Today we celebrate the ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven. Though this feast seems to emphasize the departure of Jesus Christ,it is actually a feast that celebrates his mysterious and unending presence with us. Jesus had intimated his apostle about his leaving, that he would go back to the Father, from where he came. He made it clear that it was all for their advantage that he leaves, to our own advantage also. When the day of departure came, St. Luke tells us in our first reading as well as Mark did in the Gospel that, after Jesus had spoken with his apostles, he was taken up to heaven.
You may be wondering how his ascension is to our advantage, and a similar question probably filled the apostles’ minds as they gazed into the sky , watching him go. As he ascended and disappeared of the apostles, he appears to every heart, to every soul; he appears in his word, in the sacraments, in our gathering, in our worship, and in everything he has made.
God is with us that is his name, Emmanuel. His ascension to the right hand of the Father has not separated from us, just as his coming as a man did not separate him from the Father. The apostles gazed into the sky as Jesus ascended, but Paul reminds us in his second letter to the Corinthians(5:7) that we no longer walk by sight but by faith. It is no longer about gazing into the sky but gazing into the new life Christ gave us. That new life in Christ was what the apostles went out to proclaim after they experienced the ascension, and the Church invites us all also to proclaim that new life in Christ.
On Ascension Day, the church pays special attention to communication in the world. We pray especially for journalists and all those working in media houses to use their profession and skills to advance the spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We live in a world where the media has become powerful and projects all kinds of images and ideas into our homes and heads . Our children and future generations are exposed to all kinds of deceptive and misleading doctrine through the media’s power. We pray this day the power of the ascended Christ and his continuous presence in our world may transform us for his glory!
Restrictions as of Monday, April 19, 2021
Dear People of God,
On Friday, the provincial government announced further restrictions in an attempt to minimize the transmission of Covid-19, given the alarming increase in new cases over the past 10 days.
The new measures have a direct impact on places of worship as part of an extended stay-at-home order, which will be in place until at least May 20,2021
Due to these measures, public Masses are temporarily cancelled. Priests are asked to celebrate private Mass daily for the intentions of parishioners and for those suffering From Covid-19.
Church will remain open for private prayer only: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday from 11am to 4.30pm.
Weddings, funerals and baptisms are restricted to 10 persons, including those who are involved in ministry(Priest, Musician).
First Holy Communion is Postponed at this time.
Parish office working days and Hours: Tuesday and Thursday From 9.30 to 4.30 by appointment only.
Live streaming of masses will continue please view it on St. Dominic church Website, St. Dominic church YouTube Channel , Instagram- diasfatherterry. or www.archtoronto.org
We want to thank all the parishioners of St. Dominic for your ongoing support during this period of great uncertainty.
God bless you always
USHERS /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!
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!
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
