The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) are currently holding consultations on several of their policies, including the sections that take away conscience protections for the doctors they regulate. Now that Bill C-7 has passed, greatly expanding access to euthanasia, it is critical that we support physicians who are committed to helping their vulnerable patients live, not hastening their death. Several years ago, the late Cardinal George of Chicago, in a talk to a group of priests, tried to express what he thought the complete secularization of our society would bring. He said: "I expect to die in bed, my successor will die in prison and his successor will die a martyr in the public square. …" We are all too familiar with how our society has become secularized with many foundational Christian principles, and rights, regularly cast aside. The denial of conscience rights of medical professionals is just one of many recent examples. Here is a link that will allow you to find out more information and to send a message to the College to state that you support conscience rights. You may edit the letter with your own personal comments.

Every year since 2006 the Apostolic committee has held an annual walk to raise funds to build homes in Cambodia. We have lost track of how many families we have given a home. But it is well over 100. Over the years several parishioners have travelled to Cambodia to help build homes and see that part of the world. We mix doing good deeds with education and fun. We have been to Vietnam, Thailand and Singapore as well as Hong Kong. Some have been two or three times. If you are interested in going on an adventure like this let us know.

Catholics and all people of good are asked to make their voices heard in opposition to legislation before the Parliament of Canada, Bill C-7, which expands access to euthanasia and assisted suicide. This Bill removes, among other things, the requirement in the law that a person’s death must be “reasonably foreseen” and extends the provision of euthanasia and assisted suicide to those who are not dying. Catholic teaching upholds the inherent dignity of each and every person and affirms that it is gravely unjust to enact laws legalizing practices, such as euthanasia and assisted, that permit the taking of innocent human life. The Diocese of London is joining with faith-based groups and all concnerned Canadians to oppose this legislation

In order to continue to keep our places of worship open, safe and sacred it takes many resources, willing hands and hearts to make this happen. The exterior protective glass for 5 of the beautiful the stain glass windows at Holy Angels’ are cracking and pieces are coming loose. There have been plans for several years to replace all of the protective glass because it is not properly vented and can cause damage to the stained glass over time (because of drastic heating and cooling without proper venting.) Because of the cracked exterior glass, need to preserve the stained glass from the elements and safety concerns, we need to replace the cracked glass. The replacement of the cracked panes will occur this month. This is a temporary measure until we can install new, vented storm windows and paint the window frames for all the windows in the church. On another note, the front steps of the church will require extensive funds to be raised before we can begin work to replace them. We cannot yet set a timeframe for the completion of this work. Minor repair work on the side sacristy steps, deteriorating because of salt has been repaired by very skilled parishioners. Thank you for your generosity! We are all thankful for everyone’s continued support to keep the church safe, sacred and fully operational.