E-Newsletter Nov 23, 2025
From the Pastor's Desk
Marian Project - with profound gratitude
Our parish is nearing completion of two beautiful new additions: the outdoor shrine to Our Lady and the indoor shrine to Our Mother of Perpetual Help. These sacred spaces already invite prayer and peace, reminding us that Mary continues to lead us to her Son and surround us with her care.
I want to thank everyone who contributed so generously to these projects — through donations, time, skill, expertise, and prayer. Your kindness has helped bring this vision to life. In the spring, the outdoor shrine will be sealed and a meditative area with seating and new landscaping will be added.
May Our Blessed Mother watch over all who come to these shrines, and may her love fill our parish with peace and grace.
.
Final Appeal for ShareLife 2025
As we come to the close of this year’s ShareLife Campaign, I want to express my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has already contributed so generously. Because of you, lives have been changed, hope has been restored, and faith has been strengthened.
At this time, our parish is still $19,000 short of our goal, and I am asking—just one more time—for your help to bring us across the finish line.
Your support of ShareLife does far more than you might imagine. It funds the formation of our future priests and deacons, supports Catholic agencies that care for the poor and the elderly, offers counselling and mental-health support, assists refugees and newcomers, and provides care for expectant mothers and their children. ShareLife is how we live out our faith in action.
If you have not yet given, please consider doing so this week. And if you have already given, I ask you—if you’re able—to prayerfully consider making a second contribution. Even a small gift can make a lasting difference and will help us reach our parish goal.
Please remember that all donations received by December 31 will be included on this year’s tax receipt. Donations can be made at the parish using a ShareLife envelope, online through our website, or at sharelife.org/donate.
Thank you for your kindness, your generosity, and your faith in the mission of the Church. Together, let’s make this final push and finish strong for ShareLife.
PARISH NEWS/EVENTS
2026 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 2026 will be available in the parish hall at the Advent Fair, November 29th & 30th, before and after each Mass. The envelopes have been pre-assigned and will be displayed in alphabetical order. Volunteers will be available to assist you. Please do not use these envelopes until 2026. 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.
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.
Prepare for Advent with HOPE and LIGHT
Our Pastoral Team invites you to journey in hope as we prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ, the Light of the World. A special 2025 Advent Prayer Book has been created to help families pray together each week as the candles of the Advent wreath are lit.
Pick up your Advent candle set ($20), which includes a limited-edition prayer booklet, at the parish office after Sunday Mass or Tuesday – Friday during office hours.
Let us wait in joyful hope, trusting that Christ’s light will shine ever brighter in our hearts and homes.
Advent Fair: November 29/30, 2025
Join us in the Parish Hall after all Sunday Masses for our Advent Fair! Enjoy Coffee & Tea from our Coffee Sunday Ministry, and visit the Knitting Group, Pauline Book Fair, Knights of Columbus, Catholic Women’s League, Bible Study, Msgr. Joseph Shiels’ Christmas Cards, & the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul tables. 2026 offertory envelopes will also be available for pickup. We look forward to seeing you there!
Catholic Book Fair!
The Pauline Books & Media Centre is bringing a mini-Bookcentre to our Parish! Join the Daughters of St. Paul after our Sunday Masses on November 29-30 to choose from an excellent selection of Catholic books for children, youth and adults. Selected Advent and Christmas items and DVD movies will also be available! "Don't worry if you have no cash, tap is acceptable"! Visit their webstore at http://www.paulinestore.ca or call them at 416-781-9131 to place any special requests.
Knights of Columbus: Christmas Poinsettia Sale
The Knights will be in the foyer after all Sunday Masses on November 15/16 and at the Advent Fair November 29/November 30 to accept your orders for Christmas poinsettias. These orders will be available for pick up December 13/14 after Masses.
Payment may be made by cash, credit card or cheque, by scanning the QR Code, or by clicking here. All proceeds go to charities such as hospice, school breakfast, young family programs, and foodbanks.
Want to donate poinsettias to the Church? We are looking for 50 large red poinsettias to help decorate the sanctuary for Christmas. If interested in donating poinsettias to the Parish, under “St. Ignatius” please check off” Altar Donation (red only)” on your order form. Thank you in advance for your support!
Refugee Committee Update
On Sunday November 30th at the 12:00 mass, we will be formally welcoming our newcomer family - and all members of their extended family - to our parish community. If you are planning to attend this mass, please assist us in providing a warm welcome to new parish members.
Society of St. Vincent de Paul: Christmas Gifts & Annual Collection for Neighbours in Need …
Our parish Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SSVP) will be providing Christmas assistance to families-in-need within our community. Awareness of maintaining each person’s dignity is always our priority. Food insecurities and the increase in food costs continues to be foremost in the minds of our families. It is our aim this Christmas season to again offer a gift of assistance with a food voucher that will allow families to provide a special Christmas meal for their loved ones.
Please consider assisting our neighbouring families-in-need through a financial donation to our Christmas Campaign. Hunger never sleeps and so we also welcome your generous financial donations to the Annual Collection; your continued support of this SSVP drive provides assistance for the entire upcoming year to our neighbours-in-need.
Donations to both the Christmas and Annual campaigns can be made by cash, cheque (payable to Society of St. Vincent de Paul) or via the on-line portal accessible through our SSVP link on the parish website under Outreach Ministries, or at http://canadahelps.org/en/dn/53987 or by accessing our QR code below. We will have a Vincentian in the foyer to gratefully accept your donations before & after masses on the weekends of Nov 22/23 and Nov 29/30. Please ensure that envelopes (which will be provided) are clearly noted as “Christmas Gifts Collection to Families” or “Annual SSVP Collection” along with your name and address.
Our goal this Christmas season is to be able to assist over 130 families in our community. Donations outside of this window can always be dropped off at the church office during their hours of operation. Please note that tax receipts will be issued for donations to SSVP greater than $25 if you have provided your name and address.
God’s blessings to each of you for your ongoing generosity and support during this challenging year through your donation box donations and most especially during this Christmas season.
Advent Retreat 2025 - When the Soul Waits: Finding God in the Tension of Longing
As Advent begins, take some time to step away from the noise of the season and rest in the quiet presence of God. Join Fr Ed Curtis for a morning of prayer, reflection, and renewal as we explore what it means to wait with hope — even in the ache of longing.
Through Scripture, personal reflection, and Eucharistic Adoration, we will journey with Hannah, Simeon, and Anna, discovering how God meets us not after our waiting, but within it.
Date: Saturday December 6, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM (concludes with lunch)
Location: Parish Hall, St. Ignatius Loyola Parish
Cost: $20 per person
Registration: Open now through the parish office. The final day to register is Sunday, November 30.
Come, rest awhile… and let your soul wait with God this Advent.
Catholic Women’s League News
Our next CWL General Meeting will be our Potluck Christmas Party on Tuesday, December 9th, 2025. The doors will open at 6:00pm. In keeping with the season, wear a little red if you wish. Bring your favourite main dish, salad or dessert and break bread with your CWL sisters and Fr. Ed and Fr. Prince! For anyone who doesn’t have one of our CWL cookbooks, they will be available for $10.00 each. They make a great Christmas gift!! New members are always welcome, and membership is open to all women who are 16 years old and up.
Bible Study: Luke – The Story of Salvation Fulfilled
Join us as we explore the Gospel of Luke and discover how Jesus’ life, ministry, suffering, and resurrection fulfill God’s promises. Sign up at the Parish Office or at the Advent Fair.
When: Thursdays, Jan. 8 – Feb. 26, 7:30–9:30 p.m.
Where: Parish Hall
Cost: $45 per book
Deadline: Registration closes Sunday, Dec. 14 to allow time for book orders.
