Bulletin – February 4, 2018

PARISH LENTEN RETREAT

Saturday, March 3rd from 12:30 to 4:00 PM

This year’s Parish Lenten Retreat will take place on Saturday March 3rd from 12:30 PM to 4:00 PM. The preacher will be Father Jim O’Shea, Passionist priest from New York, who has been ministering to low-income families and youth for the past two decades. Father Jim is inspiring, but at the same time, very down-to-earth. More details about the Retreat to come.

This is an opportunity not to be missed.
Please mark your calendar!

LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION

Sunday, February 25th after 12:30 PM Mass

Friday, February 16th marks the beginning of Lunar New Year. This year is the Year of the Dog. For many years, the Asian community in our parish has gifted our parish community with a wonderful Lunar New Year Party.

Our Lunar New Year Celebration will take place on Sunday, February 25th after the 12:30 PM Mass in the Gathering Space. All are welcome.

ANNOUNCED MASSES

February 5th – February 10th, 2018

MONDAY – HARRY MURPHY
TUESDAY – FRIENDS & RELATIVES OF THE CHIU FAMILY – Requested by the Chui Family
WEDNESDAY – MARIAN & PAT GALLIGAN – Requested by Jacqui Doran
THURSDAY – PAUL SAI BUN CHAN – Requested by Helen Chan
FRIDAY – RODOLFO ROSALES SR. – Requested by the Family
SATURDAY – ANTHONY & AGATHA PAUL – Requested by Sophie & Candida Pereira

FIRST RECONCILIATION PARENTS FAITH RENEWAL MEETING

Thursday, February 15th from 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Gabriel Room

On Thursday, February 15th at 7:30 PM. there will be Faith Renewal meeting for all parents of those children receiving the sacrament of First Reconciliation this year.

GOOD SHEPHERD CENTRE CASSEROLES

Thank you to the volunteers who prepared 61 casseroles for January. For February, your prepared casseroles (frozen please) will be collected at the Masses on the weekend of February 24th/25th for delivery to the Good Shepherd Centre.

More volunteers are encouraged to become active in helping to feed our less fortunate sisters and brothers. Three different recipes are available in the Parish Office or online at the Church website. You may pick up casserole pans at the Parish Office. If you require more information, please contact Irene Albrecht at 416-221-2791.

WALK-IN COUNSELING SERVICES

Catholic Family Services of Toronto offers walk-In counseling services aimed at helping individuals, couples, or family clients address their concerns. No appointment is required. Counseling is available at Central office, 1155 Yonge St. Suite 100, Toronto every Tuesday from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM. To contact, phone 416 921-1163. Counseling is also available at North office, 5799 Yonge Street, Suite 300, North York every Thursday from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Contact 416 222-0048 or email: info@cfstoronto.com for more information.

FOOD FOR ROSALIE HALL & GOOD SHEPHERD CENTRE

Thank you for your generous support of Rosalie Hall and the Good Shepherd Centre. Your food donations are very much appreciated.

Rosalie Hall assists young parents and their children to realize their potential through the provision of a wide range of child development, community, residential and educational services.

Good Shepherd provides hot meals and shelter for the homeless in our city as well as a chance to start again through the Resettlement or DARE Programs

With everyone struggling at this time, your food donations are more important than ever. Please check the expiry dates before donating since we cannot pass on food that has expired.

ORGANIC GARDEN WORKSHOPS

February 4th, February 18th
Gabriel Room

Our Organic Horticulturalist, Robert Cordy, will continue to hold workshops in the series entitled Organic Garden Design 1, 2 and 3, on the following dates: Sunday, February.4th and Sunday, February. 18th. All parishioners are welcome. Workshops will be held in the Gabriel Room after the 12:30 Mass.

LIVING OUR SPIRITUALITY IN THE SECOND HALF OF LIFE

Tuesdays – until April 24th
9:30 AM to 11:30 AM

St. Bonaventure’s Parish – Francis Room
St. Bonaventure’s Ministry with Maturing Adults is offering several programs on Tuesday Mornings from 9:30 to 11:30.

February 20th – Advanced Care Planning
February 27th – Understanding Islam – Being in Dialogue with your Neighbors
March 13th – Homeless in Toronto
March 20th -The Wisdom of Teresa of Avila
April 24th – Special Event with Luncheon

There is no cost for this program. For more information, please go to Maureen@st-bonaventure.ca or call her at 416 447 5571 Ext. 550 or check the flyer on the bulletin board.

PUBLIC LECTURE ON CARE OF THE ENVIRONMENT

Mary Ward Centre, 70 St. Mary’s Street
Wednesday, February 7th from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM

Professor Heather Eaton, professor at St. Paul’s University in Ottawa, will hold a public lecture on Wednesday, February 7th from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM at the Mary Ward Centre. She will speak on “Flourishing of Life for All: How are we called to be a prophetic voice for action on climate change?” All are welcome.

MARRIAGE SUNDAY MASS

Sunday, February 11th at 3:00 PM
Blessed Trinity Church, 3220 Bayview Avenue

The Office of Formation for Discipleship at the Archdiocese of Toronto is happy to announce the Celebration of Marriage Mass at Blessed Trinity Church on Sunday, February 11th at 3:00 PM. Cardinal Thomas Collins will preside over this special Mass where couples celebrating their milestone 25th, 40th, 50th and 60+ wedding anniversary will be honoured.

LIVING WITH SEPARATION AND DIVORCE

February 13th to April 3rd from 4:30 to 6:30
Central Office, 1155 Yonge Street

Catholic Family Services of Toronto is offering a psycho-educational program for those dealing with the stress of the ending of a relationship.

The sessions facilitated by a clinical social worker will be held February 13th to April 3rd, 2018 from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM. at 1155 Yonge St. There is a $30 fee per session.

Please contact Alpana Das at 416-921-1163 x2232 or email adas@cfstoronto.com for more information.

WOMEN’S LENTEN RETREAT WEEKEND

Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre in Mississauga
Friday February 16th to Sunday February 18th

A Women’s Lenten Retreat will be held at Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre on the weekend of February 16th to 18th. The retreat will be preached by the Centre team – Oblate Father Pawel Ratajczak and Mrs. Anne Hales. This is a beautiful way to begin the season of Lent.

For information or registration please call 905-278-5229.

CANADA SUMMER JOBS PROGRAM

Be Informed & Reach Out to Your MP

The federal government has introduced new requirements for employers applying for the Canada Summer Jobs grant. To be eligible for funding, employers must attest that both the job and the organization’s core mandate respect certain “values” as determined by the federal government including the government’s position on abortion, sexual orientation and gender identity or expression. Organizations unable or unwilling to make this attestation in whole or in part will be deemed ineligible for the grant. This requirement is clearly unjust.

Many Catholic organizations throughout the Archdiocese of Toronto and many other faiths involved in charitable activity at soup kitchens, shelters, refugee welcome centres or summer camps are impacted by this decision. Please take a moment to visit www.archtoronto.org/summerjobs for more information and to find a template letter to send to your MP and the Minister responsible for this portfolio.

TAX RECEIPTS FOR 2017

Tax receipts for 2017 have been mailed out this past week.

Tax receipts for the Family of Faith Campaign or for any donations made by credit card through the Archdiocese will be receipted by the Archdiocese.