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

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:

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

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Sunday, April 19 11:30am

4. Update on the Connect & Care Ministry

• 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

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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.

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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

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In the meantime, here are some links to resources that you may find helpful for yourself or to those you minister to: