On the first weekend in March that we were told that we could not celebrate Mass publicly in our churches, I had what I can only describe as a panic attack. During the first few weeks of the closure of the churches, I struggled with a great deal of anxiety. I was terribly worried about how our parish, which struggles financially under normal circumstances, was going to pay its bills through this crisis. I was fearful that it would be necessary to lay off our parish staff and I did not know how I was going to look after the parishioners during this time of closure or how our huge property could be maintained without our staff. The anxiety and stress that was causing me to panic was based in the fact that I thought I had to solve these problems on my own and the illusion that I could be in control in these difficult circumstances. Continue reading →

We celebrate this weekend our parish’s titular feast day, the Solemnity of Saint Peter and Saint Paul. This feast takes place on June 29th, but over the last few years we have switched its celebration to the nearest Sunday so that it may be celebrated more solemnly at our Sunday Masses. It is obvious why we call Saint Peter our titular saint— the parish being named St. Peter’s; but perhaps the connection to St. Paul is not so clear. It is because of the many years of faithful service that the Paulist Fathers rendered to this parish that we also honour Saint Paul as our parish’s other titular saint. Continue reading →

Ever since COVID 19 became a reality in our lives a few months ago, everyone that I have spoken with has shared with me how uneasy this situation has made them feel. For all of us, the uncertainty of illness, fear of suffering and death make us uneasy. This reality of our human condition is expressed by the Catechism of the Catholic Church at number 1500, as it states: “Illness and suffering have always been among the gravest problems confronted in human life. In illness, [we] experience powerlessness, limitations, and finitude. Every illness can make us glimpse death.” It is this fact, that illness can give us a glimpse of death, that I think makes many of us so uneasy in the face of the current situation and the uncertainty that comes with sickness. It seems to me that this uneasiness that we all feel in the face of uncertainty and sickness, or the fear of death, can best be described by the word “dis-ease.” Continue reading →

These days, during the COVID 19 pandemic, and the state of emergency that is now in existence in our province, many of us have gotten used to doing things “virtually.” We meet with people from work virtually, attend Bible studies and have virtual family celebrations. There is a certain ease to doing things virtually. There is no need to really show up for a virtual encounter. These kinds of meetings are convenient and don’t call for the same kind of commitment and sacrifice that really showing up for an event can require. Continue reading →

Churches across the Archdiocese will begin gradually re-opening this Sunday, June 14^th, the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. 

On Wednesday, June 17^th we will resume the celebration of public Mass and Mass will be celebrated at 8:00 am. Mass will be celebrated Monday to Friday at 8:00 am following our first celebration on Wednesday, June 17^th. 

On the weekend of Saturday June 20^th and Sunday, June 21^st we will resume the regular Sunday celebration of Masses at 5:00 pm on Saturday, June 20^th and at 9:00 am and 11:15 am on Sunday, June 21^st. 

At the present time, we are only allowed to admit 30% of our capacity. For this reason, only the first 200 people will be admitted to each celebration in our church which has a capacity of 750. 

All who attend our Masses are encouraged to bring their own PPE (Personal Protection Equipment). We will be observing strict social distancing and seating in the church is designated for social distancing. Entrance to the Church will only be available at the entrance at 840 Bathurst Street. 

You are asked not to attend Mass if you have been in contact with anyone exposed to COVID 19 in the past two weeks. Please take your temperature before coming to Mass and remain at home if you have a fever or any symptoms related to COVID 19. 

During this pandemic, our downtown parish is not able to keep the washrooms open and safe. Please be advised our washrooms will remain closed at all times until further notice. 

Please remember that during this time of pandemic, the Archbishop of Toronto has dispensed the Sunday obligation. If you have any concerns about attending Mass, or are unable to do so, please consider watching the live streamed Mass from the cathedral (www.archtoronto.org) or one of the many televised Mass until you feel safe attending Mass. You might also consider attending a weekday Mass instead. 

If you are able to help with ushering or cleaning the church between Masses, there will be a training meeting on Saturday, June 13^th at 10:00 am in the church. At the present time, it is asked that only those who are active parishioners of the parish attend this session as these duties require familiarity with our parish and parishioners. 

Let us pray that this re-opening will be safe and healthy.

This past Pentecost weekend, as I was working in the parish office at Bathurst and Bloor, just before celebrating the Vigil Mass for Pentecost, I could not help wandering about the humming sound of helicopters that were hovering over the area. It struck me as strange that these helicopters seemed so close and seemed for such a long period of time to remain in one spot. As they remained in one place, I also noticed the approach of what seemed like a huge roaring crowd. As I went outside to investigate what was taking place, I was astonished to see thousands of men and women of every race, colour and nationality passing by on Bloor Street to protest against racism. The helicopters were following the crowds that had gathered at Christie Park and were following them as they marched along Bloor Street. I couldn’t help but think, what a beautiful sight on Pentecost—people of all nations marching to speak of the value of every human being, created in the image and likeness of God. I have often felt that Pentecost was a solemnity  of special value for us here in Toronto as it marks that solemnity on which the Holy Spirit was sent to the disciples so that they could go out to bring the Good News of salvation to people of every colour and nationality. Here in Toronto, we see the Church, as all of God’s people, from every land and nation, of every colour and nationality. In fact, the very word “catholic” means “universal” and refers to the love that God has for all His people. As one bumper sticker I recently saw expressed so beautifully, “Racism is about sin, not the colour of skin.” Continue reading →