"Jubliee Joy" - Oct 24, 2010

Like a lot of other parishes, my parish is celebrating a Jubilee. It's pretty young compared to many other parishes which are celebrating their 125th or even 150th anniversaries - as Sacred Heart Parish in Paris Ontario is doing. In visiting different churches it is interesting to see how the masses are unique and the ways in which they are the same. The structure and words are timeless - it's one of the appeals to me - in a world that out-paces me in change, I like the continuity and timelessness of the words and message. But much like Catholic school girls each individualize their school uniforms, each church tends to have something they try to make their own. For some, it has been reaching out to the children, others the ministries within the church and for still others it has been the music. Some play a simple organ, some several instruments, some a single voice, others many voices raised in harmony. The music in my church is a mix of all of the above plus often the piano or flute or guitar thrown in for good measure. If there is an opportunity to sing, we sing. On really joyous occasions, I feel the music vibrate inside me.

All this is by way of saying our choir has made a CD called "Jubilee Joy" that I've been listening to all week. Some songs I like to play over and over again. I get like that sometimes and even my little grand niece will comment on it - at 4 she already has definite opinions about music and will say "what is this music?" or "I like this song" or "I don't like this music!". So the two thoughts have been running through my mind and intertwining together - the words of the songs along with the people who founded the churches we have visited in the last few months.

Why do people build churches? Why do they come together? Perhaps the reasons today aren't so different from 50 years ago, or 125 years ago, or 150 years ago. Maybe we come together for a sense of belonging - in an often harsh world, there is a place where we can feel hopeful and welcomed and uplifted and inspired. I think the pioneers needed that as much as we need it today. There are many ways to feel alone in our world - maybe you are away at school and trying to fit in, or maybe you are starting a life in a new community, or maybe you have lost a beloved spouse and feel adrift or maybe someone you love has turned you away. Sometimes we all can feel like Mary and Joseph who knock at the inn door and are told there is no room for us. But we're never really alone - I've been playing this song from the CD this week that reminds me of that and today we sang it in church...one of those strange co-incidences that I'm not sure are really co-incidences at all. Here are the lyrics - if I was more techno savvy I've find a link to a performance for you but being of limited expertise, I don't know how to do that. It's the words that are the important part in any case, so for anyone who needs to hear this, it is for you :

You are Mine
by David Haas

I will come to you in the silence
I will lift you from all your fear
You will hear My voice
I claim you as My choice
Be still, and know I am near

I am hope for all who are hopeless
I am eyes for all who long to see
In the shadows of the night, I will be your light
Come and rest in Me

Chorus:Do not be afraid, I am with you
I have called you each by name
Come and follow Me
I will bring you home
I love you and you are mine

I am strength for all the despairing
Healing for the ones who dwell in shame
All the blind will see, the lame will all run free
And all will know My name

Chorus:Do not be afraid, I am with you
I have called you each by name
Come and follow Me
I will bring you home
I love you and you are mine

I am the Word that leads all to freedom
I am the peace the world cannot give
I will call your name, embracing all your pain
Stand up, now, walk, and live

Chorus:Do not be afraid, I am with you
I have called you each by name
Come and follow Me
I will bring you home
I love you and you are mine

Peace to you all,
Miss M.