Bulletin – November 6, 2016

LEST WE FORGET

November 11th is Remembrance Day, a day to remember all who have served, and continue to serve 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!

On Saturday October 29th, three altar servers from St. Gabriel’s Parish received the “Bishop’s Altar Server Award for Service during the 31st Annual Altar Servers Awards Ceremony at St. Paul’s Basilica. We offer our sincere thanks and congratulations to the following altar servers:
Derek Aubrey
Adrian D’Silva
David Colaco

The parish is truly grateful to all of its altar servers for their participation at the celebration of the Eucharist and ceremonies throughout the Church year.

HOLOCAUST EDUCATION WEEK

Monday, November 7th at 7:30 PM

St. Gabriel’s Passionist Parish

For many years, St. Gabriel’s Parish has participated in the Holocaust Education Week. This year, we will be co-sponsoring the event with the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem.

On Monday, November 7th at 7:30 PM we will present the film Return to the Hiding Place. When the Nazis began killing Jews in Holland during World War II, a group of youth decided to save the lives of the innocent. Corrie ten Boom’s army of untrained teenagers navigate a deadly labyrinth of challenges to rescue the Jewish people in one of history’s most famous dramas. Suspected of breaking the rules, Corrie and her sister Betsie were eventually sent to a concentration camp. There it was their Christian faith that kept them from despair and bitterness. All, especially our young people, are encouraged to attend. Admission is free.

NOVEMBER IS THE MONTH OF ALL SOULS

BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE

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

MEETING FOR FIRST RECONCILIATION

Wednesday, November 16th at 7:30 PM

St. Gabriel’s Church, Gabriel Room

On Wednesday, November 16th 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.

“LEANING INTO THE LIGHT” ADVENT RETREAT

Preacher: Fr. Bob Joerger CP

Saturday, December 10th from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM

St. Gabriel’s Church

In a few weeks, we will begin the season of Advent, a time to prepare ourselves for the celebration of Christmas. In Advent, we are called to stay awake as we keep vigil, with our eyes set on the light, and not let ourselves be too carried away by the unnecessary care and concerns of the Christmas Season. Please consider joining us for a few hours of quietude in prayer and reflection.

The preacher for our Advent Retreat this year will be Father Robert Joerger, CP. Father Bob is the Provincial of the Passionists of the St. Paul of the Cross Province. Many of you have met him when he last visited St. Gabriel’s. He has touched many hearts with his preaching.

The topic of our Advent Retreat is “Leaning into the Light”. It will be held on Saturday, December 10th from 1:00 to 4:00 PM at St. Gabriel’s Parish. Come and be prepared to be inspired and be challenged to a deeper relationship with God.

All are welcome. There is no cost to attend. However, donations will be gratefully accepted. For more information, please call the parish office at 416-221-8866, or email fatimalee@bellnet.ca

The retreat will begin at 1:00 PM sharp. Please plan on arriving a little earlier.

CONFIRMATION ENROLLMENT CEREMONY

Sunday, November 20th at the 12:30 PM Mass

The Confirmation Enrollment Ceremony for all Confirmation candidates will be held on Sunday, November 20th 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 Sunday, November 13th.

“A CONVERSATION WITH FATHER BOB ON THE PASSIONIST CHARISM”

Saturday, December 10th from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM.

Gabriel Room

We as a parish have been blessed with the ministry of the Passionists priests for over six decades. Have you ever wondered what the Passionists are about? Do you want to find out more about their spirituality and their work?

If you are interested, please join us for a conversation with Father Bob, the Provincial Superior of the St. Paul of the Cross Province of the Passionists. (The Province covers Canada, Eastern USA, Jamaica, W.I. and Haiti.) The meeting will be held on Saturday, December 10th from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM, in the Gabriel Room.
This is an opportunity not to be missed. Please mark your calendars.

ANNOUNCED MASSES

November 7th to November 12th, 2016

MONDAY – JOAN RUEST – Requested by the Ruest Family
TUESDAY – ERNIE KEEGAN – Requested by his Family
WEDNESDAY – MICHAEL MULLANE – Requested by Margaret Anne Leckie & Mary Alice O’Mahony
THURSDAY – BERNARDINO AGOR – Requested by Andrew Agor
FRIDAY – GUS CALDERONE – Requested by Marie Calderone
SATURDAY – INTINI & BELLISARI FAMILIES – Requested by Chiara & Tina Intini

SHEPHERD’S TRUST COLLECTION

November 12th/13th

As members of our Catholic community, we regularly benefit from the tireless service of our priests. In this Jubilee Year of Mercy, we remember how they have been tangible instruments of the Lord’s mercy in our lives. Called by God and ordained to care for His people, our priests serve our families, in churches, schools, hospitals, nursing homes, missions and on the streets. The Shepherds’ Trust ensures our priests can live their retirement years with dignity.

The Shepherds’ Trust collection will take place in all parishes in the Archdiocese during the weekend of November 12/13. Envelopes are in the pews.

This fund does more than just support our priests in their retirement years; it represents a very tangible gesture of thanks for the blessings we have received. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.

GOOD SHEPHERD CENTRE CASSEROLES

Thank you to the volunteers who prepared 49 casseroles for October. For November, your prepared casseroles (frozen please) will be collected at the Masses on the weekend of November 26th/27th for delivery to the Good Shepherd Centre.

More volunteers are urgently needed to help feed the hungry in our city. You may pick up a copy of a casserole recipe and a pan from the Parish Office. Three recipes are also available on St. Gabriel’s web site. Please remember to mark the label on the pan lid with the name of the casserole.

For more information, please contact Irene Albrecht at 416 221-2791.

PASSIONIST CHRISTMAS CARDS

There are still a few Passionist Christmas cards available for purchase in the Parish Office. The suggested cost is $2:00 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.

MILK BAG WORKSHOP

Wednesday, November 16th from 1:00 to 3:00 PM

Gabriel Room

The next Milk Bag workshop led by Sharon Gusz will be held in the Gabriel room on Wednesday, November 16th from 1:00 to 3:00 PM. No experience needed! All are welcome!

BENEFIT CONCERT TO END ABUSE TO WOMEN AND GIRLS

Hugh’s Room, 2261 Dundas St West
Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Catholic Family Services of Toronto presents a Benefit Concert to End Abuse to Women and Girls. Join us at Hugh’s Room, 2261 Dundas St West, for a concert featuring Enrico Galante and Friends on Wednesday, November 23rd. Doors open at 6:00 PM. Enjoy live music, good food and a silent auction all for a good cause.

Tickets can be purchased in advance at Hugh’s Room

(416-531-6604) for $40 or $45 at the door. All proceeds go to Catholic Family Services of Toronto’s Women Abuse Programs.

WITNESSING THE WORK OF THE PASSIONIST COMMUNITIES IN AFRICA

Are you interested in witnessing the work of the Passionist Communities in East Africa in June 2017? Travel as a small group and visit some of the Passionist Communities in Kenya and Tanzania, plus have the experience of a lifetime on an East African Wildlife Safari in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater.

For more information please contact Steve Carey at carey@travelonly.com or 416-278-9346.

MARRIAGE PREPARATION COURSE

St. Gabriel’s Parish
Weekend of April 21st, 22nd and 23rd, 2017

A Marriage Preparation course will be offered here at St. Gabriel’s the weekend of April 21st to 23rd, 2017.

The course will be held Friday from 7:00 to 9:00 PM.
Saturday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM and Sunday from 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM.

For a registration package please email Marie Deans at deansm@sympatico.ca.

FINANCE CORNER

Weekly Offertory
Our operating expenses average $14,550 per week.
Collection for last weekend:
Envelopes 378 $ 7,885
Loose Change 904
Weekly Portion of Pre-Authorized Giving 163 3,025
Total 541 $ 11,814

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