Bulletin – May 24, 2015

CONGRATULATIONS!

Congratulations to the following children from our parish attending St. Gabriel’s School who received their First Communion as a group on Sunday, May 17th, 2015.

Azher John Balajadia
Vince Cabaltera
Therese Celis
William Cha
Grace Chung
Dorothy Italia Copetti
Kayla de Guzman
Jean Philip Dizon
Ina Kim
Czarina Therese Reyes
Nicolas Saldivar-Brittain
Andra Serban
Regina Shin
Motolani Shoga
Zachary Vaz
Phoenyx Wyse

It was a beautiful celebration. Let us promise to support them with our prayers as they continue on their journey of faith.

ANNOUNCED MASSES

May 25th to May 30th 2015

MONDAY – JACQUE GRUOT – Requested by Theresa Yang
TUESDAY – SOULS IN PURGATORY – Requested by D. Lauzon
WEDNESDAY – JACQUELINE IREGI – Requested by Ruth & Marc
THURSDAY – LEWIS ROYES – Requested by Helene Royes & Family
FRIDAY – MARIA CHUNG & THERESA KANG – Requested by the Peter & Gemma
SATURDAY – GUS CALDERONE – Requested by Marie Calderone

PLANNING TO BE A CATHOLIC TEACHER?

It is important 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 are planning to apply to teach in a Catholic School, a contact with the pastor is highly recommended. Please plan to have a conversation with your Pastor early in the process, well before applications are to be submitted.

NEPAL EARTHQUAKE RELIEF

The Archdiocese of Toronto is accepting financial contributions for humanitarian relief following the catastrophic effects of a serious earthquake on April 24th The earthquake, measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale, and aftershocks have devastated huge areas of the country, with more than 7,000 people reported dead, many more injured and thousands of families displaced from their homes.

Relief workers from the official Catholic relief agency on the ground, Caritas Internationalis, say the victims most need temporary shelter, water, sanitation and hygiene supplies as relief operations gear up. So far, Caritas organizations around the world have pledged $3.3 million to the relief effort as well as providing 10,000 shelter kits and 3,000 tarps.

Those wishing to help may do so in the following ways:

Online through the Archdiocese of Toronto website: www.archtoronto.org

By phone through the Development Office – 416-934-3411

Through the parish, making cheques payable to:
St. Gabriel’s Parish – Nepal Earthquake – Humanitarian Relief

Donations to Date: $12,872

Donations made before May 25th will be matched by the Canadian government.

SHARELIFE

Working wonders for those who need help in our neighbourhood…

“What an ambassador for Mary Centre he was and Gord was really tickled to be chosen for this role as co-speaker.”said Dominic Conforti, retiring Director at Mary Centre. Gord, who is intellectually challenged, shared his story at the 2014 ShareLife Golf tournament about how he and his two brothers came to be part of Mary Centre. He spoke about Christina who helps them during the day involving them in activities in the community and teaching them to do things for themselves. Then there was James who is with them on the weekends and helped them grow a veggie garden every spring and summer and the pride they feel when they pick their vegetables. Last year, over 2,300 people with special needs received the compassion and care they needed to enjoy their life and be productive in their homes and communities
.
ShareLife, 2014: $220,250.
ShareLife to Date: $122,235

Thank you for your generosity.
Together we can work wonders!

FEED THE HUNGRY

Each month the food we collect is sent to Rosalie Hall or the Good Shepherd Centre. As summer approaches, food donations tend to drop off. These donations are more important than ever as families struggle to make ends meet.

Please check the expiry dates before donating since we cannot pass on food that has expired. Thank you for your ongoing support.

CASSEROLES FOR THE GOOD SHEPHERD CENTRE

Weekend of May 30th/31st

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 our city. 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.

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.

SPRING MEN’S ACTS RETREAT

May 28th to May 31st, 2015

Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre

A Men’s ACTS retreat will be held at Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre on the weekend of May 28th to May 31st.

Men are invited to come deepen their Faith.

Private rooms with 2 piece ensuite.

Excellent Food for the Soul and Body

For more information, please call Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre at 905-278-5229.

DAY OF PRAYER AND HEALING FOR WOMEN

Saturday, May 30th

Do you know someone who is carrying the grief of a past abortion? Hope and healing are possible and God’s mercy endures forever. The Sisters of Life will be hosting a Day of Prayer and Healing for Women in Toronto on Saturday May 30th.

For confidential registration please call the Sisters of Life at 845-357-0258 or email hopeandhealing@sistersoflife.org. Visit http://www.sistersoflife.org/days-of-prayer-healing-testimonies-faqs for additional information.

MOSAIC INTERFAITH

Mosaic Interfaith are entering a team in the Big Bike Ride for Heart and Stroke on June 25th and are looking for more riders. If interested contact thisisfran@yahoo.com for more information and let her know you are from St. Gabriel’s. Each rider would be expected to raise a minimum of $25.

HIKE AND PRAYER: TORONTO ISLAND

Sunday, May 31st at 1:45 PM

Meeting at the Toronto Ferry Docks

Young adults (18-39) are invited to take an opportunity to slow down with God and enjoy the beauty of nature, with the theme “Be still and know that I am God.” The hike will end on Centre Island where you will have time to relax and to explore. Children welcome!

The group will gather at 1:45 PM at the Toronto Ferry Docks located at the foot of Bay Street and Queens Quay to take the 2:15 PM ferry to Hanlan’s Point, rain or shine. Ferry cost is $7.25, includes return. For more information or to RSVP, please go to faithconnections@csj-to.ca.

SEEING WITH HEART – DAY OF REFLECTION

Catholic Parents of Lesbian Daughters and Gay Sons

Saturday, June 6th from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Scarboro Missions, 2685 Kingston Road

A retreat for Catholic parents of lesbian daughters and gay sons will be held at the Scarboro Missions, 2685 Kingston Road on Saturday, June 6th.The cost for the day including lunch is $40.00. For Brochure and information call John Montague at 416-523-6449.

DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE (CARITAS CANADA)

Saturday June 6th from 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM

ST PATRICK’S PARISH, Markham

You are invited to attend the annual year end meeting of the Toronto Development and Peace organization on Saturday, June 6th. There will be a presentation on our relief work following the earthquake in Nepal.

Then Guest Speaker, Rev. Riscylla Shaw (a Priest in the Anglican Tradition) will speak on the topic: “Reconciliation…it matters to all of us” to mark the closing of the five year Truth and Reconciliation Commission (www.trc.ca) initiated by the survivors of Residential schools in Canada.

The meeting will be from 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM on Saturday, June 6th at St Patrick’s Parish, 5633 Hwy #7, Markham, Ontario. Lunch will be provided. RSVP to Patricia Griffith at pcouscous@bell.net

MARRIAGE ENRICHMENT WEEKEND

Queen of Apostles Retreat Centre
1617 Blythe Rd., Mississauga

Consider joining a Marriage Enrichment Weekend for married couples focused on improving communication skills, refreshing and renewing your marriage. The weekend is hosted by a team of three married couples and a priest. For more information contact Gerard and Marge McCauley at gerard.marge@rogers.com or by phone at 905-792-1925.

FINANCE CORNER

Our operating expenses average $14,550 per week.

Collection for Last Weekend

Envelopes 409 $ 7,960
Loose Change 831
Weekly Portion of Pre-Authorized Giving 164 3,117
Total 562 $ 11,908