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St. Norbert’s Faithletter St. Norbert’s Church, North York, Ontario, Canada Sunday , April 24, 201 1

He is Risen

TThhee aannggeelll ssaaiiidd ttoo tthhee wwoommeenn,,, ""DDoo not be afraiid,, for II know that you not be afraid, for I know that you aarree lllooookkiiinngg ffoorr JJeessuuss,,, wwhhoo wwaass cruciifiied.. He iis not here; he has crucified. He is not here; he has rriiisseenn,,, jjjuusstt aass hhee ssaaiiidd... CCoommee aanndd see the place where he lay. Then go see the pllace where he llay.. Then go qquuiiicckklllyy aanndd tteellllll hhiiiss ddiiisscciiippllleess:: '''HHee has risen from the dead and is has riisen from the dead and iis ggooiiinngg aahheeaadd ooff yyoouu iiinnttoo GGaallliiillleeee... There you will see him.' There you wiillll see hiim..''

Happy and Blessed Easter!!!! Dear Parishioners ,

Virtue of this Issue: Forgiveness

... ‘Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise that we need to repent and ask for forgiveness. No matter from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and what the sin, we are completely forgiven! takes away our forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all sins. Jesus is able to wipe the slate clean. All Jesus asks from nations...Luke 24:46-47 us is that we forgive others as He forgives us.

This Easter faithletter embraces the virtue of forgiveness. At "Forgiveness is the fragrance the violet sheds on the heel that Easter, we rejoice in knowing that Jesus takes away the sins of has crushed it." --Mark Twain the world. Jesus sacrificed His life in order for us to be free from sin. He suffered, died and rose again. Yet His message Forgiving others is not easy when we have been hurt. At the on the cross is “Father, forgive them.” With forgiveness, Jesus time of His death, Jesus endured betrayal, humiliation and frees us from our sins. God has conquered sin, not with more suffering so he understands our pain when we have been sin, but with goodness. Jesus did not judge others or want mistreated by others. The way He forgave is also the way we revenge. He only wants people to be reconciled with God. can forgive. It is out of simple obedience to God and our desire to please Him. ...if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He is the atoning sacrifice for A relationship with Jesus gives us the power to forgive and to our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole be forgiven. Forgiveness frees us from the sins that cause us world. 1 John 2:1-2 pain and separate us from God. Forgiveness is a gift that can bring peace, love and harmony to the world. We are all guilty of sin and failure. It can make us feel shame, We wish everyone a blessed, joyous Easter! regret and guilt. The good news is that when we confess our sins with a humble heart, God will forgive us. When we Rina Kieda humble ourselves, we can be honest about our sins and accept

Page 1 St. Norbert’s Faithletter Easter Sunday, April 24, 2011

Let’s Know Each Other

Interview with Cynthia Livera You were a teacher and your family’s position was not bad. Cynthia Livera. The administrative assistant of our parish. However, you decided to leave Sri Lanka. Most of us have met her, as her services are many and varied.. Cynthia is in the parish office at designated hours, It was a very, very, difficult decision. But we did it for the sake of and also present in the church at the 12 noon Sunday a core family value. We did it for the children's future. We sent and at the Thursday evening Mass and devotions. Her two of our children for studies to Canada. They were here as husband is Keith. He leads the Rosary on Thursday foreign students in university. It was far too painful to stay apart evenings. Cynthia and Keith have three so we decided to immigrate so that we could children, Lisa, Daniel and Lara. live together as family.

So you arrived to Canada in 2008. How did You arrived to Canada in 2008. Tell us a bit you get to St. Norbert’s? about your “pre-Canadian” life.

Our first priority was church when we landed. I worked in a bank as an administrative We couldn't wait to get to a church and were assistant. After my first child was born, I was deciding on which church we would register a full time mother for 16 years. This was as parishioners. We had to decide between quality time I spent with my children and was St. Philip Neris and St. Norbert. With God's able to attend to their extracurricular activities guidance we were drawn towards St. Norbert. and studies. It gave me great satisfaction to The first Sunday Mass and Fr. Xavier's spell- watch them grow up as healthy, happy bound preaching and friendly welcome was children. Thereafter I started work again, the icing on the cake. I feel blessed to be a after retraining, as an elementary teacher. parishioner of St. Norbert. This job was convenient as I left for work with my children and came back home with them. How did you start your involvement with I worked as a Teacher until we immigrated to Canada. the church?

Catholics are a small minority in Sri Lanka. Was that difficult My mind was already made up before immigrating. I said to my for you? husband, I am so thankful that God has brought the family

together again and before I earn I will volunteer in a church first. No, not at all, we all live in spiritual harmony and mutual respect. When I met with Fr. Xavier I told him I would like to volunteer in Of course, there are catholic schools, Buddhist schools and the church. I started helping Marilyn with her confirmation Hindu Schools and even Muslim Schools. In each of these classes and in the Office on Fridays. Shortly after I started separate schools, the predominant religion/faith is not only volunteering in the Office, the permanent secretary left and I was passionately taught, it is implicitly practiced as well. Most selected for the job when the position was advertised. catholic schools have either a church or a chapel in the centre of their premises and the day is started with either a morning mass You are always present at the Our Lady of Perpetual Help or at least a prayer in full assembly. Apart from that, one devotion. common educational curriculum is taught in all of them, so that all follow one system with the exception of their own This is a devotion my husband and I have had since we were faith/religious education. teenagers. We never missed a novena and that was also a priority to find out the nearest church that had this devotion. It About 7% of the population are Roman Catholic. Catholicism was St. Patrick's downtown and we continued this devotion at St. was first introduced by the Portuguese, who left a notable mark Patrick's until St. Norbert's commenced it 2 years ago. in the continued use of Portuguese surnames even today by many Catholics. Dutch missionaries continued to maintain the Would you like to talk about Keith and you children, Lisa, religion after the Portuguese were expelled, and today most Sri Daniel and Lara? Lankan Christians are Catholic. There is a Roman Catholic archbishop and 10 other Roman Catholic bishops. Keith and I have been married for 25 years, and we are so very happy to be together with our children in this beautiful country. In 1995, at a ceremony in Colombo, Pope John Paul II beatified They are growing to be individuals of the world, and we are Father Joseph Vaz, an early missionary to the country, who was thankful to God for the opportunities that they have been given to known as the Apostle of Ceylon. keep their own footprint.

Were you, or your family involved in activities supporting Is there anything else you would like to say? the church? I would like to thank Rev.Fr. Xavier and the wonderful staff and My father in law worked at the Catholic Bishops Conference in parishioners for the warm welcome as the Administrative Sri Lanka for a very long time – in fact until a couple of years Assistant of this Parish. You have all been so accommodating before he died at the age of 83 and my husband, Keith taught at and supportive. I would not be able to discharge my duties Sunday School at our parish church. So yes, we have been satisfactorily without this strong support. I enjoy the work and I privileged to have been surrounded by the most of the promise one day I will be fluent in Italian !!! time. Page 2 St. Norbert’s Faithletter Easter Sunday, April 24, 2011

Sharing the Faith

How to forgive?

How can I forgive? Lord I was treated so badly that I will never our own. We can pray for a forgiving heart and a new mind to let be able to forgive. When I think of the harm that is done to go of the painful experiences. Forgiveness doesn’t mean we me...my ruined reputation, my compromised health, my brutally deny the fact that what happened to us was wrong. Instead, we parted friendships....I am enraged and I cry. I now have the give our burdens to God and ask Him to carry them for us. heart of resentment, the head of bitterness and the fist of When we forgive, we can trust that God is in control and He will revenge. make things right.

How can I forgive this person? This is too difficult and too Jesus gives us the command to lead a life of constantly forgiving strong! How can you ask me to forgive? Come help me. others. He tells us in Matthew 18:22, we are to forgive someone who sins against us seventy-seven times. In essence, forgive I can hardly forget all that is done to me. I have too many an unlimited amount of times. It is an ongoing decision. We can memories. And most importantly, I have a heart that is broken, forgive out of our commitment to God. wounded and crushed. When we forgive, we’re not doing it just for the other person. Put peace in my mind and calm the storm. Give me a little of The command is in place for our own good too because we are your heart. Without you, I can never do it. the ones who suffer most when we do not forgive. As we Amen. forgive, God sets us free from the anger and bitterness that This prayer expresses the intensity that we feel from being imprison us and we can move on in a peaceful life. betrayed and hurt. Forgiveness seems impossible when we To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner have been hurt so deeply. Our natural instinct is to protect was you. -Lewis B. Smedes ourselves. We put up walls of anger and resentment. How can we forgive when someone has hurt us so badly? Rina Kieda

Sometimes our pain is so strong that we need help to break down the walls that prevent us from forgiving with our hearts. The Holy Spirit enables us to do those things we cannot do on

Art For Life

The (1498)

The Last Supper (Il Cenacolo) , painted by Leonardo da Vinci at the painting, you have to book ahead (as with Mona Lisa at the the very end of the fifteenth century, is surely one of the most Louvre in Paris), and you can only view it for a quarter of an familiar artworks in the Western world. With da Vinci’s own hour. Needless to say, the lines are endless! Mona Lisa (c.1489), it has achieved iconic status – almost The Last Supper imagines the reactions of Christ’s twelve everyone recognizes the two works, whether the individual has apostles at the exact second when He predicts His betrayal by interest in art or not. For Catholics, The Last Supper is one of the one of them (John 13:21). We did not know who is who until many images, based on the life of almost four hundred years after Christ or the lives of the saints, the work was created, when da which seem to stand apart from artwork and become real . The Vinci’s notebooks were discovered in Italy. The group is statuary in our sanctuaries, the presented facing the viewer, , the murals none seen from the back, a and the wall hangings, all help to common feature of early point us to the way to God. Da Renaissance painting, and in Vinci’s painting has been an trios, three being, of course, a invitation to belief, including for the number of special significance in present writer. (the Trinity, the three The painting is a large one, 15’x30’ days between the and (450 cm x 870 cm). It hangs in the dining hall of the monastery the Resurrction, etc.) Jesus is at the centre, flanked by six of Santa Maria delle Grazie (St. Mary of the Graces) in Milan. Its apostles on each side. On the left of Our Lord, Bartholomew, origin, like so many works of the late medieval and early James ben Alphaeus, and Andrew register intense surprise. Renaissance periods, is very secular (!), a commission to da Judas, Peter and John form the next trio. While the other eleven Vinci from his patron Duke Ludovico Sforza and his wife Beatrice disciples directly react to Jesus’s appalling words, Judas is busy d’Este. Contrary to popular belief, the work is not a fresco, with other actions: he tips the saltcellar, a reference, possibly, to having been painted on a dry and not a wet wall. For its age, it is an Arab proverb that to spill the salt is to betray one’s master. in remarkably good condition, especially after a restoration that Judas also carries a small container, presumably for the thirty took twenty years and was completed in 1999. If you wish to see pieces of silver. Peter is furious, and holds a knife whose point

Page 3 St. Norbert’s Faithletter Easter Sunday, April 24, 2011 is away from Jesus; this could refer to his own betrayal of Christ of bread entirely (Matt. 26:23). The painting rightly puts Christ at in the garden. John, the youngest disciple and he whom Jesus the spiritual and literal centre, but Judas is very close, very close loved, almost faints. indeed.

To Jesus’s right, Thomas, James the elder and Philip form the It is considerably easier to “read” The Last Supper than many second trio. Thomas, who will at first doubt his Lord’s other religious works of art, regardless of medium. Certainly resurrection, is worried; James the elder seems speechless, and there is not in it the difficult symbolism we find in medieval art, Philip asks for clarification. The last trio – Matthew, Jude and where almost everything has a hidden meaning, whether the Simon – are questioners, the first two men turning to Philip as if presence of, say, an owl or the colour of a person’s robe. he can make clear what Jesus has just declared. Commissioned by and created for an early Renaissance Italian duke, who from all accounts was hardly a pleasant person, da Structurally, the focus of the painting is, naturally, upon Jesus. Vinci’s great work has entered the Western consciousness, quite There is, however, a second and more disturbing focus, upon apart from denomination or faith system. The present writer can Judas. In other depictions of the Last Supper from the testify to persons of other faiths recognizing the piece at once as Renaissance and later, Judas is usually positioned apart from one of international significance. the eleven others; indeed, in medieval works, the holiness of the eleven is articulated by haloes, and Judas has none. Da Vinci, The Last Supper is our own. however, puts Judas in shadow, but his presence is essential to the power of the piece. Jesus has just said that his betrayer will John Snow take bread with Him and the others; Judas takes a different piece

Our Traditions

Hopping Around the Globe – Around the World

Have you ever wondered what Easter Eggs have to do with the with a blessing from the Pope. Live re-enactments of the stations Resurrection? Are you curious about where the of the cross also occur in many places throughout Italy. came from? Where was the first Easter ? If you’ve ever wondered about these or other Easter traditions, you aren’t Martedi Grasso , or Fat Tuesday, is the last real day of feasting alone. before and the beginning of . Coming at the end of Lent as it does, food plays an important part of Easter Easter traditions, like those for every holiday, differ from one celebrations and there is no exception to that in Italy. Lamb and place to another. Over the centuries since Jesus’ death and goat are typical main dishes in many festivities, as are resurrection, many things have changed to create the modern Pannetone and Colomba (dove-shaped), the special Easter Easter holiday traditions we have here in Canada. This Easter, breads. let’s take a moment to discover how people around the world Eastern Europe celebrate Easter by taking a quick “hop” around the globe..

Europe and the Mediterranean : In , green Easter eggs are given on Holy Thursday. The colour represents spring and Most of our Easter traditions in Canada and rebirth, as the egg had been viewed as a symbol many parts of the world originally began in of new life dating back to ancient times and Europe. European traditions blended with springtime rituals. Hollowed out eggs would also those that already existed and developed over be hung on trees. time in colonies around the world. So, Europe German tales told to children about a hare that seems like a good place to begin our Easter leaves eggs for them to find on Easter, along journey. with the rabbit as an ancient symbol of spring, Italy eventually gave birth to the legend of the Easter Bunny when German immigrants journeyed to In Italy, Easter, or Pasqua in Italian, has many America. traditions and rituals in the various regions all over the country. Masses, and solemn Easter cakes made in the shape of rabbits in occur in many towns and villages Germany also seem to be the for-runners of the for days and weeks before Easter, with a great modern chocolate bunnies. Although, it seems many occurring during . In Enna in that bakers and chocolatiers in Sweden also lay Sicily, for example, a large on Good claim to creating the first chocolate ( Venerdi Santo ) of over 2000 friars dressed up in ancient bunnies. costumes takes place. The oldest procession is A spring tradition of using plants to colour eggs is very common believed to take place in Chieti, in the Abruzzi Region, where throughout Europe, dating back for centuries. In Austria, tiny Selecchi’s Miserere is performed by 100 violinists marching plants are placed around eggs when they are being boiled. through the streets. When finished, the plants are removed to leave white patterns. The heart of our Roman Catholic Church is in Rome, where the Of course, probably the most famous traditions Pope holds the Via Crucis on Good Friday. The stations of the come to us from Eastern Europe. In countries such as cross are read out in several languages, and the service ends and the , exquisitely detailed painted eggs, wooden eggs

Page 4 St. Norbert’s Faithletter Easter Sunday, April 24, 2011 and eggs painted using a waxing technique have become well- Russia known throughout the world. Kraszanki eggs from Poland are coloured using natural dyes from onion, beets and other Similar to the tradition in Greece, Mass in Russia is held on Holy vegetables. Pisanki eggs, which means “written eggs” are Saturday Night. The congregation gathers in a completely carefully decorated with Easter symbols from throughout Poland darkened church. As midnight approaches, candles are gradually such as the lamb, the cross or phrases such as Alleluja. For lit until all candles are finally lit at midnight, accompanied by the those looking for a real Canadian connection to the Eastern ringing of the church bells, to announce the resurrection of Christ European egg creations, you only need to visit Alberta. Many and the return of light to the world. Eastern European immigrants settled on the farms of the prairies and today there stands a 27 foot Pisanki egg sculpture in Pashka (Easter) cake, eggs and other foods are an important Vegreville Alberta in commemoration of their cultural impact. part of the festivities throughout Easter. is a day of complete fasting though, which is the day that Pashka cakes and Poland also developed a traditional practice like other areas of breads are baked, to be eaten as part of the Easter celebrations the world that is connected to Judas. Topienie Judasza (Effigy of the next day. Judas), is hurled by children from a church steeple on , It is then dragged through the village, pounded with Russia also has the honour of being known for arguably the most sticks and stones and whatever is left of the effigy is then famous, and certainly the most expensive, eggs in the world. drowned in a nearby river. First commissioned by Czar Alexander III as a surprise for his wife, Fabergé eggs are world renowned jewelled Easter eggs. The is another tradition handed down to us from Often, they contain hidden works of art such as tiny clock-work various European countries. In Poland, Swieconka , or the birds or miniature ships. Blessing of the Baskets, is an important part of the Holy Middle East and Africa : Saturday festivities. Baskets decorated with spring flowers and white linen, and carrying an assortment of foods, are brought to In the Middle East, the home of Jesus and the birthplace of our church to be blessed. faith, Easter takes on a very different meaning for the people

Britain who live there.

Egypt The name Easter comes to us from Europe. More specifically, it comes from Eostre , the Anglo-Saxon pagan goddess of spring. In the Old Testament we read of the enslavement of the Jews in Her symbol was the rabbit, which also adds another element to Egypt. Their freedom from slavery is remembered and the early origins of the Easter Bunny. celebrated each year during Passover. This year, Passover falls

In the town of Olney in England, they have held a pancake race closer to our Easter celebrations than normal. Marking their on Shrove Tuesday for over 500 years. is the more homes with the blood of a lamb, the ancient Jews saved their traditional Easter meal in England. firstborn children. Jesus is called the “Lamb of God” and his blood sacrifice is commemorated in every Mass through the In many parts of Scotland, huge fires are lit on Holy Saturday. Eucharist, which itself is a celebration of the Last Supper – the This harkens back to ancient Celtic and pagan festivities for the Passover dinner that Jesus celebrated with His disciples. Lambs coming of spring. and blood still play an important part in both religions and in the celebrations of both Passover and Easter. Scotland is usually credited with the tradition of rolling Easter eggs. Easter eggs are usually rolled down a steep hill on Easter In the Coptic Church of Egypt, Lent is longer than ours, running Sunday. This is to symbolize the stone being rolled away from 55 days. On , children are given palm branches the tomb of Jesus on Easter morning. This tradition made its way which are blessed with holy water and they keep them up in their to North America with Scottish immigrants and is still continued homes all year. This tradition eventually became the one today – most famously in Washington with the annual White followed in many European and North American homes where House and rolling of eggs down the White House lawn. palm leaves are shaped into crosses and hung up in homes until Palm Sunday of the following year. Greece This year the Greek Orthodox Easter falls on the same day as the Easter celebrations of the Roman Catholic Church. This does Jerusalem, the city that is the heart for three of the world’s most not happen all that often. popular religions, has to be a stop on our journey. Easter in Jerusalem is a very special time. The word Pesach , the Jewish Similar to the South American Hangover Ball, Greeks have a word for Passover, was the basis of the word Pasch. Pasch was tradition called the Burning of the King. This takes place an early Christian name for Easter and became the root for many on Sunday to end Carnival and begin the period of languages around the world – Pasque (French), Pasqua (Italian), Lent. A large paper mache effigy of Judas is burned in the Pashka (Russian), etc. Most of the first Christians were Jewish, evening followed by feasting before the fasting of Lent begins. as was Jesus Himself, and so many of the Easter traditions we In Greece, Easter eggs are typically crimson, or red. This now hold dear were extensions of Jewish Passover traditions. symbolizes the blood of Christ. Easter eggs are typically carried Christian pilgrims from all over the world travel to Jerusalem around by people. When they meet others, they knock the eggs each year to take part in large processions that retrace the against each other and say “Christ is risen.” Stations of the Cross at the actual locations where Jesus was in Jerusalem. Another Greek Easter tradition is the baking and eating of a flat loaf of bread. It is marked with a cross that is decorated with red Asia and the Pacific Rim: Easter eggs. It is called Christopsomon . This tradition eventually Philippines made its way to England and then onto North America in the form of Hot Cross Buns. Page 5 St. Norbert’s Faithletter Easter Sunday, April 24, 2011

The Philippines is one of the most Catholic countries in the egg, and eggs have always been associated with new birth. Jade world, and as such Easter is a very celebrated holiday. In the and other natural items such as wood are often carved into the southern part of the Philippines, on Marinduque Island, the shape of eggs, typically to represent a dragon’s egg, which is Moriones Festival is one of the most elaborate in the world. For believed to carry good luck. Rabbits and baby chicks have long this festival, people dress up in Roman costumes with detailed been images in Chinese art depicting spring and rebirth. masks. They re-enact the story of Longinus, the Roman soldier South America: who is supposed to have been the one who speared Christ when He was on the cross, as told in the Gospel of John. In the In South America, Easter traditions blend together from many Gospel, Longinus was blind in one eye and was healed when the parts of the world – beliefs and practices stemming from Africa, blood from Christ’s side spilled onto his eye. the Inca and European countries.

In many areas of the Philippines, some of the most accurate re- The beginning of Lent is celebrated around the world with enactments of the crucifixion occur. In Cutud for example, a various carnival celebrations, which are named based on the village north of the capital of Manila, a re-enactment of the Latin phrase meaning “no meat”, which is not supposed to be crucifixion that began in 1955 has become a spectacle that eaten during Lent. The largest Carnival is in Rio de Janiero, draws visitors and pilgrims wishing to participate from all over the where a huge parade complete with floats, musicians and people world. Dozens of men carry crosses weighing over 100 lbs and, dressed in costumes takes place. after walking barefoot for nearly a mile through the city, are actually nailed to the crosses using 3-inch nails driven into their In Peru, parades occur every day of Holy Week. Chicha , a beer hands and feet atop a man-made hill. made from corn, and Besitos , a candy mixing condensed milk and coconut, are two of the more common treats enjoyed at China Easter time.

At one time long before most other countries, China held all the An early morning parade on Good Friday is the saddest of all the major world religions within its borders. Trade opened up China parades held in the area. Drums beating and the slow tolling of to the countries of the world and along with that trade came the church bells are all that is heard as crowds make their way religions and beliefs of the travelers who journeyed there. through dark streets, the only light coming from their candles, as they carry statues of Jesus and Mary while singing sad songs. In China, Easter celebrations connect with ancient spring The Easter weekend ends with the festive Hangover Ball on celebrations. Symbols such as the egg, rabbit and baby chicks Easter Sunday, which celebrates the hanging of Judas. commonly associated with Easter hold special significance in China too. In one creation legend, the earth came out of a giant John Gordon

Welcome to New Members

We are very pleased and happy to welcome to the Catholic beautiful smile which registers her pleasure with happy times. Church, and especially to our community of St. Norbert Parish Stephanie is in the process of her post-secondary school four new members - Pauline, Stephanie, Vanessa and Jonathan. education, and has had a very hectic time trying to juggle school, These four wonderful people have been on a faith journey within work and RCIA meetings. In spite of this, (or maybe because of the R.C.I.A. process for many months now, and entered the it) she is remarkably accepting of others, non- judgmental, and church through the initiation sacraments at the , calm in the face of sudden change or difficulty. Vanessa is a during the marvelous rituals of the First Mass of Easter. delight - very perceptive, enthusiastic, helpful, and with a noticeable compassion for the It has been a pleasure and a suffering of others. Vanessa is in privilege for those of us who Grade 7 at school. Jonathan is in minister through the R.C.I.A. to Grade 6 at St. Robert School and travel with these people as their has been coming faithfully to faith has grown and matured RCIA with his Dad and his Aunt throughout the past year. Each one (who is his sponsor). Jonathan of them brings their own special has an excellent grasp of his qualities, gifts and talents to our faith, a special ability to offer church. Pauline, Stephanie and needed help, and a real empathy Vanessa are a family of three - for those in need of social justice. mother and two daughters. They Both Vanessa and Jonathan are very close and loving and have have a mature grasp of our great a dynamic family relationship. need to start taking better care of Pauline is very proud of her God’s green earth. daughters, and also very protective of them. Pauline works full time , We welcome these wonderful and also manages somehow to people with open arms, and hope balance her commitments and they find us to be warm and priorities. She has a very strong Stephanie Pauline Vanessa Jonathan loving companions as they begin and determined faith, which carries with Marilyn a new stage in their journey of her through the rough spots, and a faith.

Page 6 St. Norbert’s Faithletter Easter Sunday, April 24, 2011

Faith Sites in the World

The Tomb of Christ

In an earlier issue of this Faithletter, we looked at the Church of The Stone of Anointing is also close by. Here Joseph of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, one of the most important sites Arimathea prepared the broken body of Our Lord for burial. for Christians. In the present article we shall Again, this action is not accounted for in consider the Tomb of our Lord, which is part the earliest records, and this tradition of that remarkable building. only began with the crusaders in the thirteenth century. It is possible, too, The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, as a that this is the place where Jesus was whole, is considered by Christians as lowered from the cross. As with a very standing on the site of Golgotha, the Place large number of significant sites in of the Skull, the site of Jesus’s crucifixion. Catholicism, legend has almost become Since very early in the history of Christianity, fact here; that is a very good thing, almost from the 300s, pilgrims from around because, as we know, religion is of the the world have made their way to the Old heart, and, as the great French writer City in Jerusalem, and to this church. Pascal states, “the heart has its reasons Accounts of it are found in the reports of the whereof the mind knows nothing.” brave crusaders who fought to return The Stone of Anointing Jerusalem to Christian control in the The Rotunda of the Church is beneath thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. It was here, according to one of its two huge domes. A very small door leads into two long-established legend, that Christ was resurrected. This is a rooms. The first is the Angel’s Stone, believed to have a point of some contention, as there are early claims that the body fragment of the rock which sealed Christ’s tomb. The second of Christ was taken as far away as Wales, by room is the Tomb of Christ itself. The tomb of Joseph of Arimathea. Today the site has a Joseph of Arimathea is also here. strong presence of both Western and Eastern It is quite amazing that so many sites of such rite churches; Protestantism seems not to be deep meaning for Christians should be in what there. is actually a very small space. The Tomb of The orientation of the church is, of course, Christ, physically, is not at all large, though the towards the east. Next to the altar there is a Church of the Holy Sepulchre as a whole, is. very narrow staircase which leads upward to Some of the most important places in Golgotha, the place of the crucifixion. The Christianity have very small dimensions: the main altar there is Greek Orthodox, Lady Chapels in English cathedrals like purportedly on the exact place where Jesus Hereford or Lincoln; the grotto at Lourdes; died. Very close is the Rock of Calvary, where Lindisfarne, where the Gospels first reached the Roman soldiers erected the cross itself. northern Britain. But the heart, lifted up in Roman Catholics have the Chapel of the wonder, takes these small spaces and, as the Nailing of the Cross, with a statue of the Virgin, French artist Henri Matisse said of his own engaged constantly in the succor and support chapel, “give them the dimensions of infinity.” of her people. Underneath Calvary is the (This chapel will be discussed in a future Chapel of Adam, whose significance is issue.) The Tomb of Christ especially important. Tradition states that Wonder and reverence give the Church of the Jesus was buried where the skull of Adam had been laid. This Holy Sepulchre, and the site of the Tomb of Christ, infinite point is under some dispute. The Rock of Calvary, visible dimensions, limitless. through glass, is cracked, from the moment, it is said, when the heavens were rent asunder as Jesus gave up His spirit. John Snow Kids’ Corner

Easter Book Review might just become part of your Easter traditions to be shared for generations to come. Have you ever wondered as a parent how to explain to your child why we have Easter Eggs and what they have to do with the death and ?

In the story The Cross in the Egg , author Shirley Taylor explains that old mystery. In a wonderful retelling of the story of Jesus’ final days in Jerusalem, she explains how the tradition of giving Easter Eggs began. This story about a simple gift of love from a little rabbit is a heartfelt tale you will want to share with your family over and over again. Perhaps reading this story Page 7 St. Norbert’s Faithletter Easter Sunday, April 24, 2011

Prayer

Parents, are you always trying to find ways to spend more time Orange is for the sunset that welcomes in the night with your children? Do you worry that they aren’t praying enough Black is for the sins we made and are losing their connection with God? White is for the grace He gave Purple is for the suffering of Jesus in His time of sorrow Here’s a tasty way to share an experience of prayer with young Pink is for the hope we have in a peaceful tomorrow children. Using different colours of jelly beans to match those in A bag full of jelly beans is delicious, the prayer, as your child eats each one you can read the prayer They are all so colourful and sweet. with them and as they get older, you can explain the These candies are also a prayer, significance. A treat that brings you closer together, and closer to And a tasty Easter treat. God. May the sweet beans made of jelly Fill your little belly Jelly Bean Prayer May the risen Jesus watching from above Fill your heart with God’s love Red is for the blood He gave Green is for the grass He made Amen Q&A Yellow is for the sun that shines all day so bright Let’s Smile

Memorandum

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Editorial Team: The St. Norbert’s Faithletter is a quarterly publication of Rina Kieda St. Norbert’s Roman Catholic Church in Toronto John Snow Pastor Rev. Xavier De Pinto John Gordon Eugen Gluck 100 Regent Road, Toronto, Ontario M3K 1H3, Canada

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