Please Help Syrian Refugees by Donating to Project Hope

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In response to the global refugee crisis, Cardinal Thomas Collins has launched “Project Hope,” a special emergency appeal. This 100-day campaign aims to raise $3 million in order to settle 100 refugee families in the Archdiocese of Toronto as soon as possible. The effort will also require 100 volunteer committees to assist with settlement services. To make a donation to support the appeal, visit: www.archtoronto.org or call (416) 934-3411.

You can also donate through our parish with a cheque made payable to St. Peter’s Church -Project Hope-Refugee Sponsorship.

We continue to pray for all those suffering, mindful of our call to welcome the stranger in our midst.  Those interested in assisting with volunteer committees should contact the Office for Refugees at (647) 780-0827.

Please Get Involved!

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Over the next few weeks the parish will be looking for parishioners to get involved in different ministries. The parish needs Ushers and Ministers of Hospitality, Altar Servers, Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Counters and Visitors to the sick and shut-in. Workshops will be announced for these ministries in coming weeks. The most urgent need is for Ushers, Ministers of Hospitality and Altar Servers.

Ushers and Ministers of Hospitality:

Ushers and Ministers of Hospitality arrive at Mass 15 minutes early and greet parishioners as they arrive. They help with the collection and distribute bulletins as people leave. The workshop for new Ushers and Greeters will take place on Saturday, September 19th in the Church at 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM.  Please sign-up.

Altar Servers:

Altar Servers are also needed. Any young person who has made his or her First Communion can be an Altar Server. There will be training sessions for new altar servers on Saturday, September 19 and 26 at 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM  in the Church. Parents should attend with their young person.

Please also consider attending workshops for:

Lectors : Saturday, September 26 at 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM  in the Church
Eucharistic Minsters: Saturday, October 10 at 9:30 AM  – 11:00 AM in the Church

Religious Education Registration

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SacramentalPreparationIt’s that time of year to begin registrations for this year’s Religious Education Program.

We are accepting registrations for ALL children, in both Public and Catholic schools, wishing to prepare for the celebration of the Sacraments of First Reconciliation, Holy Eucharist and Confirmation next Spring.

Please note that the Archdiocese of Toronto has lowered the elementary school grade for Confirmation candidates from Grade 8 to Grade 7.  Therefore, we will be accepting both grades this year. 

All Sacramental Preparation Classes must be attended by both Catholic and Public school children. Please inquire at the Parish Office or visit us online, for further details and information about this year’s program.

Christian Meditation Saturday afternoons at 3:30 PM

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meditationOn that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I in you. John 14.20

Join us in discovering this ancient spiritual practice, as taught from the earliest days of the Church.

Discover the deepening faith, and the enrichment of our spiritual experience, that expands within us in the silence of prayer.

Everyone is welcome, especially newcomers!  Every Saturday at 3:30 in the Chapel of the Parish Centre.

For more info e-mail christian.meditation.group@gmail.com

A World Made Deaf and Mute by Original Sin

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“The Lord Jesus made the deaf hear and the mute speak, may he soon touch your ears to receive His Word and your mouth to proclaim His faith, to the praise and glory of God the Father.”

ceremony-1504661This is the beautiful prayer that is said after a child is baptized as part of the explanatory rites— those rites that take place after the actual baptism and that are intended to explain what God’s grace has accomplished in the individual who was baptized. It is part of a ritual that is called the “Ephphatha” and during which the celebrant of the sacrament of Baptism touches the ears and the mouth of the young person who has been baptized. The rite takes its name from the word that Jesus uses in today’s Gospel reading when he cures the deaf and the mute man. As he touches the ears and mouth of the deaf and mute man, he says “Ephphatha,” which in Aramaic means “be open.” In today’s Gospel, after Jesus has touched the man’s ears and mouth, the man is cured and he and others begin to proclaim the marvellous works of God, saying: “He has done everything well, he even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

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R.C.I.A

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Interested in the Catholic faith ?
Would like to join the Catholic Church ?
Then register for this year’s R.C.I.A. program !

Starting Tuesday evening, September 22, from 7:15 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. in the Parish Centre, The R.C.I.A. program here at St. Peter’s invites all Non-Catholics who are interested in learning about our Catholic faith. The program will meet weekly on Tuesday evening at 7:15 p.m.

The participants in the R.C.I.A. program are called Catechumens or Candidates. A Catechumen is one who has never been baptized and is considering becoming a Catholic. A Candidate is someone who has been previously baptized in a Christian denomination other than Catholic. Father Jim Casper and Mr. Peter Williamson will be the co-ordinators this year. We also need active Catholics who would like to be part of the hospitality team to volunteer. Please pray for the success of this year’s R.C.I.A program. For more information or volunteer call the parish office at 416-534-4219.