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Feast of the Triumph of the Cross
50th anniversary of St. Veronica’s parish

Sunday, September 14, 2008

My brothers and sisters in Christ,

I am very happy to be here with you today, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Saint Veronica’s parish. Our celebration today also falls on the feast of the Triumph of the Cross. An anniversary like ours is also a kind of triumph, isn’t it!

Saint Veronica’s parish has been a visible sign of the triumph of God’s love for us in this world. On behalf of my predecessor archbishops, who supported this parish, and on my own behalf, I thank you for your faithfulness to the call of God. The early Christians had different symbols to represent Jesus. One of the earliest was the symbol of a fish. The fish symbol comes from an old Greek phrase that expresses how Jesus is our saviour. Another early symbol was the sign of the pelican. I have this symbol on my own Episcopal coat of arms. According to old legends, a pelican would sometimes peck at its own chest so that its young could survive on the flesh and the blood.
Our Christian ancestors saw the Eucharist in this symbol: we eat the flesh and drink the blood of Christ in that sacred meal. But the most famous symbol is the cross. As with the fish, we see Jesus the saviour when we contemplate the cross. Like the pelican, we see Jesus giving his life for us when we see him on the cross. But the cross takes these ideas, and then takes them to the limit: it shows us how far Jesus is willing to go in his love. The triumph of the cross is not really about crosses: it is about the triumph of self-giving love – a love willing to surrender everything it has for the sake of others.
Today we celebrate 50 years of this parish, but I did not come here for us to pat ourselves on the back for 50 years of just existing. I am proud to be with you because today we celebrate 50 years of loving service to our community, service offered as Jesus would have us do. This service does not have to be complicated. Your patron, Saint Veronica, is famous for having wiped the face of Jesus on his way to the cross. As far as we know, she did not try and stop the soldiers. She also did not try and stop Jesus from going to his fate. Instead, she just offered a very simple gesture of tender love. That love, that gesture, became part of the triumph of the cross. I think your patron saint has been good to you these past 50 years. To the women of this parish, for example, I know many of you have tried to be “other Veronicas” to your community. I think of your parish CWL council, which is well-known for its involvement in many charitable activities and projects. You may not always make the headlines, but so what. Veronica didn’t either, but her story has never been forgotten. Saint Veronica’s parish has also been a faithful part of this diocese. It has helped shape our clergy. Let me give just two examples. One of the seminarians who came here many years ago is now one of my close collaborators, Monseignor Sean Harty, and I can assure you he speaks of Saint Veronica’s parish often, and with great affection. This parish also helped shape the man who is today the bishop of St. John, New Brunswick. “Bishop Bob” was once “Father Bob”, pastor of Saint Veronica’s parish. I wish I could name every form of community service found at Saint Veronica’s parish. I wish I could name every person and every group that has been part of the life of this parish. I cannot. Nevertheless, I wish to once again say thank you for being part of this triumph of love.
As I come to conclude my remarks, I would like to offer a final observation. The cross of Jesus is a triumph only because it shows the depth of his love. Our parishes, in turn, need to always deepen their love. I am convinced that this is the secret to a healthy, vibrant parish. Every parish has problems and challenges. Even Saint Veronica’s has had a few over the years. Parishes can also have many good points and be proud of them. But a parish that gets too distracted by its problems, or by its pride, can lose sight of its real mission: to propose Jesus Christ to the world.
The triumph of the cross is not about crosses: it is about Jesus and his love. This 50th anniversary celebration is not really about this parish, either: it is about Jesus and his love. My prayer for all of you is that the good feelings and joy of this celebration will not fade, but instead will be transformed into even greater love for God and for neighbour. If we can do this, no cross can ever defeat us. Every cross we will ever bear will be conquered by God’s love, and will show that love to the world.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. AMEN

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24 septembre 2008

Feast of the Triumph of the Cross
50th anniversary of St. Veronica’s parish

Sunday, September 14, 2008

I am very happy to be here with you today, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Saint Veronica’s parish. Our celebration today also falls on the feast of the Triumph of the Cross. An anniversary like ours is also a kind of triumph, isn’t it!

Saint Veronica’s parish has been a visible sign of the triumph of God’s love for us in this world. On behalf of my predecessor archbishops, who supported this parish, and on my own behalf, I thank you for your faithfulness to the call of God. The early Christians had different symbols to represent Jesus. One of the earliest was the symbol of a fish. The fish symbol comes from an old Greek phrase that expresses how Jesus is our saviour. Another early symbol was the sign of the pelican. I have this symbol on my own Episcopal coat of arms. According to old legends, a pelican would sometimes peck at its own chest so that its young could survive on the flesh and the blood.

Our Christian ancestors saw the Eucharist in this symbol: we eat the flesh and drink the blood of Christ in that sacred meal. But the most famous symbol is the cross. As with the fish, we see Jesus the saviour when we contemplate the cross. Like the pelican, we see Jesus giving his life for us when we see him on the cross. But the cross takes these ideas, and then takes them to the limit: it shows us how far Jesus is willing to go in his love. The triumph of the cross is not really about crosses: it is about the triumph of self-giving love – a love willing to surrender everything it has for the sake of others.

Today we celebrate 50 years of this parish, but I did not come here for us to pat ourselves on the back for 50 years of just existing. I am proud to be with you because today we celebrate 50 years of loving service to our community, service offered as Jesus would have us do. This service does not have to be complicated. Your patron, Saint Veronica, is famous for having wiped the face of Jesus on his way to the cross. As far as we know, she did not try and stop the soldiers. She also did not try and stop Jesus from going to his fate. Instead, she just offered a very simple gesture of tender love. That love, that gesture, became part of the triumph of the cross. I think your patron saint has been good to you these past 50 years. To the women of this parish, for example, I know many of you have tried to be “other Veronicas” to your community. I think of your parish CWL council, which is well-known for its involvement in many charitable activities and projects. You may not always make the headlines, but so what. Veronica didn’t either, but her story has never been forgotten. Saint Veronica’s parish has also been a faithful part of this diocese. It has helped shape our clergy. Let me give just two examples. One of the seminarians who came here many years ago is now one of my close collaborators, Monseignor Sean Harty, and I can assure you he speaks of Saint Veronica’s parish often, and with great affection. This parish also helped shape the man who is today the bishop of St. John, New Brunswick. “Bishop Bob” was once “Father Bob”, pastor of Saint Veronica’s parish. I wish I could name every form of community service found at Saint Veronica’s parish. I wish I could name every person and every group that has been part of the life of this parish. I cannot. Nevertheless, I wish to once again say thank you for being part of this triumph of love.

As I come to conclude my remarks, I would like to offer a final observation. The cross of Jesus is a triumph only because it shows the depth of his love. Our parishes, in turn, need to always deepen their love. I am convinced that this is the secret to a healthy, vibrant parish. Every parish has problems and challenges. Even Saint Veronica’s has had a few over the years. Parishes can also have many good points and be proud of them. But a parish that gets too distracted by its problems, or by its pride, can lose sight of its real mission: to propose Jesus Christ to the world.

The triumph of the cross is not about crosses: it is about Jesus and his love. This 50th anniversary celebration is not really about this parish, either: it is about Jesus and his love. My prayer for all of you is that the good feelings and joy of this celebration will not fade, but instead will be transformed into even greater love for God and for neighbour. If we can do this, no cross can ever defeat us. Every cross we will ever bear will be conquered by God’s love, and will show that love to the world.