Catholic Leaders’ Solidarity Beyond Borders
TORONTO – Without being disrespectful, this was no open-air Mass in a historically rich – Madrid – and currently Soccer-mad city which attracted well over one million faithful Catholics to listen to the voice of the Pope on what is important in life. Nonetheless, closer to home there are those who come together to redefine their purpose, to share and to exchange how to best utilize their good fortune for the benefit of a society they have helped shape.
St. Michael’s Cathedral in Toronto, once the epicenter of the Catholic world in Upper Canada (Ontario, since Confederation) is still the hub from which radiates values of Catholic orthodoxy and aspirational goals and vision of those who espouse the rites, rituals of Catholic Christianity and manifest them in daily life. Chief among them are the tenets of a society whose commitment and investment in education reflects the ambitions that families fashion for their children. Equally important is the infrastructure to provide medical care for those in need. That leadership has been vital for the bonding and cohesion of the two basic departments of provincial obligations guiding Provincial taxing and spending plans and their related programs, as informed by the Constitution and Legislation.
Catholic contributions to both systems led to their incorporation into government services. Today, that same “spirit” of giving transcends national frontiers. Often the volunteer institutions that lead those efforts are the last remaining hope for societies in war-torn areas or disease-plagued environments. They are not constrained by national boundaries.
The Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem (Toronto, Canada, Lieutenancy) is such an institution. Led by H.E. Lieutenant Colin Saldanha and its Prior H.E. Frank Cardinal Leo, they hosted a Mass followed by fundraising meal in Downtown Toronto last Friday June 5. As in last year’s event, the theme was the reconstruction of a school/hospital for disadvantaged children in the Catholic Archdiocese of Gaza headed by Cardinal Pizzaballa. The centre suffered a destructive blow when it became an inadvertent target in the current war.
Among the registered and enrolled members (Knights and Dames) of the Order – in operation since 1099 A.D., were: Chair of the York Catholic District School Board, Maria Iafrate; Mario Cortellucci, patron of Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital; Phil Aiello, President Venu Event Space, Sir Oliver Stone, President Chartwell Long Term Care Homes; Sir and Dame Di Cosmo. In picture above with Grand Prior His Eminence Frank Cardinal Leo.
The photos below were sent to the editorial staff
