Parables of Community

The silence of God at Nativity invites the caring community to action and change.

The community welcomes a friend who reminds them of the woman "bent over for eighteen years" in St. Luke's Gospel. The ones who are unnoticed are a priority for God.

One story of a clinical depression sufferer's progress within the context of a welcoming community.

How do we understand the Parable of the Rich Man (and his barns), when the life of a poor soul is vanishing before our eyes?

Glimpsing the hope of the resurrection, modeled by the insights of one displaced by war.

One might say that the beauty of the poor is hard to spot. But one would be wrong... because in truth, beauty is the hospitality of holiness for the human being. And where do we find this hospitality more present than in the body of the poor? Take a look into Christine's joyful and deep blue eyes, to see for yourself.

A handful of stories demonstrating how the repentance of the poor and downtrodden offers everyone a glimpse at the doors that lead to peace and life.

Notes from the underground, written by Brother Luke.

Reflections written by Fr. Nicolaie about the gospel story of the father of the demon-possessed boy.

Reflections written by Fr. Nicolaie.

A story written by Fr. Nicolaie.

Reflections written by Fr. Nicolaie.

More stories, written by Brother Luke, from St. John the Compassionate Mission.

Stories written by Brother Luke during Holy Week.

More stories from volunteers at the mission.

Stories from St. John the Compassionate Mission written by Brother Luke.

Reflections from Fr. Nicolaie on the Sunday of the Grateful Leper.

Scarborough is the eastern part of Toronto where St. John the Compassionate has a church and a mission, called Good Neighbours.

Stories shared by Brother Luke of St. John the Compassionate Mission.

A Prayer of Welcome on the Occassion of Someone New Coming to Live with Us, written by Brother Luke.

Writings from Fr. Nicolaie for the Sunday before the Nativity.

Reflections about hospitality, written by Fr. Nicolaie.

Listen to reflections about the rich young man, written by Fr. Nicolaie.

Reflections written by Fr. Nicolaie for the Sixth Sunday of Luke: the story of the farmer who wanted to build more barns.

The Mission will receive a relic of its patron, St. John the Merciful (Compassionate), and Fr. Nicolaie invites us to discover who we are by asking the least of these who we are.

Listen to reflections written by Fr. Nicolaie for the Fifth Sunday of Luke.

Listen to reflections written by Fr. Nicolaie for the Sixth Sunday of Luke.

Listen to Fr. Nicolaie's reflections on Ezra that he shared at the recent Volunteers Appreciation Night Celebration at the Mission.

"On Friday we tried to read the gospel on the stairs at the mission. We were not well organized and without structure. In spite of this, reading the gospel outside made us, even for a little while, to see and hear Jesus preaching to people in the light of the day, sitting in the boat." From reflections written by Fr. Nicolaie.

A snapshot of an afternoon at St. John the Compassionate Mission, written by Fr. Nicolaie.

Reflections written by Brother Luke.

Reflections written by Fr. Nicolaie.

Another story written by Brother Luke of St. John the Compassionate Mission in Toronto.

Reflections written by Fr. Nicolaie, about communicating with a refugee, and Memory Eternal to Tom.

Listen to reflections written by Fr. Nicolaie about M's experience with panhandling and the Church's loss.

Fr. Nicolaie writes about forgiveness and loss at St. John the Compassionate Mission.

Fr. Nicolaie writes about language and communication--reflections on the Friday before Pentecost at St. John the Compassionate Mission.

Meet three pilgrims who frequent St. John the Compassionate Mission; written by Brother Luke.

Listen to reflections from Fr. Nicolaie at St. John the Compassionate Mission.

"The love he experienced, and still does, is deeper in his heart than the harm brought about by drugs."

Listen to stories written by Brother Luke at St. John the Compassionate Mission.

Fr. Nicolaie writes about discussions and prayers from those gathered on a typical Friday afternoon at St. John the Compassionate Mission in Toronto.

Listen to reflections by Fr. Nicolaie about those on the mission's "Hall of Fame" and the value of each person.

Listen to two stories from Fr. Nicolaie about people who spend time at St. John the Compassionate Mission.

Listen to reflections written by Fr. Nicolaie for the Sunday of the Prodigal Son.

Listen to stories about Mat and Hector enduring the cold Toronto winter, by Fr. Nicolaie.

Join St. John the Compassionate Mission as they celebrate the feast of the Nativity of Christ our Saviour, as written by Brother Luke.

Listen to stories and reflections from Fr. Nicolaie at St. John the Compassionate Mission in Toronto,

Hear three short stories of people who are part of the community at St. John the Compassionate Mission.