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 https://community.archtoronto.org/page.aspx?pid=416 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 A set donation figure of your choosing is withdrawn from your bank account on the 20th of each month.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
The 1st and 2nd ShareLife Collection dates (March 29 and May 3) have been postponed due to the emergency closure but the necessary work of the agencies continues...
In times of crisis, those who are poor and marginalized are often most severely impacted. Catholic Charities member agencies, funded by ShareLife, remain on the front lines helping people in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.
These agencies are taking significant measures to ensure the safety of those in their care. Many are providing services by phone, like counselling for people suffering from heightened anxiety, helping seniors order groceries and medication, assisting young mothers
Newcomers to Canada often need support finding the resources they need, especially if they lack English proficiency. Your gift to ShareLife enables the agencies continue to serve them during the pandemic.
Visit https://www.sharelife.org/Public/Home.aspx or https://www.facebook.com/ShareLifeCan/ to hear the many inspiring ways these agencies are living the gospel during the pandemic!
Share Life Collection
2019 #1 and #2: CAD$ 20,115.00
2020 (to April 17): CAD$ 270.00
Money donated on-line not included in totals.
To give to our parish ShareLife campaign on-line visit: https://www.sharelife.org/Public/Home.aspx
Thank you to everyone collected Coins for Life over Lent! Some of you have been asking what to do with the boxes and money you have collected.
You are welcome to wait until the church re-opens to return both boxes and money or you may hold onto the boxes until the church re-opens and mail a cheque to:
Campaign Life Coalition
104 Bond St. #300
Toronto, ON M5B 1X9
(please indicate it is from St. Cecilia's campaign)
You may also contact Ann @ 416 769 9749 to arrange drop-off with her.
Thank you very much for your donations. We will celebrate when the church re-opens!
May 3rd: Vespers at 7 p.m.
Lectio at 7:30 p.m.
Elijah (I Kings 19:1-18)
Many could benefit from this spiritual accompaniment during these difficult times. Whether this will be your first Lectio Divina or you are a long-time attendee, please plan to join us and please invite your friends! Livestreamed ONLY!
Livestream links:
www.stmichaelscathedral.com/live
www.facebook.com/stmikescathto
Download PDF of the program:
https://bit.ly/lectiodivinapdf-may3
CATHOLIC EDUCATION WEEK GOES VIRTUAL FOR 2020!
Our Daily Nuture, DAILY reflections as a resource for spiritual help to Ignite Hope during the COVID-19 pandemic. https://www.tcdsb.org/Board/NurturingOurCatholicCommunity/Pages/DailyReflectionsDistanceLearning.aspx
Awards Night, MONDAY, May 4th Awards Video honouring the accomplishments of students, alumni, staff and friends
Province-wide Mass, WEDNESDAY, May 6th, at 10 am, Cardinal Collins celebrant, livestream: https://www.stmichaelscathedral.com/live/
Talent Show, Friday May 8 at 4:30 Catholic Student Leadership CSLIT Talent Show inspires a Future full of Hope https://catholicstudentleadership.com/
See the TCDSB for more activities!
https://www.tcdsb.org/board/nurturingourcatholiccommunity/catholiceducationweek/pages/default.aspx
Interfaith Prayer Service
For the well being of the Earth and all the brings that dwell upon it.
Thursday May 7, 2020, 11:15 a.m. -12:15 p.m. via Zoom
RSVP dniamat@archtoronto.org and the code will be shared with you by May 4th.
Please join us for a virtual interfaith prayer gathering, (featuring reflections, prayer, music and poetry from various faith traditions) to ask God to transform us during this time so we can heal those who are wounded (spiritually, mentally or physically) and seeking hope and peace.
MASS INTENTIONS OF THE WEEK
Monday, May 4 to Sunday, May 10, 2020
The Fathers are celebrating both daily and Sunday Mass and remembering the community as well as requested intentions
Monday 9:05 a.m.
NO INTENTIONS
Tuesday 9:05 a.m.
Nell Peters (RIP)
Req. Lorraine Ostafew
Wednesday 9:05 a.m.
NO INTENTIONS
Thursday 9:05 a.m
Antonio Lagdamen (RIP)
Req. by Natividad Lagdamen
Friday 9:05 a.m.
NO INTENTIONS
Saturday 9:05 a.m.
NO INTENTIONS
Saturday 7 p.m.
Jardelina Melo & Manuel Umbelina (RIP)
Req. by Their Children
Sunday 9 a.m.
Jardelina Umbelina (RIP)
Req. by Manuel, Manuela & Family
Sunday 11 a.m.
Agnes MacDonald Jennex (RIP) and Margaret Patricia Rowe (RIP)
Req. by Adele Rowe
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
Thank you for any offering you are able to make at this time!
Are you struggling with anxiety or depression during the pandemic? The Toronto Catholic Services agency awaits your call. Isolation doesn't mean you are alone. https://www.cfstoronto.com/
To access services call: 416 921‐1163 or 416 222‐0048 or email info@cfstoronto.com .
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!