Bulletin – October 7

God has given us the earth to be our homeland. Along with this gift, we are asked to show our thankfulness by caring for the earth and by sharing our own gifts with one another.

Mass will be celebrated on Thanksgiving Day, Monday, October 8th at 10:00 AM.

THANK YOU FROM OUR REFUGEE FAMILY

At the 10:30 AM Mass last weekend, Atheer Saoor, the younger son of the refugee family which the parish sponsored, thanked everyone in the parish who have directly and indirectly helped him and his family – heartfelt remarks which we have included here.

“Good morning Ladies and Gentlemen of Saint Gabriel’s.  My name is Atheer Saoor and I am here to thank you for your prayers and support. I wish to thank all who worked so hard to make it a reality that my family and I made ​​it through to Canada and received the papers that ensured that my family could come here. You saved my family from the bad situations that we lived in, first in Iraq, then in Syria.
“We feel that we have not lost our family in Iraq, because God has given us a family here in Canada — Father Paul, Father Brando, Fatima, Chris, and Bob and Eileen whom we lived with for 3 weeks and so many others who have helped us feel welcome in Canada and helped us get settled. 
“We would especially like to thank so many of you who donated furniture and other things so we could have an apartment. Finally I would like to ask you, if I may, for your prayers for my uncle and my cousin who were victims of violence just last week in Iraq.
“Thank you! Thank you! Thank you for all you have done for us.  God bless you all.”

ANNOUNCED MASSES

October 8th to October 13th, 2012

MONDAY – THANKSGIVING Mass at 10:00 AM
TUESDAY – BILL DES ROCHES Requested by Marion & Mark Des Roches
WEDNESDAY – ABANDONED SOULS Requested by the Nguyen Family
THURSDAY – MARJORIE & BILL ALLEN Requested by Rosemary & Doug Pollock & Family
FRIDAY – BOB FLANAGAN Requested by Carol & Hugh MacKenzie
SATURDAY – PASQUALE GATTI Requested by the Linda Gatti

SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN PREPARING FOR BAPTISM

If you have, or know of, school age children (ages 7 to 14) who wish to prepare for Baptism, please contact the Parish Office, or Fatima Lee directly, at 416-221-8866. Classes for them will begin this month.

ADULT FAITH DEVELOPMENT

R.C.I.A. (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) meetings will begin this month. These meetings are for persons interested in learning more about the Catholic Faith, who may eventually decide to seek baptism into the Catholic Church, as well as for those who wish to seek Reception into Full Communion with the Catholic Church. Adult Catholics who want to prepare for the celebration of Confirmation are also welcome. In many ways, these meetings may also provide an opportunity for “Born Catholics” to deepen their understanding of the faith. For more information, please call the Parish Office at 416- 221-8866.

BIBLE FOR BEGINNERS

Tuesday, October 9th at 7:30 PM or Thursday, October 11th at 10:30 AM

Did Adam and Eve eat an apple? Did Jonah live inside the whale for 3 days? Did the Flood last 40 days or 120 days? Come and find out. Beginning Tuesday, October 9th at 7:30 PM, Mary Landry will present an overview of the Old Testament – now known as the ‘Hebrew Scriptures’. St. Jerome said that ignorance of these Scriptures is ignorance of Christ. Come and see what he meant!

For information or to register please call Mary at 416-293-3760.

THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE

Currently, Good Shepherd Ministries serves more than 1,000 meals a day to people who would otherwise have gone hungry, an increase of 10% over last year. Please make a difference in the lives of those most in need within our community by participating in the annual Thanksgiving Food Drive.

Urgently needed items include:
rice, pasta, pasta sauces, canned/condensed milk,
breakfast cereals, tea, coffee, powdered fruit juices,
canned soups, stews, meats, fish, fruits and vegetables,
margarine, peanut butter, jam, sugar,
cookies and crackers, condiments, spices
Please no fresh or frozen foods.

The Good Shepherd Ministries are also in need of toothbrushes, toothpaste, men’s deodorant and soap.
We thank you for your generous support!

CASSEROLES FOR THE GOOD SHEPHERD CENTRE

Thank you to the volunteers who prepared 43 casseroles for September. Thank you also for the 23 casseroles in July and 37 casseroles in August. For October, your casseroles (frozen please) will be collected at all the Masses on the weekend of October 27th/28th. If you require more information or would like to get a copy of a recipe and a casserole pan, please contact Irene Albrecht at 416-221-2791.

THE GRIEVING JOURNEY: DEALING WITH OUR LIFE EXPERIENCE OF PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL AND SPIRITUAL LOSSES

Saturday, October 27th 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM
Gabriel Room

This workshop will explore the grieving journey we all go through when dealing with significant losses. It will help participants learn how to deal with these life experiences so as to be able to move through the pain and the angst of the loss. The workshop will be interactive with some input, some quiet time and some group sharing as participants are able.

Fee, including morning break and lunch – $15
To register, please call the Parish Office at 416-221-8866.

HOLY LAND CHRISTIAN FAMILIES: OLIVE WOOD SALE

October 13th/14th

Holy Land Christian Families are visiting the parish on October 13th and 14th to display Olive Wood crafts from the Holy Land. Due to religious wars and conflict, many Christian families had to leave their homes because of job loss. Hand Carved Olive Wood crafts are religious items that are hand made by these Christian families. This is their only source of income and our mission is to help these families to sell their work in order to help them with food, shelter and a better education. This way they can continue the only life they have known.

MOSAIC PEACE MEAL

Sunday October 14th from 2:00 to 5:00 PM
Temple Har Zion,
7360 Bayview Avenue, Thornhill

The Mosaic Peace Meal will take place on Sunday, October 14th from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Temple Har Zion. It is co-sponsored by Temple Har Zion and the Zoroastrian Society. All are welcome. The program includes a panel discussion on Faith and ends with a pot-luck vegan supper. If coming, please bring a dish to share with others but with absolutely no meat, poultry, eggs, fish, dairy products or alcohol due to dietary laws and, because of allergies, no nut products. Also think green, no disposable dishes. Please RSVP to Nora at 416-218-0680 by October 9th.

See poster on bulletin board.

ANNUAL MASS TO END WOMAN ABUSE

Tuesday, October 16th at 6:00 PM
Blessed Trinity Church
3220 Bayview Avenue

Catholic Family Services and Blessed Trinity Parish invite you to attend the third annual Mass offered to end Woman Abuse on Tuesday, October 16th at Blessed Trinity Church. Light refreshments in the Parish Hall will follow the Mass. Please register by email, info@cfstoronto.com or by phone at 416-921-1163.

ST. BONAVENTURE’S FLEE MARKET

Saturday, October 20th 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM
St Bonaventure’s Parish Centre
1300 Leslie Street

St. Bonaventure Flea Market will be held in the Parish Centre on Saturday, October 20th from 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM.
Come and shop for Clothing, Housewares, China & Glass, Linens, Appliances, Electronics, Small Furniture, Sporting
Goods, Books, CDs, DVDs, Toys & Games, Decorative and Holiday Items, Odds & Ends, Baked Goods and much more.

Don’t miss it! Free Admission.
Parking is also available at Edwards Gardens.

ISLE OF THE DEAD CONCERT

Featuring the Sneak Peek Orchestra
St.Gabriel’s Church
Friday, October 26th at 7:30 PM

The Sneak Peek Orchestra is excited to launch its sixth year, beginning with Isle of the Dead on October 26, 7:30 PM, at St. Gabriel’s Passionist Parish. This year’s concert will feature the esteemed Toronto pianist Ricker Choi performing Liszt’s devilish Totentanz, “Dance of Death,” and guest conductor William Rowson leading the orchestra in a rendition of Bach’s famous Toccata and Fugue in D minor, while our maestro Victor Cheng plays a pivotal role on the organ. Don’t worry, Victor will be back on the podium conducting a rare performance of Rachmaninoff’s orchestral masterpiece, Isle of the Dead.

Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students. They may be purchased in advance at www.sneakpeekorchestra.com or at the door on the evening of the performance.

FINANCE CORNER

Our operating expenses average $13,750 per week.
Collection for September 30th, 2012

Loose Change – $1,541
Envelopes (397) – $7,437
Weekly Portion of Pre-Authorized Giving (179) – $3,371
Total – $12,349