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Are we able to see the presence of God in others? Are we able to recognize that God speaks through others? Do we see and acknowledge the prophets of our own time? Today's readings call us to open our hearts, our minds and our whole being to the presence of God in others. The first reading today is from the Prophet Ezekiel. God sends prophets to His people. We don't always like to ear the words that a prophet speaks. On the other hand, not everyone who speaks is a prophet. The Old Testament and the New both understand clearly that a true prophet must according to the word of God, and not according to the the words of men.
Today many claim to be prophetic, but most lack any claims to speaking the word of God. A true prophet in our Christian tradition must reflect both the Holy Scriptures and the Church. The message if the scripture remains the same from the beginning to the end of the Scriptures. The messenger always demands that we give up our own concerns and be concerned only for God and God's message for us. The moment we begin to seek our own good, our own enrichment, our won way of thinking- then we become unfaithful to the word of God.
The Second reading today form the Second Letter to the Co9rinthians. here we also listen to God's word: "I am content with my weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions and constraints, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong." We are invited to embrace this word of God of Jesus Christ with al our strength and all our being. When we do embrace this word of God, we shall surely suffer and know our own weaknesses. This also is a form of prophecy because the more we embrace Christ and and follow his way, the the more our lives speak about God and His incredible love for us. we prophesy simply living.
The Gospel today is from Saint Mark and takes us back to the challenge of rejection. We should remember that Ezekiel told us that it does not matter if a prophet is recognized or not. What matters is that the prophet speaks the word of God. Today's Gospel points out that we can reject a true prophet simply because we don't believe that Gd acts in the ordinary events of our lives ad in seemingly ordinary people.
God is always speaking to us: in others, in the events of our lives, ion the Church, in our world. In order to understand God we must be attentive first of all to His revealed word. When that revealed Word is our whole way of living, then we begin to recognize His word in all the other realities of our lives. Today God invites us: listen to the prophets! Open your hearts and minds and beings! God loves you and wishes to speak with you. Harden not your hearts today!
Everyday, we are confronted with situations that challenge our faith in God. Such situations could be sickness, death, poverty, failures etc. To be considered truly faithful we must pass through several trials and situations and still stand firm in God.
Looking at your situation in life today, do you think there is anywhere or anyhow God is testing your faith? Your family problems, sickness search for a job, death of a loved one etc. could be this test. God may have permitted this situation you regard as evil, to befall you, to test your faith.
Remember, when God wants to catapult you to a particular height, He first of all draws you back so that you can shoot far into the sky. So our present difficulties could be your ladder to success.
But do not consider these difficulties to be God's original plan for you. Suffering and death are not God's original plan for us. These difficult moments make us stronger to face life, they draw us closer to God. Because only in difficulties most people remember God and make us appreciate the good moments we have had.
Therefore, in difficult moments let us continue to seek the face of God. Let us seek him with faith, total dependence and humility as Jairus and the sick woman did. We must accompany those desperation with prayer that we find Jesus, hear him speak to our hearts and have a deep encounter with him. We need to touch Jesus spiritually by our prayer life and power has to go out of him.
However, our faith must not be based on mere words but in action because for St. James said faith without good work is dead. Our faith should propel in to extend our kindness and love to all around us. So our ugly situation in life should not make us hostile to others, instead they should challenge on to give to other's what we expect from God.
therefore, beloved brothers and sisters do not lose hope, when trials and tribulations cone your way. Even though, they are not God's plan for you, they have positive impacts. But do not be afraid, God is there for you. He has power over evil and difficult situation. He can restore health and life if only you have faith in him and i9nvite him to your situation.
Are you ready to invite Jesus to your problems? Sometimes our situation may seem worse. when we invite Jesus. We must be patient and see the final outcome. On the way Jairus lost his daughter but at the end she was restored to life. So many people may have been attempted solving your problem, but all to no avail. Don't be strong in faith and see your divine healing on the way, for God loves you.
12th Sunday Of Ordinary Time
Readings: Job 38.1-4,8-11
2Corinthians 5.14-17
Mark 4.35-41
As we begin the Sunday readings of Ordinary time, after the solemnities of the Most Holy Trinity and Corpus Christi, we begin to reflect on who God is for each of us. What do we think of God? How have we experienced God in our lives? Like these early followers of Jesus, if we meet someone who can stop a storm, who can still the wind and the waves, we would surely be impressed and wonder about that person. Today we can imagine Jesus sleeping in this boat. It could not have been a very large boat and the storm would have been tossing it all over the place. And Jesus sleeps!
How many times have we experienced storms in our lives and thought that the lord was asleep, that God was not concerned, that God was simply ignoring us? The Gospel today lets us know that God is always aware of what is happening in our lives, even when he seems asleep, unconcerned and uncaring. The Gospel invites us to a deep level of trust in our God. God loves us and cares for us always and will not let us perish. We don't always understand the ways of God- and that should never surprise us. God sees all and knows all and our vision and knowledge is so restricted.
The first reading today, from the Book of Job, is part of our learning about the divine also. Job finally realizes that God is God- and Job understands so little of all reality. We also must learn that lesson. We can easily think that we know what is best in any situation. So we don't pray and we don't even ask God to give us wisdom and understanding. We also need to repent, as Job does at the end of the Book of Job. We stand in the presence of the Almighty and think that we have more wisdom and knowledge than does the Almighty. Again, we can reflect on our personal image of God and of the power of God.
The Second Letter to the Corinthians tells us clearly : The love of Christ impels us, once we have come to the conviction will the love of Christ impel us. Sometimes we play games with God. Sometimes we expect to force faith upon us. God never forces us, instead, we can humbly ask for faith and for the knowledge that comes from faith.
Today
let us best till in the presence of the Almighty. May our hearts be aware of
the presence of this being who is
Almighty. Let us ask humbly for faith.
Let us ask 'god for the gift to see and acknowledged the cine presence
which always surrounds us. May we stand in awe and give praise to God.
Father’s Day Prayer:
God our Father, We
give you thanks and praise for fathers young and old.
We pray for young
fathers, newly embracing their vocation; May they find courage and perseverance
to balance work, family and faith in joy and sacrifice.
We pray for our
own Fathers around the world whose children are lost or suffering; May they
know that the God of compassion walks with them in their sorrow.
We pray for men
who are not fathers but still mentor and guide us with fatherly love and
advice.
We remember
fathers, grandfather, and great grandfathers who are no longer with us but who
live forever in our memory and nourish us with their love. Amen”
On this Eleventh Sunday of ordinary time, we are reminded that, as part of God's Kingdom, the church of Christ is like a tree planted by God in the world. Fr5om the smallest of all seeds, she becomes the noblest of trees and fills the earth. She is the physical evidence of God's Kingdom. So, like the birds of the air, we are called to make our home in her.
The first reading is message of hope and restoration. Through the prophet Ezekiel God promised to re-establish and elevate his people who were in exile in Babylon. This means that God wishes to transfer his people from a kingdom of oppression, poverty and misery to a kingdom of justice, prosperity and peace of mind.
this is obviously the kingdom of where Christ reigns as king and , as the fountain of life. This is the ki8ngdom where God wishes us to be. The church is the visible sing of this noble cedar or kingdom that gives refuge to all people.
In the second reading, Paul reminds us of the fact that we on a journey towards the ki8ngdom of God in order to be with Christ our lord and ki9ng. Hence, whether we are "living in the body or exiled from it, we should be focused on pleasing the Lord.
The journey to this kingdom is a journey which ,must be approached with faith and courage. Hence Paul reminds us; " Going as we do by faith and not by sight, we are full of confidence... and actually want to leave this body in order to be with Christ." On light of this, we must advance diligently in order to be admitted into this kingdom by Christ.
In today's Gospel, Christ used two parables to describe the kingdom of God. The Kingdom he invites us to is a simple and peaceful one. It is open to all who seek it with a sincere heart. The easiest way to enter into it is by sowing a seed faith in Christ. This is the key.
Hence, in the second parable, the mustard seed which is the smallest seed refers to our faith. "If you have faith like a grain of ,mustard seed... nothing will be impossible for you". This includes, entering the kingdom of God. However, it is important to note that, the authenticity or genuineness of our faith must be tested.
Faith grows and it does, it achieves great things. As it grows it leads us to Christ and consequently to his kingdom. Also, our faith draws others to Christ and to his church, the visible sign of God's Kingdom on earth.
How does our faith draw others to Christ? When we demonstrate or bear a good testimony of our individual and collective faith, the rest is great. Live could be touched and transformed. A few persons might come to believe in God. Also a youth might present himself for a particular sacrament and service in the church. A young couple might decide to normalize their marriage in the church. Someone might decide to give up a very old and bad habit, while another, might decide to forgive another.
These
may seem insignificant achievements, but the seed is growing. This consequently
leads to the growth of the church, the visible sign of God's Kingdom on earth.
As our faith grows, the church, the body of Christ grows and. more people are
drawn into the comfort of God's Kingdom.
Dear
People of God, We are open for public Masses with 15% capacity, starting on
Friday, June 11 ( Solemnity of the Most sacred Heart of Jesus).
Ushers
your assistance is greatly appreciated.
As
in the past, please ensure that all worship safe guidelines are followed. The
Faithful are reminded not to congregate in large numbers in or around the
church before or after services.
Parish
office will continue to operate at phase 1 - Limited Essential appointments
only. Thank you for your continued cooperation. God bless you all.
Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
Readings: Exodus 24.3-8
Hebrews 9.11-15
Mark 14.12-16,22-26.
In today's
Gospel Jesus prepares for the last time with his friends: he knows that the
final moments are upon him. This is to be the last opportunity for him to share
wi8th his followers. Preparations are carefully made; the last meal mist be
celebrated in peace, to savor the gift that will be offered. The gift is a
surprise. Jesus gives himself. Literally. "Take it, this in my body...
This is my blood... I shall not drink any more wine until the day I drink the
new wine in the kingdom of God"
The close association that Jesus has had with his followers is about to come to an end. That fellowship will be renewed in full only in the kingdom of
God, when they
will all drink a new wine together. Jesus faced the darkness of his last time
by gathering his friends and sharing with them the food of himself. Down the
ages the Christian community has shared that memory as life. That is what we do
today.
The Eucharist is not something we come to watch; rather, it is something we come to do. We gather as a consecrated people to do something together. In the action of the Mass we hold holy the memory of Jesus, we share the bread that is broken, we accept the cup that is held out to us. Week by week throughout the year we strengthen each other by our sharing and our faith, so that all our time is consecrated to the Lord. until the fullness of the kingdom, when we hope to see the Lord face to face, this simple meal has to be enough for us.
We are all seeking God. We all need the witness of each other's love and faith at this simple meal. Sometimes when we are faced with people's needs and look at our won resources we can sit down in a state of depression, believing we have nothing to give. The hunger of people is so vast and our abilities are so small: what can we do? But all care and all ministry is a sharing from poverty. None of us has all the answers, none of us is millionaires in mercy and compassion. We are challenged to be the body of Christ. Jesus shared himself: he gave himself away, he became bread for all who hunger and thirst for the presence of God. And the promise of the Gospel is that if we share our poverty then we too will inherit a kingdom prepared for us from the beginning of the world.
First Holy Communion is Postponed at this time.
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 :
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 Resurrection. 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
Today we celebrate one of the greatest mystery of our Christian faith, the Holy Trinity. This celebration reminds us that the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are working together. They are never separated, though, each one of them is a distinct divine person. There’s unity of essence and relation within the three divine persons.
In our first reading, Moses reminds us, of the wonderful and mysterious nature of the works of God. In other words, that it takes a loving and mysterious God to accomplish such a wonderful and mysterious task of salvation. Hence, he encourages us to strengthen our faith in God by simply obeying his commandments.
In the second reading, though without offering any systematic teaching on the Holy Trinity, Paul presents the three divine persons in their concrete forms and actions.
In today’s Gospel, Christ himself revealed the mystery of the three divine persons to us. He revealed this with a mandate.” Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” This is the trinitarian formula. So, any sincere prayer offered in the name of the Holy Trinity bears a mark of excellence.
Today the Church reminds us that the three divine persons are not divided in their actions of grace. Instead, they work and walk together. They have the same mission, which is, the salvation of the world. The Father sent the Son to refer the world. And the Father and the Son sent us the Holy Spirit as our counselor and Advocate. None of them have absolute dominance of a particular period or time. This is because, in spite of being three distinct persons, they have one essence. They are eternally one and united.
So, the prayer of Christ to the Father; “ May they be one, as we are One” is a prayer that arises from Trinidadian love. Therefore, the whole Church, and each family that forms the universal Church is the Sacrament of the Trinity, and as such must be characterized by love and unity.
Therefore, what we celebrate today is a model for our unity. We have many lessons to learn from the Holy Trinity, we can live and work together as one family of God. This is because, we bear one and same image of God, and were baptized by the same Spirit of God whose mark we bear, in spite of our individual personalities and differences unity is possible and a fundamental option.
Hence, today’s celebration has much to teach us about unity in our relationships, friendships, marriages, families, communities. It also reminds us that in spite of our different talents, gifts, social, and economic levels, we can live and work together for our salvation and our salvation of the world.
Finally, the celebration of the Holy Trinity reminds us that if we remain united, our different personalities would become our strength, rather than our weakness or the cause of our disintegration. For their love and unity, let us praise the Most Holy Trinity: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, Amen.
First Holy Communion is Postponed at this time.
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 :
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 Resurrection. 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
Today we celebrate Pentecost Sunday. Pentecost marks the definitive end of the Easter Season. It occupies a very important position in the Church’s life and liturgical calendar. This is because, it marks the beginning of the church’s missionary endeavor. Pentecost day is a day of renewal and empowerment.
From the first reading of this Sunday, we see the rewards of obedience and steadfastness in prayer. Therefore, today we celebrate a great feast, when Christ fulfilled his promise to us. As Christ’s disciples, every true believer has been empowered by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the mutual love of the Father and the Son. He empowers us to go into our world to bring peace, unity, joy, love and salvation to nations.
In the second reading today, Paul makes a very important statement: “No one can say Jesus is Lord, except through the Holy Spirit.” This means that God himself that enables us to recognize and accept the lordship of Christ through the Holy Spirit.
Due to pride, it is difficult for Satan to acknowledge and accept the lordship of Christ. To say “Jesus is Lord “ is to humble oneself. It means to accept Christ as the Lord and Saviour of one’s life. Truly, this is only possible through the spirit of truth, the Holy Spirit.
In the Gospel, Jesus breathed the Holy Spirit upon his disciples in order to restore their peace and to free them from slavery of fear. Christ knew that the Holy Spirit empowers and liberates. So, the spirit we have received, “is not the spirit of fear and timidity, but the Spirit of power, love, and self-discipline.”
Today, we must ask ourselves; “ what does the Holy Spirit wants me to do? Where is He leading me to?” It is important to reflect on these questions especially, now that our world has become so complex, and many of us seem confused. We must pay attention to Him. We must be docile to him. We must let him lead and show us the best way.
Only Him, can help us navigate the rough waters of this world. Only the Holy Spirit can clam our fears and restore order to our lives. He alone can empower us to face the daily challenges of our lives, families, communities, and our world at large. He alone can give us the right insight we need to navigate the complex moments of this life.
In vie of this, daily and prayerfully, we must pause to listen to what the Holy Spirit has to say to us in order to know the direction he wants to lead us. Let us give him the chance to direct our lives, families, business and studies. He leads us ,no matter how complex our world becomes, we shall never be confused. We shall always find our way forward.
Finally,
rather than always walk by sight or mere instinct as many of us do today, let
us walk with the Holy Spirit, our advocate and Counselor. This is because, we
shall succeed “not by power nor by might, but by my spirit, says the Lord
Almighty “. So let us humbly pray, “O Lord, send forth your spirit and renew
the face of the Earth. Alleluia.”
First Holy Communion is Postponed at this time.
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 :
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
India is reeling from a devastating COVID-19 outbreak. In recent days, the country has been reporting more than 400,000 of new cases and 4,000 deaths every 24 hours. International observers expect that the actual numbers are significantly higher. The medical system, funeral services and other social supports are unable to meet the country’s needs at this time.
In response to numerous inquiries from parishioners and clergy, we are providing information for those who may wish to contribute to relief efforts to assist the people of India.
The Archdiocese of Toronto will send donations through Development and Peace to Caritas Internationalis, an international confederation of Catholic humanitarian organizations that is already in India helping those who are suffering during this COVID-19 outbreak.
Since the pandemic began, India’s Catholic Church, acting principally through Caritas India, has been supporting some of the most disadvantaged groups, such as those with inadequate housing, migrant labourers, persons with special needs and widows. Relief services and materials provided by the Church, or with its support, include:
To learn more about Caritas’ work in India, please watch this video: http://bit.ly/CaritasIndiaRelief
Those wishing to help may do so in the following ways:
Name of Parish – India’s COVID-19 Outbreak – Disaster Relief
(Parishes, please gather funds and send one parish cheque to the Development Office, made out to Archdiocese of Toronto – India’s COVID-19 Outbreak – Disaster Relief)
Please continue to pray for the people of India and all those who are suffering from COVID-19 worldwide. Thank you for your continued assistance.
