This year, in the midst of COVID 19, many of the 40 organizations that depend on Sharelife for funding have been busier than ever caring for those in our community who are the most vulnerable. The need this year is greater than ever.

Normally, the Sharelife campaign takes place every year during the season of Lent. As our churches were closed this past Spring, the campaign did not take place and many did not have an opportunity to give.

As the need this year is greater, now that our churches our open again, the campaign will be extended to the fall. There will be additional collections this year in support of Sharelife. These will take place on September 12-13, 2020 and October 10-11, 2020 (the Thanksgiving weekend). If need be, an additional collection will also take place on November 7-8, 2020.

This year, St. Peter’s parish goal for Sharelife is $41,000. We have already collected about $12,500.

To those who have already donated this year—thank you very much!

If the challenges of this year make it impossible for you and your family to donate, please keep these organizations in your prayers.

If you are able to give this year, please consider giving generously.

In the event that you do not feel safe giving at church, you may do so by sending your donation to the parish office (659 Markham Street, Toronto, Ontario, M6G 2M1) or through the archdiocesan website’s “Donate Now” portal at:  www. archtoronto.org .

Thank you for your support of Sharelife—through it our community helps to live the Gospel in our local Church.

The Parish Office will be closed on Monday, July 1, Canada Day. Mass will be celebrated in the church on that day at 10:00 AM.  There will be no adoration on that day. 

St. Peter’s Church is open for Mass everyday. From Monday to Friday the church is open for Mass at 8:00 a.m. and for prayer in the morning and early afternoon. Mass on Sundays is celebrated at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday and 9:00 and 11:15 a.m. on Sunday. 

We are able to accommodate up to 30% of our capacity (200 maximum), so it is recommended that you come early. Those who attend our busiest Mass at 11:15 a.m. on Sunday might consider attending the 9:00 a.m. Mass. 

In keeping with the bylaws of the City of Toronto, all who visit St. Peter’s Church must wear a mask. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding in this important safety measure.

If you have been in contact with anyone with the COVID 19 virus within the last 14 days, you are asked to stay home. Those with a fever or any symptoms should also stay home.

During this time, the parish washrooms are not available. 

For the time being, the parish office will be open only one day a week—Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. You are asked to make an appointment before visiting the office for the safety of the staff. 

Fr. Michael is available by phone at 416-534-4219, ext. 211 and all messages are returned.

Thank you to all who have supported the parish during this difficult time. Donations can be mailed to the parish at 659 Markham Street, Toronto On M6G 2M1, left in the mail slot at the Sisters of Life entrance, or made through Donate Now at the Archdiocese of Toronto. If using Donate Now at  www.archtoronto.org, please be sure to select St. Peter’s Toronto as you parish.

We look forward to seeing you soon and praying together again.

With great sadness, we announce that Paulist Fr. Richard Colgan has entered eternal life. 

Fr. Rich died at 11:45 p.m. on Monday, May 25, 2020, at Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C., of complications from COVID-19. He was the first Paulist Father to die as a result of the coronavirus.  

In 1991, Fr. Rich moved to Toronto, Canada. In 1992 and 1993, he served there at St. Peter’s Church and Toronto’s Catholic Information Center. In Autumn 2008, he returned to Toronto where he became pastor of St. Peter’s Church. He served in that role until becoming director of novices for the Paulist Fathers in 2011.  Click here to learn more about Fr. Rich. 

Every year on Mother’s Day, I love to tell the story of an episode of Sesame Street that I recall from many years ago.

The muppet puppets were featured in a story in which a little boy was separated from his mother. As the boy was crying in the town’s piazza because he could not find his mother, the king of that town came upon him and asked him why he was crying. The little boy responded that he had been separated from his mother and could not find her.

The king asked the little boy what his mother looked like and promised to send his entire army out to find her. The boy exclaimed that his mother “was the most beautiful women in the world.” The king dispatched his army to find the most beautiful women in the world so that she might be re-united with her son. The soldiers in the army brought back all of the beautiful women in the kingdom to be re-united with the child. Each time the boy was presented with another person to ask if this was his mother, he said “no, that is not her.” They continued to bring all of the women in the kingdom. Finally, the king said to the boy, we have brought you every beautiful women in the kingdom. And the boy said, but I told you “my mother is the most beautiful women in the world.

When it seemed like all of the women in the kingdom had been brought, everyone was beginning to lose hope that the boy would ever be re-united with his mother. Finally, a worn down and poorly dressed women made her way in to the king’s court and the boy shrieked in gladness at the sight of his mother.

Surprised that this was the boy’s mother, the king said, “I thought that you said that your mother was the most beautiful women in the world.” The boy exclaimed that “she is indeed the most beautiful women in the world. What took you so long to find her?”

Today we celebrate and give thanks for the gift of our mothers. I will offer Mass for the mothers of all the parishioners of St. Peter’s Parish—those living and deceased.

Thank you to all the mothers of the parish who are to their children the most beautiful women in the world.

May God bless the mothers of our parish today and always.

Fr. Michael

His resurrection is a gift that lights our way and brings joy and peace to our hearts.  May God’s blessings be with you at Easter ~ St. Peter’s Staff ~