Welcome to St. Boniface Catholic Church Toronto

ASH WEDNESDAY EXTENDED FROM WEDNESDAY TO SATURDAY –

FEBRUARY 17 TO FEBRUARY 20, 2021

Cardinal Collins has granted permission for parishes to conduct modified Ash Wednesday services this year due to the pandemic. The Cardinal has also granted permission to extend Ash Wednesday services to Saturday, February 20th. Holy Communion will also be given to the faithful during the Ash Wednesday services. Ashes and Holy Communion will be distributed on the following dates and times:

Wednesday, February 17th
8:00am – 10:00am
12:00pm – 1:00pm
6:00pm – 8:00pm

Thursday, February 18th
8:00am – 10:00am
12:00pm – 1:00pm
6:00pm – 8:00pm

Friday, February 19th
8:00am – 10:00am
12:00pm – 1:00pm
6:00pm – 8:00pm

Saturday, February 20th
8:00am – 10:00am

Parishioners are asked to register for the Ash Wednesday service via Eventbrite (at stbonifacesc.archtoronto.org) or by calling the Parish Office. A link will be sent out by email for Eventbrite registration.

In keeping with the safety protocols and physical distancing requirements, please note that Ashes will be distributed by sprinkling on the head instead of the marking of the sign of the cross on the forehead.

May the Lord Bless us on our Lenten Journey.

Toronto & Peel Region Lockdown & Emergency Restrictions:

From a November 20th memo from the office of Cardinal Collins, starting on Monday, November 23, 2020, parishes must restrict attendance inside the church to 10 people, including priests hearing confessions or a staff member/volunteer required to monitor capacity restrictions. Due to these measures, public Masses must be temporarily cancelled.

Priests are asked to celebrate private Mass daily for the intentions of parishioners and for those suffering from Covid-19. Churches, wherever possible and according to the judgement of the pastor, are encouraged to remain open for private prayer and for the faithful to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Weddings, funerals and baptisms (without Mass) are restricted to 10 persons, including those who are involved in ministry (priest, cantor, etc.). First Holy Communions and Confirmations should be postponed at this time.

Parishioners are encouraged to view online/livestream/televised Masses. A full list is available at http://www.archtoronto.org and I will continue to celebrate the livestreamed Mass each day from St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica at 7:30 a.m.

No meetings should take place in parish halls or other church spaces at this time. The only exception would be those deemed as essential services e.g. Alcoholics Anonymous/Narcotics Anonymous Meetings. These meetings should be restricted to 10 people and ensure that all appropriate health and safety measures are in place (use of masks, hand sanitizer, physical distancing, etc.). Virtual meetings should replace in person meetings wherever possible.

Parish offices should move to Phase 1 – Parish Offices Closed/Significant Operating Restrictions. Only essential staff in the office. Employees should work remotely wherever possible. Parish offices closed to the public – limited essential appointments only. Staff should take direction from the pastor regarding the local situation on the most prudent approach. In larger parishes, it may be possible to rotate staff.

First Holy Communion:

First Holy Communion registrations are closing soon. Please register online or call the Parish Office @ 416 261-5983.

Please use the fillable registration form below.

First Holy Communion Registration Fillable Form

Important Information for Preparation for Confirmation

For elementary students currently in grade seven or who have not yet had the opportunity to prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation, you are invited to visit: www.hopestone.ca/stbonifacescarborough for information on how to register for this epic Sacrament! This year preparation will be entirely online, with six sessions and a virtual retreat. From the webpage listed above, you can download a registration form. Please submit the form, a copy of your baptismal certificate and the $40 registration fee in a sealed envelope to the parish office by January 10, 2021. Details regarding the scheduling of Confirmation Masses will be posted once registration is closed.

Visitors and New Parishioners

A very warm welcome to all new parishioners and those who are visiting the St. Boniface Parish website.

New parishioners are asked to contact the office at 416-261-5983

Covid-19 Protocols before Holy Communion

Now that the pews have been returned to use in the church, we must work together to observe the safe-return to church practices that other parishes have been observing. Safe numbers (i.e. limited seating), as well as the following:
– When coming forward for Holy Communion, you must be wearing your mask.
– Currently, we are only able to distribute Holy Communion on the palm of your bare hand.
– In order to maintain physical distancing, we will give holy communion to one side of the church at a
time, starting on the tabernacle side first. Please use the markings on the main aisle to maintain physical distancing and return to your pew by way of the side aisle.
– If you are receiving the Eucharist please stop at the floor marker that is six feet from the priest or Minister of Holy Communion.
– While wearing a mask, the priest will say “The Body of Christ” and you will reply “Amen.” With your mask on, approach the priest or Minister of Holy Communion. Allow the priest or minister to place the host on the palm of your bare hand.
– Then move to the spot marked on the floor to your left or right, remove your mask and consume the Eucharist. Then put the mask back on your face and return to your pew. Please do not walk and consume the Eucharist.
– If you are receiving a blessing, please cross your arms over your chest and receive the blessing from the 6 feet physical distancing floor marker. Then you can return to your seat.
– After the final dismissal and blessing, starting with the last row of pews on the Tabernacle side, working our way to the front of the church people will leave one row at a time. Starting at the front pew, people can exit the church via the parking lot and Markanna Drive doors at the front of the church. Please exit the church promptly. Once one side is gone, the rear of the other side will exit in the same way. Please be patient as we exit the church in a safe and responsible way.
– Please do not come to church if you have a Fever; Cough; Difficulty Breathing; Sore Throat and Trouble Swallowing; Runny Nose; Loss of Taste or Smell; Not Feeling Well; Nausea, Vomiting and Diarrhea.

Please follow the instructions of our ushers, as we adjust to the safety procedures in our church.

Thank You.

Fr. Peter

Greetings and peace to all. Since we cannot meet each other in the usual way that new parish priests introduce themselves to their new parishioners and parishes, as we have adapted in so many other ways during the coronavirus, we are adapting with this bulletin intro. My name is Fr. Peter Marr. I was born in Toronto and was baptized at St Clare’s Parish and raised in a family of eight children in Oakville. I am coming to St. Boniface Parish after eleven years serving on the formation faculty at St. Augustine’s Seminary. So, we have already been neighbours for a long time. My coming to St. Boniface Parish is a return to parish ministry, something that is close to the heart of every diocesan priest’s desire. Parish ministry reflects the gift of family life: loving, sharing, forgiving, accepting, and learning the beauty and wonder of every human person as we all make our own journey to God’s kingdom together. My most treasured gift in life has been the place where I learned the most about how to love – family life. Parish life is where I am most happy to continue to make that same journey with you, learning and sharing together God’s greatest gifts for us in the sacraments, in prayer and praise, and in parish and community life together. I am looking forward to getting to know you as we share the journey of faith together.

A Message from our Cardinal

A message of gratitude.

Parishioners are encouraged to join Cardinal Collins for daily and Sunday Masses via livestream that can be accessed at:

https://www.stmichaelscathedral.com/live/

“Thanks for all your prayers and know that I continue to pray for you. Stay well under these unique circumstances. I hope to celebrate the Eucharist with you as soon as we are able.”

The Daily TV Mass can be found here:

CLICK ON IMAGE

OUR PARISH SCHOOLS

ST. AGATHA – 416-393-5302
49 Cathedral Bluffs Drive, M1M 2T6

ST. BONIFACE – 416-393-5277
20 Markanna Drive, M1M 2J1

ST. NICHOLAS – 416-393-5308
33 Amarillo Drive, M1J 2P7

LINKS

ARCHDIOCESE OF TORONTO
http://www.archtoronto.org
416-934-0606

CATHOLIC CEMETERIES
http://www.catholic-cemeteries.com
416-733-8544

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY
Help Line: 416-261-3528

TORONTO CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
https://www.tcdsb.org
416-222-8282

CANADIAN CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS
http://www.cccb.ca/site/index.php

UNITED STATES CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS
http://www.usccb.org

THE VATICAN – THE HOLY SEE
http://w2.vatican.va/content/vatican/en.html