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This Month in the Diocese An E-Publication of the Diocese of Antigonish

Vol. 5 Issue 12 August 2020

Mask And You Shall Receive Staying safe in this time of pandemic has been a trying time of isolation and changing rules, but our faithful continue to be up to the challenge. Masks and distancing will help us stem the spread of Covid-19, but the most powerful protocols continue to be our rich supply of devotion, dedication and sense of humour. The sun still shines behind the clouds; we’ll keep smiling behind the masks. Pastoral Centre staff, from left: Irene MacNeil, Sandra O’Connell, Nick Vince, Fr. Bedford Doucette, Mae Rowe and Debbie Aker. Questions about masks? https://www.antigonishdiocese.com/covid-19/

5 Places to Visit View from the Seminary fête nationale de l'Acadie In our diocese this summer, David Rankin shares his August 15 is the Assumption to enjoy the natural beauty experience as his path to the of Mary and the national and culture that still priesthood is crossed by celebration of Acadian culture. abounds in this time of Covid-19 For prayers and more: pandemic: See Page 2 See Page 3 See Page 4 This Month in the Diocese Page 2

Five Places to visit in our diocese this summer: With ‘staycation’ the best destination in this time of pandemic, these glorious weeks of summer and autumn invite us to explore places in our own locale or a day’s drive away. Here are some favourite spots for enjoying God’s bounty in nature, culture and peaceful space outdoors:

1. Celtic Shores Coastal Trail, Route 19

This 92-km trail starts in Port Hastings and winds through the parishes of Port Hawkesbury, Creignish, Judique, Port Hood, Mabou and Inverness. Access points along the trail offer places to drive in and enjoy the view, or you can enjoy day trips hiking or cycling through some of the most beautiful scenery found anywhere. See more at www.celticshores.ca

2. LeNoir Forge, Isle Madame

The LeNoir Forge dates back to the early 1800s, built by soldier Thomas LeNoir to earn his living as a blacksmith. During the age of sail, LeNoir Forge was busy producing parts and supplies for the shipbuilding industry. Today it is a Provincial Heritage Building, a museum, and a testament to an important part of Isle Madame and our province’s history. See more at http://imhs.ca/

3. Cape George Point,

A winding road spirals up from the sea to the Cape George Point lighthouse and park, where on a clear day you can see across St. George’s Bay to Cape Breton and all the way across the Northumberland Strait to . The park is minutes from the parishes of Georgeville, Maryvale, Lakevale, Ballantyne’s Cove and Arisag, and is part of the Cape George Hiking Trail. See more at https://www.novascotia.com/see-do/attractions/cape-george-point-lighthouse/1624

4. Samson and Albion trails, New Glasgow and Stellarton These connected trails are on the oldest rail bed in , where the wood and iron Samson locomotive once carried coal, goods and hardy passengers through Albion Mines (now Stellarton) and New Glasgow. The trails wind along the East River with interpretive panels highlighting the area’s mining and industrial history, passing by Our Lady of Lourdes church and within view of St. John the Baptist, New Glasgow. See more at https://www.newglasgow.ca/index.php/lifestyle/recreation/trails

5. Ingonish and Area, Cape Breton Highlands For the water lover, this is a special place indeed. Home of St. Peter Parish, Ingonish is where mountains meet the sea and fresh water meets the ocean. The area is part of the Cape Breton Highlands National Park and the Cabot Trail, making travel memorable whether on foot or on wheels. See more at: https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ns/cbreton/activ/baignade-swimming#ingonish

Do you have a favourite spot to share? Send photos and details to [email protected]

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‘Silver Linings and Blessings’: Seminarian David Rankin shares his experience living and studying in the ‘new normal’ of Covid-19 lockdowns

www.antigonishdiocese.com This year, I completed my first year of theology,

and second year of six at Saint Peter’s in London, Thank you to the clergy, staff Ontario but the year felt anything but complete. and volunteers that are Seminary is different from a typical university helping us all stay connected program in that the formation is more than through faith during this time academic. So, besides classes, the program of pandemic isolation: involves spiritual conferences, liturgies, prayer, Masses in person, Masses retreats, and all of our meals together as a group, online, bulletins, emails and as well as community outreach and parish work. phone calls are helping us all One of our last community activities was our “get through this together.” penitential service for the Season of Lent. The house spiritual director, who would usually be leading this item, became stranded in Saskatchewan for a family funeral and then couldn’t return because of the pandemic situation. So, one of the retired faculty members led us in prayer that evening, and highlighted the importance of looking at the bright sides of this dark situation. There have been silver linings and blessings for me in this time for sure. Coming home in March, I squeaked through the provinces before borders Not ready or able to became strict, and I self-isolated in Port Hood for two weeks before going return to public Mass? home to Mabou. I don’t take for granted the living space provided for me, Participate in Mass at the food that was dropped off, or the accommodations made by professors home and offer: so that I could complete my courses online from a distance. And although I missed the formation activities, especially the annual year-end retreat, and day-to-day things like Mass and community prayer, I was home. In our An Act of examination of consciousness at the seminary, we are asked to look back Spiritual into our experiences and notice where God was, and where God acted in Communion our experiences. I felt that God was there in the generosity of the priests and others who provided for me since I’ve been home, in the experience of My Dearest Jesus, being around those I could be around and connecting with those I couldn’t, I believe that You are present and in the slow, silent spaces I’ve had the opportunity to enter in our in the most Holy Sacrament. diocese since being home. I love You above all things, My return to Ontario in the fall is going to be different than my last two and I desire to receive You years. Not only because of Covid-19, but also because I will be transferring into my soul. Since I cannot, to St. Augustine’s Seminary, Toronto. Formation activities will remain in- at this moment, receive You house. So, spiritual conferences, Mass, prayer, meals, all of these will be sacramentally, come at least done as a group and in-person, respecting social distancing and public spiritually into my heart. health guidelines to whatever degree possible. The classes, however, will I embrace You as if You were be online. Some will be live, others will be done with pre-recorded videos. already there and unite I’m excited about where God may be leading me this fall, and the new myself wholly to You. connections to be made in Toronto. Although at a distance, and perhaps Never permit me to be through a mask. separated from you. Amen.

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Aug. 15 is the Feast of the Assumption and fête nationale de l'Acadie/ National Acadian Day

From the Prière Acadien (Written in 1955, updated 2010) See the full version in both languages: https://www.antigonishdiocese.com/paroisses-acadiennes/

Our Lady of the Seigneur, Dieu tout-puissant, Maître absolu du ciel et de la terre, Assumption is the écoutez en ce moment la voix de nos clochers et la prière de nos coeurs. Patron Saint of Nous sommes agenouillées dans un geste de foi et de reconnaissance. . Il y a deux cents ans, nos aïeux étaient chassés de leurs pays. Vous savez, vous, ô mon Dieu, ce qu'ils ont enduré et souffert. Acadians who endured the Grand Dérangement (Lord, Almighty God, Absolute Master of heaven and earth, to resettle their listen at this moment to the voice of our steeples and the prayer of our hearts. communities were We are kneeling in a gesture of faith and gratitude. among the first Two hundred years ago, our ancestors were driven out of their country. parishioners of our You know, O my God, what they have endured and suffered.) diocese. Today, our

diocese has five Acadian Vous ne les avez pas abandonnés. parishes: Vous avez donné le courage aux martyrs, l'espérance aux captifs, Our Lady of la résignation aux mourants et la grâce de pardonner. Assumption, Arichat Vous avez béni leur descendance. Ste Pierre, Chéticamp Vous avez rebâti le peuple acadien Ste Joseph, Petit de Grat et vous lui avez donné comme héritage la foi catholique. Ste Croix, Pomquet Ste Joseph, St. Joseph (You have not abandoned them. du Moine You gave courage to the martyrs, hope to the captives, resignation to the dying and the grace to forgive. Activities celebrating You have blessed their offspring. this special day include: You rebuilt the Acadian people and you gave them the Catholic faith as a heritage.) August 15, 10:30 am

Mass in Petit de Grat Merci, mon Dieu, merci pour nos épreuves, merci pour notre survivance. Cemetery En ce jour mémorable, les Acadiens vous adorent et se consacrent entièrement à votre service. Virtual celebration in Cheticamp: (Thank you, my God, @LesTroisPignons on thank you for our trials, thank you for our survival. Facebook On this memorable day, the Acadians adore you and dedicate themselves entirely to your service.) For more, see

National Acadian Day, Mgr Norbert Robichaud, Archevêque de Moncton www.Canada.ca