Dear Friends,

We invite you to join us on Wednesday, January 8 at 9:30 a.m., as we present a heartfelt case to the heritage committee to officially designate the Marian Shrine of Gratitude as a heritage site. Your presence is vital at this critical moment. Each of you carries a powerful story that highlights the shrine's unique role as a conduit between heaven and earth, especially during our trials and times of hardship. Let us come together to ensure that this sacred place receives the recognition and honor it so richly deserves. We are counting on your dedication to this important cause.

As many have suggested, feel free to utilize the template below to help shape the letters and emails you send to the heritage committee.  You can speak and write to the committee by reserving your spot on or before January 8.  The email is hertpb@toronto.ca, via phone 416-397-4592, or in person.

The city of Toronto provided further details on this matter below:

This meeting of the Toronto Preservation Board is being conducted with members of the Board, City officials and the public participating in person and remotely.

Wednesday, January 8, 2025, starting at 9:30 a.m.
City Hall, Committee Room 1/Video Conference

The Toronto Preservation Board will discuss the following Item:
3100 Weston Road – Notice of Intention to Designate a Property under
Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act
Anyone who wishes to watch the meeting in person can visit City Hall or connect using the Watch Live link on the agenda page that will be available on the day of the meeting. This link will direct you to Toronto City Council’s YouTube channel.

Link to Agenda
https://secure.toronto.ca/council/#/committees/2511/26288

To provide comments or make a deputation to the Toronto Preservation Board
The public may submit written comments or register to speak at the Toronto Preservation Board on any item on the agenda. Written comments may be submitted by writing to hertpb@toronto.ca .  To make a presentation to the Toronto Preservation Board, please register by email to hertpb@toronto.ca or by phone at 416-397-4592. Each speaker is allotted five (5) minutes to speak. Registered speakers will be provided with instructions on how to participate in the
meeting.

Notice to people writing or making presentations to the Toronto Preservation Board: The City of Toronto Act, 2006 and the City of Toronto Municipal Code authorize the City of Toronto to collect any personal information in your communication or presentation to City Council or its Committees or Boards. The City collects this information to enable it to make informed decisions on the relevant issue(s). If you are submitting letters, faxes, emails, presentations or other communications to the City, you should be aware that your name and the fact that you communicated with the City will become part of the public record and will appear on the City’s website. The City will also make your communication and any personal information in it – such as your postal address, telephone number or e-mail address – available to the public, unless you expressly request the City to remove it.

Many Committee, Board, and Advisory Body meetings are broadcast live over the internet for the public to view. If you speak at the meeting you will appear in the video broadcast.  Video broadcasts are archived and continue to be publicly available.
 
This agenda and any supplementary materials submitted to the City Clerk can be found online at www.toronto.ca/council . Visit the website for access to all agendas, reports, decisions and minutes of City Council and its Committees and Boards. Items with original signatures are kept on file with the City Clerk's Office and are available for viewing.

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Sample letter:

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing to express my deep and unwavering support for the designation of 3100 Weston Road, Toronto, known as the Marian Shrine of Gratitude, as a heritage site. This location is imbued with profound cultural and historical significance, evidenced by the thousands of visitors it has received. It serves as a beacon of hope, highlighting its role in community gatherings and the many documented cases of physical healing, reflecting its impact on those who have experienced an improvement in their well-being. Over the past two decades, this sacred site has welcomed visitors from Ontario, across Canada, and around the globe, becoming a beacon of hope for many. Numerous individuals have shared stories of restoration and renewed health after visiting and praying here.

The Marian Shrine of Gratitude holds a special place in my heart and the hearts of countless others. It has served as a serene sanctuary, offering peace and solace to those in distress. People could arrive at any hour, seeking refuge in its tranquil atmosphere, where they found comfort and spiritual healing amidst their struggles. The emotional bonds forged in this sacred space resonate with thousands in Toronto and beyond.

Despite its closure in 2023, the Marian Shrine of Gratitude continues to inspire devotion and longing in the hearts of many. The emotional impact of its closure is profound, as it remains a significant spiritual landmark for those who fervently pray for its revival. The overwhelming support of over 21,700 citizens rallying for its heritage designation underscores the strength of this cause and the indelible legacy of this cherished site for future generations.

Sincerely,

(Your Name)