MONTREAL. In mid May our community met at the Youth Centre for its monthly encounter, planning the celebrations of this year’s 150th anniversary of the foundation of our Congregation. We discussed different ways of commemorating those events as well as our upcoming community meetings.

On May 16, we had Confirmation celebrations and a Eucharist for a group of children making their First Communion. Thus we ended the cycle of celebrations that for 4 weeks had 240 children being confirmed and 238 receive Holy Communion for the 1st time.

Victoria Day had an air of vacation about it. Frs. Dominique, Tito and Enzo took occasion of the holiday for a day of liberty and rest. Guided by a kind collaborator of the parish, they visited the region of the Lac des-Deux-Montagnes, admiring the magnificent villas spread out along the shore, hidden behind the blossoming trees.

May 24th was the feast of the Ascension; we also anticipated somewhat the feast of Mary Help of Christians, although the liturgical celebration was transferred to the following day. During the Eucharist presided by Fr. Richard, there was the induction, after two years of discernment and Salesian formation, of nice new Cooperators, Those who made the SC solemn promise were: Teresa Buttino, Esther and her husband Ralph Galardo, Laura Ieraci, Carolina Lagana, Rosie and her husband Joe Petrella, Dona Rapone and Lina Scalia.

After having seen to the renovation of the sanctuary of our church, Fr. Giuseppe left us for a month’s vacation in Italy with his family and friends.

We recently had our monthly day of recollection at the Mont-Royal Community of monks. We shared with them their prayer life, their frugal meal and reflection on the Word of God.

EDMONTON, ST.DOMINIC SAVIO. Our Confirmation retreat was held on the first Saturday of May. Fr. Bernie was away in Toronto; so the Youth Minister and Pastoral Assistant facilitated. We had several priests come in the afternoon for confessions. One of these priests was covering our weekend Masses. He went from hearing the young people’s confessions to our regularly scheduled Saturday afternoon parish reconciliation time. That Saturday was also our Youth Mass and the beginning of our First Communion celebrations. Since St. Dominic Savio’s Feast Day was mid-week, we chose this weekend to celebrate his feast day. That was a very busy weekend

Saturday May 9 we celebrated Confirmation with Archbishop-Emeritus Joseph McNeil. He confirmed 56 young people. We were overflowing with people but the weather was lovely and warm, which allowed us to open the church doors so we could get some airflow. This weekend we concluded our First Communions. There was a total of 82 children who received the Body and Blood of Jesus over these two weekends. This was also Mother’s Day weekend and the CWL had a “Rose Drive” to raise money in support of the Edmonton Pregnancy Crisis Center.

Fr. Bernie and Fr. Romano attended the Priests’ Assembly held in Jasper from May 11 -14. The weather turned nasty and we had sleet and snow off and on for the next 2 weeks. Needless to say, the priests did not get much opportunity to enjoy the beautiful outdoor mountain scenery on their free time in Jasper. Fr. Tom Juarez, SDB, from Laredo, Texas, was in Edmonton on a holiday. He kindly volunteered to say morning Mass while Fr. Bernie was away and continued to come most mornings the following week. - The K of C held their Pancake Breakfast on May 17 and now they have earned a break until they resume in the Fall.

We recently held our annual School Staff Appreciation. All the staff from 4 of our local schools was invited to the parish hall from 3-6 pm to enjoy a wide variety of “goodies” and beverages. It is a small way of thanking them for the great working relationship we have with our Catholic schools. All of our Youth Groups had their windups the last week of May. The Youth Minister is starting to plan our first “Summer Camp” for August. The junior high school had their grade 9 farewell on May 29. With the Easter season ending on the last day of May, we now look forward to the month of June with all the year end committee and school celebrations!

sponsors and relatives. It truly was an inspiring evening, spiritually refreshing.

The Ascension was celebrated on the 24th, but in the afternoon, after the Polish Mass, we held the annual parish Marian Procession with the statue of Mary Help of Christians, praying the Rosary and singing Marian hymns throughout our Whalley neighbourhood of Surrey. A good number of parishioners attended with many of the ethnic leaders carrying their respective flags, thus adding to the festive and solemn nature of this wonderful demonstration of faith.

Over 200 energetic dancers and singers of all ages and sizes from our Praise Team gave a show at the Chandos Pattison Auditorium that entertained its audience on May 30th and 31st for over two glorious hours with the theme Kairos where the biblical quotes from Ecclesiastes were re-enacted on the stage in song, dance (hip-hop, ballet, tap and modern) for a spiritual experience that was worth seeing and enjoying. Our dance company was excellent in every sense of that word. Congratulations to our Youth Coordinator, Mrs. Beth Reyes, who began this Praise Team Group eight years ago. It has definitely grown by leaps and bounds. Fr. Dave Sajdak did the opening prayer and Bro. Jerry pre-recorded the opening and closing “Time Spiel” segments of the show. “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heavens… He hath made every thing beautiful in His time.”

During this month we had three different visitors: Fr. Fernando Suarez, CC, who was visiting the British Columbia areas. He said our Wednesday Night Novena Mass on the 20th, and afterward blessed the sick and prayed over those who attended his healing ministry. Fr. Mario’s youngest sister from the Philippines graced our presence, as did Fr. Dave’s younger sister from Chicago.

Last weekend the parishioners voted for their choice, from the five delegates at large who were running for election, to be on Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish Council. There was an excellent response. And so this busy sacramental month of May, ended on a positive note - where the top three with the most votes were appointed as new parish council members.

Amazingly we kept our weekly community meetings as “inner sanctum” going over the monthly and summer schedules and our yearly plan. Our Monday outings for lunch together was an important “must” that we looked forward to in spite of the numerous funerals, weddings, baptisms, deanery meetings and Holy Cross High Sch. Masses and confessions. Truly, May was sometimes a hectic month, but spiritually most rewarding and enjoyable.

SURREY, B.C. Truly this was a beautiful month honouring Our Lady in numerous ways, especially through the reception of the sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation. On May 2nd there was a Polish Mass with the Polish Saturday School in attendance honouring Mary as Queen of Poland. Fr. Jan presided at this special occasion to a well packed church.

Although the feast of St. Dominic Savio was officially on the 6th we transferred it to the 9th, combining it with the First Communion of 126 children. Our Lady of Good Counsel School honoured him with a special school Mass on the 8th. All the Salesians were present for the First Communion Concelebrated Mass, which was preceded by a novena in honour of the young saint.. It was a warm morning with a full church; the ceiling fans were put to good use. (Later in previous month 24 older students had made their First Communion.) The next day the Polish children- eleven strong- made their 1st Communion. The altar and pews were neatly decorated, as large bouquet baskets of white carnations neatly arranged graced the sanctuary.

On the 15th we began our novena in honour of Mary Help of Christians. Sunday, the 17th was the Twenty-Eight Ordination Anniversary of Fr. Dave. On Monday, Victoria Day, the Salesian Cooperators, together with the Salesians had a Day of Recollection at Rosemary Heights Retreat Centre.

Fr. Dave’s opening talk was on the dream of Don Bosco about the Two Pillars; there was time for questions, silence and reconciliation. A buffet lunch was served, and around 1:15 pm, Bro. Jerry led the group in The Cup of Life Rosary using the Luminous Mysteries for reflection and meditation. He had a souvenir booklet made for them to follow and keep. Holy Mass, with Fr. Mario as the main celebrant, was held in the retreat chapel. Farewell Souvenirs were presented at the day’s conclusion.

Saturday the 23rd the whole Salesian Family was present to celebrate with us the Feast of Mary Help of Christians at the 9 am Mass. The 11:15 Sunday Choir, which has a good majority of our Salesian Cooperators involved, (at the helm is Mrs. Carla Comin, OLGC Cooperators’ Secretary), sang for this special celebration. After Mass the Cooperators and Salesian Alumni held a Family Brunch in the Mary Help of Christians Hall to the enjoyment of all.

That same evening Most Rev. J. Michael Miller, CSB, joined us for supper, and during Mass, presided with six priests concelebrating and ten altar servers in attendance, conferring the Sacrament of Confirmation on 124 confirmandi to another packed congregation of parents,

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Benoît XVI

se recueille devant le Mur des Lamentations à Jérusalem

Après sa rencontre avec les responsables de la communauté musulmane de Jérusalem sur l'esplanade des Mosquées, Benoît XVI a rejoint le Mur des Lamentations, devant lequel il s'est recueilli en présence du Rabbin chef et du président de la fondation qui gère ce lieu sacré. Ce Mur occidental, l'un des murs de soutènement de l'esplanade des Mosquées, est considéré comme l'un des lieux le plus sacré du judaïsme. Après la lecture d'un psaume en hébreu lu par le rabbin chef, Benoît XVI a lui-même lu un psaume en latin avant de se recueillir en prière devant le Mur des Lamentations. Comme Jean-Paul II l'avait fait en mars 2000 lors de sa visite en Terre Sainte, Benoît XVI a lui aussi glissé dans le mur une prière dont voici le texte 

« Dieu de tous les âges, à l'occasion de ma visite à Jérusalem, la ‘Ville de la paix', demeure spirituelle commune des juifs, des chrétiens et des musulmans, je dépose devant toi les joies, les espoirs et les aspirations, les épreuves, la souffrance et la douleur de tout ton peuple à travers le monde. Dieu d'Abraham, d'Isaac et de Jacob, écoute le cri des affligés, de ceux qui ont peur, des démunis, envoie ta paix sur cette Terre sainte, sur le Moyen-Orient, sur la famille humaine tout entière ; réveille les cœurs de tous ceux qui invoquent ton nom, afin qu'ils marchent humblement sur le chemin de la justice et de la compassion. ‘Le Seigneur est bon pour qui se fie à lui, pour l'âme qui le cherche' » (Lm 3, 25) Mardi 12 mai 2009 (ZENIT.org)

NOUVELLES EN BREF

• l’urne contenant des reliques insignes de don Bosco a débuté son long pèlerinage sur les cinq continents à partir des Catacombes de St-Calixte à Rome (confiées aux salésiens depuis 80 ans.) Don Bosco visita en 1858 ces lieux qui conservent la mémoire des persécutions des premiers chrétiens Un long pèlerinage : des premiers martyrs aux cinq continents.

• Saviez-vous que la cathédrale de Moscou est confiée à la charge pastorale des salésiens?

• Le Recteur Majeur a annoncé il y a quelques jours le thème de la strenna 2010 (le centenaire de la mort du 1er successeur de don Bosco, le Bx Michel Rua) : « Seigneur, nous voulons voir Jésus » À l’invitation de Don Rua, en disciples authentiques et en apôtres passionnés, portons l’Évangile aux jeunes.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

George Harkins: 1 Bernard Gilliece: 5

Frank Kelly: 7 James Zettel: 16

Bob Gagné: 22 Alain Léonard: 28

Mike Pace: 30

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

OF ORDINATION!

Bernard Gilliece: 4 Richard Authier: 5

Alain Léonard: 5 Jan Staszel: 11

Luc Lantagne: 16 Drago Gacnik: 24

Sacerdos in eternum

FÊTES SALÉSIENNES

12 juin; Bx François Kesy & 4 compagnons, jeunes oratoriens, martyrs de la Pologne (1942)

23 juin : saint Joseph Cafasso, directeur spirituel de Don Bosco

24 : fête du Recteur Majeur, successeur de DB.

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Le 24 Bonne St-Jean!

June 29

CLÔTURE DE L’ANNÉE JUBILAIRE DE… CLOSURE OF THE JUBILEE YEAR OF

SAINT PAUL

ENTRETIEN : P. Jean-Marie Petitclerc

La violence de la croix, la violence dans notre monde : Entretien avec le p. J-M Petitclerc.

(suite de l’interview, avril 2009, no 116) Prêtre éducateur salésien plongé dans l’univers des banlieues difficiles depuis plus de 30 ans, le père Jean-Marie Petitclerc se bat pour faire reculer la violence.

Zenit – Jésus va très loin puisqu’il a l’air de nous indiquer directement une méthode non-violente de résolution des conflits. Qu’est-ce que cela implique pour nous, dans notre comportement de tous les jours ?

P. Petitclerc – Oui, Jésus refuse cette logique de violence. Lorsque même ses plus proches amis avaient été tentés, au jardin de Gethsémani, au moment de l’arrestation, de se jeter dans la bagarre, il leur avait fait ranger leurs épées, choisissant le procès, la mise en mots, plutôt que la violence. Et il me semble qu’en allant effectivement au bout de cette logique (c’est ce que René Girard dévoile dans les Thèses) il dévoile le mode de fonctionnement. C'est-à-dire que lorsque la violence s’en prend à l’innocent, alors effectivement, cela délégitime totalement la violence, et c’est vraiment un appel prononcé fortement par le Christ pour dire : il y a d’autres moyens que la violence. L’amour, le respect, c’est le contraire de la violence. Apprenez à gérer les conflits. Ils sont inévitables mais n’allez pas entrer dans cette spirale de la violence, parce que dès que vous la déclenchez, elle est ensuite capable de broyer même l’innocent. Et dans les choses cachées depuis la fondation du monde, René Girard nous dit : Voilà, face à l’Innocent avec un grand I, condamné à mort par ce déchaînement de violence, c’est toute la question de la violence qui est posée à notre société.

Zenit – La question de la violence est une question que vous vivez au quotidien… et vous étudiez les moyens de lutter contre cette violence. Mais que reflète cette montée de violence à laquelle nous assistons aujourd’hui ? Quel est le dénominateur commun qui se cache derrière ces différentes formes de violence et comment en est-on arrivé là ?
P. Peticlerc – Vous savez, j’aime dire que la violence, elle est naturelle. Je partage une vision biblique de l’homme et non pas une vision rousseauiste. La manière naturelle d’exprimer sa colère, la manière de régler le conflit, c’est la violence. Ce qui n’est pas naturel et qui est le fruit de l’éducation c’est la convivialité et la paix. C’est le fait d’être capable de nouer une relation pacifique avec celui qui est différent de soi.

Chaque fois que j’interviens dans un collège, et bon nombre de collèges en France sont secoués par de terribles actes de violence, je dis aux enseignants « vous réunissez 500 jeunes dans un lieu et il y a énormément de violence. C’est complètement naturel ». Ce qui m’émerveille, c’est quand il n’y a pas de violence. Ça signifie que les jeunes sont éduqués. Autrement dit, il me semble que le vrai problème aujourd’hui, ce n’est pas un problème d’enfants, d’adolescents. J’entends des parents dire que les jeunes deviennent de plus en plus violents et de plus en plus tôt. Moi j’aime répondre que le bébé du XXIème siècle naît aussi violent que le bébé du XXème siècle. Il est incapable de répondre à la moindre frustration. Le problème de la violence des enfants et des adolescents c’est d’abord un problème d’adultes, un problème d’éducation. La question qui se pose à nous est : comment, nous adultes, apprenons aux jeunes à maîtriser l’agressivité pour qu’elle ne se transforme pas en violence ? Et dans les quartiers sensibles où je travaille, terriblement secoués par ces phénomènes de violence individuelle et collective, je crois que le problème numéro un qui se pose est bien celui de l’éducation.

N’oublions pas que Jésus lui-même fut un de ces grands fondateurs de courants religieux qui aimait perdre du temps avec les enfants, et qui ne cessait de rappeler à la communauté chrétienne l’enjeu de l’enfance et combien il est important que les adultes soient présents aux côtés de l’enfant qui grandit. D’ailleurs, dès le 20ème chapitre de le Genèse on nous présente un Dieu qui est là aux côtés de l’enfant qui grandit.

(Rome, ven. 6 avril 2007 – ZENIT.org, 2e et 3e questions)