Author Archives: stpeters

“Brothers and Sisters, rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5: 16-24)

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It is tempting to hear St. Paul’s invitation on this Gaudete Sunday, from the First Letter to the Thessalonians, in which he exhorts us to “rejoice always and pray without ceasing,” and want to dismiss it as not applying to us today in the difficult circumstances of the COVID 19 pandemic. We might think that Paul has no understanding of our difficulties and therefore should not be exhorting us to be joyful, given the realities of our time. Yet, if anyone knew suffering, it was certainly St. Paul during the many trials and sufferings that he endured for the sake of the Gospel. Paul was imprisoned, flogged and ultimately executed for his faith. There are few people who knew the difficulties that he knew.  If anyone has the authority to exhort us to remain joyful and pray through difficulties, it is certainly St. Paul. Continue reading →

A Gospel for Our Times

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As we celebrate the Second Sunday of Advent, we hear this Sunday the beginning of the Gospel of Mark. This is the Gospel that we will hear proclaimed throughout the coming liturgical year, which began last Sunday.

The Gospel of Mark has a message that is particularly important in these difficult times.

Many scholars believe that the Gospel of Mark was written around the year 70 A.D. Mark himself was believed to have been a disciple of St. Peter. When he writes his Gospel, many of the early followers of Jesus are struggling with the problem of suffering. They cannot understand how they have left everything to follow Christ and yet despite being followers of Christ, find themselves experiencing suffering and difficulties. The trials that these early disciples are facing are not agreed upon. Some speculate that Mark’s Gospel may have been written in Rome during the persecutions that the Church experienced there during the time when the great Apostles Peter and Paul were put to death. Others have speculated that the Gospel may have been written in Jerusalem around the same time, when the Temple was destroyed and Christians were no longer granted the protection of worship in the Temple. Regardless of the exact origin of the Gospel, one of its great themes is that of persevering through suffering and hardship.  It is written to bring the Good News of Christ’s resurrection to Christians who cannot understand how they can be experiencing suffering when they are disciples of a loving Saviour. They are struggling to see Christ’s face in the midst of their trials. Continue reading →

2021 Offertory Envelopes

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Offering Envelopes for 2021 are available at the back of the church along with the Pre-Authorized Giving Plan Form (PAG). Instructions are on the form. The boxed sets are organized alphabetically. Please make sure to pick up only the box with your name on it and kindly refrain from touching boxes belonging to others.  Please practice social distancing and sanitize your hands before reaching for your envelopes

PLEASE DO NOT USE THE 2021 ENVELOPES UNTIL THE NEW YEAR BEGINS

Are you thinking of purchasing a live Christmas tree?

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The live Christmas trees are now on sale until December 24, the same company as in years past will be selling Christmas trees on the Markham Street lot of our church. Please consider getting your tree (or trees) from them. You would be helping St. Peter’s operating budget by purchasing your live trees from our Markham Street lot. There are many beautiful trees available and your purchase of a Christmas tree helps to financially support the Winter Welcome table’s outreach efforts. The lot will be open every day from 10 AM to 8 PM.

O that you would tear open the heavens and come down

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It is not too difficult to believe that the words that we hear in this Sunday’s first reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, “O that you would tear open the heavens and come down,” are words that have been spoken by women and men of many generations in the face of tragedy and difficulty. These words are certainly not very different from those that I found myself praying at the time of the first lockdown here in Toronto due to the COVID 19 pandemic. As the first shutdown got underway, I, like many, was frightened about the future and about what might be coming. I feared for the parish and how I would be able to serve the needs of the parishioners; I was frightened that we might have to lay off our parish staff; I wondered how I would visit the many seniors isolated in senior’s homes; and I feared that many might get sick and die as a result of the pandemic. The tone of many of my prayers was “Lord, O that you would tear open the heavens and come down and help us in these difficult times.” Continue reading →