Curious how you did on the 25 questions quiz? Still wondering which animal the Inuit make their clothing out of, or what Fr. Bogdan’s favourite ice cream flavour is? Here’s the answer key!
Spiritual Adoption of an Unborn Child
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
We are getting closer to the Sunday preceding the feast of the Annunciation of the Lord, when in our parish we will undertake the adoption of a newly conceived child, so we can stand up for the life of the unborn and already endangered children. These are the least of our brothers, of whom Jesus said, “just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me” (Mt 25:40). This effort of spiritual adoption made because of Jesus bears fruit that changes reality forever!
The prayer that we will pray daily for nine months is a prayer that promotes the protection of human life. It is a short prayer to the Lord Jesus for the transformation of the hearts of the parents of a child in danger, and one decade of the Holy Rosary. Even in these exceptional and difficult times, we can save human life by prayer, which is not limited neither by time nor space.
Our prayers and other pious practices will bear many fruits, for our God is a generous God and gives abundantly. Not only do we save the smallest and most vulnerable people, but we save their parents from the grave sin of abortion. If we pray together in the family, we strengthen ourselves, we learn to respect life and cooperate with God’s will.
Thus, for us, for our families and for the parish family, spiritual adoption brings peace, liberation, joy and love. By saying our “yes” in defense of life, we open a protective umbrella of prayer, fasting, and sacrifice over an unknown and God-chosen child. God himself chooses this child and He knows who this child will really be. Therefore, let us stand for the sanctity of human life and through this, thank God for the gift of our own life.
For more information, see our Spiritual Adoption page.
Cardinal Collins has asked that we write to our MPPs to respectfully request that restrictions on places of worship be updated to a percentage of total capacity rather than a set number of people. The province has recently eased restrictions for less essential retailers, and we just ask to be treated equitably.
See the Cardinal’s letter below.
Write to your MPP: www.aplacetoworship.ca
Gold and frankincense were blessed on the Feast of the Epiphany in the 15th/16th centuries. Blessing of chalk was first introduced in the 18th century. This beautiful tradition is carried out in many countries, including Poland. The blessed chalk is used to inscribe the first letters of the names of the Magi and the current year on the front door of Catholic homes. Following Mass, a small piece of blessed chalk may be taken home and the following is said with family and friends gathered at the front door:
K+M+B 2021 (or C+M+B 2021)
Leader: And the Word was made Flesh.
All: And dwelt among us.
Leader: May Christ dwell in our midst.
All: Amen.
Christmas carols may be sung to conclude the ceremony
New Year Prayers at the Manger
Individual prayers will be possible on December 31st from 7:00pm to midnight and on January 1 from 2:00pm to 5:30pm. Registration for a 15 minute time slot will be required through Eventbrite.
We wish to present to you our great Parish Patron. St. Eugene de Mazenod assists the Church as a missionary and Apostle of Christ.
Pastor
