Bulletin – 15 November

This week, Theology on Tap, the Oil and Ice Tour and the Catholic Women’s League presents a seminar on Alzheimer’s Disease.

AWAKENING THE DREAMER SYMPOSIUM

December 12th from 8:45 AM until 1:00 PM
Gabriel Room, cost: free.

Do you have dreams of a world that is environmentally sustainable, spiritually fulfilling, and socially just?

Join us for the Awakening The Dreamer symposium. It will draw from the experience and wisdom of some of the world’s most respected thinkers, including Tom Berry, Brian Swimme, Desmond Tutu, and Thich Nhat Hanh. Together we’ll explore how we can, both individually and collectively, move the world in a new direction. For more information about the symposium, visit www.AwakeningTheDreamer.org
The symposium will be held on Saturday, December 12, 2009 from 8:45 AM to 1:00 PM in the Gabriel Room.

For more information, please contact Fatima Lee at 416-221-8866, Ext.228.

AN INVITATION TO LEARN!

In past years, Tuesday evenings and Wednesday mornings have been devoted to religious topics decided on by those who wish to participate.
Next Meetings:
The History of Angels, Etc.
Tuesday, November 17th at 7:30 PM.
The History of Angels, Etc.
Wednesday, November 18th at 10:30 AM.

For further information, please call Mary Landry at 416-293-3760.

BIBLE STUDY WITH FR. BERNARD

Monday, November 16th at 7:30 PM

Grow in your faith by studying the Bible regularly. Fr. Bernard leads a Bible study group on Monday evenings at 7:30 PM. The focus of the study is the Gospel of John. All are welcome. Bring a friend and your Bible.

SPONSORING A REFUGEE FAMILY

Day after day, we hear of people in other parts of the world whose lives are threatened because of war, political beliefs,
or ethnic conflicts. Canada prides itself on accepting tens of thousands of refugees each year, and tries to provide for them a space to rebuild their lives. Thirty years ago, St. Gabriel’s sponsored its first refugee family – one from Vietnam. We have helped other families since.
At this time, the parish is exploring again the feasibility of sponsoring another refugee family. If you are interested, and wish to be part of this effort, please contact Fatima Lee at (416) 221-8866 Ext 228.

SHEPHERD’S TRUST COLLECTION

This Weekend -November 14th/15th

The mission of the Shepherd’s Trust is to raise awareness and funds so that elderly and disabled priests are provided with sufficient financial resources to lead a dignified life after many years of ministry. By supporting Shepherd’s trust, retired priests are given the dignity of adequate pensions, health care and other assistance in their golden years.

This collection is taking place in our parish this weekend.
The contributions received from our parish, plus other “religious order” parishes, will be allocated to each order’s retirement fund. Please note that all contributions are tax-deductible. Thank you for caring for those who always cared for us!
For further information go to www.shepherdstrust.org

IN MEMORIAL GIVING

Our parish is where we celebrate the special moments in our lives. It is where we come to be married, see our children and grandchildren baptized, come to be reconciled with God and to be nourished by the Holy Eucharist. Our parish is where we will come to take our final journey out of this world and into the next.

One way you can show others that the Church is important to you is to request that in lieu of flowers donations made in your memory be directed toward your parish or favourite Archdiocesan charity. To ensure that your wishes are fulfilled, let your family know of your intention. Then sign and date a handwritten letter that states your wishes and keep it with your will. The Archdiocese will ensure that In Memoriam cards are delivered to the funeral home for the visitation.

ST. VINCENT de PAUL NEEDS YOUR HELP

We often meet neighbours in need who require professional help but have no resources. We are asking any of our parishioners who are lawyers, chiropractors, optometrists, dentists, or physiotherapists, who would be willing to donate their time, on the rare occasion when there is a need, to contact the St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Gabriel’s. Please call Fran Murphy at 416-223-0936. Thank you for remembering the poor this Christmas.

JUST COFFEE

Fair trade organic coffees will be on sale after all the Masses next weekend.

  • Regular ground Coffee: $5
  • Decaffeinated $6
  • Whole Beans $5
  • Chocolate Bars: $4 including taxes
  • Hot Chocolate and Cocoa: $4.50
  • Teas: $3.25 to $4.00 by variety

Fair trade products are appreciated as Christmas presents. Please let us know of your Christmas order next weekend so that we will have sufficient quantities on hand for the December sale.

NOVEMBER IS THE MONTH OF ALL SOULS – BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE

There is a Book of Remembrance placed on the altar for the month of November. You are invited to write the names of your deceased relatives and friends in the book. They will be remembered at all the Masses celebrated this month.

ANNOUNCED MASSES

November 16th to November 21st, 2009

MONDAY – PAUL YAU YUE LAM Requested by Charlotte Yeung
TUESDAY – BELINA WONG Requested by Michelle Tan
WEDNESDAY – KWAI FUN KO Requested by Lucille Yeung & Friends
THURSDAY – PERRY TANG Requested by the Family
FRIDAY – ABRAMO & DESOLINA DI NARDO Requested by the Family
SATURDAY – GINO GERALDI Requested by the Family

SUNDAY COLLECTION

November 8st, 2009: $9,162

Mass

4:30 8:30 10:30 12:30
Total $2,421 $2,008 $2,534 $2,199
Envelopes 121 92 136 85

Number of Envelopes Used: 434

OFFERTORY ENVELOPES FOR 2010

We are presently preparing the offertory envelopes for 2010. If you already receive envelopes and have changed your address or phone number, please inform the Parish Office so that we can update our records.

If you do not receive offertory envelopes and would like to do so, please call the office at 416-221-8866 and we will prepare a box for you.

The“Pre-Authorized Giving” plan allows parishioners to make their regular offertory donations by automatic monthly bank withdrawal. Forms, (in a sealed envelope please), may be placed in the collection basket or dropped off at the Parish Office.

FOR THE LOVE OF SINGING

Saturday, November 28th at 7:30 PM
St. Gabriel’s Church

We are hosting a night of sacred and secular music featuring the East York Barbershop Chorus and our own
St. Gabriel’s Musicians and Singers.
Tickets are on sale this weekend after all the Masses. $12 in advance, $15 at the door and $30 for a family

C.W.L. BLESSED TRINITY

Seminar on Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia
Tuesday, November 17th from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

The Catholic Women’s League of Blessed Trinity Parish cordially invites all parishioners and their friends to an informative complimentary seminar in the Parish Hall.
TOPIC: “Learning the Latest Information on Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease and the Services that Will Benefit You.”
Experts from the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada and the Alzheimer’s Society, City of Toronto, will speak. Refreshments will be served. Please RSVP Mary Currie at 416-225-8844.

FAITH CONNECTIONS’ THEOLOGY ON TAP

Monday, November 16, 2009 at 7:00 PM
Duke of York Pub, 39 Prince Arthur Avenue, Toronto

Young adults (ages 19 to 39) are invited to a social evening of thought-provoking discussion on “Into the Silence – In a Busy World” with guest Fr. Michael Machacek, Executive Director of the Newman Centre at the University of Toronto.
Munchies will be provided and cash bar is available. Come and bring a friend!
For more information, please call 416 -222-1426, Ext. 276 or visit www.faithconnections.ca – a ministry of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Toronto.

THE GREEN CORNER

Starting with this issue of the Parish Bulletin, we will have a dedicated GREEN CORNER each week. In this space, we’ll highlight forthcoming “green” events, share thought-provoking quotes on our relationship with our planet, or films and resources on the environment. Occasionally, we’ll also share some “green” tips we can use in our daily living.

Oil and Ice Tour: Are we giving up ice for oil?

Wednesday, November 18th, at 7:00 PM,
OISE Auditorium, University of Toronto

Award–winning authors Andrew Nikiforuk (Tar Sands) and
Ed Struzik (The Big Thaw) discuss how the melting of Arctic sea ice and the exploitation of the Alberta tar sands are connected and how they are shaping Canada’s future. This event is hosted by WWF-Canada. RSVP to events@wwfcanada.org or call 1-800-26-PANDA