Catholic Friends of McGregor and Area
9567 County Rd. 11 N0R 1J0 McGregor, ON, Canada

A friendly reminder to St. Clement’s CWL ladies..... Tonight’s Mass at St. Clement Parish is at 7pm. This Mass is for the CWL members that have passed away this year. There will be a short Memorial Ceremony following Mass (about 20 minutes) to remember Diane Drouillard, Helen Drouillard, Kathy Langlois and Amy Grondin.... Blessings from Diana Coyle. St. Clement’s CWL President

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McGregor Columbian Club - Thursday's Special - Come on in for Chicken Wings... Get 1-1/2 #'s for the price of 1# ... $11.75

Sunday, November 15, 2020 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time It’s easy for us to think that because we may not have much in the way of talents and gifts we’re not very important. However, in the gospel, the servant who came to grief did so not because he had only one talent but because he didn’t use it. The fact is that each one of us, however meagre gifts may seem, has a vital role in God‘s plan. ... So long as we are genuinely trying to love and serve the Lord in the lowly events of life, we need not be overwhelmed with fear of rejection. On the contrary, if we are triers we can be humbly confident that at death the Lord himself will greet us with those most glorious words; Well done, you’ve been faithful in small things, come and join in your Master’s happiness. Lord our God, we thank you for all the gifts, great and small, that you have given us. We confidently ask that you hear our prayers.... For the poor, the homeless, the sick, and the homebound, May God‘s people come to their aid and may they receive in us the gifts of friendship and nurturing. For our parish family that we may experience a renewed effort to share our God-given gifts with others as true examples of the faith that we profess to have.

St. Clement’s CWL News Membership Drive 2021 serving our Parish for 85 years. Membership Fee only $25.... Please mail or drop off in the church collection basket the enclosed small envelope with your membership dues. Early Bird Membership Contest: If your dues are paid by November 30th, 2020 your name will be entered into a draw to win a free membership for 2021. (The price of your membership will be reimbursed.) So pay early and have your name in the draw that will take place in December.

Sunday, October 25, 2020 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time Jesus not only sums up all of the laws and words of the prophets through his proclamation of the two greatest commandments; he calls us to the highest form of love: to give oneself completely to God. If we love completely, we will imitate the love of the Lord. Our love will extend out to our neighbour. It will care for their needs, it will be a model of faith to them.... Let us pray... For those who are sick among us, that they may experience the healing presence of Jesus. That we may faithfully proclaim our love of God by reaching out and love to our neighbors. For those who have died from our parish, but they may experience the mercy of Christ will be forever with him and I have it.

28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Sunday, October 11, 2020 The readings today point to the graciousness of our God. The banquet image conveys the abundance and goodness of the gifts of God that are available to us. With God’s help we will respond well to the invitation before us. Our part is to except this invitation and come to the feast.... Let us pray that leaders of the Church continue to invite all people to come to the table of the Lord. Let us pray that we may find better ways of reaching out to those who need us for the nourishment of love in their lives. Let us pray for the many families, that due to COVID-19 cannot be together to celebrate Thanksgiving this weekend, that they may experience the warm embrace of God’s love through others around them. Let us pray that our beloved deceased may be found worthy to feast at the promised banquet of heaven.

Sunday, October 18, 2020 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time In today’s first reading God speaks to Cyrus telling him that he was personally called by God. In our second reading, Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy remind the people of the Thessalonia of how they were chosen by God. The Pharisees in today’s gospel plot to trap Jesus because of his teachings: he calls people to God through himself. ... Each of us is important in the eyes of God. We are made in God’s image and God calls us in relationship of love. Our baptism unites us to God in Christ. All of God’s efforts are made because God loves each of us, yet we can at times ignore God’s constant call to us. Let us pray for the wisdom to respond to God’s invitation. Please remember in your prayers..... * Our Frontline workers, especially those who risk their lives for the sake of us, may they serve with kindness and never lose hope knowing we are forever grateful for their work. * Those among us who are in need of spiritual and physical healing. * All who have died, especially those close to us, that they may experience the peace of God’s kingdom in heaven.

McGregor Columbian Club updates while we prepare to re-open. We are only allowed 50 people indoors at a time, Masks must be worn until you are seated, if you move from your seat mask must be on. We have put up new signage all over the facility to help keep our great customers and staff safe, please follow these signs.... There will be no chairs at the bar , please have a seat at any of our tables that are all at least 6' apart 1st Breakfast will start Oct 18th, no buffet, menu orders only. Take out and eat in service will start Wednesday Sept 30th New temporary hours: Monday - Closed Tuesday - Closed Wednesday - Sunday 11:30 to 6:30 When breakfasts start Oct 18th, Breakfast will start @ 8:00 AM till 12:30 Thank you !!!

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time October 4, 2020 Today our reading from Isaiah is presented with the powerful image of vineyards. The church is presented as the true vineyard in which the Lord, himself, planted. As the gardener, God offers us the chance to reap an endlessly abundant harvest of love, mercy and forgiveness. They are offered to us freely out of love. We are the tenants today and God has certain expectations of us. Like those in the gospel, we have to choose freel...y whether to accept or decline God’s generous offer. What sort of fruits and harvest are we producing today though our ordinary daily lives as followers of Jesus?

Reminder: New Sunday Mass time at St. Clement Parish is 9:45am. For all Family of Parishes updates, information, and weekly bulletins please visit the website above. For those who do not have access to internet, bulletins may be picked up from the mailbox (at the top of the stairs) behind the rectory. Note: E-Transfers for St. Clement parish must continue to be emailed to [email protected].

Sunday, September 20, 2020 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time Gods ways are not our ways. His ways are the ways of love, a love which goes far beyond the bounds of duty. He never stops calling us to share in his own life of grace and love. God knows we are capable of accomplishing much more than we envision ourselves.... First Reading: The Lord does not react like us: he is rich in forgiveness. Second Reading: whether we live or die, we need to be close to Christ. Gospel: The Lord calls all of us to work in his vineyard and rewards as generously.

Profession of Faith and Oath of Fidelity to install Fr. Seejo as pastor of the Central Essex County Catholic Family of Parishes will take place during Mass this evening at 7pm at St. Clement Church. Fr. Dan Bombardier, representative for Bishop Fabbro, and Episcopal Vicar for the Essex and Windsor Deanery will perform the installation. Everyone is welcome. Social distancing and mask rules apply. Congratulations

Sunday, September 27, 2020 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time First reading: God will always except the sinner who repents. He leaves each of us free to choose between life and death.... Second reading: Christian life means witnessing to the love of Christ shared amongst us. Following his example may we spend ourselves in the service of others. Gospel: Jesus is asking us to reflect on our lives and see if we have been trying to build up his kingdom. We walk in his kingdom when our actions lead others to believe that living in love is possible. Jesus welcome sinners into his kingdom, saving his condemnation for the Pharisees in their hardness of heart. They are too stubborn to see that they are called to conversion. For those who know their need for forgiveness, and those who have fallen but are trying to turn their lives around, Jesus offers the possibility of redemption from past mistakes. Actions speak louder than words!

Reminder: New Sunday Mass time at St. Clement is 9:45am. The Family of Parishes weekly bulletins can be found on the website and are also available in the mailbox (at the top of the stairs) behind the rectory.

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time - September 13, 2020 First Reading: In a remarkable anticipation of the quotation Our Father, Sirach, the author of Ecclesiasticus, makes the telling comment that if we want our sins to be forgiven we pray, then we must forgive our neighbours for the wrongs they do us. Second Reading: Paul insists that our lives are bound to affect the lives of others. By baptism we belong to the Lord and so we have the privilege, and responsibility, of serving... him and all our activities. Gospel Reading: It is Peter, leader of the community, who puts the question: How often must we forget? He must have been amazed I have no doubt we are - by our Lords answer, an answer he confirms with the parable of an unforgiving debater.

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time - September 6, 2020 Blessed are the Peacemakers Matthews gospel today gives very practical sound advice for dealing with conflict and division. Conflict and division are part of human nature. If conflict can be resolved in the early stages, it can be contained and does not grow. Sometimes it may be difficult for the two parties to meet and resolve their difficulty. Emotions are high and tensions deep. The meeting may need to be facilitated ...by a mediator. Listening is the primary starting point of the process of reconciliation. Jesus elaborates on how to deal fairly with those who sin against one another. The Gospel speaks of the need for prayer about peacemaking. Perhaps the first prayer is a desire to be reconciled. * What are the areas of division in my life? * Which are the areas that need reconciliation? * Who are the people with whom I have tensions? In resolving conflicts we need to be aware that Jesus is present among us. The peace that Jesus offers us is to be expressed by our respect and love for those we encounter, even in the midst of conflict. In joy we celebrate the hope that God promises, pray deeply for peace in our world and ask Gods blessing on those who are peacemakers.

Remember that Mass begins at 9:45am on Sundays now!! Please share this information, especially with those parishioners who do not have access to internet or to those who may be returning to Mass for the first time.

And, happiness is singing along with the choir. I bet the choir cant wait!! Annette is doing an awesome job. Im sure we all cant wait for things to be back to normal.

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time - August 30, 2020. As we prepare to become One Family of Parishes, we need to reflect on todays Readings and Gospel. We hear the call of Jesus to become his followers. This is no easy invitation: If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross and follow me. We enter into the cross of Jesus, and begin our following of him, when we are baptised. It is at that moment that we become members of this body tha...t can gather at the Lords table, and it is the grace of baptism that sustains us on the difficult road of following the Lord of life, and goodness, and truth. So now let us recall the fact that we are a baptised people, and ask God to bless us and strengthen us to continue following his Son. Baptism is about following Jesus by joining him in death and resurrection. Baptism is about joining the community and declaring that we wish to belong to it. Baptism is about becoming daughters and sons of the Father and praying that his will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Being disciples also involves community, for we are part of a group around our teacher (Jesus) and we become his body by working together. Are we ready now to declare that we wish to renew our baptismal promises?

Please remember to check in on your fellow parishioners. Make a few phone calls to tell them a simple hello and you miss seeing them at Mass. You will make their day..and yours too.

Today we welcomed Fr. Mario Cabral as he celebrated Mass for us. Very nice liturgy and message. Thank you Annette Barron for your solo singing. What a great celebration.

Sunday, August 9 This Sunday we celebrate Gods promise of presence: in each other, in the Word, in the sacraments, and in the world we are called to serve. Let us give thanks for Gods presence and for our calling, as we step forth in faith to answer that call. Todays readings have the themes of silence and the unexpected.... Elijhaa heard God in silence, not in the loud rumbles of an earthquake Jesus needed solitude and silence to be with his father. We need to find God in the silence of prayer. Things might not always turn out the way we want them to, but God remains with us to see us through it.

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time - August 23, 2020 At the time of Jesus, he was not the only traveling preacher. There were others who had their own vision and ideas and they were all seeking peoples attention. They were all looking for followers and disciples. When it came to Jesus, there were all sorts of rumours about who he was and from where he came. Im sure even Jesus own disciples, apostles and followers asked questions about him. As if reading their minds, Jesus turns ...and asks his friends this very direct and challenging question, Who do people say the Son of Man is? His friends offer him plenty of names, among them are John the Baptist or Elijah. Others think he is the Jeremiah or one of the other prophets. Then he asks them an even more challenging question, But, you, who do say that I am? Jesus in fact is saying to them, dont tell me what others have said or told you about me, do not repeat the rumours you have heard in the street corners or in the synagogue. He is saying to them, who am I for you? This is a very personal question that Jesus is asking them and indeed asking each of us today. Through this gospel, Jesus is looking at each of us eye to eye and asking us, who do you say that I am? Who am I for you? At some point in our daily lives we have to try and answer the question that Jesus puts to his friends in this gospel. We wont find the answer this question in a book. We will only discover who Jesus is by trying to build and maintain an intimate friendship with him and by caring for others, especially those who are poor and marginalized.

Just a reminder that due to a FoP meeting tonight at 7pm in Essex the Mass this evening will be at 6pm not the regular 7pm. Please spread the word.

The video of the Ordination of Rev. Steven Eckert, Rev. Phil Guimaraes and Rev. Robert Renaud is now live on our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18DNIkvIJvo. You will also find it posted on Twitter, Facebook and the Diocesan website homepage. Congratulations to Fr. Steve, Fr. Phil and Fr. Rob!

20th Sunday in Ordinary Time: A Reflection for todays Gospel reading, Matthew 15:21-28, is to challenge readers to examine their tendency to judge others. The Canaanite woman had two prejudicial strikes against her: gender and nationality. Of course, Jesus was there as Savior for the whole world, but the disciples didnt know it yet. To stretch their minds (and ours), Jesus waited for the Canaanite womans faith to become so obvious that it would overshadow every limitation that had been imposed upon her. For Jesus, the only outsider is someone who refuses to come into the kingdom of God. But we dont readily think like this. Our Church is full of people who have been misjudged. Many feel outcast. We easily jump to wrong conclusions about each other.