Truth & Mercy Series - August 23rd 2026

Truth and Mercy series (People Helping People)

“Thus says the Lord GOD: Woe to the shepherds of Israel who have been pasturing themselves! Should not shepherds, rather, pasture sheep? You have fed off their milk, worn their wool,
and slaughtered the fatlings, but the sheep you have not pastured. You did not strengthen the weak nor heal the sick nor bind up the injured. You did not bring back the strayed nor seek the lost, but you lorded it over them harshly and brutally. So, they were scattered for the lack of a shepherd, and became food for all the wild beasts. My sheep were scattered and wandered over all the mountains and high hills; My sheep were scattered over the whole earth, with no one to look after them or to search for them.” (Ezekiel 34: 2-6)

When I read these words and listened to it during Holy Mass today my heart paced to and fro. These are words loaded from the Heart of God Himself and His disappointments with the shepherds. The disappointments range from the irresponsibility of shepherds to their indolence. It ranged from “indifference” to the plight of the sheep while taking care of their own needs. The consequence of this is that the sheep is now scattered and all forms of beasts devour them. The devourer is Satan, who comes to steal, kill and destroy as Jesus says in John 10: 9. I ask for your prayers for us. That we may know our responsibility and take time to do it. Our Lady, Rosa Mystica, urged everyone to offer prayers, penance, and sacrifice for priests and consecrated religious, so we too are not lost or fall away from the fold. The destruction of the sheep begins from the “lost” or “spiritually blind” shepherd. 

We desire a parish that reaches out in mission to everyone, the stray, the sick, the broken and those far from the fold. There are many prayer groups helping with this mission. We have communion to the homebound going on, visit to Heritage Court, Vista, Good Samaritan’s, Meadowview nursing homes. We visit the Genesis hospital too to pray and anoint those sick or at home. These missions are done weekly by dedicated Legion of Mary members. We also have those who visit “Café on Vine” for the monthly meals for the needy. Our Blessing Box is also very much stocked daily and we have a constant flow of those who need food and other necessities visiting it. We have also started the St. Vincent de Paul ministry for those who need some supplies. They can always contact the parish office or Faith Pinault and Donna. 

But we are in need of more helpers. We do need more people called to assist in the growing needs of our parishioners. There are those who either have just had surgeries and need hot meals, or soups delivered to them. There are others like Kathy Smith or Anne Peacock who need a visit from parishioners for a chat, to help them with groceries, to assist with cleaning their home. We also have a young single mother with a 5-year-old, going in for surgery. She might need help taking care of the baby and herself while she recovers. In the light of these, Becky has come up with a “People Helping People” ministry. If you feel called by God to step out of your comfort zone on any of these, please call the office and Becky will see how to include you in our parish outreach to members. Be assured that your reward will be great in Heaven. 

In union of prayers

Fr. Nicholas Akindele, JCL