E-Newsletter March 16, 2025
From the Pastor's Desk
As we begin this holy season of Lent, I invite you to embrace this time of prayer, fasting and almsgiving as a sacred journey of conversion and renewal. Lent is not merely about giving something up—it is about making space for God, allowing His grace to shape our hearts and lead us closer to Him. It is a time to reflect, to repent and to prepare ourselves to celebrate the Easter season with the joy of renewed faith and hearts transformed by His mercy. I encourage you to enter deeply into this season—whether through attending Mass more frequently, spending time in quiet prayer, participating in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Stations of the Cross on Friday evenings or offering acts of kindness and charity. Whatever you do, may it be done with a spirit of love and devotion, drawing you closer to Christ. May this season of Lent be a time of grace and renewal for each of you. I wish you all a joyful and holy Lent, trusting that the Lord will lead us ever closer to the glory of His Resurrection.
Parish News/Events
Why is there a veil over the chalice on the altar?
The chalice veil is a liturgical covering used to cover the chalice and paten before and after the Eucharistic Prayer. Its purpose is both practical and symbolic. Practically, it helps maintain reverence for the sacred vessels, prevents dust or debris from settling on them, and signals a transition in the liturgy. Symbolically, the veil represents the hiddenness of Christ’s divinity before His Passion and recalls the veil of the temple, emphasizing the sacred mystery of the Eucharist. When the priest or deacon removes the veil, it signifies the unveiling of Christ’s sacrifice and His revelation to us. Traditionally, the chalice veil matches the liturgical colour of the day, further integrating it into the solemnity of the Mass and the Church’s celebration of the liturgical year.
Stations of the Cross
You and your families are invited to join us every Friday during Lent for Mass (7:00 PM), followed by the Stations of the Cross. A beautiful opportunity to deepen your faith and reflection this season. Everyone is invited!
Lenten Day of Confessions: Thurs April 3, 2025
We invite you to participate in this year’s Lenten Day of Confessions happening at our Parish on Thursday April 3rd, 2025. We will have numerous Priests available to hear your confession from 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM, and 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM.
Visit www.archtoronto.org/confession to view more Parish Day of Confession dates and times.
Easter Lilies
As a result of the success of the poinsettia sales in December, this Lent you will be given the opportunity to pre-order Easter Lilies for home, for a gift, and/or for the Church. Similarly to Christmas, this Easter we will be decorating the Sanctuary with your donated Easter Lilies. If you'd like to participate, we invite you to donate a lily in thanksgiving for someone/something, or in memory of a loved one by completing a pre-order form. Forms can be found in the office and in this weekend’s bulletin. The last day to submit your orders will be Sunday, March 30th. Thank you for your kind support!
Catholic Women’s League of Canada News
The next CWL general meeting will be on Tuesday, March 18th, 2025 starting with the Rosary in the Church at 6:30pm followed by the meeting in the hall at 7:00pm.
New members are always welcome, and membership is open to all women of the parish - ages 16 and up. For information contact Debbie at debbie1993.cwl@gmail.com
Confirmation Class – Reminder!
A friendly reminder to our students preparing for Confirmation: Our next session will be on Monday March 24 OR Tuesday March 25 from 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM in the Parish
Hall. Please arrive early to give yourself enough time to check in. We look forward to meeting with you again!
First Holy Communion – Reminder!
If your child is receiving their First Holy Communion this May, please ensure that you have selected your preferred date via Eventbrite link, which was emailed to all parents. If you have any questions and/or if you have not received this email, please contact the Parish Office.
St. Ignatius Loyola Parish Holy Week 2025 Schedule
A copy of our 2025 Holy Week & Easter Schedule will be inserted in this weekend’s bulletin.
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:
SUMMER CAMP 2025: TOTUS TUUS AT ST. IGNATIUS!
In collaboration with The Office of Catholic Youth and The Office of Vocations, we are excited to announce that we will be hosting TOTUS TUUS (Latin for “totally yours”) at our Parish! 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, and the day camp (Grades 1-6) will run from Monday July 21 – Friday July 25. Stay tuned for more information about this exciting summer adventure!
ARCHDIOCESE NEWS/EVENTS
High School Come & See Day Retreat March 29
The Office of Vocations is hosting a high school day retreat for high school men, in grades 11 & 12, at St. Augustine’s Seminary, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This retreat is designed to help young men cultivate a deeper prayer life & relationship with the Lord. Seminarians will offer reflections on practical aspects of faith. This retreat will offer opportunities for communal prayer, Holy Mass, Eucharistic Adoration & socializing. Lunch will be provided. To register, visit: www.vocationstoronto.ca/hscomesee
Questions? Contact: vocations@archtoronto.org
Office of Vocations
Peter, John and James had a mountaintop experience with Jesus by witnessing His transfiguration. We too can have a mountaintop experience when we open our minds and hearts to following God's Will for our lives. If God is calling you, to be a priest, religious or deacon, contact Fr. Matt McCarthy, Director of Vocations, Archdiocese of Toronto at 416-968-0997.
Email: vocations@archtoronto.org Website: www.vocationstoronto.ca
16th Annual Dynamic Women of Faith Conference
Get Inspired, Meet Like-Minded Women, Discover Your Mission! For more information and to register, visit: dwf2025.eventbrite.ca
Date: Saturday March 22, 2024
Time: 9:00am-4pm at the Old Mill (includes light lunch)
Treasure in a Field – Saturday, March 29, 2025
The Sisters of Life (SOL) are inviting all single women to a day of recollection happening at St. Timothy’s Church (21 Leith Hill Road, North York) on Saturday, March 29, 2025, from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM. The day includes Mass, spiritual talks, lunch, Eucharistic Adoration, and time with the Sisters. For more information and to RSVP, please contact SOL at toronto@sistersoflife.org.
Save the Date: A Day With Mary
On Saturday, May 31, the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a new Archdiocesan event called “A Day With Mary” will be taking place at Villanova College in King City. We will gather together from all corners of the Archdiocese to participate in Mass, pray the Rosary, grow deeper in our devotion to Our Lady through a keynote
address for the adults and children’s catechesis for the kids. There will be music and fellowship and we hope you will
consider joining the Cardinal Archbishop and so many others who love the Blessed Mother.
More information will follow in the coming weeks. Mary Mother of the Church, pray for us!
Jubilee of Youth 2025
Calling all young adults (ages 19 - 39), join Fr. Paul Magyar and the OCY team for a pilgrimage of a life time! We will be embarking on a pilgrimage to Venice, Padua, Florence, Assisi and Rome from July 23rd to August 5th, 2025. Please contact youth@archtoronto.org to receive the pilgrim information package and detailed itinerary.
