‘GAUDETE’ SUNDAY - November Dec 13, 2020
The Prophet Isaiah gives us the theme for reflection today: “In my God is the joy of my soul.” When that is true in our lives, we are walking the road and we know the truth of these words from the same Prophet: “He has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor, to heal the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty and release to the prisoners, to Announce the year of favor from the Lord and a day of vindication by our God.” This great Prophet Isaiah believed with his whole being that God would send salvation and redemption for his people, Each one of us can have that same trust and confidence in God: God loves us and will bring us salvation. God invites us to live according to His laws and His wisdom- let us walk the way of the Lord. This is the 3rd Sunday of Advent and called “Gaudete” Sunday in Latin. It is a Sunday of rejoicing. The entrance song for some centuries was always from the Letter to the Philippians: Rejoice in the Lord always! Again, I say, rejoice! The second reading this Sunday picks up the theme of rejoicing: “ Rejoice always, Pray without ceasing.” We need to hear both of these realities; rejoice and pray! We can only rejoice always if we are praying without ceasing. God is not asking the impossible of us. We are able to walk through a normal day while keeping Him always in our heart. It is not easy and we shall fail but when we see that God is not in our heart we can in Him once more make His presence. In that way, we can rejoice and pray all the day long. The Gospel from Saint John today brings us back to Saint John the Baptist. John the Baptist was a central focus of the Gospel last Sunday and once again is here for us to consider. We should note that John the Baptist is not at all concerned about being considered great or important. His one concern is to point to Jesus Christ: the one who is to come, whose sandal strap he is unworthy to untie. Saint John the Baptist is a Saint of joy because he points always Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world. We also can become people of joy when our lives point to Jesus our Lord. We don’t have to be perfect but we do have to keep pointing to the Lord. Just as in the life of John the Baptist, the more we decrease, the more the Lord May increase. It is a challenge for us to live in such a way that we are always witness to the presence of God and God’s love. Jesus invites us to live His life that our lives can be witnesses to Him. Let us rejoice and be glad this Sunday as we delight in God’s love.
“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.
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 | + Vasvalri Belane + Olga Bugere + Jose Rocha |
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 |
NANCY CHRISTA FEUERSTAKE | ANNA Daniel Harold Machennan |
2021
ENVELOPES ARE READY FOR PICK UP
Please call the office to pick up your Envelope Boxes
OFFICE HOURS
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!
BAPTISM
We congratulate and welcome our newly baptized children Kai William Anthony Sauer and Mukeni Wangari-Wanyoike to our parish Community! Let’s rejoice in the Lord and give praises to him!
