ShareLife Monthly Parish Bulletin Inserts
September to December 2016
SEPTEMBER 2016
Fulfilling the ShareLife mission in our community…
They have ears, but do not hear (Psalm 115:6)
There are many people in our society who suffer from disabilities that affect their daily living. At Silent Voice, the deaf community can access services to help both them and their families cope with their situation.
Tavis was a student who, with his mother’s encouragement, participated in the basketball fun day for the deaf community hosted by Silent Voice, a ShareLife funded agency. Soon after, he joined a sports team for the deaf, and helped host sports clinics and events with the support of our agency. Tavis was eventually hired as a counselor for the Silent Voice Sign Language Summer Day Camp. Today, he says ‘I want to be a role model for deaf kids and I’m grateful for how much Silent Voice has changed my life.’
Last year, Silent Voice provide services to over 750 people in the deaf community, helping families to communicate with their deaf child, and improving access to services and creating a sense of belonging among the deaf community.
Your support for ShareLife has helped to make this possible… you have worked wonders!
OCTOBER 2016
Supporting those entering thepriesthood…
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. (Luke 4:18)
In the Archdiocese of Toronto, we are fortunate to have priests in most of our parishes, in some cases supported by an associate pastor and/or a Deacon. Retired clergy often help out by celebrating Mass when there is a need for assistance. In many parts of the world, there is not always a priest available to say Mass each weekend. In some Dioceses in India or Africa, parishes have many mission churches that they visit on a regular basis, but not necessarily every week.
Matthew Gunnarson, a second year student at St. Augustine’s Seminary, notes ‘Thisyear andlastIhad theprivilegeofspeakingatparishesduring the SundayMasses aboutShareLife.I toldthemwewouldnotbeable toruntheseminarywithoutyour generous support ofSt.Augustine's.Thiswas mywayofsayingthankyou toShareLife. I truly appreciateall youdofor us.’
Your support of ShareLife is helping to educate seminarians and candidates for the Diaconate in the Archdiocese of Toronto, who will one day carry out their ministry parishes. Currently, there are 65 seminarians and students in formation either at St. Augustine’s Seminary or Serra House, with another 22 individuals participating in the Diaconate program.
Thank you for providing for the education of future clergy in our archdiocese!
NOVEMBER 2016
Giving hope to those in our families…
Where there is no guidance, a nation falls; but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.
(Proverbs 11:14)
Last year nearly 20,000 people received effective outreach and counseling services from ShareLife-supported Catholic Family Services agencies from across the archdiocese. Our Family Service agencies have created walk-in clinics to help clients access service faster, reduce stress about a host of issues, and improve their sense of well-being. Clients report these sessions provide practical coping skills to help them deal with issues, and they feel more hopeful about their situation.
Rob attended a walk in clinic at Catholic Family Services in Simcoe, and received immediate attention. He received additional follow-up counseling and compassionate care, which helped him to deal with his depression from previous life issues. He noted ‘I am very grateful to ShareLife for the funding they provide for the counseling staff here at Catholic Family Services of Simcoe.’
Your support of ShareLife has made it possible for individuals to receive immediate help through walk-in clinic counseling. Thank you for helping to provide this service to those in need!
DECEMBER 2016
Becoming the hands of Christ to those in need…
We are called to be the hands of Christ to those in need. For some, this may mean providing a place to stay for and supporting an elderly relative, volunteering at a food bank, or supporting a parish Out of the Cold or outreach programs.
Many of us lead busy lives, where the time to be actively involved is not as available as we would like for it to be. This is where ShareLife, our annual archdiocesan appeal, comes in. Through our support, we provide resources to over 40 agencies, informed by Catholic values, offering much needed programs and services to those both here in our communities and around the world.
Our agencies provide counseling to families in need, support children and youth, provide love and care for people with special needs, offer assistance to refugee and new immigrant families, and help to spread the Gospel in the greater world. ShareLife funded agencies also provide for the education of our clergy and hospital chaplaincy programs with the Archdiocese of Toronto.
Your support of the ShareLife appeal has touched the lives of thousands of people both here and around the world. In this Christmas season, we thank our parish communities for all that they do to support the work of ShareLife agencies through the year. Together we are indeed fulfilling the Gospel value to ‘love another as I have loved you.’
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You can Work Wonders!ShareLife 2016 |