Beginning the Week of October 5th, 2026
Grief is part of the human experience. At different moments in our lives, we may face the pain of losing a loved one, changes in our health or relationships, separation, or transitions that alter the way we live. These experiences can deeply affect our hearts, minds, bodies, and spirits.
The death of someone we love is especially painful. After a significant loss, we may experience many emotions, including sadness, shock, anger, loneliness, or guilt. At times, the journey through grief can feel overwhelming. Yet, healing often begins when we are able to share our sorrow with others who understand and walk alongside us with compassion and hope.
Last September, our Palliative Care and Bereavement Ministry Team (PCBM) launched the first Small Bereavement Support Groups. These groups offer a safe, caring, and confidential space for individuals to explore their grief journey in the company of others who have experienced a similar loss. The groups are small, closed-membership groups of approximately 5–8 participants and are guided by trained PCBM facilitators. Participants are grouped according to similar experiences of loss, such as the death of a spouse, parent, child, and sibling.
The Small Bereavement Support Groups are scheduled to begin during the week of October 5th, 2026, and will run for 7 weeks.
If you are interested in participating or would like more information, please contact Louise Galego and Nadine Altay via the email address: bereavement@stgabrielsparish.ca
Alternatively, you may also contact the parish office at 416-221-8866 to leave your name and telephone number. Registration Deadline: Tuesday, September 15th, 2026
September 14th to September 20th 2026
MONDAY − FR. PAUL PANG ✞ − Requested by the Au Family TUESDAY − ARMAND OAKIE ✞ − Requested by his Family WEDNESDAY − FR. JENO RIGO ✞ − Requested by Patricia Lim THURSDAY − MOLLY & WILLIAM BURKE ✞ − Requested by Marilyn & Fred Burke FRIDAY − PAUL, NANCY & JOHN LIM ✞ − Requested by The Patricia Lim SATURDAY – FR. PAUL PANG ✞ − Requested by the Au Family SUNDAY − 8:30 AM – FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE PARISH SUNDAY – 10:30 AM – LUKE VUKOVIC ✞ − Requested by his Family SUNDAY – 12:30 PM – SAVANNAH CRICHTON − Requested by Karen Crichton
Psalm 103
Today’s psalm is our response to our First Reading from Sirach which admonishes us, in imitation of God, to always forgive, to never hold a grudge and to overlook faults.
The words of Psalm 103 echo the words of God to Moses on Mount Sinai in Exodus: “The Lord is merciful and gracious; slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.”
Mercy is the most celebrated attitude of God in the Psalms. Many psalms sing of God’s mercy and loving kindness and psalm 103 is a favoured psalm for many. A gorgeous poem and song.
Why not read and pray the entire psalm in quiet prayer?
September 22nd & September 24th from 7:00 to 8:30 PM
In addition to the ongoing sacramental registration taking place since June, there will be registration for the Sacraments of First Communion, Reconciliation and Confirmation on two evenings in September: Tuesday, September 23rd and Thursday, September 25th from 7:00 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.
Registration will be followed by parents’ meetings for each sacrament in October/November. Please stay tuned for those meeting dates, where textbooks will be sold.
Registration forms for the Children’s Faith Program are available in the parish office. This program is for children of the Parish who attend other Catholic schools, public or private schools. It is meant for children to learn about their faith, grow into faith, and prepare for sacraments as needed. Classes are held at St. Gabriel’s School beginning on September 20th from 10:00 to 11:00 AM and are held every second Sunday.
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 2026/2027 school year. These forms are also available in the Parish Office. Baptismal Certificates are required for First Communion and Confirmation.
Friday, October 2nd to Sunday, October 4th
Our parish will be hosting a retreat for young adults (18 and up) from Friday October 2nd to Sunday October 4th.
The retreat will be centered on the theme of building solidarity in the spirit of the Passionist Charism through shared experiences, meaningful conversations, and prayer. Join us for a weekend that is also filled with fellowship and outreach.
Please contact youth@stgabrielsparish.ca for more details and to sign up.
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 with students assisting.
We are in need of more student 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.
For the fourth consecutive year, ShareLife and Catholic Charities are committing funds through the Food Security Grants program. Made possible through the faithful generosity of ShareLife donors, this year, $850,000 in Food Security Grants will strengthen local food banks, meal programs and other community-based initiatives serving individuals and families in need.
Your compassionate support of our parish’s ShareLife Campaign helps make this work possible. We have currently raised $126,213 toward our suggested goal of $183,000. Please support the fight against hunger by giving at the parish using a ShareLife envelope or at sharelife.org/donate. Thank you for living the Gospel!
SPRING CLEANING – YEAR-ROUND! Weekend of September 19th/ 20th
The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul will be collecting gently used clothing, shoes and linens to support our neighbours in need on the weekend of September 19th/20th. Please bring your donation and help others in your community.
Please note that they cannot accept appliances, furniture, mattresses, books, dishes, construction material or video tapes.
The truck 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!
Thank you for your generous support of Rosalie Hall and the Good Shepherd Centre. They are very appreciative.
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.
Thank you to the volunteers who prepared casseroles over the summer. For September, your prepared casseroles (frozen please) will be collected at the Masses on the weekend of September 26th/27th for delivery to the Good Shepherd Centre.
More volunteers are urgently needed to help feed the hungry in our city. For more information, please contact Irene Albrecht at 416 221-2791.
Begins Wednesday, September 16th at 1:00 PM
Our Milk Bag Weaving group will be starting their fall sessions on Wednesday, September 16th at 1:00 PM in our gathering space. New members are welcome. Thank you to all parishioners who continued to save milk bags over the summer. Our supply is running low. Kindly consider reaching out to family, colleagues and neighbours for more bags.
Each year we decorate our worship space for Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. In the last few years, the cost of the flowers has increased considerably. For this reason, we are establishing a Flower Fund to help defray the cost of the flowers. If you would like to donate, please bring your donation to the office in an envelope marked Flower Fund.
September 28th from 9:00 AM to 3:30PM
Manresa Jesuit Spiritual Renewal Centre 2325 Liverpool Rd., Pickering
As autumn arrives, we have this time for a quiet reflection on our longings, our hungers, our desires. What is it that I yearn for in my life? What have I always wanted? Do I dream of things long gone?
The Psalms can help us clarify, or perhaps distill, those longings which give us life.
Facilitated by: Fr. Jim Kelly, SJ Register online at: manresa-canada.ca Email: manresaregistration@outlook.com
A bequest in your Will to our Church is an acknowledgment of your returning to God a portion of the gifts He has bestowed on you during your lifetime. Charitable bequests can have a favourable impact on your overall estate plan.
Bequests are NOT just for the wealthy! Consider including your parish in your Will. Let your Will reflect your Catholic values.
Please see the estate planning guide available at www.archtoronto.org to help you make your plan, and remember about the importance of using the correct legal names when arranging bequests or other legacy gifts. You may call the parish office for more information.
What do you call an alligator wearing a vest? An investigator
This Bulletin entry was posted on Sunday, September 13th, 2026.
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