Week of Surprise

I believe my Monday morning was similar to most people's this week. I awoke to hear that Pope Benedict XVI had resigned as Pope.

There has been much talk and speculation surrounding this move and I will not take this week as an opportunity to forcast or comment on what lays next. There are weeks ahead for that.

Instead, I would like to invite us to do what some have suggested: pray.

We pray for Pope Benedict; for his life and ministry. As turbulent as his papacy was it was nevertheless founded upon the Apostles and the work of the Holy Spirit. Clearly, his human weakness shone through these last years of Church history but, likewise, so did his deep love for Christ.

I consider the work of this pope similar to what I would of an aging parent. We are all limited in our perspective of what is needed and what is not. Our life experience shapes us and allows us to be the men and women we are today. I believe that many, myself included, who had hoped for change within the church, were patiently waiting for a new epiphany. As with all change in the church, it takes generations. I never have felt that this would have been a pontiff who would have embraced change.

There was much, by way of fidelity to Christ, that was illustrated through his life. The trilogy on the life of Jesus is spectacular and touching. The encyclicals which he wrote are inspiring. Pope Benedict will leave these as a legacy.

We pray for him these days and the time will come, shortly, when we will pray for his successor. Let us put aside names for now. Let us let the past be the past. Let us pray for him who exercised obedience to God which ultimately led him to this reality of retirement.

Tomorrow....is indeed, another day.

Brother Clifford Bringleson, CR

The Congregation of the Resurrection announces the death of Brother Clifford Andrew Bringleson of Resurrection Manor, Waterloo, Ontario on December 30, 2012.  He was in his 82nd year and 61st year of religious life. 

Brother Cliff is predeceased by his parents Clifford and Marjorie (nee Obermeyer).  He is survived and lovingly remembered by his sister, Florence Cooper (Donald, deceased), brother, Fred (Laura) and sister Kathy Mitchell (Arthur).  Lovingly remembered by Michael Cooper (Michelle), Patricia Cooper, Donna Marie Traina (James), Gary Holland (Marlene), Peter Bringleson, Father Paul Bringleson of the Archdiocese of Keewatin-The Pas, Manitoba, Colleen Mitchell, Teri Mitchell-Lunn (Trevor), Alison Flus (Trevor) as well as many other great and great-great nieces and nephews.

Brother Cliff was born on May 14, 1930, in Hamilton, ON where he received his elementary, secondary and business and commerce education.  Upon graduation from high school, he entered the Congregation and professed his temporary vows on September 8, 1951 and his final vows in 1956.   

He spent the first seven years of his ministry in Catholic education teaching business and commerce and serving as the school bursar at Scollard Hall, North Bay.  For the next 32 years Brother Cliff ministered at St. Jerome’s High School, Kitchener teaching religious studies, typing and business and commerce courses.  In 1981 he was named Business Educator of the Year by the K-W Chamber of Commerce and had an annual scholarship established in his name by St. Jerome’s High School.  In 1990, he was assigned to ministry at the Learning Resource Centre of Resurrection Catholic Secondary School, Kitchener integrating disadvantaged students into the classroom.  Upon his retirement, a large crucifix was hung at the high school, acknowledging his 44 years of service in Catholic education.

Brother Cliff often expressed his gratitude for the gifts of a caring and supportive family and for the call to religious life in the Congregation.  He also appreciated the opportunity to “walk the walk” with thousands of students over the years, helping them to grow in their Christian faith and preparing them to live a meaningful life and engage in satisfying work.  Anyone who knew Brother Cliff recognized that he was genuine, caring, loyal, dedicated and had a wonderful sense of humour.  He rarely left someone without uttering his famous “Bless Yah!”  Throughout his ministerial life Brother Cliff also served the Congregation in many different roles including local leader of Resurrection Manor upon his retirement.

We express our gratitude to the staff at Twin Oaks of Maryhill for their dedicated care over the years.

Visitation of Brother Cliff will take place at St. Mary’s Church, 56 Duke Street West, Kitchener on Sunday,January 6from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m.   A Vigil Service will be held at the church at 8:00 p.m. where there will be an opportunity to share memories of Brother Cliff.  The Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at St. Mary’s Church at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, January 7 with Father Sam Restivo, CR presiding and Father Paul Bringleson as homilist.  Interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, with a reception to follow at St. Mary’s Church Hall.   Donations in Brother Cliff’s memory may be made to the Congregation of the Resurrection for the care of their retired members and forwarded to 265 Westmount Road North, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G7 or arranged through Erb and Good Funeral Home, 171 King Street, South, Waterloo, 519-745-8445. 

Installation of Archbishop Chatlain Announced

It has been announced that Archbishop Murray Chatlain will be installed on Tuesday, March 19, 2013, at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Cathedral in The Pas, MB.

This promises to be a significant event in the life of our archdiocese. I am certain that there will be many representatives from across the diocese who will join in welcoming our new archbishop.

More detailed information will be following. On this weekend where we celebrate "Gaudete" Sunday (Third Sunday of Advent) we have great reason to celebrate.

Please join me in keeping Bishop Murray in our prayers as he makes this eventful move in his life.

What an amazing Christmas present we have received.

Advent Prayer

Come, long-expected Jesus.

Excite in me a wonder at the wisdom and power of Your Father and ours.

Receive my prayer as part of my service of the Lord who enlists me in God's own work for justice.

Come, long-expected Jesus. Excite in me a hunger for peace: peace in the world, peace in my home, peace in myself.

Come, long-expected Jesus. Excite in me a joy responsive to the Father's joy.

I seek His will so I can serve with gladness, singing and love.

Come, long-expected Jesus.

Excite in me the joy and love and peace it is right to bring to the manger of my Lord.

Raise in me, too, sober reverence for the God who acted there, hearty gratitude for the life begun there, and spirited resolution to serve the Father and Son.

I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, whose advent I hail. Amen.

(anonymous)

Thought for the Day: On Giving Thanks

The expression of praise as thanksgiving, gratitude, and joy is among the most powerful forms of affirmation.
--Catherine Ponder

Praise inevitably has a multiple effect. It positively acknowledges another human being, enhancing his or her well being, while making us feel good. This offering of love, which is the substance of praise, heals all who share in its circle.

We can see the effects of affirmation in the people we admire. We can discern its absence too, particularly among those who struggle. How difficult is it to give small acknowledgments to those we care about? Making a habit of this heals our own inner wounds too.

Affirming a friend or ourselves connects us to the spirit residing within. That bond fills in our empty spaces, making us whole and healed. Our security grows as we praise one another.

Prayer:

I will freely offer my love in the form of praise to the wonderful friends on my path today.

On Gratitude

Among virtues, gratitude is a grace that is at the very foundation of christian life. It teaches us on many levels. At first glance most of us would agree that we make an effort to be grateful for the gifts we have: family, health, work, children, a spouse, a parent, even God.

Genuine gratitude teaches me to remain in the present moment; to pause and to reflect on where I am at this step of life's journey. Many of you are aware that I am a recovering alcoholic. These years of recovery have not been easy but have been grace-filled. One way that I remain committed in sobriety is by cultivating an atmosphere of gratitude.

I can to easily recall the chaos of my life when I was drinking. I can to easily fall into self-recrimination. I can to easily find an excuse to drink today if I am not mindful of the gifts I have this day, this hour, this moment.

Here is a little reminder of the importance of gratitude which I found. I hope you can take a moment to watch it and experience the grace of gratitude.