Corpus Christi
This Sunday we celebrate the Feast of Corpus Christi, or the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ. One theme of the readings is blood.
In the 1st Reading, the Covenant between God and His people was sealed with the blood of bulls. It was quite a sight as we can imagine, as the blood was cast on the altar and also on the people. But the meaning of “sealed in blood” is profoundly clear. God and His people were bonded by the symbol of blood as Moses declared: “See the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you.”
Meanwhile, the 2nd Reading tells us of a new Covenant that is also sealed in blood. But it is not the blood of goats or bulls, but the blood of Christ. Christ is the high priest of the new Covenant, and with His own Blood He gained our eternal redemption as He offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice to God through the eternal Spirit. And in the Gospel, we heard how Jesus offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice at the Last Supper, as He gave His Body and Blood to His disciples. It was a sacrifice that was fulfilled on the Cross. Jesus gave Himself, His Body to us to be in union with Him and He poured out His Blood to wash us clean of sin so that we could be saved.
In short, Jesus has shed His Blood for our forgiveness, so that we don’t have to shed our own blood in order to be forgiven. And neither should any more blood be shed out of revenge or hatred, or even out of anger and resentment. When we give in to anger, resentment and bitterness, we drain out the blood of life in us as well as in others. Even more, there shouldn’t be thoughts of hatred and revenge.
Therefore, let us always remember that as we partake of the Body of Christ in Holy Communion, the Blood of Christ also flows into us and gives us new life and washes our sins away. When we truly understand the spiritual meaning of the Body and Blood of Christ, then we will always want to be in union with Christ Our Saviour and with each other in love and forgiveness, so that as the Body of Christ, we can offer life and salvation to the world.
Fr. Aegidius Warsito SCJ
Upcoming Parish Events
Please mark your calendars for the following:
- Wednesday, May 29 – Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus began
- Friday, June 7 – Feast day of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Thursday, June 13 – Novena to St. Thomas More, our parish patron saint, begins
- Saturday, June 22 – Annual Parish Picnic
- Sunday, June 23 at 11:30 a.m. Mass – Archbishop Francis Leo celebrates our 60th parish anniversary Mass followed by a reception
Our Lady of Grace Statue
Our Hispanic Community has generously donated the new statue of Our Lady of Grace to our parish. The statue was blessed and installed in our indoor grotto just prior to the feast day of Our Lady of Fatima. We are most grateful for their generosity. May our Blessed Mother intercede for all who implore her aid!
ShareLife Parish Campaign 2024
Your love and compassion led thousands on the path to healing
Through your kind support, you eased the struggles of 23,000 people by providing access to mental health care. Your compassion provides families access to counselling sessions from our Catholic family agencies.
Thus far we have raised $21,802.65. Please give at the parish using a ShareLife envelope, online through at www.sharelife.org/donate
First Friday All-Night Vigil
Friday, June 7 from 10:30 p.m. to 9:00 a.m.
The Alliance of the Holy Family International group is holding a Communion of Reparation on Fri., Jun. 7th all night from 10:30 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. The program includes Eucharistic adoration, confession and Communion. Everyone is most welcome.
Marygrove Camp Collection
June 8 collection – Society of St. Vincent de Paul
Envelopes are being distributed for the Marygrove Camp annual collection. Marygrove Camp offers girls from families-in-need an opportunity to attend summer camp and experience all the joys it offers. Thank you for your support of this important work of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
Prayers Needed for the Sick
We are praying for the sick of our parish: Emily Maravilla, Lee Zheyu, Anton Ferdinand, Kayden and Barbara De Silva, Teresita Bruce, Erna Grzincic, Maylene L. Ibale, Victoria Munson, Benjamin Zdesar and Tina Lopes. May they be supported by our prayers and pastoral ministry and by the grace of God.
Mass Intentions for June 1 – 8, 2024
Saturday 5:00 p.m.
+Ofelia Lim, requested by the family
Sunday 8:30 a.m.
Intentions of Alyssa Francis
Sunday 10:00 a.m.
Intentions of Ethan and Melody
Sunday 11:30 a.m.
Intentions of the Parish Community
Sunday 8:00 p.m.
+Maruja De Leon, requested by the family
Monday 7:15 a.m.
+Killian Baptista, requested by M. Chaves
Tuesday 7:15 a.m.
+Lorenza Nulud Huang, requested by the family
Tuesday 7:00 p.m.
+Carmencita Catli, requested by the Gueco family
Intentions of Balikumar
Intentions of Alishia
+Jaccoba Francis, requested by the family
+Andrew Josiah
+Victoria Guzman De Zamora
In thanksgiving, Ralph and Deirdre Holsinger
Wednesday 7:15 a.m.
+Deceased members of the Croft family, requested by M. Shaw
Wednesday 7:00 p.m.
+Souls in Purgatory, requested by M. Palumbo
Thursday 7:15 a.m.
+Deceased members of the Caulfield family, requested by M. Shaw
Thursday 7:00 p.m.
+John Victor, requested by R. and T. Lopes
+Sr. Annie and William James, requested by the family
In thanksgiving, Rani James
Intentions of Edilberto Loo
In thanksgiving, the Bastianpillai family
+Tintu Jacob, requested by the family
+Agatha Juliana Kossim
+Franciskus Rudy Hartono
Friday 7:15 a.m..
Intentions of Fr. Aegidius Warsito and Fr. Juliwan Maslim
Friday 7:00 p.m.
Intentions of the Priests of the Sacred Heart
Saturday 9:00 a.m.
+Pedro De Juan, requested by the family
Marriage Course (in Spanish)
Sundays from June 9 to July 21 at 3:00 p.m.
This marriage course is for couples who are seeking to enrich their relationship through communication and dialogue. Couples will have a more harmonious relationship through their reciprocal love and joy. Please contact Rhina at rhinatov@gmail.com
STM Community Outreach - “Let Charity Prevail”
As part of our 60th Anniversary celebrations, the parish will be organizing a Street Patrol on Saturday, July 13, 2024. 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 parish hall promptly at 9:30 am to prepare sandwiches and food 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. Donations of bread, deli meats, cheese, mayonnaise, granola bars, juice boxes or water can be dropped off to the parish office from July 10 – 12th. 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 below if you would like to participate.
Outline for the day:
9am – Mass in the church
9:30 – 11:30 – Gather in the hall to prepare sandwiches and assemble food bags.
11:30 – 12:15 – Drive downtown
12:15 – 2pm – Distribution of food
2pm – 3pm – Return to St. Thomas More
