Olive Branch Marriage and Family Ministry

06/18/2021

06/10/2021

𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗘𝘅𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗧𝗵𝘂𝗻𝗸
by Peter Oliver
Mustard seed-type ministry
walks with those who have a
divorce decree.

Now let’s see.

our small strength
the seed not kosher
the time imperfect
money in short supply
experience limited
a pandemic
abuse in the news
resources few
turn out low
misinterpreted often
false starts many
advice aplenty
the need clear enough

prayer

Odd?

Prayer…

OK

Now let’s see.

Con
fi
dence in

confi
dence in
the

Lord?

Grows you know not how?

Grows one day at a tim
e?

Then one day,
Ta-dah!

A good-sized shrub:

healing
inelegant
ungainly
spindly
sprawling
bird harboring
people welcoming

makes you smile
plant.

New program 2021 Bitter or Better
Brochure:http://www.queenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/2021-Bitter-or-Better-June-2021-brochure-2.pdf

To Register: https://qh.retreatportal.com/events/f?p=101:2:34370117615827::::PROGRAM_ID:10304

Photo Attribution Dane Vandeputte https://www.flickr.com/photos/dane_vandeputte/14567625063/in/photolist-ochTpn-663Pcc-61VpRw-XpfbfW-VtmaSU-a5EUBe-9kfr6p-jdrXnw-6WwVhV-r5mr1U-5PJEEV-2jnsLog-2hETHPY-4DW1pn-2iHYQJc-bBBMoU-cXbeCu-z3YkB6-6LhYWp-YhHk3W-6aeVPd-6F6cj8-2ixquph-dqkEhq-9ofZVk-9SzABi-cfMXi9-dVzZBS-dta7d1-PdyD5g-8mFxgZ-aQNaDz-6737ko-9yReGT-9S6G5S-e2yf8L-9yRf9v-kzR9bA-27ojPLJ-7wA3Km-e4mkmQ-5nKsP4-4paEB5-2EeNUJ-v9dY6-Dw2G9W-9HgfNu-2bRrkvu-5rYVw4-dkZyXJ

11th Sunday of Ordinary Time Year B USCCB https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/061321.cfm -content
June 13, 2021
Reading I: Ezekiel 17:22-24
Responsorial Psalm 92:2-3, 13-14, 15-161
Reading II: 2 Corinthians 5:6-10
Gospel: Mark 4:26-34

06/02/2021

This poem was inspired by Gavin Bryars' remarkable symphonic adaptation (featuring Tom Waits) of the lilting singsong of a homeless man, titled Jesus' Blood Never Failed Me Yet. It finds expression here as a reflection on separation and divorce in view of the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ.

A link to Bryars' music can be found below.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐥
For He loves me so,
for He loves me so,
for He loves me so,

His blood never failed me yet,

and there’s no communion for me,

for He loves me so,
so,
for He loves me so,

His blood never failed me yet,

but no,
no communion for you,

oh, His blood never failed me yet,
never failed me yet,

for He loves me so,

but no,

for He loves me so,

His blood never failed me yet,
never,
never failed me yet,

but no,

never failed me,
never yet,
Jesus blood never yet failed me,

He loves me.

by Peter Oliver

Inspired by Gavin Bryars With - Tom Waits ‎- Jesus' Blood Never Failed Me Yet:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfT3njX2FLU&ab_channel=PsapphaEnsemblePsapphaEnsemble

Full version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quJjqZprGu0&ab_channel=Traf%C3%B3HouseTraf%C3%B3House

Reading The Body and Blood of Christ https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/060621.cfm
June 6, 2021
Reading I: Exodus 24:3-8
Responsorial Psalm: 116:12-13, 15-16, 17-18
Reading II: Hebrews 9:11-15
Gospel: Mark 14:12-16, 22-26

Photo by: Ksenia Makagonova https://unsplash.com/photos/3vc6pAclY-4

05/31/2021

These statistics should be of concern to the pastors in our churches.

Nearly 5 million Canadians have experienced a breakup since the start of the pandemic. Read more to find out tips for the suddenly single.

05/30/2021

A Olive Branch Workshop on property division.

Couples make tough decisions during separation and divorce concerning money and property. Handling these concerns well can help their families become stable and healthy.
Poster: https://onedrive.live.com/?authkey=%21AJjmT89nGS1UR%2Dk&cid=BB393B2F5011A84A&id=BB393B2F5011A84A%211713&parId=BB393B2F5011A84A%21443&o=OneUp
Broacher:http://www.queenshouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Marital-Separation-Property-and-Money-June-2021-brochure-1.pdf

We provide mediation, ReStart programs and pastoral counseling to couples going through separation and divorce.

05/26/2021

𝗗𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗩𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝘀𝗲𝘀’ 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲
Said the table to the cross,
let’s not begin with an abstraction,
start not with a question,

God is one or three?

Let us begin with his fists.

The man she hates and loves,
the line she dare not draw,
the stink of unemployment,
ramshackled not-exactly-awe.

Let’s muddy up our purity,
let’s bloody up the font,
let’s eat our words humbly,
let’s get inside the want.

Let’s hurry past advantage,
let’s walk their separation,
let’s resist a quick solution,
let’s chance her motivation.

Let’s Abba our reactions,
let’s presence to the pain,
let’s mystery mercy daily,
let’s live God’s Holy name.

By Peter Oliver

More 100 Word blogs at https://www.olivebranchministry.ca/100words/

Modified photo, attribution: Glauco Gianoglio https://pixabay.com/photos/self-portrait-destiny-battle-war-1265148/

Readings Most Holy Trinity B
May 30, 2021 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/053021.cfm
Reading I: Deuteronomy 4:32-34, 39-40
Responsorial Psalm: 33:4-5, 6, 9, 18-19, 20, 22
Reading II: Romans 8: 14-17
Gospel: Matthew 28:16-20

05/25/2021

By Peter Oliver, Olive Branch Marriage and Family Ministry Prayer. It is so important, especially when you are in a crisis such as are experienced during a separation and divorce. However, there is a problem,...

05/20/2021

I have never seen the apple trees bloom so extravagantly as I have this year. It is a good reminder of Pentecost.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 "𝗠𝗲'𝘀" 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵
by Peter Oliver
She left me a packet of apple seeds
and the words,

write your story.
It doesn't have to be true
so long as it is true for you.

By the way,
do what you like with our wedding rings,
wear them or sell them,
pawn them if you must.

It was a commitment made,
till death do us part,

but you knew that.

She left me a packet of apple seeds,
a dream of apple trees.

They flower in the spring you know
and fruit before the falling snow.

A packet of tiny, shiny brown pleases,
“forgive me’s”

and
goodbye-goodbyes.

Photo Attribution, Couleur: https://pixabay.com/photos/blossom-embellishment-branch-4138763/

This Hundred Word Blog is based on the reading of Pentecost Sunday B May 23, 202: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/052321-Day.cfm

For more poems reflecting on the Sunday readings in view of separation and divorce: https://www.olivebranchministry.ca/100words/

05/16/2021

The Catholic Church’s pastoral response to separation and divorce is under construction. This post talks about gradualism which is a important part of the renewal in our approach.

The pastoral response of the Catholic Church to separation and divorce is under construction. One of the key terms that is part of these changes is the word...

05/14/2021

So where is God when things are going off the rails?
𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭
Discernment - the discovery of what good needs being done, what beauty can inspire, what light of truth can act as a guide, what God invites – discernment is never done in a vacuum. Discernment requires an encounter with a listening heart, faith filled companions, prayer and most importantly, time. These are the ideals, but the stuff of life is often less than ideal. Often a big decision is preceded by a timorous prayer whispered in the washroom or shrieked while sitting at a stop light. But what we can be sure of is, God gets it. God’s not an idealist.
A reflection on this Sunday’s Readings (May 16, 2021 - Year B – Ascension) can be found here: https://rcdos.ca/our-faith/growing-in-your-catholic-faith/faith-resources/

Photo Attribution Image by Jasmin Sessler