On May 11th, Reverend Marie Arnold left Halifax County by train to join me in Trois-Rivières, Quebec. Since there is no train to Trois-Rivières, she arrived the next day by bus from Montreal. Read the complete story
“Remain in me, as I remain in you.” (John 15:4)
The Eucharist is not a symbol.
It is Presence.
I won first prize for this poem at two different poetry contests two years in a row.
The missionaries leave their homes
Their family, friends, and all,
To travel far across the seas
In answer to God’s call.
They learn the language of the land
In order to go,
And tell the natives of our God
Who cares and loves them so?
The natives in these foreign lands
To idols, they all go,
But idols neither hear nor speak
The Bible tells us so.
So the mission of our people here
Is to take the Holy Word,
Of salvation from a living God
To those who have never heard.
And we at home can do our part
As we do daily, we pray,
For God to keep them free from harm
While they are far away.
But let’s not forget our missionaries
That work for God at home,
And show God’s love to many
Who feel lost and all alone.
So let us all just do our part
For our missionaries dear,
Whether they be far away
Or whether they be near.
We’ll pray for God to guide them
As they teach His Word so true,
And support them with our pledges
As His work, they gladly do.
Rev. Marie Yvonne.
I felt so close to God today
As I stood beside a brook,
And watched the water flow
Or’e the rocks, as it’s trickling
Pathway took.
And as I stood there gazing
I saw our Creator’s plan,
For that tiny little babbling brook
Was made by God’s own hand.
And the God that made the rocks
The trees, the seas, and all the land,
Yes, the God of all the Universe
He, too, created man.
So if cares close in around you
And you need someone to care,
Go find yourself a babbling brook
God’s peace is always there.
Rev. Marie Yvonne.
Through Mary, we learn to remain.
In silence.
In trust.
In the presence of her Son.
From Just A Piece Of Clay
God took a piece of love one day
And turned it into a clump of clay
He worked it in His loving hands
And tenderly created man.
He made him strong and mighty and tall
To have dominion over all,
He put a garden fence
To rule all God’s creation there.
But man was lonely all alone
So God removed from him a bone
And made for him a helpmate true
To live with him his whole life through.
So from this tiny piece of bone
God made us all to be His own,
So be thankful for the life you share
And live for God while you are here.
Rev. Marie Yvonne.
When pressures are mounting
And burdens you bear
Your troubles grow day after day
You wonder if God”s really listening to you
Will He take all your sorrows away.
With your pain and your suffering
Your heartache and tears,
Your mind starts to question and say
Does God understand what I’m going through
Is He with me each step of the way.
God knows all our sorrows
He feels all our pain
He shares all our struggles and cares
He walks with us through crooked paths
And dries our eyes of our tears.
Our hearts are His garden
In which His love grows
Our tears are His dew on the rose
Our burdens grow lighter as His Spirit comes in
To harvest His joy in our souls.
Rev. Marie Yvonne
✠ Pentecost & Episcopal Consecration
A Spiritual Union Across Distance
The Apostolic Old Catholic Mission graciously announces the Episcopal Consecration of its Rector, Fr. Ashley R. Deutschmann, to take place on the glorious Feast of Pentecost.
On this sacred day, when the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles and the Church was revealed in power, the consecration of a bishop stands as a living continuation of that same apostolic grace. Through the laying on of hands, the Church bears witness to the unbroken work of the Spirit, guiding and sustaining her throughout the ages.
Date: Sunday, 24 May 2026
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Location: Cultural Centre “Sv. Tsar Boris I – 1909”
Place: Bistritsa
This solemn liturgy will be celebrated within the historic episcopate, conferred by bishops whose sacramental lineage is carefully preserved, documented, and traceable, affirming continuity with the apostolic foundation of the Church.
One of the profound joys of this occasion is the visible unity it reflects: bishops, clergy, and faithful from diverse traditions gathered in prayer, charity, and one apostolic faith.
In this sacred assembly, Fr. Ashley will be entrusted with the fullness of episcopal ministry, not as an honour bestowed, but as a sacred responsibility embraced in service to Christ and His Church.
Though I am unable to be present in person due to distance, I remain deeply united in spirit with all who will gather for this holy celebration.
Through prayer, I join the faithful in commending Fr. Ashley to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, that his ministry may be steadfast, fruitful, and filled with divine wisdom.
Come, Holy Spirit,
fill the hearts of Your faithful
and enkindle in them the fire of Your love.
May the grace of Pentecost descend anew upon the Church,
and upon Your servant, soon to be consecrated,
that he may shepherd Your people in truth, humility, and charity.
✠ Éric Michel Gagnon, O.F.S., M.I.
Archbishop
Founder and President Bishop
New Life Catholic Franciscan Ministry
Province of the Three Marys (North America)
May the Lord remain with you,
in silence and in peace.
May your heart find rest in His presence,
And your path be guided gently through Mary.
In all things—
may you remain in Him,
As He remains in you.
The Crown Revealed
Not of gold that fades,
but of prayer that endures.
Each day,
each mystery,
each soul
a petal placed gently
into the hands of Our Lady.
And she gathers them…
forming a crown of love
around the Heart of her Son.
This is no longer hidden.
The rose is ready.
The cenacle is open.
Come, take your place. https://franciscanseucharist.com/a-crown-of-prayer-petal-by-petal/
“Why do you stand looking up toward heaven?” (Acts 1:11)
The Ascension can feel, at first, like a goodbye. The disciples watch Jesus rise, and a cloud takes Him from their sight. It seems like absence, like loss. But the angels gently correct them: do not stand there looking only upward. Because the Ascension is not about Jesus leaving—it is about His reign beginning.
Christ does not go far away; He goes deeper. Seated at the right hand of the Father, He is no longer limited to one place, one road, one moment in history. Now He is present everywhere—especially in His Church, in His Word, and in the Eucharist.
And something else happens: the mission changes hands. The same Jesus who ascends also sends: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations.
The disciples who once followed are now apostles who are sent. The gaze that was fixed on the sky must turn outward—to the world, to the poor, to the lost, to every soul waiting for hope.
The Ascension, then, is not an ending. It is a beginning.
Christ ascends so that we may rise.
Christ reigns so that we may witness.
Christ is hidden so that He may be found—in us.
So we do not stand still, looking up.
We go forth, carrying heaven into the world.
Amen.
THE ABANDONED CHURCH
Upon a hill, a lonely hill an abandoned church house
stands, This proud old church in years gone by was
built by willing hands.
With timber strong and steeple tall, a wood stove
warmed the few that sang by oil lamps on the wall
to cast light on wooden pews.
As years went by a furnace new and electricity
replaced the stove and oil lamps. Much better
“ all agreed”
As time went by this simple church served the
faithful few, until a modern church was built
with softly padded pews.
As years go by and folks pass on to rest upon
the hill, our proud old church with steeple tall
will still stand abandoned on the hill
Rev. Marie Yvonne.
Is there something that you have been wanting so bad that it has been consuming your thoughts day and night? Does the longing for it bring tears to your eyes? Have you been praying to God for it to happen but it seems like it never will?
Why don’t you just stop worrying? In 1st.Peter 5 verse 7 we are told to “Cast all our cares upon Him because He cares for us.”
Don’t worry God hears your prayers and He will answer your prayers, but it will be in His good time. we can’t rush God. He doesn’t always give us what we want when we want it but He always gives us what we need when we need it.
When your thoughts consume you
All day and all night, with dreams
that you want to come true
Do tears fill your eyes, are you-
hurting inside wondering is God
really listening to you.
Do you pray day and night, do you
long for the light indicating
that hope will abound.
But let God do His part and let
peace fill your heart, He already
knows what you need, He will dry
all your tears give you joy for
your fears and the assurance that
new hope will abound.”So Give Him
your cares, your His child and He
cares for you.”
Rev. Marie Yvonne.
Do you wonder at times just where your life is heading? You may not know where your path is taking you or even what your next step should be. One thing you can be absolutely sure of is what you need to know God will show you.
There will be times when things will seem hopeless and you will have to ask God for wisdom. We know that when we do God’s will that He is happy with us and He has given us a guidebook, the Bible to lead us step by step.
If we trust in Him and read His word, He will make it plain to us in which direction He wants our lives to go. Just be patient and walk with God. He will never steer you wrong.
When you’re drifting out there in the world
And all hope and faith seem lost,
When your burdened down with trials and cares
And defeat seems like your cost.
When sinking deep in miry clay
In quicksand, you seem to go,
When you cry for help but none is found
From friends, you use to know.
Do not despair you’re not alone
There’s a hand outstretched to you,
He’ll pull you from the miry clay
And walk along with you.
He promised He will be your friend
A friend that’s always true,
He’ll set your feet on solid rock
He’ll be that rock for you.
A friend that’s true, a Savour too
A Counselor and guide,
He’ll carry you through the mire and clay
If you walk by His side.
Rev. Marie Yvonne
Revive Social is a digital marketing tool designed primarily for managing and automating the sharing of your website’s content on social media platforms. It’s especially popular among bloggers, businesses, and website owners who use WordPress.
Here’s a quick overview:
What it does: Revive Social (formerly known as Revive Old Post) connects to your WordPress site and automatically shares new and older posts to your social media accounts like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and others.
Purpose: The goal is to keep your content alive and continually reaching new audiences by resharing it, increasing website traffic and engagement without manual effort.
Features: You can schedule posts, customize the content shared, track clicks, and control which posts are promoted or excluded.
Ideal Users: Anyone with a blog or website who wants to maintain an active social media presence with minimal time investment.
In summary:
Revive Social automates social media sharing for website content, saving time and boosting traffic by keeping your posts circulating across social networks.
Revive Social Plugin Evaluation (Personal Experience)
I have Revive Social installed on my website, though I initially didn’t recall the name because I tried several similar plugins before, most of which weren’t effective for my needs, except for Jetpack Social, which I also used. With the free version of Revive Social, I’ve found it works reliably for reposting my blog content on social media, but the features are somewhat limited unless you upgrade.
I am considering purchasing the Pro version at $99 USD. However, I find the price a bit high, especially since I already pay for many other tools and subscriptions to run my site. It would be great if there were a more affordable tier or additional value at the current price for small website owners.
Overall, Revive Social is a good tool for automating social media sharing from WordPress, especially for those who need reliable, hands-off content promotion. The free version is somewhat basic, and the Pro version, while feature-rich, is a significant investment.
The Tabernacle: From Ancient Origins to Modern Church Use
The word “tabernacle” carries profound spiritual and historical significance, tracing a rich journey from its origins in ancient Israel to its role in contemporary Christian worship. This post explores the evolution of the tabernacle, examining its biblical beginnings, symbolic meanings, architectural transformations, and its ongoing presence in churches today.
Origins: The Tabernacle in Ancient Israel
The story of the tabernacle begins in the Book of Exodus, where God instructs Moses to construct a portable sanctuary so that He might dwell among His people during their journey through the wilderness. Detailed instructions were given for its construction (Exodus 25–27), specifying materials such as gold, silver, bronze, and fine linens. The tabernacle included the Holy Place, the Most Holy Place (or Holy of Holies), the Ark of the Covenant, and various sacred furnishings. It served as the spiritual center of the Israelite camp, a place for sacrifices, offerings, and encounters with the divine.
The tabernacle was more than a physical structure; it symbolized God’s presence, guidance, and covenant with Israel. Its portability allowed the Israelites to carry their faith wherever they travelled, reinforcing the idea that God was not bound to a single location.
From Tabernacle to Temple
After the Israelites settled in the Promised Land, the need for a permanent place of worship became evident. King Solomon eventually built the First Temple in Jerusalem, modelled on the tabernacle’s design but on a grander scale. While the tabernacle itself fell out of use, its spiritual legacy endured, influencing both the First and Second Temples.
The Tabernacle in Christian Theology
For Christians, the tabernacle took on new meaning in the light of Jesus Christ. The Gospel of John refers to Christ as the Word who “dwelt” among us (John 1:14), using the Greek word for “tabernacled.” Early Christians saw the tabernacle as foreshadowing Christ’s incarnation and sacrificial work, as well as the Holy Spirit’s indwelling in believers.
The Tabernacle in Church Architecture and Worship
In the context of Christian worship, the term “tabernacle” evolved to refer to the place where the Eucharist, the consecrated elements of Holy Communion, are reserved. In Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and some Anglican churches, the tabernacle is often a small, ornate box or safe located on or behind the altar. It serves as a sacred space for the Body of Christ, symbolizing both reverence and Christ’s continuing presence in the church.
Architecturally, the tabernacle’s influence is evident in the design of many churches, with sanctuaries and altars often reflecting elements of the original structure. The tabernacle’s themes of holiness, sacrifice, and divine presence remain central to Christian liturgy and theology.
Modern Use and Significance
Today, the tabernacle continues to hold a place of honour in many churches. It is a focal point for prayer and adoration, especially in traditions that practice Eucharistic devotion. The presence of the tabernacle invites the faithful to contemplate the mystery of Christ’s presence and the call to holiness.
Conclusion
From its ancient roots in the wilderness to its place in modern sanctuaries, the tabernacle represents a powerful continuity of faith. It reminds believers of God’s desire to dwell among His people and invites ongoing reflection on the meaning of sacred space and divine presence in the life of the church.
Do you ever have an immense longing for this life to be over, To be free from suffering, fear, illness, debt, heartbreak, and stress?
Sometimes our greatest joy seems to be about being in Heaven, free from all our pain and suffering. Until God is ready to call us home He wants us to live in a manner that is honoring to Him.
It takes courage to live a Christian life, to face challenges every day and yet redirect our focus from our weakness and trust in God’s strength. But that is precisely what He had called us to do and we can do it. God supplies strength in our weakness and through Him, we can live courageously. As we surrender our needs to God, He will be exalted in us as He shows His strength and power through us.
JEWELS IN HIS CROWN
[1] We are jewels in the crown of our Savior
He refines us and makes us shine,
As we live here below with our troubles
He’s preparing our new home sublime.
[2] In this world with its heartaches and trials
We, er reminded of our dear Father’s Love,
And when all our trials are over
We, ll meet with our Lord up above.
[3] He tells our hearts not to be troubled
With burdens of this world so cold,
He’ll give us a crown when we meet Him
As bright-shining as any pure gold.
[4] So let’s be jewels in the crown of our Saviour
And serve Him while living below,
Then on that day when we meet Him
We, ll be shining much brighter than gold
Rev. Marie Yvonne
Today’s a day for mothers, and as we think of those
We love, we think of all the Children God entrusted
to our love
For just as He gave Mary-Jesus to love and nurture
For awhile He also put within your care that tender
Little child.
To be a Christian mother is a duty from above, so
Don’t ever fail to guide them and tell them of Jesus’ love.
So remember, Mom, those lives that you are moulding
Now with care, are the lives that you will smile upon
With joy in later years. And when they’re men and
women and their life for God, they can always
remember it was a Christian Mother’s Love.
Rev. Marie Yvonne
