St. Carthagh's and St. Edmund's Catholic Churches

“Let Your Light Shine”

The High School I attended, had as motto in Latin, “Lumen Splendeat,” which means, “Let your light shine.” I believe it must have been based on the Gospel for this weekend in which Jesus addresses Christians as salt and light: “You are the light of the world…you are the salt of the earth.” I think this is a very high compliment Jesus paid to his followers. By implication Jesus knew very well that there were some people who had inside them some genuine goodness that wasn’t yet made visible to others. Their lives were like burning lamps hidden under the bushel basket. The light was there but they kept it hidden! It was for this reason Jesus appealed to them, “lumen splendeat” (“let your light shine”). When Jesus called his disciples ‘the light of the world,’ he wasn’t talking to a select group of superior men and women. Rather, he was talking to ordinary Christians like us at St. Carthagh and St. Edmund. The compliment of Jesus is therefore applicable to all of us in our faith community. We need to consider the possibility and likelihood that each of us possesses some light. It may not yet be shining on others; we may not even be aware of it, but somewhere inside each of us is a burning lamp, some radiance, some ray of light which a dark world desperately needs. It could just be your conviction to do good to others irrespective of how people receive you or reject you.
May be this idea will become more believable if we consider how Jesus was using the word ‘light.’ He was speaking symbolically. Throughout the Bible, light is used as a symbol for truth, goodness and beauty. Jesus was using it that way. We ourselves use it that way. And so Jesus was telling his disciples and us that we all have within us some goodness, some truth and some beauty that could light up the life of a brother or sister. Our responsibility is to let that light shine, to take the light out of its hiding place, and put it on a stand where others can benefit from its radiance.
Yes, each one of us has within us some light, but we should not lose sight of the fact that we also may have some darkness. Our lives are a strange mixture of both light and darkness! The question is which one are we putting on public display? Jesus reiterates this weekend, “Lumen splendeat!”

(Reprinted from February 9, 2020)

Saint Paul Miki and Companions

Nagasaki, Japan, is familiar to Americans as the city on which the second atomic bomb was dropped, immediately killing over 37,000 people. Three and a half centuries before, 26 martyrs of Japan were crucified on a hill, now known as the Holy Mountain, overlooking Nagasaki. Among them were priests, brothers, and laymen, Franciscans, Jesuits, and members of the Secular Franciscan Order; there were catechists, doctors, simple artisans, and servants, old men and innocent children—all united in a common faith and love for Jesus and his Church.

Brother Paul Miki, a Jesuit and a native of Japan, has become the best known among the martyrs of Japan. While hanging upon a cross, Paul Miki preached to the people gathered for the execution: “The sentence of judgment says these men came to Japan from the Philippines, but I did not come from any other country. I am a true Japanese. The only reason for my being killed is that I have taught the doctrine of Christ. I certainly did teach the doctrine of Christ. I thank God it is for this reason I die. I believe that I am telling only the truth before I die. I know you believe me and I want to say to you all once again: Ask Christ to help you to become happy. I obey Christ. After Christ’s example I forgive my persecutors. I do not hate them. I ask God to have pity on all, and I hope my blood will fall on my fellow men as a fruitful rain.”

When missionaries returned to Japan in the 1860s, at first they found no trace of Christianity. But after establishing themselves they found that thousands of Christians lived around Nagasaki and that they had secretly preserved the faith. Beatified in 1627, the martyrs of Japan were finally canonized in 1862.

Sourced from Franciscanmedia.org–

Pastoral emergencies: In the case of any urgent need for a priest during my absence, I have two of my brother priests who are on standby to fill in for me. They are Fr. Rod McNeil, pastor of St. Joseph in Belleville; and Fr. Dale Wright, pastor of Holy Rosary Parish also in Belleville. Should you need a priest urgently, please, call 613-970-0912. The person at that contact will arrange the priest for you. Thank you for your understanding.

Daily Masses: Obviously there will be no scheduled daily Masses. St. Carthagh’s church will, however, be open in the morning by 9:30 am and will be closed by 4:30 pm. Those who would like to pray are certainly most welcome to do so. In fact, it is recommended.

Deacons: Among those covering the Sunday services are deacons. They will lead you in a service of the word with Holy Communion outside of Mass. On Jan. 14 & 15, the sacristans will need to figure out enough hosts to be consecrated to last over the following two Sundays; that is up to Feb. 14 & 15. On Feb. 14 & 15, Archbishop Mulhall will do the coverage. Please, take note of the fact that the deacons will not be celebrating Holy Mass. The bulletin will always announce the person in line to cover me for the coming Sunday.

With grateful hearts for God’s grace of one faith, one baptism, one hope and one Lord Jesus Christ, the  Good News of God’s unconditional love for all, we stand united as a community of God’s people in the  Archdiocese of Kingston. Conscious of our equality in God’s eyes and His personal love for us and  imbued with the evangelical zeal of our patrons and Mary, the Mother of the Church, we reflect God’s  goodness in our community and in our dealings with others. Guided by the Spirit and assisted by prayer  and the Sacraments, we strive to deepen our personal relationship with Christ Jesus and to share him  with others.

Lord Jesus, let my heart sing for joy in your presence. Give me eyes of faith to recognize your presence and fill me with your Holy Spirit that I may walk in your way of love and peace.