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Parish Week 10 May 2020
Holy Mary, help those in need,
give strength to the weak,
comfort the sorrowful,
pray for God's people,
assist the clergy, intercede for
religious. May all who seek
your help experience your
unfailing protection. Amen.
Saturday, 9 May
8.00 am Mass: † Souls in Purgatory (Audrey Caza)
5.00 pm Mass: Int. Lily Mandyam (friends)
SUNDAY, 10 MAY / EASTER 5-A
■ Homilist: Deacon Ramon Villardo
■ Mother’s Day
9.00 am Mass: † Pasqualina Della Vista (Grande family)
10.30 am Mass: † Celine Donald (10.30 am Ushers)
12.00 pm Mass: † Scott Stefanski (Magdalena & family)
1.30 pm Infant Baptisms (to be rescheduled)
7.00 pm Mass: Pro Populo
Monday, 11 May
8.00 am Mass: † Eugenio Bacua (Vinah Garcia)
8.45 am St. Albert School Mass (to be rescheduled)
7.00 pm Mass: Int. Karlo Gabriel Cenizal (family)
Tuesday, 12 May / Ss. Nereus & Achilleus, martyrs
8.00 am Mass: Int. Dave & Bonnie Weir (Paul)
Wednesday, 13 May / Our Lady of Fatima
8.00 am Mass: † Philomena Pereira (Lillian D’Souza)
Thursday, 14 May / St. Matthias, apostle
8.00 am Mass: Int. Macario Francis (family)
Friday, 15 May
8.00 am Mass: † Joseph & Eleanor Martin
(Eleanor, Christine, Cheryl)
11.00 am ►Ina Grafton Nursing Home Mass
Saturday, 16 May
8.00 am Mass: † Corazon Camacho (family)
5.00 pm Mass: Int. Hiranthi Somawardhene (friends)
SUNDAY, 17 MAY / EASTER 6-A
■ Homilist: Fr. Edwin Galea
■ 2nd Collection: Popes Pastoral Works
9.00 am Mass: Int. Maria Jeremiah (friends)
10.30 am Mass: Int. Thanksgiving 106th Birthday, Francisca Secco
(Sandra & Louis)
12.00 pm Mass: † Gabriel, Francis & Christy Andreas (family)
7.00 pm Mass: Pro Populo
The parish Priests are celebrating private Masses daily during the
current Covid 19 shutdown, honouring the Intentions requested by
our Parishioners.
Focus on the Word
5th Sunday of Easter, Year A Acts 6.1-7; 1 Peter 2.4-9; John 10.14
Almighty ever living God, constantly accomplish the Paschal
Mystery within us, that those you were pleased to make new in
Holy Baptism may, under your protective care, bear mush fruit
and come to the joys of life eternal. Amen.
Pray for the Deceased
Vinia Alzona
Shirley Candappa
Paul O’Connor
Philomena Pereira
Santhiapillai Sebastiampillai
The 50 victims of the
militant massacre in the
Central African Republic
PRAYER FOR MOTHERS
God of love, listen to our prayer, and bless our Mothers. Shower them with the strength of Your Spirit. Bless them with the melody of Your love, and with a place at Your eternal dinner table. May our dear Mother Mary guide them in their daily duties, give them her example of fidelity in moments of doubt, and help them to live in peace and hope.
Through Christ, Lord. Amen.
Sacramental Preparation
All Sacramental Preparation meetings and instructions will be
rescheduled after the current Covid 19 shutdown ends. The
celebrations of 1st HOLY COMMUNION and CONFIRMATION were to
take place after Holy Week. As the closure of the schools in
Ontario is scheduled to remain in place through the month of May,
it will not be possible to complete the preparations and organize
the celebrations before the end of the school year.
At this point in time, if the effort to contain Covid 19 continues
successfully, we may be able to reschedule the celebration of this
year’s 1st HOLY COMMUNION and CONFIRMATION in the Fall.
COMING UP 55e20
31 May Pentecost
14 June Corpus Christi Sunday
1 July Canada Day
6 July Feast of St. Maria Goretti
Website stmariagoretti.archtoronto.org For the Prayer to St. Michael, and details of other events in our
Parish, see pages 3 and following in the website bulletin.
RCIA, RCIC Rites of Christian Initiation of Adults & Children
Pray for all in our parish R.C.I.A. process, who preparing for
the Sacraments of Initiation; as well as the youth in our
parish R.C.I.C. process. Due to ongoing precautions to deal
with the Covid 19 pandemic, groups meetings cannot be
held at the Church. However, instruction is being provided
on line, and information is being disseminated through email
messages. Spiritual support is also provided through the
resources printed in this bulletin, and through the various
links provided by the Archdiocese on the parish website.
Prayer at the End of the Day
O my God, at the end of this day I thank
You for all the graces I have received from
You. I am sorry that I have not made better
use of them. I am sorry for all the sins I
have committed against You. Forgive me, O my God, and
graciously protect me this night. Blessed Virgin Mary, my
heavenly Mother, take me under your protection. Dear St. Joseph,
my Guardian Angel, and all you holy saints of God, pray for me.
Sweet Jesus, have pity on all poor sinners, save them from hell,
and have mercy on the suffering souls in purgatory.
Guardian Angel Prayer
Angel of God,
my Guardian dear,
to whom God’s love
commits me here;
ever this day, be at my side;
to light and guard,
to rule and guide. Amen.
Daily Offering
O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer you my
prayers, works, joys and sufferings of this day in union with the
Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world. I offer them for
all the intentions of your Sacred Heart: the salvation of souls,
reparation for sin, the reunion of all Christians. I offer them for the
intentions of our bishops and in particular for those recommended
by our Holy Father.
Prayer for the Unborn Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I love you very much. I beg you to spare the life of (baby’s name), the unborn baby that I have spiritually adopted who is in danger of abortion.
(Prayer of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen; Say this
every day for 9 months to save a baby’s life!)
Stewardship Message
Dear Parishioners,
We hope and pray that you are staying healthy – both
physically and spiritually. Please let us know if the
parish can help you during these difficult times.
Our parish relies on the support of our parishioners to
function. Without the weekly offertory collection
during this COVID 19 crisis, the Archdiocese has
identified ways that we can continue our support.
Here are the ways that you can continue to support our
parish at this time:
→ P.A.G. You can contribute through
Pre-Authorized Giving.
See the link for this in the letter on our website for
more information on pre-authorized giving. You can
click in the letter our website to download an
enrollment form which can be printed and completed.
Return the completed form and a voided cheque to the
parish office. Or e-mail the form and a scanned copy or
photo of a voided cheque to:
Contributions are withdrawn from your bank account
on the 20th of each month.
→ Hold on to your regular weekly offertory
contribution until the parish office can re-open.
→ You can contribute via online banking. To do this,
the archdiocese will need to send you a unique account
number. Send an e-mail to [email protected].
In your email message, provide:
❑ Your & Address
❑ Parish name (St. Maria Goretti)
❑ Municipality (Scarborough)
You will be emailed account information which you
can use to set up the Archdiocese of Toronto as a payee
in your on-line banking. Your gift will be forwarded to
our parish. You can make a one time or recurring gift
to our parish Offertory.
If you have any questions, contact the Development
Office. Phone: 416-934-3400, ext. 540, or email:
Thank you for your many contributions to our parish.
We miss seeing all of you at Mass, and we pray daily
that we will be able to gather together again soon.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Edwin Galea, pastor
Remember our SHARELIFE Agencies at this critical time
Community / Family Services Catholic Community Services of York Region,
Catholic Cross-cultural Services, Catholic Family
Services of Durham, Catholic Family Services Peel-
Dufferin, Catholic Family Services of Simcoe Country,
Catholic Family Services of Toronto, FertilityCare
Toronto, Natural Family Planning Association
People with Special Needs Mary Centre, Our Place Community of Hope,
Saint Elizabeth Health Care, St. Bernadette’s Family
Resources Centre, St. Michael`s Homes / Matt Talbot
Houses, Silent Voice Canada (ministry to the deaf)
Children and Youth Catholic Children`s Aid Society of Toronto, Catholic
Settlement House Day Nursery, Covenant House,
Sancta Maria House
Young Parents Rosalie Hall, Rose of Durham, Rose of Sharon,
Vita Centre
Seniors Les Centres d’Accueil Heritage, Loyola Arrupe Centre,
Providence Healthcare, Society of Sharing
Affiliated Organizations Camp Ozanam (Society of St. Vincent de Paul),
Good Shepherd Ministries, Birthright International
ShareLife 2020
Living the Gospel !
4th Sunday of Easter, 3 May
Living the Gospel by helping those with addictions
After the death of a close friend, Alex turned to hard
drugs to escape his reality. He continued using, despite
getting married and having a son. Realizing the impact
of his addiction on his son, he sought help from St.
Michael’s Homes, a ShareLife-funded agency. He
completed their treatment program and, as a result of
his recovery, he can now be there for his family. Alex
credits St. Michael’s Homes for saving his life.
7 June is the next ShareLife Sunday.
Please give generously; thanks for helping ShareLife!
Spiritual Communion
WHAT IS IT?
Spiritual Communion is a way to be united with Christ
when we cannot physically receive the Body and Blood
of Christ in the Eucharist. It can be made in Church, in
front of the Blessed Sacrament; or, if that is not
possible, at home.
St. Alphonsus Liguori’s Act of Spiritual Communion
My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the
most Blessed Sacrament. I love You above all
things and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace You as if You were already there,
and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit
me to be separated from You. Amen.
CATHOLIC WOMEN’S LEAGUE
12 Hours of Prayer for Palliative Care
“God has a weakness for the prayers of his people.
Indeed, prayer is our greatest power. We must never
tire of knocking at the door of God’s heart and asking
for help. For God is a relentless warrior when he is
called upon to defend his people” (Pope Francis).
12 Hours of Prayer for Palliative Care was chosen by
the CWL to run simultaneously with the CANADIAN
HOSPICE PALLIATIVE CARE ASSOCIATION’s National
Palliative Care Week, 4-10 May 2020
The St. Maria Goretti CWL Council has chosen to pray
the 10th Hour of this service. Parishioners may join in
offering these Intercessions to our Heavenly Father;
10th hour: Blessed are you who show love to your
patients, especially those with chronic illness, for you
possess the heart of Christ.
We pray for all families, physicians, health care
providers and those involved in the palliative care
programs. Send forth Your Spirit to all involved in the
discussions and decision making process of those who
cannot speak for themselves.
For all doctors counselling patients. May they always
be aware of the patient’s feelings as well as the disease.
For all caregivers, affirm their trust in the Lord. Rid
them of all anxiety so that they can be attentive to the
needs of their loved ones.
Pope Francis’ prayer to
OUR LADY, HEALTH OF THE SICK,
imploring her protection during the
Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic.
O Mary, you shine continuously on our journey
as a sign of salvation and hope. We entrust
ourselves to you, Health of the Sick. At the foot
of the Cross you participated in Jesus’ pain,
with steadfast faith. You, Salvation of the
Roman People, know what we need. We are
certain that you will provide, so that, as you did
at Cana of Galilee, joy and feasting might
return after this moment of trial. Help us,
Mother of Divine Love, to conform ourselves
to the Father’s will and to do what Jesus tells
us: He who took our sufferings upon Himself,
and bore our sorrows to bring us, through the
Cross, to the joy of the Resurrection. Amen.
We seek refuge under your protection,
O Holy Mother of God. Do not despise
our pleas, for we are put to the test;
and deliver us from every danger,
O glorious and blessed Virgin. Amen.
Prayer to St. Michael
Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly hosts, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
Above: THE SNOWBIRDS fly over Nova Scotia to honour
the victims of the April mass shooting in Portapique
and area, and the naval helicopter crash off the coast of
Greece on 29 April, during NATO military exercises.
Below: The victims of the crash (clockwise from top left): Capt. Kevin Hagen, Sub-Lt. Abbigail Cowbrough, Capt.
Brenden Ian MacDonald, Master Cpl. Matthew Cousins,
Sub-Lt. Matthew Pyke, Capt. Maxime Miron-Morin.
Reconciliation
Since the publication of the Letter of Cardinal Collins
on 17 March, the Sacrament of Reconciliation has not
been celebrated at the usual times in Parish Churches.
Communal celebrations of the Sacrament of
Reconciliation were discontinued, so all those who
wished to receive the Sacrament could only contact a
Priest in urgent cases. The last directive provided by
the Cardinal was issued on 24 March, in preparation for
the observance of Holy Week:
Preparation for the sacred time of Holy Week usually
involves the Easter Sacrament of Reconciliation:
The only ordinary way of attaining forgiveness for sins
is participating in individual and integral Confession
and receiving Absolution.
If a person is unable to meet a Priest for the Sacrament
during the current pandemic, it will suffice for the
moment to pray the Act of Contrition as best as one
can, intending it truthfully, and to commit to
participating in the Sacrament of Reconciliation as soon
as possible when conditions allow. There will be no
permission granted for General Absolution
Act of Contrition
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having
offended You, and I detest all my sins because
of Your just punishments, but most of all
because they offend You, my God, who are
all good and deserving of all my love.
I firmly resolve with the help of Your grace
to sin no more and to avoid the near occasion
of sin. Amen.
(Alternate form)
My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my
heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do
good, I have sinned against you whom I should
love above all things. I firmly intend, with
your help, to do penance, to sin no more,
and to avoid whatever leads me to sin.
Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died
for us. In his name, my God, have mercy.
Above: Covid 19 assessment site, Scarborough. The rate of testing has significantly increased in Ontario
since March. Photo: The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette
Below: St. Augustine Seminary, Scarborough. Due to
the pandemic, the Seminarians have been gradually
returning to their dioceses, from Toronto to Memphis.
3 May 2020: Above and right: Manny & Riza Nitoral &
pets take advantage of a warm day to enjoy a barbecue.
Below: The Fleming family’s beautiful Spring blossoms.
30 April 2020: Pope Francis prayed for all the
unknown victims of the Covid 19 pandemic:
“Let us pray for the dead, those who have died from the
pandemic. And let us also pray in a special way for the
‘anonymous’ dead. We have seen photos of common
graves. There are so many there.”
Below:
Parishioners resume attending Mass in Zagreb, Croatia,
on 1 May 2020, after a 45-day lockdown. Catholics
throughout Europe are slowly resuming their ability to
participate in the Eucharist, although the Covid 19
pandemic continues to ravage some areas.
Message Of His Holiness Pope Francis for the 2020 World Day of Vocations, 3 May 2020
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
On 4 August last year, the 160th anniversary of the death of
St. John Vianney, the Curé of Ars, I chose to write a letter to
all those Priests who daily devote their lives to the service of
God’s people in response to the Lord’s call.
On that occasion, I chose four key words – pain, gratitude,
encouragement and praise – as a way of thanking Priests and
supporting their ministry. I believe that today, on this 57th
World Day of Prayer for Vocations, those words can be
addressed to the whole people of God, against the backdrop
of the Gospel passage that recounts for us the remarkable
experience of Jesus and Peter during a stormy night on the
Sea of Galilee (cf. Mt 14:22-33).
The Gospel tells us that in the midst of life’s challenging
journey we are not alone. Like the first ray of dawn in the
heart of the night, the Lord comes walking on the troubled
waters to join the disciples; he invites Peter to come to him
on the waves, saves him when he sees him sinking and, once
in the boat, makes the winds die down.
The first word of vocation, then, is gratitude. Taking the
right course is not something we do on our own, nor does it
depend solely on the road we choose to travel. How we find
fulfilment in life is more than a decision we make as isolated
individuals; above all else, it is a response to a call from on
high. The Lord points out our destination on the opposite
shore and he grants us the courage to board the boat. In
calling us, he becomes our helmsman; he accompanies and
guides us; he prevents us from running aground on the
shoals of indecision and enables us to walk on the waters.
Every vocation is born of that gaze of love of the Lord,
perhaps even at a time when our boat was being battered by
the storm. “Vocation, more than our own choice, is a
response to the Lord’s unmerited call” (Letter to Priests,
4 August 2019). We will succeed in discovering and
embracing our vocation once we open our hearts in gratitude
and perceive the presence of God in our lives.
When the disciples see Jesus walking towards them on the
sea, they first think that he is a ghost and are filled with fear.
Jesus immediately reassures them with words that should
constantly accompany our lives and our vocational journey:
“Take heart, it is I; have no fear” (Mt 14:27). This, then, is
the second word I wish to offer you: encouragement.
When we are called to leave safe shores and embrace a state
of life – like marriage, ministerial Priesthood, consecrated
life – our first reaction is often from the “ghost of disbelief”.
Surely, this vocation is not for me! Can this really be the
right path? Is the Lord really asking me to do this?
Those thoughts can keep growing – justifications and
calculations that sap our determination and leave us hesitant
and powerless on the shore where we started. We think we
might be wrong, not up to the challenge, or simply
glimpsing a ghost to be exorcized.
The Lord knows that a fundamental life choice – like
marriage or special consecration to his service – calls
for courage. He knows the questions, doubts and difficulties
that toss the boat of our heart, and so he reassures us: “Take
heart, it is I; have no fear!”
In the Letter to Priests, I also spoke about pain, but here I
would like to translate the word differently, as fatigue. Every
vocation brings with it a responsibility. The Lord calls us
because he wants to enable us, like Peter, to “walk on
water”, in other words, to take charge of our lives and place
them at the service of the Gospel, in the concrete and
everyday ways that he shows us, and specifically in the
different forms of lay, Priestly and consecrated vocation.
Yet, like Saint Peter, our desire and enthusiasm coexist with
our failings and fears.
When Jesus at last boards the boat, the winds die down and
the waves are calmed. Here we have a beautiful image of
what the Lord can do at times of turbulence and tempest in
our lives. He stills those winds, so that the forces of evil, fear
and resignation no longer have power over us.
As we live out our specific vocation, those headwinds can
wear us down. Here I think of all those who have important
responsibilities in civil society, spouses whom I like to refer
to – not without reason – as “courageous”, and in a
particular way those who have embraced the consecrated life
or the Priesthood. Take heart, do not be afraid! Jesus is at
our side, and if we acknowledge him as the one Lord of our
lives, he will stretch out his hand and save us.
Even amid the storm-tossed waters, then, our lives become
open to praise. This is the last of our vocation words, and it
is an invitation to cultivate the interior disposition of the
Blessed Virgin Mary. Grateful that Lord gazed upon her,
faithful amid fear and turmoil, she courageously embraced
her vocation and made of her life an eternal song of praise to
the Lord.
Dear friends, on this day in particular, but also in the
ordinary pastoral life of our communities, I ask the Church
to continue to promote vocations. May she touch the hearts
of the faithful and enable each of them to discover with
gratitude God’s call in their lives, to find courage to say
“yes” to God, to overcome all weariness through faith in
Christ, and to make of their lives a song of praise for God,
for their brothers and sisters, and for the whole world. May
the Virgin Mary accompany us and intercede for us.
Consecration of Canada and the U.S.A. to Mary, 1 May 2020
Above: Cardinal Collins at St. Michael Cathedral.
All Parishes joined with the Cardinal to celebrate this
Consecration. Each Priest offered this rite in his own
Church. Below: Fr. Stephen Szakaczki, pastor of St.
Aidan Parish, Scarborough.
Above: Archbishop Richard Smith at St. Joseph
Cathedral, Edmonton, Alberta.
The Prayer of Consecration
Most Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church,
in this time of pandemic, we turn our gaze to you, and
in Christ consecrate to you the faithful of our Diocese
together with all the people of Canada.
At the Annunciation,
fear gave way to trust as you embraced the mysterious
and loving plan of God, who through his providence,
care and concern brought about newness of life in you
and through you.
Intercede, on our behalf as your children, Virgin most
faithful. Grant us faith, hope and perseverance, as we
strive to serve and bear witness to all persons,
responding to the needs of those affected by this virus.
Standing at the foot of the Cross at Calvary, you united
yourself with the sufferings of Christ and so uniquely
contributed to the mystery of our redemption.
We beseech you as Health of the Sick, draw to yourself
in maternal compassion the brothers and sisters of your
Son Jesus and all those who are grieved by this
pandemic. Strengthen the dying and comfort those
who weep so that all may experience the healing grace
of Christ our Divine Physician.
At the Cenacle, after the Resurrection, you prayed with
the Apostles for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
In your maternal care as Consoler of the Afflicted,
accompany healthcare professionals, all who minister
to the sick and those who seek to end this pandemic,
that the Holy Spirit may renew the face of the earth.
To all of us, dearest Mary, Mother of all the living,
be present and show forth your tenderness, as we raise
our eyes to you who shines forth before the entire
community as a merciful and compassionate
companion on our journey.
Time and again, with burdens weighing heavily on their
hearts and in their many necessities, the Christian faith-
ful have sought refuge under your mantle of protection.
Come quickly to our aid at this time, Mother of Mercy,
and deliver us from the dangers that surround us in our
hour of need; watch over
especially the elderly, the weak
and the infirm, our children and
the unity of our families, and all
those who give of themselves
selflessly in pastoral care to
those in need until in your arms
and in your gentle embrace we
all find safety and solace.
R. Amen.
