Community Events

An Evening with The Priests: Harmony

Friday, December 4, 2009
St. Paul's Basilica, Toronto.

Enjoy a very special musical evening with The Priests, the singing clergymen superstars who broke the Guinness World Record for the fastest selling classical debut album of all time. This celebration features songs from their second album entitled Harmony, released November 23rd, and conversations with Classical 96 FM Program Director John Van Driel. The event will assist in funding the St Paul's Christmas Family Program, feeding local families in need this season.

Doors open at 7:00 p.m., performance at 8:00 p.m. Tickets $35 (inclusive) in advance from TICKETBREAK.

Presented by The New Classical 96.3 FM, hosted by Program Director John Van Driel and in association with Salt and Light Television. The evening will be produced by Sony Music Entertainment Canada and recorded for broadcast on Classical 96 FM and Salt + Light Television. www.thepriests.com.

For tickets visit www.TICKETBREAK.com or call 1-866-9-GET-TIX.

Christmas Concert with Michael Burgess

Saturday, December 12, 2009 – 7:30 p.m.
St. Clare's Church, Toronto.

St. Clare's is pleased to announce that Mr. Michael Burgess, along with Suzanne Kompass, Geoffrey Butler and the North 44 Ensemble, will be at St. Clare's Church, 1118 St. Clair Ave. W. (just east of Dufferin) to perform in a fundraising Christmas Concert.

Tickets are $20 each and will be sold after Mass at St. Clare's Church. Drop by the office during the week anytime between 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. or call the parish office at 416-654-7087 for more information and tickets. We invite you to bring friends and family - so get your tickets today, as this promises to be a wonderful event!

Catholic Sources of Meditation and
Prayer in Advent

Scarboro Missions invite you to join us every Wednesday from November 25 - December 6, 2009 from 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. at 2685 Kingston Rd., (corner of Brimley & Kingston).

December 2: “Meeting Great Meditators through Catholic Books” by Joanne Kelly, Religious Education Consultant (Ret'd).

December 9: “Her Story is Our Story” (a meditator's journey) by Mila Nabor-Cuchan, Masters in Spirituality, Regis College.

December 16: “Encountering the Divine in Beauty” by Joseph Clarkson, Retired Catholic School Principal, Christian Meditation Retreat Director.

For further information call 416-261-7135 ext. 266/239 or email terryg@scarboromissions.ca www.scarboromissions.ca.

CELEBRATING THE YEAR OF THE PRIEST

ANNUS SACERDOTALIS 2009-2010

The Spirituality of St. John Marie Vianney, the Curé of Ars.

St. Mary Immaculate Parish, Richmond Hill, invites you to a series of monthly recollections marking the Year of the Priest, to be held on the first Saturday of the month. Following the 9:00 a.m. Mass, the recollections which will include a conference, the Divine Office and an opportunity for confession. St. John Vianney who will be declared the universal patron of all priests at the end of this year led a deeply spiritual life which may serve as a model not only for priests but for all the faithful as well. The solid foundation of his spiritual life was the Sacred Liturgy of the Church. Below is a list of the Recollection topics. The Recollections will end at noon with the recitation of the Angelus.

December 5 - The Sacred Liturgy.
February 6 - Eucharistic Adoration.
March 6 - The Sacrament of Penance.
April 10 - The Liturgy of the Hours.
May 1 - Devotion to Our Lady.
June 5 - The Holy Priesthood & The Sacred Heart.

Advent Vespers at St. Basil's Church

Saturday, November 28, 2009 - 7:30 p.m.
St. Basil's Church, 50 St. Joseph Street, Toronto.

Please join us to celebrate the First Sunday of Advent with Solemn Vespers at St. Basil's Church. The celebration will feature Gregorian chant and seasonal psalms and hymns from various Christian traditions, as well as choral and organ music by Victoria, Bach, and Dupré.

Light refreshments will be available afterwards in the parish hall. This is an ideal way to set the tone in prayer and song for the Advent season. For more information please contact 416-926-7110 www.stbasiltoronto.org.

Awakening the Dreamer

December 12, 2009 – 9:00 a.m.
St. Gabriel's Passionist Parish, Toronto.

St. Gabriel's Passionist Parish will be hosting the Awakening the Dreamer, Changing the Dream symposium on December 12, 2009. Registration begins at 8:45 a.m., the symposium starts at 9:00 a.m. sharp.

The symposium builds a vision of an environmentally sustainable, socially just, and spiritually fulfilling human presence on this planet. Through inspiring multimedia and dynamic group interactions, participants of this four-hour event are motivated to reconnect with their deep concern for our world, and are empowered to make a difference.

For more information on the Symposium, visit www.awakeningthedreamer.org. If attending, please contact Fatima Lee, 416-221-8866 ext. 228, or email stgabrielsparish@bellnet.ca.

We Wait in Joyful Hope for the
Coming of the Lord

Advent is not a penitential season as such, but more of a time of preparing once again to explore the mystery of God's presence among us in Christ. The Incarnation is the essence of our belief. Our facilitator for two evenings is Ted Schumit, theologian and parish animator on scriptures. We will explore Luke's "Infancy Narratives" at the Paulist Ministry Centre, 830 Bathurst Street, Toronto on:

Wednesday, November 25, 2009 - 7:15 p.m.
The birth stories of Jesus: An Advent call to adulthood.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009 - 7:15 p.m.
Which Jesus are we preparing for?

For more information please call 416-534-2326.

The Tallis Choir - Bach: Mass of Christmas

November 28, 2009 - 7:30 p.m.
St. Patrick's Church, 141 McCaul Street, Toronto.

The Tallis Choir of Toronto marks the holiday season by recreating a festive Lutheran high mass as celebrated in 18th century Leipzig, where Johann Sebastian Bach spent his final years. Featured are three Bach works: the Missa Brevis in F Major, Cantata 40: Dazu Ist Erschienen der Sohn Gottes (To This End Has Appeared the Son of God), and the motet Lobet den Herrn. Joining the choir are the Talisker Players, guest artists for the evening.

Students, $10 (at door only); seniors, $20; general admission, $25. For information or tickets please call 416-286-9798 or info@tallischoir.com www.tallischoir.com/ticketing.html.

PRAYER WITH THE SONGS OF TAIZÉ

Every second Friday of the Month
St. Clare's Parish, Toronto.

Join us at St. Clare's Church, 1118 St. Clair Ave. W. (just east of Dufferin), on Friday, December 11th and every second Friday of the month at 7:30 p.m., as we gather in prayer and meditative reflection in the style of Taizé. We will also learn more about this form of prayer, the monastic community of Taizé, and the reason why thousands of young people make their way every week to meet and pray with the brothers in Taizé.

For more information please call St. Clare's Parish at 416-654-7087.

Christmas Concert

Sunday, December 20, 2009 – 7:30 p.m.
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, Toronto.

The choir of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church invites you to an evening of Christmas music at the Church, 78 Clifton Road (Mount Pleasant and St. Clair).

Organists: Peter Daly, Frank O'Grady, Boniface Fung. Music director: Carolynne Godin.

Donations for the organ repair and maintenance fund will be gladly accepted at the door. For more information, call the church at 416-489-1540.

CCBI Annual Lecture

The Canadian Catholic Bioethics Institute invites you to the 2009 Annual Lecture, “A deeply human need — palliative care for the young, the old, the marginalized and homeless.”

December 3, 2009 – 7:00 p.m.
Carr Hall, Father Robert Madden Auditorium, 100 St. Joseph Street, Toronto.

Panellists:
Dr. Marisa Zorzitto, Chief of Geriatric Medicine, St. Michael's Hospital.
Dr. Christine Newman, Medical Director, Palliative Care and Bereavement Care Service, The Hospital for Sick Children.
Rowena Thirlwall, RN, CHPCN, Perram House Hospice.

All are welcome to attend this free event. For more information please call Bambi Rutledge at the Canadian Catholic Bioethics Institute at 416-926-2335 www.ccbi-utoronto.ca bioethics.usmc@utoronto.ca.

The Vocation of the Catholic
School Board Trustee

St. Augustine's Seminary of Toronto is presenting a series of workshops on 6 consecutive Saturdays, January 9 – February 13, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. -
3:00 p.m., for anyone in the province of Ontario who is considering running for the position of Catholic trustee, is a present trustee, or any other persons who are interested.

The series will feature topics such as: The Mission and Overview of the Catholic School System, Historical and Legal issues in Catholic Education, Finance, Roles and Responsibilities, Election, and Skills required of a Catholic trustee.

A nominal fee of $100.00 will be charged for the complete series. The fee must be paid by cash or cheque by December 15, 2009. Inquiries may be sent to receptionist_sas@yahoo.ca or by telephone 416-261-7207 ext. 221. Visit www.archtoronto.org for a complete description of topics and speakers.

Barbershop Chorus and St. Gabriel's Musicians and Singers

Saturday, November 28, 2009 – 7:30 p.m.
St. Gabriel's Church, 670 Sheppard Avenue, Toronto.

Tickets are $12.00 in advance or $15.00 at the door. Families $30.00. This joint concert is also a joint fundraiser with proceeds to be split between St. Gabriel's Parish and the East York Barbershop Chorus.

The music will be eclectic ranging from “Hello, MaryLou,” to a Gospel Medley and classical pieces.

For more information please contact Jerry at 416-709-8407.

Christmas Concert with Robert Pilon & Friends

Thursday, December 17, 2009 - 7:30 p.m.
Blessed Sacrament Parish, 24 Cheritan Ave., Toronto.

Tickets -$25 each are available at the Parish Office. Proceeds of the concert will go to ShareLife and the St. Paul's Breakfast Club.

For more information and to purchase tickets please call Blessed Sacrament at 416-481-2256. blessed@bellnet.ca.

Introduction to the Extraordinary Form

December 13, 2009 - 5:30 p.m. NEW DATE
Sts. Martha and Mary Parish, Mississauga.

Introduction to the Extraordinary Form with Missa Cantata for the 2nd Sunday in Advent followed by a workshop/social at Sts. Martha and Mary Parish, 1870 Burnhamthorpe Road East, Mississauga.

For more information please call 905-625-5670. Or the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, Rev. Fr. Howard J. Venette, FSSP, Chaplain, at 416-696-8660. www.fssptoronto.com.

Missa Cantata

Tuesday, December 8, 2009 – 8:00 p.m.
St. Brigid's Parish, 300 Wolverleigh, Blvd., Toronto.

The Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter invites you to a Missa Cantata for the feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

For more information please contact Rev. Fr. Howard J. Venette, FSSP, Chaplain, at 416-696-8660. www.fssptoronto.com.

Sunday Eucharist: Fully Lived!

9th Simcoe Liturgy Conference

Friday, April 23, 2010 - 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 24, 2010 - 9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
St. Mary's Parish, 65 Amelia Street, Barrie.

Keynote Speaker: Most Rev. Albert LeGatt, Archbishop of St. Boniface.

The conference is co-sponsored by the Office of Formation for Discipleship, Archdiocese of Toronto and the Parishes of Simcoe County. It is a time of communal prayer, presentations and fellowship. The conference is open to all parishioners.

Archbishop LeGatt is a native of Saskatchewan. Prior to ordination he worked for three years with Canadian University Students Overseas (CUSO) teaching young people in Ghana. Immediately prior to his appointment as Archbishop of St. Boniface he was Bishop of Saskatoon. Archbishop LeGatt is currently the chairman of the English Sector Commission for Liturgy and Sacraments.

Pre-registration is necessary. To obtain a brochure, registration form or for further details contact Catherine Ecker, Office of Formation for Discipleship, Archdiocese of Toronto at 705-726-2153. Fax 705-726-8195. email cecker@archtoronto.org.