PRESENTATION OF THE LORD, FEBRUARY 2 ND , 2020 GOSPEL SUMMARY In today’s Gospel we read that Mary and Joseph honored God’s law by taking Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem in order to present him to the Lord. There we encounter Simeon, a man of great faith who believed in God’s promise that he would see the Christ of the Lord before he died. We are also introduced to the prophetess Anna, who worshiped in the Temple day and night. Following the presentation, the Holy Family returned to Nazareth in Galilee, where Jesus grew and became strong. REFLECTION FOR PARENTS As parents we can appreciate the way that Mary and Joseph honored God’s law by presenting Jesus in the Temple. Most of us have presented our own children for Baptism in our own parish churches. These are important events in the journey of faith. But the very en d of today’s Gospel, which speaks of the return to Nazareth where the child Jesus continued to grow, reminds us that it is in the days after and in- between such events that faith is lived out, learned, and strengthened in daily family life. What we say and do in the ordinary moments of ordinary days together helps shape who our children will become. BRINGING THR GOSPEL INTO YOUR FAMILY Recall Simeon and Anna, two elderly people of faith who are introduced in today’s Gospel passage. Help your children recall the elderly members of your family and their ancestors who kept the faith throughout the ages. Show your children pictures of these faithful women and men, and share what you know about them. If you have kept a family tree in your Bible, review it with your children. As an alternative, create together a family tree that allows space for drawings, photographs, short stories, and the names of your ancestors in faith. Place this family tree in a place where all family members can see it and add to it. DISCUSSION STARTERS In place of discussion starters today, invite your family to take part in the following suggested prayer and action. Prayer: Make a list of all of the elderly members of your family and their ancestors whose names were mentioned today. Read the names one at a time, inviting family members to respond, “Pray for us.” Action: As a family, think about an elderly family member, neighbor, or friend in need of special help or care. Decide on an action you can take as a family to help the person who comes to mind. Make a plan to take action within the next week. Reprinted with permission from www.FaithFirst.com, a Web resource of RCL Benziger, Cincinnati, OH FOR THOSE WHO ARE ILL : John Miceli, Gianna Ramzi, Francisco William, Stephanie Solomon, Antonio Sorbera, Bill Mattews, Vanessa Melone, Rosemarie Sorbera, Amelia Barroso, Joey Bagnato, Renata Frache, Alicia Alvares. Lord comfort them in their time of sickness and bless those who care for them. (If you would like to have a friend or family member prayed for, please call the parish office by Tuesday).
OUR PARISH once again has subscribed to a website called www.formed.org, which is a digital gateway to some of the world's best Catholic content, teachers, and presenters. It is an excellent way to grow in your Catholic faith. The cost to renew the license is $2000. You do not need to sign up. Simply go into the website and look for the name of our parish. To cover the cost of the program, we are asking parishioners to kindly make a donation. Please place your donation in the box next to the statue of St. Anthony of Padua. To date we have collected: $1509.95. CELEBRATION OF MARRIAGE MASS WITH CARDINAL COLLINS- February 9, 2020 - 3 p.m. As part of Marriage Sunday 2020 celebrations, Cardinal Thomas Collins will preside at a special Mass to honour couples celebrating milestone anniversaries in 2020. If you (or a couple you know) are celebrating a 25th, 40th, 50th or 60+ wedding anniversary in 2020, they are invited to join in this special celebration. The Mass will take place at 3 p.m. on Sunday, February 9 at St. Isaac Jogues Parish (1148 Finch Ave., Pickering). A reception will follow Mass. The Mass is open to all, but due to space restrictions those wishing to attend are asked to register online or by phone. Milestone anniversary celebrants will be assured of reserved seating. Registration and other important information can be found at: www.archtoronto.org/marriage or by calling (416) 934-3400, x 523. WORLD DAY OF CONSECRATED LIFE: On Feb 2, 2020 The Church will celebrate the World Day for Consecrated Life. Please pray for all those who have made commitments to the consecrated life and be sure to thank them on their special day. May they continue to be inspired by Jesus Christ and respond generously to God’s gift of their vocation. All are welcome to come to a special Mass on Sunday, February 2 at 3 p.m. at St. Paul’s Basilica, Toronto, to celebrate with and pray for these consecrated men and women who are such a vital and important part of the life and ministry of the Church in our archdiocese. THE COME AND SEE WEEKEND March 13-15, 2020 at St. Augustine's Seminary Inviting single Catholic men 17 years and older, to cultivate a deeper prayer life and relationship with Jesus Christ; leading to a better discernment of God's call for their lives. Time for prayer, reflection and information on the process of becoming one of Christ’s disciples as a Catholic priest. Please register online at www.vocationstoronto.ca. For more information, please contact the Office of Vocations at: 416 968 0997; or email: vocations@archtoronto.org. Please note: Registrants 17 years old will require parental consent.
LABOURING FOR THE STEWARD’S GREAT REWARD This Sunday we celebrate the feast of the Presentation of the Lord. We reflect on Joseph and Mary taking the child Jesus up to the temple and the prophet Simeon taking the child into his arms. Simeon was an elderly prophet in Jerusalem to whom it had been revealed that “he would not see death before he had seen the Christ” (Luke 2: 26). After labouring in the temple for his entire life, Simeon was rewarded with the gift of beholding Christ with his own eyes. The reward of Simeon is the reward awaiting all of Christ’s faithful stewards. The reward of beholding Him with utter joy and peace in Heaven. The USCCB write in their Pastoral Letter on Stewardship, “What is the reward to which good stewards can look forward? The answer is perfect fulfillment in God’s Kingdom.” It is in God’s Kingdom that we will enjoy the beatific vision for all eternity. So when the co mmitment to our life of stewardship becomes difficult and we’re tempted to despair, let us remember the reward of Simeon that awaits the faithful steward. This remembrance should help us increase our labours of love for God and the Church for we know that we are not doing it for any other purpose than unity with God for all eternity. This is the goal of our Christian lives. Summary After labouring in the temple for his entire life, Simeon was rewarded with the gift of beholding Christ with his own eyes. The reward of Simeon is the reward awaiting all of Christ’s faithful stewards. So when the commitment to our life of stewardship becomes difficult and we’re tempted to despair, let us remember the reward that awaits us of beholding Him with utter joy and peace in WELCOME NEW PARISHIONERS We are happy you decided to worship with us today. Please introduce yourself to one of the priests following Mass in the foyer of the church. If you would like information about registering as a new parish member, please call the office, 416-759-9359 for a registration form.
STEWARDSHIP: 2020 SUNDAY ENVELOPES Many thanks to all our faithful parishioners for your generous support of our wonderful parish through your weekly stewardship! This is an act of honor to God, our Creator. Thank you for picking up your 2020 Sunday Offertory Envelopes in the vestibule. The envelopes are for registered parishioners only; if you are new to the neighborhood and have not yet registered, welcome! Introduce yourself to the pastor or to one of our greeters, and fill out a registration form at the parish office. Please ensure that you have your own box; the number on the label and on the envelopes must be the same. If you notice any discrepancies, advise the parish office right away. If you use someone else’s envelopes, your donation would be credited to the other person.
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