Did Jesus ever laugh?

     I may be wrong, but I have yet to find a place in the Bible where Jesus is actually laughing. In fact, the only time I can recall Jesus actually smiling is when he is surrounded by little children, and this may well be artistic interpretation.
     We know that Jesus wept, and we know that he got very angry in the temple, and justifiably so. He was not angry at something the people had done to him, rather at something they were doing to His Father's house. But when it comes to Jesus laughing, I am at a loss.
     Perhaps he produced a smile of derision, as when he noted the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, but did he ever laugh along with the apostles over something some one of them may have done. It is very conceivable that Peter would have been the object of mirth because of his naivety, but did Jesus really laugh? When he did, it must have been a good laugh, a kind laugh, and a laugh which would injure nobody.
     One thing is for certain. He did not laugh a lot during his ministry. And this seems to fly in the face of contemporary society's fixation with stand-up comedy, and television sitcoms. Are they really that funny, or do they simply use other peoples' misfortunes and imperfections as a means of put downs and derision? Would Jesus laugh at people?
     If laughter must be so selective, then where are we to find it as good Christians. What we simply have to do is follow Jesus' lead. Never laugh at people. Use wit and humour by all means, but keep it clean and innocuous.
Do not hurt other people in order to 'feel good' about yourself, because the shoe may well be on the other foot sooner than you might think.
     Bishop Fulton J. Sheen used to make thousands of people laugh with the simplest and most wholesome stories, well told and well thought out. He was never nasty and always kind, but he was very, very funny.
     Contemporay talk show hosts would do well to watch some of his video tapes. But then, if they cut out all the satire and sarcasm and off colour jokes, they wouldn't have any material for their shows.
     If we follow Jesus, we laugh with good nature, kindness and appropriateness for all. We say things which would be appropriate in any circumstance or milieu. Without these elements, laughter has no place in a Christian life.

Rod McDonald
    
    

Cooking for God

The Milton Conquest Boys' Club has just completed its first ever cooking school, and from all reports, the culinary skills of the twelve boys involved have undergone a major transformation.

Under the guidance of Conquest leader Marvin Duarte, and a professional team from Longo's Stores Ltd., the boys attended three classes of three hours each, on consecutive Saturday mornings at the Milton Longo's Store. The aim of the Kids Culinary Community is to teach children the importance of food, in that it provides nourishment, strength, and a way to connect to one another.

Another thing a cooking class does for the Conquest boys is teach them the importance of a family meal, and the hard work and dedication which are the foundation of such family traditions. With the proliferation of gadgetry, young boys are spending way too much time staring at the electronic screen, and way too little time watching their parents cook. How are they to learn the basics if they are not even in the kitchen?

Chef Mike, Chef Kim and Chef Maria teamed up to provide top notch culinary guidance as the boys made home-made pasta from scratch, tasty meatballs and two kinds of pasta sauce, freshly cooked garlic bread and home-made brownies. And that was just one class. In addition to sitting down at the tables and enjoying the fruits of their labours after the class, the boys also got to take any leftovers home so that their parents and siblings could taste their fare.

On the last day, the boys were given an authentic diploma at the graduation ceremony, and the invited guests got to sit down to a delicious lunch which had been prepared and cooked by the boys that very morning.

One might ask, “What does a cooking class have to do with the Milton Boys' Club?”

The answer is, “Plenty.” First of all, the Conquest activities which involve eating always begin with the saying of Grace, and this ritual begins to have its effect over time. The boys are asked to settle down and listen to the words. They are asked to show appreciation for the food which they are about to enjoy, and most importantly, they take the time to thank God for his limitless generosity.

But at the cooking classes, this activity took on very special meaning for the boys because they were the ones who did the preparation and cooking for a change. What they were thanking God for was their own cooking, and so Grace seemed to take on a special importance for them.

The boys also got to see the hard work which goes into a clean-up after a great deal of food has been prepared. This too, gave the boys a deeper appreciation of what goes on in their own homes day after day, week after week and month after month. As if to illustrate this lesson, little Noah could be found kneeling under a table picking up individual crumbs after the kids had made an apple crumble.

In the movie, Babette's Feast, a professional chef cooks up a masterpiece for a group of elderly people who have never been served a fancy banquet. She puts her heart and soul into the meal, and she does all the work out of her love for this group of elderly residents. This indeed, is an example of cooking for God.

In many ways, what the Conquest boys did at the cooking classes was basically the same idea.. They cooked for each other, and for their guests on the final day. They had to concentrate on producing food which would be presentable and tasty, and of which they would be proud.

In effect, what they did was cook for God, because when we put love and generosity into our cooking, that is what we are doing. Perhaps the next time they can go one step further and donate some of their cooking to a soup kitchen.

Now that would really be cooking for God.

Rod McDonald

A little boy says Grace

     We recently went to a water park lodge in Niagara Falls, Ontario. There were hundreds of small children bouncing around the place, like balls in a pin-ball machine, having the time of their lives. I now have some appreciation for the reasons behind Tennessee Williams calling them "No -neck monsters." Parents were in tow, on the lookout for possible threats to their vacation, and making certain that this exceedingly costly holiday turned out to be a success, and that a good time was had by all.
     Part of that success depended on the depth of mom and dad's wallet because a large part of the complex was devoted to rampant consumerism. The stores were loaded with plastic merchandise, and the arcade bekoned with its bells, whistles and chimes, and of course the expensive prizes which took thousands upon thousands of tickets to buy.
     My wife and I went through all the motions with our seven-year-old grandson. He was so excited in the stores that he almost hyperventilated. It was obvious that he was having trouble choosing, and choice, as we all know, is one of the major contributors to our country's anxiety.
     When it came time to eat lunch, we were confronted with the same overwhelming rush to satiate the appetite. Kids were running from the sausages to the french fries and then back over to the pizzas and the finger foods. Some of them had plates piled so high that it was little wonder some came tumbling to the floor, with the prerequisite cheers. I wonder whether they would cheer in the Third World. Parents were running helter skelter, trying to keep up with the kids, and everybody looked as if he/she was worried the food might run out at any time.
     When we finally got to our bench and sat down, we got everything placed and ordered our drinks, and then we took a breather. Our grandson had become accustomed to this practice, and as I surveyed the place, it struck me that most of the people had begun chowing down. It looked like one of those food contests in which the contestants have to wolf down as many hot dogs as possible within five minutes. It reminded me of the hard boiled egg contest in the film "Cool hand Luke" in which the convicts shove as many eggs down Luke's gullet as possible before the time limit is called.
     We then made the Sign of the Cross, and said our Grace out loud with our heads bowed and our hands clasped. I did not look around to see whether anyone might be watching us, but that is not the point. We were thanking God for the food which he had provided for us, and for the farmers who had grown it. We were taking the time to settle down and acknowledge our dependence on God and our appreciation for what we were being given.
     Our grandson was hungry, but he had taken the time to show his realization that the food he was about to enjoy should not be taken for granted. It is this humility and appreciation which is lacking in contemporary society, and which should be formed at the family level. It is up to the parents to take the time to teach the children how to say Grace. Only then will people appreciate the calm which they are experiencing and the gratefulness which wells up from their hearts.
     A consumer society runs from one thing to the next in a race to satisfy an appetite which is insatiable. This is the nature of man. That includes the food we eat and the way we eat it. Saying Grace is the best way to avoid overlooking the fact that we could just as well be lying in a gutter somewhere with starvation staring us in the face as at a table overflowing with so many choices. Many people do not even know the origin of the abundance of food which they are so eager to devour.
     Saying Grace brings us home to the reality of our mortality and the sacredness of our sustenance.
     Saying Grace takes that greedy, "Big Mac anxiety attack" look off our faces.
     Saying Grace calms the angst-riddled cafeteria and muffles the chomping hords.
 
    
    
   

The skunk, St. Francis, and the Conquest retreat

Last Saturday, I was picking up my grandson in Milton for the one day Conquest Boys Club Retreat, and I decided to check out the progress of the backyard garden. As I was heading for the tomato plants, I said hello to the white statue of St. Francis which sits at the front of the garden, just inside the wooden fence.

It was rather fitting to greet St. Francis because he had been blessed by Father Thomas Murphy of the Legionaries of Christ, during a house blessing, and Father Thomas would be leading the retreat which we were about to attend.

I then bent down to get a better view of the tomato plants and to check for any suckers. I was aware that there was a humane animal trap in the garden because there had been problems with rabbits eating the greens. Out of habit, I looked up to check it, and there, not a foot from me, inside the trap, staring me down with two coal black eyes was a medium sized skunk.

For some reason, and it may well have been the help of St. Francis, who wanted me to get to the retreat safe and sound, the skunk was calm, cool and collected, and seemed quite content to be in the trap. I however, could not read the skunk's mind, and so gingerly backed up towards the house, and then made a mad dash into the kitchen to announce the news to the kids.

Justin and I had to leave for the retreat, and so did not get to see the Animal Rescue people throw a blanket over the trap. The skunk sprayed the blanket, and the rescue person then freed the skunk to go on its merry way throughout the backyards of Milton.

Because St. Francis wanted me to get Justin to the retreat, we made it just on time for the registration. And what a day it was.

Under the guidance of Marvin Duarte and Carl Pinto, and of course, Father Murphy, the boys attended three talks (Mary's place in our lives, Importance of the Rosary, Your spiritual battle plan) played soccer outside on the pitch, and enjoyed three types of pizza for lunch. For snacks, they enjoyed fresh grapes, oranges and apples.

Under the protection of the maple trees, Father Thomas led a Marian Procession, and a dedication to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, during which the boys presented a vase of flowers to a beautifully carved wooden statue of the Blessed Virgin.

The day ended with a mass celebrated by Father Murphy in Holy Rosary Catholic Church, and presentation of awards at Holy Rosary Catholic School. The boys were exhausted, but happy and fulfilled, and they had enjoyed another full day of bonding, formation and physical activity, all of which guarantee the continued success of the Conquest philosophy.

Father Murphy passed out a Novena Prayer to the Immaculate Heart of Mary which the boys brought with them as they left for home. And the words are still ringing in their hearts:

O Most Blessed Mother....receive with understanding and

compassion the petitions we place before you today, especially

our Conquest Club, all its members, its leaders,our families

and Holy Rosary Parish.

The Pine Cathedral

     The outdoor chapel is nestled in a 70 year-old planted pine stand which in turn is part of the magnificent bush which comprises so much of the property that is known as Camp Brebeuf, located in Rockwood, Ontario. In essence, the chapel is a natural cathedral with the sky for a roof and the tall, slender pines forming the walls. The floor is carpeted with golden pine needles which are very comfortable to kneel on, and the door is an opening cut through some maples which thrive majestically at the entrance. The tops of the pine trees form a green, swaying canopy which keeps the floor area cool and shady, and provides the constant sound of the whispering wind.

      This cathedral has no stained glass windows; however, the sun's rays penetrate the pines at such diverse angles that the light plays on the forest floor, continually changing the colours within as in some magical light show.

      It was on June 10, in this pine cathedral that some members of the combined Conquest Clubs of Milton and Pickering attended a Sunday Mass celebrated by Father Thomas Murphy, who was aided by Brother John Choi, both of the Legionaries of Christ. The Mass was a part of the annual trip to Camp Brebeuf, led by district supervisor Carl Pinto, Milton Club supervisor Marvin Duarte, and Pickering supervisor Dave Wilson.

      Some of the boys had spent a good portion of the morning setting up two small altars and decorating them with wild flowers, rocks collected from the surrounding hills and pieces of driftwood and pine cones. The altars were to be used during the Eucharistic procession which was to follow the Mass. The boys also carried a large wooden cross from one of the log cabins and placed it carefully in a pile of rocks at the entrance to the chapel as a sign of welcome and a beacon of our Christian Faith.

      During the readings for the Mass of Corpus Christi, the voices of the Conquest boys rang out clearly in the pine cathedral, followed by Father Murphy's reading of the Gospel, and a homily about the universality of the Eucharist. As Father Murphy said, “There are places on this planet where you cannot buy a Coke, but no place where you will not find the Eucharist.” It was so quiet that you could have heard the proverbial pin drop, even on the pine needle floor.

      After the final blessing, Father Murphy led a Eucharistic procession through the pine cathedral, stopping at each of the two altars, where everyone knelt down for prayers and adoration. The daisies on the altar were a brilliant white, illuminated by the sun's rays, and

the silence seemed to be broken by an inaudible prayer written on each boys' heart: “Thank you Lord for this special weekend.”

      The boys had climbed rock faces with the skill of seasoned cliff climbers, traversed slippery and wet rope ladders thirty feet from the ground while overcoming their fear of heights. They had also paddled canoes beside a beaver dam, built raging camp fires deep in the dark woods, and roasted marshmallows in their glowing embers under the watchful eyes of a family of hungry racoons.

      But the Mass and Eucharistic procession which took place in the golden confines of the Pine Cathedral was no doubt the climax of the weekend. For this was Conquest at its very best, forming young boys into strong and vibrant Catholics with a very healthy respect for the

Eucharist.

      At a time when the press was trumpeting the fact that a recent poll found that two thirds of Irish Catholics do not believe in the Transubstantiation, there were the Conquest boys proving that their respect for the Eucharist is deep and abiding.

      And as the boys sang “Holy God We Praise thy Name,” even the noisy blue jays settled down and left the morning to the praising of Jesus, and His Holy Name. These boys will now return to their everyday lives, enriched by nature and the renewal of faith that Conquest is so successful in doing.

      As one boy said in answer to Father Murphy's question about the identity of Jesus: “He is the son of God.” That cry is still echoing throughout the deep dark forest of Camp Brebeuf and well beyond.

      Thanks again Conquest!

e-mail to Thomas Cardinal Collins

 

Wednesday, June 6, 2012 11:48:44 AM

Your Eminence Cardinal Collins,

It was with grave concern that my wife and I heard of the passing of Bill 13 by the Ontario Government of Dalton McGuinty. We feel that this action is a transgression on our religious freedom as Roman Catholics in the province of Ontario. Please invoke Section 93 of the Constutional Act of 1867, and reject Bill 13. Furthermore, we feel that we have been betrayed by the McGuinty Government, and we will trust it no longer.

As a volunteer at Conquest activities for young Catholic boys in Milton, I have seen the positive results of the teaching of virtues and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. It would break my heart to see these results eroded by a law which is designed to promote propaganda in our schools, sooner or later.

Our governmnt has let us down and no longer has the right to be called a leader. It is time for the Catholic Church to take over, and we are behind you 100%. You and this cause will remain in our prayers.

Yours in Christ,

Rod and Louise McDonald

 

Meeting a Saint

An overflow crowd of worshipers was spilling out of the entrance to the church and onto St Clair Avenue by the time my wife and I arrived. It was Saturday morning, and the body of Saint Maria Goretti, the patron saint of young women, purity and rape victims, was being viewed at St. Nicholas of Bari Church.

We pulled in our breath, and slid sideways through the tightly packed crowd, cautiously making our way into the main body of the church, where a Mass was already in progress. The energy was palpable, and I was struck by the variety of ages of the participants. I also appreciated the fact that nobody pushed or shoved, and that such a large throng could be so calm and peaceful.

There were elderly ladies dressed completely in black, fingering rosaries and whispering their prayers as they tried to make space to get enough air to allow them to breathe properly. There were young children in strollers, and babbling babies in mothers' arms, teenagers nervously preparing their Blackberries to get a close-up of Saint Maria Goretti, young couples searching for a blessing on their budding relationships, and middle aged Catholics renewing their faith before a saint who had just taken an overseas flight all the way from Italy.

Father Vito asked us all to say the Our Father in the language of our choice, whether that might be Italian, English, or any other, but he emphasized that we should say it with spirit and meaning, especially in honor of Saint Maria Goretti. And the crowd acquiesced. One could have heard our prayers down the street and into the next block. In fact, I have never heard the Our Father prayed with such fervour, and the smile on the priest's face seemed to be saying, “Can you imagine if we prayed like this at every Mass?”

At the end of Mass came the thunderous cheers and loud ovations for Saint Maria Goretti: “Viva Santa Maria Goretti!” shouted the priest, and the crowd took up the chant three times, and ended with a standing ovation. This is the type of energy we are accustomed to seeing at a sports event, but not at a church. And this is the type of warm energy only a saint can evoke from a church full of prayerful people, from many differing cultures, on a cold and cloudy Saturday morning in Toronto.

As I passed by the glass-sided coffin, I reveled in the Gregorian Chants being piped throughout the church, and I decided to kneel down so that I could see Saint Maria Goretti better, for the coffin was quite low. And once she got me on my knees, Saint Maria shook me to my core with her sense of purity, and the aura of forgiveness which surrounded her body.

Maria Goretti's life ended 110 years ago on a farm in a small Italian village, but here she was in downtown Toronto, doing what the saints of the Catholic Church do so well.

She had brought together a disparate group which had travelled from all parts of the city and beyond. She had made them forget their busy, connected lives, and for an hour or so, had given them peace, hope and a tangible example that a holy life is possible and within reach of us all.

And because of that, they almost lifted the roof, as their joyful cries flew through the doors of the church, and down the sidewalks of St. Clair Avenue:

“Viva Santa Maria Goretti!”

Mothers are the backbone of Conquest

     Friday evening, the Milton Conquest team presented MomsQuest, in the form of a dinner for the mothers, and in some cases, grandmothers of the members of the club. The event turned out to be doubly effective, because it also happened to be Mother's Day weekend.
     The dinner was organized by regional supervisor Carl Pinto, and the Milton Club supervisor, Marvin Duarte. Carl's son, Ryan and Marvin's son, Nathan made lively presentations outlining the nature of Conquest, and many of the benefits they had personally enjoyed as members. It was obvious that the mothers appreciated this input very much.
     MomsQuest was a remarkable evening in every respect. The boys were beaming with pride resulting from having their mothers present, and from having the chance to sit beside them at a dinner sponsored by their club.
     Boys in Conquest are often picked up and hustled off by their mothers after the meetings, but they seldom get the chance to show them what Conquest is all about. MomsQuest is the perfect opportunity for the latter. Moms got to see their sons serving, and cleaning tables, and relating to other boys of their age in a social situation, and the mothers' approval of these activities was obvious.
     It has often been said that a mother's heart is a boy's real classroom, and this axiom came to life at the MomsQuest dinner. The boys were on stage so to speak, and they shone with pride and excitement. Whatever Conquest is, it has the boys' mothers to thank for it. They are the true heart and soul of Conquest, and the MomsQuest dinner was a well deserved tribute to their commitment to and love of the Conquest concept.
     The dinner also demonstrated just how strong the ties between mothers and sons really are.
     Later on in the weekend, I overheard my seven-year-old grandson telling his neighbours about his experience at MomsQuest, and what he said revealed a great deal to me.
     "Guess what I did Friday night," he asked.
     "What was that, Charles?" asked Brian, his neighbour.
     "We had a dinner at Conquest for our moms, and we got to feed them and sit beside them. We cleaned up the tables, and they didn't have to do a thing. It was the best Conquest ever!"
     And so the fathers and sons got to show off a bit, and the mothers got the opportunity to sit back and take in the magic and respect that is the Boys' Conquest Club.
     This is the same magic they see on their boys' faces every Conquest Friday evening, when they come home tired, sweaty and radiating the joy of Christ.
     This is also the same respect for the Catholic Church which they see in their boys when they attend Mass or go to confession, and the same appreciation they demonstrate when they meet a priest on the street, or at the mall.
     I was sold on Conquest from the very first meeting I attended with my grandsons. After MomsQuest, I got the feeling that the moms were all sold on Conquest too.
     And that is a very, very good thing.
    
    
    

Lift Jesus Higher

     My wife and I went to bed Friday night, all enthused about heading down to the 20th Annual Lift Jesus Higher Rally, sponsored by Catholic Renewal Ministries at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, the next morning. But I tossed and turned, fretting about a powerful wind storm which howled through the trees all night long; however, I eventually chalked the big blow up to the Holy Spirit's early arrival in town for the rally, and finally managed to get to sleep.
     Judging by the effect which speeches by Father Jonathan Morris, Ralph Martin, Peter Herbeck and Sister Ann Shields had on the audience, I would have to say that I was dead right about the wind. Something was blowing around the large auditorium, and it wasn't air from the heating fans. Some people were weeping, and many others were waving their arms as if they had just seen a long lost friend, somewhere there up on the stage.
     I noticed the same awe and energy in an eleven-year-old boy I had met at the Conquest Boys' Club in Milton, Ontario. Joseph was helping his mother with religious articles at one of the many stands outside the auditorium, and his mother, Maria informed me that Joseph had been coming to the rally since he was four years old. She said, "He would be very upset if he ever missed one." He worked beside his mother all day long, and still found time to attend the High Mass with Thomas Cardinal Collins, and receive Holy Communion. I know, because he was just ahead of me, hands clasped in prayer, awaiting the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
     During one of the breaks, I walked up to the front to say hello to Peter Herbeck and tell him how much I enjoy watching the EWTN program, "Crossing the Goal." Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Sister Ann Shields kneeling on the lip of the stage. She was tenderly, and attentively holding the hands of people who had come to ask her to pray over them, and she was taking the time to speak to each one individually. I felt as if I were witnessing something very extraodinary, and tried not to be intrusive.
     The waiting line was very long, but that did not seem to intimidate Sister Ann one bit. As I was waiting to talk to Peter, I could not help but feel the  energy which was passing through  Sister Ann Shields to those people who had such a deep and unshakeable faith in the power of the Holy Spirit.
     Later, as Father Thomas Rosica led the Eucharistic Healing Procession, passing throughout the entire auditorium, the Holy Spirit was once again in demand, and present to all who would accept Him. The respect of the faithful for the presence of the Eucharist was palpable.
     Once at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Cobourg, Ontario, my wife and I went up to the altar with many other people to be touched by a priest who was performing healings. We lined up in front of the altar and waited. When the priest touched me, nothing happened, but when he touched my wife, she fell over backwards and attendants caught her, before she hit the floor.
     Afterwards, I asked her what had happened, and she said that she heard a loud wind in her ears, and then felt a powerful energy, which pushed her over backwards. She still talks about it whenever the topic of the Holy Spirit comes up.
     That's the same kind of energy which was all over the hall at the Lift Jesus Higher Rally in Toronto. It was howling outside the Metro Toronto Convention Centre all day Saturday, and in some ways, it was howling even more inside.
     I know, because I was there, and even though I wasn't knocked over backwards, I will carry the energy which I felt in that auditorium for the entire year I have to wait until the next Lift Jesus Higher Rally in March, 2013.
    

    
    
 

A red evening in Toronto, February 18, 2012

     The maples outside the window turned a bright red this evening, just before sundown. I could not see the sun becasue we face south west, but I could see the red glow.
     In much the same way, I could feel the glow from Rome as Cardinal Thomas Collins of Toronto donned the red robes of a cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. It is truly a very proud moment for Torontonians and for all Canadians.
    May the angels surround him and may St. Michael protect him. May St. Brother Andree shed his graces on him and may all Canadian Catholics feel the red glow from Rome.
     The are no cardinals in the maple tree yet, but we have our own who will soon be home from Rome, bringing with him a warmth better than any spring has to offer!
     Congratulations Cardinal Collins, and may God Bless you and keep you.

Justin Trudeau's Canada is not my Canada

     Justin Trudeau seems quite miffed by Stephen Harper's boogey-man, right wing government. He claims that Mr. Harper is bent on abolishing abortion rights and same sex marriage. I wish!
      But that's beside the point. What Justin Trudeau fails to grasp is that there are thousands and thousands of people (Christians, Muslims and Jews) out there who would be very happy to see these changes happen as soon as possible. Just because these Canadians are not as vocal as the liberal elite does not mean that they do not exist. They are quiet, but they are committed to the truth about respect for human life, and they will never give in, least of all in the face of threats of separation from a pseudo-intellectual liberal who believes the world revolves around his philosophy.
     If one were to listen to Mr. Trudeau, one might come to the conclusion that he actually believes that his notion of Canada is the one and only one to which any red blooded Canadian might subscribe. This type of tunnel vision is very typical of the liberal upper crust. They have a vision which is entirely made up in their heads, and they defend that vision to the hilt. It almost become a religion in its own right.
     To add insult to injury, Justin Trudeau threatens to join the ranks of the Quebec separatists like a spoiled child who runs home with his ball when things do not go his way. If he thinks Quebec is all that liberal, or should I say 'progressive,' he is dead wrong.
     Quebec is a distinct society, which has shown its xenophobia on many occasions. Just because it has left the Catholic Church in droves, many people assume that Quebec has dropped many so-called archaic views. If we take a closer look, we will see that Quebec will allow immigrants, but they had better follow the rules or else. We have no such attitude here in Ontario. Perhaps Mr. Trudeau should have chosen Ontario as the province to secede from Confederation because the government in Ottawa does not live up to his ideals of an egalitarian society.
     Mr. Trudeau should love Ontario. It is secular, most 'progressive' when it comes to abortion and gay rights, and it treats its immigrants fairly and equally.
The only problem is Ontario does not want to leave Canada, and there goes the threat he loves to shake over Canadians' heads.
     The most difficult part of all of this for me to swallow is the fact that Justin Trudeau is Catholic. Perhaps he should go back and read his cathechism. There is a new version, which has just been released for young people in search of the truth. It would be most suitable for him.
    
   

Boys in front of Jesus

     Friday evening, the Milton Conquest boys' club, sponsored by Regnum Christi, attended a mass and exposition of The Blessed Sacrament at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Milton. The night was organized by Marvin Duarte, leader of the Milton Conquest club.
     I attended the evening with my wife, my son-in-law, and my two grandsons. There were about thirty Conquest boys present, all wearing their club t-shirts emblazoned with the Conquest crest proclaiming the very catchy motto: "Forged in Virtue, Born to Serve."
     So there they were in the two front rows, attending a mass on a Friday night when most other boys were either watching television, poking away at computer games or roaming the streets. As I stood and watched Father Paul and Father Thomas LC begin the mass, I could not help but look around at the large crowd in attendance, at this first Friday of the month celebration. And it was not difficult to notice the looks of curiosity, and slight anxiety in peoples' faces as I scanned the crowd.
     It was also very refreshing to see the two front rows of benches taken up by young  boys, some of whom were slightly fidgety, but who, for the most part, seemed very happy to be where they were. After all, attendance at a Friday evening mass is exactly the place to start the formation of our young Catholics. And therein lies the strength of the whole Conquest concept.
     Most Friday nights, my grandsons can be found playing indoor soccer, listening to Bible stories and putting on skits related to those stories, praying a decade of the Rosary, and learning about the virtues which help young boys grow up to be reliable, honest and faithful Catholics, and strong, trustworthy citizens.
      I beamed with pride as my grandson Justin helped bring the Offertory gifts to the altar, and bowed deeply and reverently as he handed the wine to the priest. Other boys served the mass, while another helped with the readings. After the mass, the boys had the option of going to confession and then sitting in front of the Blessed Sacrament. And as always, there was a snack served in one of the church halls.
     As we left the church, Justin asked my wife, "Why does the priest mix water into the wine?" My wife answered,"The water represents us, the faithful at the consecration, as we too are united to Jesus in His sacrifice. Also, the wine represents Christ's divinity, and the water represents His humanity."  I could see Justin's gleaming smile in the moonlight as we headed for the car. He had just learned some important things about the deeper meaning of the mass, and he seemed pleased to have that knowledge, now that he had the experience of this very special event in which he had participated.
     The Catholic Church will profit in many ways from the formation of these boys through the valuable guidance of Conquest. Many will become more knowledgeable and more devoted Catholics because they have put in the time and effort to be closer to Jesus on a given Friday night in Milton Ontario, Canada, and in many other towns and cities across the country, and across the United States. And as we all know, Jesus does not forget those who spend time with him when most of the rest of the world is doing something else, especially on a Friday night, after a long week of school.
     But probably the most important gain for the Church will be the new priests who come out of Conquest, forged in virtue and born to serve for the rest of their lives. And new priests there will be. You can count on it.
     I have seen the light in their eyes and the hope which is springing up in their hearts, as they recognize the power of the Lord, and bathe in the unbounding energy of faith, hope and love.
     Thank God for boys. Thank God for Conquest.
    
 

Why the Americans have us beaten

     I was watching the March for Life on the Eternal Word Television Network yesterday, and I was astonished at the the true grit and commitment of the public figures who got up to speak in front of the Capitol in Washington DC. These people did not mince their words as they spoke in front of a line of grim women holding up signs proclaiming: "I Regret My Abortion." There were Senators and Congressmen from all over the United States, and they were proud to tell the crowd exactly whom they were representing. It sounded like a roll call at a national political convention. And I was struck by the fact that many of them spoke with southern drawls, not the Bostonian accents of so-called Irish Catholic New England.
     One of them was the Speaker of the House, and he was very proud to announce that he was totally against abortion, in all shapes and forms, and that his party (Republicans) would be putting all its energy behind a drive to limit abortions in America. It was raining hard, but I am certain that he had tears in his eyes as he spoke. Now, we do not see this kind of guts from our politicians in Canada, because, as you proably already know, Canada is a politically correct society, known the world over for its so-called fairness and equality. We are a progressive society, not held back by the antiquated notions of our forefathers. Canadians do not want to upset anybody or anything, including the dogs. In being so tolerant and considerate of others' feelings, however, many Canadians upset people in the silent majority like me, who are torn apart by the amount of babies being killed every day, paid for by public funds.
     Another politician at the gathering, a US Senator, stated that Barack Obama is the most pro-abortion president the USA has ever had, and that if he were to be given a second mandate, there would be no limit to the legislation and appointments to the Supreme Court, all in favour of extending abortion rights and further denying the rights of the pre-born to enter this planet, and have a life of their own. As one Senator put it, "How can you protect yourself when you're dead?"
     I am currently reading Pat Buchanan's "Suicide of a Superpower," in which he states that Barack Obama beat out Hillary Clinton for support of the abortion rights industry when he was competeing in the Democratic presidential primaries. That really says something about his commitment to the culture of death. After all, he beat out Hillary Clinton, a feminist of the first order. When John Fitzgerald Kennedy became the first Catholic to be elected to the presidency, he received four out of every five Catholic votes. Barack Obama, a known pro-abortion candidate, got a lot of those Catholic votes when he was elected president. Where have all the Catholics gone?
     As the demonstrations continued in the drizzle in Washington (it always rains for pro-life rallies because heaven is crying), I could not help but feeling a bit envious that I was not an Amercan citizen.
     If I were, I would have a choice about where to put my allegiances, and it would be a much better choice than the Liberals, who represent everyone and anything, and the NDP who seem to be dancing to any tune which the gay lobby and the abortionists want to play these days. The Conservatives are at least slightly socially conservative, but that's about it. Don't ask them to re-open the abortion debate as the the Republicans want to re-open Roe vs Wade. The USA is an entirely different ballgame.
     Down there, they play for keeps. Just like the abortion industry up here.

Vatican II and the decline of our Church

     I was just reading Pat Buchanan's "Suicide of a Superpower" and he claims that many of our current problems may well be traced back to Vatican II. This is a very new notion to me, but the more I read about it, the more I am convinced.
     It seems most probable that modernizing the liturgy, conducting mass in vernacular languages, discarding old traditions and engaging the world may well have done a lot of the damage. I personally never liked using English because I was an altar boy for many years, and I got very used to the beauty and timelessness of Latin.
     If the Council of Pope John XXIII was the object of a succesful attack by Modernist leaders, it was very successful indeed. The Church is chock full of so-called Catholics who do not beleive in the sanctity of traditional marriage and have little problem with abortion. Just look at Nancy Pelosi and Joe Biden for example. There are also many Catholics who do not believe in the real presence of Christ. What is more worrying is that many of these people are now teaching in our Catholic schools!
     I have the greatest respect and admiration for Pope John XXIII; however, I do agree that once we opened the doors to the liberal thinkers, the Church would never be the same. And it continues to lose its grip on tradition, especially in Europe, where Catholics hate to be told anything.
     I personally will remain a traditionalist until the day I die. I am not here to judge others, but I do believe in good example and speaking your mind. Thank God we have writers like Michael Coren around, and superlative Cardinals like Cardinal Collins of Toronto to lead us in the traditional direction, the direction of Christ, and Peter.

Tim Tebow's powerful message

     NFL football quarterback Tim Tebow has all the sports world a-twitter because of his up-front pride in his personal relationship to Jesus Christ, and his stance on clean living. He believes in chastity before marriage, the importance of fatherhood and the traditional family, and he is not afraid to talk about it, and live it. All of this has, of course, rankled the left-leaning world of entertainment, of which pro sports is a member in good standing. Sports panelists don't know what to make of this guy, but after a lot of head scratching and sarcasm, they finally get the picture. Tim Tebow is for real.
     Something else which bothers the sports world is Tim's habit of going down on one knee, and praying to God after a touchdown. He has been mimicked and teased, and even the players who habitually do their own little post-touchdown dramatic monologue, which nobody understands or cares to, have given him a hard time. Perhaps they are envious of Tim's sincerity and lack of irony.
     All of this is nothing new. In baseball, Albert Pujols, and many others make the sign of the cross during the game, especially before going up to bat. He gets little flak for this, because many people have no idea of the significance or meaning of this action. Perhaps Pujols is asking Jesus to protect him from the ball. Perhaps he is asking Jesus to take him in his arms in the event that he is killed by the ball. Who knows? But he does it quickly, and many do not even notice the gesture. This is what he choses to do, and it is fine. I am certain many people think he is asking God to let him hit a home run. I really doubt it.
     But Tim Tebow actually mouths prayers which are clearly visible, although not audible on television. He may be thanking Jesus for his God-given talents, or perhaps he is simply demonstrating who is really the boss of his team. Whatever the case, Tim Tebow has done an awful lot to publish the power of positive thinking, faith in God, and the beauty of humility. He goes down on one knee as a humble man, not as a show-off doing some sort of rhythmic egocentric dance in honour of oneself. To tell you the truth, these little theatrical improvs in honour of oneself unsettle me. They have, in my opinion, belittled the NFL, and have made it more of a side-show as compared to the old days when men simply scored, and then went back to the bench to shake hands with their coach and fellow players.
     What Tim Tebow has done is bring prayer to the forefront, and he has done it with a dignity, and a perseverance which just has to be based in a very deep faith in Jesus Christ. Imagine the effect this must be having on teenagers who have never seen a professional football player kneel down in prayer. "What is he doing?" they must ask themselves.
     They have witnessed baseball players cupping their hands, and looking up towards the heavens in thanks after hitting a home run, but this is altogether different. It takes guts and focus to stop everything and get down on one knee to pray to God in thanksgiving in front of a secular crowd, which has little stomach for spiritual activity.
     We Catholics have some notion of humility because we go down on two knees and bow very low when we are in front of the exposed Blessed Sacrament. The only difference is that I get much more satisfaction kneeling in front of the Blessed Sacrament than Tim Tebow does when he kneels in front of a crowd after a touchdown. I'm certain of that.
     Kudos to Tim Tebow for showing us how important his faith is to him and those around him. He is a leader on the field, and also off the field. His message is as loud and clear as the thundering cheers he gets after scoring a touchdown in Denver, and even though the numbers of Biblical verses are no longer written on his eye-black, because it is now illegal to do so, it is obvious to the whole world when he kneels down to pray what Tim Tebow is trying to say.
     It is written on his face and on his heart, where the same message of the Good News of Christ should reside in all Christians. It is written in the example he gives to young people and in the way he accepts the leadership of the Prince of Peace, even though he enters a violent battle every time he plays a game.
     Thanks, Tim. Thanks for showing us who you really are.

 

Toronto Returns to Being a First Class City

    Having attended numerous Lectio Divina sessions, and a lecture at Newman House presented by Archbishop Thomas Collins, I can honestlty say that I feel that I know the man. I do not know him as a friend, but as a shepherd who has done a very admirable job, in Canada's largest diocese.
    And so, it was with great pleasure and excitement that I learned this morning that Arcbishop Collins would soon be made a Cardinal of the Catholic Church. This is thundering news for us Toronto Catholics, and for all Canadian Catholics for that matter.
    Imagine! Cardinal Collins will be electing our next pope, and Toronto is now home to a Prince of the Church. This returns our city to its former level, and all Torontonians should be honoured by this announcement from Rome. Toronto may be home to the Gay Pride Parade, but now it is also home to one of the Cardinals of the Catholic Church. This certainly evens the scale a bit. I feel better already about my city, and as the days pass, and I get to hear the new Cardinal preach, I am certain that I will beam with pride at the fact that I am a member of the largest diocese in Canada, and that I am being led by a most competent Prince of the Church.
    May God be with you, Cardinal Collins, and may the angels guide you in carrying out the most important job in Canada. May Saint Michael guide and protect you, and may you shine with the blinding light of Christ, here in the most beautiful land on earth!