Author Archives: stpeters

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

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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 →

Create a Climate of Change Campaign

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climate-change_1509200cLet’s make Canada a climate leader!

In December, world leaders will be meeting in Paris at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP21) to negotiate a binding and universal agreement on the world’s climate. Countries like Canada will need to transition to renewable energies, and move away from fossil fuels. Responding to the call of our Cardinal, please take a moment to sign Development and Peace’s Action Card today which will be sent to the Prime Minister asking him to sign on to an agreement at COP21 that sets the target to keep the rise in temperature below 2°C and to be a leader in achieving that target. If you’ve missed the parish campaign you can sign the card at: https://www.devp.org/en/education/fall2015/action

2016 Mass Intentions

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St. Peter’s Parish is now accepting 2016 Mass Intentions for parish weekday Masses (Monday-Friday) and weekend Masses. Offering: For announced date $20 per Mass and for Unannounced date $10 per Mass.  An unannounced Mass intention may be sent to priests outside the parish to be celebrated in the near future.

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

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JesusPortrait

“Jesus Christ is the face of the Father’s Mercy.”

This seems like the best line to summarize the contents of this Sunday’s readings. In the first reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, we hear how the suffering servant will suffer so that many may be free and know salvation as a result of the suffering servant taking their iniquity upon himself. The Psalm response asks that the Lord might let his mercy be upon us as “we place our trust in Him. In the second reading from the Letter to the Hebrews, we are reminded that Jesus came among us to become our great high priest in order that we all might come before His throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace and timely help. In the Gospel passage Jesus dismisses His disciples’ concerns about who will be the greatest and tells them that He has come not to be great but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many. His is a message of mercy. Yes, these readings can best be summed up with the simple line: “Jesus Christ is the face of the Father’s mercy.” Continue reading →

Lectio Divina with Cardinal Collins

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lectiodivinaSince he arrived in Toronto as Archbishop, Cardinal Collins has celebrated Lectio Divina once a month at the Cathedral. This year as the Cathedral is undergoing renovations he is visiting different churches in the Archdiocese for this monthly event.

St. Peter’s will be hosting Lectio Divina for the whole Archdiocese on Sunday, November 1, 2015 at 7:00 pm.  Cardinal Collins will preside at the Liturgy of the Hours for the Solemnity of All Saints and preach and reflect on the Gospel of Mark. The theme of his reflection will be The Greatest Commandment (Mark 12:18-40).

Lectio Divina (“divine, or sacred, reading”) is the name given to a spiritual tradition among Christians over the last two thousand years. This form of prayer involves three distinct stages: a) reading a short scripture passage b) reflecting on the passage and c) a short period of silence. We begin with Vespers (Evening Prayer) at 7 p.m., followed by Lectio Divina from 7:30 to 8:15 p.m. All are welcome to join Cardinal Collins for this special evening of prayer.

This event will be recorded to be broadcast on Canada’s Catholic Salt and Light network and there will be a special choir formed for the event. It would be great to have a full church to host this event that will be watched around the country. Please consider attending the 6:00 pm Mass and staying  Lectio Divina at 7:00 pm with Cardinal Collins.

All Souls Day – November 2 and praying for Our Beloved dead in November

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In the month of November it is our tradition to pray for our beloved. The parish will have a “Bookf of  Remembrance” for the faithful departed  and the names of  all those family members written in it will be remembered at all masses throughout November.  Parishioners may add names of deceased family members or friends for whom they wish the parish to offer prayers during this season of remembrance.  On November 2, All Souls Day the parish will have 3 Masses:

8:00 AM Mass in the Centre Chapel
12:10 PM Mass in the Centre Chapel
7:00 PM Mass in the Church

At the 7:00 PM Mass the names of all those who have died in the parish since last November 2 will be called out.

Planning to be a Catholic Teacher?

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It is critical for you to know that to be hired to teach in any Catholic school board in Ontario, as part of your application for employment there must be a letter of reference from your pastor. If you (or if your adult child) is planning to apply to teach in a Catholic school, it is highly recommended you contact the pastor before Thanksgiving. Please plan to have a conversation with your pastor early in the process and you will avoid disappointment and stress at the time when applications are to be submitted.