Tuesday, March 22, 2022

REFLECTION - Making the End Glorious

Dans ce JOURNAL je partage de temps en temps un aperçu de ma vie de chrétien catholique et de prêtre pour rejoindre d'autres qui désirent contribuer au bien commun et pour faire avancer l'ouverture personnelle à Dieu qui fait vivre toute l'humanité et veille sur nous. G.S.

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In this JOURNAL I will share once in a while a glimpse of my life as a Catholic Christian and priest to connect with other people who desire to contribute to the common good and to enable personal openness to God who gives life to all of humanity and watches over us. G.S.

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A Reflection by a priest addressed to his brother priests

Monday, October - Monday, 29th Week in Ordinary Time - even years
Submitted by an as yet unidentified priest of Montreal in October 2014

Ephesians 2:1-10    

You were dead through the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once lived, following the course of this world, following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work among those who are disobedient. 3 All of us once lived among them in the passions of our flesh, following the desires of flesh and senses, and we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us 5 even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God— 9 not the result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.

Psalm 100

1 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. 
2     Worship the Lord with gladness;
    come into his presence with singing.

3 Know that the Lord is God.
    It is he that made us, and we are his;
    we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
    and his courts with praise.
    Give thanks to him, bless his name.

5 For the Lord is good;
    his steadfast love endures forever,
    and his faithfulness to all generations.

Luke 12:13-21

13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.” 14 But he said to him, “Friend, who set me to be a judge or arbitrator over you?” 15 And he said to them, “Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” 16 Then he told them a parable: “The land of a rich man produced abundantly. 17 And he thought to himself, ‘What should I do, for I have no place to store my crops?’ 18 Then he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ 20 But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21 So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God.”

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First, a little contemporary parable taken from "Stories and Parables for Preachers and Teachers" by Paul Wharton. Paulist Press, 1986, pages 70-71.

Making the End Glorious

        A wise old woman happened to be a pianist who had taught many students over the years. Invariably, when she prepared her pupils for recitals, she would have them practice the conclusions over and over again. Invariably the students would begin to grumble because of the constant repetition of the last few measures of music. When one would voice their complaints, the wise teacher would always answer, "You can make a mistake in the beginning or you can make a mistake in the middle. The people will forget it if you make the ending glorious."


REFLECTION


  1. Dear Bishop Tom, Dear Brother Priests, Each year we come to this retreat 1 year older, and hopefully somewhat wiser as well, recognizing, realizing that truly it is by grace that we have been saved.
  2. Many of us are now in the last 1/3 of our human lives.
  3. And one thing that I'm more aware of that I'm giving a lot more thought to is the question of LEGACY.
  4. Just last week, the headline in the sports section of the Gazette was this: "Grey Cups capped Cavillo's LEGACY."
  5. In the news, the legacy issue also surfaces regularly. In the political arena, commentators on CNN often speculate about the nature of Obama's LEGACY after 2 terms in office as U.S. Pesident; what will he be remembered for? Will it be a positive or negative legacy?
  6. What will I be remembered for after almost 25 years as a priest? What will we priests be remembered for?
  7. What will be our LEGACY to the Church, to the People of God?
  8. This short story (above) is a kind of parable that contains a message, it's possibly even a principle that can apply to all of us.
  9. The story title is: Making the End Glorious.
  10. Read the story (again) - "Making the End Glorious" - (as applicable) for a piano recital, for a football player, a politician, for the last 1/3 of our lives as priests.
  11. Making our last years of preaching glorious, with renewed insights, ardor, energy, purpose; because the Holy Spirit follows our Preaching, entering the hearts of those who hear us after we've preached.
  12. Making our last years of teaching glorious, with insights into life and living that give meaning and direction to those around us who have none.
  13. Making our last years of dedicating ourselves glorious by loving and serving the People of God around us, especially those who are troublesome, who suffer, and those in need.
  14. Making our last years of praying glorious by striving to become more open to the surprising ways the Holy Spirit may want to speak to us - through Sacred Scripture, through the creation around us, through the actions and words of God's People around us, through our public and private prayer.
  15. Making our last years of holiness glorious by recongnizing that everything we do, and say, all actions, words, even our everyday demeanor, are influencing, shaping, the People of God, and their perception of Him.

Making the end glorious will, as the Gospel suggests, make us "rich toward God". Amen.

PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL

  1. For the Church, the People of God, and it's leaders, that all of us may proclaim Jesus as Lord by all we say and do.
  2. For those who lead us at the level of government, that they might build up the common good, and provide help and the basics of life to the poor and those most in need.
  3. For those now suffering from ebola and all who died from it, for those working in West Africa to arrest this epidemic.
  4. For those now suffering from Covid-19 and all who died from it, for those working all over the world - especially in those still mostly deprived of vaccines - to arrest this epidemic and to treat those affected by it: that they may accept the help given them by God the Creator of us all.
  5. For our families and friends, our parish communities, we pray....
  6. For our own personal needs and prayers....
Submitted in October, 2014 by an as yet unidentified priest of Montreal. 

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In this JOURNAL I will share once in a while a glimpse of my life as a Catholic Christian and priest to connect with other people who desire to contribute to the common good and to enable personal openness to God who gives life to all of humanity and watches over us. G.S.

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Dans ce JOURNAL je partage de temps en temps un aperçu de ma vie de chrétien catholique et de prêtre pour rejoindre d'autres qui désirent contribuer au bien commun et pour faire avancer l'ouverture personnelle à Dieu qui fait vivre toute l'humanité et veille sur nous. G.S.

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© 2004-2022 All rights reserved Fr. Gilles Surprenant, Associate Priest of Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montreal  QC
© 2004-2022 Tous droits réservés Abbé Gilles Surprenant, Prêtre Associé de Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montréal QC
 

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Saturday, September 18, 2021

The Kingdom of God is here, now, and the Holy Spirit infuses the divine life into us, enabling us to live as children of God among other flawed human beings... loving them, not waiting for others to love us....

Dans ce JOURNAL je partage de temps en temps un aperçu de ma vie de chrétien catholique et de prêtre pour rejoindre d'autres qui désirent contribuer au bien commun et pour faire avancer l'ouverture personnelle à Dieu qui fait vivre toute l'humanité et veille sur nous. G.S.

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In this JOURNAL I will share once in a while a glimpse of my life as a Catholic Christian and priest to connect with other people who desire to contribute to the common good and to enable personal openness to God who gives life to all of humanity and watches over us. G.S.

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"Peace and union are the most necessary of all things for people who live in common, and nothing serves so well to establish and maintain these as the forbearing charity whereby we put up with one another's defects." - St. Robert Bellarmine 


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In this JOURNAL I will share once in a while a glimpse of my life as a Catholic Christian and priest to connect with other people who desire to contribute to the common good and to enable personal openness to God who gives life to all of humanity and watches over us. G.S.

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Dans ce JOURNAL je partage de temps en temps un aperçu de ma vie de chrétien catholique et de prêtre pour rejoindre d'autres qui désirent contribuer au bien commun et pour faire avancer l'ouverture personnelle à Dieu qui fait vivre toute l'humanité et veille sur nous. G.S.

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© 2004-2021 All rights reserved Fr. Gilles Surprenant, Associate Priest of Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montreal  QC
© 2004-2021 Tous droits réservés Abbé Gilles Surprenant, Prêtre Associé de Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montréal QC
 

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Friday, July 16, 2021

Our Lady of Mount Carmel - July 16th, 2021 - A sweet and encouraging "face" of Mary, Mother of Jesus Son of God, Mother of the Church and Help of Christians / Notre-Dame du Mont Carmel - une ancienne tradition et dévotion

Dans ce JOURNAL je partage de temps en temps un aperçu de ma vie de chrétien catholique et de prêtre pour rejoindre d'autres qui désirent contribuer au bien commun et pour faire avancer l'ouverture personnelle à Dieu qui fait vivre toute l'humanité et veille sur nous. G.S.

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In this JOURNAL I will share once in a while a glimpse of my life as a Catholic Christian and priest to connect with other people who desire to contribute to the common good and to enable personal openness to God who gives life to all of humanity and watches over us. G.S.

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The Story of Our Lady of Mount Carmel 

 5 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT OUR LADY OF MT. CARMEL
AND THE BROWN SCAPULAR
 

Notre Dame du Mont Carmel, une ancienne dévotion 


10 Ways to bring Carmelite spirituality into your daily life 
Theresa Civantos Barber - published on 07/16/21 
Honor Our Lady of Mount Carmel with these meaningful ways
to bring Carmelite spirituality into your day. SLIDE SHOW 

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In this JOURNAL I will share once in a while a glimpse of my life as a Catholic Christian and priest to connect with other people who desire to contribute to the common good and to enable personal openness to God who gives life to all of humanity and watches over us. G.S.

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Dans ce JOURNAL je partage de temps en temps un aperçu de ma vie de chrétien catholique et de prêtre pour rejoindre d'autres qui désirent contribuer au bien commun et pour faire avancer l'ouverture personnelle à Dieu qui fait vivre toute l'humanité et veille sur nous. G.S.

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© 2004-2022 All rights reserved Fr. Gilles Surprenant, Associate Priest of Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montreal  QC
© 2004-2022 Tous droits réservés Abbé Gilles Surprenant, Prêtre Associé de Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montréal QC
 

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Tuesday, May 11, 2021

Technology confusion... we're experiencing a new TOWER OF BABEL....

Dans ce JOURNAL je partage de temps en temps un aperçu de ma vie de chrétien catholique et de prêtre pour rejoindre d'autres qui désirent contribuer au bien commun et pour faire avancer l'ouverture personnelle à Dieu qui fait vivre toute l'humanité et veille sur nous. G.S.

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In this JOURNAL I will share once in a while a glimpse of my life as a Catholic Christian and priest to connect with other people who desire to contribute to the common good and to enable personal openness to God who gives life to all of humanity and watches over us. G.S.

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Trying to keep in touch with family and friends is becoming an increasingly unnerving task these days with the plethora of modes of communication preferred by this one or that one. 

Let me see now, shall I reach him or her by email or skype or Facebook or Twitter or Messenger or mobile or text or land line or..... Not to mention the address books generated by an ever growing number of tools of communication.... 

It's also disconcerting to receive communication from this plethora of means and tools.... It's enough to want to leave all technology behind and retire to the woods or a farm somewhere far away where the only communication would be face to face; as in the encounter Jesus had with the two disciples walking dejectedly away from Jerusalem towards Emmaus.... 


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In this JOURNAL I will share once in a while a glimpse of my life as a Catholic Christian and priest to connect with other people who desire to contribute to the common good and to enable personal openness to God who gives life to all of humanity and watches over us. G.S.

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Dans ce JOURNAL je partage de temps en temps un aperçu de ma vie de chrétien catholique et de prêtre pour rejoindre d'autres qui désirent contribuer au bien commun et pour faire avancer l'ouverture personnelle à Dieu qui fait vivre toute l'humanité et veille sur nous. G.S.

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© 2004-2022 All rights reserved Fr. Gilles Surprenant, Associate Priest of Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montreal  QC
© 2004-2022 Tous droits réservés Abbé Gilles Surprenant, Prêtre Associé de Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montréal QC
 

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Thursday, March 25, 2021

We are all eager to say "Yes!" to life, but to say "Yes!" to God? That is quite another matter, isn't it? Or is it?

Dans ce JOURNAL je partage de temps en temps un aperçu de ma vie de chrétien catholique et de prêtre pour rejoindre d'autres qui désirent contribuer au bien commun et pour faire avancer l'ouverture personnelle à Dieu qui fait vivre toute l'humanité et veille sur nous. G.S.

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In this JOURNAL I will share once in a while a glimpse of my life as a Catholic Christian and priest to connect with other people who desire to contribute to the common good and to enable personal openness to God who gives life to all of humanity and watches over us. G.S.

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Here we are, the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord.... Today some 2,023 years ago the Archangel Gabriel appeared to Myriam of Nazareth to announce to her God's proposal that she be the mother of his Divine Son and name Him Jesus. She was only 14, maybe 15 years old! What a receptive soul this young woman had to be able to endure such a visitation and so quickly to be able to say a whole hearted "Yes!" to the Creator of the Universe....

I've been glad to celebrate this feast in honor of Mary and the Lord Jesus.... It is always a privilege to offer Holy Mass, the Memorial of Jesus' offering of Himself to his Father on our behalf, by which He opened up the possibility for every human being to not only live life fully, but ever more wonderfully, to participate in the divine life of God the Holy Three in One! It is truly awesome that our Creator God, a single Divine Being, is so full of life as to actually be Three Divine Persons in an Eternal Communion of Love, the Divine Family, which is the divine paradigm which served as the pattern for our creation, we human beings, created in God's image and likeness.... See Genesis chapters 1 to 3.... 

We can't really understand all this about God's nature... we'd have to BE GOD to really understand... but Jesus did reveal enough about his Father and Himself and the Holy Spirit for us to at least know about the Most Holy Trinity and, more importantly, that They very much want us to enter into a life-giving personal relationship with Them! 

Please feel free to check out the various Blogger pages connected to this site and you may find any number of treasures to stimulate your imagination, feed your mind, nourish your soul, and shed some light on the path which leads to our Source and our Destiny.... 

Peace to you and your family despite these trying Covid-19 Pandemic days and nights....

P.S.: You may want to check out - "Visualized: the World’s Deadliest Pandemics by Population Impact" 

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In this JOURNAL I will share once in a while a glimpse of my life as a Catholic Christian and priest to connect with other people who desire to contribute to the common good and to enable personal openness to God who gives life to all of humanity and watches over us. G.S.

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Dans ce JOURNAL je partage de temps en temps un aperçu de ma vie de chrétien catholique et de prêtre pour rejoindre d'autres qui désirent contribuer au bien commun et pour faire avancer l'ouverture personnelle à Dieu qui fait vivre toute l'humanité et veille sur nous. G.S.

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© 2004-2022 All rights reserved Fr. Gilles Surprenant, Associate Priest of Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montreal  QC
© 2004-2022 Tous droits réservés Abbé Gilles Surprenant, Prêtre Associé de Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montréal QC
 

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Sunday, February 21, 2021

COURTESY on cross country ski trails is for safety but also for everyone's enjoyment

Mon objectif avec ce JOURNAL est de partager de temps en temps un aperçu de ma vie de chrétien catholique et de prêtre pour rejoindre d'autres personnes qui désirent contribuer au bien commun et aussi, directement ou indirectement, faire avancer l'ouverture personnelle à Dieu qui fait vivre toute l'humanité et veille sur nous. G.S.

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My purpose in this JOURNAL is to share once in a while a glimpse of my life as a Catholic Christian and as a priest and to connect with other people who desire to contribute to the common good and also, directly or indirectly, to enable personal openness to God who gives life to all of humanity and watches over us. G.S.

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COURTESY on cross country ski trails


We don't find too many signs to teach new skiers. It's basically up to experienced skiers to pass on this information to help limit conflicts, accidents, and injuries, but also to enhanve enjoyment by all.

(1) Follow the signs so as to go in the right direction on one-way trails. Going the wrong way blocks the left tracks which is for passing.

(2) Some parts of trails may be 2-way, but following the signs you can't go wrong.

(3) If you need to stop, side step off the tracks to allow other skiers to go by.

(4) Be careful with your ski poles so you don't injure other skiers.

(5) When skiing "double" - side by side - with family or friends, watch for skiers coming from behind who may need the left tracks in order to pass. Move to the right side track to allow them to pass.

That's mostly it. It's not rocket science. The point is to help avoid injuries and to increase the enjoyment by all, new skiers beginning to learn, intermediate experienced skiers, and elite rapid skiers. ENJOY!

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My purpose in this JOURNAL is to share once in a while a glimpse of my life as a Catholic Christian and as a priest and to connect with other people who desire to contribute to the common good and also, directly or indirectly, to enable personal openness to God who gives life to all of humanity and watches over us. G.S.

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Mon objectif avec ce JOURNAL est de partager de temps en temps un aperçu de ma vie de chrétien catholique et de prêtre pour rejoindre d'autres personnes qui désirent contribuer au bien commun et aussi, directement ou indirectement, faire avancer l'ouverture personnelle à Dieu qui fait vivre toute l'humanité et veille sur nous. G.S.

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© 2004-2022 All rights reserved Fr. Gilles Surprenant, Associate Priest of Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montreal  QC
© 2004-2022 Tous droits réservés Abbé Gilles Surprenant, Prêtre Associé de Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montréal QC
 

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Tuesday, December 1, 2020

The Least Of These: A Christmas Story (2018) & Christmas Oranges (2012) - 2 inspiring Advent \ Christmas movies

Mon objectif avec ce JOURNAL est de partager de temps en temps un aperçu de ma vie de chrétien catholique et de prêtre pour rejoindre d'autres personnes qui désirent contribuer au bien commun et aussi, directement ou indirectement, faire avancer l'ouverture personnelle à Dieu qui fait vivre toute l'humanité et veille sur nous. G.S.

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My purpose in this JOURNAL is to share once in a while a glimpse of my life as a Catholic Christian and as a priest and to connect with other people who desire to contribute to the common good and also, directly or indirectly, to enable personal openness to God who gives life to all of humanity and watches over us. G.S.

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 Here we are in Advent week 1, Tuesday night. Check out this amazing family movie about ordinary people going through hard times and yet shining with the most radiant human qualities you can imagine. Here they are living in a car....


Don't be fooled by one of the opening scenes showing a chat between a 7-year old girl and a man in a red suit presenting himself in a diner as Santa Claus. This is a story about redemption, faith in Jesus, as well as the "Christmas spirit". 


The Least Of These: A Christmas Story
(2018) | Full Movie | Tayla Lynn | G. Michael Nicolosi - 611,323 views      Mar 5, 2020

There are a number of beautiful, ordinary, very real family prayer moments that are so transparent as to cut one to the heart.... This film was truly inspired by the grace of God.... The prayers in real bedrooms with real beds are no less poignant, honest, and true than when they were prayed in the abandoned car....


How amazing is it for a family that has not "had Christmas" for some years to suddenly experience the full joy of Christmas through the kindness of strangers who have become friends.... 


Some times it takes one who used to live in an abandoned car to see those who are now living on the street, who are otherwise invisible to everyone else in our society.... 


Here is another story from long ago that is similar but very different, probably inspired by a true story, this time about orphans and those who care or don't much care about them... and how even in these humble settings the deepest and most awesome human qualities spring up in the most unlikely of places, of hearts.... 

Christmas Oranges (2012) | Full Movies | Edward Herrmann | Nancy Stafford | Bailee Johnson 447,694 views Mar 5, 2020

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My purpose in this JOURNAL is to share once in a while a glimpse of my life as a Catholic Christian and as a priest and to connect with other people who desire to contribute to the common good and also, directly or indirectly, to enable personal openness to God who gives life to all of humanity and watches over us. G.S.

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Mon objectif avec ce JOURNAL est de partager de temps en temps un aperçu de ma vie de chrétien catholique et de prêtre pour rejoindre d'autres personnes qui désirent contribuer au bien commun et aussi, directement ou indirectement, faire avancer l'ouverture personnelle à Dieu qui fait vivre toute l'humanité et veille sur nous. G.S.

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© 2004-2021 All rights reserved Fr. Gilles Surprenant, Associate Priest of Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montreal  QC
© 2004-2021 Tous droits réservés Abbé Gilles Surprenant, Prêtre Associé de Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montréal QC
 

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What is the current state of English Catholic parishes in Montreal? Where have we come from? Where are we going? Where are we now?

Dans ce JOURNAL je  partage   de temps en temps un aperçu de ma vie de chrétien catholique et de prêtre pour rejoindre d'autres qui dési...