MARCH 24, 2020
“In order to assist in limiting the spread of the COVID-19 virus, we have already cancelled the public celebration of the sacraments, including the Eucharist. In view of the increased restrictions on public activity, I am now asking you to close your church and any chapel, even for individual prayer, effective immediately.
As of 11:59 p.m. Tuesday evening, parish offices should be closed to the public. Please make every effort to arrange for remote working arrangements for either the parish secretary or a parishioner who has the capacity to help organize and communicate with the faithful and to reach out to those isolated.”
As directed by Cardinal Collins, all communal celebrations of the Sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, Marriage and Funerals are not allowed at this time.
Please contact the Pastor should you have plans for Baptism, Reconciliation, Marriage, Marriage Preparation or Funerals.
“Funerals – During this emergency, there will be no vigils or wake services. The Rite of Committal will take place with the immediate family at the cemetery. There will be no funeral Mass at this time, but we encourage the celebration of a funeral Mass at a later date when it is possible. Prior to the Rite of Committal at the cemetery, there may be a brief religious service, but not the Mass, in a church or funeral home, following the required prescriptions of the health authorities regarding the number of people who may be present, as well as the need for social distancing.
Please contact the parish office should you know of someone vulnerable or homebound that need assistance.
Emergency provisions are reviewed regularly in accord with the requirements of the public health officials and updates are provided at: www.archtoronto.org/covid19
This event scheduled for Sunday, April 26th from 2:00 PM to 5:00PM has been postponed.
March 30th to April 5th, 2020
MONDAY – SIMON & TERESA – Requested by Veronica Do TUESDAY – WEDNESDAY – ALLAN PERSAUD – Requested by the Persaud & Goldenberg Families THURSDAY – DAVID SHELDRICK – Requested by Teresa Sheldrick FRIDAY – CATHERINE MINNAN-WONG – Requested by Noreen Chen SATURDAY – GUS & MARIE CALDERONE – Requested by their Families SUNDAY – 10:30 AM – VLADO PETRANOVIC – Requested by Mira Petranovic SUNDAY – 12:30 PM – MICHAEL FERNANDES – Requested by Tony Fernandes
This event scheduled Sunday, April 5th at 11:30 AM in the Gabriel Room has been cancelled.
On the first Sunday of each month, the Passionist Centre for Ecology and Spirituality facilitates a 30 minute reflection and discussion prompted by the readings for that Sunday’s liturgy. There will be no meetings until further notice
The groups scheduled below have been cancelled until further notice.
English: Saturday, April 4th at 3:15 PM in the Gabriel Room. Chinese: Sunday, April 5th at 3:30 PM in the Gabriel Room
For information, please contact Linda Law at 416-918-8029.
Friday, April 3rd from 9:30 AM to 12 Noon – Cancelled
Stations of the Cross on Friday evenings have been cancelled.
As we enter these last few weeks of Lent, we continue to prepare for the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. During this time of prayer, almsgiving, and fasting, the Church endeavors to remind parishioners of the gift of Reconciliation, as a loving act through which the Father restores us to the fullness of life and to call them to full participation in the Holy Week and Easter liturgies.
The Reconciliation Service on Wednesday, April 1st at 7:30 PM has been cancelled.
“In this time of tribulation, we as priests of Jesus Christ, are all the more called to deepen our exercise of this sacred ministry to the glory of God and the service of His people. Each day we do this through the celebration of the Eucharist even when it is not possible for the people to be present. We also do this through the celebration of the Liturgy of Hours in which we pray for God’s people as their priests, and I strongly encourage every priest to spend at least an hour before the Blessed Sacrament in prayer for the people.
We are approaching the most sacred time of the year. It is essential that, in every parish in the diocese, the ceremonies of Holy Week and Easter proceed even though adapted to the restrictions required at this time.
Due to the current pandemic, the liturgical celebration of the paschal mysteries of Holy Week, the Triduum and Easter will be celebrated without the physical participation of the faithful.”
Please click on the following link for the instruction that outlines how these liturgies are to be celebrated in the Cathedral Basilica of St. Michael, and in all parish churches throughout the Archdiocese of Toronto.
https://www.archtoronto.org/media-centre/news-archive/chancery-news/cardinal-collins-letter-on-holy-week-during-the-covid19-pandemic
Living the Gospel locally and around the world
“Last year, your generosity to ShareLife made a difference in the lives of over 140,000 people locally and countless more around the world.
Thank you for helping so many people experience God’s love and compassion.” – Cardinal Thomas Collins
ShareLife Sunday, which was scheduled for today has been postponed.
There will be a revised ShareLife collection schedule when Masses are celebrated in the parish.
Parishioners can still contribute by credit card through the ShareLife website, or by mailing or dropping off or mailing their contribution to the parish office
Each month food we collect is sent to Rosalie Hall and the Good Shepherd Centre. Unfortunately, with the current COVID-19 situation, we cannot accept any food donations at this time
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.
Our primary concern is the health and well-being of our parishioners. And at a time like this it can be uncomfortable to talk about giving. However, these difficult circumstances show just how important the offertory is to the life of our parishes.
The reality is that our parishes rely on the support of their parishioners to operate – parish salaries, programs and ongoing operating costs (heating, water, electricity, etc.) are funded through the generosity of its parishioners. It will be a challenge for the parish to maintain operations without the weekly offertory collection.
Because there will be no masses, there will no offertory collections taken up. You may consider sending your offertory by mail to the parish. Or you may visit the Archdiocese of Toronto COVID-19 “Support your Parish” tab for more options to support your parish.
https://www.archtoronto.org/covid19/Pages/support.aspx
Monthly contributions to the Parish by monthly Pre-Authorized Giving or by credit card through “Donate Now” continue automatically.
Please consider changing your offertory giving, at this time, to monthly Pre-Authorized Giving. Forms are available on-line at the Parish website in the “Weekly Giving” section under the Finances tab.
This Bulletin entry was posted on Sunday, March 29th, 2020.
Founded by St. Paul of the Cross, every Passionist takes a special vow to spend his or her energies in promoting remembrance of the sufferings of Jesus, the memory of the Cross, and reflection of the meaning of the Cross for the world.
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