Bulletin – September 18

In this week’s bulletin: registration for sacraments and faith development, sponsoring an Iraqi refugee family, and the Thanksgiving food drive.

SUPPORTING YOUR SEPARATE SCHOOLS

With upcoming elections in October, the Archbishop wants to make sure that you good people are registered as Separate School Supporters. If you moved recently, then you have lost your Separate School Supporter status and must apply to be reinstated. Forms are available at the door of the Church to help you in this matter.
After the past regretful events of our School Board, it is important that we have a good turnout in October in order to revitalize our board and regain our credibility in the community.

ADULT FAITH DEVELOPMENT

Our journey of life and journey of faith are meant to converge at an early age. For many of us, however, we tend to grow physically, mentally, psychologically, etc., but remain at a childish level of understanding our faith. The following information is for those who wish to keep growing, to be able to enjoy the Good News of God’s love for us as members of God’s Church.

Monday Nights are R.C.I.A. Nights
R.C.I.A. (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) meetings begin on Monday, September 20th, 2010 at 7:30 PM. These evenings are for persons interested in learning about the Catholic Faith. Because the Parish Community itself is considered the official teacher and guide for potential new members, it is important that some parishioners participate by being present and by sharing their Faith in various ways. It is also an opportunity for “Born Catholics” to deepen their understanding of the faith. Adult Catholics who wish to celebrate the Sacrament of the Eucharist and/or Confirmation are welcome. For more information, please call Mary Landry at 416 – 221 – 8866.

AN INVITATION TO LEARN!

In past years, Tuesday evenings and Wednesday mornings have been devoted to religious topics decided on by those who wish to participate. We have studied and discussed parts of the Bible and Church history, viewed videos, listened to tapes and read short but substantial books about Christ and the Church.

On Tuesday evening, September 28th at 7:30 PM and again on Wednesday morning, September 29th at 10:30 AM, we will begin to study “The Story of the Mass.” The words and prayers of the Mass have evolved over the centuries and we will shortly see some changes in our celebration. You’re welcome to join us at either session.

SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN PREPARING FOR BAPTISM

If you have, or know of, school-age children (age 7 to 14) who wish to prepare for Baptism, please contact the Parish Office or Fatima Lee directly, at (416) 221-8866. Classes for them will begin in late September.

ANNOUNCED MASSES

September 20th – September 25th, 2010
MONDAY –FIORENTINO GIONNOTTA Requested by Lina Gionnotta & Family
TUESDAY – BONIFACIO YAO Requested by the Yao Family
WEDNESDAY – JUDITH MATYASFALVI Requested by the Family
THURSDAY – GERRY HATCH Requested by the Family
FRIDAY – HEUNG WAH & HANNAH LAM Requested by Boniface Fung & Maggie Lam
SATURDAY – GORDON OATWAY Requested by the Family

REGISTRATION FOR SACRAMENTS

School Age Children
Parish Office
October 12th, 14th, 19th, 21st 2010

Registration for children who wish to receive the Sacraments of First Communion, Reconciliation and Confirmation will be held at the Parish Office from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM on the following evenings:

  • Tuesday, October 12th,
  • Thursday October 14th,
  • Tuesday, October 19th,
  • Thursday, October 21st.

A copy of the child’s Baptismal Certificate is required if registering for first Communion or Confirmation.

ST GABRIEL’S MUSIC MINISTRY

“Those who sing pray twice.”

Our senior choir practices on Tuesday evenings, 7:30–9:00 PM and leads our singing at the 10:30 Sunday Mass celebration.  Our junior choir practices on Thursday evenings 6:30–8:00 PM and is at the 12:30 Mass.  We always welcome new voices and hope you will consider joining us!
Please call Marilyn at 416-221-8866, ext 225 for more information.

FINANCE CORNER

Our operating expenses average $14,000 per week.
Last week’s collection
Loose Change – $1,052
Envelopes (413) – $8,417
Weekly Portion of Pre-Authorized Giving (126) – $2,645 Total – $12,114
Maintenance – $2,316

ST. GABRIEL’S SPONSORS IRAQI REFUGEE FAMILY

St. Gabriel’s is sponsoring an Iraqi Christian family of five now living as refugees in Damascus, Syria. This family has been recommended to our Parish by the Archdiocese of Toronto’s Office of Refugees. There will be a second collection on the weekend of October 2/3 especially for the financial support of our refugee family.
To assist in understanding St. Gabriel’s sponsorship of an Iraqi Christian family, the following web sites are useful for background information on the refugee situation in Iraq:

Search the last two sites for Iraqi Christians.

There will be a meeting of the Iraqi Refugee Sponsorship Committee on September 21, 2010 in the library at 7:30 PM. New members/volunteers are welcome.

GOOD SHEPHERD CENTRE THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE

Currently, Parish Food Drives helped Good Shepherd Ministries serve more than 1,000 meals a day to people who would have otherwise have gone hungry. Please help the homeless and hungry within our community by participating in this year’s annual Thanksgiving Food Drive.
Urgently needed items include:

  • rice, breakfast cereals,
  • tea, ground and instant coffee, powdered fruit juices
  • canned soups, stews, meats, fish, fruits and vegetables,
  • pasta and pasta sauce,
  • peanut butter, jam, sugar,
  • cookies and crackers,
  • ketchup, mustard and relish.

Your kind donations will make all the difference!

PAKISTAN FLOOD RELIEF – SHARELIFE

The Federal Government has committed to match all contributions for Flood Relief in Pakistan made to eligible charities between August 2nd and October 3rd, 2010.
Those wishing to help through a financial contribution to this fund may do so in the following ways:

  • Online through ShareLife’s website: www.sharelife.org
  • By phone through the ShareLife office – 416-934-3411 or 1-800-263-2595
  • Through the parish, making cheques payable to: ShareLife – St. Gabriel’s – Floods – Pakistan

Kindly include in your prayers and Mass intentions those people in Pakistan who have died and those who continue to suffer as a result of the floods. Thank you for your ongoing efforts to serve those in need, both here at home and around the world.

BISHOP’S COLLECTION SEPTEMBER 25th/26th FOR THE NEEDS OF THE CHURCH IN CANADA

The annual Collection for the Needs of the Church in Canada will held in parishes across the nation on September 25th and 26th. Funds will be used by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops to represent Canadian Catholics in national and international pastoral activity, including social justice, ecumenical and interfaith relations, collaboration with Aboriginal Peoples, life and family issues, liturgy, catechesis, doctrine and relations with Catholic associations and movements.
In addition to contributions, we are also asked to pray for the work of the Bishops and to participate in and cooperate with the various projects of the CCCB. For more information please visit www.cccb.ca

GOOD SHEPHERD CENTRE CASSEROLES

Your prepared chicken rice casseroles (frozen please) will be collected at all the Masses next weekend, September 25th /26th for delivery to the Good Shepherd Centre. More volunteers are encouraged to pick up a copy of the casserole recipe and a pan. Why not give it a try?
For more information, please contact Irene Albrecht at 416-221-2791.

CONVERSATIONAL FRENCH

The Conversational French Group will continue to meet on Thursday Mornings from10:00 to 11:00 AM in the Library. Anyone interested is welcome.
For more information, please contact Sarah at 416-222-7117.

BLESSED TRINITY C.W.L. WELCOME BACK AFTERNOON TEA

Wednesday, September 22 at 1:00 PM
Blessed Trinity Parish Hall.

All the ladies of the parish are cordially invited to the first General Meeting of the Blessed Trinity C.W.L. for the Fall on Wednesday, September 22 in Blessed Trinity Parish Hall.  There will be a Mass at 1:00 PM, followed by a meeting and a special guest speaker – Lidia Furgiuele of Studio 786
from Shops on Steeles.  She will be demonstrating how to enhance your fashions with scarves and jewellery.
Wonderful refreshments will be served so bring your friends and come and meet new people.

MARRIAGE ENRICHMENT WEEKEND

Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre

Good marriages don’t just happen. Schedule a marriage enrichment weekend at Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre and treat yourselves to a second honeymoon. The Centre offers comfort, excellent cuisine and an inspiring program. The next weekend will be on October 1st – 3rd.
For information, please call 416-694-1742, 905-829-0116 or register at Queen of Apostles, 905-278-5229.