This Sunday, we joyfully celebrate Pentecost, a pivotal feast in our liturgical calendar marking the conclusion of the Easter Season. The name "Pentecost" derives from the Greek word Pentēkostē, meaning "fiftieth," signifying the fiftieth day after Easter. It commemorates the moment when the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles, filling them with divine strength and wisdom, as described in Acts 2:1-4. This extraordinary event is often said to mark the birth of the Church and the beginning of its mission to spread the Gospel to all nations.
Pentecost calls us to be open to the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that "the Holy Spirit is the principal agent of the whole of the Church's mission" (CCC 852). This feast is a reminder of our continuous need for the Holy Spirit’s guidance and gifts, which include wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord (CCC 1831).
May this Pentecost be a time of spiritual renewal for each of us, empowering us to live out our faith with courage and conviction. Let us open our hearts to the Holy Spirit and be transformed, just as the Apostles were, to boldly proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Two new sanctuary lamps now frame our tabernacle, helping us to honor the presence of the Risen Lord Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. From the tabernacle, the flames of the Holy Spirit shoot out to spark our spiritual life and bring new fire to our love for God and neighbour. Regarding the tabernacle, you might be interested is this excerpt from a book called Ceremonies of the Modern Roman Rite by Bishop Peter Elliot, widely considered an expert on Catholic liturgical matters.
Among many things, he writes, “whatever form the tabernacle takes, it should be veiled as the primary sign of the Real Presence. The veil may be white or preferably the color of the day or season, but never black. The veil represents the holy tent of the Lord, especially in the form of the canapaeum which covers a freestanding tabernacle. It is thus a paradoxical sign of mystery, revealing by concealing the sacred Presence of Emmanuel who “tabernacles” among us. The lamp (or lamps) perpetually burning before the Eucharistic Lord should be a living flame fed by oil or wax, but obviously not a volatile fuel. A natural flame is preferable because it signifies an offering as well as light.”
He also references the 1980 instruction Inaestimabile Donum approved by St. Pope John Paul II which notes in section 25 that, “The tabernacle should be solid, unbreakable, and not transparent. The presence of the Eucharist is to be indicated by a tabernacle veil or by some other suitable means laid down by the competent authority, and a lamp must perpetually burn before it, as a sign of honor paid to the Lord.” You may find it interesting to know that the veil that is currently over our tabernacle is at least 40 years old, and has probably been here in the parish since the 1960s. It was found as we were cleaning our storage rooms and going through items kept here at the Church. May the Holy Spirit help us to honor the Risen Lord truly present in the Most Holy Eucharist!
A mission appeal will take place next weekend on May 25th and 26th. Sister Febe will share with us about the Teresian Association and the programs they run to help so many. Please read the bulletin insert for this week on this topic!
The talks from Fr. Gary Schlack’s Lenten parish Mission have been uploaded and can be accessed through my homilies podcast, which is accessible at www.frmerkley.com.
Thank you to those who attended the annual Serra Club Dinner! It was a fantastic night out – everyone said they would love to come again. Perhaps you will join us next year!
The talks from Fr. Gary Schlack’s Lenten parish Mission have been uploaded and can be accessed through my homilies podcast, which is accessible at www.frmerkley.com.
The most recent clergy appointments by Bishop Crosby have been released, and they include that I will be appointed pastor of our parish of Immaculate Heart of Mary effective June 26th, 2024. Up until now, I was administrator, a title in canon law that has the same rights and duties of the pastor (canon 540), but without quite the same sense of stability of assignment. May we pray and work together to do God’s work and build His kingdom in this beautiful faith community.
Bishop Crosby has also approved the placement of a seminarian here at our parish during the summer, seminarian Timothy Kulakowsky. Here is a note from him as he prepares to come to our parish in May:
Hello parishioners of IHM!
My name is Tim Kulakowsky, I am the seminarian who will be joining your parish this summer. I'm very excited about this appointment! I grew up nearby (Smithville) and while I was never a parishioner here officially some of you will probably recognize me when you see me. I used to linger around here quite a bit. Your beloved former pastor, Fr. Bill Trusz, was my spiritual director for years, and I used to spend a lot of time in your adoration chapel. In fact, it was there that I made the decision to join the seminary! Some of you I have already gotten to know, and have prayed with you, and you have supported my vocation with your prayers and encouragement. For those I do not yet know, I am looking forward to getting to know you all and building Our Lord's Kingdom with you! If there is anything I can do to support your faith journey, as you support my own in so many ways, do not be a stranger! Feel free to approach me anytime. :)
The Ex Corde Foundation has generously granted our parish a grant of $20,000 for the purposes of installing a new sound system. We are extremely grateful to the foundation, which was established by Bishop Crosby in 2011, and “provides financial assistance to parishes and other Catholic charities within the Diocese of Hamilton and across Canada” (from the Ex Corde Foundation website – www.excordefoundation.com). I recently applied to the foundation for the stated purposes of the new sound system, and what a wonderful Easter gift to have received! As Bishop Crosby told me when I spoke to him in person about the application, it is important to have a very good sound system because “the people need to hear the Word of God.” If you would like to sacrificially give specifically to covering the costs of a new sound system, please know the parish would be happy to receive your generosity towards this end. This project will be discussed in the near future at our next parish finance council meeting, and pastoral council meeting before any next steps are taken.
Monthly Men’s Recollections which have started in the last couple of months. Where did they come from, and why are they here? For a long time, these monthly recollections have already been in place and were happening at the Cathedral of St. Catherine’s under the direction of Fr. Ben Weber, the rector of the Cathedral (and a good personal friend of mine). Given that many men who attend these evenings are from Hamilton, I was asked if I could take them over, and I accepted the request. As the poster on our bulletin board notes, they occur monthly on Monday nights and include exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, a talk for men, confessions, and benediction, among other things. (Next Dates: May 13, June 10, July 15, August 12, September 9, October 14, November 11, December 9)
The CCCB have commented on a recent document signed by Pope Francis regarding blessings: “On 18 December 2023 the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith released the Declaration Fiducia Supplicans, which responds to questions that had been raised regarding the possibility of offering blessings to persons living in irregular unions, including same-sex relationships. While explicitly affirming the Church’s traditional understanding of marriage, Fiducia Supplicans allows pastors to bless people who freely request a blessing, seeking divine help to live in fidelity to God’s will. The Declaration makes clear that such blessings must be directed to the persons themselves rather than their situation and that they must be spontaneously requested and are not ritual or liturgical actions.” (The underlining is added here for clarification.)
Bishop Crosby has graciously reduced our interest rate on our parish loan to 0% until November 30th, 2025. This will save us over $30, 000 a year. May God bless our Bishop!
Liturgical updates from our Diocese. To support a more full, active, and conscious participation in the sacred liturgy (which Vatican II spoke of), and to more fully align with the liturgical norms of the universal Church and of the Diocese of Hamilton, some small changes to our Sunday worship have taken place beginning this Advent. The changes are the result of direction from the Hamilton Diocese’s liturgy office, and they have been evaluated and discussed amongst our own parish’s liturgy committee. May the Holy Spirit and the Blessed Virgin Mary always guide how we worship our good and loving God.
Formed.org is a great website. I’d be so happy and I strongly encourage each person to explore www.formed.org, a fantastic resource for deepening your faith. Consider watching The Search (Season 1), Symbolon, and The Chosen.
*******************************
Mass Intentions:
I want to give you an update something that comes from our Diocesan chancery office. All parishes in the Diocese of Hamilton are asked to have only two multiple intention Masses each week. The Diocesan norms permit these Masses to be on any day other than Sundays. As a result, and myself having personally touched base with the chancery about this matter, our parish will offer multiple intention Masses on Tuesday night (7 PM) and Saturday night (5 PM) on a weekly basis. I think it is very important that as a parish we act in harmony with the mind of our diocesan bishop and with the rest of our Diocese, to create a family atmosphere of unity and love. Every Sunday we are also required to offer one Mass for the people of the parish (technically called a pro populo Mass, Latin for ‘for the people’). This means we offer Mass each Sunday for all of you, our parishioners! You are being prayed for both in that Mass, and in my personal prayers. Other Masses throughout the week will only be able to have one Mass intention as per our diocesan norms. Please be aware that, as at any Catholic parish, Mass intention dates and times are available on a first come, first served basis. I am thankful for your kind understanding in this regard. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the parish office. We are always very happy to do all we can to accommodate you in this or anything else we can do to serve you! Thank you for your continued support, and may God’s blessings be upon you all.
May God bless you!
Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us!
Fr. Greg Merkley
Thank you to everyone who participated in our One Heart One Soul Campaign, Pilot Wave, we have come to an end of our wave. If you haven't decided, there's still time. You may log on to https://www.oneheartonesoul.ca/give .
(Parish: Immaculate Heart of Mary)
We thank you for your support and prayers.
God Bless you