From the Pastor's Desk: This Fourth Week of Lent we continue our preaching series on healing.
Healing is a vital part of the Christian life because everyone carries wounds in a broken world. While some wounds come from personal choices, many are not anyone’s fault, and shame or self-blame can keep healing at a distance. In John 9, Jesus heals a man born blind in a personal and surprising way, showing both his power to restore and his desire to bring people into deeper faith. The healing is not only physical but becomes a pathway to relationship, moving from mere awareness of Jesus to belief and worship. True healing requires attentiveness to the Lord and active participation, cooperating with grace through concrete steps. God offers the gift of healing, and the invitation is to respond, to go, and to take the next faithful step.
Know? Wounds are real, and healing is possible. Not every hardship is punishment, and self-blame is often a barrier to wholeness. Jesus heals in ways that are personal and unique, and healing is meant to reveal God’s work and draw hearts closer to him. Healing is not passive; grace invites cooperation, consent, and action. Restoration often deepens faith and leads to a fuller relationship with Jesus.
Feel? Hopeful, encouraged, and empowered. There is relief in letting go of shame and the fear of being blamed. There is confidence that God is present and attentive, and that healing can begin even when the path is unclear. There is motivation to move forward, trusting that the next step matters and that God meets people in the process.
Next steps? Identify a place where healing is needed and resist the urge to stay stuck in avoidance, shame, or wishful thinking. Ask what specific “go and” step is being invited right now, and take it. Seek prayer, confession, counseling, medical help, forgiveness, or an honest conversation as needed. Participate actively in the healing process, staying close to Jesus and remaining open to the deeper relationship he desires to build through healing.
Holy Week 2026. Please click to see more details on our Lenten Confessions Days, and the full schedule of Masses for Holy Week.
Development and Peace is based on five values: dignity, participation, solidarity, the preferential option for the poor and integrity. To put everything in perspective, our presence around the world from September 1, 2024 to August 31, 2025:
$19.8 million was invested
34 countries in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Middle East
59 community development and humanitarian projects
7 million people reached by our oversees projects and programs
Your dollar makes a difference:
78% goes to international programs
14% goes to programs in Canada
8% goes to Governance and general activities
The Share Lent parish collection is March 21st/22nd. You can also donate online or by donating monthly to reduce administrative costs. Please give generously to help our brothers and sisters across the globe
Stations of the Cross, led by the youth of our parishes. During Lent, starting February 27th, we invite the youth of both our parishes (ages 12–17) to lead the Stations of the Cross every Friday at 6:30 PM at St. Francis de Sales Parish. Altar servers will assist with serving, and other youth will take turns reading the Stations. This is a wonderful opportunity for our young people to deepen their faith, serve their parish community, and take an active role in the Church. Our youth are the future of our Church, let’s encourage them to grow as leaders, disciples, and witnesses of Christ. If your child is interested, please contact Carmel Prince: carmel.prince@hotmail.ca (647-897-5299).
Update on Monthly Finances, Collections Update. On March 29, we will share information for February on our parish collections and finances monthly rather than weekly. Each month, we will show:
Sunday collections – what we received during Weekend Masses
Other income – money coming in from other sources
Total expenses – what the parish spent
This will give everyone a complete picture of how our parishes are doing financially. Also coming next week (March 21/22), at all Sunday Masses, will be our Annual Report 2025 - sharing with all parishioners the Financial Statements and upcoming Pastoral priorities. For any questions, please contact our parish office.
St. Vincent de Paul's Lenten Food Drive. If you wish to donate, simply put your donation in an envelope, address it to St. Vincent de Paul, and deposit it in the weekly collection basket; it will get to us. You can be assured that 100% of the funds raised will go to the less fortunate, and if you provide your address, a tax receipt will be mailed to you for any donation of $10.00 or more. Thank you for all your past efforts and thank you in advance for your contribution this year.
Concert Series, Violin and Piano. The Parish Pastoral Council, along with the Patrons of St. Columban Foundation, are delighted to announce a violin and piano concert at St. Columban church on Saturday, March 21, featuring Anna Mariya and Mariusz Monczak. This Lenten performance will feature a selection of classical and modern works dedicated to the memory of St. John Paul II, interspersed with brief Scripture verses and reflections from his writings. The event will begin at 6:30 pm, and admission is by free will offering, with proceeds shared between the artists and the parish. We look forward to a beautiful evening of music and meditation. (see picture above).
Knights of Columbus:
General Meeting for all Members will be on Tuesday, March 17th, 2026, in St. Francis de Sales Parish Hall. Rosary at 6:30 pm, and the meeting begins at 7:00 pm. All members are invited and encouraged to attend.
Sunday, March 22nd, 2026, 8:30 am - 12:30 pm in the St. Francis de Sales Parish Hall. Cost: Adults $10.00, children under 12 years old $4.00.
Catholic Women's League:
St. Patrick Tea & Bake Sale, March 14, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at St. Francis de Sales Parish Hall. Admission is $12. Please come and join us. An elevator is available. Bake sale table, and a gift basket raffle. All are Welcome. Tickets for the baskets will be sold after the weekend Masses of March 7/8, and at our tea on March 14. The price for the tickets is 3 for $5, or 1 for $2.
Monthly Prayer Intention of the Holy Father (March).
For disarmament and peace. Let us pray that nations move toward effective disarmament, particularly nuclear disarmament, and that world leaders choose the path of dialogue and diplomacy instead of violence
Mass Intentions for the Week
Saturday, Mar 14th
4:00 p.m. (SC) Gerald DiCola by Wife Lise & Son Brian
5:00 p.m. (SF)
Katherine Crites by Diane & Family
Leo Gregory by Muriel Gregory & Family
Sunday, Mar 15th FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT
7:30 a.m. (SC) Intentions of Parishioners
9:30 a.m. (SF)
Joy Thompson by Lori McDermid & Elaine McDermid
Garry McDougall by David & Lisa Herjavec
10:30 a.m. (SC)
Sylvia Etwell by Daughter Kelly Poitras & Family
Bernadette Kingston (2nd Anniversary) by the Kingston Family
8:00 a.m. (SC) John Francis Maloney by Rick & Bernadette
McRae
Wednesday, Mar 18th ST. CYRIL OF JERUSALEM (OM)
8:00 a.m. (SF) George Desjardins by Leonce
Thursday, Mar 19th ST. JOSEPH, SPOUSE OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY (S), PRINCIPAL PATRON OF CANADA, PATRON OF THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH
8:00 a.m. (SC) Carole & Jean Guy Lalonde by Margaret
Fortier
Friday, Mar 20th
8:00 a.m. (SF) Donald Leger by Wayne & Elaine McDermid
Saturday, Mar 21st
4:00 p.m. (SC) Gerard Piche by Alan & Rita Boyce
Gino Tosatto by The Family
5:00 p.m. (SF) Intentions of Parishioners
Sunday, Mar 22nd FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT
7:30 a.m. (SC) Intentions of Parishioners
9:30 a.m. (SF) Garry McDougall by Trudy Cameron
10:30 a.m. (SC) Joanne Bryan by St. Columban’s Choir
11:00 a.m. (SF)
Annette Lauzon by Her Children
Msgr. Kevin Maloney by a Parishioner
Save The Date
Alpha Sessions
Starting February 25, 6:30pm! Unpack the Christian faith together. Meet new people and explore the Christian faith together. Alpha is for anyone who’s curious. No judgement, no pressure.
