FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY - December 27, 2020
God calls us as family. We begin our life in family. We form families, either biological or in other ways. This basic relationship of the biological family with mother, father and Children is given to us through out our Scriptures and is the basic of civil society. Today this relationship of family is being challenged on all sides and the divine rate is high and many people spend their life in multiple relationships. Our civil society is losing entirely the meaning of family as we find it in sacred scripture. We must not be distracted! Instead, we are challenged to continue to encourage the basic reality of a family with mother, father and children. We are invited to encourage marriage between a man and a woman -but always as a sacrament, a sacred bond lived out in Jesus Christ and His Church. The focus of the reading not so much on the trials of Abraham but the faith of Abraham that never wavered. Modern Christians face many challenges today and one of them believing in the family, no matter what civil society tells us. Embracing a scriptural view of the family never means rejecting those who don’t accept Scriptures. It does mean, however, being strong enough in faith to insist that there is a God and that Hod calls us in certain ways and that our scriptures clearly teach about family and family life. So from the three readings today. We can commit ourselves to defending the scriptural understanding of family. We don’t need to attack anyone, only live this mystery clearly in our own lives and speak clearly when asked. We can also commit ourselves to understanding Scripture so that , like Anna and Simeon, we won’t miss the fulfillment of the scripture when it happens.
BIG
THANK YOU TO SEAN, BRIAN AND ERICA FOR THE BEAUTIFUL MUSIC FOR CHRISTMAS 2020!
“Lockdown” - December- 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, the entire province is in the “Lockdown Stage” as identified by the Province of Ontario. In addition, Premier Ford announced on December 26 2020 special emergency measures that need to be taken in our area.
For this reason 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 :
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 | |
+ Durval Medeiros | + Alfanso Cotoia |
+ John Lopes | + Hilda Ipekian |
+ Isidro Viveiros | + Antonina Fortun |
+ Monica Samson | + Nesta Pougnet |
+ Mihajlo Kvansi | + Maria Raposo |
+ Delna Dusome + Choo Minge + Alda Alves + Nancy + Joe Bator + Theadore | + Vasvalri Belane + Olga Bugere + Jose Rocha + Daniel Harold Maclennan + Sidalia Pereira |
PRAYERS FOR THE SICK | |
PAUL CANTLON | PATRICIA GONANO |
SHWETHA | KATHERINE |
ANGELO GULLA | MATHEW WHITLEY |
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 |
CHRISTA FEUERSTAK PAULINE LINDA | ANNA JOSEPHINE DE BIASI |
Please call the office to pick up your
Envelope Boxes.
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!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
