Bulletin – June 29, 2014

This is the last bulletin until September. We wish you all a happy and safe summer! July 1st is Canada Day. The office will be closed on Tuesday, July 1st for the holiday. There will be no 9:00 A.M. Mass.

CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATES

Congratulations to the Graduating Class of 2014 at St. Gabriel’s School. Well done! We wish you every success as you begin the next stage of your school life.

THANK YOU FOR OUR PARISH PICNIC

A special word of thanks to all the good men and women who worked so hard to provide us with a Barbeque last Sunday. The food was great, the weather was wonderful and a grand time was had by all. Special thank to Ms. Linda Law who coordinated the event.

AN EVENING OF CONVERSATIONS

“Stewardship of the Earth: Fort McMurray and the oilsands”

St. Gabriel’s Church, Gabriel Room
Tuesday, July 8th from 7:30 to 9:00 P.M.

“The earth does not belong to us, we belong to the earth. What we do to the earth, we do it to ourselves”. Father Paul and Fatima Lee, our Lay Pastoral Associate, recently attended a conference at Fort McMurray, Alberta, on Native Treaty and Water rights — to hear from those who have been most impacted by the development of the Oilsands, and how they have been affected. The conference, at which the Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa gave the keynote address, discussed justice as well as environmental issues.

On Tuesday, July 8th Father Paul and Fatima will share with parishioners and friends their experiences of the trip to Fort McMurray. If you are interested in the subject, or you would like to know more about it, you are invited to join us for an evening of conversation, to begin at 7:30 P.M.

ST. GABRIEL’S YOUTH GROUP BAKE SALE

June 29th after all Masses

The St. Gabriel’s Youth Group will be selling baked goods at all the Masses this Sunday, June 29th. Proceeds will go towards costs of Youth Group related events. We invite you to come out and support our young people!

ANNOUNCED MASSES

Please see the insert in the parish bulletin or check the bulletin board for announced Masses during the summer months.

OUR NEW HYMNALS

Our new hymnals have arrived. Our goal is always to have everyone participate, so pick up and crack open those new books and sing to the glory of God! Any contributions towards these books would be greatly appreciated. Since the Catholic Book of Worship will still be used, please do not remove them from the Church.

CONTINUING ADULT EDUCATION

The Church has had many great thinkers over the years, including St. Augustine in the 5th century and St. Thomas Aquinas in the 13th century. In our time, we have great thinkers too, one of whom is the Passionist priest Fr. Thomas Berry, 1914 – 2009. He introduced us to seeing God’s creation in a new way and our role as humans within it. He called it “The New Story”. Next fall on every other Tuesday evening and repeated every other Thursday morning, we will discuss his “New Story”, the wisdom that ensues and the challenge it evokes. We guarantee an interesting discussion! Watch for beginning dates in September.

PLANNING TO BE A CATHOLIC TEACHER?

It is critical for you to know that to be hired to teach in any Catholic school board in Ontario, as part of your application for employment, there must be a letter of reference from your pastor. If you (or if your adult child) is planning to apply to teach in a Catholic school, it is highly recommended you contact the pastor before Thanksgiving. Please plan to have a conversation with your pastor early in the process and you will avoid disappointment and stress at the time when applications are to be submitted.

DONATE YOUR OLD EYE GLASSES

You can help others by donating your old eyeglasses. Glasses will be sent to the Lions Club for distribution to the needy in developing countries. Donated glasses may be left in the box provided just outside the Parish Office.

FOOD FOR ROSALIE HALL

Each month the food we collect is sent to Rosalie Hall. With everyone struggling at this time, these donations are more important than ever. Please check the expiry dates before donating since we cannot pass on food that has expired. Thank you for your generous support.

BUNDLE UP WEEKEND COMING UP!

Bundle-Up Weekend September 20th/21st

There will be a Bundle-Up Weekend on September 20th/21st. Start today to gather gently used clean clothes for the third weekend of September.

CANADIAN TIRE MONEY – MATERCARE

We are still collecting Canadian Tire money in support of Matercare International. Please support this worthwhile campaign by dropping your Canadian Tire money in the collection basket or bringing it to the Parish Office.

CASSEROLES FOR THE GOOD SHEPHERD CENTRE

Thank you to all who prepared casseroles for the Good Shepherd Centre. For the summer, your prepared casseroles (frozen please) will be collected at the Masses on the weekends of July 26th /27th and August 23rd /24th for delivery to the Good Shepherd Centre.

More volunteers are needed, especially in the summer months. Please get a copy of a casserole recipe and a pan and give it a try. Three recipes are available on St. Gabriel’s web site. Printed copies of the recipes are also available in the Parish Office. Remember to mark the label on the pan lid with the name of the casserole. For more information, you may contact Irene Albrecht at 416 221-2791.

EFFECT HOPE NEEDS YOUR HELP

The Leprosy Mission of Canada, Effect: Hope is looking for volunteers to trim stamps. If you are interested, please call Linda at 905-886-2885 for further information.

FINANCE CORNER

Our operating expenses average $14,550 per week.

Collection for last weekend:

Envelopes 420 $7,928
Loose Change $1,213
Weekly Portion of PAG 177 $3,193
(Pre-Authorized Giving)
Total $12,334

SHARELIFE

ShareLife For 2013: $193,410
ShareLife to Date: $157,491.50

ROSARY GROUP OUTDOOR MEETING

July 5th from 2:00 P.M. to 4:30 P.M.
Marian Shrine of Gratitude
3100 Weston Road (at Sheppard)

The Rosary group will hold an outdoor prayer meeting at the Marian Shrine of Gratitude on Saturday, July 5.They will meet here at St. Gabriel’s Church at 2:00 and go together to the Shrine. Carpools can be arranged if needed. There, they will pray the rosary and return to St. Gabriel’s at about 4:30 P.M. All are welcome to join them.

FAITH CONNECTIONS HIKE AND PRAYER

Edwards Gardens
Saturday, July 5th, 2014 at 10:30 A.M.

Faith Connections invites all young adults 18-39 to join them for a Hike and Prayer followed by a picnic at Edwards Gardens. Please bring water, a picnic lunch, sturdy footwear and weather-appropriate gear (rain or shine). Meet at the south west corner of Leslie St. and Lawrence Ave. East (under the Edwards Gardens sign. RSVP is appreciated.

Please call Vanessa Nicholas-Schmidt at 416-467-2645 or visit www.faithconnections.ca — a ministry of Fontbonne Ministries, Sisters of St. Joseph, Toronto.

FAITH CONNECTIONS’ STREET PATROL

Two dates: Wednesday July 16th & Wednesday August 20th 6:30 P.M.
Meeting on the steps of St. Patrick’s Church,
141 McCaul St.

Young adults ages 18-39 are invited to join Faith Connections in walking the streets of downtown Toronto, offering food and friendship to those in need. Bring sandwiches and drinks to share with people you meet. Also appreciated are soft fruits, veggies, snacks or sweets. RSVP required. Call Vanessa Nicholas-Schmidt at 416-467-2645 or visit www.faithconnections.ca — a ministry of Fontbonne Ministries, Sisters of St. Joseph, Toronto.

ANNUAL MASS FOR THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED

Wednesday, August 13th at 7:00 PM

The Annual Mass for the Faithful Departed will take place on Wednesday, August 13th at 7:00 PM at the following cemeteries: Holy Cross Cemetery, 8361 Yonge Street, Thornhill, Ontario Mount Hope Cemetery, 305 Erskine Avenue, Toronto, Ontario