“I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” (John 6:51)
This year we celebrate the 35th anniversary of our Parish of St. Timothy’s first official gathering as a faith community, before the official naming and physical building, and that gathering was for the Mass. This Mass was held in the gymnasium of St. Germain school, our neighbour to the North, on Sunday, September 11th, 1988. Back then, we were just the ‘South St. Vital Catholic Community’, and it was only in 1989 that we received our proper parish name and patron saint, the saint we commemorate this weekend: St. Timothy.
But it is essential to note that our community truly began with Mass, which is the basis for community; the Eucharist is truly the “source and summit” of the Christian life (CCC 1324). It is easy to see how this plays out with the beginning of our parish, that first Mass being the source, and how it continues to animate all that happens within our parish, from teaching and faith formation to service to the less fortunate and other charitable works. And it is that summit that we continually return to, the summit heights where God desires to encounter his people. The Eucharist is our heart that pumps the life blood outward and brings us back to be refreshed and transformed.
Throughout 2023, we will commemorate this milestone event in part with a focus on Eucharistic Revival within our parish family. There are many reasons why this revival is not only timely, but also necessary, including: scandal, division, disease, and doubt. Amidst the trials of the roaring waves, especially from the past 3 years or so, Jesus is present, reminding us that he is more powerful than the storm. He desires to heal, renew, and unify the Church and the world, and our parish has its own role to play.
There will be three video series offered in the Parish Hall, starting next weekend, over the next six months or so: “Presence: The Mystery of the Eucharist” by Augustine Institute; “The Mass” by Bishop Robert Barron and Word on Fire; and “Lectio: Eucharist” by Dr. Brant Pitre. Later, we plan to have some workshops related to the Mass and the place of the Eucharist in our lives, on topics such as beauty, transcendence and worship, the church building as a sacred place, and sacramental art and architecture. On a regular basis, the bulletin will also contain short educational articles relating to our Eucharistic Revival.
St. Paul urges St. Timothy to “rekindle” the gift of God. Even saints need reminders to “rekindle” or “revive” their faith. What greater gift of God has he given us than himself in the Eucharist? May St. Timothy and Titus inspire us to “rekindle” our faith, hope and love with the Eucharist this year, “so together ALL encounter and share the Living Christ.”
I am, in our Lord, yours.
Fr. Brian Trueman
Eucharist Revival at St. Timothy
February 4/5, 11/12, 18/19
Saturdays from 3:15 - 3:45 pm
Sundays from 10:15 - 10:45 am
In the Parish Hall
(coffee will still be served after the 9 am Mass)
EPISODE 1: God is with Us: God prepares a meal for us and invites us to participate in it through the Sacrament of the Eucharist.
EPISODE 2: The Story of the Eucharist: Jesus fulfilling his promise that "My flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed" (John 6:55).
EPISODE 3: We need the Eucharist even more than the Israelites needed the manna. It sustains and strengthens us for our life's journey
Join us and reflect on this great gift
from God of the Eucharist!