An update on St. Elias.

Today's print edition of the Toronto Star has an update on the reconstruction of St. Elias Church, which, as longtime readers of this blog may recall, was destroyed by a fire in April. I have a link to the story insofar as I have been a regular at St. Elias since I moved to Toronto, and I served my first liturgy as a deacon with the St. Elias community in their temporary digs at St. Augustine Secondary School in Brampton. Here is more, courtesy of the Star:

St. Elias the Prophet Church in Brampton has received $500,000 in donations, half of which came from an anonymous donor at a recent benefit concert and dinner.

"The local community has really supported us," said parishioner Lu Bobyk after the Sunday service, which has been held in the atrium of St. Augustine Secondary School since the fire.

...

Bobyk said the St. Elias' insurance will cover $3.8 million for construction of the new building plus $1 million for interior furnishings. The church has not yet officially started fundraising, he said, but more money will be needed for furnishings.

"We'll need significant funds to refurbish the inside with iconography."

...

Father Roman Galadza said the architects of the new church, which will have a wooden structure very similar to the old one, are in the final phase of their drawings. They recently met with city staff to discuss the next steps toward reconstruction.

"The city knows our parish and our community," he said. "It regrets the loss along with us and wants to see the building back."

The plan is to break ground in May and complete construction by summer 2016.

In the meantime, both Bobyk and Galadza said the congregation's 175 or so families have remained tight-knit while attending at St. Augustine.

If you would like to learn more about how you can help St. Elias rebuild, take a look at the parish website for more information. Of course, even if you cannot assist the parish financially, prayers are both needed and appreciated. AMDG.