Bulletin – January 15

ANNOUNCED MASSES

January 16th – January 21st, 2012

MONDAY – Thanksgiving Requested by the Rogue Reyes Family

TUESDAY – JOSEPH HINCH Requested by Marilou Wight

WEDNESDAY – SEAN KERR Requested by Heather Wooton

THURSDAY – BOB EHMANN Requested by the Mackenzie family

FRIDAY – Thanksgiving Requested by John Chan & Family

SATURDAY – DECEASED MEMBERS OF THE WROBEL & CHUCHRA FAMILIES Requested by the Family

MEETING FOR FIRST RECONCILIATION AND HOLY COMMUNION

Thursday, February 9th, at 7:30 PM

On Thursday, February 9th at 7:30 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 get 2 books and help your child learn and review the content.

A PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS

A good vocation prayer to say every day, from the time we are young until we are in our golden years, is found in today’s first Scripture reading: “Speak Lord, for your servant is listening”. Just try it with sincerity, starting today and, if you think God is calling you to a Church vocation, call Fr. Hansoo at 416-968-0997or email vocations@vocations.ca

www.vocationstoronto.ca

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 17th at 7:30 PM
Wednesday, January 18th at 10:30 AM

FINANCE CORNER

Our operating expenses average $14,000 per week.

Collection for January 8th, 2011

Loose Change – $996
Envelopes (521) – $3,472
Weekly Portion of Pre-Authorized Giving (168) – $3,246
Total – $13,994

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 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.

PHILIPPINES FLOOD RELIEF

Nearly 1000 people are reported dead and hundreds more are still missing after flash floods in the Philippines when Typhoon Washi hit southern Mindanao Island and surrounding areas in December. An estimated 40,000 people, many of whom were already desperately poor, are now living in evacuation centres after losing their homes and possessions.

Those wishing to help may do so in the following ways:

  • Online through the Archdiocesan website: www.archtoronto.org
  • By phone through the Development Office:
    1-800-263-2595 or 416-934-3411
  • Through the parish, making cheques payable to:
    St. Gabriel’s Parish – Philippines – Flood Relief

JUST COFFEE

Fair trade organic coffees will be on sale after all the Masses next weekend.

  • Regular ground Coffee: $5
  • Decaffeinated $6
  • Whole Beans $5
  • Chocolate Bars: $4 including taxes
  • Hot Chocolate and Cocoa: $4.50
  • Teas: $3.25 to $4.00 by variety

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. VINCENT de PAUL – WE NEED YOUR HELP!

In plans for cost-cutting, Toronto City Council is considering selling properties that they own. Eleven of these houses are run by the St. Vincent de Paul Society. These homes and programs provide for recovering alcohol and drug addictive people. Selling them will mean that these programs will end. There are 86 beds and over 7000 people have been served over the years. The great majority have met with success.

St. Vincent de Paul is asking for an exemption for these homes from a proposed TCHC sale. So far, they have been met with vague official prevarication. Please contact the Councillors in Wards 13, 17, 18, 19, 28, 30, 32 and the councillors for Willowdale, John Filion and David Shiner, and convince them of the absolute need to retain these homes for the continuation of their present invaluable use.

Voting will occur in the next week.

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.

MOSAIC INTERFAITH

Sunday, January 15th at Thornhill United Church

Mosaic Interfaith invites you to attend an afternoon of inspiring stories from our various faith traditions on equality, justice and peace and a presentation on Martin Luther King, Jr. this Sunday January 15th at Thornhill United Church, 25 Elgin Street, Markham (one block east of Yonge St., entrance on Dudley Ave). To RSVP or for more information call Nora at 416 218 0680. See notice on bulletin board.

WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY 2012 ECUMENICAL PRAYER SERVICE

Sunday, January 22, 2012 – 3:00 p.m.
St. Michael’s Cathedral
200 Church Street (at the corner of Shuter & Church Streets)

Come and join us in prayer with His Grace Archbishop Thomas Collins, joined by His Grace Anglican Archbishop Colin Johnson, Lutheran Bishop Michael Pryse, Slovak Catholic Bishop John Pazak, Assyrian Catholic Bishop Emmanuel Mar Emmanuel and other city-wide religious leaders on Sunday, January 22nd at 3:00 PM at St. Michael’s Cathedral.

Refreshments will follow in Parish Hall. For further information, please contact the Office of Ecumenical and Interfaith Affairs at 416-934-3400 ext. 344.

ST. GABRIEL’S MULTICULTURAL POTLUCK DINNER

Sunday, January 29th 2012
5:00 to 7:30 PM
Gathering Space

Thank you for a phenomenal response to the Potluck Dinner! All tickets were sold on the weekend of January 7th/8th. At last count, twenty-two different ethnic groups were represented.

We look forward to an evening of diverse culinary and cultural experience. It will also be a wonderful opportunity for us to meet on a more personal level. Participants are encouraged to come to the Dinner in their ethnic costumes!

DREAMS OF FLYING CONCERT

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

The Sneak Peek Orchestra is pleased to present its major concert of the 2011/12 season, Dreams of Flying. On February 4th, 2012 at 7:30 PM. 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 will be available after all the Masses for the next 2 weeks and will also be sold at the door. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students. Check out www.sneakpeekorchestra.com for more information.