June 25, 2017

                                                     Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jesus said to his Apostles: “Fear no one; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known.”

                                                                                         ~ Matthew 10. 26 ~

   In today’s gospel, Jesus sends his disciples on a mission to proclaim his message publicly. He warns them that they will face opposition in the form of difficulties, persecution and humiliations, but tells them  not to be afraid. He asks them and us to trust in God’s faithful care and attention.

   Jesus is present to us in a special way in this Eucharistic Celebration. Let us ask him today for the strength and courage to give witness to our faith by our actions, our words and our choices, by the way we live our lives. 

                                                                               ~ Nada Mazzei, Toronto, ON ~

Dear Parishioners,

You may have noticed new tones and notes rising in our church. With the approval of the parish finance council we purchased a gently used Kawai grand piano. It sounds magnificent and will add to our tradition of great music. The older piano need substantial repairs and we thought it would be more prudent to put the money towards a newer piano.

Also, the water feature in the meditation garden has been repaired, once again we can hear the bubble of water running in our garden.

Hope you have noticed the annual flowers added to our flower beds. Thanks to all those who helped plant them.                                                           ~ Friar Peter

8th Annual Linda’s Walk for St. Clare Inn

SAVE THE DATE to Walk the Walk!  Summer is coming close and so is the date for our annual Linda’s Walk.   Saturday, August 19, 2017, at 9:00 a.m.  Bring a friend and show your support.   Register today at www.stclareinn.org. 

St. Bonaventure’s Ministry with Maturing Adults

Summer Book and Movie Club

On Tuesday, June 27th at 9:30 – 11:30 am

“The Shack” the book by Wm. Paul Young and the film, 2017.

Topic:Fiction and Faith – Join a discussion on “The Shack”- books and films may console us, or perplex us and may raise questions about our faith. Come and explore this fascinating topic with others. You do not need to have read the book nor have seen the film beforehand.

We are delighted with our first two sessions and are growing as a community. All are welcome, as each session is new. Feel free to bring a friend or two! A great opportunity to meet others over a cup of coffee and a slice of cake! Mark your calendar for the next meetings of the Summer Book & Movie Club, July 11th & 25th  and August 8th & 22nd. Contact Maureen McDonnell at 416-447-5571 ext. 550 or maureen@st-bonaventure.ca

                                          A Vacation with God

   Greetings as summer starts! “They’re off!” Announcers at horse races say those words with unbridled enthusiasm; those of us who are parent proclaim them with relief (hooray for lighter schedules and less racing around) and dread (cries of “I’m bored!” and a new level of clutter will surround us). While our children, not to mention our teachers, need a break from their academic endeavors, there is no reason to think that somehow because our formal religious education programs are complete for the school year that our children’s catechesis is on hold.

   Catholicism is a profoundly embodied and ritually symbolic expression of Christianity. This season, a time where we are outside and enjoying creation even more fully, offers countless experiences that can tie our sacred stories with the sacramental. Star filled sky overhead becomes a moment to talk about the covenant with Abraham, and to reflect on the countless descendants predicted. A roaring campfire reminds us of the pillar of fire and the burning bush and provides us a time to talk about the new fire of the Easter Vigil and the lighting of the Baptismal candle. Water fun can include time to talk about why water is so refreshing and so essential in life, tying in the meaning of the waters of Baptism. Time in the car on a trip (“Are we there yet?!?”) offers an opening to talk about a people who wandered forty years, a God who sojourned forty days in a desert, followers who walked a road dejected and without hope until he visited them and they remebered him.

   May you find many moments that bridge today with the faith that went before us as you enjoy your summer. And remember that Jesus loved eating with people: be sure s’mores are included.

Text by Trish Sullivan Vanni.©2014 Archdiocese of Chicago:Liturgy Training Publications;www.PastoralLiturgy.org.

Youth Ministry Blog

Please check out our Youth Ministry blog for upcoming events and activities:

http://stbonaventureyouth.blogspot.ca/

Contact Peter Dosman, Youth Animator for more information,

pdosman@st-bonaventure.ca

2017 ShareLife Parish Campaign

Twelfth Sunday of Ordinary Time – June 25, 2017

ShareLife Goal: $110,000

Received to date: $ 96,134.75

Living the Gospel by helping youth to rebuild their lives…

Seventeen-year-old Emily arrived at Sancta Maria earlier this year having previously spent time at Whitby Shores. Her biggest surprise is the warmth and calm acceptance she feels here at her new “home”. Having grown up in a home with no father, Emily spent a great deal of time in conflict with her mom, which caused a great deal of anxiety. She eventually ended up in a Toronto clinic at sixteen, and soon discovered that the lack of acceptance did nothing to build up her self-esteem. At Sancta Maria House, Emily has gained her independence and improved her confidence in cooking skills. As well, she has developed her job search skills, having applied for several positions with hopes to start a job soon.

ShareLife-supported Sancta Maria House has provided life-transforming services for young women in need for over 40 years in the Greater Toronto Area.

                        Please make a sacrificial gift to ShareLife

                     through your parish, or at www.sharelife.org

Humanitarian Relief – Famine in Africa

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops has identified three Canadian Catholic agencies – Aid to the Church in Need, Development and Peace – Caritas Canada, and the Canadian Jesuits International – as recipients of donations from the Catholic faithful. The Government of Canada has created a “Famine Relief Fund”. The federal government will match every donation made between March 17 and June 30, 2017, by individuals to registered Canadian charities participating in this campaign. Those wishing to help may do so in the following ways:

• Online at: http://bit.ly/faminerelief2017
• Through the parish, making cheques payable to: Name of Parish-Humanitarian Relief-Famine in Africa

We offer our prayers for the victims of this humanitarian crisis.

Sunday Coffee

Our Sunday Coffee provides us an excellent opportunity to build community through fellowship. We are fortunate to have attendance from the very young to our maturing adults. The combination of hot coffee, maturing adults, and active children under foot is a safety concern. For the safety of everyone in attendance, we’d like to remind parents to keep a watchful eye on their children. Please ensure that the children are not running in the corridors or into any of the other meeting rooms. Let’s look out for one another! Thank you for your cooperation.

2017 Offertory Envelopes

Please notify the Ministry Centre of any changes to your address and telephone number.

*If you received a new number for your 2017 offertory envelopes, please put your name and address on the envelopes (regular Sunday and Second collection envelopes)

*For new registered parishioners, you can pick your envelopes from the labeled 'new parishioners' basket at the North side entrance of the church.

*For those parishioners, who are still using their past years offertory envelopes, please pick up your  2017 offertory envelopes at the Ministry Centre.

  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!