A sincere welcome to those who are new among us. We hope you find a warm and welcoming faith-home with us. Please introduce yourself after Mass and call the Rectory to register.

FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER (A) APRIL 24, 2005

THIS SUNDAY, APRIL 24, MASS FOR THE NEW POPE, ALL INVITED:
Bishop Roger Ebacher will preside at a special Mass to mark the inauguration of Pope Benedict XVI. The Mass will be celebrated at 4:00 p.m. in the Co-Cathedral Saint Joseph in Hull.

FIRST COMMUNION SUNDAY:
The Easter season is the preferred time for baptism, confirmation and sharing in the eucharist. Ideally, these three should be celebrated in the same celebration. That is what we do when it concerns adults, and in that case Easter Vigil is the place where it must be done.

When it applies to children who are baptised as infants, we follow a different pattern. The so-called sacraments of initiation are spread out over a number of years, and we have even re-arranged their order: baptism first, then participation in the eucharist at around eight years of age, and confirmation at 15 or older.

This year we have nine of our younger parishioners who will join us at the Table of the Lord for the first time:

We welcome them as a parish, but it is really the Lord Jesus who welcomes them with great joy as He welcomes all of us. He shares his very self with them and with all of us on the Day of the Lord.

SORRY FOR THE WRONG INFORMATION:
Last Saturday morning Gaetan Baillargeon gave a very helpful workshop on the Sunday Eucharist. That was at St. Maria Goretti Church, and not at the Diocesan Center as our Sunday bulletin indicated. My apologies, if anyone missed the workshop because of that.

There was really not much new in the workshop. However, that does not mean it was not good. On the contrary, every so often we need to be reminded of some basic stuff that we too easily take for granted or forget.

We may pick up some points from the workshop for our own bulletin.

A SUMMARY PRESENTATION OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH - THE CHURCH'S LITURGY (3):
Have you noticed that the liturgy of Good Friday starts rather abruptly, at least not the way the liturgy normally starts? There is no sign of the cross, no greeting. It is a clear indication that the Good Friday liturgy is meant to be seen as a continuation of the Holy Thursday Liturgy which does not have a blessing and dismissal at the end.

In the Liturgy of the Word part the central figure is the faithful, suffering Servant who embodies God's love and faithfulness for people. The first reading is one of the Suffering Servant Songs of Isaiah giving us a character sketch of the one in whom a gracious God reaches out to a wounded and broken humanity with unlimited compassion. Without theorizing about suffering, he has taken upon himself all the evil and suffering and darkness and death that mark our world. He lets himself be crushed by it, not as some defiant hero, but as the loving and true witness to God's fidelity, so that he can destroy from within the grip that sin and death have on us. A true priestly sacrifice is offered here (second reading). Then follows the Passion Narrative as we find it in John's Gospel. It lends itself well for proclamation in a liturgical context. It does not attempt an adequate historical account of the passion. The lamb that is slaughtered is really victorious; he reigns as king from the cross. What a strange and paradoxical claim: the instrument of his shameful death becomes the sign of our hope.

Now it is time for the worshipping assembly to perform its priestly service. Drawing strength and hope from the mystery that is celebrated in its midst and united with its Lord, its High Priest, it intercedes in the Solemn Prayers for the needs of humanity. The assembled community has the privilege to interpret, as it were, the mind and heart of the lamb who is slain but who rules from the cross, embracing all of humanity.

It all builds towards the climax of the Good Friday liturgy: the Veneration of the Cross. All present are invited to come forward to touch or to kiss or to genuflect or to bow towards the Cross because it embodies divine love and represents victory. "This is the wood of the cross on which hung the Saviour of the world. Come, let us worship." The one who reigns from it is our salvation, our life and our resurrection. Through him we are saved and set free.

Again, no blessing and dismissal at the end of the service. We are not "finished" yet. We will be back tomorrow evening when we celebrate that the Cross held high has, in fact, become the beacon of light for us.

BEST WISHES to Maurice Maloney whose birthday is this week.

WE ARE LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS TO COUNT THE COLLECTION (O.L.V.):
Considering the size of our parish it is not a big job, but it is one of those jobs where confidentiality, accuracy and reliability are most important. It would be ideal if we could get two or three teams of two or three persons to look after this. May we hear from you?

SPRING DANCE:
St. Aloysius Parish, 300 Murray, Gatineau, April 30th, 8:30 p.m.
Country - Western Band. Bar. Light lunch will be served.
Admission: $8.00.
For tickets call Carol at 663-5244.

SPRING AUCTION:
Our Lady of Annunciation Parish Centre, 189 Archambault, Hull, May 3rd, viewing 6:00 p.m., auction 7:00-10:00 p.m. Adm.: $1.00 (includes refreshments). To donate goods or for info. call 771-4613 or 777-6416.

FUND RAISING EVENING (CANADIAN CANCER SOCIETY):
Saturday, May 14, 9:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m., Buckingham Knights of Columbus Hall.
Music by Country Hill.
Admission: $5.00.
For tickets call Regis - 986-2497; Alma - 986-3534; Sue or Edward - 281-5487.

TVC 22, BLITZ 2005, 33 YEARS OF PARTNERSHIP...AND IT KEEPS ON GOING!
Blitz 2005: March 28th - May 17th. To become a TVC 22 member, please call us at 281-8250 and we will be pleased to pick up your donation. Thank you for your generosity.

Weekly Receipts	O.L.V.	St. Malachy
Regular	$  648	$  369	THANK YOU!