Ephphatha!
Oh, THE POWER of a simple word! “Ephphatha!” Jesus says in today’s Gospel, and with that one word, the deaf man’s life changes forever. No longer would he be set apart, isolated from everyone around him. No more would he have to endure the looks that said his disability was somehow his own fault. “Be opened,” Jesus commands, and his life begins anew.
And what about his friends, those who brought him to Jesus? They would have been familiar with the words of the prophets, like Isaiah in the first in the first reading, who spoke of the coming of God as a time when the ears of the deaf would be unstopped and the speechless would sing for joy. Imagine their amazement, then, when it happened to one of their own, in their very midst. To them, too, Jesus speaks: Ephphatha! Be open, always, to the signs that God is right here among you.
We hear the same word spoken in today’s celebration: Ephphatha! Perhaps we need to open ourselves to the surprising ways God enters our lives anew, disguised in the ordinary events of each day. Or we need to be open to new ways in which we are being called to bring God’s love into a world wounded by division and despair. With gratitude and humility, we pray for hearts open to hear God’s call.
– Teresa Whalen Lux, Regina, SK
60th Anniversary Event - International Food Bazaar
Our annual International Food Bazaar will take place on Saturday, September 14th. Raffle tickets are being sold after all weekend Masses. The cost for 20 tickets pre-Bazaar is $20.00. Tickets will also be available at the Bazaar although at a greater cost (15 tickets for $20.00).
Invite your family and friends and come out and enjoy the wonderful food that has been prepared by a large variety of vendors.
Life Chain
You are invited to be a part of an important pro-life witness on Sun., Oct. 6 at 2:00 p.m. at the intersection of Ellesmere and Markham Roads. At this location and hundreds of others across North America, we will form a “Life Chain,” bearing signs with messages like “Abortion kills children” and “Adoption, the loving option” and praying silently for the hour. Everyone is welcome to peacefully, publicly and safely call upon our community to protect human life from conception to natural death. Simply show up and follow the directives of the local organizer, including relevant health measures. Let’s advocate for the innocent; as Christ Himself reminds us, “Whatever you do to the least of these, you do to me” (Mt 25:40).
Manresa’s 75th Anniversary
You are invited to a BBQ celebrating 75 years of Manresa Jesuit Spirituality Centre.
When: September 15, 2024
Time: 1:30 – 4:30 pm
Where: 2325 Liverpool Road N. Pickering
(top of Liverpool Road, N. of Finch)
Hamburgers, hotdogs, cold drinks. Enjoy music, walk the Labyrinth, Rosary Lane & trails. Bring your own lawn chairs and picnic blankets. Games for children. Rain or shine. No RSVP required.
St. Thomas More Prayer Group
CHANGE IN PRAYER MEETING SCHEDULE
Effective Wednesday, September 4, 2024, St. Thomas More Charismatic Prayer Group will meet in the Church immediately after the 7:00 p.m. Mass, on the first, third and fourth Wednesdays of the month until further notice.
Mass Intentions for September 7 – 14, 2024
Saturday 5:00 p.m.
+Marietta Pascual, requested by Pat Patel
Sunday 8:30 a.m.
+Aurita Fernandez, requested by Tony Fernandez
Sunday 10:00 a.m.
+Joe O’Reilly, requested by the family
Sunday 11:30 a.m.
Intentions of the Parish Community
Sunday 8:00 p.m.
+Chin Sen Huang, requested by the Huang family
Monday 7:15 a.m.
+Nicolasa Garcia Razon, requested by the family
Tuesday 7:15 a.m.
Intentions of Eugene Lim
Tuesday 7:00 p.m.
+Priscila Celia Lim, requested by the family
Intentions of Cathy Dessailly
+Justin Josiah
+Eugene Fernandez, requested by the family
+Deceased members of the Fernandes and Lobo families, requested by the family
+Angelina Maralag, requested by the family
+S. Jacintha
Intentions of Anita
Wednesday 7:15 a.m.
+Adoracion and Eliseo Madulid, requested by E. ALon
Wednesday 7:00 p.m.
Intentions of Josie Elsner
Thursday 7:15 a.m.
+Fitzner and deceased members of the Walzak family, requested by the Walzak family
Thursday 7:00 p.m.
+Gailes Chaves and Lena D’Souza, requested by the D’Mello family
+Lauro, Maria, and Nestor Yanga requested by the Yanga family
+Ann McPherson, requested by the Patel family
Intentions of Tian and Jocelyn
In thanksgiving, the Solomon family
+Magdalene D’Souza, requested by the Rebello family
+Gregorio Cardelli, requested by the Raponi family
Friday 7:15 a.m.
+Magdalene Chia, requested by the Chia family
Friday 7:00 p.m.
In thanksgiving, Frances Roche
Saturday 9:00 a.m.
Intentions of Ana Prada
Legion of Mary Auxiliary Function
The Legion of Mary of St. Thomas More Parish extends an invitation to all Auxiliary members to its annual Auxiliary function on:
Saturday, September 14
1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
at St. Rose of Lima Parish (basement level)
3216 Lawrence Ave. E
(McCowan & Lawrence)
This change of venue is due to the impending renovations of our church hall.
We will be joining the praesidium of St. Rose of Lima Parish to celebrate your commitment as the “praying wings” of our praesidium, Mary Queen of Heaven, St. Thomas More Parish.
Prayers Needed for the Sick
We are praying for the sick of our parish: Melina and Rolando Castillo, Keith Achue, Marivie Marucut, Kayden De Silva, Teresita Bruce, Victoria Munson, Benjamin Zdesar, Steve Dowell and Tina Lopes.
May they be supported by our prayers and pastoral ministry and by the grace of God.
