E-NEWSLETTER JULY 12, 2021

From the Desk of Fr. Tim...

WELCOME FR. JOHN SUTKA

We welcome Fr. John Sutka to our parish as our new associate pastor! We are actually welcoming him back to the parish since he lived with Fr. Mauricio and I last summer during the pandemic lockdown (and Seminary closure) from March until August 2020. During that time he was ordained to the priesthood in June 2020 and was assigned as associate pastor of St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica from August 2020 until his arrival here in the parish this month. Welcome Fr. John!

CARDINAL COLLINS ISSUES BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON RESIDENTIAL SCHOOLS IN CANADA

Over the past several months, there has been a national conversation on the tragic history of residential schools in Canada. The role of the Catholic Church in the residential school system has been a part of that discussion. We acknowledge the terrible suffering that took place and condemn the system, established by the federal government and operated by faith communities, which separated children, often forcibly, from their parents and attempted to strip away their language, culture and identity.

The Catholic Church must atone for our involvement in this dark history. It is undeniable that some Catholic teachers (priests, religious men and women and lay staff) entrusted to care for children at residential schools assaulted the dignity of the students through mistreatment, neglect and abuse. We echo the words of one of the original apologies made by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate in 1991:

“We apologize for the existence of the schools themselves, recognizing that the biggest abuse was not what happened in the schools, but that the schools themselves happened…We wish to apologize in a very particular way for the instances of physical and sexual abuse that occurred in those schools…Far from attempting to defend or rationalize these cases of abuse in any way, we wish to state publicly that we acknowledge they were inexcusable, intolerable and a betrayal of trust in one of its most serious forms. We deeply and very specifically, apologize to every victim of such abuse and we seek help in searching for means to bring about healing.”

I encourage each parishioner to read the Cardinal’s background information on this issue…it may be found at www.archtoronto.org/en/offices-and-ministries/sub-sites/residential-schools/home/background/

ONTARIO RE-OPENING STEP 3- CHURCH CAPACITY RESTORED

As part of Stage 3 of the Province of Ontario Reopening Plan churches will no longer be limited in capacity for religious services (including baptisms and weddings) beginning on Friday July 16. However, social distancing must still be followed. Here at St. Ignatius Loyola Parish we remain limited to 15% capacity as earlier announced in Step 1 (due to social distancing requirements/ pew arrangement in our church and hall), and so we will simply continue with this capacity for both church and hall. Please note that funerals are limited to 75 people in total (rather than 25% capacity) as directed by the Bereavement Authority of Ontario.

While the Parish Offices remain closed, the church will remain open for private prayer Monday to Friday: 9:30 a.m. until Noon.

Confessions will continue to be offered each Saturday 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

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 https://StIgnatiusLoyolaMi.ArchToronto.Org/en/.

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.

PARISH FEAST DAY MASS: SATURDAY JULY 31 9 A.M.

Please join us for mass at 9 a.m. on Saturday July 31 as we celebrate the Feast Day of St. Ignatius Loyola, our parish patron. All are welcome!

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.

THANK YOU TO OUR GARDENING COMMITTEE!
One ministry that meets outdoors and therefore has continued during the pandemic is our gardening committee under the direction of Emma Chow.
We thank the men and women of this committee for planning, planting and maintaining the beautiful flower beds around the church property as well as the urns at each door of the church…well done!

REFURBISHED BAPTISMAL FONT
Our new baptismal font is now in place, re-created from the red and white marble of the old font and designed to match the existing ambo, altar and tabernacle in dimension and colour. The new baptismal bowl (in the font) is made from hammered copper, with beautifully inscribed images of the alpha and omega and the chi-ro image of Christ. We thank York Marble and Tile for an excellent job, and also the parishioner who funded this re-furbishment project. You can view the attached photos of the new font here:

SHARELIFE 2021: Living the Gospel by supporting the Deaf community

ShareLife funded agencies have been working on the front line of the Covid-19 pandemic. One of them, Silent Voice, has been continuing to offer programs in ASL (American Sign Language) to the Deaf community.
“You are indeed agents of change, enabling Silent Voice to provide entirely accessible programming, in ASL, that open the world to vulnerable Deaf adults, youth, children, and their families.”- Kelly MacKenzie, Silent Voice

Thank you very much for supporting our parish’s ShareLife campaign. Thus far we have raised just over $175,000 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 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.