Daily prayer
to St. Jude

O kindSaint-Jude, our faithful intercessor to Jesus, receive the following special intentions : to present them to the Almighty Lord, Root of all good. Above all, grant us an increase of our faith in His love. May each day find us closer in our relationship with our Heavenly Father. KindSaint-Jude, you who has revived hope in our hearts, you whose model merits and life bring us the divine blessings and graces, be our advocate, and lead us to Jesus and Mary. With you, blessed apostle, we give thanks and praise God with all our heart for His innumerable kindnesses. Amen.

The Monthly Note

December 2017

The Canadian religious stamp for Christmas 2017, is the Adoration of the shepherds, oil on canvas, kept at the Art Gallery Museum of Ontario. This work of the Italian painter Tommaso di Stefano Lunetti (around 1495-1564) reminds us of the Gospel of Luke when the angels announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherds, who rushed to meet the newborn Savior.

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, his espoused wife who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see - I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!" (Luke 2:1-14)
        
These words of the Gospel resonate in our hearts and in the hearts of all the faithful of Jesus, the Living One, from his Incarnation and, especially, since his Resurrection. They resonate in particular for us when Christmas is not happy. Diseases, personal problems, family, work, alcohol, drugs, isolation, rejection, loneliness, etc. If you have one of them in your heart, your  spirit or your flesh, I'd say you're like the shepherds despised and not respected. It is first to them God announced a news, the Good News for us since 2,000 years. You are important, you count in my eyes – would say God - this is my Son, your brother in humanity and your Savior. I entrust him to YOU in his newborn fragility. With your weaknesses, take care of Him and HE will take care of you with all the love he has for you.

The solidarity with Christ, as well as with our brothers and sisters who suffer, we live it in a special way every Thursday at the 2:30 pm Mass. Mrs. Gisèle Hébert and Mr. Tony Cicci, my precious collaborators, the Praying Team to St. Jude, and myself, we assure you of our fraternity and sincere prayers, united with you and united with St. Jude, the Saint of Hope. At the Nativity Mass, let us be united with the messengers of God: "Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth to men he loves."

Fr. Henri de Longchamp, o.p., Director