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Pastor's Page

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Reflections from Fr Jim Berning

March 19, 2023  - What Makes a Salesian Parish Salesian - Part 4

March 12, 2023  - What Makes a Salesian Parish Salesian - Part 3

March 5, 2023   - What Makes a Salesian Parish Salesian - Part 2

February 26, 2023 - What Makes a Salesian Parish Salesian - Part 1

February 20, 2022 - Friendships, a Matter of Mutuality

February 13, 2022 - Francis, Humanist & Friend

February 6, 2022 - Salesian Spiritualty for Living in Multiple Cultures

January 23, 2022 - Introduction: The Salesian Spirituality of St. Francis de Sales for 2022

Homily - January 9, 2022 -  Crowds, Lines and how to exercise the power of our baptism

Post Pandemic Series - Part 4 Crises Calls for Dialogue

Post Pandemic Series - Part 3 What Is Common in our Lives Is Common To Our Good

Post Pandemic Series - Part 2 Crisis Needs FIrst Responders

Post Pandemic Series - Part 1 Crisis and God's Overflowing Grace

St Joseph Day of Work and Evangelization

Homily Snippet, Friday July 23 - The Commandments are Ten Statements for Best Practices in Christian Living

Greetings from our new Pastor Fr Jim Berning

Greetings from our new Pastor Fr Jim Berning - Part 2

Greetings from our new Pastor Fr Jim Berning - Part 3

Greetings from our new Pastor Fr Jim Berning - Part 4

Reflections from Fr Dave Sajdak

June 27 - God Loves Life!

June 20 - Happy Father's Day

June 13 - Miracles All Around Us

June 6 - Are You Bored?

May 30 - The Holy Trinity

May 23 - Happy Birthday!

On the occassion of my 35th anniversary of priesthood - Fr Dave Sajdak

May 16 - Remembering E.T.

May 9 - What is love?

May 2 - Remain on the Vine

April 25 - God Calling

April 18 - Ever GOOF UP?

April 11 - Divine Mercy

April 4 - Alleluia is Our Song

March 28 - How Passionate Are You?

March 21 - Contract vs Covenant

March 14 - Difficult to Believe?

March 7 - Lent and Confession

February 28 - Peaks and Valleys

February 21 - Lent

February 14 - The Healing Touch

February 7 - Super Bowl Champions

January 31 - Don't Worry, Be Happy

January 24 - It's Time to Ride

January 17 - God Calls

January 10 - Christmas is not over!

January 3 - It’s Not Too Late!

December 27 - Home for Christmas

December 20 - Experiencing Christmas Fully

December 13 - The Colour is ROSE

December 6 - Trees in Your Living Room

November 29 - Little Lent

November 22 - Jesus, Our King

November 15 - How Do You See God?

November 8 - Jesus is Coming

November 1 - On the Way to Heaven

October 25 - Action Expresses Priorities

October 18 - Dual Citizenship

October 11 - The Heavenly Wedding Banquet

October 4 - October, A Favorite Month

September 27 - Importance of Attitude

September 20 - God Gives It All Away

September 13 - Don't Hurt Yourself, Forgive

September 6 - Saying I'm Sorry

August 30 - No Moderation

August 23 - The Key Man

August 16 - Jesus Calls Her a Dog

August 9 - Shhh! God's Talking to Me

August 2 - How Much Assurance Do You Need?

July 26 - The Wisdom of Solomon

July 19 - The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and the Mustard Seed

July 12 - The #1 Best Seller

July 5 - Rest in the Lord

June 28 - 13th Sunday

June 21 - Open the Doors!

June 14 - Corpus Christi - The Body and Blood of Christ

June 7 - Holy Trinity - God and S’mores

May 31 - Pentecost - What Happened in the Upper Room?

May 24 - Mary Help of Christians

May 17 - Obey!

May 10 - Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous

May 3 - Good Shepherd

April 26 - Just A Closer Walk With Thee

April 19 - Why Do People Join the Church?

April 12 - Why We Need the Resurrection

 

 

  • Come to the Table
    Every year in September, the church invites children in Grade 2 to prepare for their First Holy Communion. Here at St. Benedict, we are proud to offer a Parish-Based Communion process called Come to the Table. This process was developed according to the guidelines provided by our Toronto Archdiocese. It offers a series of catechetical sessions of the children and engages parents and children in various gatherings including a family interview, a church tour, and a Rite of Illumination. Come to the Table is for a child in Grade 2 who: is baptized in the Catholic Church or other Christian Church participates at Mass weekly at St. Benedict Church on Saturday evenings or Sundays, prays at home regularly in the family, receives religious education at a Catholic school and will prepare for and celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation before celebrating First Holy Communion First Reconciliation is celebrated during Lent. First Communion is celebrated during the Easter season. Registration forms are available at the parent meeting in September. Contact: Antoniette Pace 416-743-3830 X4
  • ADMA (Devotees of Mary Help of Christians)
    ADMA is the acronym for Associazione di Maria Ausiliatrice, which translates to Mary Help of Christians Association. Don Bosco founded ADMA in 1869 as a means of connecting Christians to the spirituality and mission of the Salesian Congregation. It was established at St. Benedict’s in 2000. ADMAs primary purpose is spiritual formation and enrichment, offering a way of sanctification and apostolate to lay people. It promotes worship of the Blessed Sacrament and devotion to Mary Help of Christians. Before becoming official members of ADMA, candidates undergo a year of preparation and are admitted officially into the Association when they make their solemn promise to be a faithful member. ADMA meets once a month on a Tuesday, close to the 24th of each month, from 9:00 am to 11:00 am, except during the summer. Our meetings consist of praying the rosary and ADMA prayer, spiritual formation, and spiritual direction from our Salesian Spiritual Director. Mini retreats are held three times a year, from 9:00 am to 1:30 pm. They consist of celebration of the mass, a talk from our Salesian Spiritual Director, offering of the Sacrament of Reconciliation and conclude with a shared lunch. For additional information, ADMA’s bulletins of formation and information can be read on its Turin website https://www.admadonbosco.org/?lang=en in all major languages. Contact: salesianfamily.gta@gmail.com
  • Youth Ministry-Based Confirmation Process
    Every year in September, the Catholic Archdiocese of Toronto invites youth in Grade 7 to consider making their Confirmation. Here at St. Benedict, we are proud to offer a parish yout ministry-based Confirmation preparation process. Our youth ministry-based Confirmation process was developed according to the guidelines provided by our Archdiocese. It engages parents and children in various gatherings including a family interview, catechetical sessions, a commitment ceremony, a faith-sharing breakfast, and a retreat. The youth ministry-based Confirmation process is for a youth in Grade 7 who: is baptized in the Catholic Church or other Christian Church regularly receives to the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Communion participates at Mass weekly at St. Benedict Church on Saturday evenings or Sundays has an active experience of prayer in the family and receives religious education at a Catholic school Confirmation is celebrated in the Easter season as close as possible to the feast of Pentecost. Registration forms are available at the parent meeting each September. Contact: Antoniette Pace
  • Salesian Family Commission
    The Salesian Family is made up of various groups that derive their origins and spiritual identity from the life, works and charism of St. John Bosco. In Toronto, the Salesian Family includes the Salesian priests and brothers (SDB), the Salesian sisters (FMA, Figlie di Maria Ausiliatrice or, in English, Daughters of Mary Help of Christians), Salesian Cooperators, Devotees of Mary Help of Christians (ADMA), Don Bosco Volunteers (DBV), Salesian Lay Missioners (VIDES), Salesian Past Pupils. The goal of the Salesian Family Commission is to strenghten the network of people who belong to the Salesian Family, to encourage them to deepen their faith and to grow in their service to society in the spirit of St. John Bosco.
  • Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (Atrium)
    In a space known as "Our Atrium", children gather in small groups to be in a place of simplicity and order, prayer, work and community. Using beautiful objects and wooden materials, the children come in contact with the liturgy of the church, scripture and sacred history. The richest teachings are presented to the youngest children and a solid foundation is set. Over the years, as they grow in faith, the children are helped to know God and to enter into the mystery of Jesus Christ. Come and see if you’d like this opportunity for your children! Level I (ages 3-6), Level II (ages 6-9), Level III (grades 4-8). Contact: Contact the office by email at StBenedictsET@archtoronto.org or call 416-934-3400 ext. 511 . Resources Archdiocese of Toronto link to Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Continuing Education Certificate Programs: Catechesis of The Good Shepherd, University of St. Michael's College
  • Faith & Family
    Faith & Family is a process of faith formation and immediate preparation for the sacraments of Baptism, Holy Communion and Confirmation. The program serves children and youth, ages 6-18 who: attend mass with their family at St. Benedict Church, are baptized or not yet baptized with at least one Catholic parent, attend public school or private school, require ongoing faith formation and preparation for the sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation Faith & Family sessions are scheduled for 20 weeks from October – May. Gatherings are held on Monday evenings in the parish hall: 6:45 pm - 8:30 pm. Registration takes place August and early September. A supplies fee provides the required books and materials. Contact: Antoniette Pace 416-743-3830 X4.
  • Magnificat
    Magnificat is a ministry to Catholic women; women already active in the church or returning to the practice of the faith. Its purpose is to nurture and foster in women openness to the Holy Spirit through a deeper commitment of their lives to Jesus as Lord. As a Mother Chapter in the Toronto Archdiocese, Magnificat is based at St. Benedict. Rosary Blanket of Prayer Schedule & Explanation Magnificat Toronto Chapter Link to Central Service Team Website: Magnificat Internet Prayer Ministry (MIPM) Our Magnificat, Toronto, Mary, Cause of our Joy, Chapter is a participant in our Magnificat Region INTERNET PRAYER MINISTRY. This apostolic undertaking invites us to offer ourselves for prayer petitioning our God on behalf of our brothers and sisters in need. It is our hope that many will receive healing, hope, strength, consolation and blessings through the prayers of the women of Magnificat. To Request Prayer To offer a prayer of intercession or thanks, send a brief email to: torontomaginternetprayer@gmail.com. Your request will be sent to all participating Magnificat chapters for prayer. Kindly keep your prayer request brief. A sample prayer appears here: From Jane Doe – Toronto, Canada: Healing for John Jones who was admitted to the hospital for surgery. To Offer Prayer To offer prayer, simply include the Magnificat internet prayer intentions in your regular personal prayers. To receive the published MIPM intentions, send a simple message to torontomaginternetprayer@gmail.com indicating your interest. For example: I would like to include the prayer intentions of MIPM in my regular personal prayers. Kindly email me the published prayer requests. Magnificat Breakfast History: Mary, Cause of our Joy Chapter, Toronto
  • Mother's Group
    Catholic Mom's Group Are you a Catholic Mother looking to share and be inspired by your faith? Mom’s today are so very busy! Often moms work full-time, drive kids to and from extracurricular activities, and help with homework, cooking, cleaning, and grocery shopping. Trying to find just a little bit of time for themselves is sometimes difficult. How would a busy mom find the time to go to a Catholic Mothers Group? What are the benefits of joining a group? Come meet inspiring Catholic Moms and find resources and encouragement! Whether you are a mother of small children, teens, or adults, a grandmother, godmother, or spiritual mother, the St. Benedict Mother’s Group welcomes YOU to join our monthly meetings. Come and pray with us. For more information about meetings please email Rema, Rita, or Bernadette at StBenedictMG@CatholicMomsGroup.com St. Benedict’s Catholic Moms Group is part of a network of Catholic Moms Groups in partnership with the Archdiocese of Toronto. You can often find Rema blogging at www.CatholicMomsGroup.com
  • RCIA
    The RCIA is for any nonbaptized adult (18+) seeking life in the Church through preparation for and celebration of the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and eucharist. An adult who has been baptized in another Christian Church and seeks full communion with the Catholic Church also undergoes a time of preparation. The sessions provide suitable catechesis, time for reflection, discernment and fellowship. Their Christian background and experience is respected throughout the process. They do not celebrate the rites with the unbaptized. The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults provides appropriate rites for the baptized seeking full communion. People wishing more information may contact the parish to arrange to meet with the pastor and parish representative who will assist them on their journey of faith. Contact: Antoniette Pace
  • Salesian Co-operators
    The Association of Salesian Cooperators is a public Association of the Faithful founded by St. John Bosco in 1876 open to lay men and women and diocesan clergy. Members share in the mission of St. John Bosco by bringing his Salesian spirit and style of apostolic work into their families and places of work. They contribute to the good of society and the Church and take a special interest in the human and spiritual welfare of young people. The Salesian Cooperators of St. Benedict’s welcome any lay Catholic, 18 years of age or older, who desires to discern a vocation to the Salesian family as a Cooperator. For more information on this journey of personal holiness in the spirit of St. John Bosco, contact: SalesianFamily.GTA@gmail.com
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