Bulletin – March 1, 2015

Just a reminder……

Daylight Savings Time begins next weekend. Please remember to set your clocks forward 1 hour on Saturday evening.

FAMILY OF FAITH UPDATE

The generosity of our parishioners is humbling!

As of last Monday, the Family of Faith pledge total reached $954,155, surpassing our goal of $900,000. Our parish campaign officially ends today. If you still wish to contribute, please get your pledge form into the Parish Office by Friday, March 6th.

Thank you again.
Fr. Brando

LENTEN RETREAT

Preacher: Fr. Bob Joerger CP

Saturday, March 7th from 1:00 PM to 5:30 PM

We just heard from Mark’s gospel that “Jesus got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed.” We invite you during this season of Lent to come out and spend a quiet afternoon to pray and reflect, and to experience a renewal of your faith.

As announced earlier, Father Robert Joerger CP, whose preaching touched many of us when he last visited, has very kindly agreed to lead our Lenten retreat this year. Fr. Bob is the Provincial of the Passionists of the St Paul of the Cross Province.

The topic of the Lenten retreat is “GUESS WHO IS COMING TO DINNER: Everybody has a hungry heart.” Come and be prepared to be inspired and to be challenged to a deeper relationship with God. The retreat will be on Saturday, March 7th from 1:00 PM to 5:30 PM at the parish. It will end with Mass at 4:30 PM.

To pre-register or for more information, please call the parish office at (416) 221-8866, email fatimalee@bellnet.ca, or meet us in the Gathering Space, before and after all weekend Masses. By pre-registering you will facilitate our organizing of the event. There will be no charge for the retreat. However, donations will be gratefully accepted. The retreat will begin at 1:00 PM sharp. Please plan on arriving earlier.

LUNAR NEW YEAR PARTY

This Sunday, March 1st after 12:30 PM Mass

Thursday, February 19th marked the beginning of Lunar New Year. For many years, the Asian community in our parish has gifted our parish community with a wonderful New Year Party. This year is the Year of the Sheep.

Our Lunar New Year Party will take place this Sunday, March 1st after the 12:30 PM Mass in the Gathering Space.

All are welcome.

STATEMENT FROM CARDINAL COLLINS & RESOURCES RE: 2015 HEALTH & PHYSICAL EDUCATION CURRICULUM

On February 23, 2015, the Government of Ontario released its revised Health & Physical Education Curriculum. Visit www.archtoronto.org to view a statement from Cardinal Collins in addition to a resource answering questions regarding implementation from a Catholic school perspective.

LENTEN AND EASTER SCHEDULE 2015

Stations of the Cross
Friday Evenings at 7:30 P.M.

Individual Confessions
March 4th 11:00 AM to 12:00 Noon
3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Reconciliation Service – March 25th at 7:30 PM

Palm Sunday March 29th
Masses Sat., 4:30 PM
8:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM

Holy Thursday April 2nd
No 9:00 A.M. Mass
7:30 PM Mass of the Lord’s Supper
Followed by Adoration until 10:00PM

Good Friday April 3rd
10:00 AM Morning Prayer
3:00 PM Solemn Passion of Our Lord
7:30 PM Stations of the Cross

Holy Saturday April 4th
No 4:30 PM Mass
8:00 PM Easter Vigil

Easter Sunday April 5th
Masses 8:30 AM, 10:30 AM 12:30 PM

Easter Monday April 6th
No 9:00 AM Mass
Office closed

EXTRA PARKING AT ELKHORN PUBLIC SCHOOL

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER

Friday, March 6th at 1:30 PM

St. Gabriel’s Church

On Friday, March 6th at 1:30 PM, St. Gabriel’s is hosting World Day of Prayer 2015, an ecumenical service, which is written this year by the Christian women in the Bahamas.

The theme for this year is “Jesus said to them, ‘Do you know what I have done to you?” John 13:13.

Please join us, along with our neighbour Christian churches, in prayer and reflection. All are welcome to attend.

ANNOUNCED MASSES

March 2nd to March 7th, 2015

MONDAY

TUESDAY – CHRISTIAN EGSGARD – Requested by Gerry, Molly, Helen & Kathi

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY – MEI SUET LAI – Requested by Mei Yung Fong

FRIDAY

SATURDAY – GORDON OATWAY – Requested by Patricia Oatway

STATIONS OF THE CROSS

Stations of the Cross will take place each Friday evening during Lent at 7:30 PM. We also encourage your attendance at our daily Mass throughout Lent.

SHARELIFE

Working wonders in our livelihoods…

“The services provided by ShareLife agencies are lifesaving and life-restoring to those who regularly rely on them.

Families are working through crises and are healing. People with developmental challenges are supported as they experience a sense of self-worth and fulfillment in their daily activities. Seniors are living independently, with access to the care and services they need. Refugees and new Canadians are guided toward a stable, productive livelihood in their newfound home. Sometimes the results are obvious and sometimes they’re invisible but, always, they make a tangible difference.”
—Thomas Cardinal Collins, Archbishop of Toronto

Today is ShareLife Sunday
Please give generously. You can work wonders!

FERTILITYCARE TORONTO EASTER CHOCOLATE SALE

Weekend of March 7th/8th

To raise funds for FertilityCare Toronto, the St.Gabriel’s Youth Group will be selling delicious milk chocolate Easter lollipops and milk chocolate covered almonds after all the Masses on the weekend of March 7th/8th.

The lollipops sell for $2 each and the almonds will be $5 per bag.

Your support will help the Centre promote and maintain their service in the Diocese.

QUEEN OF APOSTLES RENEWAL CENTRE WOMEN’S LENTEN RETREAT WEEKEND

Friday, March 6th to Sunday, March 8th

Queen of Apostles Renewal centre, Mississauga

A Women’s Lenten retreat Weekend is being held at Queen of Apostles renewal Centre on the weekend of March 6th to 8th.

This is an opportunity to rest, renew, pray and grow in your personal relationship with Jesus. It will be preached by the Centre team. For further information or to register please call 905-278-5229

NORTH YORK RETIREES CLUB

Blessed Trinity Parish Hall

Tuesday, March 10th at 2:00 PM

The next meeting of the North York Retiree’s will be on Tuesday, March 10th at Blessed Trinity Church Hall. The meeting will feature guest speaker Andrew Bowerbank of Bowerbank and Associates. He will speak about New Technologies for Our Future. All retirees are cordially invited.

LIFE STORY PROGRAMME

Ten consecutive Tuesdays, beginning March 10th
From 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

St. Bonaventure’s Parish Centre, 1300 Leslie St.

This Life Story Programme is a programme for men and women in the second half of life. It is an opportunity to stop, take stock and look back over the process of life within a context of faith in order to gain deeper understanding, clearer perspective and a more integrated view.

The Facilitator is Mary Rose Marrin CSJ, Maturing Adults Minister It will be held at St. Bonaventure’s Parish Centre, on ten consecutive Tuesdays beginning March 10th from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. The Cost for materials is $10.00

Registration is Necessary. To register, call Sister Mary Rose at 416-462-1331 Ext. 4224 or email mrmarrin@csj-to.ca.

CHRIST AND CULTURE: RIPLEY’S AQUARIUM

Ripley’s Aquarium, 288 Bremner Blvd, Toronto
Thursday, March 12th at 7:00 PM

This is a chance for young adults (age 18-39) to engage culture from the perspective of the nature and person of Jesus!

Each of our Christ and Culture events are designed to open our eyes to the world of God’s beauty as expressed in every person. With that in mind, we will discuss and open our hearts to Christ in one another.

Our first event will be held at Ripley’s Aquarium, featuring 13,500 exotic sea and freshwater specimens from more than 450 species. The cost of admission is $25 (plus tax).

For more information please contact Vanessa Nicholas-Schmidt by e-mail at faithconnections@csj-to.ca or phone at 416-467-2645.

FINANCE CORNER

Our operating expenses average $14,550 per week.

Collection for Last Weekend
Envelopes 396 $ 8,719
Loose Change 743
Weekly Portion of Pre-Authorized Giving 164 3,701
Total 560 $13,163