St. Thomas More (Mtl)

Monday, May 29, 2023

SOUL HEALTH CXXXII

SOUL HEALTH CXXXII

Mass Schedule & Intentions
Saturday, May 27th: Pentecost
4:30pm - Alexis Lanteigne by His Wife

Thank you to Father Francis McKee for celebrating Mass this weekend!

Sanctuary Lamp
This week the Sanctuary Lamp is lit for
Father Robert Assaly by the McIver Family

***

Catholic Action Montreal: Late Sunday Mass
Don't worry about missing Mass if your plans take you away on sunny summer Saturdays! Catholic Action Montreal's Late Sunday Mass is happy to welcome you every Sunday evening at St Willibrord's, 8:00pm.

Awaken are evenings of praise and worship, teaching, and prayer taking place at three different parishes at the beginning of June. Hosted by two priests and eight seminarians of the Companions of the Cross, this is a great way to re-enter Ordinary Time fully fired up with the Holy Spirit!

Summer Activities for Families, Youth, and Children
The Parish of Holy Name of Jesus has opened registrations for Camp Savio (for children ages 6-12).

Over the course of the whole summer, the Dominus Vobiscum Catholic Family Foundation has multiple opportunities for families to relax, reconnect, and recharge in a faith-filled environment.

The Lac Simon Summer Camp Foundation offers young people (ages 10-12) in need the opportunity to live a summer camp experience far from the pressures of the city. The two-week stay (Boys: July 1-15 / Girls: July 15-29) is offered free of charge, and parents are invited but not obligated to make an anonymous contribution if they are able.

What's up in the Archdiocese?

Sign up for the Newsletter of the Catholic Church of Montreal for all the latest news from the Archdiocese!

The latest edition of The Grapevine also highlights several events happening in June, hosted by parishes around the Archdiocese.

Friday, May 19, 2023

SOUL HEALTH CXXXI

SOUL HEALTH CXXXI

Mass Schedule & Intentions
Sunday, May 21st: The Ascension of the Lord
4:30pm - Arthur & Laurette Champagne by Their Daughter Lucille

Thank you to Father Francis McKee for celebrating Mass this weekend!

Sanctuary Lamp
This week the Sanctuary Lamp is lit for
Gerry Gummersell by His Sister Allanna

***

Catholic Action Montreal: Late Sunday Mass
As spring rolls in and warmer weather entices us to make more weekend plans, don't worry about missing Mass if your plans take you away on Saturdays! Catholic Action Montreal's Late Sunday Mass is currently still running every Sunday evening at St Willibrord's, 8:00pm.

Office Schedule for the May Long Weekend
The Office will be closed for the May Long Weekend on Friday, May 19th and Monday, May 22nd. Our regular hours will resume following the holiday.
Regular Office Hours:
Monday - Tuesday and Thursday - Friday, 9:00am-3:30pm
(Closed Wednesday)

What's Up at St TM?

The Wardens met this past week with Father Raymond Lafontaine, who is our interim Parochial Administrator.

We will keep all the parishioners informed of the ongoings at the parish as we move forward. A meeting between the Administrators and Wardens of both St Thomas More and St Willibrord will be organized in the coming weeks, as well as a Parishioners' Meeting at St Thomas More towards the end of the summer.

The Financial Report for the first third of 2023 was approved at the most recent Wardens' meeting.

Presently, the most pressing information to highlight immediately is that our financial situation remains in dire straits.

From January 1st 2023 to April 30th 2023, our Regular Offerings* totaled $21 589, while our Expenses totaled $69 913.

*Regular Offerings are comprised of the weekly Sunday collections, monthly maintenance collections, and the Easter collection.

Summer Activities for Catholic Families, Youth, and Children
The Parish of Holy Name of Jesus has opened registrations for Camp Savio(for children ages 6-12).

Over the course of the whole summer, the Dominus Vobiscum Catholic Family Foundation has multiple opportunities for families to relax, reconnect, and recharge in a faith-filled environment.

What's up in the Archdiocese?
Sign up for the Newsletter of the Catholic Church of Montreal for all the latest news from the Archdiocese!

The latest edition of The Grapevine also highlights several events happening in June, hosted by parishes around the Archdiocese.

Friday, May 12, 2023

SOUL HEALTH CXXIX

SOUL HEALTH CXXIX
The Month of Mary

In the Catholic Church, the month of May is dedicated to Mother Mary. Discover How to Celebrate Our Blessed Mother This Month with Father Mark-Mary of the Franciscan Friars of Renewal.

From the Cross, Jesus himself gave Mary and her motherhood as a gift to the Church. He entrusted us to her maternal protection and love, and her to our filial honor right before his death:
When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.”
Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home.
John 19:26-27

In the Blessed Mother we have the greatest example of faith, hope, and love to follow as we journey towards Heaven.

Holy Mary, our hope and handmaid of the Lord, pray for us!

Mass Schedule & Intentions
Sunday, May 6th: The Sixth Sunday of Easter
4:30pm - Alexis Lanteigne by His Wife
For All Mothers, living and deceased

Thank you to Father Francis McKee for celebrating Mass this weekend!

Sanctuary Lamp
This week the Sanctuary Lamp is lit for
Mrs Mary McIver by Her Family

***

Catholic Action Montreal: Late Sunday Mass
As spring rolls in and warmer weather entices us to make more weekend plans, don't worry about missing Mass if your plans take you away on Saturdays! Catholic Action Montreal's Late Sunday Mass is currently still running every Sunday evening at St Willibrord's, 8:00pm.

Office Schedule for the May Long Weekend
The Office will be closed for the May Long Weekend on Friday, May 19th and Monday, May 22nd. Our regular hours will resume following the holiday.

Regular Office Hours:
Monday - Tuesday and Thursday - Friday, 9:00am-3:30pm
(Closed Wednesday)

Internment of Father Robert Assaly
Father Robert will be laid to rest on Friday, May 19th at 2:00pm
St. John’s Union Cemetery - 1486 Round Lake Road
Killaloe, Ontario K0J 2A0

Friday, May 5, 2023

SOUL HEALTH CXXIX

SOUL HEALTH CXXIX
Did you know it's still Easter?

It's already been almost a month since Easter Sunday, but we're still in the season of Eastertide in the Liturgical Year. This week, Father Mark-Mary from Ascension Presents has some guidance and tips on keeping the joy of the Resurrection alive even If You Don't Feel 'Different' After Easter Sunday.

Mass Schedule & Intentions
Sunday, May 6th: The Fifth Sunday of Easter
4:30pm - Anniversary of Kenneth Warren by Bill & Denise

Thank you to Father Francis McKee for celebrating Mass this weekend!

Sanctuary Lamp
This week the Sanctuary Lamp is lit for
Father Robert Assaly by the McIver Family

***

Catholic Action Montreal: Late Sunday Mass
As spring rolls in and warmer weather entices us to make more weekend plans, don't worry about missing Mass if your plans take you away on Saturdays! Catholic Action Montreal's Late Sunday Mass is currently still running every Sunday evening at St Willibrord's, 8:00pm.

Friday, April 28, 2023

SOUL HEALTH CXXVIII

SOUL HEALTH CXXVIII
Good Shepherd Sunday

Mass Schedule & Intentions
Saturday, April 29th: The Fourth Sunday of Easter
4:30pm - Alexis Lanteigne by Irene and Pierre Sevigny

Sanctuary Lamp
This week the Sanctuary Lamp is lit for Mr & Mrs Gerald Gummersell by Their Daughter

***

Catholic Action Montreal: Late Sunday Mass
As spring rolls in and warmer weather entices us to make more weekend plans, don't worry about missing Mass if your plans take you away on Saturdays! Catholic Action Montreal's Late Sunday Mass is currently still running every Sunday evening at St Willibrord's, 8:00pm.

Coffee Break Catechesis
This week, dive into the readings for Good Shepherd Sunday with Dr Brant Pitre's video on The Good Shepherd.

Saturday, April 22, 2023

SOUL HEALTH CXXVII

SOUL HEALTH CXXVII
The Road to Emmaus

Mass Schedule & Intentions
Saturday, April 22nd: The Third Sunday of Easter
4:30pm - Anniversary of Dave & Ellen Watson by Bill & Denise

Sanctuary Lamp
This week the Sanctuary Lamp is lit for Theresa Zizzi by Wally & Rose Gregory

***

Catholic Action Montreal: Late Sunday Mass
As spring rolls in and warmer weather entices us to make more weekend plans, don't worry about missing Mass if your plans take you away on Saturdays! Catholic Action Montreal's Late Sunday Mass is currently still running every Sunday evening at St Willibrord's, 8:00pm.

Coffee Break Catechesis
In this week's Gospel reading we meet two disciples and Jesus on the Road to Emmaus. Grab your favourite cuppa and join Jeff Cavins as he explores the disciples' question to each other, "Did our hearts not burn within us?"

Saturday, April 15, 2023

SOUL HEALTH CXXVI

SOUL HEALTH CXXVI
Divine Mercy Sunday

Mass Schedule & Intentions
Saturday, April 15th - Second Sunday of Easter/Divine Mercy Sunday
4:30pm - Anniversary of Mary Cameron by Bill & Denise

Sanctuary Lamp
This week the Sanctuary Lamp is lit for Mrs Virginia McGlynn by Her Family

***
Catholic Action Montreal: Late Sunday Mass
As spring rolls in and warmer weather entices us to make more weekend plans, don't worry about missing Mass if your plans take you away on Saturdays! Catholic Action Montreal's Late Sunday Mass is currently still running at St Willibrord's Parish, every Sunday evening at 8:00pm.

Coffee Break Catechesis: Divine Mercy Sunday
The Chaplet of Divine Mercy is a popular devotion taken up by Catholics worldwide both as a personal practice in solitary prayer and as a community practice as part of events like prayer vigils.

Father Mark-Mary explains How We Participate In Divine Mercy not just in prayer, but also in our own acts of mercy and charity. Grab your favourite cup and snack, and earn more about this beloved practice and this special feast day in the Church!

Requiescat In Pace
Our prayers are with Caroline Landry, a longtime parishioner of St Thomas More, and her family for the recent loss of her brother, Joe Whelton.

Extra, Extra! Catholic News this Week

Following Father Robert's passing, Anna Farrow of The Catholic Register had a chance to speak with parishioners of both St Thomas More and St Willibrord about Father Robert's all-too-brief but impactful time as the "Vicar of Verdun," and wrote of his legacy as Montreal's Only Married Priest.

With this week's Coffee Break Catechesis fresh in mind, learn how this late-March Conference Underlines the Christian Call to Welcome Migrants and learn more about the Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA).

Friday, April 7, 2023

SOUL HEALTH CXXIV

SOUL HEALTH CXXIV
The Shortest but Most Important Season of the Year

A Thank You from the Team
The pastoral team wishes to thank everyone who came to Father Robert's funeral services last week, as well as all who contributed their time and gifts to making sure everything ran smoothly.

A particularly heartfelt thank you goes out to Father Raymond Lafontaine, Father Peter Sabbath, Father Mike Leclerc, Deacon Bernie, and their brother priests and deacons for their ministry and service all throughout last week.

Thursday, April 6th: Holy Thursday - Mass of the Lord's Supper - 7:30pm
Celebrated by Father Mike Leclerc at Saint Willibrord

Friday, April 7th: Good Friday - Passion of the Lord - 3:00pm
Celebrated by Father Raymond Lafontaine, EV, at Saint Thomas More
**Day of Fasting and Abstinence**

Saturday, April 8th: Easter Vigil - 7:30pm
Celebrated by Father Raymond Lafontaine, EV, at Saint Thomas More

Sunday, April 9th: Easter Sunday - 10:30am
Celebrated by Father Raymond Lafontaine, EV, at Saint Willibrord

Coffee Break Catechesis: The Triduum
Why is there no Mass on Good Friday? Why did the Romans break the legs of those crucified on the Cross? Can we say God died on the Cross? When exactly did Jesus resurrect? Jesus descended into hell -- why, if nobody can be released from hell?

In the time it takes to enjoy a snack and a cup of your favourite warm beverage, Father Chris Alar takes us through all these questions - and more - in The Triduum Explained.

Friday, March 31, 2023

SOUL HEALTH CXXIV

SOUL HEALTH CXXIV
Enter the City Gates!

Father Robert's Funeral Services
**All services below are at Saint Thomas More**

Friday, March 31st - 7:00pm-9:00pm
Visitation and Evening Prayer Wake Service
Presider: Father Mike Leclerc
Cantor: Subdeacon Dr Brian Butcher

Saturday, April 1st - 10:30am - Visitation & Prayer
11:3am - Funeral Mass
Celebrated by Father Raymond Lafontaine, Episcopal Vicar,
with Father Peter Sabbath, Deacon Bernie Glover,
and their brother priests & deacons

Following the Funeral Mass, the Assaly Family invites all guests down to the Oakes Hall for a Mercy Meal, to share in fellowship over a light lunch and refreshments.

Saturday, April 1st: Palm Sunday - 4:30pm
Celebrated by Fr Jerome Devassy
Offered for Alexis Lanteigne by Linda and Family

Sanctuary Lamp
This week, our sanctuary lamp is lit for the candidates for Easter Sacraments:
Serge, Kimberley, Kenzie, Korey, Beatriz, Aleah, Stella, and Herve

Thursday, April 6th: Holy Thursday - Mass of the Lord's Supper - 7:30pm
Saint Willibrord

Friday, April 7th: Good Friday - Passion of the Lord - 3:00pm
Saint Thomas More
**Day of Fasting and Abstinence**

Saturday, April 8th: Easter Vigil - 7:30pm
Saint Thomas More

Sunday, April 9th: Easter Sunday - 10:30am
Saint Willibrord

Coffee Break Catechesis: Holy Week Edition
Pull up a chair and sip a cuppa with Father Mike Schmitz, who will guide you through a way of Praying Through Holy Week, as practiced by the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist.

Wednesday, March 29, 2023

In Loving Memory of Father Robert Assaly

FATHER ROBERT ASSALY
October 27th 1959 - March 26th 2023

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our pastor Fr. Robert Assaly, who died on March 26, 2023 after a short battle with cancer.

We wish to extend our deepest sympathies to his wife Nancy, their six children Kristi, Ben, Justin, Bishara, Janan, and Fedi, his grandchildren Matthew, Henry and Anna, and his beloved mother Gloria. Please unite with us to lift them up in prayer, as well as all parishioners of his two parishes, St Thomas More and St Willibrord.

Fr. Robert will forever be remembered for his passion for mission, his desire to lead his parishioners towards encounters with Jesus Christ and to opportunities to live out discipleship, and his unquestionable zeal to spread the Good News to the city of Verdun. He will truly be missed as we carry on with the same passion and zeal for the renewal of our Church, in Verdun and beyond.

The visitation and the funeral mass will both take place at St Thomas More.

Visitation
Friday, March 31, 2023
2-5pm and 7–9pm
An evening prayer service that will be presided by Fr Mike Leclerc will be held on Friday at 8pm.

Funeral Mass
Saturday, April 1, 2023
11:30AM
Fr Raymond Lafontaine, Episcopal Vicar, will be the celebrant, and Fr Peter Sabbath will be the homilist.

To view Fr. Robert’s obituary, send a message of condolence to the family, or to learn how to make a donation to Canadian Friends of Sabeel in lieu of flowers, please click here.

Tuesday, March 28, 2023

Soul Health: Holy Week Schedule

As we enter the final stretch of Lent, take time to walk with the Lord from the gates of Jerusalem to the empty tomb.

Thursday, March 30th - 7:30pm at St Willibrord
In the midst of your busyness, let God speak to you in the silence of your heart during this evening of adoration, music, and reconciliation.

Prepare for Confession with an Examination of Conscience.
Here are a few options:
For general use - based on the Ten Commandments
For the whole family - based on the Lord's Prayer

From the USCCB:
Let the Children Come: For Kids
What Must I Do? For Older Teens & Young Adults
The Two Shall Become One: For Married Persons
Cast Your Cares Upon the Lord: For Single People

Palm Sunday
Saturday, April 1st - 4:30pm at St Thomas More
Sunday, April 2nd - 10:30am at St Willibrord

Holy Thursday - Mass of the Lord's Supper
April 6th - 7:30pm at St Willibrord

Good Friday - The Passion of the Lord
April 7th - 3:00pm at St Thomas More

Easter Vigil
April 8th - 7:30pm at St Thomas More
**Please note, the usual 4:30pm Mass is cancelled**

Easter Sunday
April 9th - 10:30am at St Willibrord

Sunday, March 26, 2023

Rest in peace

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

It is with heavy hearts that we write to you today to share the sad news that Father Robert Assaly passed away this morning.

The details of his Funeral Mass will be shared once they have been finalized. In the meantime, please direct all your questions and concerns to the office emails, sttm1944@gmail.com or office@stwill.ca.

Please keep Nancy and their six children, his mother Gloria, and all the rest of their family in your prayers.

Eternal rest grant unto your servant, O Lord, and may your perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the Mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Soul Health: Special Edition

Soul Health: Special Edition
An Important Message to All Parishioners

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

After numerous meetings with parishioners over the last few months, on March 18, 2023, the Fabrique of St Thomas More Parish passed a resolution to recommend to our Archbishop Christian Lepine that the parish be closed, and if possible, that this should take place within the calendar year 2023.

The date has not yet been determined, as the Fabrique and parishioners cannot definitively decide to close a parish. This will be done in cooperation with the Archdiocese, and there are still many steps that need to be taken, including a formal vote taken at a general parish meeting, and the Archbishop and his council of priests agreeing to the closure.

This is why the task of navigating the next steps is incumbent on all of us, as a community. This requires the members of the Fabrique to be in constant dialogue with our parishioners, our neighbouring parishes in Verdun, and the diocesan authorities, with as much transparency as possible.

The Fabrique took this decision to recommend the closure of St. Thomas More to the Archdiocese after hearing significant input from the last few parishioners’ meetings, The impact of declining attendance, rising expenses, the maintenance of our buildings, changes to the demographics of Verdun, among many other factors, were all discussed openly and frankly. The fruit of our discernment led us to recognize that the mission of the Church in Verdun would be best supported by one strong English parish, rather than two struggling ones.

This recommendation was not an easy one to make. So many of us here today, as well as so many of our loved ones who have gone before us, celebrated the sacraments in this beautiful church that we have called our spiritual home since 1944.

Many of you have spoken with the Wardens on various occasions, such as at our parishioners’ meetings and after Sunday Mass. To those who have been enthusiastic about helping out, and willing to invest your time, treasure, and talent in building up the Church in Verdun, we give thanks.

The parish or church buildings in which we do these things may be different than what we have been accustomed to, but we are still called to carry out the mission of the Church, in which we were formed and grown in discipleship here at St Thomas More. We will still have the chance to do all those things, in new and fresh ways. Together, we can make this transition a positive and wonderful experience. We can bring our faith, our love, and our hope into a new parish, and have better opportunities to turn the dreams we had for our community here into reality.

Thank you,
The Fabrique of the Parish of St Thomas More

Friday, March 24, 2023

Soul Health CXXIII

Soul Health CXXIII

Update on Father Robert

Fr Robert has informed the staff of both St Thomas More and St Willibrord that late this week, he was transferred from the oncology ward into palliative care. He is spiritually at peace, and is grateful for all the prayer support he and his family have been receiving from his friends and parishioners.

Please continue to keep him in your prayer as he enters this last stage of his earthly journey, in union with the Paschal Mystery of
Christ’s life, death and Resurrection.

In this time of transition, administration has been transferred at both parishes. We wish to welcome as Parochial Administrators, Fr Raymond Lafontaine for St Thomas More and Fr Mike Leclerc for St Willibrord.

Recently, Fr Robert caught up with Terrel Joseph on Zoom to share a profound personal experience at the Alpha Summit last fall.
Watch it by clicking the play button above, or follow this link to the video.

Praying for Father Robert
Your continuous prayers for Fr Robert and compassionate support during this difficult time is so graciously appreciated and we are beyond words to describe our gratitude. Fr Robert would also like to express his personal and sincerest thanks for everyone's prayers.

In addition to praying for him and his family, Fr Robert has asked that we also include the following intentions during this time:
- For those who suffer alone
- For those who suffer without access to adequate medical care
- For those who have yet to receive the gift of faith

We'd also like to thank everyone who has joined us for the prayer vigils at Saint Willibrord's or united with us in prayer from home.

Click here to join the Rosary Group on Wednesdays at 7:30pm to pray for Fr Robert and his intentions, his family, and his medical team.

Lenten Mass Schedule
Weekend Mass: Saturday, 4:30pm

***Details for Holy Week Masses & Liturgies will be sent in a SH Special Edition on Monday -- keep an eye on your inboxes!***

This Saturday, we welcome and thank Father Mike Leclerc coming to our parish and celebrating Mass with us!

The 8:30am Sunday Mass and all weekday Masses are suspended.
Weekday Masses already booked for your intentions will be said privately, but we will resume sharing the intentions for those who wish to include them in their personal prayers.

Weekend Masses with the intention "For All Parishioners" will be said privately by Father Robert at this time.

Regular Liturgy Schedule & Intentions

Saturday, March 24th (Fifth Sunday of Lent):  Alexis Lanteigne by Barbara & Family

Private Mass - Tuesday, March 28:  Sue Paradis by Robert & Violet Campbell
Private Mass - Thursday, March 30:  Mr Vincenzo Nudo

The Sanctuary Lamp
This week the Sanctuary Lamp is lit for Deceased Members of the Gomez & Olaguera Families by by The Olaguera Family

In the Quiet
Thursday, March 30th - 7:30pm at St Willibrord
In the midst of your busyness, let God speak to you in the silence of your heart during this evening of adoration, music, and reconciliation.

There's still time to #TryAlpha this Spring!
Alpha has launched again at St Willibrord's, and new walk-ins and registrations are accepted until Week 3. Everyone is welcome to dive into life's big questions in Alpha's friendly, welcoming environment, and make new friends over a free meal and lively conversation!

Visit https://www.stwill.ca/alpha for more information and to register.

Coffee Break Catechesis for the Fifth Sunday of Lent
With Holy Week quickly approaching, along with all its various opportunities to go to Confession, it's a great time to revisit what the Sacrament of Reconciliation truly is - a Sacrament of Healing.

Have a cuppa this week with Fr Mike Schmitz who'll walk you through a refresher on Making a Good Confession and share his perspective on the Sacrament, particularly on how Confession is a Place of Victory.