Bulletin – December 6, 2020

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

November December 7th to December 13th

MONDAY – LISA CALLAHAN – Requested by Patti & Pat Callahan
TUESDAY – DELFIN REYES SR. – Requested by the Reyes Family
WEDNESDAY – SUNGIM KANG ANGELA – Requested by Veronica Do
THURSDAY – VERA LUCIA MEIRA FURTADO – Requested by Humberto Holanda
FRIDAY – JUNG SUNG SUK – Requested by Veronica Do
SATURDAY – EVA GULBINOWICZ – Requested by Kathleen Olden Powell
SUNDAY – 10:30 AM – REYNALDO SAZON – Requested by Linda Majanta & Family
SUNDAY – 12:30 PM – THANKSGIVING – Requested by Nora Lagula & Family

WEEK OF CONFESSION

From December 8th to December 11th

Fr. Brando will hear confessions from December 8th to December 11th by Appointment Only. Please call Fr. Brando to set up an appointment at 416 221 8866.

HOW TO GO TO CONFESSION

Before Confession

Examine your conscience by reflecting on your sins.

Tips for making a good confession:
Don’t be too general (like, “I haven’t been a good person”), but a lot of detail isn’t necessary either (you don’t need to tell the whole story of how a sin came about).

If you’re not sure if something is a sin, just ask the priest.

This isn’t counseling, so unless you ask, the priest likely won’t give you advice.

During Confession

Begin: “In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Bless me Father for I have sinned. It has been [length of time] since my last confession. These are my sins…”

When you finish: The priest will suggest something for you to do or pray (penance) as a response to God’s mercy. Remember what it is, because you’ll have to do it after the confession is over.

The priest will then ask you to pray the Act of Contrition out loud, demonstrating your sorrow for your sins:

“My God My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against you whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our Saviour Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In his name, my God, have mercy. Amen.”

When you finish, the priest will extend his hands in your direction and pray the Prayer of Absolution. You respond “Amen.”

The priest will then likely say “God has freed you from your sins. Go in peace.”
You can respond “Thanks be to God.”

After Confession

Don’t forget to do your penance. If it’s saying certain prayers, it’s best to do it right away in the church before you forget.

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.

THE SOCIETY OF SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL CHRISTMAS OUTREACH

Due to the pandemic and the limitations of our regular partners that support the St. Gabriel Conference our focus is limited to receipts of gift cards for the children instead of toys. Donations of gift cards between $25 and $50 dollars from Walmart, The Bay, Winners, Marshalls etc. will be much appreciated. Please drop off gift cards for the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul to the parish office by December 14, 2020. Thank you very much and God Bless.

THE GIVING TREE OF 2020 FOR ROSALIE HALL

This year Rosalie Hall is caring for about 80 children and their Moms. Due to Covid 19, our giving tree campaign this year will look a little different.

Since there will be no public Masses, please consider dropping off your gift at the Parish Office as soon as possible.

Needed are:
pajamas for children age newborn to 4 years old
Gift cards for the Moms at Rosalie Hall

Please call the Parish Office before you come to ensure that someone will be there to accept your gifts. Thank you so much for your generosity.

CHILDRENS AID FOUNDATION TOY DRIVE

Saturday November 28th to Tuesday, December 8th

We will be having a Christmas Toy Drive again this year for the Catholic Children’s Aid Foundation. You can help by dropping off an unwrapped new toy for a child, age newborn to 12 years old. Containers will be set up in the gathering space until Tuesday, December 8th.

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.

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.