Our 2025 Annual Impact Report is available in print and online.
We invite you to take a copy home and prayerfully consider your stewardship commitments
Tuesday, December 16th from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM
Wednesday, December 24th No 9:00 AM Mass Office Open – 8:30 AM to 12:00 Noon 6:00 PM Family Mass 9:00 PM Mass 12:00 AM Midnight Mass
Thursday, December 25th No 8:30 AM or 9:00 AM Mass 10:30 AM Mass 12:30 PM Mass Office Open – 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM
Friday, December 26th No 9:00 AM Mass Office Closed
Sunday, December 28th 8:30 AM Mass 10:30 AM Mass 12:30 PM Mass
Wednesday, December 31st No 9:00 AM Mass Office Open – 8:30 AM to 12:00 Noon 5:00 PM Vigil Mass
Thursday, January 1st No 8:30 AM or 9:00 AM Mass 10:30 AM Mass 12:30 PM Mass Office Closed
“Advent” is at root a Latin word meaning coming, arrival or approach. This liturgical season opens a new year of public prayer. A time to celebrate that God comes to us, remains with us at all times and places. A time to focus on God and God’s plan for us and all of creation. Advent may appear similar to Lent. However, despite the penitential colour of the purple vestments, Advent is really a four week period of celebration and rejoicing at the coming of God among us.
It’s also a time when it’s easy to be distracted by some of the Christmas preparations. In face of that, we try to make it a time of renewed prayer, thanking God for everything because everything is gift, and praising God. Our themes week to week are hope, peace, joy and love. Pretty good stuff, you might say!
December 8th to December 14th, 2025
MONDAY – ANTHONY MARIE REMEDIOS – Requested by Ann & Ron Ackber TUESDAY – LUCIA ARDIL – Requested by Dario Ardila WEDNESDAY – BEN IVENS ✞ – Requested by Noel & Els McCullagh THURSDAY – ELIZABETH TAN & FAMILY – Requested by Vera Tan & Family FRIDAY – BORIS CELIS ✞ – Requested by the Macaraeg Family SATURDAY – MARY & SEAN CONNOLLY ✞ – Requested by the Connolly Family SUNDAY – 8:30 AM – FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE PARISH SUNDAY – 10:30 AM – BRUNO CORTESE ✞ – Requested by Antonietta Cortese SUNDAY – 12:30 PM – DELFINO & SANDRA CANDIDO ✞ – Requested by Janet Candido
Saturday, December 20th from 2:00 to 4:00 PM
This year, the parish’s Advent Retreat will take place on Saturday, December 20th from 2:00 to 4:00 PM.
Our speaker will be Fr. Rick Frechette, CP.
Fr Rick has worked in Haiti for the past forty years, with an extraordinary ministry among the people there who have been living in extreme poverty through the country’s numerous challenges. From the AIDS epidemic, to social unrest, to the devastating earthquake in 2010, then the outbreak of cholera and Covid, Fr Rick’s heart has been with the people and responded to their various needs in the most ingenious ways.
Unfortunately for the past few years, Haiti has further spiralled into extreme lawlessness, with street violence and kidnappings a common occurrence.
In the retreat, from his lived experience in Haiti, Fr Rick will talk about how to remain steadfast in the face of difficulties and unimaginable atrocities. As we prepare for Christmas, it is good to remind ourselves that when darkness seems to envelop us, the light of Christ continues to shine and give us hope, if only we would learn to see it.
This is a rare opportunity to hear from someone who has lived his faith under very challenging circumstances. Please mark your calendars and join us for the Retreat on Dec 20!
If you are not yet familiar with Fr Rick’s life and work, you can find out more about him in the brochure available at the back of the church and in the Gathering Space.
There is no need to register. All are welcome.
Children ages 7 and up are invited to sing carols and hymns before and during the Christmas Eve Family Mass on December 24th at 6:00 PM. There will be a mandatory rehearsal on Sunday, December 21st from 2:00 to 4:00 PM.
There will be a Nativity Play during the 6:00 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 21st after the 10:30 AM mass. Please contact our Youth Minister at youth@stgabrielsparish.ca to participate.
Sunday, November 30th to Friday, December 19th
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, Uniqlo 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 Giving 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 Friday, December 19th. 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.
Fair Trade coffee and chocolate will be sold after all the Masses next weekend, December 13th/14th. The cost is $7.00 per bag.
In the past few weeks, Jamaica, Haiti and the Philippines have been hit with extreme weather storms with many people dead and thousands homeless.
For those interested in supporting humanitarian relief efforts to help those in need, please note the following:
The Archdiocese of Toronto will accept donations and channel funds through our Catholic partners in the Caribbean and Asia to support relief efforts underway in both regions.
Those wishing to help may do so in the following ways:
Please continue to pray for all those affected by these natural disasters. Thank you for your continued co-operation.
Your contribution to ShareLife will be matched dollar-for-dollar!
NEW: Your gift will double in value! Until year end, your contribution to our parish’s ShareLife campaign will be matched by an anonymous donor up to a total of $500,000.
As we approach the end of the year, your loving support is crucial, as ShareLife-funded agencies strive to bring hope and relief to those facing their most challenging times.
Our goal this year is $169,000. To date we have achieved $141,590. Please give at the parish using a ShareLife envelope, online through our parish website, or at sharelife.org/donate
Food Collection for the Good Shepherd Centre and Rosalie Hall
Your food donations are very important as numbers of people in need continue to increase.
Please check the expiry dates before donating since we cannot pass on food that has expired.
The Beacons of Hope are seeking gently used Women’s winter outer wear: coats, jackets, scarves, mitts, hats, gloves and boots. Please place these in our donation boxes in the Gathering Space. Many thanks for all your support.
Wednesday, December 17th from 1:30 to 3:00 PM
Enjoy an afternoon of singing your favourite Christmas carols while enjoying tea, coffee and cookies on Wednesday, December 17th from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM.
To register please contact stgabrielmma@gmail.com or call the Parish Office.
This Bulletin entry was posted on Saturday, December 6th, 2025.
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