In this week’s bulletin, Just Coffee, an update on Raising the Roof for a school in Haiti, and the Lunar New Year party.
February 11th – February 16th, 2013
MONDAY – DONNA BONNICK Requested by the Family TUESDAY – SUZANNE KIM Requested by Suzanne Kim WEDNESDAY – TONINO DIDIODATO Requested by the Family THURSDAY – DANIKA PETRANOVIC Requested by the Family FRIDAY – GUS CALDERONE Requested by Marie Calderone SATURDAY – PHILIP LEAH Requested by Kathi Leah
February 13th, 2013
February 13th is Ash Wednesday. Special Masses will be celebrated at 12:00 Noon and 7:30 PM with the distribution of ashes. There will be no 9:00 AM Mass that day. During Lent, we encourage your attendance at our daily weekday Masses at 9:00 AM.
During Lent there are two days of Fast and Abstinence, Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Abstinence means to abstain from eating meat. This applies to all Catholics 14 years of age and older. Fasting means that your two smaller meals combined should not be larger than your main meal. There is no eating between meals. This applies to healthy people between the ages of 18 and 60.
Stations of the Cross will take place each Friday evening during Lent at 7:30 PM. We also encourage your attendance at our daily Mass throughout Lent.
Tuesday, February 19th, at 7:30 PM
On Tuesday, February19th at 7:30 PM there will be a meeting for parents only of children who will be receiving the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist for the first time. The meeting will be held here in the Church.
The book We Prepare for the Eucharist will be distributed at that time. Please ensure that you pick up a book and help your child learn and review the content.
Monday February 11th at 7:30 PM or Thursday, February 14th at 10:30 AM
Topic: An Overview of the Old Testament – now known as the ‘Hebrew Scriptures’. For information please call Mary at 416-293-3760.
We will be collecting Canadian Tire money during the month of February in support of Matercare International which is an association of Catholic Obstetricians and Gynecologists working in developing countries. This organization is dedicated to improving the lives and health of mothers and their children, both unborn and born, through initiatives of service, training, research and advocacy. Please support this worthwhile campaign by dropping your Canadian Tire money in the collection basket.
Fair trade organic coffees will be on sale after all the Masses next weekend.
The following is a note from Helen and Eric Pierre, our parishioners who spearheaded the school building project in Haiti:
We would like to extend a very large “thank you” to the parishioners of St. Gabriel’s Parish for their support and participation in our Raise the Roof Bake Sale on Sunday, February 3rd. We are truly touched by everyone’s generosity: the bakers, the volunteers who gave time to sell, the people who bought baked goods and those who made donations. In doing so, the parishioners of St. Gabriel Parish are helping to provide the youth in Haiti an opportunity for a better life in the future. We are thrilled to report that to date we have made $4041.71. These funds, together with proceeds from ongoing fundraisers, will be directed to Raising the Roof of a new school in Corail, in the vicinity of Port-au-Prince. If you would like more information about our efforts in Haiti or to make a donation, please visit our website: haitiaide.ca.
We would like to extend a very large “thank you” to the parishioners of St. Gabriel’s Parish for their support and participation in our Raise the Roof Bake Sale on Sunday, February 3rd. We are truly touched by everyone’s generosity: the bakers, the volunteers who gave time to sell, the people who bought baked goods and those who made donations. In doing so, the parishioners of St. Gabriel Parish are helping to provide the youth in Haiti an opportunity for a better life in the future.
We are thrilled to report that to date we have made $4041.71. These funds, together with proceeds from ongoing fundraisers, will be directed to Raising the Roof of a new school in Corail, in the vicinity of Port-au-Prince. If you would like more information about our efforts in Haiti or to make a donation, please visit our website: haitiaide.ca.
Once again many thanks to our donors for all their help during the past year. 2012 tax receipts for all donations of $20 or more have been mailed. Receipts for donations of less than $20 are available upon request.
The Leprosy Mission of Canada would like to thank the Parishioners of St. Gabriel’s for their outstanding participation in the stamp collection project. Because of your ongoing support, the Leprosy Mission is able to help patients who have been turned away from other medical facilities.
“Thank you for your generous support of the young families at Rosalie Hall. Your thoughtfulness has touched the lives of many. With a little effort and through your support, we provided a luncheon celebration for all the young mothers and supplied 130 young families with gift bags of warm clothing, toys and toiletries for Christmas. Together we brought joy to many young women and children. Your commitment to the young families makes our work possible.”
Our operating expenses average $14,550 per week.
Collection for February 3rd, 2013
Envelopes (412) – $8,768 Loose Change – $1,211 Weekly Portion of Pre-Authorized Giving (184) – $3,474 Total – $13,453
The 2013 Offertory Boxed Envelopes are now available outside the Library. Please pick them up as soon as possible.
We would like to remind you not to use envelopes from previous years as this number may have been reassigned to another family.
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.
Tax receipts for donations made in 2012 will be mailed to you by the end of February. If you have changed your address or are moving out of the Parish, please notify the Parish Office at 416-221-8866.
Sunday, February 24th after 12:30 PM Mass
Sunday February 10th marks the Annual Lunar New Year. For many years, the Asian community in our parish has gifted our parish community with a wonderful New Year Party. This year is the Year of the Snake. Our Lunar New Year Party will take place on Sunday, February 24th after the 12:30 PM Mass in the Gathering Space. Don’t forget to mark your calendar!
All are welcome. Volunteers and donations are also welcome. Please contact Linda Law at 416-918-8029.
Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre February 15th to 17th
Father Ron Rolheiser, OMI will preach a retreat weekend for men and women on the theme “Solitude and Prayer” at Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre in Mississauga on February 15th -17th, 2013. For further information or to make a reservation please call 905-278-5229.
LAWS AND TREATIES How they may impact the lives of Canada’s First Nations people today Saturday, March 9th, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, Gabriel Room
Recently there has been a growing clamor from First Nations people — among them the Idle No More Movement, the hunger strike of Chief Theresa Spence, and the meeting of some Aboriginal leaders with our Prime Minister. There seem to be grievances which are crying out to be addressed.
As Christians we are committed to follow the example of Jesus, to love our neighbours — especially those who are poor and marginalized. We continually hear in the media the plight of First Nations people. We must have often wondered how they ended up in their present situation. As it turns out, laws and treaties of our country may play a significant role.
On Saturday, March 9th, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, our parish will be holding a workshop entitled Conversations on Native Issues. This workshop will focus on laws and treaties that affect the everyday lives of Canada’s native peoples. The speaker will be Senwung Luk, a young lawyer who grew up at St. Gabriel’s. Senwung is an Associate at Olthuis, Kleer and Townshend – LLP. His practice focuses on Aboriginal title litigation and treaty claims.
The workshop aims mainly at information – for participants to have a conversation about the possible root causes of the situation of Canada’s First Nations people. A light lunch will be provided. To register, please call (416) 221-8866, or email fatimalee@bellnet.ca. Admission is free. However, donations will be gratefully accepted to help defray the cost of the event.
This Bulletin entry was posted on Sunday, February 10th, 2013.
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Companion for the Walk of the Stations of the Cosmic Earth
St. Gabriel’s Garden – Guided Sensory Reflective Walk