Hello friends,

I hope you all had a nice summer. I’m finally getting back to you, after my 30-day silent retreat! I’m also getting ready to renew my promises this Monday and to return to seminary next week.

I want to thank everyone who has prayed for me during my retreat. I have prayed for your personal intentions throughout my retreat. My retreat has been one of intimacy with God, freedom, love, healing and conversion. I also felt God affirming my call to follow him as a priest!  I came face-to-face with a lot of my weaknesses, but God equipped me with the tools for assured victory: surrender and trust. Surrendering to Jesus is not defeat. It is victory. It’s trading my tiny bit of power for His unlimited, unquenchable power. And God’s power never fails to accomplish anything good, so long as we don’t prevent him from doing so. God’s power is always at the service of his love. And his love is beyond understanding. There is a lot more to share… but I’ll keep myself homily material for when I get ordained to the deaconate in 2 years!

Joking aside, I have another three years remaining at Sacred Heart Major Seminary. On August 25, at 7 PM, at St Maurice Parish, I will be making my temporary promises again for one year. You can join in person if you are in Ottawa or on YouTube here. 

I want to thank those who are praying for me. I’d like to ask for your ongoing prayers for three intentions: 

• For continued inner healing to serve God in freedom of heart
• That I may become a good, humble and holy priest
• My theology studies

Also, thank you to all those who are supporting me financially. I would not be starting my 6th year of priestly formation if it were not for you!!! 

In closing, here’s the Psalm of Trust (Ps 131) that God really impressed upon me during my retreat.

1. O LORD, my heart is not lifted up, my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvellous for me.
2. But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a child quieted at its mother's breast; like a child that is quieted is my soul.
3. O Israel, hope in the LORD from this time forth and for evermore.

My brief commentary:

There is no need to try to do anything that God is not calling us to do. There is no need to try to prove ourselves.

• There is no need to be “kicking and screaming” anymore. Our souls can quiet down since we are safe in the arms faithfulness of God.
• Even when we don’t feel safe, we are safe.
• We are children, so we can act as such with God. Children trust their parents and expect good things from them. Plus, they sleep in their arms.
• Have a wonderful season of Fall! I encourage you to bring Christ into everything you do. Be assured of my prayers for you all today and every day! Praise King Jesus  

 

Gabriel Gauthier

Seminarian

Companions of the Cross

companionscross.org/Gabriel

 

Welcome Back, Fr. John Likozar!

We’re delighted to welcome Fr. John Likozar back to St. Maurice as our Associate Pastor! Many will remember him from his earlier time here. A former mechanic from Toronto, Fr. John discerned his call to the priesthood through the Young Adults group at St. Mary’s Parish and was ordained in 2000 with the Companions of the Cross.

He brings years of pastoral experience, a thoughtful and gentle spirit, and a love for preaching, music, hiking, woodworking, and Slovenian cooking. Fr. John is excited to reconnect with old friends and meet new faces. Let’s give him a warm St. Maurice welcome!