“Letters from Canada 29 – Changes” April 2019
As we walked to our separate cars, leaving the private home of our mutual friend, we both briefly and sadly glanced at each other knowing our relationship will significantly change and there will be boundaries. No more turning to each other for emotional comfort and support. Susan needs to develop that relationship with Tom. As for me it’s like the time before Susan, I am all alone again.
Before I sunk into a deeper state of self-pity, God interrupted me with thoughts of my reality. God told me, Father Mark you are never alone. Even if you forget God is always at your side, the people you know, care about, help and love will always be there for you. Even nice strangers you have yet to meet will be source of encouragement and inspiration. I kind of felt a little better as I started by car to go home.
Back to my reality which includes the continued search for Mary, facing Bishop Cornelius and my parishioners and friends about my meeting and parting with Susan. Faithfully attending to the spiritual needs of people entrusted to me and ones that will cross my path.
With apprehension, I called Bishop Cornelius, telling him we need to talk in person. My concern increased when Bishop Cornelius suggested we talk in the city’s arboretum park.
Normally this paradise setting is great for enjoying the company of friends or consulting those that seek my advice or guidance. The beauty and majesty of the flowers, plants, bushes and trees has a soothing effect, a reminder that God is in our mist.
But for my talks with Bishop Cornelius in this scenic nature park usually means confronting serious Church problems or dealing with accusations by my detractors. But during these talks, it is also important to be reminded that God is in our mist.
My apprehension increased when Bishop Cornelius requested, we meet in his Chapel for prayer before we head out to the arboretum. In place of established prayers like “Our Father”, the Bishop led our Prayer with request for courage, strengthen, and wisdom to deal with challenges facing both of us. My Prayer centered on God’s guidance to make good decisions in helping the people entrusted to our care. I drove Bishop Cornelius to the Arboretum and we found a more private with less people traffic spot to talk.
In four months, “I am retiring and will not be your Bishop” opened up Bishop Cornelius. “I will make an official announcement next week. My successor will probably be your nemesis, Father Basil (letter 25)”.
“Because of the growth of your St. Theresa’s parish, a new priest whose is married with children will be assigned to St. Theresa to work with you. For the time being your job is safe because church authorities recognize that this growth is due to your efforts to connect with young people whereas other parishes are suffering declines as the older generations pass on”.
“Before I retire, I have been pressured by some of your detractors to make you publicly profess your faith and explain how everyone not believing in Christ is going to Heaven (letter 28) or Church Dogmas are not important. I have to admit, I am also concern that you may be straying from the faith and church”.
Bishop Cornelius concluded: “you personally must stop your search for Mary. In this climate of clergy abuse of children, what you are trying to do, even with good intention does not look good. The search for Mary is a family and police matter. Now tell me about your rendezvous with Susan.”
“We talked about our love relationship, God, heaven and what comes next for both of us” was how I began my story. “We both acknowledge that our friendship will not lead to marriage, and must change including boundaries given that Susan and Tom are interested in a romantic relationship.”
With a disappointing look, the Bishop told me that we must find a way to communicate some of what I just told him to the congregation before it turns into a major scandal. He suggested I meet with the parish council to answer their questions and concerns. His reasoning was the council is made up of parishioners that like and support me, but also includes my detractors. Their advice on a course of action would hopefully mitigate this problem.
I was saddened to hear Bishop Cornelius is leaving his post, but not surprised. Many times, the Bishop confided to me his frustration with becoming more of a bureaucratic administrator of a large diocese and less a spiritual leader bringing people closer to God.
Bishop Cornelius shared with me His new assignment as a board member of a charity foundation that helps the Canadian Salvation Army, Covenant House for homeless youths, and Homeless Shelters. With a cheerful smile, He related how his new job will include meeting, comforting and helping God’s children marginalized by society. The Bishop warm me that sometimes He will rope me in to help him.
As to the issue of my team (Susan, Tom, & Linda) “search for Mary” project, I assured the Bishop that at our next group meeting we will change our direction. Instead of looking for Mary, we will comfort and support the family and RCMP officers that are searching for Mary”.
The Bishop shared with me his concern that I was hanging around with the wrong crowd at the University Think Tank (Letters 17) and will eventually lose my belief in God and leave the Catholic Church. He urged for us to have a heart to heart talk about God and the Church before I face the public.
My response was that “God would never abandon me and I would never abandon God. I have no intentions of leaving the Catholic Church for many reasons, first among them, the Catholic Church connected me with God. I would like to have our talk under the umbrella of the Sacrament of Confession, obliging you not to disclose anything I share with you with anyone.
Under a majestic mighty Oak Tree, both us prayed for God’s guidance and then I drove Bishop Cornelius back to his residence.
To be continued: “Letters from Canada 30 – Confession”
As we walked to our separate cars, leaving the private home of our mutual friend, we both briefly and sadly glanced at each other knowing our relationship will significantly change and there will be boundaries. No more turning to each other for emotional comfort and support. Susan needs to develop that relationship with Tom. As for me it’s like the time before Susan, I am all alone again.
Before I sunk into a deeper state of self-pity, God interrupted me with thoughts of my reality. God told me, Father Mark you are never alone. Even if you forget God is always at your side, the people you know, care about, help and love will always be there for you. Even nice strangers you have yet to meet will be source of encouragement and inspiration. I kind of felt a little better as I started by car to go home.
Back to my reality which includes the continued search for Mary, facing Bishop Cornelius and my parishioners and friends about my meeting and parting with Susan. Faithfully attending to the spiritual needs of people entrusted to me and ones that will cross my path.
With apprehension, I called Bishop Cornelius, telling him we need to talk in person. My concern increased when Bishop Cornelius suggested we talk in the city’s arboretum park.
Normally this paradise setting is great for enjoying the company of friends or consulting those that seek my advice or guidance. The beauty and majesty of the flowers, plants, bushes and trees has a soothing effect, a reminder that God is in our mist.
But for my talks with Bishop Cornelius in this scenic nature park usually means confronting serious Church problems or dealing with accusations by my detractors. But during these talks, it is also important to be reminded that God is in our mist.
My apprehension increased when Bishop Cornelius requested, we meet in his Chapel for prayer before we head out to the arboretum. In place of established prayers like “Our Father”, the Bishop led our Prayer with request for courage, strengthen, and wisdom to deal with challenges facing both of us. My Prayer centered on God’s guidance to make good decisions in helping the people entrusted to our care. I drove Bishop Cornelius to the Arboretum and we found a more private with less people traffic spot to talk.
In four months, “I am retiring and will not be your Bishop” opened up Bishop Cornelius. “I will make an official announcement next week. My successor will probably be your nemesis, Father Basil (letter 25)”.
“Because of the growth of your St. Theresa’s parish, a new priest whose is married with children will be assigned to St. Theresa to work with you. For the time being your job is safe because church authorities recognize that this growth is due to your efforts to connect with young people whereas other parishes are suffering declines as the older generations pass on”.
“Before I retire, I have been pressured by some of your detractors to make you publicly profess your faith and explain how everyone not believing in Christ is going to Heaven (letter 28) or Church Dogmas are not important. I have to admit, I am also concern that you may be straying from the faith and church”.
Bishop Cornelius concluded: “you personally must stop your search for Mary. In this climate of clergy abuse of children, what you are trying to do, even with good intention does not look good. The search for Mary is a family and police matter. Now tell me about your rendezvous with Susan.”
“We talked about our love relationship, God, heaven and what comes next for both of us” was how I began my story. “We both acknowledge that our friendship will not lead to marriage, and must change including boundaries given that Susan and Tom are interested in a romantic relationship.”
With a disappointing look, the Bishop told me that we must find a way to communicate some of what I just told him to the congregation before it turns into a major scandal. He suggested I meet with the parish council to answer their questions and concerns. His reasoning was the council is made up of parishioners that like and support me, but also includes my detractors. Their advice on a course of action would hopefully mitigate this problem.
I was saddened to hear Bishop Cornelius is leaving his post, but not surprised. Many times, the Bishop confided to me his frustration with becoming more of a bureaucratic administrator of a large diocese and less a spiritual leader bringing people closer to God.
Bishop Cornelius shared with me His new assignment as a board member of a charity foundation that helps the Canadian Salvation Army, Covenant House for homeless youths, and Homeless Shelters. With a cheerful smile, He related how his new job will include meeting, comforting and helping God’s children marginalized by society. The Bishop warm me that sometimes He will rope me in to help him.
As to the issue of my team (Susan, Tom, & Linda) “search for Mary” project, I assured the Bishop that at our next group meeting we will change our direction. Instead of looking for Mary, we will comfort and support the family and RCMP officers that are searching for Mary”.
The Bishop shared with me his concern that I was hanging around with the wrong crowd at the University Think Tank (Letters 17) and will eventually lose my belief in God and leave the Catholic Church. He urged for us to have a heart to heart talk about God and the Church before I face the public.
My response was that “God would never abandon me and I would never abandon God. I have no intentions of leaving the Catholic Church for many reasons, first among them, the Catholic Church connected me with God. I would like to have our talk under the umbrella of the Sacrament of Confession, obliging you not to disclose anything I share with you with anyone.
Under a majestic mighty Oak Tree, both us prayed for God’s guidance and then I drove Bishop Cornelius back to his residence.
To be continued: “Letters from Canada 30 – Confession”
