The Fifth Sunday of Easter

April 28, 2013

OPENING THE DOOR OF FAITH: EVERYDAY LOVE

In todays reading from the Acts of the Apostles, we are told that through the efforts of Paul and Barnabas, God opens the door of faith to the Gentiles. In our very secular world, with a large number of people expressing indifference and even hostility to faith and to those who claim to speak in its name how might we go about doing that? The key to the answer, I would suggest, is found in todays Gospel. I give you a new commandment: that you love one another, as I have loved you. Jesus invites us to love one another: it is by the depth of that love, by its authenticity and perseverance, that people will know what we really believe. Most of us try, each in our own way, to do just that. Since charity begins at home, we start there: we do our best to love parents, siblings, spouses, children, friends, neighbours, fellow parishioners. Hopefully, we take it beyond that inner circle to include random acts of kindness: simple courtesies, a note of thanks to acknowledge a kindness received, a meal for a family coping with the illness or death of a loved one, offering up ones seat on the bus, holding the elevator for someone rushing to catch it. When we extend ourselves in such ways, we learn that the road to happiness is not just about satisfying our own desires, but is found in acts of intentional loving, freely chosen. When we act in such ways, we communicate to others that they have worth, that they are remembered and appreciated that they are loved. We bear convincing witness to the One who is Love. This week, try to be conscious of the small acts of kindness directed toward you: by your inner circle of friends and family, and even by acquaintances or strangers. Take some time to be consciously grateful for these signs of love. And then ask yourself: how will I be a channel of Gods love for others this day? In thought and gesture, in word and deed: how will I communicate to others today the reality that they are precious in Gods sight, that they are loved and appreciated? Let these tender mercies signal to them and to you that we all have worth, that we are loved. In this way, God will be glorified. This is how God creates, little by little, a new heaven and a new earth.

Little Gifts (Sunday)

Due to the First Communion next weekend, there will be NO Little Gifts on Sunday, May 5th. The Little Gifts final session for the season will be Sunday, May 12th.

Mass Intentions: April 21-28, 2013

4:00 8:30 April 27, 2013 Saturday, Easter Weekday Giovanni & Palma Family & Friends Farinelli April 28, 2013 The Fifth Sunday of Easter In Loving memory Santa Mattei, Cecilia Scartozzi, Isa Mazzella, Dante & Ugo Salvati, Emedio & Emelindo Paliotti, Deceased members of Cullen Family Fioravanti Rotiroti The Rotiroti Family April 29, 2013 Monday, St. Catherine of Siena Eva Ciampini Claudia & George April 30, 2013 Tuesday, St. Pius V Lucia & Giacomo Palucci Maria Palucci May 1, 2013 Wednesday, St, Joseph the Worker Linus Doyle Marion & Family May 2, 2013 Thursday, St. Athanasius Bob Brabant Pat Brabant May 3, 2013 First Friday - Sts. Philip & James Luigi Spinelli Luisa & Angelo Falcone May 4, 2013 Saturday, Easter Weekday Antonio Bei His Wife Gabriella May 5, 2013 The Sixth Sunday of Easter Caterina & Franco Bruno Fiori Iacampo In Loving Memory Joseph Onesi, Margarita Alonso, Luigi & Rosa Mamone, Vincenzo Saluzzi, Octavio & Ann Pelayo, Deceased members of Cullen Family

Living with Christ

Please note that due to rising costs from the publishers we have had to raise the prices on our daily Living with Christ booklets. The new prices are: Standard Print (Small booklet) $2.00; Large Print $3.00

11:00 8:00 8:00 8:00 8:00 8:00 4:00 8:30 11:00

PASTORAL HOME VISITORS

This is a reminder that your visitor reports are due Monday May 6.

Parish Pilgrimage
A pilgrimage to St. Josephs Oratory is being planned for Saturday, May 25. We will meet at the church at 9 AM and start our walk to the oratory at 9:30 in order to arrive for mass at 12:15. Bring a lunch and we will share a meal together. There will be transportation for those unable to walk. If you are interested please sign up at the back of the church. It is important to know if there is interest for us to continue planning.

FAITH FIRST REGISTRATION

Faith First registration forms for the 2013-14 season are now available at the entrances of the church, church hall and rectory. All new, as well as, returning students must fill out a form before August 15th and return it the rectory to guarantee a spot. The cost of the program is $70 for one child, $95 for 2 children and $110 for 3 or more. Please note that your child will not be denied access to the program if you are unable to pay the fee. For further information, please contact Jennie Parsons-Armstrong at (514) 481-0267 or by email at jennie.armstrong@bell.net. Your Generosity Thank you for your on-going support of our parish Last Sundays collection was $3,507.40

Easter Fruits & Joys

The Easter season is a wonderful occasion to welcome new life into the Church through the sacraments of initiation. We praise God for the gift of Liliana Beaupre-Celani, William DaltonFiori, Demitrius Dudevoir, and Cassidy Bourget, who were baptized last Sunday. Please pray also for our young people who will be welcomed to the altar in First Holy Communion at next weekends Masses, and for those who will receive their Confirmation from Bishop Thomas Dowd on Saturday, May 11th at 10:30 a.m. May they and their families grow stronger and deeper in their faith.