E-Newsletter December 22, 2024

From The Pastor's Desk

As we gather to celebrate the joyous season of Christmas, I want to extend my heartfelt blessings and warm wishes to each of you and your loved ones. This holy season invites us to reflect on the profound gift of Christ’s birth, a gift of love, peace and hope that changes the world and our hearts.

In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it is easy to forget the true meaning of Christmas. Let us pause and remember that Christmas is not just a day, but a season to embrace God’s presence in our lives—especially through the birth of our Saviour. His arrival brings light into the darkest corners of our world, and it is a reminder that love and peace, though sometimes hard to find, are always within reach when we seek Him.

This year, let us share that love with one another through acts of kindness, compassion, and understanding. Let us be a reflection of the love Christ has for us, reaching out to those in need and lifting each other up in prayer.

As we celebrate with family and friends, let us also remember those who are struggling—whether physically, emotionally or spiritually. May the spirit of Christmas inspire us to support one another and be a source of comfort and joy for all.

On behalf of the entire parish staff, I thank you for your continued faith, support and commitment to our community. Your presence, prayers and contributions make St. Ignatius Loyola Parish a beacon of light to those around us. Together, we continue to build a vibrant and welcoming community that reflects the love of Christ.

May the peace of Christ, the joy of His birth and the hope of the coming New Year fill your hearts this Christmas and always.

Parish News/Events

Sacrament of Confirmation Preparation Program 2025

Confirmation Preparation registration is now open! Please visit our website to access the Confirmation Information Package, as well as the online registration form. Physical copies of the information package can be picked up from the Parish Office. Registration will close on Monday January 13th, 2025. The Registration and Information Session will be offered on two dates: Tuesday January 14th and Wednesday January 15th, 2025, at 6:30 PM. Attendance for the students and one guardian per family is mandatory. If you have any questions, please contact our Lay Pastoral Associate at msiuchong@archtoronto.org.

2025 Offertory Envelopes/Pre-Authorized Giving

Thank you for your continued support of our parish, especially through your use of offertory envelopes and/or Pre-Authorized Giving (PAG).

Offertory envelopes for 2025 are available for pick up in the Parish Foyer. We kindly ask that when using the envelopes for the first time, please write your full name and current address so that we can update our records. Please do not use these envelopes until 2025.

If you are not currently registered in the parish and wish to use Offertory envelopes, please fill out the parish registration form on the table in the foyer and return it to the parish office, or submit a completed copy electronically through our parish website.

St. Ignatius Loyola Parish Presents: “Into Your Hands”

We invite you to join us for any or all of the 5 x Mental Health and Wellness Sessions happening on Thursdays at 9:45 AM from February 6th – March 6th in the Parish Hall. We welcome guest speaker Julian D’Souza rsw msw, who has over 25 years of extensive experience as a Clinical Social Worker/Psychotherapist and counselled over 8,000 clients. He helps address anxiety, depression, anger, and other emotional issues. He counsels couples with relationships and marital problems, domestic violence issues, anger management, and caregiver burnout. Julian assists individuals to create an environment of recovery for those struggling with addiction to alcohol, drugs, substances, gambling and misuse of the internet. Using integrated therapies, psychosocial education, behaviour modification he encourages skill power over will power and progress over perfection. Our cognition and mind are restless for answers.  But the simple truth is, we will be at peace only when we Realize, Relearn, Recoup, Respond, and Re-energize.  Your mental health is In Your hands. Save the dates and join us in the New Year for these mentally rewarding sessions!

Winter 2025 Bible Study: Genesis to Jesus

Thank you to all those that signed up for our Winter 2025 Bible Study: Genesis to Jesus. Registration is now closed. Our first session will be on Thursday January 9th, 2025 from 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM. Please contact the parish office if you have any questions.

St. Ignatius Loyola Parish’s Christmas Schedule

Archdiocese News/Events

Celebration of Marriage Mass with Bishop Ivan Camilleri – Feb 9th, 2025 at 2:30 PM

Join As part of Marriage Sunday 2025 celebrations, Bishop Ivan Camilleri will preside at a special Mass to honour married couples, with special recognition for those celebrating 25th, 40th, 50th, 60th and 60+ wedding anniversaries in 2025.

The Mass will take place at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025 at St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica (65 Bond St., Toronto). All married couples will have an opportunity to renew their marriage commitment during the Mass. All are welcome to attend. Reserved seating is available for couples celebrating a 25th, 40th, 50th, 60th or 60+ anniversary in 2025.

Reserved seating is limited, so please register early. All other seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Those who are unable to attend at the Cathedral are invited to join the celebration via livestream Mass. Registration and other important information can be found at www.archtoronto.org/marriage.

Society of St. Vincent de Paul

Society of Saint Vincent de Paul continues to help over 110 families coping with food insecurities within our parish boundaries. It is only through your generous financial assistance that we can continue to do this.

We thank you for your continued support and remind you of the Poor Boxes located in the front and hall foyers. You may also donate online through our SSVP affiliated weblink: http://Canadahelps.org/en/dn/53987 or by scanning our new QR code also found on the SSVP poor boxes:

Office of Vocations

Are you called to follow in the footsteps of Mary as a priest, deacon or religious to carry the Good News of God’s great Love? Contact Fr. Matt McCarthy, Director of Vocations, Archdiocese of Toronto at 416-968-0997.

Email: vocations@archtoronto.org     www.vocationstoronto.ca