Dear Parishioners,

This weekend we have the passage of the disciples of Emmaus. The main message of this passage is the false expectations the disciples had of the Messiah. And the danger that we might fall into the same way of thinking.

I- Psychology of the disciples: “They were conversing about all the things that had occurred…” The topic was in their minds. They were filled with frustration “looking downcast or their face full of gloom”

II- “Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him” What they saw of Him depended: 1) on Jesus willingness to reveal Himself. 2) and also on the disposition of their hearts. They loved him, but they also doubted him.

III- Jesus acted like a extranger as if He knew nothing of the events. “What are you discussing? What sort of things?”

Now comes the heart of the passage: IV- The false expectations and the reprimand of Jesus. They said, “We were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel” Therefore, for them, Jesus did not redeem Israel. Why? Because they had a false expectation of the Messiah. They expected a political and earthly Messiah, who through power and triumph will defeat his enemies and establish the kingdom of Israel. And so when they saw Jesus crucified, they concluded: He failed. Their hope died because their idea of the Messiah was wrong.How many times we may have the same expectations: I pray, I believe in God, and therefore, it should go well with me: God should solve all my problems; He should give success to my plans. And when the Cross appears   we may say with the disciples of Emmaus: ‘we expected Him to be our savior’

V- Jesus’ reprimand “Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke!” It is not an insult, but a correction born of love. They were slow of heart to believe because they believed only what fit their expectations and ignored what did not. Then Jesus quotes the authority of God in Scriptures: what God expected of the Messiah. “Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” Then He proceed to explains all quotations from the Bible refering to Himself. “Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the Scriptures” After He answered their doubts and exposed their unbelief, He acted as though He would go farther. “But they urged him, ‘Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over’” a sentence that will echo in the following centuries ‘mane nobiscum Domine’. And He stayed and while ‘breaking the bread’ “they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight” Christ disappears because He wants us to believe in His presence in the Eucharist. Let us ask our Blessed Mother for the increase of our faith in the Eucharist.

Fr. Gaston Giacinti, IVE

WEEKLY NEWS

Altar Boy Group at Sacred Heart – Updated Time

Next month,  May we enter into the Spring/Summer Calendar. So the meetings will be the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month from 6:30pm to 8:30pm. The following meeting will be Wednesday May 6th from 6:30pm to 8:30pm.

Catholic Missionary Children Oratory

All children ages 7 to 10 are invited on Saturdays to join the CMC at St. John the Baptist church at 10 am. For info text Sr. Inmaculada 705 977 6410 or stjohnandsacredheart@gmail.com

Friday Adoration at Sacred Heart

Every Friday there is adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at Sacred Heart in reparation for the offences made to the Sacred Heart of Jesus from 1:30 to 6:30PM and confessions from 5:00 to 6:30PM.

French Boys Choir to sing at Sacred Heart in July – looking for host families.

29 boys and 6 chaperones will visit us this July, and we’re looking for host families for two nights (and meals) on July 14 & 15. For each host household, every adult in the home will require a Vulnerable Sector Check, as mandated by the Diocese. The VSC will cost $20 per adult, and will take about two months to complete. The choir, Maîtrise des Hauts de France, https://www.mhdf.fr will perform a free concert (a collection will be taken) at Sacred Heart Church on the evening of Wed. July 15.If you can help host the boys and their chaperones, please contact Randy Mills at rmills44@uwo.ca.The choir performed in Peterborough in 2016 and 2019, and it is great that they have included us on this year’s Canadian tour!

Pro – life Corner

 RESPECT FOR LIFE MASS

A special Mass will be celebrated at the Cathedral of St. Peter In Chains on Saturday, May 2nd, 9 am, to pray for all the atrocities against life… abortion, euthanasia, abuse of children, lack of care and medical carelessness.  Please plan on attending and possibly joining together with the walk at the hospital afterwards, from 10 to 11 am.

MARCH FOR LIFE

Ottawa on Thursday, May 14,  Bus will be leaving from the Cathedral at 8:15 am.  Cost: $40 per person, $10 per student, and children under 10 and clergy/religious, free.  To reserve, contact 705-931-7633