I’m thinking of you, my slightly dislocated parish flock while writing midweek from my office on Irwin Road.  We’ve had a whirlwind of activity of late and a spectrum of emotion.  Many tears were shed on the weekend at the last Masses in the Goldstream Church and there was a profound solemnity at the Liturgy of Closure presided over by Bishop Gary and supported by me, Deacon Dion, and Padre Alex Varga from the DND Base Chapel; along with a standing room only for the lay faithful.  As one parishioner said ‘when we were all outside the doors and the Bishop locked them and prayed for our journey beyond the Church building, it felt like a funeral’.  Indeed, that’s exactly what the liturgy was – a farewell in thanksgiving and grieving over our loss with profound hope in the ever present resurrected Lord Jesus.   Life has changed but not ended for us.  Almost 400 have watched the livestream video which starts about a half hour into the recording here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAAuphFWjH8.  The Bishops words acknowledged the difficulty of this very impactful transition while emphasizing the presence of Jesus in the midst of the OLOR community pilgrimage of faith.  Bishop Gary exhorted us to press on with faith, hope and love and stay united as a ‘family’.  Good words.

 The next day, on Monday, countless volunteers descended on the Church to assist packing up and shipping off 68 years’ worth of content in three different storage directions.  It was a holy pandemonium presided over by the fearless Barbara Arden and her trusty husband Norm.  Slowly over the course of the morning, there seemed to descend a happy order out of the chaos and many hands made the work lite.  A parishioner’s gift of Tim Horton’s donuts, muffins and coffee was well received.  THANKS TO ALL WHO HELPED IN ANY WAY, ESPECIALLY ARNIE AND STEVE. GOD BLESS YOU.  Then Tuesday our professional movers assisted by a few parishioners came and removed the large items; pews, altar, ambo, crucifix etc., so that now OLOR is virtually an empty shell.  It’s quite a sight but not for the faint of heart.  

 We’ve now had four regular daily Masses at the Parish House on Irwin Road and many are pleasantly surprised how nice and intimate the worship space is.  I like it too and really thank God for this gift for the community.  Last night, I welcomed 11 candidates for the new RCIA class, along with a number of their parish sponsors.  We had a fantastic inaugural Mass and class with a splendid sharing of inspiring stories of God’s goodness and inspiration to join the Catholic faith.  The Mass from 6:30 p.m. to 7:00 is open to the wider community, but non class members will have to depart by 7:15.  This weekend will also be full with the Mass and farm picnic as well as our first Saturday Mass at Star of the Sea.  Keep praying and we’ll find ourselves with a new and peaceful normal eventually.  Blessings.