6 December 2020 – Second Sunday of Advent

LOCKDOWN RESTRICTIONS
ALL PUBLIC MASSES CANCELLED

OPEN FOR PRIVATE PRAYER:
Monday - Saturday: 8:30 a.m. - 10 a.m.
Sunday: 8:30 a.m. - 12 NOON
restricted to 10 people

CONFESSION
by appointment

WEDDINGS, FUNERALS AND BAPTISMS
restricted to 10 people,
including those who are involved in ministry (priest, cantor, etc.).


Dear parishioners,

We want to thank all the parishioners of St. Cecilia 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!

As you know, the number of new COVID-19 cases in the Greater Toronto Area has increased significantly in recent days and, at present, Toronto and Peel Regions are in the “Lockdown Stage” as identified by the Province of Ontario. In addition, Premier Ford announced on November 20th, 2020 special emergency measures that need to be taken in our area.

For this reason, as of Monday, November 23rd, we must restrict attendance inside the church to 10 people, including priests hearing confessions and people required to monitor capacity restrictions. Sadly, due to these measures, public Masses must be temporarily cancelled. Priests will continue to celebrate private Mass daily for the intentions of parishioners and for those suffering from Covid.

Our church will remain open for private prayer and for the faithful to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  We will be open daily for private prayer: Mon.to Sat.  8:30 a.m. - 10 a.m. and Sun. 8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. Reconciliation will continue to be by appointment. Weddings, funerals and baptisms will now be restricted to 10 persons, including those who are involved in ministry (priest, cantor, lector etc.).  The Confirmations we had scheduled will need to be postponed.

While I recognize it is not a substitute for attending Mass in person, I encourage you to view online/livestream or televised Masses.  A full list is available at www.archtoronto.org. Visit our parish website to link our parish Sunday Masses.

All non-essential meetings in the parish will move to virtual meetings or they may be postponed. Our staff will be working remotely  wherever possible.  Our office hours are:  Wednesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

We recognize these measures are extremely challenging. I am also so incredibly grateful for the efforts of our heroic volunteers who have been faithfully welcoming parishioners and cleaning the church between services, ensuring that we can operate safely and responsibly. Your selflessness and generosity is inspiring!

If you would like to continue financial support of the parish during this temporary closure,  you may drop your offering off in the mail slot of the office door at 161 Annette Street or mail it to the office.  You may also visit the Archdiocese of Toronto:  https://www.archtoronto.org/ to donate on-line to the parish or to sign up for pre-authorized giving.

So many of the faithful rely on the reception of the sacraments and our churches to find solace, peace and support during this period of pandemic. Despite these new restrictions, we will make every effort to continue our outreach to you. We also ask that you find opportunities to assist those who are vulnerable or alone among us. Please visit our website or listen to our phone message for updates. We pray that you and your loved ones remain safe and healthy. Thank you for your patience and prayers as we navigate this wave.  Keep Care. Look after one another and may God bless you.

Yours in Christ,
Rev. Joseph Tap Tran


Thank you to everyone for wearing your face masks out of consideration  and love of neighbour!  Please be reminded that the mask/face covering must cover your nose as well as your mouth to be effective.

2020-2021 Living with Christ Missals will be available for purchase after Masses NEXT weekend November 14/15th.  The cost is $5.00


PSALMS and CANTICLES
December 6, 2020

How Great Is Your Name O Lord Our God (Psalm 8 and Psalm 19:1-7)

One Sunday evening each month, all are welcome to join Cardinal Thomas Collins for Lectio Divina at St. Michael's Cathedral Basilica, 65 Bond Street, Toronto

Vespers (Evening Prayer) at 7 p.m.
Lectio Divina  7:30 to 8:15 p.m.
Join live at St. Michael's Cathedral Basilica OR
LIVESTREAM:  via www.stmichaelscathedral.com/live


FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF THE PARISH DURING THIS TIME

Weekly envelopes may be used -  mailed to the parish or dropped off:  161 Annette Street, Toronto, ON M6P 1P5.

The easiest on-line options:

Archdiocese Donate Now link  https://community.archtoronto.org/page.aspx?pid=416 Enables you to give to St. Cecilia parish by credit card. You  choose St. Cecilia from a list of parishes and the Archdiocese directs your donation to our parish.  The parish receives a monthly report of all donations made via this method.  Tax receipts are issued to donors at year end by the Archdiocese (one-time gifts are receipted at time of giving).

Pre-Authorised giving  A set donation figure of your choosing is withdrawn from your bank account on the 20th of each month.  Please contact the parish office to set this up.

If you have any questions regarding methods of donating,  please email or phone the parish office.

Thank you for your many and varied contributions to our parish community!


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


DAY OF CONFESSIONS

Let every heart prepare Him room
Confession times at St. Cecilia Church
on December 8th, 10th & 15th:
9:45- 10:45 a.m., 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.,
& 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Please note: If the capacity of 10 is reached, people must wait outside the Pacific entrance door.

THE SHEPHERD'S TRUST COLLECTION

The Shepherd's Trust Collection will not be taken up this year.  Instead, parishioners are invited to focus on the needs of their parish. So many parishes have suffered financially with the pandemic. If you wish to support your parish and the Trust, donations would be gratefully accepted. Visit:  www.shepherdstrust.org  to learn of the financial performance of the Trust and ways in which you may give.

St. Vincent De Paul Society 'Christmas Star Program'
Starts Next Weekend

This year, due to Covid, we will not have the tree displayed with Christmas Stars, however, because of Covid, the need is greater than ever. SVDP is running the program to meet this need! Please place your gift card or monetary donation in an envelope marked SVDP Christmas Star Program and deposit in the offertory basket after Mass or in the mail slot of the office at 161 Annette.

Please make your offering by Sunday, December 6th, 2020.

Gift cards can be purchased at any major department store or pharmacy.  Food gift cards can be purchased at all major grocery stores. The pandemic has had an impact on many in our community.  Thank you for giving to our neighbours who find themselves in need this year!

 

AUGUSTINE’S SEMINARY LAY FORMATION PROGRAM
ADVENT RETREAT, IMITATION OF CHRIST

December 12, 2020
9:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

A Virtual Event Hosted By St. Augustine's Seminary

Advent is a time to prepare for the coming of Jesus. We remember His first coming and we prepare for His second coming. There is, however, the time in between where we are called to be Christ-like, preparing to receive Him in our hearts. This retreat will provide time for reflection on how to be like Christ in our day-to-day lives. Presented by Dr. Josephine Lombardi.

COST: $25
PHONE: 416-261-7207
EMAIL: lay.formation@staugustines.on.ca
WEBSITE: www.staugustines.on.ca


Scripture Readings for
Sunday, December 13, 2020
The Third Sunday of Advent

First Reading: Isaiah 61.1-2a, 10-11
Responsorial Psalm: Luke 1:  My soul shall exult in my God
Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5.16-24
Gospel: John 1.6-8, 19-28


MASS INTENTIONS OF THE WEEK
Mon. Dec 7 - Sun. Dec 13

Tuesday 9:05 a.m.
In Thanksgiving to the Blessed Virgin Mary (INT)
Req. by Sergia and Rafael Espinos

Thursday 9:05 a.m
Buenaventura and Floro Recreo (RIP)
Req. by Sergia and Rafael Espinos

Friday 9:05 a.m.
Ann Clough (INT)
On her Birthday
Req. by Her Friends

Saturday 9:05 a.m.
Maria Guadalupe Novoa (RIP)
Maria de Guadalupe Castillo (RIP)
Req. by Noemi

Saturday 7 p.m.
Jardelina Melo and Manuel Umbelina (RIP)
Req. by Their Children

Sunday 9 a.m.
Intentions of the Parish Community

 Sunday 11 a.m.
Intentions of the Parish Community


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,  Robert Freimuts, Giuseppe R., Mikayla Haswell, Victoria Cooper, Christian Mijares, Anna Solims, Lorenza Varga, Steven McKinney, Krysten Telfer, Natalie Chabane, Edward Spiteri,  Maria Ruccolo, John Conforzi, Ignacio Juarez Ednet, Dominic Coccimiglio, Winifred Ismail, Hector Balthazar, Mimi Ashton, Ann Baby, and Theuma Family Members

Please notify the office of any changes to the list.


OFFERTORY

Weekly,  Nov 15: $1, 760.00
ShareLife: $100.00
First Communion: $ 150.00

Weekly, Nov 22: $ 2,010.00
Shepherd's Trust: $1,740.00
Restoration: $ 1,905.00
Taxes & Insurance: $ 710.00
Sunday Missals: $ 165.00
Christmas Offering: $ 50.00
All Souls Day: $ 70.00
Donate Now, Nov 1-15: $ 725.00

Thank you for any offering you are able to make at this time!


CHANGE OF ADDRESS?

If you moved this year, please inform the office of your new address. Thank you.