Spiritual Communique #5

Submitted by: Carol Penno

I didn’t think I would be sending a communiqué so close to the annual Provincial Convention but it is a necessity because National Chairperson Terri Scott sent communiqué #3 on May 11, 2009 containing some timely events and I have the responsibility of sharing with you.

Elections are now over for the six Diocesan Councils in BC & Yukon thus we have new standing committee chairpersons. I  welcome the new Chairpersons of Spiritual  Development:  Dianne P. from Kamloops Diocese, Laura E. of  the Prince George Diocese and Julie R. from Vancouver Archdiocesan.  Betty H. from Nelson Diocese and Therese J. of the Victoria Diocese are in their second term of office.  I thank Edna L. for the work she does to help with Spiritual Development for the Whitehorse Diocese in addition to her own work.

The Sisters of The Precious Blood in Calgary have sent me the novena prayer for The Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ that will be celebrated June 14th.   The novena begins Friday June 5th .

Novena Prayer for Corpus Christi  (Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ)
“Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood dwells in me and I dwell in them.”  O Jesus, help me to understand the meaning of your words.  I yield myself to you that your desire may be accomplished.  I lay before you the desire of my heart, my longing to be more deeply united with you, to live in a communion of hearts with you. By your power present in the Eucharist, grant the petitions I bring before you now.  Bless those I love and each one for whom I have a special concern. I thank you Lord for the gift of your Body and Blood, your real Presence in the Holy Sacrament of the Altar.  Adoration, praise and thanksgiving be to you forever and ever.  Amen.

The Sisters of the Precious Blood are dear to the heart of the people of Nelson Diocese as they keep us in continual prayer even though they no longer reside at their former monastery in Nelson.  
On May 14th, 2009 I printed off an article from www.zenit.org It speaks of a Plenary  Indulgence offered for “Year For Priests”.  In her communiqué Terri Scott reports that Pope Benedict XVI announced that  June 19, 2009 to June 19, 2010 is the Year of the Priest to encourage “spiritual perfection” in priests.  Terri requests that our councils pray the “Prayer for All Vocations” at monthly meetings in the next year.  An appropriate prayer can be found online in spiritual development communiqué number two.

Little Rock Scripture Study

Many parishes are now being offered the opportunity to begin the Little Rock Scripture Study.  Terri highly recommends it. The lessons are offered in blocks of 4-6 weeks two or three times a year.  For further information, visit their web site.  I looked at this site and it appears that there may be a fee. It is a United States publication from Little Rock, Arkansas.

Catholic Mission in Canada has developed a new Catholic Women’s League page on its website. It is dedicated to the CWL  The original mission partners.  The Hearst Diocesan Council and Our Lady of the Assumption Parish Council, Wabush, Newfoundland and Labrador are featured on the page.

Scarboro Missions celebrates 90 years of service on November 9th, 2009.  Visit their website  for further information.  They are deserving of prayers and donations to help feed and clothe the poor.

Terri continues with more websites that provide interesting materials.  The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB)  web page can be accessed at
http://www.cccbpublications.ca. They have many good Catholic books and pamphlets that may be of interest to councils.

Saint Anthony Messenger Press is one website I visit myself for Saint of the Day and other meditations and the popular email greeting cards.

Esk-Omi Missions is familiar to many CWL councils as they donate funds to them.  It is situated in northern Manitoba in one  of the most remote mission territories. Twenty four Inuit missions desperately need help to maintain buildings, build new ones and help the poor.  They do not have a website.  It is directed by Bishop of Churchill-Hudson Bay, Bishop Reynald Rouleau, O.M.I.   For further information, contact Mr. Richard Kenny, aide to the Bishop as Esk-Omi Missions, P.0. Box 159, St. Norbert, MB  R3V 1L6

Terri  would like councils to take advantage of the  “One in the Spirit” program.  While reading the annual reports she found few councils reporting on using  it. In a former communiqué I gave explicit directions on how to find this program.

In closing I have another pleas that I hope will reach every parish council.  Mid way in 2008 National changed the way to report our deceased members.  You are to  send one copy of the current 2008 form to National Office.   National Office in turn will send a copy of the form to the Provincial and Diocesan levels so we can compile our Book of Life.   They wait until they have quite a few before sending to us. As soon as the last tea cup from the funeral luncheon is put away the President or Spiritual Chairperson should be getting that form on its way to National.

Sift through all these websites to see if there is something you feel would be great for your Diocese.

My next communiqué will be in early September prior to the fall Diocesan meetings, Until then, may God hold you in the palm of his hand.
May Our Lady of Good Counsel guide us so we may be seen as “Women of Peace and Hope”.