Christmas Schedule 2025
ADVENT INDIVIDUAL CONFESSION
Tuesday, December 16th from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM
CHRISTMAS EVE, NATIVITY OF OUR LORD
Wednesday, December 24th
No 9:00 AM Mass
Office Open – 8:30 AM to 12:00 Noon
6:00 PM Family Mass
9:00 PM Mass
12:00 AM Midnight Mass
CHRISTMAS DAY, NATIVITY OF OUR LORD
Thursday, December 25th
No 8:30 AM or 9:00 AM Mass
10:30 AM Mass
12:30 PM Mass
Office Open – 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM
BOXING DAY
Friday, December 26th
No 9:00 AM Mass
Office Closed
FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY
Sunday, December 28th
8:30 AM Mass
10:30 AM Mass
12:30 PM Mass
NEW YEAR’S EVE, FEAST OF MARY THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD
Wednesday, December 31st
No 9:00 AM Mass
Office Open – 8:30 AM to 12:00 Noon
5:00 PM Vigil Mass
NEW YEAR’S DAY, FEAST OF MARY THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD
Thursday, January 1st
No 8:30 AM or 9:00 AM Mass
10:30 AM Mass
12:30 PM Mass
Office Closed
ANNOUNCED MASSES
December 1st to December 7th, 2025
MONDAY – ADAM TAN ✞ – Requested by Vera Tan
TUESDAY – WILMA FRANCIS – Requested by Karen Crichton
WEDNESDAY – HARRY K. GEORGE ✞ – Requested by his Family
THURSDAY – JAI MARTIN – Requested by Cecilia & Kyng Jin
FRIDAY – MARIA DIDIODATO ✞ – Requested by her Family
SATURDAY – THE SICK & THE DYING, & FOR HEALING – Requested by Anthony Remedios
SUNDAY – 8:30 AM – FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE PARISH
SUNDAY – 10:30 AM – PATRICIA BRISTOL-CLARKE ✞ – Requested by Karen Crichton
SUNDAY – 12:30 PM – SOULS IN PURGATORY ✞ – Requested by Lina Cardenas
ADVENT RETREAT
Saturday, December 20th from 2:00 to 4:00 PM
This year, the parish’s Advent Retreat will take place on Saturday, December 20th from 2:00 to 4:00 PM.
Our speaker will be Fr. Rick Frechette, CP.
Fr Rick has worked in Haiti for the past forty years, with an extraordinary ministry among the people there who have been living in extreme poverty through the country’s numerous challenges. From the AIDS epidemic, to social unrest, to the devastating earthquake in 2010, then the outbreak of cholera and Covid, Fr Rick’s heart has been with the people and responded to their various needs in the most ingenious ways.
Unfortunately for the past few years, Haiti has further spiralled into extreme lawlessness, with street violence and kidnappings a common occurrence.
In the retreat, from his lived experience in Haiti, Fr Rick will talk about how to remain steadfast in the face of difficulties and unimaginable atrocities. As we prepare for Christmas, it is good to remind ourselves that when darkness seems to envelop us, the light of Christ continues to shine and give us hope, if only we would learn to see it.
This is a rare opportunity to hear from someone who has lived his faith under very challenging circumstances. Please mark your calendars and join us for the Retreat on Dec 20!
If you are not yet familiar with Fr Rick’s life and work, you can find out more about him in the brochure available at the back of the church and in the Gathering Space.
PSALM MEDITATION
Let’s recall that the Psalms we sing weekly at the Sunday Liturgy are
…the prayers offered to us by the Bible;
…said to contain the entirety of Christian revelation;
…the prayers of our Jewish sisters and brothers;
…the prayers of Jesus, Mary, Joseph and all the disciples of Jesus in his times;
…a secure basis for our own personal life of prayer;
…the heart of the official prayer of the Church, the Liturgy of the Hours.
First Sunday of Advent
Advent marks the start of a new liturgical year of prayer.
As last week, our Liturgy again prays Psalm 122.
Throughout Advent, we focus on how God comes to us: at Bethlehem, in each moment of our daily lives and at the end of time.
Psalm 122 responds to the prophecy of Isaiah and offers us a good basis for our prayer. It tells us that our whole life is a journey to the House of the Lord. All the time we are on that journey, and through all its ups and downs, God is with us, never leaves us, never abandons us. God never ever stops loving us.
“Let us go to the house of the Lord!”
HUMANITARIAN RELIEF Jamaica, Haiti, Philippines
In the past few weeks, Jamaica, Haiti and the Philippines have been hit with extreme weather storms with many people dead and thousands homeless.
For those interested in supporting humanitarian relief efforts to help those in need, please note the following:
The Archdiocese of Toronto will accept donations and channel funds through our Catholic partners in the Caribbean and Asia to support relief efforts underway in both regions.
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 – Hurricane Melissa or St. Gabriel’s Parish – Typhoon Kalmaegi
Please continue to pray for all those affected by these natural disasters. Thank you for your continued co-operation.
THE GIVING TREE
Sunday, November 30th to Friday, December 19th
St. Vincent de Paul
During Advent, the Society of St Vincent de Paul, St. Gabriel Conference, will have a Giving Tree in the Gathering Space. The tree will be decorated with gift stars.
We invite you to take a star, buy a Walmart, Uniqlo or Canadian Tire gift card for about $50 and bring it with the star attached to the Parish Office.
Rosalie Hall
At this time of the year, we are also thinking of the young mothers and babies of Rosalie Hall. If you wish to help, you may choose a “Christmas Stocking” from the Giving Tree to purchase pyjamas or undershirts for little ones, age 6 months to 5 years. Sweaters or hoodies would also be very welcome.
Unwrapped items with the original stocking tag attached can be left in the box provided near the giving tree no later than Friday, December 19th. Toys or books for these little ones would also be appreciated.
For the Moms, we are suggesting gift cards from Tim Horton’s, Walmart or MacDonald’s. These can be placed in the cards provided and brought to the Office. Thank you for your continued generosity.
SHARELIFE
Your gift to ShareLife will double in value!
From November 3 until year end, your contribution to our parish’s ShareLife campaign will be matched by an anonymous donor up to a total of $500,000.
ShareLife-funded agencies and Food Security Grant recipients are responding to families facing difficult situations, comforting seniors with fellowship, distributing meals to our neighbours in need, and so much more.
Your sacrificial gift this Advent makes this support possible. You offer immediate relief, restore hope, and remind your brothers and sisters in Christ that they are not alone; that there is a family of faith who cares deeply for them.
Our goal this year is $169,000. To date we have achieved $141,590. Please give at the parish using a ShareLife envelope, online through our parish website, or at sharelife.org/donate.
CARING FOR THE NEEDY IN OUR CITY
Food Collection for the Good Shepherd Centre and Rosalie Hall
Your food donations are very important as numbers of people in need continue to increase.
Please check the expiry dates before donating since we cannot pass on food that has expired.
EGG CARTONS NO LONGER NEEDED
Until further notice, we are not collecting egg cartons any more. Please do not bring egg cartons to the church.
URGENTLY NEEDED
The Beacons of Hope are seeking gently used Women’s winter outer wear: coats, jackets, scarves, mitts, hats, gloves and boots. Please place these in our donation boxes in the Gathering Space. Many thanks for all your support.
THE SERAPHIM & CHERUBIM CHORUS PRESENTS: MAGIC IN THE AIR!
Saturday December 6th at 7:30 PM
St. Gabriel’s Parish
The first snow of the season has fallen, and it’s time to get festive! Come and celebrate the spirit of Christmas with the Seraphim & Cherubim Chorus, as we celebrate 15 years of music, joy and community this year. Our 15th annual Christmas concert series features beloved carols, choral masterpieces, Broadway hits and contemporary favourites.
We hope you’ll join us at one of our festive concerts, perfect for young, old and everyone in between. We promise you a concert that captures the wonder of Christmas in every note!
Kick off your holiday season with us on Saturday December 6 at St. Gabriel’s Parish, North York at 7:30 PM! Advance tickets are available at seraphimandcherubim.ca.
CAROLS, COFFEE, TEA, AND FUN
Wednesday, December 17th from 1:30 to 3:00 PM
Enjoy an afternoon of singing your favourite Christmas carols while enjoying tea, coffee and cookies on Wednesday, December 17th from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM. To register please contact stgabrielmma@gmail.com or call the Parish Office.
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.
