Christ the King University Parish Newsletter

The Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time | February 14, 2021

The spiritual life is a gift. It is the gift of the Holy Spirit, who lifts us up into the kingdom of God’s love. But to say that being lifted up into the kingdom of love is a divine gift does not mean that we wait passively until the gift is offered to us. Jesus tells us to set our hearts on the kingdom.

A spiritual life requires human effort. The forces that keep pulling us back into a worry-filled life are far from easy to overcome. Here we touch the question of discipline in spiritual life. A spiritual life without discipline is impossible. Discipline is the other side of discipleship. The practice of spiritual discipline makes us more sensitive to the small, gentle voice of God.

Henri J.M. Nouwen

Circles of Love (Darton, Longman and Todd, 2004)

Week At A Glance

Sunday February 14, 2021

11:00 AM Eucharist (Livestream)

11:30 AM Sunday Children's Program (Virtual)

Monday, February 15, 2021

12:00 PM Midday Prayer (Virtual)

Tuesday, February 16, 2021

9:30 AM Parent & Baby Group (Virtual)

7:00 PM Evening Prayer (Virtual)

7:30 PM Breaking Open the Lectionary (Virtual)

Wednesday, February 17, 2021

12:00 PM Midday Prayer (Virtual)

Ash Wednesday

Thursday, February 18, 2021

7:00 PM Evening Prayer (Virtual)

Friday, February 19, 2021

12:00 PM Midday Prayer (Virtual)

Saturday, February 20, 2021

10:00 AM Fratelli Tutti: Share Love, Share Lent! (Virtual)

Mass will be livestreamed to our Facebook page and YouTube channel on Sundays at 11:00 am. You can find the current YouTube link on our website or under the "Week at a Glance" section of this bulletin.

OFFICE HOURS: In hopes of reducing the spread of COVID-19, the staff are mainly working remotely. Please know that the voice mail is checked regularly and that we will endeavour to return your phone call in a timely manner. Should you wish to contact a member of the team directly, emails are provided at the bottom of this newsletter.

Announcements

RE-OPENING FOR IN-PERSON MASS: The Government of Ontario has announced that the state of lockdown is being lifted in our region next week. In light of this, Bishop Fabbro has permitted parishes to re-open for in-person Mass on the First Sunday of Lent. Our parish will proceed with re-opening our chapel for in-person worship beginning on Sunday, February 21 at 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM. Our Sunday 5:00 PM Eucharist will be discontinued for the remainder of the academic year. Wednesday 7:00 PM Mass will resume on February 24. As was the case before lockdown, we require that you register for each Mass that you plan on attending through Eventbrite at http://kings-mass.eventbrite.com. We plan to stream the 11:00 AM Sunday Eucharist for the duration of the pandemic.

ASH WEDNESDAY VIRTUAL SERVICE: On Ash Wednesday, you are invited to join in a virtual prayer service, led by Jim and Annette, which will be broadcast live on our Facebook page at noon on Wednesday, February 17.

HERE FOR YOU: We know that these continue to be very challenging times with the pandemic and strict lockdown measures upon us. Know that the Campus Ministry Team is working hard to continue to serve your needs. Need support or someone to talk to? Contact us by email at campusministry@kings.uwo.ca or call 519-963-1477 and a member of our team will be happy to connect with you.

HOSPITALITY CENTRE UPDATE: Due to the current lockdown measures, our community is not able to continue with regular ministry at the Hospitality Centre until further notice. The daily work of the Hospitality Centre continues with their regular staff.

ON THE MOVE: Over the holidays, Bishop Fabbro announced that Father Michael Bechard has been appointed Pastor of the new Family of Parishes comprising the communities of St. George and St. John the Divine. The appointment takes effect July 5, 2021. Please remember all those who will be affected by this move. Please continue to pray for all applicants for the position of Director of Campus Ministry of King's University College and for those engaged as members of the Search Committee.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: A number of newcomers have expressed the desire to meet with members of the parish for fellowship and for conversation. They desire both community and the opportunity to practise their conversational English. The latter will be necessary as they seek to make London their home. If you can be of assistance, please contact Deacon Victor Salazar at vsalazar@dol.ca or by calling the office at 519-963-1477.

Lenten Events & Resources

Journey with the Saint John's Bible

Looking for a way to deepen your prayer life this Lent? Join us for “Journey with The Saint John’s Bible,” a free online series by the McGrath Institute for Church Life at the University of Notre Dame. You'll explore the Church’s tradition of reading Scripture and depicting it in art, explore several spectacular illuminations from The Saint John’s Bible—a hand-written, hand-illuminated Bible crafted in the 21st-century, and take a deep dive into the Scripture passages those illuminations depict. You'll also learn how to pray with Scripture and art through guided experiences of lectio and visio divina and have the opportunity to grow in faith with others. For more information or to sign up, contact Annette. All sessions will be virtual.

Development & Peace: Share Lent

To mark the World Day for Social Justice, Development & Peace invites you to participate in a web event on February 20, 2021 at 1:00 PM ET. The webinar about Development & Peace's mission and Catholic Social Teaching features guests the Most Reverend Pierre Goudreault, Bishop of Ste-Anne-de-la-Pocatière, Quebec and member of the D&P national council executive committee; Fr. John Patrick Ngoyi, director of the Commission of Justice, Development and Peace (JDPC), a long-time partner of Development and Peace in Nigeria; and Gabrielle Dupuis, a young-adult member of Development and Peace and anglophone diocesan council chair for Ottawa-Cornwall. Janelle Delorme, animator for Manitoba and Thunder Bay will anchor the webinar. Please register at here.

Fratelli Tutti: Share Love, Share Lent!

Come and virtually explore with us Pope Francis’s latest encyclical on fraternal love and how we can put it into concrete action in our lives. Workshop will be interactive and include space for dialogue with Catholics from all over Southwestern Ontario already practising this important work. On Saturday February 20 from 10:00 to 11:00 am, a Southwestern Ontario workshop will feature Development and Peace partners from the global south. For more information contact Annette or to register click here.

Lecture series on Holy Week texts

The Jesuits of Canada are hosting a lecture series entitled, "New Interpretations of the Holy Week Stories," presented by Scott Lewis, S J., faculty member at Regis College, Toronto, on February 23, , March 2, and March 9 at 7:00 PM ET. This series will examine the Holy Week texts in light of recent theological trends and issues. Topics such as how to read the Bible, difficult passages, violence and the meaning of the resurrection will be explored. For more information, contact poreilly@jesuits.org or to register, click here.

Lenten Online Retreat

The season of Lent gives us a heaven-sent opportunity to reflect prayerfully on the unprecedented events of the last 12 months. We have been challenged, individually and collectively, in ways no one could have imagined. Successive lockdowns have confronted us with the question of whether we want to go back to how things were, or to ‘grow back better’.

Starting on Ash Wednesday, Pray-As-Your Go – in partnership with the global online prayer phenomenon, Sacred Space – offers a Lenten online retreat. ‘Growing Back Better’ encourages us to reflect on what kind of people we truly desire to become and what kind of world we hope to pass on to future generations. There is a new session for each of the seven weeks of Lent. For this, and other excellent online Lenten resources, visit: www.newpilgrimpath.ie.

Events and Programming

Breaking Open the Lectionary

For students interested in reflecting on Sunday Scripture and what it means for you. Join us Tuesdays from 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm for Breaking Open the Word. Contact Annette Donovan Panchaud in Campus Ministry for more information or to get involved.

The Student Development & Peace Group

The Student Development and Peace Group gathers online this year to explore issues of justice from a Catholic perspective. We support the work of Development & Peace - Caritas Canada in their Share Lent campaign – Share Lent, Share Love, and engage in community awareness activities including a virtual high school workshop. This provides an opportunity for formation, connection and community rooted in social justice. We meet virtually Monday evenings at 8 pm. Contact Annette Donovan Panchaud to become involved.

Catholic Current

This weekly series provides an interactive opportunity to learn the tenets of the Catholic faith from a variety of experts in their field. The format is a half-hour lecture followed by a question and answer period. This takes place every Thursday from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm ET virtually. Click here to register. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with details about how to join the webinar.

We welcome Michael MacLean, Campus Minister, St. Thomas More College, University of Saskatchewan, who will speak about prayer on Thursday, February 25.

Veritas Series for Faith and Culture

King’s endeavours to foster learning and dialogue by gathering scholars, artists, and activists who support and challenge us in living lives of faith and justice. The coming year’s theme is on “telling our stories.” All lectures this year will be offered online through Zoom webinar. For more information or to register for each webinar, go to https://kings.uwo.ca/veritas.

Our next speaker is Ann Garrido, D.Min. whose lecture is entitled, "Allowing God to Fill in the Blanks: Praying with the Women of the New Testament." This will take place on Thursday, March 4, 2021 at 7:00 pm. To register for this lecture click here.

Children & Family Opportunities

SUNDAY CHILDREN’S PROGRAM: Children ages 4 to 6 are invited to take part in catechetical activities, virtually on Sundays at 11:30 am via Zoom. Activities include prayer, singing, and a variety of crafts related to the Sunday Gospel reading. Contact Maija Wilson to register and for more information.

YOUTH GROUP is gathering online during the academic year on a monthly basis. Each of these opportunities focuses on bringing our young people together to love and serve the Lord. There are always great opportunities for high school volunteers. Contact Maija Wilson to register and for more information.

Click here to view the Children and Family Programs webpage which includes our family opportunity calendar, weekly youth bulletin and volunteer registration form.

PARENTS & BABIES GROUP: We come together online to create community for parents and their babies. We share struggles and triumphs. We read stories, do special activities around the liturgical seasons of the church, and learn from a variety of early year specialists. Contact Maija Wilson to register and for more information.

Pastoral Counselling

PASTORAL COUNSELLING is available for persons of all faith traditions or spiritual orientations, no matter where you are on your journey. Sessions generally last between 50 to 60 minutes in length and the frequency is determined on an individual basis. Current sessions are taking place virtually. To make an appointment, please contact Jim Panchaud or by contacting The Office of Campus Ministry at 519-963-1477.

Financial Support Needed

For many of us, the restrictions brought about by the pandemic have been little more than a distraction or an inconvenience, but for the poor and marginalized in our city, their needs have only increased. Many charitable organizations have had to close their doors and others are not able to meet the needs of their clients. The same is true for those that are new to our country. Those things that they need to access for survival are beyond their reach. Our parish has an obligation to respond. At this time, we are desperately in need of your financial contributions.

Click here to set up your donation. If you require assistance, please contact Lisa Caeiro. Your donations can be directed towards either "REFUGEE" (those coming from elsewhere) or "SOCIAL ACTION" (those from the area).

Soon, we will need people who will help tutor, mentor and offer hospitality to the stranger among us. Any inquires or concerns can be addressed to Father Michael Bechard. We continue to pray and trust that God will grant the increase.