Christ is not absent from Gaza

 

“Christ is not absent from Gaza. He is there...
crucified in the wounded, 
buried under rubble and yet 
present in every act of mercy, 
every candle in the darkness, 
every hand extended to the suffering.”

  - Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and
    Patriarch Theophilos III

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Sr Mary McGlone's reflections on this Sunday's readings

 

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Sr Mary McGlone's reflections on this Sunday's readings have a lot of encouragement and good advice for Vincentians.

Sr. McGlone starts by highlighting that, since the twelve apostles who walked with Jesus full time often seemed to have great difficulty understanding Jesus' message and putting it into practice, how much less qualified were the seventy more or less random and 'part-time' disciples have been like? Yet, with no special training or credentials, Jesus instructed them to go out and bring peace and healing to those in need. Jesus sent those seventy disciples out in utter vulnerability, without resources or support, trusting that God's power would work through them.

"Today's Liturgy of the Word dares us to be sheep among wolves, to be evangelizers in a world dying for lack of love. The wolves of our time are purveyors of the fear and hatred that spawn every type of bigotry, division, violence and lies."

The only good news that we can share authentically is sharing our personal experiences of love, hope, and possibility rooted in living Christ's message. As disciples let us know our faith deeply and live it authentically.  People are drawn to faith through attraction rather than rational proofs and arguments. The experience of God's love and reign is contagious and can't be proven, only shared. Those who are hurting and hungry, who are open and seeking, will be drawn to this experience; those who are complacent and secure will be less receptive.

Read Sr McGlone's full article in the National Catholic Reporter here.

Affordable Housing in York Region in 2024

 

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Affordable Housing in York Region in 2024

Chronic homelessness — defined as long-term or recurring loss of housing — more than doubled.

York Region recorded more than 2,500 people experiencing homelessness in 2024 — a 35% increase from 2023.

The wait list for subsidized housing grew 17%, reaching 18,419 households.

Only 236 households secured housing in non-profit, co-operative or Housing York properties while there are 713 new applicants on average every year.

The average wait time for a subsidized unit was 9.6 years in 2023.

Meanwhile many families have to choose between buying food or medicine or paying the rent.

Information sourced from YorkRegion.com