Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
25 March 2020
Dear parishioners and friends of S. Bartholomew’s,
S. Bart’s needs your support!
Recent efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 have caused tremendous change in our lives, and in the day-to-day realities of our City, communities, and families. Of course they have also changed a great deal in the parish — most noticeably, that we have been unable to meet for worship together for the past two Sundays and during the intervening week. We have no idea how long this state of affairs will last.
And yet, under another aspect, very little has changed: Mass still continues to be offered, both on Sundays and throughout the week (although without a congregation); many parishioners have continued to recite the divine offices of Morning and Evening prayers, as have I; and our food ministries all still continue, albeit in altered forms, to protect both guests and volunteers. In fact, the need to find new and innovative ways of connecting, for worship, for pastoral care, and for the performing of corporal works of mercy, has made the past week even busier than usual for many of us.
The continued existence of our parish, both to meet the needs of the present moment and the needs of the future, will depend on the ongoing generosity of our parishioners and donors. Regular financial support by means of a weekly offering on the collection plate is no longer possible given the current situation.
There are, however, several options open by which we can continue to contribute to the ongoing financial needs of the parish.
- The first and most convenient option, both for the donor and for the parish, is to sign up for monthly Pre-Authorized Debit payment (PAD) through the parish. If you have not already done so, I ask you all, especially regular donors and envelope holders, to please consider moving to this form of giving, which allows us to anticipate our cash flow efficiently. To sign up, email stbartstoronto@outlook.com to request a fillable PDF form.
- If PAD is not possible, you may also make online Interac transfer to the parish finance email account: stbartstoronto@outlook.com.
- Finally, you can send post-dated cheques or money orders (no cash please) to the vicarage address (70 Pashler Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M5A 3T5).
No one should feel obliged to maintain their previous level of giving if their income has been adversely affected by the current crisis. Yet some of us may be able to and willing to give more than we usually do, for the sake of the greater Body. I commend this request to your prayerful consideration.
Please be assured of my prayers for you all during this time. I continue to offer the Holy Mass, which is uploaded daily to our new YouTube channel. We hope in the coming days to be able to live stream these celebrations that you may lift up your hearts in the midst of your daily occupations and offer in union with us, making your spiritual communions, adoring and receiving Christ as already present to you in His eternal Love.
Your affectionate friend and Pastor,
The Rev’d Walter Hannam
Vicar
S. Bartholomew’s, Regent Park