Bulletin – November 28

In this week’s bulletin, an Advent evening of Reflection on The Face of ‘God with us,’ the mass schedule for the Christmas season, and the Me to We Christmas ornament sale.

“JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON” – AN ADVENT EVENING OF REFLECTION

Tuesday, November 30th from 7:30 to 9:00 PM

The few weeks leading to Christmas are always such a busy time for us — shopping, entertaining, that we often forget the true reason for the season.

To prepare our hearts and minds for Christmas, the parish will be hosting an
ADVENT EVENING OF REFLECTION with the theme: “Jesus: The Name and Face of ‘God with us’” on Tuesday November 30, 2010 from 7:30 to 9:00 PM, to be facilitated by Father Jack Costello, S.J.

Father Costello is an excellent speaker, and one who integrates spirituality and the living out of our faith in modern times. He is currently serving as Adjunct professor at Regis College, and the Director of Jesuit Refugee and Migrant Service. The evening will be a great opportunity to pause, listen, and look deeply into our lives to find the room there for the birth of the Christ Child.

If you are planning to attend, please contact the Fatima Lee at 416- 221-8866, Ext. 228 or by email fatimalee@bellnet.ca. We would like to have an estimate of the number attending so as to set up for the event. Suggested donation: $10 or whatever your means allow.

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.

The Story of the Mass
Tuesday December 7th at 7:30 PM
Wednesday, December 8th at 10:30 AM

WELCOME! BAPTISM

The Parish Family of St. Gabriel’s would like to welcome:

  • Andrei Marilee Aninangin Ganon
  • Keira Maryanne Cairns
  • Kasey Keiran Cheung
  • Sydney Kargol
  • Kayla Aubynn La Roche
  • Jose Crisanto A. Marayag
  • Elisa Ava Sorbera Rodrigues
  • Marco Vecchiarelli
  • Miles Ethan Wong

These children received the Sacrament of Baptism on Sunday, November 21st. Congratulations!

Christmas Schedule 2010

CONFESSIONS
Saturday, December 18th

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

CHRISTMAS EVE
Friday, December 24th

No 9:00 AM Mass

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

CHRISTMAS DAY
Saturday, December 25th

  • 10:30 AM
  • 12:30 PM

No 4:30 PM Mass Office Closed

FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY, BOXING DAY
Sunday, December 26th

  • 8:30 AM
  • 10:30 PM
  • 12:30 PM

MONDAY, DECEMBER 27th
No Mass, Office Closed

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 28th
No Mass, Office Closed

NEW YEAR’S EVE
Friday, December 31st

  • 9:00 AM

No Evening Mass Office Closed

NEW YEAR’S DAY
Saturday, January 1st

  • 10:30 AM
  • 12:30 PM

No 4:30 PM Mass Office Closed

ANNOUNCED MASSES
November 29th – December 4th, 2010

MONDAY – VITO VIRGILIO Requested by the Virgilio Family
TUESDAY – GIUSEPPINA SMERIGLIO Requested by Lina Gianotta & Family
WEDNESDAY – JOHN & MARY FRANCIS O’MAHONY Requested by Mary Alice O’Mahony
THURSDAY – DANIEL MORIARTY & DAVID SHELDRICK Requested by Teresa & Family
FRIDAY – PIO & AURORA LIM Requested by Anita Lim &Family
SATURDAY – KATHI WATTS Requested by the Kathi & Philip Leah

CHRISTMAS SERVICE FOR THOSE WHO MOURN

Wednesday, December 15th at 7:30 PM
St. Gabriel’s Church

Will Christmas be difficult to celebrate this year because of the loss of a loved one? St. Gabriel’s, the other Christian Churches and the North York Hospital Chaplaincy are offering a Christmas Service for Those Who Mourn on Wednesday, December 15th at 7:30 PM here at St. Gabriel’s Church. All are welcome to attend.

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

Rehearsal: Sunday, December 19th
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 19th from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
Please call Marilyn Calderone at 416-618-2041 for more information.

CHRISTMAS PAGEANT

Dress Rehearsal: Sunday, December 19th
2:00 PM to 4:00 PM

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

ECO-SABBATH

Sunday, November 7th at 11:30 AM
In the Gabriel Room

OFFERTORY ENVELOPES FOR 2011

We are presently preparing the offertory envelopes for 2011. 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.

WEEKLY COLLECTION

Our operating expenses average $14,000 per week.
Last week’s collection:
Loose Change – $1,406
Envelopes (385) – $8,218
Weekly Portion of Pre-Authorized Giving (134) – $2,738
Total – $12,362

THANK YOU! SHEPHERDS’ TRUST COLLECTION

Last week $7,880 was raised for the Shepherd’s Trust. The Shepherd’s Trust recognizes the faithfulness of religious order priests such as our own Passionist Community , their many years of service to us, and the strong ties we have to them by ensuring that funds collected in parishes served by religious order priests, be given to those orders as a contribution towards the retirement of our priests. Thank you for your wonderful generosity.

“ME TO WE” CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT SALE

December 4th/5th after the Masses

The St. Gabriel “Me to We” Social Action Committee will be selling Christmas ornaments after the Masses on December 4th/5th. Each glass ornament is hand-painted by a St. Gabriel student and will sell for $5.00. All proceeds from the sales will go to the work of Dr. Michael Nwabuogu, a retired Loretto Abbey teacher, who is now the Executive Director of “Canadians for Love of Humanity”. His mission is to build clean and safe potable water boreholes in Eastern Nigeria. Each water borehole is a community led initiative which will save lives, provide local jobs and enhance community involvement and governmental awareness. Please support this worthy cause.

SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul tries to bring help to our neighbours who are in urgent need of assistance. Anyone looking for help should call 416-740-6006 and leave their name and phone number. They will then be contacted in order to determine their needs and arrange a meeting.

PHOTO CHURCH DIRECTORY

As you know, we are presently developing a parish pictorial directory for St. Gabriel’s to celebrate the 60th anniversary of our Parish. These directories will not be sold.
IPC Canada Photo Services Inc. provides this service to the Church at no cost to the individual or to the Church. Each participating family (household) will receive a free copy of the directory and an opportunity to purchase additional studio-quality portraits at less than studio prices. There is no obligation to purchase. Tables have been set up in the Gathering Space to give you an opportunity to make an appointment after all the Masses this weekend to have your photo taken.

GRADE EIGHT POINSETTIA SALE

The Grade 8 students are thankful for the response to the poinsettia sale. 95 plants were sold. If you purchased a plant, you are kindly reminded to pick them at St. Gabriel’s School on Thursday, December 2nd from 1:30 PM to 6:30 PM.

THE GREEN CORNER

With the beginning of the new Liturgical year, the Green Corner returns. It aims to heighten our awareness of our responsibility towards the environment.

The Heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard; yet their voice goes out through all the earth and their words to the end of the world.

Psalm 19:1-4