In this week’s bulletin, the Advent scripture series, the Christmas service for those who mourn, and the children’s choir at the Christmas Eve family mass.
December 12th – December 17th, 2011 MONDAY – CLAIRE BURKE ON HER BIRTHDAY Requested by Granny TUESDAY –MIKE CHUCHRA Requested by the Family WEDNESDAY – HARRY LEUNG Requested by Mary Leung THURSDAY – HELMUT MAY Requested by the O’Mahony Family FRIDAY – 2010 PILGRIMS TO THE HOLY LAND Requested by Wai Chin & Paul Hwang SATURDAY – KATHI WATTS Requested by Kathi & Philip Leah
The Message of the Christmas Stories in Matthew and Luke Wednesday, December 14, 2011 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
When biblical writers wanted to express important insights about Jesus’ message and God’s role in human lives, they did not write theology books or history books; they wrote stories. In our Advent series, Noel Cooper will explore the meaning of the familiar Christmas stories found in the gospels of Matthew and Luke.
Noel Cooper was the Co-coordinator of Religious Education for the York Catholic School Board until his retirement. He has taught children and teachers about the Bible for more than forty years. Noel holds degrees in Theology and Scripture, and has published three books about Scripture. For more information about him, please go to www.noelcooper.ca
Hope you can join us. The suggested donation is $10 per session, or whatever your means allow. To help us with our planning and set up, please call the Parish Office at 416 221-8866 to register; or email fatimalee@bellnet.ca.
IMPORTANT: Please bring your bible with you.
Tues, December 13th at 7:30 PM Trinity Presbyterian Church 2737 Bayview Avenue (just south of the 401)
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 Tuesday, December 13th t at 7:30 PM at Trinity Presbyterian Church.
Dress Rehearsal: Sunday, December 18th 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
S.K. to Grade 5 children are invited to participate in the pageant. Please call Susan McGlynn at 416-512-8460.
CONFESSIONS Saturday, December 17th
MASSES CHRISTMAS EVE Saturday, December 24th No 4:30 PM Mass Office Open 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM only
CHRISTMAS DAY Sunday, December 25th Office Closed
MONDAY, DECEMBER 26th No Mass, Office Closed
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 27th No Mass, Office Closed
NEW YEAR’S EVE Saturday, December 31st Office Closed
NEW YEAR’S DAY – FEAST OF MARY THE MOTHER OF GOD Sunday, January 1st Office Closed
MONDAY, JANUARY 2nd No Mass, Office Closed
Rehearsal: Sunday, December 18th 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 18th from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Please call Marilyn Calderone at 416-618-2041 for more information.
We are having a Christmas Toy Drive for the Catholic Children’s Aid Society and Rosalie Hall. 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 18th.
Events in Syria have slowed the processing of refugee applications. But we have just learned that our refugee family will be interviewed shortly. If all goes well they could be here early in the new year. Please continue to pray for them since their situation as refugees in Syria is a difficult one.
Also, the Refugee Sponsorship Committee is trying to identify someone in the parish who speaks Arabic, who may be able to help interpret/translate when the need arises. Please call Fatima Lee at (416) 221-8866 ext 228 or email her at fatimalee@bellnet.ca if you are able to assist.
Christmas Offering envelopes for the St. Vincent de Paul Society are available at the back of the Church. Your donations enable the Society to help those in need. At this time of year, they try to provide a little extra to add to their Christmas celebration. Your generosity is much appreciated.
Thank you for your wonderful response to our mitten” tree for St. Vincent de Paul and Rosalie Hall. Mittens should be gift wrapped with the original “mitten” tag attached and delivered to the drop box by the “mitten” tree no later than December 16. Thanks for your generosity.
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, 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 casseroles for November.
Fair trade organic coffees will be on sale after all the Masses next weekend.
In the 60 years since the founding of our Parish, we have grown not only in numbers, but also in diversity. Today St. Gabriel’s is a community that is very multicultural. Our parishioners come from all corners of the world, yet we remain this One Body of Christ.
We are looking into organizing an international potluck dinner in January — to celebrate and experience this diversity of culture – provided that there is enough interest. Different ethnic groups will bring in their traditional foods to share with others. This way we hope to get to know and appreciate more one another’s culture.
If you are interested and/or wish to help organize this event, please contact Fatima Lee at (416) 221-8866 or email fatimalee@bellnet.ca. Hope we’ll get an array of cultures and traditions!
Our operating expenses average $14,000 per week. Last week’s collection: Loose Change – $1,111 Envelopes (452) – $10,877 Weekly Portion of Pre-Authorized Giving (167) – $3,236 Total – $15,224
The “Pre-Authorized Giving” Plan (PAG), authorized and supported by the Archdiocese of Toronto, is a direct debit program. It allows parishioners to make their regular offertory donations by automatic monthly bank withdrawal on or about the 20th of each month. Participation in the PAG provides a regular dependable cash flow of contributions to the parish and enables us to better manage the Parish finances. PAG brochures and sign-up forms are available in the Parish Office and on the tables at the back of the Church.
The 2012 Offertory Boxed Envelopes are now available in the Gathering Space. If you are not currently using parish envelopes and wish to have a set issued for next year, please contact the Parish Office. This is the most effective way to keep track of your donations. If you have recently changed your address or phone number, it would be helpful if you would let us know at this time.
We would like to remind you do not use envelopes from previous years as this number has been reassigned to another family. If you are on the Pre- Authorized Giving Plan, you will still receive a smaller green box of envelopes, since these include Initial, New Year’s, Christmas, Easter and Maintenance envelopes.
This Bulletin entry was posted on Sunday, December 11th, 2011.
Founded by St. Paul of the Cross, every Passionist takes a special vow to spend his or her energies in promoting remembrance of the sufferings of Jesus, the memory of the Cross, and reflection of the meaning of the Cross for the world.
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