Happy New Year! FYMO Newsletter January 2017

Fr. Peter Galadza, a married Ukrainian Greek Catholic priest, and his wife Olenka, a high school religion teacher, have been married for over 36 years. They describe themselves as “a highly imperfect, creative, highly temperamental, and at times, somewhat mature family”. This is the second segment of excerpts from a talk they gave at Dominican University in the fall of 2015, where they shared bits of their imperfect world and what they have learned together.

Pray together, hold hands… Even when you are repulsed by the idea in the moment. Allow the body to bring you back to the mind and heart, allow the mind and soul to guide your body, allow the Holy Spirit to take over when you are holding back and trying to be in control of yourself.

Take time out: When things are the most stressed, you need to take the time out to meet somewhere for mass downtown after work, or take time out for a coffee break date alone somewhere, not necessarily home. Just ride the wave – what goes up, must come down. Capitalize on the times you can ride and enjoy the wave.

“Do unto others, as you would have them do to you.” (Luke 6:31). Practice the Golden Rule, really practice it with your spouse and children. I (Olenka) taught it in high school religion class for 10 years before I REALLY clued in to how to live it out in my family; I’m still working on it.

Not alone: Our marriage was a struggle in periods where one or the other of us believed that only our way was the right way, without acknowledging that the other point of view had at least some value. Whenever I thought I was alone, I should have realized that there was at least
one other (God), if my husband wasn't on board. Whenever I remembered that I had committed to love my husband IN CHRIST (and not by myself, for myself alone, or love myself alone), -- things opened up, and got much better.

Marriage as “martyrdom”: It's not really ever just about US, or ME and YOU. The theme of the Trinity and Divine Community comes up again and again, especially in times of struggle in marriage. We are grounded in a third party, Christ, and stabilized by the commitment of martyrs. Our marriage rite in the Eastern Church has this theme of martyrdom, not as a bitter reminder, but as a glorious "crowning", seen in the imagery of martyrs crowned with wreaths in Church iconography. In the marriage rite, the couple is crowned to emphasize their “nobility” in the eyes of Christ on this special day. They are then led around the tetrapod, or icon table, in the front centre of the church, while the people sing:

"O, Holy Martyrs! You fought well and have received your crowns.
On our behalf entreat the Lord to have mercy on our souls."

The reminder is that true love, which reveals our true selves in Christ, is grounded in sacrifice and the willingness to give up oneself. If you don't see it that way, you might just become another divorce statistic.

Every Sunday afternoon during the summer, seven to nine families from all over Canada and the United States gather for Cana Colony, a week-long retreat facilitated by Madonna House Apostolate.

In 1951, Pope Pius XII made a request to Catherine Doherty that she and Madonna House would “always remember the family” in their works. Cana Colony began in response this request, taking place for the first time in 1952 and continuing steadily for over 60 years.

Cana Colony is located on a private lake near Combermere Ontario. The stunning grounds are encircled by private cabins, with a separate common building for cooking. The beautiful chapel, Our Lady of the Lake, is tucked away in one corner, somewhat hidden, yet visible from many parts of the camp.

So much happens during the week of Cana Colony —in prayer, in everyday encounters, at play, at Mass, while doing dishes or praying the rosary in the evening, as the setting sun shines into the chapel and illuminates the statue of Our Lady.

The Church’s teaching on marriage is given informally at conferences for parents and during homilies at Mass. And there is plenty of time for simply talking together—husbands and wives, clergy and laity, celibate staff of Madonna House and married couples.

Families need to come prepared to enjoy an experience of simple, rustic living, as the usual services and conveniences of an urban center are not available at the camp. The cook-shack is the only place that has electricity and running water; our one-room cabins have no electricity; and the only the toilets available are outhouses. Recreational activities include swimming, hiking, fishing, campfires, and sing-alongs. Everyone shares in chores to help maintain the camp. Simplicity is part of the spirit of Cana Colony. There is no set fee; rather, each family pays according to its means.

Reservations for the coming summer are accepted beginning in January on a first come, first served basis. If you would like to receive an application form, please write to:

Cana Colony
Madonna House Apostolate
2888 Dafoe Rd – RR 2
Combermere, ON
K0J 1L0 Canada

or e-mail: mhcanacolony@gmail.com
Please remember to include your full name and complete postal mailing address as an application will be mailed to you.

More information is available at
http://www.madonnahouse.org/programs/cana/

The founding blocks of my vocation have nothing to do with family prayer times and childhood experiences of God. Born in a very modest Montreal neighborhood of a Catholic mother and Muslim father, l was exposed to a lot of suffering, injustice and poverty early on and developed a profound desire to help, to do everything I could to make others smile. This, along with my mom’s testimony of faith and generosity, would eventually awaken my desire to embrace religious life.

A Clear and Quiet Invitation…

I first felt called to religious life when I was 18. It was a very clear, though also very quiet, invitation - no lights or apparitions, but rather an “Aha!” moment. Looking at a sister with whom I would soon leave for my first mission trip (remember, I desired to help any way I could!), my future just became clear to me. It seemed as if my entire life had just become so simple: in the end, all I desired was Jesus, and in Him everything else would be fulfilled: I could make a difference and remain close to the poor. Deep in my heart, my mind was made up in just one night of silent contemplation of the cross: Jesus had given everything to me, and I had no other desire than to give everything back to Him. I had read in a book: “Do not doubt what the Lord has shown you so clearly.” This sentence stayed with me for the next 4 years as I finished my university and entered the Sisters of St. Mary (Soeurs de Sainte-Marie de Namur).

The Beginning of a Wonderful Adventure

I remember my mom’s greatest fear when I entered: “It will limit all your potential!” she said. Yet my experience has been the opposite. During my first years in formation, I often had the image in prayer of a big forest. Day after day, I crossed the forest with the King of my heart. Step by step, He taught me everything, explained everything, with patience and love, helping me get through situations and face challenges I never believed I could overcome.

After 3 years of initial formation in Brazil, I made first vows and, now 29, am nearing final vows. Every day I realize I am only at the beginning of this wonderful adventure, as the Lord continues to reveal himself to me in new and surprising ways, whether it be through prayer, through my students (I am a high school chaplain) or through community life. Every day I discover a little bit more about the meaning of joy...

What’s my passion now? Helping other young people discover the unending love of God. As one of my students once told me, “You don’t present to us a popcorn God. It’s the real deal!” May my life be the “real deal” so that through my life, Christ may be known and glorified…

Andrea Mrozek, program director of Cardus Family, reviewed the top five issues affecting families in 2016 with effects that will be felt well into the new year. Among them are a renewed effort to outlaw spanking in Canada, our report on the health benefits of marriage, and gender unicorns. Yes, gender unicorns. Read article