Photos, Photos and more Photos

As always, the parish has been very busy the past few weeks.  From the Valentine's Day Dinner Dance by the Knights of Columbus, to a Dance Workshop-Fundraiser supporting a Retreat for young leaders in the parish community, to the display of over 160 sacred relics at the church -- there is a lot to take in.  If you were not able to join in and participate in recent events or would like to remember some of those moments, the
photo gallery of the parish website has been updated.  Included are some pictures from the following events:

February 11 -- Knights of Columbus Valentine's Dinner Dance
February 17 -- Display of Relics by Treasures of the Church
February 19/23 -- Barnabas Disciples (Young Adult Group) Fundraiser and Gathering
February 25 -- Country Dance Workshop Fundraiser

These are by no means the only events that have taken place at St. Barnabas.  We are truly blessed to belong to a vibrant and active community.  Yet, these are the gatherings where photos are available.  We hope that you enjoy.

"Oh Lord Throughout These Forty Days..."

Lent is a time of renewal. During this season we need to take concrete steps to recommit our lives to God and grow in the likeness of Jesus our Savior. The 3 pillars of Lent: prayer, fasting and alms-giving, help us show our love for God and neighbor.

In prayer, we experience the steadfast love of God. Devotional prayer, reading the scriptures and quiet meditation are moments of grace, where we experience God's immense love for us.

Fasting and abstinence help us grow in the virtue of self-control. Living in a consumeristic society only increases our wants and desires. The virtue of self-control doesn’t make us unhappy. Rather it helps us live a more disciplined and fruitful life.

Alms-giving or charity reminds us that we need to love our neighbor and care for those in need.
So may this holy season of Lent bring us closer to God and make us more charitable in service of our neighbour.

HAPPY LENT

Consistory Update

Cardinal-Designate Thomas Collins with a delegation from the Archdiocese of Toronto have been in Rome for a few days now as preparations are well underway for the Consistory that creates new members of the College of Cardinals this weekend.  Archbishop Collins and the Canadian pilgrims were in attendance at the weekly Papal Audience yesterday and had the opportunity to greet the Holy Father.  For additional photos and news from Rome, please check out the Archdiocese of Toronto blog, tumblr page, twitter feed, or main website itself.  (If you're confused as to what some of these terms or websites are, please feel free to click and see for yourself.  They're safe!)

The Consistory ceremony where Archbishop Collins will receive his gold ring and 'red hat' from Pope Benedict XVI takes place on Saturday morning.  On Sunday morning, he along with the other new cardinals will concelebrate Mass with the Holy Father.  On Monday, Thomas Cardinal Collins will celebrate Mass in the Vatican Crypt and be part of a reception for all newly created cardinals.

Also, Salt & Light Media will be covering the events of the Consistory this weekend. Please note that many of these live events will be taking place early in the morning -- or late at night depending on how you see it -- such as the Consistory Ceremony on Saturday at 4:30am.  Repeat showings will take place throughout the weekend so please check the schedule.

Please keep Archbishop Collins, all those to be elevated to the College of Cardinals and all the pilgrims in Rome in your prayers so that this weekend may be a beacon of hope and joy in the Church and around the world.

Exposition of Sacred Relics -- Feb. 17

Relics are physical objects that have a direct association with saints or with Our Lord.  A wide collection of relics will be exposed at St. Barnabas Church on Friday, February 17 at 6pm.  The evening begins with an informative talk regarding relics and how important they are to our faith, followed by the opportunity to view and pray in the presence of the sacred relics.

'Treasures of the Church' is the ministry that is responsible for making this evening possible and has more information about sacred relics on their website.  In addition, you can find a schedule of other parishes that will be visited in the Archdiocese of Toronto.  For a list of relics that will be on display, click here.

Any updates regarding the evening will be posted on the parish website and in the bulletin.