Bulletin – October 9, 2022

THANKSGIVING DAY

A Reading from St. Paul’s Letter to the Colossians (3.12-15)

As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful.

A THANKSGIVING PRAYER

O, heavenly Father:
We thank thee for food and
remember the hungry.
We thank thee for health and remember the sick.
We thank thee for friends and remember the friendless.
We thank thee for freedom and remember the enslaved.
May these remembrances stir us to service,
that thy gifts to us may be used for others. Amen.

Monday, October 10th is Thanksgiving Day

There will be no 9:00 AM Mass and the Parish Office will be closed. Happy Thanksgiving!

ANNOUNCED MASSES

October 10th to October 16th

MONDAY – THANKSGIVING – No 9:00 AM Mass
TUESDAY – BERTRAN CHIU & FAMILY – Requested by the Chiu Sisters
WEDNESDAY – NEI FUNG YUNG ✞ – Requested by Y.L. Kok
THURSDAY – DELPHINE OAKIE ✞ – Requested by the Family
FRIDAY – SEEHIM CHIU, PAULINE FUNG CHIU & CELINE CHIU ✞ – Requested by the Family
SATURDAY – KWAI FUN KO ✞ – Requested by Lucille Yeung
SUNDAY – 10:30 AM – BRUNO CORTESE ✞ – Requested by the Cortese Family
SUNDAY – 12:30 PM – PLACIDO DOMOPOY ✞ – Requested by Aileen Domopoy

ALTAR SERVERS

The Altar Server Ministry invites children, 10 and above, who are interested in learning how to serve at Mass, to please email stgabrielsaltarservers@gmail.com with details of the Mass at which they would like to serve.

THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE

For the Good Shepherd Centre and Rosalie Hall

You can make a difference in the lives of the hungry and homeless this Thanksgiving by participating in the annual Thanksgiving Food Drive. Urgently needed items include:
tuna canned stew
vegetable oil, canned soups
coffee pancake mix
jams, sugar peanut butter
garlic/onion powder allspice
chick peas, beans canned vegetables

Please check the expiry date as we cannot pass on expired foods. Please no fresh or frozen foods.

We thank you for your generous support!

Ukrainian Crisis Update

Are you able to host a Ukrainian Family?

When hearing reports of the war in Ukraine, and the millions of Ukrainians that have been forced to flee their homeland, many have asked what they can do to help. Over 80,000 Ukrainians have already arrived to Canada through a special visa program created by Immigration Canada. An additional 500,000 have applied to the program and are expected to arrive in the coming months. Many are arriving to Toronto and are without family here in Canada to help them. Among those will be some who are vulnerable to human trafficking, particularly seniors, single women, and women with children. There is an immediate need for families to host for a period of between one and six months some of those who have arrived. If you would like to learn more about hosting a Ukrainian family, please go to Archdiocese of Toronto – Ukrainian Crisis (archtoronto.org) and register for a virtual information session.

HUMANITARIAN RELIEF – PAKISTAN FLOODS

Devastating floods in Pakistan have displaced hundreds of thousands, at one point leaving a third of the country inundated with water. More than 1,500 people have died following record rainfall with 33 million throughout the country affected by this disaster.

Since June, Pakistan has experienced three times more rainfall than an average monsoon season. Flooding and landslides have destroyed homes, crops, health centres, roads and bridges.

There is an elevated risk of the spread of malaria, dengue fever and other diseases. Priorities include clean water, shelter and health care for those directly affected by this tragic situation.

The Archdiocese of Toronto will channel donations through Catholic partners (including Caritas Canada – Development and Peace as well as the Archdiocese of Karachi) to support relief efforts underway. Please note that these organizations are not subject to the government matching funds program.

Those wishing to help may do so in the following ways:

  • Online through the Archdiocese of Toronto website – www.archtoronto.org
  • By phone through the Development Office
  • Through the parish, making cheques payable to: St. Gabriel’s Parish – Pakistan Floods – Humanitarian Relief

PROJECT RACHEL RETREAT

St. Mary of Egypt Refuge,
November 4th to 6th

Women suffering the loss of a child from abortion need support. If this is your pain, or the grief of someone you know, consider the upcoming Project Rachel retreat at St. Mary of Egypt Refuge, November 4th to 6th, 2022. For more information, contact us through our confidential phone line at 289-691-6840, e-mail us at ProjectRachel@stmarysrefuge.org, or visit www.stmarysrefuge.org/rachel.

21st ANNUAL FRIARS’ STUDENT WRITING CONTEST 2023

October 4th to January 16th, 2023

Theme: “Do good; seek justice” (Isaiah 1:17).

High School Students (ages 13-19 years) in the Catholic School Boards located in the Archdiocese of Toronto are invited to participate in this annual event that commemorates the global Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Write a five-hundred-word essay that explores the 2023 theme. Great prizes await the top three submissions. Students are encouraged to consult the resources at https://bit.ly/3AgBy5J to understand the meaning and purpose of the theme and address the focus question found on the poster at https://bit.ly/3KXgu8m.

Contact ecumenism@archtoronto.org or call 416-934-3400 (Ext. 527) for more information or questions.

MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS 2022 – CAST YOUR VOTE!

October 24th, 2022

A municipal election will be held on Monday, October 24th, 2022. All Catholics are strongly encouraged to exercise their democratic right to vote. To help learn more about the candidates for Catholic School Board Trustee, Cardinal Collins has given permission for these candidates to distribute literature to parishioners departing Mass on weekends from October 1/2 through October 22/23. We hope you’ll take the time to get to know those seeking elected office for this important role.

To ensure your vote for Catholic School Board Trustee, at the polling booth, verify that you are registered as a separate school supporter. If your support status is incorrect ask for an Application to Amend Voters’ List. This form may be completed and submitted at the polling station. Thank you for your interest and involvement in this fall’s municipal election!

MARIAN RETREAT

Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre, Mississauga

October 19th, 2022

Spend the day with Mother Mary, the mother of Jesus, and our mother too on Wednesday, October 19th, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM at Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre, Mississauga.

The cost is $45.00 lunch included.
Contact: Jean at 905-278-5229 or office@qoa.ca

NEW BEGINNINGS

Online Bereavement Introductory Program
Wednesday, October 5th – 26th from 7:00 PM- 9:00 PM

Online Separated/Divorced Introductory Program
Thursday, October 6th – 27th from 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Please see bulletin boards for more information.

THE GARDEN SHED

BLUEBERRY CRISP RAFFLE
October 15th/16th

Blueberry Crisp Raffle: Made from St. Gabriel’s own berries and baked by members of the Garden Ministry, blueberry crisps will be raffled at each mass on the weekend of October 15th/16th. Arrive at mass a couple of minutes early and purchase your tickets. The draw will take place during mass and the winner, who will be announced at the end of mass can take home their prize. Tickets are $2 each or 3 for $5. Good luck!

The garden could use more pairs of hands to help with winterizing. Join us on Monday, Wednesday or Friday between 8 and 11 for fresh air, sunshine and garden companionship. For more information email sgpgardenministry@gmail.com.

Happy Thanksgiving from the Garden Ministry!

MATURING ADULT MINISTRY

SMALL GROUP BOOK STUDY: 6-12 persons
Tuesdays – October 18th, 25th, November 1st, 22nd, 29th
From 1:30 to 3:00 P.M.
Book Title: Conscious Living, Conscious Aging by Ron Pevny.
Books will be available at the first session: Cost $20:00.
Facilitator: Sr. Mary Rose Marrin CSJ
Registration: contact Sr. Maria Lucia Serrano, RSM at StGabrielMMA@gmail.com

LIFE STORY WRITING PROGRAMME: REFLECTION ON EXPERIENCE Small Group: 6-12 persons
Dates: October 13th, 20th, 27th, November 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, December 1st from 1:30 to 3:30 PM
Participants will be guided in reflecting on each decade of life
The cost: $20:00 for workbook to be paid at first session
Facilitator: Sr. Mary Rose Marrin CSJ
Registration: contact Sr. Maria Lucia Serrano, RSM at StGabrielMMA@gmail.com