St. Bonaventure’s Pastoral Council          

Evangelization: This is one of the major elements of the 7 areas a Pastoral Council considers. I believe that we need to see this as the under pinning of everything we do. The ‘compelling spirit” of what we do here at St. Bonaventure’s. It is so essential that every group, every committee should use this as a lens for their activities.

We Catholics are slow to appreciate or understand this word. Especially in regions where Catholicism is either a major denomination or long accepted one. Yet the most recent Popes are challenging us to a “New Evangelization”. What does that mean?

   Now you may have visions of knocking on people’s doors like the Mormons or standing on street corners handing out bibles. That is not it. However, in my past experience and in fact the experience in the larger world, there are folks of different denominations who are not only quite willing but eager to share their faith. We see the vast inroads that Evangelicals have made in traditionally Catholic areas.

   So what is a vision of evangelization? Put in the simplest terms, it is an enthusiasm and recognition of the gift of faith. One is so convinced that their faith gives them meaning and purpose in life. Because we have discovered the essentials of living, we are eager to share that Good News with others. You know, the same way we get excited and want to share a new recipe, or our attachment to some sports team. Or more simply put, by the joy we find in life, other’s will want to know what is our secret. And then we are willing to share it.

   If we could dream of what it could look like for our parish, it might be something like this. A people so rooted in their faith and excited about it that they are willing to share their faith story with others. Again, this is not done in a “hit someone over the head” approach, but springs from the joy that they have discovered and wish to share it with those around them. They would especially seek out the fallen away Catholics as well as those who have no faith affiliation. It would be normative for them to invite people to come to Mass or some other function at the parish. Do we dare dream this dream and make it a reality?     ~ Friar David Stachurski

Celebrate the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi

Blessings of Animals.  Sunday, October 2nd, 2:00 pm Courtyard of the Church. One of the most popular celebrations surrounding the feast of St. Francis is the annual blessing of animals. Come and bring your pets for a special blessing.

Transitus Service. October 3rd, 7:00 pm, Church. Everyone is invited to join the Friars and Secular Franciscans as we celebrate the old custom of recounting the life and death of St. Francis of Assisi. Through songs, scriptures and accounts from the life of St. Francis, we remember this man who has touched the lives of believers and non-believers throughout the centuries.

Feast of St. Francis. Tuesday October 4th. Come and celebrate with us after the 9:00 am Mass at the Main Hall for coffee/tea and cake

CWL Annual Flea Market

Saturday, October 22, 2016

Preparations for the Annual St. Bonaventure Catholic Women’s League Flea Market are in full swing. We are now actively recruiting volunteers to help with this enormous event. As they say, “many hands make light work” and this is so true when it comes to our Flea Market. Volunteers are required to receive donations and distribute them to the proper booths; help out on the sale day & finally, we need strong hands to help carry what is left over out of the Parish Centre. There are no qualifications, every applicant will be accepted and no prior experience is necessary. There is a Volunteer Sign Up Sheet at the front entrance of the church. Give us whatever time you can. Please contact Tracy MacInnis at 647-973-7645 or e-mail tmacinnis@rogers.com for more information.

Ministry with Maturing Adults

The Program-Spiritual Growth in the Second Half of Life will be offered by Maureen McDonnell, D.Min. This programme is about our shared journey of discovering new meaning and grace in the second half of life. Hosted by St. Bonaventure Church on Tuesday mornings at 10 am between October 4th and December 13th 2016 in the Francis Room. All are welcome!

Sacramental Preparation 2016-2017

The following information meetings are for parishioners of St. Bonaventure’s Church. If you are not registered with the parish, but worship here regularly or wish to make our community your spiritual home, then you are welcome! Please register your family as parishioners using the forms that you will find at the back of the church or on our website.

 Preparation for First Reconciliation and First Communion

Roman Catholic children are prepared to celebrate their First Reconciliation (Confession) and First Communion around the age of 7. If you are the parent of a 7-year-old child (in grade 2), or older, who is baptised Roman Catholic, it will be important for you to attend one of the following parent information meetings in the Main Hall of the Parish Centre to learn about the preparation process, registration, and celebration of these Sacraments:

Sunday, September 25th from 2 to 3:30 pm, or

Tuesday, September 27th from 7 to 8:30 pm

 Preparation for Confirmation

In September 2015, the age to prepare for and celebrate Confirmation was lowered to age 12 in the Archdiocese of Toronto. If your child is baptised Roman Catholic and 12 years old (grade 7) or older, then it will be important for you and your son or daughter to attend one of the following parent-confirmation candidate information sessions held in the Parish Centre, Main Hall.

Wednesday, October 12th from 7:30 to 9 pm, or

Sunday, October 16th from 2 to 3;30 pm

  Family of Faith Campaign

We have raised $1,245,170 or 130% of our goal of $960,000.  Congratulations!

We have reached the end of an extremely successful campaign! Our parish families’ outpouring of generosity and sacrifice is astounding and inspiring. On behalf of the parish, and all the volunteers who assisted with the Family of Faith campaign, thank you for your prayers and support of this historic effort! Thank you for your generous pledges and your thoughtful prayers!  We could not have done it without you. Tax Receipts for the Family of Faith Campaign Will be issued by the Archdiocese of Toronto on February 16, 2016. 

Donate Now Please consider making a donation to the parish. We appreciate your support!