FEAST OF ST. GABRIEL
Tuesday February 27th is the feast of St. Gabriel.
St. Gabriel, a member of the Passionist Community, was born Francis Possenti on March 1st, 1838 in Assisi. In September, 1856, he entered the Passionist novitiate but before his ordination, he contracted tuberculosis. He died February 27th, 1862 at the age of 24. Francis had a special devotion to Mary and chose as his religious name Gabriel of the Sorrowful Virgin.
He is remembered for his enthusiasm in life and his extraordinary generosity. Pope John XXIII proclaimed him as a special Patron of Youth. Mass will be celebrated at 9:00 AM
CONTINUING THE SYNOD DIALOGUE ABOUT THE MISSION OF OUR PARISH
Saturday, March 16th from 1:00 PM to3:30 PM
On Saturday, March 16th from 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM in the parish gathering space, you are invited to join us as we continue the Parish Synod dialogue regarding future directions for the mission of our parish. Facilitated by Rick Coles and Leanne Kloppenborg, Parish Mission Co-Directors, along with Michael Nasello, Director of the Passionist Solidarity Network, we will explore the questions, “Who are the crucified of the world in our time and place? How are we being called to respond to their suffering?” We hope to see you there.
ANNOUNCED MASSES
February 26th – March 3rd, 2024
MONDAY – FLORENTINO LLOVIT, MARIA LLOVIT & MODESTA MACEDA ✞ – Requested by Linda LLovit
TUESDAY – ODILIA YIU ✞ – Requested by the Family
WEDNESDAY –
THURSDAY – GENARA MARTINEZ ✞ – Requested by Her Family
FRIDAY – CHIARA INTINI ✞ – Requested by Carmina Filice
SATURDAY – SPECIAL INTENTIONS – Requested by Wanda & Jack Wrobel
SUNDAY – 8:30 AM – FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE PARISH
SUNDAY – 10:30 AM – PETER & BRIDGET PEREIRA ✞ – Requested by Sophie & Candida Pereira
SUNDAY – 12:30 PM – CORAZON MALUNAS ✞ – Requested by the Malunas Family
STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Stations of the Cross will take place each Friday evening during Lent at 7:30 PM.
You are also encouraged to attend our daily Mass as often as possible throughout Lent.
STEWARDSHIP REFLECTION
2nd Sunday of Lent
1st Reading: Genesis 22.1-2, 9-13, 15-18
2nd Reading: Romans 8.31b-35, 37
Gospel: Mark 9.2-10 – The Transfiguration
The Transfiguration
In a culture that is increasingly secular, living out the Gospel and practicing stewardship can lead to many trials that may tempt us to give up our pursuit of holiness. In times like this we can find great consolation in the words of St. Paul who says that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. When our life of stewardship becomes difficult, let us take a moment to simply pray: “I love you Jesus, help me to be more aware of your love for me”
CARING FOR THE HOMELESS IN OUR CITY
Thank you for your generous support of Rosalie Hall and the Good Shepherd Centre.
Rosalie Hall is an accredited children’s mental health facility focusing on the needs of pregnant and parenting youth ages 12-25, their children, and their families.
Good Shepherd provides hot meals, clean clothes and shelter for the homeless in our city They help find housing and provide follow up support. They support the homeless who are working to overcome addictions and provide a chance to start again through the Resettlement or DARE Programs.
Your food donations are so important as numbers of people in need continue to increase. Please check the expiry date before donating since we cannot pass on food that has expired.
SHARELIFE
Show your love through ShareLife
ShareLife Sunday is March 17th.
Our Parish goal is $194,500. Through your kindness, over 40 Catholic organizations and social service agencies can help marginalized members of our community. No one is turned away due to inability to pay. This is all possible through your support.
Please give at the parish using a ShareLife envelope, online through our parish website, or at sharelife.org/donate.
PLANNING TO BE A CATHOLIC TEACHER?
If you are planning to be a teacher, it is important for you to know that to be hired to teach in any Catholic school board in Ontario, there must be a letter of reference from your pastor as part of your application.
The letter explaining that you belong to and participate in the community cannot be written if your pastor does not know you. It is recommended that you have a conversation with him early in the process well before the applications are to be submitted.
THANK YOU FROM THE SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL – ST. GABRIEL CONFERENCE
We very much appreciate your contribution to the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul. Your support assists our Neighbours in Need locally as well as those in need served through the Society’s programs and services.
The St. Gabriel’s conference is comprised of volunteers from the parish. Together with your support, we provide assistance to persons who require help with food, furniture, clothing or other essentials, support and friendship.
St. Gabriel is a member conference of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul Greater Toronto Central Council. You may know us best by our collection boxes and Bundle Up clothing drives, however the Society also serves as follows:
Emergency Shelters for women in crisis: Amelie House, Elisa House, Mary’s Home, St. Clare’s Residence
Supportive Housing: DePaul, Martineau and Vincent Homes for adults requiring developmental services, St. Francis Residence for adults living with mental health challenges, Ozanam House and VincenPaul Community Homes for men in recovery
Camps for children: Marygrove Camp and Camp Ozanam
Other programs: Stores Division and Court Services
During this pandemic year, St. Gabriel’s conference managed to visit 88 families in the parish, assisted 170 adults and 144 children with food, clothing, bedding and furniture. During Christmas, we distributed grocery assistances and gift cards donated by parishioners to 17 families.
You will be remembered in the Society’s masses and prayers.
Sincerely on behalf of the Conference of St. Gabriel,
Brenda D’ Souza
PALLIATIVE AND BEREAVEMENT LENTEN RETREAT
March 23rd from 9:00 PM to 12:00 Noon
For those who may be interested in becoming a member of the Palliative and Bereavement Ministry Team in our parish, the next archdiocesan bereavement ministry training will be coming up shortly. This Lenten Retreat will be held on March 23rd from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. All are Thursday evenings.
The training is designed for new and seasoned parish bereavement ministers. It will explore ways to begin a bereavement ministry or enhance the present bereavement ministry programs in the parish. Registrants are required to participate in all online sessions and complete pre-homework to receive full training.
If you would like to discern about your call to this important ministry to those who are grieving, please contact Sr. Maria Lucia at StGabrielBereavement@gmail.com and she will guide you through the process before you are recommended to attend the training. There is no cost to attend the training but registration is required (space is limited).
“WITNESS THE WORK OF THE PASSIONISTS OF KENYA AND TANZANIA” THIS SEPTEMBER!
The Passionists of East Africa have invited a small group from the Toronto area to witness their work in Kenya and Tanzania this Fall. We will visit Nairobi, central Kenya and the Lake Victoria region before travelling overland to Tanzania where we will stay with the Passionist Community in Arusha.
The experience ends with a wildlife safari in the northern part of Tanzania. Similar small group travel experiences have happened in 2018, 2019 and 2023.
Space is limited so if you would like more information, please contact Steve Carey at skecarey@gmail.com
JOURNEY THROUGH LENT VIDEO SERIES
As we journey through Lent 2024, the Ash Wednesday video and the First Sunday of Lent video of the series titled “Journey through Lent” are now available on the CCCB website:
in English: https://www.cccb.ca/lent/
in French: https://www.cecc.ca/careme/
QUEEN OF APOSTLES LENTEN RETREAT
1617 Blythe Road, Mississauga
Saturday March 9,2024 at 8:30 AM
The Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre is offering a Lenten retreat on Saturday March 9th. It will be facilitated by the Centre Team. The cost is $45.00 which includes coffee/tea with muffins and a hot lunch. Mass will also be celebrated.
Registration begins at 8:30 AM. To register or for more information, please call Jean at 905-278-5524 or email: office@qoa.ca
ANNUAL MANRESA WEEKEND RETREAT FOR MEN
Friday, March 15th to Sunday, March 17th, 2024
Manresa Jesuit Renewal Centre 2325 Liverpool Rd., Pickering (at top of Liverpool Rd., N. of Finch)
The Manresa Jesuit Renewal Centre is offering a retreat for men from Friday March 15th to Sunday March 17th The theme is: To be like Mary – Immersed in God’s Divine Life “To live as a Christian in the world, while at the same time living with God’s vision for oneself and his Creation.” In this retreat, we try to listen to God speaking to us through the Scriptures, the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola and the lives of the saints. The facilitator is Fr. John Sullivan, S.J.
Come away to Manresa to experience silence and restfulness, to renew your spirit and to deepen your relationship with the Lord. For more information contact Manresa: 905-839-2864 To register: https://manresa-canada.ca/events/