THE EPIPHANY - JANUARY 3, 2021
God has sent us his Son, Jesus Christ. The Son is
given for all of us. So we chant the Christmas season: Christ is born for us!
At the time of Epiphany: Christ has appeared to us. Christ is for all even as
Christ is also for me personally. The challenge is to see God in the many ways
in which God appears and reflect Hod in all that I do. The first reading today
is from the Prophet Isaiah. This prophet tells us : “Upon you the Lord shines,
and over you appears his glory. Nations shall walk by your light..” this words
are written about Israel but apply to every nation and group of people because
the Lord loves us all. Even this great prophet Isaiah could not convince
everyone that God would act and that God would be present. The challenge for us
is personal belief and also belief as a Church and a community. If we believe,
that our lives begin to reflect that light of his glory and gives witness to
the loving presence of our God. St. Paul, a devout Jew, tells us how he became
aware that God’s love was for even the Gentiles, the no - Jewish people. God’s
love is for everyone. The challenge for us today is to recognize that God’s is
for all peoples, and especially for those peoples and nations and persons who
seem most impossible to accept. God wants us all and God is working in all,
even when we cannot see it. Once we begin to accept that God is present in all,
we will find that speaking of the Lord is not so difficult after all. Instead,
we might find that we naturally speak of God to others and that our own love
and faithfulness could draw others to God and to our Lord Jesus. Gospel tells
us that God Himself chooses to reveal Himself to all peoples and that God
Himself uses various ways to do that. Yes, our witness is important, but so
also are the unexplained ways in which God makes Himself know. What is implied is that in each of us is a
drawing to God, an attraction to the Lord, which will eventually bring us to
Him. If we are to see Him, our hearts must be open to Him. If we are to live in
Him, our hearts must be able to embrace Him. God is revealing Himself to you
and to me right now. Let us open our eyes to His light and open our hearts to
His love.
“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. 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!
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 +Lorna Siquico | + Vasvalri Belane + Olga Bugere + Jose Rocha + Daniel Harold Maclennan + Sidalia Pereira + Alda D"mello |
| |
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 FRANCA MUFFOLINI | ANNA JOSEPHINE DE BIASI JULIANA DIAS |
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!
