Lord Jesus, Master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas. We who have so much to do seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day. We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us. We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom. We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence. We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light. To you we say, “Come Lord Jesus!” Amen.
Fr. Henri J.M. Nouwen
December 16th–December 22nd, 2019
MONDAY – KAZ SWIDERSKI – Requested by Irene Swiderski TUESDAY – ALAN RUTHERFORD – Requested by Persaud & Goldenberg Families WEDNESDAY – For the Intentions of STEPHAN YOUNG SIK HUH & CECILIA HUH – Requested by Bona Oh THURSDAY – For the Intentions of CLAUDIA CHO & REGINA SHIN – Requested by Bona Oh FRIDAY – FRANCO INTINI – Requested by Chiara & Tina Intini SATURDAY – ABANDONED SOULS IN PURGATORY – Requested by Sophie & Candida Pereira SUNDAY 10:30 AM – MARIA MARCZENKO – Requested by Rusiecki Family SUNDAY 12:30 PM – JOSE TEPE ENRIQUEZ – Requested by Jackie & Kayla Enriquez
Each month, the food we collect is sent to Rosalie Hall and the Good Shepherd Centre.
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.
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.
Your food donations are more important than ever as the winter begins and numbers of needy people continue to increase. Please check the expiry dates before donating since we cannot pass on food that has expired. Thank you for your generous support.
Collecting Stamps
This is a wonderful time of the year to collect stamps from your Christmas cards and letters to give to Effect Hope, the Leprosy Mission of Canada. If you wish to help, your stamps may be left in the basket on the counter outside of the office.
Please visit effecthope.org for more information.
Friday, December 20th
On Friday, December 20th, we will all have the opportunity to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Confessions will be heard from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
Saturday, December 21st Vigil Mass – 4:30 PM Office Open – 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Sunday, December 22nd 8:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM Office Open – 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM
CHRISTMAS EVE – Tuesday, December 24th No 9:00 AM Mass 5:00 PM Family Mass – Carol Singing 8:00 PM Adult Choir – Carol Singing 12:00 AM Midnight Mass – Contemporary Group Office Open – 2:00 PM to 6:30 PM
CHRISTMAS DAY – Wednesday, December 25th 10:30 AM and 12:30 PM Office Open – 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM
BOXING DAY – Thursday, December 26th Office Closed No 9:00 AM Mass
REGULAR SUNDAY MASSES Saturday December 28th Vigil Mass – 4:30 PM Sunday, December 29th, Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus 8:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM Office Open – 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM
NEW YEAR’S EVE – Tuesday, December 31st No 9:00 AM Mass Vigil for Feast of Mary the Holy Mother of God 5:00 PM Mass Office Open – 2:00 PM to 6:30 PM
NEW YEAR’S DAY – Wednesday, January 1st Feast of Mary the Holy Mother of God Mass at 10:30 AM and 12:30 PM Office Open – 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM
While parking at ground level is limited to 51 spaces, there is plenty of space in the underground parking lot. Please follow the instructions of the attendants. Do not park in front of the Church since this is a fire route and must be kept clear.
Additional parking is available on the east side of Elkhorn Public School and in the bus loop. Again, please follow the instructions of the attendant. The school requests that we do not park on the grass. Many thanks to Holly Richards, the Principal of Elkhorn Public School, for allowing us the use of the school property.
Rehearsal: Sunday, December 22nd from 2:00 to 4:00 PM
Each year, young people, Grade 3 and up, form a special choir for the Family Mass on Christmas Eve. Children must be at the Church by 4:00 PM. One rehearsal, which is mandatory, will be held on Sunday, December 22nd from 2:00 to 4:00 PM.
For more information, call Marilyn Calderone at 416-618-2041.
Pageant Rehearsal: Sunday, December 22nd from 4:00 to 6:00 PM
A Nativity pageant also takes place at the 5:00 PM Family Mass. Children from S.K. to Grade 5 are invited to participate in the pageant. The rehearsal will be held on Sunday, December 22nd from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM in the Church.
St. Gabriel Parish’s 3rd sponsored refugee family, The Bezgian’s, became Canadian citizens last month! Let us thank the Refugee Committee for facilitating the necessary documentation towards this event.
Wednesday, December 18th from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Gabriel Room
Volunteer milk bag weavers will be meeting Wednesday afternoon, December 18th from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM in the Gabriel Room to continue their great work, making sleep mats for third world countries All are welcome!
For further information about this project, please visit www.milkbagsunlimited.ca or contact Sharon Gusz at sharongusz@gmail.com.
Saturday, December 21st at 7:30 PM
St. Gabriel’s Church
The winter solstice marks a transition toward brighter times. Together, the Advent-Solstice reminds us of our profound connection with all of God’s creation and wakens us to the opportunity for a new beginning in that relationship. We will explore the surprising gifts that result when we make choices that foster such relationships.
Do you or does a loved one experience same-sex attraction? Courage & EnCourage provide spiritual support and pastoral guidance in full accordance with authentic Catholic teaching on homosexuality and chastity. For more information on our meetings and events, see contact info below:
EnCourage: Spiritual support for family and friends of those who experience same-sex attraction; faithful to Church teaching on chastity. Chaplain: Fr. Eric Rodrigues Phone: 416-928-5094; Email: encouragetoronto@yahoo.com
Courage: Spiritual support for adults who experience same-sex attraction and who desire to develop a life of interior chastity in union with Christ. Chaplain: Fr. Kevin Belgrave Phone: 416-928-5094; Email: couragetoronto@yahoo.ca
All inquiries are kept confidential.
Your offertory envelopes are now available in the Gathering Space. Please pick yours up as soon as possible.
Under the Canadian Income Tax laws, a donor is entitled to an income tax credit against income taxes payable based on a tax receipt from a registered Canadian charity like St. Gabriel’s parish. You should consider using offertory envelopes, enrolling in Pre-Authorized Giving (PAG) or Donate Now via Archdiocese of Toronto’s online giving for your offertory giving no matter the amount of your weekly donation.
Envelopes are available at the Parish Office if you need one.
Please note: All donations for 2019 must be received in the Parish Office by Monday, December 30th, 2019 to be included in your 2019 Tax Receipt.
This Bulletin entry was posted on Sunday, December 15th, 2019.
Founded by St. Paul of the Cross, every Passionist takes a special vow to spend his or her energies in promoting remembrance of the sufferings of Jesus, the memory of the Cross, and reflection of the meaning of the Cross for the world.
Learn about Passionists and our insignia »
Listen to the audio
Watch Fr. Paul Cusack’s Funeral Mass (video)
Companion for the Walk of the Stations of the Cosmic Earth
St. Gabriel’s Garden – Guided Sensory Reflective Walk