Author Archives: stpeters
“Let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before Him endured the Cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12: 1-2)
If the home that you grew up in was like the one in which I grew up in, you might have heard things like this said to you as a young person:
“If you eat your vegetables, you can have dessert.”
“Finish your homework and then you can watch television.”
“If you get a good report card, you can go to camp this summer instead of summer school.”
Hearing things like this as we grow up, can lead some of us to think that life is fair and that if we are good, good things will happen to us. In fact, for some Christians, one of the very difficult challenges in life is trying to understand why it is that if they pray and follow the commandments, it is still possible for bad things to happen to them. For many, there is a sense that faith should act as a kind of lucky charm; protecting them from anything difficult in life. I sometimes think of this as a kind of “Rabbit Foot” approach to faith. It is like thinking that by hanging a rosary from the rear-view mirror of our car, we will be protected from an accident. What a rosary is really intended for is for praying, that we might know that God is with us through all of the different circumstances of our lives. Continue reading
Latest Children’s Liturgy Worksheet
Thank you to the Sisters of St. Joseph!
It is with great sadness that the parish says goodbye to the Sisters of St. Joseph. The Sisters of St. Joseph have been affiliated with the parish of St. Peter’s since the 1860’s when they were teaching here at a time that our own parish was a mission of St. Mary’s Church further south on Bathurst Street. The archives of the Sisters of St. Joseph show that Sister Martha Morrow taught at St. Peter’s Elementary School throughout the 1870’s and 80’s. Sister Bernadette Dalton was the last Sister of St. Joseph to serve as principal of St. Peter’s School in 1971 and Sister Marina Marotta taught there until 1973. With their formation house located on Palmerston Avenue, the Sisters of St. Joseph have continued to be active in the parish in many ways, assisting with the Winter Welcome Table, serving on the Social Justice Committee, Vocations Committee, and the parish’s Refugee Committee. The parish is very grateful to the Sisters of St. Joseph for their prophetic witness and support. At the end of this month, they will leave their house on Palmerston Avenue for another house in the community. With much gratitude, the parish assures the Sisters of St. Joseph of our continued prayers. Thank you Sisters!
Parish Memorial Mass to Resume in September on Frist Friday at 7:00 p.m.
The parish will resume the monthly memorial Mass to commemorate the anniversaries of the deceased friends and family members of parishioners. Names may be enrolled for each monthly Mass by calling the parish office ahead of time. Those who enroll a name (or names) will be asked to leave their name and phone number. Those who request a memorial Mass must attend to light a candle for their deceased loved one. A donation of $20.00 per person is the suggested donation for this special Mass. This Mass is intended only for the anniversaries of death, birthdays and special occasions taking place in that particular month for the parishioners of St. Peter’s Parish and their family members. Those who are not parishioners of St. Peter’s are encouraged to have a Mass celebrated for their deceased loved ones in their own parish.
The Mass will be celebrated on the First Friday of every month at 7:00 pm in the parish church. To enroll a family member for whom there is an anniversary of death, please call the parish office during office hours- 416-534-4219. As arrangements must be made ahead of time for a candle to be lit for each person being remembered, it will not be possible to add names during the Mass.
Latest Children’s Liturgy Worksheet
Latest Bulletin
Link
Bulletin for week of August 7, 2022
This year during the summer months of July and August we will be having bulletins every other week. Our next bulletin will be published on August 21st.
“Laudato Si” Adult Garden Retreat Day
This retreat is being offered by Sr. Gabriel Riddle, cps in the gardens of the Missionary Sisters of the Precious Blood:
- Date: Saturday, September 17, 2022
- Time: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Venue: St. Bernard’s Convent, 685 Finch Ave. West, North York (close to buses and subway)
Retreat includes Eucharistic celebration and a special presentation by Fr. Thomas Rosica, csb, time for prayer and reflection. Lunch provided. Please register at: St. Peter’s Parish (416-534-4219). Suggested donation: $25
Dessert Themed Coffee Hour: Croissant Sunday!
On Sunday, August 14th, following the 11:15 am Mass,
join us for a dessert themed Coffee Hour!
Come for coffee, a featured dessert, friendly conversations and family activities!
Invite a Friend to Become Catholic!
As Christians, we are invited to share the Good News with others. Today this can be done by inviting someone to consider joining the R.C.I.A. in the parish where they would like to attend Sunday Mass. The “R.C.I.A.” is the Rites of Christian Initiation of Adults. Through the celebration of these rites in their local parish community, individuals become members of the Catholic Church through their local parish community. These rites are accompanied by a catechetical process which educates those who are becoming Catholic in the teachings of Christ and the traditions of the Church that He established to continue His mission and spread the Good News.
Here at St. Peter’s those who wish to become Catholic are invited to begin attending Mass in our parish community each Sunday. As they do this, they are accompanied by the R.C.I.A team and meet on Tuesday evenings to learn about our faith, deepen in a prayer relationship with Jesus, and discover how they can find their place in our Christian community through Sunday worship, service of neighbour and prayer. The R.C.I.A. at St. Peter’s will begin in September. The group will meet throughout the length of the school year. The Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist) will be celebrated at Easter (April 8, 2023) and the group will continue to meet until the end of the Pentecost season (June 2023).
For those already Baptized in another Christian denomination a shorter path towards joining the Catholic Church may be possible, depending on their previous faith formation.
If you know anyone who might be interested in becoming Catholic, please invite them to consider joining the R.C.I.A. at the parish where they wish to attend Sunday Mass. If they wish to do so here at St. Peter’s, please have them give Fr. Michael a call for more information (416-534-4291, ext. 211).