bulletin – November 30

Christmas & New Year’s Schedule

CONFESSIONS SAT DEC 20th 10:00 am to 12 Noon and
7:30 to 9:00 PM
CHRISTMAS EVE MASSES WED DEC 24th 7:00 PM Family Mass – Carol Singing
9:00 PM Mass – Adult Choir – Carol Singing

12:00 AM Midnight Mass – Contemporary Group
CHRISTMAS DAY MASSES THUR DEC 25th 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
OFFICE CLOSED – BOXING DAY WED DEC 26th NO MASS
FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY SAT DEC 27th 4:30 PM
SUN DEC 28th 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
NEW YEARS’ EVE WED DEC 31st NO MASS
NEW YEARS’ DAY MASSES THUR JAN 1st 10:30 AM and 12:30 PM

ANNOUNCED MASSES

Date Time Intentions
December 2 9:00AM WILLIAM STURMAN Requested by Stephen Previdsa
December 4 9:00AM DAVID SHELDRICK & DANIEL MORIARTY Requested by Teresa Sheldrick
December 5 9:00AM GIUSEPPINA SMERIGLIO Requested by Franca Gianna
December 6 4:30PM JANE MULLIGAN Requested by the Family

SUNDAY COLLECTION: November 22-23, 2008

Total: $9,449.32

–>

4:30 8:30 10:30 12:30
Loose
Env. $
Total $2,249 $2,023 $2,982 $2,196
# of Env. 111 97 161 105

Number of Envelopes Issued: 1136
Number of Envelopes Used: 474

OFFERTORY ENVELOPES FOR 2009

The 2009 Offertory Boxed Envelopes will be ready for pick up in the Gathering Space next weekend. It is important that you throw away all envelopes from previous years as your number might have been assigned to another family. Please enter your full name and address on each envelope so that we may allocate donations correctly for income tax purposes. If you do not have envelopes and would like a box, please contact the Parish Office.

TUESDAY NIGHTS AND WEDNESDAY MORNINGS ARE LEARNING TIMES

Next Meetings:
Wednesday, December 3rd at 10:00 AM
Topic: “What is Liberation Theology?”
Tuesday, December 9th at 7:00 PM
Topic: Movie: “Babette’s Feast”

WOMEN PARISHIONERS ADVENT DAY OF REFLECTION

“A New Look at Christmas”

We’ve heard the stories about the birth of Jesus from Matthew and Luke many, many times. Is there a way to look at these wonderful narratives that will make them fresh with new insight?

Join us as we take time to reflect on the journeys of Joseph and Mary at this critical time in their lives.

Day: Thursday, December 4th
Time: 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM
Place: Loretto Maryholme on Lake Simcoe (We will carpool.)
Cost: $20

For information or to register please call Mary Landry at 416-221-8866, Ext. 224.

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

Friday December 5th from 9:30 AM to 12:00 Noon. Please see the time schedule on the table inside the Church.

FAMILY MASS

The Family Mass will take place on Sunday, December 7th at the 12:30 Mass. All are welcome.

ENGLISH ROSARY GROUP

Saturday, December 6th at 3:15 PM in the Library
For information, please contact Linda Law at 416 -918-8029.

CHINESE ROSARY GROUP

Sunday, December 7thnd at 3:30 PM in the Gabriel Room
For information, please contact Linda Law at 416-918-8029.

ECO-SABBATH

Sunday, December 7th 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. The guided reflection brings an ecological perspective to the readings. All are welcome.

HUMAN RIGHTS DAY

December 10th marks the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. On December 6th and 7th after all the Masses, you are invited to sign an Amnesty International petition and/or send a greeting card to a prisoner of conscience or human rights defender who is under threat.

DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE CAMPAIGN

Thank you to all who signed over 100 action cards last weekend asking the Canadian Government to develop legal mechanisms to hold Canadian mining companies accountable for their actions abroad. If we missed you, information brochures and action cards are available at the entrance to the Church. Signed action cards (please complete both cards) can be left at the Parish Office.

UPDATING OUR PARISH RECORDS

We are updating our Parish Records. If you are a new parishioner and have not yet registered, please fill out a registration card which can be obtained at the Parish Office.

If you have recently moved, please let us know your new address so that our records will be correct.
Parish Office: 416-221-8866

KENYA PRESENTATION

On December 7, Colleen Shea and Robin Ivory will be sharing their experiences from their trip to build a school in Kenya this past August. This endeavor was supported by St.Gabriel’s parishioners who purchased raffle tickets.

For all who are interested, Robin and Colleen will be in the Gathering Space after the12:30 Mass to show their photos and answer questions.

GREAT GIFT IDEA!! SOUVENIR CHURCH MOSAIC PICTURES

Only 6 Left – $65 each

Money from the sales will go to support schools for special needs children in Sri Lanka. These schools are the first and only special education schools in a country, which has also been affected by the tsunami and the ongoing civil war.

See www.GodsOwnChildren.com.

If you would like to be further involved in this very worthy cause, please contact Otto Schmidt at 416- 221-8866.

CHILDREN’S CHOIR
FAMILY MASS – CHRISTMAS EVE AT 7:00 PM

Practice: Sunday, December 21, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM

Each year, young people, Grade 3 and up, form a special choir for the Family Mass on Christmas Eve. Children must be at the Church by 6:00PM. There is only one practice and it is mandatory. Practice is on Sunday, December 21 from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM. For further information please call Marilyn Calderone at 416-221-8866, Ext. 227

CHRISTMAS PAGEANT

Dress Rehearsal: Sunday, December 21st, 3:00PM to 4:30PM

S.K. to Grade 5 children are invited to participate in the pageant. Please call Anne Murphy at 416-512-0340.

CHRISTMAS FOOD DRIVE FOR THE GOOD SHEPHERD CENTRE

The brothers could use our help during the Christmas Season. Please bring non-perishable food items such as: canned soups and stews, powdered milk, instant and ground coffee, canned tuna or salmon, canned meats, canned fruit juices, powdered soup bases, hot chocolate, cooking spices and cold breakfast cereals. Kindly leave donations at the doors of the Church in the designated containers.

CHRISTMAS SERVICE FOR THOSE WHO MOURN

Tuesday, December 16th at 7:30 PM
Forest grove United Church
43 Forest Grove Drive, North York

This ecumenical service is sponsored by the Bayview-Sheppard Ministerial Group (including Chaplains of North York General Hospital and Seniors’ Health Centre) with the hope that the light of Christ will bring peace and comfort to people in the North York community who are bereaved or troubled, or for whom Christmas may be a difficult time.

CATHOLIC CHILDREN’S AID SOCIETY
“HOPE FOR THE CHILDREN FOUNDATION”

The Catholic Children’s Aid Society is inviting families to assist them in providing some little extras, such as new clothing, new toys, food vouchers and /or gift certificates to bring the joy of the season to one of their families. If you are willing to provide a donation or adopt-a-family, please call 416-395-1634 or email info@hopeforthechildren.ca.

CHRISTMAS TOY DRIVE

We are having a Christmas Toy Drive for the Catholic Children’s Aid Society. Can you help by dropping off an unwrapped new toy for a child 0 to 12 years old? Containers will be set up at the doors of the Church until Sunday, December 14th.