bulletin – May 6

CHILDREN’S FAITH PROGRAM – AN OPPORTUNITY TO HELP!

Vivan Ng, who has been the coordinator for the past 7 years, will be retiring at the end of this school year. We are in need of a replacement. Our Children’s Faith Program consists of about 20 classes which are held at St. Gabriel’s School every other Sunday morning from 10 – 11AM. We are hoping that some of the parents whose children benefit from this program will come forward to coordinate this program. If you are interested in helping please call the parish office at 416-221-8866 and we will send you a job description. Please give this appeal serious consideration, especially f your child is in the Children’s Faith Program.

ST. GABRIEL’S CHILDREN’S FAITH PROGRAM

is designed for children from Senior Kindergarten to Grade 8 in our Parish who are attending either private or public school and wish to learn about our Catholic Faith. We are currently accepting new students for the 2007/2008 school year. Registration forms are available at the Parish Office. The deadline for enrollment is June 30, 2007. Volunteers to the program are always welcome. For more information, please call the Parish Office at 416-221-8866.

ANNOUNCED MASSES

Date Time Intentions
May 8 9:00AM ISADORE & ISABELLE PIRES req Family
May 10 9:00AM
May 11 9:00AM TULIO RAMIREZ req Family
May 12 4:30PM MARY MACAULAY req Don Macaulay & Family

SUNDAY COLLECTION: April 28/29, 2007

Total: $10,287

–>

4:30 8:30 10:30 12:30
Loose
Env. $
Total 2,259 2,188 3,597 2,243
# of Env. 120 114 152 74

CATHOLIC FAMILY SERVICES – LENDING A HELPING HAND

Catholic Family Services of Toronto helps individuals, couples and families to strengthen human relationships. The agency provides the following services: Counselling – individual, marriage, family and group; Wellness Groups – the aim of these groups is to provide education and information to assist people move through life’s transitions competently and successfully; Marriage Preparation and Family Life Office – provides extensive Marriage preparation program and other Family Life programs. People from all religious, cultural, and racial backgrounds are welcome.

2006 SHARELIFE TOTAL: $163,159.52
2007 TO DATE: $123,558.10

First Communion

A reminder to the parents of the children making their FIRST COMMUNION this year to call the parish office (416-221-8866) to arrange a short interview with Fr. Paul. The following dates for appointments are available: May 8, 9, 10, 1516, 17, 22, 23, 24, 30 and 31.

BAPTISMS – WELCOME!

CHLOE CECILIA SAMUEL-KAMAKA
CHASE KEON ATKINSON
ANN FRANCE MARAN PURCELL
JONATHAN ARTHUR CLARENCE ERSKINE
MARK GABRIEL SASU

TICKETS

for Fr. Paul’s Birthday Celebration will go on sale next weekend after all the Masses.

REPORT FROM OUR FOCUS FOR ECOLOGY COMMITTEE

How fortunate we are that our Toronto tap water is proven to be safe to drink. An added benefit is that a glass of tap water costs 1/800 of a penny, whereas bottled water costs up to $2.00 a bottle. By reducing our bottled water use, we also reduce the amount of plastic to be recycled. It is recommended that plastic water bottles should not be reused. For further information check one of the following:
www.inside the bottle.org
www.toronto.ca/water
www.kairoscanada.org
www.devp.org

DOORS OPEN TORONTO

St. Gabriel’s Parish will be taking part in this year’s Doors Open Toronto on Saturday May 26th and on Sunday May 27th. We need volunteers to host this event – showing our visitors around the Church and explaining different aspects of Canada’s First Green Church. If you are willing to help us on both or either one of these days, please call Marilyn or Marie at the parish office and they will fill you in on the details.

SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT de PAUL – Membership Invitation

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is an organization devoted to the assistance of our neighbours in need within the parish and also within the Greater Toronto Area. The scope of the latter activities is outlined on the St. Vincent de Paul poster on the notice board in the church gathering area. However, the principal and fundamental activity of members is to visit those looking for help, assess their needs and assist them in whatever manner is most appropriate, frequently in the provision of food, clothing and furniture. The St. Gabriel’s group or “Conference” is looking for new members. Anyone who is interested and would like to know more is invited to get in touch with Philip Taylor at 416 225-7750.

CASSEROLES FOR THE GOOD SHEPHERD CENTRE

Thank you to the volunteers who prepared 51 casseroles in April for the Good Shepherd Centre. For May, your prepared casseroles (frozen please) will be collected at the Masses on the weekend of May 26/27 for delivery to the Centre. More volunteers are encouraged to become active in helping to feed our less fortunate sisters and brothers. If you require more information or would like to get a copy of the recipe and a casserole pan, please contact Irene Albrecht at 416-221-2791.

MEGAN’S WALK: CREATING A CIRCLE OF HOPE

is named in honour of Meagan Bebenek who died of a malignant brain tumour. The sixth annual Walk will take place on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 13th with registration starting at 9:00 AM. A 5km event for all ages begins at Ontario Place and culminates at Sick Kids. Funds raised support paediatric brain tumour research at SickKids. For information, to register or to donate online, visit www.meaganswalk.com or call 416-239-7843.

FAITH CONNECTIONS’ THEOLOGY ON TAP

Sisters of St. Joseph invite you for a thought provoking social evening for young adults (19-39 yrs) where a speaker provides opportunity for discussion. On Monday May 14th, Archbishop Thomas Collins will be speaking about “Being a Christian Today” at Duke of York Pub, 39 Prince Arthur Ave. from 7 – 9 PM. Munchies provided. Come and bring a friend! For more info contact Vanessa Nicholas at 416-222-1426 ext 276 or faithconnections@csj-to.ca

LONGING FOR THE HOLY

…women who search for God
Single women, 18-40, are invited to a retreat weekend on May 25-27, given by a team of Sisters of St. Joseph. For information call Sister Dorothy: 416-934-0042.

Mosaic Souvenir Pictures

St. Gabriel’s Church Mosaic Souvenir Pictures are available again for purchase. Samples are in the office showcase. These are suitable for gift giving and as a nice remembrance of our old church.