Fr. Edwin's Farewell Reflection - Part 3

I am telling you for the last time…....

The good times at St. Barnabas – no words can describe how wonderful my experience has been with this community. I will always cherish all the memories I have encountered here. Life in this parish has taught me so much. I am so grateful for where this learning journey has taken me and my ministry; and I have the Lord and each of you, my St. Barnabas parish family to thank.

It is sad to leave such an awesome community. I am not very comfortable saying goodbye. My emotions tend to get the better of me. But it is important and necessary.

Lastly, the changing times. Change is not easy, it takes a while to get used to. New things will happen here and I know it will all be good. I’m sure all of you will continue to be open to the Spirit of God and I know and pray that the glory of God will be manifested more and more in each of your lives, your families and this parish family as a whole. We trust that God has great things in store for all of us each day and in the coming days ahead.

Do we say goodbye? Yes and no – I may not be present physically but always with you in prayer. May God shower you with His abundant blessings and may every heavenly grace lead us to a life fulfilled in the perfect love of Christ our Lord.

God bless all of us!
Fr. Edwin
(if you would like to contact me please email: fr.gonsalves@gmail.com)

Fr. Edwin's Farewell Reflection - Pt. 2

I am telling you for the last time……...

Children have been a great inspiration to me. They continue to reveal the length, breadth, height and depth of God’s immense love. Just ask a child about Jesus and you will hear the most fascinating responses. I’m sure all of us have experienced the wisdom of children. When doubt, grief or frustration sets in, a little child can keep us on track and bring us to the reality of God and our faith. To you Moms, Dads, grandparents, uncles and aunts, thank you for sharing your faith with the little ones. It means a lot to them. And God is forever pleased by the good work you do for your children.

The youth and young adults of the parish are indeed not only the future, but the ‘present’ of the Church and society. I have enjoyed the immense contributions made by all our youth to the parish community. They need to be welcomed, encouraged and loved. It is such a blessing to see all the youth take an active role in this parish. For me, they have been a blessing and inspiration. May we always continue to pray for them.

A thank you to all the various ministries and organizations! You generously share your time and talent with the parish. To the Parish and Finance Councils: thank you for all your wisdom and guidance. To the Fundraising and Refugee committee: thank you for the hard work, sleepless nights and never-ending service. To the sacristans: you have always prepared well, worked hard and been faithful. Thanks ever so much.

As Fr. Luis will be taking over as Administrator, I’m sure he will do a great job. He has lots of wisdom and we all need to support and pray for him. He loves St. Barnabas and is ready to serve joyfully.

Since I made my announcement, people have asked if this was a “promotion”. No it isn’t! It is a greater responsibility and service to God and the Church. So humbly I ask for your fervent prayers that I may continue to joyfully serve the Lord.

Have a blessed week

Fr. Edwin

Fr. Edwin's Farewell Reflection - Pt. 1

With Fr. Edwin leaving St. Barnabas Parish to serve as Rector of St. Augustine's Seminary, he will be writing a 3-part reflection on his time as Pastor.  It will be posted over three consecutive bulletins.  For your convenience, it is reprinted here:

“I’m telling you for the last time”

The title inspired by Jerry Seinfeld

As I reflect on my last three weeks at St. Barnabas, I would first like to thank each and every one of you for your love, support and prayers; of course, I am eternally grateful to God from whom all blessings flow.  Our Blessed Mother, St. Joseph and St. Barnabas have been my constant intercessors and protectors and this, I am always aware of, and thankful for. 

When I joined the parish in 2008, I was welcomed with open arms. The parishioners, office staff, ministries and organizations made me feel at home. Msgr. Pan, Fr. Paul and Fr. Luis have been great brothers in ministry. Together, we shared the love of God, celebrated life and had fun.

I know Fr. Luis will do a great job. He is a gifted and talented young priest with lots of wisdom. I have enjoyed doing ministry with him at St. Barnabas. Do continue to pray for him and support him.   A special mention goes to my great inspiration, most beloved Deacon Paul:  truly, he is a man who is salt of the earth and light of the world.  He is an absolute gem and a precious gift to our community and the Church.

The office staff has been a great help to me. Jan, Chris, Joachim and John work so efficiently and humbly behind the scenes. I tend to be forgetful but they are always on point. This is why we are able to achieve much in the parish and I am ever grateful to them. Gemma has lovingly taken care of us priests at the rectory.

To the elderly of the parish: I am greatly honored by your presence and it is a joy to serve you.  Some because of poor health have been unable to attend the parish: know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. You are my "moms" and "dads" whose faith has continually inspired me. Thank you to all of you, my St. Barnabas family.  May our gracious God bless you always with his grace and mercy!

Have a blessed week.

Fr. Edwin

Confirmation Session 1 Notes

Please note that Session 1 for the Confirmation Preparation Program (2013-2014) is now online.  You can find them on the Sacraments page of the St. Barnabas Parish Website or by clicking on the link below.

St. Barnabas Catholic Church - Sacraments Page

Photos From WYD 2013 Parish Celebration

"Go and make disciples of all nations" -Matthew 28:19

A special thanks go out to all those who contributed to make the World Youth Day 2013 Parish Celebration at St. Francis Centre a resounding success.  It was a faith-filled, fun weekend and would not have been possible with the support of so many within the parish community.

Photos from the weekend celebration have been posted online on the parish website:
WYD 2013 Parish Celebration Photos.

WYD 2013 Parish Celebration

The Youth of St. Barnabas Parish are encouraged to register and attend the World Youth Day 2013 Parish Celebration.  This gathering of young people ages 14-20 will coincide with the gathering in Rio de Janeiro on July 26-28, 2013.  Registration costs $50 per person. Below you will find a link for the registration form.

WYD13 Registration Form

In order to help alleviate the costs for hosting this celebration, the Youth Group is hosting fundraisers leading up to the event.  Currently, coins are being collected after all Sunday Mass as part of their "Loonie Drive."  Any assistance that you are able to provide is greatly appreciated.

Confirmation Session 8 (Test)

A reminder that Session 8 for Confirmation Prep is this Saturday.  Part of the session is the test to show that students have learned about the sacrament of Confirmation and our Catholic faith.  A 70% is required to pass the test.  Those who do not achieve the minimum mark on the test will be able to demonstrate their knowledge later on at the Confirmation Retreat in order to pass.

A Study Guide for the Confirmation Test in addition to Notes from Session 7 can be found on the Sacraments page of the parish website.

Holy Week Schedule

As noted on the homepage of the St. Barnabas website and in the parish bulletin, the Holy Week Schedule is as follow:

Passion (Palm Sunday): Regular Sunday Mass Schedule
Saturday, March 23 -- 4:30pm
Sunday, March 24 -- 9am, 10:30am, 12:15pm, 7pm

Holy Monday & Tuesday (March 25/26):
Mass at 9am

Holy Wednesday (March 27):
Mass at 9am & 7pm

Holy Thursday (March 28):
Mass of the Lord's Supper at 7:30pm

Good Friday (March 29):
Confessions from 9-11am
Celebration of the Lord's Passion Liturgy at 12 Noon & 3pm

Holy Saturday (March 30):
No Mass in the morning or afternoon
Easter Vigil Mass of the Lord's Resurrection @ 7:30pm

Easter Sunday (March 31):
Mass of the Lord's Resurrection at 9am, 10:30am and 12:15pm
Note that there will be no evening Mass on Easter Sunday.

Confirmation Session 5 Notes + Assignment & Upcoming Session 6

For all Confirmation Preparation Program students: Session 6 is scheduled for this Saturday, February 23.  If you have missed a previous session including Session 5, notes and the assignment can be found on the Sacraments page of the parish website.  The assignment will be due during the session this Saturday.  In addition, students who were absent from Session 5 (or any previous one) will be required to write a brief quiz at the completion of the session on material covered in the missed class.

Rite of Elect Photos

A warm thank you to all those who participated and hosted the Rite of Elect on Sunday, February 17.  A special thank you to Bishop Vincent Nguyen who celebrated the liturgy and officially received all the catechumens who are to be receive the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist) at this year's Easter Vigil at all parishes in Scarborough and Durham.

Photos are now available on the parish photo gallery page.

Schedule Update for Lent

With Ash Wednesday taking place this week, it is important to note that there are two Masses this Wednesday: 9 AM and 7 PM.  The distribution of ashes will take place after each Mass.  Furthermore, Ash Wednesday is a day of fasting and abstinence.

Furthermore, during the Season of Lent, there will be Mass each Friday at 7 PM followed by the Stations of the Cross.

Christmas & New Year's Schedule

As mentioned at Mass this past weekend, there are 2 days of holy obligation outside of Sundays in Canada: Christmas and New Year's Day where the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God.  If you attend Mass the evening before, this counts towards fulfilling that particular obligation.  Thus, it is important to note the times of the Christmas and New Year's (Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God) schedule.  The bulletin has the dates in addition to the homepage of the parish website.  For your convenience, the Mass times are listed below:

December 24:
5 PM, 7 PM, 9 PM

December 25:
Midnight, 10:30 AM, 12:15 PM

--

December 31:
5 PM

Holy Hour @ 11 PM
January 1:
Midnight (following the Holy Hour)

9 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:15 PM

Confirmation -- Session 2 Notes & Assignment

Candidates for Confirmation can now find the Notes and Assignment file on the parish website.  Please go to the Sacraments Page to find the link to the file.  Alternatively, you can click here to access the file.

Confirmation Session 1

For those who were absent from the 1st session of the Confirmation Program, please refer to the notes and assignment sheet that is now available on the parish website or by following the link below:

Session 1 Notes & Assignment

Photos from the Summer

It's been a long time coming, but photos from a couple of parish events this past Summer have photos that are now posted online in the parish website photo gallery.  They include the Line Dance Workshop-Fundraiser and the Youth Rally held at Mt. Alverno Retreat Centre.

Thanks for your patience.  Enjoy!

Last Chance to Register for First Communion & Confirmation

As announced at Mass this weekend, there is one final opportunity for students to register to receive their First Communion or the sacrament of Confirmation for the 2012-2013 Academic Year.

First Communion Registration: Saturday, October 13 @ 10:30 AM

Confirmation Registration: Saturday, October 13 @ 2:00 PM

If you are attending a registration session, please ensure that you bring a copy of the Baptismal Certificate of the child who is to receive either their First Holy Communion or Confirmation.

Parish Youth Rally -- Registration Deadline on Sunday!

For all young people entering Grade 9 up to those who are 20 years of age: if you are still interested in attending the St. Barnabas Youth Rally, registration closes this weekend.  Please return your completed registration forms and money to the parish to one of the leaders after the Sunday Masses this weekend.

If you need another copy of the registration forms, please follow the link below:
St. Barnabas Youth Rally Registration Form

A confirmation email will be sent to all registrants next week which will include a list of what to bring and what not to bring as well as links to music that will be used during the retreat.  This will help all participants learn the music in advance and won't have to learn all the songs while up at Mt. Alverno.

We look forward to seeing registration forms and all participants at next week's St. Barnabas Youth Rally!

Video: (Guest) Reflection/Homily by Br. Nick Ali -- Aug 4/5

No, that's not a typo...Although the parish may have thanked and said 'good-bye' to Br. Nick, Fr. Edwin invited him back to preach this past weekend.  Br. Nick has been organizing the Totus Tuus program that is taking place at the parish over the past few months from the parish end and it seemed only fitting that since he was going to be here anyways, that he gives one last reflection to the parish community.

Here's the link below.  Enjoy!

Br. Nick Ali -- August 4/5, 2012

Video: Gift Presentation to Br. Nick

In case you were away last weekend, the parish hosted a farewell gathering for Br. Nick after all the Sunday Masses.  Fr. Edwin also presented him with a gift during the announcements at all 5 Masses which included a book and thank-you card on behalf of the parish community.

You can find the video from one of the presentations below:


Gift Presentation to Br. Nick

We give thanks to God for the many blessings that Nick has brought to our community.  We hope and pray for his continued success in his studies and discernment as he returns to St. Augustine's Seminary.

Br. Nick's Final Weekend Homily @ St. Barnabas

As you are well aware, the transitions continue at the parish as Br. Nick completes his internship assignment at St. Barnabas.  It seems like yesterday when Fr. Edwin was introducing him to the community back in the Fall.  Now, Nick will get a one-month holiday before returning to St. Augustine's Seminary for what may be, God willing, his last two years of formation before ordination to the priesthood.

This weekend, there will be a farewell reception for Br. Nick after all Sunday Masses, including after the 4:30pm Mass on Saturday.  Please stop in to say thanks to him for his contributions to the parish and to wish him well.

For those who missed it or would like to go back, you can see his last weekend homily below:
Br. Nick's Homily -- July 14/15