The Vine and the Branches
In our Gospel Reading for this Sunday, Jesus says “Abide in me as I abide in you.” With this statement, Jesus vividly describes our relationship with God through the imagery of the vine and branches. Jesus is the vine and we are the branches. He is the foundation, source and center of our life. Cutting ourselves from Him will cause our death; we will not bear fruit.
This Gospel reminds all of us that we are called to remain in Jesus, to be in communion with Him. And to keep ourselves remaining in Jesus, we have to be pruned: what is useless and unnecessary in our life is to be cut off. It means that our pruning is our self-denial and purification. We have to be open for pruning so that we can be healthy and fruitful for the Lord.
Therefore, we will become useless branches when we do not listen to Jesus and accept Him and when we refuse to carry our cross, preferring the comforts and conveniences of life. We do not bear fruit when we listen but do not follow and obey, when we pay lip service but do not act and when we promise but do not deliver. We cut ourselves from the vine when we do listen, but when confronted by trial and difficulty, we give up.
Our reflection is: as a branch, do we think that we are fruitful branches? What do we need to do to make ourselves good, healthy and fruitful branches right now?
Fr. Aegidius Warsito SCJ
ShareLife Parish Campaign 2024
Share the love with our beloved seniors through ShareLife
Last year, ShareLife supporters like you offered quality care and companionship to over 2,300 vulnerable seniors.
“The largest thank you to all ShareLife donors for your continued generosity! With your support, our centre is able to provide assistance to seniors in need through our community programs.” -Jaymie Daunt, LA Centre for Active Seniors
The third ShareLife Sunday of the year is June 2. We ask you to share your blessings at www.sharelife.org/donate or at the parish.
Thank you for living the Gospel.
First Friday All-Night Vigil
Friday, May 3, 2024 from10:30 p.m. to 9:00 a.m.
The Alliance of the Holy Family International group is holding a Communion of Reparation on Fri., May 3rd all night from 10:30 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. The program includes Eucharistic adoration, confession and Communion. Everyone is most welcome.
60th Anniversary Memory Book
We welcome the families of St. Thomas More Parish to join our project of a memory book to celebrate our 60th parish anniversary. This memory book will feature pictures of all the families of our parish. Parishioners who take part will receive a free memory book and have an opportunity to purchase their family photos. Please call Emily at 647-465-0821 to book an appointment for May 18, 21 and 22.
Sunday 8:00 p.m. Mass Lectors Are Needed
We need lectors for the 8:00 p.m. Mass on Sundays. As a new lector you should be:
baptized and confirmed in the Catholic Church, leading a life of faith and be of good moral character. If you are interested in reading at the 8:00 p.m. Mass on Sundays, please contact the parish office at 416-439-1545.
Prayers Needed for the Sick
We are praying for the sick of our parish: Lee Zheyu, Anton Ferdinand, Kayden and Barbara De Silva, Teresita Bruce, Erna Grzincic, Hugh Doyle, Sr. Helen Vazquez CSB, Emily Maravilla, Maylene L. Ibale, Luisito Santos, Geeta Bridgebassie, Benjamin Zdesar and Tina Lopes. May they be supported by our prayers and pastoral ministry and by the grace of God.
Saturday, May 4, 2024 at 6:15 p.m.
The Holy Trinity Community will hold a healing Eucharistic Adoration on Sat., May 4th from 6:15 to 7:15 p.m. after the Mass. Prayers and songs will be part of the program. All are welcome!
Mass Intentions for April 27 – May 4, 2024
Saturday 5:00 p.m.
+Manuel V. Solis, requested by the Ladines family
Sunday 8:30 a.m.
In thanksgiving, the D’Souza family
Sunday 10:00 a.m.
+Savina Grande, requested by the family
Sunday 11:30 a.m.
Intentions of the Parish Community
Sunday 8:00 p.m.
Intentions of our priests and the families of the Serviam Ministry of St. Thomas More and for vocations to the priesthood and religious life
Monday 7:15 a.m.
+Policarpio Capungal and the deceased members of the family, requested by the family
Tuesday 7:15 a.m.
+Bernarda, Jose, Leonarda, and Maria Betty Apellanes, requested by the Sulit family
Tuesday 7:00 p.m.
+Elizabeth Fonseca, requested by R. and J. Miranda
+Mary Sebastian, requested by R. and T. Lopes
+Charmaine D’Souza, requested by Karen
+Ivan Secoquian, requested by C. Dessailly
+Natividad Germain and Lorraine Uy, requested by the Guzman family
Intentions of Sashan, Sara, Harold, Amanda, and Sharmo
Intentions of Benimina Vona
+Members of FOSS and souls in purgatory, requested by M. Colaco
Wednesday 7:15 a.m.
+Godwin Wanigasinghe, requested by the family
Wednesday 7:00 p.m.
+Souls in purgatory, requested by M. Palumbo
Thursday 7:15 a.m.
Intentions of McLeod Robin
Thursday 7:00 p.m.
+Viny Kandiah, requested by the family
+Simon and Philomena Lopes, requested by the Alphonso family
+Dorothy Donovan, requested by the family
+Gloria Nazareth, requested by the Furtado family
In thanksgiving, Jose and family
In thanksgiving, Vitus and Michelle
+Annalou Evola, requested by Y. Forrester
Friday 7:15 a.m.
+Myra Samuels, requested by the Francis family
Friday 7:00 p.m.
Intentions of Joan Gonsalves
Saturday 9:00 a.m.
+Kenn Shah, requested by S. McDoom
Catholic Education Week
May 5 to 10, 2024
The theme for this year’s Catholic Education Week is “We are called to love” and serves to remind everyone that publicly-funded Catholic education is a call to service. For those in education their role is a vocation to bring the saving message of Jesus Christ into the lives of those students whom they serve.
