In this week’s bulletin, access to the parking lot, the Advent scripture series, and the 2012 offertory envelopes.
As you may have noticed we have a new arm at the Sheppard end of the parking lot. This is to eliminate unauthorized parking. The arm will be open to allow parishioners to park for weekday Masses but will close at 9:15 AM. To leave after Mass, please use the Elkhorn exit. If you are visiting the Church at other times, also use Elkhorn Drive to enter and exit. On the weekend, both arms will be open as usual.
The Mystery of Faith
For Catholics, a “mystery” is not a puzzle that cannot be solved. It is a truth that is so deep, that we know we will never be able to get to the bottom of it; a truth we’ll never completely be able to understand. One example of this is our belief in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. We believe that Christ is truly present but we can’t wholly explain it. The priest shows us the host and then the chalice. Then he genuflects and says “the mystery of faith”. We continue with one of three responses. These are all different from the ones we have been used to and they come directly from the New Testament. So when the priest says “The mystery of faith” he is inviting us to welcome this Real Presence of Christ. We then make our response, which we address to God.
For more information on the Roman Missal and its changes, visit www.archtoronto.org/romanmissal anytime to continue your reflection.
November 14th – November 19th, 2011 MONDAY – ROSIE WELSH – Requested by the Mike & Marie Gennaro TUESDAY –ROSE LOURDES RYCKEWAERT – Requested by Violeta Ryckweaert WEDNESDAY – BERTHA RICKETTS – Requested by the Family THURSDAY – MARIA & SEVERINO DINARDO – Requested by the Family FRIDAY – FOR ALL THE SOULS IN PURGATORY – Requested by Grace Viorgio SATURDAY – JIM & VERONICA ANDREW – Requested by Mary Ann Mailhot
There will be a Book of Remembrance placed on the altar for the month of November. You are invited to write the names of your deceased relatives and friends in the book. They will be remembered at all the Masses celebrated in November.
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. To help us with our planning and set up, please call the Parish Office (416) 221-8866 to register; or you can email fatimalee@bellnet.ca
IMPORTANT: Please bring your bible with you for both evenings.
Our operating expenses average $14,000 per week. Last week’s collection: Loose Change – $1,093 Envelopes (458) – $9,167 Weekly Portion of Pre-Authorized Giving (163) – $3,194 Total – $13,454
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 will soon be available in the in the Gathering Space. Please inform the Parish Office if you have recently moved or are new to the Parish so that we may update our records and label your box correctly. 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. You may contact the Parish Office if you do not have envelopes but would like a box for 2012.
The Miracles of Jesus Tuesday, November 22nd at 10:30 AM Wednesday, November 23rd at 7:30 PM
In past years, Tuesday evenings and Wednesday mornings have been devoted to religious topics decided on by those who wish to participate.
November 12th & 13th
Religious order priests such as our own Passionist Community have faithfully served parish communities like St. Gabriel’s for many years. They were with us to joyfully celebrate our marriage, baptize our children and also to support us during times of sadness and grief. The Shepherd’s Trust recognizes their faithfulness, 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. The Shepherds’ Trust Collection takes place this weekend, November 12th/13th. Envelopes are available in the pews. Please be as generous as your means allow.
Fair trade organic coffees will be on sale after all the Masses next weekend, November 19th/20th
At this time of year, many will be receiving Christmas cards. Please remember to bring us your used postage stamps. These are passed on to the Leprosy Mission of Canada helping them work towards the day when leprosy is eradicated. They are happy to accept any and all trimmed stamps, leaving no less than ¼ inch and no more than ½ inch paper border. Stamps may be deposited in the basket on the cabinet just outside the Parish Office.
Catholic volunteers (widowed, divorced, separated) who are suffering with clinical depression are needed to participate in a research project. The project will study the effects of a Christian spiritual healing approach to clinical depression. For more information, please contact Dr. Ken Fung, M.D. at kenfungcan@sympatico.ca or by phone at 416-819-7443.
Christmas cards will be available after Masses this weekend, Nov. 12th /13th. All donations will go directly to the support of Passionist Missions in Haiti, Honduras and Jamaica. Our medical mission in Haiti is expanding with a new hospital under construction at Citi Soleil to accompany the schools and clinics already there. Your support is invaluable in caring for the needy in one of the poorest sections of North America.
Youth “Disco” (Discovery) Saturday, November 19th from 7:30 to 9:00 PM Gabriel Room
The St. Gabriel’s Youth Group will hold a Youth “Disco” (Discovery) on Saturday, November 19th from 7:30 to 9:00 PM in the Gabriel Room. The Youth “Disco” is a scripture based faith formation program that seeks to form the youth and those working with the youth into community builders for the Church and society. Any interested young parishioners, ages 13 to 25, are most welcome.
On Sunday, November 20th, St. Gabriel’s Parish Community will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Parish at the 12:30 Mass. A reception and light refreshments will follow at 2:00 PM. All are welcome to attend.
November 13th from 3:00 to 5:00 PM Temple Har Zion, 7360 Bayview Avenue 7360 Bayview Avenue
Mosaic Interfaith invites you to attend the second in their “Abraham: Three Faiths” interactive series on Sunday November 13th from 3:00 to 5:00 PM at Temple Har Zion, 7360 Bayview Avenue (north of Steeles). The topic will be “The Religious “F” word – Fundamentalism.” Panelists will be from Christianity, Judaism and Islam. Please see the bulletin board for more details.
Popcorn and Pondering – Millions Friday, November 18th at 7:00 PM Newman Centre, 89 St. George Street
Faith Connections, the Newman Centre, and the Daughters of St. Paul invite you to join us to watch Millions, a British film by Danny Boyle (the Academy Award-winning director of Slumdog Millionaire.) Ethics, being human and the soul come to the fore when a 7-year old finds a bag of Pounds just days before the currency is switched to Euros and learns what we are really made of. Minimum donation – $5 includes refreshments and munchies (and popcorn of course!) A portion of the proceeds will be donated to a local charity.
This Bulletin entry was posted on Sunday, November 13th, 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