FAMILY OF FAITH
Our parish has commenced the Family of Faith campaign as mandated by the Archdiocese of Toronto. As stated in my Christmas letter, the parish goal is $900,000 of which 25% will remain in the parish. We hope to use these funds to develop our youth ministry program.
Commitment Sundays are scheduled for January 25th and February 1st. Commitment pledges of $5,000 or more may be made over five years. Pledges less than $5,000 are to be fulfilled within 3 years.
I would ask you to be as generous as you always are to cover this special appeal.
Fr. Brando
ANNOUNCED MASSES
January 26th to January 31st, 2015
MONDAY – MANUEL COSTA – Requested by Celeste Costa & Family
TUESDAY – IMELDA GO – Requested by Roman & Chit
WEDNESDAY – DECEASED MEMBERS OF THE DAMPS & CONLISK FAMILIES – Requested by the Anne & Agnes Damps
THURSDAY – FLORENCE LEE – Requested by Moira & Bob Torpey
FRIDAY – MARIE FUNG – Requested by the Family
SATURDAY – ALBERTO MACARAEG – Requested by Rubi Macaraeg
WELCOME! BAPTISM
The Parish Family of St. Gabriel’s would like to welcome:
Chloe Wai-Shan Li
Dominic Toufic Homaidan
Ellie Norah Oulahen
Evelyn Elise Oulahen
These children received the Sacrament of Baptism on Sunday, January 18th, 2015. Congratulations!
ECO-SABBATH
Sunday, February 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.
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION – FIRST FRIDAY
Friday, February 6th from 9:30 AM – 12 Noon
WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR CONSECRATED LIFE CELEBRATION
Sunday, February 1st at 3:00 PM
St. Paul’s Basilica, 83 Power Street
On Sunday, February 1st, the Church celebrates the World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life.
“They are men and women who can awaken the world. Consecrated life is prophecy. God asks us to be sent to the frontiers of the world, avoiding the temptation to ‘domesticate’ them. This is the most concrete way of imitating the Lord.” Pope Francis, on the occasion of his announcement that 2015 will be dedicated to 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.
There will be a special Mass next Sunday, February 1st at 3:00 PM at St. Paul’s Basilica, Toronto in celebration of the vocation and witness of these special men and women religious who are such a vital and important part of the life and ministry of the Church in our Archdiocese. All are welcome to attend.
ROSARY GROUPS
English: Saturday, February 7th at 3:15 PM in the Gabriel Room
Chinese: Sunday, February 1st at 3:30 PM in the Gabriel Room.
For information, please contact Linda Law at 416 -918-8029.
WORLD LEPROSY DAY – SUNDAY, JANUARY 25th
USED STAMP COLLECTION
This Sunday, January 25th, is World Leprosy Day. Please remember to bring us your used postage stamps. These are passed on to the Effect Hope 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.
WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY 2015 ECUMENICAL PRAYER SERVICE
This Sunday, January 25th at 4:00 P.M.
Yorkminster Park Baptist Church, 1585 Yonge Street
Come and join us in an ecumenical prayer service with His Eminence Thomas Cardinal Collins, Anglican Archbishop Colin Johnson, Evangelical Lutheran Bishop Michael Pryse, Slovak Catholic Bishop John Pazak, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church Rev. Dr. Harris Athanasiadis and other city-wide religious leaders this: Sunday, January 25th at 4:00 P.M. at Yorkminster Park Baptist Church, 1585 Yonge Street (2 blocks north of St. Clair at Heath Street)
Parking is available. Refreshments will follow in the parish hall.
For further information, please contact the Office of Ecumenical and Interfaith Affairs at 416-934-3400, Ext. 344 or Ext. 527 or vkwok@archtoronto.org.
THEOLOGY ON TAP: ASK THE BISHOP
Monday, January 26th at 7:00 PM
Duke of York, 39 Prince Arthur Ave, Toronto
Faith Connections invites young adults 19-39 to join us for an evening of thought-provoking theological discussions and presentations in a comfortable and relaxed setting. The special guest will be Bishop Wayne Kirkpatrick, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Toronto, who will give you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have about our faith. Munchies will be provided and there is a cash bar. Come and bring a friend!
AWAKENING TO THE SPIRIT IN TIMES OF SUFFERING – WHAT TO DO WITH MY EXPERIENCE?
Monday, February 9th from 7:00 to 9:00 PM
The Catholic Pastoral Centre, 1155 Yonge St.,Toronto.
Catholic Family Services of Toronto – New Beginnings. will host an Inspirational talk entitled Awakening the Spirit in Times of Suffering.on Monday February 9th at 7:00 PM.
The speaker will be Maureen McDonnell, D.Min. For more information, please contact 416-921-1163 x2235 or email mbenincasa@cfstoronto.com.
FINANCE CORNER
There will be a Maintenance Collection at all the Masses next weekend
Our operating expenses average $14,550 per week.
Collection for Last Weekend
Envelopes 441 $ 8,443
Loose Change 893
Weekly Portion of Pre-Authorized Giving 164 3,701
Total 605 $13,037
RECEIPTS FOR 2014
The tax receipts for 2014 have been mailed out this week.
OFFERTORY ENVELOPES FOR 2015
If you are a regular Parish member and you do not contribute to the Offertory collection, the Finance Council reminds you that “the financial burden of the Parish is the responsibility of each and all parishioners to the extent that your means allow”.
For those parishioners who contribute to the offertory on a regular weekly basis, we thank you for your constant support. Have you considered using PAG or Donate Now?
If you are not currently using parish envelopes and wish to have a set issued for 2015, please contact the Parish Office and we will prepare a box for you. This is the most effective way to keep track of your donations. If you have recently moved, please inform the Parish Office so that we may keep our parish records up to date.
In 2015, please do not use any envelopes from 2014 or any envelopes from previous years as the number on it may have been reassigned. Please put your name on your envelope to ensure that your donation is properly recorded.