Brothers and sisters,

Today, we celebrate Saint Mark, the Evangelist who gives us a Gospel that moves with urgency. From the very first line, he does not delay: “The beginning of the Good News of Jesus Christ.” Mark invites us immediately into action.

He was not one of the Twelve, yet he walked closely with Saint Peter, learning from his witness, absorbing the living memory of Christ. What Mark received, he did not keep—he proclaimed.

His Gospel shows us a Jesus who is always on the move: healing the sick, lifting the fallen, calling disciples. There is a sense of immediacy—now is the time, the Kingdom is at hand.

And this is the challenge for us today.

The Gospel is not only something we study.
It is something we live.

Mark’s symbol, the lion, cries out in the wilderness—a voice that cannot be ignored. In our own world, filled with distractions and hesitation, we are called to have that same clarity and courage.

To follow Christ without delay.
To serve without counting the cost.
To proclaim not only with words, but with our lives.

So today, let us ask for the grace of Saint Mark:
that we may become people of action,
people of conviction,
people who carry the Gospel into the world.

Saint Mark the Evangelist, pray for us.

Mark the Evangelist, also known as John Mark or Saint Mark, was a Libyan who is traditionally ascribed the authorship of the Gospel of Mark. Most modern scholars agree that the Gospel of Mark is anonymous, though the topic remains contentious among experts. Scholarship is inconclusive on authorship; some reject the attribution to Mark, while others debate the identity of Mark. According to Church tradition, Mark founded the episcopal see of Alexandria, which was one of the five most important sees of early Christianity. His feast day is celebrated on April 25, and his symbol is the winged lion.

✠ Feast of Saint Mark the Evangelist

Today, we celebrate Saint Mark, the faithful companion, the attentive listener, the one who gave us a Gospel that moves swiftly like the heartbeat of mission

Mark does not linger in long speeches, he proclaims.
He does not decorate, he reveals.
He shows us Christ in action: healing, calling, saving.

Tradition tells us he walked alongside Saint Peter, absorbing the fire of apostolic witness, and carried that flame into the written word so that all generations might encounter Jesus.

His symbol, the lion, roars in the wilderness:
“Prepare the way of the Lord.”

In a world filled with noise, Saint Mark reminds us:
👉 The Gospel is not meant to be admired from afar
👉 It is meant to be lived, proclaimed, and embodied

Like Mark, may we become:
• Quick to respond to God’s call
• Courageous in mission
• Faithful in witness

“Go into all the world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15)

Today, let us not only read the Gospel

Let us become living pages of it.

Saint Mark the Evangelist, pray for us

I was always fascinated by the Jerusalem Cross. The first time I saw it was on my Wolfe Cub uniform at 9 years old; today, it is the history and the links of that cross that create something in my mind. And of course, as a Franciscan of the Third Order (OFS), I have communication with the American Franciscans of the Holy Land.

The Jerusalem cross (also known as “five-fold cross”, or “cross-and-crosslets” and the “Crusader’s cross”) is a heraldic cross and Christian cross variant consisting of a large cross potent surrounded by four smaller Greek crosses, one in each quadrant, representing the Four Evangelists and the spread of the gospel to the four corners of the Earth (metaphor for the whole Earth). It was used as the coat of arms of the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem after 1099. Use of the Jerusalem Cross by the Order of the Holy Sepulchre and affiliated organizations in Jerusalem continue to the present. Other modern usages include on the national flag of Georgia, and the Episcopal Church Service Cross and as a symbol used by some white supremacist and Christian nationalist groups.

According to Father David Grenier, a Catholic priest and member of the religious order, the Holy Land Franciscan Friars, which uses the Jerusalem Cross as its symbol, the cross originated in Eastern Christianity sometime in the fifth and sixth centuries and was later adopted by crusaders and the Christian Kingdom of Jerusalem from 1099 to 1291. The symbolism of the five-fold cross is variously given as the five holy wounds, Christ and the four evangelists, or Christ and the four quarters of the world. The symbolism of five crosses representing the Five Wounds is first recorded in the context of the consecration of St. Brelade’s Church under the patronage of Robert of Normandy (before 1035); the crosses are incised in the church’s altar stone.

The “cross-and-crosslets” or Tealby pennies minted under Henry II of England during 1158–1180 have the “Jerusalem cross” on the obverse, with the four crosslets depicted as decussate (diagonal). Similar cross designs on coin obverses date back to at least the Anglo-Saxon period.

The coat of arms of the Kingdom of Jerusalem is traditionally attributed to Godfrey of Bouillon himself. It was not, however, used by the Christian rulers of Jerusalem during the 12th century. A simple blazon of or, a cross argent is documented by Matthew Paris as the coat of arms of John of Brienne, who had been king of Jerusalem during 1210–1212, upon John’s death in 1237.

The emblem used on the seals of the rulers of Jerusalem during the 12th century was a simplified depiction of the city itself, showing the tower of David between the Dome of the Rock and the Holy Sepulchre, surrounded by the city walls. Coins minted under Henry II of Champagne (r. 1192–1197) show a cross with four dots in the four quarters, but the Jerusalem cross proper appears only on a coin minted under John I of Cyprus (r. 1284–1285).

At about the same time, the cross of Jerusalem in gold on a silver field appears as the coat of arms of the Kingdom of Jerusalem in early armorials such as the Camden Roll. The coat of arms of the king of Jerusalem featured gold on silver (in the case of John de Brienne, silver on gold), a metal on a metal, and thus broke the heraldic Rule of Tincture; this was justified by the fact that Jerusalem was so holy, it was above ordinary rules. The gold and silver were also connected to Psalms 68:13, which mentions a “dove covered in silver, and her feathers with yellow gold”.

The Gelre Armorial (14th century) attributes to the “emperors of Constantinople” (the Latin Empire) a variant of the Jerusalem cross with the four crosslets inscribed in circles. Philip of Courtenay, who held the title of Latin Emperor of Constantinople from 1273–1283 (even though Constantinople had been reconquered by the Byzantine Empire in 1261), used an extended form of the Jerusalem cross, where each of the four crosslets was itself surrounded by four smaller crosslets (a “Jerusalem cross of Jerusalem crosses”).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerusalem_cross

Error: St Canut should be St Constant

• Top: St Anastasis
• Under St Jerome
• Left St Philip
• Right St Andrew the Apostle
• Under the Franciscan Grotto
• Then the Franciscan St Constant
• under St Mary of Orleans (Ottawa)
• Left Our Lady of Montreal (Notre-Dame)
• Right the Road to the Cross at St Joseph, Montreal
• Left John XXIII in Gatineau
• Right Saint Marie, Nova Scotia, the highest wooden steeple (the church bell tower)
• Bottom Pour Lady of the Cap, I am in front of a monument on the road to the cross, Marie is on the Rosary Bridge and far right the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Cap, in Three-Rivers, QC.

When I (Tim Sullivan) ask myself where the Mass is in the Bible, my mind goes to Luke’s Gospel, Chapter 24.

On Easter Sunday, three days after Jesus instituted the Eucharist at the Last Supper, and before He appeared to the eleven, Jesus walked beside two disciples on the road to Emmaus. What follows resembles the celebration of the Mass.

Jesus began with the Liturgy of the Word: “Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, He interpreted to them what referred to Him in all the Scriptures.” (LK 24:27) On their long walk, Jesus goes through what we hear in a three-year cycle of the Scripture readings at Sunday Mass.

Then the three sit at the table, and Jesus celebrates the Liturgy of the Eucharist: “He took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him.” (LK 24:30-31)

When I reflect on this, I see this confirming that Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist. The two disciples did not recognize Jesus’ Real Presence with them until they received the Eucharist!

After the completion of the Mass in Emmaus, the two disciples’ hearts were on fire. They set out at once and returned to Jerusalem, where they found the eleven and those with them gathered together. “Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how He was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.” (LK 24:33)

Now, Mass closes with the people in the congregation being sent. The common words used in our parish are: “Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.”

Jesus’ action of celebrating Mass only a few hours after His resurrection confirms the vital importance of the Mass – and establishes the Eucharist as the Source and Summit of our faith!!

Bible Verse References To Understand The Mass
Opening blessing (Sign of the Cross) — Mt 28:19

Apostolic greeting — 2 Cor 13:13

Penitential Act (“Lord, have mercy”) — Mt 20:30–31; Ps 123:3

Gloria — Lk 2:14

Responsorial Psalm — Ps 136:1–3

Gospel Acclamation (Alleluia) — Rev 19:1–6; Tob 13:18

Preparation of the Gifts — Ps 116:12–13

Invitation to Prayer (“Pray, brethren…”) — Ps 50:14; Rom 12:1

Preface Dialogue (“Lift up your hearts”) — Lam 3:41

Sanctus (“Holy, Holy, Holy”) — Is 6:3; Rev 4:8; Mt 21:9; Ps 118:26

Institution Narrative (Consecration) — 1 Cor 11:23–26; Mt 26:26–28; Mk 14:22–24; Lk 22:19–20

Memorial Acclamation — 1 Cor 11:26

Great Amen (Doxology response) — Rev 5:13–14

The Lord’s Prayer — Mt 6:9–13

Sign of Peace (“Peace be with you”) — Jn 14:27; Jn 20:19

Fraction Rite / Lamb of God — Jn 1:29; Rev 5:6

Invitation to Communion (“Behold the Lamb of God… Blessed are those called…”) — Rev 19:9

Act of Humility (“Lord, I am not worthy…”) — Mt 8:8

Dismissal (“Go in peace”) — Lk 7:50

Response (“Thanks be to God”) — 2 Cor 9:15

The Catholic Mass follows a structured progression designed to prepare the faithful to encounter Christ and conclude with their dismissal into the world.

The Mass begins with preparatory rites in which the community readies itself to meet Christ in Scripture and the Eucharist.[1] A procession enters while music plays, followed by the priest kissing the altar.[1] The priest then greets the assembly in the name of the Holy Trinity.[1] A penitential rite follows, allowing the community to confess sins and be cleansed so they can fully open themselves to Christ in both Scripture and the Eucharist.[1] The Gloria—a hymn of praise and thanksgiving—draws participants into God’s mysteries and prepares them to receive His Word.[1] An opening prayer concludes these introductory rites, addressed to the Father through Jesus in the Holy Spirit.[1]

The liturgy then moves into the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. The Eucharistic Prayer represents the most solemn moment, when bread and wine are transformed into the Body and Blood of Christ and offered as sacrifice.[1] The Preface prepares for this transformation, inviting the community to lift their hearts in thanksgiving to the Father through the Son.[1] The priest invokes the Holy Spirit over the gifts and pronounces Christ’s words—“This is my Body” and “This is the chalice of my Blood”—making the Eucharist present.[1] The Our Father follows, succeeded by a petition for freedom from anxiety and evil.[1] Before receiving Communion, the assembly exchanges a sign of peace and unity.[1] The service concludes with a blessing, a sending song, and dismissal.[2]

[1] Lucas R. Pollice, Open Wide the Doors to Christ: Discovering Catholicism (Steubenville, OH: Emmaus Road Publishing, 2013), 245–249.
[2] Clayton J. Schmit, Sent and Gathered: A Worship Manual for the Missional Church, Engaging Worship (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2009), 199

Text Source: Verbum by Logos

The answer is simple.

Yes, I do have an altar, but my chapel is within my living room. Because of this, the altar is not always in view. Most of the time, I gently wheel it aside to create space, especially when members gather for Bible study or when I offer a homily.

In this way, the space remains both sacred and practical, ready to serve the needs of prayer, teaching, and fellowship.

The altar is always present… even when it is not always seen

The Altar was wheeled into the dining room, and the dining set was donated to the St. Joseph Thrift Store.

Info at the Fellowship

My life walking with Saint Francis of Assisi is not a short pilgrimage. It is not a season, nor a chapter. It is, in truth, a long road—stretching now across sixty-six years—quietly unfolding, step by step, often without my even realizing that I was already on it.

The journey did not begin with a grand calling, nor with a moment of thunder or vision. It began simply, almost humbly, as many true vocations do: in childhood.

I was a Wolf Cub.

In those early days within the Catholic Scouts of Canada, I was introduced to a figure who would remain with me for the rest of my life. Not as an abstract saint in stained glass, but as a living story—warm, vivid, and unforgettable. Saint Francis of Assisi was presented to us as the patron of Cub Scouts, a friend to the small, the young, and the searching.

And then there was the story.

For Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, read in here

In the spirit of Saint Francis of Assisi, nothing in the church is excessive when it leads the soul to God—even something as small as a flame.

🔥 A Little Light for the Lord

A candle is a small thing. Poor, simple, easily forgotten.

And yet—it shines.

The Franciscan heart recognizes this:
God delights not in grandeur, but in what is humble and offered with love.

A single flame says:
“Here I am, Lord—small, but given.”

🕯️ A Prayer That Remains

Like the quiet life of a friar, the candle does not speak loudly.
It simply burns… faithfully.

Even when no one is watching, it continues its offering.

So too the soul:
to pray not for display, but to remain before God in simplicity.

🌿 To Be Spent in Love

The candle gives light as it is consumed.

This is the Gospel lived in miniature.

It reflects the life of Saint Francis of Assisi, who chose to be “used up” in love—
poor, joyful, and given entirely to Christ.

🕊️ Creation Praising the Creator

Francis called the sun his brother and the moon his sister.

Even fire, he called Brother Fire—beautiful, strong, and full of life.

A candle, then, is not just a symbol.
It is creation itself praising God.

A small flame joins the great hymn of all that exists.

⛪ Holy Simplicity

Churches use many candles not for display, but for devotion.

Each one is an act of love.
Each one a silent offering.
Each one a reminder:

God is near, even in the smallest light.

✨ In the Franciscan Way

We do not need great things to come close to God.

Only a flame…
a quiet heart…
and the willingness to be given.

✠ Archbishop Éric M. Gagnon, O.F.S., M.I.
President Bishop & Founder

We’re thrilled to invite you to visit our newly redesigned website! After a major transformation, we’ve streamlined our content from 235 pages down to just 40, making it easier than ever to discover who we are, what we do, and the spiritual guidance we offer.

Our updated site is now more aligned with our church’s official mission. You’ll find clear, concise information about our beliefs, activities, and ways to connect with our community. Whether you’re seeking spiritual growth, meaningful connections, or simply want to learn more about our church, our new website is the perfect place to start.

Visit us today and explore what we have to offer!

Maria Faustyna Kowalska of the Blessed Sacrament, OLM (born Helena Kowalska; 25 August 1905 – 5 October 1938 was a Polish Catholic religious sister and mystic. Faustyna, popularly spelled Faustina in English, had apparitions of Jesus Christ, which inspired the Catholic devotion to the Divine Mercy. She is sometimes called the “secretary” of Divine Mercy.

Throughout her life, Kowalska reported having visions of Jesus and conversations with him, which she noted in her diary, later published as The Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy in My Soul. Her biography, submitted to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, quoted some of the conversations with Jesus regarding the Divine Mercy devotion.

At the age of 20 years, she joined a convent in Warsaw. She was later transferred to Płock and then to Vilnius, where she met Father Michał Sopoćko, who would become her confessor and spiritual director and supported her devotion to the Divine Mercy. With this priest’s help, Kowalska commissioned an artist to paint the first Divine Mercy image, based on her vision of Jesus. Father Sopoćko celebrated Mass in the presence of this painting on Low Sunday, also known as the Second Sunday of Easter or (as established by Pope John Paul II), Divine Mercy Sunday.

The Catholic Church canonized Kowalska as a saint on 30 April 2000. The mystic is classified in the liturgy as a virgin and is venerated within the church as the “Apostle of Divine Mercy”. Her tomb is in the Divine Mercy Sanctuary in Kraków, where she spent the final years of her life and met her confessor, Józef Andrasz, who also supported the message of mercy.

The Divine Mercy is a Catholic devotion to God’s mercy, associated with the reported apparitions of Jesus to Faustina Kowalska.

The Divine Mercy devotion comprises several practices, such as Divine Mercy Sunday, the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy, and the Divine Mercy image, which Kowalska describes in her diary as “God’s loving mercy” towards all people, especially sinners. According to Kowalska’s writings, these devotions and practices were asked by Jesus Christ himself during his reported apparitions.

Kowalska was granted the title “Secretary of Mercy” by the Holy See in the Jubilee Year of 2000.

The primary focus of the Divine Mercy devotion is the merciful love of God and the desire to let that love and mercy flow through one’s own heart to those in need. As he dedicated the Shrine of the Divine Mercy, Pope John Paul II said, “Apart from the mercy of God there is no other source of hope for humankind.” There are seven main forms of this devotion:

1. The Divine Mercy image with the specific inscription Jesus, I trust in You;
2. The commemoration of the Feast of the Divine Mercy Sunday (Today April 12, 2026)
3. The recitation of the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy at the Cenacle
4. The recitation of the Divine Mercy novena at the Cenacle
5. The designation of the Hour of Mercy at 3:00 p.m.(15:00)
6. Spreading mercy by word, deed, or prayer
7. The spreading of works of mercy to the whole of humanity, in preparation for the return of Jesus Christ to Earth
8. Proclaim that mercy is the greatest attribute of God.

— Words attributed to Jesus by Kowalska in her diary.

Wikipedia

Today, we celebrate the boundless love and mercy of Jesus Christ! Divine Mercy Sunday is a beautiful reminder that no matter where we’ve been or what we’ve done, God’s mercy is always available to us.

Let us open our hearts, trust in His mercy, and share that love with others. Take a moment today to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet, reflect on the power of forgiveness, and reach out in kindness to those around you.

“Jesus, I trust in You!”

May this day bring you peace, healing, and renewed faith. 🙏❤️ #DivineMercySunday #JesusITrustInYou #Mercy #Faith #Hope

May the Peace of the Risen Lord fill our hearts! May we be, with Our Lady, instruments of His Peace in our families, communities, and the world.

Summary: This post shares an inspiring glimpse into the daily life of a layperson following St. Francis’s teachings, connecting it to modern Canadian life.

Post: Ever wondered what it’s like to live by the spirit of St. Francis in today’s world? For members of Eric Michel Ministries International, it’s about finding faith in everyday moments, serving our communities, and embracing simplicity.

Imagine starting your day with a quiet reflection, then stepping out to make a difference in your neighbourhood, whether it’s through volunteering or simply offering a kind word. It’s about bringing compassion and peace to every interaction, just as St. Francis taught us. From our online service, our lay community embodies these values daily.

Join us as we share stories of faith, community, and living inspired by St. Francis. How do you bring faith into your daily life? Share your thoughts below!

EricMichelMinistries #StFrancisTeachings #LayFranciscan #FaithInAction #CommunityLove #VolunteerCanada #ChristianLife

FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2026 | EASTER TRIDUUM
GOOD FRIDAY
YEARS ABC | ROMAN MISSAL | LECTIONARY

          First Reading       Isaiah 52:13–53:12
          Response            Luke 23:46
          Psalm               Psalm 31:2, 6, 12–13, 15–17, 25
          Second Reading      Hebrews 4:14–16, 5:7–9
          Gospel Acclamation  Philippians 2:8–9
          Gospel              John 18:1–19:42

Anon. 2009. Catholic Daily Readings. Bellingham, WA: Faithlife.

Title: The Significance of Good Friday: A Day of Reflection and Sacrifice

Good Friday holds a sacred place in the hearts of Christians worldwide. It is a day that marks the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, a moment of profound sorrow, sacrifice, and ultimate love. While Easter Sunday is celebrated with joy and resurrection, Good Friday serves as a poignant reminder of the cost of salvation, the price paid for the forgiveness of humanity’s sins.

On this day, we reflect on the unimaginable suffering that Christ endured. His pain was not just physical but emotional and spiritual. Jesus willingly accepted the weight of our sins, taking them upon Himself. His death on the cross symbolizes the profound love of God for His people, a love that would stop at nothing, not even death, to restore humanity’s relationship with the Creator.

For many, Good Friday is a time for deep personal reflection. It is a moment to pause and contemplate the gravity of Christ’s sacrifice and its meaning for our lives today. Jesus’ willingness to endure the cross challenges us to think about our own lives and the sacrifices we are called to make in the name of love, compassion, and faith.

Though the day is dark, Good Friday is also a day of hope. The story does not end with death. Through the agony of the cross, a promise of redemption and eternal life was made. And as Christians, we are reminded that even in the darkest moments, God’s plan is still at work, bringing healing, renewal, and restoration.

As we reflect on Good Friday, it’s also an opportunity to renew our own commitments to live lives of greater kindness, humility, and faith. The challenge, as followers of Christ, is to mirror His love, His sacrifice, and His grace in our interactions with the world around us.

On this day of mourning and reflection, let us remember that the cross is not just a symbol of death, but also a symbol of victory, a victory over sin, over death, and over despair. And that victory is a gift we are called to share with others.

So when he had washed their feet and put his garments back on and reclined at the table again, he said to them, “Do you realize what I have done for you? You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for indeed I am. If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.” John 13:12–15

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“Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” Deeply distressed at this, they began to say to him one after another, “Surely it is not I, Lord?” He said in reply, “He who has dipped his hand into the dish with me is the one who will betray me.” Matthew 26:21–23