TORONTO - In the past decade the archdiocese of Toronto has opened 13 parishes and closed none. This is at a time when across Canada, and particularly in Quebec, parishes are closing or amalgamating.
Guardian Angels parish in Brampton and St. Leo’s parish in Brooklin are the two most recent additions in the Toronto archdiocese, having opened in 2007. There is one new parish planned to open in 2008.
There are more than 1.6 million Catholics in the archdiocese in a triangular area bounded by Oakville in the west, Lake Ontario in the south, Peterborough diocese in the east and Georgian Bay in the north.
Overall the majority of the growth is happening in the northern and western regions of the archdiocese. In the past decade three new parishes have gone up in Mississauga and three in Brampton.
“We’re just responding to the population growth there,” said Toronto Auxiliary Bishop John Boissonneau, who oversees the western region of the archdiocese.
Major growth areas within the archdiocese of Toronto boundaries fall along Highway 407 that stretches across the GTA, including Brampton, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Markham, Pickering, Ajax and Whitby, said David Finnegan, director of planning, properties and housing for the archdiocese of Toronto. And according to Statistics Canada, in 2006 Barrie, in the northern part of the archdiocese, became a metropolitan area, meaning it now has a population of at least 100,000, including an urban core with a population of at least 50,000. Holy Spirit parish is working toward opening its own church.
“The areas are growing, the population of those towns are growing so you have to establish new parishes and with new people moving in you need new parishes,” said Boissonneau.
Opening a new church doesn’t happen immediately. On average it takes about a decade to establish a parish community, raise funds and build the church before it opens its doors.
A variety of ethnic parishes have also opened since 1995, serving Chinese, Korean, Polish, Italian, Slovak and Chaldean populations. Most recently Saviour of the World Chinese Catholic parish opened in Mississauga in 2005 and Markham’s St. Agnes Kouying Tsao parish opened in 2002. It serves the growing Korean community in the area.
Despite the parish closures in Quebec, and clustering of parishes in other dioceses, overall, the rest of Canada is seeing a different reality, according to Canadian sociologist Reginald Bibby of the University of Lethbridge.
“Catholic participation is increasing outside Quebec,” he said, adding that large numbers of less involved Catholics are open to greater participation in the church.
The archdiocese of Toronto has not closed any parishes in the past decade and Boissonneau said that he doesn’t see the phenomenon of church closures happening here.
“There’s no need to close churches here, the churches are full, there is standing room only on weekends,” he said.
From
The Catholic Register
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Monday, January 28, 2008
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Today I am praying for Laura Vicuna who was beautified by Pope John Paul II that she may soon become a saint. Another person for the abused to reach out to and have pray for them.
I am also going to mass this evening. Tuesday evening mass is one of my favourites. I always say a prayer to our lady of perpetual help and they have adoration at this mass. I like to stay for a bit and pray with Jesus.
And Tom...yes my iPod is pink. I wanted one so bad I got another job just to pay for it. It had to be pink, which is why I got an iPod vs another mp3 player. My cell phone is also pink too. LOL. Must be a girl thing.
I am also going to mass this evening. Tuesday evening mass is one of my favourites. I always say a prayer to our lady of perpetual help and they have adoration at this mass. I like to stay for a bit and pray with Jesus.
And Tom...yes my iPod is pink. I wanted one so bad I got another job just to pay for it. It had to be pink, which is why I got an iPod vs another mp3 player. My cell phone is also pink too. LOL. Must be a girl thing.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Another stolen tag
I find these online and find them interesting so I use them and post them myself. :)
1. Do you wear a name tag at work? Yes...although my name is covered up by a pink breast cancer ribbon which hangs down.
2. What kind of car do you drive? Roadmaster or a suburban.
3. What do you order when you go to Taco Bell? We don't have a taco bell but when we did I ordered nachos without hamburger.
4. Have you ever had a garage sale? My parents did when I lived there.
5. What color is your iPod? Pink.
What kind of dog do you have? Chocolate lab
7. What's for dinner tonight? We had grilled cheese and soup...it's Friday!
What is the last alcoholic beverage you had? It was like 4 months ago and it was Vex...a type of cooler.
9. Stupidest thing you ever did with your cell phone? Nothing really
10. Last time you were sick? October
11. How long is your hair? About 2-3 inches past my shoulder
12. Are you happy right now? Yes.
13. What did you say last? What's gonna work...team work...it's a song the kids sing.
14. Who came over last? Neighbour across the road.
15. Do you drink beer? No, it's nasty tasting.
16. Have your brothers or sisters ever told you that you were adopted? No, but I told them.
17. What is your favorite key chain on your keys? Don't have one
18. What did you get for graduation? Sewing machine.
19. Whats in your pocket? Coat pocket has money in it.
20. Who introduced you to Dane Cook? WHAT?????
.21. Has someone ever made you a Build-A-Bear? No.
22. What DVD is in your DVD player? Nothing.
23. What's something fun you did today? Yogurt and fruit.
24. Who is/was the principal of your high school? I don't remember, but I remember the vice principal.
25. Has your house ever been TP'd? No.
26.What do you think of when you hear the word "meow"? Hello Kitty!
27. What are you listening to right now? Kids talking and playing
28. Drinking? Tea
29. What is your favorite aisle at Wal-Mart? Don't have one
30. When is your mom's birthday? may 31
31. When is your birthday? dec 17
32. What's the area code for your cell phone? 519
33. Where did you buy the shirt you're wearing now? I don't know...there actually pj's
34. Is there anything hanging from your rear view mirror? A rosary
35. How many states in the US have you been to? Two
36. What kind of milk do you drink? I don't drink it.
37. What are you going to do after this? Not sure.
38. Who was the last person you went shopping with? Husband
39. What is your favorite fruit? Pineapple...but I will only eat fruit at room temperature, never straight out of the fridge
40. What about your favorite dessert? Blueberry or lemon meringue pie
41. What is something you need to go shopping for? ALOT
42. Do you have the same name as one of your relatives? No.
43. What kind of car does one of your siblings drive? Both brothers have Ford pick up trucks
44. Do you like pickles? Yes.
45. How about olives? Yes.
46. What is your favorite kind of gum? Don't really chew it but if I do it's dentyne fire...red/cinnamon.
47. What is your favorite kind of juice? Don't really drink juice but I would say apple if I had to.
48. Do you have any tan lines? Are you kidding...there is snow on the ground
.49. What hospital were you born in? I actually was born in my parent's living room. And no they didn't plan it that way.
OK, I tag whoever wants to play. Just leave me a comment you played!
1. Do you wear a name tag at work? Yes...although my name is covered up by a pink breast cancer ribbon which hangs down.
2. What kind of car do you drive? Roadmaster or a suburban.
3. What do you order when you go to Taco Bell? We don't have a taco bell but when we did I ordered nachos without hamburger.
4. Have you ever had a garage sale? My parents did when I lived there.
5. What color is your iPod? Pink.
What kind of dog do you have? Chocolate lab
7. What's for dinner tonight? We had grilled cheese and soup...it's Friday!
What is the last alcoholic beverage you had? It was like 4 months ago and it was Vex...a type of cooler.
9. Stupidest thing you ever did with your cell phone? Nothing really
10. Last time you were sick? October
11. How long is your hair? About 2-3 inches past my shoulder
12. Are you happy right now? Yes.
13. What did you say last? What's gonna work...team work...it's a song the kids sing.
14. Who came over last? Neighbour across the road.
15. Do you drink beer? No, it's nasty tasting.
16. Have your brothers or sisters ever told you that you were adopted? No, but I told them.
17. What is your favorite key chain on your keys? Don't have one
18. What did you get for graduation? Sewing machine.
19. Whats in your pocket? Coat pocket has money in it.
20. Who introduced you to Dane Cook? WHAT?????
.21. Has someone ever made you a Build-A-Bear? No.
22. What DVD is in your DVD player? Nothing.
23. What's something fun you did today? Yogurt and fruit.
24. Who is/was the principal of your high school? I don't remember, but I remember the vice principal.
25. Has your house ever been TP'd? No.
26.What do you think of when you hear the word "meow"? Hello Kitty!
27. What are you listening to right now? Kids talking and playing
28. Drinking? Tea
29. What is your favorite aisle at Wal-Mart? Don't have one
30. When is your mom's birthday? may 31
31. When is your birthday? dec 17
32. What's the area code for your cell phone? 519
33. Where did you buy the shirt you're wearing now? I don't know...there actually pj's
34. Is there anything hanging from your rear view mirror? A rosary
35. How many states in the US have you been to? Two
36. What kind of milk do you drink? I don't drink it.
37. What are you going to do after this? Not sure.
38. Who was the last person you went shopping with? Husband
39. What is your favorite fruit? Pineapple...but I will only eat fruit at room temperature, never straight out of the fridge
40. What about your favorite dessert? Blueberry or lemon meringue pie
41. What is something you need to go shopping for? ALOT
42. Do you have the same name as one of your relatives? No.
43. What kind of car does one of your siblings drive? Both brothers have Ford pick up trucks
44. Do you like pickles? Yes.
45. How about olives? Yes.
46. What is your favorite kind of gum? Don't really chew it but if I do it's dentyne fire...red/cinnamon.
47. What is your favorite kind of juice? Don't really drink juice but I would say apple if I had to.
48. Do you have any tan lines? Are you kidding...there is snow on the ground
.49. What hospital were you born in? I actually was born in my parent's living room. And no they didn't plan it that way.
OK, I tag whoever wants to play. Just leave me a comment you played!
Thursday, January 10, 2008
These comments irk me
OK, I must admit I only read the first few because I was so angry I couldn't read the rest and get even madder. People are just so down on the Catholic church. I just get upset when people put down any religion. I just don't get it. I don't put down other religions besides mine. Maybe I am just hoping too much expecting others to be the same.
NFLD abuse scandal
My diocese just went through major restructing to try and raise money for pay outs for a sex scandal years ago. This has been hard on the members. They petitioned rome to remove his priestly title but he died in jail before this could be done.
I am just so sick of people hacking the Catholic church because of the abuse scandals. Every church has there scandals but people are quick to forget them.
I could say A LOT more on the subject but I think I should stop ranting now before it ruins my whole day.
NFLD abuse scandal
My diocese just went through major restructing to try and raise money for pay outs for a sex scandal years ago. This has been hard on the members. They petitioned rome to remove his priestly title but he died in jail before this could be done.
I am just so sick of people hacking the Catholic church because of the abuse scandals. Every church has there scandals but people are quick to forget them.
I could say A LOT more on the subject but I think I should stop ranting now before it ruins my whole day.
Saturday, January 05, 2008
The Twelve Days of Christmas
I always loved this...
The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.
Two turtledoves were the Old and New Testaments.
Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love. The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.
The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.
The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.
Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit - wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord.
The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.
Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit--Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.
The ten lords a-leaping were the Ten Commandments.
The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.
The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.
The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.
Two turtledoves were the Old and New Testaments.
Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love. The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.
The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.
The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.
Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit - wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord.
The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.
Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit--Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.
The ten lords a-leaping were the Ten Commandments.
The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.
The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.
Thursday, January 03, 2008
Random Things
Today is St. Geniveve's day. I once looked after a patient named that. We called her Genny. She was always a nice lady to me but was really mean to other staff. She use to knit. She tried to knit me a baby blanket when I was pregnant but then her eyesight got so bad she couldn't finish it. Funny thing...Catherine was born on her birthday. Anyways I am reminded of her today.
Tom posted about New Year's resolutions. I don't usually make any but I am trying to lose weight and thinking about quitting smoking. So perhaps those are them. I usually went until Lent for things. One year I gave up swearing. The staff at work laughed when I told them. They said I'd never do it. One shift was HORRIBLE. I came down to the breakroom late and they waited, and they waited...but no swear words came out of my mouth. They knew then that I could do it.
I think this year I'll do the swear word thing again because I am starting to swear again and perhaps give up the internet except for specific purposes. That last one will be really hard since I'm a recovering facebook addict
Tom posted about New Year's resolutions. I don't usually make any but I am trying to lose weight and thinking about quitting smoking. So perhaps those are them. I usually went until Lent for things. One year I gave up swearing. The staff at work laughed when I told them. They said I'd never do it. One shift was HORRIBLE. I came down to the breakroom late and they waited, and they waited...but no swear words came out of my mouth. They knew then that I could do it.
I think this year I'll do the swear word thing again because I am starting to swear again and perhaps give up the internet except for specific purposes. That last one will be really hard since I'm a recovering facebook addict
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
Mother of God
January 1 is one of 2 Holy Days of Obligation in Canada (the other is Christmas Day). Last night at 5 o clock mass it was packed. People were standing in the back. The only other service is today at 11 am. I think it's sad that for a parish that had 8 services at Christmas only needs 2 for the other holy day.
Anyways I went with the whole family. It was nice because they had both priests so it didn't matter which line up I chose for the eucharist, I got a priest. I also was happy that we got to sing the first noel...my favourite Christmas hymn.
O Mary,
Mother of God
As You are above all creatures
in Heaven and Earth,
more glorious than the Cherubim,
more noble than any here below,
Christ has given You to His people,
firm bulwark and Protectress,
to shield and save sinners who fly unto You.
Therefore O Lady,
all embracing refuge,
we solemnly recall Your sweet protection,
and beg Christ forever for His mercy.
Amen
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