Bulletin – February 5

In this week’s bulletin, casseroles for the Good Shepherd Centre, the Lunar New Year party, and an evening for parents with young children.

FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK

Thanks to all those who prepared (their names are written in the Book of Life) and all those who participated in our Multicultural Potluck Dinner this past Sunday. It was a wonderful occasion. Those who came to the event had a great time and made new friends. Again, thanks to one and all.

ANNOUNCED MASSES

February 6th – February 11th, 2012

MONDAY – PHILIP GENNARO Requested by Mike & Marie Gennaro
TUESDAY – SE-DONG KIM Requested by Cecilia Ham
WEDNESDAY –
THURSDAY – GEORGE LEWIS Requested by Winnie & Anne Lewis
FRIDAY – DONNA BONNICK Requested by the Family
SATURDAY – VIOLET PREVIDSA Requested by Steve Previdsa & Family

MEETING FOR FIRST RECONCILIATION AND HOLY COMMUNION

Thursday, February 9th, at 7:30 PM

On Thursday, February 9th at 7:30 PM there will be a meeting for parents only of children who will be receiving the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Communion for the first time. The meeting will be held here in the Church.

The books We Discover God’s Path and We Share in the Eucharist will be distributed at that time. Please ensure that you pick up 2 books and help your child learn and review the content.

AN INVITATION TO LEARN!

In past years, Tuesday evenings and Wednesday mornings have been devoted to religious topics decided on by those who wish to participate.

The Miracles of Jesus (Continued)
Tuesday, February 14th at 7:30 PM
Wednesday, February 15th at 10:30 AM

FINANCE CORNER

Our operating expenses average $14,000 per week.

Collection for January 29th, 2012
Loose Change – $1,064
Envelopes (434) – $8,735
Weekly Portion of Pre-Authorized Giving (168) – $3,246
Total – $13,045

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 and on the tables at the back of the Church.

OFFERTORY ENVELOPES FOR 2012

Please pick up your 2012 Offertory Boxed Envelopes in the Gabriel Room. 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 not to use envelopes from previous years as this number has been reassigned to another family.

PAG MEMBERS

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. Your box can be found on the table beside the regular offertory boxes in the Gabriel Room.

TAX RECEIPTS

Tax receipts for donations made in 2011 will be mailed to you by the end of February. If you have changed your address or are moving out of the Parish, please notify the Parish Office at 416-221-8866.

SOCIETY OF SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL TAX RECEIPTS

2011 tax receipts for all donations of $20 or more have been mailed. Receipts for donations of less than $20 are available upon request.

GOOD SHEPHERD CASSEROLES

Thank you to the volunteers who prepared 66 casseroles for January. For February, your prepared casseroles (frozen please) will be collected at the Masses on the weekend of February 25th/26th 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.

LUNAR NEW YEAR PARTY

Sunday, February 5th after 12:30 PM Mass

For many years, the Asian community in our parish has gifted our parish community with a wonderful New Year Party.

This year our Lunar New Year Party will take place this weekend, Sunday, February 5th after the 12:30 PM Mass in the Gathering Space.
Don’t forget to mark your calendar! Volunteers and donations are welcome. Please contact Linda Law at 416-918-8029.

This New Year will be the Year of the Dragon. During the party, there will be balloons twisted to the shape of dragons. At the request of the two young people who are responsible for this activity, there will be a free-will donation for the balloons, with the proceeds going to the St Vincent de Paul Society.

EVENING FOR PARENTS WITH YOUNG CHILDREN

Tuesday, February 7th at 7:30 PM in the Gabriel Room

Would you be interested in meeting other parents from the parish who are parenting young children, age 6 and younger?   If so, please come out on Tuesday, February 7th at 7:30 PM in the Gabriel Room to meet others and talk about the commonalities about parenting little ones. 

The evening will be facilitated by Judy Johnston, a parishioner of ours, who is a nurse-educator. Judy has facilitated parenting groups professionally. She had been a participant in parent networking groups when her children were small, and found that experience to be most beneficial.

To allow for a more focused discussion, this evening is intended to be for adults only, either mom, dad or both.  To register, please call or email the parish office (416) 221-8866, stgabrielsparish@bellnet.ca.  If you would like to have further information about the meeting, please contact Judy Johnston at (416) 733-0024.

NEW BEGINNINGS: FOR THOSE WHO HAVE LOST A LOVED ONE THROUGH DEATH, SEPARATION OR DIVORCE.

St. Bonaventure’s Church Hall
Tuesday, February 7th, 2012
8:00 to 9:30 PM

Come and join us for an informative evening with Mary Benincasa, MRE, DSD.
Mary, a Lay Pastoral Assistant and a Spiritual Director will present “Suffering and Our Image of God” The presentation will take place Tuesday February 7th from 8:00 to 9:30 PM at Saint Bonaventure’s Church Hall, 1300 Leslie Street, Toronto, Ontario (on the west side of Leslie, south of Lawrence). No registration required. For more information, please contact Deacon James at 416-921-1163 ext. 2227 or email at jshaughn@cfstoronto.com

THEOLOGY ON TAP TOUR AT RYERSON

Wednesday, February 8th, 2012 – 7:00PM – 9:00PM
Ram in the Rye Pub
63 Gould St., Toronto

Special guest: Charles Falzon, Chair of Radio and Television Arts, Ryerson University. We’ll discuss the role of faith in a secular world. Why does God Matter? Join us for an evening of thought-provoking conversation on theological topics! Munchies provided, cash bar available – come and bring a friend!

For more information: visit our Toronto Theology on Tap web page, or contact Oriana by e-mail rucatholics@gmail.com, or phone 416-364-0234 ext 239.

MEGAN’S WALK GALA – CELEBRATING A CIRCLE OF HOPE

The Fermenting Cellar, Distillery District
Friday, March 2nd, 2012

The 11th Annual Meagan’s Walk Gala will be held on Friday, March 2nd, 2012 at the Fermenting Cellar, Distillery District. A cocktail reception will begin at 6:00 PM followed by dinner at 7:00 PM. Tickets are $150 per person. Proceeds from this event will be split between the Megan Bebenek Endowment Fund and awareness, research and treatment of paediatric brain tumours at SickKids.
For more information, please visit www.meaganswalk.com or phone 416-239-7843.

QUEEN OF APOSTLES RETREAT CENTRE

Weekend Retreat March 9th to 12th

FATHER RON ROLHEISER, OMI preaches on the theme “Living the ups and downs of our faith: dark nights and doubt – a failure of faith or a failure of the imagination”.

This weekend retreat, for men and women, will be held at Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre in Mississauga March 9th to 12th, 2012.

For further information or reservation please call 905-278-5229.