"There is a solidarity of love and prayer," said Collins in his Nov. 15 homily, asking the faithful to pray for the suffering and deceased and giving thanks for the generosity he witnessed.
The parish basement has been a hive of volunteers organizing donated clothes, shoes and non-perishable foods to send to victims of the Nov. 8 catastrophic storm. About 300 boxes of goods have been sent to far, according to parish priest Fr. Ben Ebcas.
"It's a tremendous outpouring of support," said Ebcas about the cardinal's visit. "It is a big boost for us becuase he is our spiritual father."
His "visible support, his presence is a big boost to the community, especially since we are still grieving, we are still missing some persons and we are still doing some relief operations," he said. Ebcas has two brothers in the Philippines who were missing when the typhoon first hit, but have now been located.
It has been reported that thousands have died, hundreds of thousands displaced and millions impacted, according to a press release.
Ditas Sabate, a volunteer with the church's relief efforts, has family in the Philippines, some of which she has only been able to confirm their safety by Facebook.
"We're packing goods, (such as) women's clothes, men's, children's and food in one package, and they're going to mostly the Visayas region," she said.
Sabate teared up when the cardinal referenced the typhoon during mass.
"I cried because every time I watch TV, (I see) people, mostly children with no home, no family," she said.
"Our lives are not bound by the brief passage of this world," Collins told the congregation, adding that by celebrating the Eucharist we recognize those who have died. He is with us, he said, and we recognize Him in the breaking of bread.
Collins reminded parishioners that donations for victims of the typhoon can be made at individual parishes or to the Archdiocese of Toronto. The funds collected by Dec. 9 will be matched by the the federal government.
The cardinal also announced that Prime Minister Stephen Harper will visit Our Lady of Assumption on Monday, Nov. 18 at 11 a.m. and invited parishioners to attend.
For ways to donate money, visit www.archtoronto.org or call the Development Office at (416) 934-3411.