83-4 January 25, 2015 Third Sunday in Ordinary Time Mass Intentions Tuesday, January 27th 8:15 am for + DOUGLAS HIGGINS Requested by The St. John’s Week Day Mass Group Wednesday, January 28th 8:15 am for + GRETA PRUPAS Requested by Avis Favaro As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen. Jesus said to them, "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men." Then they abandoned their nets and followed him (Mark 1:16-19). “Repent, and believe in the good news.” What would happen if Jesus spoke these commanding words today? Would those gathered to meet him accuse him of shoving his religion down their throats? Would they give him a lecture on tolerance? How many of us would actually listen to him, and do what he said? Our modern culture has programmed us to respond with scepticism, if not anger, to any suggestion that there is a “right” way of doing things or a “true” religion. But when Jesus tells us to repent, he implies that some of the choices we are making are wrong, that we need to change, to turn toward God, and to become more loving, more generous, and more forgiving. And when he tells us to believe in the good news, he’s not just making a recommendation. He is giving us direction for entering “the Kingdom of God.” Are we willing to let his words affect us? Are we ready to examine our lives and repent for our sins? Are we prepared to believe the good news he preached of salvation and forgiveness? He wants us to share in the glory of his Kingdom, now and for all eternity. The question is only how we will respond to this divine invitation. Next weekend, February 1st, the world celebrates Marriage Sunday. The event provides an opportunity to honour husband and wife while celebrating the faithfulness, sacrifice and joy that comes with the marriage covenant. To those preparing for marriage, newlyweds and those that have been companions on the journey for decades, we offer our prayers and best wishes in a special way. Let us celebrate the tremendous contributions of married couples who continue to strengthen our faith community. May God Lord continue to bless us all. Thursday, January 29th 8:15 am for + EUGENIA SZELIGA Requested by Mary Anthony Friday, January 30th 8:15 am for + GEORGE NEWTON The practice of requesting a Mass to be offered for loved ones, living or deceased, for anniversaries, weddings and birthdays, is a beautiful and wonderful part of our Catholic tradition. If anyone wishes to schedule a Mass please contact the office. In your charity please pray for the repose of the souls of Olive Mullen & Maxima Viegas The Sanctuary light burns this week in loving memory of Greta Prupas If you would like to have the Sanctuary light dedicated to a loved one, contact the office. Kids’ Corner: Jesus saw two more fishermen and called them to follow him. Who are they? Use the answer graph to find out who they were. Fr. John Come and join us in praying the ROSARY before Mass, Tuesday to Friday at 7:45 am. Please remember the poor box as you exit the church. and January 25, 2015 Please Pray For The Sick Dr. Nauts Paulette Kubusheskie Nora Jones Glenda Fajardo Tita Tiu Evelyn Sytico Matt Kavanagh Gaetan Daigle Tom Common Mhai Opiana Evelyn Lagunilla Nancy Abenoja In The News WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR CONSECRATED LIFE: On Monday, February 2nd the Church celebrates the World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life. In the Archdiocese of Toronto we are blessed to have living and serving among us more than 1,000 religious men and women of over 100 different religious congregations. This is a wonderful opportunity for us to thank God for the gifts of these religious sisters, brothers and priests and to pray for God’s blessing upon them in their efforts to faithfully live the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity and obedience. On Sunday, February 1st at 3 pm at St. Paul’s Basilica, there will be a special Mass presided by His Eminence, Thomas Cardinal Collins, in celebration of the vocation and witness of these special men and women religious who are such an important part of the life and ministry of the Church in our archdiocese. All are welcome to attend. SOLEMN MASS FOR THE FEAST OF DON BOSCO: on January 31st from 10 am at St. Paul’s Basilica, 83 Power St., Toronto. His Eminence Thomas Cardinal Collins, Archbishop of Toronto, Presider and Homilist invite you to this solemn Mass. Light luncheon to follow in church hall. FAITH CONNECTIONS’ THEOLOGY ON TAP: Ask the Bishop. Faith Connections invites young adults (19-39) to join us for an evening of thought-provoking theological discussion in a comfortable and relaxed setting at the Duke of York on January 26th from 7 to 9 pm, 39 Prince Arthur Ave., Toronto. Our special guest, Bishop Wayne Kirkpatrick, will answer any questions you have about our faith. Munchies provided. Cash bar. Come and bring a friend! For more information call John-Paul Markides at 416.467.2645 or visit www.faithconnections.ca COME AND SEE WEEKEND: The Office of Vocations is hosting a Come & See Weekend retreat on January 31 at 6:30 pm to February 1 at 2:30 pm at St. Augustine's Seminary, 2661 Kingston Rd. Scarborough, for men, 18 years and older. This weekend offers a way for men discerning a possible call to priesthood to meet seminarians, hear a number of vocation testimonies and to receive first-hand experience of seminary life. For more information, please call us at 416.968.0997 or email vocations@archtoronto.org. BOOK YOUR BABYSITTER NOW!: The St. John’s School annual dance is fast approaching and it promises to be the best one ever! Out All Night Dance/Silent Auction. When: Saturday February 28th, 7:30 pm - 1 am. Where: Ted Reeve Community Centre. Cost: $25/Ticket or $30 at the door. To order your tickets now and to inquire about volunteering to help out, email us and we will get you all set up! stjohnschoolCSAC@gmail.com Parish Events & Opportunities CWL: All parishioners are welcome to come hear guest speakers Deacon Paul MacDonald and Bonnie Brady present a talk on Marriage - Covenant not Contract next Sunday, Feb. 1st in the Hall, right after the 11:00 Mass. Whether married 60 years or not at all, their presentation holds something for everyone about relationship. Deacon Paul & Bonnie have led the Marriage Preparation Course out of Blessed Sacrament parish for many years. A light lunch will be served. The General Meeting will take place after the presentation. VALENTINE'S BAKE SALE: Bakers, get your ovens ready for this up-coming sale on Sun., Feb. 8th after both Masses! Proceeds to Sancta Maria House, a downtown residential home for teenage girls 14 to 18. SHROVE TUESDAY PANCAKE DINNER: Join us on Tuesday, February 17th from 5:30 pm to 6:45 pm in the Church Hall for our annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner. Pancakes, sausages, tea, coffee and juice will be served up for all to enjoy. Senior/Students $5/ Adults $10/ Family $15. Tickets available at the door. SIGN UP! FOR OUR PARISH BOWLING ON SUNDAY FEBRUARY 8TH: Family and friends of all ages are welcome to join us at O'Connor Bowl for and exciting afternoon of five pin bowling. Registration begins at 3:30 and we bowl from 4 to 6 pm. Cost for 2 games and shoe rental is $8.50 per person. Sign-up sheets will be at the back of the church on Jan. 24/25 and Jan. 31/Feb 1. Hope to see you there. If you have any questions, please call Doris 416.698.1459. JOIN THE PRAYER GROUP / BIBLE STUDY GROUP: On Friday mornings after the 8:15 Mass, we meet in the Parish Lounge to say the prayer to St. Peregrine and reflect on the readings for the following Sunday. All are welcome. 2015 OFFERTORY ENVELOPES: have been moved to the office. If you would like to begin using envelopes or have yet to pick up yours please contact the office. Thank you and God Bless. We welcome the newly baptized Caden Dumas God our Father, you generously grant us all the gifts we have. Help us to understand that it is in the giving that we receive. Thank you for making a gift to your Parish. 2014 2015 Sunday Collection: $ 4644 $ 4665 Offertory PAG: $ 744 $ 847 Little Levity: “Do you believe in life after death?” the boss asked one of his employees. “Yes, sir,” the clerk replied. “That’s good,” the boss said. “After you left early yesterday to go to y our grandmother’s funeral, she stopped in to see you Peace begins with a smile. ……………………..…...Mother Theresa