 Vol. IV no 18 |
May 5, 2010 Catholic Church |
|
|
Accepting change — |
Accepting change
This Sunday’s Gospel (Jn 14:23-29) announces the coming of the Holy Spirit. Emboldened by the Spirit, we have the courage to venture out in new directions. The society in which we live has not only radically changed but is also continuously changing. We must carry out our mission in new and uncharted territory.
The history of the Church is also a chronicle of significant changes. From the early Christian centuries up to now, the Church has faced a variety of challenges: outreach to unbelievers, dialogue with Greek philosophy, transition to official status under Charlemagne, confronting the Reformation, encountering the Enlightenment, modern times, etc. During each development, Christians needed to rethink their way of doing things, their way of offering a witness to the world.
The time in which we currently live also requires a rethinking of the different ways we witness as the Church. More than ever, our efforts must reflect a missionary dimension. What does this mean? Here is some food for thought:
• The way we receive people who seek a particular “service” from the Church, however attentive we may be, requires a new approach. We must discern the reasons for the request, understand the context in which they make their request and adapt our response accordingly. We should not hesitate to propose other ways of proceeding and other processes to accommodate their request.
• We must offer more places where people are able to raise questions and share preoccupations of concern to them. We must be present when people pose questions. People must have access to the wealth of spiritual experience available through the Church. And let’s not forget that we are not the masters of this mission. The Holy Spirit precedes us and sometimes leads us in unexpected ways!
• The contribution of Catholics to social and community development in civil society reveals another dimension of the Church in action. Let’s not forget that we are called to assist in building the Kingdom. It means we must be active on the “work site,” in solidarity with our brothers and sisters, with those who are Catholic and those of other religious traditions.
• A concrete example: Mother’s Day will be celebrated next Sunday. We must recognize the difficulties facing motherhood today and accompany the women who accept the responsibility of bearing new life. Our missionary work involves listening to, “being with” and offering places of mutual aid and support for parents and for those enlightened by the Holy Spirit.With confidence and understanding, let us dare to propose Jesus Christ today: confident in the Holy Spirit who dwells in our world and fully aware of the complexities of life in our time.
† Jean-Claude Turcotte
Archbishop of Montréal
Message from Msgr Sean Harty, E.V.
Recently, our Archdiocesan Website initiated some changes with regard to the language in which the home page of the Courriel du mercredi - Wednesday E-Mail communications is presented.
The interpretation of the rationale which accompanied this change, regretfully did not adequately represent the thoughtful reflection and consultation that surrounded this decision.
As such, we wish to provide the following further elaborations:
Recently, concern was raised that the Courriel du mercredi, which is the official communication vehicle of the Archbishop, did not sufficiently reflect the primacy that the French language holds within our diocesan Church and the larger community.
As such, to better reflect that reality, we have initiated a system present in a great majority of institutions within Quebec, where one is invited to “Click English” to access the English version of the information.
This system is also operative in major dioceses throughout the country where they have responsibilities to provide services to their French-speaking minorities.
The two distinct Web pages which will contain common relevant information will, however, permit the inclusion of information specifically relevant to either our French or English speaking communities.
These changes were made after consultation and reflect the commitment of our Archbishop, Cardinal Jean-Claude Turcotte, while recognizing the linguistic diversity within our diocesan Church – to promote a diocesan unity of purpose and action, focussing all of us together to “Propose Jesus Christ as the the Way to Freedom and Responsibility”.
To our English speaking faithful, we encourage you to continue to also access the “Grapevine”, which provides relevant information and events transpiring in your community.
We trust that you will continue to utilize all of our diocesan communication initiatives to assist you in your primordial role in the Mission of our Church.
Msgr. Sean Harty, E.V.
Director, Office for English Pastoral Services
Diaconal Ordination and Conferral of
the Ministries of Lector and AcolyteWe are pleased to announce that Mr. Jonathan GUILBAULT and Mr. Alfred MOUBAYED, candidates of the diocese of Montréal, will be instituted Lectors, and Mr. Yohann LEROUX, Mr. Jason PIPER, as well as Mr. Alexandre TRAN, lectors of the diocese of Montréal, will be instituted Acolytes. On the same occasion, Mr. Félix ROBERGE, acolyte of the Military Ordinariate of Canada, will be ordained deacon at the Chapel of the Grand Seminary of Montréal, on Friday, May 14, 2010, at 7:30 p.m. by Most Reverend Donald Thériault, Bishop of the Military Ordinariate of Canada.
Warm welcome!
Fr. Benoît-Marc Boyer,
Vice-chancellor,
April 30, 2010
Upcoming Events
Special Eucharistic Celebration
in honour of the deceased priests
presided at by Jean-Claude Cardinal Turcotte
May 18, 2010 at 12:00 p.m. (noon)
at Mary-Queen of the World Cathedral
Diocesan Eucharistic Week
From Sunday May 30 to Sunday June 6, 2010
