Bulletin – January 14, 2018

MINISTERS OF HOSPITALITY NEEDED

We are looking for several individuals who may consider acting as Ministers of Hospitality at the Saturday and Sunday Masses. Duties would include greeting parishioners before Mass starts, taking the collections, taking our gifts to the priest at the altar and distributing our bulletin at the end of Mass.

If interested, please leave your name and phone number with staff in the parish office. One of the hospitality ministers will contact you.

A QUICK UPDATE ON OUR REFUGEE FAMILIES

Through your generosity, our parish has sponsored a total of three refugee families in the last few years. Here is a quick update on them.

The Saoor family of 5 from Mosul, Iraq whom we sponsored in 2012 now have a home in Brampton. The younger son was married in the summer of 2016 and late last year welcomed the birth of his daughter. Sixteen members of the parish refugee committee attended the baptism. All family members either have or are in the process of getting their Canadian citizenship.

The Bezgian family of 4 from Aleppo, Syria whom we sponsored in 2015 are living in Scarborough. The children enjoy their school and both parents are working. They recently bought a car which has made getting to and from work much easier. They are trying to bring Christine’s mother to Canada for a visit. She has not seen the family in 6 years.

The Alkajela family of 6 from Mosul, Iraq whom we sponsored in 2016 have settled in Brampton. Ishan, the father, recently got his truck driver licence and is enjoying driving large trucks all over Ontario. The children enjoy their school and are currently all taking swimming lessons which are the highlight of their week.

Pope Francis asks us to “Welcome, Protect, Promote and Integrate Migrants and Refugees.” Our Parish has answered that call.

ANNOUNCED MASSES

January 15th – January 20th, 2018

MONDAY – ANA MARIE LOPEZ – Requested by Estrella Gavietta
TUESDAY – JENNY & WALTER WILCHYNSKI – Requested by Fran Moscal
WEDNESDAY – ETHEL MAGEE – Requested by Janet Candido
THURSDAY – MAURICE MICHAEL – Requested by Charmaine Michael
FRIDAY – SPECIAL INTENTION – Requested by the Ng family
SATURDAY – PAULINE WONG – Requested by Anda Li

WELCOME! BAPTISM

The Parish Family of St. Gabriel’s would like to welcome Mariano Lucas Tan who received the Sacrament of Baptism on Sunday, December 31st 2017. Congratulations!

JUST COFFEE

Weekend of January 20th/21st

Fair trade organic coffees will be on sale after all the Masses next weekend.
Regular ground coffee: $5.50
Decaffeinated: $6.00
Whole Beans: $5.50
Chocolate Bars: $4.50 incl. Taxes
Hot Chocolate and Cocoa: $6.00
Teas: $4.25

MILK BAG PROJECT

Wednesday, January 17th from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

Gabriel Room

Did you know that milk bags can be cut, looped and woven into sleep mats for individuals or families in developing countries? . Please drop the colourful outer bags in the bin located in the gathering space. Please make sure that the bags are clean, dry and flat.

Volunteer milk bag weavers will be meeting Wednesday afternoon, January 17th from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM in the Gabriel Room. All are welcome!

SHARELIFE

The ShareLife Office has released a Report to Donors sharing the results of the 2017 campaign and demonstrating how our support has made a difference. Copies of the report are available at the parish, or can be downloaded from the ShareLife website at www.sharelife.org.

FOOD FOR ROSALIE HALL & GOOD SHEPHERD CENTRE

Each month food we collect is sent to Rosalie Hall and the Good Shepherd Centre.

Rosalie Hall assists young parents and their children to realize their potential 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

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.

WORLD LEPROSY DAY – SUNDAY, JANUARY 28th USED STAMP COLLECTION

Sunday, January 28th is World Leprosy Day. When leprosy is diagnosed and treated early, the healing time is much faster and permanent disabilities are prevented. The average person can be diagnosed and cured for just $99.

Please bring us your used postage stamps. These are passed on to Effect Hope helping them work towards the day when leprosy is eradicated. They are happy to accept any and all trimmed stamps, leaving no less than ¼ inch and no more than ½ inch paper border. Stamps may be deposited in the basket on the cabinet just outside the Parish Office. For more information please see posters on the bulletin board or go to www.worldleprosyday.ca.

WALK-IN COUNSELLING SERVICES

Catholic Family Services of Toronto offers walk-In counseling services at two locations. The single-session consultation is aimed at helping individuals, couples, or family clients address their concerns. No appointment is required. Counseling is available at Central office, 1155 Yonge St. Suite 100, Toronto every Tuesday from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM. To contact, phone 416 921-1163. Counseling is also available at North office, 5799 Yonge Street, Suite 300, North York every Thursday from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Contact 416 222-0048 or email: info@cfstoronto.com for more information.

WORLD DAY OF MIGRANTS AND REFUGEES

Sunday January 14th at 1:00 PM

Good Shepherd Chaldean Catholic Church, 2 High Meadow Place, North York

The theme announced by His Holiness Pope Francis for the 2018 World Day of Migrants and Refugees is “Welcoming, Protecting, Promoting and Integrating Migrants and Refugees.” In his message, Pope Francis reminds us that “every stranger who knocks at our door is an opportunity for an encounter with Jesus Christ, who identifies with the welcomed and rejected strangers of every age…”

A special Mass commemorating the 104th World Day of Migrants and Refugees will be celebrated on Sunday, January 14th, 2018 at 1:00 PM at the Good Shepherd Chaldean Catholic Cathedral, located at 2 High Meadow Place in North York. Bishop Kirkpatrick will be the homilist for this liturgy. A reception will follow with a number of dignitaries in attendance. All are welcome to attend!

TORONTO CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION

Beginning January 17th

The Toronto Catholic District School Board welcomes families with kindergarten-aged children to register for the September 2018 school year beginning on Wednesday, January 17th, 2018. Your local Catholic school will offer one evening of extended registration hours during the month of January. Please contact your local school for this date.

Parents may also complete an application at http://soar.tcdsb.org. The TCDSB is proud to provide a wide range of programs and services to students in 201 publicly-funded Catholic schools from kindergarten to Grade 12.

For registration information, please call 416-222-8282, ext. 5314

THE FACES OF CHRIST IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION

Saturday, January 20th from 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM

St. Augustine’s Seminary, 2661 Kingston Rd., Scarborough

Join them for a day to learn about “The Faces of Christ in the Book of Revelation.” This seminar will be held in the Ambrozic Room, St. Augustine’s Seminary from 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Mass will be celebrated in the seminary chapel followed by lunch.

Please contact St. Augustine’s Seminary of Toronto by phone at 416-261-7207 or by email at ioft@sastoronto.org or visit www.tcdsb.org.

WORLD DAY FOR CONSECRATED LIFE

Sunday, January 28th, at 3:00 PM.

St. Paul’s Basilica, 83 Power St., Toronto

On Friday, February 2nd, the Church celebrates the World Day for Consecrated Life.

In the Archdiocese of Toronto we are blessed to have living and serving among us more than 900 religious men and women of 100 different religious congregations. This World Day for Consecrated Life is a wonderful opportunity for us to thank God for the gifts of these religious sisters, brothers and priests and to pray for God’s blessing upon them in their efforts to faithfully live the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity and obedience.

Bishop Wayne Kirkpatrick will preside at a special Mass on Sunday, January 28th, at 3:00 PM. at St. Paul’s Basilica,

83 Power St., Toronto in celebration of the vocation and witness of these special men and women religious who are such a vital and important part of the life and ministry of the Church in our Archdiocese. All are welcome to attend.

PUBLIC LECTURE ON CARE OF THE ENVIRONMENT

Wednesday, February 7th from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM

Mary Ward Centre, 70 St. Mary’s Street

Professor Heather Eaton, professor at St. Paul’s University in Ottawa, will hold a public lecture on Wednesday, February 7th from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM at the Mary Ward Centre. She will speak on “Flourishing of Life for All: How are we called to be a prophetic voice for action on climate change?”

LIVING WITH SEPARATION AND DIVORCE

February 13th to April 3rd from 4:30 to 6:30

Central Office, 1155 Yonge Street

Catholic Family Services of Toronto is offering a psycho-educational program for those dealing with the stress of the ending of a relationship.

The sessions facilitated by a clinical social worker will be held February 13th to April 3rd, 2018 from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM. at 1155 Yonge St. There is a $30 fee per session.

Please contact Alpana Das at 416-921-1163 x2232 or email adas@cfstoronto.com for more information.