Lord Jesus, Master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas. We who have so much to do seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day. We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us. We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom. We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence. We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light. To you we say, “Come Lord Jesus!” Amen.
Fr. Henri J.M. Nouwen
December 16th to December 22nd, 2024
MONDAY – DR. EUGENE JUWAH ✞ – Requested by Prescilla Juwah TUESDAY – CONVERSION OF ALL SINNERS IN THE WORLD – Requested by the Chiu Family WEDNESDAY – CHRISTOPHER CHOW – Requested by Jenny Lo THURSDAY – TINA INTINI ✞ – Requested by her Family FRIDAY – MARGARET HUI ✞ – Requested by Howa Hui SATURDAY – ANDREW HUI ✞ – Requested by Howa Hui SUNDAY – 8:30 AM – FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE PARISH SUNDAY – 10:30 AM – VICTOR PAUL ✞ – Requested by Sophie & Candida Pereira SUNDAY – 12:30 PM – MARGARET HUI ✞ – Requested by Howa Hui
Wednesday, December 18th
On Wednesday, December 18th, we will all have the opportunity to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Confessions will be heard from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
Children ages 7 and up are invited to sing carols and hymns before and during the Christmas Eve Family Mass on December 24th at 5:00 PM. There will be a mandatory rehearsal on Sunday, December 22nd from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
There will be a Nativity Play during the 5:00 PM Family Mass on Christmas Eve. Children grades 5 and under are invited to participate where they will dress up in costumes as they reenact the birth of Jesus. There will be a dress rehearsal on Sunday December 22nd at 11:30 AM (after the 10:30 AM mass). Please contact our Youth Minister at youth@stgabrielsparish.ca to participate.
Wednesday, December 18th from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Tuesday, December 24th̶ 5:00 PM Family Mass 8:00 PM Mass 12:00 AM Midnight Mass No 9:00 AM Mass Office open – 8:30 AM to 12:00 Noon
Wednesday, December 25th 10:30 AM Mass 12:30 PM Mass No 8:30 or 9:00 AM Mass
Thursday, December 26th No 9:00 AM Mass Office Closed
Tuesday, December 31st 5:00 PM Vigil Mass No 9:00 AM Mass Office open ̶ 8:30 AM to 12:00 Noon
Wednesday, January 1st 10:30 AM Mass 12:30 PM Mass No 8:30 or 9:00 AM Mass
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.
This week, the Liturgy does not take our response to the First Reading from the Psalms. Rather our song of praise is from Chapter 12 of the Book of the Prophet Isaiah.
Using the words of the prophet we sing with Jesus and Mary, all the saints and countless others over the centuries, of our confidence and lack of fear because the Lord gives us strength, courage and joy.
And so our attitude is total thanks and praise.
“For great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.”
Could God be calling you to be a priest, a deacon, a brother or a sister and announce the Good News to His People asJohn the Baptist did?
Contact Fr. Matt McCarthy, Director of Vocations, Archdiocese of Toronto at 416-968-0997. Email vocations@archtoronto.org www.vocationstoronto.ca
Living the Gospel through ShareLife Your support of ShareLife is improving the lives of our brothers and sisters in the Deaf and hard of hearing community.
“If you ever wonder what impact you are making – you are sending Deaf kids to an accessible American Sign Language (ASL) camp in the summer; you are connecting Deaf kids with Deaf mentors; you are inspiring Deaf kids to achieve their dreams; you are teaching family members ASL so they can communicate with their Deaf children. When you give, it goes a long way.” – Kelly Mackenzie, Silent Voice
Please give at the parish using a ShareLife envelope, online through our parish website, or at sharelife.org/donate.
What do you call a snowman who plays the piano?
Meltin John
Thursday, December 19th from 1:30 to 3:00 PM
Enjoy an afternoon of singing your favourite Christmas carols while enjoying tea, coffee and cookies on Thursday, December 19th from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM. To register please contact stgabrielmma@gmail.com or call the Parish Office.
November 11th, 2024 to January 13th, 2025
Theme: “Do you believe this?” (John 11:26)
High school students aged 13 to 19 from the Catholic School Boards in the Archdiocese of Toronto are invited to participate in this annual event, which honours the global Week of Prayer for Christian Unity taking place from January 18 to 25.
Write a five-hundred-word essay that explores the 2025 theme. Great prizes await the top three submissions.
Students are encouraged to explore the resources at https://bit.ly/3zOVHly to gain insight into the meaning and purpose of the theme. They should also refer to the focus question available on the poster at https://bit.ly/3XCGGgo. Entries are to be submitted at https://www.catholicregister.org/writingaward.
Email ecumenical@archtoronto.org or call 416-934-3400 ext. 527 with any questions, or for more information.
Offertory envelopes for 2025 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.
If you are donating via Pre-Authorized Giving or Donate Now via the Archdiocese, you might not have an envelope box assigned to you. If you would like envelopes for Maintenance and Special Collections, they are readily available from the pews or the Parish Office.
On the first few 2025 envelopes, please write your name and complete address so that the office can ensure they have your correct information when sending out 2024 tax receipts.
Please note: All donations for 2024 must be received in the Parish Office by Tuesday, December 31st, 2024 to be included in your 2024 Tax Receipt.
To ensure the proper recording for tax receipt purposes, please do not use any envelopes from 2024 or any prior year for any 2025 donations.
This Bulletin entry was posted on Saturday, December 14th, 2024.
Founded by St. Paul of the Cross, every Passionist takes a special vow to spend his or her energies in promoting remembrance of the sufferings of Jesus, the memory of the Cross, and reflection of the meaning of the Cross for the world.
Learn about Passionists and our insignia »
Companion for the Walk of the Stations of the Cosmic Earth
St. Gabriel’s Garden – Guided Sensory Reflective Walk