{"id":6095,"date":"2019-06-04T14:02:01","date_gmt":"2019-06-04T18:02:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/diocesemontreal.wp.vortexdev.com\/en\/news\/news-2\/patronal-feast-focused-visitation-initiatives\/"},"modified":"2019-06-04T14:02:01","modified_gmt":"2019-06-04T18:02:01","slug":"patronal-feast-focused-visitation-initiatives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/diocesemontreal.wp.vortexdev.com\/en\/news\/news-2\/patronal-feast-focused-visitation-initiatives\/","title":{"rendered":"A patronal feast focused on \u201cVisitation\u201d initiatives"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In addition to celebrating the diocesan patronal feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary on May 31, at Mary Queen of the World Cathedral, the Archbishop of Montreal also emphasized the 50th anniversary of the Association des sup\u00e9rieures majeures de Montr\u00e9al<\/em>, the 25th anniversary of social action ministry in parishes and the five-year quiet, but essential support of Notre-Dame de la rue<\/em><\/a> to the homeless in Montreal.
\n
\n\u201cDo you feel discouraged at times?\u201d asked Archbishop L\u00e9pine as an introduction to his homily. \u201cYes, probably,\u201d was his reply. As a remedy, he suggested taking the time to revisit history, our own history since the foundation of Montreal, to witness how religious communities have shown generosity.
\n
\n\u201cThe pathways leading to mutual aid and solidarity paved by these women are still in existence today,\u201d said Archbishop L\u00e9pine. They helped serve those feeling discouraged or alone, and the sick and the needy.\u201d
\n\u201cFor consecrated people, maintaining the flame of solidarity has always been important,\u201d added the Archbishop, as he paid tribute to the communities represented by the Association des sup\u00e9rieures majeures de Montr\u00e9al.
\n
\nThe social action ministry leaders in Montreal parishes have used them as role models over the last 25 years to establish relationships with community groups, to take part of major social issues and \u201cto be close to the poor\u201d.
\n
\nArchbishop L\u00e9pine also recommended the following to the 200 participants present at the patronal feast of the Archdiocese of Montreal: \u201cGet involved if only one day in your life in volunteering work.\u201d Other people\u2019s lives change when we serve them. Some even convert, he explained as he paid tribute, this time, to the volunteers of Notre-Dame-de-la-rue, some of them sitting in the front pew.
\n
\nBefore the ceremony, Father Claude Paradis had also thanked the 30 volunteers of Notre-Dame de la rue, the organization for the homeless he founded. \u201cI couldn\u2019t do anything without volunteers,\u201d he revealed.
\n
\n\u201cJust yesterday, we met 150 homeless people. The needs are increasing. There number of homeless people is on the rise. This is an alarming situation.\u201d
\n
\nHow can one explain this increase? \u201cWe come across more and more homeless people in the streets of Montreal, some with mental health issues, veterans and new drugs addicts.\u201d
\n
\nThe youngest homeless are 14 or 15 years of age, said Father Paradis. \u201cC\u00e9cile, one homeless women, is 92 years old. We gave her two bags of groceries.\u201d
\n
\n\u201cDuring the Mass, the faces and names of those homeless people will be on my mind,\u201d promised the founder of Notre-Dame-de-la-rue.<\/p>\n\n

Go further : <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n