The Liturgical Season of Lent

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lent-prayer-fasting-giving-works-of-loveAsh Wednesday, February 14, 2018, marks the beginning of the liturgical season of Lent. The highest point of the Church’s year is the Easter Triduum (Holy Thursday evening through Easter Sunday) during which we recount the death and resurrection of Jesus the Lord. We prepare for this three-day period by the season of Lent, and prolong it for the great 50 days of the Easter Season. The celebration of Easter, of being reborn in the Risen Lord to a new life, will only have meaning to the degree that “we die to the old self.” Thus, the Church asks us to live this period of Lent, with Christ in the desert, as a period of forty days devoted to inward renewal through prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Let us prayerfully consider before Lent how we might make the best use of this time to imitate the Lord in His dedication to the Father so that His resurrection may take deep root in our thoughts, words and actions throughout Lent and forever.

  • Ash Wednesday Masses: 8:00 AM, 12:10 PM, and 7:00 PM in the Church
  • Ash Wednesday Confessions: 5:30 – 6:30 PM
  • Stations of the Cross: A great Lenten Spiritual Devotion held on Friday evenings during Lent at 7:00 PM., or after 7:00 PM Mass on the First and Last Friday of the month in the Church.
  • Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fast (one full meal, and two lighter meals a day with no eating between meals), and abstinence (no eating of meat). The law of abstinence obliges those 14 years of age and older, and the law of fast obliges all those from ages 18 through 59 years of age.
  • Lenten Retreat:  March 5, 6 & 7, 7:00 PM.  This lent our Parish Lenten Retreat will be conducted by Father Gilles Mongeau, sj and the Jesuit Scholastics who serve in our parish community. Please mark your calendars to join in this time of Lenten Spiritual renewal.
  • Lenten Reconciliation Services: 
    • Saturday, March 17 from 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM. There will be several priests hearing Confessions.
    • Good Friday, March 30,  after 3:00 PM service commemorating the Passion of our Lord till 6:00 PM

The Church recommends that we observe not only Good Friday, but the other Fridays of Lent as days of abstinence, or that we perform some act of charity as an alternative – the choice is yours. Lenten penance should be external and social, as well as internal and individual.

The highest point in the Church’s year of prayer is the Easter Triduum of the dying and rising of the Lord Jesus. We prepare for this three-day period by the season of Lent, and prolong it for the great 50 days of the Easter season.

During the season of Lent, the parish will continue Eucharistic Adoration in the Centre Chapel. Please consider signing up for an hour of prayer each week to spend time with the Lord.

Young Adults Alpha Program – Winter 2018

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Invite a Generation // Alpha Invitation YouTube play

alpha2What is Alpha?
Alpha is a series of interactive sessions that freely explore the basics of the Christian faith.

Who’s it for?
Alpha is for anyone who’s curious. The talks are designed to encourage conversation and explore the basics of the Christian faith in a friendly, open environment. No question is out of bounds and you are free to discuss as much or as little as you want.

How does it work?
Alpha is typically 7-12 sessions with a weekend or day away in the middle. Each session includes food, a short talk and discussion where you can share your thoughts and ask questions. There’s no pressure, no follow up and no charge.

How much is it?
There’s usually no charge to attend Alpha, though some places may ask for a contribution towards food.

Course Information:
Join us – St. Peter’s Young Adults Group, Feb. 21 – May 9, 2018 at 7pm
Location – 830 Bathurst St, Toronto, ON M5R 3G1
Email: youngadult-youthmin@stpeterstoronto.ca

Holy Land Pilgrimage Meeting

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holylandYou are invited to join Sr. Gabriel Riddle and St. Peter’s parishioners for an inspiring 9 day pilgrimage to the Holy Land on November 21-29, 2018. Approximate price per person based on double occupancy (excluding gratuities and insurance) is $3,420.

An important meeting will be held on Tuesday Feb. 6 at 7:00 p.m. in the St. Paul’s room.

Liz Dachuk from Connaissance Tour and Travel and Sr. Gabriel will be presenting the final itinerary details; fee schedule; checklist of essential items, documents, etc. Applications will be on a first come, first serve basis. The required number of pilgrims is 30 persons. Please see flyer for further details on our parish website. See you there

Thank You St. Peter’s Parish from the Society of St. Vincent de Paul

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Writing-Thank-youThe Society of St. Vincent de Paul, would like to thank our many benefactors for their generous donations throughout the year.  It is with your help that we are able to provide ongoing support such as groceries, clothing, beds, brown bag lunches for the homeless, and transit tokens to close to two dozen poor and needy families in our community. Plus, this Christmas, we visited eighteen households and provided them with extra food and Christmas gifts in the spirit of the season.  Every cent of your donation goes to those in need and this year we distributed over $13,000 in aid.  God bless you and we thank you for your kindness.

Celebration of Marriage Mass with Cardinal Collins – February 11, 2018 – 3 p.m.

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As part of Marriage Sunday 2018 celebrations, Cardinal Thomas Collins will preside at a special Mass to honour couples celebrating milestone anniversaries in 2018. If you (or a couple you know) are celebrating a 25th, 40th, 50th or 60th+ wedding anniversary this year, they are invited to join in this special celebration. The Mass will take place at 3 p.m. on Sunday, February 11 at Blessed Trinity Parish (3220 Bayview Ave – North York). A reception will follow Mass. All are welcome to attend – couples celebrating milestone anniversaries are asked to register online to ensure reserved seating. Registration and other important information can be found at: www.archtoronto.org/marriage or by calling (416) 934-3400, x 523.

World Day for Consecrated Life

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On Friday, February 2, the Church celebrates the World Day for Consecrated Life.

In the Archdiocese of Toronto we are blessed to have living and serving among us more than 900 religious men and women of 100 different religious congregations.  This World Day for Consecrated Life is a wonderful opportunity for us to thank God for the gifts of these religious sisters, brothers and priests and to pray for God’s blessing upon them in their efforts to faithfully live the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity and obedience.

Bishop Wayne Kirkpatrick will preside at a special Mass on Sunday, January 28, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. at St. Paul’s Basilica, 83 Power St., Toronto in celebration of the vocation and witness of these special men and women religious who are such a vital and important part of the life and ministry of the Church in our Archdiocese.  All are welcome to attend.

The Source – Sisters of Life

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the sourceThe Sisters of Life will be hosting “The Source” here in our Church on Thursday, January 25 at 7:00 PM. You are invited to come for an evening of Eucharistic Adoration (7:00 PM – 8:00 PM) followed by Christian fellowship (Social at 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM). Confession will also be available during Adoration.