"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.

Fr. Edwin on Vacation: "A Visit to the Gateway of India"

On Wednesday morning I visited the seminary and met with Bishop Agnelo Gracias, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Bombay. He was the person who accepted me into the seminary. Bishop Agnelo is a man of faith and loves people. He is always ready to meet, greet and encourage. I have learned much from him.

 On Wednesday evening, I was in downtown Mumbai with my good friend Fr. Andrew, Fr John D'Mello (former professor at St. Pius Seminary)and Elaine D'Souza (young lady who works at the Canadian Consulate). We had an excellent dinner at a Chinese restaurant. The owner went to a Catholic School and so dessert was on the house. Didn't have much as I am getting old. Before dinner, Fr Andrew and myself visited the Gateway of India, which was built to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to Bombay in Dec 1911. From here there are ferry boats that take people for a tour around the harbor. Opposite the Gateway is the Taj Mahal Hotel. Both these places were the scene of a terrorist attacks in 2008. But the people of Bombay are resilient and continue to visit these places of interest in large numbers.

The next few days are going to be last minute visits with family friends. On Tuesday morning (Monday afternoon for all of you) I board the flight to Toronto.

Keep well and God bless,

Fr. Edwin

Fr. Edwin -- Blogging from Bombay

On Wednesday I visited my friends at St. Pius X Seminary. This is the major seminary in Bombay and it is where my journey to the priesthood began. As I con-celebrated the mass, walked around the seminary and prayed in the various chapels, it gave me goosebumps because this is where it all started for me. As I reflected on my entire journey of discernment and priesthood, I realize how God has always been faithful and continued to give me the strength to serve Him. 

Bombay is a city of 12 million people and most the people live in absolute poverty. People from different faith backgrounds live in peace and harmony. Everyone has some belief and fear of God. As I walk through the streets and watch the poor, I have never seen them sad or depressed. They have absolutely nothing and yet they have peace. Reminds me of the Jesus words: Blessed are the poor for theirs is the kingdom of God (Luke 6).

I continue to enjoy the good weather, good food, super family and friends and the good faith of the people. I hear that Scarborough is full of snow. No worries as long as we have our faith, family, friends and common sense (can't take risks in the bad weather), all will be fine.

God bless,

 

Fr. Edwin

Blogging from Bombay

Greetings once again from the holy land of Bombay, where the weather is 24C and I am enjoying every moment here. Today Fr. Caje will be visiting and both of us will be going to do some visits. One of them will be Bishop Bosco, auxiliary bishop of Bombay,  who is celebrating his 75th birthday.

Every morning I concelebrate mass at St. Michael's Church. Each Wednesday they have the devotion to Our Lady of Perpetual Help. People from different faith backgrounds attend this novena. It is so amazing to see all these people come together to pray and seek God. 

On Thursday I will be visiting the Archdiocean Seminary, where my journey to the priesthood began. Fr Caje has arranged a gathering of priests on Thursday evening. It will be lots of fun meeting with the guys and catching up on stuff.

My prayers and best wishes to all of you

Fr. Edwin

"On the Twelfth Day of Christmas..."

With the celebration of Christmas and New Year slowly subsiding, we have been treated to a surprising gift and blessing from the Holy Father.  If you have not been made aware already, Archbishop Thomas Collins was named as one of several to be elevated to the College of Cardinals by Pope Benedict XVI.  Cardinal-Designate Collins will be the 16th Canadian Cardinal and the 4th for the Archdiocese of Toronto.  The official ceremony, called a consistory, will take place next month in Rome whereby he will receive his "red hat."
For more information, check out the special archdiocesan web page located here.

In other news, Fr. Edwin has landed safely in India and as promised, will be blogging throughout his vacation.  Below you will find his first post from half-way around the world:

Greetings to all from Bombay! I arrived here on Jan 5th at 4 am. My sister Carol and her husband were at the airport and I was happy to take off my sweater etc because the weather is 30 C. So enjoying the break from the cold

My flight from Toronto was good. I flew Etihad, the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates. The crew on board were excellent and I enjoyed the flight. I watched a movie, said my prayers, behaved and slept. I had one stopover in Abu Dhabi. While there you hear the Muslim prayers being recited. Interesting how Muslims have no problems about witnessing to their faith. I guess we Christians are too shy or too diplomatic.

My sister Carol is busy pampering me and it has only been a few hours. But then people at St. Barnabas pamper me too! Spoiled brat that I am.

Thank you all for your prayers and may God bless you

Fr. Edwin