Contents
1. Pastor's Note from Fr. John Sullivan, SJ
2. UPDATE: Food Bank to Re-Open at Temporary Location
3. NEW: Word on Fire Online Discipleship Series
4. Consecration of the Archdiocese to the Blessed Virgin Mary (May 1, 2020)
5. Other Announcements
1. Pastor's Note by Fr. John Sullivan, SJ
I didn’t use to spend much time in thinking about the Resurrection. I knew that it was central in our Christian faith and celebrated at Easter. I also knew that the Risen Lord made possible our being given eternal life. But it was as if the benefit or reward of Easter, of life in heaven, lay at some unknowable time in the future. As a consequence, in the living of my daily life the Resurrection did not have a place of great importance. The words of the Mass, “Save us, Saviour of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free,” I knew to be true but did not understand their meaning. The Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ is the central moment in human history. The moment in which God changed permanently the course and content of our lives. It is the moment from which we gain “life and life in abundance.” Or as Saint Peter said in the Second Reading, “You have made known to me the ways of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.” These “ways of life” can be seen through the Gospel story of the two disciples and the Risen Lord on the way to Emmaus...
2. UPDATE: Food Bank to Re-Open at a Temporary Location
In partnership with the
New Common and the
St. James Town Service Providers' Network we will be opening a temporary food bank at another location (The New Common at 225 Wellesley St E) while the Lourdes Food Bank is closed due to space restrictions / social distancing.
We are so excited to be able to collaborate with our partners in the neighbourhood to provide an additional opportunity for those who may be in need of food at this time.
The opening hours for the temporary Food Bank may differ from our current hours - we will update that information on the website and email the Connect & Care volunteers as soon as it becomes available.
3. Word on Fire: NEW Six-Week Online Discipleship Series
Join the Parish for a new six-week Online Discipleship Series led by author, theologian and online media personality Bishop Robert Barron.
The theme is "He Is Risen," and the series will help us deepen the presence and power of the Risen Lord in our daily faith.
4. Consecration of the Archdiocese to the Blessed Virgin Mary (May 1, 2020) - 12:10pm Mass on Zoom
On May 1, 2020, each bishop in Canada and the United States of America will consecrate their diocese individually to the Blessed Virgin Mary, to seek her protection for all the faithful, from the continuing Covid-19 pandemic.
Priests, deacons, members of communities of consecrated life, families and individuals, are all encouraged to join their prayers in union with that of their bishop, in this consecration.
We invite you all to join us for the 12:10pm Zoom Mass that day (Friday, May 1st) as we join our prayers with this consecration. For information on how to connect, please visit
www.lourdes.to/zoom
5. Other Announcements
Beauty from Our Faith:
[The soul] must forget about [understanding], and abandon itself into the arms of love, and His Majesty will teach it what to do next; almost its whole work is to realize its unworthiness to receive such great good and to occupy itself in thanksgiving. ~ St. Teresa of Avila
Thank you for reading this week's Weekly Update!
We wish you and your loved ones a safe and healthy week.
Contents
1. Pastor's Note from Fr. John Sullivan, SJ
2. Daily 12:10pm Mass & Rosary with Fr. John
3. Lourdes TV - Sunday Mass @ 11:30am
4. Divine Mercy Sunday - Zoom Video-Conference
5. Other Announcements
1. Pastor's Note by Fr. John Sullivan, SJ
We all understand “cause and effect.” If we do some action then we know that some result will happen. For example, if I eat chocolate cake every day, I know that the result will be an even bigger stomach than I already have. This Sunday we are given just such a “cause and effect” passage from John’s Gospel. We hear in the story that it is Easter Sunday, the day Jesus rose from the dead. The disciples were together in a locked room. They were afraid that they too would be arrested and put to death. The Risen Lord, however, then appeared to them. Saint John writes, “Jesus came and stood among them . . . he showed them his hands and his side.” And the Lord said to them “Peace be with you” which he repeated two times. We are also told that Jesus gave to them the Holy Spirit, he “breathed on them.” Here we have the original situation of the disciples – they were locked away, they were hiding and filled with fear. But with the visit of the Risen Lord, their situation dramatically changes. As a consequence of his appearing to them, we hear that in the following week the disciples no longer locked the door nor were they afraid. We see the effect of the Risen Lord upon them. What had changed within the hearts of the disciples?
2. Daily Mass & Rosary with Fr. John
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Daily Mass & Rosary with Fr. John - Mon-Sat @ 12:10pm
Fr. John is hosting a virtual Daily Mass and Rosary at 12:10pm, Monday through Saturday. The Zoom meeting ID is 144 871 650 ( link). For more information on how to connect, please visit our website. If you have any questions, please email info@lourdes.to. Fr. John looks forward to seeing you! |
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
Recordings will be available afterwards.
4. Divine Mercy Sunday - Adoration & Mass - Zoom Videoconference
Thank you for reading this week's Weekly Update!
We wish you and your loved ones a safe and healthy week.
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 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
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.
Announcements
1. Pastor's Note by Fr. John Sullivan, SJ
2. Holy Week Online on Lourdes TV
We invite you to celebrate Holy Week together with the Parish, online at www.lourdes.to/tv
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Holy Week 2020 Online Streaming Schedule
Palm Sunday: Sunday, April 5th
11:30am
Holy Thursday: Thursday, April 9th
7:30pm
Good Friday: Friday, April 10th
3pm
(The final Way of the Cross will be streamed at 9:30am)
Easter Vigil: Saturday, April 11th
8pm
Easter Sunday: Sunday, April 12th
Multiple Streams at 8:30am, 10am, 11:30am, 1pm, 5pm, and 7pm
Ways to watch
Recordings will be available afterwards.
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3. Other Announcements
- 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 6 to April 11, 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.
- Visit our online prayer page at www.lourdes.to/prayer to submit a prayer request.
- Confessions are available at the Rectory (41 Earl St) by appointment - please call the parish office at 416-924-6257 or email info@lourdes.to.
- Communications: As mentioned last week, we are doing our best to keep everyone up to date during this extraordinary time. Visit the website. Share this email with your friends and encourage them to join Flocknote, the Parish's email and text messaging system. If you haven't already, please consider following or liking Our Lady of Lourdes on Facebook and Instagram.
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Thank you for reading this week's Weekly Update!
We wish you and your loved ones a safe and healthy week.
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Welcome to the Lourdes Weekly Update! We want to stay connected and keep you informed throughout the COVID-19 situation.
Contents
1. Pastor's Note by Fr John Sullivan, SJ
2. Lourdes TV - Upcoming Broadcasts
3. Other Announcements
1. Pastor's Note by Fr John Sullivan, SJ
This is the second time in my life as a priest that I’ve been at a church that has been closed by government order. The first time was when I was in Jamaica in 2010. The Jamaican government ordered the army to control West Kingston to locate and take into custody a gang leader, and declared martial law. Along with everything else, all churches in Kingston were closed because of security concerns which meant people could not leave their homes. Two of us remained at the Jesuit church which was in the middle of the fighting between the army and the gangs. In many ways. I found that experience much easier than the experience we’re all now going through. Then, there was clarity – the Christian action was to remain faithful, to remain present within the violence. This also made me feel courageous, like a hero. But now the feeling is different...
2. Lourdes TV - Upcoming Broadcasts
Thank you to all of you who have joined the online broadcasts of last Sunday's Mass and the Way of the Cross on Friday evening! In this difficult time, it has been so touching to see everyone gathering virtually as a community.
We invite you to join us again this Sunday, March 29, 2020 for Sunday Mass online at 11:30am. The Presider and Homilist is Fr. John Sullivan, SJ.
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Watch Mass from Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Online this Sunday at 11:30am
Ways to watch
A recording of the Mass will be uploaded as well
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3. Other Announcements
- The Connect & Care Ministry is off to a great start. Thank you to all of the volunteers who have generously come forward.
- Regarding announced Masses - the Jesuit Fathers will be saying all of the Masses privately during the week. To view the list of Mass Intentions for the week of March 30 to April 4, click here.
- Visit our online prayer page at www.lourdes.to/prayer to submit a prayer request or find links to resources on how you can pray during this COVID-19 crisis.
- Confessions are available at the Rectory (41 Earl St) by appointment - please call the parish office at 416-924-6257 or email info@lourdes.to. With the Church Closure (it likely goes without saying) that the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament we had announced in last week's update will no longer take place.
- Communications: We are doing our best to keep everyone up to date during this extraordinary time. Visit the website. Share this email with your friends and encourage them to join Flocknote, the Parish's email and text messaging system. If you haven't already, please consider following or liking Our Lady of Lourdes on Facebook and Instagram.
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Thank you for reading this week's Weekly Update!
We wish you and your loved ones a safe and healthy week.
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