ST. DOMINIC'S PARISH HAS A NEW Email: StDominicsMI@archtoronto.org ( Please note the upper and lower case on the email.)/

 PALM SUNDAY MARCH 28, 2021

Readings: Isaiah 50.4-7
Philippians 2.6-11
Mark 14.1 - 15.47

Today is Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion. This Palm Sunday happens on the sixth and final Sunday of Lent and today we begin the Holy Week celebration. We begin our celebration today with the blessing of Palm leaves. Jesus entered the city on a donkey and the people shouted: “Hosanna to the Son of David “ were the same people who shouted, “ Crucify Him!” and the red liturgical vestments I wear seem now to symbolize agony, blood and martyrdom. I think there is a change of mood here.

There are moments when we are enthusiastic about Him, about our Church and our faith but then this followed by moments of doubts, of rejection of certain things which we personally dislike because they go against our lifestyle and habits. Often we are like the Palm leaves, green and beautiful today but dry, brown and withered in few days.

As we begin the Holy Week celebration, I invite you to the boardroom of spiritual dialogue with the word of God summarized as follows;
  • Betraying Christ like Judas did should not be our stock of trade.
  • Denying Christ like Peter should not be our habit.
  • Running away at the face of danger like the apostles did should never be our culture.
  • Passing wrong and unobjective judgements like Pilate( the politician in the Bible) did should not be the attitude of our own rulers and politicians.
  • Favouring the wicked, example releasing Barabbas and suffering the innocent Jesus as the Jews did should not be our tradition.
  • Remember that we deserve our fortunes and decide our destinies by the choices we daily make.
  • If we choose to continue to worship the idols that our forefathers worshipped in ignorance, we remain in bondage and suffer under culpable ignorance.
  • If we Choose corruption to remain as our way of life , we would remain in poverty.
  • If we choose cults of violence, masquerade and secret cults for our children, we will continue to face the tragedy of untimely deaths.
May God give us disciple’s tongue to speak gently to our opponents, the disciple’s ear to listen calmly to the Word of God and every superior advice and the disciple’s heart to show love and forgiveness to our neighbours. Happy Holy Week celebration.



Dear People of God god, we thank the Lord for listening to our prayers. We will be starting our Public Masses from March 16th. Please, those who are sick, feel uncomfortable, elderly people of our community stay home. 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

We want to thank all the parishioners of ST. DOMINIC for their ongoing support during this period of great uncertainty.

VOLUNTEERS HELP IS GREATLY APPRECIATED
I am 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! USHERS, ONCE AGAIN LET'S COME TOGETHER AS WE BEGIN OUR PUBLIC MASSES FROM THE WEEKEND OF MARCH 20,22. WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR ASSISTANCE.

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!


2020 TAX RECEIPTS
DEAR PEOPLE OF GOD, YOUR 2020 TAX RECEIPTS ARE READY AND WILL BE EMAILED TO YOU ON YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS WE HAVE IN THE PARISH REGISTER. IN CASE YOU HAVE CHANGED IT, PLEASE CALL THE OFFICE AND UPDATE IT. THOSE WHO DO NOT HAVE ONE, PLEASE CALL THE OFFICE AND FIGURE OUT HOW TO COLLECT IT. WE APPRECIATE YOUR PATIENCE AND COOPERATION. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS FOR THE SPIRITUAL AND PHYSICAL UPKEEP OF THE CHURCH. PRAYING FOR YOU ALL. GOD BLESS YOU!

2021 ENVELOPES ARE READY FOR PICK UP!
Please Collect your Envelope Boxes from the main entrance of the church

 OFFICE HOURS
Tuesday and Thursday from 9.30am —12 noon. 1pm — 4.30pm .Please call the parish office before you arrive.

THE YEAR OF ST. JOSEPH PRAYER


To you, O blessed Joseph (Ad te, beate Ioseph)

To you, O blessed Joseph, do we come in our afflictions, and having implored the help of your most holy Spouse, we confidently invoke your patronage also.

Through that charity which bound you to the Immaculate Virgin Mother of God and through the paternal love with which you embraced the Child Jesus, we humbly beg you graciously to regard the inheritance which Jesus Christ has purchased by his Blood, and with your power and strength to aid us in our necessities.

O most watchful guardian of the Holy Family, defend the chosen children of Jesus Christ; O most loving father, ward off from us every contagion of error and corrupting influence; O our most mighty protector, be kind to us and from heaven assist us in our struggle with the power of darkness.

As once you rescued the Child Jesus from deadly peril, so now protect God’s Holy Church from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity; shield, too, each one of us by your constant protection, so that, supported by your example and your aid, we may be able to live piously, to die in holiness, and to obtain eternal happiness in heaven. Amen


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!

We are still in a GREY (lockdown) ZONE 

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 :

 (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.

 YOUR PARISH NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT:

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!



  2021 ENVELOPES ARE READY FOR PICK UP

       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!