October 5th, 2008
Total: $9,175.62
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The Altar Service is now recruiting new members. If you are in Grade 4 or higher and are interested in becoming an altar server, please leave your name and phone number with the Parish Office at 416-221-8866. The orientation and training for new members will be held on Saturday, October 25, 2008 from 2:30 PM to 4:15 PM.
The Children’s liturgy of the word, for children 4 – 10 years old, began on Sunday, September 21 at the 10:30 AM Mass. We are in need of volunteers to help us interpret the readings through discussion and activities. If you are interested in volunteering, please call Tim Lychy at 416- 953-0555 or email him at tim@dibrinasure.com.
The ceremony for the blessing of the sick will be held on Sunday, October 19th at 3:30 PM. The sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is one of the seven Sacraments. It is celebrated with those who are seriously ill, those who are preparing for surgery and the elderly. The preferred place for celebrating this Sacrament is in the Church with family and the members of the parish community present. All are more than welcome to attend.
The Parish community would like to welcome: Kimora Creavalle, Jessica Martine Joy Lee, Jonathan Brendan Jim Lee. Rhys Douglas Justin Rublee. Kale Sokoloff, Joshua Ronyn Yong, Madison Sarah Yong, Ryley Matthew Yong,
Attention: Those who are Interested in learning about the Catholic Faith This is an invitation to come to our meeting on Monday, October 6th, 2008 at 7:30 in the Library. Come with your questions, your curiosity, and your point of view. They will be the basis of our discussion. To Our Parishioners: Because our Parish Community is considered the official teacher and guide for possible new members, it is important that some of you help by being present and by sharing your faith in ways that are comfortable to you. Adult Catholics who wish to celebrate the sacraments of Eucharist and /or Confirmation are also welcome. For more information, please call Mary Landry at 416-221-8866.
In past years, Tuesday evenings and Wednesday mornings have been devoted to religious topics decided on by those who wish to participate. We have studied and discussed parts of the Bible, Church history, viewed videos, listened to tapes and read short but substantial books about Christ and the Church.
On Wednesday morning, October 8th at 10:30 AM, we will finish studying St. Paul’s Letters.
On Tuesday evening, October 14th at 7:30 PM, our topic will be “What is Liberation Theology?”
Both groups will decide what topics they wish to study through the fall. If you are interested, please come with your questions, your “puzzlements”, your concerns and interests about the faith (and sometimes doubts) we share. For further information, please call Mary Landry at 416-221-8866, Ext. 224.
World Mission Sunday is on October 19th this year. This world wide collection for the missionary church provides emergency aid when disasters strike, cares for refugees in war torn nations, provides rural health clinics and transportation for priests and catechists. Please pray for the missions and be generous on World Mission Sunday.
“Those who sing pray twice!”
We would like to invite new membership to our Senior and Junior Choirs. The Senior Choir practices Tuesday evenings from 7:30 to 9:00 and sings at the 10:30 Mass. The Junior Choir practices Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 8:00 and sings at the 12:30 Mass. We invite all to consider joining this important ministry of music. For more information, please call Marilyn Calderone at 416-618-2041.
Thank you to the volunteers who prepared 47 casseroles for the Good Shepherd Centre for September. For October, your prepared casseroles (frozen please) will be collected at the Masses on the weekend of October 25/26 for delivery to the Good Shepherd Centre. More volunteers are encouraged to become active in helping to feed our less fortunate sisters and brothers. If you require more information or would like to get a copy of the recipe and a casserole pan, please contact Irene Albrecht at 416-221-2791.
Over the last few months we have collected a number of items in our Lost and Found. Currently unclaimed items include a camera and two pairs of glasses. Please check at the Parish Office, 416- 221-8866, for misplaced items.
Good Shepherd Ministries is unfortunately witnessing a growth in the number of people lining up to eat in their dining room each day. This past year, over 270,000 meals were served – 15,000 more than the previous year. We have been asked to participate in the 2008 Thanksgiving Food Drive. Rice, canned vegetables and meats, canned stews and soups, cereals pasta and sauces, peanut butter, jams, sugar, tea, ground and instant coffee, hot chocolate, powdered fruit juice, paprika, garlic powder, and condiments are urgently needed. Please drop off your donations in the designated containers at the doors of the Church. The parish’s donations of non-perishable food will make it possible for the Good Shepherd Ministries to continue to offer nutritious meals to those in need. They need our help more than ever!
Archbishop Collins will provide the opening address at a conference on woman abuse hosted by some of the Catholic agencies of the Archdiocese on Saturday, October 18 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The conference will be held at Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts in North York (Sheppard Subway Station). Come and learn about this important issue and what you can do about it. Youth (over 16 years) and adults, both men and women, are welcome. Pre-registration is required. The fee of $20 includes lunch. Please contact Carmela at 416-222-0048, Ext. 235
A group of synagogues in the Bayview corridor have project to supply two First Nation’s communities, located about an hour from Owen Sound, with donated sports equipment including skates, hockey equipment, skis and bicycles. A date (probably in October) and a location where items can be dropped off will be announced. Donated items must be delivered the same day since storage is not possible. If anyone would like to donate items for this project, please keep the items aside pending further details. There may also be a request for volunteer drivers with vans. Please stay posted for further information.
The archdiocese of Toronto has created an online space: www.archtoronto.org/federalelections that provides resources to help with the discernment process as we prepare to elect a federal government on October 14, 2008. We hope this is a helpful tool.
Thinking about the priesthood? Wondering what it might be like? Then “Come and See” is for you! November 7th to 9th, 2008, there will be an opportunity for young men of 18 years or older to visit our Archdiocesan Seminary in Scarborough. This weekend will provide time for prayer, reflection and information on becoming a Catholic priest. If God is calling you, say yes… and Come and See. Those interested are asked to speak with their Pastor or contact the Office of Vocations for further information at 416-968-0997.
Single women, 18 to 40, are invited to a retreat weekend October 17 – 19 given by a team of Sisters of St. Joseph. For further information, call Sister Dorothy at 416-927-0702. Also see the bulletin board flyer.
| Posted in Bulletin |
September 28th, 2008
We are back in the vineyard again this week. Last week we heard the parable of the owner of the vineyard hiring all through the day and paying everyone the same wage, much to the anger of those who labored all day. The generosity of the land owner seems so unfair. The early workers resented the late comers. In this parable the scribes and Pharisees represent the long line of holy and devout Israelites who bore the burden of faithfulness through the centuries. In the eyes of the Scribes and Pharisees the followers of Jesus are not only new-comers, they don’t even keep the customs and traditions nor do they respect the authority structures of God’s ways.
The Apostles and the disciples are the late-comers whom Jesus has called into the vineyard to labor with and for Him. They will be rewarded, though their fidelity has been shorter.
This Sunday we are back in the vineyard only this time we are dealing with the ‘yes’ and ‘no’ sons. Again Jesus is directing His teachings toward the scribes and elders of Israel. The tax collectors and prostitutes had said with their lives and lifestyles “No!” to the call of the vineyard. Yet, by listening to the call of Jesus their choices change to a strong “Yes!” as they repent. The “elders and scribes” have been living a “yes” as they kept all the laws and observances but they choose to say “no” to the invitations of Jesus. They do not gain entrance into the kingdom as do the former sinners. The religiously upright elders have a problem with Jesus’ being so mercifully inclusive. They hear this parable and understand it to mean that though they have said yes, by their refusal to follow Jesus, they do not belong. They find this a very harsh parable and they resent Jesus, even to the point of wanting to do away with Him.
I have a feeling that many parents have had the experience of the father in today’s gospel. The rebellious ‘no’ son or daughter who finally come to their senses and see and accept the values parents offered them in their early years: the value of an education, the value of self control, the value of honesty, the value of having respect for other people, the value of faith and belonging to a faith community, the value of family. Parents have experienced as well the disappointment of seeing a son or daughter with so much promise, blowing it by making disastrous choices and harmful decisions. Parents know the feeling of the father in our gospel story who sees a ‘no’ turn to a ‘yes’ and a ‘yes’ turn into a ‘no’ and the consequences that follow such choices.
But in the living of our lives we are all both yes-ers and no-ers. The good that we would, that we do not and the evil we would not do that we do. We are all ambivalent to the demands of our relationship with God. We all have within us an orientation toward trusting God’s care and mercy. We stumble over that “yes” when the confusions of life spin our minds and hearts around and we say “no!” by our not wanting to deal with, accept, or live through all that Christ might ask of us. We can live a “No” as well by not allowing ourselves to go into the vineyard of life, because we cannot accept forgiveness, acceptance and love. The tax collectors and prostitutes were included, because they allowed their lives to be changed, their self images to be rearranged by Jesus’ merciful touch.
As we continue to celebrate this Mass we can pray for ourselves and for each other that, strengthened by the bread of life we receive at this Mass, we will try to always say our ‘yes’ to the call of Jesus, Who calls us to grow in His life and love.
| Posted in Homily |
Total: $9,196.78
The Children’s liturgy of the word, for children 4-10 years old, began on Sunday, September 21 at the 10:30 AM Mass. We are in need of volunteers to help us interpret the readings through discussion and activities. If you are interested in volunteering, please call Tim Lychy at 416-953-0555 or email him at tim@dibrinasure.com.
Classes for the Children’s Faith Program, for children attending private or public schools, have already begun. However, registration forms are still being accepted until the October 5th class. These forms can be picked up at the Parish Office. For further information, please contact Cheryl Teixeira at 416-261-9693.
Attention: Those who are Interested in learning about the Catholic Faith This is an invitation to come to our meeting on Monday, September 29th, 2008 at 7:30 in the Library. Come with your questions, your curiosity, and your point of view. They will be the basis of our discussion.
To Our Parishioners: Because our Parish Community is considered the official teacher and guide for possible new members, it is important that some of you help by being present and by sharing your faith in ways that are comfortable to you. Adult Catholics who wish to celebrate the sacraments of Eucharist and /or Confirmation are also welcome. For more information, please call Mary Landry at 416-221-8866.
On Tuesday evening, September 30th at 7:30 PM, our topic will be “What is Liberation Theology?”
We do have a small but growing library. After each Mass on October 4th and 5th, I will introduce interested readers to it. Come to the office and down the hall. Mary Landry
Our school is in need of a lunchtime supervisor. Work schedule is on a daily basis from 12:00 to 1:00PM. Duties include supervision of students indoors and outdoors during the noon hour. Please contact the school at 416-393-5256 for more information.
Friday, October 3 from 9:30 AM – 12 Noon Please see the time schedule on the table inside the Church.
Saturday, October 4 at 3:15 PM in the Library For information, please contact Linda Law at 416-918-8029.
Sunday, October 5 at 3:30 PM in the Gabriel Room For information, please contact Linda Law at 416-918-8029.
Sunday, October 5 at 11:30 AM in the Gabriel Room
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. This guided reflection brings an ecological perspective to the readings.
Retired, Senior, or available weekday/weekends? Providence healthcare is looking for volunteers to assist with customer service duties in our retail stores. Positions to be filled: Cashiers, Buyers, Bookkeepers, Merchandisers, Stock Clerks. For information about these volunteer opportunities, please call 416-285-3749. Providence Healthcare is located at 3276 St. Clair Avenue E., (Warden at St. Clair) www.providence.on.ca
Married couples: You deserve a weekend to celebrate being together; to rediscover each other and to focus on ways to make your relationship even better. A Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend offers this opportunity. Consider giving each other or another couple that you know the gift of a weekend away from daily pressures; time to be with each other and with God on a Marriage Encounter Weekend. Upcoming Weekend date: October 24-26, 2008. For further information, please contact David and Lucy Adams, 905-470-9590 or email adams@rogers.com
Elections Canada is looking for workers for October 14th, Election Day. Applicants must be Canadian citizens 18 years of age or older. For information call 1-866-281-5126, then dial 2.
September 21st, 2008
The parable in today’s gospel was one that Jesus used for one occasion and the Church remembers for another reason.
Many people could relate to the story Jesus tells. Unskilled laborers gathered in the market place hoping they would find work that day. Some were successful others were not. We can imagine the disappointed of the un-chosen. They would go home that evening with no money to feed their families. Someone has referred to this Sunday as, “It ain’t fair” Sunday. At first reading it really isn’t fair. Those who worked all day should have received more than these Johnny come latelies.
Jesus said that He was sent first of all to the lost sheep of the house of Israel; to the people who followed God’s ways since Abraham and the early covenants. They have been faithful, laboring to be a part of God’s kingdom. The apostles are being prepared to enter the vineyard here at the last hour. The scribes and Pharisees represent the long line of holy and devout Israelites who bore the burden of faithfulness through the centuries. They well know that God’s ways are different from theirs as they remember their long religious history. As we heard in Isaiah “My thoughts are not your thoughts nor are My ways your ways. For as the heavens are higher than the earth so are My ways higher you’re your ways. In the eyes of the Scribes and Pharisees the followers of Jesus are not only new-comers, they don’t even keep the customs and traditions nor do they respect the authority structures of God’s ways. The key words in this parable are those about how the owner kept going out at all hours to invite and employ. This owner is constant, his message is the same and his promises for payment are standard. God is faithful and inclusive, as opposed to our ways which are so judicial and selective.
The Apostles and the disciples are the late-comers whom Jesus has called into the vineyard to labor with and for Him. They will be rewarded, though their fidelity has been shorter. Is this fair? The first and last will all be included. All will have to adjust their feelings based on God’s ways not being like theirs.
This was the original teaching Jesus had in mind. But Matthew tells this parable with something else in mind. One of the big issues in the early Christian communities was the fact that non-Jews, the Gentiles were anxious to follow Jesus, they wanted to join what was strictly a Jewish community. Some of the first followers of Jesus resented their presence, resented their being welcomed into the community. So the parable is addressed to those members of the community who resented these late comers and who were convinced “it ain’t fair”. The message of the parable is true in both understandings, the older and younger, the newly-called and the ancients are all going to receive God’s love equally.
Maybe a modern parallel to this parable can be found in the mentality of people who resent new comers to Canada. Have you ever heard anyone complain about ‘these people’ who come over here and take jobs away from Canadians, ‘these people who come here and get government assistance paid for by our taxes?’ They are Freddy free loaders. This parable could apply to the protectionism of different professions who hinder the newcomer from practicing their skills in Canada. They use the lame excuse, “they don’t meet our standards, and they have no Canadian experience.” In other words, “they don’t belong here.”
If you are not a member of our First Nations then you are a boat person. Our families, no matter when they came to Canada, came here looking for a better life, a freer life. If we take the time to look back into our own family histories we would learn that they were blessed in having the chance to make a life in this land. Why would we deny that same blessing to others?
The message of the parable is that we are all a graced people. We have no exclusive claim on the mercy and love of God. As St. John tells us, “this is the wonder, not that we love God but that God first loved us and sent His Son to be our Savior.” St. Paul teaches, “Before the world began God chose us to be His adopted sons and daughters.” If ever we find ourselves resenting the goodness or mercy of God to others we could ask ourselves, “where would we be without that same goodness and mercy.” We may resent the generosity of God toward others but where would we be without that same generosity?
As we continue to celebrate this Mass we can pray for ourselves and for each other that each of us finds in our hearts the generosity and inclusiveness we see the landowner and be happy that God is as generous with others and God is with us.
Total: $8,293.69
The Children’s liturgy of the word, for children 4 – 10 years old, will begin on Sunday, September 21 at the 10:30 AM Mass. We are in need of volunteers to help us interpret the readings through discussion and activities. If you are interested in volunteering, please call Tim Lychy at 416- 953-0555 or email him at tim@dibrinasure.com.
Attention: Those who are Interested in learning about the Catholic Faith
This is an invitation to come to our meeting on Monday, September 22nd, 2008 at 7:30 in the Library. Come with your questions, your curiosity, and your point of view. They will be the basis of our discussion. To Our Parishioners: Because our Parish Community is considered the official teacher and guide for possible new members, it is important that some of you help by being present and by sharing your faith in ways that are comfortable to you. Adult Catholics who wish to celebrate the sacraments of Eucharist and /or Confirmation are also welcome. For more information, please call Mary Landry at 416-221-8866.
On Tuesday evening, September 30th at 7:30 PM, our topic will be “What is Liberation Theology?”.
Many people have been asking “Where’s Ralph?” Ralph is fine but Eva has not been well for some time. Ralph doesn’t want to leave her alone so he has not been able to be here to take care of things for Sunday Masses. He asks for your prayers for his dear wife, Eva. His phone number is 1-905-571-2220 and his address is: Mr. Ralph Bardowell, 215 – 120 Waller Street, Whitby, Ontario, L1R 2G4
ALEX SEREDENKO, our 12:30 Mass accompanist, will be presenting a concert Thursday, September 25th at noon as part of the Piano Virtuoso Series. It will be held at the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre of the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen Street West. All are welcome.
A group of synagogues in the Bayview corridor have a project to supply two First Nation’s communities, located about an hour from Owen Sound, with donated sports equipment including skates, hockey equipment, skis and bicycles. A date (probably in October) and a location where items can be dropped off will be announced. Donated items must be delivered the same day since storage is not possible. If anyone would like to donate items for this project, please keep the items aside pending further details. There may also be a request for volunteer drivers with vans. Please stay posted for further information.
Speak with confidence, control nervousness, communicate effectively and recognize your potential. The Christopher Leadership Course of Canada offers you the ability to develop and enhance your speaking and leadership skills. These enhanced skills benefit your home, place of worship, place of employment and the community. Learn all this while having fun during an 11 week course beginning the week of September 22, 2008 at four different locations in the GTA. For more information call 1-800-418-8925
All are welcome to join Archbishop Thomas Collins for Lectio Divina. Sunday, September 21, 2008. St. Michael’s Cathedral, 65 Bond Street, Toronto
Vespers are at 7:00PM followed by the Lectio Divina from 7:30 to 8:15 PM.
Your prepared chicken rice casseroles (frozen please) will be collected at the Masses next weekend for delivery to the Good Shepherd Centre. More volunteers are encouraged to get a copy of the casserole recipe and a pan and give it a try. For more information, please contact Irene Albrecht at 416-221-2791.
September 28, 2008
Each year the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops is asked to speak out, give leadership or provide guidelines for the faithful on topics such as education, ecumenism, interfaith relations, ethical issues and events that require common action here or elsewhere in the world. In order for our Bishops to be able to make proper judgments on modern topics, they must have the benefit of research and expert advice. This information gathering requires staff, time and money. Through the yearly Bishop’s collection for the needs of the Church in Canada, an appeal is made to all Catholics to be generous in supporting the work of their Bishops. In addition to contributions, we are also asked to pray for the work of the Bishops and to participate in and cooperate with the various projects of the CCCB.
The first meeting of the North York Retired Men’s Club for fall, 2008 will be held on September 23rd at 2:00 PM at Blessed Trinity Parish Hall. Dr. Charles Wright will speak on the current controversies in Healthcare. New members are welcome.
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.
Learn about Passionists and our insignia »
Companion for the Walk of the Stations of the Cosmic Earth
St. Gabriel’s Garden – Guided Sensory Reflective Walk