Clergy Appointments

Rev. Stephen Murrin
St. Francis Xavier Parish, Mississauga

December 1, 2008

Community Events

Catholic Lay Movement Brings True Meaning
of Christmas to the People of Toronto

Nativity Scene Display

Gethsemane Ministries, a lay movement of Toronto-area Catholics, will display a Nativity scene in front of Queen Street's Old City Hall from Sunday, December 7, 2008 to Sunday, January 11, 2009 in order to proclaim to the people of the city the true meaning of the Christmas season.

The Nativity scene is set up to bring to focus the tradition and history of the Christmas season, which speak of joy, peace and hope. The Nativity scene is also a response to the increasing commercialization of the Christmas season and the troubling trend toward using the generic term “Holiday” to refer to it.

A special thanks to the Archdiocese of Toronto for their support and The Thomas Moore Lawyers Guild who donated the nativity figures for the crèche. For more information please contact Suresh Dominic at 416-737-9573.

Advent and Christmas on
Salt + Light TV

Carols and Brass. Christmas Concert featuring the Governor General Foot Guard's Band from St Joseph Parish in Ottawa, Ontario. Airing: Dec. 24 - 9:00 p.m.

The Priests In Concert. Airing: Dec. 23 - 5:30 p.m.; Dec. 24 - 9:00 p.m.; Dec. 25 - 8:30 p.m.; Dec. 26 - 12:30 a.m. & 2:30 p.m.; Dec. 27 - 9:00 p.m.; Dec. 28 - 1:00 a.m. & 2:30 p.m.

Birth of Christ. Highlights of Andrew T. Miller's beautiful musical celebration of the Savior's birth. Airing: Dec. 24 – 9:00 a.m. & 9:30 p.m.; Dec. 25 - 6:30 p.m. & 9:30 p.m.; Dec. 26 - 1:30 a.m. & 1:30 p.m.; Dec. 27 - 8:30 p.m.; Dec. 28 - 12:30 a.m. & 2:00 p.m.

Christmas in Rome. A look at the traditions and celebrations of Christmas in Rome. Airing: Dec. 23 – 5:00 p.m.; Dec. 24 - 2:30 p.m. & 8:30 p.m.; Dec 25. - 6:00 p.m. & 9:00 p.m.; Dec. 26 - 1:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m.; Dec. 27 - 8:00 p.m.; Dec. 28 - 12:00 a.m. & 1:30 p.m.

Midnight Mass from the Vatican. Dec. 24 - Live at 6:00 p.m. (in French with English Audio SAP) Dec. 25 – 12:00 a.m. (Midnight), 3:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m.

Urbi et Orbi. Dec. 25 – 12:00 p.m.

For more information on these and other programming on Salt + Light, visit www.saltandlighttv.org or call 1-888-302-7181. Salt + Light Television is available in Ontario on Rogers Digital Cable (395), Cogeco Digital Cable (185 in specific areas), and available nationwide via satellite on Bell ExpressVu (654).

The Memory Project and
Passages to Canada Program

The Dominion Institute is a non-profit organization working to increase Canadians' awareness of their history through greater appreciation of the Canadian story.

The Memory Project is a speakers' bureau for veterans and currently serving members of the Canadian Armed Forces. It includes 1300 volunteers across Canada who visit classrooms and community groups to share their stories with others. The speakers represent a wide range of conflicts, including WWII, the Korean War, Peacekeeping Operations, Cold War, Vietnam, Afghanistan and the Homefront.

Passages to Canada Program is a national storytelling initiative that provides Canadians with a greater understanding and appreciation of the contribution immigrants and refugees make to Canada. Our Speakers' Bureau is made up of a diverse group of over 600 immigrants and refugees who volunteer to share their stories of coming to Canada with youth and new Canadians.

For more information on these programs, please visit www.dominion.ca.

Kolbe Eucharistic Mini-Retreat

Saturday, January 3, 2009
St. Brigid's Parish, Toronto.

Come and adore the Lord. Father Emeka Obiezu O.S.A. will be speaking on “St. Paul and the Eucharist as a Sacrament of Unity” at St. Brigid's Church from 2:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. For more information check www.kolbeapostolate.com.

FOUNDER OF COURAGE COMING TO TORONTO January 16 – 20, 2009

Father John F.Harvey, O.S.F.S., the founder of COURAGE, has provided leadership and guidance to hundreds of men and women who seek fellowship and who wish to live chaste lives in accordance with the Roman Catholic's teachings on same-sex attraction. He is the author of three books on the subject of Homosexuality and his most recent is Homosexuality and the Catholic Church, Clear answers to Difficult Questions.

“Why we need 'Courage'”
The members of the local chapter of COURAGE, with their chaplain, Rev. Wm. Comerford C.Ss.R., would like to invite all who are interested to hear him speak to attend a meeting on Friday, January 16, 2009 - 7:00 p.m. at Precious Blood Parish 1737 Lawrence Ave. E., Toronto.

”Positive aspects of Chastity”
Father Harvey will also speak at an open meeting for the YOUTH on Saturday, January 17, 2009 – 2:00 p.m. at the same location sponsored by the youth group of Precious Blood Parish.

For more information please contact Father Comerford at 416-598-3269. www.CourageRC.org couragetoronto@yahoo.ca.

Canadian Certificate in
Youth Ministry Studies program

The University of St. Michael's College, Toronto, is offering the Canadian Certificate in Youth Ministry Studies program. The program cycle continues with Practices of Youth Ministry on January 31 - February 1, 2009. Course topics include:

- The skills and processes for collaborating with a youth ministry team and with the community to do effective youth ministry.
- Preparing and nurturing adult and young leaders in ministry.
- Developing youth ministry through a process, which includes planning, implementing and evaluating.

Prospective students may begin the program at anytime, and it is not necessary to begin with the first course. Contact: Canadian Certificate in Youth Ministry Studies, University of St. Michael's College - Continuing Education. Tel: 416-926-2247 Fax: 416-926-7287 Email: youth.ministry@utoronto.ca.

Assisi-Rome: Discovering the Spirit of
St. Francis & St. Clare

October 2, 2009 - October 15, 2009

Facilitator: Bro. Alan R. Gaebel, ofm, cap.

Single Occupancy $3,100.00, Double Occupancy $2,810.00, Triple Occupancy $2,760.00.

For Pilgrimage Brochure and/or Application information, please contact Bro. Alan R. Gaebel, ofm, cap. “Rome-Assisi 2009” at St. Philip Neri Parish, 2100 Jane Street, Toronto, Ontario. M3M 1A1 www.capuchins.ca (click on Pilgrimages) bro.alan@capuchinscanada.com.

Saying “YES” To Life

Tuesday January 6, 2009 - 8:00 p.m.
St. Bonaventure's Church, 1300 Leslie Street, Toronto.

NEW BEGINNINGS, a ministry for separated, divorced and widowed persons. Guest Speaker: John Dubeau.

For more information please contact New Beginnings at 416-921-1163 ext. 2246.

Parish Looking For Crucifix

Paroisse de la Sainte-Famille looking to find a crucifix measuring approx. 4 ½ to 6 feet tall for use in their parish.

If you do, please contact Reverend Antoine Badr at 905-826-6316. Thank you.

Viscount Prestige ( I ) Organ for Sale

St. Joseph’s Parish, Stevensville, Ontario, is looking to sell a Viscount Prestige organ. Excellent condition. It is being offered for sale as this organ is too large for the parish and their needs.

If interested to purchase this organ at a just price, please contact Father Ronald Mahon C.Pp.S., Saint Joseph' Parish, 3718 Netherby Road, R.R.#2, Stevensville, Ontario L0S 1S0 tel: 905-382-3826 fax: 905-382-0271 email stjoseph2008@cogeco.ca.

Journey of Faith: Offering Classes in Scripture, Dogma, Ethics and More

St. Leo's Parish in Brooklin will begin a new session of its theology program in early January. Courses being offered include:

Judas in the Bible (Mon 7:30-9:00 p.m., starting January 5, 2009)
Heaven, Hell and Everything in Between (Wednesday 7:30-9:00 p.m., starting January 7, 2009)
John Paul II's 'Love and Responsibility' (Sat 12:00 -1:30 p.m., starting January 10, 2009)

Each course runs 6 weeks and costs $30.00.

Please call St. Leo's Parish (905-655-3286) for more information and check out the website www.catholicministry.ca.

Employment Opportunity
Youth Minister (full-time)

The Franciscan Church of St. Bonaventure, a diverse, medium sized parish located in the Don Mills community of Toronto, is currently seeking an individual (lay or religious) to join the pastoral team as Pastoral Associate for Youth Faith Formation.

For more details on this position please see www.archtoronto.org.

Applications, including covering letter and curriculum vitae, using WORD should be emailed to Friar Rick Riccioli, OFM Conv., Pastor, at
friar.rick@st-bonaventure.ca (with “youth minister” as the subject, the documents attached and no message in the body of the email) no later than December 21, 2008. Questions regarding this position may be directed to Friar Rick.

Mass for the Unborn

December 28, 2008 - 5:00 p.m.
St. Michael’s Cathedral, 65 Bond Street, Toronto.
Celebrant: Rev. Ed McGovern.

On the Feast of the Holy Family. All are welcome. Archbishop Collins extends his gratitude to all those who continue to foster a culture of life.

Journey of Faith: Offering Classes in Scripture, Dogma, Ethics and More

St. Leo's Parish in Brooklin will begin a new session of its theology program in early January. Courses being offered include:

Judas in the Bible (Mon 7:30-9:00 p.m., starting January 5, 2009)
Heaven, Hell and Everything in Between (Wednesday 7:30-9:00 p.m., starting January 7, 2009)
John Paul II's 'Love and Responsibility' (Sat 12:00 -1:30 p.m., starting January 10, 2009)

Each course runs 6 weeks and costs $30.00.

Please call St. Leo's Parish (905-655-3286) for more information and check out the website www.catholicministry.ca.

Church Pews For Sale

The Diocese of London has blond hardwood church pews with kneelers and hat hangers for sale. Lot price is $18,000 (seating capacity of 532). 48 at 144 inches long and 48 at 72 inches long.

If interested or for further information please contact Bob L'Ecuyer 519-354-1788.