St. Thomas à Becket Parish
4320 Ste. Anne, Pierrefonds, Quebec H9H 4Y7Office: 514-626-4111Email:
Weekly E-newsletter links
- October 7, 2019
- Pope Francis has declared October “Extraordinary Missionary Month”. Find out what it means and how you can participate.
- Life of Christ, Part 5: “Who is this Man?”
- September 30, 2019
- A photo of Sunday’s Blessing of Pets
- A chart comparing each federal party’s position on life and family issues.
- As we prepare for the federal election, our Canadian Bishops Conference has issued an election guide. It does not support one party or another, but offers general principles Catholics should consider as they prepare to vote
- September 23, 2019
- Our congratulations to Fr. Robert Assaly on his priestly ordination Friday. Here are some photos of the event (click the link at the top of the page for a moving account of Fr. Robert’s path to the Catholic priesthood). He has been appointed to St. Thomas More Parish in Verdun.
- Read Pope Francis’ message for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees, coming up on Sunday.
- Life of Christ, Part 4: Jesus’ ministry continues
- September 16, 2019
- Photos from the multi-parish young adults retreat up north I (and Bosco) assisted with on the weekend. Great young people serious about their spiritual life. The property was given to the Salesian Sisters by Jean Coutu.
- Life of Christ, Part 3: Beginning his earthly ministry
- September 9, 2019
- If you don’t read anything else in this week’s bulletin, read the piece “Not to Fall into Remorse”, something that applies to us all.
- Jesus said, “Call no man your father?” So what about Catholic priests? or Historical Development of Calling Priests Father.
- Life of Christ, Part 2: The Nativity and boyhood
- September 2, 2019
- Confession is a Place of Victory: Did you know that at St. Thomas à Becket, we offer the Sacrament of Reconciliation at every weekend Mass and any time upon request? Experience your victory.
- Life of Christ, Part 1: The Annunciation
- What’s Wrong with a Drive-Thru Parish?
- August 26, 2019
- Here is the longer part of the Anderson Cooper and Stephen Colbert interview I referred to in my homily yesterday.
- August 19, 2019
- Information on an upcoming conference
- An article on Quebec’s Bill 21 by Canada's former (and first) Ambassador for Religious Freedom and Head of the Office of Religious Freedom.
- What are your strengths? How can they serve your parish community?
- August 12, 2019
- Listen to Bishop Robert Barron respond to the most popular questions people ask about God: you might be surprised. Scroll down and click on the “Googling God” episode (WOF 191).
- “Protecting Our Children: A Family’s Response to Sexual Abuse”: an excellent video by the Knights of Columbus every parent should watch (scroll down for the video).
- Who knew? Natural Family Planning is catching on with millennials.
- July 1, 2019
- Happy Canada Day! The Collect from today’s Mass says it all:
Eternal God,
whose reign extends from sea to sea and whose care endures throughout the ages,
hear our prayers for our country:
grant wisdom to those who govern it
and respect for human life and dignity to every citizen,
so that justice may flourish and all peoples live in unity and peace.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen - A photo of our recent bowling evening for altar servers and families (and Bosco). Special thanks to Joe Ojeda for helping to organize it.
- Did you know there is an amazing Catholic conference this summer for those who experience same-sex attraction and those who love them?
- Summer in the city: camps, retreats, much more...and there’s more.
- Great news department: Archbishop Lépine will ordain Deacon Robert Assaly to the priesthood at our parish on Friday evening, September 20. Deo gratias!
- June 24, 2019
- Here’s a one-hour a day, 7-day retreat at home
- You can have your prayer intentions placed at the grotto at Lourdes
- June 17, 2019
- Yes, Father’s Day was yesterday, but it’s not too late to reflect on that wonderful vocation
- God’s Voice Within: a retreat at Villa St-Martin
- June 10, 2019
- Happy Pentecost! St. Basil the Great (+379, brother of St. Gregory of Nyssa) wrote about the Holy Spirit:
“Like the sunshine, which permeates all the atmosphere, spreading over land and sea, and yet is enjoyed by each person as though it were for him alone, so the Spirit pours forth his grace in full measure, sufficient for all, and yet is present as though exclusively to everyone who can receive him. To all creatures that share in him he gives a delight limited only by their own nature, not by his ability to give. The Spirit raises our hearts to heaven, guides the steps of the weak, and brings to perfection those who are making progress. He enlightens those who have been cleansed from every stain of sin and makes them spiritual by communion with himself.” - Photos of the “Becket Believers” team at the June 1 Apostles Cup tournament.
- Information on next week’s “missionary evening” with Fr. Villeneuve. Call or email the parish to sign up.
- What’s wrong with IVF anyway?
- Bishop Barron asks if they forgot something important in the new movie about J.R.R. Tolkien.
- May 27, 2019
- Read Archbishop Christian Lépine’s statement on Bill 21.
- How can there be an all-loving and an all-powerful God if there is so much suffering and evil in our world?
- May 20, 2019
- An article on Envy and Jealousy: is there a difference? Does it matter?
- A fascinating personal testimony, “Conceived in Rape”, especially timely in the face of some new abortion laws in the U.S., opponents of which always referring to rape and incest (a red herring, since according to the NY Times, these cases involve only 1% of abortions).
- Bishop Barron was interviewed at Facebook, then at Google, and now at Amazon headquarters.
- May 13, 2019
- A photo of our group who participated in the National March for Life on Parliament Hill Thursday.
See these remarkable new photos of a child in the womb. - If you or someone you know has had an abortion, check out www.rachelsvineyard.org, where many have found healing. The Centre for Reproductive Loss is another great resource right here in Montreal.
- What is the truth about Pope XII and the Jews?
- May 6, 2019
- A photo of our marriage jubilee couples.
- Are you a man who is grieving a significant loss---spouse, child, other loved one---and wishes to gather with other men in the context of faith? Or maybe you know someone in that situation you could tell about this: We are launching a Men's Bereavement Group Thursday this week, May 9 at 7:00 p.m. at our Cahill Hall. A second meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 6. No charge, no obligation. The group will be facilitated by Bill Curran, a former bereavement facilitator at Maison Monbourquette. Bill recently spoke on the topic of grief as part of our Pastoral Home Care ongoing formation series.
- Get a free pass to see Bishop Barron’s latest production “The Pivotal Players”, exceptional videos on the life and influence of St. Francis, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Catherine of Siena, Bl. John Henry Newman, G.K. Chesterton and Michelangelo.
- April 29, 2019
- Here are two very different but excellent articles on Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris.
- Fr. James McDonald, the beloved second pastor of our parish (1980-1992), passed away on April 24. May he rest in peace. Here's a video remembrance of Fr. Jim from the parish archives.
- The Church has always taught the Perpetual Virginity of Mary. But what about the brothers and sisters of Jesus mentioned in the Bible?
- April 22, 2019
- This will help you prepare for Divine Mercy Sunday (April 28).
- Beautiful and deep Easter messages from:
- April 15, 2019
Some of our young adults at St. Patrick's Basilica on April 13 for the diocesan World Youth Day event.
- This week on Holy Thursday, we commemorate the institution of the priesthood and of the Eucharist.
Learn more about the Eucharist. - April 8, 2019
- The re-scheduled and final dates for our pilgrimage to France. Amazing itinerary!
- A Pastoral Letter from Archbishop Lépine.
- This is the time of year when many people think about the Sacrament of Penance & Reconciliation. Here’s a great resource in preparing yourself for that confession
- April 1, 2019
- Here is Bishop Tom Dowd’s statement to the press upon the sentencing of Brian Boucher last week.
- Learn more about the sacraments in this online course from the Liturgical Institute in Chicago. Half-price sale ends April 4.
- March 25, 2019
- “Strive: Quit Porn and Live a Better Life”: a step-by-step plan guided by expert Matt Fradd, in a 21-day detox beginning March 27.
- Yes, Lent’s almost half over, but it’s not too late to experience it more deeply with these free resources:
- Stuck in traffic? Boring commute or flight? Pass the time and exercise those brain cells with this powerful talk on doctrine by Bishop Robert Barron. Click on “Subscribe” to find out how you can listen to this talk as a podcast data-free anywhere.
- March 18, 2019
- The St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology (Scott Hahn) is offering a free Lenten Scripture study, “From Genesis to Jesus".
- Don’t we pray the Stations of the Cross during Lent? Yes, every weekday morning in church at 8:00 (before 8:30 Mass). Bishop Barron also has a great video about the Stations.
- To mark St. Joseph’s feast day tomorrow (March 19), you might want to check out the brand new documentary on the Oratory.
- March 11, 2019
- Lent is a good time to consider the Sacrament of Penance & Reconciliation. Confessions are available at our weekend Masses, and by request at weekday Masses and at other times at the parish rectory. Here are some good resources to help you prepare.
- Making a good confession
- The Litany of Humility
- How to prepare
- Why not confess directly to God?
- More great resources
- Even if you missed the first session of the Lenten video series, “No Greater Love”, you are welcome to join us as we continue on Friday evening at 7:00 pm in Cahill Hall
- March 4, 2019
- Another look at Lenten fasting
- The Magnificat Lenten Companion 2019 is now available as an e-book/app
- February 25, 2019
- Photos from Friday’s diaconal ordination ceremony of Seminarian Robert Assaly (click on the arrows to see all the photos). More details here. Congratulations, Deacon Robert!
- The value of humility in relationships
- February 18, 2019
- My life is all about me, right? Maybe not, says Bishop Robert Barron.
- Upcoming men’s conference with Archbishop Lépine and the Band of Brothers team
- February 11, 2019
- Current programs from Villa St-Martin, local Jesuit retreat house
- Join nine days of focused prayer with the Novena for Purity, where you’ll ask God to strengthen you in various ways as you seek to live a life of purity.
- February 4, 2019
- Want to learn more about Catholic liturgy? Here’s a 5-hour online course that you take at your own speed.
- Canada’s abuse guidelines earn praise
- January 28, 2019
- Archdiocese reacts to Fr. Brian Boucher’s sexual abuse guilty plea last week.
- Why Does God Let Bad Things Happen
- Bishop Robert Barron’s new interview at Amazon
- January 21, 2019
- Last week we included a link to reading the Catechism in a year. As some of you discovered, it does not work in Canada. But here’s another that does work, and includes the Bible.
- Two abuse victims who came back to the Church
- January 14, 2019
- Information (Pilgrimage Highlights and Promotional Itinerary) and registration for our pilgrimage to the shrines of France at the end of May. Now that the holidays are over, we can look ahead to deepening our spiritual life at Lourdes, Chartres, Ars, Paris and many other places where God has acted, in the country known as “the eldest daughter of the Church”. A commitment this month is necessary so that we do not lose the block of seats.
- Daunted by the size of The Catechism of the Catholic Church? It’s easier in small bits, so you can sign up here to get one email each day (M-F) and cover the whole Catechism in a year. You can also learn about all the popes in a year by enrolling at: https://flocknote.com/popes.
- 6 practical steps to spiritual perfection
- January 7, 2019
- Are you “spiritual or religious”? Bishop Barron can help you discover the difference in this Epiphany reflection.
- Did you ever pray a novena? What is a novena anyway?Find out here.
- December 24, 2018
- Christmas greetings to Canadians from Pope Francis and to Montrealers from Archbishop Christian Lépine.
- Popular prayers and novenas on one website
- December 17, 2018
- Fr. Peter's Christmas E-card
- If you want a break from Christmas preparations, spend an hour with the latest Bishop Robert Barron interview.
- December 10, 2018
- Deepen your spiritual life this Advent with this guide to lectio divina and a holy hour.
- 60 Minutes with the latest research on the effect of screen time on children (including infants).
- December 3, 2018
- “Stephen Hawking: Great scientist, lousy theologian” by Bishop Robert Barron
- How to order the Magnificat Advent Companion app and other books and gifts
- November 26, 2018
- Religion is opposed to science, right? Maybe not: check out Bishop Barron’s great new website.
- The amazing story of the rabbi and the pope
- Which religion is most persecuted, and where?
- November 19, 2018
- Bruce Coupethwaite with his daughters Gwyneth and Madelyn who were baptized at the 4:30 Mass Saturday. Congratulations to our new Catholics.
- What’s the point of Eucharistic adoration? We have adoration at St. Thomas à Becket every Friday morning from 9-10 o’clock, and the first Friday from 9 a.m. to midnight. Why not stop in? St. Mother Teresa said: "The time you spend with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is the best time that you will spend on earth."
- Everyone’s welcome, right? Yes, says Bishop Barron, but ...
- November 5, 2018
- Lest we forget: the parish Remembrance Day ceremony will take place during the 11:00 Mass on Sunday, November 11.
- Reincarnation or Resurrection?
- The Lord's Prayer as spiritual weapon? Why not?
- October 29, 2018
- Checked your horoscope lately? Here’s food for thought.
- Know someone struggling with pornography? Here’s the Victory App.
- What is the new Word on Fire Institute? Find out here.
- October 22, 2018
- There is a lot of talk today about consenting to sex. But what does that really mean?
- The Canadian Bishops have issued a statement on the legalization of cannabis.
- Montreal, city of 100 bell towers
- October 15, 2018
- A PPT about the Angels of Mercy. To find out how you can help them help others,
contact Sarah Sajedi at (514) 827-6408 / - Check out Shalom World, a truly global commercial-free, high-definition, Catholic family channel.
On their “Vocare” series is a recent interview with me. - October 8, 2018
Yesterday’s annual Blessing of the Pets ceremony. There were no cats or rabbits this year, but the nine dogs were as well-behaved as any nine babies at their baptism.- On this Thanksgiving Day, we might give thanks for the gift of our faith along with these joyful Nigerians.
- Next Sunday, October 14, Bl. Pope Paul VI, Bl. Archbishop Oscar Romero and several others will be canonized in St. Peter’s Square by Pope Francis. Learn more here.
- Follow the Synod taking place at the Vatican this month on Bishop Tom Dowd’s blog.
- October 1, 2018
- What to do when tempted to cheat on your spouse.
- Tomorrow is the feast day of the Guardian Angels. Learn fascinating facts about angels.
- October is traditionally “the month of the Rosary”. Learn more.
- September 24, 2018
- For those not present in church on Sunday, please find the parish survey follow-up questionnaire. You can scan and email the completed form or bring it to Mass next week.(Terrel Joseph of Pillars Trust presented the survey results on Sunday, and he will also be speaking about evangelization this week at the diocese. Thursday @ 7pm, 2000 Sherbrooke W.)
- Many people have become disillusioned with the Catholic Church lately, not surprisingly. But is the Church just another flawed institution or something more? Watch this brief video by the director of the Word on Fire Institute
- What’s the Catholic Professional Network Lecture Series?
- September 17, 2018
- A timely article on The Smoke over Medical Marijuana
- A lesser-known but great saint buried in Trois-Rivières
- September 10, 2018
- The Montreal Gazette on Saturday published an article on the abuse crisis by Archbishop Lépine.
- Bishop Robert Barron: "Why Remain Catholic? (With So Much Scandal)” People often say after the death of a loved one: “Now we have an angel in heaven”. But do we? Watch Peter Kreeft on “Do We Become Angels in Heaven?”
- September 3, 2018
- Here is a thoughtful and balanced article: “Let’s all take a chill pill”.
- Of special note in the bulletin is the Day of Prayer and Penance for the Healing of our wounded Church that we are proposing this Friday, which is the First Friday of the month. We suggest that you drop into church between 9:00 a.m. and midnight to pray before the Blessed Sacrament exposed, or take a few minutes to pray at home or even in your car; and also make an act of penance---reduce food intake, or skip a dessert, or do something else that might come to mind. Our prayers are powerful.
- Clergy abuse crisis resources (both were read at our Sunday Masses):
- Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops letter
- U.S. Bishops’ Prayer for Healing for Victims of Abuse
- Employment opportunities in the diocese
- August 27, 2018
- Clergy abuse crisis: I don’t normally publish my homilies, but since many people were away on holiday on August 5, I am attaching the homily for that Sunday. As distasteful as this subject is, it is not going away anytime soon, and I will continue to address it in various ways.
- Bishop Robert Barron released a video interview yesterday on the sexual abuse crisis: very clear and direct, helpful and hopeful both, worth your time.
- We all need to have our spirits raised in these difficult days. Here’s a short video of St. Teresa of Calcutta (Mother Teresa), whose anniversary of death comes up next week.
- August 22, 2018
- Here are some excellent resources to help you to understand and process the clergy sexual abuse crisis:
- This is a time in the Church that we need more than ever to develop our spiritual lives: Consider taking an online course in spiritual formation.
- August 14, 2018
- Archbishop Terrance Prendergast of Ottawa writes about 1968, the real summer of love.
- Should the Church sell her great art to feed the poor? It’s a valid question, with a thoughtful response here.
- August 5, 2018
- The fall pilgrimage to France I will be leading has been postponed to the spring, same great itinerary, same price. Attached are the details and registration form.
- July 2, 2018
- Note that the next bulletin will be published on August 5.
- There’s lots of talk about immigration these days. What principles does the Church offer to assist our thinking on this complex issue?
- If you are wondering where the Catholic Church got the sacraments, take a look here.
- Will a priest ever reveal what you say in confession?
- June 25, 2018
Our youth raising funds for their mid-July Steubenville Toronto youth conference.
- Check out the free Living with Christ app in iTunes or Google Play for daily Mass readings and other prayers.
- As promised on Sunday, “The Magical Birth Canal” video.
- Why does God allow evil and suffering? Bishop Robert Barron, as always, provides great insight. You can subscribe to his free WORDonFIRE Show podcast, and listen to his weekly show at home, or as I do, in the car or while walking the dog.
- June 18, 2018
- Why Confess My Sins to a Priest?
- What’s the meaning of the different colour vestments that priests wear?
- June 11, 2018
- This is a photo of some of our altar servers and families at our annual end-of-year bowling evening.
I did not get the highest score.
- Father’s Day is coming up on Sunday. Does it matter if dads don’t attend church with their children?
- The feast day of St. Anthony of Padua is Wednesday, and here are some brief reflections on his life and spirituality. You can watch one a day or all at once.
- June 4, 2018
- In the spirit of Corpus Christi which we celebrated yesterday, here are 10 amazing facts about the Eucharist.
- Friday, June 8, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.Learn more about it. It is also the World Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of Priests, so please remember us in prayer.
- Free e-book: The Saints’ Favorite Books
- May 28, 2018
"Bon Voyage and Best Wishes, Fr. Tijo!- Give yourself a spiritual boost: Join Archbishop Lépine and many hundreds of the faithful for the annual Corpus Christi Mass & procession downtown Thursday this week. Find out in the bulletin how to get a seat on the bus from Becket.
- With Corpus Christi coming up, see how to improve reception of Holy Communion.
- May 21, 2018
- For all you Bishop Robert Barron fans: his talk to Google & YouTube employees on how religion doesn't close the mind, but opens it to the fulfillment of our deepest longings.
- 8 things to know about Pentecost, which we celebrated yesterday.
- May 14, 2018
- Here's a photo from last week’s March for Life in Ottawa: with me among the 15,000+ participants are former Becket pastor Fr. Gilles Surprenant, parish warden Norm Cousineau and parishioner Paul Empsall. May every child in the womb be accorded the same respect and protection: society mourns a miscarried “child”, but ignores an aborted “fetus”. Does that make sense?
- For most couples who stick together, marriage gets better with time.
- How do you want to be remembered?
- Be informed: The youth leader in my former parish is interviewed by Evan Solomon on the summer jobs program.
- May 7, 2018
- Two-minute video accompanying Pope Francis’ “Gaudium et exsultate” (“Rejoice and be Glad”): Apostolic Exhortation on the Call to Holiness in Today’s World.
- "White lies" don’t really matter, right?
- April 30, 2018
- Did you know the Vatican has an official astronomer? Hint: his name is not Galileo.
- Find out about the saints and their angels.
- April 23, 2018
- Here is a photo of our jubilarian couples at the weekend celebration of their life in Christ between 20 and 50 years. Congratulations to all.
- If you were not in church this past weekend, here is the link to the parish survey, Access Code: DCE245F. It will be available until Friday. It is for those 18 plus years old who consider themselves part of our parish. It is recommended to complete on a laptop or desktop, as it is not formatted for mobile devices.
- There’s still time to register for the New Evangelization Summit.
- April 16, 2018
- Information on the parish survey taking place at all Masses next weekend, April 21/22. The survey will not make the Mass longer than usual.
- We have a new, improved parish Facebook page. Check it out and “like” it.
- Learn more about your faith online, for credit or personal interest.
- Adoration: when time stands still.
- April 9, 2018
- Should Pope Francis apologize to the First Nations people?
- Have you heard of Courage, a ministry to men and women who experience same-sex attractions and those who love them?
- 10 ways to stop gossip
- April 2, 2018
- Here’s a brief Easter greeting from Bishop Robert Barron, and also a link to a free e-booklet, “Did Jesus Really Rise from the Dead?” that will answer many of your questions about the Resurrection. Great stuff.
- Sign up to hear world-class speakers at the New Evangelization Summit at St. Kevin’s parish.
- Easter messages from:
- March 26, 2018
On the last night of His life, Jesus asked his disciples, “Could you not watch with me even one hour?” Let us respond to that invitation on Holy Thursday, following the 8:00pm Mass until early Good Friday morning in the Altar of Repose (Parish Hall). You can call the parish office to sign up, and of course you are welcome at any time during the night for as short or long as you wish to stay. There will be a security guard on duty all night.
- Learn about 7 deadly sins and click on Examination of Conscience to prepare for your Easter confession. And if you are wondering why you need to confess your sins to a priest, these might help: AskFrBarron or Catholic Precept #2
- Canada’s own Salt+Light Catholic Television network has extensive coverage of Holy Week ceremonies with the Holy Father in Rome. If you do not receive the channel on Bell or Videotron, you can learn how to sign up or else you can watch everything online.
- March 19, 2018
- Information on the upcoming pilgrimage to France
- On this feast of St. Joseph, the model of the just and righteous man,a 30-day men’s challenge begins today.
- Cardinal Collins on the summer jobs program
- March 12, 2018
- If you’re a Catholic who wants to get clear and confident about your faith, consider joining ClaritasU. More than 3,000 have already signed up.
- What is the virtue of magnanimity and how can I develop it?
- March 5, 2018
- See our children’s choir singing for Archbishop Lépine and many hundreds of others at Holy Spirit Day at the Cathedral last Sunday.
- Why Silicon Valley parents are raising tech-free kids
- When Your Heart is Troubled and Afraid
- February 26, 2018
- Are we living in an unhinged sexual culture?
- If You Really Understand Your Faith, You Should WANT to Go to Mass:
- February 19, 2018
- More Lenten resources:
- Destroying my Freedom---in the Name of Freedom?
- Last week’s BecketMail had an item on reading the Bible in a year.
Here’s a Bible already divided into 365 segments.
- Here are some resources to get you in the Lenten mood:
- “Lent in 3 Minutes”
- Especially for youth: “Preparing for Lent”; Lent Calendar
- Reading the Bible in a year is easier than it sounds. Here's a good plan.
A Catholic Bible has books that are often missing in other Bibles. Here’s a good one available : for your Kindle, or a mobile app.
- Why are teens so anxious and depressed? Here’s a possibility. And here’s some help. These excellent strategies from TIME are not just about saying “no”. Teens have to participate in and internalize the guidelines; otherwise they will have no self-control when outside your home and influence.
- Got 5 minutes? Receive the Gospel reading of the day and a brief reflection for free.
- Begin your week with some beautiful music by the Hillbilly Thomists, a group of young Dominican friars.
- Seven ways God is always with us.
- The federal government is discriminating against Catholic parishes and other pro-life, pro-family employers, excluding them from obtaining grants to employ students for the summer. See what the bishops say. Make your opinion known.
- Pope Francis invites the poor of Rome to the circus.
- Foundations of the Faith Part 12: What we believe about the four last things.
- A photo of some distinguished visitors at this past weekend's Mass:
- This promotional video for Bishop Barron’s Word on Fire contains some very moving testimonies. I think you will find it worth watching.
- Foundations of the Faith Part 11: Understanding the Communion of Saints.
- Archbishop Lépine is active over the holidays with prisoners, the homeless and others.
- Here are Christmas messages from the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops and Archbishop Lépine.
- My Christmas Wishes
- Parenting in the age of Weinstein
- The “Why (and How) of Daily Prayer”
- The CBC, supported by our taxes, seems to have made it their mission to aggressively promote assisted death. Here’s a way to protest.
- December 24 is not only Christmas Eve this year, but also the 4th Sunday of Advent. What does this mean for Mass attendance? The British bishops explain it well (what they say applies to every country): Do I have to go to Mass twice on Christmas Eve this year?
- Here’s a beautiful Christmas novena you can begin on Saturday.
- Catholic life in rural Kenya
- Here’s an Advent guide worth reading and passing on to family and friends.
- Foundations of the Faith Part 10: What it means to pray.
- World-renowned Theology of the Body speakers Christopher West & Jason Evert are coming to Montreal.
- Evolution & the Church: get the facts.
- Foundations of the Faith Part 9: The call to love.
- A photo of our 4th Degree Knights of Columbus, including Barry Adams, veteran, and our parishioner and veteran Darroch Robertson, who all helped to make last Sunday’s Remembrance Day Ceremony a memorable occasion.
- Animals help promote interfaith friendship.
- Foundations of the Faith Part 8: The Catholic conscience.
- A remarkable story of forgiveness and redemption.
- November is the month we pray in a special way for the dead. What does that mean? Here are 9 Truths about Purgatory.
- Foundations of the Faith Part 7: Christ as our moral compass.
- We talk a lot about saints, but what is a saint?
- Foundations of the Faith Part 6: Each Christian has a personal vocation.
- Hear Pope Francis’ address to Canadian youth and information on the upcoming Youth Forum in Montreal.
- Foundations of the Faith Part 5: What does it mean to belong to the Church?
- Ever thought of reading the Bible in one year? Click here.
- Did you know that there is a cloistered monastery of Benedictine women just across the river near Deux-Montagnes?See their website and video showing their way of life and how to visit.
- Foundations of the Faith Part 4: The Central Mystery of our Faith
- George Weigel, official biographer of Pope St. John Paul II, will be speaking in Montreal in a few weeks. The Irony of Modern Catholic History
- Foundations of the Faith Part 3: Navigating the Deposit of Faith
- Find yourself and others in Maria Purisima’s updated parish photomosaic.
- Blessing of Pets: October 9, 2017. About a dozen dogs and one rabbit showed up and exchanged a sign of peace.
- Foundations of the Faith: Part 2: God Revealed
- Did you know there are seven good reasons to pray? Learn from one of the great spiritual teachers of our day.
- Here are some photos from last week’s Welcome Sunday taken by Denise Weller and Dario Rivera
(click on “Slideshow”).
- Foundations of the Faith is a new series we will be following over the coming weeks. Each installment will focus on a core teaching of the Faith:Part 1: The one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
- Here is a statement of the Canadian Bishops on the recent bill passed concerning gender identity.
- Below are photos of the young people awarded bursaries at the weekend Masses by our parish Catholic Women’s League. Congratulations to all these deserving and exceptional young adults, who are just a few among the numerous young and older volunteers who keep the parish humming.
- Bishop Robert Barron hits it out of the park again, this time at Facebook headquarters:
"How to have a religious argument." - Here’s an inspiring story of the Salesian priest, kidnapped 18 months ago and recently released.
Pilgrimage group photo outside the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem.
- A busy mother finds time for prayer.
Fr. Peter and Fr. Deepak celebrating Mass in the Duc in Altum chapel of the Magdala Centre (on the site of the village of St. Mary Magdalene), Israel. The altar is in the shape of a boat, and the tabernacle was blessed by Pope Francis. "Duc in altum" means "put out into the deep." (Luke 5:1-11)
- Instant Karma? See how Bishop Robert Barron explains the difference between karma and grace.
- After Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, and with the 16th anniversary of the attacks on the Twin Towers tomorrow, Christians may naturally feel themselves a little stunned, wondering how a loving God could permit such tragedies and acts of horror. It's worth reminding ourselves of a line from Pope Francis: “There is no such thing as low-cost Christianity.”
- "Get clear about your faith". A new online program from Brandan Vogt, a well-known author and speaker and close colleague of Bishop Robert Barron. Registration closes on Thursday.
- As I head to the Holy Land on Thursday with pilgrims from greater Montreal, Toronto and Mexico, I ask your prayers that it might be a true and lasting conversion experience for all of us. We will bring your intentions to the holy places. If you have any particular intentions you would us to place in the Western (“Wailing”) Wall of the Temple of Jerusalem, or to pray at the tomb of Jesus or somewhere else, please email them to me as soon as possible.
- Pope Francis would like to hear from you as the Vatican prepares for the upcoming synod on “Young People, Faith & Vocational Discernment”.
- Sometimes it’s easier to forgive others than to forgive ourselves.
- Do you know what your kids are doing on the computer?
- "The Lord helps those who help themselves." Is that true?
- Need help preparing for Confession? Check out this app.
- Did you ever think of studying theology? Here’s a great online program.
- What’s the latest on theShroud of Turin?
- Is there such a thing as innocent gossip? See what Pope Francis has to say on the subject.
- Here’s an interesting review of a book on the rise of narcissism in our culture.
- Today the Church celebrates the memorial of St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (born Edith Stein).
Who was this remarkable woman?
- Today is the feast day of St. Thomas the Apostle. He is a patron saint of India, and so has special meaning for Fr. Tijo and others descended from the “St. Thomas Christians”. Did you know that Fr. Tijo is a priest of the Syro-Malabar Church, the second-largest of the Eastern-rite churches in union with Rome. Learn more here.
- Joan Hopkirk was a recipient in 2012 of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for her exceptional volunteer service to the West Island Palliative Care Residence, and was recently written up for her 35 years volunteering at the Lakeshore General Hospital. We are honoured to have Joan as a long-time daily communicant (one of the famous “Irish sisters”) and extraordinary minister of Holy Communion.
- Are your young children obsessed with electronic devices? Here is some help.
- Having an attitude of gratitude may not change your circumstances, but it does change you, so consider making it your summer spiritual goal.
- How to defuse a child’s tantrum with one question
- A beautiful reflection on Moses
- Bishop Robert Barron reflects on silence and the meaning of the Mass.
Do you agree with him? Let us know. - On Sunday we will be welcoming missionary Fr. Sébastien Villeneuve, who will be sharing about his ministry in Peru at all the Masses.
- Here’s a beautiful video of last week’s diocesan Corpus Christi Mass and procession.
- How to Find Your Soulmate without Losing Your Soul. A video especially for young women but worthwhile for all.
- Were the Middle Ages really so dark?
- Give yourself a spiritual boost: Join Archbishop Lépine and many hundreds of the faithful for the annual Corpus Christi Mass & procession downtown Thursday this week. Find out in the bulletin how to get a seat on the bus from Becket.
- Every Christian should visit the Holy Land---where Jesus walked, and Rome---the centre of our Catholic faith---at least once in their life. You can do it this year on our fall pilgrimage. Learn more here.
- Take 18 minutes to watch this profound, moving and very personal video just released by Christopher West: Cry of the Heart.
- Extend your celebration of Pentecost with this great two-minute video.
- And follow up with this powerful theme song of the Rouah festival held at the Cathedral on Saturday (Rouah or Ruach is Hebrew for breath, wind, God’s spirit)
- Recently at Mass, Fr. Peter mentioned the incorrupt body of St. Zita. Here is more on that subject.
- Bishop Barron on Why the Ascension of Jesus Matters
- Here is some information on the fall parish pilgrimage to the Holy Land and Rome, including a chance to see the newly renovated Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem and to participate in a Wednesday audience with Pope Francis. (Registration Form)
- Are Catholic families different?
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- Pope Francis often refers to the devil. Here is a brief article from the Vatican newspaper outlining how he is presented in the Bible.
- We don't have bells at St. Thomas à Becket, but we can listen for them around the city on Wednesday.
- A most beautiful TED video on the miracle of human life: “From Conception to Birth”
- Mother’s Day is Sunday, so here’s a great website just for mothers.
- Take a break from your busy day for a moment of sacred music in this story of a Montreal priest and his community.
- Are faith and reason opposed?
- Did you know that Pope Francis recently gave a TED Talk?
- Lent is over and so are meatless Fridays, right? What about alligator? Read a hilarious and informative article.
- We have reached 10% of our goal to help feed the kids of Malawi through Mary’s Meals. It just takes a moment to contribute.
- When God chisels the dead weight out of our lives it can be quite painful
- Pope Emeritus Benedict turned 90 on Easter Sunday. Here’s a fascinating interview with his personal secretary.
- Here is a great app for those who want to pray the Liturgy of the Hours, with many other features. It is also available for Android and other operating systems.