3rd SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - January 24, 2021
One
of the most intriguing stories in the pages of the bible is the tale of Jonah,
the runaway prophet. Jonah is commanded by God to go to the great city of
Nineveh to preach God’s message but
Jonah runs away. God sends Jonah on a renewal course for three days. Jonah has
the opportunity to repent. He is out of his element, he is in the depths in the
belly of a whale, he must face himself and what is asked of him. He prays, he
reflects, he remembers; and then he promises to fulfill the word of God. When that happens he is delivered out of the
depths. When Jonah is back in his element, the word of God is addressed to him
a second time: “Up! Go to Nineveh, the great city, and preach to them as I told
you to.” Jonah obeys and proclaimed what is told of him to do by God. Every one
pays attention. The king and his ministers command the people to renounce their
evil behaviour: “Who knows, God may yet repent and turn from his furious
anger?”. God repents when people repent. Everyone is overjoyed. All except one.
While the people rejoice, Jonah leaves the city. To Sulk. As he suspected from
the beginning. God has a controlling habit of forgiveness. He argues again with
God: “That was I fled...I knew that you were a God of tenderness and
compassion, slow to anger, rich in graciousness and Mercy, relenting from
evil.” He asks God to take his life. He has been put to shame. The prophet has
been proved a failure. Jonah decides to sit in the hot sun until he dies. But
God causes a tree to grow. To shade his prophet. Jonah feels better. But God
causes the tree to die, and then Jonah feels sorry for the tree. God has the
last word: he asks Jonah why he is sorry for the tree. Should God not feel
sorry for Nineveh, where many thousands people live? The story of Jonah holds
out hope for all of us. In the story everyone repents: Jonah himself, the
people of Nineveh, even God. The good news is that no one is tied to planned
fate, no one is doomed to embrace disaster. By choosing to repent we can change
our lives. Repentance is good news
because it means that nothing is settled, nothing is sealed. Punishment
that has been planned can always be canceled. Things can change. If God can
begin again, so we can begin again and again. That is Gospel. That is good
news. And repentance need not be a crusty, grouchy affair. As Jonah experienced
himself, you can still have a whale of a time.
CHURCH WILL REMAIN OPEN FOR PRIVATE PRAYERS:
During this lockdown we open the church for people of God to spend little time in prayer, keeping all safety protocols and only 10 people at a time in the church.
WEEKENDS: SATURDAY & SUNDAY (11 Am to 4 Pm.)
WEEKDAYS: TUESDAY & THURSDAY (11Am to 4Pm)
I sincerely appreciate all our volunteers (Lisa Hyginus and crew) ever willing to contribute their time and service. Thank you very much God bless you always!
“STATE OF EMERGENCY STAY AT HOME ORDER. January 14, 2021
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. Dominic 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!
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!
