Hello everyone,
As promised, we continue to keep you up to date – as we receive news, we share it.
This morning, Cardinal Collins made the very difficult decision to close all parishes as of March 24, 2020, 11:59pm. This decision is in line with our Government’s call for increased restrictions on public activity.
We are taking this action with a heavy, but obedient heart in a desire to be exemplary citizens of the world and faithful members of our church. In doing so, we are taking personal responsibility to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus. We are doing our part.
On March 17, 2020, as the pandemic began to escalate, St. Patrick’s assembled an Incident Management Team to deal with Covid19 specific impacts on our community. This team consists of our Clergy, Pastoral Staff, and Parish Volunteers with specific competency in crisis management. I am grateful for them all. We meet daily using our virtual meeting technology.
As I write this communication, our parish staff, who have been models of service and care during these uncertain times, are planning the closure of our offices and church. Our building is closed, but we remain church and are here for you.
Check in with us often. We communicate using email, our website, and Facebook.
Please call the office at 905-294-5955 if you need prayers or have pastoral needs.Our staff will monitor the office line hourly and will get back to you within the hour between 9am to 5pm.
For families who had been planning to celebrate the sacraments of Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, and Marriage this spring, we have no additional information. Please continue to pray and stay tuned. We will communicate with you the moment we know more.
As a team, we will continue to innovate new ways of entering into spiritual communion with God and each other. But the simplest, most profound way is to pray. Spend time with Jesus. He will guide you and each of us. Let us go to Him in trust.
Let me close by imploring you to not lose heart. God is God and our God is with us. As St. Augustine reminds us:
“If God seems slow in responding, it is because He is preparing a better gift. He will not deny us.. All of which is to say, pray always and do not lose heart.” [St. Augustine]
We will get through this. God will get us through this. Let us turn to Him in these times. God alone suffices.
God keep you safe and healthy,
Fr. Dominic
Pastor, St. Patrick's Parish