5th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - February 7, 2021
The
holy mother Church invites us to praise Christ, who continues doing good.
He, and his apostles carried out their mission as a responsibility and not just
for wages. Therefore, he liberates and calls us to serve others freely. The
first reading presents us with the dilemma of Job an innocent and faithful
servant of God rather than leave the image of suffering and misery, the story
of Job should raise our hope and trust in the saving power of God. Job’s case
reminds us of our own daily struggles with the problems of life. Above all, it
reminds us, of what at times, seems to us as the “grave silence or absence of
God in our lives. They are terrible moments that make us ask questions like:
God, where are you? Why me? What have I done
wrong? God answers these questions at his own time. In the second reading, Paul
strongly expressed his willingness to preach the Gospel. He exclaims:” Curse
upon me, if I do not preach the gospel !“ His story is like that of a man who
survived a disease, and dedicated his life to help other patients. Again, he is
like a doctor who discovered a vaccine for a certain illness and vowed to offer
it free of charge to all. In today’s gospel, Jesus tirelessly went about
teaching, healing, delivering and empowering people. Like Jesus and Paul, we
ought to see our call and mission as a responsibility, rather than a wage
earner, or for worldly reward as its end. Wages or rewards does not refer to
only money or material things. Deliberately seeking praises for our work and
mission, is a way of demanding wages too. If we do so, we already have got our
wages. So, when we attract undue attention to ourselves for the work we do, it
is also a way of gaining a wage for what Simply ought to be our responsibility.
Jesus preached, healed and delivered people from all kinds of infirmities and
problems. There was no one who encountered him with faith that he did not heal.
If Jesus must heal us, we too must have faith in him. Also, if the good news
must liberate us, we must believe it. The power of Jesus is still the same
today. He is ready to heal those who come to him in faith. He is ready to have
a life changing encounter with those who
are ready to approach him with humility. Therefore, let us “praise the Lord who
heals our broken hearts.”
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!
