Bulletin – March 4

In this week’s bulletin, the Lenten and Easter schedule, Mosaic Interfaith invites you to the Hindu spring festival of Holi, and the New Beginnings groups for those who have recently lost a loved one through death, separation or divorce.

LENTEN AND EASTER SCHEDULE 2012

Stations of the Cross
Friday Evenings at 7:30 PM

Palm Sunday – April 1st
Masses Sat.: 4:30 PM, Sun.: 8:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM

Holy Thursday – April 5th
No 9:00 AM Mass
7:30 PM Mass of the Lord’s Supper
Followed by Adoration until 10 PM

Good Friday – April 6th
10:00 AM Morning Prayer
3:00 PM Solemn Passion of Our Lord
7:30 PM Stations of the Cross

Holy Saturday – April 7th
Confessions 11:00 AM to 12 Noon
No 4:30 PM Mass
8:30 PM Easter Vigil

Easter Sunday – April 8th
Masses 8:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM

Easter Monday – April 9th
No 9:00 AM Mass
Office closed

There will be extra parking at Elkhorn Public School

ANNOUNCED MASSES

March 5th – March 10th, 2012

MONDAY – JOSE ELEP Requested by Zaida Elep
TUESDAY – JOSEPHINE FRANCIS Requested by Elaine Francis
WEDNESDAY –
THURSDAY –
FRIDAY –
SATURDAY – MARTIN SMEE Requested by The Smee Family

STATIONS OF THE CROSS

Stations of the Cross will take place each Friday evening during Lent at 7:30 PM. We also encourage your attendance at our daily Mass throughout Lent.

JUST A REMINDER

Daylight Savings Time begins next weekend. Please remember to set your clocks forward 1 hour on Saturday evening.

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.

The Miracles of Jesus (Continued)
Tuesday, March 10th at 7:30 PM
Wednesday, March 11th at 10:30 AM

FINANCE CORNER

Our operating expenses average $14,000 per week.

Collection for February 19th, 2012
Loose Change – 1,054
Envelopes (423) – $7,753
Weekly Portion of Pre-Authorized Giving (176) – $3,316
Total – $12,123

PRE-AUTHORIZED GIVING OPTION

The “Pre-Authorized Giving” Plan (PAG), authorized and supported by the Archdiocese of Toronto, is a direct debit program. It allows parishioners to make their regular offertory donations by automatic monthly bank withdrawal on or about the 20th of each month. Participation in the PAG provides a regular dependable cash flow of contributions to the parish and enables us to better manage the Parish finances. PAG brochures and sign-up forms are available in the Parish Office and on the tables at the back of the Church.

OFFERTORY ENVELOPES FOR 2012

Please pick up your 2012 Offertory Boxed Envelopes in the Gabriel Room. If you are not currently using parish envelopes and wish to have a set issued for next year, please contact the Parish Office. This is the most effective way to keep track of your donations. If you have recently changed your address or phone number, it would be helpful if you would let us know at this time.
We would like to remind you not to use envelopes from previous years as these numbers have been reassigned to other families.

PAG MEMBERS

If you are on the Pre- Authorized Giving Plan, you will still receive a smaller green box of envelopes, since these include Initial, New Year’s, Christmas, Easter and Maintenance envelopes. You will find your box on the table beside the regular offertory boxes in the Gabriel Room.

SHARELIFE

1st ShareLife Sunday – March 25, 2012
Together, we can work WONDERS

A donor has challenged parishioners, schools, employee groups and corporate supporters to match up to $650,000 in new and increased contributions to the 2012 ShareLife Campaign. Should we realize the maximum potential of this effort, over one million new dollars would be raised for the work of our agencies. At a time when our social service agencies are reporting increased demands for their services, these new funds would help to introduce new programs and reduce waiting times for services for the marginalized in our communities.

WORKING WONDERS FOR THE ELDERLY
Ever since he had difficulty living on his own and moved into the Houses of Providence 18 months ago, Basil has come to think of this as his home. His eyes light up when he shows staff and visitors the photos of his sons and grandchildren. And he can’t say enough about the quality of the meals, the entertainment, and the spiritual care. Basil appreciates the opportunity to observe religious celebrations during Christmas and Easter, and attending the daily Mass at the chapel. “The people here are wonderful,” he says. “They care about you, and for you. It’s all good – very good… even if I won the $50 million lottery, I’d still stay here if I could.”

More than 40,000 seniors in the GTA were involved in the programs and services offered by ShareLife agencies last year.

MARGUERITE BOURGEOYS FAMILY CENTRE

Weekend of March 17th/18th

To raise funds for the Marguerite Bourgeoys Family Centre, the Youth Group of St. Gabriel’s will once again be selling hand-made chocolate Easter eggs for $3.00 each or 2 for $5.00 before and after all the Masses on March 17th/18th.

Your support will help the Centre promote and maintain their service in the Diocese.

GOOD SHEPHERD CASSEROLES

Thank you to the volunteers who prepared 70 casseroles for February. For March, your prepared casseroles (frozen please) will be collected at the Masses on the weekend of March 28th/29th for delivery to the Good Shepherd Centre. There are now 3 different recipes available in the Parish Office or online at the Church website.

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 recipes and a casserole pan, please contact Irene Albrecht at 416 221-2791.

MOSAIC INTERFAITH

Hindu Spring Festival of Holi
Sunday, March 11 at 12 Noon
Vishnu Mandir Temple, 8640 Yonge St., Richmond Hill

Mosaic Interfaith invites you to attend the Hindu spring festival of Holi at the Vishnu Mandir Temple, 8640 Yonge St., Richmond Hill at 12noon on Sunday March 11. Flyers with important details about this event are posted on the notice boards so please check these if interested in going or phone Nora at 416 218 0680 for more information and to RSVP by March 7.

QUEEN OF APOSTLES RETREAT CENTRE

Women’s Lenten Retreat Weekend
March 23rd – 25th

Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre will present a Lenten Weekend Retreat for Women on the weekend of March 23rd to 25th. It will be facilitated by the Centre team. God can and does touch and heal hearts through presentations, private reflection and prayer, sharing, reconciliation and Eucharist. For reservation or further information, please call 905-278-5229.

NEW BEGINNINGS

For those who have lost a loved one through Death, Separation or Divorce.
Tuesday, March 6th
8:00 to 9:30 PM
Saint Bonaventure’s Church Hall



Come and join us for an informative evening with Dr. Jim Leonidas Ph.D. C. Psych. Dr. Jim is in private practice had has over 30 years experience in helping people grow to their full potential. The topic is “Steps in A Direction Towards Our Wholeness and Completeness.” The presentation will take place Tuesday March 6th from 8:00 PM to 9:30 PM. No registration required.
Location: Saint Bonaventure’s Church Hall, 1300 Leslie Street, Toronto, Ontario (on the west side of Leslie, south of Lawrence)
Enquiries:  Deacon James at  416-921-1163 ext. 2227 or email at jshaughn@cfstoronto.com





NEW BEGINNINGS WIDOW / WIDOWERS SUPPORT GROUP

St. Louis de France Church
March 16th – April 27th at 7:30 PM


Looking for hope and guidance after the death of a spouse? In an informal setting we meet for seven weeks, where we share and learn from each other. You are most welcome to join us as we seek answers to help prepare us for our new journey.

We will meet at St. Louis de France Church, 1415 Don Mills Road North York, On. (Don Mills South of York Mills on East side of Don Mills) Beginning Friday, March 16, 2012 @ 7:30 and going to April 27, 2012. The facilitator is Mary Muir.
To register call Deacon James Shaughnessy MSW., RSW., Psyn.D. at 416-921-1163 ext. 2227 or email jshaughn@cfstoronto.com