JUNE 26, 2020 - DYING AND RISING WITH CHRIST
 
" Brothers and sisters: Are you unaware that we who were BAPTIZED into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life." What an amazing statement by St Paul in this weekend’s second reading (Romans: 6:3-4)! 
 
Do you believe that by dying with Christ in baptism, you are also raised with Him and can have eternal life with Him? Through his own death and his resurrection, Jesus Christ conquers death once and for all. This is the Good News of the Gospel. This is our FAITH. Through baptism we are giving access to a new life, a new spiritual life: eternal life with Jesus Christ. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 1277) affirms: "  BAPTISM IS BIRTH INTO THE NEW LIFE IN CHRIST. In accordance with the Lord's will, it is necessary for salvation, as is the Church herself, which we enter by Baptism".
 
Our parishioners are eager to have their own children baptized. They understand the importance of baptism. Their desire is that their children can become full members of the Church and have access to the two other Sacraments of Initiation: Holy Communion and Confirmation as they grow up. As we have RE-OPENED our church to public Masses, we have received a growing number of requests for baptism. Last weekend alone, we had three baptisms. Each baptism is a great JOY for our entire parish.
 
Another great JOY for our parish has been the ten recent daily Masses where an average of five children received their FIRST COMMUNION (for a total of 47). What a blessing to see so many parents returning to church with their children so that they can receive JESUS' GREATEST GIFT: THE EUCHARIST. Having been at OLHOC almost 10 years, one of my greatest satisfaction has been to give the First Communion to children I had baptized earlier.
 
Many of you have also shared their JOY to return to church and receive the Eucharist. Fr. Ben and I are praying that many more will be able to return in the coming weeks. While participation has increased at the five regular Vigil/ Sunday Masses (5 pm, 8am, 10 am, noon and 7 pm), we still have space for more people at each Mass. We are continuing to invite you to call the office or to sign in advance for individual masses so that we can maximize the use of our capacity without having additional Masses or putting chairs in the Narthex. However, if you have forgotten to sign, please come and the ushers will find a seat for you. There are always "no shows" on the sign-up list. 
 
The Coronavirus Pandemic has made us more aware of our fragile humanity and the importance to give top priority to our relationship with God. In a society more and more secular where God is being taken away from the public place, we are reminded of the on-going battle between good and evil. The devil loves to raise doubts about our Faith so as to separate us from God. To fight evil and stay united with God, we need the Church and the Sacraments. We cannot do it alone. In particular, we need to attend Mass every Sunday, and go to Confession regularly so that being in state of grace we can receive Holy Communion and be united to Jesus. God has not abandoned us. He keeps loving each one of us. Through the sending of His Son, He gave us access to eternal life. Through the Sacraments and the continuing presence of the Holy Spirit within us since our Baptism, may we "THINK OF OURSELVES AS DEAD TO SIN AND LIVING FOR GOD IN JESUS CHRIST " (Romans 6: 8-11). Let us remember that since our Baptism, we are all CALLED TO HOLINESS! Is your greatest desire to be a saint?
 
Come Holy Spirit, help us to break those chains that attach us to sin! Help our bodies to remain dead to sin! Help our souls to be alive in Christ! 
Come Holy Spirit, help us to take up our crosses (accepting our sufferings), to follow Jesus and to live in Him! 
Come Holy Spirit, help us to fight the devil and keep Hope that we can remain united with God right here on earth and forever thereafter in Heaven! 

One in Christ, 

Fr. Alain