In this week’s bulletin, the book of remembrance, the eco-sabbath and an Advent evening of reflection.
November 26th to December 1st, 2012
MONDAY – VITO VIRGILIO Requested by the Virgilio Family TUESDAY – MARIA HOP TRAN Requested by the Nguyen Family WEDNESDAY – JOSEPH MATTHEW FERNANDES Requested by the Fernandes Family THURSDAY – ELIO RANCATI Requested by the Rancati Family FRIDAY – GIUSEPPINA SMERIGLIO Requested by Lina Giannotta SATURDAY – NELLY PARRA Requested by Darly Osorio
Sunday, November 25th at 12:30 PM Mass
The Confirmation Enrollment Ceremony for all Confirmation candidates will be held this Sunday, November 25th at the 12:30 Mass. All Confirmation candidates must attend.
There will be a Book of Remembrance placed on the altar for the month of November. You are invited to write the names of your deceased relatives and friends in the book. They will be remembered at all the Masses celebrated in November.
Sunday, December 2nd at 11:30 AM in the Gabriel Room
On the first Sunday of each month, 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.
Tuesday, December 4th at 7:30 PM or Thursday, December 6th at 10:30 AM
Topic: An Overview of the Old Testament – now known as the ‘Hebrew Scriptures’. For information or to register please call Mary at 416-293-3760.
“What if Jesus came — and I missed him?” Wednesday, December 12th 7:30 to 9:00 PM
Christmas is right round the corner. The few weeks leading to Christmas are always such a busy time for us — shopping, entertaining and decorating, that we often forget the true reason for the season.
To prepare our hearts and minds for Christmas, the parish will once again be hosting an Advent Evening of Reflection: “What if Jesus came – and I missed him?” on December 12th from 7:30 to 9:00 PM. Father Patrick Fitzpatrick, CSSp, will be leading us in prayer and reflection.
The evening will be a great opportunity to pause, listen, and look deeply into our lives to find the room there to appreciate the meaning of “God with us”.
Please mark your calendar, and reserve the time for some quietude amidst the busyness!
Weekend of December 1st/2nd
As you know, the Iraqi refugee family that the parish sponsored arrived safely in July from Damascus, Syria — amidst heavy fighting there. They are Christians who lived originally in Mosul (the biblical city of Nineveh) in northern Iraq. They were targeted and threatened because of their faith, and had to flee to Damascus.
Since arriving in Toronto, your financial and material assistance has helped the family begin a new life in Canada. Members of the refugee sponsorship committee have been generously giving their time to help them settle in. The youngest in the family, Reta, is now attending Grade 6, and the adults of the family are all in full-time English-as-a-second-language classes. Learning English is an important step towards their eventual full integration in Canadian society.
The parish, in sponsoring the family, has committed to supporting them financially for one year. For a family of five, the commitment is $39,000. Thus far, we have received $23,800 in funds as well as donations in kind. We estimate that we would need another $15,200 to fulfill our commitment.
On the weekend of December 1st/2nd, there will be a second collection dedicated especially for the sponsorship of our refugee family. Please be as generous as your means allow. Your help will be instrumental in allowing the family to finally make a new home here in Canada, after their many years of living in danger or exile.
This Christmas, St. Vincent de Paul is looking to provide mittens, hats, scarves or socks for needy kids. If you are able to participate in this drive please look for our Christmas “mitten” tree in the Gathering Space by December 1st. There you can select a “mitten” tag from the tree that describes the gender and age of the child you would like to support. You may also choose a “Christmas Stocking” tag to buy mittens hat, scarves or socks for a toddler at Rosalie Hall. Items should be gift wrapped with the original tag attached and delivered to the drop box by the “mitten” tree no later than December 16th. Thanks for your generosity.
We are having a Christmas Toy Drive for the Catholic Children’s Aid Society and Rosalie Hall. Can you help by dropping off an unwrapped new toy for a child 0 to 12 years old? Containers will be set up at the doors of the Church from Saturday, November 24th until Sunday, December 16th.
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.
Our operating expenses average $13,750 per week. Collection for November 18th 2012
Loose Change – $1,070 Envelopes (388 ) – $8,775 Weekly Portion of Pre-Authorized Giving (183) – $3,453 Total – $13,298
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.
The 2013 Offertory Boxed Envelopes will soon be available in the Gathering Space. Please inform the Parish Office if you have recently moved or are new to the Parish so that we may update our records and label your box correctly. 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. You may contact the Parish Office if you do not have envelopes but would like a box for 2013.
Monday, November 26th, at 7:00PM Duke of York Pub, 39 Prince Arthur Ave, Toronto Special guest: Leah Hunter, Toronto based musician.
If consumer culture is present in the newer songs we sing at Church, is this a bad thing? What might it say about us as a worshiping body? Faith Connections invites young adults 19-39 to join us for an evening of thought-provoking theological discussions and presentations in a comfortable and relaxed setting. Munchies provided, cash bar.
Come and bring a friend! For more information: visit our Toronto Theology on Tap web page, or contact Héctor by e-mail faithconnections@csj-to.ca, or phone 416-467-2645.
December 5th, 2012 at 7:00 PM Father Robert Madden Auditorium in Carr Hall, 100 St. Joseph Street, University of St. Michael’s College, Toronto.
Rick Firth, Executive Director, Hospice Palliative Care Ontario, will be speaking on the topic of High Quality, High Value – Hospice Palliative Care in Ontario. All are welcome to this free event. For more information please call the Canadian Catholic Bioethics Institute at 416-926-2335 or email bioethics.usmc@utoronto.ca or go to www.ccbi-utoronto.ca.
December 7th at 7:00 PM to December 9th at 4:00 PM Queen of the Apostles Renewal Centre, Mississauga, Ontario
Jesus says: “Come to me all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your soul.” Objectives:
Enquiries: Mary Benincasa at 416-921-1163 ext. 2235 or email at jshaughn@cfstoronto.com
This Bulletin entry was posted on Sunday, November 25th, 2012.
Founded by St. Paul of the Cross, every Passionist takes a special vow to spend his or her energies in promoting remembrance of the sufferings of Jesus, the memory of the Cross, and reflection of the meaning of the Cross for the world.
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St. Gabriel’s Garden – Guided Sensory Reflective Walk