Bulletin – October 8, 2017

O, heavenly Father:
We thank thee for food and
remember the hungry.
We thank thee for health and remember the sick.
We thank thee for friends and remember the friendless.
We thank thee for freedom and remember the enslaved.
May these remembrances stir us to service,
that thy gifts to us may be used for others. Amen.

Mass will be celebrated on Thanksgiving Day, Monday, October 9th at 10:00 AM.

The Parish Office will be closed on Monday.

ST. GABRIEL’S SCHOOL – WANTED

St. Gabriel’s School is looking for a Nutrition Program Co-coordinator for the school snack program. If interested in this position, please call the school principal, Ms. Crispo at 416-393-5256.

ST. GABRIEL’S YOUTH GROUP

Sunday, October 8th at 1:30 PM
Calling all youth Grades 5 and up!

The St. Gabriel’s Youth Group is now welcoming new members.

The first meeting will be held this Sunday October 8th in the Gabriel Room at 1:30 PM. We hope to see you there!

PARENTS CONFIRMATION INFORMATION MEETING

Thursday, October 12th at 7:30 PM.
St. Gabriel’s Church

There will be a meeting here at the Church on Thursday, October 12th at 7:30 PM. for parents of children who will be receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation this year.

ANNOUNCED MASSES

October 9th to October 14th

MONDAY – THANKSGIVING DAY – Mass at 10:00 AM
TUESDAY – EVA BARDOWELL – Requested by Teresa Marchie and Family
WEDNESDAY – LUENPONG WONG – Requested by Teresa Marchie and Family
THURSDAY – BERNADETTE SEDGWICK – Requested by Teresa Marchie & Family
FRIDAY – GUS CALDERONE – Requested by Marie Calderone
SATURDAY – PASQUALE GATTI – Requested by Linda Gatti & Family

LAUDATO SI’ PLEDGE

Pope Francis calls on us to sign the Laudato Si’ Pledge to:
Pray for and with creation, Live more simply, Advocate to protect our common home.

If you would like to sign this pledge – please follow the link Http://livelaudatosi.org/

“There is a nobility in the duty to care for creation through little daily actions.” Laudato Si’ – Pope Francis
“Living our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork is essential to a life of virtue.” Laudato Si’ – Pope Francis

R.C.I.A. AND ADULT FAITH DEVELOPMENT

Meetings in preparation for the R.C.I.A. (Rites of Christian Initiation of Adults) will begin in October. These meetings are for persons interested in learning more about the Catholic Faith. The exploration may lead the candidate to seek baptism, and become a member of the Catholic Christian community; or for Christians already baptized into another Christian denomination, the reception into the Catholic Church.

Adult Catholics who have not received the sacrament of Confirmation but who wish to do so are also encouraged to attend these sessions.

As well, these meetings may be an opportunity for “Born Catholics” to deepen their understanding of our faith. Very often, especially for those of us who received our religious instruction at an early age, we tend to grow physically, mentally, psychologically etc., but the understanding of our faith does not grow correspondingly. The RCIA may serve as a good opportunity for us to ask questions and to develop a more adult understanding of our faith.

If you are interested in joining the RCIA meetings or if you would like to have more information about it, please contact Fatima Lee at fatimalee@bellnet.ca. or call the Parish Office at 416-221-8866.

SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN PREPARING FOR BAPTISM

If you have, or know of, school age children (ages 7 to 14) who wish to prepare for Baptism, please contact the Parish Office, or Fatima Lee directly, at fatimalee@bellnet.ca.. Classes for them will begin after Thanksgiving.

FOOD FOR ROSALIE HALL

Rosalie Hall assists young parents and their children to realize their potential through the provision of a wide range of child development, community, residential and educational services. Each month some of 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 outstanding support.

THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE

You can make a difference in the lives of the hungry and homeless this Thanksgiving by participating in the annual Good Shepherd Ministries Thanksgiving Food Drive.

Good Shepherd provides hot meals and shelter for the homeless in our city as well as a chance to start again through the Resettlement or DARE Programs.

Urgently needed items include:
rice, pasta and pasta sauces,
peanut butter, jam
oatmeal pancake mix
teabags ground or instant coffee,
sugar cookies and crackers,
canned tuna, soups, stews, meats, fruits and vegetables.
Please no fresh or frozen foods.
We thank you for your generous support!

HUMANITARIAN RELIEF FOR THE CARIBBEAN AND MEXICO

Over the course of the past several weeks, hurricanes, tropical storms and violent earthquakes have devastated a number of countries in the Caribbean and Mexico.

Hurricanes Irma, Jose, Maria destroyed thousands of homes, businesses and churches and left thousands of people without water, shelter or power. Places such as Anguilla, Antigua, The Bahamas, the British Virgin Islands, Cuba, Dominica, Florida, Puerto Rico, St. Martin, the Turks and Caicos Islands all suffered crippling damage. As well, on September 19th, a massive earthquake hit Mexico City, causing 286 deaths – just two weeks after an earthquake leveled buildings and killed at least 90 people in the Mexican state of Oaxaca. The situation remains grave for the injured and displaced.

In an effort to support people in that region who have been impacted by these disasters, the Archdiocese of Toronto is accepting funds that will be sent through Catholic relief channels. Contributions can be made through our parishes and through the Archdiocese of Toronto online portal at www.archtoronto.org.

Relief workers from the official Catholic relief agency, Caritas Internationalis, are on the ground. Caritas Mexico teams are determining how the earthquakes have affected local populations. Catholic partners in other affected regions are also actively caring for the victims of these disasters and determining the long-term needs for recovery.

Those wishing to help may do so in the following ways:
• Online through the Archdiocese of Toronto website: www.archtoronto.org
• By phone through the Development Office – 416-934-3411
• Through the parish, making cheques payable to:

St. Gabriel’s Parish – 2017 Hurricane, Earthquake – Disaster Relief.

We offer our prayers for all those impacted by these tragedies. Thank you for your ongoing efforts to assist those in crisis.

NORTHMOUNT SCHOOL FOR BOYS OPEN HOUSE

Wednesday, October 18th from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM
26 Mallard Road, Toronto

Northmount School is holding an Open House on Wednesday, October 18th from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM. To R.S.V.P. for the Open House or to book a private tour please contact the school at 416-449-8823, Ext. 114 or email info@northmount.com.

CENTRAL PASTORAL REGION CELEBRATION

Thursday, October 19th at 7:00 PM
Blessed Trinity Parish, 3220 Bayview Avenue, Toronto

As we celebrate the 175th anniversary of the Archdiocese of Toronto, Cardinal Thomas Collins, Archbishop of Toronto, extends an invitation for all to join him for Mass and a reception to commemorate this historic milestone. The Central Pastoral Region celebration will take place at Blessed Trinity Parish on Thursday, October 19th at 7:00 PM. For more information, visit www.archtoronto.org/175.

ST. BONAVENTURE CWL ANNUAL FLEA MARKET

Saturday, October 22nd from 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM
St. Bonaventure’ Church

St. Bonaventure CWL will hold their Annual Flea Market on Saturday, October 21st from 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM. Come and see the treasures of all kinds. There will also be a live auction. Don’t miss it!

MOSAIC INTERFAITH

October 22nd from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Jaffari Islamic Centre, 9000 Bathurst Street, Thornhill

MOSAIC Interfaith (of which St. Gabriel’s is a member) invites you to attend the annual Peace Meal on Sunday October 22nd from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the Mulla Ashgar Memorial Library and Islamic Resource Centre in Jaffari Islamic Centre 9000 Bathurst Street,Thornhill.

The theme will be “An Interactive Experience of the Golden Rule” – a presentation and workshop by Kathy Murtha, Director of Scarboro Missions Retreat Centre. This will be followed by the Peace Meal. Attendees are asked to bring a nut-free (and alcohol free) dish for the vegan supper – i.e. no meat, poultry, eggs, fish or dairy products.

To RSVP please contact Nora at 416-218-0680 by October 18th. For more information see poster on bulletin board.

BREBEUF COLLEGE OPEN HOUSE

Thursday, October 26th at 7:00 PM
211 Steeles Avenue East

Brebeuf College is holding an Open House for students who are entering high school. It will be held on Thursday, October 26th at 7:00 PM. Parents/Guardians and students are cordially invited to attend. Join them at 211 Steeles Avenue East, just west of Bayview on the south side of Steeles. The school can be reached at 416 -393-5508.

KNOW YOUR FAITH SERIES

Five Weeks beginning Saturday, October 28th
From 9:45 AM to Noon
Blessed Trinity Parish Hall

Join the Kolbe ‘KNOW YOUR FAITH’ series for a five-week Salvation History study on ‘The Psalms: The School of Prayer.’ Through prayer, study and informative DVDs, deepen your awareness of God’s merciful love in your own lives.

Classes begin Saturday October 28th from 9:45 AM to noon at Blessed Trinity Parish. For more information visit www.kolbeapostolate.com.

VISIT THE PASSIONIST COMMUNITIES IN EAST AFRICA

June, 2018

Are you interested in witnessing the work of the Passionist Community in East Africa in June 2018? Travel in a small group and visit some of the Passionist Communities in Kenya and Tanzania. Have the experience of a lifetime on an East African Wildlife Safari.

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

Happy Thanksgiving!