bulletin – October 12

God has given us the earth to be our homeland. Along with this gift, we are asked to show our thankfulness by caring for the earth and by sharing our own gifts with one another. Mass will be celebrated on Thanksgiving Day, Monday, October 13th at 10:00 AM.

ANNOUNCED MASSES

Date Time Intentions
October 14 9:00AM CHANTAL MERCIER Requested by Steve Previdsa
October 16 9:00AM ANTHONY YEUNG Requested by Agnes Wong & Family
October 17 9:00AM ANDREW LAU Requested by Agnes Wong & Family
October 18 4:30PM KATHI WATTS Requested by Philip & Kathi Leah

SUNDAY COLLECTION: October 4-5, 2008

Total: $11,136.02

–>

4:30 8:30 10:30 12:30
Loose
Env. $
Total $2,525 $2,025 $3.919 $3,337
# of Env. 120 89 174 110

CEREMONY OF THE BLESSING OF THE SICK

The ceremony for the blessing of the sick will be held on Sunday, October 19th at 3:30 PM. The sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is one of the seven Sacraments. It is celebrated with those who are seriously ill, those who are preparing for surgery and the elderly. The preferred place for celebrating this Sacrament is in the Church with family and the members of the parish community present. All are more than welcome to attend.

TUESDAY NIGHTS AND WEDNESDAY MORNINGS ARE LEARNING TIMES

On Tuesday evening, October 14th at 7:30 PM, our topic will be “What is Liberation Theology?” On Wednesday morning, October 22nd at 10:30 AM, we will finish studying St. Paul’s Letters. Both groups will decide what topics they wish to study through the fall. If you are interested, please come with your questions, your “puzzlements”, your concerns and interests about the faith (and sometimes doubts) we share. For further information, please call Mary Landry at 416-221-8866, Ext. 224.

ST. PAUL OF THE CROSS – OCTOBER 19

St. Paul of the Cross was the founder of the Passionists (1720). Born in northern Italy in 1694, Paul experienced conversion at the age of 15 and began a lifetime of devotion to prayer and austerity. At age 20 he tried life as a soldier, but left after one year. Six years later, having had several visions, he determined that his vocation was to found an order dedicated to the passion of our Lord. Officials declared the visions authentic and Paul withdrew to write a rule. He was joined by his brother, who remained with him for the rest of his life. By 1747, the Passionists had three houses and were preaching missions throughout Italy. At his death in 1775, Paul was establishing a congregation for Passionist nuns.

TAX SAVING ALERT!

BCE (Bell Canada), one of Canada’s premiere telecommunications companies, will soon become a private company (December, 2008). All common shareholders will be required to sell or donate their BCE securities and may face a large tax bill due to the greatly appreciated value of their stock. By donating your shares to our parish or the Passionist Community, you can avoid the taxes on gains. Please consult your financial advisor on this matter. You can also download the forms needed at www.stewardshiptoronto.org. Please share this message with other Catholics you know!

REGISTRATION FOR CHILDREN’S SACRAMENTS

Public and Private School Children For families registered in this parish. If your child does not attend St. Gabriel’s School but wishes to receive the Sacrament of Baptism, First Communion, Reconciliation or Confirmation, please pick up a Registration Form in the Parish Office. These forms should be returned to the Parish Office with a copy of your child’s Baptismal Certificate (for First Communion and Confirmation) as soon as possible.

Children’s Faith Program and St Gabriel’s Students Parents please bring completed registration forms to the Parish Office (Gabriel Room) on Wednesday, October 15 or Tuesday, October 21 between 7:30 and 9:00 PM. A photocopy of your child’s Baptismal certificate must accompany the registration for First Communion and Confirmation.

CONFIRMATION PREPARATION PARENTS ONLY MEETING

Wednesday. October 22nd from 7:30 to 9:00 PM This meeting which will take place in the Church, is for parents of children receiving their Confirmation this year.

RECEPTION FOR NEW PARISHIONERS

The parish will be holding a reception on November 1, 2008 in the gathering space of the church to welcome all the new parishioners who have joined our parish family in recent months. For those who are new to the parish, this will be an opportunity for the parish team to get to know you and to answer any questions you have regarding our community. Please join us if you can. It will facilitate our planning if we can know ahead the number of people who will be attending. If you can come to the reception, please call or email the parish office before October 24th.

JUST COFFEE

Fair Trade organic coffees will be on sale after all the Masses next weekend.
Regular ground coffee: $5
Whole beans $5
Decaffeinated Ground and Beans: $6
Chocolate Bars: $4 incl. taxes
Hot Chocolate and Cocoa: $4.50
Teas $3.25 to $3.50 by variety

ALTAR SERVERS

If you are in Grade 4 or higher and are interested in becoming an altar server, please leave your name and phone number with the Parish Office at 416-221-8866. The orientation and training for new members will be held on Saturday, October 25, 2008 from 2:30 PM to 4:15 PM.

CONFERENCE ON WOMEN ABUSE

Archbishop Collins will provide the opening address at a conference on woman abuse hosted by some of the Catholic agencies of the Archdiocese on Saturday, October 18 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The conference will be held at Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts in North York (Sheppard Subway Station). Come and learn about this important issue and what you can do about it. Youth (over 16 years) and adults, both men and women, are welcome. Pre-registration is required. The fee of $20 includes lunch. Please contact Carmela at 416-222-0048, Ext. 235.

MOSAIC PEACE MEAL

Sunday, November 2, from 2-5 PM
Temple Har Zion, 7360 Bayview Ave. (north of Steeles)
Co sponsored by Temple Har Zion and Thornhill United Church The theme is Social Justice with different faiths ‘perspectives and will include displays from agencies working to help the poor etc. as well as a program for children on bullying. The program ends with a pot-luck vegan supper. If coming, please bring a dish to share with other participants but with absolutely no meat, poultry, eggs, fish, dairy products or alcohol due to dietary laws and no nut products as many people are allergic to these. All are welcome. Please RSVP to Nora at 416-218-0680 by October 27th. See the poster on the bulletin boards for more details.

WORLD MISSION SUNDAY

Next Sunday is World Mission Sunday. Your financial support will help share the Good News of Jesus through the translation of bibles and missals, printing prayer books and hymnals and broadcasting the Gospel to remote mission communities. Please pray for the missions and be generous next Sunday – World Mission Sunday.

FOLLOWING JESUS … A JOURNEY OF FREEDOM

Single women, 18 to 40, are invited to a retreat weekend October 17 – 19 given by a team of Sisters of St. Joseph. For further information, call Sister Dorothy at 416-927-0702. Also see the bulletin board flyer.

SHARELIFE RECEIVING FUNDS FOR AID TO HAITI

Following a series of devastating tropical storms that struck Haiti in August and September, ShareLife is now accepting funds to assist with relief and reconstruction efforts in affected areas. In the past two months, Haitians have faced flooding and severe damage to homes, buildings and crops from tropical storms Hanna, Fay, Gustav and Ike. The storms left hundreds dead and an estimated 650,000 people struggling in dire conditions. The Catholic Church’s official relief body, Caritas Internationalis, is working with staff in the region. As has been the case in the past, contributions will be channeled through the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development & Peace, the Caritas representative organization in Canada. Donations can be made online through the ShareLife website www.sharelife.org. As always, ShareLife applies no administration fees to funds received for humanitarian relief appeals, ensuring that 100 percent of each contribution goes to the agencies involved.

NORTH YORK RETIRED MEN’S CLUB

Tuesday, October 14, 2008 at 2:00 PM
Blessed Trinity Hall
Professor S. Kumar will speak on India… a great civilization and an emerging power. All are invited.

COME AND SEE WEEKEND

Thinking about the priesthood? Wondering what it might be like? Then “Come and See” is for you! November 7th to 9th, 2008, there will be an opportunity for young men of 18 years or older to visit our Archdiocesan Seminary in Scarborough. This weekend will provide time for prayer, reflection and information on becoming a Catholic priest. If God is calling you, say yes… and Come and See. Those interested are asked to speak with their Pastor or contact the Office of Vocations for further information at 416-968-0997.