Bulletin – September 15, 2024

SACRAMENTAL REGISTRATION

September 24th & September 26th from 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM

There will be registration for the Sacraments of First Communion, Reconciliation and Confirmation on September 24th and September 26th from 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM in the gathering space of the church.

Please Note:
A copy of the child’s Baptismal Certificate is required if registering for First Communion or Confirmation. Registration forms will not be accepted without it.

A Baptism certificate is not required for Reconciliation.

A fee of $30 is required at registration for Confirmation to defray related costs.

CHILDREN’S FAITH PROGRAM – 2024/2025

Registration forms for the Children’s Faith Program are now available in the parish office. This program is for children of the Parish who attend other Catholic schools, public or private schools. Classes are held on Sundays at St. Gabriel’s School from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. The next class will be held on September 22nd.

Please note that a separate Sacramental registration form is required if your child will receive the sacraments of First Communion, Reconciliation or Confirmation during the 2024/2025 school year. These forms are also available in the Parish Office. Baptismal Certificates are required for First Communion and Confirmation.

ALTAR SERVERS NEEDED

Serving at the Lord’s table is a great honour and responsibility. The Altar Server Ministry Team would like to invite children who are 10 years or older (boys and girls), who are interested in committing and dedicating time and effort to serve Mass. Any adults who think they may desire to serve are encouraged to volunteer as well. All that is required is a desire to serve at the Altar of Our Lord. If you are interested, contact the parish office or email: altarserversstgabe@gmail.com

ADULT CHOIR

The Adult choir has returned for the 2024-2025 year. The choir rehearses on Tuesday evenings from 7:30 to 9:00 PM, and sings at the 10:30 AM Mass. New members are most welcome.

CHILDREN’S LITURGY – VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

At the 10:30 AM Mass from mid-September to June each year, children ages 4 to 10 have the opportunity to gather as a group for the Liturgy of the Word led by adults who have volunteered. We are in need of more volunteers to assist this program. For more information or to volunteer, please call Dawn Burke at 416 671-0561 or leave a message at the Parish Office.

THE PASSION OF THE EARTH AT ST. GABRIELS’S – A PARISH BLOG

No doubt you will have noticed the painting The Passion of the Earth by Br. Michael Moran, CP in the gathering space of our church. Perhaps you have stopped to ponder the image and what it conveys to you, or you have engaged with others in conversation about it.

We have created a blog space – a place where you can write your thoughts, and comment on the ideas of others – an online parish conversation. It is being hosted on the Passionist Solidarity Network website at https://www.passionistsolidaritynetwork.org/st-gabriels-parish-blog-on-the-passion-of-the-earth/artistic-insight-into-the-crisis-of-earth#comments

We welcome you to join in this conversation in respectful dialogue. Just click on the link and start typing. Let’s share our thoughts and learn with and from each other.

ANNOUNCED MASSES

September 16th to September 22nd

MONDAY – BINX COOPER ✞ – Requested by Karen Crichton
TUESDAY – SIMON JAVIER – Requested by Betty Kee
WEDNESDAY – MARIA GOJAO ✞ – Requested by Celeste Costa & Family
THURSDAY – SAVANNAH CRICHTON – Requested by Karen Crichton
FRIDAY – ORESTE & MARIA GIANNOTTA ✞ – Requested by Lina Giannotta
SATURDAY – NADINE CORNELIO – Requested by Mark DesRoches
SUNDAY – 8:30 AM – FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE PARISH
SUNDAY – 10:30 AM – NORMA FERNANDES ✞ – Requested by Sophie & Candida Pereira
SUNDAY – 12:30 PM – REVALEE HOLLY DAVIS ✞ – Requested by Marcy Principio & Family

SEASON OF CREATION 2024

The annual event of the Season of Creation began on September 1st (the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation) and ends on October 4th (the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of ecology). This year’s theme is “To hope and act with Creation” and the symbol is “The first fruits of hope,” inspired by Romans 8:19-25. An introductory video and resources to observe this season at home, church and school may be found at the following link: https://seasonofcreation.org/2024/02/02/soc-2024-to-hope-and-act-with-creation/

BULLETIN TRIVIA

Why do we say “Amen” instead of “A Woman” at the end of the songs at Church?

Because they are hymns not hers.

SPRING CLEANING – YEAR- ROUND!

This Weekend, September 14th/15th

The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul is collecting gently used clothing, shoes and linens to support our neighbours in need this weekend, September 14th/15th. Please bring your donation and help others in your community. The truck/bin will be open Saturday from 10:00 AM until 6:00 PM and Sunday from 8:00 AM until 2:00 PM. Volunteers will assist with the loading before and after each Saturday and Sunday Mass. Thank you!

MILK BAG WEAVING CONTINUES

The milk bag weavers will be back on Wed. September 18th. They are friendly and light hearted and encourage new parishioners to join them. No skills are needed. Simply come from 1:00 – 2:30 PM. Contact Sharon at sharongusz@gmail.com for further information.

THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE

For the Good Shepherd Centre and Rosalie Hall

We are preparing for our Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive. Thanks to community partners like you, individuals facing hunger are welcomed and served daily at Good Shepherd. In 2023, 330,020 meals were served. Currently, upward of 950 meals are served each day.

Rosalie Hall assists young parents and their children to realize their potential. The food we donate from our parish often replenishes their empty food bank.

Urgently needed items include:
Tuna and canned meats
Soups, stews
Chick peas, beans
Canned tomatoes
Corn & vegetables
Pasta sauce
Tea bags & coffee
Granola bars
Pancake mixes
Peanut butter, jams
Bagged rice
Dried Meals
Condiments (e.g. soy sauce, barbecue sauce, ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard etc.)

Please check the expiry date as we cannot pass on expired foods. We thank you for your generous support!

SHARELIFE

“We see and feel the pain of those struggling to feed their families, and it moves us deeply,” says Archbishop Francis Leo. “Proverbs 22:9 reminds us, ‘The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.’ Our faith calls and challenges us to be the beating heart and outstretched hands of Christ himself, extending his love and compassion to those in need. Together, we will continue to bring hope and dignity to our community, to those who suffer thus making a concrete difference in the lives of our neighbours.”

Please share your blessings by making a contribution at sharelife.org/donate or our parish using a ShareLife envelope. Thank you for living the Gospel.

CROCHETING FOR A CAUSE

Interested in crocheting or want to learn how? Join a new crochet group that is open to all ages – no experience is needed! We will be crocheting scarves for individuals in need, which will be distributed by our youth group during their next downtown Street Patrol event this winter.

Our first session is on Sunday October 6th after the 12:30 Mass in the Gabriel Room. Donations of yarn and crochet hooks are also most welcome.

Contact our Youth Minister at 416-221-8866 ext.227 for more details or to sign up.

MOVIE NIGHT

Wednesday September 18th at 7:30 PM – Gabriel Room

Join us for St. Gabriel’s Social Justice Movie Club and Discussion

Reel Injun:A documentary about the evolution of the depiction of First Nations people in film, from the silent era to today. Featuring clips from hundreds of films, candid interviews with famous Native and non-Native directors, writers and actors, Reel Injun traces how the image of First Nations people in cinema have influenced the understanding and misunderstanding of their culture and history.

Choose your level of participation, from simply watching the movie at home to having a thoughtful and illuminating discussion with other parishioners at the following date, time and place. This film is available on Tubi TV, CBC Gem, and YouTube.

Please contact the office if you have any questions regarding the Movie Club.

UNDERSTANDING SACRED SPACES

Led by Roberto Chiotti, Founding Principal of Larkin Architects

If you would like to learn more about the history of church design throughout the ages and the criteria that distinguish sacred space from every day, then this course is for you. Come and learn about the history of Christian Church architecture from its early days to current theological influences on contemporary church architecture including the role that eco-theology had on the design of our own St. Gabriel’s church. The course is being offered both in person at Regis college and online for those who prefer to learn from home. For more information or to register, see the poster on the bulletin board or scan the QR code.

Pre-Authorized Giving

Please consider giving your offertory by picking up Envelopes, enrolling in Pre-Authorized Giving (PAG), or Donate Now (through the Archdiocese of Toronto website). Please come by the parish office if you have any questions.