This week, upcoming Events have all of the rallies and marches etc .

what will you do?     what will you do?     what will you do?

Dan gives us 'part three' to his "art of letting go."  An announcement about the "The Golf Show" is on Cyril's golf page. Graham provides us with an EWTN highlight - be sure to go visit all of our regulars! 

This week's lighterside comes from Phil Pothier & Bill Geerts.

Please turn up your DAILY prayers for Our Holy Father!

Mark your calendars… Friday, March 18th 7:00pm, we will have a fundraiser, trying to help equip our kitchen at St Mary's church with an industrial dishwasher. Come see Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera.  For tickets in advance - and remember it will be the first come - first served … contact Joan Surette at joansurette@virtualministry.com, who has limited seats!

One week later - on GOOD FRIDAY (March 25th), as per Father Mark's lead … we will go as a parish to see The Passion of the Christ. YES, I know that many of you have it on DVD or VHS and that all of you have seen it multiple times. BUT we will go see it all together.  Folks - I am certain that we will fill the theatre, so let me know ASAP (Always Say A Prayer - lighterside).

Ticket prices for this event - will be the very best that you have paid - for such a quality movie in public.

And see the next entry - for the fundraiser for Holy Family Institute

http://www.theresemovie.com/

"Be not afraid to tell Jesus that you love Him; even though it be without feeling, this is the way to oblige Him to help you, and carry you like a little child too feeble to walk." St. Therese of Lisieux

I will SAY that there will be a showing as a fundraiser for the Holy Family Institute, which was Virtual Ministry's SITE of the MONTH for Nov / Dec: http://www.holyfamilyinstitute.ca/

This fundraiser - will be after the movie leaves the main theatres, some time in April. SEE it this weekend, and come back and see it for a good cause, later! 

SITE of the WEEK: http://pluggedinonline.com/

Log on for reviews on: King's Ransom; Son of the Mask; Boogeyman; Million Dollar Baby; Cursed; Man of the House; Hitch; and The Wedding Date.

Hello Everyone,

Next weekend, March 20th, St. Mary's Church will be asking each congregant to pick up a Divine Mercy Novena pamphlet which will have the name of a Government Official attached to it.  On Good Friday they will begin the Novena keeping in mind this individual and return the pamphlet along with the individual's name to Church on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 3rd.  They can return it at whatever Mass they will attend or at "The Great Hour of Mercy" service which will be held in the church at 3:00 p.m. that Sunday.

These names (9 Judges, 89 Senators, and 307 MPs) will then be placed at the feet of Jesus exposed in the Blessed Sacrament during the 3:00 p.m. service.

We will also promote the April 9th March for Marriage and Freedom after each of the Masses and after "The Great Hour of Mercy" 3:00 p.m. that weekend.

Update on Matthew's status from last week's message:

Matthew is now home from CHEO for the 6 week waiting and monitoring period until he has to go back to CHEO for his appendix surgery.

Novena to St Joseph

We know Joseph was a man of faith, obedient to whatever God asked of him without knowing the outcome. When the angel came to Joseph in a dream and told him the truth about the child Mary was carrying, Joseph immediately and without question or concern for gossip, took Mary as his wife. When the angel came again to tell him that his family was in danger, he immediately left everything he owned, all his family and friends, and fled to a strange country with his young wife and the baby. He waited in Egypt without question until the angel told him it was safe to go back.

Hi Jim

A special prayer of thanksgiving as my father is out of hospital. Thank you to one all for your prayers! We have an awesome God!

Cathy

ST. MARY'S MENS BREAKFAST

100 Young Street (at Bayswater)

Ottawa, Ontario

Saturday April 2nd, 2005

In the Parish Hall, after the 9AM Mass.

Speaker will be Cyril Dowling

Music by Dennis Girard

There is No cost, but you MUST register by emailing Don Wade at

dwade@virtualministry.com

Space is limited so register early.  There will be a free will offering.

Help Bless this event by inviting a friend to join you for fellowship.

Brothers - this is the fourth generation of men's breakfast at St Mary's, please help my brother Don, get your tickets early, so that the orders for food can be made.  This is the first of what will become regular.

New technology - new cautions!  Subject: Credit Card Fraud

SCENE # 1
A friend went to the local gym and placed his belongings in the
locker.  After the workout and a shower, he came out, saw the locker
open, and thought to himself, "Funny, I thought I locked the locker.
Hmmmmm." He dressed and just flipped the wallet to make sure all
was in order. Everything looked okay - all cards were in place. A few weeks later his credit card bill came - a whopping bill of $14,000! He called the credit card company and started yelling at them, saying that he did not make the transactions. Customer Care personnel verified that there was no mistake in the system and asked if his card had been stolen. "No," he said, but then took out his wallet, pulled out the credit card, and yep - you guessed it - a switch had been made. An expired similar credit card from the same bank was in the wallet. The thief broke into his locker at the gym and switched cards.

Verdict: The credit card issuer said, since he did not report the card missing earlier, he would have to pay the amount owed to them. How much did he have to pay for items he did not buy? $9,000! Why were no calls made to verify the amount swiped? Small amounts rarely trigger a "warning bell" with some credit card companies. It just so happens that all the small amounts added up to big one!

SCENE # 2
A man at a local restaurant paid for his meal with his credit card. The
bill for the meal came, he signed it, and the waitress folded the receipt
and passed the credit card along. Usually, he would just take it and place it in his wallet or pocket. Funny enough, though, he actually took a look at the card and, lo and behold, it was the expired card of another person. He called the waitress and she looked perplexed. She took it back, apologized, and hurried back to the counter under the watchful eye of the man. All the waitress did while walking to the counter was wave the wrong expired card to the counter cashier, and the counter cashier immediately looked down and took out the real card. No exchange of words - nothing! She took it and came back to the man with an apology.

Verdict: Make sure the credit cards in your wallet are yours. Check the name on the card every time you sign
for something and/or the card is taken away for even a short period of
time. Many people just take back the credit card without even looking at it, thinking that it has to be theirs.
FOR YOUR OWN SAKE, DEVELOP THE HABIT OF CHECKING YOUR CREDIT CARD EACH TIME IT IS RETURNED TO YOU AFTER A TRANSACTION! Better still, take it to the Cash, yourself.
 
SCENE 3
Yesterday I went into a pizza restaurant to pick up an order that I had
called in. I paid by using my Visa cheque card, which, of course, is linked directly to my checking account. The young man behind the counter took my card, swiped it, then laid it flat on the counter as he waited for the approval, which is pretty standard procedure. While he waited, he picked up his cell phone and started dialing. I noticed the phone because it is the same model I have, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Then I heard a click that sounded like my phone sounds when I take a picture. He then gave me back my card but kept the phone in his hand as if he was still pressing buttons. Meanwhile, I'm thinking: I wonder what he has taken a picture of, oblivious to what was really going on. It then dawned on me: the only thing there was my credit card, so now I'm paying close attention to what he is doing.
He set his phone on the counter, leaving it open. About five seconds
later, I heard the chime that tells you that the picture has been saved.
Now I'm standing there struggling with the fact that this boy just took a picture of my credit card. Yes, he played it off well, because had we not had the same kind of phone, I probably would never have known what happened. Needless to say, I immediately canceled that card as I was walking out of the pizza parlor. All I am saying is, be aware of your surroundings at all times. Whenever you are using your credit cards, take caution and don't be careless. Notice who is standing near you and what they are doing when you use your card. Be aware of phones because many have a camera phone these days. When you are in a restaurant and the waiter/waitress brings your card and receipt for you to sign, make sure you scratch the number off. Some restaurants are using only the last four digits, but a lot of them are still putting the whole thing on there. I have already been a victim of credit card fraud. Believe me, it is not fun. The truth is that they can get you even when you are careful, but don't make it easy for them.

Hi Jim:

We received the following:

The mission of the John Paul ll Bible School located in Radway, Alberta is to provide Christian formation in an environment of Catholic spirituality, prayer, scripture study and community life. The School is looking for a DIRECTOR commencing on August 1, 2005.

The following skills are required:

1) Openness to the Catholic Charismatic Renewal;

2) Background in working with ministry and evangelization with young adults;

3) Demonstrated administrative and financial skills;

4) Team-building skills;

5) Faithfulness to the teachings of the Catholic Church;

6) Committed to the solid Christian formation of young adults;

7) Experience in pastoral work;

8) Good teaching skills;

9) Theological background; and

10) Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience

Curriculum vitae and three references to be received by April 8, 2005 and sent to:

Chairman of the Board

John Paul ll Bible School

c/o Diocese of St Paul

4410 51 Ave

St Paul AB T0A 3A2

Perhaps you can advertise it on Virtual Ministry. Thanks.

God bless you, Linda

Hi Jim, thought this article would be interesting for VMers to read

regarding Catholic Church Canon Law on Catholic Politicians Who Support changing the definition of marriage. It is from

http://www.lifesite.net:

Catholic Church Canon Law on Catholic Politicians Who Support Gay

'Marriage' Interview with Ottawa canon lawyer

OTTAWA, March 9, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) - With the same-sex 'marriage' issue coming to the fore in Canada and the United States, the issue of Catholic politicians receiving communion while supporting such measures is increasingly being seen as a scandal that needs to be addressed by church leaders.  To clarify the issue, LifeSiteNews...

The full text of the story is available at:

http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2005/mar/05030902.html

Jim,

Would this fly for the Lighter side?

It was sent as a chain letter, but perhaps the essence of the message can be passed along.  I deleted the chain reference at the end of the letter and the reference at the top of the letter can be just as easily deleted if it isn't appropriate. Bless you.

Madonna House Toronto <mht@ca.inter.net> wrote:

                                        FAMILY

They say if you pass this on, you will receive a miracle.

I am passing it on because I thought it was really good, short, and who couldn't use a miracle!

Enjoy it if it happens.

Are you aware that if we died tomorrow, the company that we are working for could easily replace us in a matter of days. But the family we left behind will feel the loss for the rest of their lives.  Come to think of it, we pour ourselves more into work than into our own family, an unwise investment indeed, don't you think?  What is behind the story?  Do you know what the word FAMILY means?

          FAMILY = (F)ATHER (A)ND (M)OTHER (I) (L)OVE (Y)OU

Hello Friends!

Some of you remember and might even keep in touch with Marcel & Linda Dion, of Magnificat Prayer and Music Ministries.  They moved from Ottawa to New Brunswick a few years ago, and are receiving word from the Lord to re-locate again.  Marcel pioneered the style of Psalm we all so love to hear sung at St-Mary's, and indeed, many of his melodies are still used by various musicians, myself included.

Well... They will be celebrating their 17th Wedding Anniversary, Saturday March 12th!

Would you like to send them a greeting?  I'm sure they would be very happy to hear from you, especially as they discern where the Lord is sending them!!!

Pray for them, and let them know they are not forgotten...

Contact them: magnific@nbnet.nb.ca

Blessings! PAX CARITAS  Sylvie Barrett

Hi Jim

Here's my marriage song "One Man One Woman"

I'm quite happy with it. Feel free to pass the link around. The mix may change a bit. However, it's pretty well done.

www.DavidMacD.com/lyrics/one_man_one_woman.htm

Blessings  David MacDonald

Along with my book review section, that I mentioned last week, I have also been wanting to have a feature of the week song.  My list of the songs that are going to be available to hear in VM are: 53 beads by the Apologist; Fr Stan Fortuna; Dennis & Angelina Girard's "Divine Mercy Chaplet", but it seems to me that if you click above on David's link - you can hear his "One Man One Woman" I don't how this works but I am listening to it now. 

Do you know John Pacheco?  Do you know that Virtual Ministry's slogan is what will you do?. I was going to run the same type of article / and include his weekly schedule again …. BOTTOM LINE is that Virtual Ministry challenges you to get involved / help / PRAYER / support / get on his mailing list … go to his website.

http://www.march4marriage.ca/.

NOW           what will you do?.             what will you do?.

are you on john's email lists?  Should you be?

I am not asking you to be John Pacheco, but he needs some French friends, some money, LOTS of PRAYER SUPPORT, and your attendance.

Religious Freedom in Canada - by Dr. Chris Kempling Psy.D. R.C.C. March 4, 2005, United Nations Commission on Human Rights Delegate Briefing, New York City

Click here

Heritage Stone Home For Sale

Dear Family, Friends and all others who may receive this e-mail.

Today we re-listed our house for sale and decided to put the power of the internet to the test. We kindly ask that you would consider forwarding this e-mail to your contact list. We believe that its possible that someone somewhere may be looking for just this opportunity to own a heritage property in the country but close enough to a major city. We have supplied a brief description below and have supplied links to our realtor for full information and plenty of beautiful pictures.  

"Fall in love with this heritage stone house and grounds within walking distance to Nicholson's and Clowes Locks on the historic Rideau Canal. Set on 5.86 acres and surrounded by a 100 acre parcel of designated woodland, trails and sanctuary; this property is one of the landmarks of the Merrickville area. The grounds are gloriously landscaped with perennials and mature trees.

The main house, built in the 1840's, is resplendent with exposed beams and stone walls, open stone fireplace, wood and ceramic tile floors. The gourmet kitchen has been completely renovated and includes stainless steel appliances, custom cabinetry and tile accents. Upstairs there is a private master suite with 4 pc bath including hot tub. There are three additional bedrooms, with two newly renovated bathrooms (one ensuite).

Just steps from the main house is the original 2 bedroom log cabin, itself complete with kitchen, lounge and dining room. It would make a comfortable studio, extended family dwelling or income generating rental property."

tours.360house.com/viewer.cfm?ID=95711
www.bbcanada.com/bb_forsale/nicholson/

www.realmerrickville.ca/
www.rilla.ca

Thank you for helping us. God Bless

Lyn & Steve Wright
Nicholson House Bed & Breakfast
Tel: (613) 269-2545
Fax: (613) 269-2546
e-mail: nicholsonbb@cyberus.ca
www.bbcanada.com/2202/html

If you are having trouble viewing this newsletter, click here or copy and paste this address in your web browser address bar: http://www.defendmarriagecanada.org/uficanada/newsletter31.htm

March 10, 2005

Australia is Right on Marriage, Canada is Heading in the Wrong Direction … Please Help Educate All Canadians to the Threat We Face
by Forwarding This on to Others  

Friends of Madonna House Pass It On #8

Lenten Fasting: Lessons from Old Russia

by Catherine Doherty

Lent in Russia was really something deep and profound, and people

Cherished it as a simple and direct way to God. We recalled that the Fathers of the Church, who lived in the desert, fasted. All the monks in Russia fasted very much; everyone fasted, from the Czar to the housemaid. Fasting was very powerful in Russia. (For instance, when my father fasted, he would eat nothing but one potato.) People often lost twenty pounds or so, but it was not the loss of pounds that interested them; it was the spiritual meaning of the fast.

Fasting was a preliminary to prayer, and during Lent we prayed. People had time to pray, because the shops were closed for an hour or two each afternoon so that they could go to church and pray. But it was not something that people didn't want to do, or felt pushed into; not at all. A great love of prayer and fasting was evident all over.

Lent was a time of sorrow for one's sins. Russians really went into this sorrowing and tried to tell God all about it. You could see them in churches bowing low and asking God's forgiveness. But at the same time they were glad, because God forgives. Foreign visitors noticed the prayerful atmosphere.

Lent had a very special place in the life of Russians. They made sure that they participated in it and took it upon themselves. They discussed how to pray and how to fast; everybody wanted to know everyone else's ideas, for maybe the other person did Lent a little better than oneself. Lent was a whole chunk of life that was really understood by the Russians as a time of prayer and love for God.

Why do we consider fasting so tremendously important in the Eastern rite? Fasting means controlling one's appetites. It includes sex as well as food. In Russia married people did not cohabit during the six weeks of Lent, the two week fast before the feast of Saints Peter and Paul, the four weeks of Advent, or certain other high feasts. Sex is an appetite too, so it is quite normal for us to abstain. This is not because it's sinful or dirty or wrong in any way, but just as when we abstain from food, another appetite-in order to be more alert, and to stand, as it were, on tip toes.

When I have disciplined myself, I can listen to God; whereas when my mind wanders, I can't. But when it's recollected and directed toward him, things happen.

We don't mean our mind as you understand the mind-the thing in our head that weighs everything. With fasting, it is the heart that begins to open up. For if your head is already in your heart you can begin to love; you're capable of going out of yourself toward another. For this reason, fasting is much revered in Russia.

Now, fasting from food will lead you to doubt the value of fasting, and to irritation. If you think that your fasting will lead you up to heaven, don't fast! It will lead you to doubt and to irritation, exactly in the same way as when you give up cigarettes (which is another way of fasting). I gave them up and know how it feels; and when you fast, that is exactly how you feel.

The moment we get into fasting, we also get into temptation. This is one of the things that take a little time to understand. The evil one will present you with every reason for not continuing. That's why I turn to Our Lady, the woman who can crush his head with her heel. And I implore her to help me, because I know only too well that I can't do it by myself.

The first step in any fasting, be it from cigarettes, cookies, or whatever, is to look at Our Lady, because there is something very extraordinary about her. She bore a Child who was considered illegitimate, and that was a fast of persecution, although not known as such. All those who are trying to follow Christ will experience this fast of persecution at some time in their lives. But God has given her a heel that can squash the devil, and it is good to turn to her and ask her help.

Lent is so very difficult, because it is a time in which we face

ourselves, and facing ourselves we discover many things about ourselves, among them our half-hearted service of God. We are like cross-eyed beings, with one eye always looking at what we can have, such as food, and the other looking at God and perhaps getting jaundiced in the process, because God often seems unattractive against all those foods and whatever else.

Yet I have to contemplate food. I have to sort out my relation to all

Things and use them for God's purposes, because food is a very wonderful thing he has given to us. So also are my clothing and the warmth of this room. These are all things that he has given to me. I must meditate on the goodness of those things instead of meditating on how I am going to acquire more. I should worship the God who has given me things, instead of worshipping the things that God has given me and forgetting him. This is a matter for prayer and contemplation.

When you enter into the world of fasting, a great peace comes upon you and at the same time, a great restlessness. It is one of the moments in which God and Satan fight within your soul. The first temptation comes from Satan after even one day of fasting. He seems to find it insufferable if you are also praying.

The power of fasting and prayer extends from here to the ends of the earth. It really does. And the reason for doing them is love.

From Season of Mercy: Lent and Easter

http://madonnahouse.c.topica.com/maadeEmabeDx2b7WdwFe/ by Catherine Doherty

Recommended Reading

Click here for more information on The Stations of the Cross

In the Footsteps of The Passion with Catherine Doherty

The Way of the Cross is a devotion traditionally composed of 14

Stations, places to meditate and reflect on the Passion of Christ-his carrying of the cross and his crucifixion. Saints throughout the ages have confirmed the power and fruitfulness of this timeless devotion. Here, Catherine Doherty offers prayerful meditations for each Station which were written upon her heart during her pilgrimage along the Way of the Cross to guide you through your own pilgrimage to crucifixion-and resurrection! Click here for more information.

http://www.madonnahouse.org/

THE LAST WORD THIS WEEK -  THIS IS NOT AN ADVERTISEMENT FOR SALEM STOREHOUSE, however, IT IS an announcement to all in our Virtual Ministry Family… March 17/18/19, they are having a 72 hour sale. I am reading their flyer, as I am waiting for this slow home computer to  catch up.  GOOD DEALS to be had, so check it out at: www.salemstorehouse.com

See you at the movies the next TWO Friday nights!!!!!

This is a story about four people named EVERYBODY, SOMEBODY, ANYBODY, and NOBODY.  There was an important job to be done and EVERYBODY was asked to do it.  EVERYBODY was sure that SOMEBODY would do it.  ANYBODY could have done it, but NOBODY did it.  SOMEBODY got angry about that, because it was EVERYBODY's job.  EVERYBODY thought ANYBODY could do it but NOBODY realized that EVERYBODY wouldn't do it.  It ended up that EVERYBODY blamed SOMEBODY when NOBODY did what ANYBODY could have done.

this is a story about the BODY family.  they are named EVERY, SOME, ANY & NO

we are all part of the BODY of CHRIST