Bulletin – March 16, 2014

FIRST COMMUNION INTERVIEWS

Interviews for children who wish to receive their First Communion are now being scheduled.

Those children attending the Children’s Faith Program, private schools or others are asked to choose one of the following dates: March 31st, April 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 28th, 29th, 30th, May 1st, or May 2nd.

Children from St. Gabriel’s School are asked to choose one of the following dates: May 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, or 16th.

Please call the Parish Office to book your appointment with Fr. Brando as soon as possible.

ANNOUNCED MASSES

March 17th to March 22nd, 2014

MONDAY – ROSHIN JOSEPH – Requested by Thomas Callaghan
TUESDAY – ARMAND OAKIE – Requested by the Family
WEDNESDAY – OLIVIA BARRON – Requested by the Family
THURSDAY – LOUISE ZOLNAY – Requested by Maggie
FRIDAY – ANTHONY KANG – Requested by Paul & Wai Chin Hwang
SATURDAY – GIUSEPPE CLEMENTINA – Requested by Chiara Intini & 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.

FIRST RECONCILIATION

Saturday, March 29th at St. Gabriel’s Church at 2:00 P.M.

First Reconciliation for children attending St. Gabriel’s School, as well as those in the Children’s Faith Program and children attending Private Schools will be held at St. Gabriel’s Church on Saturday, March 29th at 2:00 P.M.

WIDOW/WIDOWER SUPPORT GROUP

St. Gabriel’s Church
1st and 3rd Fridays beginning March 21st from 7:30 to 9:00 P.M.

Coordinated by the New Beginnings Program at Catholic Family Services of Toronto, this support group welcomes widows and widowers to a gathering which is full of hope and faithful sharing of ideas. The group is facilitated by Mary Muir. Please register with Deacon James Shaughnessy at 416-921-1163, ext. 2227 or by email at jshaughn@cfstoronto.com.

FINANCE CORNER

Our operating expenses average $14,550 per week.

Collection for last weekend:

Envelopes 398 $ 6,583
Loose Change $ 944
Weekly Portion of PAG 177 $ 3,307

Total $10,834

Maintenance Collection: $ 7,453

Please read the 2013 financial statements of the Parish included with today’s bulletin, along with comments from the Financial Council.

DIRECTION OF SCHOOL SUPPORT

If you have been a Separate School Supporter and have moved, you may not realize that your tax support automatically defaults to the Public School system. If you would like to be a Separate School supporter, please pick up a form in the Parish office.

SHARELIFE

Working wonders in our livelihoods…

Andrew attended counselling at Catholic Family Services in Simcoe at the suggestion of his employer. He was experiencing a considerable amount of conflict at work which was affecting his job performance. Andrew realized that if he didn’t get some help, he would be at risk of losing his job. Through counselling he learned more positive ways of interacting, as well as some healthy stress management skills. Today, Andrew has fewer conflicts at work and has learned how to separate his work and home life. He appreciated the help that Catholic Family Services provided to him when he needed it most. Last year, ShareLife-supported Family Service agencies provided family counselling to over 5,100 people in the Greater Toronto Area.

First ShareLife Sunday – March 30, 2014
Please give generously. You can work wonders!

CANADIAN TIRE MONEY – MATERCARE

We are collecting Canadian Tire money in support of Matercare International. This association of Catholic Obstetricians and Gynecologists working in developing countries is dedicated to improving the lives and health of mothers and their children, both unborn and born, through initiatives of service, training, research and advocacy. Thank you for your continuing support of this worthwhile campaign.

MILK BAGS INTO BED MATS

Did you know that the plastic, outer bags from four litres of milk can be woven into quick-dry, bug-resistant bed mats for flood-ravaged areas of the third world, like Haiti. This gives them a practical use since they take 40 to 100 years to decompose. A bin has been placed in the gathering space for the collection of bags. Please remember to rinse out and dry bags before depositing them. Thank you.

DAY OF RECOLLECTION

Blessed Trinity Church
Tuesday, March 18th from 9:00 A.M. to 2:30 P.M.

The Catholic Women’s League at Blessed Trinity Parish will be holding a Day of Recollection on Tuesday, March 18th from 9:00 A.M. to 2:30 P.M. The retreat will be led by Fr. Fred Mazzarella, under the theme “Walking with Jesus.” Holy Mass, confessions and Holy Rosary will be held as well. Refreshments and a warm luncheon will be served. Tickets are $20.00 each and may be requested from Louise Tonelli at 416-733-3946 or Anne Chang at 416-497-7739.

FREE ESTATE PLANNING SEMINAR

Holy Cross Cemetery
8361 Yonge Street, Thornhill
Saturday, March 22nd at 9:00 A.M.

Catholic Cemeteries and the Archdiocese estate planning team will share:
– How to protect your loved ones with a proper Will
– How to ensure your wishes are legally protected
– About Powers of Attorney
– The cost savings of making an estate plan
– Finding lawyers and estate planning advisors
– Our Catholic traditions around wills, burials and funerals

An estate planning kit and DVD will be provided at no cost. Refreshments will be provided.
RSVP: Frank Jannetta, Catholic Cemeteries
416.733-8544 ext. 237 or fjannetta@ccat.on.ca

WORLD WATER DAY REGIS COLLEGE

St. Joseph’s Chapel, Regis College,
100 Wellesley St. West
Saturday, March 22nd from 10:00 A.M. to 3:30 P.M. followed by a Vigil Mass for Peace at 4:30 P.M.

Regis College celebrates World Water Day with a theological workshop exploring the scientific, religious and spiritual significance of water. Journalist and author Alanna Mitchell, eco-theologian Prof. Dennis O’Hara, and Jesuit ecologist Fr. John McCarthy will focus on water as fundamental to our Catholic faith. For information and registration go to:
https://www.z2systems.com/np /clients/regis/event.jsp?event=271