Merry Christmas From Your Parish Family of Christ The King!

The Annunciation by Denise Levertov; We know the scene: the room, variously furnished, almost always a lecturn, a book; always the tall lily. Arrived on solemn grandeur of great wings, the angelic ambassador, standing or hovering, whome she acknowledges, a guest. But we are told of meek obedience. No one mentions courage The engendering Spirit did not enter her without consent. God waited. She was free to accept or refuse, choice integral to humanness. Aren't there annunciations of one sort or another in most lives? Some unwillingly undertake great destinies, enact them in sullen pride, uncomprehending. More often those moments when...

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From a homily In Praise of the Virgin Mother by Saint Bernard, Abbot

He Qi - Annunciation The whole world awaits Mary’s reply... "You have heard, O Virgin, that you will conceive and bear a son; you have heard that it will not be by man but by the Holy Spirit. The angel awaits an answer; it is time for him to return to God who sent him. We too are waiting, O Lady, for your word of compassion; the sentence of condemnation weighs heavily upon us. The price of our salvation is offered to you. We shall be set free at once if you consent. In the eternal Word of God we all came to be, and behold, we die. In your brief response we are to be remade in order to be recalled to life. Tearful Adam with his sorrowing...

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Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

The shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, near Mexico City, is one of the most celebrated places of pilgrimage in North America. On 9 December 1531, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to an Indian convert, Juan Diego, at Tepeyac and left him with a picture of herself imprinted upon his cloak. Devotion to Mary under the title of “Our Lady of Guadalupe” has continually increased, and today she is the Patroness of Americas. From a report by Don Antonio Valeriano, a Native American author of the sixteenth century "The Voice of the Turtledove has been heard in our land" At daybreak one Saturday morning in 1531, on the very first days of the month of...

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Edge Night - St. Nick Ring 'n' Run - Dec 18

The Edge Youth Group at Christ the King is happy to announce that our 2nd Annual St. Nick Ring 'n' Run is happening on December 18th. It's gonna be a blast!   Were you there last year? Then you know how much fun it was. First time? Intrigued? Want to know more? Want to come? We are happy to invite all Grade 6 and up to this event. Bring a friend!   It all starts at 6:30 pm at 4629 Hames Cres (the gracious home of the Howells in Harbour Landing) and will end by 8:30.   Drop an email to pierrelaura@oreillyclan.com or call Laura or Pierre at 584-4140 and we can fill you in on all the details.   ***Parents, don't...

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Immaculate Conception

From a sermon by Saint Anselm, bishop Virgin Mary, all nature is blessed in you. Blessed Lady, sky and stars, earth and rivers, day and night—everything that is subject to the power or use of man—rejoice that through you they are in some sense restored to their lost beauty and are endowed with inexpressible new grace. All creatures were dead, as it were, useless for men or for the praise of God, who made them. The world, contrary to its true destiny, was corrupted and tainted by the acts of men who served idols. Now all creation has been restored to life and rejoices that it is controlled and given splendor by men who believe in God. The...

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Feast of St. Nicholas

Today is the Feast of St. Nicholas. Here are a few links of prayers and blessings and activities to enjoy; Blessing of Candy Canes http://www.stnicholascenter.org/pages/blessing-candy-canes/#i_551 Activities http://www.stnicholascenter.org/pages/activities/ Children's Prayers http://www.stnicholascenter.org/pages/prayers-for-children/ Ecards http://www.stnicholascenter.org/pages/e-cards/ These are all found at the St. Nicholas Centre http://www.stnicholascenter.org/pages/ho...

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The Voice In The Wilderness

From a commentary on Isaiah by Eusebius of Caesarea, bishop; The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight the paths of our God. The prophecy makes clear that it is to be fulfilled, not in Jerusalem but in the wilderness: it is there that the glory of the Lord is to appear, and God’s salvation is to be made known to all mankind. It was in the wilderness that God’s saving presence was proclaimed by John the Baptist, and there that God’s salvation was seen. The words of this prophecy were fulfilled when Christ and his glory were made manifest to all: after his baptism the heavens opened, and the Holy...

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Advent Conspiracy - Christmas Can Still Change The World

I found this link in my twitter stream the other day and it intrigued me that there could be some kind of secret conspiracy behind Advent, that liturgical season I love so much. I've never been one to shy away from a good conspiracy (growing up my dad always had well-worn copies of the Enquirer, The News and other reputable papers with pictures of bat-boy and aliens shaking hands with the President on the front page). A click or two took me to the Advent Conspiracy homepage (this is BIG folks...an entire section of the www is dedicated to this stuff!) where I found the following video; If that isn't intriguing enough...

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The season of Advent: From a pastoral letter by Saint Charles Borromeo, bishop

Beloved, now is the acceptable time spoken of by the Spirit, the day of salvation, peace and reconciliation: the great season of Advent. This is the time eagerly awaited by the patriarchs and prophets, the time that holy Simeon rejoiced at last to see. This is the season that the Church has always celebrated with special solemnity. We too should always observe it with faith and love, offering praise and thanksgiving to the Father for the mercy and love he has shown us in this mystery. In his infinite love for us, though we were sinners, he sent his only Son to free us from the tyranny of Satan, to summon us to heaven, to welcome us into its...

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Edge Youth Group - Nov 25 - "King Sardines"

The next Edge Youth Group night (grade 7+) at Christ the King is this Friday, November 25 from 7-8:30 pm.   Join us for a great night that will end with an awesome game of "King Sardines".   For more info contact Pierre or Laura at 584-410 or laura@oreillyclan.com See you the...

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Intercessory Prayers - November 20, 2011

  PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL SOLEMNITY OF CHRIST THE KING NOVEMBER 6, 2011     1.     Let us pray for the Church,  instrument of unity and salvation,  We pray to you Lord,  RESPONSE: Lord, hear our prayer.   2.     May we reach out to the poor, the stranger, the imprisoned and those  considered the least among us. May our donations to our Annual Appeal  help those in need,  We pray to you Lord,  RESPONSE: Lord, hear our prayer.   3.     Let us pray for our parish of Christ the King,  striving to make the Kingdom of God a reality in our community,  We pray to you Lord,  RESPONSE: Lord, hear our prayer.   4.     Let us...

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Edge Youth Group - Oct 28 - "Texting with God"

The next Edge Youth Group night (grade 7-9) at Christ the King is this Friday, October 28 from 7-9 pm.   Topic is "Texting with God. What is prayer?" Bring a friend and bring the answer this week's trivia question (see ad for question) for a shot at winning a big basket of awesomeness at the end of the school year. Everyone who sends in the correct answer gets entered once. Show up on at the Edge Night with the right answer and get 2 entries!   For more infor contact Pierre or Laura at 584-410 or laura@oreillyclan.com   See you the...

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Stewardship Appreciation Event Coming in November

The stewardship committee is organizing a stewardship appreciation event for Saturday November 5 from 6:00pm - 9:00pm in the parish Hall.  It is taking the form of a catered supper at the CTK hall and we want to invite all CTK parishioners and other folks that share their time and talent (volunteers) for the betterment of our parish community. Committee and sub-committee chairs have provided the names of volunteers they have worked with since last September 2010.  Invitations have gone out out by email or through Canada Post. And you may also on-line; CTK Stewardship Appreciation 2011. We don’t want to miss anyone from...

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Coming To Church Alone Doesn't Make You Any More Catholic Than Standing In Your Garage Makes You A Car

Always cool when the theme of Father Antony's Sunday Homily finds it's way to Our Holy Fath...

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EDGE Retreat For Grades 7-9

Don't Forget To Invite Your Friends...

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Liturgy and the Christian Language - Fr. Douglas Martis

“An olive is never just an olive,” I said to myself, driving through the desert in Tunisia. I was fascinated by the number of olive trees with their gnarled trunks and twisted branches. An olive is not only the fruit of a tree. It is an epic. It contains within itself all that has gone before. The roots are sunk into the earth and also deep into history. These olive groves appear as the sole oasis in the desert where I had gone to retrace the steps of Tertullian and breathe the same air as Augustine of Hippo. Were they moved too, by the antiquity of these branches? Sometimes we linger over the exotic in order to better appreciate what we see...

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Summer Prayer

Creator of all, thank You for summer! Thank You for the warmth of the sun and the increased daylight. Thank You for the beauty I see all around me and for the opportunity to be outside and enjoy Your creation. Thank You for the increased time I have to be with my friends and family, and for the more casual pace of the summer season. Draw me closer to You this summer. Teach me how I can pray no matter where I am or what I am doing. Warm my soul with the awareness of Your presence, and light my path with Your Word and Counsel. As I enjoy Your creation, create in me a pure heart and a hunger and a thirst for You. Amen. Peace and God Bl...

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A New Roman Missal For Canada

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops has received "recognitio" from Rome for all sections of the English translation of the revised Roman Missal. Preparations are underway for the implementation of the revised General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) and the new translation of the Roman Missal on the First Sunday of Advent, November 27, 2011. What is the Roman Missal?Take notice of the red book the priest uses most often during the Mass. This book is called the Sacramentary, which together with the Lectionary for Mass (both the Sunday and Weekday Lectionaries) make up the Roman Missal. The missal is the collection of prayers, chants,...

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Those Long Summer Days

I hope you have been enjoying this first official long weekend of summer. Even though some may have to return to work come Monday, there are plenty of long summer days ahead of us. May you and those you love find all of your days and nights overflowing with God's grace. Prayer for a Summer Day Long warm days... The pace of life slows... A time for picnics and rest in the shade... Lord, help me to rest a while in the cooling shade of your presence. Slow down my restless heart and fill me with gentle compassion for all your people. Amen. Peace and God Bless "The whole earth is quiet and still,it is glad and hath rejoiced!" (Isaiah 14:7) -...

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In Your Light We See Light

Today is the Solemnity of The Sacred Heart Jesus. While paying the Office of Readings for this solemn feast, traditionally celebrated on the Friday after Corpus Christi, I was really moved by the reflection offered by St. Bonaventure. I love the idea of the Church having been formed and conferred with the Spirit's grace and love from the wound in Christ's side as he slept upon the cross. It's so profoundly reminiscent of the creation of Eve from the rib taken from the side of Adam as he slept. I really love the way those Old Testament themes come full-circle in Christ.From a work by Saint Bonaventure, bishopTake thought now, redeemed man, and...

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Blessing Prayer For People About To Leave On A Journey

Father Antony has boarded the plane and lifted off to visit family and friends back in India. Perhaps you too are planning a trip far away, or to your back yard.  As spring moves into the lazy, hazy days of summer, and we begin to plan what we might do with our vacation times whether short or long, its a good idea to stop in the midst of the planning and the packing to lift heart and mind to God and pray for His blessing on our journeys; Blessed are You, Lord our God, For You have created a wide and wonderful world in which we can travel. We ask your Blessing upon us as we are about to leave on our journey. Be our ever-near companion, O...

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A Thin Place

A few years back Father Bill Burke visited the diocese and delivered a series of talks on the Eucharist. As we celebrate the Solemnity of The Body And Blood of Christ, I thought it very appropriate to share a couple of the wonderful stories he told;There was once a man who hated pilgrimages but was convinced to travel to the Isle of Iona off of Scotland. It's a place that has been home to countless monks and contemplatives throughout the centuries. He figured he would just have a nice picnic. Instead he had an experience of 'connection' and presence that struck him so deeply, he struggled to put it into words. Each time he would try, the words...

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A Festival of Rain

As our yards get a 24-hour reprieve from the rain, and dark clouds still hover ominously overhead, it can be easy to let the record-breaking wet spring get us down.  One of my favorite essays by Thomas Merton contains his reflections on the rain. I thought I would share it with you this week. Using the "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em" philosophy, the next time you begin to hear the patter of rain on your roof and begin to feel despondent, give Father Merton a chance to invite you to celebrate the great festival that surround us... Rain and the Rhinoceros by Thomas Merton Let me say this before rain becomes a utility that they can plan...

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