Thanksgiving Gratitude—The Key to Opening the Narrow Gate!

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Decorative ImageThanksgiving is a North American holiday. If I remember my school lessons correctly, it derives from the experience of the first European settlers here in North America and their experience of their first few years here on this continent. The way we were taught about this holiday when I was in elementary school recalled how difficult these first Europeans found the bitter winter to survive on their own and how unprepared they were to make it through this difficult climate. They were so unprepared for the conditions they found on this continent that it was only with the help of the Indigenous People, who knew the land and the ways of growing here, that they were able to make it through those initial days. Once they had learned to grow crops in this territory and figure out how to survive the conditions on this continent, they were so grateful that they began to have a special feast called “Thanksgiving” at the end of the growing season to celebrate the goods of this land and the great opportunities that they had discovered here. From my school days, I recall a part of those initial Thanksgiving celebrations involved celebrations with the Indigenous People who had helped these first settlers to make their lives possible here. That is why so many of our celebrations still highlight the many vegetables and local products that were handed over to the Europeans by the Indigenous People to help them survive. Continue reading →

2022 Mass Intentions

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Parish is now accepting 2022 Mass Intentions for all weekday Masses at 8 AM (Monday-Friday) and weekend Masses Saturday 5 PM, Sunday 9:00 AM and 11:15 AM.
Offering: For announced date $20 per Mass and for Unannounced date $10 per Mass. The parish has been given permission to celebrate Mass with multiple intentions every Thursday at the 8:00 am Mass.

To avoid crowds in the office during the pandemic you are asked to call and make an appointment for your visit (416-534-4219)

Donations for Good Shepherd Food Bank

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Decorative ImageNormally every thanksgiving the parish has a food drive for the Good Shepherd Ministry. This year we are not collecting canned foods. Instead, if you are able to support the Good Shepherd Ministry, you may donate money to help them feed those most in need. Donations may be sent directly to them at: Good Shepherd Ministries, 412 Queen Street East, Toronto, ON M5A 1T3. Alternatively, cheques may be made payable to:

St. Peter’s Church – Food Drive and the parish will forward your donation directly to them. If you would like more information about the good work they do, please go to –www.goodshepherd.ca

Thank you for remembering those most in need at Thanksgiving.

The Apostle’s Creed Lecture Series

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Decorative ImageWhat does it mean to say, “I believe”?

For thousands of years, The Creed has arguably been the most recognizable confession of faith amongst Christians. As social, political, cultural, and religious turmoil of all kinds have threatened God’s people throughout the centuries, this confession has stood as a signal fire of the Church’s unique and distinct identity in the midst of an ever-changing world. To this day, Catholics, Orthodox, and Protestants alike profess The Creed at Baptisms and Confirmations, during Holy Masses, and even in prayers and songs. More than just a mindless recitation of religious words, The Creed is truly meant to act as a repeated pledge of allegiance, a constant renewal of vows before God, a continual commitment to conform our lives according to all that we claim to believe. And yet, just like so many of the gifts we receive, The Creed can be so easy to take for granted, and we can quickly forget and lose sight of its true worth.

Over the course of 12 weeks this Fall we will dive into this ancient yet ever-present treasure of our faith. Each week we will unpack and explore a particular section of the Creed and wrestle with questions like, “Should these beliefs even matter to me?”, “Are these claims actually true?”, “How would my life be different if I really lived in light of these realities?”, and so many more. 

If these are questions you’ve found yourself asking, if you’ve wanted to further your understanding of and deepen your love for our faith, or even if this is the first time you’ve really considered some of these things seriously, we would be delighted to have you join us. 

“I believe; help my unbelief!” -Mark 9:24

Join us Thursday Evenings starting at 7:15 pm in the Auditorium. Seating Limited by Covid Protocols, First Come, First Seated. For more information contact the parish office at 416.534.4219 Continue reading →