Bulletin – January 6

Happy new year! In this week’s bulletin, the Leprosy Mission of Canada used stamp collection, Philippines typhoon relief, and casseroles for the Good Shepherd Centre.

ANNOUNCED MASSES

January 7th – January 12th, 2013

MONDAY – JOSEPH LUAN NGUYEN Requested by the Family
TUESDAY – JUANITA ISRAEL Requested by Laurena Riego
WEDNESDAY – GODCHILDREN Requested by Peter & Gemma
THURSDAY – RICCIO FECLOMENA Requested by Anthony Racioppa
FRIDAY – MARTIN FOY Requested by Nora Kerr
SATURDAY – AMBROSE Mc INNES Requested by Marie Calderone

FROM THE DESK OF FR. PAUL: THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

Thank you, good people, for your overwhelming generosity this Christmas season. Thanks to you, St. Gabriel’s was able to provide toys, food and gifts to Rosalie Hall, the Catholic Children’s Aid, the Good Shepherd Centre and the St. Vincent de Paul Society. A special thank you to our neighbours – Amica, the St. Gabriel’s Village Condos and the Sorbara Group for their generous support of our food and toy drives. Your thoughtfulness is greatly appreciated.

THE LEPROSY MISSION OF CANADA USED STAMP COLLECTION

At this time of year, many have received 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.

PHILIPPINES TYPHOON RELIEF

In response to the recent typhoon in the Philippines, the Archdiocese of Toronto is now accepting funds to support the work taking place in the affected areas. Typhoon Bopha (known locally as “Pablo”) passed to the south of the large islands of the Palau archipelago on December 3rd on its way to the Philippines, with winds recorded at over 250 km per hour. The human toll has been catastrophic and continues to rise. In total, more than 5 million people have been affected by the situation.

There is an urgent need to distribute food, shelter, and medicine to the affected population. Thousands of people have fled their homes and are in need of basic necessities. Water scarcity and contamination is also a major problem. Heavy rains have caused rivers to overflow, resulting in flooding and landslides. Those wishing to help through a financial contribution may do so in the following ways:

  • Online through the Archdiocesan website, www.archtoronto.org
  • By phone through the Development Office – 1 -800-263-2595 or 416-934-3411.

GOOD SHEPHERD CENTRE CASSEROLES

Thank you to the volunteers who prepared 43 casseroles for December. For January, your prepared casseroles (frozen please) will be collected at the Masses on the weekend of January 26th/27th for delivery to the Good Shepherd Centre. There are now 3 different recipes available in the Parish Office or online at the Church website.

More volunteers are encouraged to become active in helping to feed our less fortunate sisters and brothers. If you require more information or would like to get copies of the recipes and a casserole pan, please contact Irene Albrecht at 416 221-2791.

NEW BEGINNINGS: For those who have lost a loved one through Death, Separation or Divorce.

Archdiocese of Toronto Pastoral Centre:
1155 Yonge Street
North East corner of Yonge and Shaftebury, 4th Floor
January 8, 2013, 7:30 to 9:00 PM

Come and join us for an informative evening: Our Facilitators will be Henny DeLange MSW., RSW. and Greg Badcock MSW., RSW. The Topic: Demystifying Anger – Free underground parking off Shaftebury and we are beside the Summer Hill subway station. Pre registration is not required. Please contact Deacon James Shaughnessy MSW., RSW., Psyn.D. at 416-921-1163 ext 2227 or email jshaughn@cfstoronto.com for more information.

EXPLORING THE GOSPEL OF LUKE

Paulist Centre at Bathurst and Bloor
Thursday January 10th at 7:00 PM for 8 weeks

On Thursday, January 10, the Paulist Centre at Bathurst and Bloor Streets will begin an eight-week program exploring the Gospel of St. Luke. This is the gospel to be read at weekend Masses in all Catholic churches during 2013. The class will explore: Who was St. Luke? For whom was he writing? What is the heart of his message – for the people of his own time and for us today? There is no charge for this course and no need to sign up in advance. All are welcome to attend at 7:00 PM on Thursday evening, January 10th, and the following seven weeks for this exciting journey into the message of this powerful gospel writer.

For more information contact the Paulist Centre at 416-534-2326 or www.paulistcentretoronto.ca.

BIBLE FOR BEGINNERS

Tuesday, January 8th at 7:30 PM or
Thursday, January 10th 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.

SAVE THE DATE WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6TH

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’sfrom 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.

FINANCE CORNER

A message from the St. Gabriel’s Finance Council (PDF, 113K).

OFFERTORY ENVELOPES FOR 2013

The 2013 Offertory Boxed Envelopes are now available in the Gathering Space. Please pick them up as soon as possible. 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.

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.