Focus on the Word 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B Deuteronomy 18.15-20; 1 Corinthians 7.32-35; Mark 1.21-28 Grant us, Lord our God, that we may honour you with all our mind, and love everyone in truth of heart. Amen. Pray for the Deceased Nehemiah Cartalla, Leonito Revil, Xavier Turiano The 39 victims of the Boko Haram attack in Niger, Africa [Jesus healing in Capernaum] February: principal feast days Parish Week / Sunday, 31 January 2021 The month of February has some significant feast days. Saturday, 30 Jan. / St. Marianne Cope, virgin 2 Presentation of the Lord 8.00 am Mass: † Beatriz Remedios (family) 3 St. Blaise, bishop & martyr 5.00 pm Mass: † Agnes Joseph (children) - Fr. Peter Francis Corless, death anniversary (2008) SUNDAY, 31 JAN. / 4-B 5 St. Agatha, virgin & martyr ■ Homilist: Fr. Edwin Galea 6 St. Paul Miki & companions 9.00 am Mass: Int. Dolores Marques (Virginia Tabat) - the Japanese martyrs 10.30 am Mass: Int. Consorcia Maulion (Virginia Tabat) 12.00 pm Mass: Int. Lillian D’Souza (Virginia Tabat) 8 St. Josephine Bakhita, virgin 7.00 pm Mass: Pro Populo 10 St. Scholastica, virgin; and the sister of St. Benedict Monday 1 Feb. 1 1 Our Lady of Lourdes, the feast of the apparitions to Saint 8.00 am Mass: † Michael D’Mello (Lillian D’Souza) Bernadette Soubirous, and also the World Day of the Sick 7.00 pm Mass: Int. Cecilia Li (Virginia Tabat) 17 Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order 7.40 pm Infant Baptism Parent Godparent meeting 21 St. Peter Damian, bishop and doctor Tuesday, 2 Feb. / Presentation of The Lord 22 Feast of the Chair of St. Peter the Apostle 8.00 am Mass: Int. Thanksgiving for the year 2020 (Alinsug family) 23 St. Polycarp, bishop and martyr 7.00 pm Wedding: Franklin Ariyanayagam & Shannon Finney Wednesday, 3 Feb. / St. Blaise, bishop & martyr 7003o21 8.00 am Mass: † Marieliese Tisseverasinghe (family) COMING UP Thursday, 4 Feb. 5 Feb. RCIA (7.30 pm) RCIC 6 Feb. (10.00 am) 8.00 am Mass: † Emmarie Garcia (Vinah) 7 Feb. Infant Baptism (1.30 pm) Friday, 5 Feb. / St. Agatha, virgin& martyr 11 Feb. Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes; 8.00 am Mass: † Angela Sinclair (Parents) - World Day of the Sick 6.00 pm Holy Hour 17 Feb. Ash Wednesday 7.00 pm Mass: † Unborn (Audrey Caza) st 21 Feb. 1 Sunday in Lent 7.30 pm RCIA 28 Feb. 2nd Collection: Maintenance 16 Mar. PH500: Opening Liturgy of the 500th Anniversary of Saturday, 6 Feb. / St. Paul Miki & Companions, martyrs Christianity in the Philippines (O.L. Assumption Church) 8.00 am Mass: † Eileen Tobin (Alice Larkin) 21 Mar. ShareLife Sunday 10.00 am RCIC 28 Mar. Palm Sunday; Holy Week begins 5.00 pm Mass: † Gabriel & Francis Andreas 4 Apr. Easter Sunday; Resurrection of Our Lord (Thanesh Thanarajan) SUNDAY, 7 FEB. / 5-B ■ Homilist: Fr. Elias Chachati Website stmariagoretti.archtoronto.org 9.00 am Mass: Int. Siromi Ameresekere (friends) No Public Masses: During the current pandemic lockdown, there 10.30 am Mass: † Lydia Marquez (family) are no public Masses. Our Church is open for personal prayer 12.00 pm Mass: † Frank & Joan Deverno (Pamela) every day from 8 am to 6 pm. The Mass Intentions that were 1.30 pm Infant Baptism booked before the lockdown was imposed in November 2020, will all be honoured by the Priests in their private Masses. 7.00 pm Mass: Pro Populo January Wellbeing Sacramental Preparation Tips for Winter Wellness All families of the Candidates for 1st Holy Communion and Winter brings us shorter days, more time spent inside and the flu Confirmation have been eagerly waiting for news as to how the season! Our immune system has a lot to deal with during the preparation process would proceed. winter months. Not only do people tend to get more colds and There is now an entire School Year of students who need to coughs during this time of year, but the lack of sunshine can have receive these Sacraments, and this month would usually mark the a big effect on our mood and physical health. There are a few time when the Parish would host a series of Parent Information things we can do to take extra care of our health at this time of Meetings for the present Year’s group of Candidates. year, whether by boosting our immune system or better dealing with the harsh environment. The pandemic has created a challenging situation. 1. Wash Your Hands After Schools re-opened in September 2020, meetings were held This is classic advice and now more than ever we’ve been and plans made to schedule the celebration of Sacraments that had repeatedly told of the importance of hand washing. Washing your been suspended due to the pandemic shut down in March. In hands can stop germs from spreading from one person to another collaboration with the Schools, the Parish was prepared to and then throughout our community. It’s one of the easiest and administer these Sacraments in the context of small groups most effective ways to avoid getting sick. If you don’t have soap beginning in October 2020. However, the pandemic restrictions and water nearby, use anti-bacterial hand sanitizer. You don’t continued to grow, and on 23 November a lockdown was imposed, realize just how many germs you come into contact with everyday resulting in the cancellation of all the planned celebrations. and just being mindful of hand cleanliness can make a big We will continue to pray for guidance, and to monitor the situation difference. And: Try to not touch your eyes, ears, nose or mouth in order to determine what can be done to move forward on these throughout the day. The nail beds in your fingers harbour many extremely important events in the lives of our Youth. germs that can make their way into your body through open areas. 2. Eat the Rainbow Catholic Women’s League Make sure you’re filling yourself up with lots of colourful produce. Whether it’s fresh or frozen, produce is the most Membership Drive, 31 January important health tool money can buy. Eating a variety of fruit and The Catholic Women’s League will hold a Membership Drive on vegetables will ensure you get all the essential vitamins and 31 January. The CWL is a national organization rooted in gospel minerals you need, especially in the winter when there is less values calling its members to holiness through service to the sunlight and less time outside. A healthy, nutrient dense diet is the people of God. Consider becoming a member! best defense against sickness of any kind. If you would like to join, call: Lillian, 647-909-6425. 3. Get Outside If you are already a member and have not already renewed your Winter weather is not to everyone’s liking. However, make an membership for 2021, please drop off your renewal at the Parish effort to get outside in the light and fresh air at least once a day. Office the next time you are at Church for prayer. If you prefer, Not only is it good for replenishing your vitamin D needs (which you may also choose to e-transfer. Call Lillian for any more is a key nutrient that aids our immune system and is one that most information. Thank you for your support of this vital ministry. people lack during the winter), but it also frees you from the confinement of your home. Being cooped up indoors for too long is not good for your mind or body. During the winter, mould can The Irish build up in the home which can trigger congestion, respiratory Be they kings or poets or farmers infections, coughing and even asthma attacks for those who have They’re people of great worth. that disease. Do yourself a favour and get out of your home. They keep company with the angels 4. Move Your Body And bring a bit of Heaven to Earth. Exercise is important throughout the year, but even more so in the winter when we are naturally more sedentary. A regular workout routine is a prime booster for your immunity. It reduces the risk of ☺ Your Sabbath Smile cold and flu, while improving your mood and raising your energy levels that can be so easily zapped in the winter. Not to mention it’s an automatic heat builder; you can be your own heat source when you work out. Along with getting outside for a walk, you can stretch and lifting weights. 5. Stay Positive Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a real thing and it can affect a lot more than just your mood. Fatigue, irritability, depression, anxiety and even physical discomfort can result from the changing of seasons. The best way to beat the winter blues is to get outside daily (as mentioned above), but also boost your diet. Incorporate nutrient dense foods and fresh herbs as often as possible. Foods “If it’s any consolation, your social media that are high in calcium and magnesium are said to improve stress makes you look absolutely thriving." levels, lift you out of SAD-related moods and overall keep you more healthy and happy. Cecilia Pascual Farrol 20 January 1934 – 8 December 2020 Cecilia “Cely” Pascual Farrol died peacefully at Toronto’s St. Joseph’s Health Centre on Dec. 8 Her husband of 62 years, Bernardo, was by her side. She was 86. During the online funeral liturgy, due to Covid-19 restrictions, Mrs. Farrol was remembered as a woman of faith, a business woman and leader of the Filipino-Canadian community.