Bulletin – January 25, 2026

ANNUAL IMPACT REPORT

Thank you to the people that have responded to date! We have new volunteers planning to engage in ministry! Please pray about your response and return your Time and Talent and Treasure sheets now.

FR RICK FRECHETTE’S ADVENT RETREAT VIDEO

It is indeed a blessing to have had Fr Rick Frechette, CP, visit the parish to preach our Advent retreat, and share with us how his faith informs his life and ministry in Haiti.

For those who have missed the Retreat or if you wish to listen again, the video of the Retreat is now available at: http://www.youtube.com/@StGabrielsPassionistParish

YOUTH GROUP NEWS

Youth grades 5-12 are welcome to attend a youth gathering on Sunday February 1st after the 12:30 mass.

Join us in the Gabriel Room for an afternoon of activities, prayer, and lunch.

ANNOUNCED MASSES

January 26th – February 1st, 2026

MONDAY –
TUESDAY – KRISTY WETZEL ✞ – Requested by Mary Anne Barnes
WEDNESDAY – CHIARA INTINI ✞ – Requested by the Annibale Family
THURSDAY –
FRIDAY – DECEASED MOTHERS OF JACK & WANDA ✞ – Requested by Jack & Wanda
SATURDAY – GENARA MARTINEZ ✞ – Requested by Ana Bascom
SUNDAY – 8:30 AM – FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE PARISH
SUNDAY – 10:30 AM
SUNDAY – 12:30

PSALM MEDITATION

Psalm 27

In the first reading today, Isaiah’s prophecy is that our yoke will be broken. We reply in the exulting song of psalm 27:

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?”

Let’s contemplate this truth expressed in this psalm all our days.

And continue to appreciate the wisdom, confidence and beauty of these age-old prayers, the psalms.

A PRAYER FOR SHARING

Gracious God, thank you for showing me that true joy comes from giving. In a world focused on gaining more, help me to see the beauty in sharing what I have, whether my time, talents or a simple act of kindness.

Let my heart be generous and open. Amen

Fr Paul

TORONTO CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION

Begins Wednesday, January 21st at 10:00 AM

The Toronto Catholic District School Board welcomes families with junior kindergarten-aged children (born in 2022) to register for the September 2026/2027 school year.

The Elementary Student Online Registration 2026/27 is now available. Please complete an application at http://soar.tcdsb.org.

The following original documents for your child are required upon registration:

  • Birth certificate.
  • Proof of Catholicity (one of the following documents):

    Your child’s Catholic baptismal certificate.
    The parent’s Catholic baptismal certificate (note: the Catholic parent must provide proof of residency in the City of Toronto).
  • A letter of enrolment to the R.C.I.A./R.C.I.C. program.
  • Passport / immigration documents (if child was not born in Canada).
  • Two proof of address documents

For more registration information, please email: admissions.registration@tcdsb.org or phone 416-222-8282 ext. 5320

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.

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. Here the needs of young families are met, offering prenatal and parenting classes as well as staff to aid in the transition to parenthood. A school program enables clients to finish high school. The food we donate from our parish often replenishes their empty food bank.

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 dates before donating since we cannot pass on food that has expired

INTERNATIONAL HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY

Tuesday, January 27th, 2026 from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM
Darchei Noam Congregation 864 Sheppard Ave. W.

AN IN-PERSON EVENT SPONSORED BY THE OFFICE FOR ECUMENICAL AND INTERFAITH RELATIONS

The Archdiocese of Toronto is a founding member of the Christian Jewish Dialogue of Toronto (CJDT) now in its 50th year. Since 1945, January 27th has been designated as International Holocaust Remembrance Day, when the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp was liberated. It is a privileged moment to remember the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust and the millions of other victims of Nazi persecution. With CJDT, the Archdiocese organizes an annual service to honour the victims, survivors, and liberators of the Holocaust, expressing our ongoing commitment to promoting Shoah education in our city.

Registration to attend this event is required. Please register at http://tinurl.com/y8m22muk

THE GOSPEL OF MARK PERFORMANCE

Sunday, February 8, 2026: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Manresa Jesuit Spiritual Renewal Centre, 2325 Liverpool Rd., Pickering

The Gospel of Mark is the oldest written biblical gospel. This amazing story is told with modern language, but in its original form. Tom Bates, a professional actor, presents the gospel in “a simple, yet elegant performance, a strong piece of theatre.” (Stephen Near, Hamilton City Magazine)

All monies collected will go towards the building of Gloria Christi Regis Centre in the Philippines, a home for abandoned and abused children operated by the Sisters of the Poor of St Catherine of Siena.

REGISTER: Mike Hyland – gospelofmarkfundraiser@gmail.com
Suggested Offering: $ 50.00 (Includes reception following the performance)

MARRIAGE SUNDAY 2026

February 8th, 2026 at 2:30 PM
St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica, 65 Bond St., Toronto

As part of Marriage Sunday 2026 celebrations, Bishop John Boissonneau will preside at a special Mass to honour married couples, with special recognition for those celebrating 25th, 40th, 50th, 60th and 60+ wedding anniversaries in 2026. The Mass will take place at 2:30 PM on Sunday, February 8th, 2026 at St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica (65 Bond St., Toronto). All married couples will have an opportunity to renew their marriage commitment during the Mass.

All are welcome to attend. Reserved seating is available for couples celebrating a 25th, 40th, 50th, 60th or 60+ anniversary in 2026. Reserved seating is limited, so please register early. All other seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Those who are unable to attend at the Cathedral are invited to join the celebration via livestream Mass.

Registration and other important information can be found at www.archtoronto.org/marriage.

FINANCE CORNER

Offertory envelopes for 2026 are still 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.

Boxes are usually not assigned to parishioners who are donating via Pre-Authorized Giving or Donate Now through the Archdiocese.

On the first few 2026 envelopes, please write your name and complete address so that the office can ensure they have your correct information when sending out 2025 tax receipts. If you have changed your address, please inform the parish office as soon as possible.

To ensure the proper recording for tax receipt purposes, please do not use any envelopes from 2025 or any prior year for any 2026 donations.

TRIVIA

No joke, how does a yoke help animals?
And what do we have to do with the yoke?