Parish Week 24 May 2020

Saturday, 23 May 8.00 am Mass: † Deceased Rizarri family members

(Joy & Leo)

5.00 pm Mass: Int. Ondine Almeida (friends)

SUNDAY, 24 MAY / ASCENSION OF THE LORD

■ Homilist: Fr. Elias Chachati

9.00 am Mass: † Clive Frances Fernandez, death anniversary

(Mary)

10.30 am Mass: † Alexander D’Souza (family)

12.00 pm Mass: † Joseph Sigmund Ocasion (family)

7.00 pm Mass: Pro Populo

Monday, 25 May / St. Bede the Venerable, priest & doctor

8.00 am Mass: Int. Healing of Carmen Troupe (Bill Little)

7.00 pm Mass: Maximilianna Hahn (Christa Hahn)

Tuesday, 26 May / St. Philip Neri, priest

8.00 am Mass: Karl-Max Wagner (Christa Hahn)

Wednesday, 27 May / St. Augustine of Canterbury, bishop

8.00 am Mass: Int. Thanksgiving – Birthday, Sandra

(Sandra & Louis)

Thursday, 28 May

8.00 am Mass: Valori Joseph (Consalas Joseph)

Friday, 29 May

8.00 am Mass: † Beatriz Remedios (family)

Saturday, 30 May

8.00 am Mass: Lloyd Burke (Family)

5.00 pm Mass: † Raphael & Mariam Thattil (Mary Fernando)

SUNDAY, 31 MAY / PENTECOST DESCENT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT ON THE APOSTLES

■ Homilist: Deacon Ramon Villardo

■ 2nd Collection: Maintenance

9.00 am Mass: † Peter Gordon Fleming (McLaughlin family)

10.30 am Mass: † Ernesto & Lydia Rodas (family)

12.00 pm Mass: † Angela De Caires (Patrick)

7.00 pm Mass: Pro Populo

The parish Priests are celebrating private Masses daily during the

current Covid 19 shutdown, honouring the Intentions requested by

our Parishioners.

Focus on the Word

Ascension of the Lord, Year A Acts 1.1-11; Ephesians 1.17-23; Matthew 28.16-20

Gladden us with holy joys, almighty God, and make us rejoice with

devout thanksgiving, for the ascension of Christ your Son is our

exaltation, and, where the Head has gone before in glory, the Body

is called to follow in hope. Amen

Pray for the Deceased

Lloyd Burke Fr. Norman Dodge, SJ

Domenico Ierullo Fr. Michael Hawkins, SJ

Fe Tablada Fr. Francis Xavier Johnson, SJ

Fred Valnion Fr. Peter Larisey, SJ

John Bucky Pizzarelli George O’Neill

The 45 victims of the January & February

earthquakes in Turkey.

2nd COLLECTIONS: 31 May, Maintenance

The 2nd collection on Sunday, 31 May, will be for the support of

our major parish projects through the Maintenance Collection.

7 June, ShareLife – 3rd Offering

On 7 June, the 2nd collection will be the Third Offering for our

annual ShareLife Appeal, to support 33 Catholic agencies and 8

grant recipients, respecting the sanctity of all human life.

If you use one of the recycled envelopes marked “ShareLife,”

remember to write your own Sunday envelope number on top.

1st Communion and Confirmation

At the time of publication and posting, the Ontario Government

has clarified that schools will not resume until after this Summer.

Sacramental Preparation meetings and instructions, which were

mostly completed prior to the Covid 19 shutdown in March, will

be finished as soon as it is practical. The celebrations of 1st HOLY

COMMUNION and CONFIRMATION, which were to take place after

Holy Week, will be rescheduled later in the Fall. Updates will be

provided regularly, and dates publicized as soon as possible, to

give families a chance to prepare properly to celebrate these vital,

affirming and life-giving events.

COMING UP 57e20

1 June Feast of Mary, Mother of the Church

14 June Corpus Christi Sunday

18 June Fr. Edwin Galea: Anniversary of birth (1954)

19 June Deacon Ramon: Ordination Anniversary (2004)

21 June Father’s Day

24 June Ramon & Mely Villardo: Wedding Anniversary (1988)

6 July Feast of St. Maria Goretti

Website stmariagoretti.archtoronto.org For the Prayer to St. Michael, and details of other events in our

Parish, see pages 3 and following in the website bulletin.

RCIA, RCIC Rites of Christian Initiation of Adults & Children

Pray for all in our parish R.C.I.A. process, who preparing for

the Sacraments of Initiation; as well as the youth in our

parish R.C.I.C. process. Due to ongoing precautions to deal

with the Covid 19 pandemic, groups meetings cannot be

held at the Church. However, instruction is being provided

on line, and information is being disseminated through email

messages. Spiritual support is also provided through the

resources printed in this bulletin, and through the various

links provided by the Archdiocese on the parish website.

Letter of His Holiness Pope Francis to the Faithful for the month of May

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The month of May is a

time when the People of

God express with particu-

lar intensity their love and

devotion for the Blessed

Virgin Mary. It is tradi-

tional in this month to

pray the Rosary at home

within the family. The

restrictions of the pande-

mic have made us come

to appreciate all the more

this “family” aspect, also

from a spiritual point of view.

For this reason, I want to encourage everyone to rediscover

the beauty of praying the Rosary at home in the month of

May. This can be done either as a group or individually; you

can decide according to your own situations, making the

most of both opportunities. The key to doing this is always

simplicity, and it is easy also on the internet to find good

models of prayers to follow.

I am also providing two prayers to Our Lady that you can

recite at the end of the Rosary, and that I myself will pray

this month, in spiritual union with all of you.

Dear brothers and sisters, contemplating the face of Christ

with the heart of Mary our Mother will make us even more

united as a spiritual family and will help us overcome this

time of trial. I keep all of you in my prayers, especially those

suffering most greatly, and I ask you, please, to pray for me.

I thank you, and with great affection I send you my blessing.

For the text of the two prayers, see page 6 of this bulletin.

Stewardship Message

Dear Parishioners,

We hope and pray that you are staying healthy – both

physically and spiritually. Please let us know if the

parish can help you during these difficult times.

Our parish relies on the support of our parishioners to

function. Without the weekly offertory collection

during this COVID 19 crisis, the Archdiocese has

identified ways that we can continue our support.

Here are the ways that you can continue to support our

parish at this time:

→ P.A.G. You can contribute through

Pre-Authorized Giving.

See the link for this in the letter on our website for

more information on pre-authorized giving. You can

click in the letter our website to download an

enrollment form which can be printed and completed.

Return the completed form and a voided cheque to the

parish office. Or e-mail the form and a scanned copy or

photo of a voided cheque to:

development@archtoronto.org

Contributions are withdrawn from your bank account

on the 20th of each month.

→ Hold on to your regular weekly offertory

contribution until the parish office can re-open.

→ You can contribute via online banking. To do this,

the archdiocese will need to send you a unique account

number. Send an e-mail to campaign@archtoronto.org.

In your email message, provide:

❑ Your & Address

❑ Parish name (St. Maria Goretti)

❑ Municipality (Scarborough)

You will be emailed account information which you

can use to set up the Archdiocese of Toronto as a payee

in your on-line banking. Your gift will be forwarded to

our parish. You can make a one time or recurring gift

to our parish Offertory.

If you have any questions, contact the Development

Office. Phone: 416-934-3400, ext. 540, or email:

development@archtoronto.org.

Thank you for your many contributions to our parish.

We miss seeing all of you at Mass, and we pray daily

that we will be able to gather together again soon.

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Edwin Galea, pastor

Photos above: SILENT VOICE helps Deaf people and their

family members, and conduct information sessions.

Remember our SHARELIFE Agencies at this critical time

Community / Family Services Catholic Community Services of York Region,

Catholic Cross-cultural Services, Catholic Family

Services of Durham, Catholic Family Services Peel-

Dufferin, Catholic Family Services of Simcoe Country,

Catholic Family Services of Toronto, FertilityCare

Toronto, Natural Family Planning Association

People with Special Needs Mary Centre, Our Place Community of Hope,

Saint Elizabeth Health Care, St. Bernadette’s Family

Resources Centre, St. Michael`s Homes / Matt Talbot

Houses, Silent Voice Canada (ministry to the deaf)

Children and Youth Catholic Children`s Aid Society of Toronto, Catholic

Settlement House Day Nursery, Covenant House,

Sancta Maria House / Young Parents: Rosalie Hall, Rose of Durham, Rose of Sharon,

Vita Centre / Seniors: Les Centres d’Accueil Heritage, Loyola Arrupe Centre,

Providence Healthcare, Society of Sharing

Affiliated Organizations Camp Ozanam (Society of St. Vincent de Paul),

Good Shepherd Ministries, Birthright International

.

ShareLife 2020 Living the Gospel !

Ascension Sunday, 24 May

Living the Gospel by supporting the deaf community

Imagine you are a Deaf child and your parents don’t

know sign language. Your parents could gesture in a

rudimentary way, but how do you share your joys, fears

and needs? SILENT VOICE, a ShareLife agency, teaches

American Sign Language and Deaf culture to families

so they can share a common language.

“I am passionate about SILENT VOICE,” says one

grateful parent, “because their Family Communication

Program rescues children from social isolation.”

Last year more than 700 Deaf people and their family

members received help through SILENT VOICE.

7 June is the next ShareLife Sunday.

Please give generously; thanks for helping ShareLife!

* An important update:

After much consideration, @ocytoronto and

@vocationsTO have decided to cancel this Summer’s

TOTUS TUUS camps due to continued uncertainty

surrounding #Covid19. Our top priority is to keep our

missionaries and campers safe. Our prayers remain

with all of you! #TotusTuusTO #CatholicTO

Spiritual Communion

WHAT IS IT? Spiritual Communion is a way to be united with Christ

when we cannot physically receive the Body and Blood

of Christ in the Eucharist. It can be made at home or in

Church, in front of the Blessed Sacrament or not.

HOW DO I DO IT? Following these guidelines:

Start with the Sign of the Cross.

Read and reflect on the readings from Mass that day.

Have a real desire to be united with Christ.

Acknowledge your sins and ask for forgiveness.

Receive Christ in your soul and pray (see below)

St. Alphonsus Liguori’s Act of Spiritual Communion

My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the

most Blessed Sacrament. I love You above all

things and I desire to receive You into my soul.

Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally,

come at least spiritually into my heart.

I embrace You as if You were already there,

and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit

me to be separated from You. Amen.

Catholic Education Week

CEW 2020 began on

Sunday, 3 May. The

Catholic schools in our

parish engaged in a series of events to celebrate the

ongoing gift of publicly-funded Catholic education.

You are invited to learn about the various celebrations

that are happening in your children’s school, and are

welcome to participate, if possible. Publicly funded

Catholic education has existed in Ontario since 1841

and its graduates have served Ontario and Canada very

well. The current generation of students in our publicly

funded Catholic schools will serve with the same spirit

and generosity as their previous generations.

This year’s Catholic Education Week theme is,

“Igniting Hope.” The theme for CEW 2020 was

inspired by three sources:

❑ The recent Exhortation, Christus Vivit, by Pope

Francis following the 2018 Synod of Bishops on

Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment

❑ The recent Ontario Bishops’ pastoral letter,

Renewing the Promise (2018)

❑ The Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations

by the Institute for Catholic Education (2011)

The CEW biblical quote is, “May the God of hope fill

you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may

abound in hope by the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

Prayer to St. Michael

Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. May God

rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly hosts, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

Planning our Return

to Sacramental Life

7 May 2020

Dear Clergy, Religious and Lay Faithful

of the Archdiocese of Toronto,

I pray that you have been filled with the joy of the

Easter season, despite the trials

we are all living through during this time of pandemic.

The Fundamental Importance of

Sacramental Life for Christians

In 1998, in his great apostolic letter, Dies Domini, ON

THE IMPORTANCE OF SUNDAY, St. John Paul II described

the sacrifices the Christians of the Roman Empire made

to participate in the Sunday Eucharist: “When, during

the persecution of Diocletian, their assemblies were

banned with the greatest severity, many were

courageous enough to defy the imperial decree and

accepted death rather than miss the Sunday Eucharist.

This was the case of the martyrs of Abitina in Africa,

who replied to their accusers, ‘Without fear of any kind

we have celebrated the Lord’s Supper, because it

cannot be missed; that is our law;’ ‘We cannot live

without the Lord’s Supper.’” (Dies Domini, 46) That is

the authentic voice of Christian faith: we should think

of it both when we consider the number of Catholics

with easy access to the Sunday Eucharist who have not

bothered to attend, and also the number of Catholics

who are barred from the Eucharist in our own days

because of persecution, which is more common now

than in the time of Diocletian.

The Restriction of Sacramental Life

Throughout history governments, like that of

Diocletian, have restricted the celebration of the

Sacraments, especially the Eucharist, or have attempted

to interfere with the sacraments (as in current attacks on

the Seal of Confession). It is our clear duty to resist

such unjust government action.

It is also true, however, that in extreme medical

emergencies, such as a pandemic, government officials

– specifically health officials - legitimately fulfil their

duty of responsibility for the common good by issuing

reasonable instructions to the whole populace, based

upon well-founded medical principles regarding the

best way to combat pestilence. One immensely painful

spiritual side-effect of such instructions is that

Christians are temporarily not able to come together to

receive the sacraments. With the virus rampaging

through the community, the most fundamental

instruction from the health authorities is: Stay at home.

That is why our churches are temporarily closed.

Because most people are following these restrictions,

despite the great sacrifice which they entail – including

for Catholics the enormous sacrifice of being deprived

of access to the celebration of the Eucharist - it appears

that Ontario is making progress in reducing the number

of new cases. But we are by no means clear of this

plague; in particular, we still see a large number of

cases in long-term care facilities, an especially painful

reality since it prevents loved ones from being

physically present to parents, grandparents or relatives,

even in their final hours.

Temporary Restriction of Sacramental Life

in the Light of the Gospel

While it makes sense for all citizens to follow the

reasonable restrictions that have been imposed to

contain the virus, for Christians doing so is also a

matter of faith, charity, and justice. After all, these are

some of the stars by which we steer:

1) “Am I my brother’s keeper?” Yes, we are

responsible for others. In justice, as well as charity,

we have no right recklessly to endanger others,

or to cause their death.

2) “Thou shalt not kill.”

3) “Love your neighbour as yourself.”

Over the centuries the Church, following the

commandment of Jesus to love our neighbour, has

cancelled the public celebration of Mass in time of

pestilence. Our ancestors may not have understood as

deeply as we do now how epidemics spread, but they

did know that in such a situation when people gather

for any reason, even religious, they can spread infection

and harm their neighbour.

We should also recall that we Christians defend the

sanctity of human life from the first moment of

conception until natural death: in a time of pestilence,

that commitment of ours requires us to follow the

reasonable norms designed to protect the lives of those

around us.

Of course, the Mass itself is not cancelled. Every day

I celebrate Mass for the people, as do all the priests

throughout the Archdiocese of Toronto. Several

bishops and priests are also livestreaming the Mass

which they celebrate. In a certain sense, this is a

modern effort to do what Saint Charles Borromeo did

in the 16th century when he invited people to look from

their windows at the Mass being celebrated in the street

below. Livestreaming is a kind of technological

window into the Church, although it obviously is no

substitute for actually participating personally in the

Mass. It does, however, do spiritual good, as we

eagerly await the resumption of the public celebration

of the Eucharist.

Towards A Resumption of Our Full

Sacramental Life

We expect that there will continue to be restrictions on

large gatherings in the days ahead, until it is safe to

resume them. There will likely be a “phased” approach,

a gradual return to public celebration of the sacraments.

Even then, our new reality in church may be different

from what we were accustomed to in the past, with

some continuing precautions, since we want to resume

public gatherings in a way that does not lead to a re-

igniting of the pandemic.

As our province begins to consider how and when

activities can commence once more, the Catholic

Church is preparing for the time when we are able to

re-open our churches. The Archdiocese of Toronto has

established a number of working groups to determine

how we will proceed. We want to ensure that everyone

can worship in a safe environment. We are looking at

best practices in other places, working with medical

experts and consulting to determine what to do in the

days ahead, recognizing the geographical and physical

diversity of our more than 200 parishes.

As with the martyrs of Abitina in the days of the

Roman Empire, for the many hundreds of thousands of

Catholics who in normal times participate in the

Sunday Eucharist each week, and for the many

thousands who participate in daily Mass, or spend time

in adoration, the Sacraments, and especially the

Eucharist, are fundamental to our lives. We need to

resume public worship, as soon as it can safely be done,

and according to a plan co-ordinated with the public

health authorities.

Meanwhile, the Church is increasing its life of prayer.

Both the real prospect of death and the reality of

enforced solitude may bring many graces, if we

approach the pandemic restrictions in the right way,

illuminated by our Easter faith. Our task is to find

creative ways to perform the corporal and spiritual

works of mercy, and to enter more deeply into prayer.

We must make fruitful use of this solitude to deepen

our faith, and to contemplate what the prospect of death

reveals to us of the superficiality of the dominant

secularism which is our social environment. Through

this period of tribulation we can come to appreciate

more fully the profound richness of our life in Christ.

May God abundantly bless all of you, so that together

we may come through this time of tribulation, with

deeper faith, hope, and love.

Sincerely in Christ,

Thomas Collins

Archbishop of Toronto

The Martyrs of Abitina

“We Cannot Live without Sunday!”

The message of the Martyrs of Abitina has echoed

throughout the centuries as the motto of all who hunger

for the Bread of Life in the Eucharist. It served as the

theme of the 24th Italian National Eucharistic Congress,

held in Bari, 21-29 May 2005. Pope Benedict XVI

presided at the closing Mass. The 49th International

Eucharistic Congress in 2008 was held in Quebec City,

with the theme: “The Eucharist: Gift of God for the Life

of the World.” Pope Benedict XVI delivered the

Homily virtually at the closing Mass on the Plains of

Abraham, on large screens, via a satellite link from his

office at the Vatican, on 22 June. His homily theme:

“Receive the Eucharist with a Pure Heart.”

Pope Francis appoints a new Bishop of Pembroke, and orders the merger of the Archdiocese of Ottawa and the Diocese of Alexandria-Cornwall

Pope Francis has appointed Bishop Guy Desrochers,

C.Ss.R., Bishop of the Diocese of Pembroke. He has

been the Auxiliary Bishop of Alexandria-Cornwall.

His Excellency Guy Desrochers, C.Ss.R., was born on

May 23, 1956, in Hull, Québec, in the Archdiocese of

Gatineau. He completed his secondary studies at the

Collège Saint-Alexandre des Pères du Saint-Esprit in

Limbour and graduated in Fine Arts and Commercial

Arts from the Algonquin College in Ottawa. From 1972

to 1979 he was a “caricaturist” for the Le Droit

newspaper in Ottawa. In August 1983 he entered the

novitiate of the Redemptorist Fathers in Sainte-Anne-

de Baupré. He made a temporary profession on August

7, 1984, and made perpetual vows on August 29, 1987.

In 1982-1983 he studied Philosophy at Saint-Augustin

de Cap-Rouge Seminary in Québec and Theology from

1984 to 1989 at Laval University, gaining a Bachelor’s

degree. He then did a two-year internship in the

Archdiocese of Montréal. On 7 January 1989, he was

ordained a Redemptorist Priest in Hull.

From 1989 to 1995 he was responsible for a missionary

team made up of four Redemptorists in the Diocese of

Gaspé. From 1995 to 1998 he was Superior of Aylmer,

in the Diocese of Gatineau-Hull. In the years 1998-

2005 he carried out the ministry at the Shrine of Sainte-

Anne-de-Beaupré also serving as Treasurer.

From 2005 to 2008 he was Superior of the Saint-

Redempteur Pavilion of St-Augustin-Des-Desmaures ,

a reception house for retreats. From 2008 to 2011, he

was Director of the Revue Sainte-Anne and animator of

the Shrine itself. From 2011 - 2015 he was Rector of

the Shrine of Sainte-Anne and Superior of the

International Community who serve there. From 2015

to 2018, he was also a Retreat Preacher in Canada and

the United States.

On 12 December 2018, he was appointed titular Bishop

of Melzi and Auxiliary of Alexandria-Cornwall, and

was consecrated on 19 March 2019.

The Holy Father ordered the merger of the Archdiocese

of Ottawa and the Diocese of Alexandria-Cornwall, and

appointed as Archbishop of the new diocese of Ottawa-

Cornwall, His Grace Terrence Prendergast, SJ

Pope Francis also appointed Archbishop Marcel

Damphousse as Coadjutor Archbishop of the

Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall. He has been serving

as Bishop of Sault Sainte Marie.

His Grace Marcel Damphousse was born on 19

March 1963, in Saint-Joseph, Manitoba. After primary

studies, he attended psychology courses at St. Boniface

University. In 1988 he enrolled at St. Paul University

of Ottawa for Theology. He was ordained a Priest on 28

June 1991, for the Archdiocese of Saint-Boniface.

After his ordination, he served in various parishes, and

from 1994 to 2000 as pastor of Notre-Dame-de-la-

Nativité in Somerset. He was appointed President of the

Diocesan Commission for Vocations. In 1996 he

became pastor of Saint-Léon.

From 2000 to 2002 he studied in Rome where he

graduated in Spiritual Theology from the Teresianum

Institute. He returning to the Diocese, served as a parish

Priest, and from 2003-2008, he was again diocesan

director for vocations and chaplain of St. Boniface

High School. In 2008 he was appointed Rector of the

Cathedral Basilica of Saint-Boniface and Member of

the Diocesan Council of Economic Affairs.

He was appointed Bishop of Alexandria-Cornwall

on 16 June 2012, and consecrated on 2 September.

He was transferred to the Diocese of Sault Sainte Marie

on 12 November 2015.

Bishop Guy Desrochers Archbishop Marcel Damphousse

Archbishop Terrence Prendergast

Make a Joyful Noise that breaks through the Isolation

15 May 2020

Fr. Michael McGourty, Pastor, St. Peter Parish, Toronto.

Many pastors in the archdiocese are making an effort to

call their parishioners during the Covid-19 lockdown. T

In my conversations with these parishioners, I was

struck by the efforts that so many people were making

to maintain a physical distance from their loved ones in

order to keep them safe. This was particularly true last

weekend as we celebrated Mother’s Day. Many people

said they were planning on doing something for their

mothers that would show their love, while somehow

keeping a distance.

This is something that many people are doing, as they

leave groceries on a front step, wave through a window

to a loved one in a nursing home or send a virtual hug

and kiss over the internet. We are keeping away from

our loved ones because this is the loving thing to do at

this time – this is how we keep them safe.

Cardinal Thomas Collins, Archbishop of Toronto,

recently made this point in a video conference with the

priests of the archdiocese. In this video conference, the

Cardinal reminded the archdiocese’s priests that we are

not gathering with our communities at this time to

celebrate the Eucharist so we might be faithful to

Christ’s commandment to love one another.

When we love people, we do nothing to harm them.

Today, we are asked to maintain a distance and find

other ways to express our love. But this time of

isolation has left many people feeling alone and

abandoned. And so often when people are sick or in

need, we want to stand at their side, as we see in

today’s first reading, where Philip goes to cure the sick

people of Samaria.

Many people feel alone in these times, but the Gospel

reminds us that we are never left alone by Christ: “I

will not leave you orphaned, I am coming to you.”

As we remain apart for love of each other, God is with

us through the power of the Holy Spirit.

We are called to “Live the Gospel” through our parishes

and archdiocese. Our support for others is now done by

prayer, acts of charity at a distance or, if possible,

through gifts to organizations that help those in need.

We are just concluding ShareLife Week. The theme of

ShareLife is “Living the Gospel,” which ShareLife does

by funding so many organizations that continue to care

for those in need, especially during

this pandemic: 33 agencies and 8

grant recipients.

And the St. Vincent de Paul Society

continues its good work by sending

food vouchers to our neighbours in

need. The Society has also provided

me with bagged meals that I can give to those without

enough to eat who come to the parish doors.

Please, at this time, remember the needs of ShareLife,

the St. Vincent de Paul Society and your Parish. The

need is greater now than ever.

While calling my parishioners, so many of them

brought up on their own that they have their donations

at home and they will bring them to the church when it

re-opens. ShareLife, the St. Vincent de Paul Society

and the parish need your support now so we can

continue to serve you and the needs of so many. If you

are able to do so, please consider mailing your

donations, dropping them off at the parish or donating

through the archdiocesan website.

Jesus reminds us in today’s Gospel that He is with all

those who keep His commandments. His greatest

commandments are that we love the Lord our God with

all our heart and our neighbour as ourselves. While this

love calls us now to keep apart, it still calls us to love

God, our Parish and those who are in need.

We must show our love to those in need. During this

pandemic people have been showing their support for

the health care workers. I thought of this as I read

today’s psalm response: “Make a joyful noise to God,

all the Earth.” I myself have taken to sending sung

greetings to a few Priest friends who celebrated the

anniversary of their ordination this month.

There are other ways that we can break through the

isolation we are facing at this time. We can always lift

our voices to God in prayer and know that He is always

with us and never leaves us orphans.

This is a time to call friends and let them know that we

are thinking of them. Small gestures mean much:

Grocery shopping for a senior; mowing a neighbour’s

lawn; or just waving to others from across the street.

Please think of ways that you can make a joyful noise

that helps you break the isolation.

Christ’s promise that He will never leave us orphans is

extremely comforting during this time of isolation. Let

us help others to feel this presence by our prayers, acts

of charity and support for our own parish community

and ShareLife.

Life in Quarantine

Making music.

A health care worker in protective gloves feeds an elephant

at a zoo in Nantes, France.

A student picks up his diploma at his Graduation at Bradley

High School in Bradley, Illinois. His friends, family and

relatives could not attend because of social distancing rules.

Migrant workers who had been stranded during the

lockdown in India arrive at home in Kolkatta by train.

Young people dressed in Star Wars outfits patrol a village to

remind residents to stay home during quarantine in Manila.

Let the Earth Breathe

Above: The family of Santhiapillai Sebastiampillai,

who died on the Feast of the Annunciation, gathers for

Mass on the 1 month anniversary of his passing.

Left: Maria Katrina Mae Nitoral celebrates her 25th

birthday with her family.

Below: Capt. Jennifer Casey was the Snowbirds jet

office who died tragically in Kamloops on 17 May.

Happy Mother’s Day – 10 May

Above: Lorenzo Berardinetti creates a stunning

glimpse of buds on a branch tip ready to burst open

with the Sun’s enticement.

Cool photos from a fresh day.

Below: Just chilling. The Dias family practises social

distancing and hangs out with Mom in the back yard of

her house, praying the Rosary.