at 7:00 p.m. Ashes will be distributed at both masses. Faith First Spring Break
Faith First classes will resume on the weekend of March 15/16, 2014.