Thursday September 22, 2009

Good morning.  As I write to you this morning I am filled with gratitude and humility for the wonderful start to our newly formed school year.  This week we celebrated our first liturgy as a school community and the Holy Spirit was present in our midst.  This was evident in all the staff and students who prepared for the celebration of the Eucharist.  The readings were proclaimed with great joy and the celebration was both significant and prayerful. 

I want to extend my sincere thanks to Fr. Papais, Pastor of St. Patrick's Church, for celebrating Mass with us.  We consider him our school Pastor and welcome him always in our community.  A special thank-you also to our beloved Fr. Norm Roberts, Theology teacher here at Ambrozic.  His presence and celebration of the Eucharist was a great witness to our staff and students of the wonderful work of the Holy Spirit that is present in our community.  His laughter, wisdom, and joy is a gift to our school which is beyond measure and words. 

Finally, I look forward to continue working and praying together with you.  This is not always an easy task, but with a consistent prayer life and serving the needs of those less vulnerable in our community, we can be certain of God's Grace and strength in all that we encounter and do.  Let us continue in both joy and peace to be witnesses of God's presence in our Catholic community. 

Celebrating Youth in Christ,

Mr. Minardi, Chaplain

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Friday January 22, 2010

As we draw to a close the inaugural first semester here at Cardinal Ambrozic, we are filled with immense joy and gratitude.  We celebrate the fact that we did it!!!  Our first semester was a huge success and our gifts and talents as a school community are emerging at an incredible pace.  Liturgically, we celebrated many eucharistic celebrations, assemblies, prayer services, Remembrance Day, etc., but most notable of all was our response to the Haiti earthquake. 

As a community of faith, we responded with the collection of $1500!!!  Amazing, given that we only have 323 students enrolled.  Also, we collected over 400 items of soap, shampoo, and candles that we will be much needed in Haiti.  Finally, we had a very moving prayer service for all the Haitian people just yesterday in the chapel during lunch and the response was awesome.  Many students and staff attended and not only did we pray for the Haitian people, but we recognized and honored every Canadian who died in Haiti by reading out their names and lighting a candle in their memory. 

In conclusion, I pray for continued solidarity among all members of our school community and the world at large.  May God continue to bless each and every one of us and especially bless, protect, and guide the people of Haiti to his outpouring of love, mercy, and grace.   Amen. 

Celebrating Youth in Christ,

Mr. Minardi, Chaplain

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Thursday February 4, 2010

Good morning everyone.  I have attached for you a copy of our first Riverhawk Chaplaincy Newsletter.  Inside you will find important dates and various reflections on the different liturgical seasons of the Church as well as stories and successes in chaplaincy.  I continue to pray for each and every one of you as we continue to be the hands and feet of Christ.  May God bless you! 

Celebrating Youth in Christ,

Mr. Minardi, Chaplain

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Wednesday February 17, 2010

Good morning.  Today, as a Catholic community of believers, we begin our Lenten journey of faith.  As you know, Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the most sacred season of the Church’s liturgical calendar.  It is during this time that we prepare for the greatest and joyful day in the Catholic Church- Resurrection Sunday.  Today, we mark our foreheads with ashes to remind us of our love for God and our desire to turn away from all evil and sin and to remain trustworthy of God’s mercy and healing. 

Over the next 40 days we are invited to travel along with Jesus in the desert.  We especially focus on prayer, almsgiving, and fasting.  At the same time, let us not forget how important all of these practices are, but at the same time Lent speaks greater of a season of personal spiritual growth and conversion of our hearts.  This means that God is urging us today to enter into a more meaningful relationship with him and to also strengthen our existing understanding of him.  Today we are challenged to choose life over death, meaning that we always value and respect each human life no matter what the circumstance or struggle.  We are challenged to live with joy and thanksgiving everyday, praising God for his everlasting love and presence, and that we choose to love those who have hurt us or perhaps even trampled upon our very own dignity.  Therefore, in order to stay true to our personal spiritual growth during this time of Lent, we must first learn to recognize God’s love for us and to manifest that love through our choice to say yes to God and in doing so, always choosing good over evil and love over hate, and hope over despair.  However we prepare, what is important is that we know that God loves us and that he desires to be in relationship with him.    

Finally, remember that with God what is important is how you choose to live in relationship with him starting today.  Do not allow you heart to be burdened by past experiences, rather step aside and allow the voice of God to penetrate through your heart.  Let God enter into your life so that you can experience his true healing and compassion. 

Celebrating Youth in Christ,

Mr. Minardi, Chaplain

File newsletter- feb. 2010.pub (pub file)
Riverhawk Chaplaincy Newsletter- Issue 1

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