April 25th, 2025
This is available on the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops: https://www.cccb.ca/about/apostolic-nunciature/pope-francis/
A dedicated site with information about Pope Francis, the College of Cardinals, and the Conclave is available at http://www.archtoronto.org/popefrancis
| Posted in Notice |
April 19th, 2025
Rejoice for the Lord has truly risen! Alleluia! Alleluia!
We want to wish you all a Happy and Holy Easter!
On this Easter, as we celebrate the Resurrection, we take a moment to keep our brothers and sisters in the Holy Land in our thoughts and prayers. We also take a moment to thank all our fellow parishioners who help make St. Gabriel’s Parish the vital and welcoming church that we are.
We are grateful to our Musicians, Cantors and Choirs, our Lectors, Altar Servers, our Youth, Ministers of Hospitality, the Counting ministry, our Finance Council, the Building Committee, the Events Committee, the Garden ministry, those responsible for decorating the church, those keeping the altar linens fresh and our Mission Coordinators. Thank you!
Just a reminder… The office is closed on Easter Monday, April 21st. There will be no 9:00 AM Mass.
Meeting appointments for children who are registered and preparing to receive their First Communion are now available.
Meetings will begin Tuesday, April 29th and continue until Friday, May 2nd. They are scheduled every 15 minutes from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
Please call the Parish Office at 416-221-8866 to book your appointment if you have not already done so.
Anyone who is interested in becoming a Minister of Care to the Hospital or to the Homebound, please contact Sr. Maria Lucia at stgabrielem@gmail.com
Psalm 22
Before today’s proclamation of the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke, Psalm 22 presents us with a prayerful description of the Suffering Servant, Jesus, the example of humility for us to follow.
Jesus, mocked and tortured, is also praised and glorified.
This is the Lord’s Paschal Mystery.
April 21th – April 27th, 2025
MONDAY – EASTER MONDAY – No 9:00 AM Mass TUESDAY – HUI SOU LIN ✞ – Requested by Linda Law WEDNESDAY – V. MARIAM VALAVI ✞ – Requested by her Family THURSDAY ̶ FRIDAY – SATURDAY – MERYLLA LAGUNO ✞ – Requested by Her Family SUNDAY – 8:30 AM – FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE PARISH SUNDAY – 10:30 AM – BRUNO CORTESE ✞ – Requested by Antonietta Cortese and Family SUNDAY – 12:30 PM
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. Here the needs of young families are met, offering prenatal and parenting classes as well as staff to aid in the transition to parenthood.
Good Shepherd provides hot meals, clean clothes and shelter for the homeless in our city They support the homeless who are working to overcome addictions and provide a chance to start again through the Resettlement or DARE Programs.
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
A Food Bank in a marginalized area of Toronto is in constant need of egg cartons.
If you can help, please drop off your egg cartons in the box provided in the Gathering Space. Many thanks for your assistance
A heartfelt thank you to all our parishioners for your donations and support during the month of March. Here are some updates.
Thank you for being a beacon of hope
On Easter Sunday, we thank you for being a beacon of hope for our brothers and sisters in need by supporting ShareLife. In their darkest hours, you are right beside them. As we rejoice in the resurrection of our Lord this Easter Sunday, let us open our hearts to all.
Please give at the parish using a ShareLife envelope, online through our parish website, or at sharelife.org/donate.
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
Why not consider a Pilgrimage to one of our designated Pilgrimage Churches in the Archdiocese of Toronto during this special year of blessings? A listing of these churches and resources for your visit can be found at: www.archtoronto.org/jubilee.
The site also provides information for those wishing to receive a Plenary Indulgence through their visit to a Pilgrimage church. Please note that it is not necessary to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation on the same day as your visit to the Pilgrimage church, but it can be celebrated in your own parish “within several days before or after your visit.”
Why did the adders remain on the Ark when everyone was told to be fruitful and multiply?
Hint: Sometimes things don’t add up.
Tuesday, April 22nd, 2025 from 7:00 PM to 7:30 PM
Online via Zoom
All are welcome to join the Toronto Archdiocesan Council of Development & Peace – Caritas Canada for an online Earth Day prayer service. April 22, 2025, 7 to 7:30 p.m. “Celebrating our Earth in Prayer. Ecological debt” (What is it & what are our responsibilities?).
Register at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/XLmkXuUtT0-SZ1628jt3Jw.
The Garden Ministry is again calling our Parish Community to join them for the annual clean-up of the parish external grounds, for 30 minutes, after all weekend masses on April 26th and 27th.
This annual activity is our little way of observing Earth Day, an annual global event. This year, it is celebrated Monday, April 22nd, 2025 under the theme “Our Power, Our Planet”.
Coincidentally, April 25th-27th is City of Toronto’s Clean Toronto Together “annual spring clean up” days.
What concrete actions can you take individually or collectively to respond to the Cry of the Earth? End plastic pollution NOW! Build a plastic-free planet for future generations! For ideas, visit https://www.earthday.org
Looking to deepen your connection with the land? Join the Garden Ministry at garden@stgabrielsparish.ca
The Gabriel Room
Those children who attend the Children’s Liturgy will be planting seeds indoors on April 27th at the 10:30 AM Mass.
Children will be given the opportunity to “adopt a seedling”. For more information, please contact the Children’s Liturgy and the Garden Ministry by emailing garden@stgabrielsparish.ca
| Posted in Bulletin |
April 12th, 2025
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
Beginning April 10th
The Catholic Register Newspaper is changing its delivery method to individual parishioners. Starting April 10th 2025, 100 copies will be delivered to our parish each Thursday. Parishioners who were previously receiving the Register at home are asked to pick up their copy from the parish.
April 7th – April 13th, 2025
MONDAY – ARMAND OAKIE ✞ – Requested by his Family TUESDAY – SPECIAL INTENTION – Requested by Jack & Wanda WEDNESDAY – DEARLY JIMPSON B. PELIAS ✞ – Requested by Jimboy & Jingle Pelias, with Job & Jaztine THURSDAY – HOLY THURSDAY – Mass of the Lord’s Suppe – No Intentions FRIDAY – GOOD FRIDAY – No 9:00 AM Mass SATURDAY – HOLY SATURDAY – Easter Vigil – No Intentions SUNDAY – EASTER SUNDAY – No Intentions
You empower youth to embrace God
Your devotion enables the Office of Catholic Youth to fulfill their mission of helping youth and young adults to encounter, love and serve Jesus Christ. Through your loving support of ShareLife, young people are empowered to become Christian leaders who know Christ and have a growing relationship with Him. Aspiring youth and campus ministers, like Laura, form spiritual habits through workshops and formation retreats. They learn practical methods to engage the youth of today and help them deal with everyday pressures. “These formation sessions have equipped me with a firm foundation in the faith,” she says, “enabling me to pass on authentic Catholic teachings to the young people in my care.”
Thus far we have raised $23,916 raised toward our goal of $169,000 Please give at the parish using a ShareLife envelope, online through our parish website, or at sharelife.org/donate.
Thank you for living the Gospel through ShareLife!
Thursday, April 17, 2025 from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
A VIRTUAL EVENT ONLINE RECOMMENDED BY THE OFFICE FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIAN UNITY AND RELIGIOUS RELATIONS WITH JUDAISM
For Genocide Awareness Month, Echoes & Reflections presents a webinar exploring the definition of genocide, how such events occur and their devastating consequences throughout history. This educational session will examine how individual and collective choices create historical ruptures and provide participants with knowledge and resources to better understand these complex historical events and their lasting impact on the world.
This event is geared towards educators and students; however, everyone is welcome to attend.
Please register at https://bit.ly/4iBJcva
Just a reminder that milk bag weaving is taking place on Wed. April 16th from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM. All are welcome
Closing April 15th
The Office for Interreligious Dialogue invites high school students to participate in the Youth Interfaith Video Contest sponsored by the Dominican Friars of Toronto in collaboration with The Catholic Register, Salt + Light Media and the Mary Ward Centre.
This year the theme of the contest is: Faith as a Pathway from Division to Unity
The contest is organized in honour of the United Nations International Human Fraternity Day which is celebrated on February 4th every year. The document regarding this important day can be found at https://bit.ly/HumanFraternityDoc.
In an age of division, the contest calls on high school students in the Archdiocese of Toronto to explore how love, compassion and interfaith dialogue can bridge gaps, foster understanding and promote unity.
The contest closes on Tuesday, April 15th, 2025.
The length of the video should not be more than three minutes.
Video submissions can be submitted at this link: https://bit.ly/DFVCSubmission
“No Place Like Home”
Why not consider a Lenten Pilgrimage to one of our designated Pilgrimage Churches in the Archdiocese of Toronto during this special year of blessings? A listing of these churches and resources for your visit can be found at: www.archtoronto.org/jubilee.
SAVE THE DATE: April 27th 2025, 10:30 AM Mass
Children will be given the opportunity to “adopt a seedling”.
For more information, please contact the Children’s Liturgy and the Garden Ministry by emailing garden@stgabrielsparish.ca
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.
What do you call a line of men waiting to get their hair cut?
A barber-cue
April 5th, 2025
MONDAY – BELLA FE CASTRO ✞ – Requested by the Macaraeg Family TUESDAY – RENATO PACHECO ✞ – Requested by his Family WEDNESDAY – LAURIE BURKE – Requested by her Family THURSDAY – CELINE CHIU-KO ✞ – Requested by the Chiu Family FRIDAY – THE MACARAEG FAMILY – Requested by the Family SATURDAY – THE SICK & THE DYING – Requested by Lydia McGrann SUNDAY – 8:30 AM – FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE PARISH SUNDAY – 10:30 AM – WILLIAM FAN ✞ – Requested by Jenny Lo SUNDAY – 12:30 PM – EAMON GAUGHAN ✞ – Requested by Agnes Gaughan
Psalm 126
God makes all things new.
Commentators say this is a psalm about renewal and restoration: the restoration of the Jewish People after the Babylonian Captivity.
And the restoration of all things in Christ. Which is happening always and everywhere. But it can be hard for us to see. For the hardness of our hearts, Jesus prescribes prayer.
So let our Lenten faith-filled prayer be with this psalm as it shouts: “The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy!”
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 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 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.
If you can help, please drop off your egg cartons in the box provided in the Gathering Space. Many thanks for your assistance.
You open the door to safety from abuse
Your support of ShareLife-funded agencies is a saving grace for victims of domestic abuse. Maria was trapped in an abusive relationship, isolated from family and friends. A mother of three, pregnant with her fourth, she needed to escape for her safety and theirs. At Safe Centre of Peel, led by Catholic Family Services Peel-Dufferin, 17 partner agencies unite to care for families. They provide legal assistance, safe housing, and financial aid. Through your solidarity, Maria and her young children were able to secure the freedom they deserve.
Thus far we have raised $21,751 toward our goal of $169,000. Please give at the parish using a ShareLife envelope, online through our parish website, or at sharelife.org/donate.
Thank you to the volunteers who prepared 49 casseroles for March. For April, your prepared frozen casseroles will be collected at all the Masses on the weekend of April 26th/27th to be delivered to the Good Shepherd Centre.
You may pick up a copy of a casserole recipe and a pan from the Parish Office. Three recipes are also available on St. Gabriel’s website. Please remember to mark the label on the pan lid with the name of the casserole.
More volunteers are urgently needed to help feed the hungry in our city. For more information, please contact the Parish Office at 416 221 8866.
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.
April 9th from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM
Registration closing soon!
The first webinar in the 2025 Parish Vitality Webinar Series titled, “Healing Ministries That Enhance Parish Vitality: Ministering to Children of Divorce” will take place on April 9th, from 9:30 to 11:00 AM.
Many adult children of divorce struggle with their perception of God and the Church. This webinar will explore the long-term effects of marital breakdown on faith and relationships, offering insights into the hidden wounds adult children of divorce often carry. Ways to gently journey with these people in the midst of their spiritual struggles will be explored.
To register go to https://bit.ly/PVWS-RegisterApr2025
For more information contact formation@archtoronto.org or 416-934-3400 ext. 523.
Registrants will receive an emailed recording of the webinar; we encourage you to register even if you are unable to join the live session.
What Do Rabbits Say Before They Eat?
Lettuce pray!
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.
Closing Soon
WHERE: Gabriel Room WHAT: Indoor Seed Planting with the Children’s Liturgy Ministry.
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.
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.”
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,”
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.
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.
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.
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