Pentecost
This Sunday, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Pentecost. The celebration of our birthdays is always a moment of great joy. We have a great reason to be happy, to celebrate, and to exchange good wishes—because today is the birthday of Holy Mother Church. Easter is the Feast of Light, the celebration of the new life that begins with Christ’s resurrection. Pentecost is the celebration of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. It marks the beginning of the new covenant and the birth of the Church’s public life.
Today’s Gospel reminds us of the principal roles of the Holy Spirit. These include advocating, teaching, and reminding us of the things we ought to know. However, for this to be possible, we must be ready to cooperate with Him. He can only advocate for us if we trust Him and allow Him to take charge of our lives. He can only teach us if we pay attention to His counsel. He can only remind us of the truths we need to know if we humbly and willingly say to Him, “Help me, because I am ignorant. Enlighten the eyes of my mind, O Holy Spirit.”
What, then, will the Holy Spirit—whom we have received today—help us to accomplish? First, the Holy Spirit is not a spirit of fear and timidity. Rather, He is the Spirit who empowers us and makes us children of God. This means that we are now bold enough to call God “Abba, Father.”
The Holy Spirit is given to us so that we may bear good fruit that will last (Galatians 5:22). He is given to help us—and to empower us to help others. He is given to lead us into the Kingdom of Righteousness and peace, and to bring us to the fullness of life. So, as we rejoice in this wonderful gift that God has extended to us today, let us ask Him for the grace to be docile to the Holy Spirit we have received.
Our reflection is this: What do we need in order to work with the Holy Spirit as Catholics, living in the midst of a secular society and surrounded by doubt about the presence of God?
Fr. Aegidius Warsito, SCJ
Corpus Christi Mass & Procession
All are welcome to join Cardinal Frank Leo, for a Corpus Christi Mass & Procession on Sunday, June 22, 2025, at Saint Michael’s Cathedral Basilica following the 12:00 noon Mass.
A procession (45 minutes) will take place in the vicinity surrounding the cathedral followed by solemn Benediction and finally some time for fellowship.
Join us as “Pilgrims of Hope” during this special Year of Jubilee.
Marriage Encounter
Are you ready for more growth and happiness in your marriage or priesthood?
Join us on June 27–29, 2025 for a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Experience at Queen of Apostles for a weekend that could change your life.
Discover the Secrets to a Lasting, Supportive, and Transformational Marriage! This weekend is for couples, whether you are newlyweds or have been married for decades.
It’s also perfect for priests looking to deepen their relationship with their communities.
Call: Christian & Elizabeth Arroba, 416-554-4439 OR 416-554-7062 or email at: christian.elizabeth.arroba@wwme.org
Prayers for the Sick
We are praying for the sick of our parish: Victoria Munson, Anne Schmidt, Tina Lopes, Sheila Downs, Lena Albuquerque and Diana Lobo.
May they be supported by our prayers and pastoral ministry and by the grace of God.
Practical Suggestions for Devotion to the Sacred Heart
Many spiritually fruitful elements of the modern devotion to the Sacred Heart come from the mystical visions of Jesus which St. Margaret Mary (1647-1690) experienced between 1673 and 1675, in which he spoke to her of the Sacred Heart. Here are a few suggestions:
- Make a Holy Hour of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. This was emphasized in the private revelation to St Margaret Mary. As Bishop Sheen remarks, spending an hour with Jesus is the only thing relating to himself that he specifically asked of us, when he said in the Garden of Gethsemane: “So, could you not watch with me one hour?” (Matthew 26:40) One can make this Holy Hour with any frequency; Bishop Sheen urges priests to do so every day.
- Read a portion of one of the Gospels every day. It might perhaps be the Gospel reading for the Mass of the day, or it might simply be a chapter a day. The Gospel of Matthew has 28 chapters, the Gospel of Mark has 16, the Gospel of Luke has 24, and the Gospel of John has 21: a total of 89 chapters, so that at a chapter a day the whole Gospel can be read about four times a year. Each chapter takes only a few minutes to read prayerfully, so as to encounter Jesus, and to experience the love of his Sacred Heart.
- It is spiritually valuable to participate in Mass at any time, but to do so on consecutive First Fridays is a custom associated with devotion to the Sacred Heart.
- Place an image of the Sacred Heart in your home, and consecrate your family to the Sacred Heart. As it has been said, the family that prays together stays together, and both devotion to the love of the Sacred Heart and the praying of the Rosary can strengthen the love at the heart of each family. For a service of consecration of the family, see A Heart on Fire, by Father James Kubicki, pp 164-168.
- Give prominence to an image of the Sacred Heart in your parish Church. Parishes are encouraged to specially emphasize the Sacred Heart on the first Friday of every month, and throughout the month of June.
- Catholic schools have a responsibility to help their students, and all in the school community, to encounter Jesus, who will inspire and challenge them, and change their lives, as they enter deeply into the prayerful study of the Gospels, and the rest of sacred Scripture, and draw guidance from the living faith of the Church upon which the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost. Promotion of devotion to the Sacred Heart is a way to do that.
- Personally, carry an image of the Sacred Heart, and use it as a constant reminder of the generous love of Jesus which it symbolizes. Then put that love into practice throughout the day.
– Cardinal Thomas Collins
Pilgrim Virgin Statue
The Pilgrim Virgin Statue is a blessed replica of our Blessed Mother. It is a traveling sacramental offered by the Legion of Mary to any home wishing to create a prayerful, sanctifying space where family and friends are encouraged to pray the Rosary and meditate on its mysteries. All parishioners are welcome to request the statue.
If you are interested in welcoming the Pilgrim Virgin Statue into your home, please sign your name in the binder provided at the back of the church. A member of the Legion of Mary will contact you.
THE NEWMAN CENTRE INVITES YOU TO...CAMPUS KICKSTART
Starting at UofT this Fall? Get a head-start at Campus Kickstart!
Newman Centre, July 9th | 10AM–3PM
- Hear talks, testimonies, and a Q&A panel with current UofT students
- Get tips on course selection, program applications,and
- UofT resources that everyone wishes theyknew about in first year
- Learn about the Newman Centre’s Catholiccommunity and chaplaincy
- Enjoy a BBQ lunch with current and incoming
- UofT students that you’ll see again in the Fall
- Take part in campus tours led by upper-year students from your program or college
- Whether you’re nervous or excited for University -this day is for you!
Bring a friend (even if they’re not going to UofT)!
Campus Kickstart (Poster)
Newman Centre Brochure 1 2
Mass Intentions for June 7- June 14
Saturday 5:00 p.m.
+Ashiiphro Mary and Loli James, requested by the family
Sunday 8:00 a.m.
+Pedro De Juan, requested by the De Juan family
Sunday 10:00 a.m.
In thanksgiving, Luvi Antonio
Sunday 12:00 noon
Intentions of the Parish Community
Sunday 8:00 p.m.
+Vesna Lazarevic, requested by the family
Monday 7:15 a.m.
+Jesus Gueco Sr., requested by the family
Tuesday 7:15 a.m.
+Francis and Henry Bastian
Tuesday 7:00 p.m.
+James Minsky, requested by M. Faller
+Celia Noronha, requested by P. Almeida
+Anton Pereira, requested by K. Pereira
+Marion Bedford-James, requested by the family
+Gloria Guagliani, requested by the Guagliani family
Intentions of Tian
+ Abondio Escribano & Ekuterio Adolfo Sr., requested by the family
+ Edwin Rivera, requested by the family
In thanksgiving, the Bastianpillai family
Wednesday 7:15 a.m.
+Ivan & Clara Uribe and Vairo Dominguez, requested by the family
Wednesday 7:00 p.m.
+Emerita Liceralde, requested by N. Obtinario
Thursday 7:15 a.m.
+Josephine Novakoski, requested by S. McPherson
Thursday 7:00 p.m.
Intentions of the Dessailly family
+Ng Astini Ng Chen Ngo, requested by the family
+Anthony Francisco Fernandes, requested by the Coutinho family
+Randolph Josiah, requested by the family
+Lily Theres Mylvaganam and Mylvaganam Canapathypillai, requested by N.Nimalarajan and family
+Edgard Matundan, requested by and family
+David Chan, requested by C. Yeung
Intentions of Aaron Lo & Family
+ Remedios Elejorde, requested by Ma Zita Del Mar
+Henry Rapinan, requested by the family
Friday 7:15 a.m.
Intentions of the Rey family
Friday 7:00 p.m.
+Agostinho Teixeira, requested by the family
Saturday 9:00 a.m.
Intentions of Eugene Lim
June Outreach Program
Out parish will be organizing a Street Patrol on Saturday, June, 21st. Street Patrol is a community outreach program where food is prepared and then distributed to those less fortunate on the streets of our city.
We will gather in the room downstairs promptly at 9:30 am to put together food items in bags for those in need. We will then travel downtown and distribute the food to those living on the streets of Toronto. We need help to prepare the food bags, as well as volunteer drivers to drive downtown. Consider being a part of all or some part of this wonderful opportunity to serve the poor in our city. Please click the link below to fill out the Google form if you would like to participate.
Outline for the day:
- 9am – Mass in the church
- 9:30 – 10:30 – Gather in the hall to assemble food bags.
- 10:30 – 11:30 – Drive downtown
- 11:30 – 1pm – Distribution of food
- 1pm – 2pm – Return to St. Thomas More
