Bulletin – May 12, 2013

Happy Mother’s Day

To all the Mothers, Grandmothers and Stepmothers, we wish you a very happy Mother’s day. May you be blessed with the graces you need, with courage, compassion patience and peace.

UPDATE ON OUR IRAQI FAMILY

As some of you may recall, our Iraqi refugee family left Damascus amidst heavy fighting last July, and arrived safely in Toronto.

Through your amazing generosity and support, and the hard work of our refugee committee, they have settled in extremely well. The youngest of the family, Reta, will be completing Grade 6. She loves school. The progress in her spoken English is truly impressive. Kharam and Athear, her two uncles and her mother have been working very hard on their English as well. They are still attending ESL classes, with Athear reaching already Level 4 in proficiency. The family keeps telling us how grateful they are for the opportunity to come to Canada and for your support, and what a difference that has made to their lives.

The time is coming, however, when our financial commitment to the family will end. Once again we are asking for your help. It is very important that Athear and Kharam find jobs so they can be responsible for their family’s support. Both men have worked in construction, and as stone masons; they have also done ceramic tiling. The men are eager to work; they are ready to consider working in any job available. If you are hiring or know of a friend who is, could you please contact Fatima Lee at the parish — (416) 221-8866 or email at fatimalee@bellnet.ca.

BIBLE FOR BEGINNERS

 

Tuesday, May 14th at 7:30 PM or
Thursday, May 16th at 10:30 AM

Topic: An Overview of the Old Testament – now known as the ‘Hebrew Scriptures’. For information please call Mary at 416-293-3760.

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.

ANNOUNCED MASSES

May 13th to May 18th, 2013

MONDAY – KEVIN TATAKI Requested Violet Pung
TUESDAY – FRANCIS RODRICKS Requested by Alcuin & Margaret Noronha
WEDNESDAY – BONA KIM Requested by Suzanne Kim
THURSDAY – JUAN ABENINA Requested by the Teresita Magpayo
FRIDAY – ANA SOFIA NASCIMENTO & THE DECEASED MEMBERS OF THEIR FAMILY Requested by the Nascimento Family
SATURDAY – EDNA & GERRY HATCH Requested by the Family

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL BUNDLE-UP COLLECTION

Weekend of May 11th & 12th

The Society for St. Vincent de Paul will hold their annual Bundle Up Collection on the weekend of May 11th/12th. Bring your gently used clothing and household linens to share with others. A St. Vincent de Paul truck will be in the Church parking lot to receive donations. We will donate or sell these donations to support our outreach efforts. Thank you for your continued support. The truck will be open on Saturday, May 11th from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM and all day Sunday, May 12th until 4:00 PM. Volunteers will assist with the loading before and after each Mass.

SHARELIFE

Working wonders for the elderly…

Mary was a recently retired teacher and care worker and wanted to volunteer through her parish. She was recommended to Society of Sharing and connected to Frankie, a blind 84 year old artist who needed a friendly visitor to help with shopping and her computer. “Society of Sharing is great… a small agency that provides wonderful volunteers for friendly visiting. I love the work they do”. In addition, over 700 seniors in need of more personalized attention received residential care.

SHARELIFE COMMUNITY CHALLENGE

Through the ShareLife Community Challenge, a generous parishioner in the Archdiocese of Toronto will match all new or increased gifts to the 2013 ShareLife Campaign up to a total of $800,000! Together, as a Catholic community, we have an opportunity to respond to this challenge and make a significant impact on the work of our agencies.

ShareLife Total for 2012: $208,317
Share Life to Date: 85,391.80

Third ShareLife collection – May 26, 2013. Please give generously. You can work wonders!

CAN YOU HELP ST. VINCENT DE PAUL?

One of our neighbors in need is a seamstress and would make good use of a sewing machine. If you don’t use your sewing machine any more, please consider donating it to this good woman. Someone from the St. Vincent de Paul Society will pick it up. Call Fran at 416-223-0936.

JUST COFFEE

Fair trade organic coffees will be on sale after all the Masses next weekend.

  • Regular ground coffee: $5.50
  • Decaffeinated: $6
  • Whole Beans: $5.50
  • Chocolate Bars: $4 incl. Taxes
  • Hot Chocolate and Cocoa: $4.75
  • Teas: $4.25

FINANCE CORNER

Our operating expenses average $14,550 per week.

Collection for May 5th, 2013

Envelopes (414) – $8,318
Loose Change – $983
Weekly Portion of Pre-Authorized Giving (186) – $3,555
Total – $12,856

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

THEOLOGY ON TAP: THE CHALLENGES OF THE CONTEMPORARY CHURCH

Monday, May 27, 2013 — 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Duke of York Pub, 39 Prince Arthur Ave, Toronto

Young adults (19-39) are invited to join the Sisters of St. Joseph for an evening of thought-provoking theological discussion in a comfortable and relaxed setting, with special guest: Cardinal Thomas Collins, Archbishop of Toronto. He will speak about the challenges he sees for the Canadian Church in the context of the New Evangelization and the Year of Faith. Young adults are encouraged to RSVP to reserve a spot. Call Vanessa Nicholas-Schmidt at 416-467-2645 or visit www.faithconnections.ca — a ministry of Fontbonne Ministries, Sisters of St. Joseph, Toronto.

QUEEN OF APOSTLES RENEWAL CENTRE, MISSISSAUGA: MEN’S ACT RETREAT

May 30- June 2, 2013

Come deepen your faith through Adoration, Community, Theology, and Service. For more information please contact: Anthony at 416-859-0687 or the Centre at 905-278-522.

A SPRING CONCERT PRESENTED BY ‘THE SERAPHIM’

Saturday, June 1st at 7:30PM
St. Gabriel’s Parish

On Saturday, June 1st, the gentlemen of ‘The Seraphim’ (alumni of St. Michael’s Choir School) will be performing a spring concert, featuring a diverse arrangement of music that will be sure to please all ages. All proceeds will be used to fund a scholarship created by the graduating class of 2003 in memory of their classmate Andrew Bezjak, who died tragically that year. Tickets can be purchased for $10/person or $30/family of 4, and would make a great Mother’s Day gift! This will be a spectacular evening, and we hope that you can join us! For information, please contact Fletcher Agostino at fletcheragostino@gmail.com.

SEEING WITH HEART – DAY OF REFLECTION

Catholic Parents of Lesbian Daughters and Gay Sons
Saturday, June 8th, 2013 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Manresa Jesuit Retreat Centre’

A retreat for Catholic parents of lesbian daughters and gay sons will be held at the Manresa Jesuit Retreat Centre, 2325 Liverpool Road in Pickering on Saturday, June 8th. The cost for the day including lunch is $40.00. For Brochure and information call John Montague at 416-523-6449.

MARRIED COUPLES RETREAT

June 15th – June 17th, 2013

Another honeymoon is a perfect way for a couple to celebrate their marriage. Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre offers married couples the privacy, comfort, hospitality and inspiring program that encourage couples to continue exploring their lives together. The next weekend is June 15th to June 17th. For more information please telephone: 905-278-8879, 905-829-0116 or 416-694-1742. To register call Queen of Apostles: 905-278-5229.

PILGRIMAGE TO CANADIAN SHRINES

Saturday, June 22nd to Tuesday, June 25th

The 28th annual pilgrimage to the Canadian Shrines endorsed by Blessed Trinity Parish will take place Saturday, June 22nd to Tuesday, June 25th. For more information, please contact Mary Salvador  at 416-497-7059 or Judith Morris-Mazzona at 905-886-4022.