Dear Parishioners of Holy Name,

 We want to provide you with an update as we prepare to welcome you back to church! We do know that not everyone feels safe to return to church just yet, and we understand.  However, you are still very much part of our community and we will keep you in our prayers.   We will continue to post updates and homilies on the parish website. Due to capacity restrictions for gatherings in Ontario, and in order to observe safe social distancing, there will be approximately 60 places for parishioners to sit. The seats will be numbered allowing for the proper social distancing. In my email last week, I had mentioned that you may be asked to preregister or notify the parish office if you plan on attending the weekend mass. There is no need to pre- register or notify the parish.  The seats are available on a first come, first served basis. You will enter the church through the main door of the church. The elevator door will be open for those who need to use the elevator. There will be Ministers of Hospitality/Ushers at the doors to direct you to the designated seats and answer any question you may have.

Every reasonable precaution has been and will continue to be enforced for the health and safety of everyone. We are aware that this virus is still active and it is imperative that we respect the rules and guidelines set out by the government, the Health Department and the Archdiocese.

 

Here is a link to a YouTube video that explains the temporary changes to the Mass that are being implemented in response to COVID-19. 

 How to Return to Mass

How to Return to Mass

 

 

Additional information:

·         Masks or face coverings are strongly recommended.

·         Sanitize your hands upon entry.

·         Please maintain physical distancing at all times. Stay 2 metres (or 6 feet) away from others.

·         Please follow the direction provided by ushers/volunteers for seating.

·          Arrive at least 15 minutes before the start of Mass.

·         Please stay home if: you are not feeling well; you have been in contact with a COVID-19 positive individual over the past two weeks, you have a compromised immune system.

  

Thank you for your cooperation, understanding and patience as we implement these changes to ensure the safety of all those who come to worship at Holy Name.

 

Holy Name Reopening Team

Dear Parishioners of Holy Name,

I pray that you and your loved ones are safe and healthy during this most challenging time. You may have heard that soon we will be able to re-open our churches once again. We look forward to welcoming you back to church!  As we implement our re-opening plans, we must do so with prudence and caution, ensuring that we do everything possible to reduce the potential transmission of the virus. One of the biggest challenges is that, to re-open, we must do so in phases where our capacity (# of people who can attend church) will be limited due to directives from the Province of Ontario’s medical experts. Accordingly, we will be able to admit only about 75 people in the church at a time. You will be asked to notify the parish office in advance if you plan on attending the weekend Masses. More information about how to notify the parish office will be sent out and posted on our website next week.

I look forward to welcoming you back soon – be assured that you remain in my prayers each day.

Sincerely in Christ,

Fr. Jinto Mathew CSC

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

 

During the Easter season, several readings highlighted the role of the Holy Spirit in sustaining the Christian community after Christ’s death, resurrection and ascension. Over the past weeks, we have been reflecting on biblical passages that articulate the relationship among the persons of the Trinity. As we return to Ordinary Time, today we celebrate the Holy Trinity, a mystery of faith that demonstrates the love within God and its manifestations on earth. These days people across the world are shocked by the brutal killing of George Floyd by police members in the United States. The murder has sparked protests not only in the USA but across the world. In this time of pandemic and the on-going racial discrimination, reflecting on and understanding the nature of God is timely and important.

Let us pray for healing and justice for all those who have experienced violence and racism and for the grace to see every human being as a child of God, regardless of race, language or culture. Let us also continue to pray the sick and for all those who are working hard to keep us safe and healthy. Be assured of my prayers and support.

 

Have a Blessed Week

Fr. Jinto Mathew CSC

Dear Parishioners,

Today is the SOLEMNITY OF PENTECOST! It is the celebration of the gift of the Holy Spirit to the apostles and all of us. Pentecost, seen as the birthday of the Church, is the beginning of its missionary activity. The Spirit animated the apostles into a convinced group of followers of Jesus, as they accepted the responsibility to bring the Good News to all the people of the world. As we celebrate Pentecost, we might like to reflect on the particular role that God has for each one of us. This week, we might ponder the contribution that we can make to the mission of the Church, and to all those around us.

Bethlehem was God with us, Calvary was God for us, and Pentecost is God in us. (Robert Baer)

HAPPY PENTECOST!!! 

Fr. Jinto Mathew CSC

My dear friends,

The Gospel passage for today’s feast of the Ascension of the Lord is the final scene from of Matthew’s Gospel, in which the risen Christ appears on a mountaintop in Galilee, majestically commissioning his disciples to bring the good news of Christ to all nations. The Gospel ends with Christ’s promise: “I am with you always, until the end of the age.” By the power of the Holy Spirit, God is present and available to all of us who wish to be in relationship with him, partake in his mission and share his glory. This is the great calling and destiny we all share in as followers of the Lord Jesus.

 As the Easter Season draws to a close, we might pray together:

‘Lord, we believe you are indeed our light, help and stronghold in these dark times. May your Holy Spirit comfort us all; and may our relationship of loving trust with you deepen.’ Amen.

 

Today is the feast of ascension. To those who wonder what it’s about: It’s the day when Jesus started to work from home.):

 

Be assured of my prayers and support

 

Have a lovely week

Fr. Jinto Mathew CSC

My dear friends :)

Even though we remain conscious of the real challenges that we continue to struggle with today, there is a sense of joy in this week’s readings. We hear of it arising from the marvelous acts of the apostles (today’s First Reading), and also in the Psalm, a hymn rejoicing in the great things the Lord has done for his people. In the same way, we have a taste of this joy in the Gospel promise: The Spirit will be given to us, and the Lord will be in us and we in the Lord.

This week, let’s pray that the struggles we have faced over the past months, and the struggles we continue to endure will not hold back the life of the Spirit in us. Let us continually ask the Holy Spirit to carry us forward.  In all things, may we speak with joy of the good things the Lord has done and continues to work in our lives.

Let us pray for the children whose First Communion and Confirmation has been postponed that their desire for Jesus and the Holy Spirit may grow during this time of waiting. 

 Let us continue to pray for the sick and for all those who are working hard to keep us safe and healthy.

 

Be assured of my prayers and support.

 

 Many of God's Blessings upon you.

Fr. Jinto Mathew CSC

Dear Parishioners,

I trust you, and your families are well and safe. I am keeping well and I wish to express my gratitude to you for the many ways you support the parish and the community. On Friday 1 May 2020, the Catholic Bishops of Canada consecrated their individual dioceses to Mary, Mother of the Church, seeking her protection during the Corona virus pandemic.  As you know, May is the month dedicated in a special way to the Mother of Christ. During this month let us turn to her and ask for the help of herpowerful prayers to God for us.

Reflection

In the reading for this Sunday Jesus uses the image of both a shepherd and sheep to express the relationship between God and humanity, a relationship that grows with our faith in God. But this faith sometimes is strong, and sometimes it seems weak. So how do we deal with those moments when faith is weak? There is a story of a boy by name Bill who grew up on a farm. He had one task that terrified him. During the fall when his father had to mind the furnace in the barn late every evening, Bill had to bring his father's dinner to him. Invariably, it was dark when he had to make his trip. Bill was frightened by all the sounds and shadows. By the time he reached the barn he was literally trembling with fear.

He was too proud to tell his dad how frightened he was, but somehow his dad became aware of it. So, one night, after he finished his dinner, his dad said, "Maybe I'll walk back home with you this evening." With that, the father extended his hand and Bill reached up to take it. On the trip home, Bill realized that “Every frightening thing stayed in its place!" When our spirits alternate between strong faith and dark fear, we must take the hand of the good shepherd and let him guide us in love. And let us also extend our hands to reach out especially to those who need a supporting hand.

I assure you of my prayers and support.

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Jinto Mathew CSC

WEEKLY COLLECTION 

Due to all Masses being cancelled, there is no weekend collection. Thank you to all those that have dropped off their donation envelopes at the Parish office and to those who have signed up for Pre-Authorized Giving (PAG).  

There are several ways that you can continue to support Holy Name Parish at this time: 

 

• Drop off in our office mailbox or mail in your regular weekly offertory contribution to the Parish office. 

 

• Contribute to the Parish offertory through Pre-Authorized Giving through withdrawls from your bank account. You can make a onetime donation or a recurring contribution to Holy Name offertory or other special funds. You can request a form from our Parish office through email. Contributions are withdrawn on the 20th of each month. Please contact us at: (416) 466-8281 or by email at:holyname@rogers.com.