Author Archives: stpeters

The 109th World Day of Migrants and Refugees – September 24, 2023

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The theme announced by His holiness Pope Francis for this year’s World Day of Migrants and Refugees is “Free to Choose Whether to Migrate or to Stay.” In his message, Pope Francis acknowledges that while the decision to migrate should always be free, in many cases it is not. This point was reflected by St. John Paul II in his message for the 90th World Day of Migrants & Refugees, in which he wrote, “Building conditions of peace means in practice being seriously committed to safeguarding first of all the right not to emigrate, that is, the right to live in peace and dignity in one’s own country.” As he concluded his message, Pope Francis referenced the words of the Lord when He said”…I was stranger, and you welcomed me” reminding us that the Lord’s words are a “constant admonition to see in the migrant not simply a brother or sister in difficulty, but Christ himself, who knocks at our door.”

Screening of ‘The Letter’ and Laudato Si’ Update Dialogue

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On the eve of Pope Francis’ release of a follow-up document to his 2015 encyclical Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home, St. Peter’s Social Justice Committee invites you to join us for a Screening of The Letter on Tuesday, October 3, 2023 at 7 pm, in the Parish Hall.  The Letter tells the story of a journey to Rome of frontline leaders to discuss the encyclical letter, Laudato Si’, with Pope Francis. The exclusive dialogue with the Pope, included in the film, offers a revealing insight into the personal history of Pope Francis and stories never seen since he became the Bishop of Rome.  The evening will be facilitated by Sister Lois Anne Bordowitz, FCJ.

With the October 4th release of Pope Francis’ second Encyclical, Laudato Si’: An Ongoing Dialogue of the Signs of the Times, please consider joining the Social Justice Committee on Tuesday, November 28, 2023 at 7 pm, in the Parish Hall for a conversation about this important update. 

Bereavement Support Group – Sept. 28 – Oct. 26

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A five (5) week bereavement support group will be starting at St. Peter’s Parish starting on Thursday, September 28 to October 26, 2023 from 1:30 – 3:00 pm in the rectory/auditorium. If you or someone you know is dealing with the loss of a loved one and would like to join this group, please register at the parish office (416-534-4219) or email:  contactus@stpeterstoronto.ca Facilitator: Mary Benincasa

Celebration of the Solemnity of St. Michael & Conferral of the Pallium upon the Most Rev. Francis Leo

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Friday, September 29, 2023 – 5:30 p.m. – St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica

The Archdiocese of Toronto celebrates the feast day of our archdiocesan patron, St. Michael, on Friday, September 29, 2023. All are welcome to join in a special celebration on that day at 5:30 p.m. at St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica (65 Bond St.). Archbishop Francis Leo will celebrate Mass, with music from the world-renowned St. Michael’s Choir School. As part of the celebration, the Apostolic Nuncio to Canada, the Most Rev. Ivan Jurkovič will confer the pallium on our archbishop, a symbol of his role as Metropolitan Archbishop of Toronto and shepherd to the faithful.

Following Mass, there will be an informal reception with light refreshments in the St. Michael’s Cathedral atrium and courtyard. Seating will be first come, first served. All are welcome to join in this special celebration for our archdiocese and archbishop!

“Opinion” Does Not Equal TRUTH

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In my opinion, the best flavour of ice cream in the entire world is chocolate peanut butter. I love this flavour of ice cream so much that I cannot keep any in the house. When, and if, I do keep it in the house, I am unable to control myself and I usually eat the whole pint in one sitting.

The preference that I have for chocolate peanut butter ice cream is a personal opinion. The fact that I like it, is a truth that is relative only to myself. Others may have different opinions and it does not really affect my opinion or their ability to have a different opinion. My opinion on this matter does not really present a problem for others.

On the other hand, there would be a real problem if for some reason, I believed that my opinion needed to become a truth for all people. If for some reason, I believed that everyone else had to share my preference for chocolate peanut butter ice cream, my insistence on this issue would begin to infringe on the right of others to have an opinion. Worse, still, would be the case if I were to form an alliance with all the other people who loved chocolate peanut butter ice cream and we worked together to lobby for laws that required that only chocolate peanut butter ice cream could be manufactured. We could demand that no other flavours be manufactured and that all people must eat our flavour of ice cream. Taking our efforts to the extreme, we could demand that everyone eat chocolate peanut butter ice cream and perhaps put at risk the lives of those people who have a severe allergy to peanuts. Continue reading →