Category Archives: Uncategorized

Lenten Spiritual Retreat

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Presentations include:

For Adults:
“How shall we live? Living as Orthodox Christians in the world today”
(led by Fr. Geoffrey Ready)

Current social and moral trends in our culture present serious challenges to Orthodox life and practice within our churches and families. In this session, we will attempt to get to the root of the problems and to draw from the deep wells of Orthodox Christian tradition to develop a timely pastoral response to the world we live in and needs of our families today.

For Teens:
“Romance & Dating in the Bible: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly”
(led by Fr. Dcn. Yuri Hladio)

This presentation explores the scandalous (and often hilarious) stories of
romance and dating in the Bible. Do these stories have any advice they
can offer us? Does the Bible give us the “do’s” and “don’t’s” of romance?
Are these ancient stories even still relevant in our social media age?
Complete with Bible stories, pop songs, and movie clips, this workshop will
help us consider different ways of approaching our own love lives.

For Children in Primary School:
(led by Jane Pfeil)
“Christ: The True Vine”

The children at the retreat will reflect on the parable of the True Vine
through discussion, journalling, artwork and more. A supervised kindergarten area will be available for toddlers

The retreat program begins at 1 PM, and concludes with Vespers and a fellowship dinner at 5 PM

There is no cost, but donations will be gratefully accepted

To register, or for more information, please contact Fr. Bohdan Hladio
at priest@stjohnoshawa.org, or 905-433-5577.

Introduction to Orthodox Christianity: St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Orthodox Church

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A series of lectures hosted by St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Orthodox Church. With the exception of the Family Retreat on Saturday, April 13th (which will be held at Evangelismos Greek Orthodox Church at 399 Farewell St. in Oshawa from 1:00-5:00PM) — all lectures will begin Mondays at 7:00PM at St. John the Baptist (35 Bloor St. E., Oshawa).

The Akathist Hymn to the Most Holy Mother of God will be sung at 6:30PM.

Lectures remaining in the series:

Monday, March 25th: The Crosses We Must Bear


Saturday, April 13th: Family Retreat (at Evangelismos Greek Orthodox Church — 399 Farewell St., Oshawa; 1:00–5:00PM)

Monday, March 13th: Pascha and Prayer for the Dead

There is no charge, and everyone is welcome. For more information, please contact Fr. Bohdan Hladio at: 905.433.5577 or priest@stjohnoshawa.org

Sunday of the Triumph of Orthodoxy: March 17, 2019 6:00 PM — St. Volodymyr Cathedral of Toronto

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Sunday of the Triumph of Orthodoxy

On Sunday, March 17, 2019 — St. Volodymyr Cathedral of Toronto is honoured to host the reverend Fathers, our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ throughout the Greater Toronto Area in the annual pan-Orthodox celebration of the Triumph of Orthodoxy, commemorating the victory over iconoclasm and the restoration of the holy icons — affirmed by the Seventh Ecumenical Council at Nicea in 787 A.D.

Vespers begins at 6:00 PM — and will be followed by the veneration of icons and Lenten fellowship in the Church Hall.

The Cathedral is located at 400 Bathurst St. — 2 blocks south of College St., 1 block north of Dundas St. W. There is limited onsite parking (priority will be given to clergy) — so use of TTC and carpooling is encouraged. The 511 Bathurst streetcar (southbound from Bathurst subway station) includes a stop short meters from the church entrance. Overflow parking will be accommodated at the Toronto Western Hospital parking facilities (directly across the street) for a modest fee.

We look forward to welcoming you, worshipping with you and manifesting the love for one another by which all people will know we are Christ’s disciples.

“Let us clap our hands, as the psalm says, offering praise and thanksgiving to God; and with fitting honour let us worship the sacred icons of Christ, of the All-pure Virgin and all the Saints… as we ask that at the prayers of Your immaculate Mother, Christ our God, and of all the Saints, we may be granted Your great mercy.”

Sticheron at “Lord, I have cried”, Tone 2 — Great Vespers, The First Sunday of the Great Fast, known as The Sunday of the Triumph of Orthodoxy.

25th Annual Church & Charity Law Seminar™ — Thursday, November 8th, 2018 8:30am-3:30pm: Mississauga

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By way of public service announcement, for parishes and members of parish councils currently navigating the rapidly changing landscape of Federal and Provincial legislation, CRA rules and regulations, parish by-laws, employee obligations, risk management and insurance issues:

The 25th Annual Church & Charity Law Seminar™ is designed to assist churches and charities in understanding developing trends in the law in order to reduce unnecessary exposure to legal liability. Although the topics are directed at churches and charities, many aspects of the presentations will also be of interest to not-for-profit organizations. This seminar is eligible for 5 hours LSO CPD credits and CPA Professional Development requirements.

The Annual Church & Charity Law Seminar™, held every year since 1994, is presented by Carters Professional Corporation, a law firm with offices in Toronto, Ottawa and Orangeville, experienced in advising churches, charities, and not-for-profit organizations across Canada, as well as internationally. The firm will be assisted by several guest speakers, including Tony Manconi, Director General of the Charities Directorate of the Canada Revenue Agency, and Ken Goodman, Pubic Guardian and Trustee of Ontario, Office of the Attorney General.

The seminar, to be held on Thursday, November 8, 2018, at the PORTICO Community Church, 1814 Barbertown Road, Mississauga, Ontario, will begin at 8:30 a.m. and end at 3:30 p.m. Complimentary coffee, tea and muffins will be served at 7:45 a.m., as well as during a mid-morning break. New this year, a traffic officer will be available to assist with safe departure.

The early bird registration fee has again been held to $35.00 per person in order that as many churches, charities and not-for-profits can attend as possible. A catered sandwich lunch can be purchased in advance using the attached or online registration form. Presentations will be in “PowerPoint” format. Seminar handouts will be available for free download and printing two days prior to the seminar. Hard copies of the handout materials can be pre-ordered for pickup at the seminar for $12.00 using the attached or online registration form.

To register online, click on the link at: www.charitylaw.ca

PORTICO Community Church,
1814 Barbertown Road, Mississauga, Ontario

Seminars and Speakers

The Evolution and Empowerment of Charity Law in Ontario from the Perspective of the PGT

  • Kenneth Goodman, B.A., LL.B. – The Public Guardian & Trustee of Ontario at the Office of the Attorney General, Toronto, Ontario.

Essential Charity and NFP Law Update

  • Jacqueline M. Demczur, B.A., LL.B. – Author, speaker and counsel on legal issues involving charities and not-for-profit organizations. Recognized as a leading expert by Lexpert and The Best Lawyers in Canada. Carters, Orangeville.

The Coming of the ONCA [Ontario Not-for-profit Corporations Act] (We Hope) and What to Start Thinking About

  • Theresa L.M. Man, B.Sc., M.Mus., LL.B., LL.M. – Author, speaker and counsel on legal issues involving charities and not-for-profits. Recognized as a leading expert by Lexpert and The Best Lawyers in Canada. Carters, Orangeville.

Clearing the Haze: Managing Marijuana in the Workplace

  • Barry W. Kwasniewski, B.B.A., LL.B. – Counsel on legal issues involving charities and not-for-profit organizations with particular expertise in employment law. Carters, Ottawa, Ontario.

Lessons Learned from Claims to the Courtroom

  • Kenneth Hall, B.A. (Hons) – Author, speaker on risk management and insurance issues. President. – Robertson Hall Insurance, London, Ontario.
  • Sean S. Carter, B.A., LL.B. – Author, speaker and counsel on issues involving charities and NFPs. Carters, Toronto.

Tips for Avoiding Common Errors: A Charities Directorate Perspective

  • Tony Manconi, B.A., Director General of the Charities Directorate of the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), Ottawa, Ontario.

Drafting Bylaws: Pitfalls to Avoid

  • Esther S.J. Oh, B.A., LL.B. – Author, speaker and counsel on issues involving charities and not-for-profit organizations. Recognized as a leading expert by Lexpert. Carters, Orangeville, Ontario.

Tough Challenges in Maintaining Charitable Status with CRA, Including Political Activities

  • Ryan M. Prendergast, B.A., LL.B. – Author, speaker and counsel on legal issues involving charities and not-for-profit organizations. Carters, Orangeville, Ontario.

What’s Happening in Church & Charity Law in Australia? Sharing Ideas from Down Under

  • Murray Baird, B.A., LL.B., FAICD. Assistant Commissioner General Counsel, Australian Charities and Not-for-profit Commission (ACNC). Melbourne, Australia.

Recent Freedom of Religion Decisions from the Supreme Court of Canada

  • Terrance S. Carter, B.A., LL.B., TEP, Trade-mark Agent Author, speaker and counsel on legal issues involving charities and NFPs
  • Jennifer M. Leddy, B.A., LL.B. Author, speaker and counsel on legal issues involving charities and NFPs. Carters, Ottawa.