Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’, which is addressed to all men and women of good will, reminds us the earth is our common home; yet because humankind has not been using the gifts of creation responsibly, the earth is suffering, the poor and vulnerable amongst us are also suffering. We need to work towards an ecological conversion.
For all who are interested in getting to know more about the encyclical, and to reflect on it, a study group will be held at St. Gabriel’s. We’ll be meeting six times, beginning October 5th, studying one chapter at each meeting.
The Co-leaders of the Study Group will be Fr. Steve Dunn, CP and Dr. Dennis O’Hara.
Dates of Meetings: Mondays: October 5th, 19th, November 2nd, 16th, 30th, and December 7th. Time: 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM.
The meetings are free of charge, but donations will be gratefully accepted.
To register or for further enquiries, please call the Parish Office (416) 221-8866 or email Fatima Lee at fatimalee@bellnet.ca.
Special Collection – October 31/November 1st
The situation in Syria and the news about the plight of Syrian refugees have touched many of our hearts. As reported earlier, the parish is considering sponsoring a refugee family again.
A big “Thank You” to all those who volunteered to help with the application and settlement process.
The parish has also been receiving financial donations to support this cause. To date, $14,842 has been received.
We thank all who have already donated.
This is a real humanitarian crisis. Please consider and help as your means allow. Donations will be collected specially for our refugee sponsorship on the weekend of October 31st/November 1st.
October 5th to October 10th, 2015
MONDAY – THE KIM & YANG FAMILIES – Requested by the Kim Family TUESDAY – Sr. Charlotte Bergin I.B.V.M. – Requested by Margaret Anne Leckie WEDNESDAY – KATHLEEN DROHAN – Requested by Marie Meagher THURSDAY – JOSEPH RORAI – Requested by Sheila & Family FRIDAY – LUCIA DE CORREDOR – Requested by her Family SATURDAY – VICTOR PAUL & DECEASED MEMBERS OF THE PAUL FAMILY – Requested by Sophie & Candida Pereira
Wednesday, October 7th at 7:30 PM.
St. Gabriel’s Church
There will be a meeting here at the Church on Wednesday, October 7th at 7:30 PM. for parents of children receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation this year.
The Altar Service is now recruiting new members.
If you are in Grade 4 or higher and are interested in becoming an altar server, please contact Colin Meharchand at cmeharchand@bell.net or leave your name and phone number with the Parish Office at 416-221-8866.
Sunday, October 4th 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.
If you have, or know of, school age children (ages 7 to 14) who wish to prepare for Baptism, please contact the Parish Office, or Fatima Lee directly, at (416) 221-8866. Classes for them will begin after Thanksgiving.
Meetings in preparation for the R.C.I.A. (Rites of Christian Initiation of Adults) will begin soon. These meetings are for persons interested in learning more about the Catholic Faith. The exploration may lead the candidate to seek baptism, and become a member of the Catholic Christian community; or for Christians already baptized into another Christian denomination, the reception into the Catholic Church.
Adult Catholics who have not received the sacrament of Confirmation but who wish to do so are also encouraged to attend these sessions.
As well, these meetings may be an opportunity for “Born Catholics” to deepen their understanding of our faith. Very often, especially for those of us who received our religious instruction at an early age, we tend to grow physically, mentally, psychologically etc., but the understanding of our faith does not grow correspondingly. The RCIA may serve as a good opportunity for us to ask questions and to develop a more adult understanding of our faith.
If you are interested in joining the RCIA meetings or if you would like to have more information about it, please call the Parish Office at 416-221-8866. You can also contact Fatima Lee directly at ext. 228.
A loving father of three and grandfather of seven is urgently seeking a living donor for a liver transplant. He has been waiting, desperately, on the transplant list for several years now and time is of the essence as his body continues to struggle and fight to survive.
Anyone between the ages of 16 and 60, having Type B or Type O blood can potentially and generously become a donor and help save this man’s life. Typically, a donor’s liver re-growth occurs within 6 weeks and regular activities can be fully resumed within 2-3 months or less. General information about the liver transplant process can be obtained by contacting The Living Donor Liver Transplant Office, Toronto General Hospital at 416-340-4800, Ext. 6581 or online at www.uhn.on.ca/Focus_of_care/MOT/
Please contact Ann Ray via email at liverformike@yahoo.ca to help this family in need. May God bless you.
Thank you to the volunteers who prepared 48 casseroles for September. For October, your prepared casseroles (frozen please) will be collected at the Masses on the weekend of October 24th/25th.for delivery to the Good Shepherd Centre. More volunteers are needed to help feed the hungry in our city. You may pick up a copy of a casserole recipe and a pan from the Parish Office.
Three recipes are also available on St. Gabriel’s web site. Please remember to mark the label on the pan lid with the name of the casserole. For more information, please contact Irene Albrecht at 416 221-2791.
Each month food we collect is sent to Rosalie Hall. Rosalie Hall assists young parents in need and their children to realize their potential through the provision of a wide range of community, residential, educational and child development services.
With everyone struggling at this time, your food 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.
You can make a difference in the lives of the hungry and homeless this Thanksgiving by participating in the annual Good Shepherd Ministries Thanksgiving Food Drive.
Urgently needed items include: rice, pasta sauces, canned tuna, canned soups, stews, canned meats, fruits and vegetables, peanut butter, jam, oatmeal, pancake mix, teabags, ground or instant coffee, sugar, cookies and crackers, Please no fresh or frozen foods. We thank you for your generous support!
We are in need of volunteers to care for the altar linens. If you would be willing to take on this important task, please call the Parish Office at 416-221-8866.
St. Gabriel’s Parish
Weekend of February 12th to 14th, 2016
A Marriage Preparation course will be offered here at St. Gabriel’s the weekend of February 12th to 14th, 2016.
The course will be held Friday from 7:00 to 9:00 PM, Saturday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM and Sunday from 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM.
For a registration package please email Marie Deans at deansm@sympatico.ca. Note that this course usually fills up quickly and spaces are limited.
Monday, October 19th at 6:30 PM
Catholic Pastoral Centre, 1155 Yonge St. 4th Floor
New Beginnings presents “The Role of Spirituality/Religiosity in the Movement through Loss and Grief” with Dr. Ken Fung, M.D. F.R.C.S. on Monday, October 19th at 6:30 PM at the Catholic Pastoral Centre, 1155 Yonge St. 4th Floor. Dr. Fung will explore the benefits of spirituality and religiosity in our movement through loss and grief, illustrating how the pathways of faith – experienced, affiliative, searching, and owned – inspire well-being. All are welcome to attend. There is no cost for this event.
Their professional counseling staff is trained to offer Walk-In services to clients who have an urgent need to speak with a counselor. The single-session consultation is aimed at helping clients develop plans to help them with their present concern. Clients who are interested in accessing services can:
(1) choose to call one of their branches at 416-921-1163 (Central) or 416-222-0048 (North) and book a single-session appointment, or
(2) drop-in at their North Office on Thursdays between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM.
For additional information on the range of services offered, please visit their website at: http://www.cfstoronto.com/.
Weekly Offertory
Our operating expenses average $14,550 per week.
Collection for last weekend: Envelopes 391 $ 7,850 Loose Change 953 Weekly Portion of Pre-Authorized Giving 163 3,060 Total 554 $ 11,863
This Bulletin entry was posted on Saturday, October 3rd, 2015.
Founded by St. Paul of the Cross, every Passionist takes a special vow to spend his or her energies in promoting remembrance of the sufferings of Jesus, the memory of the Cross, and reflection of the meaning of the Cross for the world.
Learn about Passionists and our insignia »
Companion for the Walk of the Stations of the Cosmic Earth
St. Gabriel’s Garden – Guided Sensory Reflective Walk