SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER May 17, 2020

The Advocate will be with you for ever

What makes us both fully human and truly like God? Is it not unconditional love which is unselfish, undying, and wholly directed to the good of others? The love of God unites us in an unbreakable bond of fidelity, friendship, and community with others. Jesus loved his own until the very end of his passion and death on the cross. From the very beginning of creation God said it is not good that man should be alone (Genesis 2:18). We were created in love for love - to be a community of loving persons, just as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are inseparably united in a community of unbreakable love. How do we know that God truly loves each one

of us? In the cross we see the proof of God's love for each of us and the incredible price God was willing to pay to redeem us from slavery to sin, death, and Satan. Jesus gave up his life that we might have life - abundant, everlasting life with God - a life of love and unity with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit forever. Through the cross Jesus opened a new way of relationship for us as the adopted sons and daughters of God - his beloved children. Jesus calls his disciples to walk in his way of love through obedience to the will of the Father. True love is more than sentiment, emotion, or good intention. As important as these may be they are not the proof of sincere love. True love for God is expressed in obedience and obedience is expressed in love. Jesus promised to give his followers the best of gifts, the Holy Spirit as their Advocate and Helper. How does the Holy Spirit help us as the Advocate? The Holy Spirit is our Advocate and Helper who guides and strengthens us and brings us safely through the challenges and adversities we must face in this life. The Holy Spirit is also the Giver of life - the abundant life which comes from God and which sustains us forever. The Holy Spirit also guides us in the way of truth, wisdom, and goodness. Jesus also promised his followers the gift of peace. Peace is more than the absence of conflict or trouble. Peace includes everything which makes for our highest good. Trust in God, faith in his promises, and obedience to his word lead us to peace and security in God's presence. Paul the Apostle states:

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:35,38-39). Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you with the knowledge of Christ's immense love and with his gift of peace.

PARISH CONTRIBUTIONS St. Francis of Assisi Parish is grateful for your continued support. You are welcome to drop off or mail your donations to the parish office. If you prefer to make an on-line contribution with a credit card, please visit the parish website and click on the icon of the hand and coin in the upper right hand corner of the home page Thank you for your generosity and God bless you.

SUNDAY MASS LIVESTREAMED FROM

ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI CHURCH Sunday Mass will be live

streamed every Sunday during the pandemic at 11:00 a.m. on our YouTube channel. The link to our parish YouTube channel is: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCokoBfidkSQAZ_Buk3g-bhw?

MONDAY, MAY 18 – 7:00 P.M. Intention Available

TUESDAY, MAY 19 – 8:00 A.M. + Gerry Mayo WEDNESDAY, MAY 20 – 7:00 P.M. + Alice Mayo THURSDAY, MAY 21 – 8:00 A.M. In reparation for offenses committed against the Most Holy Eucharist. FRIDAY, MAY 22 – 3:00 P.M. Intention Available SATURDAY, MAY 23 – 7:00 P.M. + Virginia Natale SUNDAY, MAY 24 – THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD 11:00 A.M. S.I. Parish Community

MAY CELEBRATION IN HONOUR OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

To honour our Blessed Mother, there will be a

special celebration on Thursday, May 21st,

beginning at 7pm live streamed from St. Francis of

Assisi Church on the parish You Tube channel. The

You Tube link is found in the bottom right hand

corner on the home page of our parish website. Fr.

Damian, Deacon Don and our seminarian, Arthur

Lee, will lead the community in prayerful

meditation of all the mysteries of the Holy Rosary –

Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful, and Glorious. Hymns

will be sung and a statue of Mary will be

symbolically crowned. We will each acknowledge

our Blessed Mother as the Queen of our parish

community, our family and our heart. We ask for

Our Lady’s powerful intercession in obtaining

health of the sick, hope for the dying, protection for

health care workers, relief for the unemployed,

peace for families and eternal rest for the departed.

A prayer booklet for the May Celebration in Honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary can be found on the parish website under the News and Events tab – Bulletin Library.

PARISH NOVENA TO THE HOLY SPIRIT FOR PENTECOST

In preparation for the Solemn Feast of Pentecost on Sunday, May 31st , Fr. Damian will lead a Parish Novena to the Holy Spirit which will be live streamed every evening at 7:30pm from Friday, May 22nd until Saturday, May 30th. An invitation is extended to parishioners to pray this novena together as a family. A special word of encouragement goes out to CONFIRMATION CANDIDATES to take part in this novena as part of their preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation, even though the celebration dates have not yet been determined. Then, at the live streamed Mass at 11am on Pentecost Sunday, May 31st, following the homily, everyone will be invited to make an Act of Consecration to the Holy Spirit. In this challenging time, as we look forward to the re-opening of businesses, churches and schools, we must pray to the Holy Spirit for the courage, prudence and wisdom we need as we move forward together in faith and hope. More information and daily prayers for the Novena, including the “Act of Consecration” for Pentecost Sunday, will be posted on the parish website to assist those who wish to participate.

Living the Gospel by helping those with addictions What difference does training make for

youth ministers? Consider that the 40+ youth ministers in the Archdiocese of Toronto collectively impact thousands of youth and their families. The Office of Catholic Youth (OCY), funded by ShareLife, visits parishes, equips youth ministers, and facilitates networking — including an archdiocesan training day attended by 200 youth ministers and volunteers. OCY helps ensure a vibrant church for future generations.

June 7 is the next ShareLife Sunday. Please give generously.