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May 19th, 2019
The Fifth Sunday of Easter
“As I have loved you, so should you love one another.” According to Pope Francis, how do we pass this gift of divine love on to one another?
God is the first to love: God is like that: He is always first. He’s the first to wait for us, the first to love us, the first to help us.
God’s love is limitless: “the inscrutable riches of Christ.” “bottomless sea without shores…”God is a great teacher: by loving His people, teaching them to walk, taking them in His arms, caring for them.Greatness expressed in littleness: carrying on God’s own work in your own small way: that is feeding the hungry, quenching the thirsty, visiting the sick and the prisoner.Not words about love, but concrete gestures: we do not need great discourse on love, but men and women “who know how to do these little things for Jesus, for the Father.” Our works of mercy are the continuity of this love. June 8, 2018, homily-Pope Francis at Casa Santa Marta
Copyright©2019, Anne M. Osdieck. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce for parish use.
And Now, A Word from Our Patron Saint
If you learn everything except Christ, you learn nothing. If you learn nothing except Christ, you learn everything.
St. Bonaventure
And Now, A Word from Our Pastor
Recently I stopped in on a few St. Bonaventure baseball games. You haven’t lived until you’ve seen the T-Ball children running the bases in the wrong direction. Many thanks to the many volunteers who assist our young ones. One evening I spotted one of our catechumens who is preparing for Baptism on the field. Walking over to him, I said: “Wow. I didn’t know baseball coaching was a requirement to be baptized.” Smiling, he answered: “It isn’t. I volunteered.” Hearing that, I thought: “He gets it.” Baptism is not only a gift of God, it’s a call from God. Gifted with a share in the life of Jesus, we imitate Jesus in His life of service. St. Bonaventure Parish abounds with so many forms of service and ministry. Thank you to those who have served, those who are serving and those who will serve.
Speaking of “those who will serve” – any takers for the parish Garden Day, Saturday, May 25, 9:00 am? If you can help, please just give a call to the Ministry Centre (416-447-5571)
Congratulations to Joaquin Sebastien Hazelwood, Ethan Fernandes, Maverick Michael Mazzuca, Ella Elizabeth O’Connell, Cristina Ivy Love who were given new birth by water and the Holy Spirit and welcomed into God’s Holy People through Baptism.
We pray for †Paul Lavelle, son of the late Mollie and Herb Lavelle, founding members of our parish. May God’s gift of peace console his family as they mourn his passing.
St. Bonaventure’s Ministry with Maturing Adults
Upcoming Events
Tuesday, May 21st – Come and Celebrate Ministry with Maturing Adults Community! 9:45 am – 1:30 pm, gather for coffee after mass, Main Hall.
We will watch the wonderful movie – Babette’s Feast followed by a delicious Luncheon. All are welcome, whether or not you have been before, bring a friend or neighbour and join this Spring Celebration!
Exciting Workshop:
You are invited to attend an exciting Workshop at St. Bonaventure Parish on Saturday, June 1st, 2019 from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm sponsored by Office of Formation for discipleship. This workshop is for all men and women in the second half of life. Guest Speaker is Robert L. Weber, Ph.D., M.Div. Clinical psychologist and co-author of The Spirituality of Age: A Seeker’s Guide to Growing Older.The workshop will frame a vision of spirituality of Age that will serve to encourage and enhance spiritual growth not in spite of ageing, but because of ageing. Who should attend: all those who are entering the retirement years, those in retirement who want to learn more about spiritual growth in the second half of life, and those who serve and volunteer with those in the second half of life. For more information please pick-up a registration form at the back of the church, or contact Sally Amaral at samaral@archtoronto.org or 416-934-3400, ext. 518 or Maureen McDonnell,
at maureen@st-bonaventure.ca
Theology and Tea
The next T & T will be on Thursday, May 23rd after the 9:00 am Mass, mark your calendar! Come and join
Fr. Mark for some time to ponder and enjoy our relationship with God. The sessions are open to all
parishioners and their friends.
The Summer Book and Film Series will return for the third year in the months of June, July and August! We will keep you posted with the Tuesday morning dates and possible topics.
A MESSENGER OF HOPE FROM PADUA, ITALY
Over seven hundred and fifty years ago, St. Bonaventure
discovered the relics of St. Anthony. This month, one of these precious relics will be visiting Ottawa from the Saint’s Basilica in Padua, Italy.
St. Anthony is often remebered as a help in times of loss. We invite you to come and ask for his intercession for more than the loss of material things, but also for those who have lost peace of mind or who have lost a sense of direction. We will pray for his help that we might truly build a just society where no one is left behind, forgotten or lost. Services will be held at the times and locations listed below.
Mississauga, ON., St. Christopher’s Parish,
1171 Clarekson Road North
◊ Saturday, June 8th ◊
Veneration of the Relic: from 3:00 pm
Celebration of the Eucharist: 5:00 pm
◊ Sunday, June 9th ◊
Celebration of the Eucharist: 8:30 am,10:00 am, 12 noon
Veneration of the Relic throughout the day
Whitby, ON., Holy Family Parish, 91 Ribblesdale Drive
◊ Tuesday, June 11th ◊
Celebration of the Eucharist: 9:00 am
Veneration of the Relic throughout the day
Celebration of the Eucharist: 7:00
Toronto, ON., Franciscan Church of St. Bonaventure
1300 Leslie Street
◊ Thursday, June 13th ◊
Celebration of the Eucharist: 9:00 am
Veneration of the Relic throughout the day
Celebration of the Eucharist: 7:00 pm
Etobicoke, ON., All Saints Parish, 1415 Royal York Road
◊ Saturday, June 15th ◊
Veneration of the Relic from 2:00 pm
Celebration of the Eucharist: 5:00 pm
Veneration of the Relic: 6:00 – 7:00 pm
◊ Sunday, June 16th ◊
Celebration of the Eucharist: 8:00 am in Italian,
9:30 and 11:30 am in English
Veneration of the Relic until 1:00 pm
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For more information call Anna Marziliano at 416-690-9904
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World day of Prayer for Vocations
Embracing Love
A Vocation Prayer
Loving and Generous God, it is You who call us by name and ask us to follow You. Help us to grow in the Love and Service of our Church as we experience it today.
Give us the energy and courage of Your Spirit as we make all things new.
Grant us faith-filled ministers who will embrace Christ’s Mission of love and justice.
Bless our faith community by raising up dedicated, generous disciples who will serve Your people as Sisters, Friars, Priests, Deacons and Lay Ministers.
Open our hearts to hear Your call and inspire us to know You better.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen
Stewardship: A Way of Living
May 12, 2019 Offertory Collections
Thank you for your generous donations.
Regular Collection ……………………… $ 10,380.35
ShareLife …….…………………………. $ 1,115.00
Pre-Authorized Giving ……………….. $ 2,926.00
Donate Now ……………………………… $ 328.00
Second Collection:
May 26 – The Pope’s Pastoral Works
Fifth Sunday of Easter ~ May 19, 2019
Living the Gospel by supporting youth ministry in
our parishes
What difference does training make for youth ministers? Consider that the 40 + youth ministers in the
Archdiocese of Toronto collectively impact thousands of youth and their families. The Office of Catholic Youth (OCY), funded by ShareLife, visits parishes, equips youth ministers, and facilitates networking−including an archdiocesan training day attended by 200 youth ministers and volunteers. OCY helps ensure a vibrant church for future generations.
June 2nd is the next ShareLife Sunday.
Please give generously.
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Please join the Friars in prayer as they mourn the passing of their brother, Fr. Firmin Finn, OFM Conv., who entered eternity on May 4, 2019.
Please join the friars in prayer as we mourn the death
of † Friar Joseph Madden, OFM Conv., who entered eternal life on April 22, 2019. A native of Massachusetts, Fr. Joe made his Franciscan vows in 1957; he was ordained a friar-priest in 1962. Fr. Joe lived a rich life of Franciscan fraternity and ministry as a parish priest, mentor for friars in training, teacher and hospital chaplain in the United States, in Costa Rica, and 12 years in Canada, during which time he was our pastor here at St. Bonaventure. We will miss his bright smile, gentle ways, and generous spirit. Eternal rest grant to Fr. Joseph, O Lord. Let perpetual light shine upon him.
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† Friar David G. Suckling, OFM Conv.
Friar David G. Suckling, OFM Conv., was born in Toronto on May 3, 1932 and away on March 31, 2019. He was the son of the late Geoffrey and Margaret (nee Kirk) Suckling. Friar David was a beloved brother his Franciscan Family and father to his children: Chris (Hermie), Sara Cornfield (Alan), Donald MacDonald (Zoe), Molly Srebot (Mike), Michelle Newman (Bruce) and †Vivienne Brown. He is remembered by his grandchildren Stephanie (David), Nadia (Sam), Danielle (Adam), David, Kyle (Steph), Miles, Piers, Rowan, Berit, Connor, Tamsin, Tallis, Jason (Sharon), Tammy, Jamie, Katie, Emily, Rebecca, Tiffany (George) and Miranda (Jeff). Fr. David will be greatly missed by his grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.
Friar David served in the Army Reserved from 1960-61. He and his wife †Margaret Mary Suckling, who died in 1990, raised their family on their farm. Having lived as a Secular Franciscan, the notion of a further call into the Franciscan way of life filled his heart. On August 13, 1995, Friar David made his Profession of Temporary Vows. And on September 20, 1998 he made his Profession of Solemn Vows as a Franciscan Friar. Friar David lived in the Friaries of St. Anthony and St. Bonaventure in Toronto. We remember him as a gentle minister in our parish of St. Bonaventure and beloved fatherly presence in the Catholic School of St. Bonaventure. He served as a Member of the Boards of the Messenger of St. Anthony, the Tobias House: Caring in the Spirit of St. Francis, Retired Religious of the Archdiocese of Toronto at the Houses of providence and The Friends of St. Francis: St. Clare Inn. We thank God for the gift of knowing Friar David. We will miss his warm smile and Franciscan spirit. May the Angels lead him into Paradise.
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†Friar Canice Connors, OFM Conv.
Born on December 3, 1934 in Hazelton, PA, Fr. Canice entered the Franciscan Friars Conventual in 1954 and made his vows as a friar on August 15, 1955. Fr. Canice was ordained to the priesthood on May 27, 1961. After receiving an MA in philosophy from The Catholic University of America, he pursued an MA in psychology from the University of Ottawa. Fr. Canice dedicated many years to the education and formation of young people as headmaster of Canevin High School in Pittsburgh, PA. In 1971 he was awarded a PhD in psychology.
Fr. Canice continued to serve God’s People as a member of the Archdiocesan Chancery of Baltimore, MD. Blending remarkable expertise with deep compassion, he served as Director of Southdown Institute in Holland Landing, Ontario and St. Luke’s Institute in Silver Spring, MD. Fr. Canice shared his years of experience as a friar-priest with seminarians when he was Rector of St. Anthony-on-Hudson Seminary in Rensselaer, NY.
In 1997 Fr. Canice received the President’s Award of the National Federation of Priests Councils in acknowledgement of his service to the Gospel of Jesus. He served his brothers in the Franciscan order as Minister Provincial of The Immaculate Conception Province, leading the friars in lives of community and ministry. He served other fellow religious as a member of the Board of Directors, Vice-President and President of the Conference of Major Superiors of Men.
As pastor, Fr. Canice led the Parish of Our Lady of Mercy in Winston-Salem, NC. He also was the Rector and Pastor of the Franciscan Church of the Assumption in Syracuse, NY.
In 2008, our friend, Fr. Canice, came to us as a member of St. Bonaventure Friary, Toronto. We remember him as a man of great spiritual stature, preaching the Word of God with depth and wisdom. His “Theology and Tea” sessions sparked wonderful discussions as he led us in exploring our call to practical holiness and generous service. Fr. Canice was father, brother and friend to us.
When his health declined, Fr. Canice moved to Mercy Nursing Facility, Lackawanna, NY, where he continued to minister the Sacraments to his fellow residents until Sister Death called him home on March 17, 2019. He was laid to rest in St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Buffalo, NY.
MAY HEAVEN BE HIS AND MAY PEACE BE OURS.
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