Dear Parishioners,

Christ is Risen, Alleluia, Alleluia!

As we continue to celebrate the great Solemnity of Easter, I once again, wish to thank you for your continued support, prayers, email messages, phone calls and Easter cards. I am humbled by your generosity towards our parish community, especially during this difficult time.

Parish life continues, even though we are isolated, and I would like to share with you some of things taking place:

I have had 2 online meetings with the Finance Committee to address our financial situation. I will share a bit more with you, next week, regarding these discussions.

I also continue to celebrate Mass and the Divine Mercy Devotion, according the schedule below, so please join us on Zoom. It is encouraging to see that more and more people are following us every day.  It is a wonderful opportunity to pray together, but this time together also gives us an opportunity to show each other and tell each other that we want to be part of this faith family. For your convenience I have again included the link and password for the online streaming:  https://zoom.us/j/5887658626?pwd=Y1Y1UjN0c3NwdElUQ1pOUnpEVUR0dz09 

Meeting ID: 588 765 8626

On Easter Sunday, I blessed water and we renewed our Baptismal Promises. Anyone who would like to pick up a bottle of Holy Water can do this beginning on Saturday, April 18^th and all week, in front of the Parish Centre, between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. Special Holy Water containers are used for this purpose, so you do not have to bring your own. Please see the picture attached and learn how we make holy water! 🙂

Schedule of upcoming online events:

Saturday, April 18 at 3:00p.m. – Divine Mercy Novena

Divine Mercy Sunday – Mass at 10:00 a.m. and Divine Mercy Novena at 3 p.m.

Mass is also celebrated on Tuesday to Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 9:00 a.m., Saturday Vigil in anticipation of Sunday at 7 p.m., and on Sunday at 10:00 a.m. and streamlined on Zoom, as is the Divine Mercy Chaplet, at 3 p.m. (Tuesday – Friday).

Wishing you all a blessed Easter Season,

Fr. Marian Gil OMI

Dear Parishioners, 

As we journey with our Risen Lord, and continue to celebrate this Easter Season, I once again, wish to thank you for your prayers, email messages, phone calls, letters and continued support of our parish community, especially during this difficult time.

As I mentioned last week, even though we are isolated, parish life continues, as does the life of the Church throughout the world, and so, I wish to share with you some news of a very special day in the life of the Church, here in Canada. On May 1, 2020, the Catholic Bishops of Canada will consecrate their individual dioceses or eparchies to Mary, Mother of the Church, seeking her protection during the Coronavirus pandemic. In addition, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), in fraternal communion with the leadership of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), has agreed that this Marian consecration will be held on the same day, in both countries, making this a most meaningful and powerful intercession throughout North America, to the Blessed Mother. Please see the bulletin for more details and information on how you can participate, in your own home.

Also, Fr. David Perrin, who is very well known to our parish community, was asked by Novalis, the publisher of his book: The 20-Minute Retreat to prepare a brief video with a message related to COVID-19. It’s kind of a “message of hope” related to the crosses in our lives.  Enjoy watching this short video: https://youtu.be/SJKmjyPNonc

I continue to celebrate Mass and the Divine Mercy Devotion, according the schedule below, so I hope you will join us on Zoom. It is encouraging to see that more and more people are following us every day.  It is a wonderful opportunity to pray together, but this time together also gives us an opportunity to show each other and tell each other that we want to be part of this faith family. For your convenience I have again included the link and password for the online streaming:       

https://zoom.us/j/5887658626?pwd=Y1Y1UjN0c3NwdElUQ1pOUnpEVUR0dz09

Meeting ID: 588 765 8626

The password can be obtained by emailing the parish office. st.teresakit@stteresakit.ca

Schedule of upcoming online events:

Mass is celebrated on Tuesday to Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 9:00 a.m., Saturday Vigil in anticipation of Sunday at 7 p.m., and on Sunday at 10:00 a.m. and streamlined on Zoom, as is the Divine Mercy Chaplet, at 3 p.m. (Tuesday – Friday).

Wishing you all a blessed Easter Season,

Fr. Marian Gil OMI

Happy Easter 2020!

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Christ is alive!

He is our Hope, Truth and Life.

May the Risen Christ, who open the doors of the tomb, open our hearts to the needs of the disadvantaged, the vulnerable, the poor, the unemployed, the marginalized, and all those who knock at our door in search of bread, and the recognition of their dignity.

May we let ourselves to be renewed by Him!

May this Easter bring comfort to the people who lost their love ones because of COVIT-19. May the Living Christ grant His peace to us and the entire world.

May the Risen Lord accompany us in our straggles and challenges during this difficult time.

May the joy of the resurrection fill our hearts the hearts of those who are experiencing the effects of difficult economic situation.

Fr. Marian Gil OMI

Dear Parishioners, 

I would once again, like to thank you for your prayers and support. It has been wonderful, as well, to be a part of your sharing online and on the telephone – the challenges, as well as the moments of joy you are experiencing in these days. Thank you for sharing. 

With Palm Sunday, we begin Holy Week, one of the greatest events in our Parish and in our Liturgical Calendar.  This year, it will have special meaning to each one of us.  As the name suggests, it is a holy time, a time of grace. As such, I have dedicated a good portion of the bulletin this week to this. I hope this will be informative, and help you to learn a little more about one of the many treasures of our faith. Along with the bulletin, I am also attaching several documents:

• Bishop Crosby’s Decree regarding Holy Week and the celebration of the Paschal Triduum 2020 – This document explains what the celebrations will look like.
• Sacrament of Reconciliation during COVID-19
• Cancellations – these are the cancellations in the Diocese from April 2-June 31, 2020

Since we will not gather as a community for any of the celebrations during the Paschal Triduum, we are invited to dedicate substantial time to prayer and spiritual reading. I would especially like to invite you to join us, online, as we livestream the celebrations taking place in the parish, during this sacred time. 

Holy Week Celebrations:

Saturday, April 4^th, Mass at 9:00 a.m. and 7:00p.m.

Palm Sunday: 10:00 a.m. – Mass

Tuesday to Thursday at 3:00 p.m. – The Divine Mercy Chaplet

Tuesday to Thursday at 7:00 p.m. – Mass

Good Friday: 3:00 p.m. – Passion of Jesus and Divine Mercy Novina

Good Friday: 7:00 p.m. – Station of the Cross

Holy Saturday: 3:00 p.m. – Divine Mercy Novina

Easter Sunday: 10:00 a.m. – Resurrection Mass

Please join us on ZOOM by clicking the following link: https://zoom.us/j/5887658626 This link is active only during the celebrations listed above.

As the church remains closed, I would also ask you to continue to keep our parish community in your prayers and prayerfully consider continuing your donations either by mail, or drop off through the slot in the Parish Office door. You can also, if you choose, make your donations by credit card by following this link: https://hamiltondiocese.com/give/ Further instructions can be found in the bulletin. Thank you.

Lastly, I would also like to continue to invite you to send in any prayer requests you may have. It is good to be able to pray with and for each other, and if you need any help or assistance, please do not hesitate to call the office or send us an email message at st.teresa@stteresakit.ca

As we journey together through this Holy Week and these uncertain times, let us continue to be mindful of each other and be united to each other through prayer.

With prayers,Fr. Marian Gil OMI