Shepherd’s Trust Collection

The Shepherds’ Trust cares for those who always cared for us- our retired priests who have faithfully served parish communities throughout the Archdiocese of Toronto for many years. The Shepherd’s Trust recognizes their faithfulness, their many years of service to us, and the strong ties we have to them by ensuring that funds collected in parishes served by priests be given as a contribution towards the retirement of our priests.

The Shepherds’ Trust Collection takes place the weekend of November 14-15. Thank you for your generous support!

St. Peter’s Parish Altar Servers Recognized

This weekend on Saturday, November 7, 2015 three altar servers from our parish received the “Bishop’s Altar Server’s Award for Service” from the Most Reverend Wayne Kirkpatrick, Auxiliary Bishop – Northern Pastoral Region of the Archdiocese of Toronto during the 30th Annual Bishop’s Altar Servers Awards Ceremony sponsored by Serra Clubs of the Archdiocese of Toronto. We offer our sincere thanks and congratulations to the following St. Peter’s altar servers:

Mary Joy Cadavida
Jonathan Cadavida
John Paul Piano

This special recognition is given annually for the altar servers in light of their dedication, sense of responsibility and display of leadership in the performance of their duties. Our parish extends our congratulations to these altar servers and their families.

Office of Vocations: Come & See Weekend

The Office of Vocations will be hosting a COME & SEE WEEKEND at St. Augustine’s Seminary.  Providing a time to pray, to learn what seminary formation is about & time to interact & socialize with the seminarians & priests of the seminary. The weekend offers opportunities for Communal Prayer, Mass, Adoration & confession.  Friday Nov 6 (7pm) to Sunday Nov 8 (1.30pm).  For more information call 416-968-0997 or email vocations@archtoronto.org

Winter Welcome Table

The dinners we serve to low income people on Monday evenings will begin from November 2 and will continue through the winter.  Help in preparation, serving and cleaning up is always needed. Volunteers should arrive after 4:00 PM and stay as long as you can. Come to the Church auditorium through the side door under the arch. For information call the parish office, or just show up any Monday evening this winter.

volunteers_needed2HELP NEEDED:  We have been asked for help for fall and winter clothing for new people to the country….especially children. You may drop off the clothing on any Mondays beginning November 2 between 12 noon and 5:00 PM at the Church auditorium. If you can help in any way please contact the parish office. Thank you!

All Souls’ Day Masses, Saturday, November 7 – 2 p.m.

angel-crossCatholic Cemeteries & Funeral Services – Archdiocese of Toronto wishes to invite all families to participate in the All Souls’ Day Mass. All masses will be held indoors at the following locations:

Assumption Cemetery, Mississauga (English)
Christ the King Cemetery, Markham (English)
Holy Cross Cemetery, Thornhill (English)
Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Woodbridge (Italian and English)
Resurrection Cemetery, Whitby (English)

All are welcome!
If you have any further questions, please call Amy Profenna at 416-733-8544.

“Jesus Christ is the Face of the Father’s Mercy.” The Year of Mercy— Part Two

The Calling of Saint Matthew Michelangelo da Caravaggio, c. 1599

A blind man sat at the side of the road begging. How many people must have passed him by without paying any attention to him? He hears that Jesus of Nazareth will be passing by and begins to yell and hopes to get His attention.  “Be quiet” the people who are well tell him. Again he is dismissed by everyone. Children hate it when other children ignore them even for a minute. They like to punish one another by ignoring the other. This man in need has been ignored his entire life. However, Jesus hears his call for mercy and notices him. Jesus asks that the man be brought to Him. As soon as Jesus pays attention to the man, this person’s value is completely changed in the mind of the crowd. Now people begin to console him and tell him to have courage. As Jesus recognizes the blind man’s value, so too does the crowd see his value and they begin to treat him differently. This man is changed by the fact that Jesus looks upon him. The opinion of the world about this man changes because Jesus looks at him. The blind beggar becomes important and has his dignity restored. He leaves the roadside and begins to follow Jesus because the Savior has looked upon him with mercy and changes who he is. Jesus is the face of the Father’s mercy and when he looks upon us we are changed. God’s mercy calls the blind man to become a follower. He takes up his name and follows Jesus and he will be forever known by all who read the scriptures as Bartimeaus. Continue reading