R.C.I.A. (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults): A ... Bulletins/March 22... · testing times. Yours in Christ, Msgr. Vid Vlasic _____ A Message from Cardinal Collins For the duration

3898 Highway #7 East, Unionville, ON L3R 1L3

Tel: 905.479.2463 • Fax: 905.513.8077

www.stjustin.ca

ConneCt WItH US!

St.JustinMartyr SJMyouthmin

SJustinMartyrSUnDAY MASS SCHeDUle

SAtURDAY 5:00 pmSUnDAY 8:30 am | 10:30 am | 12:30 pm | 7:00 pm

WeekDAY MASS SCHeDUle

MonDAY, tUeSDAY, tHURSDAY, FRIDAY, SAtURDAY - 9:10 amWeDneSDAY - 7:00 pm (Devotion to our lady of Perpetual Help)FIRSt FRIDAY - 9:10 am & 7:00 pm 6:00 pm exposition of the Blessed SacramentSACRAMent oF ReConCIlIAtIon

SAtURDAY After 9:10 am Mass | 4:00 – 4:45 pm Also by appointment.

oFFICe HoURSMonDAY – tHURSDAY 9:00 am – 8:00 pmFRIDAY 9:00 am – 4:30 pmSAtURDAY 9:30 am – 6:00 pmSUnDAY 9:30 am – 1:30 pm

Youth Ministry

PAStoR Msgr. Vid Vlasic [email protected] PAStoR Rev. John Pak [email protected] oFFICe ADMInIStRAtoR karen natione-Garcea [email protected] SeCRetARY Binitha Alfred [email protected]/ConFIRMAtIon Andrew Santos [email protected] DIReCtoR Julia Iacono-Hauser [email protected]

LENT

The Lord is my Shepherd:

I shall not want.Psalm 23

Mission Statement"We are a growing, compassionate community of

Catholic Christians, sharing our gifts and talents in service of others according to the teachings of

Jesus Christ."

R.C.I.A. (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults): A program for adults interested in becoming a Catholic, contact Monsignor Vid Vlasic for an interview.

R.C.I.C. (Rite of Christian Initiation of Children): A program for children over the age of 7 who are not baptized and/or have not received First Communion and/or Confession. Contact Rachel at [email protected]

BAPTISM: A registration form is available at the Parish Office. A baptism preparation session is required if it is the first baby. Baptisms are held twice per month.

MARRIAGE: The church requires one year's notice for planning a marriage. Also required is a marriage preparation course which can be arranged through the parish.

ANOINTING Of THE SICK: If you are to be hospitalized for a serious operation, please come to the parish to be anointed by one of the priests.

PARISH SCHOOLSSt. John XXIII Catholic School 905-477-3288St. Justin Martyr Catholic School 905-474-0284St. Matthew Catholic School 905-475-0517St. Monica Catholic School 905-887-1560St. Augustine Catholic High School 905-887-6171

FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT

A Message from Our Pastor Dear Parishioners, During this time of uncertainty, we hope to continue communicating with you through our website and bulletin updates. Please be advised that we are available by mail and by phone. If you have a general question or concern, please mail [email protected] or have a personal concern, please contact me at [email protected] or give us a call at 905 479 2463. Please know that you are always in my prayers. May you all be blessed and remain faithful to Lord in these testing times. Yours in Christ, Msgr. Vid Vlasic ___________________________________________

A Message from Cardinal Collins

For the duration of this health emergency, I decree that the following be implemented in all parishes, missions and chaplaincies throughout the Archdiocese of Toronto:

Mass – In view of the requirements of the Government of Ontario, during this medical emergency, beginning Tuesday, March 17, 2020, I instruct that all public Masses be cancelled, both during the week and on the weekend. Churches will be available for individual private prayer. The priests of the archdiocese will celebrate Mass every day privately for the intentions of the people. The faithful will be able to watch, via livestream, a Mass which will be celebrated every day at 7:30 a.m. at St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica, which will be followed by the Angelus and the Rosary. I will personally celebrate this Mass as much as is possible. This Mass, Rosary and Angelus will also be available on the Archdiocese of Toronto’s YouTube channel for those who cannot join at 7:30 a.m. These Masses and prayers will be offered for the intentions of everyone as we go through these trying times. In addition, Mass will be broadcast daily on Salt & Light Catholic Media Foundation, Vision TV (Daily TV Mass) and EWTN. So many of our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world are deprived of the opportunity to celebrate the Holy Eucharist, for many reasons. Due to this health emergency we also will now experience their suffering. Perhaps this sacrifice will help us to cherish more profoundly the great gift of the Holy Eucharist. There is no substitute for personally participating in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, which is the source and summit of our life in Christ, and we pray for the time when this may be universally available once more. It is important to follow carefully the provisions of the health authorities, but it also essential that our spiritual life be enhanced and strengthened more during this crisis. At this time, when we are reminded of the brevity of life and of our own mortality, we are called to go deeper to our spiritual foundations. I encourage all people who remain at home and who

are cut off from regular social interaction to engage in prayer – to pray the Rosary, to read the Scriptures and to offer prayers for those who are suffering the most in this crisis. We should also pray for the health care workers and others who are engaged in fighting this pandemic on the frontlines. For details on the sacraments at this time please visit www.archtoronto.org We will review our emergency provisions regularly in accord with the requirements of the public health officials and we will provide updates at: www.archtoronto.org/covid19 .

While it is a painful moment in the life of the Church to take these extreme measures, we pray that they will aid in combating the pandemic that has affected so many in our own community and around the world. Once again, we pray for those suffering and for those who are caring for the sick. We are facing many trials during our Lenten journey this year. We take these to prayer and look for opportunities to be the face of Jesus to all those whom we encounter. May God continue to bless you. In Christ, Thomas Cardinal Collins Archbishop of Toronto ___________________________________________

Volunteers to Help Those In Need During

COVID 19 We have many people in the community who are under quarantine or are elderly and are unable to gather basic supplies during this time of distress. We are glad to let you know that we have some kindhearted people who offered to help the needy in gathering supplies or running errands. Please contact Parish office at 905 479 2463 or email [email protected] ___________________________________________

CAUTION: Scam Alert!

There are scammers out there making use of this opportunity calling, texting and mailing people with request for iTunes gift cards or other monetary benefits. In addition, there are reports of a variety of COVID-19 scams cropping up, including one where people call or visit homes trying to sell "COVID-19 testing kits", masks etc. Please exercise caution while checking mails or attending calls or texts. Think and verify before you open any attachments or li9nks provided. Please call the sender on a known phone number, not the number mentioned in the suspect message. Please be aware that the parish will not endorse any of those requests. If there be any request from the parish, you will be notified in the bulletin or we will inform you through the website www.stjustin.ca The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. Psalm 23

22 MARCH 2020

4th Sunday of Lent: A Reflection by Rev. John Pak

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus and the disciples encounter a man who has been blind from birth.

When the disciples ask if the cause of his blindness was his sins or the sins of his parents, Jesus answers them that “it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him.” This statement sounds as if Jesus is saying that this man was born blind so that Jesus can heal him and reveal His divinity. Then Jesus teaches his disciples that He is the light of the world and then proceeds to cure the blind man, giving him sight.

But many Jews and some of the Pharisees do not believe in the healing and do not accept Jesus. Even when the blind man's parents testified that their son was born blind many stubbornly reject the miracle of Jesus. Ultimately, the Jews accuse the blind man as a liar, a cheat and a sinner, and throws him out into the street. This is a complete rejection of the works and the person of Jesus himself.

But the once blind man is different. He accepts and believes in Jesus. When Jesus asks him “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”, he answers, “I do believe, Lord.” Through his profession of faith, the once blind man now receives salvation from Jesus. Not only was he healed of his physical blindness, but he was also healed of his spiritual blindness.

During this time of uncertainty and anxiety, we need to open our spiritual eyes of faith, instead of only relying on our physical sight. Our physical eyes only show us negative things like illness, social unrest, financial challenges, and death. But when we see with our spiritual eyes in faith, we see Jesus the "light of the world" present in our midst, healing and curing our spiritual blindness.

We need to realize how so many of us have been blinded by our over-confidence in economic security, technology, science, health system, and modern achievements.

It is so easy to blame someone or something when things go wrong. Just like to disciples who asked Jesus if the sins of the man or his parents were the cause of blindness, we want to blame someone for the current situation. We cannot blame a certain group of people or a certain race. Racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia are unacceptable and completely un-Christian. We need to go beyond discrimination and blaming games but in Christian spirit and solidarity continue to support and defend human rights and protect the minority in our community. We also need to acknowledge so many who put themselves in the front line of danger: health care workers, cleaning workers, delivery drivers, and many other public servants and workers. Many of these workers were not appreciated or valued before, but we now realize how important they are. We need to pray for them and to support them by practicing social

distancing and doing everything we can to ensure the safety of our community.

I want the parishioners of St. Justin to know that I am celebrating a private Mass and praying for all of you every day. I hope you will also continue your spiritual life by watching daily TV Mass and prayer. Especially through daily spiritual communion let us be spiritually united with our Lord Jesus and with each other. Join in me and profess our faith in Jesus, the light of the world and ask Him to heal our blindness: “I do believe, Lord.” Amen.

An Act of Spiritual Communion My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive

You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen

Along with prayer, Rosary had been a way for Catholics to connect with God and meditate during calm and storm. During this lent, let us not be disheartened by the events, but hold our faith high and meditate on the rosary along with family. This presentation is made for general audience though the Sacred art images of Passion may be considered too intense for the very young. The traditional Catholic Rosary features the recitation of the Joyful, Sorrowful (20:25 minutes) and Glorious mysteries (40:57 minutes) of the traditional fifteen-decade Rosary. The prayers are accompanied by images of sacred art from many of the great masters as well as a lush, yet subtle, orchestral soundtrack.

Pray The Rosary Now at FORMED.ORG If you do not have an account yet, -Visit FORMED.org -Click Sign Up -Select “I Belong to a Parish or Organization: -Find our parish name: St. Justin Martyr at 3898 Highway 7, Unionville, ON -Enter your email – and you’re in!

CHRIST THE KINGCATHOLIC CEMETERY

(905) 471-0121

7770 Steeles Ave. EastChoose from many beautiful memorialization options

including traditional burial, cremation niches and above ground crypt burial. On-site reception facilities.

Dixon-Garland Funeral Homewww.dixongarland.com | 905-294-2030

Robert ChungFranchise Owner

2255A Queen Street E., Toronto, ON, M4E 1G3Office: (647) 352 6111 Toll Free: 1 (855) 222 7447Mobile: 1 (647) 403 1583 Fax: (647) 352 6114

[email protected]/RobertChung

TIC

O: 5

00

22

24

4

CLASSROOM SPACE & MEETING SPACE AVAILABLE!

MEMOOK CREATIVE HUB

For more info please call us!

Follow us on Instagram: @memook_creative_hub

1-7750 Birchmount Road, Markham, Ontario, L3R 0B4

T. 905.470.1122 E. [email protected]

138 Anderson Ave, Unit 1, Markham ON L6E 1A4Tel: 905.471.8155 Toll Free: 1.800.325.0541

[email protected]

ContaCt: Ann lAW 905-470-1122

[email protected]

HighlandFISH & CHIPS RESTAURANT(Dine-In or Take-Out)

3357 Ellesmere Road, Scarborough, ON M1C 1H1T. (416) 282 2889E. [email protected]

YORK SOUTH SILVER KNIGHTSBASKETBALL CLUB

“GIRLS GOT COURT”Girls only program. Girls ages 4 – 14.

Sunday’s at Unionville HS, 9am – 3:30pm*Program starts October 2019

www.silverknightsbasketball.com

20 Bur Oak Ave., Unit #11, Markham

www.Ldinino-optometrist.com

COMPLETE FAMILY EYE CARE

New Patients Welcome!

Tel. 905.888.6446

www.markvillechevrolet.com

NICK ZANZONICONEW & PRE-OWNED VEHICLES

5336 Hwy 7, Markham, ON L3P 1B9 www.markvillechevrolet.com

Cell: (416) [email protected]: (905) 294-1440 · 1(800) 892-2209 · Fax: (905) 294-9858

Arbor Memorial Inc.

Your special place to rememberCall for a FREE Planning Kit: 905-887-8600

Highland Funeral Home Markham Chapelby Arbor Memorial

10 Cachet Woods Court Markham, ONmarkhamfuneralhome.ca

CLIENT: Arbor Memorial BLEED: None

DOCKET: D015918 TYPE SAFETY: 0.25” all around

NAME: Highland Markham Church Bulletin Ad COLOUR: 4 Colour Process

AD SIZE: 5.4”w x 1.31”h

Advertise With The St. Justin Martyr Parish Bulletin

Math & ReadingProgramsMarkham - Buttonville905-477-2937

World YouthDaywww.wyd2022.ca

[email protected] | 1-888-923-9183

Lisbon,Portugal