March 25, 2020

Dear parishioners,

Thank you for your love and concern about my health and safety. I hope and pray that you are staying healthy by the grace of God. I remember all of you in my daily Mass and Adoration to the Blessed Sacrament. Please let me know if the parish can help you during these difficult times.

The world is in pain now. Let us be united in prayer seeking the mercy of God. In a special way, we pray for all who work hard in fighting against Covid 19. Let us obey completely the instructions of the health and civil authorities. Our office is closed until further notice and Cynthia, our parish secretary is working from home. For any emergency, please feel free to call office or send a mail. She will be checking messages and taking appropriate actions.

No doubt you are aware that our parish relies on the support of our parishioners to operate; – parish salaries, programs and ongoing operating costs (heating, water, electricity, etc.) – are funded through the generosity of our parish community. It will be a challenge for our parish to maintain operations without the weekly offertory collection.

In response to many requests that I have received from parishioners, here are the ways that you can continue to support our parish at this time:

  • Drop off or mail your regular weekly offertory contribution to the parish office.
  • Contribute to our parish offertory by credit card. Please click here. You will then be able to select our parish in the drop-down menu. You can make a one time or recurring contribution to our parish offertory or other special funds.
  • Contribute through pre-authorized giving. Click here for more information on pre-authorized giving. You can obtain a form from the parish office or you can click here to download an enrollment form which can be printed and completed. Return the completed form and a voided cheque to your parish office. Or e-mail the form and a scanned copy or photo of a voided cheque to development@archtoronto.org for processing. Contributions are withdrawn from your bank account on the 20th of each month.
  • You can contribute to the offertory via online banking. To do this, the archdiocese will need to send you a unique account number. Please send an e-mail to campaign@archtoronto.org. In the body of the email provide:
    • Your name
    • Address
    • Parish name
    • Municipality

    You will be emailed account information, which you can use to set up the Archdiocese of Toronto as a payee in your on-line banking. Your gift will be forwarded to our parish. You can make a one time or recurring gift to our offertory.

    • If you have any questions please contact the Development Office at the Archdiocese of Toronto, 416-934-3400, ext. 540 or development@archtoronto.org.

    Thank you for your many contributions to our parish community. I miss seeing all of you at the Mass and I pray daily that we will be able to gather together again soon.

    Yours in Christ,

    Msgr. Gigi Philip

    March 24, 2020

    Dear Parishioners of St. Norbert's Parish,

    In order to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus and so as to comply with the Government of Ontario's new regulations requiring that all non-essential workplaces be closed, we are sorry to inform you that the church and the parish office must remain closed until further notice.

    However, we are still here for you during this difficult time. You can still leave a voicemail at the parish office: (416)636-0213.
    Or you can email us at: office@stnorbertschurch.org. We will return your message as soon as possible.
    Visit www.stnorbertschurch.org.

    For updated information from the Archdiocese of Toronto and for links to view the Daily Mass online visit www.archtoronto.org/covid19

    Please continue to pray for those sick and those caring for them. Be assured of our daily prayers for you.

    Yours in Christ

    Msgr. Gigi Philip

    Pastor of St. Norbert's Church

    March 21, 2020

    Message from Father Gigi on this Fourth Sunday of Lent

    March 22, 2020 - 4th Sunday of Lent

    Spiritual Participation and Communion of the Eucharist

    My dear parishioners,

    We wait for any further guidelines from the civil and ecclesial authorities. During this time of social and spiritual suffering, let me suggest two important things:

    1. Follow carefully the guidelines of the health authorities. We care for ourselves and for each other.

    2. Give special attention to enhance and strengthen your spiritual life during this crisis. This is a God-given moments to catch our personal spirituality. When there is no Church to worship, our home is our Church. Make use of this time to connect God in personal prayer and reading Bible.

  • I celebrate Mass everyday privately at 7.30 am, the same time our Cardinal celebrates Mass in the Cathedral for the intentions of the people of St. Norbert's Parish. You may have spiritual participation and communion of the Eucharist. If you have any personal prayer intentions, please send them to me and I will offer it in the Mass (no fee included).

  • Join me in one hour Adoration to the Blessed Sacrament I do everyday from 6.00 to 7.00 pm for our families and the present Covid-19 crisis of the world. Join me spiritually, staying wherever you are in silence with your personal prayer, Rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet or Bible reading, especially Psalm 51.

  • Our Church is open everyday from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. As Christians, we have special responsibility to pray for our country and for the whole world.

  • Use your phone to connect each other; do not wait for them to call you. Just call every one in your friendship and family and talk. Supporting each other in a time of crisis is also a spiritual activity.

  • Above all, I am available in the Church for your spiritual needs, especially for confessions and if someone needs any spiritual assistance at home, please call me.

    Let us support each other. In Christ, your pastor

    Msgr. Gigi Philip

    • March 18, 2020

    Information to Parishioners in the Context of COVID-19

    My dear parishioners,

    In the light of the state of Emergency declared by the Premier of Ontario and the pastoral guidelines issued by the Archbishop of Toronto, let me communicate to you this information from St. Norbert's Parish.

    Cancellations until further notice:

  • Weekday & Weekend Masses
  • All gatherings and group meetings
  • All programs, classes and rehearsals

    Modified Operations:

  • Church is open from 8.30 a.m to 5 p.m for private prayers and devotions.
  • Office is open from 8.30 a.m. to 12 p.m for personal services.
  • Telephone communication is available from 8.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.
  • I celebrate Mass everyday privately for the intentions of the people of the parish.
  • I am available in Church for your spiritual needs, and if someone needs any spiritual assistance at home, please call me.

    We follow the guidelines of the Cardinal for all other parish operations. During this time of social and spiritual suffering, let me suggest two important things:

    1. Follow carefully the guidelines of the health authorities. If you have travelled, sick or unwell, kindly accept self-isolation. We care for ourselves and for each other.
    2. Give special attention to enhance and strengthen your spiritual life during this crisis. Make use of this time to connect God in personal prayer and reading Bible.

    2 Chronicles 7:13-15 (NRSV) When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place.

    Isaiah 41:10 (NRSV) Do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, or I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.

    Mathew 14:30-31 When Peter became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?"

    Let us support each other in prayer. See you soon. In Christ,

    Fr. Gigi Philip, Pastor

    Useful links:

    Cardinal's Latest Statement

    Archdiocese of Toronto

    COVID-19 Info from Archdiocese

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    St. Norbert's Church - Toronto