True North Missionaries Journal

So recently I attended and helped in a KFC assembly for the first time. I had no expectations coming in but I was so overwhelmed with emotions by the end of that night. Mostly I felt joy. Just being in the room with them made me so happy. Their joy was so contagious, I can’t help but just laugh with them and enjoy their presence. By the end of the night, their joy is so contagious that I found myself slowly acting like child too(or maybe it was just heightened because I kinda act like child, I don’t know). That’s how contagious the joy was.

I was so glad I was able to do this because they reminded me how to act like a child again or what I mean is truly see how a childlike-heart can spread so much love with ease. Also how powerful and pure a childlike heart.

I’m so grateful I was able to attend because my first encounter with the KFCs was not the greatest, it wasn’t this assembly. It was during a CFC conference happened in Ottawa and us YFC were ask to help out and take care the kids and I think help out the Rock team. I said, “I think” because it was in my early years in YFC(really don’t know what’s happening, I just went). Whatever they are planning did not happen. I think we managed every kid to listen and seated for maybe 10 min, after that it was chaos for the whole day(literally). By the end we kinda gave up and let them be, someone even bought toys from the dollar store and let them be for the whole day.

As I reflected I found myself asking this question, ‘why do I see my first encounter negative point of view? Why did I experience differently in the KFC assembly? Both gave joy at the end of it?’. I realize now it is because we lost control over the kids. I’m that guy who wants to be able to control and be able to stay on tract, and back then the idea of not controlling was very hard. Obviously, that won’t happen, especially with KFC, you need to adapt and accept whatever is happening and move on. Which I did in the recent assembly, this made me enjoy and fully experience what God has to offer at that moment. At the moment was the kids, even though there were some things that didn’t go as planned or as smooth same for the recent assembly I was able enjoy fully embrace what is God offering at that moment, unconditional love through the kids.

My share of my experience in the assembly
Well I was fortunate that I was ask to present the Gospel which I thought I got this, I’ll just add some more interactive stuff for the kids to be more engage than usual(from YFC). Be more energetic in my delivery. As I presented I was like ‘damn tough crowd’ so I tried to make it more engaging to listen but that took so much energy from me. Also I notice if I spent too long on a topic you can tell and feel that they are getting board real fast which I never felt before. I have so much respect now to Rock heads and leaders because it takes so much energy in just delivering a talk. If you add the handling the kids too, I’m just in awe to all KFC leaders.

Also, I was shock and amaze in some of the kids on how knowledgeable they are about the faith. In my mind “I was how do you know this I just learnt this not too long ago! Some of the kids probably know more than me”. Which was like reminder for me to step up my knowledge in my faith (don’t want loose from a kid).

This whole experience made me realize how important and impactful KFC is. Their contagious joy and love can spread to so much people. Combine that with the knowledge of our faith they could be or they are the messengers of God spreading the purest joy and love to the world. They could make an impact to the world and touch every single person. Only if they learn about the faith which KFC is doing.

Just recently, I got into a situation where I felt like I was not being listened to. As I was sharing a story with my peers, I was constantly interrupted to the point where I felt very discouraged to carry on with what I had to say. Although they told me to finish my story, I felt like there was no point in doing so anymore. I thought: “well, if you did not want to listen to me the first time or the second, what is the point of repeating myself again?”

If you know me, I’m a pretty open book. I share my thoughts, my emotions, and my heart quite easily with those I feel most comfortable with. It does not take much to share whatever is on my mind. This can definitely be a blessing, but it can be a curse as well.

So as much as I wanted to hide the fact that I was upset, I couldn’t. My body language and the look on my face surely gave it away to my friends. As much as I tried, I couldn’t hide the fact that I was hurt.

After I took the time to calm down, I immediately felt a sense of guilt.
I thought to myself: Am I being dramatic? Is it wrong for me to feel this way? Am I not important enough that people do not want to listen to me?

I know that these were very petty and childish questions to ask however; I could not stop feeling this way.

At the very root of it all, I was just upset because I felt like I was being ignored. I was so excited to share my story, a story of God’s love in my life, but I was disappointed because it seemed like no one wanted to listen. I felt like I was not worth the time to be heard by my peers.

And then it dawned on me.

How many times have I done the same thing to God?
How many times have I ignored Him, when He so badly wanted to speak with me?
How many times have I been so distracted during my prayer time, during mass or during a household meeting because I was so busy thinking about my own life before taking the time to listen to the words of my Lord and saviour?

On another note, this situation made me realize that I too, am not perfect. I have personally made the mistake of making God feel unimportant; simply not giving him the time that He so rightfully deserves as well. I also reflected on how I need to better my listening skills. Often times I am in rush to figure out the perfect thing to say that I completely disregard what is being said to me.

Listening should not be like this though.

When we listen, we must learn to be attentive; to be fully present with the people we are conversing with. I still love my friends and know in my heart that it was not their intention to hurt me. And instead of holding a silly grudge on the situation, I look to God as a role model as He is someone who constantly forgives me whenever I (unintentionally) ignore Him.

I am quite thankful for this situation, as it has opened my eyes to realizing that I need to: one, improve on my listening skills and two, that I make mistakes and must be willing to learn to forgive as well.

I pray that I may learn to be more present in my conversations with God and that I be more alert whenever He speaks to me. Listening takes time and good self-disciple therefore, I hope that I practice these things so I can better respect God and grow to be a better listener for Him.

Amen.

Danielle Lape

“The first duty to love, is to listen.” – Paul Tillich

In my so far short lifetime, I’ve witnessed the canonization of a few “recent” people, which would include St. Pope John Paul II, and St. Theresa of Calcutta, both of whom I had to remember to add the “St” title to. I would say that I do know both of the saints to a decent extent, and St. Pope John Paul II was alive during my life, whoever considering I didn’t have my spiritual awakening until after they passed away, I wouldn’t have the confidence say I’ve gotten to witness their lives first hand. My ignorance of the Saints and other holy people, had left me considering them more as legends from stories than historical people that walked this earth. As I have come to recognize that holiness is a universal call for God’s people, my mind wanders to the saints that walk among us now. Those who’s stories are still in their infancy like Augustine in his life prior to conversion, or St. Francis Xavier as he began his mission to Asia. It’s incredible to know that the stories and epic tales of faith are being lived right now, that friendships that would go beyond this world are being forged around us. I’ve come to believe this more and more, as I witness the journeys of holiness all around me.

The desire for God is written in the hearts of all man, this is the universal call. We can only speculate the daily lives of the saints of antiquity, even that of their contemporaries. However we don’t need to worry ourselves with what a day in the life of St. Theresa of Liseaux was like because God has unique story, a story for us to experience first hand. The saints lived lives in experiencing the joy of the Lord, as so can we. Our “saint lives” don’t begin suddenly, they already begun, before we were born we were already consecrated (Jer 1:5). We have the daily opportunity to experience Christ, to live as saints do, in the fullness of life form God.   As an aside, I like to humour myself with the idea that a cell phone may end up becoming a second class relic of a millennial saint, and their biographies would included tweets, and facebook post.

Recommended Reading and inspiration for this reflection: GAUDETE ET EXSULTATE

Growing up and raised Catholic, there are many things I take for granted about the faith. Even when attending Catholic school it can be hard to live out your faith due to fear of ridicule and social persecution.

Over the years I’ve heard homilies and talks about how we are called as Catholics to evangelize. To proclaim the Good News, to lead others to Christ; to share the truth. But how is one supposed to confidently evangelize when the truth around them seems to be skewed? When some of your Catholic teachers can’t answer basic faith questions or don’t practice the faith? When your fellow peers who grew up Catholic don’t believe. When other Catholics say they see the Eucharist more of a symbolic representation, rather than the actual body of Christ.

It can be discouraging to stand up for the faith. It can be a challenge when most of your life you have accepted and assumed things about Catholicism. It’s hard if you’re not properly equipped with the knowledge to debate or the words to explain.

St. Athanasius stood up for what he believed in, he stood up for the truth, even when most stood against him. St. Athanasius was a bishop in Alexandria, Egypt during the fourth century. Many of the priest and bishops during his time misguidedly believed in Arianism. That is to say they regarded Jesus as an elevated human being, God’s highest created creature, but not a truly divine being. They did not recognize Jesus’ true divinity.

There was a divide among the bishops and priest on this matter. Many, about 3/4th of the clergy believed in Arianism, leaving only about 1/4th of whom believed in Jesus’ true divinity. It resulted in many fights, not just verbal debates, but physical brawls. One other saint who was there to throw down in defense of Jesus’ divinity was St.Nicholas (a.k.a. Santa Claus).  It was during this time that the First Ecumenical Council was held. Out of it came the Nicene Creed, which professes and made clear Jesus’s divinity;

“…I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the Only Begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father…”

Despite what came out of the council, there was still a divide among the clergy. Many still followed Arianism and were against St. Athanasius who dedicated his time fighting against Arianism. They persecuted him for upholding his beliefs. He was sent to exile, multiple times, based on false claims made against him in attempts to get rid of him. One of the things that St.Athanasius did however, was call the pope at the time out on the matter. Urging him that he must take a stance, grow a back bone and do something about the heresy happening within the Church. Among all levels of the clergy St.Athanasius stood his ground.

One of many things we can learn from St.Athanasius is that faith without action is dead. Once you know the Truth, it is not only your duty to share it, but it’s your obligation to keep it true and defend it. To not bend or skew it in any way, shape or form. There are no grey areas when it comes to Jesus’ divinity. There is no grey area when it comes to the Holy Trinity. Likewise there is no grey area when it comes to the sacrament of the Eucharist. It is not a symbol, it is the actual body of Christ.

I know the Church’s history is not perfect. It’s not perfect even today.

As His Eminence Cardinal Collins once said, show me a religion without blemishes and faults. Show me a religion that is perfect. When you find it, let me know. Because it won’t be held by humans. Humans are imperfect beings.

Man, no matter what his beliefs, cannot take away what God is and ever will be.

Although his feast day was earlier this week on May 2nd, I pray for St. Athanasius’ intercession, that we may have the courage to continuously seek and defend the truth. To take a stand, even if it means persecution in any form.

In Christ,

Meagan Webb

So yesterday I just had our first quarterly leaders meeting of the year, we talked about victories that happened through our pastoral track and concern. Also on how to improve and move forward on our formation track. Having this meeting made me so excited for our future as a community. Dreaming and wanting that one day that Ottawa will have a well-established community where active members out number leaders (we’re getting their!). To forming the new leaders of the community. To this new leaders that will replace us and lead the new generation of people. Into maybe one day be a region by its self-called “The Capital Region” which was another brother’s dream for Ottawa which it became my dream as well (it has a nice ring to it, especially in awards ceremony calling our ‘region’ THE CAPITAL REGION!).

But my excitement came to a halt from the learning curve that we are facing as leaders and CCs. There is so much I want for this community but as we go through the learning curve, all I’m thinking about is when will this learning curve end so that we could thrive as a community not survive. I can feel the urge or that fire in our hearts from every leader that we want to build the community and flourish so when we step down in our roles they will take over.

Sometimes I have thoughts that my community will one day come to end, which is one of my biggest fears. A brother has asked me ‘how is still Ottawa still alive for all this years?’. All I said was ‘I don’t know’, I truly didn’t know why because if I list our struggles you would think that any point at that time it will end. This was me seeing the community with a very negative lens or what I mean is I did not look at this community in what God sees in  this community. I was blinded by the negatives things, I couldn’t see how much blessings and work he has done to my community. But now I’ve come to realize that God was working and still working in our lives, and if I list the blessings and the gifts he has given for this community it surpasses any other list.

Which is very fitting to yesterdays Gospel (John 15:1-8)

The Vine and the Branches
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

We are the vines and God is the gardener which I think what God is doing right now to the Ottawa community. He’s taking away the branches that doesn’t bear fruit which basically the correction of our actions and concerns that we may have for the community be taken away. And the branches that bear fruit are pruned is like going through the struggles that we face in the community will bear fruit and multiply receiving and revealing His great plan. Even though pruning can be harsh(cutting part of the branch) like struggles we may face, we need to go though it in order the fruit to multiply into what God has in store for us. Also that we cannot do it with out Him, He is the one that gives us the energy to bear fruit.

This can only happen in time, plants need time to grow so as God’s great plan for us. As we wait, one day we will receive the fruits that we have grown and multiplied, only time.

Even though we may face struggles in the community or anything as long as we keep His word and strive to build His kingdom He will definitely take away the bad branches in our lives and prune the branches that bear fruits in our lives so that we may receive His overflowing fruits that He had planed to give us. We just need to be patient.

It will come.