Lent Begins on Wednesday, February 14, 2024 (Ash Wednesday)

purple cross with 40 days prayer fasting works of loveThe 40 days of Lent are a special time of spiritual renewal in the Church. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 14. The parish will have two Masses on Ash Wednesday with the distribution of Ashes. These will be at 8:00 AM and 7:00 PM in the Church. During Lent the Stations of the Cross will be prayed Friday evenings in the Church after 7:00 PM Mass.

On Ash Wednesday, confessions will take place in the Church after 7 PM Mass until 9 PM

Celebration of Marriage Sunday Mass Feb. 11, 2024 at 3:00 pm

Decorative Image of wedding rings

As part of Marriage Sunday 2024 celebrations, Archbishop Francis Leo will preside at a special Mass to honour married couples, with special recognition for those celebrating 25th, 40th, 50th, 60th and 60+ wedding anniversaries in 2024. The Mass will take place at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 11, 2024 at St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica (65 Bond Street, Toronto). All married couples will have an opportunity to renew their marriage commitment.

All are welcome to attend. Couples celebrating a 25th, 40th, 50th, 60th or 60+ anniversary in 2024 may register for reserved seating. All other seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Those who are unable to attend at the Cathedral are invited to join the celebration via livestream Mass. The broadcast will begin at 2:45 p.m.

Registration and other important information can be found at www.archtoronto.org/marriage.

“O that today you would listen to the voice of the Lord. Do not harden your hearts.”

stain glass jesus with angelsThis past January 1, 2024, Archbishop Leo issued his first pastoral letter as Archbishop of Toronto. It is entitled, “Seeking the Kingdom of God Above and Beyond All Other Things.” In this beautiful letter, the Archbishop speaks of the life of discipleship that you and I are called to as baptized members of the Church of Toronto. He states that “the spiritual and social renewal of our lives and community requires that we deepen our understanding of and appreciation for the Church’s perennial teachings of our faith and let ourselves be challenged and formed by the Words of Christ which are eternal and forever life-giving” (page 2). This is necessary because “[m]any of our contemporaries, most regrettably, have lost a living sense of the faith and have distanced themselves from the Lord and his Church” (page 3).  In the face of this situation, we are called to “more boldly proclaim and witness to the truths of his (Christ’s) Gospel. [For] Pope Francis reminds us that to evangelize is to make the Kingdom of God present in our world” (page 3). Continue reading

Call for Volunteers: Mardi Gras and Valentine’s Celebration Pancake Breakfast

wood sign with volunteers neededSave the date! On February 11th, 2024, join us for a delectable pancake breakfast following the 11:15 AM family mass, as we celebrate Mardi Gras and Valentine’s Day in style. To make this event a memorable success, we are seeking volunteers to contribute their time and skills in various capacities:

  1. Volunteers To Make Pancake: Assist with making pancakes.
  2. Decor: Decorate the auditorium.
  3. Table Setup/Clean-Up Crew: Help create a welcoming atmosphere by assisting with the setup and ensuring cleanliness throughout the event.
  4. Other Dynamic Roles: Ready to assist with any other duties that may arise during the festivities.

To express your interest and become a part of this celebration, kindly provide your name and email to the parish office at 416-534-4219.

Volunteers are requested to gather at the church auditorium at 9: AM on February 11, 2024, for a morning filled with cooking, set-up, and preparation. Let’s come together to make this event a fun occasion for everyone!

Social Justice Call to Action

Decorative Image of Laudate Deum Book CoverThe St. Peter’s Social Justice Committee is pleased to invite you to join us for conversation and information about four actions that we can take towards the climate emergency taking place on Wednesday February 7, 2024 from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. in the Rectory.  Following a presentation on Pope Francis’ Laudate Deum, at our last meeting, the following actions emerged as doable ways to make a difference:
  1. Reduce our consumption of meat.
  2. Host Parish events on COPs (Conference of Parties) and provide the “faith” connections for climate action.
  3. Reduce the use and need for plastics.
  4. Attend climate rallies.

As we approach the Lenten Season, consider giving up practices that hurt the environment.