Bulletin – December 10, 2023

This Sunday is the Second Sunday of Advent.

“The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.”

Christmas Schedule 2023

Please note the change for the Reconciliation Service and Confession:

ADVENT RECONCILIATION SERVICE

Wednesday, December 13th from 7:30 PM

ADVENT INDIVIDUAL CONFESSION

Thursday, December 14th from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Friday, December 22nd – Office Open 8:30 AM to 12:00 Noon

4th SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Saturday, December 23rd – 4:30 Mass
Sunday, December 24th – 8:30 AM Mass, 10:30 AM Mass, There is no 12:30 PM Mass, Office Open – 7:30 AM to 12:00 PM

CHRISTMAS EVE, NATIVITY OF OUR LORD

Sunday, December 24th – 6:00 PM Family Mass, 9:00 PM Mass, 12:00 AM Midnight Mass

CHRISTMAS DAY, NATIVITY OF OUR LORD

Monday, December 25th – 10:30 AM Mass, 12:30 PM Mass, Office Open – 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM

BOXING DAY

Tuesday, December 26th – There is no 9:00 AM Mass, Office Closed

Friday, December 29th – Office Open 8:30 AM to 12:00 Noon

FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY

Saturday December 30th – 4:30 PM Mass

Sunday, December 31st – 8:30 AM Mass, 10:30 AM Mass, 12:30 PM Mass, Office Open – 7:30 AM to 2:00 PM

NEW YEAR’S EVE, Feast of Mary the Holy Mother of God

Sunday, December 31st – There is no Vigil Mass

NEW YEAR’S DAY, Feast of Mary the Holy Mother of God

Monday, January 1st – 8:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM, Office Open – 7:30 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 the Principal of Elkhorn Public School for allowing us the use of the school property.

CHRISTMAS EVE FAMILY MASS

We invite the children to participate in the 6:00 PM Christmas Eve Family Mass.

Nativity Play

Children will wear costumes for a visual reenactment of the birth of Jesus during the Mass. Rehearsal is Sunday, December 17th from 11:30 AM to 12:15 PM.

Choir

Children will sing carols and hymns before and during the Mass. Rehearsal is Sunday, December 17th from 2:00 to 4:00 PM.

Contact our parish youth minister at youth@stgabrielsparish.ca or call 416 221 8866 Ext. 227 to register.

ANNOUNCED MASSES

December 11th to December 17th, 2023

MONDAY – MICHAEL McCARTHY ✞ – Requested by Christine & Roland Kilchling
TUESDAY – THERESA JULIA COOPER ✞ – Requested by Mary Anne Barnes
WEDNESDAY – TINA INTINI ✞ – Requested by Chiara Intini
THURSDAY – UMBERTO INTINI ✞ – Requested by Chiara Intini
FRIDAY – VU VAN TAI ✞ – Requested by the Nguyen Family
SATURDAY ̶ JOSEPH DOAN PHUC AI – Requested by the Nguyen Family
SUNDAY – 8:30 – MASS FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE PARISH
SUNDAY – 10:30 AM – DECEASED MEMBERS OF THE PAUL AND PEREIRA FAMILIES ✞ – Requested by Sophie & Candida Pereira
SUNDAY – 12:30 PM – EFREN BORMILADO ✞ – Requested by the Gaitan Family

BAPTISM

The Parish Family of St. Gabriel’s would like to welcome the following children who were baptized during the month of November:

Ellis Ivar Aquino Asuncion
Pia Cyrille Marasigan De Guzman
Olivia Kim
Emilie Chung Yan Wong
Zavivar Marian Ali

Congratulations to the children and their families!

NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER IN SOLIDARITY WITH INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

Tuesday, December 12th 2023

On December 12th, Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas, the Church in Canada celebrates the National Day of Prayer in Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples. This year, we take a moment to recall the Holy Father’s Penitential Pilgrimage to Canada in July 2022, and in particular his words of prayer offered at Lac Ste. Anne:

“Lord, as the people on the shores of the Sea of Galilee were not afraid to cry out to you with their needs, so we come to you, Lord … with whatever pain we bear within us. We bring to you our weariness and our struggles, the wounds of the violence suffered by Indigenous brothers and sisters. In this blessed place, where harmony and peace reign, we present to you the disharmony of our experiences, the terrible effects of colonization, the indelible pain of so many families, grandparents and children. Lord, help us to be healed of our wounds. We know, Lord, that this requires effort, care and concrete actions on our part; but we also know that we cannot do this alone. We rely on you and on the intercession of your mother and your grandmother. Yes, Lord, we entrust ourselves to the intercession of your mother and your grandmother, because mothers and grandmothers help to heal the wounds of our hearts.”

THE GIVING TREE

until Sunday, December 10th

St. Vincent de Paul

During Advent, the Society of St Vincent de Paul, St. Gabriel Conference, will have a Giving Tree in the Gathering Space. The tree will be decorated with gift stars.

We invite you to take a star, buy a Walmart or Canadian Tire gift card for about $50 and bring it with the star attached to the Parish Office.

Rosalie Hall

At this time of the year, we are also thinking of the young mothers and babies of Rosalie Hall. If you wish to help, you may choose a “Christmas Stocking” from the tree to purchase pyjamas or undershirts for little ones, age 6 months to 5 years.

Sweaters or hoodies would also be very welcome. Unwrapped Items with the original stocking tag attached can be left in the box provided near the giving tree no later than Sunday, December 10th. Toys or books for these little ones would also be appreciated.

For the Moms, we are suggesting gift cards from Tim Horton’s, Walmart or MacDonald’s. These can be placed in the cards provided and brought to the Office. Thank you for your continued generosity..

Would the person who has envelope 220 please contact the parish office at 416 221 8866. Thank you.

ARCHDIOCESAN CONSULTATION UNDERWAY

Your assistance is requested!

Our archbishop, the Most Rev. Francis Leo, is inviting Catholics throughout the archdiocese to share their key priorities to help inform and guide an updated Pastoral Plan. To participate in the consultation, visit: www.archtoronto.org/consultation to complete a brief survey by December 15, 2023, where you can offer your suggestions and insights.

The process should take just a few minutes and we ask that you complete the short survey as soon as possible. We look forward to hearing from the Catholic community throughout the archdiocese. Thank you in advance for sharing your insights, ideas and discernment.

ADVENT PRAYER AND WORSHIP NIGHT

Saturday December 16th from 6:00 to 7:00 PM
St. Gabriel’s church

Our parish youth group will be hosting an Advent Prayer & Worship Night on Saturday December 16th from 6:00 to 7:00 PM. All are welcome to spend an hour in prayer, reflection, and contemporary worship music as we prepare for the birth of Jesus. Refreshments will be available after the service.

CAROLS, COFFEE, TEA AND FUN

Wednesday, December 20th from 1:30 to 3:00 PM

Please note the change of Date.

Enjoy an afternoon of singing your favourite Christmas carols and while having some afternoon libation and cookies on Wednesday, December 20th from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM.

To register please contact stgabrielmma@gmail.com or call the Parish Office.

FINANCE CORNER

Offertory envelopes for 2024 are now available in the Gathering Space. If there is no box with your name on it and you wish to use envelopes, please advise the parish office either in person, by email or by phone.

You normally would not have an envelope box assigned to you if you are donating via Pre-Authorized Giving or Donate Now via the Archdiocese. However, if you want envelopes, please contact the Parish Office

On the first few 2024 envelopes, please write your name and complete address so that the office can ensure they have your correct information when sending out 2023 tax receipts.

To ensure the proper recording for tax receipt purposes, please do not use any envelopes from 2023 or any prior year for any 2024 donations.