Bulletin – 7 February

This week in the bulletin, the wisdom of Thomas Berry, New Beginnings for widowed, separated and divorced persons, and a Lenten retreat weekend for women.

FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK

Thank you, good people, for your outstandingly generous response to the needs of the people of Haiti. To date, $77,984.07 has been raised to support Fr. Rick in his work at St. Damian’s Hospital.
Please remember Fr. Rick, his staff and the people he serves in your prayers.
Fr. Paul

STRENGTHENING THE CARING COMMUNITY

The Archdiocese of Toronto sets out the criteria for all volunteers who work in their Parishes, including all the volunteers who work in more than 20 Ministries at St. Gabriel’s. Each Parish has to have a “Volunteer Screening Committee” to assure that these criteria are met.
At St. Gabriel’s the “Volunteer Screening Committee” is in need of at least two new members. If you are interested in joining this Committee or if you have any questions concerning the work of the Committee, please call Joe Poncelet at 416-223-1416 or Jo Field at 416-498-4655.

THE WISDOM OF THOMAS BERRY

A Short Course Given by Fr. Steve Dunn
Four Consecutive Thursdays from 7:30 to 9:00 PM
Beginning February 18, 2010.

Good news! Father Steve Dunn, longtime collaborator with Thomas Berry, has kindly offered to give a short course on The Wisdom of Thomas Berry here at St Gabriel’s.

In l989, Time Magazine described Thomas Berry as “the most provocative figure among the new breed of eco-theologians.” His work has inspired many in the ecological movement.

The short course, in seminar style, with the help of videos, will be targeted towards beginners, who wish to arrive at a basic understanding of the thought of Thomas Berry. It will explore its key elements, giving guidance for what Berry terms the Ecozoic Era, including Christian cosmology, ethical living in cooperation with the dynamics of the earth and the new relationship between religion and science.

The course will run for four consecutive Thursdays, from 7:30 pm to 9 pm, beginning February 18, 2010. Suggested donation: $10 per session or whatever your means allow.
To register, please contact Fatima Lee, (416) 221-8866 ext 228, or by email stgabrielsparish@bellnet.ca

FIRST COMMUNION MEETING

Thursday, February 11th, at 7:30 PM

On Thursday, February 11th at 7:30 there will be a meeting for parents only of children who will be receiving Communion for the first time. The meeting will be held in the Church.

AN INVITATION TO LEARN!

What’s” Canon Law” all about?
Tuesday, February 16th at 7:30 PM.
Wednesday, February 17th at 10; 30 AM.

ANNOUNCED MASSES

February 8th to February 13th 2010

MONDAY –THANKSGIVING Requested by John Chan & Family
TUESDAY – ALVARO CARRANCO & ROSA ARTEAGA Requested by Alma Carranco
WEDNESDAY – DONNA BONNICK Requested by The Family
THURSDAY – THANKSGIVING Requested by Zaida Elep
FRIDAY – GEORGE V. LEWIS Requested by Winnie Lewis
SATURDAY – VIOLET PREVIDSA Requested by The Family

CASSEROLES FOR THE GOOD SHEPHERD CENTRE

Thank you to those who prepared 62 casseroles for the Good Shepherd Centre for the month of January.
As you know, the number of casseroles has been steadily dropping. We desperately need more volunteers to get involved. Please pick up a copy of the casserole recipe and a pan at the Parish Office. Your prepared chicken rice casseroles (frozen please) will be collected at all the Masses on the weekend of February 27th/28th. For more information, please contact Irene Albrecht at 416-221-2791.

SUNDAY COLLECTION

January 31st, 2010: $9,535

4:30 8:30 10:30 12:30
Total $2,371 $1,657 $3,035 $2,472
Envelopes 113 70 150 105

Number of Envelopes Used: 438

Pre- Authorized Giving
January – $9,613.55
Number of Participants: 107

TAX RECEIPTS

Tax receipts for donations made in 2009 will be mailed to you this month. If you have changed your address or are moving out of the parish, please notify the Parish Office at 416-221-8866.

VOICES IN CHRIST CHOIR

Saturday, April 25th at the 12:30 Mass
St. Gabriel’s Church

St. Gabriel’s Parish will host Msgr. Vincent Harcourt Blackett and the Voices in Christ Choir from St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Barbados, on Sunday April 25th, 2010. They will celebrate Mass with us at 12:30 PM. The Choir will also be featured at a Sacred concert at Blessed Sacrament Parish on Saturday April 17th, 2010 at 7 pm. Family concert packages are available through Hilly Tan, one of our ushers. They are $60 (2 Adult Admissions plus 1 CD: “Step Out In Faith”).
EARLY BIRD SPECIAL: Pick up your family pack today and save $10. Your names will also be entered for a chance to win a trip for 2 to sunny Barbados! Net proceeds go to St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Please see Hilly Tan or inquire at the Parish Office.

NEW BEGINNINGS MINI RENEWAL PRESENTATIONS

For Widowed, Separated and Divorced Persons
St. Bonaventure’s Church (St Francis Room)
1300 Leslie Street, Toronto

February 9th: Dealing with Loneliness in a Couples’ World
Mr. John Dubeau & Ms. Stephanie Ozorio

March 2: The Power of Forgiveness
Rev. Fr. Paul Cusack, C.P.

April 13th:“Let’s Talk About Divorce”: Helping Children Cope
Ms. Liisa Kuuter, M.Sc., MFT

For more information, please contact New Beginnings at 416-921-1163, Ext. 2246.

A WOMEN’S LENTEN RETREAT WEEKEND
February 12-14, 2010.
Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre, Mississauga

A Women’s Lenten Retreat Weekend is being offered at the Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre February 12th to 14th. The centre team will preach this retreat. Come join us to rest, renew, pray and grow in your personal relationship with Jesus. Please call 905-278-5229 to make a reservation or for more information.

NORTH YORK RETIRED MEN’S CLUB

Tuesday, February 9th at 2:00 PM
Blessed Trinity Parish Hall

The North York Retired Men’s Club will meet at Blessed Trinity Parish Hall on Tuesday, February 9th at 2:00 PM. Don Daly will speak on Canadian Recessions, Past and Present. Prospective members are welcome.

FAITH CONNECTIONS

Tuesdays from February 16th to April 27th at 5:30 PM.
Fionn MacCool’s Irish Pub, 181 University Avenue)

“Is there more to life than this?” Faith Connections, Alpha Canada and the downtown Christian ministries invite you to find out at Alpha in the Pub for young professionals (ages 21-39) Complimentary pub grub; cash bar.
For more information call Alana at 416-689-2489 or visit www.alphainthepub.com

THE GREEN CORNER

Canada’s target for reduction of carbon emissions

Canada recently submitted its target for the reduction of carbon emissions under the Copenhagen Accord: 17% below 2005 levels by 2020. What exactly does that mean in relation to our previous targets?

Canada’s Kyoto
Protocol commitment 6% below 1990 level by 2012
Government’s previous emissions target announced in 2006
(20% below 2006 levels) 3% below 1990 level by 2020
Copenhagen Accord commitment
(17% below 2005 levels) 2.5% below 1990 level by 2020
Science-based target recommended
25-40% below 1990 level by 2020

Source: Kairos, Feb., 2010