Bulletin – May 20

In this week’s bulletin, an evening of prayer and reflection, Children’s Faith Program registrations, and casseroles for the Good Shepherd Centre.

ANNOUNCED MASSES

May 14h to May 19th, 2012

MONDAY –VICTORIA DAY No 9:00 AM Mass
TUESDAY – CECILIA MANALANG Requested by Plutareo Manalang
WEDNESDAY – SPECIAL INTENTION Requested by Mary Chan
THURSDAY – HUMILIANA FERNANDES Requested by Her Daughter & Family
FRIDAY – ANTHONY YEUNG ON BONG Requested by Agnes Wong
SATURDAY – DECEASED MEMBERS OF THE WROBEL & CHUCHRA FAMILIES Requested by the Family

CONFIRMATION

The Sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated on Thursday, May 24th at 7:30 PM at St. Gabriel’s Church. In preparation for this Sacrament, a Confirmation Retreat will be held on Wednesday, May 23rd from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM at
St. Gabriel’s Church. All candidates must attend. Candidates are reminded to bring a signed letter from the service coordinator or a parent stating the completion or anticipated date of completion of volunteer service hours.

EVENING OF REFLECTION AND PRAYER HONOURING MARY

Thursday, May 31, from 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM

The parish will be honouring Mary with an Evening of reflection and prayer on Thursday, May 31 at 8:00 PM. In our Church, May has always been the month dedicated to Mary. In view of the very positive feedback for this year’s Good Friday morning prayer, we wish again to take a look at the life of Mary and how it sheds light on our lives today. You are especially encouraged to come if you have missed the one on Good Friday.

PLANNING TO BE A CATHOLIC TEACHER?

It is important for you to know that to be hired to teach in any Catholic School Board in Ontario, as part of your application for employment, there must be a letter of reference from your pastor. If you (or if your adult child) is planning to apply to teach in a Catholic School, a contact with the pastor before Thanksgiving is highly recommended.
Please plan to have a conversation with your Pastor early in the process, well before applications are to be submitted.

AN INVITATION TO LEARN!

The Miracles of Jesus (Continued)
Tuesday, May 22nd at 7:30 PM

To be Announced
Wednesday, May 23rd at 10:30 AM

CHILDREN’S FAITH PROGRAM REGISTRATION

Registration forms for the Children’s Faith Program for next year are now available in the Parish Office.
Please note that all registrations must be returned by June 30th, 2012.

URGENTLY NEEDED!

The Children’s Faith Program is looking for volunteers to be catechism teachers to a variety of grades from SK-7. 
All curriculum material will be provided. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Lynette Fernandes at 416-502-1743 or by email at lynettefern@yahoo.com.

SHARELIFE CHALLENGE

A donor has challenged parishioners, schools, employee groups and corporate supporters to match up to $650,000 in new and increased contributions to the 2012 ShareLife Campaign. Should we realize the maximum potential of this effort, over one million new dollars would be raised for the work of our agencies. At a time when our social service agencies are reporting increased demands for their services, these new funds would help to introduce new programs and reduce waiting times for services for the marginalized in our communities.

WORKING WONDERS FOR THE HOMELESS

Gerard Brisebois, was in his mid-70s when he came to Les Centres d’Accueil heritage. Abandoned by his family, he was living in a downtown shelter – frail, friendless and isolated. At Les Centres, Gerard found a wonderful, nurturing home and a warm, supportive family. When he passed away, the man who seemed alone and friendless, brought out a tearful crowd to his farewell Mass. Many seniors in the GTA were involved in the programs and services offered by ShareLife agencies last year.
In addition, 842 seniors in need of more personalized attention received residential care.

3rd ShareLife collection – June 3rd, 2012
Please give generously. You can work WONDERS!

ShareLife Total for 2011: $184,642
ShareLife To Date: $85,534

CASSEROLES FOR THE GOOD SHEPHERD CENTRE

Your prepared casseroles (frozen please) will be collected at the Masses next weekend for delivery to the Good Shepherd Centre. More volunteers are encouraged to get a copy of a casserole recipe and a pan and give it a try. Three recipes are available on St. Gabriel’s web site. Printed copies of the recipes are also available in the Parish Office. Remember to mark the label on the pan lid with the name of the casserole. Please contact Irene Albrecht at 416 221-2791 for more information.

PAPAL CHARITIES COLLECTION

There will be a second collection this weekend, May 19th/20th for Papal Charities. The money collected will be used wherever the Pope feels it is most needed. Envelopes are available in the pews of the Church.

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL – URGENT NEED

A family with four children and very little space require two bunk beds. If you are aware of some reasonable way we can find two bunk beds please call the Parish Office and leave your name and phone number. A member of the
St. Vincent de Paul Society will be in touch. Thank you.

FINANCE CORNER

Our operating expenses average $13,750 per week.

Collection for May 13th, 2012
Loose Change – $1,346
Envelopes (420) – $8,436
Weekly Portion of Pre-Authorized Giving (180) – $3,369
Total – $13,151

VICTORIA DAY

Monday, May 21st is Victoria Day. The Parish Office will be closed. There will be no 9:00 AM Mass that day.

A WEEKEND OF PRAYER AND CONTEMPLATION

May 25th to May 27th
3377 Bayview Avenue

A weekend of prayer and contemplation is being offered by the Sisters of St. Joseph for single women ages 30 to 50 years.
The dates are May 25th to 27th, 2012.
Location: 3377 Bayview Avenue, Toronto. For more information, please see the flyer on the Bulletin board. Please contact dschweitzer@csj-to.ca or call 416-927-0720.

FAITH CONNECTIONS

Small is Beautiful in an “Up Size It” World
Monday, May 28th – 7:00PM – 9:00PM
Duke of York Pub
39 Prince Arthur Ave (near Bloor St W & Avenue Rd)

Special guest: Luke Stocking, Development & Peace Animator for Central Ontario. Join them 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 Vanessa Nicholas-Schmidt by e-mail faithconnections@csj-to.ca, or phone 416-467-2645.

ST. GABRIEL CATHOLIC SCHOOL FUN FAIR

Saturday, June 9th, 2012, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
St. Gabriel’s School
396 Spring Garden Avenue

Please join us for a day of games, food and just plain fun for the whole family! All are welcome!
Ride the Giant Slides & Bouncers, play the carnival games, visit the book sale, enjoy a Jetsun’s Juicey Burger or hot dog, treat yourself to a sno cone or candy floss, balloon animals, face-painting, and so much more…

QUEEN OF APOSTLES RETREAT CENTRE

Weekend for Married Couples
June 15th to 17th

Another honeymoon is a perfect way for a couple to celebrate their marriage. Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre offers married couples the privacy, comfort, hospitality and inspiring program that encourage couples to continue exploring their lives together. The next weekend is June 15th – 17th.
For information telephone: 905-278-8879, 905-829-0116, or 416-694-1742 or register at Queen of Apostles: 905-278-5229.

SEEING WITH HEART –DAY OF REFLECTION

Catholic Parents of Lesbian Daughters and Gay Sons
Saturday, June 16th, 2012 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Cost: $40.00 (includes lunch)
Scarboro Missions, 2685 Kingston Road, Toronto

For Brochure and information call John Montague at 416-523-6449.

REUNION OF THE FORMER STAFF OF THE MARTYRS SHRINE MIDLAND, ONTARIO

Saturday August 4th, 11:30 AM to 5:00 PM

You are cordially invited to attend a day of reminiscence for any former staff of the Martyrs Shrine, Midland, Ontario on Saturday, Aug. 4th from 11:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Bring a picnic lunch to the Sacred Heart Gardens or Filion Center (if weather is inclement) and enjoy an afternoon of sharing old memories, photographs, memorabilia etc.
Please RSVP by July 21st to martyrsshrinereunion2012@hotmail.com