Bulletin – September 27, 2026

ST. GABRIEL’S YOUNG ADULTS – PASSIONIST RETREAT

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.

WHO ARE THE PASSIONISTS?

Saturday, October 17th from 2:00 to 4:00 PM

Gabriel Room

Over the years, many parishioners have told us they want to know more about the Passionists. To celebrate this year’s feast day of St Paul of Cross, the Founder of the Passionists, St. Gabriel’s will host a PASSIONIST SHOW AND TELL. You will hear more about the Passionists and a panel of five people in the parish whose lives have been impacted by the Passionists (Fr. Paul, Fr. Bill, Mike Nasello, Nikki Malunas, and Fatima Lee) will share their own lived experiences of the Passionist charism.

If, like many other parishioners, you may have wondered who the Passionists are, or feel that you want to learn more about them, please join us for this sharing on Saturday, October 17th, 2026 from 2:00 to 4:00 PM, in the Gabriel Room.

We look forward to seeing you there!

SACRAMENTAL REGISTRATION

Thank you to all the parents who came to register their children for the sacraments. You are still able to register during regular office hours until October 5th.

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. Stay tuned for those meeting dates, where textbooks will be sold.

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 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.

FLOWER FUND

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.

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, email: altarserversstgabe@gmail.com or contact the parish office.

ANNOUNCED MASSES

September 28th to October 4th, 2026

MONDAY − LISA CRICHTON − Requested by Karen Crichton
TUESDAY − FR. JENO RIGO S.J. ✞ − Requested by Patricia Lim
WEDNESDAY − FRANCIS KIM JUEGO ✞ − Requested by Zenaida Elep
THURSDAY − ELLA STANLEY ✞ − Requested by the Abichandani Family
FRIDAY − FR. BILL MURPHY CP − Requested by Patricia Lim
SATURDAY − OPEYEMI N. − Requested by Opeyemi N.
SUNDAY − 8:30 AM – FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE PARISH
SUNDAY – 10:30 AM – FR. JENO RIGO S.J. ✞ − Requested by Patricia Lim
SUNDAY – 12:30 PM – DANILO DE CASTRO ✞ − Requested by Robert de Castro & Family

PSALM MEDITATION

Psalm 25

The speaker in this psalm seeks deliverance, guidance and forgiveness from the Lord. A song of lament, the voice is one of distress. The psalmist lifts up his soul to the Lord, a beautiful image of our offering of our life and our prayers to God.

We sing in three sections and the focus is on God as teacher and saviour; and especially on God’s abiding love for the humble.

This poem can become our words to God. It’s certain that Jesus used these same words to pray to God his Father. So we are privileged to pray just as Jesus prayed.

Humility. In the second reading, Saint Paul presents a poem describing the mind of Christ, who is our model of the humility extolled also in today’s psalm.

Our first reading is from Ezechiel, the prophet, who encourages and guides us to turn away from evil and do good. The result will be: “they shall surely live; they shall not die.”

Change. Conversion. For God is a God of infinite second chances. And this lands us in today’s Gospel reading.

NEEDS OF THE CHURCH IN CANADA

The Collection for the Needs of the Church in Canada is taking place this weekend. This annual initiative is an important opportunity for the faithful to actively support and assist the Bishops in their ministry of accompanying, teaching, guiding, sanctifying, and caring for the Church in Canada Please support the Collection. We thank you in advance for your generosity and continued commitment.

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. Upward of 1,100 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 & Canned Meats
Coffee & Tea Bags
Soups & Stews
Beans & Chickpeas
Canned Tomatoes, Corn & Vegetables
Pasta Sauce
Salad Dressing
Cooking Oil
Sugar, Salt, Pepper, Spices
Bagged Rice
Mini sized Juice Boxes
Pancake Mix
Granola Bars, Dried Meals
Peanut Butter, Jams

Condiments: soy sauce, ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard

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

INDIGENOUS HEALING & RECONCILIATION

October 3rd/4th, 2026 Special Collection

As part of our ongoing commitment to support healing and reconciliation, the Archdiocese of Toronto has made a commitment to provide funds in support of programs and initiatives that respond to the various needs that exist among Indigenous Peoples both locally and throughout the country.

The Indigenous Healing & Reconciliation fund is part of a national effort announced by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops. To date, the fund has raised more than 86% of its $30 million target as pledged by the Canadian bishops and dioceses throughout Canada. The archdiocese has allocated $4.5 million of its $6 million pledge to charitable initiatives supporting healing and reconciliation. The collection on the weekend of October 3rd/4th provides an opportunity for the faithful to contribute to this important initiative.

For more information or to donate online please visit:
www.archtoronto.org/healingandreconciliation – thank you for your generosity!

SHARELIFE

Your Faith in Action: 2026 Food Security Grants

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. 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!

SHARELIFE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OPEN HOUSE

Saturday, October 3rd from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

St. Augustine’s Seminary

ShareLife’s 50th anniversary celebration continues! Join us on Saturday, October 3rd, at St. Augustine’s Seminary. Doors will be open from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

Tour the beautiful and historic seminary, meet representatives from ShareLife-funded agencies and see how your kindness helps our brothers and sisters in need.

This event is free! To help us prepare for your visit, please register by Friday, September 25th. Registration link can be found in sharelife.org/50.

For any inquiries, please contact us at SLEvent@archtoronto.org.

BLESSING OF PETS

Sunday, October 4th at 2:00 PM

Church Parking Lot

The blessing of pets is often associated with St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and the environment. This tradition emphasizes the importance of caring for all living creatures and recognizing their role in our lives. It is a way to express gratitude for the companionship and joy that pets bring to us.

Please join us for the blessing of pets to be held in the parking lot of St. Gabriel’s Church on Sunday, October 4th at 2:00 PM.

FINANCE CORNER

One of the most financially sound ways to support the Archdiocese of Toronto is with the gift of securities (stocks, bonds, mutual funds). When you donate stocks, mutual funds and other securities to a registered charity, you pay no capital gains tax and receive a tax receipt for the full amount of the gift. It means a great tax break for you and support of your Paris and various archdiocesan charities such as ShareLife, St. Augustine’s Seminary, The Shepherds’ Trust, and many others.

For further information, contact the development office at development@archtoronto.org.

FOR FUN

Why did the tree wait so long to lose its leaves?

It was a procras-tree-nator