PARISH OFFICE HOURS

Monday to Friday from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm. 

Closed daily 12:00 pm–1:00 pm. 

OFFICE CLOSED MONDAY, MAY 18 FOR VICTORIA DAY HOLIDAY

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION CHILDREN

CONGRATULATIONS AND PRAYERS

Congratulations and prayers to the young communicants on receiving their First Holy Communion!

This sacred milestone marks a special step in their faith journey, bringing them closer to Jesus and into the loving embrace of the Church.

This year we are proud to have 104 children for the sacrament of First Holy Communion.

May their hearts always be filled with the joy of the Eucharist, and may God bless them and their families with grace and peace on this special day.

2027 WORLD YOUTH DAY

World Youth Day (WYD) is a global gathering of young Catholics (ages 19–39) with the Holy Father, taking place in Seoul, South Korea, from August 3–8, 2027. We are gauging interest to help plan our parish’s pilgrimage.

Please complete the attached survey:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd4RadfsY3cbbRibaX5LUOOyZzyPVdxXkDelO-xVCc8fcKckA/viewform?usp=publish-editor.

Filling out this form is not a commitment; it simply helps us know who to keep in the loop.

MAY IS THE MONTH OF OUR LADY

PRAY THE ROSARY

Please join us in praying the Rosary after the daily morning Mass at 8:30 am.

All are welcome!

HIS EMINENCE FRANK CARDINAL LEO

MESSAGE FOR THE MONTH OF MAY

My Dear Brothers and Sisters,
May Jesus and Mary be in your souls.
I am writing to you in anticipation of the month particularly dedicated to the Blessed Mother, the month of May. The origin of this dedication dates back many centuries. Historians point to the hymns of 13th century Alfonso X “the Wise” King of Castile and León followed by the writings of 14th century Dominican, Blessed Henry Suso as being the seeds of the devotion of Our Lady this month. In the 16th century the Benedictine Wolfgang Seidl published a volume on the devotions and teachings connected to May. At roughly the same time, in Rome, St. Philip Neri was teaching the youth to honour Our Lady with songs, flowers, praises and acts of virtue and mortification. However, it wasn’t until the Baroque period, the end of the 17th century in Italy and in Germany, when we see this month develop significantly with the establishment of Confraternities and devotions including the singing of litanies and crowning statues with crowns made of roses. In the modern sense, nevertheless, the recognized initiator of the Marian Month per se in terms of its formalization including daily prayers and practices is the 18th century Jesuit Fr. Annibale Dionisi, in Rome, followed by other inspired pastors of souls such as Archbishop G.M. Saporiti of Genoa and the Jesuit Fr. A. Muzzarelli. The holy Rosary, originally linked specifically to the month of October, is now introduced in the month of May as well. Subsequently, at the beginning of the 19th century throughout Europe and the Americas as well as in the missions, this devotion spread rapidly. It came to be an important and beautiful expression of the Church’s devotion to the Mother of Jesus and to this day, it continues to help us journey in faith, keep the fire of devotion burning in our hearts and challenge us to live the life of faith, virtue and justice after the example of the one who alone was chosen to be the Mother of God.
During these four weeks we are invited to contemplate the mystery of Our Lady’s life and to rediscover how her witness continues to illuminate the path of the Church. As our mother and model, Mary offers timely wisdom and guidance on what it means to be disciples of Christ whose daily living is marked by spiritual discernment and apostolic action (cf. Lumen Gentium 63-65).
One of the defining characteristics of Mary’s life is her profound openness to the action of God. At the Annunciation she receives a mission that exceeds human understanding, yet she responds with a heart ready to cooperate with his divine plan (Lk 1:38; CCC 494). The Church recognizes in this moment a pattern of authentic discernment: attentiveness to God’s initiative, trust in his promises and the courage to respond generously. These same attitudes are essential for us who seek to listen to the Holy Spirit in the present moment of our history (cf. Dei Verbum, 5).
Mary’s fiat – her free and courageous “yes” – reveals the interior disposition that lies at the heart of Christian discipleship. God initiates, grace is offered, and we respond in freedom. We are reminded that freedom is not the ability to do anything whatsoever, but the ability to choose what is good (Veritatis Splendor, 35; CCC 1731-1733). The sacred dialogue between grace and freedom remains at the centre of the Christian life. As St. Augustine reminds us: “God created us without us: but he did not will to save us without us” (Sermo 169,11,13). Each day, in countless places around the world, the Lord continues to speak to human hearts, inviting them to cooperate in his saving work.
Mary also manifests a deep capacity for contemplation. The Gospel of St. Luke relates that she “treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart” (Lk 2:19; CCC 2717). Our Blessed Mother’s quiet attentiveness to the mystery unfolding before her reminds the Church that discernment is never rushed. Like Mary of Nazareth we are invited to cultivate spaces of prayer and reflection in our homes, schools, communities and hearts where the Word of God can take root and illuminate our path forward (Verbum Domini, 86-88). Attentiveness to the voice of God requires humility, openness and trust in the action of the Holy Spirit, truly listening to God.
Mary’s contemplative heart never withdraws from the needs of the world. Her life is marked by a readiness to respond when God calls her into service. Whether it is her visit to Elizabeth after the Annunciation (Lk 1:39-45), welcoming the shepherds in Bethlehem (Lk 2:16-19), presenting the Child Jesus in the Temple (Lk 2:22-25), or standing faithfully beneath the Cross (Jn 19:25), Mary remains steadfast in her participation in the saving work of Christ (cf. LG 58). In this way, the Blessed Mother reveals that authentic discernment always leads to witness and action (Evangelii Gaudium, 120). This can be difficult for us, we want to do God’s will but perhaps we are unaware of what he wants, or unsure of how to respond.
The month of May invites us to put aside our doubts, insecurities, and fears; to renew our own response to God’s call. Standing devoutly and spiritually beside Mary, we learn again the courage of her surrender and the confidence of her faith (Redemptoris Mater, 14-15). The same Holy Spirit who overshadowed her (Lk 1:35), desires to work within us, forming Christ anew in the hearts of all believers (cf. Gal 4:19). When we turn our hearts to Mary, in her faith we learn anew how to welcome God’s action in our lives. In her humility we discover the freedom that allows the Holy Spirit to work within us. In her fidelity we see the perseverance required to remain close to Christ even in moments of uncertainty. As such, my prayer for the faithful of the Archdiocese of Toronto is that especially this month we will think about how to honour Mother Mary and consider how her witness illuminates our daily life and vocation so that under her maternal care, may we continue to journey with renewed openness to the Holy Spirit.

DAILY ADORATION
FATIMA CHAPEL

MONDAY TO FRIDAY
FOLLOWING MORNING MASS & ROSARY
9:00 AM TO 10:00 AM

ALL-DAY FRIDAY FROM
9:00 AM TO 6:30 PM

All are welcome to enter this peaceful space for reflection, grace, and devotion.

We began all-day Eucharistic Adoration on Friday, May 8, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. Thank you to all those who signed up to make it possible. Adoration requires at least two people present during each time block. This provides the essential presence needed to keep the doors of grace open for all others in the entire community and beyond. Choosing one weekly dedicated hour ensures the Blessed Sacrament is never left alone.

“Could you not watch one hour with me?” asked the Lord, for in that single hour of faithful companionship, He pours out the peace of His presence and transforms your soul far more than any earthly labor ever could. “When we are before the Blessed Sacrament, instead of looking about us, let us shut our eyes and open our hearts; and the good God will open His. We will go to Him, and He will come to us, the one to give, and the other to receive.” St John Vianney.

We warmly invite you to spend time in prayer and encounter the presence of Our Lord in our beautiful “A Star on the Mantle of Our Lady, Queen of Peace” monstrance.

Thank you your Grace Cardinal Frank Leo for celebrating Mass and blessing our new Monstrance (December 3, 2023)

HISTORY OF THE MONSTRANCE

Marius Drapikowski was a talented jeweller, an artist and was losing his vision. He visited and was blessed by Pope John Paul II. Shortly after his vision was restored. He made a vow to dedicate his life to using his talents to create sacred art including two series of monstrances: Star on the Crown and Star on the Mantel: both promote global peace through Eucharistic Adoration. He drew his inspiration from the writings of St. Maxmillian Kolbe and the miraculous imagery of Our Lady of Guadalupe. They are part of an international peace initiative led by the Comunità Regina della Pace to establish centers of Eucharistic Adoration around the world for global peace and reconciliation.

Click on the link below for the video.

https://youtu.be/AhzWnVPRhSs?si=2v_cdRA4plFvPk47

GREAT GIFT IDEAS FOR

BAPTISM,

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION,

CONFIRMATION,

WEDDING

AND MANY OTHER OCCASIONS

The Ascension of the Lord

World Day of Social Communications

May 17, 2026

Through ShareLife, you support human connection

On the 60^th World Day of Social Communication, we are invited to pause and connect with each other—for the Church, for the world, and for the future we are helping to shape together. In this moment, one truth remains clear: the Church endures because of the strength and love of parishioners like you.

Your support of ShareLife supports human connection across the world, making a difference in the lives of thousands of people in our community and beyond—funding more than 40 agencies, which help children and youth, families in crisis, seniors, immigrants and refugees, people with special needs, international development and missions, and vocations.

The third ShareLife Sunday is May 31. Thus far we have raised $85,150.35 (21%) toward our goal of $405,000.00. Please give at the parish using a ShareLife envelope, online through our parish website, or at sharelife.org/donate.

Click here for information on Healing & Reconciliation

Horizons for Hope

click here for Letter from Cardinal Thomas Collins on resources to help us discuss death and dying

Finding Hope through HopeLine

Palliative Care and a Catholic Response to Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide

Mass Prayers and Responses

English  (click here)

Italian  (click here)

Resources for the Sacrament of Reconciliation/Confession

Youth (click here)

Adults (click here)

Sacrament of Reconciliation/Confession

The Sacrament of Confession is available Saturday from

3:50 pm – 4:50 pm

in the Church or by appointment through the Parish office

First Friday of the Month Holy Mass

Join us for Holy Mass every First Friday of the month at 7:00 pm. We honour the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

First Saturday of the Month Holy Mass

Join us for Holy Mass every First Saturday of the month at 8:30 am. We honour the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

For livestream Mass, please visit

St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica

Catholic Holy Mass Live Online

Stay in touch with our Parish

By phone at 905-884-1784.

By email at stmaryimmaculateri@archtoronto.org

Visit us on twitter @SMIRichmondHill.