Reaching out in Advent...Comfort & Light

As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ, we are aware that many among us may be experiencing personal hardship, struggle or loss. Our invitation is to gather into the warmth and light of Christ, taking solace in Him with support from our family of faith.

Just a month after organizing the Mass Against Women Abuse, Catholic Family Services of Toronto (CFSTO) is back once again, with their foundation bringing together those who feel alone or have experienced loss for a Mass to be held at 5 p.m. on Sunday, December 4 at Holy Rosary Parish in Toronto.

While the holidays can be a time of joy and anticipation for many, there are plenty of people who dread this time of year. For them, it's a reminder of the loss they've experienced in their own lives or a reminder that family is no longer with them, relatives are far away and joy quickly turns to pain. To those who may feel alone, CFSTO has created this wonderful Mass of Comfort and Light as part of their dedication to promoting and strengthening healthy families, marriages and individuals.

Bishop Vincent Nguyen, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Toronto, will preside at the celebration, on Sunday, December 4, at Holy Rosary Church at 5:00 p.m.

According to Lucia Furgiuele, Executive Director of Catholic Family Services of Toronto: “Christmas may bring an abundance of family and spiritual blessings for many. But for some, it may represent a time of separation from family and friends or community. Our celebration will offer support, reflection, a chance to connect with our agency and to learn more about the help we can provide.”

Catholic Family Services of Toronto also operates the New Beginnings initiative, a peer support program to meet the needs of those who are separated, divorced or widowed as they search for meaningful ways to address their loss.

“Some of the folks who are turning to our New Beginnings program are also experiencing other kinds of profound loss—for example, the loss of a child, family member or dear friend—and this can be a particularly difficult time of year,” noted James Shaughnessy, the Coordinator of the New Beginnings program.

If you're looking for more information on the Mass of Comfort and Light, you can find full details online.

On the topic of reaching out to our sisters and brothers, a belated thank you to St. Patrick's Parish in downtown Toronto for another unique initiative that took place November 27. The community held a memorial Mass for all those living on the street who lost their lives over the past year. This "Out of the Cold" memorial reminds us of the dignity of every individual and the responsibility we have to ensure that dignity is acknowledged, even in death.

Both St. Pat's and Catholic Family Services demonstrate to us the true call of the Catholic community: to love tenderly, to act justly, to serve, to pray and to welcome the stranger among us.

Not a bad way to remember the reason for the season...