Novena of Masses for our deceased loved ones:

Will be celebrated from Friday, November 2 to Saturday, November 10.  Please include names of departed relatives and friends in our Memorial Book (on table in front of pulpit).

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St. Joseph Sunday Missals

…for the new liturgical year, which begins Sunday, November 30^th, 2014 are now available for purchase from the Parish Office.  The cost is $5.00.

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Missionaries of Charity

Once again, this year, we will be hosting a luncheon for Parkdale residents in the care of Missions of Charity Sisters Boxes will be out this weekend at both entrances to the church for donations of items that will be included in gift bags to be handed out to our special guests. 

            DONATIONS:

We will be collecting toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap and shampoo only.  Please drop donations off in the boxes set out in the front and back entrances to the church. 

Thank you for your help with this!

FIRST COMMUNION / CONFIRMATION 2015

For those who have not yet registered and wish to have their child participate in these Sacraments in 2015, you must provide the following on or before November 7, 2014:

-fully completed Registration forms (available from the Parish Office),
-a copy of your child’s Baptism Certificate,   and
-registration fee

After November 7, we will not accept any late registrations or requests for dates as notification cards with dates for close to 600 students will be prepared for distribution in late November.  Please be advised that you will need to then register your child in the next school year.  We ask for your assistance and cooperation with this endeavour.
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Confirmation Session Reminder

For Children who are being confirmed this year there is an upcoming mandatory meeting for both parents and Confirmandi on either:

Tuesday October 21st from 7pm-8:30pm

OR

Saturday October 25 from 10am-11:30am.

Meetings will be held in the parish hall.

Thanksgiving Day

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.  

(1 Thessalonians 5:18)

   It’s Thanksgiving - time to go around the dinner table and say what you are thankful for.  When it’s your turn, you will likely be thankful for your family and the good meal.  Then, you’ll think of other blessings that have come your way.  The above Scripture passage tells us to give thanks to God in everything. So, will you be equally thankful for the difficulties and hardships?  Will you thank God for the nasty neighbor and the guy with road rage that crossed your path the other day? If not, you are neglecting some of your blessings. 

  Why would God allow hardships, suffering and so on?  The answer is: “To bring a greater good from it.” This is not a lesson we really want to hear.  It is from God’s grace and mercy that we live, that we are blessed. Most of us, as Christians, will agree that we will all have crosses to carry in life, but when that time actually comes and our own crosses weigh us down, in our human nature we ask, “Lord, why are you doing this to me?” We may even feel betrayed. We hope, and even expect, that God will go easy on us.  As followers of His Son, we feel as though God should cut us some slack and not place too heavy a burden on us.  When we find ourselves in situations where we have nowhere to turn but to Him, we reach out and God is always there, waiting to help – that is our hope, our faith.  When our prayers are answered, do we remember to be grateful?

  Imagine it from God’s vantage point, all the times we complain to Him, or even just to ourselves.  While we are complaining about some trivial thing, God sees the suffering of the poor, the lonely, the forsaken.  Instead of complaining, we should be thanking God and offering up our inconveniences for those who are less fortunate and for the conversion of sinners. To suffer is not just an opportunity to strengthen our own souls, but something that can be united to the sufferings of Christ and given in love, like a prayer, for our salvation and for the salvation of others. 

St. Joseph, help us to celebrate

 this day with grateful hearts.

October 5, 2014

“Whatever you did for one of the least of these…you did for me” (MATT. 25:40)

LIFE CHAIN will again fill our sidewalks in hundreds of cities and towns simultaneously in more than 200 locations across Canada from 2:30 – 3:30 pm.    This is an hour of prayerful, peaceful, silent witness that challenges our society with the truth that: “Abortion Kills Children” and that “Jesus Forgives and Heals“.

“Whatever you did for one of the least of these…

                 you did for me” (MATT. 25:40)

     Campaign Life Coalition brought LIFE CHAIN into Canada from the U.S. many years ago, igniting a powerful peaceful street witness campaign that has endured the test of years, saved lives and changed hearts.  Active participants of the Life Chain believe that "the abortion battle is first and foremost a spiritual one and that the solution rests chiefly with the Church".  Furthermore, they believe that they have the power necessary to "end the killing," but until recently had yet to find the will to do so. This power, and the overall victory over abortion, lies in church ministers and pastors, the nation's "most vital leaders."

     During the Life Chain hour, idle chatter, frivolity, and both verbal and physical responses to motorists are strongly discouraged. LIFE CHAIN is a time for prayerful self-analysis, repentance, and serious commitment to helping end abortion in our nation. 

     LIFE CHAIN is not chiefly a demonstration, and its witness is not intended for the viewing public only. Instead, its first goal is to minister to its own participants—to those who call Christ their Lord and hold pro-life messages that declare abortion a grave evil that defames the name and holiness of God (Leviticus 18:21). Indeed, society seems to have drifted into cold indifference toward the sacredness of human life – young and old; the result has been the mindless surgical killing and mutilation of over 45 million pre-born babies, plus the untold millions who have fallen victim to abortive chemicals and medical neglect.

     "Truly children are a gift from the Lord; the fruit of the womb is a reward" (Psalm 127:3)…  "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full" (John 10:10).

Please join our Life Chain on Sunday October 5^th from 2:30 – 3:30pm in a peaceful and prayerful event to show support for all life. The corner of Mavis and Dundas has been designated for St Joseph parish. See the yellow leaflet in the Church Entrances for more information.

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Nefarious Merchant of Souls

As Catholics’ we are responsible before God to stand against the injustices of our lives and of our times. Our CWL will be screening a powerful and gripping documentary called Nefarious Merchant of Souls that exposes the disturbing trends of modern day sex slavery. Incredibly, in the 21^st century this is a growing phenomenon that is wrecking the lives of victims everywhere, even in our own community. We must stand up to this before it overwhelms our society. Please join us on Thursday October 16^th at 7pm in the Church Hall.