Preparing Our Hearts for the Greatest Gift of All – Part 2

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Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year A

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Last Sunday, as the Gospel presented the beginning of the series of parables that we will hear over a few weeks, the parable was about a sower who sowed seed generously and the different kinds of soil on which the seed would take root and grow. As the series of parables continues, this Sunday, we hear about the mysterious way in which the seed miraculously grows into something much larger, without anyone really knowing how or why the growth takes places.

As I stated in the homily last weekend, these parables that speak to us about the generosity of the sower, and the mysterious way in which growth occurs, provide a wonderful opportunity for me to respond to one of the requests that was expressed in the survey that the pastoral council distributed this past Spring. In particular, these Gospel readings provide an opportunity to respond to the request for more information about the Mass and an effort to increase the participation of parishioners in the celebration of the Eucharist. Last Sunday, I began this series of homilies about the Mass by preaching about why we celebrate the Mass and what it is that we believe we are doing when we do so. This week, I would like to speak about the Introductory Rites to Mass and the Liturgy of the Word. Next weekend, I will conclude by speaking about the Liturgy of the Eucharist and the Dismissal Rites. As this division suggests, the Mass is divided into four parts that form a unity, these are: 1) The Introductory Rites; 2) The Liturgy of the Word; 3) The Liturgy of the Eucharist; and 4) the Dismissal Rites. Continue reading →

We pray for our Deceased

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Catholic Cemeteries & Funeral Services – Archdiocese of Toronto invites all families within the Archdiocese of Toronto to participate in the Annual Mass for the Faithful Departed on Wednesday August 16, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. Cemetery locations and Celebrants for this year’s Annual Mass are as follows:

  • Assumption Cemetery, Mississauga – celebrated by Most Rev. Frank Leo, Archbishop of Toronto
  • Christ the King Cemetery, Markham – celebrated by Most Rev. Vincent Nguyen
  • Holy Cross Cemetery, Thornhill – celebrated by Most Rev. John A. Boissonneau
  • Mount Hope Cemetery, Toronto – celebrated by Most Rev. Robert Kasun, CSB
  • Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Woodbridge – celebrated by Most Rev. Ivan Camilleri
  • Resurrection Cemetery, Whitby – celebrated by Rev. Fr. Dominic Barber
  • St. Mary’s Cemetery, Barrie – celebrated by Rev. Fr. Laurence J. Leger

ALL ARE WELCOME!!

In the event of rain, Masses will be held in:

  • Our Lady of Fatima Mausoleum at Assumption Cemetery
  • Holy Family Mausoleum at Holy Cross Cemetery
  • St. Anthony’s Mausoleum at Queen of Heaven Cemetery
  • Our Lady of the Assumption Mausoleum at Resurrection Cemetery
  • Christ the King Cemetery will celebrate Mass in the Reception Centre at the cemetery office
  • Mount Hope Cemetery will celebrate Mass at St. Monica’s Parish, 44 Broadway Ave. Toronto
  • St. Mary’s Cemetery will celebrate Mass at St. Mary’s Parish, 65 Amelia Street in Barrie.

Preparing Our Hearts for the Greatest Gift of All – Part 1

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Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time- Year A

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A few months ago, the pastoral council conducted a survey asking parishioners about some of the things that they would like to see happening in the parish. The results of that survey indicated four major themes: 1) Continuing faith formation; 2) more socials and community building events; 3) the need for greater participation and understanding of the liturgy; and 4) continuing the parish’s multiple outreach efforts to the poor in our community. In an effort to respond to some of these concerns, I thought it would be important to spend a few Sundays speaking about the Mass; what it is that we are celebrating at Mass; and what the Eucharist calls us to be in our local community. Continue reading →

Invite a Friend to Become Catholic!

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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 (March 30, 2024) and the group will continue to meet until the end of the Pentecost season (June 2024).

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).

Latest Bulletin

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Bulletin for week of July 9, 2023

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 July 23.

Remember the Parish while away on vacation

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Have a safe and enjoyable summer holiday. While you are away, the parish will continue to celebrate daily and Sunday Masses. Sadly, the bills do not take a holiday and still need to be paid for your Parish Church. Please continue to support your Parish Church throughout the summer. Happy Holidays!!!