Bulletin – January 1

In this week’s bulletin, the Eco-sabbath, offertory envelopes for Pre-authorized Giving plan subscribers, the Leprosy Mission of Canada used stamp collection and the Multicultural potluck dinner.

FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK

Thank you!

A very special thank you to all those who helped with our Christmas celebrations; those in the Music Ministry, the Eucharistic Ministers and Lectors, the Altar Servers and Ministers of Hospitality, those who organized and participated in the Christmas Pageant, those responsible for decorating, and the Pastoral Team.
Your work helped to make Christmas a beautiful and uplifting time.

ANNOUNCED MASSES

January 3rd– January 8th, 2011

TUESDAY – ELIO TONELLI Requested by the Family
WEDNESDAY – JACK WALSH Requested by Staff of St. Ignatius of Loyola School
THURSDAY – MARIA DIDIODATO Requested by the Family
FRIDAY – DERRICK McCORMICK Requested by Molly McCormick
SATURDAY – FRANK HAYWARD Requested by Phyllis Hayward

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

Friday, January 6th from 9:30 AM – 12 Noon
Please see the Sign-up sheet on the table at the doors of the Church.

ROSARY GROUPS

English: Saturday, January 7th at 3:15 PM in the Library
Chinese: Sunday, January 8th at 4:30 PM in the Gabriel Room. Please note the time change

ECO-SABBATH

Sunday, January 8th, 2012 at 11:30 AM in the Gabriel Room

Eco- Sabbath, normally held on the first Sunday of the month, will not take place on New Year’s Day, January 1st, 2012. It will be held instead on Sunday, January 8th at 11:30 AM in the Gabriel Room. All are welcome.

FAMILY MASS

There will be no Family Mass in January. The next Family Mass will take place on Sunday, February 12th, 2012 at the 12:30 PM Mass.

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
Tuesday, January 3rd at 7:30 PM
Wednesday, January 4th at 10:30 AM

FINANCE CORNER

Our operating expenses average $14,000 per week.

Collection for December 18th, 2011:
Loose Change – $1,036
Envelopes (521) – $12,658
Weekly Portion of Pre-Authorized Giving (163) – $3,194
Total – $16,888

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

The 2012 Offertory Boxed Envelopes are now available in the Gathering Space. 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 Gathering Space.

GOOD SHEPHERD CENTRE CASSEROLES

Just a reminder

Your prepared casseroles (frozen please) will be collected at all the Masses this weekend 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.

SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL

A Big Thank You!

Thank you to each and all for your donations and gifts over the season. Your goodness has helped in ways you may never know but be assured it is deeply appreciated. A special thank you to our neighbours – Amica, the St. Gabriel’s Village Condos, The Village Spa and the Sorbara Group.

THE LEPROSY MISSION OF CANADA USED STAMP COLLECTION

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.

ST. GABRIEL’S MULTICULTURAL POTLUCK DINNER

January 29th 2012

Please mark your calendar! The Multicultural Potluck Dinner is now scheduled for January 29, 2012 (Sunday). With multicultural food and “fun” events, it will be a wonderful expression of the diversity of our parish. This will be an excellent opportunity for those who participate to not only enjoy great food from all over the world but also to mingle and get to know one another. Tickets (at $5 each) will be available after all the masses on the weekends of January 7/8 and 14/15. You will receive more detailed information about the potluck arrangements then. Seats are limited, so please make sure that you book yours early!

DREAMS OF FLYING CONCERT

Featuring The Sneak Peek Orchestra
St.Gabriel’s Church
February 4th at 7:30 PM

The Sneak Peek Orchestra is at it again. After a sold-out chamber concert in the fall, the SPO is pleased to present its major concert of the 2011/12 season, Dreams of Flying.
On February 4th, , 2012 at 7:30 PM, this imaginative and visionary presentation will take audiences on a breathless trip through orchestral pieces new and old. Toronto composer Rob Teehan’s Juno-nominated Dreams of Flying will open the concert, followed by Kevin Lau’s newest creation, Foundation. Dazzling soloist Rachel Mercer will perform this cello concerto. Finally, return to earth but let your spirit soar with Ludwig von Beethoven’s epic masterpiece, Symphony No. 7 in A major. The concert will take place here at St. Gabriel’s Church. Tickets are $20 general admission, $10 students. Check out www.sneakpeekorchestra.com for more information.