Crowning and First Holy Communions

If angels could be jealous of men,
they would be so for one reason:
Holy Communion.

— Maximilian Kolbe

Dear Faithful,

Among the many wonderful graces and pleasures accorded to the Catholic priest is the annual distribution of 1st Holy Communions.  To watch the eager, yet timid, and innocent little ones approach the altar to receive the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Our Lord and Savior for the very first time truly brings a consolation like few others.  I thank our dear Lord for being part of this tremendous act of charity once again.  Given the continued attendance limitations, the children have had to receive at different Masses rather than in one ceremony together.  While unfortunate, in a certain sense with less pomp and ceremony, there is an intimacy and focus which has made these special.  It is also a time for each and every one of us to renew the first fervor of our first Communion, to re-kindle the love and desire so important in this greatest of acts.  Being deprived at this time due to the various restrictions will hopefully help to do just that. 

Please find below a beautiful child's prayer for the time after reception of the Blessed Sacrament which was given to me and my siblings when we received our own 1st Communion by our dear mother.  Since by Our Lord's own admonition we are all to become as little children, may this sweet prayer bring us the childhood of confidence, love and devotion which Our Lord in the august Sacrament deserves and we so desperately need.

As announced, Saturday brought the ceremony crowning Our Lady Queen, Queen of our church, of our hearts, of all, Heaven and Earth!  The little ladies of the 1st Communion class this year admirably represented us all.  Enjoy the video attached.

As you know, the great feast of Pentecost is not limited to yesterday's celebration, rather an entire octave is devoted to the commemoration of this glorious event.  The magnificent Sequence from Holy Mass, the renowned Veni Sancte Spiritus is also given below for your listening pleasure and edification.  This can and should be prayed throughout the Octave and beyond.

May the Spirit of Truth and Strength, God the Holy Ghost, guide, enlighten and fortify you and your families, lighting a fire that cannot be extinguished.

Yours in Christ the King,

Father Michael McMahon

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LITTLE WHITE GUEST

You have come to my heart, dearest Jesus,
I am holding You close to my breast;
I'm telling You over and over,
You are welcome, Little White Guest.

I love You, I love You, my Jesus,
O please do not think I am bold;
Of course, You must know that I love You,
But I am sure that you like to be told.

I'll whisper, "I love You, my Jesus,"
And ask that we never may part;
I love You, O kind, loving Jesus
And press You still nearer my heart.

And when I shall meet You in Heaven,
My soul then will lean on Your breast;
And You will recall our fond meetings,
When You were my Little White Guest.

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Gregorian chant notation from the Liber Usualis (1961), pp. 880-881. Latin lyrics sung by the Benedictine monks of Santo Domingo de Silos.

June 2020 Scheduling

How good and pleasant it is to dwell in the Heart of Jesus!
Who is there who does not love a heart so wounded?
Who can refuse a return of love to a heart so loving?

— St. Bernard of Clairvaux
 

Dear Faithful, 

The government regulations promise a mild reprieve starting on June 1st.  Please carefully note the schedule and details below. 

Let me highly praise and commend on the part of so many, the devotion shown to the Holy Mass and the desire to both attend as well as make special visits to the church for adoration and private prayer.  Please retain this fervor, and do not forget the precious treasures which have been and will continue to be threatened, not as much due to the malice of the enemies of God and the true religion, but much more so as a result of the lukewarmness and lethargy of Catholics! 

Remember well, dear soldiers of Christ:  A lazy soldier, a sloppy soldier, an inattentive soldier, a weak soldier, an untrained soldier, an unthinking soldier, a disobedient soldier...is a dead soldier.  And all he was meant to defend, all he holds dear dies right alongside him.  We are the heirs to heroic saints and battle-tested warriors, let us be sure to show it!


Yours in Christ the King,

Father Michael McMahon

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Particular spots are no longer marked for seating, but please note:

• Do NOT sit in the first three rows of pews closest to the communion rail.

• The pews on either side of the sanctuary are not to be used.

• The so-called 'social distance' must be respected.

• As always, a single family or household may sit together.

• Families with young children should use the few pews closest to the doors at the back as previously instituted.

You must continue to register for Holy Mass. See the standard schedule below and carefully note the exceptions:

• Thursday, June 11 — Mass at 7:00 PM for Corpus Christi. No Benediction.

• Friday, June 19 — Mass at 7:00 PM for the Sacred Heart of Jesus

NB: Saint Michael Scapulars will be ordered according to requests. At some point soon, we will hold a ceremony of blessing and imposition of this powerful sacramental. Please email bookstore@stdennis.ca to request one or more of these scapulars.

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"Terrible is this place . . . it shall be called the Court of God!"
— Genesis 28, 17

QUIET and RESPECT
 

Let us all remember that upon entering the church, we enter a sacred and awesome place where the august Sacrifice of the Mass is celebrated, divine grace is distributed and Our Lord is ever present in the tabernacle. 

This House of God and Gate of Heaven demands to be properly respected in our demeanor, our dress and our bearing, in our thoughts, words and actions from the moment of entry until we depart.  Please keep this in mind when entering and when preparing for Mass or private prayer.  One should make every attempt out of the most profound respect for Almighty God, as well as to our neighbor to be as quiet and unobtrusive as possible.  

We should prepare ourselves in the vestibule.  That is the designated place to remove our coats and sweaters, not in the pews; that is where we should put our keys away, turn off our phones (if you must have one!), not in the pews; that is where we should recollect ourselves and begin thinking of the great grace about to be ours by crossing the threshold into the nave of the church. 

Entering, we have the grand opportunity to practice fruitfully the two great Commandments by loving God and neighbor through our attentive actions as well as our fervent prayers.  Our actions must manifest our faith.

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Standard Schedule

(Registration required for Holy Mass)

Sunday
Mass:  8:00 AM
Mass:  9:30 AM

Monday
Mass:  11:00 AM

Tuesday
Mass:  7:15 AM

Wednesday
Mass:  7:15 AM
Mass:  7:00 PM
* NO Mass June 10

Thursday
Mass:   7:15 AM
Confessions:  6:30 PM
Benediction:  7:00 PM
*June 11: Mass at 7 PM (No Benediction)

Friday
Mass:  7:15 AM
Confessions:  6:30 PM
*June 19: Mass at 7 PM

Saturday
Mass:  8:00 AM
Confessions: 5:00 PM

Bookstore available during Confession times.

Confessions are also available by appointment.  Call 403-233-0031 

Register for Masses: stdennis.ca/scheduling

Pope Saint Gregory VII

"If you love me, Peter, feed my sheep."

Dear Faithful, 
On this feast day when we commemorate and celebrate one of the greatest, strongest and holiest of popes in Church history, Gregory VII, we are filled with profound sadness and dismay when casting our eyes toward the Eternal City, seeing the scandalous performance of the current holder of that divinely constituted office.   By his own words and actions, we are forced to consider if this pontiff still professes and practices the one, true Faith revealed by Almighty God, sealed in the Blood of Our Lord and Redeemer.

Leaving to the theologians that discussion, and ultimately God Himself the judgement, it is incumbent upon us not only to resist any novelties and deviations by him or any other churchman, but also to pray; pray for our leaders, pray for these men who assume a burden far above their own powers.  The work, however, while extremely difficult, beyond our own measure, is not impossible, since it is commanded by Our Lord.  For success, one must correspond to those graces promised and faithfully given in order to perform these most august duties of state. 

Clearly this Pope, as his predecessors since the Council, has to date simply and ignominiously failed at the task,  wreaking havoc in the Church of God, causing an unprecedented crisis resulting in crass and widespread confusion, in the loss of faith and thus possible loss of numerous immortal souls.

Today, on a great pontiff's feast day, an example of virile and holy leadership for the ages, and during this preparatory novena for Pentecost,  let us fervently pray and do penance for Pope Francis, that he turn from his objectively wicked, nefarious and scandalous ways, becoming the Vicar of Christ that Our Lord desires for His people, and the entire world so desperately needs.  Although criticism and even rebuke are surely more than justified, let us rather turn those words today to prayers, asking the Good Shepherd to pour upon the occupant of the Chair of Peter such a torrent of graces as to compel, as it were, a conversion and commencement of heroic Catholic leadership as an echo of the saintly pontiffs of old.

Faith,  true, fervent and sincere, can move mountains.   Let us move this mountain . . . for the glory of God and the Holy Catholic Church, to the consternation and confusion of Her implacable enemies, as well as for the salvation of innumerable souls!

For your convenience please find below the traditional prayer for the Supreme Pontiff and Pastor of souls, as well as another excellent history of Pope Saint Gregory VII.   May that holy and glorious pontiff of years gone by intercede before the Throne from whence comes all majesty and supernatural power for this current weak successor, making him a man and saint to be truly reckoned with.

Yours in Christ the King,

Father Michael McMahon

Read:     A Pope Dies on the Run

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Oratio pro summo Pontifice
Prayer for the Pope

The following prayer is taken from the Roman Missal.
A partial indulgence is attached to the versicle and response.

V. Oremus pro Pontifice nostro Francisco.

R. Dominus conservet eum, et vivificet eum, et beatum faciat eum in terra, et non tradat eum in animam inimicorum eius. [Ps 40:3]

Pater Noster, Ave Maria...

Oremus:
Deus, omnium fidelium pastor et rector, famulum tuum Franciscum., quem pastorem Ecclesiae tuae praeesse voluisti, propitius respice: da ei, quaesumus, verbo et exemplo, quibus praeest, proficere: ut ad vitam, una cum grege sibi credito, perveniat sempiternam. Per Christum, Dominum nostrum. Amen.
 

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V. Let us pray for Francis, our Pope.

R. May the Lord preserve him, and give him life, and make him blessed upon the earth, and deliver him not up to the will of his enemies. [Ps 40:3]

Our Father, Hail Mary...

Let us pray:
O God, Shepherd and Ruler of all Thy faithful people, look mercifully upon Thy servant Francis, whom Thou hast chosen as shepherd to preside over Thy Church. Grant him, we beseech Thee, that by his word and example, he may edify those over whom he hath charge, so that together with the flock committed to him, may he attain everlasting life. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Saints Michael and Gregory

We hold it to be far nobler to fight for a long time for freedom of the Holy Church than to sink into a miserable and devilish servitude.

Pope Saint Gregory VII

Dear Faithful,

Today's sermon spoke about the great Warrior of God, St. Michael the Archangel, and the mighty assistance he brings to those who remain faithful to the good fight.  Please find below a brief explanation of the chaplet in his honor.  Also, information about that hero and Saint, Pope Gregory VII, who fearlessly stood up to corruption within the Church and Her temporal enemies without.  

Let us fervently pray to the Holy Ghost before Pentecost that by His power and inspiration, many holy leaders of both Church and State valiantly rise to defend truth, honor and the one true Faith.

Yours in Christ the King,

Father Michael McMahon
 

Listen:   Sermon of Sunday, May 24

Read:     Pope Saint Gregory VII

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The Saint Michael Chaplet
 

The Saint Michael Chaplet was revealed by the Archangel himself during an apparition in 1751 to the Servant of God, Antonia d'Astonac, a Portuguese Carmelite nun living in a convent in Vetralla, Italy. He promised special graces and favors to all who recite the Chaplet, "particularly in such times as the Catholic Church should experience some special trial..."

Those who pray the Chaplet before receiving Holy Communion will have an escort of nine angels, one from each of the nine Choirs of angels.

Those who pray the Chaplet daily will enjoy the continual assistance of St Michael and that of all the holy angels during this life.

He, Saint Michael, will obtain deliverance from purgatory for all who pray the Chaplet and for their relations.

A Brief Description of the Chaplet
 

The Saint Michael Chaplet is unique in several ways, most notably the nine segments, all with three beads. The medal of St. Michael and the prayers included in the Chaplet also make it one of a kind.

Each of the nine segments corresponds to one of the nine choirs of angels and follows the customarily recognized hierachy, starting with the Seraphim as the highest ranking and the Angels as the Lowest. Each segment start with a salutary prayer addressed specifically to one of the choirs, and continues with one Our Father and three Hail Marys. Apart from the nine segments are four beads leading the St. Michael medal. One Our Father is recited on each bead — one in honour of St. Michael, one for St. Gabriel, one for St. Raphael and the last in honour of the Guardian Angel of the person praying the Chaplet.

The Chaplet then finishes with a prayer to St. Michael, brief invocation and a concluding prayer to God.

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Litany of Saint Michael


Novena to the Holy Ghost

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Book Fair CANCELLED

For health and safety reasons, the Book Fair Extravaganza has been postponed until further notice. Stay tuned!

Parish Census Underway!

Please fill out the census as soon as possible!

A Story of St. Michael — 9

The treasurer of the king of Poland had lived for many years in sin. He found himself at the point of death and in great danger of damnation. He confessed to himself that in this extremity, he looked at himself as lost and abandoned to the demons. But Saint Michael, who he had honoured during his life, appeared to him, chasing away his enemies and telling him that he had obtained from God eight days to repair the disorders  of his conscience. Informed and fortified by such a grace, the sinner called a priest, and confessed with such great sorrow, received with devotion the Sacraments and died at the time marked, full of hope for his salvation. (Taken from Saint Michael, by Saint Alphonsus)

Prayer :

O Great Prince of Heaven, I have chosen you today as my protector and my advocate. Deign to admit me to the number of your devoted servants. Assist me during this life, so that I may never offend the most pure eyes of God. Defend me against the temptations of the devil, and at the hour of death, obtain peace for my soul and lead it into the Eternal Kingdom. Amen.

Meditations for Easter.., p.459, 462:

from The Passion and the Death of Jesus Christ by St. Alphonsus de Liguori

 Oh, happy are we if we suffer with patience on earth the troubles of this present life! Distress of circumstances, fears, bodily infirmities, persecutions, and crosses of every kind, will one day all come to an end; and if we be saved, they will all become for us subjects of joy and glory in paradise: Your sorrow  (says the Saviour, to encourage us) shall be turned into joy. So great are the delights of paradise, that they can neither be explained nor understood by us mortals: Eye hath not seen (says the Apostle) nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man, what things God hath prepared for those who love Him. Beauties like the beauties of paradise, eye hath never seen; harmonies like unto the harmonies of paradise, ear hath never heard; nor hath ever human heart gained the comprehension of the joys which God had prepared for those that love him. Beautiful is the sight of a landscape adorned with hills, plains, woods, and views of the sea. Beautiful is the sight of a garden abounding with fruit, flowers, and fountains. Oh, how much more beautiful is paradise!

…It is enough to know that in that blessed realm resides a God omnipotent, whose care is to render happy his beloved souls. St Bernard says that paradise is a place where “there is nothing that thou wouldst not, and everything there that thou wouldst.” There shalt thou not find anything displeasing to Thyself, and everything thou dost desire thou shalt find.

…What consolation will it not feel in meeting there with relatives and friends of its own who have previously entered into heaven! …