March 4th, 2025
Join us on Wednesday evenings for a prayerful reflection on our Lenten journey through the lens of our Passionist charism.
Zoom Sessions in English and Spanish at 7:00 PM :
To register, please e-mail ProvSecretary@cpprov.org and specify English or Spanish, individual or group.
| Posted in Events |
March 29th, 2025
“Public Faith in a Time of Crisis” Saturday, April 5th from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Fr. Jim O’Shea CP will lead a Parish Lenten Retreat at St. Gabriel’s next Saturday from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM on the theme of Public Faith in a time of crisis.
All are encouraged to attend.
Please call or email the office if you plan to attend.
March 31st – April 6th, 2025
MONDAY – TUESDAY – ALLAN PERSAUD ✞ – Requested by the Persaud & Goldenberg Families WEDNESDAY – LIGIA DE ORTIZ ✞ – Requested by Lucia Ardila THURSDAY ̶ FRIDAY – ZOSIMA AGUILA ✞ – Requested by Jennie, Eric & Keith SATURDAY – VLADO PETRANOVIC ✞ – Requested by Mira Petranovic SUNDAY – 8:30 AM – FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE PARISH SUNDAY – 10:30 AM – EILEEN RODRIGUES ✞ – Requested by her Daughters SUNDAY – 12:30 PM – VICTOR D’SOUZA ✞ – Requested by his Family
Psalm 34
In the thick of Lent, Psalm 34 brings us God’s infinitely consoling message. Again and again, the psalm repeats the message: God delivers us. God saves us. Always. At all times. Everywhere.
We have here the first three sections of the psalm which introduces the theme that God’s gifts to us are universal and without limit.
Our praise of God can look like this: “I will bless the Lord at all times; Hi praise shall continually be in my mouth.”
Wednesday, April 2nd from 3:30 to 5:30 PM
Our parish day of confession will be held on Wednesday, April 2nd, 2025 from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM for those who wish to make their individual confessions.
Thursday, April 3rd at 7:30 PM
Our parish Lenten Reconciliation Service will be held Thursday, April 3rd, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Stations of the Cross will take place each Friday evening during Lent at 7:30 PM.
You are also encouraged to attend our daily Mass as often as possible throughout Lent.
Wednesday, April 2nd from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM
April 13th, 2025 Masses – Sat. 4:30 PM, Sun. 8:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM
April 17th, 2025 No 9:00 AM Mass 7:30 PM – Mass of the Lord’s Supper Followed by Adoration until 10:00 PM
April 18th, 2025 No 9:00 AM Mass 3:00 PM – Solemn Passion of Our Lord 7:30 PM – Stations of the Cross
April 19th, 2025 No 4:30 PM Mass 8:00 PM – Easter Vigil
April 20th, 2025 No 8:30 AM Mass Masses – 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM
EXTRA PARKING AT ELKHORN PUBLIC SCHOOL
Stations of the Cross will take place each Friday evening during Lent at 7:30 PM. You are also encouraged to attend our daily Mass as often as possible throughout Lent.
April 6th and 12th
The Chinese Rosary Group meeting is the first Sunday of every month at 3:30 PM in the Gabriel Room.
The English Rosary Group normally meets on the first Saturday of each month. However, for this April, the meeting will take place on Saturday, April 12th at 3:00 PM in the Gabriel Room.
All are welcome.
Although Pope Francis has been released from hospital, he is still very weak. Let us pray that the Lord grant him strength and peace, restore his health and guide him to a full recovery so that he may continue to lead the holy People of God, with wisdom and love.
This weekend is ShareLife Sunday
ShareLife Sunday marks the first collection for our parish’s annual campaign. But ShareLife is more than a parish collection. It is how we, as Catholics in the Archdiocese of Toronto, bring the hands of Christ to those in need. From children to seniors, and everyone in between, more than 40 ShareLife agencies are there each step of the way.
As a family of faith, we lift each other up from our lowest moments. Nick’s life had an easy start – he came from a good home, where he was raised with a strong work ethic, and he welcomed a son. But living with a mental illness, he struggled more than some. Deep inside, he felt like something was missing, and he devastatingly fell into addiction. With your helping hand, he rose up through the DARE Program at Good Shepherd.
“By the grace of God, I am still alive,”
Thank you for your generous support of Rosalie Hall and the Good Shepherd Centre.
Rosalie Hall is an accredited children’s mental health facility focusing on the needs of pregnant and parenting youth ages 12-25, their children, and their families.
Good Shepherd provides hot meals, clean clothes and shelter for the homeless in our city. They help find housing and provide follow up support.
Your food donations are so 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.
The series titled “Journey through Lent” is now available on the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishop’s website:
in English: https://www.cccb.ca/lent/ in French: https://www.cecc.ca/careme/
It includes reflections on the readings for Ash Wednesday, and each Sunday in Lent including Palm Sunday.
Saturday, April 5th at 2:00 PM
Holy Family Mausoleum at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery
The 2025 Ching Ming Remembrance Mass will be held in the Holy Family Mausoleum at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Thornhill on Saturday, April 5th at 2:00 PM. The Mass is organized by Catholic Cemeteries and Funeral Services, Archdiocese of Toronto and held in Cantonese and Mandarin, with support of the Chinese Pastoral Council of the Archdiocese of Toronto. For further details, please see the poster in the gathering Space.
Mondays, April 7th to May 12th from 7:00 to 9:00 PM
John the Evangelist Parish, 903 Giffard Street, Whitby
St. John the Evangelist Parish in Whitby is holding a Marriage preparation course on Monday nights starting April 7, 2025 until May 12, 2025 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
Call 905-668-3676 to register. Cost is $300 per couple.
Saturday, April 5th, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
St. Joseph, Protector of Hope
The silent Saint, St. Joseph, is speaking to us!
St. Joseph faithfully protected Jesus from danger, guiding Him through childhood with love, strength, and unwavering devotion to God.
Join us for a retreat dedicated to deepening our faith and finding strength in God. St. Joseph protected and guided Jesus from the very beginning. In this year of Jubilee, as we continue our journey as Pilgrims of Hope, let us learn from St. Joseph, who protected HOPE with faith and love.
This retreat is guided by Fr. Edmund Lo, SJ and Sr. Hae-Jin Lim, FMA and is geared to young adults aged 19-39.
It will take place on Saturday, April 5th from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM at Don Bosco Center, 178 Steeles Ave East.
A Vigil Mass will be celebrated.
Contact Sr. Hae-Jin via email: srhaejin@gmail.com
Register here: https://forms.gle/fSBAiLPuD3pRubys6
The Garden Ministry will again be working with the Children’s Liturgy Ministry for indoor seeds planting on Sunday, April 27th 2025 at the 10:30 am Mass.
We are eagerly looking forward to this annual indoor event with the children of our Parish.
Please consider giving your offertory by picking up Envelopes, enrolling in Pre-Authorized Giving (PAG), or Donate Now (through the Archdiocese of Toronto website).
Offertory envelopes for 2025 are still available by the Gabriel Room. Boxes are usually not assigned to parishioners who are donating via Pre-Authorized Giving or Donate Now through the Archdiocese.
Please contact the parish office at 416-221-8866 with any questions.
This last week, what feast day did we celebrate that points us to the birth of Christ.
Hint: It was an announcement from Gabriel, not of our parish, but an angel.
| Posted in Bulletin |
March 22nd, 2025
Our parish is considering offering communion with celiac safe gluten-free hosts in the near future to parishioners requiring these. If this is your case, in order to help us assess the need, please let yourself be known, by visiting, calling or emailing the office. We do not require any specific information about yourself, other than what mass you usually attend.
Please stay tuned for further details about how and when communion with gluten-free hosts will be able to be received at St. Gabriel’s.
March 24th – March 30th, 2025
MONDAY – YONG SOOK CLARA LEE ✞ – Requested by Cecilia Yoon TUESDAY – HERMINIA E. VILLAVERDE ✞ – Requested by Pacita Cadavez & Family WEDNESDAY – BRUNO INNOCENTE ✞ – Requested by Anna Della Mora & Family THURSDAY – FRIDAY – SATURDAY – JANET BASCOM ✞ – Requested by Peter & Ana Bascom SUNDAY – 8:30 AM – FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE PARISH SUNDAY – 10:30 AM – ANGELO DIFLUMERI & DECEASED MEMBERS OF HIS FAMILY ✞ – Requested by his Family SUNDAY – 12:30 PM – GUY & THERESE VAULEON ✞ – Requested by Agnes Gaughan
Let us pray that the Lord grant Pope Francis strength and peace, restore his health and guide him to a full recovery so that he may continue to lead the holy People of God, with wisdom and love.
Our Rosary Groups meet each month.
The English Rosary Group meeting is the first Saturday of every month at 3:00 PM in the Gabriel Room.
The Chinese Rosary Group meeting is first Sunday of every month at 3:30 PM in the Gabriel Room.
Saturday, March 29th at 10:00 AM St. Gabriel’s Church
First Reconciliation for children attending St. Gabriel’s School, those in the Children’s Faith Program, and children attending other Catholic Schools will be held at St. Gabriel’s Church on Saturday, March 29th at 10:00 AM.
Psalm 103
Following the powerful and transformative reading from Exodus in which God tells Moses God’s name, this psalm proceeds to describe some characteristics of God.
God is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
God forgives all, heals all, redeems your life, works vindication and justice for all who are oppressed.
Faced with this description of God, the psalm advises us:
“Bless the Lord, o my soul, And all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, o my soul, And do not forget all his benefits.”
Next Weekend, March 29th /March 30th
Your prepared frozen casseroles will be collected at all the Masses next weekend for delivery to the Good Shepherd Centre. Many more volunteers are needed to help feed the hungry in our city.
Three recipes are available on St. Gabriel’s website. Printed copies of the recipes are also available in the Parish Office. Pans can also be picked up here in the office. Please remember to mark the label on the pan lid with the name of the casserole. For more information, you may contact Irene Albrecht at 416 221-2791
Thank you for heeding the Lord’s call to feed the hungry.
For many children, the snacks and meals they receive in school may be the only nutritious food they eat all day. Studies show that children can’t learn and thrive when they are hungry. Thanks to you, $750,000 in Food Security Grants are making a difference across our community. Students receive the nourishment they deserve, and parents are supported in the process. The FoodShare program at ShareLife-funded agency Rosalie Hall “is a lifeline for families,” says their Executive Director, Jane Kenny. “It helps parents provide food for their children, reduces their stress, and allows them to focus on being the best parents they can be.”
Please give at the parish using a ShareLife envelope, online through our parish website, or at sharelife.org/donate.
St. John the Evangelist Parish, 903 Giffard Street, Whitby
St. John the Evangelist Parish in Whitby is holding a Marriage preparation course on Monday nights starting April 7, 2025 until May 12, 2025 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
March 29, 2025
The Office of Vocations is hosting a high school day retreat for high school men, in grades 11 & 12, at St. Augustine’s Seminary, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. This retreat is designed to help young men cultivate a deeper prayer life & relationship with the Lord. Seminarians will offer reflections on practical aspects of faith. This retreat will offer opportunities for communal prayer, Holy Mass, Eucharistic Adoration & socializing. Lunch will be provided.
Registration: www.vocationstoronto.ca/hscomesee.
For more information please email: vocations@archtoronto.org
May 2nd to May 4th, 2025
Project Rachel at St. Mary’s Refuge is offering a weekend retreat, May 2nd to May 4th 2025, for women who have been hurt by abortion. You can speak with someone who understands and cares, and have a chance to begin the healing from loss and grief.
For more information, phone 289-691-6840, or e-mail ProjectRachel@stmarysrefuge.org
Friday, May 2nd, 2025 – 5:30-10:00 p.m.
Parkview Manor, 55 Barber Greene Road, North York
St. Clare is a transitional home that offers accommodation to homeless women who are struggling with a diagnosed mental health issue. It is a non-denominational, home-like setting where the focus is on rebuilding lives and self-esteem.
For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit: http://www.stclareinn.com/events
Activities in the bulletin invite us to our Lenten practices of almsgiving and prayer. Can you think of any activity in the bulletin that invites us to fast?
March 15th, 2025
March 17th – March 23rd, 2025
MONDAY – V. JOHN JOSEPH ✞ – Requested by his Family TUESDAY – ARMAND OAKIE ✞ – Requested by his Family WEDNESDAY –YONG SOOK CLARA LEE ✞ – Requested by Cecilia Yoon THURSDAY – SUSANNA WONG ✞ – Requested by Jenny Lo FRIDAY – ANDREW HUI ✞ – Requested by Howa Hui SATURDAY – DAVID CRADDOCK ✞ – Requested by his Family SUNDAY – 8:30 AM – FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE PARISH SUNDAY – 10:30 AM – CHIARA INTINI ✞ – Requested by Carmina Filice SUNDAY – 12:30 PM – SALVADOR SANJUAN ✞ – Requested by his Family
Fair Trade coffee will be sold after all the Masses next weekend. The cost is $7.00 per bag.
Saturday, March 29th at 10:00 AM
St. Gabriel’s Church
First Reconciliation for children attending St. Gabriel’s School, those in the Children’s Faith Program, and children attending other
Catholic Schools will be held at St. Gabriel’s Church on Saturday, March 29th at 10:00 AM.
Good Shepherd provides more than 240,000 meals a year to people who would otherwise go hungry. Please think about volunteering to help feed our less fortunate sisters and brothers. Three different recipes are available in the Parish Office or online at the Parish website. Casserole pans are also available in the Parish Office.
Your support is a tremendous help and is appreciated in the fight to end hunger and chronic homelessness. For more information, you may contact Irene Albrecht at 416-221-2791.
ShareLife Sunday is March 30.
Through your support of ShareLife, you extend the hands of Christ to those in need: the poor, the vulnerable, and the marginalized in our community. Because you care, more than 40 agencies provide strength to people of all ages in their weakest moments. You’ve been there for young parents as they worried about their next meal, isolated seniors yearning for companionship, teenagers seeking guidance in a confusing world, refugees longing to rebuild their lives, and people with special needs striving for dignity and acceptance. Thank you for living the Gospel through your compassion.
Our parish goal this year is $169,000.
Here the needs of young families are met, offering prenatal and parenting classes as well as staff to aid in the transition to parenthood. A school program enables clients to finish high school. The food we donate from our parish often replenishes their empty food bank.
Good Shepherd provides hot meals, clean clothes and shelter for the homeless in our city. They help find housing and provide follow up support. They support the homeless who are working to overcome addictions and provide a chance to start again through the Resettlement or DARE Programs.
The Office of Vocations is hosting a high school day retreat for high school men, in grades 11 & 12, at St. Augustine’s Seminary, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This retreat is designed to help young men cultivate a deeper prayer life & relationship with the Lord. Seminarians will offer reflections on practical aspects of faith. This retreat will offer opportunities for communal prayer, Holy Mass, Eucharistic Adoration & socializing. Lunch will be provided.
July 23rd to August 5th, 2025
Calling all young adults (ages 19 – 39), join Fr. Paul Magyar and the OCY team for a pilgrimage of a life time! We will be embarking on a pilgrimage to Venice, Padua, Florence, Assisi and Rome from July 23rd to August 5th, 2025.
Please contact youth@archtoronto.org to receive the pilgrim information package and detailed itinerary.
Offertory envelopes for 2025 are still available in the Gabriel Room. Boxes are usually not assigned to parishioners who are donating via Pre-Authorized Giving or Donate Now through the Archdiocese.
What do you call a fish with no eyes? Fsh
March 8th, 2025
March 10th – March 16th, 2025
MONDAY – JULIE CHAN ✞ – Requested by the Chan & Choy Families TUESDAY – FRIEDRICH WILHELM BRANSCHAT ✞ – Requested by his Family WEDNESDAY – BORIS CELIS ✞ – Requested by his Family THURSDAY – GEORGE P. VALAVI ✞ – Requested by his Family FRIDAY – MARIAM KUTTY VALAVI ✞ – Requested by her Family SATURDAY – V. JOSEPH & ANNA VALAVI ✞ – Requested by their Family SUNDAY – 8:30 AM – FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE PARISH SUNDAY – 10:30 AM – MEI YUNG FONG ✞ – Requested by the Fong Family SUNDAY – 12:30 PM – LEONARD T. SANDRASAGRA ✞ – Requested by Rohini Xavier
First Sunday of Lent, March 9th, 2025
Psalm 91
This psalm sings of the constant, protective, life-giving presence of the Lord with all of Creation. It’s our response to the words of Moses in Deuteronomy about the formation and deliverance of God’s people.
Lent begins with the hope-filled message of this psalm as we sing to the Lord: “My refuge and my fortress; my God in whom I trust.”
The theme of the 2025 Jubilee is “Pilgrims of Hope”. In the words of Pope Francis: “We must fan the flame of hope that has been given us, and help everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart and far-sighted vision.”
May this Holy Year provide a grace-filled opportunity to nurture the seeds of faith for you and your loved ones, immersing ourselves as Pilgrims of Hope into a year-long journey of prayer, witness and service drawing on the example of Jesus, our Lord.
Your love is a guiding light during Lent.
Maria, a 64-year-old newcomer to Canada, arrived seeking a fresh start but found herself struggling to find both stable employment and affordable housing. Through your support of ShareLife, she received personalized guidance at Catholic Crosscultural Services that helped her secure both a job and a home. She found stability and peace of mind, giving her the strength to embrace her new life.
Now, she’s a guiding light for seniors, helping others access the support that changed her life. This Lent, you can walk the same path as a testament to resilience and the transformative power of community.
Good Shepherd provides hot meals (more than 240,000 a year), clean clothes and shelter for the homeless in our city. They help find housing and provide follow up support. They support the homeless who are working to overcome addictions and provide a chance to start again through the Resettlement or DARE Programs.
The Canadian Council of Catholic Bishops is pleased to announce that the video series Journey Through Lent is now available. It is a joint project between three CCCB offices. It includes reflections on the readings for Ash Wednesday, and each Sunday in Lent including Palm Sunday.
This year’s spiritual reflections are delivered by the Most Rev. Gary Franken, Bishop of St. Paul, in English, and the Most Rev. Michel Proulx, Bishop of Bathurst, in French.
To view these reflections go to: in English: https://www.cccb.ca/lent/ in French: https://www.cecc.ca/careme/
Saturday, March 15 to Wednesday, March 19, 2025 345 Gladpark Ave., Stouffville
Weekend Masses: Saturday, March 15 at 5 p.m. & Sunday, March 16 at 9 and 11 a.m. Weekday Masses: Monday March 17, Tuesday March 18 & Wednesday March 19 Mass at 7 p.m. and Mission to follow. Confessions at 6 p.m. Guest Speaker & Presider: Fr. Ben St. Croix, CC
Father Ben St. Croix of the Companions of the Cross has a great zeal for the New Evangelization. He is a spark the Lord uses to set hearts on fire.
For more information, please contact St. Mark’s Parish, Stouffville. Phone: 905-640-6954 Email: stmarksst@archtoronto.org
Monday, March,17, 2025, 10:00 AM
St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica, 65 Bond St., Toronto
The annual Mass of St. Patrick at St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica in Toronto will take place on Monday, March 17 at 10:00 AM. His Eminence Thomas Cardinal Collins, Archbishop Emeritus of Toronto, will be the presider and homilist. All are welcome. Those unable to attend can participate in the celebration via livestream at www.stmichaelscathedral.com/live
Are you seeking meaningful employment or volunteer opportunities within Catholic agencies? Look no further!
Catholic Charities’ online job board connects passionate individuals with rewarding positions in Catholic organizations across the archdiocese.
Why Choose Us?
Check us out at: www.1155jobs.ca Contact: hkandiah@ccat.ca
Calling all young adults (ages 19 – 39): join Fr. Paul Magyar and the OCY team for a pilgrimage of a life time! We will be embarking on a pilgrimage to Venice, Padua, Florence, Assisi and Rome from July 23rd to August 5th, 2025.
To ensure the proper recording for tax receipt purposes, please do not use any envelopes from 2024 or any prior year for any 2025 donations.
Please contact the parish office at 416-221-8866 with any questions
What are you told when you receive ashes, and how does that inform what you do during Lent?
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 »
Companion for the Walk of the Stations of the Cosmic Earth
St. Gabriel’s Garden – Guided Sensory Reflective Walk