Lecture – “Why is the Crucifix our defining symbol as Christians?”

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Decorative ImageYou are invited to join us on the Feast of the Exaltation (Triumph) of the Holy Cross, Wednesday, September 14, 2022 at 7 pm as Fr. Thomas Rosica, CSB hosts an evening reflection on the Crucifix and why it is our defining symbol as Christians.

All are welcome to attend!

  • Date: Wednesday evening, September 14, 2022
  • Time: 7:00 pm
  • Location: St. Peter’s Church, Auditorium (Entrance to the auditorium is under the archway)

“Let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before Him endured the Cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12: 1-2)

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Decorative ImageIf the home that you grew up in was like the one in which I grew up in, you might have heard things like this said to you as a young person:

“If you eat your vegetables, you can have dessert.”

“Finish your homework and then you can watch television.”

“If you get a good report card, you can go to camp this summer instead of summer school.”

Hearing things like this as we grow up, can lead some of us to think that life is fair and that if we are good, good things will happen to us. In fact, for some Christians, one of the very difficult challenges in life is trying to understand why it is that if they pray and follow the commandments, it is still possible for bad things to happen to them. For many, there is a sense that faith should act as a kind of lucky charm; protecting them from anything difficult in life. I sometimes think of this as a kind of “Rabbit Foot” approach to faith. It is like thinking that by hanging a rosary from the rear-view mirror of our car, we will be protected from an accident. What a rosary is really intended for is for praying, that we might know that God is with us through all of the different circumstances of our lives. Continue reading →

Thank you to the Sisters of St. Joseph!

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Decorative ImageIt is with great sadness that the parish says goodbye to the Sisters of St. Joseph. The Sisters of St. Joseph have been affiliated with the parish of St. Peter’s since the 1860’s when they were teaching here at a time that our own parish was a mission of St. Mary’s Church further south on Bathurst Street. The archives of the Sisters of St. Joseph show that Sister Martha Morrow taught at St. Peter’s Elementary School throughout the 1870’s and 80’s. Sister Bernadette Dalton was the last Sister of St. Joseph to serve as principal of St. Peter’s School in 1971 and Sister Marina Marotta taught there until 1973. With their formation house located on Palmerston Avenue, the Sisters of St. Joseph have continued to be active in the parish in many ways, assisting with the Winter Welcome Table, serving on the Social Justice Committee, Vocations Committee, and the parish’s Refugee Committee. The parish is very grateful to the Sisters of St. Joseph for their prophetic witness and support. At the end of this month, they will leave their house on Palmerston Avenue for another house in the community. With much gratitude, the parish assures the Sisters of St. Joseph of our continued prayers. Thank you Sisters!

Parish Memorial Mass to Resume in September on Frist Friday at 7:00 p.m.

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Decorative ImageThe parish will resume the monthly memorial Mass to commemorate the anniversaries of the deceased friends and family members of parishioners. Names may be enrolled for each monthly Mass by calling the parish office ahead of time. Those who enroll a name (or names) will be asked to leave their name and phone number. Those who request a memorial Mass must attend to light a candle for their deceased loved one. A donation of $20.00 per person is the suggested donation for this special Mass. This Mass is intended only for the anniversaries of death, birthdays and special occasions taking place in that particular month for the parishioners of St. Peter’s Parish and their family members. Those who are not parishioners of St. Peter’s are encouraged to have a Mass celebrated for their deceased loved ones in their own parish.

The Mass will be celebrated on the First Friday of every month at 7:00 pm in the parish church. To enroll a family member for whom there is an anniversary of death, please call the parish office during office hours- 416-534-4219. As arrangements must be made ahead of time for a candle to be lit for each person being remembered, it will not be possible to add names during the Mass.