Hello,

Welcome to the first day of “Ordinary Time” after the 50 days of Easter. The colour of the hangings in our worship spaces now changes to green – for the most part. Why green? Green is the color of natural, living things. It is the color of grass and leaves, youth, flowering, hope, and eternal renovation. Ancient iconographers often painted the earth green to denote where life began – such as in scenes of the Annunciation and the Nativity. So, as we journey through Ordinary Time learning more about the disciples’ lives without the physical presence of Jesus, we grow in our knowledge and understanding of God the Holy Spirit at work in our lives and in the world. 

Happening Soon

This Saturday, June 14: Guild of St. Joseph breakfast, 9:30am at the Trinity Centre, for men and women. 

Next Saturday, June 21: Spring Fling Barbecue and Sale …vendors…baking…”new to you”…11am – 3pm at the Trinity Centre

The Saturday after that, June 28: Strawberry Festival at St. James in Goulais River, 11am – 1pm.

If there are any other announcements, please let me know.

Oh…a short liturgical note for you:

Since we just past Pentecost:The Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday after Pentecost are “Ember Days”. The English title for these days, “Ember,” is derived from their Latin name: Quatuor Temporum, meaning the “Four Times” or “Four Seasons.” How this came about is actually not certain – in the early church there were only three Ember seasons. Today, these four “times” are set apart for special prayer and fasting and for the ordination of clergy.

For Your Devotions:

Monday, June 9th is the memorial of Columba, Abbot of Iona, Missionary, died in 597.  He was born in about 521 AD and is traditionally credited with converting those Scottish heathens (my mum was born in Scotland) to Christianity. Columba was an Irish priest who, with 12 disciples, established a church and monastery on the Island of Iona as their home base for converting the Scottish. In Celtic Christianity, abbots like Columba had even more authority than bishops.  For more info:  https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Columba

Wednesday, June 11th is the Holy Day of Saint Barnabas the Apostle. He was born and raised as a Jew named Joseph but, shortly after Christ’s crucifixion, sold his property, gave all of the proceeds to the newly formed “Christian” community and spread the Good News with Paul. It was Barnabas who stood up for Paul when Paul first met the disciples in Jerusalem (Barnabas vouched for Paul’s conversion). After Barnabas and Paul went their separate ways, we hear little about Barnabas. Most of what we know is conjecture and legend but it is interesting nonetheless. For more info… https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Barnabas

In the joy of Christ,

Susan