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St. Pius X Parish Pastor: Father John G. Horgan, STL Email: [email protected] Rectory Phone: 604.929.1404 Parish Email: [email protected] Parish Website: www.stpiusxnorthvan.ca Roman Catholic Church - 1150 Mount Seymour Road, North Vancouver, BC V7G 2M1 Bulletin for the Third Sunday in Lent – Week of March 7, 2021 FATHER JOHN’S PAGE An Art Meditation for This Lenten Sunday The Merciful Knight is a watercolour by the pre-Raphaelite artist Edward Burne-Jones which was completed in 1863 and is currently housed at the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery. This picture is based on an 11th-century legend retold by Sir Kenelm Digby in Broadstone of Honour, its hero is a Florentine knight named John Gualbert (an anglicisation of Giovanni Gualberto). The explanatory inscription provided by Burne-Jones tells the viewer of a knight who forgave his enemy when he might have destroyed him and how the image of Christ kissed him in token that his acts had pleased God. John Gualbert was actually an Italian Roman Catholic saint, the founder of the Vallumbrosan Orde of Benedictine monks. He was a member of the Visdomini family of Florentine nobility. One Good Friday he was entering Florence accompanied by armed followers, when in a narrow lane he came upon a man who had killed his brother. He was about to kill the man in revenge, when the other fell upon his knees with arms outstretched in the form of a cross and begged for mercy in the name of Christ, who had been crucified on that day. John forgave him. He entered the Benedictine Church at San Miniato to pray, and the figure on the crucifix bowed its head to him in recognition of his generosity. John Gualbert was later canonised. His branch of the Benedictine Order spread across St. Pius X Parish – Week of February 28, 2021 Bulletin Europe and was distinguished by its commitment to re-foresting lands that had been devastated by fire or warfare. Faithful to their Founder’s example, the monks were known for their patience and spirit of pardon and forgiveness. This arguably being Burne-Jones's most important early work, it demonstrates a new and more personal style, evident in its design, technique and expression. It remained Burne-Jones's own favourite among his early works: this interest in knights and chivalry was aroused when painting the Arthurian Oxford Union murals in 1863 and was to remain with him throughout his life. In 1894 he tried to borrow The Merciful Knight to make a large oil version, and he was actually working on The Last Sleep of Arthur in Avalon when he died in 1898. The beard of Christ provides a shield over the knight's forehead and inexpressibly sad face; the wounds in Christ's hands draw attention to the vulnerability of the knight's exposed hands – whose armoured gauntlets hang from his waist. Incidentally, the marigolds in the foreground came from the 'town garden' in Russell Square, close to Burne-Jones' house opposite the British Museum. Meditation Over the centuries, there is a consistent artistic tradition of depicting the Crucified Christ embracing or even kissing a repentant or suffering figure at His feet. Saint Bernard of Clairvaux and Saint Francis of Assisi are often depicted in this way. The art represents a mystical experience of comfort, acceptance and strength coming from Jesus to the believer, even when it is not “seen” by the believer with the eyes of the body. It is also a representation of the saint’s or believer’s sufferings being like those of Christ Jesus Himself and thus acceptable to Him as an offering of love and atonement for all human sinfulness and the healing of all human pain. Look at the picture again John Gualbert has just pardoned his brother’s assassin. His desire for justice and perhaps revenge are in conflict with the mercy and forgiveness he has just shown the killer. Is family honour what is most important or the honour due to Christ. What was the Saint’s answer to this dilemma? Now, picture yourself in the place of the knight. Have you ever found yourself in the position of having to forgive a great, great wrong? Has it been a long and difficult struggle? Have you been able to do so, for the sake of Christ and with His help? Was the cost very great? And afterwards, have you felt His presence near you, embracing you, supporting you when you were in great need of His healing love? Is that what you are asking for now, at this moment in your life? If so, tell Him. tell Him as much as you can, reveal your pain, your fear and your wounds to the Wounded One who opens His heart to yours. He hears you and understands you better than you do yourself. And His strong arms are around you now, even if you do not see Him. Tell Him you know this, and that you trust, you are convinced that when you need Him, His strength will be there and His power will make all things possible for you. 2 | Page St. Pius X Parish – Week of February 28, 2021 Bulletin PARISH CALENDAR AT A GLANCE Thursday March 11& 12 1:00 to 3:00 pm Private Prayer & Adoration Church and Friday Saturday March 13 6:00 pm Mass recording posted Parish YouTube Channel Saturday March 13 4:30 to 5:30 pm Holy Communion Church Sunday March 14 10:30 to 11:30 Holy Communion Church am Friday March 19 7:00 pm Father John Hosts a Special Zoom – see bulletin for Zoom on St. Joseph details Thursday March 25 1:00 to 2:00 pm Drop of meals and School Parking Lot; by donations for Men’s Shelter the gym SPIRITUAL COMMUNION PRAYER My Jesus, I believe that You are in the Blessed Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I long for You in my soul. Since I cannot receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. As though You have already come, I embrace You and unite myself entirely to You; never permit me to separated from You. Amen. 3 | Page St. Pius X Parish – Week of March 7, 2021 Bulletin FATHER JOHN HOSTS A SPECIAL PARISH Delivery is also available for parishioners living in ZOOM the local area (east of the Seymour River). Grade 7 students will deliver orders to your door on SAINT JOSEPH FEAST DAY Thursday, Friday, March 19, is the Solemnity of Saint Joseph April 1 during this 150th anniversary celebration of Saint after 3:00 Joseph being declared Patron and Protector of the pm. For Universal Church by Blessed Pope Pius IX in home 1870. That evening, at 7:00 pm, Father John will delivery give a Parish ZOOM conference on this Great please Saint. It will be about 45 minutes in length and will email have time after Leigh for questions. Oikawa, the campaign coordinator with address details; [email protected]. Thank you so In order to much for supporting our fundraising efforts. participate, Father will send you an email with a ZOOM link that you can use to connect at the time. To receive ST PIUS X CWL INAUGURAL SPRING PLANT the link, please send Father an email at FUNDRAISER! [email protected] and Father will reply Spring is in the air! Our Parish CWL is holding a with the link. spring plant sale, as a fundraiser. You can book your choices online at When you get the email, save it and then hit the https://spxcwl.growingsmilesfundraising.com/hom link on Friday the 19 from 6:55 pm onwards. e. Order deadline is April 19 with pick up dates of May 7 & 8. We will be taking cheques or E-transfer for payment. For more information contact our PARISH AND SCHOOL FUNDRAISERS treasurer Miriam Irvin [email protected]. SUPPORT THE SPX GRADE 7 LEGACY GIFT AND SPREAD A LITTLE EASTER CHEER! UPCOMING EVENTS The St. Pius X Grade 7 Class of 2021 is fundraising for their Legacy Gift with Purdy’s Chocolatier. The ADVANCE PLANNING FOR CATHOLICS Legacy Gift will benefit the current and future FREE WEBINAR SERIES students of St. Pius X Elementary. One way God shows his love to us is through our families. Assisting your aging parents or creating Show your friends, family and neighbours that your own advance care plans is an act of prudence you’re thinking of them with some very sweet and compassion for your loved ones. Easter gifts. It’s a great way to connect with your loved ones and celebrate Easter “together”. The Archdiocese of Vancouver has gathered local Order directly online at Catholic experts to share wisdom and practical https://fundraising.purdys.com/1343226-84249 advice on topics of advance care, estate, wills, legacy, and memorials. This is a unique opportunity Please place your order by Monday, March 22. to plan ahead so your family can have peace of Orders will be available for pick up on Wednesday, mind. March 31 from 2:00 pm to 2:55 pm in front of St. Pius X Church. 1. Advance Care Planning - March 16 2. Estate Planning for Executors - March 23 4 | Page St. Pius X Parish – Week of March 7, 2021 Bulletin 3. Planning Meaningful Funerals and Sacred In addition, on Thursday and Fridays the Church is Burial - March 30 open for private prayer and adoration from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm during which time you can request For more information visit www.planning.rcav.org Communion.