Bulletin – November 9, 2014

LEST WE FORGET

November 11th is Remembrance Day, a day to remember all who have served, and continue serving in our armed forces, especially those who have died and those wounded in battle. We pray for healing and peace; that one day, all peoples will lay down their arms and embrace one another as brothers and sisters in one human family.

CONGRATULATIONS ALEX!

Congratulation to one of our regular musicians, Alex Seredenko, who competed in the prestigious Canadian Chopin Festival last month. Alex won first prize in the senior division and will be competing in the preliminary round of the 17th International Fryderyk Chopin Competition to be held in Warsaw, Poland in April 2015. We are very proud of him and wish him every success in Warsaw!

ADVENT MISSION

“God is with us”: Bringing hope to those living in darkness

Saturday, December 6th from 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM

NOT TO BE MISSED – reflection with Fr. Rick Frechette CP on our Christian commitment that will be both inspiring and enriching!

Father Rick is a Passionist who went to Haiti 27 years ago to serve as a priest. Seeing the poverty and the dire need of the people there for medical care, he went back to the U.S. in his 40s, took up medical studies, and returned to Haiti as both a priest and a medical doctor. The needs of the people whom he served prompted him to give himself to their service by not only ministering to their spiritual needs, but their physical needs as well. His presence among the people of Haiti is truly an amazing witness of love.

At the beginning of the season of Advent, when we are preparing for Christmas, Fr. Rick will talk about our Christian commitment to share the Good News, especially with those who are living in the darkness of poverty, injustice, and slavery in its many forms. It will be an excellent opportunity for all parishioners to pause and look deeply. We encourage especially our young people to join us!

A simple lunch will be provided. Cost is $5 per person.

To register, please call the Parish Office at (416) 221-8866 or email fatimalee@bellnet.ca

NOVEMBER IS THE MONTH OF ALL SOULS

BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE

A Book of Remembrance has been placed on the altar for the month of November. You are invited to write the names of your deceased relatives and friends in the book. They will be remembered at all the Masses celebrated in November.

ANNOUNCED MASSES

November 10th to November 15th, 2014

MONDAY – WILLIAM TAM – Requested by Angela Tam
TUESDAY – ABANDONED SOULS – Requested by the Nguyen Family
WEDNESDAY – THOMAS JOSEPH BOYLE – Requested by Mary Anne Barnes
THURSDAY – TULIO RAMIREZ – Requested by the Family
FRIDAY – MARTIN SMEE – Requested by the Family
SATURDAY – GUS CALDERONE – Requested by the Family

MEETING FOR FIRST RECONCILIATION

Wednesday, November 12th, at 7:30 PM

St. Gabriel’s Church, Gabriel Room

On Wednesday, November 12th at 7:30 PM there will be a meeting in the Gabriel Room for parents of children who will be receiving the sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time.

CONFIRMATION ENROLLMENT CEREMONY

Sunday, November 23rd at the 12:30 PM Mass

The Confirmation Enrollment Ceremony for all Confirmation candidates will be held on Sunday, November 23rd at the 12:30 PM Mass. All Confirmation candidates must attend.

Candidates are reminded to submit their letters requesting Confirmation to Fr. Brando through the
Parish Office by Saturday, November 14th.

SHEPHERD’S TRUST COLLECTION

November 15th/16th

The Shepherd’s trust has a mission to provide comfort and care to those who have steadfastly cared for us – our retired priests.

Religious orders such as the Passionist Community have faithfully served the parish communities in the Archdiocese of Toronto for many years.

The Shepherd’s Trust ensures funds collected in parishes like St. Gabriel’s that are run by religious order priests be given to those orders as a contribution toward the retirement of its members.

The collection will take place in all parishes in the Archdiocese next weekend, on November 15th and 16th. Envelopes are in the pews.

We want our priests to retire safely and with dignity. The Shepherds’ Trust allows us to help achieve this goal. Your generosity is deeply appreciated.

PASSIONIST CHRISTMAS CARDS

Christmas cards will be available after all the Masses this weekend, Nov. 8th/9th. The suggested cost is $1.50 per card. All donations will go directly to support the Passionist Missions in Haiti, Honduras and Jamaica. Your support is invaluable in caring for the needy in some of the poorest communities of North America.

FOOD FOR ROSALIE HALL

Each month the food we collect is sent to Rosalie Hall. With everyone struggling at this time, these donations are more important than ever. Please check the expiry dates before donating since we cannot pass on food that has expired. Thank you for your generous support.

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

NORTH YORK RETIREES CLUB

Blessed Trinity Parish Hall

Tuesday, November 11th at 2:00 PM

The next meeting of the North York Retiree’s will be feature guest speaker Richard Fennes Clinton from Muddy York Walking Tours. He will speak about “life in Toronto in 1914”.
All retirees are cordially invited to attend.

AN EVENING OF CHORAL MUSIC WITH THE VOCAL CHAMBER CHOIR

Saturday, November 15th at 7:30 PM

St. Bonaventure’s Church
1300 Leslie Street

Vocal Horizons Chamber Choir presents an evening of beautiful choral music, featuring Brahms’ Requiem with conductor-Vincent Cheng, pianist-Joshua Tamayo, Soprano-Hazel Hetimier and Baritone-Chris Cheng on Saturday, November 15th at 7:30 PM here at the Church. Admission is free but donations would be greatly appreciated!

For more information, visit www.vocalhorizons.com

WOMEN’S FALL RETREAT

November 21st to 23rd

Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre
1617 Blythe Road, Mississauga

A Women’s Fall Retreat will be held at the Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre on the weekend of November 21st to November 23rd. It will preached by Fr. Peter Nowak, OMI and Mrs. Anne Hales. Single private rooms. Wonderful Cuisine Country in the City setting. Please call 905-278-5229 to reserve or for further information.

NEW BEGINNINGS ADVENT RETREAT

“Contemplative Advent Practices for Those Who Are Experiencing Loss”

St. Norbert’s Church, 100 Regent Road
Saturday, November 29th
10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Facilitators: Christine Rybka-Miki, Maureen McDonnell

FINANCE CORNER

Our operating expenses average $14,550 per week.

Offertory Collection for last weekend:
Envelopes 426 $ 10,016
Loose Change 1,276
Weekly Portion of Pre-Authorized Giving 163 3,057
Total 589 $ 14,349
Maintenance Collection $ 7,371

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 2015

The 2015 Offertory Boxed Envelopes will be available in the Gathering Space at the end of November. Please inform the Parish Office if you have recently moved or are new to the Parish so that we may update our records and label your box correctly.

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 may contact the Parish Office if you do not have envelopes but would like a box for 2015.

If you are moving out of the Parish or have a change of address, please contact the Parish Office at 416-221-8866 so that we can update our records. Thank you.