E-NEWSLETTER AUGUST 3, 2021

FROM THE DESK OF FR. TIM...

WORSHIPSAFE GUIDELINES UPDATED- July 28, 2021

As you are aware, we are presently in Step 3 of the provincial “Roadmap for Reopening”. The number of new COVID-19 cases has reduced significantly over the past month and almost 70% of adults in Ontario are fully vaccinated. While we are not in a position, at present, to welcome the faithful at full capacity and to lift all restrictions, we are moving much closer to that reality.

After careful review of current restrictions, the Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Ontario (ACBO), in consultation with medical experts involved in the creation of the WorshipSafe guidelines, has updated current protocols, relaxing a number of measures that have been in place over the past year. In the Archdiocese of Toronto we will continue with existing measures and now implement the relaxed norms noted below:

Ongoing Measures

• Regarding spiritual services and activities held on church property, physical distancing of two metres (six feet) remains at this time unless members are from the same household.
• By-laws remain in place requiring the use of a face mask in public spaces indoors.
• Communion procedures are unchanged despite the lessening of restrictions in other
  areas
• The sign of peace is maintained via a simple bow of the head toward one’s neighbour in lieu of the shaking of hands
• The preference continues for confessions to be heard outside the confessional to allow for proper distancing. Confessions are heard in the parish sacristy on Saturday from 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. or by appointment.

Relaxed Measures

• Cleaning procedures for pews, washrooms, hall chairs and reconciliation rooms are relaxed and now require only regular cleaning in accordance with routines prior to Covid-19 restrictions. The only exception is where someone attending church has a suspected case or tested positive for Covid-19, in which case the space should be disinfected as per pandemic related protocols.
• Bulletins, envelopes, pamphlets, and newspapers may again be distributed as per pre-
  COVID-19 practices.
• Hand Sanitizing – it is no longer mandatory for all entering a church to use hand sanitizer, though churches, especially as we move into the fall and winter months, are encouraged to provide hand sanitizers as a best practice. Clergy and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion should continue to use hand-sanitizers before and after the distribution of the Eucharist.
• Meeting in parish halls or other indoor spaces are now permitted, with attendance not to exceed 50% of capacity, sign in sheets for contact tracing and meals or food service at meetings discouraged at this time
• Parish offices may open on a limited basis Our parish office is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9:30 am. to Noon...while the church will remain open for private prayer each weekday 9:30 a.m. until Noon.

THANK YOU TO OUR CLEANING COMMITTEE MEMBERS!

One ministry that has remained essential throughout the pandemic is our cleaning ministry, and we thank each of them for their dedication and commitment to maintaining a safe environment for worship here at St. Ignatius Loyola over the past months. While the updated guidelines no longer require this ministry at the present time...we also thank them in advance for remaining available if needed again in the upcoming months. Thanks again to all of you!

LIVESTREAM OF SUNDAY 9 A.M. MASS
For those not comfortable or able to return to mass quite yet we continue to encourage you to view the livestream of our Sunday 9 a.m. Mass via our parish website www.st-ignatius-loyola.com.

At communion time we invite you to join in the following prayer:

An Act of Spiritual Communion

My Jesus,

I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.

I love You above all things,
and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment

receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You.

Never permit me to be separated from You.

Amen.

ANNUAL CEMETERIES MASS FOR THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED – Livestreamed
Wednesday August 18 at 7 p.m.

Unfortunately, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, on site celebrations for the 2021 Annual Mass for the Faithful Departed have been cancelled at the seven locations of Catholic Cemeteries & Funeral Services – Archdiocese of Toronto. Cardinal Thomas Collins, Archbishop of Toronto, will celebrate a special livestreamed Mass in honour of our faithful departed on Wednesday, August 18, at 7 p.m. at St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica. The Mass can be viewed on the cathedral's website. We hope you can join us in prayer for the faithful departed. Thank you for your ongoing support of Catholic Cemeteries & Funeral Services.

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS BEGINS in SEPTEMBER!

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) for adults who would like to become Roman Catholic will begin again in September. If you or a loved one would like to consider becoming a Roman Catholic please have them speak to Fr. Tim or Fr. John after mass or contact us by e-mail or telephone to arrange for an interview.

UTM CATHOLIC CHAPLAINCY UPDATE

If you or someone you know is a university student then this announcement is for you! The UTM (University of Toronto Mississauga) Catholic Chaplaincy exists to provide a supportive community for students to learn, grow, and celebrate their Catholic faith. While many schools continue to offer online learning for this Fall Term, the increased isolation creates a deep need for authentic community. Whether you are at UTM student or a student studying remotely at another university or college, we invite you join our community. Our chaplaincy is working hard to plan safe in-person gatherings as well as virtual gatherings for those wishing to connect remotely. For more information visit our website www.utmcatholics.com ...and feel free to share our website with any university-age students that may be interested in joining or learning more about our chaplaincy.

SHARELIFE 2021: Living the Gospel by putting faith into action

“ShareLife is the way the rubber hits the road. This is how we validate the legitimacy and
integrity of our Christian life: not by the words we speak, but by the love we share, in
practical ways. That’s what we do with ShareLife.”
– Cardinal Thomas Collins

We are fortunate in the Catholic community to have ShareLife-funded agencies that reach out to the marginalized in our communities, especially during the pandemic. These agencies respect the values we hold dear as a Catholic community. As a pastor, it is reassuring to know I can refer those who come to me for guidance with difficult family issues to a Catholic Family Service agency that will be attentive to our beliefs and values as they help them.

These services are made possible through our generosity toward ShareLife. When you support these agencies, you are helping them to grow in response to the increased demand for service they face. This results in a positive impact on the lives of those who turn to them for help.

As Catholics, we are called to care for one another. One of the ways we do this is through our support of ShareLife. We express this love and care by supporting the work of ShareLife-funded agencies. Through their programs and services, we are able to fulfill this commandment.

Thank you for “living the Gospel” through our parish ShareLife campaign. Thus far we have raised just over $179,000 toward our goal of $234,600. Thank you to those who have contributed to our annual appeal. If you have not yet done so, you are invited to reflect on your ability to help those in need and make a sacrificial gift to help those who turn to our agencies for help.

Monthly Pre-Authorized Giving is a convenient way to spread your ShareLife contribution throughout the year. You can learn more about PAG at www.sharelife.org However you give, whatever you give, thank you for supporting ShareLife!

YOUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT IS APPRECIATED

Thank you once again for your generosity and support of our parish community and ShareLife as we return to church, especially by placing your envelope in the offertory basket before mass or mailing in your donations, or donating via Pre-Authorized Giving (PAG forms available through parish website) or by credit card, or single or monthly donations through the “Donate now” button at www.archtoronto.org

Please join us at the end of each mass in praying the Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel:

Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle.
Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.

May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;

And do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God,
thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits who wander through the world

seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.