One Sparrow's Perch - A Holy Family
What is a family? What makes a family holy? What does the Feast of the Holy Family have to do with a band concert!
At first glance there seems to be no connection. Perhaps you will find it in this “true” story.
This Christmas our son was to perform in his school band concert. I was supposed to work that evening and although his father and sister were going, he was disappointed because I always attended all his activities.
At the last minute I was able to get the evening off, so joined my family and hundreds of other parents, sitting on the bleachers in the gymnasium attentively listening to their children play. As I looked around, I saw people who had given up their time, their needs and their wants, to be there to share this precious moment with their child. Just like Mary and Joseph, they would do whatever they could to support and nourish their child. They would help and protect each other as they struggled through the pain and joy of family life.
As I listened to the band play, I realized that they too had formed a family. A family where each member, each instrument bringing it’s own unique gift, and through working together, is important in bringing harmony to musical piece. At the end of the concert, small groups of people gathered together throughout the gymnasium, as family and friends, shared the joyous experience. We belong to many types of families – our biological family – our work-place families – our fraternal families – and by adoption, by God’s great love for us, to the family of God.
Like Mary and Joseph, we know all about dying to self for the good of others. We know the love and joy we experience when we are together. We are all part of a “Holy Family”. How do I know? Because, where there is love, there will be found a holy family.
by Margaret Anne Ashfield, ofs
At first glance there seems to be no connection. Perhaps you will find it in this “true” story.
This Christmas our son was to perform in his school band concert. I was supposed to work that evening and although his father and sister were going, he was disappointed because I always attended all his activities.
At the last minute I was able to get the evening off, so joined my family and hundreds of other parents, sitting on the bleachers in the gymnasium attentively listening to their children play. As I looked around, I saw people who had given up their time, their needs and their wants, to be there to share this precious moment with their child. Just like Mary and Joseph, they would do whatever they could to support and nourish their child. They would help and protect each other as they struggled through the pain and joy of family life.
As I listened to the band play, I realized that they too had formed a family. A family where each member, each instrument bringing it’s own unique gift, and through working together, is important in bringing harmony to musical piece. At the end of the concert, small groups of people gathered together throughout the gymnasium, as family and friends, shared the joyous experience. We belong to many types of families – our biological family – our work-place families – our fraternal families – and by adoption, by God’s great love for us, to the family of God.
Like Mary and Joseph, we know all about dying to self for the good of others. We know the love and joy we experience when we are together. We are all part of a “Holy Family”. How do I know? Because, where there is love, there will be found a holy family.
by Margaret Anne Ashfield, ofs
One Sparrow's Perch - A Winter Banquet
“Then the King said to his servants…. ‘go to the crossroads in the town and invite everyone you can find to the wedding banquet’. So the servants went out on the roads, collected together everyone they could find, bad and good alike and the banquet hall was filled with guests.” Mt. 22:10-11
Hurricane Juan had destroyed much of the habitat for the birds and small animals. In addition, heavy winter snowfall that winter meant the birds had a difficult time finding food. My husband, being Franciscan in spirit, bought the type of seed they needed to survive; putting some in the feeder and spread the rest on the ground.
Our house in not situated on a lake or river, so it was a surprise one day to see two ducks eating seed under the feeder. The next day there were four duck; and the following day there were 10!
As I watched, I recalled how Jesus sowed good seed, the Word of His Father and how people who one would not expect to see around Jesus, came to be nourished by Him. First only two came, Andrew and Peter, then came others like Nicodemus and Bartemeus. Afterwards they went away, digested what they’d learned, saw that it was good, then shared their “find” with others. Jesus possessed the seeds (words) of eternal life. And soon hundreds were coming to be fed. At first the ducks were nervous in their new environment. The smallest movement would send them flying . Like the ducks, when we first decide to be fed by Jesus, we too are afraid, unsure and nervous,. It is a new experience. We are called to trust, and to feel secure in the One who feeds us. Just as the ducks had to search for food in an unfamiliar place, so we too, can experience a “winter” of the heart. When our usual ways of praying leave us feeling empty and hungry for God’s presence, we find Jesus is for us to come to Him to be fed in new and different ways by His seeds of love, mercy, compassion, forgiveness and hope. As I continued to look out over the field of pristine snow, I asked myself, “Who or what is feeding my soul?”
One Sparrow’s Perch by Margaret Anne Ashfield
Hurricane Juan had destroyed much of the habitat for the birds and small animals. In addition, heavy winter snowfall that winter meant the birds had a difficult time finding food. My husband, being Franciscan in spirit, bought the type of seed they needed to survive; putting some in the feeder and spread the rest on the ground.
Our house in not situated on a lake or river, so it was a surprise one day to see two ducks eating seed under the feeder. The next day there were four duck; and the following day there were 10!
As I watched, I recalled how Jesus sowed good seed, the Word of His Father and how people who one would not expect to see around Jesus, came to be nourished by Him. First only two came, Andrew and Peter, then came others like Nicodemus and Bartemeus. Afterwards they went away, digested what they’d learned, saw that it was good, then shared their “find” with others. Jesus possessed the seeds (words) of eternal life. And soon hundreds were coming to be fed. At first the ducks were nervous in their new environment. The smallest movement would send them flying . Like the ducks, when we first decide to be fed by Jesus, we too are afraid, unsure and nervous,. It is a new experience. We are called to trust, and to feel secure in the One who feeds us. Just as the ducks had to search for food in an unfamiliar place, so we too, can experience a “winter” of the heart. When our usual ways of praying leave us feeling empty and hungry for God’s presence, we find Jesus is for us to come to Him to be fed in new and different ways by His seeds of love, mercy, compassion, forgiveness and hope. As I continued to look out over the field of pristine snow, I asked myself, “Who or what is feeding my soul?”
One Sparrow’s Perch by Margaret Anne Ashfield
One Sparrow's Perch - Who Will Take The Time?
As I sit at my table, coffee cup in hand, watching the cold wind blow across the bleak landscape, I think of him.
“Him” is the man I glanced at early yesterday morning on my way to work. It was cold, wet and windy yesterday too. He sat on the park bench watching all the busy people rushing to their jobs. But he wasn’t in a hurry. He had no where to go – no one to see – nothing to do. While the frigid wind roared around him, engulfing him, he sat. He wore the layered look - three coats, two pair of mitts and two toques. In his arms he tightly clutched a plastic bag filled with various articles of clothing. No place to go –no one to care.
If Jesus had been there yesterday, he would have taken this man to some place warm and listened to him. Jesus would have seen God’s presence in this street person. He would have cared.
But Jesus wasn’t there yesterday – I was. What would it have cost me? Only a kind word, a few minutes to speak to a fellow human being – but I had places to go, things to do. Many times we are so intent on getting on with our journey in life that we forget there are others travelling on the road with us who need our help. To acknowledge someone tells that person they have value – they are important. How little that costs! If God has called us by name, can we do any less? As I sit here in my warm house, I remember who it was that Jesus revealed himself to – not the rich or the learned, not the busy people but to those who had time to listen. Watching the rain I offered a prayer for him – this man society forgot.
And I made a promise to God. If I see him tomorrow, if he has survived the night, I will MAKE time to stop and perhaps invite him to share a hot drink with me for it is cold outside and a lifetime is so very short.
One Sparrow’s Perch by Margaret Anne Ashfield
“Him” is the man I glanced at early yesterday morning on my way to work. It was cold, wet and windy yesterday too. He sat on the park bench watching all the busy people rushing to their jobs. But he wasn’t in a hurry. He had no where to go – no one to see – nothing to do. While the frigid wind roared around him, engulfing him, he sat. He wore the layered look - three coats, two pair of mitts and two toques. In his arms he tightly clutched a plastic bag filled with various articles of clothing. No place to go –no one to care.
If Jesus had been there yesterday, he would have taken this man to some place warm and listened to him. Jesus would have seen God’s presence in this street person. He would have cared.
But Jesus wasn’t there yesterday – I was. What would it have cost me? Only a kind word, a few minutes to speak to a fellow human being – but I had places to go, things to do. Many times we are so intent on getting on with our journey in life that we forget there are others travelling on the road with us who need our help. To acknowledge someone tells that person they have value – they are important. How little that costs! If God has called us by name, can we do any less? As I sit here in my warm house, I remember who it was that Jesus revealed himself to – not the rich or the learned, not the busy people but to those who had time to listen. Watching the rain I offered a prayer for him – this man society forgot.
And I made a promise to God. If I see him tomorrow, if he has survived the night, I will MAKE time to stop and perhaps invite him to share a hot drink with me for it is cold outside and a lifetime is so very short.
One Sparrow’s Perch by Margaret Anne Ashfield
PRAYER FOR THE AFFLICTED PEOPLE OF UKRAINE IN TIME OF WAR
“O Lord Jesus Christ, our God, we entreat You to hear the earnest prayer of Your beloved Church of Kyivan Rus’ for her deeply afflicted children abiding in the land of Ukraine. Behold their grave sorrow and grievous plight, and speedily come to their aid. Deliver Your vulnerable people from unjust aggressors, foreign invasion and the terror of war. Strengthen courageous defenders of the nation to fight virtuously, inspired more by love of those they protect than hatred of the enemy. O compassionate Lord, shelter the displaced, heal the wounded, console the orphan, protect the widow, comfort those who mourn, and mercifully receive into Your Kingdom those who have nobly died guarding their homeland against every aggression. Quickly make cease the spilling of blood of friend and foe alike, yet stir many to bravely struggle for that true justice which alone can bring lasting peace. O kind-hearted Lord, as You are our peace, soften the hearts of the unmerciful and convert those who promote hostilities toward reconciliation, so that Your beloved children of the land of Ukraine, may abide in that tranquility, justice and freedom which reflects your Kingdom, where You reign with Your eternal Father, and Your most holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now, and forever and ever. Amen.”
Emotional 1-minute film shows how marital conflict and divorce affect kids
These talking shoes tell a story....When a marriage is troubled and parents split up, children always suffer. Sometimes such separations are necessary, but when we look at it from a child’s perspective, we are reminded how important it is to prioritize marital harmony and family unity.
This is the theme of a very short award-winning Iranian film by Mohammed Reza Kheradmandan, who has written and directed other short films related to family life. Kheradmandan shared with Aleteia why he made he made his new film called Separation:
What inspired you to make this animation?
I was sitting in family court years ago.… A man and a woman came for separation and were sitting on a bench waiting for their turn. A child was sitting between them on the bench and her feet did not reach the ground. The little girl, who was nervous about the situation, was shaking her leg in the air. Every time her shoes hit her parents, they would tell her off and tell her not to move her feet. It was this state of suspense and the anxiety and the fact that her feet did not reach the ground which gave rise to the idea for this film.
Why did you depict your film from the perspective of a child?
Because of their vulnerability. The fact that a child does not have the ability to digest and understand the problem puts him in a dramatic and dangerous situation.
This is the theme of a very short award-winning Iranian film by Mohammed Reza Kheradmandan, who has written and directed other short films related to family life. Kheradmandan shared with Aleteia why he made he made his new film called Separation:
What inspired you to make this animation?
I was sitting in family court years ago.… A man and a woman came for separation and were sitting on a bench waiting for their turn. A child was sitting between them on the bench and her feet did not reach the ground. The little girl, who was nervous about the situation, was shaking her leg in the air. Every time her shoes hit her parents, they would tell her off and tell her not to move her feet. It was this state of suspense and the anxiety and the fact that her feet did not reach the ground which gave rise to the idea for this film.
Why did you depict your film from the perspective of a child?
Because of their vulnerability. The fact that a child does not have the ability to digest and understand the problem puts him in a dramatic and dangerous situation.
God's Gifts In Creation - Laudato Si' Movement - Calendar
Aleteia
Friday 10 December | The Blessed Virgin Mary - Our Lady Of Loretto
ISSUES & IMPLICATIONS
Eucharistic adoration is drawing new generations of Catholics
Blessed Sacrament Parish, Ottawa
John Burger - published on 11/05/21
Young adults are finding peace and community in ancient practice.
Anjelo Rocero remembers the first time he encountered the ancient Catholic practice of Eucharistic adoration — at a youth conference, when organizers had the Blessed Sacrament exposed for attendees to sit or kneel in front of in silent prayer.
As he grew in the Catholic faith, Rocero continued to encounter this devotional practice. But it was later, when he was studying neuroscience at Temple University, when it really took root in his life.
“Our chaplain made it very important that he would have Eucharistic adoration every single day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and a lot of other students would sign up for those slots and would fill up the chapel,” said Rocero, now 27. “It was through just being invited to spend an hour with the Lord and especially through some of the other FOCUS missionaries teaching me how to pray and what they do in adoration.”
As he grew in the Catholic faith, Rocero continued to encounter this devotional practice. But it was later, when he was studying neuroscience at Temple University, when it really took root in his life.
“Our chaplain made it very important that he would have Eucharistic adoration every single day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and a lot of other students would sign up for those slots and would fill up the chapel,” said Rocero, now 27. “It was through just being invited to spend an hour with the Lord and especially through some of the other FOCUS missionaries teaching me how to pray and what they do in adoration.”
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FOCUS is the Fellowship of Catholic University Students, an organization that’s active at Temple and of which Rocero is now a team director, serving at Drexel University in Philadelphia. He said it was intimidating to start practicing adoration, but after a FOCUS missionary explained “what he does and how you can pray with Scripture and do lectio divina,” the practice caught on. (Lectio divina is a prayerful, meditative reading of Scripture.)
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This is a new page to provide a place to post those little things that our members want to share with their sisters and brothers in Francis and Clare. That way we can all read the good things we want to say to each other, or when we say a prayer.
Advent Retreat Videos 2020A couple of weeks ago, our Region hosted a mini retreat with presentations from some fabulous people you will most likely recognize. Though Advent is behind us, the message continues. Let us Hope and expect a Miracle in our lives, and in 2021.
Thanks to everyone who made these retreats possible but especially to Carol David,who spearheaded the idea and to Br. Benny who coordinated the speakers and created the videos. May the Lord bless us all. - Michel Play this first video to see all 4 videos >> |
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Playlist of all these 4 videos : Advent Retreat 2020 - Secular Franciscan Order-Eastern Canada:
1.Christmas at Greccio - Br. Richard Johnston, ofs : https://youtu.be/lN_5MARYGaA
2.Christmas at Greccio - Sr. Claudia Batchilder, ofs : https://youtu.be/Udk1cKjwubI
3. Rublev’s Nativity - Br. Pierre Charland, ofm : https://youtu.be/_cbNb9MjVjw
4. Christmas Hope - Sr. Annette John,fmm : https://youtu.be/awp_zd5wOYo
1.Christmas at Greccio - Br. Richard Johnston, ofs : https://youtu.be/lN_5MARYGaA
2.Christmas at Greccio - Sr. Claudia Batchilder, ofs : https://youtu.be/Udk1cKjwubI
3. Rublev’s Nativity - Br. Pierre Charland, ofm : https://youtu.be/_cbNb9MjVjw
4. Christmas Hope - Sr. Annette John,fmm : https://youtu.be/awp_zd5wOYo
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The Incarnation: God-becoming-Man
and Our Humanity being Touched by the Divine 
THE SLUM-BORN CHILD
Jan Gomersall, a very dear friend and former OFS member sent us this beautiful poem that she wrote for Christmas. I felt it was too beautiful not to share. - Sherrill Guimond
September 22, 2020
Mother Teresa’s simple trick for becoming closer to Jesus: “Good morning, Jesus” -- say it the second you open your eyes, and see what happens July 23, 2020
Hear 58 popular Catholic artists sing “Be Not Afraid” from isolation - Viral video brings together the Catholic music community as never before. Shared by Sherrill Guimond, ofs
6/12/2020
Good morning, I wanted to share my prayer with you.
My morning prayer today before HiS HOLY FACE. 
May The Lord bless you and keep you;
May He make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; May He lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.Numbers 6:24-26 pax, Fred 40 Days of Justice, Peace and Love
Submitted by Fred Schubert, ofs (emailed June 7, 2020)
Today we start our 40 days of justice, peace and love... We continue to implore and protest for God's justice and His merciful intervention, let us unite in these next 40 days in solidarity of prayer, fasting and acts of mercy.
Beginning today, from June 7th to July 16th, a group of us are beginning to offer up a 40 day vigil of pray and fasting to respond to all the crisis around us. It is an opportunity to become instruments of peace and love during 40 days of spiritual solidarity. Protest in a peaceful social outcry is important to get the attention of our civil leaders, but so is our need to get God's attention and invoke His help. He will hear our desperate cry right now and intervene for us amid this crisis, if we ask Him together. In this health crisis, and pandemic of spiritual darkness, fear, hate, racism, greed and violence, we must also spiritually fight. The full impact of the global corona crisis, the economic crisis and this hideous plight of racism and prejudice are accelerating and is reverberating in every nation on some level around the world. The outcome of these emergencies is not yet fully known, though if continued, no doubt, will be devastating, catastrophic and deadly, on an unimagined scale. We need to act now to implore God’s help and His powerful intervention. GOD IS JUST AND MERCIFUL. HE WILL ACT ON OUR BEHALF IF WE IMPLORE HIM. If we unite with one voice in a prayerful fast against these perilous events which are assaulting us on all sides. In this time of multiple crises, let us unite in faith through prayer and fasting for truth, justice, peace and love to prevail - to conquer this present darkness. WE CAN DO THIS. TELL OTHERS AND SPREAD THE WORD ... READ MORE... To: Members of St. Francis of Assisi and Brother Leo FraternitiesAs most of you will have already experienced, there are a number of online options available to participate in the Mass, both on PEI and elsewhere. Over the past few weeks, Marion and I have been participating in the livestream / video Mass from St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Richmond, BC, and thought we would share this link with you as an option.
The pastor of St. Joseph the Worker parish is Fr. Pierre Ducharme, a Franciscan OFM friar and friend that we've come to know over the years. Here's the link to the parish's Facebook page from which the mass can be accessed. It can be viewed live at 5:30 pm on Saturday evenings (9:30 pm local time on PEI) or by clicking on the video anytime on Sunday.
St. Joseph The Worker Parish, Richmond, BC Pierre is a Canadian OFM who radiates Franciscan joy. Before taking on the role of pastor in the parish in BC about a year ago (and establishing a friary in that parish), he worked in the schools with youth in Sherwood Park, outside of Edmonton. In Edmonton, he lived with Benjamin Ripley, OFM, the current OFM National Spiritual Assistant. He currently lives with Joe Glaab, OFM, former Regional Spiritual Assistant for Western Canada (Our Lady of the Angels Regional Fraternity), and with Manoj Xalxo, OFM, current Regional Spiritual Assistant for Western Canada. All of these friars have been actively supporting Secular Franciscan local fraternities both in Alberta and BC. Doug C April 26, 2020
Here is the Atlantic provinces at their best singing "Lean on Me". Enjoy. From Sherrill Guimond: The musicians wrote: We all need to eat. So we dedicate this song to all the unsung women and men who risk their health in Canada's grocery industry. Thank you for keeping us fed. We agree!
From Ghanim Ganni on April 7, 2020
Dear Brothers and Sisters, I hope everyone with the families are safe, STAY HOME. This Holy Week is sad as we are unable to meet in our churches and celebrate these holidays, now is time to turn our homes into a small church and pray warmly and our Lord and his Mother to help us in our ordeal and keep everyone safe. Please remember in your prayers our sick people, Doctors and nurses taking care of them. Also people who died in this period. Wishing for every one a Happy Easter, The Lord is Risen Alleluia Alleluia God Bless. Ghanim Ganni, Minister St. Patrick Fraternity I would like to share this hymn we sing it in our churches in Holy Thursday. It is in Aramaic Language but there is English translation on top. I hope you enjoy it.
God Bless - Ghanim Ganni |
November 16, 2020
This Irish blessing is what we all need to hear today Take a trip to the Emerald Isle and beyond with this blessing involving more than 300 churches. The various words are spoken at the end of the video.
July 23, 2020
Africa, kingdom of happiness! Note that in the video there are children in the background collecting dirty water to bring home. Remember our National Well4Africa project and donate. - Shared by Sherrill Guimond, ofs
Pray for AlricaUpdate: June 25, 2020 - Good News
Hi to all, I just heard that Alrica will be going to her birth mother’s house for the month of July. The foster mother is OK with this, rather than a two day notice for permanent residence change. Thanks again for keeping Alrica and the foster mother in prayer. Blessings, Eric June 23, 2020 Hi to all, Hope all are well. I just heard some news today that a young down syndrome woman (Alrica) will be leaving the place where she has been foster cared for in a loving family for the past 22 years. The birth mother is requesting her back, even though she is not a very stable person and does things on a whim. The foster mother and other daughter are devastated. Alrica will be loosing all her friends and all activities that she has been involved in for years and maybe going to a place where she may be placed in front of the TV. Eric Lasota, ofs Staying Connected #12 from Marion and Doug Clorey , June 8, 2020
"Bind Us Together" by Doug Clorey This song is done as a tribute to the late Fr. Lester Back, OFM Cap who passed away February 2020. This is also the last in the series of "Staying Connected". The Regional Fraternity of Eastern Canada want to express its gratitude to Marion and Doug for their committment to bring a little joy during the COVID 19 pandemic. Thank you Cloreys. Peace and joy!
Staying Connected #11 from Marion and Doug Clorey , June 2, 2020
"Bearers of Peace" by Doug Clorey Staying Connected #10 from Marion and Doug Clorey , May 26, 2020
"Wherever the Spirit Leads" by Doug Clorey Staying Connected #9 from Marion and Doug Clorey , May 20, 2020
Staying Connected #8 from Marion and Doug Clorey,
May 12, 2020 Below is the link to our eighth youtube video that we have created in an effort to remain connected to the fraternity. Know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers. Enjoy. Staying Connected #7 from Marion and Doug Clorey , May 5, 2020
Staying Connected #6 from Marion and Doug Clorey , April 28, 2020
Staying Connected #5 from Marion and Doug Clorey , April 20, 2020
Below is our fifth youtube video that we have created in an effort to remain connected to the fraternity. Know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers. Enjoy. - Doug and Marion The Time is Now Doug Clorey ofs
(Chorus) Let us reach out to each other as brothers and sisters Let us serve one another, sharing our gift ed ness. 1. God’s commandment to his people is “Love one another.” With the power and Spirit, we love. He has called us to be faithful in building up his kingdom; Let’s be open, for the time is now! (Chorus) 2. Jesus calls us to be present in truth to one another.We are gifted, we are special to him. With our talents, we can reach out and strive to be of service; Let’s be open, for the time is now! (Chorus) 3. He has sent us to bring Good News to everyone around us;To the hungry, to the homeless, the poor. All are needy, all are waiting for ministry and caring; Let’s be open, for the time is now! (Chorus) Staying Connected #4 from Marion and Doug Clorey , April 12, 2020
This song is called "He is Alive" by Doug Clorey
Staying Connected #3 from Marion and Doug Corey , April 7, 2020
The song is called "The Praises of God" a prayer by St. Francis and put to music by Doug Clorey. 
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