April 2017 Vol.

19

I. Our Church

The Chrism Mass: A Celebration of

the Whole Diocesan Church
By Fr. Jim Richards

A
mong the various liturgical celebrations that take
place at Saint Mary Cathedral Basilica, perhaps the
most important is the Chrism Mass in Holy Week.
At this Mass, the Archbishop, along with the concelebrating
priests, blesses the Oils of the Sick, Catechumens, and
consecrates the Sacred Chrism. Over the centuries, there
has also been a relationship between the Chrism Mass and
the sacrament of ordination to the priesthood. So, where
did this come from and how do we celebrate it today?
The Tradition of Anointing
From ancient times, the use of oil to anoint the body was a
common practice. It was related to physical and spiritual
healing, strengthening, and being acknowledged for a
special role with a society. Used by athletes, folk healers,
and religious leaders, there was considerable interplay between the spiritual
and the physical needs of the people.
Contents include:
From the Sacred Scriptures
I. Our Church There are many references throughout the Bible, both in the Jewish and
II. From the Desk of Christian Scriptures, concerning anointing. At times, it is about God choosing a
the Archbishop leader such as King David, or a prophet. The New Testament indicates the
gesture as one that brings healing and peace to a person who is ill or
III. Our Journey of struggling in some way. Jesus Himself is anointed by God for His role as
Transformation
Messiah and Saviour. At times, this is seen as a spiritual anointing with no
IV. Our People, Our material oil being used. In Luke 4.18, Jesus quotes the prophet Isaiah with the
Parishes words we hear twice in the Chrism Mass: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. In the Gospel
V. Our Faith: Quo
accounts of Matthew, Mark, and John, there is the touching account of the
Vadis and The
Word woman (Marthas sister, Mary, in John 12), anointing Jesus as a preparation
for his burial. Mark 6.13 makes a specific reference to anointing with oil that
VI. Youth / Young brought about healing for the sick. The Letter of James 5.14-15, gives a direct
Adult instruction regarding anointing that brings health and forgiveness to those
A Journal of the Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth
who are ill. This notion has been incorporated in
the ritual for anointing the sick.
Some Historical Highlights
A third century document called The Apostolic
Tradition, attributed to a priest of Rome, Saint
Hyppolytus, mentions the blessing of oils. Over the
history of Christianity, this blessing, along with the
blessing of the Oil of
Catechumens and the
consecration of Holy
Chrism, became a regular
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because
he has anointed me to bring good news
to the poor. ... Today, this Scripture has
occurrence. In early been fulfilled in your hearing.
centuries, this happened at
(Luke 4.18a and 21b)
the Mass of Easter Vigil
when baptisms and
Chrismation (Confirmation) also took place. As
parishes grew and these oils were required in
churches some distance from the cathedral, there
was need for a change. Therefore, to assure that
the oils were available, the blessing was moved to
the Mass of the Lords Supper, which for many
centuries was celebrated in the morning of Holy
Thursday.
The Chrism Mass Today
The Chrism Mass that we celebrate today is
relatively new. Pope Pius XII helped bring about the
restoration of the Holy Week liturgies and the
Sacred Triduum in 1955. A new Mass with the
readings we hear today has helped us understand
the meaning of the blessing and consecration of the
holy oils and what the celebration is about.
First, it is about Jesus Christ as the high priest of the
Healthcare providers present Oil of the Sick
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New Covenant. He is the Anointed One who
anoints us for healing, for strengthening, and for
being chosen as His priestly people. Within the
Mass there is also an acknowledgement of the
ministerial priesthood. This addition was made by
Pope Paul VI to highlight the Chrism Mass as a
manifestation of the priests communion with the
bishop. Locally, standing
before Archbishop
Mancini, our priests
renew their commitment
to priestly service
promising fidelity in
fulfilling their office in the
Church.
The Ritual and its Meaning
Although the oils may be blessed and consecrated
at different times during the Mass, in our diocese
the practice is to perform this ritual action after the
Liturgy of the Word. Three processions of oils take
place. First, the oil that is to become the Oil of the
Sick is carried forward by a deacon and
representatives involved in the ministry of spiritual
care. A prayer consecrating the oil making it into
a holy oil is said and a blessing is invoked.
Following that blessing, the containers of oil are
taken to the sacristy to be prepared for parishes
and other priests involved in ministry to the
sick. Second, the oil that will be the Oil of
Catechumens is brought forward by a deacon and
others involved in preparing people for baptism. A
similar ritual is repeated with a prayer of
consecration and blessing. This now sacred oil is
brought to the sacristy to be prepared for
distribution. When the Oil of Catechumens is
carried to the sacristy, five deacons bring forward
the oil that will become the Sacred Chrism, along
with a container of perfumed balsam for the
consecration of Chrism. This rite is more involved,
as Archbishop Mancini pours the balsam in each of
the containers of olive oil. The prayer of
consecration is considerably longer. It is important
to note that this particular rite is a concelebrated
rite. That is, all the priests present participate by
the laying on of hands as the prayer invokes the
Holy Spirit to make this oil a sacramental sign of
Christs presence.

Archbishop Mancini presents Holy Oils to Fr. Jim Richards
The first two oils have a single use: healing or
strengthening. The third oil, The Sacred Chrism, is
used in key sacramental moments in the life of the
Church. More specifically, in baptism the child is
anointed on the crown of the head and in
confirmation the anointing is done on the forehead.
At an ordination, a priests hands are anointed, and
at a bishops ordination it is the head that is
anointed. When an altar is consecrated or a new
church is blessed, it is the Sacred Chrism that is
used.
Concluding the Rite
Following the Communion Prayer, there is one final
and important action. The Archbishop presents
each of the regional vicars of the Archdiocese with
sets of oils for use in every parish and mission in
Halifax-Yarmouth. With the assistance of deacons
and regional representatives, these oils are given to
parish representatives. This too is very important as
it emphasizes the link between the Archbishop, the
Cathedral Church, and every parish community.
This expression of unity is not incidental but
assures us that we are in communion with one
another and with the whole Church.
In our Parishes
Although not formally a part of the ritual, it is
important to recognize the reception of the oils in
the parish communities where they will be used.
Once the holy oils are brought to the parishes they
are presented to the assembly at the beginning of
the Mass of the Lords Supper on Thursday evening.
A Journal of the Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth
They are then placed in the ambry, a special
cabinet usually near the baptistery of our churches.
As we celebrate the Chrism Mass this year,
something new and important begins. The blessing
and prayers of our Archbishop and all who are
gathered at this years Chrism Mass will impact the
lives of Catholics in our local Church throughout the
whole coming year. Through these sacred oils the
faithful play a part in
the healing of every Catholic in our Archdiocese
who becomes sick and is anointed by the Oil of
the Sick
the journey of inquiry of everyone in our
Archdiocese who becomes a catechumen
seeking to be prepared for the Sacraments of
Initiation where the oils will be used
the adoption into Gods family of every baby in
our diocese who is baptized and anointed with
the Oil of Chrism
the confirmation of every young person and
adult in our Archdiocese who is confirmed
completing their initiation with the chrism
which we consecrate
the ordination of every new priest (and bishop)
in our Archdiocese who is ordained with the
chrism which we consecrate
In every celebration of the Eucharist, the presider
invites the assembly to pray. When Archbishop
Mancini says Let us pray at the Chrism Mass this
year, may each of us use those moments to pray
for the whole Church and especially for the many
people who will be anointed with these holy oils.
May this celebration bring to all members of the
diocesan Church, healing and strength and
especially the knowledge that we are one with
Christ, the Anointed One.
Fr. James Richards Fr. Jim is the Episcopal
Vicar for the Dartmouth/Eastern Shore
region of our Archdiocese. He has studied
liturgy extensively, and it is a subject on
which he has taught and written. Fr. Jim is
currently the pastor of Saint Peter Parish in
Dartmouth. On the archdiocesan level Fr.
Jim is also the Director of Liturgy.
Page 3
II. From the Desk of the Archbishop

Dear friends,

I n a few days we will celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord and this year, like every other year, we will wish
each other a happy Easter. This is a good custom, but what do we actually mean by this wish? What does a
happy Easter look like? What is the content of the experience? And what does happy Easter communicate to
people of our time?
It seems to me that Easter, like so many of our Christian holy days, has been emptied of its Christian content.
As I walk around our shopping centres, drug stores and markets, Easter has been reduced to shopping for
spring clothes, chocolate bunnies, and Easter eggs.
I find myself wondering how the Resurrection of the Lord, the most amazing event in history, could be
reduced to a spring holiday. Christs Resurrection turned reality upside down death was put to death, life
was given hope, because love triumphed over evil.
The Resurrection of the Lord, therefore, is what we celebrate as the foundation of our faith and the source of
our joy. It is this joy and happiness that we wish each other because our friends and families, our neighbours
and our world need to hear this Good News. The Resurrection of our Lord is what gives Christs disciples the
hope to carry on, even in a world that, at times, seems to be lost in darkness, divisions, and conflicts. If hope
springs eternal, it is not because of spring, it is because of our Resurrection hope!

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During this coming Holy Week, let us make the effort to join our Lord as He walks again the Via Crucis. Let us
accompany Him through His passion and death on the Cross. May the amazement, surprise, and tremendous
joy of Christs Resurrection cause us to exclaim: This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad!
Yes, let us wish each other a happy Easter; however, maybe we might also greet each other with the ancient
Christian statement of faith: Christ is Risen! and respond He is risen indeed! Alleluia, Alleluia!

Anthony Mancini
Archbishop of Halifax-Yarmouth

Chers amis,

D ans quelques jours, nous clbrerons la rsurrection de Notre Seigneur. Cette anne, comme tous les
ans, nous allons nous souhaiter les uns aux autres une heureuse Pque. Cest une magnifique pratique
que de se proposer des souhaits, mais que signifie au juste cette coutume pour nous ? quoi ressemble une
heureuse Pque ? Quel est le contenu de cette exprience ? Et quest-ce quune heureuse Pque
communique aux gens de notre temps ?
Il me semble que Pques, comme la plupart de nos ftes chrtiennes, a t vid de son contenu chrtien.
Quand je me promne dans nos centres commerciaux, dans les magasins et les marchs publics, Pques
semble rduit lachat de vtements de printemps, de lapins de chocolat et dufs de Pques.
Je me demande comment la rsurrection du Seigneur, lvnement le plus extra-ordinaire de lhistoire
mondiale, a pu tre ramene une fte du printemps. Pourtant, la rsurrection du Christ a boulevers
compltement la ralit du monde : la mort a t mise mort, et la vie sest vue attribuer tout espoir, du fait
que lAmour et triomph du Mal.
La rsurrection du Seigneur, par consquent, est ce que nous clbrons comme tant la fondation de notre
foi et la source de notre joie. Cest cette joie et ce bonheur que nous nous souhaitons les uns aux autres parce
que nos amis et nos familles, nos voisins et notre monde ont besoin dentendre cette Bonne Nouvelle. La
rsurrection de notre Seigneur est ce qui donne aux disciples du Christ lespoir de continuer avancer et
grandir, mme dans un monde qui parfois semble perdu dans la noirceur, les divisions et les conflits. Si
lespoir fait ressortir lternel, ce nest pas cause du printemps, cest en raison de la rsurrection du
Seigneur.
Au cours de la semaine sainte qui sen vient, faisons leffort de nous joindre au Seigneur alors quencore
aujourdhui il chemine avec nous sur un chemin de croix. Accompagnons-le travers sa passion et sa mort sur
la croix. Que lmerveillement, la surprise et la joie extra-ordinaire de la rsurrection suscitent en nous
lexclamation : Ceci est le jour que le Seigneur a fait. Rjouissons-nous et soyons dans lallgresse !
Oui, souhaitons-nous une heureuse Pque. Mais peut-tre devrions-nous aussi nous souhaiter ce bonheur
que les premiers chrtiens se dclaraient les uns aux autres au jour de la Pque : Christ est ressuscit ! La
rponse approprie ce souhait tait : Il est vraiment ressuscit, allluia, allluia.

Anthony Mancini
Archbishop of Halifax-Yarmouth

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III. Our Journey of Transformation

Equip the Saints

The gifts he gave were that some would be
apostles, some prophets, some evangelists,
some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for
the work of ministry, for building up the body of
Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faith
and of the knowledge of the Son of God,
to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of
Christ.
(Ephesians 4:11-13)

of the archdiocesan offices and services. How best

S ince his arrival in 2007, Archbishop Mancini has
called our diocesan Church to undertake the
challenge of the New Evangelization by finding
new ardour, new methods, and new expressions
that make Jesus Christ known in todays world.
Pope Francis, in his Apostolic Exhortation The Joy of
the Gospel, calls every diocese in the world to
undertake a missionary conversion to consult
with the people and enact a resolute process of
discernment, purification and reform in order to
achieve the missionary aspiration of reaching
everyone (EG 30 & 31).
How does this type of transformation or renewal
take place? More importantly, how locally can we
answer this challenge posed by Pope Francis?
Aware of the need to take a new approach,
Archbishop Mancini engaged in purposeful
conversations with the clergy and lay people that
are entrusted to his pastoral care. The fruit of this
dialogue, specifically consultation with the people
at our 2014 Assembly of the People of God, was
Archbishop Mancinis pastoral letter, Lord, Where
Are You Going?. Released in October of that same
year, it lays out the Archbishops pastoral vision for
our diocese. The letter calls all the faithful of
Halifax-Yarmouth to focus our efforts on three
important facets of evangelization: mission,
community, and formation.
To meet these challenges requires an organized
plan for each parish of the archdiocese. Over the
past 18 months parishes across the diocese have
taken the task of parish pastoral planning quite
earnestly. Archbishop Mancini has also recognized
the need for a plan that guides the pastoral efforts
can he and the archdiocesan staff truly support
parishes in their efforts? How can the diocesan
leadership help create great parishes, who will
create great disciples, who will live out the Great
Commission? This plan has to be grounded in
prayer and provide suggestions for parishes to
equip the saints all of Gods people to make
Christ present in our world.
In the graphic design that follows we present a
summary of the diocesan pastoral plan that
Archbishop Mancini has dubbed Equip the Saints.
The plan is rooted in our pastoral themes of
mission, community, and formation and offers four
objectives:
1. Foster parish communities that form
missionary disciples
2. Provide resources to carry out our mission
in the world
3. Equip people for our mission by providing
diocesan leadership formation opportunities
4. Increase our mission capacity and efficiency
by restructuring our parishes and available
human and financial resources
Our diocesan plan is not a static document but
rather an organic one that moves and evolves like
the faithful community it aims to guide. We invite
you to explore the diocesan plan. We encourage
you to talk about the plan with your pastor and
fellow parishioners. Most importantly, we ask you
to pray that the efforts surrounding our diocesan
pastoral plan will truly help us equip one another
to be saints.

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Page 10 A Journal of the Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth
IV. Our People, Our Parishes
P articularly in this season of Lent, Christians
everywhere are called to take some time aside
to be more intentional in their prayer. Parishes
across our Archdiocese are tapping into the power
of prayer in a variety of ways. Seven parishes in the
North/Central Region of our diocese began a
particular initiative which they share below. This
group of parishes includes: Holy Family, Amherst;
Saint Thomas Aquinas, Joggins; Saint Brigid,
Parrsboro; Saint Thomas More, Pugwash; Saint
Paul the Apostle, River Hebert; and Saint John the
Baptist (and its missions), Springhill. Ministries in
these parishes, a wide spread geographical area,
are served by many faithful and capable laypeople,
several deacons, and Fr. Keith Billard, who is the
moderator for the parishes in Cumberland County.
1,000,000 Hail Marys To Start
Our Year of Prayer
By Fr. Keith Billard
At the beginning of Advent this year, the Catholic
Churches in Cumberland County joined in a project
of praying for different intentions throughout the
year. Prayer has always been one of the strong
points of Catholics; however, over the last number
of years we appear to have lost that notoriety as a
prayerful people. To help encourage us back into
that mood, while at the same time praying for
some important needs of our universal community,
we have started this initiative.
The first project is to pray a million Hail Marys for
A Journal of the Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth
the conversion of our family members who are no
longer practicing their faith or who have lost their
relationship with Our Lord Jesus Christ. We all
have family members, whether parent, siblings,
children or grandchildren, who are no longer going
to church or who may have stopped believing. Our
Blessed Mother knows the anguish of many of the
hearts of believers, concerning their family
members who no longer practice their faith. So we
are praying for her intercession for their return to
the faith and a relationship with Jesus.
At first, the 1,000,000 Hail Marys may seem a
daunting feat. However, it can be easily achieved.
Just one person praying one rosary a day for a year
would pray close to 20,000 Hail Marys. Even if a
family of four takes 30 seconds before or after a
meal once a day and pray a Hail Mary together
there would be another 28 Hail Marys at the end of
the week. This is multiplied even more so by one of
the parishes that say the rosary before Sunday
Mass and individuals who pray the rosary at
nursing homes during the week. This is also a
ministry that our sick at home or in hospital can
participate in and is of great importance to our
entire community.
We have people from outside the county who are
helping us toward our goal by this endeavour. To
date we have said over 684,000 Hail Marys. Many
have been encouraged not just by the number of
Hail Marys said, but by the individuals, including
youth, who have started coming back to church.
We have young people who did not know how to
recite the Hail Mary and are now leading
it before supper. We have adults who
have started praying the rosary for the
first time or getting back to it after a
number of years.
The progress of our efforts is recorded
on posters located in the seven churches
of the county. I encourage each large
parish or grouping of parishes to take on
this challenge. There might be seven
churches in Cumberland County but only
550-600 parishioners weekly in
attendance. So it is something that can
be accomplished by any grouping of
parishes or a large parish.
Page 11
Halifax Welcomes Cardinal
OBrien, Cardinal Grand Master
of the Holy Sepulchre
By: J. Stewart LeForte, KGCHS
Edwin Cardinal OBrien, Cardinal Grand Master of
the Order of the Holy Sepulchre, has accepted an
invitation to visit Halifax in mid-June to meet with
members of the Order and the general public. The
Cardinal, appointed by Pope Benedict XVI to be
Grand Master of this Order of Chivalry, will be
celebrating Mass on June 10 and 11 during his visit
to Halifax. This will mark his first visit to Atlantic
Canada as the Cardinal Grand Master.
During his visit to Halifax, Cardinal OBrien will
invest several men and women with the Insignia of
the Order, the red Jerusalem Cross, thereby
creating them as Knights and Dames (the proper
term for a female member of an Order of
Knighthood is Dame) of the Holy Sepulchre. The
Investiture Mass will take place on Saturday, June
10 at 10:30am at Saint Benedict Church followed
by a formal dinner in the evening. The Cardinal
then be the homilist at the 10:30am Sunday Mass
at Saint Mary's Cathedral Basilica on June 11.
The Order of the Holy Sepulchre, whose official
name is The Equestrian Order of the Holy
Sepulchre in Jerusalem, currently has
approximately 27,000 members around the world.
(The word Equestrian in the
title of the Order means that it is
a Knightly Order.) Each member
usually belongs to a national or
regional association of the Order.
In Canada there are five regional
groupings called lieutenancies.
The person who represents the
Cardinal Grand Master and the
Orders governing body is
designated as the Lieutenant. In
Atlantic Canada, the present
Lieutenant is Mrs. Trudy Comeau
of Halifax. She is supported in her
duties and responsibilities by
Archbishop Anthony Mancini,
who is the Lieutenancys Grand
Page 12 A Journal of the Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth
Prior.
The Order, through its
governing headquarters
in the Vatican City,
works very closely with
the Latin Patriarchate to
determine the needs
and priorities of the
Christians in the Holy
Land. Both the Latin
Patriarchate and the
Order recognize the
need for education as one of the key components
for retaining Christians in the Holy Land. Schools,
often built and operated with funding from the
Knights and Dames of the Order, are open to
Christians and all residents of the Holy Land.
Repairs to convents, churches, the salaries of
parish priests and the highly qualified teachers are
among some of the needs of the Latin Church in
the Holy Land, which the members of the Order of
the Holy Sepulchre attempt to provide. Another
important factor to retaining Christians in the Holy
Land is adequate employment. Here the Order
works with the Latin Patriarchate to provide
meaningful employment in an area where
unemployment is very high.
Members of the Order are strongly encouraged, if
possible, to go on a pilgrimage to see the empty
tomb where Christ rose from the Dead. At the
same time, the pilgrims are encouraged to learn
more about the difficulties facing the Christians
and to bring that awareness back to other
members of the Order and to the larger
community.
To go on pilgrimage to the Holy Land is both an act
of faith and an act of courage; nevertheless, it
helps the pilgrim to experience the places where
Jesus walked and taught, and eventually was
crucified - but rose from the dead to conquer sin
and death. It is an experience that helps
personalize what we read and hear in Sacred
Scripture. A pilgrimage is also a way to see beyond
media reports and political statements. Pilgrimages
and guided tours are important to the economic
life of the Christians in the Holy Land, and
reinforces the fact that they are supported by their
fellow Christians around the world.
The number of Christians in the Holy Land has been
steadily declining and recent estimates are that
only between 1.8 to 2 % of the population are
Christians! The Church recognizes the need to
support this Christian minority so that the Holy
Land does not become just a museum for pilgrims,
but rather that the Christian Presence can attempt
to be a bridge of peace in a land that is often torn The Order of the Holy Sepulchre is conferred on
by discord and mistrust. Some of these Christians Catholic men and women who, after a screening
may well be the descendants of the first disciples process, are invited to become a member of the
of Christ and have kept the faith alive in the Holy Order. All members of the Order make solemn
Land for over 2000 years. promises to grow in personal holiness, to increase
The historical origins of the Order are somewhat their awareness of the situations facing the
obscure, although according to an undocumented Christians in the Holy Land, and to provide both
tradition they are traced back to the 11th century. spiritual and financial assistance to the Latin
In fact, the first documentary evidence of an Diocese(s) (i.e. the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem)
investiture of Knights referred to as "of the Holy throughout the Holy Land. Potential members are
Sepulchre" dates to 1336. Since this first testament usually recommended by those who are already
to the Order's existence, that is, from the 14th members of the Order.
century, the popes gradually and regularly The Order of the Holy Sepulchre had its Canadian
expressed their desire to juridically annex the start in Quebec and eventually spread to Ontario.
organization to the Holy See. Under the leadership of Dr. Gerald Guest,
In 1868, Pius IX issued Apostolic letters Lieutenant of Canada-Toronto, the Order was
announcing the restoration of the Order. It became established first in Vancouver, and then in Atlantic
a Papal Order of Knighthood under Pope St. Pius X, Canada in 1999. The first Investiture in Nova Scotia
who reserved the position of Grand Master to took place at St. Ninian Cathedral in Antigonish
himself. As the needs of the Christians in the Holy with many Knights and Dames from Ontario
Land grew, the Pope designated a cardinal to present for the celebrations.
become the Grand Master of the Order. The local Lieutenancy is pleased to welcome

A Journal of the Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth Page 13

Cardinal OBrien in June. Originally from New York,
the cardinal served as Archbishop of Baltimore and
has provided pastoral care for many years as a
military chaplain, including a period of time in
Vietnam ministering to the needs of the various
military personnel who were on assignments in
that country. Since his appointment as the (Pro)
Grand Master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy
Sepulchre of Jerusalem, he was elevated to the
dignity of a Cardinal, at which time he became the
Grand Master of the Order. Cardinal OBriens
offices are in Rome at the Vatican and he
participated in the last Conclave, which elected
Pope Francis.
At age 77, Cardinal OBrien is actively travelling
around the world to visit the various Lieutenancies
of the Order, to invest new members into the
Order, and to encourage the members in their
commitments to their fellow Knights and Dames
and to the Christian minority throughout the
Middle East.
As we journey through Lent to the glorious
celebrations of Easter, the Knights and Dames of
the Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem in
Atlantic Canada invite you to pray for the Christians
in the Holy Land, and for peace throughout the
Middle East.
The Lieutenant of the Order for Atlantic Canada,
Mrs. Trudy Comeau, together with Archbishop
Mancini, invite anyone interested in the situation
facing the Christians in the Holy Land and the
entire Middle East to attend one of the liturgies at
which Cardinal OBrien will be present:
Investiture Mass on Saturday, June 10, at Saint
Benedict Parish, Halifax
Sunday Mass, June 11 at 10:30am at Saint
Mary's Cathedral Basilica, Halifax
A limited number of seats are available for the
banquet on Saturday, June 10th. For more details
please contact Mrs. Trudy Comeau by email:
eohsjatlantic@bellaliant.net or by phone: (902)
423-1712 by May 10.
Additional information on the Equestrian Order of
the Holy Sepulchre can be found at:
eohsjatlantic.com and www.oessh.va
Page 14 A Journal of the Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth
Public Lecture
Dr. William Sweet, KHS
Catholic Education in Canada Today
St. Agnes Church Hall
6903 Mumford Road, Halifax
Tuesday, April 25, 2017
7:30 - 8:30 PM
All are welcome.
This event is sponsored by
The Equestrian Order of the
Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem-
Canada Atlantic Lieutenancy.
For more information on the Order visit
www.eohsj.net
H.E. Mr. J. Stewart LeForte, KGCHS, KCN,
Lieutenant of Honour, was invested by Cardinal
Ambrozic in Toronto in 1999. He and the late
Bishop Colin Campbell brought the Order to
Atlantic Canada. He was named the first
Magistral Delegate of the Magistral Delegation
of EOHSJ for Canada Atlantic in 2001. The
Magistral Delegation became a Lieutenancy in
2010 under the leadership of H.E. Mr. Fred
MacGillivray. Stewart served again as Lieutenant
from 2010 until 2013, after which he was named
a Lieutenant of Honor by Cardinal O'Brien. He
resides in Westmount, Cape Breton, and is
active in several volunteer organizations. He
currently serves as Webmaster for the Canada-
Atlantic Lieutenancy.
RCIA: a sign of hope
Is this new evangelization thing working? People
who work for the Church, are often asked this
question. While sometimes there is doubt that it is
working there is also hope. At the beginning of
each Lenten season a bishop gathers with those in
his diocese who are seeking to enter into full
communion with the Catholic Church at Easter.
This gathering is a liturgy called the Rite of Election.
This is a sign of hope. Two key groups of people are
present for this: 1) catechumens - those seeking
baptism and 2) candidates those looking to
complete their initiation in the Catholic faith by
receiving the sacraments of Confirmation and first
Eucharist. The bishop recognizes them and prays
with and for them as they begin their final
preparations. At this yearly liturgy our own
Archbishop will often tell those gathered how
much hope they give himhow much hope they
give the Church!
And who wouldnt be hopeful? In the messiness
that is the Church there are people wanting to
become a part of it! This year, nineteen parishes in
the Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth are walking
with people who will be welcomed into and profess
the Catholic faith at Easter. How does this come
about? Is there a magic formula to the Rite of
Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) program these
parishes are using?
Rather than thinking of RCIA as a formula we need
to recall that RCIA is a process not a program. In
the early Church RCIA, or rather the
catechumenate, was a dedicated period of prayer,
instruction, and preparation in which the whole
community played a role in forming potential
Christians. This shared ministry of passing on the
faith is as important today as it was then. I dare say
each catechumen and candidate that came forward
at the Rite of Election had an experience of Jesus
within a community of people who know the
mission of the Church, and in turn support one
another to act on and grow in that mission.
A community of people
The Church is a community of peoplewho follow
Jesus; the Church is not simply just another
organization. It is a community of witnesses
people who have fallen in love with who Christ is
A Journal of the Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth
and chosen to follow Him. Belonging to a
community is not new to any of us who work or go
to school or are part of a family. Yet belonging to a
community that is Christ centred gives us a
particular identity. When our faith communities
authentically witness Christs impact on them, it
impacts others.
Know the mission - and act on it
Every Christian is familiar with the Great
Commission. You may know it by heart but do
you know it in your heart? For baptized Catholics
the Great Commission is not merely a lovely
scripture verse. It is an expectation. God does not
need us. God wants a relationship with us. He calls
us to be expressions of His love for the world in the
world. Throughout the ancient world the early
Christian communities cared for the poor, the sick,
the outcastand each other in ways that were not
the norm. These early disciples of Christ knew the
mission and more importantly lived it. When our
faith communities truly live the gospel they too
attract others.
Support to become a disciple
As baptized Catholics our mission to baptize, teach,
and make disciples of Christ is so great it is not
placed on the shoulders of a few people. It is the
responsibility of all the baptized - according to the
gifts poured out on them by the Holy Spirit at their
baptism. Each person has a role and part of our
journey with God is to discern what our gifts are
and what our role is. We do that through a variety
of faith formation opportunities - prayer, worship,
study, fellowship. Communities that know the
mission also know the need to offer to its new, and
current members, ways to discern who and what
God has called us to be.
The formula: a community of people who
encounter the great love of Jesus, share him, and
grow with one another to bring others into
communion. There is no magic. There is however,
the Holy Spirit stirring in communities of missionary
disciples that strive to create environments that
welcome and support more disciples while leaving
space for Gods initiative to do the rest. Nineteen
parishes are proof of this. This new evangelization
thing just might be working.
Page 15
V. Our Faith: Quo Vadis

The Ministry of Care and

Companionship
By Dr. Nuala Kenny, SC

We know that Christ, being raised from

the dead, will never die again; death no
longer has dominion over him.
Romans 6:10

The darkness and sadness of the way of the cross

finds light and inestimable joy in the way of the
Resurrection. Jesus constant greeting to the
disciples was Do not be afraid! He needed to
reassure them that His reappearance, which is
beyond human understanding, is a manifestation of
the love and care of God. The Resurrection
convinces the disciples that suffering and death
have not triumphed or ended a real and living
relationship with the Lord. We live in the hope of
the Resurrection, for nothing is impossible with
God. We still get sick and suffer and die, but Jesus
has conquered them all. Death is not the end; it is a
transition to a new and everlasting life in the heart
of God. Gods love is more powerful than sin and
trusted in the Fathers love and care. His reward is
death.
resurrection and life eternal for Him and all who
The spiritual and moral tradition of a good death believe in Him.
has been firmly rooted in our shared belief in the
Persons rarely request medically assisted death for
life, suffering, death and Resurrection of Jesus
intractable pain and other physical symptoms.
Christ. It was manifest in care for the sick and dying
Optimal palliative medicine can alleviate almost all
by families and communities. We live in a post-
physical symptoms. Requests arise from guilt at
Christian society; laws no longer support Christian
being a burden, fear for future care needs and of
beliefs. Community responsibility for care and
abandonment, loss of dignity and control and
support no longer characterizes our culture. And,
concerns about dependence. These are issues of
we live in a world where technology is used in the
human suffering, which is a total, human,
hope of instant-relief of all suffering and distress.
emotional and spiritual experience. It requires
Medically assisted death, in both assisted suicide attention to the deeper issues of meaning in life.
and euthanasia, is the ultimate technological fix
Remain steadfast in the journey of faith,
for human suffering. The Catechism of the Catholic
with firm hope in the Lord. This is the
Church says that intentional euthanasia is
secret of our journey! He gives us the
gravely contrary to the dignity of the human
courage to swim against the tide. Pay
person and to the respect due to the living God, his
attention, my young friends: to go against
Creator. (CCC #2324) Hailed by many, including
the current; this is good for the heart, but
some Catholics, as merciful and compassionate
we need courage to swim against the tide.
care, medically assisted death is a rejection of the
Jesus gives us this courage!
Easter Mystery. Jesus accepted His suffering and
-Pope Francis, 28 April 2013

Page 16 A Journal of the Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth

 protection of the most vulnerable among us. It
demands that we accept the commission of being
an evangelizing community for..
An evangelizing community has an
endless desire to show mercy, the fruit of
its own experience of the power of the
Fathers infinite mercyAn evangelizing
community gets involved by word and
deed in peoples lives; it bridges distances,
it is willing to abase itself if necessary and
it embraces human life, touching the
suffering flesh of Christ in others. An
evangelizing community is also
supportive, standing by people at every
Swimming against the tide of medically assisted
step of the way, no matter how difficult or
death is an urgent challenge for Catholics today.
lengthy this may prove to be.
Resurrection Hope and the Evangelizing -Evangelii Gaudium,#.24
Community Medically assisted death has provided a new
Suffering is helped by presence and urgency for us to touch the suffering flesh in
accompaniment in this search for meaning. In his others. It compels us to move out of the
June 2016 pastoral letter addressing physician comfortable pew, accept the cost of discipleship,
assisted dying, Archbishop Mancini has reminded and become actively engaged in the lives of people,
us that, especially the sick and suffering.
As Catholics who believe in the way of The Ministry of Care and Companionship: A New
the Lord, the response to suffering is to Vision for the Parish Community
provide care! Christ healed the sick and I was sick and you visited me.
broken-hearted by being understanding Matthew 25:36
and compassionate. The Christian
response to suffering, in keeping with As disciples of Christ and His healing and
Christs actions, is to transform suffering
with meaning. When there is no meaning
to suffering, it is only pain, and of course
people are afraid; they become angry and
depressed. But where there is meaning,
where there is love and proper care,
where there is community support,
suffering can become sacrifice! Sacrifice is
not just another word for put up with. It
literally means from its Latin root, to
make something sacred.
The Resurrection moves us from words to action in
support and care that provide tangible experiences
of Gods mercy and lessen the suffering of the sick,
chronically ill, frail and dependent elderly, dying
and bereaved. The Resurrection impels us into the
civic space to advocate for just health care and for

A Journal of the Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth Page 17


reconciling ministry, we are all called to proclaim
the Good News, comfort the afflicted, and heal the
sick. Some are called to specific ministries in
response to the needs of those in our midst across
the continuum of care.
An acute health crisis and hospitalization can
precipitate a crisis of faith or be a source of a new
evangelization. Hospital chaplains and pastoral
visitors play a vital role. We have unprecedented
numbers who suffer from chronic disease and long-
term disability.
Profound demographic shifts and the aging of
society have occurred at the same time as social
disintegration and changing family and community
dynamics. Still, friends and family provide most of
the care for persons who are frail, elderly, or have
disabilities. Many elders live alone; others require
care in a residential or long-term care setting.
Modern palliative care emerged to improve the
care for the dying through the relief of pain and
other physical symptoms and assistance with the
spiritual and emotional needs at end of life. It
should be provided in hospices, special hospital
units, and in the home but is grossly inadequate
for the need.
In our death-denying society the bereaved are
often neglected after the death of a loved one.
The Ministry of Care and Companionship
Committee has been formed in response to
Archbishop Mancinis call for renewed community
support for those who suffer. This committee will
focus on the promotion of the ministry of care and
Page 18 A Journal of the Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth
companionship of all the faithful. Its goals are:
To accept the challenges presented during
the Year of Mercy in an ongoing and
renewed response to the sick and suffering
in our diocese.
To foster education in the Catholic spiritual
and moral understandings of a good death.
To increase awareness of the experience of
pain and suffering for sick, chronically ill,
frail and dependent elderly, dying and
bereaved in our own parish communities.
To initiate and support a new vision of the
ministry of care and the companionship of
the entire parish community.
To achieve these goals, the Committee is
developing a multi-focused strategy to encourage
and empower individuals in parishes and regions. It
will feature a designated page on the diocesan
website to make available information regarding
ministries of care and companionship already
working with clergy in the diocese and provide
access to a wide range of credible resources for
individuals, parishes and regions. The resources will
include prayers, Church teaching, and information
about programs to develop and support the
ministries. www.halifaxyarmouth.org/care
A video series for use in parishes, available in the
Easter season, will provide an introduction to the
need for this ministry and practical examples of
what is already being done. We will identify
resource persons in the diocese and key parish and
regional leaders.

In addition, existing diocesan resources such as
Discipleship will provide regular reflections and
advice on different aspects of the ministry and
conferences on key topics will be developed.
It will require great faith and courage to swim
against the tide of medically assisted death. We
must commit to prophetic resistance to the
inappropriate use of technology, and to prophetic
witness to Gods love and mercy for those who
suffer. All this requires our personal conversion to
the mind and heart of Jesus and our personal
acceptance of the way of the cross in our own lives.
Jesus has lived through suffering and death for us.
He knows our suffering. He is the glorious and
joyful sign of Gods promise that in his dying, he has
destroyed death.
Yes, God loved the world so much that he
gave his only Son, so that everyone who
believes in him may not be lost but may
have eternal life.
John 3:16
Dr. (Sr.) Nuala Kenny, SC lives in Halifax and
is a member of the Sisters of Charity. She is a
retired pediatrician, medical educator, and
lecturer in bioethics. In 1999, Sr. Kenny was
named an Officer of the Order of Canada for her
many contributions to pediatric health care,
ethics, and teaching. Currently she serves as the
Chair of the diocesan Ministry of Care and
Companionship Committee.
A Journal of the Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth
The Word
Our Easter Joy
By Fr. John Williams, VG
Easter Sunday
1st Reading: Acts 10.34a, 37-43
2nd Reading: Colossians 3.1-4
Gospel: John 20.1-18
At Easter we celebrate the central Creedal
expression of our faith. That is: Jesus the incarnate
Word of God who suffered, died and was buried,
was raised from death by the will of the Father,
through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Our preparation for this joyous day began on Ash
Wednesday with our acceptance of the discipline of
Lent. This liturgical season offered us a threefold
challenge of prayer, fasting, and concern for the
needs of others through almsgiving and social
action.
It may feel as thought these six weeks of our
Lenten journey have gone by quickly. Can we stop
to ask whether these weeks have been filled with
Gods love that breaks through our human
weakness and struggles? Have we been true to the
Ash Wednesday refrain: Turn away from sin and
be faithful to the Gospel? During this time, God
has been with us just as He journeyed with Moses
and the Israelites in their sojourn in the desert,
providing for their needs and leading them onward
by the burning pillar of fire.
God has provided for us too in our abstinence and
fasting, providing food for the journey the
spiritual nourishment of the Eucharist. Along the
Page 19
way, God went before us so that we
might arrive safely at our destination of
renewal and the experience of Easter
Joy. He went before us as we gathered
for our parish missions, our reconciliation
gatherings, our Lenten Video Series
reflections on formation. He has been
ever present with us in the season of
Lent. At the Easter Vigil we joyfully
welcome those who have asked to be
received into the Church through the life-
giving waters of Baptism, were anointed
with the Holy Spirit, and welcomed to
the Table of the Lords Banquet for the
first time. These new members will now
enrich the Community of Believers with
their gifts and talents, sharing in the
mission and ministry of discipleship. renewed, He invites us to experience the presence
of the Risen Lord on this Easter Day, and like Mary
In the experience of the Triduum, Holy Thursday,
Magdalene he sends us forth as disciples to be
Good Friday and Holy Saturday recall the last days
bearers of the Good News to others.
of Jesus, thus preparing us to truly rejoice in the
resurrection of the Lord on that Easter Sunday The mystery of what we celebrate on Easter Sunday
morning. Christ calls us to celebrate the abiding is summed up beautifully in the first two sentences
Presence of the Lord in the gift of the Eucharist of the Epistle to the Romans, as read at the Easter
the Bread of Life! His Love in the sacrifice of the Vigil: Brothers and Sisters: are you unaware that
Cross, and the gift of eternal life in the waters of we who where baptized into Christ Jesus, were
Baptism calling us to share in His risen glory. baptized into his death? We were indeed buried
with him through baptism unto death, so that, just
The cross of Christ is our reminder of the distinctive
as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of
life we accepted at our baptism. By dying as Christ
the Father, we too might live in newness of life.
died, by living our baptism, we receive immortality.
The life of God has entered us! We have been May this Easter bring us all to a new commitment
transformed! We live in the Lord! to live the death and life of Jesus in our own lives.
His resurrection is a sign that we also live forever. Jesus Christ is risen from the dead, and we have
We light that Paschal candle at baptisms and been raised with him. This is the day the Lord has
funerals as a symbol that through baptism the life made; let is rejoice and be glad. ALLELUIA,
of Christ is given to us, and that even at death, the ALLELUIA!
life of Christ remains in us, uniting us to His Father
through His Spirit.
Jesus Christ is Risen from the dead! And so are we!
Christs resurrection calls us out of this darkness
and death, and has given every one of us the ability Fr. John Williams is Vicar General of
to make His presence real for others. If we just the Archdiocese as well as Rector of Saint
allow God to work through us, if we just strive to be Marys Cathedral Basilica, Halifax.
that unique reflection of his love He created each
of us to be, then we will come out of the tomb and
live eternally. We live the Life of Christ! With hearts

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VII. Youth and Young Adult

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 Back issues can be found on the
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A Journal of the Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth