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Easter Season
Memorial of St. Philip Neri
office@stnorbertschurch.org
Live streaming of Mass from St. Michael's Cathedral
John 17:1-3: "Jesus looked up to heaven and said, 'Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.'"
Just think about it... To what extent has the only true God been revealed in your life?
The Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord
The Sixth Sunday of Easter
The Fifth Sunday of Easter
All mothers are remembered on the Altar: On May 10, 2020, the second Sunday of May, let us offer our mothers on the altar whether they are alive or have gone to their eternal reward.
We Christians have two mothers: our earthly mother and our Heavenly Mother, Mary, the Mother of Jesus. The month of May is traditionally the month of Mary. Holy Mary, the supreme model for all mothers, affirmed her obedience to the call of God, and she lived her vocation throughout her entire life. Pope St. John Paul II in his encyclical letter Redemptoris Mater 46 writes, "In the light of Mary, the Church sees in the face of women the reflection of a beauty which mirrors the loftiest sentiments of which the human heart is capable: the self-offering totality of love; the strength that is capable of bearing the greatest sorrows; limitless fidelity and tireless devotion to work; the ability to combine penetrating intuition with words of support and encouragement."
The Holy Bible throws light on the place of mother in human life.
On this Mother’s Day, let us recall the words of the hymn: Gentle mother, peaceful dove, teach us wisdom, teach us love.
Greetings and Blessings from St. Norbert's Parish: Happy mother's Day!
Msgr. Gigi Philip
We pray that you and your loved ones are safe and healthy during this time of uncertainty.
We would like to share with you a reflection from Cardinal Thomas Collins, Archbishop of Toronto, related to the pandemic, sacramental restrictions and planning for a return to sacramental life.
In the communication, His Eminence references a number of working groups that have been planning for the days and weeks ahead as we all look forward to when our churches will be open for worship. Both the Archdiocese of Toronto and your local parish will keep you informed as we prepare to re-open our churches, at a time when it is safe to do so. You can visit your local parish website or stay updated online at: www.archtoronto.org/covid19.
Please take a moment to view the letter from Cardinal Collins here.
Thank you for your continued patience. We join in collective prayer, anticipating the day that we may all be together once again.
The Fourth Sunday of Easter (Good Shepherd Sunday)
The Third Sunday of Easter
2020 the Best Easter amidst Covid 19
The Triduum and Easter
| April 9, Thursday | Lord's Supper | 7.00 PM |
| April 10, Friday | Good Friday | 3.00 PM |
| April 11, Saturday | Easter Vigil Service & Mass | 7.00 PM |
| April 12, Sunday | Easter Sunday Mass | 10.00 AM |
Prayer Intentions:
Let us appreciate and pray for many: people affected with Covid 19 or facing quarantine or isolated; medical professionals, doctors, nurses, caregivers and staffs; research team, health leaders, political leaders, police; hospital chaplains and parish priests; families adjusting to new realities of life; small business owners and families facing financial stress; grocery store workers and delivery drivers and so on.
Financial Support:
Thank you for your many contributions to our parish community. It will be a challenge for our parish to maintain operations without the offertory collection. These are the ways you can continue to support our parish, especially this of crisis:
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If you have any questions please contact the Development Office at the Archdiocese of Toronto, 416-934-3400, ext. 540 or development@archtoronto.org.
I miss seeing you all. I wish you a Blessed Triduum and a Happy Easter.
Stay safe. Yours in Christ,
Msgr. Gigi Philip
St. Norbert's Parish, Toronto
"Christians have always prepared for the glory of Easter with the austere penitential discipline of Lent, but this Lent has been like no other in recent memory. The global Covid-19 pandemic has revealed the fragility of our human condition in this valley of tears, through which we journey home to the heavenly Father. It has shattered the illusion that our human will is in control of the world in which we briefly live."
Read full text of Holy Week message from Cardinal Thomas Collins.
Explore our Holy Week 2020 Schedule by clicking here.
Note: This Holy Week Program has three Sections:
1. Services live-streamed from St. Michael's Cathedral
2. Official and devotional prayers I do in private for the intentions of the parishioners and for the world. To be part of it, please keep in heart those hours from your home, work or wherever you are.
3. Zoom Prayer Meeting: please join the meeting using zoom link you find in our group whatsapp, email, website or facebook.
Make your home a small church, a chapel:
Fr. Gigi Philip
St. Norbert's Parish, Toronto
Access the livestream from St. Michael's Cathedral:
 St. Michael's Cathedral Basilica website |  St. Michael's Cathedral Basilica Facebook |
More details on the website of the Archdiocese of Toronto
As we approach the most sacred time of the year, Cardinal Collins has outlined the guidelines for celebrations during the Holy Week and Easter. Also, the times at which Masses will be livestreamed from St. Michael's Cathedral Basilica are specified.
You can read the Letter by clicking here.
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:
- 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
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
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.
Let us support each other. In Christ, your pastor
Msgr. Gigi Philip
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:
Modified Operations:
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
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