CNEWA Canada launches emergency campaign for Lebanon
OTTAWA, August 6, 2020 – Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA) has launched an emergency campaign to rally prayers and funds for Lebanon.
“The Lebanese people are going through a major crisis,” says Carl Hétu, national director of CNEWA Canada. “The Beirut blast comes on the heels of a political crises, overwhelming debt, financial collapse, unemployment, the COVID-19 pandemic as well as successive waves of regional conflict. We direct our prayers to the people of this country with whom we Canadians have so many ties. We invite all to join us. The Lebanese people need our help.”
While the cause of the blast remains unknown, the impact has sent shockwaves throughout the country – and the world. The toll grows by the day. More than a 100 people are confirmed dead; thousands are injured; countless remain missing, presumably buried under rubble. Lebanon’s health care facilities have been overwhelmed. Three Christian hospitals close to the port, including the 600-bed St. George Hospital, have been severely damaged and evacuated. The injured are being rushed to medical centers miles from Beirut.
“Our staff, as with the entire city, is really shaken,” said Michel Constantin, CNEWA’s Beirut-based regional director. “Our building was damaged, our offices are filled with shattered glass that could have been deadly had we not left for the day. Lebanon is on the brink of economic, political and social collapse. This will not stop us from doing our work. More than ever, the people of Lebanon need our help and, most especially, the help of their local and universal church.”
CNEWA Canada will leverage most of its resources to support the campaign – social media, website, advertisements and personal and general appeals to its generous donor base. Funds raised will be directed to the CNEWA office in Beirut which, in turn, will share with local churches that offer essential health and emergency services and pastoral outreach.
“With all the major issues devastating Lebanon, this week’s horrific incident only deepens what many describe as an existential catastrophe not only for Lebanon as a nation, but for the existence of a culturally and religiously diverse Middle East,” said CNEWA president Msgr. Peter I. Vaccari. “CNEWA recalls the words of St. John Paul II, who reminded the world that Lebanon is not just a country, but a message.”
CNEWA has been at the service of the churches and peoples of Lebanon for decades, providing relief to all who are suffering and those who have fallen through the cracks, especially those facing homelessness and in need of medical care and food.
Donations can be made online at cnewa.org/ca/campaigns/lebanoncrisis or by phone at 1-866-322-4441. Cheques can be made to “CNEWA Canada” and mailed to CNEWA Canada at 1247 Kilborn Place, Ottawa, ON K1H 6K9, marked “Lebanon”. Tax receipts will be issued for donations of $10 or more.
About CNEWA
An agency of the Holy See, CNEWA works for, through and with the Eastern churches throughout the Middle East, Northeast Africa, India and Ukraine. Founded by Pope Pius XI in 1926, CNEWA provides pastoral and humanitarian support to the churches and people of the East. CNEWA Canada was incorporated as a registered charity by Canada Revenue Agency in 2003.
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For more information, interviews or photos:
Tia Giannone Mary Moniz
Torchia Communications Torchia Communications
514-999-1732 647-278-0152
tia@torchiacom.com mary@torchiacom.com
OTTAWA, August 6, 2020 – Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA) has launched an emergency campaign to rally prayers and funds for Lebanon.
“The Lebanese people are going through a major crisis,” says Carl Hétu, national director of CNEWA Canada. “The Beirut blast comes on the heels of a political crises, overwhelming debt, financial collapse, unemployment, the COVID-19 pandemic as well as successive waves of regional conflict. We direct our prayers to the people of this country with whom we Canadians have so many ties. We invite all to join us. The Lebanese people need our help.”
While the cause of the blast remains unknown, the impact has sent shockwaves throughout the country – and the world. The toll grows by the day. More than a 100 people are confirmed dead; thousands are injured; countless remain missing, presumably buried under rubble. Lebanon’s health care facilities have been overwhelmed. Three Christian hospitals close to the port, including the 600-bed St. George Hospital, have been severely damaged and evacuated. The injured are being rushed to medical centers miles from Beirut.
“Our staff, as with the entire city, is really shaken,” said Michel Constantin, CNEWA’s Beirut-based regional director. “Our building was damaged, our offices are filled with shattered glass that could have been deadly had we not left for the day. Lebanon is on the brink of economic, political and social collapse. This will not stop us from doing our work. More than ever, the people of Lebanon need our help and, most especially, the help of their local and universal church.”
CNEWA Canada will leverage most of its resources to support the campaign – social media, website, advertisements and personal and general appeals to its generous donor base. Funds raised will be directed to the CNEWA office in Beirut which, in turn, will share with local churches that offer essential health and emergency services and pastoral outreach.
“With all the major issues devastating Lebanon, this week’s horrific incident only deepens what many describe as an existential catastrophe not only for Lebanon as a nation, but for the existence of a culturally and religiously diverse Middle East,” said CNEWA president Msgr. Peter I. Vaccari. “CNEWA recalls the words of St. John Paul II, who reminded the world that Lebanon is not just a country, but a message.”
CNEWA has been at the service of the churches and peoples of Lebanon for decades, providing relief to all who are suffering and those who have fallen through the cracks, especially those facing homelessness and in need of medical care and food.
Donations can be made online at cnewa.org/ca/campaigns/lebanoncrisis or by phone at 1-866-322-4441. Cheques can be made to “CNEWA Canada” and mailed to CNEWA Canada at 1247 Kilborn Place, Ottawa, ON K1H 6K9, marked “Lebanon”. Tax receipts will be issued for donations of $10 or more.
About CNEWA
An agency of the Holy See, CNEWA works for, through and with the Eastern churches throughout the Middle East, Northeast Africa, India and Ukraine. Founded by Pope Pius XI in 1926, CNEWA provides pastoral and humanitarian support to the churches and people of the East. CNEWA Canada was incorporated as a registered charity by Canada Revenue Agency in 2003.
– 30 –
For more information, interviews or photos:
Tia Giannone Mary Moniz
Torchia Communications Torchia Communications
514-999-1732 647-278-0152
tia@torchiacom.com mary@torchiacom.com
19th Sunday of Ordinary Time (August 9th, 2020)
‘Jesus made the disciples get into the boat…..’ When evening came ….by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them.’
I noted that on this mission, the disciples were sent by Jesus, they were on a divine mandate, suddenly when they were already in the middle of the sea, they encountered turbulent weather, the sea was troubled, they were engulfed in fear, and probably filled with regrets why in the first place did they listen or follow the instructions of Jesus to get into the boat and go over to the other side of the sea.
While they were wallowing in regrets and self-pity, Jesus appeared, walking on their trouble; the turbulent waters, in their shock and amazement, they shouted in fear; ‘it is a ghost’, but Jesus told them it is He. At this point when Peter asked, Jesus ordered him to come to Him on the water, Jesus said, ‘come’. So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came towards Jesus.
At this moment, Peter was filled with joy and courage at the command of Jesus to step out of his comfort zone and walk on the same sea that has threatened to sniff life out of him and his companions. What a joy it was to have the power to subdue you oppressor. Unfortunately, Peter was lost in the celebration of the fall of their enemy, that he lost focus of his call and where he was heading to, hence, he noticed the strong wind, and he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he was lucky to regain his focus, and he cried out, ‘Lord save me!’ In all this, Jesus was never absent, when he beckoned for help; Jesus reached out His hand and caught him.
Each and every one has been called at baptism by Jesus to step out of our comfort zones, to come to Him stepping on our troubled situations. Like Peter, most of us jumped at this invitation with jubilation, and along the line derailed from our calling to come to Jesus. The moment we stopped following Him, something similar to what happened to Peter will occur; we will begin to sink into: Resentment, Anger, Revenge, Jealousy, faithlessness and so on. During this time of disaster and turmoil, Jesus remains a friend ready to help; but the question is; do we notice or remember that He is there for us, waiting to be invited into our troubled life?
Lord, as you have commanded us to come to you walking on our troubled lives, grant us the grace to remain focused on you and never to drift to doubts and fear. When mistakenly we fall; Lord Save us. Amen.
‘Jesus made the disciples get into the boat…..’ When evening came ….by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them.’
I noted that on this mission, the disciples were sent by Jesus, they were on a divine mandate, suddenly when they were already in the middle of the sea, they encountered turbulent weather, the sea was troubled, they were engulfed in fear, and probably filled with regrets why in the first place did they listen or follow the instructions of Jesus to get into the boat and go over to the other side of the sea.
While they were wallowing in regrets and self-pity, Jesus appeared, walking on their trouble; the turbulent waters, in their shock and amazement, they shouted in fear; ‘it is a ghost’, but Jesus told them it is He. At this point when Peter asked, Jesus ordered him to come to Him on the water, Jesus said, ‘come’. So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came towards Jesus.
At this moment, Peter was filled with joy and courage at the command of Jesus to step out of his comfort zone and walk on the same sea that has threatened to sniff life out of him and his companions. What a joy it was to have the power to subdue you oppressor. Unfortunately, Peter was lost in the celebration of the fall of their enemy, that he lost focus of his call and where he was heading to, hence, he noticed the strong wind, and he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he was lucky to regain his focus, and he cried out, ‘Lord save me!’ In all this, Jesus was never absent, when he beckoned for help; Jesus reached out His hand and caught him.
Each and every one has been called at baptism by Jesus to step out of our comfort zones, to come to Him stepping on our troubled situations. Like Peter, most of us jumped at this invitation with jubilation, and along the line derailed from our calling to come to Jesus. The moment we stopped following Him, something similar to what happened to Peter will occur; we will begin to sink into: Resentment, Anger, Revenge, Jealousy, faithlessness and so on. During this time of disaster and turmoil, Jesus remains a friend ready to help; but the question is; do we notice or remember that He is there for us, waiting to be invited into our troubled life?
Lord, as you have commanded us to come to you walking on our troubled lives, grant us the grace to remain focused on you and never to drift to doubts and fear. When mistakenly we fall; Lord Save us. Amen.
JULY 19, 2020
CONGRATULATIONS FATHER BEN ON YOUR 23RD ANNIVERSARY AS A PRIEST. WE ARE FORTUNATE TO HAVE YOU IN OUR PARISH OF ST.PHILIP - ST. DENIS
Expanded coverage for Face Mask Order Effective July 7, 2020
In addition to Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington (KFLA) Region, medical officers of health from the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit; the Eastern Ontario Health Unit; Renfrew County and District Health; and Ottawa Public Health announced that face coverings will now be mandatory in indoor public spaces to stop the spread of COVID-19. This includes worship spaces and churches. There will be exceptions to the requirement, for instance for children under the age of two, or people who are medically or physically unable to put on a mask. Officials will rely on the good faith of individuals who say they are unable to wear a mask. For more details, please click on link below.
https://www.recorder.ca/news/local-news/masks-now-mandatory-in-indoor-public-spaces
Here are some guidelines to help with implementation:
1. All parishioners must wear a face mask in the church. With this they should bring their own face mask. This should be communicated prior to Mass as well as signs posted at the church entrances. Should some parishioners not be aware of the order and not be prepared, it would be good to have some extra masks on hand to give them. In your safety supply kit you received a box of 50 masks. Should you not have enough masks on hand from the kit, we have a stock pile at the Pastoral Centre.
2. All clergy and others involved in ministries, including Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, readers, ushers, etc. must wear masks except during portions of the Mass when speaking is required. Please ensure you don and doff the mask properly. If you’re not sure on this, I attached a short video.
How to Wear (Don) & Take Off (Doff) Surgical Face Mask Tutorial PPE
In addition to Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington (KFLA) Region, medical officers of health from the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit; the Eastern Ontario Health Unit; Renfrew County and District Health; and Ottawa Public Health announced that face coverings will now be mandatory in indoor public spaces to stop the spread of COVID-19. This includes worship spaces and churches. There will be exceptions to the requirement, for instance for children under the age of two, or people who are medically or physically unable to put on a mask. Officials will rely on the good faith of individuals who say they are unable to wear a mask. For more details, please click on link below.
https://www.recorder.ca/news/local-news/masks-now-mandatory-in-indoor-public-spaces
Here are some guidelines to help with implementation:
1. All parishioners must wear a face mask in the church. With this they should bring their own face mask. This should be communicated prior to Mass as well as signs posted at the church entrances. Should some parishioners not be aware of the order and not be prepared, it would be good to have some extra masks on hand to give them. In your safety supply kit you received a box of 50 masks. Should you not have enough masks on hand from the kit, we have a stock pile at the Pastoral Centre.
2. All clergy and others involved in ministries, including Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, readers, ushers, etc. must wear masks except during portions of the Mass when speaking is required. Please ensure you don and doff the mask properly. If you’re not sure on this, I attached a short video.
How to Wear (Don) & Take Off (Doff) Surgical Face Mask Tutorial PPE