Revised Ministry Centre Hours:(for the duration of this health emergency)

Monday: 9:30 am to 4:30 pm
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 9:30 am to 4:30 pm
Thursday: Closed
Friday: 9:30 am to 3 pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: 9:30 am to 1:30 pm
If you need assistance on the days that the office is closed,
please call 416-447-5571 and leave a message in thegeneral mail box. It will be monitored regularly. Thank you!

Due to the concerns
surrounding the Covid-19,
we at St. Clare Inn havedecided to postpone ourBubbles and Bow Ties Gala
until the Fall to ensure thesafety and enjoyment of our guests. The new date for galawill be on Saturday, November 14, 2020 at theDonalda Club.
Thank you to those who have already purchased tickets.
Your tickets will be honored for the new date.
If you have any questions regarding the event, pleasecontact us at 416-690-0330 or at info@stclareinn.org

Associate Pastor: Friar Peter Knaapen, OFM Conv.
Ext. 233, frpeter@st-bonaventure.ca
Deacon: Sal Badalideaconsal1994@hotmail.com
Parish Manager: Connie Durante
Ext. 224, connie.durante@st-bonaventure.ca

Lay Pastoral Associate: Greg Beath
Ext. 258, gregb@st-bonaventure.ca
Minister, Maturing Adults: Maureen McDonnell
Ext. 550, maureen@st-bonaventure.ca
Pastoral Assistant: Nimfa Chua
Ext. 222, nimfa@st-bonaventure.ca
St. Clare Inn Office:1320 Leslie Street, Suite 200
Toronto, ON. M3C 2K9416-690-0330
info@stclareinn.org; www.stclareinn.org
Franciscan Ministries:
1320 Leslie Street, Suite 200,416-690-5611
St. Anthony of Padua Mission Aid
1320 Leslie Street, Suite 100,
416-690-9904
Society of St. Vincent de Paul416-447-5571 Ext. 570
St. Bonaventure Catholic School
1340 Leslie Street, Toronto ON. M3C 2K9Phone: 416-393-5263 Fax: 416-393-5117

1300 Leslie Street, Toronto, ON., M3C 2K9Telephone: 416-447-5571 Fax: 416-447-4082
Website: www.st-bonaventure.ca

YOU ARE ALWAYS WELCOME AT ST. BONAVENTUREGROWING IN SPIRIT, COMMUNITY AND SERVICE
Inspired by St. Francis we seek to live and proclaim the gospel inour daily lives, responding to the spiritual hungers of the communityand becoming an oasis of peace, prayer and service.

March 22, 2020

Fourth Sunday of Lent

Ministry Centre Contacts - (416-447-5571)
Pastor: Friar Dennis J. Mason, OFM Conv.
Ext. 234

THE FRANCISCAN CHURCH OF ST. BONAVENTURE

And Now, A Word from Our Patron Saint

Letter fromThomas Cardinal Collins
March 17, 2020

Mary loves, nourishes and adopts as Her
children those who devoutly approach Her.

St. Bonaventure
For the duration of this health emergency, theCardinal decreed that the following be implemented
in all parishes, missions and chaplaincies throughout
the Archdiocese of Toronto:

For the duration of this health emergency, I decreethat the following be implemented in all parishes,missions and chaplaincies throughout theArchdiocese of Toronto:
Mass – In view of the requirements of theGovernment of Ontario, during this medicalemergency, beginning Tuesday, March 17, 2020, I
instruct that all public Masses be cancelled, bothduring the week and on the weekend. Churches will
be available for individual private prayer. The priestsof the archdiocese will celebrate Mass every day
privately for the intentions of the people.
The faithful will be able to watch, via livestream, aMass which will be celebrated every day at 7:30
a.m. at St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica, which will
be followed by the Angelus and the Rosary. I will
personally celebrate this Mass as much as ispossible.
This Mass, Rosary and Angelus will also be available
on the Archdiocese of Toronto’s YouTube channel
for those who cannot join at 7:30 a.m. These Masses
and prayers will be offered for the intentions ofeveryone as we go through these trying times. Inaddition, Mass will be broadcast daily on Salt & Light
Catholic Media Foundation, VisionTV (Daily TVMass) and EWTN.
Websites:www.youtube.com/user/ArchdioceseofToronto;
www.DailyTVMass.com; www.visiontv.ca;
www.saltandlighttv.org

Pope Francis tracks the blind man’s path from spiritual
blindness to light. Can you relate to your own spiritual
blindness slowly turning to light in your life?

The path of the blind man … is a gradual process that begins
with knowing Jesus’ name. He does not know anything else
about him. In fact, he says: “The man called Jesus made clay
and anointed my eyes” (Jn 9:11). In response to the pressing
questions of the doctors of the law he first says that Jesus is aprophet (Jn 9:17) and then a man close to God (Jn 9:31).
After he is thrown out of the Temple, excluded from society,
Jesus finds him again and “opens his eyes” a second time,revealing to him is true identity: “I am the Messiah,” He tellshim. At this point, the man who was blind exclaims: “Ibelieve, Lord!” (Jn 9:38) and prostrates himself before Jesus.
This is a passage of the Gospel that gives us a glimpse of
the drama of the interior blindness of many people. Andwe glimpse our own interior blindness too because wesometime have moments of such blindness. … Let us
open ourselves to the light of the Lord, he awaits us
always in order to enable us to see better, to give us morelight, to forgive us. Let us not forget this!
Pope Francis, March 30, 2014
Copyright©2019, Anne M. Osdieck. All rights reserved. Permission isgranted to reproduce for parish use.

Baptism – At this time, communal celebrations ofbaptism are not allowed. Individual Baptism is allowedwith immediate family and following the regulations by
the health authorities.
RCIA – The Cardinal dispenses the catechumens fromthe scrutinies. Information will be sent out later on theTriduum and reception into the Church.
First Holy Communion, First Reconciliation andConfirmation will be postponed for the duration of theemergency.
Sacrament of Reconciliation – Communal
celebrations of the Sacrament of Reconciliation are notallowed at this time. All those who wish to receive thesacrament should contact a priest. The sacrament is tobe celebrated not in a confessional but rather in anotherlocation, where confidentiality may be ensured andwhere the distance required by the health officials can bemaintained.
Marriage – Marriages without Mass may take placewith the immediate family members, provided they
follow the regulations by the health authorities.
Postponement of the wedding may be requested giventhese circumstances, but if this is granted there may be aneed for revision of the canonical requirements.
Visits to the Sick and Homebound should continue
as much as possible. Visiting clergy and volunteers
should take direction from the health care facility.
Funerals – During this emergency, there will be novigils or wake services. The Rite of Committal will takeplace with the immediate family at the cemetery. There
will be no funeral Mass at this time, but we encourage thecelebration of a funeral Mass at a later date when it ispossible.

Psalm 23~ The Lord is my shepherd; I shall notwant.
The Friars will celebrate Mass privately every day
for the Mass and Prayer Intentions of theparishioners.

Mass Intentions
Mon. Mar. 23
Tues. Mar. 24
Wed. Mar. 25
Thurs. Mar. 26

9:00 am
9:00 am
9:00 am
9:00 amFri.

9:00 amMar. 27

Sat. Mar. 28
Sun. Mar. 29

5:00 pm
8:30 am
10:00am
12:00pm†Brian Newell†Eugenio Toribio†Margaret Cronin†Lo Pak Tong and†Lo-Wong Yuk LinThe Friars†Philip Sheridan†Maria Lopez Artiaga†Mary DiGregorio†Betty Wolf
†Anna Gauci†Louis Caruso†Juvencio Ortega†Eustacio Mantaring
Int. of the Parishioners†Teresa Kowalik

Sanctuary Lamp
Vigil Lamp

Update on the COVID-19 Coronavirus Health
Emergency
The public celebration of all Masses, other
liturgical services and all parish activities aresuspended until further notice.
The church will remain open for private prayer
on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays
from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm.

†Teresa KowalikSpecial Intentions

For the Sick: Nirmalee De Silva, Estelle Gabriel,
Steve Sayers, Margaret Wood, Alfonz Pavli, RaymundFung, Dorothy Lord, Neil McDonald, Jurie Cuapero
Marcos, Denise Baranecki, Emy Francisco, Mary JaneCoronado, Vilma Otico and Marites Teng-Ampo

Stewardship: A Way of Living
March 15, 2020 - Offertory Collections
Thank you for your generous donations.
ShareLife ………………………………… $ 1,100.00
Pre-Authorized Giving ………………. $ 2,926.00
Donate Now ……………………………… $ 328.00_____________________________________
Fourth Sunday of Lent ~ March 22, 2020
How can you “Live the Gospel” when life is so busy?
Many people help those in need by volunteering at a localorganization. But if your schedule doesn’t allow for it, you canstill make a huge impact in your community by supporting
ShareLife-funded agencies. Next Sunday is the first ShareLife
collection. Over the next week, please reflect on your ability
to “Live the Gospel” by making a sacrificial gift to our parish
ShareLife campaign,
Next Sunday, March 29 is ShareLife Sunday.
Please give generously

Nurturing our Spirituality
in the Second Half of Life
Seeking a More Contemplative Way of Life

2020 Winter Programme
Tuesday Mornings; Coffee & Treats 9:30 to 11:45 am
Dates and Programme Topics:
March 31 ~ Cancelled
April 21

The Sunday Obligation continues to bedispensed. The Archdiocese will provide updates
regarding the situation especially as it relates tothe liturgies of Holy Week and Easter.
May 12This Week in Our Parish Hall

Prayer Intentions

Community Life

Advisory

Parish Meetings and Events arecancelled at this time
News from the Society of St. Vincent de PaulIn today’s Gospel, as Jesus gives sight to the blindman, through grace we are also transformed fromnot seeing to seeing; and then Jesus can send us tohelp others see and believe.
Your gift to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul brings joy, peace,forgiveness, mercy and kindness to the anxious hearts of thosein need. Thank you! For assistance, please call
416-447-5571 Ext. 570.

Casseroles for the Good Shepherd Centre
Notice to Casseroles Makers:
The casserole program is on hold for now, the Good Shepherd
Centre is not serving food for now due to the concerns
surrounding the corona virus. If you already made yourcasseroles, you may drop them at the Ministry Centre. Anyquestions contact Eva Trace at 416-447-3040. Thank you
for your continued support.

Empty Egg Cartons for Community Share
Food Bank
Empty egg cartons are required to distribute eggs to Food Bank
recipients. Please drop or leave your empty egg cartons in thebin at the rear of the church. Thank you!

Theology and Tea

Theology and Tea is cancelled for now until furthernotice.

~ Orfe Eco-Art: Join our Journey ofDiscovery. By Orfe Millan
Orfe strives to teach children andadults love for our beautiful planetand create, through different artistic
techniques and the use of recycledmaterials, magical and wonderfulworlds, as they explore and discover
the potential of their creativity.
~ Franciscan Contemplative Tradition –Br. Ignatius Feaver, O.F.C., Cap.
And luncheon – A Celebration ofCommunity

There is no monetary cost for this program. For more
information: Maureen@st-bonaventure.ca or call
Maureen McDonnell at 416-447-5571 Ext 550

The Power of Forgiveness 2020
Ginny Doty will be offering a new program: The Power ofForgiveness. Ginny is an experienced facilitator ofworkshops on this most important theme of our Christianlife, forgiveness. This series invites you to deepen yourjourney of compassionate presence to yourself andtowards others. This program occurs on Wednesdays,
April 15 to May 27, 2020 at 1:00 to 3:00 pm in theBonaventure Room. Registration is required. To

register and for more information contact Ginny at
416-447-5571 Ext. 560.

Vocation Seeds
Fourth Sunday of Lent – March 22, 2020
“We must work the works of Him who sent me while it isday.” Are you being called to a life as an ordained or aconsecrated person? If God is calling you to serve
Him as a priest, deacon, brother or sister, visit
www.franciscans.org; www.vocationtoronto.ca or
speak with one of the friars.

And Now, A Word from Our Pastor
What a strange time it is. Day to day
living turned upside down by amicroscopic virus. I don’t know about
you, but what I feel is some fear. “Whatif…?” Our feelings are our friends if theylead us to take proper care of ourselvesand others. Our feelings become enemies
when they dominate our hearts. “Fearnot, little flock,” Jesus said. “OK, buthow?” we might say.
A wise man once suggested to me: “Yourthoughts create your feelings.” I thinkhe’s right. People of ancient times lookedon the heart as the source of ourthoughts. The Old Testament Book ofProverbs says: “Above all else, guard
your heart.” Keep watch over whatthoughts are being generated. When wefind ourselves going down the path ofnegative,worrisome,fear-making
thoughts, rein them in and give them toGod. “Take every thought captive,” St.
Paul says. Turn the heart from fearmaking thoughts to peace-making
thoughts of gratitude; tell God what weare grateful for right now. Let God knowthat we are thankful for His presence inour hearts. Let Jesus’ assurance: “MyPeace I give you” gently settle in ourhearts.
I, the other Friars and Staff of St.
Bonaventure hold you in prayer; please
remember us.
In the words of thePsalms, together may we “listen to theWord of God, for the Lord will proclaim
peace.”
Love and prayer,

Fr. Dennis