Date: February 25, 2023 Communique #5

From:  Gerry Heywood: Spiritual Chair, Victoria Diocesan Council

Dear Sisters & Father Mike:

I’d like to share a conversation I had with my husband a couple of days ago.

We were having coffee at the kitchen table one morning when he told me “Mary phoned yesterday”.

I asked, “Mary who?”

Husband, “I don’t know. Someone named Mary. Must be someone you know.”

I sat there trying to think. Finally, I replied, “You do know I’m Catholic, don’t you?”

Husband, “What’s that got to do with it?”

I answered, “At least half the woman I know are Marys or have Mary somewhere in their names!”

That made me realize how much an impact our Catholic faith has on us. Even I, who only came into the Church at age 16 have Mary as part of my middle name. One way or another, we live our Catholic faith daily, even if it’s only by the mundane act of signing our names.

So, now my most Catholic Sisters and Friends, I come to the point of my communique. It is Lent; a time of action and reflection on the gifts of Good Friday and Easter Morning. I know that you do a lot more than just turn up for Sunday Mass. You say your Rosary, walk the Stations of the Cross, attend weekday mass, engage in works of charity, support one another and strangers in their times of struggle and a lot more besides. As the pagans used to say of you, “See how they love one another.” I am also convinced that God will say of you, “Well done, good and faithful servants.”

Well, I know I can’t top our Father’s Words but I really would like to recommend a couple of programs to help you along in your Catholic faith. But, then again, you may already be doing them.

May I recommend “The Bible in a Year” and “The Catechism in a Year” from Ascension Press? You can listen as Fr. Mike Schmitz walks you through the entire Bible and the entire Catholic catechism each in 365 episodes. (Don’t ask about leap year.) He provides commentary, reflection, and prayer along the way. And it’s all free! And, you can listen or watch them tucked into your warm bed or any other time of day or night! And, “The Catechism in a Year” only takes around fifteen minutes to do and the “Bible” no more than thirty although most episodes are much shorter.

Personally, I have gained greater insight into the mass and sacraments through these programs. They have also helped me to put into words what I believe. So, you see, social media isn’t all bad.

You can find both the “Bible in a Year” and the “Catechism in a Year” just by entering these titles in your computer’s search bar. You know, the seek and you shall find computer method.

In closing, I wish all of you and your families a wonderful Easter season and see you in church.

Gerry Heywood

CWL Spiritual Chair: Diocese of Victoria