Lord Jesus,
Master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas.
We who have so much to do seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day.
We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us.
We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom.
We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence.
We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light.
To you we say, “Come Lord Jesus!”
Amen.
Fr. Henri J.M. Nouwen
ANNOUNCED MASSES
December 19th – December 23rd, 2011
MONDAY – BONA KIM – Requested by Suzanne Kim
TUESDAY – SPECIAL INTENTION – Requested by Suzanne Kim
WEDNESDAY – ROB ARSENEAU – Requested by Cheryl & Max
THURSDAY – DECEASED MEMBERS OF THE CHIU FAMILY – Requested by Bertram Chiu
FRIDAY – DECEASED MEMBERS OF THE FUNG FAMILY – Requested by the Bertram Chiu
CHILDREN’S CHOIR FAMILY MASS – CHRISTMAS EVE AT 7:00 PM
Rehearsal: Sunday, December 18th from 2:00 to 4:00 PM
Each year, young people, Grade 3 and up, form a special choir for the Family Mass on Christmas Eve. Children must be at the Church by 6:00 PM. One rehearsal, which is mandatory, will be held on Sunday, December 20th from 2:00 to 4:00 PM.
Please call Marilyn Calderone at 416-618-2041 for more information
CHRISTMAS PAGEANT DRESS REHEARSAL
Sunday, December 18th from 4:00 to 6:00 PM
Each year a Nativity pageant takes place at the 7:00 PM Family Mass. S.K. to Grade 5 children are invited to participate in the pageant. The rehearsal will be held on Sunday, December 18th from 4:00 to 6:00 PM in the Church
Christmas Schedule 2016
MASSES
CHRISTMAS EVE – Saturday, December 24th
4:30 PM Vigil Mass – Carol Singing
7:00 PM Family Mass – Carol Singing
9:00 PM Adult Choir – Carol Singing
12:00 AM Midnight Mass – Contemporary Group
Office Open 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM
CHRISTMAS DAY – Sunday, December 25th
8:30 AM
10:30 AM
12:30 PM
Office Open 7:30 AM to 2:00 PM
BOXING DAY – Monday, December 26th
Office Closed
No 9:00 AM Mass
Tuesday, December 27th
Office Closed
No 9:00 AM Mass
NEW YEAR’S EVE – Saturday, December 31st
4:30 PM Mass
Vigil for Feast of Mary the Mother of God
Office Open 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM
NEW YEAR’S DAY – Sunday, January 1st
Feast of Mary the Mother of God
8:30 AM
10:30 AM
12:30 PM
Office Open 7:30 AM to 2:00 PM
Monday, January 2nd
Office Closed
No 9:00 AM Mass
Parking
While parking at ground level is limited to 51 spaces, there is plenty of space in the underground parking lot.
Please follow the instructions of the attendants. Do not park in front of the Church since this is a fire route and must be kept clear.
Additional parking is available on the east side of Elkhorn Public School and in the bus loop. Again, please follow the instructions of the attendant. The school requests that we do not park on the grass. Many thanks to Holly Richards, the Principal of Elkhorn Public School, for allowing us the use of the school property.
CASSEROLES FOR THE GOOD SHEPHERD CENTRE
Weekend of December 17th/18th
Your prepared frozen casseroles will be collected at the Masses this weekend for delivery to the Good Shepherd Centre on Monday, December 19th. Please note that because of the holiday, casseroles are being collected two weeks earlier.
More volunteers are urgently 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. 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.
FOOD FOR ROSALIE HALL & GOOD SHEPHERD CENTRE
Each month the food we collect is sent to Rosalie Hall and the Good Shepherd Centre.
Christmas time is a particularly difficult time for young families and the homeless of Toronto. Your food donations are a sign that somebody cares. Please continue to help these very worthwhile organizations.
We remind you to check the expiry dates before donating since we cannot pass on food that has expired. Thank you for your generous ongoing support.
“HOPE IN A TIME OF HEALING”
Monday, Dec. 19th at 7:00 PM
Catholic Pastoral Centre, 1155 Yonge Street
“An Advent Invitation – Come together with others in a creative reflective space for a time of reflection and conversation to explore how the season of Advent might offer us hope in our healing journey through grief. This evening with Anne Williams, MAMS, DSD invites participants to embrace the Sacred within their own being and to open themselves to the new life waiting to emerge. For more information, please call New Beginnings at 416-921-1163 ext. 2235”
MARRIAGE PREPARATION COURSE
Weekend of April 21st, 22nd and 23rd, 2017
St. Gabriel’s Parish
A Marriage Preparation course will be offered here at St. Gabriel’s the weekend of April 21st to 23rd, 2017. 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.
FINANCE CORNER
Weekly Offertory
Our operating expenses average $14,550 per week.
Collection for last weekend:
Envelopes 370 $ 7,690
Loose Change 1,019
Weekly Portion of Pre-Authorized Giving 165 3,055
Total 533 $ 11,764
OFFERTORY ENVELOPES FOR 2017
The 2017 Offertory Boxed Envelopes are now available in the Gathering Space. Please pick your box up as soon as possible.
If you are contributing cash to the Offertory Collection without any identification, you will not receive credit for your contribution. You must provide your full name and address.
Please note: All donations for 2016 must be received in the Parish Office by Friday, December 30th, 2016 to be included in your 2016 Tax Receipt.