Bulletin – March 29, 2015

FAMILY OF FAITH

The pledge total as of Monday, March 23rd, 2015 is $1,040,293. Thank you!

THANK YOU!

You may have noticed some wonderful new additions to our worship space this weekend. Thank you so much to the Palmieri family for donating the beautiful bookracks for our new hymnals. We are very grateful and pleased to be able to once again use the hymnals during the liturgy.

REMEMBRANCE MEAL OF THE PASSOVER

Wednesday, April 1st at 7:00 PM in the Gabriel Room

Passover is the oldest festival of the Hebrew liturgical calendar. It has been observed by the Jewish people for more than 3,000 years. It celebrates the freeing of the Jews who were slaves during the time of Moses. It occurs in the spring, the time of renewal in “Nissan”, the first month of the Hebrew year, and it lasts for eight days.

At this time, their meals celebrate this momentous historical Jewish Event.

Why do we Christians celebrate this “meal” at St. Gabriel’s? First, this celebration helps us to understand our religious roots, which are Jewish. Second, it is an opportunity for us to celebrate our growth as a community and be together with families and friends at this most special time during Holy Week. The menu is identical to the Seder supper’s menu and the meal is “pot luck” – each person brings a dish for their table.

To book your table of 6 or 8 or to have your name added to a table, please call Ed Shiller immediately at 647-352-3123.

YOUTH GROUP BAKE SALE

Sunday, April 5th after all the Masses

Our Youth Group will be holding a bake sale after all the Masses next Sunday, April 5th. The money raised will go towards the group’s expenses for the World Youth Day to be held in Poland in July, 2016. Please support this worthy cause!

ANNOUNCED MASSES

March 30th to April 4, 2015

MONDAY – HENRY NG – Requested by the Family
TUESDAY – LUIS FUNG – Requested by the Family
WEDNESDAY – ALLAN PERSAUD – Requested by the Persaud & Goldenberg Families
THURSDAY – HOLY THURSDAY – No 9:00 AM Mass
FRIDAY – GOOD FRIDAY – No 9:00 AM Mass
SATURDAY – HOLY SATURDAY – No 4:30 PM Mass

LENTEN AND EASTER SCHEDULE 2015

Holy Thursday April 2nd
No 9:00 AM Mass
7:30 PM Mass of the Lord’s Supper
Followed by Adoration until 10:00 PM

Good Friday April 3rd
10:00 AM Morning Prayer
3:00 PM Solemn Passion of Our Lord
7:30 PM Stations of the Cross

Holy Saturday April 4th
No 4:30 PM Mass
8:00 PM Easter Vigil

Easter Sunday April 5th
Masses 8:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM

Easter Monday April 6th
No 9:00 AM Mass
Office closed

EXTRA PARKING AT ELKHORN PUBLIC SCHOOL

ECO – SABBATH

Sunday, April 5th 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. All are welcome to attend.

ROSARY GROUPS

English: Saturday, April 4th at 3:15 P.M. in the Gabriel Room.

Chinese: Sunday, April 5th at 3:30 P.M. in the Gabriel Room.

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

FIRST COMMUNION INTERVIEWS

Interviews for children who wish to receive their First Communion are now being scheduled.

Those children attending the Children’s Faith Program, private schools or others are asked to choose one of the following dates: April 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, or 24th.

Children from St. Gabriel’s School are asked to choose one of the following dates: April 23rd, 24th, 28th, 29th, May 4th, 5th, 6th, or 7th.

Please call the Parish Office at 416-221-8866 to book your appointment with Fr. Brando as soon as possible.

GOOD FRIDAY COLLECTION

During the Good Friday Service, our parish in communion with the Church turns itself towards Jerusalem. It commemorates Jesus, His sorrowful passion and His love for us and all humanity. That is also where we share a common solidarity towards the Holy Sites and the faithful who live there. Our gesture of solidarity becomes an extension of the Pope’s hand that reaches out to the Holy Sites where Jesus has lived and given testimony.

On Good Friday, there will be a Pontifical collection for the Holy Land in support of Christian communities, the work of the Holy Land, the upkeep of the Holy Sites and the formation of future priests. Let us give generously and show solidarity to respond to the needs of the Church in the land of Jesus.

SHARELIFE

Working wonders in our livelihoods…

When he was presented with a top youth achievement award at a recent gala at The Carlu, Kiwayne was only a short distance from the streets where he had been homeless, and a world away. In the building’s food court a few years ago, he recalls falling asleep at the table – exhausted – trying to avoid having to go back outside. “I was going down the wrong path and didn’t know if I’d live to be 21,” he says. But for the past two years since moving into his own place, Kiwayne has been studying construction engineering at George Brown College and working part-time at the Provincial Advocate’s Office. Kiwayne grew up in foster care and, at 17, he found himself on the street until a friend told him about Covenant House. “Covenant House gave me stable housing that allowed me to go back to school and learn life skills.” says Kiwayne.

ShareLife, 2014: $220,250.
ShareLife to Date: $68,008.25

Next ShareLife Sunday – April 12, 2015

Please give generously. You can work wonders!

MILK BAGS

Once again we are collecting milk bags. Did you know that milk bags can be cut, looped and woven into sleep mats for individuals or families in developing countries? Schools churches and senior homes throughout the Greater Toronto Area would welcome your contributions. Please drop the colourful outer bags in the bin located in the gathering space. Please make sure that the bags are clean and dry.

For further information about this program please visit www.milkbagsunlimited.ca or contact Sharon Gusz at sharongusz@gmail.com

FEED THE HUNGRY

Each month the food we collect is sent to Rosalie Hall or the Good Shepherd Centre. 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 ongoing support.

NATIONAL CATHOLIC MISSION 2015

BEWARE THE HOLY SPIRIT

VISIONTV

Monday, March 30th at 6:00 PM, Repeated at 10:00 PM
Tuesday, March 31, at 6:00 PM .Repeated at 10:00 PM

The National Catholic Mission 2015, “Beware the Holy Spirit!” will be broadcast on VISIONTV on Monday, March 30th and Tuesday, March 31st at 6:00 PM and repeated at 10:00 PM

It will be hosted by Fr. Pat Fitzpatrick and feature Spiritan Fr. Anthony Gittins. This year’s Mission looks at when and where God speaks to us in our daily lives and how we, as an institution and as individuals, can ignore that voice at our peril.

In Program Two, Fr. Anthony Gittins looks at the afternoon of life and discovers why it withers some people and brings freedom and joy to others who have learned to age with wisdom.

SUPPORT FOR RECENTLY SEPARATED OR DIVORCED CATHOLICS

April 9th to June 11th

Tuesday Evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 PM

Catholic family Services Central Office, 1155 Yonge Street

Catholic family services of Toronto is offering a 10 week group program for adult men and women coping with many struggles involved in the process of separation and divorce. Group participants will receive support and guidance as they move through this difficult period of transition.

The group will run Tuesday evenings, April 9th to June 11th from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. at the Central Office, 1155 Yonge Street near the Summerhill Subway Station. For more information, please contact Ian Singer at 416-921-1163.

FINANCE CORNER

Our operating expenses average $14,550 per week.

Collection for Last Weekend

Envelopes 434 $ 10,318
Loose Change 969
Weekly Portion of Pre-Authorized Giving 164 3,117
Total 598 $ 14,404