St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Toronto
Our Faith Alive
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Words and Actions Speak: Sixth Sunday of EasterActions, as the old saying goes, speak louder than words. While that isn't to say that what we as Catholics say doesn't matter, it does help us to understand that our actions have consequences, positive and negative...Wednesday, May 22, 2019 -
A New Heaven & Earth: Fifth Sunday of EasterThe second reading for the Fifth Sunday of Easter is one of my favorites. We hear from John that there is a new heaven and a new earth because the former ones have passed away. God, we hear, dwells with...Wednesday, May 15, 2019 -
Hearing the Shepherd's Voice: Fourth Sunday of EasterJesus, and the first audiences for the Gospels knew their animals. The Gospels are full of references to animals, and it seems that many times it is sheep. I'm from the suburbs, the amount of things I know about...Monday, May 13, 2019 -
"United in Prayer" - Ordination VigilBefore this year's candidates for priesthood walk down the aisle of St. Michael's Cathedral Basilica, they will have been supported by parishioners and friends in prayer the night before. Once again, the Office of Vocations, together with the...Friday, May 10, 2019 -
Living as Joyful Disciples: Words from Cardinal CollinsMonday, May 06, 2019This week marks Catholic Education Week across the province of Ontario. To acknowledge this occasion, Cardinal Thomas Collins, the Archbishop of Toronto, is celebrating and recognizing publicly-funded Catholic Education with a special message. While reflecting on... -
Renewed with Easter Joy: Third Sunday of EasterIn the Archdiocese of Toronto this year the Third Sunday of Easter is also the archdiocesan Neophyte Mass. The final period of the Christian Initiation of Adults is known as the Period of Postbaptismal Catechesis or Mystagogy. It is...Friday, May 03, 2019 -
A Mercy So Rich: Divine Mercy Sunday"….the Church must consider it one of her principal duties-at every stage of history and especially in our modern age-to proclaim and to introduce into life the mystery of mercy, supremely revealed in Jesus Christ." (Dives in...Monday, April 29, 2019 -
Celebrating A Love That Cannot Wait: Easter SundayThe following homily was provided to us by Fr. Michael McGourty, Pastor of St. Peter's Parish in Toronto. The celebration of Easter is for all Christians the highpoint of our year of faith. At Easter we celebrate the fact...Sunday, April 21, 2019 -
Christ Our Light: The Great VigilThe Easter Vigil is the final liturgy of the Triduum. It is the night that we "keep the memorial of the Lord's paschal solemnity…listening to his words and celebrating his mysteries…" (from the Greeting of the...Saturday, April 20, 2019 -
Behold the Cross: Good FridayGood Friday and Holy Saturday are the only two times when the Eucharist is not celebrated. It is a time where the Church sits in the reality that Christ is in the tomb. We sit in the reality of what...Friday, April 19, 2019 -
The Eucharist: Anything but Ordinary"On the day before he was to suffer for our salvation and the salvation of all, that is today, he took bread in his holy and venerable hands and with eyes raised to heaven to you, O God, his almighty...Thursday, April 18, 2019 -
A Charity That Costs Nothing: Fifth Sunday Of LentI have a friend that whenever he asks for prayers he always starts with "In your charity please pray for X." The idea that as Christians we are bound to each other out of a deep love in Christ...Friday, April 05, 2019 -
Conforming to Christ: Second Sunday of LentSometimes, for me at least, during Lent, it is easy to focus on a particular kind of image of Christ. You can probably picture him: Christ beaten and bruised, hanging on the cross. It always seems like a good Lent...Friday, March 15, 2019 -
Preparing for Easter: First Sunday of LentThe first Sunday of Lent is the day that is set aside in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults for the Rite of Election. It marks an important milestone in the life of the catechumen (the person...Wednesday, March 06, 2019 -
Ash Wednesday: A Call to PrayerAsh Wednesday is the start of Lent. It is the start of that great period that leads up the Paschal Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil). It is marked by prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. I don't...Tuesday, March 05, 2019 -
A Pilgrim's Voice: Letting God's Will Be DoneIn January 2018, I attended a presentation on the then-upcoming 2019 World Youth Day and I decided I was not going to go. After all, it was going to be held during late January and I had a full...Thursday, January 31, 2019 -
Continuing the Journey in 2019As I return to my normal routine after a restful and fruitful Christmas break, I find myself at an interesting place in my seminary formation: exactly halfway. I entered St. Augustine's Seminary and began my formation for the diocesan...Monday, January 14, 2019 -
"Anointed and Called to Stewardship" - Baptism of our LordOver the years, I have had many people ask me a very simple question when we celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. That question is: "Why was Jesus baptized? If Jesus is sinless and the...Thursday, January 10, 2019 -
Mother of the Year? MaryWhile the start of the liturgical New Year is actually Advent, the Church does give us a wonderful gift at the start of a new secular year, the celebration of the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God. Commemorated...Monday, December 31, 2018 -
Every Family is SacredThe following text is taken from Fr. Michael McGourty's homily, as delivered on the Feast of the Holy Family. Every year, on the first Sunday following Christmas, the Church celebrates the beautiful feast of the Holy Family...Thursday, December 27, 2018
