UPDATE REGARDING RE-OPENING OF CHURCHES AND PARISH OFFICES IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF TORONTO
The Archdiocese held a number of webinars late last week to consult with and update clergy and staff regarding considerations and preparations for re-opening. In the coming week they will be finalizing the guidelines for the phases of re-opening. Further info will be communicated to you as it becomes available. In the meantime, you may read about some considerations here: https://www.catholicregister.org/item/31623-archdiocese-plots-plans-for-re-opening
Please note the Archdiocese has yet to make a decision regarding the timing of Celebrations of Sacraments of First Communion and Confirmation.
LAUDATO SI' ANNIVERSARY
May 24th marks the 5th Anniversary of Pope Francis' eco encyclical, Laudato Si' which he signed at Pentecost, May 24, 2015. It also marks the beginning of a year-long commemoration of the encyclical.
Last Sunday, May 17th, Pope Francis stated the coronavirus has highlighted the importance of “caring for our common home,” and voiced hope that reflections surrounding the Laudato Si’ anniversary will “help to create and strengthen constructive attitudes for the care of creation.”
He called for Catholics join together at Noon (local) Sunday, May 24th and pray the Common Prayer for the 5th Anniversary of the Encyclical.
Excerpt of Common Prayer:
Loving God,
Creator of heaven and earth and all that is in them...
Help us to show creative solidarity in addressing the consequences of this global pandemic.
Make us courageous to embrace the changes that are needed in search of the common good...
May the present sufferings be the birth pangs of a fraternal and sustainable world.
Under the loving gaze of Mary Help of Christians, we make this prayer through Christ our Lord, Amen.
A year of activities dedicated to implementing Laudato Si' will begin May 24, 2020. Visit https://laudatosiweek.org/ and https://www.vaticannews.va/ for info and the full Common Prayer for the 5th Anniversary.
For the full text of Cardinal Collins' letter, visit: https://www.archtoronto.org/media-centre/news-archive/chancery-news/Cardinal-Collins-on-Pandemic
Dear parishioners,
I hope and pray that you are staying healthy – both physically and spiritually. Please let me know if the parish can help you during these difficult times.
No doubt you are aware that our parish relies on the support of our parishioners to operate – parish salaries, programs and ongoing operating costs (heating, water, electricity, etc.) – are funded through the generosity of our parish community. It will be a challenge for our parish to maintain operations without the weekly offertory collection.
In response to many queries that I have received from parishioners, I offer below some of the ways that you may continue to support our parish if you are in a position to do so. I recognise that many of you, like the parish, are experiencing financial strain at this time and I pray that those stresses are soon eased for you.
For those in a position to continue to give to our parish, the easiest on-line options would be through the Archdiocese Donate Now link. Through this link you can give to the parish by credit card. These donations are handled by the Archdiocese. The donation is directed to the parish of your choice. The parish receives a monthly report of all donations made to the parish via this method and tax receipts are issued to donors at year end by the Archdiocese (one-time gifts are receipted at time of giving).
Pre-Authorised giving is also an option. A set donation figure of your choosing is withdrawn from your bank account on the 20th of each month. We have a number of parishioners who give by this method. Please contact the office if you wish to set this up.
Weekly envelopes may still be used - mailed to the parish or dropped off.
Thank you for your many contributions to our parish community. I miss seeing all of you at the Mass and I pray daily that we will be able to gather together again soon.
Yours in Christ,
Father Joseph
Pastor, St. Cecilia
SUPPORT THE PARISH
Happy Easter! Christ is Risen!
I love our parish. Inspired by the Resurrection of our Lord that we now celebrate, I trust that our community of faith, hope and love will make it through this pandemic. When the church was closed for mass, it was the final motivation I needed to do something our family has been meaning to do for a long time – I went to the Archdiocesan website and I signed up for Donate Now credit card giving to the St. Cecilia offertory. It was very easy. I just went to this website (Click the button below) and selected St. Cecilia from the drop-down list. Joining the Donate Now program to St. Cecilia ensures that I can continue to financially support my spiritual home even when I cannot be there physically. I would like to invite you all to do the same. Together, each of us contributing as we are able, can ensure that St. Cecilia will always be there for us. I look forward to the great celebration we will have when we can return to the Eucharist together at the end of this Pandemic!
In truth,
Luke Stocking,
Pastoral Council Chair, St. Cecilia
ShareLife Agencies need our support more than ever to help them provide services now and beyond the pandemic.
Visit https://www.sharelife.org/Public/Home.aspx or https://www.facebook.com/ShareLifeCan/to hear the many inspiring ways ShareLife agencies are living the gospel during the pandemic!
ST. CECILIA SHARE LIFE COLLECTION
2020 to date: CAD$19,835.00
2019 - #1 and #2: CAD$20,115.00
Money donated on-line not included in totals
Thank you to everyone who has donated to our parish Share Life Campaign. Together we are living the Gospel!
We are receiving donations at the parish office - dropped off or mailed: 161 Annette Street, Toronto, ON M6P 1P5.
For on-line contributions, visit: https://www.sharelife.org/Public/Home.aspx
Scripture Readings for Sunday May 31, 2020
First Reading: Acts 2.1-11
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 104
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12.3b-7,12-13
Gospel: John 20.19-23
MASS INTENTIONS OF THE WEEK
Monday, May 25 to Sunday, May 31 2020
The Fathers are celebrating both daily and Sunday Mass and praying for the community as well as requested intentions
Tuesday 9:05 a.m.
Daniel Nicholson (RIP)
Req. by George & Susan Takahashi
Saturday 7 p.m.
Intentions of the Parish Community
Sunday 9 a.m.
Intentions of the Parish Community
Sunday 11 a.m.
Albert John Chandler (RIP)
Req. by George and Susan Takahashi
PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SICK
Hang Sam Lee, Richard Mijares, Drew Fiala, Connie Tari-Kornhauser, Lisa Reardon, Stuart Robson, Rosa Maria Santos, Dory Kashin, Bianca Auriemma, Rosie Po, Frank Ferreira, Antonina Koziara, Julia Collins, Mary Ann Cuschieri, Sebastian Caravalho, Anne Tran Fazzalari, Gabriel Sebastian Romano, William (Buddy) O'Hara, Lennox Bigford, Robert Freimuts, Giuseppe R., Mikayla Haswell, Victoria Cooper, Christian Mijares, Anna Solims, Lorenza Varga, Steven McKinney, Krysten Telfer, Natalie Chabane, Edward Spiteri, Anastasija Broks, Maria Ruccolo, John Conforzi, Ignacio Juarez Ednet, Dominic Coccimiglio, and Theuma Family Members
OFFERTORY
DONATE NOW APRIL: CAD$440.00
Thank you for any offering you are able to make at this time!
NEW ALTAR SERVERS NEEDED
Are you a student in gr. 3 or above who has received the Sacrament of First Communion? You are eligible to serve at Mass! The parish is in need of altar servers to serve at Sunday Masses. Please consider sharing your talents in this way. Training will be provided. Contact the office or speak with Fr. Joseph for details. There are registration forms on the bulletin board at the back of the church. Thank-you!