Bulletin – February 3, 2013

In this week’s bulletin, meeting for First Reconciliation, the World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life, and the Archdiocese launches a pastoral plan.

ANNOUNCED MASSES

February 4th – February 9th, 2013

MONDAY – BONNIE SOMMES Requested by Jennifer Peters
TUESDAY – SISILIA SAIFUDIN Requested by Ignatius & Susan Chai
WEDNESDAY – PAUL & ANTONIO YANG Requested by the Family
THURSDAY – NIKOLA PETRANOVIC Requested by the Family
FRIDAY – MARIE FUNG Requested by the Family
SATURDAY – GEORGE LEWIS Requested by Winnie Lewis

MEETING FOR FIRST RECONCILIATION

Thursday, February 7th, at 7:30 PM

On Thursday, February 7th at 7:30 there will be a meeting for parents only of children who will be receiving the Sacraments of Reconciliation for the first time. The meeting will be held here in the Church.

The book, We Prepare for Reconciliation, will be distributed at that time. Please ensure that you get a book and help your child learn and review the content.

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR CONSECRATED LIFE

Sunday, February 3rd, 2011 at 3:00 PM
St. Paul’s Basilica

This weekend, the Church celebrates the World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life. In the Archdiocese of Toronto, we are blessed to have living and serving among us more than 1,000 religious men and women of over 100 different religious congregations. This World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life is a wonderful opportunity for us to thank God for the gifts of these religious sisters, brothers and priests and to pray for God’s blessing upon them in their efforts to faithfully live the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity and obedience.

All are welcome to come to a special Mass this Sunday, February 3rd at 3:00 PM at St. Paul’s Basilica, Toronto to celebrate with and pray for these men and women religious who are such a vital and important part of the life and ministry of the Church in our Archdiocese.

WELCOME! BAPTISM

The Parish Family of St. Gabriel’s would like to welcome:

  • Mercedes Isabel Dunbar
  • Marcus Phillips
  • Mackenzie Stella Stone

These children received the Sacrament of Baptism on Sunday, January 20th, 2013. Congratulations!

BIBLE FOR BEGINNERS

Monday February 4th at 7:30 PM or
Thursday, February 7th 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.

ARCHDIOCESE OF TORONTO LAUNCHES PASTORAL PLAN

Cardinal Thomas Collins has promulgated the Pastoral Plan of the Archdiocese of Toronto. To coincide with the launch of the plan, this weekend we are distributing a summary of the document, an important resource that will help guide our faith journey for years to come. All Catholics are encouraged to pray and discern how each one of us can contribute to the overall goals of the plan, living a faith that acts in all that we do. Visit www.archtoronto.org/pastoral to access the full plan (in numerous languages) along with prayers, questions for
dialogue as well as other helpful resources to continue the discussion.

CATHOLIC CHURCH ENERGY SAVINGS WORKSHOP

St. Gabriel’s Parish,
Wednesday, February 6th 7:00 to 9:00 PM

Better Buildings Partnership, City of Toronto, is holding an informative and important energy workshop about “How to save Money and Energy” on Wednesday, February 6th at St. Gabriel’s from 7:00 to 9:00 PM. Those who attend will learn about saving money and saving energy in their church. The SaveOnEnergy savings program includes 50% of the cost of building audits and up to 50% on lighting, cooling, electric heating, building envelope and temperature control system updates. Please contact Heather Bennett at 416-787-9919- or email her at heathermjb@gmail.com for more information.

GOOD SHEPHERD CASSEROLES

Thank you to the volunteers who prepared 62 casseroles for January. For February, your prepared casseroles (frozen please) will be collected at the Masses on the weekend of February 23rd/ 24th for delivery to the Good Shepherd Centre.

More volunteers are encouraged to become active in helping to feed our less fortunate sisters and brothers. There are now 3 different recipes available in the Parish Office or here. 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.

CANADIAN TIRE MONEY – MATERCARE

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.

RAISING THE ROOF FOR A SCHOOL IN HAITI

Bake Sale – This Sunday, February 3rd after all the Masses

Through the fundraising efforts and personal involvement of two of our parishioners, Eric and Helen Pierre, a
new Catholic school is being built in Corail, Haiti (in the vicinity of Port-au-Prince) for children of displaced citizens living in tents. With the walls now standing, the school is already in use. A roof (instead of tarp) is needed to better protect the children from the elements.

On this the third anniversary of the big earthquake that devastated Haiti, Eric and Helen are seeking help from their fellow parishioners at St. Gabriel’s. If you enjoy the sweet things in life (or even if you don’t), please join them at a Bake Sale this Sunday, February 3rd after each of the Masses. There will be sweets of every kind, coffee and tea as well as an opportunity to talk to members of Pierspective Entraide Humanitaire, the organization they spearheaded, about Haiti after the earthquake and their school construction projects.

Donations towards the project will also be gratefully accepted. Tax receipts will be issued by Pierspective for donations of $20 or more.

NEW BEGINNINGS

For those who have lost a loved one through Death, Separation or Divorce.
February 5thfrom 7:30 to 9:00 PM
Archdiocese of Toronto Pastoral Centre –
1155 Yonge St., 4th Floor

Come and participate in an informative evening with Facilitator Brother Ignatius Feaver, OFM., Cap. Brother Ignatius has a great deal of experience in the spiritual life and teaches courses on Spiritual Direction at Regis College. The Topic: “St. Francis’ Canticle of Creation as Healing in Our Lives.”

Location: Archdiocese of Toronto Pastoral Centre is located at 1155 Yonge St., 4th Floor, Toronto on the North East corner of Yonge and Shaftsbury, beside the Summerhill subway station.
Free underground parking off Shaftsbury.
Pre registration is not required.
Enquiries: Deacon James Shaughnessy, MSW., RSW., Psyn.D. 416-921-1163 ext 2227 or email jshaughn@cfstoronto.com.

QUEEN OF APOSTLES MARRIAGE ENRICHMENT WEEKEND

February 8th to 10th

Good Marriages, like dependable cars, need tune-ups. Refresh and rekindle your love for each other by treating yourselves to a marriage enrichment weekend at Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre, or give a weekend as a gift. The Centre offers comfort, excellent cuisine and an inspiring program.

The next weekend is February 8th to 10th. To register call Queen of Apostles at 905-278-5229 or for information, call Fr. Tomy at 905-278-5229 ext. #225.

LENTEN LISTENING

A Busy Person’s Retreat
Beginning Wednesday, February 13 at 6:30 PM
Regis College, 100 Wellesley St, Toronto

Faith Connections, Regis College, and the Toronto Area Vocation Directors Association invite you to an opportunity for young adults (18-39) from different areas of the Archdiocese of Toronto to experience the gift of Spiritual Accompaniment this Lent!

The retreat will begin and end with a group gathering. In the six weeks between these gatherings, you will be invited to spend 15 minutes a day in prayer and meet with a spiritual companion in your area 3 times for 1 hour.
The cost is $25. Please register by February 6th by contacting Héctor Acero Ferrer at 416-467-2645 or e-mail faithconnections@csj-to.ca.

RETREAT WEEKEND FOR MEN AND WOMEN

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.

FINANCE CORNER

Our operating expenses average $14,550 per week.

Collection for January 27th, 2013

Envelopes (425) – $7,799
Loose Change – $2,109
Weekly Portion of PAG (184) – $3,474
Total – $13,382

OFFERTORY ENVELOPES FOR 2013

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.