Blessed Trinity Roman Catholic Parish - Toronto, Canada


Home Page Office Hours Parish Staff Latest Bulletin Gallery Parish Groups Contact Us Repair Form FAQ Mass Times Holiday Mass Times Confessions Adoration Sacraments Courses Catholic Links Church TV/Radio Advent/Christmas Lent/Easter About Us Sanctuary Renovations Church Calendar Schedules Roman Missal (3rd Edition) Resources Search Website About Us Church History + Stained Glass Windows + Stations of the Cross Church History How much Blessed Trinity Church has changed since 1985, when a beautiful photo directory with portraits of its parishioners was first launched. If you were to walk into our present church today, you would probably see that half of the congregation who attend Mass here are not born in Canada, yet are proud to be members of our parish and to call Canada their home. The late Reverend Wilfrid Firth was appointed the first pastor of Blessed Trinity on June 23rd, 1966. Because of his dedication and inspirational leadership, he set the wheels in motion to start building a new church. As the plans were being made, the first Masses were celebrated first at St. Joseph Morrow Park and then at Blessed Trinity School. Eventually our permanent site was officially blessed by Archbishop Pocock on May 1, 1969. Blessed Trinity Church is a dynamic and vibrant parish that is striving to further cultivate and deepen the spiritual lives of its parishioners. In this regard, many opportunities have been provided for its parishioners such as: • Pilgrimages, bible studies, seminars, workshops, spiritual reflections, and retreats organized by the BT Catholic Women’s League. • Saturday Novenas are held in honor of St. Therese of Liseaux, with annual celebrations of her feast day and distribution of fresh roses by the Theresians. • An Annual Memorial Mass for the deceased parishioners was introduced in 2002. • The Divine Mercy Sunday has been celebrated at Blessed Trinity since 2006. • The 40 Hour Devotion (with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament) is held annually. • The Stations of the Cross (followed by Holy Mass) are celebrated during all Fridays in Lent. • The Living Rosary is organized (yearly) by the BT Knights of Columbus. • The Life Chain started five years ago and has grown from a sprinkling of parishioners to about 300 strong, mainly because of the strong support of our priests and parish organizers. • Visitations to parishioners have been carried out in a variety of ways through the years – and in 2006/2007 Monsignor Sheehy extended invitations to parishioners to visit the priests’ residence to further encourage parish involvement and to extend open communication between us. Throughout the years, Blessed Trinity has hosted celebrations honoring the ordination of our pastors, associate pastors, and seminarians. Other milestones include: • In 1997, Father Tony Meager (a former pastor of Blessed Trinity) was installed as Bishop and a reception was held in his honor. • In 2003, Father Ambrose Sheehy (the current pastor of Blessed Trinity) was invested as a Monsignor. That same year he chaired the Year of the Rosary activities for the whole Archdiocese. • For the 25th Anniversary of Blessed Trinity Church, there was a year-long celebration in the parish, culminating in a special Mass by Archbishop Aloysius Ambrozic. Mrs. Clara Mous (a CWL member) designed a beautiful quilt which included the names of parishioners -- as well as a replica of the church interior. This was mounted in our parish hall. • The very first National Catholic Mission Service was videotaped at Blessed Trinity Church and aired on Vision TV. Auxiliary Bishop Paul Durocher presided over the services and our very own Liturgical Choir performed the music. • When Pope John Paul II made his historic visit to Canada during the World Youth Day in 2002, our parishioners graciously billeted 250 youths in their homes. The rest (an overflow of 20) were accommodated in tents on our church site. His Grace, Archbishop Thomas Collins, instructed over 750 youths in our parish the next day. • In October 2006, we celebrated the 40th Anniversary of Blessed Trinity Parish and invited Father Wilfrid Firth as our special guest. He concelebrated Holy Mass with Monsignor Sheehy and many other priests who were responsible for the spiritual nourishment of the Parish for the last 40 years. A beautiful reception was held in the parish hall, with testimonials from priests and parishioners alike – some of whom were present since the church’s inception in 1967. • In 2007, we celebrated Monsignor Sheehy’s 40th Anniversary as a priest. There was a concelebrated Mass as well as a reception in the parish hall – with over 500 guests from different parishes where Monsignor Sheehy served. Blessed Trinity Parish continues to triumph. Its vitality is reflected in its parishioners and their involvement and the full support that they give to the church and our priests. One of the concrete signs of our faith is the daily attendance at Mass at our church, which is the largest in the Archdiocese. Under the diligent direction and spiritual guidance of our Pastor, Monsignor Sheehy, our parish family continues to grow in faith, charity, and community. PASTORS AT BLESSED TRINITY CHURCH 1966 - 1978 Reverend Wilfrid B. Firth 1978 - 1981 Reverend Francis J. Hogan 1981 - 1992 Reverend Anthony G. Meagher 1992 - 2001 Reverend Benoit T. Jobin 2001 - present Reverend Monsignor Ambrose Sheehy Back to About Us list Stained Glass Windows Here's the history behind the stained glass windows in our church. (Note: Click on individual pictures to enlarge the photos.) Stained glass is transparent art which, as in all art forms, gives expression beyond its own concrete reality. Through its transcendent nature church stained glass lends a worshipping community to encounter the all-powerful God who is also the God of faithful covenant. The recently installed stained glass windows at Blessed Trinity Parish certainly give expression to our intimate relationship with the Blessed Trinity. The waking chapel windows depict horizontal interwoven thorns which help to unify the stations of the cross. Indeed the crown of thorns on our Lord's head is really the only constant image in all of the stations. And the somber color of the glass gradually takes on richer hues from right to left as the stations lead toward the crucifixion and death of Christ. The windows by the altar of repose illustrate the Church through the life of her members. The pale background colors make the sacramental symbols stand out. A very ancient technique of utilizing beveled glass is employed in the baptismal window for the tear-shaped drops of water. The detail required for the fish, wheat, the alpha and omega symbols, priestly stole, and the dove demanded a special technique of masking and sandblasting flashed glass. And finally, the Hand of God was hand painted on ground glass with iron oxide; this symbol gives a distinct focus to the sacramental windows, just as the sacraments themselves arise from Christ's perfect obedience to the will of His Father. The three large vertical windows on the north-east wall manifest the mystery of the Trinity. These windows are unified through three concentric and interesting circles, a symbol used for centuries to depict the three persons of the Trinity. This symbol is given a dynamic quality through the three beams of light emanating from the center of the circles/ each issuing forth from the burning bush representing the Father. These beams go forth into the heavens amidst stars composed of small convex lenses which beautifully diffract sunlight. All of the panes used are of mouth blown antique glass, purchased in France and Germany and chosen for its quality of fine sparkle. WINDOWS NEAR THE BLESSED SACRAMENT The theme of these windows is "Family Life and Sacraments. The windows begin on the left with birth and baptism. The softness of the shell alludes to birth. The brightness and light of the large drops of water indicate the gift of sharing Christ's life/ the heart of baptism. For Jesus and the Jewish people/ who lived in a desert country, water was above all, a symbol of life. The fish is an ancient identification symbol for a Christian. The softness and warmth of the window suggests the tenderness of God's love for us. The second window represents the Holy Eucharist - the wheat and grape indicate the bread and wine, the intrusion of the hand - the real presence of Christ. This window immediately follows the baptism window indicating that the nourishment and nurturing of our life with Christ is centered in the Mass where we "recognize Him in the breaking of the bread". Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation, the Sacraments of Initiation, are thus represented side by side. The middle window represents the Sacrament of Confirmation - and in general the influence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The seven flames remind us of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. The bible the word of God, becomes the living word through the power of the Holy Spirit, who reminds us of all that Jesus taught us. In the breaking of the bread, and especially at the time of the gospel, the Holy Spirit opens our eyes and our hearts to know and love Jesus as "Alpha" and "Omega", beginning and end. The fourth window represents the presence of Christ in our midst. The rings entwine the Greek letters for Christ, symbolizing the redemption of our humanity, so that now, through the sacrifice of Christ on the cross, we can love faithfully and unselfishly. The rings themselves symbolize everlasting love, reminding the married couple of their vocation to reflect the everlasting love of Christ for his people. Continuing the theme of Christ among us, the stole symbolizes the Sacrament of Holy Orders. The stole is worn by the priest in special moments of our meeting the risen Christ through the Sacraments of Reconciliation and the Anointing of the Sick. The fourth window, our life with Christ on Earth leads to the last window, the window of hope. The peacock is the symbol of eternal life, the Easter lilies suggest the hope of spring, the hope of the resurrection. The candles recall the Paschal candle the symbol of Christ our light and our hope. The Pascal candle is placed beside the baptismal font at the beginning of our life with Christ, and at the casket as a sign of hope, at the end of our earthly life. Thus, the last window, representing eternal life with God, completes the hope of birth and baptism begun in the first window. THE PASSION OF CHRIST These windows (located in the Waking Chapel) capture the mood of Christian Wake and complement the Stations of the Cross. A simple crown of thorns motif unites the windows from right-to-left. The coloring of the windows intensifies as they come closer to the station representing Christ's crucifixion. From this we are also drawn towards the altar of sacrifice. THE BLESSED TRINITY The theme of the Blessed Trinity is represented in the large windows on the right-hand side of the church. The intense color of these windows suggests life - life overflowing - a hint of the richness of God's life. The circles represent God's eternal, never-ending life of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The recurring symbol of the burning bush suggests the Bible's depiction of the powerful, loving, unseen God, who is our Father. The crosses woven into the lower windows represent the Incarnation and life on earth of God the Son. The pillars of fire emanating from the circles represent the Holy Spirit, the gift of the Father, one with the Father and the Son. In the background of this window, the heavens, the blue studded with stars, suggest the greatness of God and Creator, and also recalls the greatness of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who is, "Queen of Heaven" and "Star of the Sea" our model and our hope. Finally the lines of these windows are broken to redirect our gaze to the altar and the pulpit. Christ is with us in His Word and in His Sacrament. COMMENT A work of art, like a poem, must be made a part of our life before it can ever be owned or appreciated. This takes time and reflection. God willing, these windows will become a part of our lives as Christ reveals himself to us through His Presence in the Church, the Sacraments and our everyday lives. God willing Blessed Trinity Church and Parish will be home to us for that revelation. The windows were blessed on February 8, 1987 by Most Rev. Leonard J. Wall. He was the Bishop assigned to our Parish Zone and is now the Bishop of Winnipeg, Manitoba. Back to About Us list Stations of the Cross Pictures of the carved (original) and new (installed in 2011) Stations of the Cross in our church (see below) -- along with some prayers that can be said at each Station. (Note: Click on individual pictures to enlarge the photos.) + I: JESUS IS CONDEMNED TO DEATH V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee. R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world. Consider, that Jesus, after having been scourged and crowned with thorns, was unjustly condemned by Pilate to die on the cross. My adorable Jesus, it was not Pilate, no, it was my sins, that condemned Thee to die. I beseech Thee, by the merits of this sorrowful journey, to assist my soul in its journey toward eternity. I love Thee, my beloved Jesus; I love Thee more than myself; I repent with my whole heart of having offended Thee. Never permit me to separate myself from Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always; and then do with me what Thou wilt. Our Father....Hail Mary....Glory be to the Father.... Through her heart, His sorrow sharing,~~All His bitter anguish bearing,~~Now at length the sword had passed. + + II: JESUS IS MADE TO BEAR HIS CROSS V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee. R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world. Consider that Jesus, in making this journey with the cross on His shoulders, thought of us, and offered for us, to His Father, the death that He was about to undergo. My most beloved Jesus, I embrace all the tribulations that Thou hast destined for me until death. I beseech Thee, by the merits of the pain Thou didst suffer in carrying Thy cross, to give me the necessary help to carry mine with perfect patience and resignation. I love Thee, Jesus, my love; I repent of having offended Thee. Never permit me to separate myself from Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always; and then do with me what Thou wilt. Our Father....Hail Mary....Glory be to the Father.... Oh, how sad and sore distressed,~~Was that Mother highly blessed~~Of the sole-begotten One! + + + III: JESUS FALLS THE FIRST TIME UNDER HIS CROSS V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee. R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world. Consider this first fall of Jesus under His cross. His flesh was torn by the scourges, His head crowned with thorns, and He had lost a great quantity of blood. He was so weakened that He could scarcely walk, and yet He had to carry this great load upon His shoulders. The soldiers struck Him rudely, and thus He fell several times in His journey. My beloved Jesus, it is not the weight of the cross, but of my sins, which has made Thee suffer so much pain. Ah, by the merits of this first fall, deliver me from the misfortune of falling into mortal sin. I love Thee, O my Jesus, with my whole heart; I repent of having offended Thee. Never permit me to offend Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always; and then do with me what Thou wilt. Our Father....Hail Mary....Glory be to the Father.... Christ above in torment hangs,~~She beneath beholds the pangs~~Of her dying, glorious Son. + + + + IV: JESUS MEETS HIS AFFLICTED MOTHER V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee. R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world. Consider, the meeting of the Son and the Mother, which took place on this journey. Jesus and Mary looked at each other, and their looks became as so many arrows to wound those hearts which loved each other so tenderly. My most loving Jesus, by the sorrow Thou didst experience in this meeting, grant me the grace of a truly devoted love for Thy most holy Mother. And thou, my Queen, who was overwhelmed with sorrow, obtain for me by thy intercession a continual and tender remembrance of the Passion of thy Son. I love Thee, Jesus, my love; I repent of ever having offended Thee. Never permit me to offend Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always; and then do with me what Thou wilt. Our Father....Hail Mary....Glory be to the Father.... Is there one who would not weep~~Whelmed in miseries so deep~~Christ's dear Mother to behold? + + + + + V: SIMON HELPS JESUS TO CARRY HIS CROSS V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee. R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world. Consider that the Jews, seeing that at each step Jesus, from weakness, was on the point of expiring, and fearing that He would die on the way when they wished Him to die the ignominious death of the cross, constrained Simon the Cyrenian to carry the cross behind Our Lord. My most sweet Jesus, I will not refuse the cross as the Cyrenian did; I accept it, I embrace it. I accept in particular the death that Thou hast destined for me with all the pains which may accompany it; I unite it to Thy death, I offer it to Thee. Thou has died for love of me, I will die for love of Thee, and to please Thee. Help me by Thy grace. I love Thee, Jesus, my love; I repent of having offended Thee. Never permit me to offend Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always; and then do with me what Thou wilt. Our Father....Hail Mary....Glory be to the Father.... Can the human heart refrain~~From partaking in her pain,~~In that Mother's pain untold? + + + + + + VI: VERONICA WIPES THE FACE OF JESUS V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee. R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world. Consider that the holy woman named Veronica, seeing Jesus so afflicted, and His face bathed in sweat and blood, presented Him with a towel with which He wiped His adorable face, leaving on it the impression of His holy countenance. My most beloved Jesus, Thy face was beautiful before, but in this journey it has lost all its beauty, and wounds and blood have disfigured it. Alas! my soul also was once beautiful, when it received Thy grace in Baptism; but I have disfigured it since by my sins. Thou alone, my Redeemer, canst restore it to its former beauty. Do this by Thy Passion, O Jesus. I repent of having offended Thee. Never permit me to offend Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always; and then do with me what Thou wilt. Our Father....Hail Mary....Glory be to the Father.... Bruised, derided, cursed, defiled,~~She beheld her tender Child,~~All with bloody scourges rent. + + + + + + + VII: JESUS FALLS THE SECOND TIME V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee. R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world. Consider the second fall of Jesus under the cross—a fall which renews the pain of all the wounds of the head and members of our afflicted Lord. My most gentle Jesus, how many times Thou hast pardoned me, and how many times have I fallen again, and begun again to offend Thee! Oh, by the merits of this new fall, give me the necessary helps to persevere in Thy grace until death. Grant that in all temptations which assail me I may always commend myself to Thee. I love Thee, Jesus, my love, with my whole heart; I repent of having offended Thee. Never permit me to offend Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always; and then do with me what Thou wilt. Our Father....Hail Mary....Glory be to the Father.... For the sins of His own nation~~Saw Him hang in desolation~~Till His spirit forth He sent. + + + + + + + + VIII: JESUS SPEAKS TO THE WOMEN OF JERUSALEM V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee. R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world. Consider that those women wept with compassion at seeing Jesus in so pitiable a state, streaming with blood, as He walked along. But Jesus said to them, "Weep not for Me but for your children." My Jesus, laden with sorrows, I weep for the offenses that I have committed against Thee, because of the pains which they have deserved, and still more because of the displeasure which they have caused Thee, Who hast loved me so much. It is Thy love, more than the fear of hell, which causes me to weep for my sins. My Jesus, I love Thee more than myself; I repent of having offended Thee. Never permit me to offend Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always; and then do with me what Thou wilt. Our Father....Hail Mary....Glory be to the Father.... O Thou Mother! fount of love,~~Touch my spirit from above.~~Make my heart with thine accord. + + + + + + + + + IX: JESUS FALLS THE THIRD TIME V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee. R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world. Consider the third fall of Jesus Christ. His weakness was extreme, and the cruelty of His executioners excessive, who tried to hasten His steps when He had scarcely strength to move. Ah, my outraged Jesus, by the merits of the weakness Thou didst suffer in going to Calvary, give me strength sufficient to conquer all human respect and all my wicked passions, which have led me to despise Thy friendship. I love Thee, Jesus, my love, with my whole heart; I repent of having offended Thee. Never permit me to offend Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always; and then do with me what Thou wilt. Our Father....Hail Mary....Glory be to the Father.... Make me feel as Thou hast felt:~~Make my soul to glow and melt~~With the love of Christ, my Lord. + + + + + + + + + + X: JESUS IS STRIPPED OF HIS GARMENTS V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee. R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world. Consider the violence with which the executioners stripped Jesus. His inner garments adhered to His torn flesh and they dragged them off so roughly that the skin came with them. My innocent Jesus, by the merits of the torment which Thou hast felt, help me to strip myself of all affection to things of earth, in order that I may place all my love in Thee, Who art so worthy of my love. I love Thee, O Jesus, with my whole heart; I repent of having offended Thee. Never permit me to offend Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always; and then do with me what Thou wilt. Our Father....Hail Mary....Glory be to the Father.... Holy Mother! pierce me through.~~In my heart each wound renew~~Of my Saviour crucified. + + + + + + + + + + + XI: JESUS IS NAILED TO THE CROSS V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee. R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world. Consider that Jesus, after being thrown on the cross, extended His hands, and offered to His eternal Father the sacrifice of His life for our salvation. These barbarians fastened Him with nails; and then, raising the cross, left Him to die with anguish on this infamous gibbet. My Jesus, nail my heart to Thy feet, that it may ever remain there to love Thee, and never quit Thee again. I love Thee more than myself; I repent of having offended Thee. Never permit me to offend Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always; and then do with me what Thou wilt. Our Father....Hail Mary....Glory be to the Father.... Let me share with thee His pain,~~Who for all our sins was slain,~~Who for me in torments died. + + + + + + + + + + + + XII: JESUS DIES ON THE CROSS V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee. R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world. Consider how thy Jesus, after three hours of agony on the cross, consumed at length with anguish, abandons Himself to the weight of His body, bows His head, and dies. O my dying Jesus, I kiss devoutly the cross on which Thou didst die for love of me. I have merited by my sins to die a miserable death, but Thy death is my hope. Ah, by the merits of Thy death, give me grace to die, embracing Thy feet and burning with love of Thee. I commit my soul into Thy hands. I love Thee with my whole heart; I repent of ever having offended Thee. Never permit me to offend Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always; and then do with me what Thou wilt. Our Father....Hail Mary....Glory be to the Father.... Let me mingle tears with thee,~~Mourning Him Who mourned for me,~~All the days that I may live. + + + + + + + + + + + + + XIII: JESUS IS TAKEN DOWN FROM THE CROSS V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee. R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world. Consider that, our Lord having expired, two of His disciples, Joseph and Nicodemus, took Him down from the cross, and placed Him in the arms of His afflicted Mother, who received Him with unutterable tenderness, and pressed Him to her bosom. O Mother of Sorrow, for the love of this Son, accept me for thy servant and pray to Him for me. And Thou, my Redeemer, since Thou hast died for me, permit me to love Thee; for I wish but Thee, my Jesus, and I repent of ever having offended Thee. Never permit me to offend Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always; and then do with me what Thou wilt. Our Father....Hail Mary....Glory be to the Father.... By the cross with Thee to stay,~~There with Thee to weep and pray,~~Is all I ask of Thee to give. + + + + + + + + + + + + + + XIV: JESUS IS PLACED IN THE SEPULCHRE V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee. R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world. Consider that the disciples carried the body of Jesus to bury it, accompanied by His holy Mother, who arranged it in the sepulchre with her own hands. They then closed the tomb and all withdrew. Ah, my buried Jesus, I kiss the stone that encloses Thee. But Thou didst rise again the third day. I beseech Thee, by Thy resurrection, make me rise glorious with Thee at the last day, to be always united with Thee in heaven, to praise Thee and love Thee forever. I love Thee, and I repent of ever having offended Thee. Never permit me to offend Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always; and then do with me what Thou wilt. Our Father....Hail Mary....Glory be to the Father.... Virgin of all virgins best!~~Listen to my fond request:~~Let me share thy grief divine. Back to About Us list Home Page Office Hours Parish Staff Latest Bulletin Gallery Parish Groups Contact Us Repair Form FAQ Mass Times Holiday Mass Times Confessions Adoration Sacraments Courses Catholic Links Church TV/Radio Advent/Christmas Lent/Easter About Us Sanctuary Renovations Church Calendar Schedules Roman Missal (3rd Edition) Resources Search Website This website is best viewed with the current Firefox web browser at a 1024 x 768 screen resolution. Download Firefox HERE. Translate this web page to a different language! Click on (pull-down) translation toolbar below.