2nd Sunday of Lent (February 25, 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: Anne Connelly and Doreen Ann Thompson. 

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.

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. 

Hospitality Sunday– March 2/3

Hosted by The Society of St. Vincent de Paul. You are invited to stop by the hall after Mass for conversation and simple refreshments. 

If you would like to bake some muffins or cookies please drop them off in the hall on your way into church.  Thank you!

Readings for 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th Sundays in Lent

Please note: on March 3^rd, 10^th and 17^th at all Sunday (Saturday evening) Masses the readings for the Liturgy of the Word will be from Year A.  The readings all have a strong baptismal theme. For those who use a Living with Christ Missal to prepare you will find these readings in your Missal.

Parish Bible Study

We are pleased to announce that the Parish Bible Study starts this Thursday, February 29^th

at either 1:30 p.m. or 7:00 p.m. in our parish hall. 

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!

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.

Human Trafficking

The presentation by the OPP Human Trafficking Unit has been rescheduled to Tuesday, April 30^th from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Please mark your calendars for this important presentation.

Parish Lenten Mission

Join us for three consecutive evenings beginning Sunday, March 3^rd at 6:00 p.m., Monday, March 4^th and Tuesday, March 5^th at 7:00 p.m.

Led by Chris Bray, one of Canada’s most prolific Catholic speakers and musicians.  Chris will lead us in three nights of talks about encountering Christ more deeply through this Eucharistic focused parish mission.

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.  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  from 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.

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 Tues. Feb. 27^th or Thurs. 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, March 22^nd.

LIFETEEN – for high school teens to explore their faith through talks, prayer and friendship meeting monthly on Sunday nights. Our next gathering is Sunday, March 10^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!

Wedding Anniversaries: Celebrating the Sacrament of Marriage

The married couples in our parish are a sign to us of God’s faithfulness and through their witness we are strengthened. If you celebrated a wedding anniversary in February we shall pray with you and share in your joy at all Sunday (Saturday evening) Masses on February 24^//25^th. Please join us in thanking God for the gift of the married couples in our midst.