Bulletin – January 16

In the bulletin this week, your last opportunity to get your photo in the Photo Church Directory, the collection drive for new immigrants and refugees and a letter from Fr. Rick.

FROM THE DESK OF FR. PAUL

This past week, we observed the first anniversary of the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti. You good people were so generous in your response to aid Passionist priest
Fr. Rick Frechette who runs the only free pediatric hospital there. This past year he has been rebuilding the hospital, running an orphanage, conducting street schools, treating cholera patients and burying the unknown dead. Recently Fr. Rick wrote about the past year in Haiti:

It was a year that revealed God near to us, so near in suffering, God using my arms and yours, my feet and yours, my anguished heart and yours to run to those whose voices no one else hears or pays attention to. It was unbelievable, the worldwide solidarity, not only the sending of money and resources we needed desperately but coming personally to help. …A sad year has shown us almost nothing but greatness: the greatness of God, the greatness of the friend and of the stranger, the greatness inside us.

Fr. Rick

Please keep him and his helpers in your prayers and pray too for the good people of Haiti.

ANNOUNCED MASSES

January 17th – January 22nd, 2011

MONDAY – DIANA KONG Requested by Christine Pang
TUESDAY – EILEEN CALDERONE Requested by Marie Calderone
WEDNESDAY – THOMAS DONAGHY Requested by the Donaghy Family
THURSDAY – PETER YANG Requested by Paul Yang
FRIDAY – ABANDONED SOULS
SATURDAY – CHRISOPHER CIULLA Requested by Ciulla Family

MEETING FOR FIRST RECONCILIATION AND HOLY COMMUNION

Thursday, January 20th, at 7:30 PM

On Thursday, January 20th at 7:30 there will be a meeting for parents only of children who will be receiving the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Communion for the first time. The meeting will be held here in the Church.
The books We Discover God’s Path and We Share in the Eucharist will be distributed at that time. Please ensure that you get 2 books and help your child learn and review the content.

AN INVITATION TO LEARN!

The Story of the Mass
Tuesday January 25th at 7:30 PM
Wednesday, January 26th at 10:30 AM

TORONTO CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION

Registration for Junior Kindergarten children for the school year September 2011 – June 2012 began in our school (and Board wide) on January 3, 2011. Children registering for Junior Kindergarten in September must be four years of age by December 31, 2011 (born in the year 2007).
Any children registering for Senior Kindergarten, who are new to our school, must be five years of age by December 31, 2010 (born in the year 2006).
Documents required for registration are:

  • Baptismal certificate
  • Birth certificate
  • Immunization records
  • Landed Immigrant Status (if not born in Canada)
  • Child’s Health Card Number and other relevant telephone numbers

Please call to book an appointment

COLLECTION DRIVE FOR NEW IMMIGRANTS/REFUGEES

This Weekend – January 15th/16th

“Becoming Neighbours” is a joint ministry of nineteen religious congregations of men and women in Toronto (the Passionists included) to serve as companions to new immigrants and refugees during the latter’s initial adjustment in Canada, so as to ease their adaptation to life in Toronto.

Most of us have been blessed with abundance. In the spirit of sharing, St Gabriel’s has organized a collection drive, on behalf of Becoming Neighbours, during this weekend, January 15th/16th, 2011. This year they are asking specifically for gently used winter clothes.

We take this opportunity to collect also for the Iraqi refugee family that the parish is sponsoring. Clothing collected that would fit members of the family will be set aside for them. Whatever help you can give will be much appreciated.

ST. GABRIEL’S YOUTH GROUP DUG A WELL!

Many thanks to the talented Youth Group who performed during the Musical Night Concert in December to raise funds for a water system for the Indigenous people in the Philippines. This noble project will give access to clean water to about 700 people in the area.

The concert raised $1700. They also collected $600 from their bake sale in November. In total, $2500 was sent to the Philippines! A big thank you to all the generous parishioners who supported the communal effort of our Youth Group.

SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul tries to bring help to our neighbours who are in urgent need of assistance. Anyone looking for help should call 416-740-6006 and leave their name and phone number. They will then be contacted in order to determine their needs and arrange a meeting.

OFFERTORY ENVELOPES FOR 2011

Your offertory envelopes are now available in the Gathering Space. Please pick yours up as soon as possible.

It is very important that you write your name and address on your new 2011 envelopes for the month of January. This will ensure that you are given proper credit for your donations.

If the address on your box is incorrect, please inform the Parish Office so that we can update our records.If you do not receive offertory envelopes and would like to do so, please call the office at 416-221-8866 and we will prepare a box for you.

TAX RECEIPTS

Tax receipts for donations made in 2010 will be mailed to you by the end of February. If you have changed your address or if you are moving out of the Parish, please notify the Parish Office at 416-221-8866.

COLLECTION

Our operating expenses average $14,000 per week.

January 8th/9th
Loose Change – $1,264
Envelopes (470) – $8,941
Weekly Portion of Pre-Authorized Giving (136) – $2,758
Total – $12,963

COFFEE AFTER WEEKEND MASSES

Every week we see many familiar faces at church, but we never have a chance to get
to know them. This year as a pilot project, the parish is hosting four “coffee and cookies” gathering, one for each of the weekend masses, so that everyone can have the opportunity to mingle and chat, and be a part of community.
These gatherings have been very well received.
The next gathering will be held after the 12:30 PM Mass next Sunday, January 23rd, 2011.

Please join us if you can! See you there.

PHOTO CHURCH DIRECTORY

Last Opportunity for Photos
February 4th and 5th

IPC Canada Photo Services Inc. has been taking photos for a parish pictorial directory to celebrate the 60th anniversary of St. Gabriel’s Parish in 2011.
February 4th and 5th will be the final photo days. Tables are set up the Gathering Space to give you one last opportunity to make an appointment to have your photo taken.

CHINESE NEW YEAR PARTY

Sunday, February 13th, 2011.

Our celebration of Chinese New Year will take place on February 13th after the 12:30 PM Mass in the Gathering Space. This is an event organized for the whole parish community. Please mark your calendars!

THE GREEN CORNER

ALANNA MITCHELL and Sea Sick
Wednesday, January 19, 7:30 PM
Beach United Church, 140 Wineva Ave.

In her international best-selling book Sea Sick: The Global Ocean in Crisis, Canadian journalist and author Alanna Mitchell takes readers on a journey of discovery of the sad state of our ocean.
On January 19, 7:30 PM at Beach United Church (Wineva Avenue, just North of Queen St. East), Alanna will speak about the ecological crises facing us today.