11th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Farewell Fr. Neyomal

Next weekend, June 24/25^th is Fr. Neyomal Silva’s last weekend here.  You are invited to come and personally offer your good wishes and thanks for his dedicated service to our parish community, bid him farewell and enjoy some food and fellowship after all Masses.  The Knights of Columbus, Council 1626 are serving hamburgers after the Saturday 5:00 p.m., Sunday 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. and back bacon on a bun after Mass on Sunday at 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. 

Prayers for the Sick and Faithful Departed

If you or a family member is sick please let us know and we shall add their name to our prayer list which is posted in the gathering space of the church.

Please remember all who have died recently including: Joan Osborne.

Supporting refugees through ShareLife

This coming Tuesday, June 20, we observe World Refugee Day, an international day to honour refugees around the world.

Through your generosity, you are able to help the Office of Refugees (ORAT) save lives of refugees from different backgrounds and walks of life. In a special way, their work is directed towards assisting Christian refugees who have been marginalized and persecuted for practicing their faith.

Thank you for giving them a new home here in Canada, for giving them hope, and for living the Gospel by giving to ShareLife.

Our parish community has raised $94,666 toward our goal of $125,000.  Please give at the parish using a ShareLife envelope, online through our parish website, or at sharelife.org/donate.

Resuming the Offertory Collection

Last weekend, after each Mass we resumed the practice of passing the offertory basket.  Our active participation in the celebration of Mass is crucial and is evident when we answer the prayers, listen to God’s Word and join in singing.  Being able to put our monetary contribution to the upkeep of the parish and the work of the church into the collection basket is another sign of our participation.

If you are able to assist as an Offertory Collector please speak with David Murdoch or send him an email at dmurdoch@archtoronto.org.

Sharing in Holy Communion: A Sign of our Communion with God and Union with Others

Our sharing in Holy Communion is a profoundly public personal act.  We process forward to share in Holy Communion. It is most definitely a holy union with Jesus and with our brothers and sisters in Christ.  There is nothing private about the Communion procession.  Please review the following information.

In 2011, the Canadian Bishops instructed that our common sign of reverence before sharing in Holy Communion be a bow of the head. The ritual does not expect anyone to genuflect, kneel or make the sign of the cross before or after receiving Holy Communion.

At the time of Holy Communion when the person in front of you has received Holy Communion and you are in the front of the procession, you bow your head, the Minister of the Body of Christ will say, “The Body of Christ”, you reply, “Amen”. It is important to note that the only appropriate response is Amen.  The Church expects that Amen is said in a voice that can be heard by the Minister of Holy Communion.  After saying Amen the Minister of Communion places the host in your hand and you will consume the Host immediately. If receiving the Precious Blood, you will move to the Minister of the Chalice who will say, “The Blood of Christ”, you will reply, “Amen” and take a sip from the chalice.  You will not bow a second time for the act of receiving the Body and Blood of Christ is one ritual gesture.  (GIRM, paragraph 160)

The Communion procession is a time of communal prayer. We sing the Communion hymn as an outward sign of our unity.  We sit or kneel for silent prayer when the priest sits down after Communion.

Wanted: Persian or Arabic Speaking Parishioners!

We are in need to a person to assist with translation for a new parishioner. If you speak Persian or Arabic please contact the parish office or speak with Father Larry.

Visiting the Hospital

If you or a family member are admitted to RVH and would appreciate a visit from someone at St. Mary’s please call or email the parish office.

Please note: the hospital no longer provides us with a list of Catholics who are hospitalized; therefore, you must notify the parish.

Ministry with Maturing Adults: For All Adults 55+

All are welcome to attend the various session offered for those in the second half of life. 

VON SMART (Seniors Maintaining Active Roles Together) Exercise Program is held on Tuesday mornings. For details regarding registration please call: VON at 705 737 5044 ext. 221.

June is Seniors’ Month: Celebrating the Gift of Years!

All adults in the second half of life are invited to join us for lunch on Wednesday, June 21^st at 12:00 p.m. to celebrate and give thanks for the gift of years. We will provide soup, buns, and beverages. You are invited to bring either a salad, finger foods or dessert.

Join us for fellowship, good food, and door prizes as we celebrate the gift of years!   To assist with planning please sign up after Mass this weekend.

For questions please email Catherine Ecker at cecker@archtoronto.org or call 705 728 2985 ext. 115.

Classic Movies in June: join us at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 22^nd for a classic movie.  A wonderful way to spend an afternoon.

Life Story Writing Program: September 2023

The Life Story Writing Programme provides an opportunity to stop, take stock, and look back over the process of life in order to gain deeper understanding, clearer perspective and a more integrated view.  Undertaken from a faith perspective, it is a search for evidence in your life that God has been with you and is still with you.  Such discovery nourishes one’s inner being, renews one’s spirit and energizes for the journey ahead.”

You do not need to be an experienced writer to participate in the Life Story Writing Program. Each person receives a workbook and the sessions provide suggestions and opportunities to practice writing.  We will offer this six-week program beginning Monday, September 18^th. The sessions will be held on Mondays from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. A fee of $20.00 is requested to cover the cost of printing. Advance registration is required. To register or for more information please contact Catherine Ecker at cecker@archtoronto.org or call 705 728 2985 ext. 115.