Humanitarian Relief – Hurricane Matthew – Haiti Emergency

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The Archdiocese of Toronto is accepting financial contributions for humanitarian relief following the devastation caused by Hurricane Matthew in Haiti on October 4, 2016.

Those wishing to help may do so in the following ways:

  • Online through the Archdiocese of Toronto website: www.archtoronto.org
  • By phone through the Development Office – 416-934-3411
  • Through their parish, making cheques payable to: St. Peter’s Church – Haiti Emergency

We offer our prayers for the victims of this natural disaster and those who have been displaced. Thank you for your ongoing efforts to help those in crisis in Haiti.

The Beginning of Holiness is Humility

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Slide1When I finished my second year at McMaster University, I found that while I was having a great deal of fun in university, I was a very unhappy person. There seemed to be something missing from my life. For this reason, I went looking for some kind of meaning in my life. To find it, I spent a summer at a Cistercian Monastery that used to by near Orangeville, Ontario in Hockley Heights. There I met a man who would become a type of spiritual mentor for me. His name was Father Canisius Stemmler. At the time I went to Orangeville in the mid 1980’s, Father Canisius was already in his 80’s. Despite his old age, he had only been a monk at that time for about 35 years. The reason for this was that he had been a Jesuit for many years before he had entered the Cistercians. His varied past meant that he was a man of great spiritual learning, formed in both Jesuit spirituality and that of the Cistercian tradition. For most of the summer, I was assigned to work in the garden with Father Canisius and help to make the Christmas cakes that supported the monastery. It was probably the most educational summer that I ever had in my life. While working beside him for the summer, we would talk about almost every subject under the sun. It was as though I was given the privilege of constant spiritual direct for the whole summer. Continue reading →

Come and See Weekend – Friday, Nov. 4 to Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016 at St. Augustine’s Seminary

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Inviting single Catholic men 18 years and older, to cultivate a deeper prayer life and relationship with Jesus Christ; leading to a better discernment of God’s call for their lives. Time for prayer, reflection and information on the process of becoming one of Christ’s disciples as a Catholic priest. Please contact the Office of Vocations at: 416 968 0997; email : vocations@archtoronto.org

Lectio Divina 2016-2017, Monthly at St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica

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lectiodivinaOne Sunday evening each month, all are welcome to join Cardinal Collins for Lectio Divina at St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica. We begin with Vespers (Evening prayer) at 7 p.m., followed by Lectio Divina from 7:30 to 8:15 p.m. The theme for this season is “The Freedom of the Kingdom of God.” This year, we will meditate upon nine passages of Scripture that illuminate the slavery we experience in our struggle with sin and show the way to freedom. For a full list of dates and Scripture passages, visit www.archtoronto.org/lectio. Each gathering is archived at this website. Episodes also air on Salt + Light TV (www.saltandlighttv.org)

Lecture: From Jerusalem to the Ends of the World

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Join us on November 8th at 7 pm in the Parish Centre, St. Paul’s Classroom, for a lector by Fr. Séamus Hogan on the unbelievable story of Christianity’s rise from Jewish sect to World Religion.

 

 

Fr. Séamus HoganFr. Séamus Hogan

Born into a large Catholic family, Fr. Séamus heard a call to the priesthood while at university, and was eventually ordained by Cardinal Aloysius Ambrozic at St. Michael’s Cathedral, Toronto in 2002. After ordination he served at Blessed Trinity parish in North York until 2005 when he was moved to Merciful Redeemer in Mississauga. In both parishes he was intensely involved with youth and young adult ministries. After a couple of years, he undertook further studies in Rome, where he earned a doctorate in Church History in 2011. At present he is assistant professor of history at St. Augustine’s Seminary, where he also teaches priestly spirituality and assists in priestly formation and spiritual direction. One of his great joys is to share his love of history and spirituality with parish groups throughout the city.