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6th Sunday of EasterClick here for today's readings

Dear Friends,

In a time when the world has been dramatically transformed, our lives have been disrupted in

great and small ways – by COVID-19. Our “normal” routines have been cast aside as we have to

change in response to this health threat.

And while this change is substantial, it is good to remember that we are constantly making

adjustments to our lives. Nothing stays the same, and in changes we encounter new

opportunities to grow.

Change is part of life. Through our experiences and encounters we develop and discover new

insights and perspectives within our lives. Change can be difficult and uncertain as we perceive

risk and fear and enter into the unknown. It may take courage to move from the known to the

unknown, but the price of growth is a sacrifice of certainty.

Today’s reading reveals that we are not alone, for the Holy Spirit is within us. The Holy Spirit will

change our lives when we open our hearts to the power of God and put into action our new

insights. As we near the feast of Pentecost, we are reminded of the power of the Holy Spirit in

the world.

In the Gospel, Jesus promises to send the Holy Spirit as an advocate for his followers. The Spirit

will offer them strength and support by being within the community after Jesus’ death and

resurrection. Recognizing the distress of his friends, Jesus reveals and reassures that although

he would physically leave the earth, the Holy Spirit would sustain them.

Jesus’ words are both comforting and instructive. While foretelling the coming of the Holy

Spirit, Jesus restates the importance of love within the community: “If you love me, you will

keep my commandments” (Jn 14:15). In the previous chapter of John, Jesus offers a new

command, “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.” (Jn

13:34) By loving one another, we receive the Holy Spirit.

Over the past months, there have been numerous stories of love: health care workers caring for

the sick, delivery people ensuring the arrival of goods, people and organizations creating and

donating masks and gloves, anyone who stayed home saving lives. All of these are true

examples of love.

Fear not though in the midst of the changing world for love always prevails! So, in the absence

of physical connections and sacramental actions, we trust that the Holy Spirit sustains all of us

who love one another.

Fr. Damasus Yong

A Special Performance from our Virtual Choir

The Guardian Angels choir and Patrick Fogarty Catholic Secondary School staff have embarked

on anotherVirtual Choir project, and this time they have extended the invitation to all musicians

from our Family of Churches, and all staff from the Orillia Family of Schools.

Twenty-eight musicians from all over the region participated in this latest venture to produce a

video of the hymn "Come Christ and Be Our Host, Our Guest". This is a brand new hymn written

by Fr. Francis O'Brien, from Boston, Massachusetts, especially for these challenging times, to

the familiar tune O WALY WALY, which you will recognize from "An Upper Room" or "The Water

is Wide".

Thanks to Fr. Damasus Yong who shared the hymn on FaceBook, which then inspired Greg

Clarke, Virtual Choir director, to contact Jessica Hierons and James Hilts to begin the planning.

Many thanks to all those who contributed to this latest video, and those behind the scenes who

gave assistance and advice.

We, the singers, hope that this lovely hymn and inspiring words bring peace and solace to all.

Feel free to sing along as you watch.

WATCH THE VIDEO

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord makehis face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you;the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, andgive you peace. -Numbers 6:24

Thank you Karen!

Please join us in thanking Karen for her many

years of service as she begins her retirement.

Karen has been a beloved member of this

parish community for all of her life - in fact she made all of her Sacraments here at Guardian

Angels Catholic Church before she went on to become the Office Administrator for 29 years. She

has contributed so much to our parish community as she went above and beyond to assist

parishioners and make us all feel welcomed and cared for. May God grant her His abundant

blessing in this next phase of her life.

Supporting the Parish

Thank you for supporting our churches. Your financial support will enable us to maintain the

lives of our parishes. For those who would like to give an offering please click on the button to

learn more about the options available.

LEARN MORE

New Parish Email Address

Effective immediately, the main office email address for Guardian Angels Church

is: guardianangelsor@archtoronto.org

The former email address of: gangels@bellnet.ca is no longer active.

Please update our new email address in your address book and contact list.

If you have been forwarded this email and you would like to be added to the mailing list, please

email Andrea Kotekar at: akotekar@archtoronto.org

Guardian Angels Church115 West St. N., Orillia

ON L3V 5C4

705-326-2849guardianangelsOR@archtoronto.org

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