E-Newsletter April 27, 2025
From the Pastor's Desk
Happy Easter! The joy of the Resurrection is far too great to be contained in a single day, which is why we now find ourselves in the beautiful season of Easter—fifty days of celebration, reflection and renewal. Today, the Church invites us to enter more deeply into the mystery of Christ’s love as we mark Divine Mercy Sunday.
Mercy is at the heart of the Easter message. The Risen Lord appears to his disciples—not with judgment, not with reproach—but with peace. “Peace be with you,” he says, showing them the wounds in his hands and side. The wounds are still there, but they have become signs of love, not loss. Christ’s mercy meets us in our fear, our doubt, our failure—and does not condemn us. Instead, it restores us, breathes new life into us and sends us out as witnesses of God’s enduring compassion.
As your pastor, I’ve been especially moved this year by how alive our parish has felt throughout the Sacred Triduum and Easter Sunday. Thank you to all who contributed in visible and invisible ways to our liturgies, and to those who simply came with open hearts and deep faith. You are a gift to this community.
If you’ve been away from the Church or are carrying something heavy, know this: the door of mercy is always open. Today is a perfect day to step through it.
With every blessing in the Risen Lord,
Father Ed Curtis
Parish News/Events
First Holy Communion
Please join us in praying for our children who are preparing to receive their First Holy Communion in May! First Communicant Families: We look forward to seeing you at our meeting and rehearsal happening in the Church on Tuesday April 29th OR Wednesday April 30th at 7:00pm. The doors will open at 6:30pm for attendance.
Bible Study Video Nights with Dr. Brant Pitre – The Hidden King: The Jewish Roots of St. Joseph •
· What is the evidence for Joseph's abstinence and chastity?
· What did it mean for Joseph to raise Jesus?
· How can devotion to Joseph aid your spiritual life?
Join us for three free Bible study nights May 15, May 22, June 5 (7:30pm-9:30pm, Parish Hall)
Society of Saint Vincent de Paul: Bundle Up Weekend
Please let those gently used items you can do without benefit those of our neighbours in need. Bundle Up Weekend will take place the weekend of May 24 and 25, before and after all Masses.
The container will be in the front parking lot and SSVP volunteers will be happy to assist you with your donation. Please ensure all bags are tied securely.
Accepted items include: all clothing (any condition), all footwear (any condition), bedding (any condition), drapery/towels and new toys only.
Items not accepted include: baby items (cribs, car seats, strollers), regular or baby furniture, books, dishes, mattresses, construction materials, appliances or video tapes.
Catholic Women’s League News:
The next CWL General Meeting on Tuesday, May 20th will include a presentation to continue the celebration of the goals of International Women’s Day. The CWL Social Justice Committee along with their CWL sisters have the pleasure to invite women of the parish ages 16 and up to attend this event. The presentation, Empowering Women for a Just Society, will be delivered by CWL members Angela Forghani and Louise Gormley who will speak on empowering women as well as how investing in girls’ and women’s education helps to improve life outcomes. The presentation will conclude with a musical performance by parish members Ms. Tehara Judith Perera and her father, guitarist Mr. John Emmanuel Perera. If you will be attending on May 20th, please email Debbie at debbie1993.cwl@gmail.com to confirm. This will help ensure we have seating for everyone.
You are invited to pray the Rosary in the Church at 6:30pm, followed by the meeting in the parish hall at 7:00pm. We look forward to welcoming you on the 20th!
Refugee Committee Update
Over the past few years, our parish has actively supported a refugee family from Pakistan. This was made possible through the efforts of the Archdiocese of Toronto – Office for Refugees, the Loyola Refugee Committee, and our parish community. The family of six adults arrived in phases, settled into their new home, and benefitted from the assistance they received from our church community. They have thrived in their new surroundings and are currently working and adapting well to life in Canada.
The remaining member of this refugee family is working through the final stages of the formal emigration process. The family, consisting of father, mother and two young children, may be arriving in the upcoming months. Though we will not know of their travel date until approximately two weeks prior to arrival, it is hoped that once the information is available and shared with the church community that parishioners will once again demonstrate their compassion, hospitality and generosity.
In the coming weeks, additional information and updates will be shared with the parish as needed during the announcements at the end of each Mass and through the bi-weekly parish bulletins. The Loyola Refugee Committee will be reconvening in preparation for the family’s arrival and will be asking for donations of new or gently used furniture and clothing which will be collected once housing has been secured for the family. Thank you in advance for your continued support.
Knights of Columbus – $1,000 Scholarship Program
The Knights of Columbus, Our Lady of Peace Council #8668 of Mississauga, a Catholic, Fraternal Family Organization, provides a scholarship program for graduating secondary school students entering the first year of a post-secondary education. To be eligible for the scholarship, candidates must have been accepted into the first year of a Full-Time program at an accredited University or College in Canada. Criteria which will be heavily weighted by the evaluating committee will be: Academic achievement AND service to Church, School and Community. The application deadline is June 1st. For those students interested in applying, please grab an application form in the office for more information. Good luck, students!
ShareLife
As many as 7,000 youth are homeless across Canada on any given night. Covenant House, an agency you support through ShareLife, provides a refuge for at-risk youth. They offer safe housing alongside healthcare, education, and employment guidance. Thanks to your compassionate heart, young people like David can move from a life on the
street to a life with a future. David first found safety in the emergency shelter and later moved into a transitional housing program, where he formed a life-long bond with his mentor, whose kind heart and patient guidance inspired David to pursue and complete post-secondary education.
Thus far we have raised $36,316.50 toward our goal of $274,500.00. The second ShareLife Sunday of the year is May 4. We ask you to share your blessings through the parish or at sharelife.org/donate. Thank you for living the Gospel!
Society of St. Vincent de Paul
Each month, the dedicated members of our parish’s St. Vincent de Paul Society respond to the urgent needs of our neighbours, offering compassion and concrete assistance. In just the first three months of this year, over $20,000 in food vouchers have been distributed to individuals and families in need.
Your ongoing support makes this vital ministry possible. Please remember the Society in your prayers and consider making a contribution, so that together we can continue to be a sign of Christ’s love in our community.
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
TOTUS TUUS INFORMATION NIGHT: MAY 6, 2025
All families are invited to join us for our Totus Tuus information night happening on Tuesday May 6th at 6:00 PM in the Parish Hall. Totus Tuus is a Catholic summer camp program dedicated to sharing the Gospel and promoting the Catholic faith in a fun and engaging way. Four lay missionaries will be sent to our parish to facilitate the program. The evening program (Grades 7-12) will run from Sunday July 20 – Thursday July 24 ($50/student), and the day camp (Grades 1-6) will run from Monday July 21 – Friday July 25 ($150/student). For more information and for access to our day/evening program registration forms, please visit our website. We look forward to seeing you on May 6th!
ARCHDIOCESE NEWS/EVENTS
Toronto March For Life
You are invited to join the pro-life movement in Downtown Toronto on Saturday May 10, 2025 for the Toronto March for Life. Each year 100,000 children are killed through abortion. The pro-life movement exists in Canada to save lives as well as to help equip men and women to effectively share the truth about abortion with love and compassion. For more details, including the schedule and workshop registration, please visit torontomarchforlife.ca. If you have any questions, please contact Toronto Right to Life at office@trtl.ca or 416 483 7869.
2025 ACTS Retreat
ACTS is an acronym for:
Adoration – God’s Call, your acceptance and answer
Community – love and caring for each other
Theology – “studying” through scripture and our faith
Service – to God and His people
“Come and renew yourself spiritually, to strengthen your faith and to apply it to your daily life.”
Women's Retreat – May 22 – 25, 2025
Men's Retreat – Jun 19 – June 22, 2025
Retreat Location: Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre - 1617 Blythe Rd., Mississauga, ON
Women’s Contact: Rebecca Williams (905) 978-3507 or rebecca7623@gmail.com
Men’s Contact: Don Schreader (416) 917-6551 or donschreader@gmail.com
For more info, please visit our website: www.actscanada.org
Office of Vocations
Thomas believed because he saw Jesus. What will it take for you to respond to God's Call to priesthood, diaconate, or consecrated life? If God is calling you contact Fr. Matt McCarthy, Director of Vocations, Archdiocese of Toronto at 416-968-0997. Email: vocations@archtoronto.org Website: www.vocationstoronto.ca
A Day With Mary – Registration Open!
Online registration is now open for A Day With Mary taking place May 31 at Villanova College in King City. During this Jubilee Holy Year, spend a day with our Blessed Mother, Our Lady of Hope and deepen your devotion to her through a keynote address by Dr. Josephine Lombardi, a number of inspiring witnesses and Holy Mass presided over by His Eminence Frank Cardinal Leo. This family-friendly event will have music, food, fellowship, children’s catechesis and activities – something for everyone. For more information and to register, visit archtoronto.org/mary
Life-Giving Wounds
A Healing Retreat for Adult Children of Divorced or Separated Parents. The Life-Giving Wounds retreat invites participants to move through the broken image of love that appeared to them in their parents’ relationship to their deepest origin and identity as God’s beloved, capable of great love. The next retreat will be from Friday, May 16 at 6 p.m. to Sunday, May 18 at 3:30 p.m. at St. Augustine’s Seminary (2661 Kingston Rd., Scarborough). Must be 18 or older to attend. Cost: $340 per person ($200 for students), which includes meals, lodging and retreat material. Limited subsidies are available if cost is a concern. Please contact lgwtoronto@proton.me. For university/college students, contact your campus minister for more information. Space is limited. To register, visit: https://bit.ly/LGW-TO-Retreat-Register2025.
