Bulletin – January 20, 2019

YOUTH GROUP OFF TO PANAMA

Nine members of the St. Gabriel’s Youth Group will leave for Panama early Sunday morning accompanied by two adults. They will be attending the World Youth Day in Panama and will return on January 29th. We wish them a safe and fruitful trip. Please remember them in your prayers.

SAFETY IN THE PARKING LOT

The safety of our parishioners is of prime importance and must be exercised in our parking lots above ground and underground. Please refrain from parking on the driveways and fire routes. Please park in designated parking bays only. Fire routes and driveways must be kept clear at all times in case of an emergency. Let us “go in peace” when we leave after Mass by our show of consideration and love towards our fellow parishioners in the parking lots.

MAKING OUR CHURCH “SCENT FREE”

Many people suffer from intense allergies today. Chemicals used in scented products can make some people sick, especially those with fragrance sensitivities, asthma, allergies and other medical conditions. Help us make the air we share healthy and fragrance free. We appreciate your help with making our Church comfortable for all.

ANNOUNCED MASSES

January 21st – January 26th 2019

MONDAY – CHRIS BICKNELL – Requested by Peggy Evans
TUESDAY – ROGELIO BONIFACIO – Requested by Lulu Luz
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY – JUNE BIENVENU – Requested by Carol & Hugh MacKenzie
FRIDAY
SATURDAY – GEORGE OLDEN – Requested by Kathleen Olden-Powell

MARRIAGE SUNDAY

Sunday, February 10th at 4:00 PM

St. Clare of Assisi Parish, 150 St. Francis Ave., Woodbridge

Marriage Sunday highlights the importance of the sacrament of marriage and complements World Marriage Sunday celebrations that take place across North America.

The Celebration of Marriage Mass will take place on Sunday, February 10th, 2019 at St. Clare of Assisi Parish, 150 St. Francis Avenue, Woodbridge. Cardinal Thomas Collins will preside over this special Mass where couples celebrating their milestone 25th, 40th, 50th and 60+ wedding anniversaries will be honoured.

A reception will follow Mass. All are welcome to attend. Couples celebrating milestone anniversaries are asked to register online to ensure reserved seating at surveymonkey.com/r/marriagesunday2019.

WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY

2019 ECUMENICAL PRAYER SERVICE

Next Sunday, January 27th at 4:30 P.M.

St. James Anglican Cathedral, 106 King Street East

An ecumenical prayer service will be held St. James Anglican Cathedral next Sunday, January 27th at 4:30 PM. The Prayer Service will be led by Catholic, Anglican and Orthodox bishops along with leaders from Christian churches in the GTA.

For further information, please contact the Office of Ecumenical and Interfaith Affairs at 416-934-3400, Ext. 344 or Ext. 527 or email ecumenical@archtoronto.org.

FOOD FOR ROSALIE HALL & GOOD SHEPHERD CENTRE

Each month the 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.

Your food donations are more important than ever as the winter begins and numbers of needy people continue to increase. Please check the expiry dates before donating since we cannot pass on food that has expired. Thank you for your generous support.

CASSEROLES FOR THE GOOD SHEPHERD CENTRE

Next Weekend, January 26th/27th

Your prepared frozen casseroles 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. 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.

WORLD LEPROSY DAY

Sunday, January 27th – Used Stamp Collection

Sunday, January 27th is World Leprosy Day. Effect:Hope is a Christian organization, focused on achieving lasting, positive change among people living with the effects of leprosy and similar diseases – conditions long forgotten by much of the world. They continue to go into the slums and poverty-stricken communities of the world to bring healing and hope. They provide ulcer care, food and sanitary conditions, a safe home, help with mobility, job training and small business loans Your donation is a gift that will change their lives forever.

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 go to www.worldleprosyday.ca.

CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION

Began January 16th

Registration for kindergarten children has begun at the Toronto Catholic District School Board. Families with kindergarten-aged children are now welcome to register their children for the September 2019 school year. For September 2019, all children born in 2015 are eligible to attend Kindergarten.

For parents who are not available during the regular school day, most schools are hosting extended hours for registration one evening during the month of January. For specific dates and times, contact the Catholic school in your neighbourhood.

For more registration information, please call 416-222-8282, ext. 5314 or visit www.tcdsb.org.

RETROUVAILLE WEEKEND: Help for Troubled Marriages

Weekend of January 25th to January 27th

At a hotel located in Mississauga, Ontario

If you are thinking of separation or divorce or you are already separated, but want to try again then Retrouvaille can help. This program will give you the tools to help get your marriage back on track. It will also give you the opportunity to rediscover one another and examine your lives together in a new and positive way.

For more information and to register, phone 416-281-6007 or email info@torontoretrouvaille.com. You may also visit www.torontoretrouvaille.com for more information.

THEOLOGY ON TAP – DISCERNMENT

Are you following God’s lead?
Monday, January 28th, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Duke of York, 39 Prince Arthur Avenue, Toronto
He’s back by popular demand!

Please join them on Monday, January 28th, as Kevin Kelly shares insights on discernment and how he used the discernment of spirits to follow God’s call for his life.

Kevin grew up in Ottawa, Ontario and entered the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) in 2011. He completed his philosophy studies at Regis College in 2016 and then began his Masters of Divinity there. For two years, Kevin worked at the Jesuit Forum for Social Faith and Justice and was assigned to a special project in Montreal at the Church of the Gesù. Kevin returned to Regis College in September 2018 to finish his theology studies and then pursue further studies in psychology and spiritual direction. One of his interests includes integrating Ignatian spirituality with the realities of the business world. He will be ordained into the Diaconate in May of this year.

SAVE THE DATE! TOGETHER IN WORSHIP

Wednesday, February 27th at 7:00 PM

St. Gabriel’s Church

Together in Worship, featuring Leo Marchildon, Josh Tamayo and the Together in Worship Vocal Ensemble will perform here at St. Gabriel’s Church on Wednesday, February 27th at 7:00 PM. A portion of the proceeds will be donated in Sienna Margani’s name to the Blu Genes Foundation in support of treatments for Tay Sachs Disease. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for seniors and students.

GARDEN MINISTRY

GARDEN PLANNING & SEED SELECTION WORKSHOP

This Sunday, January 20th from 1:30 to 3:30 PM
Gabriel Room

Please join us for a Garden Planning and Seed Selection workshop with Robert Cordy, on Sunday, January 20th from 1:30 to 3:30 PM in the Gabriel Room. Come, look at seed catalogs and dream about your future garden. Learn how to select seeds, set a budget, and grow healthy plants. Bring along a Google screen shot or pictures of your garden. We can help you select the best way to start your garden.

More information about the Garden Ministry is available on our web page. If you have questions, please email Heather Bennett at heathermjb@gmail.com.

FINANCE CORNER

The Finance Council wishes to share this with all who come together as our worshipping community …

“The financial burden of the Parish is the responsibility of each and all parishioners to the extent that your means allow.” Our operating payments average $17,000 per week.

Please consider giving your offertory by picking up Envelopes, enrolling in Pre-Authorized Giving (PAG), or Donate Now (through the Archdiocese of Toronto website). Please come by the parish office if you have any questions.

Offertory envelopes are now in the hallway outside the Gabriel Room. Please pick yours up as soon as possible.