1st Sunday of Lent (February 18, 2024)

Praying for the Sick - 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.   

We remember in prayer those who have died recently including:  Betty Noel, Madeline Maguire, Domenico Gullo, Art Betteridge and Doug Magee.

Visiting the Hospital: if you or a family member are admitted to RVH please let them know you are Catholic and call the parish office to inform us. If you wish to receive Holy Communion please let the parish office know and one of our pastoral visitors will come to see you.

The Season of Lent:

The Church reminds us that Lent has two major purposes: It recalls or prepares for baptism and emphasizes a spirit of penance.  The emphasis on a spirit of penance assists us in preparing to renew our baptismal promises.  Throughout the season of Lent we are called to listen more attentively to the Word of God and to set aside additional time for prayer.  The traditional Lenten practices of prayer, fasting and works of charity (almsgiving) are to assist us as we prepare to renew our baptismal promises.

Celebrating the Liturgy of the Word  with Children

We will celebrate a separate Liturgy of the Word with children on Sunday, February 25^th, March 10^th and 17^th, during the 12:00 p.m. Mass.  All children between the ages of 4 and 8 are invited to participate. The children and leaders are sent after the Opening Prayer to celebrate a separate Liturgy of the Word and they return during the Preparation of the Gifts. If you are interested in becoming a leader or have questions please contact David at dmurdoch@archtoronto.org.

Practicing Jesus’ Seven Last Words: A Devotional for Lent

Join the people of Collier Street United, St. Andrew's Presbyterian, St. Mary's Catholic and Trinity Anglican, starting Tuesday, February 20^th to March 26th at noon, in the Chapel at Collier Street United. Walk more closely with Christ this Lenten season with Practicing Jesus’ Seven Last Words, a new Lent devotional by the Rev. Konnie Vissers. This devotional guide will take you through the seven final phrases said by Jesus according to the gospels, providing prayers, reflections and activities for each week of Lent.  Each week’s reflection invites the reader to ponder one of the last phrases spoken by Jesus and the kind of living it invites us into, as well as to engage in concrete actions that help us embody our faith. Themes range from forgiveness and family to surrender and fulfillment.

The Cross of Christ – Musical Gala

Original Oratorio Based on The Last 7 Words of Jesus Christ on the Cross by Romulo Delgado.

Sunday, March 10^th at 3:30 p.m. at Holy Spirit Parish, 650 Essa Road.  This sacred musical work written for four operatic voices and orchestra, entirely composed, and now also revamped by Romulo Delgado, one of Canada’s top tenors, Tickets $50.00 each and available to purchase next weekend after all Masses, online at https://mission.archtoronto.org/Event/TheCrossOfChrist-HolySpiritParish/#/register or by calling 705-722-3771 ext. 8. 

Women’s Lenten Prayer Group

All women interested in joining a Women’s Lenten Prayer Group are invited to come on Monday nights throughout Lent from 7-8:30 pm in the parish hall.  For more information, please contact the parish office.  All are welcome!

All Adults 55+: Ministry with Maturing Adults

All are welcome to attend the various sessions 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.

Christian Meditation is an ancient form of contemplative prayer rooted in the Christian tradition. We will meet at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 27^th on Zoom. All are welcome! If you are interested in learning more about this form of prayer please contact Catherine Ecker. (cecker@archtoronto.org or 705 728 2985 ext. 115).

An Afternoon of Music: Wednesday, March 13^th at 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.

Russ Clayton and Pat Gowan of The Flailing Shilaleighs will be performing mostly traditional Irish and East Coast Canadian music.  Refreshments will be served. Free will offering. All are welcome.

Classic Movies

For this month’s Classic Movies, we’ll be having our Second Annual, laugh-out-loud I Love Lucy Episode Marathon on Thursday, February 22^nd at 2:00 p.m. in the parish hall. This year’s episodes will revolve around Lucy’s attempts to get into show business starting with the famous Vitameatavegamin episode, “Lucy Does a TV Commercial.” All are welcome! Free will offering. Snacks and drinks will be provided.

Confirmation Preparation: Important Reminder! Catechetical Meeting # 2 Candidates and Sponsors

The next catechetical meeting for candidates and sponsors is in Lent.  IF the sponsor cannot attend it is understood that the parent will be present. This meeting is only offered once.  All candidates and sponsors are to attend on Monday, February 26^th at 7:30 p.m. The meeting will conclude by 9:00 p.m.

Important Reminders for Families Preparing for First Communion

All parents preparing their child for first Holy Communion are to attend the Parent (Only) Catechetical Meeting.

The meeting is offered twice, you attend one meeting.  You may attend on Tuesday, February  27^th or Thursday, March 7^th at 7:30 p.m.  You will receive a second book at this meeting. Attendance at this meeting is essential. 

Celebrating First Reconciliation: Important Reminder to Parents!

When you have completed the book, We Prepare for Reconciliation you are to bring your child to celebrate reconciliation on one of the following dates:

Saturday, Feb. 24^th             11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 28^th       4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 2^nd         11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Wednesday, March 6^th       4:30 p.m.– 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday, March 13^th     4:30 p.m.– 5:30 p.m.

You choose which of the above dates you will bring your child. Your child is to bring the completed book to the church and will take their book into the reconciliation room.  After your child celebrates, you take the book home. This is a good resource for you and your family. 

Youth Ministry

M.E.R.C.Y. (Ministry to Educate Roman Catholic Youth) is for youth grades J.K. to Gr. 4 and gathers once a month on Friday nights from 6:00-7:30 p.m. where we explore our faith in a dynamic way through activities, games, crafts and music.  Our next gathering is Friday, March 8^th.^. Registration required. 

EDGE is a youth ministry program for youth grades 5-8 to come together once a month on a Friday from 6:00-7:30 p.m.  EDGE is a safe, fun place for youth to find solid Catholic community, to get answers to their questions about faith and most importantly, to experience Jesus in a profound and personal way.  Our next gathering is Friday, February 23^rd.

LIFETEEN – for high school teens to explore their faith through talks, prayer and friendship meeting monthly on Sunday nights. Our next gathering is Sunday, February 25^th after the 4:00 p.m. Mass.  Dinner provided.

Theology on Tap - At the Flying Monkeys Brewery (in the Attic Lounge upstairs) on the following Sundays from 6:00-9:00 p.m.: 

March 17^th, May 5^th and June 23^rd, 2024.  Mark your calendars!