In this space you will find weekly updates on important parish happenings in the coming weeks.
Usually taken from my column in the Sunday bulletin, I hope they are informative and interesting.
Please support THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS ANNUAL PANCAKE BREAKFAST…. today - Sunday February 19 after the 8:15 a.m, 10 a.m. and Noon masses. While there is no set admission charge, donations are gratefully accepted (any profits will be donated to our Parish ShareLife campaign).
HAPPY FAMILY DAY WEEKEND!
Please note that our Mass on Monday February 20 will be at 9 a.m., and our parish offices will be closed for the holiday.
LENT 2012 BEGINS THIS WEEK…
- ASH WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 22 – Masses and Distribution of Ashes - 8 a.m. and 7 p.m.
- 7 P.M. MASS ON TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS - beginning Friday February 24
- 7:30 P.M. FRIDAY STATIONS OF THE CROSS
- SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION/CONFESSION - Saturdays 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. (in addition to Saturday 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
- PARISH LENTEN EVENING SERIES - Tuesdays February 28, March 6, 13, 20, 27 at 7:30 p.m. (following the 7 p.m. Mass) “Catholicism” video series with Fr. Robert Barron ( information below)
NEW CHURCH CONCEPTUAL DESIGN
I wish to thank Architect Roberto Chiotti (Larkin and Associates) for being with us in January to present the drawings for the conceptual design for our new church here on our Yonge Street site. These designs can be viewed on our parish website under the New Church section. As this is a conceptual design (and not a final design) we are open to your comments and suggestions as we move forward with the process- please feel free to contact Fr. Tim or any member of the Building Committee through the parish office.
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN PLANNING/FEASIBILITY STUDY
I thank Murray McCarthy (who with his wife Martha Asselin together form M&M International Inc- a professional fundraising firm) for speaking at each mass on the first weekend in February to introduce and explain the Capital Campaign Planning/Feasibility Study which is currently being carried out by interviewing a number of families in our parish during the months of February and March 2012. The interview process for these families will be complemented by an opportunity for all other members of the parish to provide comment on feedback on our church plans and fundraising capacity through Open Forums in the parish hall after each mass on the weekend of March 3/4.
CATHOLICISM SERIES - with Fr. Robert Barron
As our Lenten series this year our parish will be showing the acclaimed “Catholicism” video series. Beginning Tuesday February 28 following the 7 p.m. Mass (and running for five consecutive weeks) viewers will be taken around the world in an exploration of the Catholic faith, its traditions and rituals in a visually stunning and easily understood manner. All are invited to join us in the Parish Hall for this series, with a final evening of questions and answers on Tuesday April 3. On Tuesday February 28 we will be viewing the first two episodes:
Episode 1 - “Amazed and Afraid: The Revelation of God Become Man”
The strange and dangerous words of Jesus of Nazareth set up a drama that will culminate in a surprising battle between two kings, and in the wake of this conflict, an empire will be defeated – and the world will be changed.
Father Robert Barron illuminates and explains the conviction of the Catholic Faith that Jesus of Nazareth is the promised Messiah, and the revelation of God become man. He shows how Jesus fulfills the four tasks of the Messiah, according to the Old and New Testaments, and how the living legacy of Christ, God and Messiah, is proclaimed by the Church. Join Father Barron as he addresses some of the most controversial questions about the life and identity of Jesus Christ and travels through the mysterious and sacred places of the Holy Land of Israel and the eternal city of Rome.
Episode 2 – “Happy Are We: The Teachings of Jesus”
The revelation of Jesus as God is accompanied by a stunning invitation to a unique new way of life, explained in the teachings of Jesus. To every generation, the words of Jesus have proven fascinating, disorienting, sometimes confounding, deeply transformative, and always unforgettable.
Father Barron highlights the Beatitudes, the path of non-violence and lessons of forgiveness, care for the poor and our relationship with God as presented in the parables. Jesus’ teachings are illuminated during Fr. Barron’s pilgrimages to Poland, Germany, Spain and New York City. Commentaries at these sites also show how the Catholic Church is a living culture, which gives witness to the inviolable dignity of the human person.