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New Year’s Booklet19. January, 2023Past EventsNo commentsClick to view our New Year’s Booklet Thank you so much to all our Sponsors and Supports Your constant support is greatly appreciated. |
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Blessing & Solemn Inauguration of Our Lady of Lebanon Statue2. September, 2022Past EventsNo commentsSunday 11th of September, 11:30AM  Festive Lunch at Parkview Manor at 4:00PM BOOK YOUR TABLE/TICKETS NOW! |
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The Gifts of the Holy Spirit21. June, 2022Past EventsNo commentsمواهب الروح القدس السبع هي الحكمة، والفهم، والمشورة، والقوة والعلم، والتقوى، ومخافة الله إنها بكمالها تخص المسيح وهي تُتمم فضائل مَن يتقبلوها وتقودها الى الكمال وتجعل المؤمنين يخضعون بطواعية وسرعة للإلهامات الالهية The 7 Gifts Of The Holy Spirit 1. Wisdom – “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.” James 3:17 2. Understanding – “Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore, seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand.” – St. Augustine of Hippo 3. Knowledge – “The gift of knowledge puts us in tune with God’s gaze on things and on people…” – Pope Francis 4. Counsel – “Let us employ the gift of reason for actions of prudence. Let us learn now abstinence from what is wicked, that we may not be forced to learn in the future. Let us employ life as a training school for what is good; and let us be roused to the hatred of sin. Let us bear about a deep love for the Creator; let us cleave to Him with our whole heart; let us not wickedly waste the substance of reason, like the prodigal.” – St. Clement of Alexandria 5. Fortitude – “Though the path is plain and smooth for men of good will, he who walks it will not travel far, and will do so only with difficulty, if he does not have good feet: that is, courage and a persevering spirit.” – St. John of the Cross 6. Piety– “Be brave and try to detach your heart from worldly things. Do your utmost to banish darkness from your mind and come to understand what true, selfless piety is. Through confession, endeavor to purify your heart of anything which may still taint it. Enliven your faith, which is essential to understand and achieve piety.” – St. John Bosco 7. Fear of the Lord – “We must fear God out of love, not love Him out of fear.” – St. Francis de Sales |
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Stay-at-home order extended until at least June 2, 202113. May, 2021Past EventsNo commentsThe provincial government announced that the current stay-at-home order will be extended until at least June 2, 2021. Current restrictions for places of worship remain in place:• All Public Masses are cancelled until further notice. • Mass will be broadcast Live every Sunday at 11:30AM on the parish Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/ololgta) and on YouTube. • Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals are restricted to 10 persons, including the priest(s). • However, the church is open for Private Prayer and/or Confessions, by appointment only. • All in-person meetings, gatherings and activities are also suspended at this time. For updates, please visit our Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/ololgta Stay safe and God bless! |
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Annunciation to the Virgin Mary23. March, 2021Past EventsNo commentsFeast: March 25  This great festival takes its name from the happy tidings brought by the angel Gabriel to the Blessed Virgin Mary, concerning the incarnation of the Son of God. It commemorates the most important embassy that was ever known: an embassy sent by the King of kings, performed by one of the chief princes of his heavenly court; directed, not to the kings or emperors of the earth, but to a poor, unknown, retired virgin, who, being endowed with the most angelic purity of soul and body, being withal perfectly humble and devoted to God, was greater in his eyes than all the scepters in the world could make a universal monarch. Indeed God, by the choice which he is pleased to make of a poor virgin, for the accomplishment of the greatest of all mysteries and graces, clearly demonstrates that earthly diadems, dignities, and treasures are of no consideration with him; and that perfect humility and sanctity alone constitute true greatness. God, who is almighty, can do all things by himself, without making use of the concurrence of creatures. Nevertheless he vouchsafes. in his exterior works, most frequently to use their co-operation. If he reveals his will and speaks to men, it is by the intervention of his prophets, and these he often enlightens by the ministry of angels. Many of the ancient patriarchs were honored by him with the most sublime commissions. By Moses he delivered his people from the Egyptian slavery, by him he gave them his law, and he appointed him mediator in his alliance with them. When the Son of God became man, he could have taken upon him our nature without the co-operation of any creature; but was pleased to be born of a woman. In the choice of her whom he raised to this most sublime of all dignities to which any pure creature could be exalted, he pitched upon her who, by the riches of his grace and virtues, was of all others the most holy and the most perfect. The design of this embassy of the archangel is as extraordinary as the persons concerned in it. It is to give a Savior to the world, a victim of propitiation to the sinner, a model to the just, a son to this Virgin, remaining still a virgin, and a new nature to the Son of God, the nature of man, capable of suffering pain and anguish in order to the satisfaction of God’s justice for our transgressions. And the Son of God being to take a human body formed of her substance, the Holy Ghost, who, by a power all-divine, was to her in place of a spouse, was not content to render her body capable of giving life to a Man-God, but likewise enriched her soul with a fulness of grace, that there might be a sort of proportion between the cause and the effect, and she the better qualified to co-operate towards this mystery of sanctity. |
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The Immaculate Conception7. December, 2020Past EventsNo commentsOn December 8, we honor Mary, our Mother. The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is a Catholic feast celebrating Mary’s conception without sin. Even though this feast day occurs in the liturgical season of Advent, which prepares for the birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Immaculate Conception refers to the conception of Mary in the womb of her mother, St. Anne.
Through the centuries the Church has become ever more aware that Mary, “full of grace” through God, was redeemed from the moment of her conception. That is what the dogma of the Immaculate Conception confesses, as Blessed Pope Pius IX proclaimed on December 8, 1854: “The most Blessed Virgin Mary was, from the first moment of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of almighty God and by virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, Saviour of the human race, preserved immune from all stain of original sin.” — Catechism of the Catholic Church
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St. Barbara Feast Virtual Celebration23. November, 2020Past EventsNo commentsOLOL St. Barbara Feast Virtual Celebration Send your pics
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Solidarity with the Victims of Beirut Explosion – How to Help?11. August, 2020Past EventsNo commentsIn response to the horrific explosion that occurred in Beirut, Our Lady of Lebanon church – Toronto is being approached by many generous individuals and groups who wish to help or to organize fundraisers, and asking for our support to send the donations to Lebanon. Help is needed right now! Instead of us collecting the money then sending it later to Lebanon, our recommendation is that YOU DONATE DIRECTLY ONLINE, through a trusted NGO or Charity. Please check the websites of the Charities listed below, then decide which one you will feel more comfortable supporting. However, in case some people or fundraisers collect cash donations, and prefer to send the funds to Lebanon through our church, we will transfer the money as soon as possible to one of these listed charities. God bless Lebanon! God bless you all!
Canadian Red Cross – (Lebanon Humanitarian Needs Appeal) https://secure.redcross.ca/registrant/donate.aspx?eventid=311494 * CANADIAN TAX RECEIPT PROVIDED
Canadian Red Cross with The Dableh Family Foundation. The Dableh Foundation will match up to $250,000 raised through Canadian Red Cross. Donate here: http://www.redcross.ca/Lebanon/Dableh * CANADIAN TAX RECEIPT PROVIDED
Lebanese Red Cross (http://www.redcross.org.lb/) Donate here: https://www.supportlrc.app/donate/donate_guest.html
Caritas Lebanon (http://www.caritas.org.lb/) Donate here: http://www.caritas.org.lb/get_involved/donate/
ICF – International Christian Foundation (https://federationicf.org/) Donate here: https://federationicf.org/donate/ * CANADIAN TAX RECEIPT PROVIDED
Solidarity Among Lebanese (http://www.lebanesesolidarity.org/) https://www.solidarity.org.lb/people-below-poverty-line/
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You also are Witnesses13. July, 2020Past EventsNo commentsThe Spirit, descending upon the Apostles, gave them the necessary light and strength to teach the nations and to proclaim Christ’s Gospel to them all. When we were baptized, we received this same Holy Spirit, who made us disciples, witnesses and apostles. As happened in Jerusalem on the First Pentecost, in every Age, Christ’s witnesses, filled-with the Holy Spirit, have felt encouraged to reach-out to others in order to express the marvels God has accomplished. Invigorated by the Gift of the Spirit, the Church has always been aware of this Duty, and has faithfully proclaimed the Gospel message in every Time and Place. She has done so with respect for the dignity of Peoples, of their Culture, of their Traditions. For this very reason, the Gospel must not be imposed, but proposed, because it can only be effective if it is freely-accepted and lovingly embraced. Let’s all remember that we are Christ’s witnesses, and let us proclaim His love to all the people around us. |
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History of Our Lady of Lebanon Church buildings19. April, 2020Past EventsNo commentsFrom the Anglican Church of the Epiphany to Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Church
In the story of the development of Anglican parishes in the west end of Toronto, many roads lead back to the parish of St. Anne’s, Brockton (now St. Anne’s, Gladstone). In 1876 (before St. Barnabas, Halton was carved out of the parishes of St. Anne’s and St. Matthias’), the mission parish of St. Mark’s was established. This parish, located to the south and slightly to the west of St. Anne’s on Cowan Avenue (just south of Queen) is what is known today as the Church of the Epiphany & St. Mark, Parkdale.
In 1887, a new parish was carved out of St. Mark’s — the Church of the Epiphany. The new parish, located just half a mile west of St. Mark’s, was created (at least in part) in response to residential growth in the village of Parkdale, which had recently been annexed by the city of Toronto. Epiphany’s first parishioners were from St. Mark’s, and their first meeting place was the Parkdale Masonic Hall (located at Queen and Dowling in a building which still exists and is now apartments). In September 1888, the first Church of the Epiphany was opened on a lot on the south-west corner of Queen Street and Beaty Avenue (west of Lansdowne).
The first building was not intended to be the long-term building used for worship, but rather was to be converted to Sunday school use after funds could be raised for a larger building. It sat 300 and was “an exceedingly plain building both in its exterior and interior.” The architects were Strickland and Symons of Aberdeen Chambers, Toronto. The original Church of the Epiphany still exists, and is now used as a parish school. Only its north facade can be easily seen as it is hemmed in on all other sides by housing and the rest of the church buildings. By 1910, the parish was strong enough to build its intended larger space, in order “to meet the future needs of a rapidly-growing district.” The corner stone was laid in 1910 and the parish moved into its new space on 31 March 1911. This building, with a seating capacity of 1000 or more, exists today. It was designed by Henry Bauld Gordon, who also was the architect of Church of the Messiah, Toronto and the parish hall at St. Anne’s, Gladstone. (A tower was part of the architectural design but never built.)
There was one more chapter in the history of Epiphany buildings with the addition of a parish hall in 1930. This space is also now used as part of the parish school. Its east facade is visible from Beaty Avenue. The history of the parish reflects the changing demographics of the neighbourhood. In the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, the neighbourhood was teeming with church-going Anglicans, enough to establish a massive new building such a short distance from St. Mark’s. By mid-century, there appears to be the signs of, or at least concern about, decline. By the 1960s, with demographic changes in the neighbourhood and societal changes at play, Epiphany seemed determined to survive.
Many parishioners no longer live in the parish but continue to return to keep the parish going and active. In the 1970’s there were conversations about amalgamation with its mother church, St. Mark’s, and St. Judes’ on Roncesvalles. Many parishioners no longer live in the parish but continue to return to keep the parish going and active. In the 1970’s there were conversations about amalgamation with its mother church, St. Mark’s, and St. Judes’ on Roncesvalles.
By the early 1980’s the parish community was small and the massive buildings in need of substantial repairs. On Palm Sunday 1983 the Church of the Epiphany held its final service. A decision was taken to sell the building and amalgamate Epiphany back into its mother parish of St. Mark’s. The funds from the sale were used to refurbish the buildings and the new, amalgamated parish of Epipany & St. Mark’s was born, 96 years after St. Mark’s had given birth to the Church of the Epiphany. The buildings were sold to the Maronite community, and began their new life as Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Catholic Church.
Description of the church building from the archives of the City of Toronto:
The property at 1515 Queen Street West, known historically as the Church of the Epiphany, is identified for architectural reasons. It is an important feature of the south side of Queen Street West between Beaty Avenue and Wilson Park Road. There are three structures on the property. The original church was built in 1888, the second church in 1910-1911, and the Parish Hall in 1929. The latter two buildings, both erected according to the design of the Toronto architectural firm of Gordon and Helliwell. The first Church of the Epiphany was constructed in 1888 by the Toronto architectural firm of Strickland and Symons and is still situated on the southwest corner of the property. At the time of construction this church was not intended to be used permanently for divine service. It is no longer used by the congregation. The second Church of the Epiphany was erected on the northeast corner of the site. Constructed on a basilican plan and featuring elements of the Gothic Revival style, the brick church is highlighted by stone detailing. The main (north) elevation features raised, centrally placed double doors surmounted by a large tudor window containing perpendicular tracery. The east and west corners of this elevation have stepped angle buttresses. The northeast corner is marked by a 2-storey tower containing a side entrance. The east elevation is four bays in length and is marked by single stepped buttresses. Each bay contains a single raised basement window surmounted by a tudor arched window with perpendicular tracery. To the south, a transept arm contains two bays marked by large tudor arched windows. The west elevation has an aisle entrance, is five bays in length has a transept arm of two bays in width, and shares the fenestration and but east elevation. The clerestory contains tudor arched windows. The south elevation of the church features a large window which contains perpendicular tracery. A gabled and shed roof cover the various portions of the building. The church interior comprises a narthex, a nave with side aisles, and a raised chancel. The aisles are separated from the nave by an arcade consisting of slender columns. An open wooden beam roof covers the nave while lower wooden roofs cover the aisles. The church contains 19th Century stained glass windows executed by the Toronto firm of Robert McCausland Limited. Adjoining the southern elevation is a 2½-storey polygonal Parish Hall with a raised basement. The openings on the first and second stories have paired trefoil windows and are highlighted by stone sills and lintels. A polygonal roof covers the building.
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