Bulletin – 6 December

This week, the Awakening the Dreamer symposium, an Advent day of reflection, Human Rights Day, and opportunities to help those in need this Christmas.

AWAKENING THE DREAMER SYMPOSIUM

December 12th from 8:45 AM until 1:00 PM
Gabriel Room
Cost: free. Donations welcome.

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

AN INVITATION TO LEARN!

Next Meetings:
What’s “Canon Law” all about?
Tuesday, December 15th at 7:30 PM.

What’s “Canon Law” all about?
Wednesday, December 16th at 10:30 AM.

BIBLE STUDY WITH FR. BERNARD

Monday, December 7th at 7:30 PM

Grow in your faith by studying the Bible regularly. Fr. Bernard leads a Bible study group focusing on
the Gospel of John. Bring your Bible and a friend.

ADVENT DAY OF REFLECTION

When Mary Said “Yes”, When We Say “Yes”

Mary plays a major role in our Christmas stories and in other Biblical events. Can her life shed light on what we are experiencing now as we celebrate Christmas in 2009? Join us as we take time to reflect on her journey of life and how it meshes with our own.

Day: Thursday, December 10th
Time: 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Place: Parish Library
Cost: $10 for lunch

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

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 13th.

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.

GOOD SHEPHERD CENTRE

There but for the Grace of God…

Your help is urgently needed. The situation is critical!
Please help feed the hungry and homeless this Christmas. Make a difference in the lives of those most in need within our community by participating in the Good Shepherd Centre’s annual Christmas Food Drive

Urgently Needed Items:

  • Rice, pasta and sauces
  • breakfast cereals, powered fruit juices
  • canned items – fish, meats, vegetables, fruit, soup or stews
  • peanut butter and jams
  • tea, ground and instant coffee, sugar
  • cookies and crackers
  • ketchup, mustard and relish

Donations may be left in the designated containers at the doors of the Church. We thank you for your generous support

Thank you to the volunteers who prepared 52 casseroles for November. For December, your prepared casseroles (frozen please) will be collected at the Masses on the weekend of January 2/3, 2010 for delivery to the Good Shepherd Centre. This is a week later than normal to avoid collection on the Christmas weekend and provides the option to prepare turkey rice casseroles instead. More volunteers are encouraged to become active in helping to feed our less fortunate sisters and brothers. If you require more information or would like to get a copy of the recipe and a casserole pan, please contact Irene Albrecht at 416 221-2791

HUMAN RIGHTS DAY

“All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.”

December 10th marks the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This weekend, 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.

JUST COFFEE

Fair trade organic coffees will be on sale after all the Masses next weekend. Please note that this is a week earlier than normal.

  • 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

Christmas Schedule 2009

Confessions
Saturday, December 19th

  • 10:00 AM – 12 Noon
  • 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM

Christmas Eve
Thursday, December 24th

  • 7:00 PM Family Mass – Carol Singing
  • 9:00 PM Adult Choir – Carol Singing
  • 12:00 AM Midnight Mass – Contemporary Group

Christmas Day
Friday, December 25th – 10:30 AM and 12:30 PM

Feast of the Holy Family

  • Saturday, December 26th 4:30 PM
  • Sunday, December 27th 8:30 AM, 10:30 PM, 12:30 PM

Office Closed

New Year’s Eve

  • Thursday, December 31st – No Mass

Office Closed

New Year’s Day

  • Friday, January 1st – 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM

Office Closed

Eco-sabbath
Sunday, December 6th at 11:30 AM in the Gabriel Room

Eucharistic Adoration
Friday, December 4th From 9:30 AM – 12 Noon

Family Mass
Sunday, December 6th at the 12:30 PM Mass.

ROSARY GROUPS

  • English: Saturday, December 5th at 3:15 PM in the Library
  • Chinese: Sunday, December 6th at 3:30 PM in the Gabriel Room
  • For information, please contact Linda Law at 416-918-8029

ANNOUNCED MASSES

December 7th to December 12th, 2009

MONDAY – PAUL MCGARRY Requested by Phyllis Milligan
TUESDAY – LUCY & FRED ASTRELLA Requested by Phyllis Hayward
WEDNESDAY – TED BURRELL Requested by Pam & Pat Burrell
THURSDAY –JANE MULLIGAN Requested by Bas Mulligan
FRIDAY – SALLY HUNTLEY Requested by Pam & Pat Burrell
SATURDAY – UMBERTO INTINI Requested by Chiara & Family

CHRISTMAS SERVICE FOR THOSE WHO MOURN

Monday, December 21st at 7:30 PM
St. Matthew’s Anglican Church
80 George Henry Blvd (facing Sheppard, west of Don Mills Road)

Will Christmas be difficult to celebrate this year because of the loss of a loved one? St. Gabriel’s, the other local Christian Churches and the North York Hospital Chaplaincy are offering a Christmas Service for Those Who Mourn on Monday, December 21st at 7:30 PM at St. Matthew’s Anglican Church.

CHRISTMAS PAGEANT

Dress Rehearsal: Sunday, December 20th 2:00PM to 4:00PM
S.K. to Grade 5 children are invited to participate in the pageant. Please call Anne Murphy at 416-512-0340.

CHILDREN’S CHOIR

FAMILY MASS – CHRISTMAS EVE AT 7:00 pm
Rehearsal: Sunday, December 20th 2:00 PM to 4:00 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 6:00 PM. One rehearsal, which is mandatory, will be held on Sunday, December 20 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
Please call Marilyn Calderone at 416-221-8866 for more information.

SUNDAY COLLECTION

November 29th 2009: $9,256

4:30 8:30 10:30 12:30
Total $2,535 $2,077 $2,721 $1,923
Envelopes 105 95 156 105

Number of Envelopes Used: 461

OFFERTORY ENVELOPES FOR 2010

The offertory envelopes for 2010 are now available in the Gathering Space. Please pick yours up as soon as possible.

If you do not have envelopes but would like them for 2010, please call the office at 416-221-8866 and we will prepare a box for you.

THE VOCATION OF THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOARD TRUSTEE

Calling all interested Catholic Ratepayers!

St. Augustine’s Seminary of Toronto is presenting a series of workshops on 6 consecutive Saturdays, January 9th to February 13th from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. for anyone in the Province of Ontario who is considering running for the position of Catholic Trustee, is a present trustee or any other persons who are interested.
A nominal fee of $100 will be charged for the complete series and lunch will be provided. The fee must be paid by December 20th 2009. Cheques should be made payable to St. Augustine’s Seminary. For inquiries please email receptionist_sas@yahoo.ca or call 416-261-7207, Ext. 221.

THE GREEN CORNER

From December 7th to 18th, world leaders will gather in Copenhagen for the United Nations Climate Change Conference. They will be working towards an agreement on how they can limit their emissions of green house gases in order to save our planet.

Please spend a moment in silent prayer for the leaders of the participating governments that they may have the wisdom and fortitude to do the right thing for the common good.