Bulletin – December 20, 2020

Christmas Schedule 2020

Subject to Reopening

CHRISTMAS EVE – Thursday, December 24th

No 9:00 AM Mass
5:00 PM Mass
7:00 PM Mass
9:00 PM Mass
10:30 PM Mass
12:00 AM Midnight Mass
Office Open – 2:00 PM to 6:30 PM

CHRISTMAS DAY – Friday, December 25th

10:30 AM, 12:30 PM Mass
Office Open – 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM

BOXING DAY – Saturday, December 26th

No 4:30 PM Mass
Office Closed

REGULAR SUNDAY MASSES

Sunday, December 27th, Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus
8:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM
Office Open – 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM

Monday December 28th
No 9:00 AM Mass
Office Closed

NEW YEAR’S EVE – Thursday, December 31st

No 9:00 AM Mass
Vigil Mass for Feast of Mary the Holy Mother of God – 5:00 PM
Office Open – 2:00 PM to 6:30 PM

NEW YEAR’S DAY – Friday, January 1st

Feast of Mary the Holy Mother of God
10:30 AM, 12:30 PM
Office Open – 9:30 AM 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.

MASS AT OUR WEBSITE

Each Sunday during Advent, Fr. Brando and Fr. Paul will celebrate Mass. This will be carried on line at www.stgabrielsparish.ca. Please join us and pass the word to friends in the parish who may not know. This is a beautiful way of being together during this temporary closing of the church.

SHADOW IMPACT ON CHURCH SOUTH GARDEN AND WINDOW FROM FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF 680 & 688 SHEPPARD AVENUE EAST

Thank you to everyone who registered, participated or sent in comments regarding the future development of 680 and 688 Sheppard Avenue East. Please continue to check Toronto’s website, http://app.toronto.ca and St. Gabriel’s website for further updates.

REMEMBERING THE PARISH IN YOUR WILL

Your parish has been there for you and your family during the most important moments of your lives. Help you’re your Catholic community active and alive for years to come.

November is “Make a Will’ month! Please consider your parish in your will or through a planned gift. A bequest is a beautiful way to express your faith and gratitude for a lifetime of blessings – a lasting legacy of love that will help the Church continue with its many ministries.

For more details, please call the Parish Office at 416-221-8866 or contact Peter Okonski, Manager of Planned Giving and Personal Gifts at 416 934 3400 Ext. 519 or by email at development@archtoronto.org.

All calls are confidential.

ANNOUNCED MASSES

December 21st to December 27th
MONDAY – JACK TA – Requested by Veronica Do
TUESDAY – MICHAEL & AURITA FERNANDES – Requested by Tony Fernandes
WEDNESDAY – YANG PIL BUN – Requested by Veronica Do
THURSDAY – CHRISTMAS EVE – See Christmas Schedule
FRIDAY – CHRISTMAS DAY – See Christmas Schedule
SATURDAY – Boxing Day – No 4:30 PM Mass
SUNDAY – 10:30 AM
SUNDAY – 12:30 PM – CARMELA CAIA – Requested by the Grech Family

MINISTRY FOR MATURING ADULTS

Stay tuned….

We are excited to announce several programs that parish Ministry with Maturing Adults Committee will be starting in the next two months. All sessions will be offered virtually. Please watch this space for further information.

  • Writing Circle – for those who attend the Life Story Programme members that was offered in January and February 2020. We will meet once a month and will run for the next several months.
  • Ways to Pray – For those who might be interested in deepening their prayer life via different ways or methods praying such as Lectio Divina; Centering Prayer, Taize Prayer, praying with mandalas, Divine Office, Mission Rosary, etc.
  • Scripture Programme – For those interested in deepening their understanding and praying with the Sacred Scriptures. This will run once a month
  • Technology – learn how to connect with others virtually and via social networking apps safely and with ease.
  • Milk Bag weaving – Learn how to weave milk bags into mats via virtual workshop or training session which will be conducted by Sharon Gusz and other members of the MMA Team.

GOOD SHEPHERD CENTRE CASSEROLES

Thank you to those parishioners who prepared 21 casseroles for November. For December, your prepared frozen casseroles may be dropped off at the Parish Office by December 27th for delivery to the Good Shepherd Centre.

Let’s see if we can increase that number!

The need is very great especially right now with Covid19.

The casseroles are easy to make and we have the recipes and casserole pans right here in the Parish Office. The recipes are also available on the Parish website. If you require more information please contact Irene Albrecht at 416-221-2791.

THE GIVING TREE OF 2020 FOR ROSALIE HALL

Thank you so much for your overwhelming support of the Christmas campaign for Rosalie Hall. The staff and families greatly appreciate your generosity. May God bless you and your families.

VIRTUAL “SIMBANG GABI”

December 15th to 23rd, 2020

As part of the Toronto celebration of the 500th year Anniversary of the arrival of Christianity in the Philippines, and in preparation for the birth of our Savior, an online airing of a nine-day “Simbang Gabi” (Filipino for “Night Mass”) and Novena from various participating parishes will be held from December 15th to 23rd at 7:00 PM It will be livestreamed at www.ph500toronto.com and at: www.facebook.com/500yocTO.

For details, visit: www.ph500toronto.com/events.html. The 9-day Novena and Mass is a much-revered Advent tradition in the Philippines but everyone is welcome to join virtually as we prepare for Christ’s joyous birth.

SERAPHIM & CHERUBIM CHORUS ALBUM

Around this time every year, the Seraphim & Cherubim Chorus host our annual Christmas concert. This is actually the 10th anniversary of our choir and so this Christmas is very special to us. While 2020 has been a challenging year, we’re determined to put even more effort into celebrating the joy of Christmas!

To mark our anniversary year we’re releasing our first album: Christmas on Record. The album and new choir merchandise make wonderful Christmas gifts and are available on our website http://www.seraphimandcherubim.ca/shop

Like most independent artists, our revenues rarely cover our costs. If your means allow, please consider donating the money you might have spent on our concert tickets to our go-fund me campaign to help our choir continue to connect and move people through music.

Thank you all so very much for your constant and unwavering support over these last 10 years. Projects like this would not be possible without your help. We hope you’ll celebrate Christmas with us again this year, but this time On Record and from the comfort of your homes. Have the Merriest Christmas and we’ll see you soon!

OFFERTORY ENVELOPES

Offertory envelopes for 2021 are available at the parish Office. If you would like to pick yours up, please call before coming so that we will have them ready for you.

Please note: All donations for 2020 must be received in the Parish Office by Thursday, December 31st, 2020 to be included in your 2020 Tax Receipt.