Irish Heritage Night
with the Toronto Blue Jays
September 19, 2008

O'Connor Irish Heritage House is, once again, delighted to be the ‘charity of choice’ of the Toronto Blue Jays for their Irish Heritage Night.

Friday, September 19, 2008
Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox at
The Rogers Centre.

Similar to last year, O’Connor Irish Heritage House has choice seating and the $49/per person ticket price, purchased through the O'Connor House committee, will save you on-line charges, includes tax AND the limited-edition Blue Jays Souvenir Cap.

This could be an ideal way to thank altar servers or other volunteers from your parish community.

Available NOW --- please RSVP as soon as possible.

For more information, contact Mary at info@irishheritagehouse.com or 416-745-2906. www.irishheritagehouse.com.

Theology of the Body for Teens

Starting on Thursday Sept. 25, running from
7:00 -9:00 p.m. for 12 weeks (ending on Dec 11) at Holy Redeemer Parish Hall 796 Eyer Dr., in Pickering, teens are invited to study and reflect on the Theology of the Body for Teens, where they will discover God's wondrous plan for their lives. Cost: $10 which covers the student workbook.

A special Parent Information evening for the upcoming Theology of the Body for Teens will be held on Thursday Sept. 11 at Holy Redeemer Hall 796 Eyer Dr., in Pickering, at 7:30 p.m.

To register or for further information call Jan Noonan 905-420-8696 or Rose Heron 905-683-9055 or email: stbreg@gmail.com or click here for website.

“Could you not watch one hour with me?" (Mark 14:37)

Sunday, October 5, 2008 - 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.

LifeChain is a powerful and prayerful way to be a witness to the Truth and to Life. It takes only an hour and all you have to do is stand quietly with others at a busy intersection, holding a sign with a simple message. The signs say: "Life, the First Human Right.", "Abortion hurts Women", and "Jesus forgives and heals". And as you stand, you can pray quietly for our nation.

LifeChain is growing! We are in need of zone captains and parish liaisons. Please call 416-204-9749 for more information.

Feast of Saint Elizabeth Mass

November 17, 2008 – 4:00 p.m.
St. Paul's Basilica, Toronto.

The Feast of Saint Elizabeth Mass, in honour of Saint Elizabeth Health Care's 100th anniversary, will be held at Saint Paul's Basilica, 83 Power Street, Toronto, at 4:00 p.m. Reception to follow in the Basilica Hall.

For more information, visit www.sehc.ca or contact Madonna Gallo at 905-940-9655 ext. 6430.

Saint Elizabeth Health Care Foundation's Imagination Ball

September 20, 2008 – 6:00 p.m.
The Carlu, 444 Yonge Street, Toronto.

Saint Elizabeth Health Care Foundation will be hosting the Imagination Ball in celebration of 100 years of excellence. The Ball will feature performances by Jully Black and Sass Jordan.

Proceeds will support essential charitable respite care and services for family caregivers.

For tickets, contact Rhona Porter at 905-940-9655 ext. 6516, email rporter@saintelizabeth.com, or visit www.sehc.ca/100.

Organist Required

Holy Family Parish, 91 Ribblesdale Drive, Whitby, is seeking an organist who is able to undertake a leadership role in directing the choir, coordinating regular practices as well as assisting in the Sunday liturgies and various parish celebrations.

If you are interested, or know of anyone who is familiar with playing a Digital Content Organ, please contact the parish office at 905-665-6470. Resumés and recommendations can be faxed to the parish office at 905-665-6651.

Lay Pastoral Visitors Training Program

Oct. 18 – November 22, 2008
Saturdays - 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon
St. Gregory the Great Parish, Oshawa.

A series of 6 sessions at St. Gregory the Great Parish is designed to prepare lay persons to become Lay Pastoral Visitors in the ministry of spiritual and religious care of shut-ins and the sick in our parish communities in Durham.

For further information/registration contact Eileen: e.mcgowan@cfsdurham.com 905-431-1711.

The Sunday Mass on CTV

The televised Sunday Mass on CTV for shut-ins is moving to a new time.

As of Sunday, September 21, 2008 the televised Sunday Mass will begin at 8:30 a.m.

Thank you for getting this information out to your parish community.

Icon to be Blessed at Our Lady of Sorrows

Sunday, September 14, 2008 – 11:00 a.m.
Our Lady of Sorrow Church, Toronto.

Our Lady of Sorrows Church recently commissioned a large icon entitled “Christos Pantocrator” by the artist Gregory Furmanczyk for its sanctuary. On Sunday, September 14, 2008, Bishop John Boissonneau will celebrate the 11:00 a.m. Mass and formally bless the icon. All are welcome.

For more information please contact the parish at
416-231-6016.

Nativity Scenes

Interested in “Nativity Scenes”?

An opportunity to admire and/or purchase some artistic and exceptional nativity scenes from Europe will be made available to you at All Saints' Parish Hall, 1415 Royal York Rd., in Etobicoke (North of Eglinton on Royal York), from Wednesday, September 10 to Saturday, September 13, from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Come and admire some artistic settings as well as hand-made clay figurines clothed in fabric to add to your collection or to begin a new tradition in your home. For further information you may call the parish at 416-244-3066.

Weekend Marriage Preparation in Angus

Our Lady of Grace Church, Angus, is offering a Weekend Marriage Preparation Course for engaged couples in preparation for the Sacrament of Marriage.

Friday, Sept. 26, 2008 - 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 27, 2008 - 8:45 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Our Lady of Grace Church, 27 Centre Street, Angus, ON L0M 1B0

A completion certificate will be awarded at the conclusion of the course. For more information please call the parish office at 705-424-1551.

Beaches Celtic Festival

Saturday, September 13, 2008
Kew Gardens, Toronto.

O'Connor Irish Heritage House is pleased to be part of the Beaches Celtic Festival at Kew Gardens on Queen Street East (east of Woodbine Ave.), Toronto. Visit Kew for the Calling of the Clans and the O'Connor Irish Heritage House tent for the Gathering of the Greens.

Free Admission. For more information, contact Mary at416-745-2906 beachceltic@sympatico.ca or info@irishheritagehouse.com www.irishheritagehouse.com.

The Alpha Course

September 23 - November 25, 2008
St. Timothy Catholic Church, North York.

Is Alpha for me? Alpha is for anyone…anyone who thinks there may be more to life than meets the eye. People attend from all backgrounds, religions, and viewpoints. They come to investigate questions around the existence of God, the purpose of life, the afterlife, the claims of Jesus and more. Everyone is welcome.

Registration will take place after all masses on September 7 and 14, 2008 at St. Timothy Catholic Church. For more information, please contact the parish office at 416-494-6526.

Theology of the Body

St Jerome's Church in Brampton is hosting a series of presentations on the Theology of the Body. They will be held on Tuesdays - September 16, 23, 30 and October 14 in the social hall from 7:30 p.m. – 9:15 p.m. Based on John Paul II's life-transforming teachings, these informative sessions will help you better understand your faith and God's plan for your life. Questions to be explored include:

- Is there a real purpose to life?
- What exactly is “Love”?
- What is the purpose of the married and
celibate vocations?
- Is it truly possible to be pure of heart?
- Why were we created male and female?

For more information please contact Liz Rybka at 647-895-2929.

19th International Festival of Religious Song

November 15-16, 2008
John Paul II Cultural Centre, Mississauga.

The 19th International Festival of Religious Song will take place at the John Paul II Cultural Centre, 4300 Cawthra Road, Mississauga, Ontario. The Festival will feature two evenings of quality music and song.

The Festival invites musicians and parish folk groups to take part in this joyful celebration of faith. This year performers will compete in two categories: professionals and amateurs. The registration deadline is September 15, 2008. Registration forms are available online at www.catholicradio.ca/festival.

The theme of the 19th International Festival of Religious Song is: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses.” (Acts 1:8) The Festival theme ties in to that of World Youth Day 2008 in Sydney, Australia and to the special message directed to youth by Pope Benedict XVI.

For more information please contact Anna at 416-588-0555 or e-mail festival@catholicradio.ca.

Making the Jane and Finch Community known for its Solutions
no longer for its Problems!

Sunday, September 7, 2008 - 5:00 p.m.
St. Augustine of Canterbury Church, 80 Shoreham Drive, North York.

St. Augustine of Canterbury Parish invites you to the Ground Breaking Ceremony for the John Paul the Great Family Centre in the Jane and Finch area.

The Jane and Finch Community is one of the most ethnic, culturally diverse, and economically challenged areas of the city. It is constantly faced with crime, drug problems, prostitution, family violence, and delinquency that affect the whole family: children, youth, adults, and seniors. Unfortunately, in some cases, there is a lack of good role models to encourage confidence and self-respect in order to fight against the negative influences of the area.

The Family Centre hopes to establish a safe environment to offer activities such as after school programs, sports, catechism, retreats, and presentations, among others, for all cultures and ages by cultivating the intellectual, emotional, spiritual, and physical growth of all individuals.

If you would like to help us to build our Family Centre, please consider a donation by calling St. Augustine of Canterbury Church at 416-661-8221 or visit our website at www.johnpaulthegreatfamilycentre.org.

Thank you for making the Jane/Finch Community a new focus of light for the city of Toronto.

The Ryerson Catholic Chaplaincy Centre

Supported by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Toronto, the Ryerson Catholic Chaplaincy Centre responds to the spiritual and pastoral needs of students, staff and faculty as they struggle with the big questions that their studies or work may raise for their faith.

We will have a booth on campus during orientation week and during the first week of classes on Gould Street. Whether you live downtown or are a commuting student, consider contacting us or visiting us and see what we can offer you!

Our upcoming events include:

- Opening Mass and BBQ: Wed., Sept. 10, 5:00 p.m.
- Alpha on Campus: starting Sept. 15 (RSVP please)

For more information please call 416-351-0365 or check www.ryercath.ca. The Ryerson Catholic Chaplaincy is located at 64 McGill Street, Toronto.

Worldwide Marriage Encounter District IV
Day of Enrichment

Saturday Sept. 13, 2008 - 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
St. Philip Neri Parish Hall, 2100 Jane St. Toronto.

Topics: The reawakening of our Sacrament.
The impact of the weekend on Family.
Call of the weekend – A Holy Adventure.

Holy Mass to conclude the day. Lunch provided – freewill donation. Please bring your dialogue books and a snack to share.

Keep your Weekend alive; Rekindle Romance; Meet Friends; Renew your Commitment.
Worldwide Marriage Encounter is celebrating 35 years of Ministry to Married Couples, Priests and Religious.

For more information please call 905-773-5111 or email: fameneses@yahoo.com.

Faith Connections – Upcoming Events

Faith Connections, a ministry of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Toronto, welcomes young adults 18 to 39 to engage in opportunities that generate spiritual growth and community-building.

SEPTEMBER HIKE - DISCOVER THE HUMBER RIVER: Young adults are invited for an afternoon of hiking, prayer, and social on Saturday, September 6th. We will be meeting in front of the Old Mill Subway Station between 10:30-11:00 a.m. Please RSVP before Sept 4th.

THEOLOGY ON TAP: Young adults are invited to a thought provoking social evening. Join us from 7:00-9:00 p.m. on Monday, September 15th @ the Duke of York Pub (39 Prince Arthur Ave., Toronto). Marina Nemat, author of bestseller Prisoner of Tehran and Matthew Behrens, organizer of Stop Canadian Involvement in Torture, will be joining us to speak about “Torture & Illegal Detention in Today's World” Munchies provided, come & bring friends!

SCRIPTURE SOUND BYTES: The Sisters of St. Joseph of Toronto and The Mississauga Parishes invite you to discover with other young adults how the Sunday Readings relate to your life. Join us for an evening of prayer, reflection and social time! Come & bring friends – Tuesday Evenings from 7:30-9:30 p.m., St. Christopher's Parish 1171 Clarkson Rd. North, Mississauga.

For more information on any of these events or to register please contact Vanessa Nicholas-Schmidt 416-222-1101. www.faithconnections.ca.