Today, on a late fall morning, we revisted St. Agatha RC Church. We had missed each other on our previous attempt to visit this church (see earlier entry for Sept. 12th 2010) and wanted to come back for a second look. Sometimes, if you are very lucky or perhaps very blessed, life grants you a second chance. I think the moment was right to attend this church. Unknown to us, we had chosen a special day for our second visit - the occasion when all the grade 8 students declared their desire to be confirmed in the Catholic faith. It was clear that special care and preparation was taken with this mass as leaders helped guide the young congregants. Interestingly, the sermon focused on Christ as a leader and what we can learn about leadership from that model. I'm sometimes struck by how themes sometimes repeat in a week - no less than 2 days ago I talked with my grand niece about leadership by example when she told me the story of befriending a little girl in her class treated unkindly by her peers and my mind couldn't help connecting the two events. The grade 8 students concluded the mass by singing in clear and pure voices about standing up for the weak and persecuted and I thought again about leadership. God grant me the strength of a child. It was a memorable and moving service and we are richer for having attended.
Miss M.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Paris November 2010
Sunset Salute To The Fallen Comrade
Canadians Juno Beach LandingOur home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!
From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
-Robert Stanley Weir
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders Fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders Fields.
- John McCrae
November 11 2010
In honour of the countless men and women who have given the ultimate sacrifice to preserve our well being and freedom, thank you. We have but one day a year that we as a nation collectively pay tribute to the veterans that are still with us and in solemn reverence remember those who have fallen in battle. Our nation is free in whole due to the actions of armed forces who have defended our borders and our way of life. Without their selfless struggle Canada and the present world would be different today.
For those of us that believe that war is cruel and avoidable should save their opinions for the UN bargaining table where peace talks fail on an hourly basis and furthermore tip your hat to the farm boys that were dumped on the beaches of Normandy on a fateful day in June '44.The images of war do not necessarily reflect our nation's present day mindset but begs the question , who will defend our shores if a real threat ever arose again?
Thank you to all the soldiers past and present for bearing arms for the nation you defend and the flag you salute.
Lorne
Sacred Heart, Paris, Ont. Part Deux
Today we made a much promised return visit to Sacred Heart Church in Paris Ontario. We had visited several weeks ago but on a Saturday and were unable to attend mass. We were both charmed by the exterior of the field stone church - the oldest we have visited at a stately 150 years and promised we would try to return for Sunday services. We honoured our promise today - the Sunday before Remembrance Day and the bright red poppies, for remembrance, were displayed in front of the altar and proudly worn by many parishioners - many dressed in black and I wished I had thought to do so too. Being a longtime student of history, I've always had a special regard for Remembrance Day when we remember and honour the men and women who served our country in times of great peril. My friend has family members who carried arms in service of our country dating back to World War I.
I was a little distracted by my thoughts of Remembrance Day but tried to focus on the interior of the church. Sacred Heart is the oldest church we have visited and I think it is perhaps the smallest as well. Both masses, however, were extremely well attended as perhaps this is the only Catholic church in the area and folks come from far and wide. Or perhaps they are simply attracted to the welcoming spirit of this church - we were heartily greeted when we approached by a tall man in a black suit with a poppy proudly pinned to his lapel. We found out later that this was the Parish Priest greeting his congregants. Father continued the entire sermon in this hearty, enthusiastic manner and I had no worry of my companion drifting off during this service (smile - that was a joke!). The pews were made of oak and numbered and well worn by the faithful over the years. The wood of the cross and buttresses was so dark it was almost black and I think dates earlier than the wooden altar and podiums - I suspect these were later additions. The plaster columns were massive and we thought we detected a slight tilt to the building as it has settled over time. But it would take more than a strong northern gale to knock this building off it's foundation. Here it was built, and here it stands.
Before we sang the final hymn, we were asked to stand and sing "O Canada" in honour of Remembrance Day. I was happy and proud to do so. While I have listened to "O Canada" played many times in my life, on TV before events or during the Olympics, I can't remember the last time I was invited to sing our National Anthem with a group of people - perhaps not since my school days now long ago. We are a modest country. Today I sang the national anthem in part to thank those men and women who fought and sacrificed here at home and overseas so we could stand in a church and have the freedom to gather and sing and pray. Such a simple thing, but such a powerful thing too.
After church we headed home and stopped in Ayr to stretch our legs and walk along a wooded path. Bridges, water, trees, blue skies. They are common themes that seem to repeat. We had a most enjoyable walk and partway through I noticed a dime on the ground. Usually it is my friend who spots the dimes - it was an old expression of his mother's that means someone is thinking of you. Or perhaps it is us who are thinking of them. Who are you remembering today?
Miss M.
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