In this week’s bulletin, an update on our Iraqi family, and congratulations to the children receiving their First Communion!
As some of you may recall, our Iraqi refugee family left Damascus amidst heavy fighting last July, and arrived safely in Toronto.
Through your amazing generosity and support, and the hard work of our refugee committee, they have settled in extremely well. The youngest of the family, Reta, will be completing Grade 6. She loves school. The progress in her spoken English is truly impressive. Kharam and Athear, her two uncles and her mother have been working very hard on their English as well. They are still attending ESL classes, with Athear already reaching Level 4 in proficiency. The family keeps telling us how grateful they are for the opportunity to come to Canada and for your support, and what a difference that has made to their lives.
The time is coming, however, when our financial commitment to the family will end. Once again we are asking for your help. It is very important that Athear and Kharam find jobs so they can be responsible for their family’s support. Both men have worked in construction, and as stone masons; they have also done ceramic tiling. The men are eager to work; they are ready to consider working in any job available. If you are hiring or know of a friend who is, could you please contact Fatima Lee at the parish (416) 221-8866 or email at fatimalee@bellnet.ca.
Congratulations to the following children from the Children’s Faith Program, and those from Private and Public Schools who received their First Communion as a group on Sunday, May 12th, 2013.
It was a beautiful celebration. We promise to support them with our prayers as they continue on their journey of faith.
The children involved in the Children’s Faith program have just completed their year of studies. We are grateful for all those dedicated volunteers who make this program possible. Thank you to Lynette Fernandes, the Program Director, Christine Lumilan, Stefania Innocente, David Perry, Linda Law, Brandon Chang, Angela Lam Veronica Lopardo, Debbie Chua, Francesca Volpe, Elma Yeung, Ella Bautista, Vito Lam, Anne Chang, Jerome Kwan, Sylvia Ha, Mary Innocente, and Gabriel Kwan. Your commitment is very much appreciated.
May 20th to May 25th, 2013
MONDAY – VICTORIA DAY No 9:00 AM Mass TUESDAY – CECILIA MANALANG Requested by Tyke Manalang WEDNESDAY – ALEX K.C. WONG Requested by Kitty Wong THURSDAY – RICHARD TORPEY Requested by the Robert Torpey FRIDAY – CELINE CHIU KO Requested by the Chiu Family SATURDAY – GUS CALDERONE Requested by Marie Calderone
Registration forms for the Children’s Faith Program for next year are now available in the Parish Office. Please note that all registrations must be returned by June 30th, 2013.
Working wonders for the youth…
Mike was recently released from jail for serving time on drug convictions and needed a helping hand to get started again. He was given an opportunity by Covenant House, a ShareLife-supported agency, to learn the culinary arts. In the longer-term residence, Mike has stable housing for a year and access to all of the support services at Covenant House. His hard work and determination have paid off as he now has full responsibility for his station. An additional 40,000 people were also given food, shelter, guidance, care and education through ShareLife agencies. Please support ShareLife!
ShareLife Total for 2012: $208,317 Share Life to Date: $127,108.38
Next Sunday, May 26 is ShareLife Sunday. Please give generously. You can work wonders!
Bundle Up Weekend was a huge success! A very big shout out to all the young people who helped with loading the truck. Your energy, good humour and willingness to work were very much appreciated. We are also grateful for the generous parishioners of St. Gabriel’s. Thanks for all your donations.
One of our neighbors in need is a seamstress and would make good use of a sewing machine. If you don’t use your sewing machine any more, please consider donating it to this good woman. Someone from the St. Vincent de Paul Society will pick it up. Call Fran at 416-223-0936.
Your prepared casseroles (frozen please) will be collected at the Masses next weekend for delivery to the Good Shepherd Centre. The Centre serves more than 1100 hot meals each day to the needy of Toronto. They desperately need your help.
More volunteers are encouraged to get a copy of a casserole recipe and a pan and give it a try. Three recipes are available on St. Gabriel’s web site. Printed copies of the recipes are also available in the Parish Office. Please mark the label on the pan lid with the name of the casserole. For more information, please contact Irene Albrecht at 416 221-2791.
Spelling Bee – The Musical May 23rd to May 25th
With an amazing cast, terrific music and hilarious script, this is a musical you won’t want to miss! May 23rd – May 25th at 8:00 PM Students $15, Adults $20. For more information, please contact Brebeuf School at 416-393-5508.
Saturday, June 1st at 7:30PM St. Gabriel’s Parish
The gentlemen of ‘The Seraphim’ (alumni of St. Michael’s Choir School) will be performing their first installment of spring concerts! You can look forward to a diverse arrangement of music that will be sure to please all ages. All proceeds will be used to fund a scholarship that was created by the graduating class of 2003 in memory of their classmate, and dear friend, Andrew Bezjak, who died tragically 10 years ago. Purchase tickets for $10. Donations are welcome! This will be a spectacular evening, and we hope that you can join us! For information, please contact Fletcher Agostino at springseraphim@gmail.com.
Toronto Catholic District School Board
TCDSB Staff Arts is pleased to present Hairspray June 7th, 8th, 13th, 14th, 15th at 7:30PM June 9th at 2:00 PM Theatre at Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts, 36 Greenfield Avenue, North York. All tickets are $22. For more information please call 416-222-8282 ext. 2787 or visit the website: www.tcdsb.org/staffarts
Saturday, June 8th from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM Good Shepherd Parking Lot – 21 Simonston Blvd. Thornhill
You can participate in this giant garage sale, without the hassle of advertising or having people come to your own home. Rent a spot on the church parking lot for $35 then fill your car with items you no longer want and sell them out of the trunk of your car. Refreshments will be available during the event. Please call the church office at 905- 881-1534 to reserve your spot today. The Catholic Women’s League thank you.
Catholic Parents of Lesbian Daughters and Gay Sons Saturday, June 8th, 2013 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Manresa Jesuit Retreat Centre
A retreat for Catholic parents of lesbian daughters and gay sons will be held at the Manresa Jesuit Retreat Centre, 2325 Liverpool Road in Pickering on Saturday, June 8th. The cost for the day including lunch is $40.00 For a brochure and information call John Montague at 416-523-6449.
Saturday, June 22nd to Tuesday, June 25th
The 28th annual pilgrimage to the Canadian Shrines endorsed by Blessed Trinity Parish will take place Saturday, June 22nd to Tuesday, June 25th. For more information, please contact Mary Salvador at 416-497-7059 or Judith Morris-Mazzona at 905-886-4022.
Our operating expenses average $14,550 per week.
Collection for May 12th , 2013
Envelopes (429) – $8,367 Loose Change – $1,135 Weekly Portion of Pre-Authorized Giving (186) – $3,555 Total – $13,057
Please remember to put your full name(s) on your Offertory envelopes.
Monday, May 20th is Victoria Day. The Parish Office will be closed. There will be no 9:00 AM Mass that day.
This Bulletin entry was posted on Sunday, May 19th, 2013.
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.
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Companion for the Walk of the Stations of the Cosmic Earth
St. Gabriel’s Garden – Guided Sensory Reflective Walk