PARISH WELCOMES FIRST CLASS RELIC of MOTHER TERESA
In 2004, recognizing that the number of priests and other resources in the parishes of the Archdiocese of Halifax, Nova Scotia, were diminishing, a report entitled Forward in Faith, was issued, which presented a vision for “a re-formation in the manner the Archdiocese and parishes presently function, so that the principles of collegiality and co-responsibility become operative at all levels”. Among its recommendations was a reduction in the number of parishes within the Archdiocese. After extensive discussion and prayerful discernment, in the parishes of St. Stephen’s and St. Joseph’s, it was recommended to then Archbishop, Terence Prendergast, S.J., that the two parishes be amalgamated and that St. Stephen’s Church be the sole place of worship for a new parish. Archbishop Prendergast accepted the recommendation and the newly formed parish was given the name Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta.
As the parishioners and staff worked through the challenges of bringing the two founding communities together, the words of Mother Teresa were looked to for inspiration. The quote “Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin”, was used as the initial parish motto. With a great deal of work by the Pastoral Team and the Pastoral Council, the community has come together and continues to grow. Guided by the example of Mother Teresa, efforts have been made to reach out to the less fortunate in the neighbourhood. A Social Justice Committee was formed and a Seniors’ program for the older members of the community has been initiated. The parish is also working at revitalizing the St. Vincent de Paul Society working in the parish, to ensure that outreach to the poor is enhanced, in keeping with the spirit of Mother Teresa. Mother Teresa continues to be an inspiration to the people of the parish and as the community has developed, a new quote is being used as the parish motto: “What I can do, you cannot. What you can do, I cannot. But together, we can do something beautiful for God”. It is believed that as the parish community has developed, this now expresses the character and sentiment of the parish and reinforces the feelings of this community that is so honoured to have Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta as its patron.
Recently, through the help of Fr. Tom Mangattuthazhe, a friend of the Missionaries of Charity in India, (and the brother of Fr. Joseph Thomas of our diocese) the parish received a second-class relic (a piece of fabric) of Mother Teresa. Subsequently, following an exchange of letters between our pastor, Fr. Gilbert Bertrand, OMI and the Postulator of Mother Teresa in San Ysidro, California, a first-class relic (strands of hair of Mother Teresa) was received. It was decided to have these relics formally presented to the parish at a celebration on September 5, the Feast Day of Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta. A permanent display area was selected and a shrine was built by parishioner Frank Cameron, to house the reliquary.
At the 4.00 p.m. Mass on Saturday, September 5th, the relics were brought up in procession and displayed within the sanctuary. During the homily, Fr. Gilbert spoke of how this incredible young woman, whom we now honour as our patron, was entrusted with the mission of proclaiming God’s thirsting love for humanity, especially for the poorest of the poor. He referred to her as a soul filled with the light of Christ, on fire for him and burning with one desire: to quench his thirst for love and for souls. He reminded the people that the whole of her life and labour bore witness to the joy of loving, the greatness and dignity of every human person, the value of little things done faithfully and with love, and the surpassing worth of friendship with God. After the prayers of the faithful, the relics were taken in procession to the display area, where they will remain permanently. Two members from the Knights of Columbus Honour Guard provided added colour for the ceremony.
Following the Mass, a reception, hosted by our parish CWL, was held in the parish hall where the members of the assembly gathered in fellowship & thanksgiving for all the good things that God has bestowed upon our parish. We are confident that Blessed Mother Teresa will continue to look with favour on the people of our community and guide us as we work to respond to the poor and those in need in our area.