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Conforming to Christ: Second Sunday of Lent
Sometimes, for me at least, during Lent, it is easy to focus on a particular kind of image of Christ. You can probably picture him: Christ beaten and bruised, hanging on the cross. It always seems like a good Lent...
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Preparing for Easter: First Sunday of Lent
The first Sunday of Lent is the day that is set aside in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults for the Rite of Election. It marks an important milestone in the life of the catechumen (the person...
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Ash Wednesday: A Call to Prayer
Ash Wednesday is the start of Lent. It is the start of that great period that leads up the Paschal Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil). It is marked by prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
I don't...
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A Pilgrim's Voice: Letting God's Will Be Done
In January 2018, I attended a presentation on the then-upcoming 2019 World Youth Day and I decided I was not going to go. After all, it was going to be held during late January and I had a full...
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Continuing the Journey in 2019
As I return to my normal routine after a restful and fruitful Christmas break, I find myself at an interesting place in my seminary formation: exactly halfway.
I entered St. Augustine's Seminary and began my formation for the diocesan...
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Mother of the Year? Mary
While the start of the liturgical New Year is actually Advent, the Church does give us a wonderful gift at the start of a new secular year, the celebration of the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God.
Commemorated...
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Every Family is Sacred
The following text is taken from Fr. Michael McGourty's homily, as delivered on the Feast of the Holy Family.
Every year, on the first Sunday following Christmas, the Church celebrates the beautiful feast of the Holy Family...
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Playing the Waiting Game
I'm really bad at waiting. I can't just wait patiently, I have to be doing something. When I'm in line at a store or waiting to get into an event, I tend to fidget and...
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Mary, Queen of October
October is traditionally held as a month dedicated to a special prayer, the Rosary. That is likely why Pope Francis has invited all the faithful to pray the Holy Rosary every day in October.
In his Apostolic Letter Rosarium Virginis...
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Be Disciples. Make Disciples. Helping You Grow in Your Ministry!
Our rich and vibrant parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Toronto flourish because of thousands of dedicated clergy, staff, volunteers and lay ministers. If you are one of those people who help ensure Masses flow, children learn about the readings of...
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Belief Brief - What's an Annulment?
Is an annulment another word for a Catholic "divorce"? Where does the Church stand on issues concerning break-ups of couples and families?
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the Church "permits the physical separation of spouses when...
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Catholic Grandparenting in the 21st Century
Marisa and Aldo D'Andrea, of St. Benedict's Parish in Etobicoke, will be at the World Meeting of Families Conference in Dublin, Ireland this week. They share their insights below on the reality of living out the Catholic faith...
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Young Families Growing in Faith
How can we support families so they may be witnesses to Christ, to each other and to the community? One of the best times to begin is when they are laying the foundations of family life. If parents are equipped...
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Getting Started in Parish Ministry
Thriving parish ministries make all the difference in creating vibrant parish communities. In order to achieve a renewed culture of engagement, the Archdiocese of Toronto's Office of Formation for Discipleship will be hosting the "Be Disciples. Make Disciples." Parish...
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Belief Brief - Are Angels Real?
Are angels real? Do you have a particular angel that you pray to?
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, we're told that Angels are spiritual creatures who glorify God without cesasing and who serve his saving plans...
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Belief Brief - Does God Have a Plan for My Life?
Does God really have a plan for my life? Does he have my best interests at heart? This question tends to be on the mind of many people, more particularly, our students and young people as they enter graduation season...