Community Events

40 Days for Life

February 24 - April 5, 2009

40 Days for Life is a focused pro-life campaign that has generated measurable lifesaving results in more than 130 cities where it has been implemented. It has lead to a significant drop in abortions on almost all locations, and in some places such as the State of North Dakota, the closing of all abortion clinics.

Upcoming Meeting
February 17 – 7:00 p.m. St. Michael's Choir School (66 Bond St. enter under the clock tower).

40 Days for Life Vigil
The 40 Day Vigil will be held at the corner of Lawrence and Dufferin. For more information and to sign up for vigil hours visit www.40daysforlife.com/toronto or phone Nicole Campbell at 416-204-9749.

Learn how you can “speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves” here in Toronto and to sign up for vigil hours, contact Nicole Campbell at Campaign Life Coalition 416-204-9749 or check out www.40dayscanada.blogspot.com.

Volunteer Opportunities at
Providence Healthcare

Providence Healthcare is looking for volunteers (min. 14 years of age) to assist in many areas, including:

Friendly Visiting
Meal Assistance
Recreational Activities
Cashier/Customer Service (retail sales & clerical)

Providence Healthcare is also recruiting for their 2009 Summer Youth Program (July/August) for students 14-25.

In addition, Providence Healthcare is looking for retirees and seniors who would be available to volunteer weekdays or weekends in their Gift Shop and Café.

For more information please contact Providence Healthcare Volunteer Services at 416-285-3749. Providence Healthcare is located at 3276 St. Clair Avenue East, Toronto. vol@providence.on.ca
www.providence.on.ca.

Lectio Divina – A Year With St. Paul

All are welcome to join Archbishop Thomas Collins for Lectio Divina.

Sunday, February 8, 2009
St. Michael's Cathedral, 65 Bond Street, Toronto.

Vespers are at 7:00 p.m., followed by the Lectio Divina from 7:30 p.m. - 8:15 p.m.

This month's scripture passage: Corinthians 12:38-31 and 13:1-13. Please join us for this personal encounter with God through Scripture.

This Sacred reading provides an opportunity to read aloud the Word of God taking time to pause, reflect and pray together. In the coming year, we will encounter Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, summarizing the foundation of Christian life.

Mp3 audio podcast and video posted on YouTube of Archbishop Collins' previous Lectio Divina are available at www.archtoronto.org. The Lectio Divina is also broadcast on Salt + Light Television. Visit www.saltandlighttv.org for more information.

New Beginnings…

Retreat Weekend for those who are separated, divorced or widowed and who seek closure after the loss of a spouse.
February 13 – 15, 2009
Scarboro Missions, 2685 Kingston Road, Scarborough.
$140.00 per person. (Consideration will be given to those in financial difficulties) Pre-registration required.

Support Sessions for Widows and Widowers
Starting February 20, 2009 - 7:30 p.m.
St Bonaventure's Church, 1300 Leslie St., Toronto.
6 weekly Support Sessions for widows and widowers.

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

St. Joseph Day Traditional Latin High Mass

March 19, 2009 - 7:30 p.m.
Holy Cross Church, 291 Cosburn Ave, Toronto.

The Mass will be followed by St. Joseph's Table, for which desserts requested. Non-perishable food items or grocery gift-cards will be collected for the needy.

For more information please contact Rev. Fr. Howard J. Venette, FSSP, Chaplain, Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, Holy Cross Parish at 416-421-5225. www.fssptoronto.com.

Kindergarten Registration at
Dufferin-Peel Catholic Schools

Jr. and Sr. Kindergarten registration for the 2009-10 school year will be held at all Dufferin-Peel Catholic elementary schools on February 23 from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. and February 25, 26 and 27 from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

For more information, contact your local Catholic elementary school, visit www.dpcdsb.org or call the Board's Admissions Department at 905-890-0708, ext. 24500.

A Catholic Follow-up to the Alpha Course

Six week program starting:
Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2009 – after the 7:00 p.m. Mass
St. Timothy's Parish, North York.

Catholicism 201 has grown out of our experience of Alpha, after which many people said, "What next?" This program was developed to cover the areas of our Catholic faith not covered by Alpha. You do not need to have taken the Alpha program to come and benefit from this experience.

This program will deepen your understanding of, and love and commitment to, the Catholic faith.

For more information contact Vibert Perreira at 416-494-4839.

Youth Mass

February 15, 2009 – 5:00 p.m.
St. Timothy's Parish, 21 Leith Hill Road, Toronto.

Archbishop Thomas Collins will be the main celebrant at the Youth Mass. Everyone is welcome, especially youth groups from the Archdiocese.

CALLING ALL LAITY

INSTITUTE OF THEOLOGY OF ST. AUGUSTINE'S SEMINARY

Applications are now being accepted for the Master of Religious Education, Master of Theological Studies, Diploma in Lay Ministry and Diploma in Theological Studies.

Classes are conducted in Aurora, downtown Toronto, and at St. Augustine's Seminary on weeknights, Saturdays, during the month of July, and online.

There are course reductions available for teachers who have the required qualifications. Degrees are recognized by the OCT and QECO.

For further information, go to the website at www.staugustines.on.ca. Click on “Academic”. Click on “Institute of Theology”. Interested applicants can e-mail to ioftsas@rogers.com or call 416-261-7207 ext. 235.

4 Day Lenten Live-in Retreat

Saturday, March 14 – Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Salvation Army Conference Centre, Jackson's Point. (Lake Simcoe)

“Reflect the Glory of God” for singles and married couples, “A Light to the Nations” for youth.

Retreat will be given by Rev. Augustine Vallooran V.C., PhD., Director Divine Retreat Centre, India, and team. Talks will also be given by Rev. Msgr. Ambrose Sheehy, Rev. Edwin Gonsalves, John Henry Westen (Editor Lifesite News). Workshops by the Sisters of Life. Praise and Worship led by Mark Mallet and singing couple Glen and Theresa LaRive.

Experience the Power of the Word of God and the Holy Spirit. Renew your life in the Holy Spirit and live the fullness of Catholic faith. Daily mass, adoration, rosary, healing prayer service and reconciliation.

For more information and registration, contact Gethsemane Ministries at 905-789-9909, Gethsemaneministries@yahoo.ca or visit www.prayergroup.ca.

Come and Celebrate The Year of St. Paul

Saturday, February 21, 2009 – 9:45 a.m.
Blessed Trinity Parish Hall, Toronto.

For seven weeks, join the Kolbe Apostolate, commencing Saturday, February 21 for “Know Your Faith Bible Study” and “A Survey of the Acts of the Apostles”.

Learn about the early Church through the lives of St. Peter and St. Paul and how Christ's work continues through us in the Church today. This seven week study includes DVD presentations with scripture scholar Jeff Cavins and handouts.

St. Patrick's Celebration

Sunday, March 8, 2009 – 3:30 p.m.
St. Cecilia's Church, 161 Annette Street, Toronto.

31st Annual Concelebrated Mass with Rev. Timothy Hanley as the principal celebrant and homilist. A reception will follow in the parish hall.

For more information, contact St. Cecilia's at 416-769-8163.

Mass for the Sick

A "Mass for the Sick" is celebrated every first Friday at 7:30p.m. at St. Philip Neri Church, Downsview, North York.For more information, please contact the parish at 416-241-3101.

Electric Organ Available - Free

A Technics PCM Sound EX 15L, attractive 3 ½” long wood, 2 keyboard electric organ in excellent condition is available free to any parish in need.

If interested please contact Patricia McKinnon at 416-444-8846.

St. Paul's Icon Visitation

At St. Agnes Tsao Kouying Catholic Church, 2130 Rodick Road, Markham, Ontario L6C 1S7. The three-day celebrations will be conducted in Cantonese, Mandarin and English.

Monday, February 16, 2009. Encounter with The Lord. Solemn Mass (Cantonese, Mandarin and English). 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009. Transformed by The Lord. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Meditation, Adoration and Benediction. 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009. Evangelization and Celebration. Hymnal Prayer. 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

We cordially invite you to come and celebrate with us. For more information, please call our parish office at 905-887-7922 or email us at admin@saintagnestsao.org.

Rendering Unto Caesar:
Catholic Beliefs in Political Life

Monday, February 23, 2009 – 7:30 p.m.
St. Basil's Church, 50 St. Joseph Street, Toronto.

A free public lecture by Most Reverend Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M., Cap., Archbishop of Denver, Colorado. Archbishop Chaput is an outstanding, prophetic leader in the North American Church. He has tackled publicly and courageously issues of public policy, the dignity of all human life, and the sacred nature of marriage, religious freedom and human rights. He is a renowned author and speaker.

The lecture is sponsored by the Archdiocese of Toronto, Salt + Light Television, Legatus and St. Michael's College.

For further information please contact Salt + Light Television at 416-971-5353.

St. Joseph Day Traditional Latin High Mass

March 19, 2009 - 7:30 p.m.
Holy Cross Church, 291 Cosburn Ave, Toronto.

The Mass will be followed by St. Joseph's Table, for which desserts requested. Non-perishable food items or grocery gift-cards will be collected for the needy.

For more information please contact Rev. Fr. Howard J. Venette, FSSP, Chaplain, Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, Holy Cross Parish at 416-421-5225. www.fssptoronto.com.

Training for Friendly Visitors

2 Saturday Sessions:
March 21 and March 28, 2009 - 9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
791 Queen Street East, Toronto.

The Sisters of St. Joseph, Toronto, have developed a training session for their In Good Company ministry. In Good Company volunteers visit marginalized and/or isolated individuals in their homes. The Sisters of St. Joseph would like to open the registration to people who do visiting for their parishes.

This training deals with issues such as listening skills, boundaries, mental health, dealing with the elderly, grief and loss, etc. It will be facilitated by qualified Sisters of St. Joseph.

$20 per person to cover costs. Light refreshments will be served.

Please register by Friday, March 13, 2009. You must attend both sessions.

For more information please call 416-465-6069, or email infoingoodcompany@csj-to.ca.

100th Anniversary Knights of Columbus Toronto Council 1388

Saturday, April 25, 2009
The Le Parc Banquet Hall 8432 Leslie St., Markham.

During the year 2009, the members of Knights of Columbus Toronto Council 1388 are proud to celebrate 100 years of service to the church and community.

The highlight of this celebration is a gala anniversary dinner and dance. Friends of Toronto Council, its members and former members are invited to attend.

Tickets are $100 per person. Deadline for purchasing tickets is March 31, 2009.

To purchase tickets or for further information please contact Pat Francis, PGK, at 416-767-9579 fax 416-767-1922.

Walking God's Path series
Christian Jewish Dialogue

The Christian Jewish Dialogue of Toronto is again sponsoring the Walking God's Path series this year. The series seeks to stimulate real conversation between Jewish and Christian congregations.

February 11, 2009 – 7:30 p.m.
St. Gabriel's Church, 670 Sheppard Ave. East (near Bayview)

February 18, 2009 – 7:30 p.m.
Adath Israel, 37 Southbourne Avenue (Bathurst and Wilson)

St. Gabriel's Passionist Parish and the Adath Israel Congregation, with the participation of Newtonbrook United Church, will be hosting the first two meetings of this year. The theme is: WHAT IS THE BIBLICAL CONCEPT OF JUSTICE?

The meetings are open to everyone. For more information on these first two meetings, please contact St. Gabriel's Church at 416-221-8866 or email stgabrielsparish@bellnet.ca.

Lenten Journey 2009 - Meditation Series

Wednesdays 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Scarboro Missions, 2685 Kingston Road, Scarborough.

Wednesday, March 4 - Meditation with the Holy Spirit by Joe Clarkson — Retreat Director.

Wednesday, March 11 - Reflection on St. Theresa of Avila (Part I) & Meditation by Nada Conic – lecturer University of Toronto and spiritual counsellor at Manresa Retreat Centre.

Wednesday, March 18 - Reflection on St. Theresa of Avila (Part II) & Meditation by Nada Conic – lecturer University of Toronto and spiritual counsellor at Manresa Retreat Centre.

Wednesday, March 25 - The Prayer and Meditation of Filipino nannies in a foreign land by Robina Rey & friends.

Wednesday, April 1 - “A Fool for Christ” Spirituality of St. John Bosco and Meditation by Steven Aldorasi -Youth Liaison, Scarboro Lay Missions.

Wednesday, April 8 - “Call to be a Blessing” Repentance in the Judaeo-Christian Practice and Meditation by Sr. Lucy Thorson, NDS.

For more information please call 416-261-7135 ext. 266/239 fax 416-261-0820 or email terryg@scarboromissions.ca www.scarboromissions.ca.