Bulletin – February 2, 2020

LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION

Sunday, February 9th after 12:30 PM Mass

Saturday, January 25th marked the beginning of Lunar New Year. This year is the Year of the Rat. For many years, the Asian community in our parish has gifted our parish community with a wonderful Lunar New Year Party.

This year, the Lunar New Year Celebration will take place on Sunday, February 9th after the 12:30 PM Mass in the Gathering Space. All are welcome.

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS FOR THE HOMEBOUND NEEDED

There has been an influx of request to bring the Eucharist to the homebound members of our parish community. As such, we are requesting anyone who would be interested in assisting us in this ministry of Extra-Ordinary Eucharistic Minister of the Eucharist for the Homebound, to contact Sr. Maria Lucia at (416) 221-8866. There is mandatory training for all those who are interested in visiting those who are homebound and giving them the Eucharist.

NEWS FROM OUR YOUTH GROUP

Valentine Sale
Weekend of February 8th and 9th

The St. Gabriel’s Youth Group will be selling Valentine’s Day greeting cards during all the Masses on February 8th and 9th. Funds raised will go towards our youth’s attendance at the annual Steubenville Conference.

Please support our youth

Youth Group Talent Night
Sunday, February 23rd at 6:30 PM

Did you know that we have many talented young people within our Parish Community? In honour of the Feast of St. Gabriel, Patron Saint of Youth, all parishioners are invited to attend our Youth Group’s Talent Night. It will be held on Sunday February 23rd at 6:30 PM here at the church. Admission is by donation.

Please come and support our youth’s talents!

FAMILY DAY

Monday, February 17th

Monday February 17th is Family Day, a day to celebrate our families. The Parish Office will be closed and there will be no 9:00 AM Mass on that day.

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

Friday, February 7th is First Friday. Eucharistic Adoration will be from 9:30 AM to 12 Noon

ROSARY GROUP

English Rosary – Saturday, February 1st at 3:15.

Chinese Rosary -Sunday, February 2nd at 3:30 PM in the Gabriel Room

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

ANNOUNCED MASSES

February 3rd – February 9th, 2020

MONDAY – MICHAEL FERNANDES – Requested by the Family
TUESDAY – HUI SAU LIN – Requested by Veronica Do
WEDNESDAY – LYDIA D. CECILIO – Requested by Veronica Do
THURSDAY – SUZANA & MAXIMIANO VILLORIA – Requested by Steven Rozario
FRIDAY – CATHERINE MINNAN-WONG – Requested by Simone D’Souza
SATURDAY – KINGTAN CHEN – Requested by Noreen Chen
SUNDAY – 10:30 AM – IRENE MOXAM – Requested by Paul, Wai Chin & Family
SUNDAY – 12:30 PM – ALL WHO ARE IN HOSPICE AND ILL – Requested by Mary & Ravi

A CELEBRATION OF MARRIAGE

Sunday, February 9th at 3:00 PM Mass

St. Isaac Jogues Parish, 1148 Finch Avenue, Pickering

Marriage Sunday highlights the importance of the sacrament of marriage and complements World Marriage Sunday celebrations that take place across North America.

The Celebration of Marriage Mass in the Archdiocese of Toronto will take place on Sunday, February 9th at St Isaac Jogues Church, Pickering. Cardinal Thomas Collins will preside over this special Mass with special recognition for couples celebrating their milestone 25th, 40th, 50th and 60+ wedding anniversaries.

A reception will follow Mass. All are welcome to attend. Everyone is required to register as seating is limited. Designated seating is available for milestone couples only. Register online at www.archtoronto.org/marriage or call 416 934 3400, Ext. 523.

HUMANITARIAN RELIEF FOR AUSTRALIA

As you are aware, in recent weeks, hundreds of forest fires in Australia have killed dozens, destroyed thousands of homes and threatened many local species with extinction

Funds channeled through our Australian St. Vincent de Paul partners will provide:

• Emergency financial packages to families who have lost their homes or been impacted in other ways by the fires. • Food, clothing, generators, household items, furniture, vouchers and other essential items.
• Direct support with crisis accommodation through our own services or making referrals onto a range of other organizations and specialized services.
• Much-needed emotional support and counselling.

100 percent of donations are used to support those who have been affected. 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 at 416-934-3411
*By cheque made payable to St. Gabriel’s Parish – Australia Fires – Relief

GOOD SHEPHERD CENTRE CASSEROLES

Thank you to the volunteers who prepared 62 casseroles for January. For February, your prepared casseroles (frozen please) will be collected at the Masses on the weekend of February 22nd /23rd for delivery to the Good Shepherd Centre.

More volunteers are encouraged to become active in helping to feed our less fortunate sisters and brothers. Three different recipes are available in the Parish Office or online at the Church website. You may pick up casserole pans at the Parish Office. If you require more information, please contact Irene Albrecht at 416-221-2791.

FOOD FOR ROSALIE HALL & GOOD SHEPHERD CENTRE

Each month 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

With everyone struggling at this time, your food 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.

WORLD DAY FOR CONSECRATED LIFE

Sunday, February 2nd at 3:00 PM

St. Paul’s Basilica, 83 Power St., Toronto

On Sunday, February 2nd the Church celebrates the World Day for Consecrated Life. In the Archdiocese of Toronto, we are blessed to have living and serving among us more than 900 consecrated men and women. The World Day for Consecrated Life is a wonderful opportunity for us to thank God for the gifts of these sisters, virgins, brothers and priests and to pray for God’s blessing upon them in their efforts to faithfully live the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity and obedience.

Bishop Wayne Kirkpatrick will preside at a special Mass on Sunday, February 2nd at 3:00 PM at St. Paul’s Basilica, Toronto in celebration of the vocation and witness of these special men and women religious who are such a vital and important part of the life and ministry of the Church in our Archdiocese. All are welcome to attend.

FAITH CONNECTIONS SKATING SOCIAL

The Bentway Skating Trail (250 Fort York Blvd)
Thursday, February 6th from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Join the Sisters of St. Joseph for outdoor skating on the Bentway Skating Trail! It is located underneath the Gardiner Expressway, just beside Fort York. We’ll warm up after at nearby “Roses of New York” Restaurant.

Skate rentals are free on Thursday nights or you may wish to bring your own skates. This event is free!

Please go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/skating-social-tickets to reserve.

**Please note, a minimum of 10 registrants are required to avoid event cancellation. **

THE GRACE OF ACCOMPANIMENT: FAITH AND MENTAL HEALTH

Saturday, February 8th from 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM

Blessed Trinity Parish Hall, 3220 Bayview Ave.

The CWL of Blessed Trinity Parish presents: Rev. Stephan Kappler, PsyD, President and Chief Psychologist, Southdown Institute. An invitation to accompany each other with kindness and compassion. Fr. Stephan will speak on “The Grace of Accompaniment.” He will touch on the ministry that is provided at Southdown and invite listeners to think through the invitation we all have to accompany each other with kindness and compassion. Fr. Stephan will expand his talk to include how faith and mental health issues are connected. There is a free-will offering. All are welcome.

For more information call Kay Booker at 416-357-5378 or Maria Luz Manalo at 416-459-9586. You may also email Kay at kaymax@sympatico.ca

YOUNG DISCIPLES RETREAT

Saturday, March 7th from 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM

St. Edward the Confessor Parish

Youth, both male and female, ages 12 to 17 are invited to attend a Young Peoples Retreat Themed Love in Service on Saturday, March 7th from 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM at St. Edward the Confessor Parish. The day will include Holy Mass, reflection talks, recreation and lunch at no cost. Please call the Office of Vocations at 416 968 0997 or visit vocations@archtoronto.org for more information on this wonderful retreat!

THE GARDEN SHED

ATTENTION All Gardeners and Would-be Gardeners
Sunday, February 9th from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM
Gabriel Room

It may only be February, but the Garden Ministry is busy planning for the coming growing season. On Sunday, February 9th, from 1:30 to 3:00 PM in the Gabriel Room, we will be designing the planting layout of our community garden. If you are an experienced gardener, we can use your expertise; if you are an interested novice, come and learn; If you want to learn more about Square Foot gardening, this will be a good place to start. Everyone is welcome!