Contents
1. Easter Message from Fr. John Sullivan, SJ
2. NEW: Daily 12:10pm Mass & Rosary with Fr. John, beginning April 15th
3. Sunday Mass Online Schedule
4. Connect & Care Ministry Update
5. Other Announcements
6. Neighbourhood Outreach Update
1. Easter Message from Fr. John Sullivan, SJ
May the joy of the Risen Lord be yours! May we see and understand as he sees and understands. May his Father really be our Father. Happy Easter to all! This Easter morning seems unique, that “there has never been an Easter like this” before. But perhaps it isn’t as unique as we may first think.
In his Easter homily, Bishop Mark Davies in Great Britain, said:
If Easter rejoicing seems as much out of place as the bright sunshine of Spring at this time of national anxiety, then let us remind ourselves that the hope of Easter itself sprang from the stark reality of human suffering and Christ’s death on the Cross, and that it would be heard first by men and women ‘self-isolated’ in fear.
The power of the Lord’s resurrection has rarely been so clear to us. When the stone was rolled away, when he was raised from the dead, Jesus Christ vanquished the hold of sin and death. The Risen Lord revealed the eternity of love. The love of God the Father can be accepted (to any degree) or rejected. If accepted, our hearts and lives become molded by it. As the Prophet Isaiah wrote, “And yet, Lord, you are our Father; we the clay, you the potter, we are the work of your hand.” At 7:30 every night we hear the banging of pots and pans, a gesture recognizing the selflessness of healthcare workers and those caring for us in a variety of ways. In the unmelodious clanging we hear a beautiful hymn of God’s love. The goodness of human beings, the “work of your hand.” While we may feel anxiety and fear, through the gift of this morning, we also see the power of his resurrection. In our self-isolation, our hearts are being opened to the greater awareness of our need for others, for community, for relationship, for human affection. And in our self-isolation, our hearts are opened even more to the free reception of God’s love. We know what we need and what we want. We want his love to cover us like the dewfall, to live each day knowing we do not go alone, but we live with the one who is Life, who has given us his word. The Risen Lord said to his disciples in Galilee and to us now, “know that I am with you always; yes, to the end of time.”
May the joy of the Risen Lord be yours! May we see and understand as he sees and understands. May his Father really be our Father. Happy Easter to all! Alleluia!
-Fr. John
2. Daily Mass & Rosary with Fr. John
Beginning Wednesday, April 15th, Fr. John will be hosting a virtual Daily Mass, Rosary, and chat - starting at 12:10pm, Monday through Saturday.
How do I join?
We are using an online video-conferencing platform called Zoom. You can connect in two ways:
1) Using your computer/smartphone/tablet, or
2) By telephone (voice only).
Event details
Daily Mass, Rosary and a Chat with Fr. John
Date: Begins Wednesday, April 15th (will be held Monday-Saturday)
Time: 12:10pm (beginning with Daily Mass, followed by Rosary and then a chat)
Options on how to connect
1) By computer, tablet, or smartphone:
Option A: Click this link from your browser/email app and follow the instructions: https://zoom.us/j/144871650
Option B: Download the Zoom app (www.zoom.us) and, when prompted, enter the nine-digit meeting ID 144 871 650
2) By telephone
Step 1: Dial +1 647 374 4685 or +1 647 558 0588
Step 2: Enter the nine-digit meeting ID 144 871 650
(If you are calling from outside Toronto, or neither of the above numbers work, please visit https://zoom.us/u/abMKnBpnDO to find your local number)
If you have any questions, please email info@lourdes.to. Fr. John looks forward to seeing you on the call!
3) Our Next Sunday Mass Broadcast:
Sunday, April 19 11:30am
Celebrate Mass together virtually with the Parish next week as we celebrate the 2nd Sunday of Easter, Divine Mercy Sunday.
Ways to watch
Website: www.lourdes.to/tv
Facebook Live: www.facebook.com/LourdesToronto
Recordings will be available afterwards.
4. Update on the Connect & Care Ministry
by Anna Paolo
- Since March 25 we have paired up 86 elderly and/or vulnerable parishioners with 53 volunteer parishioners.
- We had an incredible response from people in the parish wanting to connect and serve in this new ministry.
- We are learning a lot about the needs of people; most are looking for a friendly voice, someone to pray with and perhaps the occasional trip to the grocery store or pharmacy.
- Our volunteers have reported back on wonderful conversations with their sisters and brothers in faith. It has been an enriching experience for many to meet and get to know other members of the parish, albeit remotely.
- Parishioners receiving the calls have been moved by the care of their parish community and tremendously grateful for the friendship and the generosity of spirit.
- The Parish Staff, working remotely, is now in the process of reaching out to every registered parishioner on our listing. They will offer this wonderful new ministry of support to elderly parishioners or those who are self-isolating due to COVID-19
5. Other Announcements
- Announced Masses: The Jesuit Fathers continue to say all of the announced Masses privately during the week. To view the list of Mass Intentions and Recently Deceased for the week of April 13 to April 18, click here. We are still accepting Mass Intentions during this time - if you would like to offer a Mass, please contact info@lourdes.to or leave a voicemail at the Parish Office at 416-924-6257.
6. Neighbourhood Outreach Update
by Bill Hatch, Social Outreach Coordinator
In this time of isolation, we are in conversation with community agencies about ways to creatively collaborate to reach out to those in the neighbourhood.
As mentioned in a previous newsletter, our parish's Food Bank unfortunately was forced to close because the small space makes it impossible for the necessary staff & volunteers to practice safe social distancing from one another.
Nevertheless we are working to think creatively of ways that we can respond to the needs of the neighbourhood - which so far seem to be connection, food security, and health access / information.
We will continue to keep you updated on ways that the Parish is responding in addition to the Connect & Care Ministry. If you are interested in helping, or know someone who needs help - please email info@lourdes.to
In the meantime, here are some links to resources that you may find helpful for yourself or to those you minister to:
- List of resources for St. James Town and Downtown East: http://www.stjamestown.org/covid
- St James Town Food Security: Click Here
- St James Town Primary Care: Click Here
- City of Toronto Downtown COVID-19 updates from City Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam (very helpful and comprehensive): Click Here
- Ripples of Kindness: Community Meal at Sacre-Coeur Parish, N/E Corner of Sherbourne and Carlton, 11:30am on Saturdays - they are distributing food packets containing soup and sandwiches.
Thank you for reading this week's Weekly Update!
We wish you and your loved ones a safe and healthy week.