Bulletin – February 7, 2021

FR. PAUL AND THE WEBSITE MASSES

As you probably know, Fr. Paul suffered a mild stroke. He is now at home and is in great spirits. We will keep you updated. Please keep him in your prayers. There will be no Mass on the website on February 7th. We will advise you when they will resume.

LUNAR NEW YEAR

February 12th, 2021

Friday, February 12th marks the beginning of Lunar New Year. This year is the Year of the Ox. We wish all our Asian parishioners and neighbors a very healthy and prosperous New Year.

FAMILY DAY

Monday, February 15th

Monday February 15th is Family Day, a day to celebrate our families. The Parish Office will be closed on that day.

OFFICE HOURS

The parish office is currently open only on Monday to Friday from 8:30 AM to 12:00 noon and 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM.

ANNOUNCED MASSES

February 8th to February 14th, 2021

MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY – EDNA, GERRY & MIKE HATCH – Requested by their Family
FRIDAY – TONINO DI DIODATO – Requested by the Family
SATURDAY
SUNDAY – 10:30 AM
SUNDAY – 12:30 PM

YEAR OF ST. JOSEPH

With the Apostolic Letter “Patris corde” (“With a Father’s Heart”), Pope Francis recalls the 150th anniversary of the declaration of Saint Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church. To mark the occasion, the Holy Father has proclaimed a “Year of Saint Joseph” from December 8th, 2020, to December 8th,2021.

St. Joseph is also the patron saint of Canada. He was chosen as the patron saint of Canada by the first Recollect Franciscan missionaries in 1624. His feast day is March 19th.

MINISTRY FOR MATURING ADULTS

WAYS TO PRAY IN LENT

Wednesdays, February 24th, March 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th

This program is for those who might be interested in deepening their prayer life during lent via different ways or methods such as Lectio Divina, Centering Prayer, Taize Prayer, praying with mandalas, Divine Office, etc.

At the moment, this program will be conducted online. For more information, please contact the Maturing Adult Ministry team via email at StGabrielMMA@gmail.com or call Sr. Malou at (416) 221-8866 Ext. 228 during the week on Thursdays or Fridays. Registration will be accepted until Friday, February 19, 2021.

The following programs will begin within and after the Lenten Season:

  • 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.
  • 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.

FOOD FOR ROSALIE HALL & GOOD SHEPHERD CENTRE

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

These agencies provide essential services to young parents and the homeless in our city.

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!

FRIARS’ STUDENT WRITING CONTEST 2021 – WIN GREAT PRIZES!

Submission Deadline: Monday, February 15th, 2021.

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in 2021 was prepared by the Monastic Community of Grandchamp. The theme “Abide in my love and you shall bear much fruit” (cf. John 15:5-9) expresses Grandchamp’s vocation to prayer, reconciliation and unity in the Church and the human family. “Abiding in Christ” is an inner attitude that takes root over time and it demands space to grow. As Christians, how can we express our personal relationship to Christ in a modern and socially oriented

Church during challenging times, which can bring unity of the Christian family and all humanity? Give examples. Read John 15:1-17, consult resources, and submit a 500-word essay that answers the given question.

Contest Rules: All submissions will be read by a panel including professional journalists and the Director of the Office for promoting Christian Unity, Archdiocese of Toronto, and judged on overall merit. Contestants must be 14-18 years of age, and currently enrolled in an Ontario secondary school or equivalent program. Essay must be between 450 to 500 words in length and submitted on or before the contest closing date of Feb. 15th, 2021.

Entries must include contestant’s full name, email address, phone number and name of your school on the front page of your essay. Submission Deadline: Monday, February 15th, 2021. Submit essays by E-mail: Re: “Friars’ Contest” to editor@catholicregister.org. For information: 416-934-3400 (x 527) or 1-855-441-4077 (x 401). For contest details & resources please visit – www.catholicregister.org/writingaward & http://www.christianunity.va/content/unitacristiani/en/settimana-di-preghiera-per-l-unita/en.html

VIRTUAL MARDI GRAS! PREPARE YOUR HEART FOR LENT

Tuesday, February 16th at 7:00 PM

Mark your calendars!

You are invited Join Dr. Tim Gray and special guest, Curtis Martin, Founder & CEO of FOCUS, for a Special One-Hour Episode of The Augustine Institute Show on Tuesday, February 16th at 7:00 PM EST.

This special episode will be broadcast live for all to watch on FORMED.org

THE STORY OF A SOUL

A VIRTUAL EVENT HOSTED BY NEWMAN CENTRE CATHOLIC MISSION

February 22nd, March 8th, March 22nd, April 12th, April 26th from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM

All are welcome to join a new spiritual life series based on the book The Story of a Soul by St. Thérèse of Lisieux. The new series will begin on Monday, February 22nd and will be presented in several bi-weekly segments by Fr. Peter Turrone, pastor of the Newman Centre. There will be time for group discussion. Participants will need to purchase the Study Edition of Story of a Soul by Fr. Mark Foley for the class.

Register at https://thestoryofasoul.eventbrite.ca/ Contact lenita.lopes@newmantoronto.com for more information
WEBSITE: www.newmantoronto.com

VIRTUAL WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER

March 5th to March 7th, 2021

In these stressful times, give your marriage a booster shot! Restore your loving communication with your spouse and rekindle the romance. The Marriage Encounter experience is a skill-building enrichment program where together, you, as husband and wife, learn how to be the best couple you can be. No group discussion. Based on Catholic values but open to couples of all faiths. Rediscover the love in your relationship!

Contact: Marge & Gerard McCauley at gerard.marge@rogers.com or (905) 792-1925
Website: wwme.org

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.

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.

TAX RECEIPTS FOR 2020

Tax receipts for contributions to the Parish during 2020 were mailed out this past week. Please check your mail for your receipt.

For contributions made in 2020 to the Archdiocese for ShareLife or Donate Now via credit card or to the Family of Faith Campaign, your tax receipt will come directly from the Archdiocese by the end of February.

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.