As we gather on this Trinity Sunday, we also mark World Environment Day.  In our liturgy, lovingly prepared by our Faith and Justice Committee, we are reminded of Pope Francis’ recent words on climate change: “The effective struggle against global warming will only be possible with a responsible collective answer that goes beyond particular interests and behavior and is developed free of political and economic pressures.  On climate change, there is a clear, definitive and ethical imperative to act.  The establishment of an international climate change treaty is a grave ethical and moral responsibility.”

Five years ago, Pope Francis published his landmark encyclical letter on the environment and on our role as stewards of God’s bounteous creation.  Its title, "Laudato Si’," is taken from The Canticle of the Creatures, composed by St. Francis of Assisi in 1225.  It praises the Holy Trinity for the gift of creation, for mercy and forgiveness, and even for “Sister Death”, through which our bodies return to the earth and our spirits to our Creator.  We know that when meeting world leaders, Pope Francis presents them with a copy of this beautiful and challenging text.  (I often wonder how many of them bother reading it, let alone take it to heart!) At the diocese, our social action coordinator Kim Gottfried-Piché, who is our preacher this weekend, has been doing outstanding work – even in the midst of this pandemic – to raise awareness of the importance of putting into practice many of its recommendations. 

Obviously, care for creation implies care not only for the environment, but for all human beings created in the divine image and likeness.  And as protests rise throughout the world in the light of the death of George Floyd at the hands of four Minneapolis police officers, it is important for us not only to condemn the injustice, but to stand in solidarity with all victims of racial violence and more subtle forms of injustice and prejudice.  I found this article by African-American theologian Fr. Bryan Massingale particularly helpful.

Fr. Bertoli is settling into his new home at the Vista residence.  He continues to ask for our prayers and assures all of us of his.  Let us remember him in a special way in our prayer this weekend.  Also, if any of you would like a Living With Christ booklet for June, to follow the readings for daily Mass, I have left some in the mailbox outside the rectory.  Please come and help yourselves!  There are also envelopes in the mailbox in case you are inspired to make a donation. 

Please join us on our Youtube page for Mass this Sunday at 10 AM.

Please keep following us on Facebook, subscribing to our YouTube channel, and visiting the website so that you get regular updates on what is happening in the parish, and to continue to support us with your prayers and donations. The wardens and pastoral council have both met via Zoom over the past week, and the liturgy committee will be meeting soon to look at how we can be ready for the different phases of reopening our churches for personal prayer and public worship. Stay tuned for updates, and if you are interested in serving on the pastoral council, or are able to help out with preparing and implementing the gradual reopening of the church (once the government gives the go-ahead) please e-mail us at st-monica@videotron.ca .   

In closing, let us make the words of this prayer our own:

Fr. Raymond Lafontaine, E.V.

Pastor