We get to start with some great news. Our bishop has appointed Deacon Peter Bissonette as Associate Pastor after his ordination to the priesthood later this month. Br. Joseph will continue to serve our community till at least the end of June, but we’ll shortly be joined by the newest priest in our Diocese. By the way, especially if you’ve never seen an ordination, maybe this is the one to check out since the man being ordained will begin serving our community shortly after. The ordination will take place at the Cathedral in Peterborough on the evening of Friday, May 30th. Full details are in the News app or bulletin board.



There is something I need some help with: On the long weekend, a team of young adult missionaries from NET ministries are coming to our parish to lead a retreat for our youth. We all know of so many Catholic youth who aren’t always connected with their faith or Church; they’re in our families and schools. For those who are connected, faith can seem like something isolating instead of joyful. This team hopes to plant the seed of faith in the hearts of the youth of our community and let them know how our faith unites us and offers joy. However, while with us this team of missionaries needs a place to stay. If you have an extra room or some space in your home where you could host a couple of these missionaries, I’m eager to hear from you after Mass. They don’t need a bed, but a place to sleep and maybe some breakfast.



Some not-so-great news: What was supposed to have been for extreme cases has now become commonplace as MAiD or euthanasia has become the fifth leading cause of death in Canada. As the sanctity of life continues to be challenged for the young, the infirmed and our elders, it’s become more important than ever for Christians to speak out and affirm the truth about life. This Thursday is the March for Life in Ottawa and a bus has been arranged to take those who wish to attend right form our parking lot. In Ottawa, participants will begin with Mass before taking a peaceful walk to proclaim what we know to be true. You can sign up through the News App, the poster at the entrance or see me after Mass.



Also this Thursday, at seven in the evening, we’ll celebrate a special Mass and Holy Hour for the election of a new Pope. On that day, Cardinals from around the world will gather in the Sistine Chapel to begin the difficult and important task of electing a new Pope and we can help them with our prayers. We ought to assist them with our prayers because, despite what a popular movie about the Conclave would have us believe, ultimately, the election of a Pope isn’t a political exercise but a spiritual exercise. For the last federal election, we assisted by becoming informed about the issues and platforms before casting a ballot. For the election of a Pope, we assist through our prayers.



Since Easter, we’ve been reflecting on what it means to be redeemed. It’s a word we hear lots around Easter and for our purposes, we’ll define redemption as, “the restoration of something that had been lost.” We started by exploring how we all love stories of redemption, stories of disadvantaged people overcoming great challenges in unexpected ways. We love these stories because we know we’re disadvantaged by our own weaknesses and long for a Saviour who leads us to overcome the obstacles in our lives. Last week, Br. Joseph examined how Jesus redeems doubt by transforming it from something that divides us from faith into something that urges us to seek and come closer to God; the doubts of Saint Thomas didn’t cut him off from Jesus but led him to keep seeking the Saviour.



This week, we hear about an encounter between Jesus and Saint Peter some time after the Resurrection. From his boat, Peter saw Jesus on the shore; but like many others, he didn’t recognize Jesus at first. Earlier, Jesus has told his followers, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”[i] Because of his denial of Jesus earlier, because of his own failings, Peter’s heart wasn’t pure so he couldn’t recognize Jesus at first. The Saviour would fix this though and bring redemption for the fallen Apostle; the relationship that had been lost would be redeemed and restored. This is another way Jesus redeems his people: he overcomes their limits and failings. We may turn from him at times, but he never turns from us.



This is important to remember as a new Pope is elected because whoever the new Pope turns out to be, he will have his limits and failings. He will be a sinner in need of redemption and that’s okay because that’s exactly what our Saviour came to do.



Many have asked me about who I think should be the next Pope. To start, I mostly stay away from Pope’s Cardinals and Bishops where possible. But I also think it’s the wrong question to ask. When we consider who we would like to be in charge, we can only consider human qualities, what we want. It’s a mistake because what we want always falls short of God’s plans. It’s a mistake because it’s a prideful attempt to build a kingdom in our image instead of in God’s image; this is what has led to the end of nations and empires. We want a Pope who is kind and generous and outgoing and merciful: all good qualities but maybe not always the kinds of qualities God looks for.



At first glance, none of the Apostles were especially impressive. They were faulty, sinful, cowardly. But God knows best and chose them anyway. They may not have been the best people or the strongest, wisest, kindest or smartest, but in God’s wise plan, they were the right people. The same is true today. God has a plan for his Church and we believe he guides the Cardinals in electing the right person at the right time. This is why we pray that the Cardinals will be open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and see their job, not as a political function, but as a spiritual one. In the end, we will have a Pope who is full of limits and failings. But that’s okay because we know the Saviour redeems; he can overcome our limits.



For us today, maybe at this Mass, especially during Communion, take a moment to bring to the Saviour your own limits and failings. As Jesus redeemed Peter by offering to overcome his failings, he wishes to overcome our failings too and build within each of us pure hearts ready to see God.



Hear your people, O Lord, who cry out to you in need. Send your Spirit to open our hearts so we would trust in your power to redeem, to give back what has been lost through our failings. May the example of your Son and the disciples who turned to him inspire us to go to him always and long to recognize his presence each and every day. This prayer we offer in Jesus’ name. Amen.







[i] Matthew 5:8 (NRSVCE)

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