Bulletin – February 22, 2015

FEAST OF ST. GABRIEL

Friday, February 27th is the feast of St. Gabriel.

St. Gabriel, a member of the Passionist Community, was born Francis Possenti on March 1, 1838 in Assisi. In September, 1856 he entered the Passionist novitiate but before his ordination, he contracted tuberculosis. He died February 27, 1862 at the age of 24. Francis had a special devotion to Mary and chose as his religious name Gabriel of the Sorrowful Virgin. He is remembered for his enthusiasm in life and his extraordinary generosity. Pope John XXIII proclaimed him as a special Patron of Youth. Mass will be celebrated as usual at 9:00 AM on Friday.

FAMILY OF FAITH UPDATE

You truly are good people! We have almost reached our goal. As of last Tuesday, the pledge total for the Family of Faith Campaign was $889,763. Thank you! There is only one week left in our campaign, so please get your pledge form into the parish office by next Sunday, March 1st.

LENTEN RETREAT

Preacher: Fr. Bob Joerger, CP

Saturday, March 7th from 1:00 PM to 5:30 PM

We just heard from Mark’s gospel that “Jesus got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed.” We invite you during this season of Lent to come out and spend a quiet afternoon to pray and reflect, and to experience a renewal of your faith.

As announced earlier, Father Robert Joerger, CP, whose preaching touched many of us when he last visited, has very kindly agreed to lead our Lenten retreat this year. Fr. Bob is the Provincial of the Passionists of the St Paul of the Cross Province.

The topic of the Lenten retreat is “GUESS WHO IS COMING TO DINNER: Everybody has a hungry heart.” Come and be prepared to be inspired and to be challenged to a deeper relationship with God. The retreat will be on Saturday, March 7th from 1:00 PM to 5:30 PM at the parish. It will end with Mass at 4:30 PM.

To pre-register or for more information, please call the parish office at (416) 221-8866, email fatimalee@bellnet.ca, or meet us in the Gathering Space, before and after all weekend Masses. By pre-registering you will facilitate our organizing of the event. There will be no charge for the retreat. However, donations will be gratefully accepted. The retreat will begin at 1:00 PM sharp. Please plan on arriving earlier.

LUNAR NEW YEAR PARTY

Sunday, March 1st after 12:30 PM Mass

Thursday, February 19th marks the beginning of 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 Sheep.

Our Lunar New Year Party will take place on Sunday, March 1st after the 12:30 PM Mass in the Gathering Space. All are welcome. Don’t forget to mark your calendar!

Volunteers and donations are also welcome.

Please contact Linda Law at 416-918-8029.

ANNOUNCED MASSES

February 23rd to February 28th, 2015

MONDAY – MARJORY MILLER – Requested by the Lee Family
TUESDAY – LING-TAI SUN – Requested Meiyung Fong & Kitty Wong
WEDNESDAY – RENATA BELLISARI – Requested by Vincent & Diana Oakie
THURSDAY
FRIDAY – IVY LYN – Requested by the Family
SATURDAY – LUIS C. RODRIGUEZ – Requested by Juan Rodriguez

ROSARY GROUPS

Chinese: Sunday, March 1st at 3:30 PM in the Gabriel Room.
English: Saturday, March 7th at 3:15 PM in the Gabriel Room

For information, please contact Linda Law at 416 -918-8029.

WELCOME! BAPTISM

The Parish Family of St. Gabriel’s would like to welcome:
Quinn Contway-Chand
Jon Raphael Macoco Cabado
Joni Rose McGee
Gabriel Rene Szeto
Xyra Gabriela Tupaz

These children received the Sacrament of Baptism on Sunday, February 15th, 2015. Congratulations!

FIRST RECONCILIATION

Saturday, February 28th at 10:30 AM

St. Gabriel’s Church

First Reconciliation for children attending St. Gabriel’s School, those in the Children’s Faith Program and children attending Private Schools will be held at St. Gabriel’s Church on Saturday, February 28th at 10:30 AM.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS

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.

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION – FIRST FRIDAY

Friday, March 6th from 9:30 AM – 12 Noon

ECO SABBATH

Sunday, March 1st at 11:30 AM in the Gabriel Room

On the first Sunday of each month, the Passionist Centre for Ecology and Spirituality facilitates a 30 minute reflection and discussion prompted by the readings for that Sunday’s liturgy. The guided reflection brings an ecological perspective to the readings. All are welcome.

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER

Friday, March 6th at 1:30 PM

St. Gabriel’s Church

On Friday, March 6th at 1:30 PM, St. Gabriel’s is hosting World Day of Prayer 2015, an ecumenical Service, which is written this year by the Christian women in the Bahamas.

The theme for this year is “Jesus said to them, ‘Do you know what I have done to you? John 13:13.
Please join us, along with our neighbour Christian churches, in prayer and reflection. All are welcome to attend.

SHARELIFE

Together we are continuing to work wonders…

“Help one another. This is what Jesus teaches. This is what I do. And I do it with my heart…I love doing it because this is what the Lord has taught me. But you too must help us and help each other always. And thus in helping each other we will do good for each other.” -Pope Francis

This reminder from our Holy Father demonstrates the importance of caring for one another and our commitment to Catholic charity in a meaningful way. Through ShareLife agencies, we reach out to some of the most vulnerable and needy people in our community, helping our neighbours, friends and fellow parishioners as they work through difficult times. Please consider supporting ShareLife, our annual Archdiocesan appeal, during this Lenten season.
-Thomas Cardinal Collins, Archbishop of Toronto

Next Sunday is ShareLife Sunday – March 1, 2015

Please give generously. You can work wonders!

CASSEROLES FOR THE GOOD SHEPHERD CENTRE

Your prepared casseroles (frozen please) will be collected at the Masses next weekend for delivery to the Good Shepherd Centre.

More volunteers are needed to help feed the hungry in Toronto. 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. Please 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.

A MESSAGE FROM THE CATHOLIC CHILDREN’S AID

On behalf of the Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Toronto, thank you so much for your participation in the 2014 Hope For the Children Christmas Program. With the support of donors like you, we were able to provide assistance to many families and children served by the CCAS. Wishing you and your loved ones a joyous 2015!

NORTH YORK RETIREES CLUB

Blessed Trinity Parish Hall

Tuesday, February 24th at 2:00 PM

The next meeting of the North York Retiree’s will be on Tuesday, February 24th at Blessed Trinity Church Hall. The meeting will feature guest speaker Brent Cumming, estate lawyer. He will speak about Financial and Estate Planning. All retirees are cordially invited to attend.

LIFE STORY PROGRAMME

Ten consecutive Tuesdays, beginning March 10th
From 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

St. Bonaventure’s Parish Centre, 1300 Leslie St.

This Life Story Programme is a programme for men and women in the second half of life. It is an opportunity to stop, take stock and look back over the process of life within a context of faith in order to gain deeper understanding, clearer perspective and a more integrated view. The Facilitator is Mary Rose Marrin CSJ, Maturing Adults Minister.

It will be held at St. Bonaventure’s Parish Centre, on ten consecutive Tuesdays beginning March 10th from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM.

The Cost for materials is $10.00.

Registration is Necessary. To register, call Sister Mary Rose at 416-462-1331 Ext. 4224 or email mrmarrin@csj-to.ca.

LENTEN JOURNEY OF HOPE AND HEALING

Thursdays from February 26th to March 26th at 7:00 PM

Holy Cross Catholic Funeral Home, 211 Langstaff Road

Catholic Cemeteries and Funeral Services – Archdiocese of Toronto and Catholic Family Services invite you to a Lenten journey of hope and healing on Thursday evenings throughout Lent beginning February 26th at the Holy Cross Catholic Funeral Home in Thornhill.

The presenters will be Frank Wagner CSC, Ms Sally Amaral, Ms Susan Morgan, Fr. Carlos Martins C.C., and Fr. Ed Curtis.

For more information, please contact Catholic Cemeteries and Funeral Services at 416-733- 8544 or Catholic Family Services at 416-921-1163 or visit www.catholic-cemeteries.com.

DYNAMIC WOMEN OF FAITH CONFERENCE

International Plaza Hotel, 655 Dixon Road

Calling All Girls, Friday, March 13th from 7:00 to 10:00 PM

An evening for Catholic mothers and their daughters featuring Canadian Catholic song writer and singer Maggie Wang, radio producer Laura Cirami, Gary Zimak, a EWTN personality, Catholic authors, Moira Noonan and Dorothy Pilarski.

Saturday, March 14, from 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

This Catholic Women’s conference will feature guest speakers including His Eminence Thomas Cardinal Collins, Dr. Josie Lombardi, Gary Zimak EWTN personality, Ellen Hrkach, president of Catholic Writers Guild and Catholic authors Moira Noonan and Dorothy Pilarski.

For more information visit www.dynamicwomenfaith.com or call 905-279-7702.

FINANCE CORNER

Our operating expenses average $14,550 per week.

Collection for Last Weekend

Envelopes 346 $ 7,481
Loose Change 865
Weekly Portion of Pre-Authorized Giving 164 3,095
Total 545 $ 11,441