September 17 2017
“Jesus said to him, not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.”
Matthew 18:22
“Not seven times, I tell you but seventy-seven times.”
Throughout the course of our day, we often hear “I’m sorry,” or “Pardon me,” or “Excuse me.” Someone has done some little thing that has perhaps invaded our space; they’ve inadvertently bumped into us, or have stepped in front of us. Perhaps they’ve stepped on a toe, or a heel. These are little things and it’s easy to ask for pardon or forgiveness and for the most part we respond with, “That’s okay”, “Not to worry”, “I’m fine”. It can, however, be a little harder to forgive some major hurt or insult. Yet we’re told to forgive and to keep on forgiving.
Usually the people who hurt us most deeply are those that are closest to us; our parents, our children, our spouse, dear friends. When these people hurt us it can be more than difficult to forgive. “Lord, how often must I forgive my brother or sister if they sin against me?” We want that finite number, the one that will let us off the hook so to speak. Yet when we sin, what do we want? We want to be forgiven time and time again. And our Saviour, knowing our propensity to do what is wrong, has given us the healing sacrament of Reconciliation. No matter the sin, no matter how big or small, we need only go to our Lord in His sacrament and feel His healing hand laid gently on us. We hear Him say, through the priest, “Your sins are forgiven. Go in peace.” Not seventy-seven times but always. But so often, I when I’m asked for forgiveness I wonder if this particular transgression isn’t the seventy-eighth sin, the one I don’t need to forgive!
All too often my weak nature doesn’t want to grant forgiveness, it seeks to exact revenge! It’s then that I’m reminded of Paul’s letter to the Romans, in which he reminds his readers of the words of Moses, “Vengeance is mine says the Lord.” We are not wise enough, not holy enough, to decide who deserves to be forgiven and who does not. That’s up to our God and we’d do well to remember that. Still, when it comes to forgiving those who’ve hurt us deeply it can be difficult to leave it to the Lord. Our human nature wants to take matters into its own hands and wield that scepter of power. It’s what causes tensions in families, rifts within a nation and wars in our world. When we don’t forgive, we harbor hatred and anger in our hearts and that affects our relationships with others and certainly with our God. We can become mistrusting, and insulated from others; we can become suspicious of the actions of others; and eventually we can doubt the love and mercy of our Father. If I cannot forgive that wrong, why would He, we ask ourselves? And if He does, what kind of justice does He show? We can become so warped in our thinking and our relationships that we lose our way and our actions and words deny to others that we are His followers.
All too often, I want to tell the Lord just how He should wreak His vengeance, as if I knew the mind of God! Such great pride! We need to leave judgment and justice in His hands and know that He will exact the punishment deserved and that, too, gives me pause. What kind of justice and judgment am I to face? If I want forgiveness for my many sins, then I must be willing, nay joyous, to forgive my brothers and sisters whom I feel have wronged me. I must be willing to forgive with a generous spirit and good faith. I must be open to their request for forgiveness and grant it with no reservations. This is what I’m called to in this lovely gospel on forgiveness – to do to others as I would have it done to me, to forgive as I wish to be forgiven, to ask forgiveness when I’ve wronged another.
Let’s ensure in the coming weeks that we accept the fact that we are not perfect and that others are not either. Let’s ensure that we forgive as we wish to be forgiven and not harbour hatred or anger in our hearts and spirits. Let’s ensure that we follow Him in love and forgiveness. Let’s make this a time of reconciliation.
Wishing you a week of many blessings and many small miracles.
Betty Bruch
Betty Bruch
Throughout the course of our day, we often hear “I’m sorry,” or “Pardon me,” or “Excuse me.” Someone has done some little thing that has perhaps invaded our space; they’ve inadvertently bumped into us, or have stepped in front of us. Perhaps they’ve stepped on a toe, or a heel. These are little things and it’s easy to ask for pardon or forgiveness and for the most part we respond with, “That’s okay”, “Not to worry”, “I’m fine”. It can, however, be a little harder to forgive some major hurt or insult. Yet we’re told to forgive and to keep on forgiving.
Usually the people who hurt us most deeply are those that are closest to us; our parents, our children, our spouse, dear friends. When these people hurt us it can be more than difficult to forgive. “Lord, how often must I forgive my brother or sister if they sin against me?” We want that finite number, the one that will let us off the hook so to speak. Yet when we sin, what do we want? We want to be forgiven time and time again. And our Saviour, knowing our propensity to do what is wrong, has given us the healing sacrament of Reconciliation. No matter the sin, no matter how big or small, we need only go to our Lord in His sacrament and feel His healing hand laid gently on us. We hear Him say, through the priest, “Your sins are forgiven. Go in peace.” Not seventy-seven times but always. But so often, I when I’m asked for forgiveness I wonder if this particular transgression isn’t the seventy-eighth sin, the one I don’t need to forgive!
All too often my weak nature doesn’t want to grant forgiveness, it seeks to exact revenge! It’s then that I’m reminded of Paul’s letter to the Romans, in which he reminds his readers of the words of Moses, “Vengeance is mine says the Lord.” We are not wise enough, not holy enough, to decide who deserves to be forgiven and who does not. That’s up to our God and we’d do well to remember that. Still, when it comes to forgiving those who’ve hurt us deeply it can be difficult to leave it to the Lord. Our human nature wants to take matters into its own hands and wield that scepter of power. It’s what causes tensions in families, rifts within a nation and wars in our world. When we don’t forgive, we harbor hatred and anger in our hearts and that affects our relationships with others and certainly with our God. We can become mistrusting, and insulated from others; we can become suspicious of the actions of others; and eventually we can doubt the love and mercy of our Father. If I cannot forgive that wrong, why would He, we ask ourselves? And if He does, what kind of justice does He show? We can become so warped in our thinking and our relationships that we lose our way and our actions and words deny to others that we are His followers.
All too often, I want to tell the Lord just how He should wreak His vengeance, as if I knew the mind of God! Such great pride! We need to leave judgment and justice in His hands and know that He will exact the punishment deserved and that, too, gives me pause. What kind of justice and judgment am I to face? If I want forgiveness for my many sins, then I must be willing, nay joyous, to forgive my brothers and sisters whom I feel have wronged me. I must be willing to forgive with a generous spirit and good faith. I must be open to their request for forgiveness and grant it with no reservations. This is what I’m called to in this lovely gospel on forgiveness – to do to others as I would have it done to me, to forgive as I wish to be forgiven, to ask forgiveness when I’ve wronged another.
Let’s ensure in the coming weeks that we accept the fact that we are not perfect and that others are not either. Let’s ensure that we forgive as we wish to be forgiven and not harbour hatred or anger in our hearts and spirits. Let’s ensure that we follow Him in love and forgiveness. Let’s make this a time of reconciliation.
Wishing you a week of many blessings and many small miracles.
Betty Bruch
Betty Bruch
PARISH ACTIVITIES
CATECHESIS OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD: The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) is a program of Christian formation for children. We are very pleased to announce that CGS is coming to Sacred Heart Parish. Monica Best and Caroline Knickle are working on setting up a Level One Atrium which will be for children ages 3 to 5. The atrium is a sacred space designed for children, where they can grow in their knowledge of Jesus and His love. The children work with materials that represent the essence of the Christian message. CGS began in Rome in 1954 and has since spread internationally. Level One sessions will be held every Saturday from 1 to 3 pm beginning September 16th. Our hope is to add Level 2 which is for children ages 6 to 9, in the next school year. Further details and registration information are available. If you have any questions please, contact Monica @ 456-4813 or Caroline @ 456-7760 or check the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Association Canada website at www.cgsac.ca.
RCIA: The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults will be starting this Monday September 18th in the rectory. The RCIA is an information and inquiry program for people who want to learn about the Roman Catholic faith. Sessions will be held once a week and are open to anyone, including inactive Catholics. Please call the parish for registration at (867) 667-2437.
BAPTISMAL PREPARATION CLASSES:
The baptism preparation classes are given on the first and second Friday of the month at 7 pm. For more information about the classes or sacrament of Baptism, please visit our website at www.sacredheartcathedral.ca
FIRST RECONCILIATION & FIRST COMMUNION:
The preparation for the First Reconciliation and the First Holy Communion will start in October. The registration forms are in the back of the Church. For further information please feel free to call the Parish office.
COLLECTION FOR THE NEEDS OF THE CHURCH IN CANADA: Why is there such a collection?
Every year, the Bishops of Canada make an appeal for financial assistance to support their work and the work of each diocese/eparchy by means of the Collection for the Needs of the Church in Canada. The President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), the Most Reverend Douglas Crosby, O.M.I., Bishop of Hamilton, has described this Collection as an invitation to “all the faithful to participate in the life and mission of the Church through their active involvement in the life of their parish community, their prayers, their diverse charisms, their moral support, and the contributions of their time and talents. The Collection for the Needs of the Church is an opportunity for Catholics to truly help their diocese/eparchy participate in the regional episcopal assemblies and the CCCB. Any additional revenue which is raised is used by the diocese/eparchy for its own pastoral programs and other activities.”
The Collection for the Needs of the Church in Canada will take place on September 23rd and 24th, 2017. This annual charitable initiative furthers the collegiality and synodality of the Bishops’ ministry in leading, shepherding, teaching, guiding, sanctifying and pastorally caring for all of God’s children, disciples of Christ in Canada.
INTERESTED IN THE WORK OF CANADIAN BISHOPS IN THE PAST YEAR? Check out the CCCB link on the Diocese of Whitehorse website (www.whitehorsediocese.ca), read the posted highlights on the parish bulletin board, or pick up a copy of the CCCB’s Overview of Projects, Declarations and Documents in the foyer.
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS:
The Knights of Columbus meet the second Wednesday of the month at 7:15 p.m. in the CYO Hall. Prior to the meeting, the Knights gather to pray the Rosary in the church at 7:00 p.m. For further information, contact Joe Hanrath, 335-9819. Next meeting will be held in September.
CATHOLIC WOMEN’S LEAGUE:
The Catholic Women’s League meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 7:00 pm on the stage of the CYO hall at Sacred Heart. All women 16 years of age and older are welcome to join this National organization. For more information please call Carol Vanderbyl at 633-5348.
YOUTH GROUP: The Youth group meetings will start again on September 22nd at Christ the King school, they will take place every Friday at 7pm.
PARISH COUNCIL: The next parish council meeting will be on September 26th at 7 pm in the meeting room of the rectory.
RCIA: The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults will be starting this Monday September 18th in the rectory. The RCIA is an information and inquiry program for people who want to learn about the Roman Catholic faith. Sessions will be held once a week and are open to anyone, including inactive Catholics. Please call the parish for registration at (867) 667-2437.
BAPTISMAL PREPARATION CLASSES:
The baptism preparation classes are given on the first and second Friday of the month at 7 pm. For more information about the classes or sacrament of Baptism, please visit our website at www.sacredheartcathedral.ca
FIRST RECONCILIATION & FIRST COMMUNION:
The preparation for the First Reconciliation and the First Holy Communion will start in October. The registration forms are in the back of the Church. For further information please feel free to call the Parish office.
COLLECTION FOR THE NEEDS OF THE CHURCH IN CANADA: Why is there such a collection?
Every year, the Bishops of Canada make an appeal for financial assistance to support their work and the work of each diocese/eparchy by means of the Collection for the Needs of the Church in Canada. The President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), the Most Reverend Douglas Crosby, O.M.I., Bishop of Hamilton, has described this Collection as an invitation to “all the faithful to participate in the life and mission of the Church through their active involvement in the life of their parish community, their prayers, their diverse charisms, their moral support, and the contributions of their time and talents. The Collection for the Needs of the Church is an opportunity for Catholics to truly help their diocese/eparchy participate in the regional episcopal assemblies and the CCCB. Any additional revenue which is raised is used by the diocese/eparchy for its own pastoral programs and other activities.”
The Collection for the Needs of the Church in Canada will take place on September 23rd and 24th, 2017. This annual charitable initiative furthers the collegiality and synodality of the Bishops’ ministry in leading, shepherding, teaching, guiding, sanctifying and pastorally caring for all of God’s children, disciples of Christ in Canada.
INTERESTED IN THE WORK OF CANADIAN BISHOPS IN THE PAST YEAR? Check out the CCCB link on the Diocese of Whitehorse website (www.whitehorsediocese.ca), read the posted highlights on the parish bulletin board, or pick up a copy of the CCCB’s Overview of Projects, Declarations and Documents in the foyer.
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS:
The Knights of Columbus meet the second Wednesday of the month at 7:15 p.m. in the CYO Hall. Prior to the meeting, the Knights gather to pray the Rosary in the church at 7:00 p.m. For further information, contact Joe Hanrath, 335-9819. Next meeting will be held in September.
CATHOLIC WOMEN’S LEAGUE:
The Catholic Women’s League meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 7:00 pm on the stage of the CYO hall at Sacred Heart. All women 16 years of age and older are welcome to join this National organization. For more information please call Carol Vanderbyl at 633-5348.
YOUTH GROUP: The Youth group meetings will start again on September 22nd at Christ the King school, they will take place every Friday at 7pm.
PARISH COUNCIL: The next parish council meeting will be on September 26th at 7 pm in the meeting room of the rectory.
COMMUNITY AND PARISH EVENTS
SIGN UP FOR CHURCH MINISTRIES: The Liturgy Committee is seeking volunteers for the various ministries in the church. There are sign up sheets at the front entrance which will be available up to and including September 17th after which we will develop training opportunities and a schedule up to the end of June 2018. Volunteers are needed for readers, heralds, altar servers, music ministers, collectors, leaders for Children's Liturgy (11:30 Sunday Mass) and the Hospitality after 11:30 mass. We are all blessed with diverse talents. Perhaps your talent(s) is a good match for one or more of these specific ministries. There is also a sign up sheet for "One-off" volunteer opportunities (e.g.helping decorate the church for Christmas) for those of you who would like to help but cannot commit to a regularly scheduled ministry.
FORMED: Free access to catholic programs, movies, audio and books for all parishioners. To have access you may register at www.formed.org and use the parish code (F6GZBE).
CEAY: The Annual general meeting of the CEAY (Catholic Education Association of Yukon) will be held on Thursday September 21st at 7pm at Vanier Catholic High School, 16 Duke Street, Riverdale (Whitehorse). All are welcome.
PRAYERS OF TAIZÉ:You are all invited for the first prayer of Taizé after summer Sunday September 17th at 7pm, at the United Church (corner of Main and 6th Avenue) for an evening of meditative songs, short prayers and silence. At 7pm we will learn the songs and the official will begin at 7 :30pm.
If you know someone who would like to help us by playing guitar, it would be most appreciated. You can also come help with set-up the church at 6 :30pm. For more information, you can contact Eliane at 335-9133.
INTERFAITH POTLUCK: On September 21st 2017, we have all been invited to an Interfaith Potluck Supper beginning at 5:30 pm at Whitehorse United Church. Potluck contributions should not include alcohol, pork or beef.
CHARITY MARATHON 2017: Hello, my name is Mario Alves and I am a member of this faith community and of the local council of the Knights of Columbus. I will be running my second full marathon this fall in Victoria, BC and one of my goals is to improve last year’s time and do it in under 3:15:00. I am also running for charity, as I am fundraising to help the Knights of Columbus in their work to protect the lives of the unborn and to help single mothers in financial distress. You can help me by donating money in person or through my gofundme webpage https://www.gofundme.com/charity-marathon. All proceeds will go towards the Knights of Columbus Culture of Life Fund.
FORMED: Free access to catholic programs, movies, audio and books for all parishioners. To have access you may register at www.formed.org and use the parish code (F6GZBE).
CEAY: The Annual general meeting of the CEAY (Catholic Education Association of Yukon) will be held on Thursday September 21st at 7pm at Vanier Catholic High School, 16 Duke Street, Riverdale (Whitehorse). All are welcome.
PRAYERS OF TAIZÉ:You are all invited for the first prayer of Taizé after summer Sunday September 17th at 7pm, at the United Church (corner of Main and 6th Avenue) for an evening of meditative songs, short prayers and silence. At 7pm we will learn the songs and the official will begin at 7 :30pm.
If you know someone who would like to help us by playing guitar, it would be most appreciated. You can also come help with set-up the church at 6 :30pm. For more information, you can contact Eliane at 335-9133.
INTERFAITH POTLUCK: On September 21st 2017, we have all been invited to an Interfaith Potluck Supper beginning at 5:30 pm at Whitehorse United Church. Potluck contributions should not include alcohol, pork or beef.
CHARITY MARATHON 2017: Hello, my name is Mario Alves and I am a member of this faith community and of the local council of the Knights of Columbus. I will be running my second full marathon this fall in Victoria, BC and one of my goals is to improve last year’s time and do it in under 3:15:00. I am also running for charity, as I am fundraising to help the Knights of Columbus in their work to protect the lives of the unborn and to help single mothers in financial distress. You can help me by donating money in person or through my gofundme webpage https://www.gofundme.com/charity-marathon. All proceeds will go towards the Knights of Columbus Culture of Life Fund.
PRAYERS INTENTIONS
Please keep these individuals in your prayers so that God will grant them healing, strength and peace:
Gabriela Hosni, Sophia Hosni, Eileen Whelehan, John Mooney, Jim Elder, Hector MacLellan, Anita Sheardown, Lois Murtagh, Jamie McLelland, Virginia Mitchell, Diarmuid O’Donovan, Dusika, for the mother of Hélène Lapensée and for Tarcila Sarmiento who both passed away, Raymond Morin. Also keep in your prayers Marcus Organ 27 years old who passed away from cancer.
Gabriela Hosni, Sophia Hosni, Eileen Whelehan, John Mooney, Jim Elder, Hector MacLellan, Anita Sheardown, Lois Murtagh, Jamie McLelland, Virginia Mitchell, Diarmuid O’Donovan, Dusika, for the mother of Hélène Lapensée and for Tarcila Sarmiento who both passed away, Raymond Morin. Also keep in your prayers Marcus Organ 27 years old who passed away from cancer.
WEEKLY MASS INTENTIONS
Sunday 17: 9:00 am - All parishioners
Sunday 17: 11:30 am
Monday 18: Paul Mantle
Tuesday 19: Immaculée Lefebvre
Wednesday 20: For blessings and healing of Darek
Thursday 21:
Friday 22:
Saturday 23:
Sunday 24: 9:00 am - All parishioners
Sunday 24: 11:30 am
Sunday 17: 11:30 am
Monday 18: Paul Mantle
Tuesday 19: Immaculée Lefebvre
Wednesday 20: For blessings and healing of Darek
Thursday 21:
Friday 22:
Saturday 23:
Sunday 24: 9:00 am - All parishioners
Sunday 24: 11:30 am
DE SEMAINE EN SEMAINE
INSCRIPTION POUR LA CATÉCHÈSE: le temps est venu d’inscrire vos enfants pour la Catéchèse. Vous trouverez les formulaires sur la petite table à l’arrière. Si vous préférez une copie électronique, contactez Hélène au bureau au 393-4791 ou par courriel à cfcyukon@klondiker.com.
INSCRIPTION ET RÉINSCRIPTION DES CATÉCHÈTES: Nous aurons besoin de personnes qui voudraient s’impliquer avec la Catéchèse de nos enfants pour la Nouvelle Année Pastorale qui commence. Contactez le CFC au 393-4791 pour nous laisser savoir.
De Grand Merci.
À VOS PRIÈRES: M. Lorenzo Grimard, 101 ans, un francophone yukonnais de longue date qui demeurait à Dawson. M. Grimard est décédé dans son sommeil à la fin août. Gardons-le dans nos prières.
PRIÈRES DE TAIZÉ, PREMIÈRE PRIÈRE DE TAIZÉ APRÈS L’ÉTÉ : Vous êtes invités à vous joindre à nous dimanche prochain, le 17 septembre pour une soirée de chants méditatifs, de courtes prières et de silence. Le tout se passe à l’Église Unie de Whitehorse, coin Main et 6e Avenue, dès 19h pour apprendre les chants, et avec le début officiel à 19h30.
Si vous connaissez quelqu’un qui voudrait aider en jouant de la guitare, ce serait extrêmement apprécié. Vous pouvez aussi aider en préparant l’église dès 18h30. Pour plus d’information contacter Eliane au 335-9133.
SOUPE POPULAIRE: Dimanche prochain le 24 septembre, Sylvie Painchaud et son équipe de bénévoles serviront un repas chaud aux plus démunis.
CHARITY MARATHON 2017: Mario Alves, membre de notre communauté et Chevalier de Colomb, sera à Victoria, BC pour courir ce marathon. Il fait une levée de fonds pour aider les Chevaliers de Colomb dans leur œuvre de protection de la vie des bébés qui ne sont pas encore nés ainsi qu’à leurs mères qui sont en besoin financier. Tous les fonds iront au Chevaliers de Colomb Culture of Life Fund. Les dons peuvent être faits en personne ou par la page web de Mario: https://www.gofundme.com/charity-marathon.
JOURNÉE MONDIALE DE L’ALZHEIMER: Jeudi prochain le 21 septembre. Prions pour toutes ces personnes affectées par cette maladie ingrate ainsi que pour leurs familles.
INSCRIPTION ET RÉINSCRIPTION DES CATÉCHÈTES: Nous aurons besoin de personnes qui voudraient s’impliquer avec la Catéchèse de nos enfants pour la Nouvelle Année Pastorale qui commence. Contactez le CFC au 393-4791 pour nous laisser savoir.
De Grand Merci.
À VOS PRIÈRES: M. Lorenzo Grimard, 101 ans, un francophone yukonnais de longue date qui demeurait à Dawson. M. Grimard est décédé dans son sommeil à la fin août. Gardons-le dans nos prières.
PRIÈRES DE TAIZÉ, PREMIÈRE PRIÈRE DE TAIZÉ APRÈS L’ÉTÉ : Vous êtes invités à vous joindre à nous dimanche prochain, le 17 septembre pour une soirée de chants méditatifs, de courtes prières et de silence. Le tout se passe à l’Église Unie de Whitehorse, coin Main et 6e Avenue, dès 19h pour apprendre les chants, et avec le début officiel à 19h30.
Si vous connaissez quelqu’un qui voudrait aider en jouant de la guitare, ce serait extrêmement apprécié. Vous pouvez aussi aider en préparant l’église dès 18h30. Pour plus d’information contacter Eliane au 335-9133.
SOUPE POPULAIRE: Dimanche prochain le 24 septembre, Sylvie Painchaud et son équipe de bénévoles serviront un repas chaud aux plus démunis.
CHARITY MARATHON 2017: Mario Alves, membre de notre communauté et Chevalier de Colomb, sera à Victoria, BC pour courir ce marathon. Il fait une levée de fonds pour aider les Chevaliers de Colomb dans leur œuvre de protection de la vie des bébés qui ne sont pas encore nés ainsi qu’à leurs mères qui sont en besoin financier. Tous les fonds iront au Chevaliers de Colomb Culture of Life Fund. Les dons peuvent être faits en personne ou par la page web de Mario: https://www.gofundme.com/charity-marathon.
JOURNÉE MONDIALE DE L’ALZHEIMER: Jeudi prochain le 21 septembre. Prions pour toutes ces personnes affectées par cette maladie ingrate ainsi que pour leurs familles.
