Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Lent has started, and with it has come the blessing of not only being able to celebrate Mass together once again but also opportunities to build up our parish community!
You'll find more information about these opportunities down below, along with ways to nourish your soul on your Lenten journey this year!
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Access to the Church
The main entrance to the church will be open this week!
Weekday Mass: A Great Addition to your Lenten Prayers and Sacrifices
The Mass is the highest form of prayer and the greatest opportunity we have to offer ourselves in sacrifice and thanksgiving to God. Consider adding a weekday Mass to your Lenten journey this year to increase your prayer life and to offer up your time, and join Fr Robert in the Sacristy on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11:00am.
For all Masses, please observe the following:
- Masks, social distancing, and sanitization are required
- Communion will be brought to you in place
Mass intentions for the week of February 12-19:
- Saturday, March 5: 4:00pm – For all parishioners
- Sunday, March 6: 9:30am – Mrs Carmella Nudo by her Family
- Tuesday, March 8: 11:00am – Anniversary of Evelyn Warren, by Bill & Denise
- Thursday, March 10: 11:00am – Miriam, Paddy Wiseman, Bob Wiseman by Ann Foran
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Adult Faith Formation: Lent 2022 – The Creed
In-person gatherings for Adult Faith Formation will take place at Saint Thomas More on Sunday mornings at 8:00am followed by Mass at 9:30am. Adult Faith Formation is open to all adults seeking to learn more about the Catholic faith, not just Candidates for Sacraments or their Sponsors!
If you are able to commit to weekly participation as part of your Lenten disciplines of prayer and sacrifice, we encourage you to join us on this Lenten journey of faith, formation, and fellowship! For more information, visit the Adult Faith Formation landing page.
If you have further questions or wish to register, please speak with Angela after the Sunday 9:30am Mass, or fill out the “More Information & Registration” form available through the link above.
Coffee Hour is coming back! Sundays, after the 9:30am Mass
Coffee occupies an interesting niche in Christian history, initially causing such a stir when it was first introduced to Western Europe in the 9th Century that it was dubbed a "hellish drink" and Christians were discouraged from drinking it.
Fast forward a few centuries, and sharing a cup of coffee with fellow parishioners after church has become a hallmark of parish life - one that we've greatly missed due to pandemic restrictions. Join us downstairs in the Hall starting on Sunday, March 6th after Mass - and keep coming back each week to help build our parish community!
We need volunteers!
There are so many ways to contribute to the needs of God's people and to let your light shine! Please contact the parish office if you are interested in volunteering. Possible ways to contribute as a Mass volunteer include: reading, taking the collection, greeting parishioners at the door, sanitizing inside, and setting up for Coffee Hour after Mass!
Help Wanted
The parish is in need of a part-time handyman to help with maintenance and small repairs. This position will provide occasional work with compensation based on skills. For more information, please contact Father Robert by calling the parish office or emailing him at vicarofverdun@gmail.com
Magnificat: March Edition
The March edition of Magnificat is now available at the back of the church for those who subscribe.
Collection Envelopes and Making Online Contributions
Envelopes are available at the back of the church. If you haven't signed up for a set before and would like a set for 2022, please contact the parish office.
For parishioners who prefer to be paperless, regular or one-time donations can also be made at https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/50630. Canada Helps is a secure online platform that’s a good alternative to envelopes for parishioners who cannot easily get to the parish to drop off their donations, or even for those who wish to go paperless.
The weekly collection is an incredibly important resource for the parish, and your contributions to it support our various programs and efforts to serve our parish and our community.
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May we be instruments of Peace: Letters from Archbishop Christian Lépine & Pope Francis
Click here to read the Archbishop’s letter to the Catholics of Montreal, in which he invites each one of us to “fast and pray for peace in Ukraine, for victims of the attacks, the soldiers, the civilians, and the bereaved families.”
Click here to read Pope Francis’ appeal on February 23 2022 to world leaders to “examine their consciences seriously before God” which he delivered only hours before the attack on Ukraine began last week. On February 27, Pope Francis renewed his appeal and urged us all to prayer and fasting for the intention of peace in Ukraine; you can read it here.
Couch Talks – March 8 2022, 8:30pm: Where has the spark gone?
Join hosts Bridget Bagshaw and Karl Santaguida along couples all throughout the Archdiocese for the March instalment of the Couch Talks series! This month, Couch Talks takes a deeper dive into intimacy while providing a relaxed, welcoming, and safe atmosphere for all participants to share their ideas and experiences.
For more information and register, visit the Couch Talks microsite.
Support after the loss of your spouse (Monthly Widow(er) Support Group) – March 7 2022, 9:30am
Meeting online (for now) on the first Monday of every month, this support group provides a space for those who have lost their spouse to share, listen, and support one another in the context of faith. Contact Anne Parsons at 514-457-2183 for more information and to register.
Women’s Retreat: Finding God in the Thin Places
**Offered Online** Wednesday March 16th 2022, 9:30am-12:00pm
Led by Sr. Pat O’Neill, SNJM, and Vita Lewis, this half-day virtual retreat provides an opportunity for women all throughout the Archdiocese to make time to nourish mind, heart, and spirit. These retreats from the Ignatian Spirituality Centre and Villa Saint-Martin happen every month – if you haven’t attended before, consider attending this one as part of your Lenten discipline this year!
For more information, contact co-host Vita Lewis at vitaclewis@gmail.com or call 514-694-1118.
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Yours in Christ,
Father Robert Assaly +
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