Bulletin – March 26, 2017

LENT: Moving to resurrection and light – The Passionist Mission in Haiti

Wednesday, April 5, 2017 at 7:30 PM – St. Gabriel’s Church

Fr. Bernard McEachern CP

Fr. Bernard just came back from his visit to Haiti and the Passionist mission there. Many of us who have met Fr. Rick from his 2014 Advent visit to St. Gabriel’s are touched by his work. He and Fr. Enzo continue to do wonderful work there, accompanying the Haitian people in their joy and sorrows.

Good news! Fr. Bernard will be sharing his experience of Haiti as Lenten reflections at the parish on Wednesday, April 5th at 7:30 PM. He will talk about what he saw and felt, as well as his reflections. Please join us on that evening if you can.

COLLECTION OF GENTLY USED ITEMS TO ASSIST MISSION IN GHANA, AFRICA

MARCH 25th/26th

As was highlighted in the last Parish Bulletin, the parish is collecting various gently used items this weekend. This collection is to assist the ministry of Sister Janis, FMM.

Sister Janis Gbiel is a Ghanaian Sister of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary (FMM). When she was young, her father did not want to send her to school because she was a girl. She later found her way to school, and eventually graduated with degrees in Education as well as Biblical Theology. Because of her own experience, Sister Janis has made the education of the needy and the disadvantaged in Ghana, especially women, her mission. She would like to empower them through education.

Sister Janis has just completed her training in spiritual direction here at Guelph. When she returns to Ghana in May, she would like to set up another Senior high school for girls as well as ten basic schools in the poorest region in Ghana.

She is now asking for our help – she is seeking the donation of gently used items to help set up these schools:
computers, preferably laptops, but can take about 10 desktops as well.
Photocopiers – desktop type (3)
Printers (3)
Television sets (5)
Projector
Scanner
Digital cameras
Sewing machines
Math sets
School bags
Gently used summer footwear – crossed sandals, canvas shoes or sneakers.

Lent is a good time to think about sharing what we have with those in need. With spring in the air, perhaps it is also a good time to do some spring cleaning. Please check your basement or garage to see if there are electronics and other items that are still in good condition which could be put to use for a worthwhile cause.

Sister Janis will be in the Gathering Space after all the Masses this weekend. If you have any questions or need further information, you will be able to ask her directly. Thank you for your support!

FIRST RECONCILIATION

Saturday, April 1st at 10:30 AM

St. Gabriel’s Church

First Reconciliation for children attending St. Gabriel’s School and those in the Children’s Faith Program and children attending Private Schools will be held at St. Gabriel’s Church on Saturday, April 1st at 10:30 AM.

LENTEN AND EASTER SCHEDULE 2017

Stations of the Cross
Friday Evenings at 7:30 PM

Individual Confessions
Wednesday, March 29th
From 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Reconciliation Service
Wednesday, March 29th at 7:30 PM

Palm Sunday
April 9th
Masses Sat., 4:30 PM
8:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM

Holy Thursday
April 13th
No 9:00 AM Mass
7:30 PM Mass of the Lord’s Supper
Followed by Adoration until 10:00 PM

Good Friday
April 14th
10:00 AM Morning Prayer
3:00 PM Solemn Passion of Our Lord
7:30 PM Stations of the Cross

Holy Saturday
April 15th
No 4:30 PM Mass
8:00 PM Easter Vigil

Easter Sunday
April 16th
Masses 8:30 AM, 10:30 AM 12:30 PM

Easter Monday
April 17th
No 9:00 AM Mass
Office Closed

EXTRA PARKING AT ELKHORN PUBLIC SCHOOL

ANNOUNCED MASSES

March 27th – April 1st, 2017

MONDAY – FR. PETER WATTERS – Requested by Jeanne Robinson
TUESDAY – ELIZABETH CHIN – Requested by Michelle Tan
WEDNESDAY – DECEASED MEMBERS OF THE DOAN, NGUYEN & VU FAMILIES – Requested by the Nguyen Family
THURSDAY – JOHN YEUNG – Requested by Agnes Wong
FRIDAY – LOUIS FUNG – Requested by his Family
SATUR DAY – CHARLES WILSON – Requested by Kathleen Olden-Poewll

WELCOME! BAPTISM

The Parish Family of St. Gabriel’s would like to welcome:

Alexander David Andrade
Thomas Michael Chan
Schyler Gabriel Ducasse-Salesman
Franco Chavez Valdez

These children received the Sacrament of Baptism on Sunday, March 19th 2017. Congratulations!

ROSARY GROUPS

Gabriel Room
English: Saturday, April 1st at 3:15 PM
Chinese: Sunday, April 2nd at 3:30 PM

For further information, please contact Linda Law at 416 -918-8029.

ECO-SABBATH

Sunday, April 2nd at 11:30 AM
Gabriel Room

CHING MING MASS OF REMEMBRANCE

Saturday, April 1st at 2:00 PM

Holy Family Mausoleum, Holy Cross Cemetery

The 2017 Ching Ming Mass of Remembrance will be held in the Holy Family Mausoleum at Holy Cross Cemetery in Thornhill on Saturday, April 1st at 2:00 PM. For further details please see the poster on the bulletin boards.
On Sunday, April 2nd, the Passionist Centre for Ecology and Spirituality will facilitate a 30 minute reflection and discussion prompted by the readings for that Sunday’s liturgy. The guided reflection brings an ecological perspective to the readings.

All are welcome.

FIRST COMMUNION INTERVIEWS

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

Please call the Parish Office at 416-221-8866-to book your appointment with Fr. Brando or Fr. John as soon as possible.

Those children attending the Children’s Faith Program, private schools or others are asked to choose one of the following dates: April 18th, 19th, 20th or 21st.

Children from St. Gabriel’s School are asked to choose one of the following dates: April 24th, 25th, 26th, 27th, 28th, May 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th.

RECONCILIATION SERVICE

Wednesday, March 29th at 7:30 PM

This is an opportunity to spend some time in peace and quiet, to reflect upon how we are responding to our call to be sons and daughters of God.

Recognizing the fact that we are “good people”, we also accept the fact that good people can sin.

Through an examination of conscience we face those sins, admit them and are reconciled to God. For those who wish, individual confessions will be celebrated after the service. We encourage you to take advantage of this celebration

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION – FIRST FRIDAY

Friday, April 7th from 9:30 AM – 12 Noon

SHARELIFE

“Living the Gospel” locally and around the world…

How do we “Live the Gospel” toward others when our daily lives are so busy? For some it is volunteering at a soup kitchen, or it may be caring for an elderly relative. If we do not have the time to actively participate, we can support the many ShareLife funded agencies within our community that bring the hands of Christ to those in need. Our annual appeal provides resources to 42 agencies, bringing much needed programs and services to those both here in our communities and around the world. Next Sunday is the first ShareLife collection. Over the next week, consider your ability to “Live the Gospel” by helping those who are vulnerable and in need, and make a contribution to ShareLife

Next Sunday, April 2nd 2017 is ShareLife Sunday
Please give generously.

FINANCE CORNER

2016 Financial Statement

Copies of the 2016 Financial Statement is available to parishioners. You may pick one up this weekend and next in the Gathering Space or from the Parish Office.

Cyber Crime Seminar

We would like to provide you with an opportunity to learn more about cyber crime, how it can affect us all and tips to protect ourselves. We will only proceed with hosting this event If there is enough interest shown. If you are interested, please sign up in the Gathering Space after each Mass on March 25th/26th and April 1st /2nd weekends.

OFFERTORY ENVELOPES FOR 2017

If you are contributing cash to the Offertory Collection without any identification, you will not receive credit for your contribution. You must provide your full name and address. If you are not currently using parish envelopes and wish to have a set issued for 2017, please contact the Parish Office and we will prepare a box for you. This is the most effective way to keep track of your donations.