Bulletin – December 3, 2017

Christmas Schedule 2017

INDIVIDUAL ADVENT CONFESSIONS

Wednesday, December 13th:
10:30 AM to 12:00 Noon
4:00 PM to 6:30 PM

MASSES

CHRISTMAS EVE – Sunday, December 24th

Regular Sunday Masses 8:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM
5:00 PM Family Mass – Carol Singing
9:00 PM Adult Choir – Carol Singing
12:00 AM Midnight Mass – Contemporary Group

Office Open – 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM

CHRISTMAS DAY – Monday, December 25th

10:30 AM
12:30 PM

Office Open – 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM

BOXING DAY – Tuesday, December 26th

Office Closed

No 9:00 AM Mass

NEW YEAR’S EVE – Sunday, December 31st

Regular Masses 8:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM, 5:00 PM Mass
Vigil for Feast of Mary the Mother of God

Office Open – 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM

NEW YEAR’S DAY – Monday, January 1st

Feast of Mary the Mother of God
10:30 AM
12:30 PM

Office open – 9:30 to 2:00 PM

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.

YOUTH GROUP ADVENT WREATH SALE

This past weekend, the Youth Group held their Advent Wreath fundraiser. We successfully sold all the wreaths and raised over $600. We would like to extend a special thank you to the parishioners who supported the Advent Wreath Fundraiser. May you all have a peaceful Advent and a very Merry Christmas!

ECO-SABBATH

Sunday, December 3rd 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.

ANNOUNCED MASSES

December 4th to December 9th 2017

MONDAY – DAVID SHELDRICK & DANIEL MORIARTY – Requested by Teresa Sheldrick
TUESDAY – MARIA DIDIODATO – Requested by the Oakie Family
WEDNESDAY – NIKOLA VUKOVIC – Requested by Manda Vukovic
THURSDAY – SOULS IN PURGATORY – Requested by Mary & Ravi
FRIDAY – THANKSGIVING – Requested by the Ng Family
SATURDAY – EVA GULBINOWICZ – Requested by Kathleen Olden-Powell

DAY OF CONFESSION

Wednesday, December 13th

On Wednesday, December 13th, we will all have the opportunity to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Confessions will be heard from, 10:30 AM to 12:00 Noon. and from 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM.

ROSARY GROUPS

Chinese: Sunday, December 3rd at 3:30 PM in the Gabriel Room.
English: Saturday, December 9th at 3:15 PM in the Library.

CHILDREN’S CHOIR FAMILY MASS – CHRISTMAS EVE AT 5:00 PM

Rehearsal: Sunday, December 17th 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 4:00 PM. One rehearsal, which is mandatory, will be held on Sunday, December 17th from 2:00 to 4:00 PM.

For more information call Marilyn Calderone at 416-618-2041.

VOCATION SEEDS

The season of Advent calls us to be vigilant in anticipation of the Master’s return so that we live each day according to the teachings of Christ. Could God’s “particular task” for you be a call to a Church vocation? If you think God is calling you to be a priest, religious or deacon, contact Fr. Chris Lemieux, Vocation Director, Archdiocese of Toronto by phone at 416-968-0997 or by email at vocations@archtoronto.org or go to www.vocationstoronto.ca

CHRISTMAS TOY DRIVE

Saturday December 2nd to Sunday December 17th

We are having a Christmas Toy Drive again this year for the Catholic Children’s Aid Society. You can help by dropping off an unwrapped new toy for a child newborn to 12 years old. Containers have been set up at the doors of the Church and will remain there until Sunday, December 17th.

FOOD FOR ROSALIE HALL & GOOD SHEPHERD CENTRE

Each month the food we collect is sent to Rosalie Hall and the Good Shepherd Centre. The good people of St. Gabriel’s have been extremely generous in their support of these two important centres.

Rosalie Hall assists young parents and their children through the provision of a wide range of child development, community, residential and educational services.

Good Shepherd provides hot meals and shelter for the homeless in our city as well as a chance to start again through the Resettlement or DARE Programs.

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

THE GIVING TREE

Saturday December 2nd to Sunday, December 17th

During Advent, the Society of St Vincent de Paul will have a Giving Tree in the Gathering Space.

The tree will be decorated with gift tags. Each tag will have the gender and age of a child. We invite you to take a tag, buy a gift or a gift card of about $25.00 for that child and return the unwrapped gift, with the tag attached, to the box provided in the Gathering Space. If you are a knitter, there will be mitten tags. Please take one and return mitts to the box in the Gathering Space.

At this time of the year, we are also thinking of the young mothers and babies of Rosalie Hall. If you wish to help, you may choose a “Christmas Stocking” from the tree to purchase pyjamas or undershirts for babies ages 6 months to 3 years.

Unwrapped Items with the original stocking tag attached can be left in the box provided near the “mitten” tree no later than December 17th. Toys for these little ones would also be appreciated.

For the Moms, we are suggesting gift cards from Tim Horton’s, Walmart or MacDonald’s. These can be placed in the envelopes provided and brought to the Parish Office. Thank you for your generous support.

CHRISTMAS TOY DRIVE

Saturday December 2nd to Sunday December 17th

We are having a Christmas Toy Drive again this year for the Catholic Children’s Aid Society. You can help by dropping off an unwrapped new toy for a child newborn to12 years old. Containers have been set up at the doors of the Church and will remain there until Sunday, December 17th.

CASSEROLES FOR THE GOOD SHEPHERD CENTRE

Thank you to the volunteers who prepared 48 casseroles for November. Your prepared frozen casseroles will be collected at the Masses on the weekend of December 30th/31st for delivery to the Good Shepherd Centre. Please remember to mark the label on the pan lid with the name of the casserole.

More volunteers are urgently needed to become active in helping to feed our less fortunate sisters and brothers. Three different recipes are available in the Parish Office or online at the Church website. Casserole pans are also available in the Parish Office.

Please give it a try! If you require more information please contact Irene Albrecht at 416-221-2791.

THE TORONTO CHORAL SOCIETY PRESENTS BACH’S CHRISTMAS ORATORIO

Wednesday, December 6th at 7:30 PM
Koerner Hall, Telus Centre

On December 6th at the acoustically magnificent Koerner Hal the Toronto Choral Society, 22 members of the Talisker Players and some great soloists present Bach’s Christmas Oratorio. Tickets start at $45 and can be ordered from the website: https://www.torontochoralsociety.org/concerts/2017 /12/6/christmas-oratorio-at-koerner-hall

SERAPHIM AND CHERUBIM CHORUS CHRISTMAS CONCERT

Friday, December 8th at 7:30 PM
St. Bonaventure Parish

Christmas, Christmas time is near! Come join the Seraphim and Cherubim Chorus’ singing the Christmas songs you love as part of their Somewhere in My Memory concert series. A mix of old favourites and twists on classics!
Please join them at St. Bonaventure Parish on Friday, December 8th at 7:30 PM. Advanced tickets are available online at www.seraphimandcherubim.ca. Proceeds go to support Camp Winston – a camp for children with complex neurological disorders.

MUSICAL PRESENTATION – THE PROMISE

Saturday, December 9th at 7:30 PM
Spring Garden Church

You are invited to attend the Third Annual presentation of “The Promise”. A musical journey through the anticipation of Advent, the commitment of the Annunciation, the humility and simplicity of Christmas and the joy of the Epiphany.

The Promise is based on a compilation of music written and composed by Dave Trafford for the Youth and Family Choirs of St. Bonaventure’s Church. “The Promise” will take place on Saturday December 9th at 7:30 PM at Spring Garden Church. (Yonge and Sheppard) For more information and to purchase tickets please visit our Facebook page @ThePromiseOfAnAge.