In this week’s bulletin, the Advent scripture series, the Christmas service for those who mourn, and the Christmas pageant.
December 5th – December 10th, 2011 MONDAY – DENISE McCHESNEY – Requested by John Chan & Family TUESDAY –LOUIS FUNG – Requested by the Family WEDNESDAY – ABRAMO & DESOLINA DINARDO – Requested by the Dinardo Family THURSDAY – ANITA MARKLE & MARJORIE SKAZIN – Requested by the Family FRIDAY – MARTIN SMEE – Requested by the Smee Family SATURDAY – GUS CALDERONE – Requested by Marie Calderone
The Message of the Christmas Stories in Matthew and Luke December 7 and 14, 2011 (Wednesdays) 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 for both evenings.
Tuesday, 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 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 Anne Murphy at 416-512-0340.
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
CHILDREN’S CHOIR: FAMILY MASS – CHRISTMAS EVE Mass: Saturday, December 24th at 7:00 PM 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.
The Miracles of Jesus Tuesday, December 6th at 7:30 PM Wednesday, December 7th at 10:30 AM
In past years, Tuesday evenings and Wednesday mornings have been devoted to religious topics decided on by those who wish to participate.
Our operating expenses average $14,000 per week. Last week’s collection: Loose Change – $1,117 Envelopes (404) – $8,129 Weekly Portion of Pre-Authorized Giving (163) – $3,194 Total – $12,440
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 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 please do not use envelopes from previous years. In many cases this number has been reassigned to another family and we are often unable to find a match and give you credit for your donation. 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.
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.
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.
December 10th/11th, 2011
You are invited after all the Masses on December.10th/11th 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.
There but for the Grace of God…
Your help is urgently needed. 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 58 casseroles for the Good Shepherd Centre for the month of November. In December, your prepared casseroles (frozen please) will be collected at the Masses on the weekend of December 31st/January 1st. Please note that this is a week later than normal to avoid collection on Christmas. 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.
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!
St. Bonaventure’s Church Friday, December 9th at 7:30 PM
The St. Michael’s Choir School Alumni will present an evening of Christmas favourites in support of the St. Bonaventure Parish music program on Friday, December 9th at 7:30 PM. A donation of $10 is suggested.
This Bulletin entry was posted on Sunday, December 4th, 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.
Learn about Passionists and our insignia »
Companion for the Walk of the Stations of the Cosmic Earth
St. Gabriel’s Garden – Guided Sensory Reflective Walk