This Sunday we begin the Season of Advent. It is a perfect time to prepare ourselves to celebrate, cleansed of sin and in a state of grace. The Season of Advent marks the beginning of the liturgical year of our Church. It can appear somewhat strange to us that during these days in which we are preparing for the birth of Jesus, the Gospel Readings talks to us about the end of times. But if we think about it a little we can see that both seasons, Advent as well as Lent, remind us of the need to cleanse our souls of impurities and better our spiritual life. Both seasons remind us of our end. From today on, we have four weeks to go until Christmas. It is enough time for us to purify ourselves, making a good examination of conscience during this pandemic, freeing ourselves from sin, and promising God and ourselves to be more careful so as not to fall into temptation. The Gospel reading says to us, “Be watchful! Be alert! Because you do not know when the time will be.” This is a truth so evident that we should keep it in mind. None of us - Nobody - knows when the second coming of our redeemer will be. When He comes, in all His glory and in all of His greatness, we will not have time to get ready. We have to begin now. That is why we had a visiting priest who helped us in hearing confessions for four weekends, as I urged everyone please do take advantage of this opportunity and don’t wait until Christmas and you see we are in the lockdown again which we didn’t expect this is what it means “Be alert! Be watchful!” That is why the lord
Recommends that we always be Vigilant and prepared- that we await His return with care - taking into account that our lives here on earth will someday be over. We prepare seeking pardon for our sins. He doesn’t care about the number or the gravity. He wants to see our repentance and He forgives all. The Second thing is to keep praying to God, praising Him and obeying Him in all that He asks of us. Scripture tells us very Clearly what He wants of us. He ardently desires our firm resolution to better ourselves. Meditating on this should make us better, more responsible, followers of Christ. Our Church, with love and patience, invites us, through the Readings, to begin to cast off impurity, to give up the things that the world offers us that can make us sin. She asks us to separate ourselves from anything or any person that can impede us in our spiritual growth or in following God with dignity! Wishing you all “A Blessed, Fruitful Season of Advent”.
“Lockdown” - Moving to 10 person capacity - November 2020
We want to thank all the parishioners of ST. DOMINIC for their ongoing support during this period of great uncertainty. It has been wonderful to see so many of you at Mass since we re-opened in June. We are especially grateful to the volunteers who have helped ensure our church is a safe place to gather – they have done incredible work!
As you know, the number of new COVID-19 cases in the Greater Toronto Area have increased significantly in recent days and, at present, Toronto and Peel Regions are in the “Lockdown Stage” as identified by the Province of Ontario. In addition, Premier Ford announced on November 20, 2020 special emergency measures that need to be taken in our area.
For
this reason, as of Monday, November 23rd,
Sadly, due to these measures, public Masses are temporarily cancelled.
Priests will continue to celebrate private Mass daily for the intentions of
parishioners and for those suffering from Covid-19.
Sadly, it is not possible for our parish to remain open at this time in a way that is safe and able to control the restricted number of people permitted in the building.
While I recognize it is not a substitute for attending Mass in person, I encourage you to view online/livestream/televised Masses. A full list is available at St. Dominic church Website, St. Dominmic Church Youtube Channel , Instagram- diasfatherterry. or www.archtoronto.org
Also, all non-essential meetings in the parish will move to virtual meetings or they may be postponed. Our staff will also be working remotely in large part wherever possible
Dear
people of God .
At a time like this I feel uncomfortable to talk about giving. Our primary concern is health and well being of our parishioners. However, No doubt you are aware that our Parish relies on the support of our Parish members for the upkeep of the Church. Kindly support us with the donations (weekly offerings) . Thank you for your great help during this challenging time! God bless you all!
We recognize these measures are extremely challenging. I am also so incredibly grateful for the efforts of our heroic volunteers who have been faithfully welcoming parishioners and cleaning the church between services, ensuring that we can operate safely and responsibly. Your selflessness and generosity is inspiring!
So many of the faithful rely on the reception of the sacraments and our churches to find solace, peace and support during this period of pandemic. Despite these new restrictions, we will make every effort to continue our outreach to you. We also ask that you find opportunities to assist those who are vulnerable or alone among us.
We will continue to update you as the situation evolves. (refer to parish website or social media channels if appropriate) We pray that you and your loved ones remain safe and healthy. May God continue to bless you now and always
SUNDAY MASS:
As public masses are cancelled weekend Mass will be still live-streamed every Sunday at 10 am in our Parish Website and YouTube page. You can also watch the mass later in the day. If you can, please consider dropping off your church donations in the mailbox, newly installed at Atwater Ave Church entrance door .
POPE FRANCIS’S PRAYER TO MARY : (For protection from the Coronavirus)
O
Mary, you shine continuously in our journey as a sign of salvation and hope.
We
entrust ourselves to you, Health of the sick. At the foot of the cross you
participated in Jesus’ pain, with steadfast faith. You, Salvation of the Roman
people, know what we need. We are certain that you will provide, so that as you
did at Cana of Galilee, joy and feasting might return after this moment of
trial. Help us, Mother of Divine Love, to confirm ourselves to the Father’s
will and to do what Jesus tells us: He who took our sufferings upon Himself,
and bore our sorrows to bring us , through the cross, to the joy of the
Ressurrection. Amen. We seek refuge under your protection, O Holy Mother of
God. Do not despise our pleas-we who are put to the test-and deliver us from
every danger, O glorious and Blessed Virgin.
Dear people of God .
At
a time like this I feel uncomfortable to talk about giving. Our primary concern
is health and well being of our parishioners. However, No doubt you are aware
that our Parish relies on the support of our Parish members for the upkeep of
the Church. Kindly support us with the donations (weekly offerings) . Thank you
for your great help during this challenging time! God bless you all.
|
REST IN PEACE |
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+ Durval Medeiros |
+ Alfanso Cotoia |
|
+ John Lopes |
+ Hilda Ipekian |
|
+ Isidro Viveiros |
+ Antonina Fortun |
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+ Monica Samson |
+ Nesta Pougnet |
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+ Mihajlo Kvansi |
+ Maria Raposo |
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+ Delna Dusome |
+ Vasvalri Belane |
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PRAYERS FOR THE SICK |
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PAUL CANTLON |
PATRICIA GONANO |
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SHWETHA |
KATHERINE |
|
ANGELO GULLA |
MATHEW WHITLEY |
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DOMENIC SANTAGUIDA |
BUD RADECZY |
|
MARIANA WEGLINSKI |
MARGHARITA PISCIONE |
|
FRANCA METCALFE |
LISA O’BRIEN |
|
JESSY FERNANDES |
WILLIAM NEIL |
|
TERESA |
JOE ROCHA |
|
JULIANA |
PETER ARANY |
|
SANIYA & FRANCESCO |
JAMES MEDGE |
|
NANCY |
ANNA |
OFFICE
HOURS
Tuesday
, Wednesday and Thursday from 9.30am —12 noon. 1pm — 4.30pm .Please call the
parish office before you arrive.
THANK YOU!
Thanks for all your support and cooperation. I sincerely thank our YouTube mass Team. Sean for providing music and technical support. Joshua, Larissa Freddy And Farrell Gonsalves for their assistance with the liturgy. Our Parish Council Members Lisa Hyginus and Branca Noronha may contact you at this difficult time just to make sure you are ok. We are here to serve you and will address any issues to the best of our ability! God bless!
We congratulate and welcome our newly baptized child Nathan Mark Gerald Gansiniec to our parish Community! Let’s rejoice in the Lord and give praises to him!
Envelopes for Saint Vincent de Paul Society collection are in your boxes and are also being distributed this week.
We act on behalf of St. Dominic’s Parish community from the donations you make to the poor box, located at the doors, the Food drives organized by the schools, and our once a year offertory collection which is scheduled for next Sunday. The money collected is used all year by the Society. We are quite remarkable in that 100% of the donations are given away. No expenses or honoriums are deducted by the Society, we do not take mileage. We make visits and give groceries and/or vouchers for the grocery stores to our neighbours in need. Because of Covid -19 we have not made home visits since March, but we continue to support about 30 families a month. We mail grocery vouchers to our families in need. This means that they are not able to get the food that we have in our pantry that we used to deliver as an additional source of support.
So far this year we have answered over 330 calls for support home, issued 309 grocery vouchers totalling approximately $17,000.00 and given out about 300 bus tickets. We have ordered 6 beds and tables and chairs. As a Society in this Parish we have provided over 500 volunteer hours in outreach.
So please donate generously next week. It allows us to reach out for you and from you.
We
are also in need of new members. If you are interested in serving your
community please leave your name on extension 6 of the church phone line, or
leave your name in the office. We meet virtually once a month. Thank you for
your support.
