Bulletin – June 16, 2013

FROM THE DESK OF FR. PAUL

Good people of St. Gabriel’s, I want to share with you some developments that will take place in our parish in the near future. Cardinal Collins has approved our Provincial’s nomination of Fr. Brando Recana’s appointment as Pastor of St. Gabriel’s as of July 7, 2013. This is good news for all of us. You good people know Fr. Brando very well. He will be a fine and kind Pastor to all of you and I know you will stand by him as you’ve stood by me.

I will continue to live in our residence and help Brando on the weekends but will not be part of the parish team. Because I won’t be “leaving”, there won’t be any kind of going away “do”. The parish staff is planning a reception after each Mass on the weekend of June 22nd/23rd just to give me a chance to say thank you to all of you for being wonderful and supportive parishioners these past many years.

A RETIREMENT GIFT FOR FATHER PAUL

Many of us in the parish are saddened by the news of the retirement of Father Paul.  At the same time, we are deeply grateful for his many years of ministry among us.

The parish staff has received enquires from
many parishioners about gift ideas.  One possibility is a retirement trip for Father Paul.  If you would like to participate in this gift-giving, you’ll be able to leave your gift either as cheque or cash in a gift basket in the Gathering Space on the weekend of June 15th /16th as well as June 22nd /23rd. Cheques should be made payable to St. Gabriel’s Parish with a notation on the memo line – Fr. Paul’s Gift. No tax receipts will be issued for your gift.

Nurture your creativity and help a community in need …

The parish staff has also come up with an additional idea: instead of buying a commercially-produced card for Father Paul, we suggest you take one of the blank cards we provide (available on the weekends of June 8th, 9th and again on June 15th, 16 in the Gathering Space), design and decorate it in whatever way your creativity may lead you and bring it back the following weekend.  We’ll gather the cards and present them together to Father Paul as a community tribute.

At the same time, we are asking you to consider donating the equivalent amount of what you would have paid for a commercial card — $1, $3, or $5. There will be a collection box in the Gathering Space on the weekends of June 15th /16th and June 22nd /23rd. The money collected from this will be donated to World Vision towards buying animals for impoverished communities in some developing country. That way we can save some trees and families in need can be enriched and empowerered.

ANNOUNCED MASSES

June 17th to June 22nd, 2013

MONDAY – MARIA ROSARIO CALIMBAS Requested by the Family
TUESDAY – CELINE CHIU KO Requested by Mary Zakher, Helena Tham & Sarah Fernandes
WEDNESDAY – ABANDONED SOULS Requested by the Nguyen Family
THURSDAY – HO YEUNG YUEN-WAH Requested by Wai Chin, Paul & Family
FRIDAY – GUS CALDERONE Requested by Marie Calderone
SATURDAY – AMPARO VILLAFRANCA Requested by the Family

CHILDREN’S FAITH PROGRAM REGISTRATION

Registration forms for the Children’s Faith Program for next year are now available in the Parish Office. Please note that all registrations must be returned by June 30th, 2013.

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.

R.C.I.A. (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) meetings begin

In the fall. 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 the Parish Office at 416-221-8866.

MARRIAGE PREPARATION COURSE

Weekend of September 27th to September 29th

A Marriage Preparation Course for parishioners who wish to be married in the Catholic Church will be held here at St. Gabriel’s on the weekend of September 27th to September 29th. Interested couples should contact the Parish Office at 416-221-8866 or by email at stgabrielsparish@bellnet.ca for more information.

SHARELIFE

ShareLife Total for 2012: $208,317
Share Life to Date: $155,042.43

DONATE YOUR OLD EYE GLASSES

Have you been cleaning out drawers and cupboards? Perhaps you have come across old eye glasses which are of no use to you. According to The World Health Organization, 153 million people have uncorrected refractive errors (near-sightedness, far-sightedness or astigmatism). Most of these vision impairments are quickly diagnosed and easy to treat with corrective lenses. You can help by donating your old eyeglasses. Glasses will be sent to the Lions Club for distribution to the needy in developing countries. Donated glasses may be left in the box provided in the Parish Office.

BREAKING NEWS!

Bundle-Up Weekend September 8th/9th

There will be a Bundle-Up Weekend on September 8th/9th. Start today to gather gently used clean clothes for the weekend after Labour Day.

CHURCH BULLETIN ADVERTISING

Liturgical Publications will be setting up the advertisements for our church bulletin. The advertising which begins in September 2013 provides the finances to produce our bulletin. Please support the bulletin and advertise your product or service. Call Liturgical Publications at 905-624-4422.

8th ANNUAL CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT IN SUPPORT OF SENIORS

Tuesday, June 18th, 2013
Remington Parkview Golf & Country Club
6400 Steeles Avenue East, Markham, Ontario

You are invited to participate in or sponsor the 8th Annual Charity Golf Tournament in support of seniors. It is to be held on June 18th at the Remington Parkview Golf and Country Club. For more information, please see the flyer on the bulletin board or contact Bernard Boreland by phone at 905-884-9276 or by email at Bernard.boreland@mariannhome.ca .

PARISH PICNIC

Sunday, June 30th after the 12:30 Mass

The Parish BBQ Picnic will be held on Sunday, June 30th after the 12:30 Mass in the parking lot. There will be hot dogs, games, face painting, lucky draws, music and more….. Please bring your families, friends and neighbours to enjoy a hot summer afternoon with your parishioners. We need volunteers to help make this event happen. Please sign up your name on the sheets at the back of church. For more information you may call Linda Law at 416-918-8029.

NEW BEGINNINGS SUMMER LUNCHEON & SPEAKER: Christine Rybka Miki

Saturday, June 22 – 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Catholic Pastoral Centre, 1155 Yonge St. 4th Floor

Exploring our relationship with God during times of loss and grief through the practice of the Awareness Examen, Lectio Divina and Mindfulness Meditation. Please RSVP by Monday, June 17th to agamelo@cfstoronto.com or at 416-921-1163 ext. 2236.

QUEEN OF APOSTLES OPEN HOUSE

August 10th 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Come and celebrate with us…Queen of Apostles is celebrating 50 years of serving the Church, the Archdiocese and the Community. Come reminisce with us. Our Open House takes place on Saturday, August 10th, 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The official segment will take place at 2:00 PM. Canapés & refreshments will be available all day.

RETROUVAILLE: HELP FOR HURTING MARRIAGES

A Live-in Weekend followed by sessions to help heal troubled marriages.

Retrouvaille is a Catholic based program supported by Cardinal Collins to help alleviate marriage breakdown. The next weekend will be September 20th to 22nd, 2013. For confidential inquiries or to register call 416-281-6007. For more information go to www.torontoretrouvaille.com

FINANCE CORNER

Our operating expenses average $14,550 per week.
Collection for June 9th, 2013

Envelopes (415) – $8,834
Loose Change – $1,114
Weekly Portion of Pre-Authorized Giving (186) – $3,545
Total – $13,493

Please remember to put your full name(s) on your Offertory envelopes.