In this week’s bulletin, Passionist Christmas cards, the Advent scripture series, and a request from St. Vincent de Paul.
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 Apostles’ Creed
There are two versions of the Creed that are used at Mass: The Apostles’ Creed and the longer Nicene Creed. Most Canadian Catholics are accustomed to using the Apostles Creed at most celebrations. A number of small changes have been made to ensure that the new translation is more true to the original Latin text. Most notably in the Apostles’ Creed, when we previously prayed that “he descended to the dead” we will now use “he descended into hell.” This brief matter-of-fact statement holds the promise of immense hope for believers. It reminds us that Jesus Christ not only died our death but also entered the realm of the dead and set them free. The “hell” is not that of popular culture – a fiery place of eternal punishment but, rather, the hell of the scriptures, the shadowy domain where the dead are spiritless and lost, cut off from light and life.
For more information on the Roman Missal and its changes, visit www.archtoronto.org/romanmissal anytime to continue your reflection.
November 7th – November 12th, 2011 MONDAY – JOAN RUEST Requested by the Family TUESDAY – MR. & MRS. VINCE HIGGINS Requested by Renee Vachon WEDNESDAY – ABANDONED SOULS Requested by the Nguyen Family THURSDAY – DECEASED MEMBERS OF THE DOAN VU FAMILY Requested by the Nguyen Family FRIDAY – DORIS THERESA VALENTI Requested by Marjorie Lague SATURDAY – GEORGE V. LEWIS Requested by Winnie Lewis
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.
The Miracles of Jesus Wednesday, November 9th at 10:30 AM Wednesday, November 9th 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.
Our operating expenses average $14,000 per week. Last week’s collection: Loose Change – $1,066 Envelopes (421) – $9,207 Weekly Portion of Pre-Authorized Giving (163) – $3,194 Total – $13,467
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. Thank you for your generosity and support.
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 next weekend- November 12th/13th. Envelopes are available in the pews this weekend. Please be as generous as your means allow.
The St. Gabriel’s Youth Group would like to thank all the generous people who supported their bake sale last Sunday. They raised $1130, almost half of the total cost to build a school classroom for the Indigenous people in the Philippines.
Can you help? A single mother needs first and last month’s rent plus a security deposit for December 1st. If you can help, please put your contribution into an envelope marked “Rent Fund” and place it in the St. Vincent de Paul box. All donations will be receipted. Only funds designated as “Rent” may be used to supplement rent for needy families. Thank you.
The St. Vincent de Paul Society
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.
Thank you very much for your generous support of World Mission Sunday last week. Your prayers and donations will make a huge contribution to the growth of the Church and to the well-being of the poor of our world. Please continue to pray for all those who serve in mission countries that they may remain steadfast in their vocation to bring Christ’s message of love to those they serve — the world’s most vulnerable.
Thank you to the volunteers who prepared 57 casseroles for October. For November, your prepared casseroles (frozen please) will be collected at the Masses on the weekend of November 26/27, 2011 for delivery to the Good Shepherd Centre. 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.
Christmas cards will be available after Masses on 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.
On Sunday, November 20th, St. Gabriel’s Parish Community will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Parish. The celebration will take place after the 12:30 Mass. 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. RSVP to Nora at 416-218-0680 by Nov. 10 would be appreciated. Please see the bulletin board for more details.
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.
November 11, 2011
This Bulletin entry was posted on Sunday, November 6th, 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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St. Gabriel’s Garden – Guided Sensory Reflective Walk