bulletin – February 24

FEAST OF ST. GABRIEL

Mass on Thursday, February 28 at 9:00 AM

St. Gabriel was a member of the Passionist Community. He was born Frances Possenti on March 1, 1838 in Assisi, and died February 27, 1862 at the age of 24. He had a special devotion to Mary and chose as his religious name Gabriel of the Sorrowful Virgin. He is remembered for his enthusiasm in life and his extraordinary generosity. Pope John XXIII proclaimed him as a special Patron of Youth.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS

Friday evenings at 7:30 PM.

While remembering the passion of Jesus, we also prayerfully reflect on the passion of Christ as it is experienced in the sufferings of our brothers and sisters today. Please try to join us at least once during this Lenten season.

During Lent we encourage your attendance at our weekday Masses on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday mornings at 9:00 AM.

LENTEN SERIES

Thursday, February 28, March 6, 13 at 7:30 PM

Join us on Thursday evenings as we watch and discuss a video series entitled “THE MYSTERY OF FAITH” presented by Father Michael Himes, a teacher at Boston College. If you are interested in attending, it would be helpful for set-up if you would phone and leave a message with Mary Landry at 416-221-8866, Ext. 224.

RECONCILIATION SERVICE

Wednesday, February 27TH at 7:30 PM

This is an opportunity to spend some time in peace and quiet, to reflect upon how we are responding to our call to be sons and daughters of God. Recognizing the fact that we are “good people,” we also accept the fact that good people can sin. Through an examination of conscience we face those sins, admit them and are reconciled to God. For those who wish, individual confessions will be celebrated after the service. We encourage you to take advantage of this celebration.

TUESDAY NIGHTS AND WEDNESDAY MORNINGS ARE LEARNING TIMES

Tuesday evening, March 4 at 7:30 PM
Topic: Catholics in Nazi Germany

Wednesday morning, February 27th at 10:30 AM
Topic: St. Paul – Pastor and Theologian

ANNOUNCED MASSES

Date Time Intentions
Feb. 26 9:00AM MARCELINO FERNANDES Requested by Tita & Family
Feb. 28 9:00AM GARY DORE Requested by the Doré Family
Feb. 29 9:00AM JOHN HARVEY Requested by Steve Previdsa
Mar. 1 4:30PM

LENTEN REFLECTION

Monday, March 3rd and Wednesday, March 5th from 7:30 – 8:30 PM

CRITICAL CHOICES – PASSION RESPONSES THEN AND NOW

Christ’s Passion can help us to grapple with and respond to the challenges of climate change. The difficult journey of his ministry reached a critical decision when he had to accept or reject a passion that he did not particularly want (Matt. 26: 37-39). A compelling urgency and necessity
demanded that a choice be made so that salvation might eventually follow. The model of Christ’s action and the values that informed his decision can guide and inspire our response to the increasingly serious consequences of climate change. Join us for two evenings of reflection and prayer on March 3rd and 5th at 7:30 PM, guided by Dennis O’Hara.

ENGLISH ROSARY GROUP

Saturday, March 1 at 3:15 PM in the Library
For information, please contact Linda Law at 416 -918-8029.

CHINESE ROSARY GROUP

Sunday, March 2 at 3:30 PM in the Gabriel Room
For information, please contact Linda Law at 416-918-8029.

ECO – SABBATH

Sunday, March 2 at 11:30 AM in the Gabriel Room

On the first Sunday of each month, the Passionist Centre for Ecology and Spirituality facilitates a 30 minute reflection and discussion prompted by the readings for that Sunday’s liturgy. This guided reflection brings an ecological perspective to the readings.

FAMILY MASS

Sunday, March 2 at the 12:30 PM MassCom e and celebrate with us.

R.C.I.A.

Please remember in your prayers those who will be received into the Church at Easter.

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER

Friday, March 7th at 2:00 PM at St. Gabriel’s Church

The World Day of Prayer is an ecumenical service at which seven other local churches will participate with us. We need some volunteers to help us both before and during the service. We will be making crosses using palms (100 of them!) to hand out at the service. We also need a few greeters and four others to take up the collection which goes to various religious and social justice organizations. Please join us as we welcome our neighbouring Christian parishes.

SUNDAY COLLECTION: February 16/17, 2008

Total: $8,230

–>

4:30 8:30 10:30 12:30
Loose
Env. $
Total $1,968 $1,526 $2,800 $1,936
# of Env. 132 94 147 72

POT LUCK FOR NEWCOMERS TO CANADA

There will be a potluck dinner for newcomers to Canada on February 29th at 6:30 PM in the Gabriel Room. It will be an excellent opportunity to meet other new immigrants in the parish and to share with one another the experiences of settlement and perhaps even some strategies for adjusting to new life in Canada. Please join us if you can. For more information, contact Fatima Lee at (416) 221- 8866 ext 228.

SOCIETY OF SHARING: INNER CITY VOLUNTEERS

Society of Sharing has been dedicated to serving seniors and the disabled since 1981. The Society seeks to serve isolated and disabled adults over 50 or frail elderly persons who may not have family and friends. A request for a volunteer may be made by a visiting nurse, social worker, parish or community worker, family, friend or self. The Society of Sharing provides support to enhance the quality of life and to extend independent living in the community. Volunteers make regular visits to shut-ins. They also provide telephone medication reminders daily.

HUMANITARIAN RELIEF – KENYA

ShareLife is now receiving funds for our relief partners at the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace as they respond to the crisis in Kenya. If parishioners wish to contribute to the relief effort, they can do so here at St. Gabriel’s or on the ShareLife website, www.sharelife.org

ALTAR SERVERS

Your schedule for March 1 to June 29. 2008 and Holy Week is now available. Please pick it up as soon as possible.

BAPTISMS – WELCOME

Daria Morson
Aidan Simms Murray Felin
Czarina Therese Reye
Lyliana Rene Jones
Ella Benita Fernandes

MARGUERITE BOURGEOYS FAMILY CENTRE

The Marguerite Bourgeoys Family Centre will be selling Belgian chocolate Easter eggs for $3.00 each or two for $5.00 before and after the Masses on Sunday, March 2. Your support will help them promote and maintain their service in the Diocese to youth and couples.

AN EVENING FOR THOSE WHO PREPARE CASSEROLES FOR THE GOOD SHEPHERD CENTRE

There will be a Pot Luck Supper for all who cook casseroles or serve at the Good Shepherd Centre; those interested in becoming volunteers are welcome to attend. The Pot Luck Supper will be on Wednesday, March 12 at 6:00 PM. All attending are requested to bring a hot dish, salad or dessert to serve six people. A speaker from the Good Shepherd Centre will make a presentation on their activities and answer questions. If we have not contacted you, please call one of the following: Lily D’Gama at 416 733-3949, Irene Albrecht at 416 221-2791, Fatima Lee at 416 221-8866, Ext. 228 or Neil Ahlberg at 416 223-9385

NATIONAL CATHOLIC BROADCASTING TELEVISED MISSION 2008

March 3 & 4, 2008 on VISIONTV

Father Ron Rolheiser, O.M.I. will be the guest preacher for this year’s National televised Mission. His topic: Keeping a Mellow Heart in a Bitter Time. A powerful testimonial on this topic will be given by a father and his daughter, Tom and Barbara Zanig.
Monday, March 3 – Show #1: 7:00 PM, 11:00 PM (repeat)
Tuesday, March 4 – Show # 2: 7:00 PM, 11:00 PM (repeat)

TORONTO CATHOLIC SCHOOLS HAVE FAITH IN YOUR CHILD

Registration begins in February 2008 for Kindergarten and French Immersion at all Catholic elementary schools throughout the City of Toronto. For more information, please contact the Catholic school nearest you or at 416-222-8282, extension 5314 or visit the Board’s website at www.tcdsb.org.

ST. MICHAEL’S CHOIR SCHOOL AUDITIONS

At our Archdiocesan school renowned for it’s boys choir, auditions are now in progress for the 2008-9 school year. The Choir School forms young Christian gentlemen through a unique learning environment of musical and academic excellence. Entrance is normally at grade 3, but space may be available in upper years including the high school. For information, visit www.smcs.on.ca or call the Main Office at 416-393-5518.