DECEMBER 31ST 2023, FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY
- Posted On 30th Dec 2023
Masses for the Week
| Sat Dec 30 09:00 AM | Intention of Maria Fan |
| Sat Dec 30 05:00 PM | † Giovanni & Aquilina Vacca |
| Sun Dec 31 09:00 AM | † Pasquali Agata |
| Sun Dec 31 11:00 AM | People of the Parish |
| Sun Dec 31 05:00 PM | People of the Parish |
| Mon Jan 1 09:00 AM | Intention of Bunny & James Santos |
| Mon Jan 1 11:00 AM | People of the Parish |
| Mon Jan 1 07:00 PM | Intention of Thor & Margie Nicolas & their family |
| Tue Jan 2 09:00 AM | Intention of Angela Leung & Michael Okelicz |
| Wed Jan 3 09:00 AM | † Simeon Maristanes |
| Thu Jan 4 09:00 AM | † Bonnie Pinto |
| Fri Jan 5 09:00 AM | † Giuseppe Riggi † Donald Bastiampillai † Sally Atkinson † Naseem (Jimmy) Shiekh † Patrick Pinto Intention of Mathilda & Denis Gracias Intention of Mario & Maria Simao Intention of Ricardo & Cornelia Chua’s family |
| Fri Jan 5 07:30 PM | † Mateo Tanuan † Sydney Fonseca † Theresa Joseph & Joe Yoganathan |
| Sat Jan 6 09:00 AM | † Florie Vegas D'Souza |
| Sat Jan 6 05:00 PM | † Liam Traynor |
REFLECTION
Every year, Christmas unites the weary and warring human family for a few days of rejoicing. Each year, we are surprised anew at the richness of God’s gift to us of Christ. From contemplating this gift, we learn the meaning of self-giving love. Today’s Mass centers on our human school of love, the family. Sirach comments on the fourth commandment, to honor one’s parents. The last verses of Colossians draw on a pre-Christian household code, but its first two sections are remarkable within a patriarchal culture for their fully Christian values: relationships are based on mutual love and forgiveness rather than subordination. With such love, God sent his Son. The gospel readings remind us that the Holy Family was not spared the pain, separation, and need for trust experienced by those who love. Our suffering can be transformed by imitating Christ’s love—a love which he learned from his parents. The miracle of Christmas assures us that God boundlessly enriches our everyday lives when lived with love.
Sunday Mass Book for Canada
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: 2023 TAX RECEIPTS
Please note that ONLY Donations received at the parish office by December 29th, 12 noon qualifies for a 2023 Tax Receipt.
2024 DONATION ENVELOPES
The 2024 donation envelopes are available for pick up in the Narthex. They are alphabetized within each tray.
Please be patient and ensure you are taking your own box. Please help us return those boxes that are not yours to their original spots to save everyone’s time.
We thank you for your generosity and for following and respecting this guideline.
The Family as a Communion of Love
Today we honor family life in general by pausing to ponder the particular and beautiful hidden life within the home of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. In many ways, their daily life together would have been very similar to other families at that time. But in other ways, their life together is entirely unique and provides us with a perfect model for all families.
By God’s providence and design, the family life of Jesus, Mary and Joseph was spoken of very little in the Scripture. We read of the birth of Jesus, the presentation in the Temple, the flight into Egypt and the finding of Jesus in the Temple at age twelve. But other than these stories of their life together, we know very little.
Today we honor family life in general by pausing to ponder the particular and beautiful
hidden life within the home of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. In many ways, their daily life together would have been very similar to other families at that time. But in other ways, their life together is entirely unique and provides us with a perfect model for all families.
By God’s providence and design, the family life of Jesus, Mary and Joseph was spoken of very little in the Scripture. We read of the birth of Jesus, the presentation in the Temple, the flight into Egypt and the finding of Jesus in the Temple at age twelve. But other than these stories of their life together, we know very little.
Reflect, today, upon the fact that God wants you to share in a communion of life, not only with the Most Holy Trinity but also with those around you, especially your family. Try to ponder the hidden life of Jesus, Mary and Joseph and seek to make their family relationship the model for how you love others. May their perfect communion of love be a model for us all.
Excerpt from Thomas, J. P. (2022, September 30). The Family as a Communion of Love. My Catholic Life!
TOLKIEN’S LITTLE WAY
WEDNESDAY, JAN 3, 2024 7:00 PM
St Barnabas Catholic Church (10 Washburn Way)
Please join us for 7pm mass followed by a talk from Eden O’Brien. The talk will explore why Tolkien entrusts the central mission of the Lord of the Rings novel – the guarding and destrucon of the Ring – to the most seemingly incapable characters: the Hobbits. In addition, this discussion will also reflect on Tolkien’s approach in relation to the Catholic Tradition.
For more info, please contact Samantha Goh: spirituseast@gmail.com or 416.599.7676.
ST. BERNADETTE’S FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE NEEDS YOU!
Please support our Charity and be a Hand of Hope to those we serve. To have more info and donate, please use the link: https://www.stbernadettesfrc.org/
We offer: Integrated Parent Relief Programs for children, Youth and Adults with and without Special Needs Job Skills to Adults with Special Needs Saint & Relic Exhibits & Spiritual Retreats.
Edge Youth Ministry
EDGE Youth Ministry 2023—2024 has opened its registration for youth in grade 6, 7, and 8.
EDGE will meet on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of the month, starting from Oct 13th, 2023.
COME DISCOVER HOW THE WORD CREATES!
We grow in our relationship with God & one another through various activities: obstacle courses, escape room puzzles, team crafting & more.
Please contact Jeremy Tanuan for more information: JTanuan@archtoronto.org or 416-282-0370 ex. 213.