parish bulletin

83-4
February 15, 2015
Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lenten Schedule
A leper came to him (and kneeling down) begged him and said, "If you
wish, you can make me clean." Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand,
touched him, and said to him, "I do will it. Be made clean." The leprosy left him
immediately, and he was made clean (Mark 1:40-42).
―He remained outside in deserted places, and
people kept coming to him from
everywhere.‖ Nothing could stop the crowds from
gathering. Men, women, and children traveled from near and
far, everywhere, to find Jesus. Word had spread quickly about
the miraculous healing of the leprous man. And people wanted
to know what it was all about. Yes, he had the power to cure
illnesses and drive out demons. But more than that, he had the
power to change hearts. His words of compassion and mercy,
and the actions that backed them up, must have caused many a
conversion during those encounters in the deserted places.
Although we don’t have the opportunity to see him in person, we
do have the chance to search for Jesus and to find him.
Sometimes, he may seem remote. Maybe we don’t automatically
feel his presence. Perhaps, when times are tough, we wonder
where he is hiding. But when we persevere in our journey by
praying, reading the bible, and coming to church to receive the
sacraments, we too can find the Lord. And as we bring our
needs to him, Jesus will be ―moved with pity‖ for us as well and
will extend to us the healing love that has transformed so many
hearts throughout Christian history.
This Wednesday we begin the journey of Lent. May it
be a time of grace and growth in the Lord as we journey together
for 40 days to Easter night and the Resurrection.
Parents of Children making their First Communion
and those who wish to be Confirmed, we are working with our
Catholic schools for these sacraments. I ask the parents of the
First Communicants to fill out a ―Form of Intent‖, that will be
available in the church during the weekend Masses of February
22nd & March 1st. For Children that will be making their
Confirmation, I require a letter from the Confirmandees stating
WHY they would like to be confirmed. These Forms of Intent
and Letters are to be given to me during those two weekend
Masses. Thank you.
Fr. John
Kids’ Corner:
Ash Wednesday – February 18th
8:15 am – Parish Mass – (Ashes)
9:00 am – St. John School - Church
(Ashes - All welcome)
11:00 am – Notre Dame School - Church
12:00 – Distribution of Ashes – Church (No Mass)
4:30 pm – Distribution of Ashes – Church (No Mass)
7:00 pm - Parish Mass – (Ashes)
Fridays of Lent
Stations of the Cross - 4:30 pm
Confessions
Saturdays
3:45 pm to 4:15 pm
Wednesday, March 4th
9:00 am to 10:00 am
4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Tuesday, March 3st1
5:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Parish Mission
7:00 pm, March 16, 17, 18 - Church
Palm Sunday Masses
Saturday, March 28th
4:30 pm - Vigil Mass
Sunday, March 29th
9:00 am & 11:00 am
Holy Thursday – April 2nd
8:15 am - No Mass
1:00 pm - Stations of the Cross- St. John’s School
7:00 pm - Mass of the Lord’s Supper
Good Friday – April 3rd
8:15 am - No Mass
12:00 noon & 3:00 pm - Liturgy of the Word
Holy Saturday – April 4th
7:00 pm - Easter Vigil
Easter Sunday Masses – April 5th
9:00 am & 11:00 am
Mass Intentions
Tuesday, February 17th
8:15 am for + MARION (KIDD) THIVY
Requested by Eilleen Craigie
Wednesday, February 18th
8:15 am for + KAYLEEN WATSON
Requested by Richard & Margaret Malone
Thursday, February 19th
8:15 am for + DECEASED MEMBERS OF THE MCCOURT
FAMILY
Requested by Isabel Cairns & Family
The Sanctuary light burns this week
in loving memory of
Linda Busby
Friday, February 20th
8:15 am for + KATHRYN A. BUCKLEY
Requested by Friends
February 15, 2015
Please Pray For The Sick
Dr. Nauts
Tom Common
Matt Kavanagh
Agnes Gostick
We are constantly updating our prayer list, and try to reserve this list
for those who are critically ill. If we do not hear from you by the end
of the month names will be removed. If you wish to add/keep a name,
please call or email us. Thank you for your understanding.
In The News
LENTEN RETREAT - The Embracing Christ of the San
Damiano Cross: Saturday, February 28, 2015, 9:30 am - 3:30
pm. Catholic Family Services of Toronto - New Beginnings
outreach to those who have experienced loss invites you to
attend a Lenten retreat led by Capuchin Franciscan - Brother
Ignatius Feaver at St. Clare's Church Parish Hall (1118 St.
Clair Ave. W.). Light lunch will be provided. All are
welcome. Please pre-register for this event. By contacting
416.921.1163, ext. 2235 or emailing mbenincasa@cfstoronto
TRAINING FOR FRIENDLY VISITORS: The In Good
Company ministry of Fontbonne Ministries, Sisters of St.
Joseph, Toronto offers a training program for people who
visit homebound or isolated individuals. It deals with issues
such as listening skills, boundaries, mental health, grief and
loss, dealing with the elderly. The next session is Saturday,
February 28, 2015 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 101 Thorncliffe
Park Drive. To register, 416.465.6069 or email
infoingoodcompany@csj-to.ca (registration deadline
is Friday, February 20 and pre-registration is required) $30
per person covers materials, refreshments and a light lunch.
HOLY SPIRIT GROWTH RETREAT: 9:30 am at Divine
Retreat Centre Toronto, 69 William St., Toronto. Three-day
Holy Spirit growth retreat led by Fr. Paul Parekattil, VC, Fr.
Joby Kachappilly, VC, and Divine Team Toronto. Inaugural
Mass and Message by His Grace Lawrence Saldanha,
Archbishop Emeritus of Lahore. Pre-registration required.
Registration fee: $75. Attendance is mandatory on all three
days. For more information, call 647.660.1314 or
647.949.4932 or www.divinetoronto.com.
CALLING ALL GIRLS: An evening for Catholic mothers
and their daughters featuring Canadian Catholic song writer
and singer Maggie Wang, radio producer Laura Cirami,
Gary Zimak, a EWTN personality, Catholic authors, Moira
Noonan and Dorothy Pilarski on March 13, from 7 to 10 pm
at the International Plaza Hotel, 655 Dixon Road, Toronto.
Visit www.dynamicwomenfaith.com or call 905.279.7702
LIFT JESUS HIGHER RALLY: March 7th from 9 am to
5:30 pm at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. ―The
Happiness Factor‖. There will be compelling talks, uplifting
music, prayer ministry, inspiring personal testimonies,
confession, a Divine Mercy celebration and a Eucharistic
procession. Closing Mass will be celebrated by Archbishop
Thomas Cardinal Collins and a Youth Rally (13-18 year-olds)
will be held simultaneously next door. Tickets $10 for the
Youth Rally and $20 for the Adult Rally. For information,
call 416.251.4255, email LJHR@rogers.com or visit www.liftjesus-higher-rally.org.
Parish Events & Opportunities
Working wonders in our community…
We are all called to care for those who
are vulnerable in our community. The
ShareLife parish campaign gives us an opportunity to reach
out in justice and love. ―My prayer is that you will join me as
together we work wonders to lovingly care for those who are
in need around us.‖ —Thomas Cardinal Collins, Archbishop
of Toronto. Donations can be made at the parish or online
at www.sharelife.org and select ―St. John’s Parish, Toronto‖
First ShareLife Sunday – March 1st, 2015
Our Parish Goal is $63,000.
Please give generously. You can work wonders!
CWL: A reminder to all parishioners to bring in your used
sweaters and fleece articles beginning next weekend for our
Lenten project. Neutral or solid coloured sweaters made of
any material are preferred as they will be used to make fleece
lined toques & neck warmers for the homeless.
A HUGE THANKS! to the great group of people who braved
the winter weather for two hours of fun at the bowling lanes
at O'Connor Bowl. Everyone really appreciated Fr. John and
Mgr. Brad coming to cheer them on. Thanks to David Breech
and JM for donating some of the prizes. See you next year.
INCOME TAX TIME: Income Tax receipts are making its
way to your home. Any donations you may have made to St.
Vincent De Paul Society will not be included on this receipt
but will be received directly from St. Vincent De Paul Society.
Thank you for supporting your parish.
REMINDER CONFIRMATION CLASSES: Classes to
prepare candidates for the Sacrament of Confirmation will
begin on Sunday February 22nd. To register your child,
please call Sheila Stuart at 416.693.8854 or email at
sheilastuart31@gmail.com
DON’T FORGET - SHROVE TUESDAY PANCAKE
DINNER: Tuesday, February 17th from 5:30 to 6:45 pm in
the Church Hall. Pancakes, sausages, tea, coffee and juice
will be served up for all to enjoy. Senior/Students $5/ Adults
$10/ Family $15. Tickets available at the door.
2015 OFFERTORY ENVELOPES: have been moved to the
office. If you would like to begin using envelopes or have yet
to pick up yours please contact the office. Thank you and
God Bless.
Our Parish is where we are married and bring our
children to be baptized. It is where we come to be fed
in the Holy Eucharist, be reconciled with God and
the world, and hope to leave this world on our final journey to
meet the God that we love. Thank you for making a gift to your
Parish.
Sunday Collection:
Offertory PAG:
$
$
2014
3888
744
$
$
2015
3756
847
Little Levity: One day God was talking to one of his angels. He said, “John, I
just created a 24-hour period of alternating light and darkness on Earth.”
John replied, “What are you going to do now?” God said, “Call it a day.”
Peace begins with a smile. ……………………..…...Mother Theresa