Good Shepherd Parish, Thornhill
Our Faith Alive
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United with the Saints - All Saints DayOne of my first memories of going to Catholic liturgy is attending the Vigil for All Saints at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C. What stands out so vividly is the procession they made while chanting the...Friday, November 01, 2019 -
Thanksgiving: A Call to StewardshipThe following text is taken from Fr. Michael McGourty and his Thanksgiving-themed homily at St. Peter's Parish in Toronto. Thanksgiving is a North American holiday. If I remember my school lessons correctly, it derives from the experience of...Friday, October 11, 2019 -
The Archangels: Messengers of God's Love for All PeopleOn September 29, the Archdiocese of Toronto will celebrate the Solemnity of St. Michael the Archangel, our diocesan Patron Saint. In this post, Fr. Michael McGourty of St. Peter's Parish shares with us his prepared remarks for his...Friday, September 27, 2019 -
Sacramental Preparation Classes with Children and Parents TogetherThursday, September 05, 2019Beverly O’Grady is on staff with the Office of Formation for Discipleship in the Archdiocese of Toronto and works as a lay pastoral associate. She has been running First Communion/First Reconciliation programs with children and parents together... -
"Being Called to Serve" – A Missionary's PerspectiveThe Totus Tuus program in the Archdiocese of Toronto has concluded for another summer, but the memories and experiences are still alive and fresh for many – missionary leaders included. Each year, 20 young Catholic leaders act as missionaries...Thursday, August 29, 2019 -
St. Michael's Cathedral Basilica: Tour One of Toronto's Most Historic BuildingsThe post below is the second in our summer travel series – chronicling local day-trips in the Archdiocese of Toronto that will get you out of the house and deepen your faith. Looking for some quiet respite from...Monday, July 22, 2019 -
Entering the Digital Era: Video ConferencingCaring for the gathered and reaching the scattered. That wasn't just a vision statement for the Archdiocese of Toronto's Family of Faith Campaign, but an actual reality and objective. Following a nearly month long installation at St...Friday, July 05, 2019 -
Welcoming the Stranger: World Refugee DayOn June 20, many people throughout the world celebrate World Refugee Day. It's on this day when many dedicate their lives to raising awareness of the plight of refugees and migrants around the world. Since 2009, the Archdiocese of...Thursday, June 20, 2019 -
Renewing the Earth with Spirit: Pentecost SundayAt Pentecost we remember the descent of the Holy Spirit. I don't know about you, but often times I think of that in a personal way: What gifts has the Holy Spirit given me? What can I do with...Wednesday, June 05, 2019 -
On Earth as it is in Heaven: Ascension Sunday"Gladden us with holy joys, almighty God" the Collect for the Ascension of the Lord begins "and make us rejoice with devout thanksgiving, for the Ascension of Christ your Son is our exaltation, and where the head has gone before...Wednesday, May 29, 2019 -
A Celebration of Years at the Archdiocese of TorontoOn April 29, 2019 the Archdiocese of Toronto held its annual Employee Recognition Celebration honouring employees with long-term service with the archdiocese. This year we honoured those with 10, 20, 25, 30 and 40 years of service. The celebration...Thursday, May 23, 2019 -
Words and Actions Speak: Sixth Sunday of EasterActions, as the old saying goes, speak louder than words. While that isn't to say that what we as Catholics say doesn't matter, it does help us to understand that our actions have consequences, positive and negative...Wednesday, May 22, 2019 -
A New Heaven & Earth: Fifth Sunday of EasterThe second reading for the Fifth Sunday of Easter is one of my favorites. We hear from John that there is a new heaven and a new earth because the former ones have passed away. God, we hear, dwells with...Wednesday, May 15, 2019 -
Hearing the Shepherd's Voice: Fourth Sunday of EasterJesus, and the first audiences for the Gospels knew their animals. The Gospels are full of references to animals, and it seems that many times it is sheep. I'm from the suburbs, the amount of things I know about...Monday, May 13, 2019 -
"United in Prayer" - Ordination VigilBefore this year's candidates for priesthood walk down the aisle of St. Michael's Cathedral Basilica, they will have been supported by parishioners and friends in prayer the night before. Once again, the Office of Vocations, together with the...Friday, May 10, 2019 -
Living as Joyful Disciples: Words from Cardinal CollinsMonday, May 06, 2019This week marks Catholic Education Week across the province of Ontario. To acknowledge this occasion, Cardinal Thomas Collins, the Archbishop of Toronto, is celebrating and recognizing publicly-funded Catholic Education with a special message. While reflecting on... -
Renewed with Easter Joy: Third Sunday of EasterIn the Archdiocese of Toronto this year the Third Sunday of Easter is also the archdiocesan Neophyte Mass. The final period of the Christian Initiation of Adults is known as the Period of Postbaptismal Catechesis or Mystagogy. It is...Friday, May 03, 2019 -
A Mercy So Rich: Divine Mercy Sunday"….the Church must consider it one of her principal duties-at every stage of history and especially in our modern age-to proclaim and to introduce into life the mystery of mercy, supremely revealed in Jesus Christ." (Dives in...Monday, April 29, 2019 -
Celebrating A Love That Cannot Wait: Easter SundayThe following homily was provided to us by Fr. Michael McGourty, Pastor of St. Peter's Parish in Toronto. The celebration of Easter is for all Christians the highpoint of our year of faith. At Easter we celebrate the fact...Sunday, April 21, 2019 -
Christ Our Light: The Great VigilThe Easter Vigil is the final liturgy of the Triduum. It is the night that we "keep the memorial of the Lord's paschal solemnity…listening to his words and celebrating his mysteries…" (from the Greeting of the...Saturday, April 20, 2019
