Fr. Bob's Corner

Alicje CornelissenBorn
The 13 Day of May, 1959
Cornwall Ontario

Died
The 12th Day of December, 2005
Ottawa, Ontario

Age
46

(more…)

Prayers and best wishes from Sr. Mary and Sr. Christine in the Philippines

May the Christ Childborn into a world of violence

continue to remind us

(more…)

This Sunday’s first reading is one of comfort and encouragement to God’s chosen people who had strayed, lost their way, and been scattered and enslaved. The ever faithful God sends Isaiah to speak words of comfort and hope to a people in despair. “Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God.” (Isaish 40:1) Isaiah, go tell the people that their time of suffering is coming to an end, and that God will feed his flock like a shepherd. Don’t loose hope for God will fill every valley of despair, and remove every mountain – obstacle to hope.

In a simlar fashion the opening chapter of Mark’s Gospel speaks of God’s faithfulness and compassion. John the Baptist announces the coming of the Messiah: “Prepare the way of the Lord ….repent….for one more powerful than I is coming….he will baptize you with the Holy spirit.

Advent is a time to remember that we are people who wait in joyful hope for the Lord to come again in glory. Yet, as our Christian communities in the western world shrink in size and people seem to loose faith, we are tempted to discouragement and despair. All research indicates that all Christian denominations are experiencing similar difficulties. In a recent study (Link) recently presented to the Anglican Bishops of Canada, it was estimated that the crisis of decline was so severe that only one person would be Anglican in Canada by the year 2061.

(more…)