This is the saddest Canada Day.

Dr. Henry Morgentaler was named today by the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, as a Member of the Order of Canada “[f]or his commitment to increased health care options for women, his determined efforts to influence Canadian public policy and his leadership in humanist and civil liberties organizations” (see the website of the Governor General). Dr. Morgentaler was instrumental in having all laws regarding abortion being struck down by the Supreme Court of Canada in 1988 and has been called by many as the “Arch-Abortionist” of Canada. He is personally (and proudly) responsible for killing thousands of young Canadians in the womb who have no voice and no protection in law. By his action and advocacy, over 100,000 children each year are murdered in the womb - he has been destructive to the future of Canada and Canadians.

I have to agree with the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Toronto, Most Rev. Thomas Collins, when he states that the Order of Canada has been debased today. Below you will find the complete text of his statement.

I am very aware that at least a few Canadians who have received the Order of Canada have been controversial among Canadians. But none, except Dr. Henry Morgentaler, has done such harm to Canada in the willful destruction of innocent human life.

And now the text of the Archbishop of Toronto:

Canada’s highest honour has been debased. Henry Morgentaler has been awarded the Order of Canada. We are all diminished.

A community’s worth is measured by the way it treats the most vulnerable, and no one is more vulnerable than in the first nine months of life’s journey. No person may presume to judge the soul of Henry Morgentaler, but it cannot be denied that the effect of his life’s work has been a deadly assault upon the most helpless amongst us.

Canada glories in the names of Banting and Best, and the other medical heroes who selflessly brought healing where there was disease and suffering. Now it honours with the Order of Canada a medical man who has brought not healing, but the destruction of the defenseless and immeasurable grief. This award must not stand.

I earnestly appeal to all who are tempted to resort to an abortionist, or are pressured to do so by those around them. I urge you to contact organizations such as Birthright, and others who will support you and love you and your precious child. Contact your parish. We are here for you. I pledge to you the support of the Catholic Church. Look to our archdiocesan website at http://www.archtoronto.org for information concerning places where you may find loving help.

For those who have had an abortion, and bear within your heart the fearful grief, I urge you to contact us, to find love and support in your anguish, and in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, to find the gift of inner peace.

I ask the faithful of the Archdiocese of Toronto, and all people of good will, to protest this act of dishonour. Write, phone, or e-mail the Governor General, the Prime Minister, and your Member of Parliament. Ask that this action be revoked.

This coming Sunday will be a day of special prayer in the Archdiocese of Toronto, for an end to the evil of abortion. I have asked that the following prayer be inserted in the Prayer of the Faithful in all the churches of the archdiocese:

“That the scourge of abortion be lifted from our land, that those who promote it may be brought to a change of heart, that all who are tempted to abortion may be lovingly helped  to protect the  precious gift of life, and that all who have experienced an abortion may be comforted with the healing gift of love.”

[See the website of the Archdiocese of Toronto]

LifesiteNews Canada has issued a news bulletin that the Governor General of Canada intends to bestow Canada’s highest honour, the Order of Canada, upon Dr. Henry Morgentaler on July 1, 2008, the 141st birthday of Canada. This news was also broadcast on CJOB 680 AM today (June 29, 2008 ) at the 8:00 am news broadcast. Interestingly, there is no media release regarding this investiture on the website of the Governor General of Canada. However, it should be noted that there are times when the Order of Canada is bestowed individually with an official media release at a later date.

According to the website of the Governor General of Canada,

The Order of Canada is the centrepiece of Canada’s honours system and recognizes a lifetime of outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation. The Order recognizes people in all sectors of Canadian society. Their contributions are varied, yet they have all enriched the lives of others and made a difference to this country. The Order of Canada’s motto is DESIDERANTES MELIOREM PATRIAM (They desire a better country).

As a abortionist and an advocate for abortion, has Dr. Morgentaler contributed to the enrichment of Canadians? I find it difficult to understand how Dr. Morgentaler has benefitted Canadians or Canadian society as a whole. The news bulletin from LifesiteNews.com states:

“It is dreadful that this honour should even be considered for a man who’s only claim to fame is that he is a professional killer of defenseless babies in their mothers’ wombs,” said Jim Hughes, National President of Campaign Life Coalition. “Those who have received this prestigious medal should return it because it will have been devalued and disgraced,” he continued.

“If Morgentaler had any integrity he would refuse the medal”, said Mary Ellen Douglas, National Organizer of CLC. “This presentation should be given to people who have made Canada a better place to live and the elimination of thousands of human beings who would have contributed to the future of Canada is a disgrace not an honour.”

If you wish to contact the Governor General of Canada, please write as soon as possible. The letter should be polite and to the point; visit the Governor General’s website for proper addressing and salutations.

You have a book? Then read it, reflect on what it ways, and apply the words to yourself. To apply the content to oneself is the purpose and fruit of reading. If you read without applying what is read to yourself, nothing good will come of it, and even harm may result. (Bishop Theophan the Recluse)

We wish to offer our prayers and congratulations to Ted and Sophie Gierys on the occasion of their 50th wedding anniversary on June 14! Many blessings for the years to come!

The everlasting God has in His wisdom foreseen from eternity the cross that He now presents to you as a gift from His inmost heart. This cross He now sends you He has considered with His all-knowing eyes, understood with His divine mind, tested with His wise justice, warmed with loving arms and weighed with His own hands to see that it not be one inch too large and not one ounce too heavy for you. He has blessed it with His Holy Name, anointed it with His grace, perfumed it with His consolation, taken one last look at you and your courage, and then sent it to you from heaven, a special greeting from God to you, an alms of the all-merciful love of God. (St. Frances de Sales)

Today is Father Darren’s anniversary of ordination to the Holy Priesthood. He sent a message to many of us and some pictures:

Hello Everyone.
Today is my 14th Anniversary and here are some pictures that were taken today, by some of the Seminarians.
Today was the first time I wore the Felon you see. It is beautiful. The Felon was a present from my friend Muxaulo and his fiance Irena. Irena’s embroidered the epitrakhil (stole) and her grandmother and aunts did the rest. I was originally supposed to go to Ukraine this summer and there they would have presented it to me, but unfortunately I will not be able to go to Ukraine, but instead return to Canada a bit earlier (June 29). All in all, it was a beautifully sung liturgy today in our Seminary Chapel.

Many Years, Father Darren! Многая літа!

We just received word this morning that our former pastor, Father Darren Kawiuk, who left us in August 2005 at the request of the then Metropolitan-Archbishop, Kyr Michael (Bzdel) to pursue graduate studies in ecumenical studies in Rome, has passed his comprehensive theological exams today. Father Darren will soon graduate with a Licentiate degree in Theology which will allow him to teach theology, and especially on ecumenical issues, at any Catholic university throughout the world. Many parishioners have been praying for him over the last few years. However, the fervency of those prayers increased as we found out that Father Darren was approaching the time to submit his thesis and undergo a very demanding set of exams. Here is what he wrote in his notice to us,

“This morning when I was on my way to the Lexio Coram - Comprehensive Licence Exam - I really felt your prayers. I even surprised myself as to how peaceful I was about going into this exam. I guess it was because your prayers really uplifted my spirit.”

Father Darren did so well in his exams that the professors and examiners told him that he would be welcome to complete a doctorate degree if so chose. He declined comment on the matter.

Finally, in accord with his character and in part a reason why we love him so much, Father Darren did not rest on his own laurels - rather he how much he was not alone in this endeavour (even though we are separated by so miles).

“We did it! … God bless you all for your kindness and support. You have no idea how grateful I am to you all, my friends, and for your prayers. God bless you all and may He grant you all many years of health and happiness!”

We look forward to Father Darren’s return to “our home and native land” later this summer.

Here is an interesting little video by the Fellowship Bible Church in Little Rock, Arkansas sent to me by a good friend in the Winnipeg pro-life movement. While it is not overtly Christian, it is Christian nonetheless and worthy of viewing and reviewing:

A very good friend and colleague of mine sent me the video below. It was commissioned by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops. It is a must see. And if you know any men between the ages of 8-55, invite them to watch this video:

Here is a video of the Lord’s Prayer that makes one think that one should never underestimate the ability and devotion of even the youngest members of our parish: