St. Mary of the People Parish, Oshawa
Parish Blog
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VOTIVE CANDLES NOW IN CHURCHEssential to Catholic Celebrations In most every part of Catholic celebrations and rituals, lighting of candles play a very significant role. Candles are lighted during the celebration of the Mass, on liturgical and funeral processions and evening prayer ceremonies...Friday, February 27, 2026 -
Dancing the WalkForty years ago, Fr. Gianni Carparelli started the Caritas School of Life, to help those battling addiction through a therapeutic community approach. Below, he reflects on the organization’s impact in light of releasing a new book on his...Tuesday, March 03, 2026 -
World Day of the Sick 2026 – The Compassion of the SamaritanIn light of the World Day of the Sick on Wednesday, February 11, Saulina Amaral, Diocesan Coordinator of the Ministries of Care, reflects on the local initiatives making an impact in the Archdiocese of Toronto. 1. What is the World...Thursday, February 05, 2026 -
Baptism Calls us to an Identity and a MissionIn light of the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord this Sunday, January 11, Fr. Jude Xavier, Pastor at St. Margaret Mary Parish, reflects on the enduring significance of baptism. Baptism is often remembered as a moment from our...Friday, January 09, 2026 -
Jubilee of Prisoners: Building a Community of HopeThe Friends of Dismas, named for the “good thief” who was crucified alongside Jesus, is an organization that assists former prisoners by offering them material assistance and community. Deacon Kevin Daudlin, coordinator of the Toronto Dismas Fellowships, reflects...Thursday, December 11, 2025 -
Seeing Further in the DarknessI am living in darkness. I wake up to darkness, go to work, come home and go to sleep in the dark. During this time of year, I am reminded of how deeply human it is to long for light...Wednesday, December 10, 2025 -
Praying for Unity: Week of Prayer for Christian Unity – January 18–25, 2026The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is an ecumenical celebration that happens annually from January 18 to 25. For over a century during that week, Christians from all over the world have been praying for healing, reconciliation and the...Monday, November 24, 2025 -
Faith and Fitness Initiative Expands to Volleyball TournamentOn Nov. 7, young adults gathered at St. Gregory’s Parish in Oshawa for a new Faith and Fitness event centred around volleyball. From hiking and rock climbing to Muay Thai and now volleyball, Faith and Fitness, an initiative...Monday, November 17, 2025 -
Building Up the FaithIn light of the annual Shepherds' Trust collection for retired priests taking place this weekend (Nov. 15/16), here's a look at how Msgr. Michael Busch's vocation of bringing to life beautiful churches helps to inspire faith. ...Wednesday, November 12, 2025 -
Shining a Light on Persecuted Christians this Red Wednesday – November 19Evellyne Lemos is the Ontario Sub-Office Coordinator for Aid to the Church in Need Canada. Below, she reflects on the significance of the upcoming Red Wednesday taking place on Nov. 19. 1. Why was Red Wednesday established in 2016...Tuesday, November 04, 2025 -
Everything You Need to Know About RENEW Toronto 2025“You also are my witnesses, because you have been with me.” ...Wednesday, October 29, 2025 -
Youth Ministry ELEVATE Training Soars to New HeightsSt. Bonaventure Parish hosted ELEVATE, the Office of Catholic Youth's annual youth ministry training event on the weekend of Sept. 13 to 14. Representatives from 62 parishes gathered to be trained and formed more deeply in their roles to...Tuesday, October 07, 2025 -
Jubilee of Migrants: Hope Away from HomeFr. Edwin Logrono is associate pastor at Holy Martyrs of Japan Parish in Bradford, Ont., who with Pastor Fr. John Pak and a team of volunteers, runs the St. Philip of Jesus (San Felipe de Jesús) Mission to...Thursday, October 02, 2025 -
Truth and Reconciliation during the Jubilee YearSeptember 30 has been designated as an observed ‘National Day for Truth & Reconciliation.’ In the face of historic and present injustices toward and among Indigenous Peoples in the lands of Canada, this is a day...Friday, September 26, 2025 -
Edge Camps Wrap Up 2025 SeasonAugust 28 brought to a close 13 days straight of EDGE Camps for almost 600 kids whose parishes planned and ran the camps this year in collaboration with the Office of Catholic Youth. Three camps for 11 to 13...Monday, September 22, 2025 -
Jubilee of Justice: Living Justly and Walking Hopefully with GodThe Holy See has designated Sept. 20 as the Jubilee of Justice, a day to recognize those involved with bringing about God’s vision of justice for the world – both in secular and canon law. Sharing his reflection...Friday, September 19, 2025 -
Raising a Saint: Interview with St. Carlo Acutis’ MotherIn light of St. Carlo Acutis’ canonization, Catholic Moms Group recently shared their interview with his mother, Antonia Salzano, on their YouTube program Midday Moms with Dorothy Pilarski. “Carlo used to say that the Eucharist was his...Thursday, September 18, 2025 -
50 Years of Campus Ministry at York UniversityThis year the Catholic Chaplaincy at York (CCY) marked an impressive milestone: 50 years of Catholic ministry on campus. When York University was in its infancy, the Archdiocese committed to supporting Catholic students at the new institution, which had no...Tuesday, September 09, 2025 -
UTSC Chaplaincy Celebrates 10th AnniversaryThis summer, the UTSC Catholic Chaplaincy reached an important milestone: 10 years of fruitful ministry on the campuses of UTSC and Centennial College. The chaplaincy community marked the occasion on June 7 with Mass offered by the chaplain and pastor...Thursday, August 21, 2025 -
Celebrating the Treasure of GrandparentsGrandmother of four Maureen Crawford, a parishioner at Immaculate Conception Parish in Sutton, Ont., reflects on her special role in light of the 5th World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly on Sunday, July 27. This year’s theme...Monday, July 21, 2025
