• FATHER'S PAGE

Dear Parishioners:

The Holy spirit is a real person who came to reside within Jesus Christ's true followers after Jesus rose from the dead and ascended to Heaven. The Holy Spirit is not a vague, ethereal shadow, nor an impersonal force. He is a person equal in every way with God the Father and God the Son. The Holy Spirit is considered to be the third number of the Godhead.

God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. And all the divine attributes ascribed to the Father and the Son are equally ascribed to the Holy Spirit. When a person becomes born again by believing and receiving Jesus Christ, God resides in that person through the Holy spirit. The Holy Spirit has intellect, emotion and will.

A primary role of the Holy Spirit is that He bears "witness" of Jesus Christ. He tells people's hearts about the truth of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit also acts as a Christian's teacher. He reveals God's will and God's truth to a Christian.

Jesus told His disciples..."The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you." (John 14:26)

"When He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come." (John 16:13)

The Holy Spirit was given to live inside those who believe in Jesus, in order to produce God's character in the life of a believer. In a way that we cannot do on our own, the Holy Spirit will build into our lives love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23). Rather than trying to be loving, patient, kind, God asks us to rely on Him to produce these qualities in our lives. Thus Christians are told to walk in the Spirit and be filled with the Spirit. And the Holy Spirit empowers Christians to perform ministerial duties that promote spiritual growth among Christians.

The Holy Spirit also performs a function for non-Christians as well. He convicts people's hearts of God's truth concerning how sinful we are - needing God's forgiveness; how righteousness Jesus is - He died in our place, for our sins; and God's eventual judgment of the world and those who do not know Him. The Holy Spirit tugs on our hearts and minds, asking us to repent and turn to God for forgiveness and a new life.

• CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR STUDENTS CONFIRMED LAST SATURDAY

Our prayers and best wishes to the following students confirmed by Rev. Fr. Joseph Ponti, Pastor of our parish. Our thanks to their families and to the teachers in the school and Parish Religious Education Programme for the thorough and devoted preparation they provided.

Also, thank you to Fr. Mark Schwab and Fr. Otto Rollheiser, OMI for concelebrating at our parish Confirmation Mass.

• NEIGHBOURHOOD TRAFFIC PLAN

The issue of Traffic Diverters in our neighbourhood which was defeated in the 2004 City Hall Survey is back on again! A group of people is asking City Hall to ignore the 60% Approval Rule and impose the street diverters in our area once more.

These plans will cause major problems for St. Francis of Assisi Parish and the school and for many people in the neighbourhood who have already rejected and voted NO to these plans.

Everyone is invited to attend the meeting on Tuesday, May 24 at 9:30 am in the City Hall Council Chambers.

The City needs to know that there are people opposed to this attempt to change the Rules and ignore the vote and decision of the majority. The more people show up at this meeting the better the chance of both sides being heard and the right of the majority being respected.

• REQUIESCANT IN PACE

We pray to God to grant Eternal Rest to Helen Anderson who was buried recently from our parish; also to Richard Grey Stuart (Fr. Ian Charles Stuart's brother); and Joseph Conaghan (Fr.. Michael Conaghan's brother), who passed away recently.

May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God rest in Peace. Amen.

• BIG THANKS

to the Martha & Mary Group for the fabulous Receptions; to Luigi Aiello & his family for looking after the garden; to Battista Bosa for power washing the front of the Church; to Peter Zanatta for patching up the cement walls & stairs.

Everyone is welcome to contribute whatever one can do for the upkeep of our Church & surroundings.

• CHANGE OF TIME FOR MASS

Saturday, 28 May, the morning Mass will be at 8:30 am, not 9 am because Fr. Ponti is giving a talk at the Agape Street Ministry in Vancouver right after the Mass.

• CLERGY ON SPIRITUAL RETREAT

Fr. Mark & other Priests of the Archdiocese are on Spiritual Retreat from the 16th-20th of May. Fr. Ponti will be saying the Masses on those days including the 9:00 am Mass at Our Lady of Hungary.

From 23rd -27th of May, Fr. Ponti will be on Spiritual Retreat himself with the rest of the Priests of the Archdiocese.

• PROJECT ADVANCE UPDATE

Up until last Sunday 105 parishioners donated or pledged $16,935.00 which is approximately 70.562% of our first goal of $24000. We have over 500 households in our parish so we await anxiously the response of many more.

To Those who gave already, we thank you. To all others (including every wage earner) we warmly invite you to play your part in the continuing development and growth of our parish.

• SPECIAL MASS @ HOLY ROSARY CATHEDRAL

Everyone is invited to attend this special Mass and prayers in Honour of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Petition for the Work of Birthright and in Reparation for Sins against Life.

Saturday, 28 May at 11:30 am. It is a special celebration not only of the Holy Mass and Rosary but also a Renewal of Consecration to the Sacred and the Immaculate Hearts.

Reverend Fr. Glenn Dion invites you, your family and friends to come. Refreshments to follow in Holy Rosary Hall. Donations of finger foods most appreciated.

• THIS WEEK IN OUR PARISH