In this week’s bulletin, the Confirmation enrolment ceremony, the Advent scripture series and a Christmas toy drive.
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.
Lord I Am Not Worthy
As the priest invites us to receive Holy Communion, he will say “Behold”, rather than “This is” the Lamb of God. “Behold” means “to look at” and is our invitation to adore Christ who we are about to receive in Holy Communion. We are used to saying “Lord, I am not worthy to receive you”. This will change to “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul will be healed.” This is almost exactly what the Roman Centurion said when he came and begged Jesus to heal his servant. When Jesus says he will come to the Centurion’s house, the man knows that Jesus doesn’t need to do that, that just His word will be enough. The Centurion says: “Lord I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word and my servant will be healed.” Our new reply changes only one word of the centurion’s speech – my servant becomes my soul will be healed.
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 – ARMANDO & WALTER DINARDO – Requested by the Family TUESDAY –GREGORIO REYES – Requested by the Kilayko Family WEDNESDAY – TULIO RAMIREZ – Requested by the Family THURSDAY – CARMENZA DE NEIRA – Requested by Dania & Aixa De Neira FRIDAY – MARCIA EKANAYAKA – Requested by Frank & Sylvia Leaver SATURDAY – MIKE PALAZZO & CHRISTOPHER DI LALLO – Requested by the Family
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.
Sunday, November 27th at 12:30 PM Mass
The Confirmation Enrolment Ceremony for all Confirmation candidates will be held on Sunday, November 27th at the 12:30 Mass. All Confirmation candidates must attend.
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.
Thank you for your very generous response to this year’s Shepherd’s Trust Appeal. The Shepherd’s Trust recognizes the faithfulness of religious order priests such as our own Passionist Community, 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.
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.
Your donations have enabled our single mother to procure a two bedroom apartment for December 1st. Because of your kindness her family Christmas will be secure and stable.
May God bless you. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul
This Christmas, St. Vincent de Paul is looking to provide mittens for 36 needy kids. If you are able to participate in this drive please look for our Christmas “mitten” tree in the Gathering Space by November 26. There you can select a “mitten” tag from the tree that describes the gender and age of the child you would like to support. You may also choose a “Christmas Stocking” tag to buy mittens for a toddler at Rosalie Hall. Mittens should be gift wrapped with the original tag attached and delivered to the drop box by the “mitten” tree no later than December 16. Thanks for your generosity.
Your prepared chicken rice casseroles (frozen please) will be collected at all the Masses next weekend, November 26th/27th for delivery to the Good Shepherd Centre. More volunteers are encouraged to pick up a copy of the casserole recipe and a pan and give it a try. For more information, please contact Irene Albrecht at 416-221-2791.
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.
Our operating expenses average $14,000 per week. Last week’s collection: Loose Change – $1,073 Envelopes (366) – $6,987 Weekly Portion of Pre-Authorized Giving (163) – $3,194 Total – $11,254
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 7:30 PM Wednesday, November 23rd 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.
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.
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!
This Bulletin entry was posted on Sunday, November 20th, 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