Bulletin – September 4

Welcome back! In this week’s bulletin, RCIA nights, Children’s Faith Program, and the Eco-sabbath begin. Also, the official archdiocesan pilgrimage and Theology on Tap.

BACK TO SCHOOL

We hope you have had an enjoyable and relaxing summer. For those young people who are off to university, we wish you every success as you begin a new stage of your life. For those students and teachers in our community returning to elementary and secondary school, we wish you a very positive and rewarding year.

SUPPORTING YOUR SEPARATE SCHOOLS

Please check to make sure that you good people are registered as Separate School Supporters. If you have moved recently, you will have lost your Separate School Supporter status and must apply to be reinstated. If you are not sure, please check your tax assessment form or call the Toronto Catholic District School Board at 416-222-8282. Forms can be obtained online at tcdsb.org or at the TCDSB Offices at 80 Sheppard Avenue one block east of Yonge Street.

ADULT FAITH DEVELOPMENT

Our journey of life and journey of faith are meant to converge at an early age. For many of us, however, we tend to grow physically, mentally, psychologically etc., but remain at a childish level of understanding our faith. The following information is for those who wish to keep growing, to be able to enjoy the Good News of God’s love for us as members of God’s Church.

Monday Nights are R.C.I.A. Nights

R.C.I.A. (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) meetings begin on Monday, September 19th at 8:00 PM. These evenings are for persons interested in learning about the Catholic Faith. Because the Parish Community itself is considered the official teacher and guide for potential new members, it is important that some parishioners participate by being present and by sharing their Faith in various ways. It is also an opportunity for “Born Catholics” to deepen their understanding of the faith. Adult Catholics who wish to celebrate the Sacrament of the Eucharist and/or Confirmation are welcome. For more information, please call Mary Landry at 416 – 221 – 8866.

SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN PREPARING FOR BAPTISM

If you have, or know of, school-age children (age 7 to 14) who wish to prepare for Baptism, please contact the Parish Office, or Fatima Lee directly, at (416) 221-8866. Classes for them will begin this fall.

CHILDREN’S FAITH PROGRAM

The Children’s Faith Program for children attending private or public schools will begin on Sunday, September 11th at 10:00 AM at St. Gabriel’s School.

ANNOUNCED MASSES

September 5th – September 10th, 2011
MONDAY – LABOUR DAY NO 9:00 AM MASS
TUESDAY – ANTHONY & MARGARET TOSONI Requested by Marie Tosoni
WEDNESDAY – GLADYS DURNFORD Requested by Nora Kerr
THURSDAY – DR. OLU OGUNMEKAN Requested by Wai Chin & Paul Hwang
FRIDAY – DECEASED MEMBERS OF THE CHUCHRA & WROBEL FAMILIES Requested by the Families
SATURDAY – GORDON OATWAY Requested by the Family

BAPTISM

The Parish Family of St. Gabriel’s would like to welcome:

  • Khaijha Bawa,
  • Sheryl Bawa,
  • Shepherd Benjamin Burke,
  • Roberto Vidal Basinang-Mariano,
  • Ian Curtis Li,
  • Logan James MacDonald,
  • Juliana Monique Manbeck,
  • Michael Gregory Manbeck,
  • Alexis Sophia Mathias,
  • Ashlyn Murray-Fellin,
  • Alexia Jade Skyers,

All received the Sacrament of Baptism during the months of July and August. Congratulations!

ECO – SABBATH

Sunday, September 11th at 11:30 AM in the Gabriel Room

Eco-Sabbath, usually held on the first Sunday of each month, will resume on Sunday, September 11th at 11:30 AM. The Passionist Centre for Ecology and Spirituality facilitates a 30 minute reflection and discussion prompted by the readings for that Sunday’s liturgy. The guided reflection brings an ecological perspective to the readings. All are welcome.

JUST A REMINDER

Monday September 5th is Labour Day. The Parish Office will be closed. There will be no 9:00 AM Mass on Monday.

PRE-AUTHORIZED GIVING OPTION

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. We thank you for your generosity and support.

Our operating expenses average $14,000 per week.

Last week’s collection:
Loose Change – $1,120
Envelopes (402) – $8,166
Weekly Portion of Pre-Authorized Giving (160) – $3,156
Total – $12,442

EAST AFRICAN MISSION APPEAL 2011

Rev. Fr. Benedict Mwangi, a priest from the Muranga Diocese in Kenya will be preaching at all the Masses next weekend. The diocese is facing major financial difficulties. Donations will be used to support two diocesan hospitals and two homes for the aged, to help in the formation and education of seminarians and to pay the salaries of the Catechists.

GOOD SHEPHERD CENTRE CASSEROLES

Thank you to the volunteers who prepared casseroles for the Good Shepherd Centre during the summer, 33 for July and 57 for August. For September, your prepared casseroles (frozen please) will be collected at the Masses on the weekend of September 24/25 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.

UPDATE ON OUR REFUGEE FAMILY

Please keep our Iraqi Refugee family in your prayers. We had been expecting them to arrive in June but recent events in Syria, where they are currently, appear to have slowed the immigration process. Our parish has raised $21,800.00 towards our target of $35,000.00 needed to support this family of 4 adults and 1 child for a year. Thank you for your continued support!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY!

Thank you so much for your overwhelming response to our appeal for old or unused eye glasses. Initially glasses collected were sent to Ghana Rural Integrated Development, the Canadian counterpart of the Northern Empowerment Association which is based in Ghana, West Africa Eyeglasses donated after August 15th were sent to Dr. Andrew Simone. His organization, Canadian Food for Children, sends food, clothing and other supplies to developing countries all over the world. Please visit www.canadianfoodforchildren.org for more information.

NOUS PARLONS FRANCAIS

Do you speak French… even a little bit?
The French Conversational Group will be meeting on Thursday mornings from 11:00 to 12:00 AM in the Library. Anyone interested is very welcome.

OFFICIAL ARCHDIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE

50TH INTERNATIONAL EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS
DUBLIN IRELAND, 2012

The Archdiocese of Toronto is organizing a pilgrimage to the 50th Annual Eucharistic Congress that will take place in Dublin, Ireland from June 10th, 2012 to June 17th, 2012. There will be an option for an extended stay in Ireland highlighting the religious and historic sites from June 18th to June 25th.

For package information, registration forms and to view the itinerary, please visit www.archtoronto.org/iec or email the Archdiocese at iec@archtoronto.org. The pilgrimage is
limited to 120 people. The deadline for registration and deposit is November 1st, 2011.

FAITH CONNECTIONS THEOLOGY ON TAP

The Wonderful Imperfect in All of Us
September 26th from 7:00 to 9:00 PM
Duke of York Pub
39 Prince Arthur Ave (near Bloor St W & Avenue Rd)

Join us for an evening of thought-provoking conversation on theological topics! Our special guest will be Fr. Philip Chircop, S.J. Fr Philip considers himself a seeker, exploring and employing new, fresh and creative ways to proclaim the Good News in the hope of helping fellow pilgrims and seekers to embrace real and radical changes that will lead to conversion and transformation.
Munchies will be provided, cash bar available. Come and bring a friend!
For more information, contact Vanessa Nicholas-Schmidt by phone at 416-222-1426, Ext.276 or by email at
faithconnections@csj-to.ca.