SHIELD OF FAITH BLOG
IGNITE THE MISSION – THE HOLY SPIRIT ALIVE IN OUR MIDST
By: Fr. John Jasica THE HOLY SPIRIT IS ALIVE! I would like to express my gratitude to all those who were able to participate in our “listening sessions” on September 15th and September 22nd, 2024 at St. Agnes Church. I want to also thank our table recorders who made...
IGNITE THE MISSION – WE ARE ALL CALLED TO SACRIFICE
By: Fr. John Jasica MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER As we prepare for our special “CONVERSATION IN THE SPIRIT” gatherings on September 15th and 22nd facilitated by Linda Staudt—I would like to extend an invitation for all members of our family of parishes to attend both...
REFLECTIONS FROM ROME & THE SYNOD OF BISHOPS
By: Linda Staudt, Canadian Lay Delegate At the opening of the Synod last October, shared with all the delegates assembled were the following remarks from Pope Francis. “...You have come from different roads and from different churches, each bearing your own...
IGNITE THE MISSION – LEAD BY THE SPIRIT PART III
By: Fr. John Jasica PREPARING FOR OUR SEPTEMBER GATHERINGS Everyone from our family of parishes is invited to attend our September gatherings. Part One takes place on Sunday September 15th while Part Two takes place on Sunday September 22nd. These two meetings will...
IGNITE THE MISSION – LEAD BY THE SPIRIT PART II
By: Fr. John Jasica SOME FURTHER REFLECTIONS I would like to thank all those who attended the special gathering on Thursday August 15th and those who stayed after the 11 AM Mass on Sunday August 18th to see the presentation, offer comments and ask questions. I also...
IGNITE THE MISSION – LEAD BY THE SPIRIT
By: Fr. John Jasica SHIFTING FROM MAINTENANCE TO MISSION Over the last three years the Pastoral Council, Finance Committee, Family staff and the parishioners of our family of parishes have worked together to form and activate a plan that moves us from maintenance to...
A FLASH OF NEW HOPE — LENT–CONVERSION SEASON
By: Fr. John Jasica LENT IS A JOYFUL SEASON OF CHANGE This past week we began our Lenten journey with beautiful celebrations of Ash Wednesday. There were very large crowds at our Masses that day in addition to our school celebrations. We marked our foreheads with...
IGNITE THE MISSION: ONE STEP AT A TIME – PART TWO
By: Fr. John Jasica LAST WEEKEND’S NEWS CONTINUED…. Last weekend I shared an article regarding our IGNITE THE MISSION pastoral plan and discernment moving forward. If you missed it, I encourage you to read it first, before reading this article. I shared that we are...
IGNITE THE MISSION: ONE STEP AT A TIME
By: Fr. John Jasica ARE THERE ANY BIG ANNOUNCEMENTS? I know that there are some parishioners waiting for a big announcement regarding our family of parishes—especially about church closures. To answer that question—I would say that the big announcement has already...
IGNITE THE MISSION: CHANGE IS HERE–PART III – NEW OPPORTUNITIES
By: Fr. John Jasica CHRISTMAS BRINGS US HOPE As we celebrate the Fourth Sunday of Advent and Christmas this weekend—I want to wish everyone a joyful and peaceful Christmas, filled with the light, joy and grace of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. In a gentle and...
IGNITE THE MISSION: CHANGE IS HERE–PART II – HALLELUJAH ANYWAY
By: Fr. John Jasica HALLELUJAH ANYWAY One of my favourite all-time Christian bands is called REND COLLECTIVE. They are from a small town in Northern Ireland and travel across the globe leading praise and worship with their amazing songs that are really wonderful...
IGNITE THE MISSION: CHANGE IS HERE–PART I – A CHANGE OF HEART
By: Fr. John Jasica BISHOP FABBRO’S LETTER IS HERE This weekend we are publishing Bishop Fabbro’s long awaited pastoral letter that may help us move from “maintenance to mission” at the Chatham Catholic Family of Parishes. (CLICK HERE FOR BISHOP FABBRO'S LETTER) This...
FALLING IN LOVE WITH JESUS – PRAYER & CONVERSION
By: Fr. John Jasica ENCOUNTERING JESUS As we end the Church’s liturgical year with the Solemnity of Christ the King this weekend, we also shift gears and enter into the second year of our new pastoral plan seeking to transform our family of parishes—moving from...
WHERE EVERYBODY KNOWS YOUR NAME
By: Fr. John Jasica OUR “GAME PLAN” IN ACTION About a year and a half ago, the Family Pastoral Council approved and endorsed a new pastoral plan that is rooted in two major pillars that funnel all of our ministries, programs and outreach: (1) FORMING DISCIPLES who are...
SHIFTING FAITH TO THE CENTRE
LAST ARTICLE ABOUT THE PRAYER WE SAY This is the final bulletin article/blog post on our IGNITE THE MISSION PRAYER that we say each and every weekend at our Masses. If you missed any, take a look back at the three previous reflections: Reflection #1 - CALLED TO BE...
BECOMING CHRIST TODAY
REFLECTING ON OUR WEEKLY PRAYER Last weekend I shared the second of four articles (the second article—NEW METHODS FOR A NEW TIME and the first article—CALLED TO BE MISSIONARIES) reflecting on our IGNITE THE MISSION PRAYER that we have been saying each weekend in our...
NEW METHODS FOR A NEW TIME
REFLECTING ON OUR WEEKLY PRAYER Last weekend I shared the first of four articles (article #1—CALLED TO BE MISSIONARIES) reflecting on our IGNITE THE MISSION PRAYER that we have been saying each weekend in our family of parishes. The journey ahead for us will require...
THE CALL TO BE MISSIONARIES
PRAYING THROUGH THE CHANGE We are well into our IGNITE THE MISSION discernment for the future of our family of parishes transitioning from a culture of maintenance (trying to hang on to what we are and have now) to mission (where the Lord is calling us) to share the...
PIECES ARE COMING TOGTHER
BISHOP FABBRO VISITS OUR FAMILY (1) BLESSED SACRAMENT CELEBRATES 100 YEARS!This weekend Bishop Fabbro makes a special pastoral visit to the Chatham Catholic Family of Parishes. His visit includes a special Mass at Blessed Sacrament Church marking the 100th anniversary...
SHARING EMPOWERS
By: Fr. John Jasica DISCERNING TOGETHER REVEALS THE SPIRIT As I write this article for the bulletin, we have now entered a time of major discernment as a family of parishes seeking to ignite the mission of the Gospel in a new way for a new time. We need to shift from...
TAKING EACH STEP
By: Fr. John Jasica DECISIONS COME WHEN WE TAKE EACH STEP By now most of you would have received your LENT/EASTER mailout that shared our Lenten and Easter celebrations in addition to the IGNITE THE MISSION: Introduction & General Summary. My letter also listed...
FRAMING THE DISCUSSION
By: Fr. John Jasica A TIME OF PRAYER, DISCERNMENT & HOPE Last weekend we officially began our “IGNITE THE MISSION” time of prayerful discernment for the future of our family of parishes. We can no longer remain the way we are with declining attendance, revenues,...
THE TIME IS NOW
By: Fr. John Jasica AND SO WE BEGIN—WITH GOD’S HELP This weekend we officially begin the prayerful consultation and discernment process for the future of our Chatham Catholic Family of Parishes. I want to thank the Family Pastoral Council, Family Finance Committee...
APOSTLES FOR A NEW ERA
By: Fr. John Jasica “CHRISTENDOM” IS DEAD - BUT CHRISTIANITY IS NOT Last weekend I wrote an article for the bulletin (family website—press the IGNITE link on the home page) describing the overall mission of the Church and how our family of parishes must adapt and...
GOSPEL, MISSION & CHANGE = CHURCH
By: Fr. John Jasica IGNITE THE MISSION:WHAT IS THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH? What is the real purpose of our family of parishes and the Church in our world today? This is a very important question as we discern the future of the Chatham Catholic Family of Parishes. Is...
REPENTANT RESOLUTIONS
MAKING 2023 A POWERFUL YEAR OF FAITH Last weekend I began a new message series for a new year. You can go to the family website (www.chathamcatholic.ca) and follow the link or go to my website (www.revjj.ca) and click on the message series icon to watch or listen to...
RESOLUTIONS THAT MATTER
By: Fr. John Jasica HAPPY NEW YEAR!! A TIME FOR NEW THINGS! The Christmas season has ended and we have now entered 2023. May this new year offer us new opportunities of grace, light, joy and peace. May this year be filled with faith, renewal and transformation in...
ALL IN THE FAMILY
By Fr. John JasicaA NEW PASTORAL ROAD OF DISCIPLESHIP & SERVICE Merry Christmas everyone!! Now that we are celebrating the Word made flesh—the love of God given freely to us through the birth of Christ our Saviour, we are now embarking on a new pastoral road so...
A FAMILY IN MOTION
ADVENT IS HERE—HAPPY NEW YEAR! Happy New Year everyone!! Please note that I have not misplaced my calendar and am correct in saying this—Advent marks the Church’s new liturgical year. Last Sunday we celebrated the Solemnity of Christ the King, in which we honour...
SETTING THE WHEELS IN MOTION
THE SEQUEL IS HERE! No one had to wait too long for the sequel to the most recent message series called THE GAME PLAN to take place. The sequel or continuation of the series is most appropriately called — THE GAME PLAN: PART II. This is a continuation of the new...
SHARING OUR BLESSINGS
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!! On behalf of the entire family of parishes staff, I want to express our gratitude, prayers and appreciation for all the parishioners in our faith community. This weekend as we celebrate Thanksgiving, we take time to count our blessings and truly...
ADAPTING FOR THE SAKE OF THE GOSPEL
RE-IGNITING LOVE FOR THE GOSPEL This weekend I continue my latest message series called the GAME PLAN as an opportunity to share how we as a family of parishes will seek to change and transform into a brighter and warmer light of hope, joy, peace and love in our...
MOVING FORWARD
NEW MESSAGE SERIES & NEW STRATEGIC PASTORAL PLAN Last weekend I began a new message series called “THE GAME PLAN”. This is a four homily series that shares the new strategic pastoral plan for our family of parishes. As we enter into a post-pandemic world, we...
This Parish Has Talent
LATEST MESSAGE SERIES—WATCHING TV This weekend I conclude my latest message series (homily series) called “THIS PARISH HAS TALENT”. If you missed any of the series please go to our family of parishes website (www.chathamcatholic.ca) and click on the link on the main...
MISSIONARIES OF JOY
CONCLUDING THIS MESSAGE SERIES This weekend I conclude the latest message series called MAKING THE RESURRECTION REAL TODAY. We are approaching the end of the Easter season (Pentecost Sunday—June 5) which is truly a time of transformation and conversion so that we can...
MAKING THE RESURRECTION REAL TODAY
A NEW MESSAGE SERIES Last weekend I began a new 3 homily message series at St. Joseph and St. Ursula. If you happened to miss the homily, please go to our family of parishes website (www.chathamcatholic.ca) to listen or watch. Homily #2 is happening this weekend at...
ALL THINGS NEW!
END OF THIS SERIES This weekend, I conclude this four homily message series called “CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?” Hopefully it has been a chance for all of us to open our hearts and minds more, embracing the gift of God and others in our lives. If you have missed any of the...
ADJUSTING THE MIXER
CONTINUING OUR MESSAGE SERIES This weekend I continue with homily #3 of my latest message series called “CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?” This weekend I am at Blessed Sacrament/St. Agnes and on the March 26/27 weekend, I will conclude the message series at St. Joseph/St....
STUDENTS NOT MASTERS
WE NEED TO LISTEN BETTER This weekend I continue my latest message series (homily series) called CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? This four part homily series is a chance for all of us to look at how we can listen better and more to God and one another. This way we can truly be...
TOO MUCH NOISE!
THE IMPORTANCE OF LISTENING This weekend I am beginning a new four homily message series called “CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?” that will span the last weeks of Ordinary Time concluding midway through Lent. Like all previous message series, we will post video and podcast...
“TED” CAN HELP
TED ONLINE RETREAT—SEARCHING FOR GOD This is the last week to sign up for the latest TED (Transformation—Evangelization—Discipleship) retreat that will begin with the release of Week #1 materials on Friday February 4th. This is a free retreat that is open to all!! ...
The Holy Spirit and Our Story
We continue this latest message series that takes a look at our own life story and how it fits in with God’s bigger story of love, mercy and salvation. By the end of this series I hope that we can all take a step back from the busy-ness, chaos and challenges of our...
WE ALL LOVE STORIES
A NEW YEAR—A NEW MESSAGE SERIES Happy New Year everyone!! Happy return to Ordinary Time!! Last weekend, with the celebration of the Baptism of the Lord, we ended the Christmas season and have returned to Ordinary Time seeking ways to grow as faithful disciples in our...
IT’S ALL ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS!
In the second homily of this message series I talked about the need to READ THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES FINDING & SHARING GOD’S GRACE. We all need to see what is happening around us looking for God’s presence and finding ways to share that presence with those who are...
Reading The Signs of the Times
In the first homily of this series I talked about two basic fundamentals of the Christian life and the mission of the Church for all of us. (1) We need to place God first in our lives giving Him the time, effort and energy needed to follow His commands. It isn’t...
BACK TO THE BASICS MESSAGE SERIES – Fixing My Golf Swing
FIXING MY GOLF SWING! I’m not a very good golfer!! When I drive the ball, it always hooks left. I am sure that it is due to a poor swing and not enough faith!! In order to drive the ball straight down the fairway, I would need a very patient instructor who would...
A TIME FOR CHANGE
As we come to the conclusion of this message series, it is important for us to make the series real in our lives. Our faith is not just something we do on Sundays but it is the most important aspect of our lives. It help us be the very best version of ourselves and...
MOUNTING A “COMEBACK”
MOUNTING A “COMEBACK” Last week I preached the first of a three homily message series called “THE COMEBACK”. I shared what a message series was and how we are overwhelmed by many serious storms in our lives, world and Church. These real and seemingly insurmountable...
“THE COMEBACK” MESSAGE SERIES
WHAT IS A MESSAGE SERIES? One summer about three years ago I gathered together with my associate pastor and two deacons at a cottage in Grand Bend for a few days to reflect on how we could be more relevant, effective and meaningful in our preaching. In preparation for...
CHANGE IS A BLESSING
CHATHAM IS HOME UNPACKING & EXPLORING It has now been just over two months since arriving in Chatham. After nine years at St. George Parish in London I had a lot to pack and a lot to purge in the transition. There were some things that I knew I needed to take...
COME BACK TO ME – WALK THE LINE
ENTERING HOLY WEEK Our Lenten journeying is coming to a close very quickly as we enter into Holy Week with the celebration of Palm Sunday. Of course, this year will be again different than past years. Due to the pandemic, we could not even gather as a community to...
COME BACK TO ME – SHARING MERCY
WHAT IS MERCY? As we journey through this Lenten season, we have been reflecting on this call for us to return to the Father. Why would we want to do that? What is the incentive or the reason for us to change our ways and trust God? I think it is because of mercy....
COME BACK TO ME – LENT NEEDS DISCIPLINE
YES—REFEREES TRAIN Most of you know that I have returned to being a certified basketball referee the last few years and I have to say, I have really missed it during the pandemic. Although getting yelled at from the sidelines during a game isn't the most fun part of...
COME BACK TO ME – LET GO AND LET GOD
WHAT DO WE CONTROL? We continue in our journey during this Lenten season to come back to the Father in heaven. Our Lenten message series attempts to help us run back to the Father who loves us and wants to fill out hearts with joy, peace, love and hope. Will we let...
COME BACK TO ME – THE RIGHT TIME FOR LENT
TIMING IS EVERYTHING This past week, we began the season of Lent somewhat differently than in years past—yet that is the “new normal” during these pandemic times. We are doing things differently because we have had to adapt our lives to combat this deadly virus that...
WE REALLY NEED CHRISTMAS – PART 3
LAST DAYS TO PREPARE We are now in the last days of preparation for Christmas. We again know all too well that this Christmas will be very different and very challenging. The pandemic is getting worse despite the good news that vaccines are here. There is light at...
FAMILY TIES – PART THREE
By Fr. John Jasica WE WILL CHANGE & THIS IS A GOOD THING Everyone fears change, yet this is the one constant in our lives and the Church. All of us constantly grow, adapt and adjust. This occurs at work, school, home and yes in our faith. If we grow then we will...
FAMILY TIES – PART TWO
By Fr. John Jasica WE ARE FAMILY One of the exciting things that has been taking place over the last two months is that pastoral teams from St. John the Divine and St. George meet via MS TEAMS on Thursday afternoons. We have been sharing our experiences, our hopes...
FAMILY TIES – PART ONE
By Fr. John Jasica THE 1980s SITCOM Do you remember the show FAMILY TIES that premiered on NBC in September 1982? Of course you do!! I think everyone’s favourite character was Alex P. Keaton (Michael J. Fox). The sitcom lasted 7 seasons winning a number of awards...
BUILDING FAMILY
By Fr. John Jasica JOHN THE DIVINE & GEORGE PARISHES BEGIN THE JOURNEY TOGETHER “FAMILY OF PARISHES” Back in May 2020, Bishop Fabbro made the final decisions regarding the re-organization of families in the city of London and Lucan. After several months of...
YEAR ROUND RCIA
Embracing the gift of technology to teach the faith. By Mary Catherine Bishop, Pastoral Minister The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), or known in our parish as The Emmaus Road, is the process for individuals to become Catholic and receive the...
WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? — IS IT IN YOU?
WE KNOW THE ROAD As we journey through this message series we are discovering that we do know the direction we need to go, so that all the things happening in the world do not overwhelm us. We know that we need God and must take that road of faith so that we not only...
WHAT MORE DO WE SEE? PART III
“HEROES OF FAITH” GOING BEYOND THE OBVIOUS In our last message series of the season, we continue to explore our faith and the pandemic we are in, looking beyond the obvious surface level realities. It has been a long and difficult journey for all of us. In many ways,...
WHAT MORE DO WE SEE?
By Fr. John Jasica IT HAS BEEN TOO LONG It seems so long ago that we received the announcement from Bishop Fabbro that our churches needed to close for the safety of the faithful due to the pandemic. Many thought that this would be a short term reality and that...
GOING THROUGH THIS PANDEMIC
Dear Parishioners, I am delighted to write to you knowing that at this time it is not possible to physically meet with you at St. George Parish. It is, however, a great honor to be connected online with all of you. From the first week St. George was on lockdown, I...
NAVIGATING COVID-19
By Deacon Dennis Rivest Peace be you! Two months into this Coronavirus Pandemic “lockdown” has left me with many emotions. I am deeply saddened that our churches are closed and we are unable to gather and have access to the Sacraments. As a deacon I struggle with the...
EMBRACING MY FAITH DURING COVID-19
By Mary Catherine Bishop--Pastoral Minister Hello everyone!! I would first like to share with you how much I miss all of you and I pray daily that God is taking care of you and your families. I also want to thank all of you who are our frontline workers for all the...
WHAT DOES THIS EASTER REALLY MEAN FOR US?
A VERY DIFFERENT EASTER There is no question that this Lent and Easter weekend is the most different and challenging of our lives. Our churches are closed, we have been not been able to go to confession or receive communion and we have not been able to gather as...
FAITH IN THE TIME OF CRISIS
By Fr. John Jasica HOW THINGS CAN CHANGE SO QUICKLY How things have changed in the last week. Before the COVID-19 virus really hit our area I was concerned with so many other things. I am sure all of you, like me, knew that the virus would come our way and knew some...
CATHOLIC ATHEIST – GOD LOVES US!
DRIFTING AWAY FROM GOD This new message series challenges us to reflect on what we believe about God and how our faith does or doesn’t connect with our daily lives. We can so easily and slowly drift from our faith dealing with so many other good and important things....
WHAT AM I DOING FOR LENT?
THE SEASON IS HERE!! This Wednesday we begin the holy season of Lent, which for all of us brings many different thoughts. From giving up coffee, knowing that the Roll Up the Rim to Win contest will start, to thinking about what to give up during this season of prayer,...
LENT IS COMING — REMEMBERING GOD
By Fr. John Jasica As we enter into the month of February, we draw close to the Lenten season which begins on Wednesday February 26 with Ash Wednesday. The Lenten season is a very holy time of prayer, sacrifice and service. It beckons us to the fundamentals of our...
THE MINISTRY OF HEALING
By Sharon Hunt - St. George Bereavement Team Six months ago, a newly formed Bereavement Team began its service providing support to families of our deceased parishioners. Team members are present for funeral home visitation and vigil prayers, attend the funeral Mass,...
A FAMILY’S JOURNEY OF FAITH
By Gabriella Woodey It has always been a blessing for us that our child feels at home in our Church community. This year we were fortunate enough to journey with James toward his First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. James has been looking forward to this...
MASS APPEAL — STRENGTHENING OUR SPIRITUAL LIVES!!
The weekend experience has to be one that inspires, comforts, strengthens and enriches the lives of those who attend. That they encounter the Risen Lord through it all!! Sometime in late March, I invited Fr. Pedro, Mary Catherine, Deacon Dennis and Deacon Mark for an...
A SUMMER OF CHANGE
A SUMMER OF CHANGE This summer at St. George was truly a time to give thanks and say goodbye to some staff members and to welcome some new faces to St. George Parish GIVING THANKS & FAREWELL!! This summer was filled with opportunities to give thanks to some...
The Spirit Transforms Us!!
THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT By: Fr. John Jasica This weekend we celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation for 85 amazing young people and their families. This is a celebration for them but also the parish. It is good to be in the vicinity of the Spirit!! THE...
Stories Along a Spiritual Journey
Stories Along a Spiritual Journey These are 2 stories as people reflect on their journey through EMMAUS ROAD - our RCIA program Anna Lam... 8 Year’s ago, I was so thankful to God for giving us our first child. We were very excited and happy to start our new journey....
THE WAY TO MORNING GLORY!!
By Marjorie Braatz “My Soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour...” (Lk 1:46). Never have I lived out these words more faithfully than when I led a small group of women in a retreat ‘33 Days to Morning Glory’ culminating in a consecration to...
All’s WELL in the WELL
By Angela Mandich The Well is an awesome group of high school students and dedicated volunteers. We look forward to meeting each week to enrich our faith through community service, friendship, fun, and Chicago style popcorn! It’s a “wellcoming” group that allows...
What about you?
I sat on my couch in front of my computer for most of this past weekend and I didn’t even feel bad – partly because it’s fall now and I had cold – but mostly because I spent the whole weekend watching Papa Francesco light up America. I watched mass, heard Matt Maher...
5 Reasons Why Fasting is Still Important
First of all, welcome to our Lenten blog! Since the fall when were blessed with this new amazing website, we have talked about blogging together as a staff. I'll admit that as the millennial of the group, I'm the most excited. We will be sharing a variety of thoughts...
