This Sunday is the First Sunday of Advent
“May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all.” (Thessalonians 3.12)
Christmas Schedule 2021
ADVENT INDIVIDUAL CONFESSION
Friday, December 10th from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM
CHRISTMAS EVE – Friday, December 24th, Vigil Mass
No 9:00 AM Mass
5:00 PM Mass
7:00 PM Mass
9:00 PM Mass
12:00 AM Midnight Mass
Office Open – 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
CHRISTMAS DAY – Saturday, December 25th
8:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM Mass
No 4:30 PM Mass
Office Open – 7:30 AM to 2:00 PM
BOXING DAY REGULAR SUNDAY MASSES
Sunday, December 26th, Feast of the Holy Family
of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
8:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM
Office Open – 7:30 AM to 2:00 PM
Monday December 27th
No 9:00 AM Mass
Office Closed
Tuesday, December 28th
No 9:00 AM Mass
Office closed
NEW YEAR’S EVE – Friday, December 31st
No 9:00 AM Mass
Vigil Mass for Feast of Mary the Holy Mother
of God – 4:30 PM Mass
Office Open – 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
NEW YEAR’S DAY – Saturday, January 1st
Feast of Mary the Holy Mother of God
World Day of Peace
10:30 AM, 12:30 PM
No 4:30 PM Mass
Office Open – 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
SUNDAY, JANUARY 2nd – Regular Mass Times
8:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM
Office Open – 7:30 AM to 2:00 PM
REGISTRATION
No walk-ins will be allowed for the Masses on Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve.
Parishioners will be able to register for Christmas Eve beginning Monday, December 20th and for New Year’s Eve on Monday, December 29th.
PARKING
Parking at ground level is limited to 51 spaces, but there is plenty of space in the underground parking lot. Do not park in front of the Church since this is a fire route and must be kept clear.
ANNOUNCED MASSES
November 29th to December 5th, 2021
MONDAY – MARY BYRNES – Requested her Family
TUESDAY – GIUSSEPPINA & ORESTE SMERIGLIO – Requested by Franca Giannotta
WEDNESDAY – TOM KAHWA – Requested by Lucille Yeung
THURSDAY – JOSEPH LUAN NGUYEN – Requested by the Nguyen Family
FRIDAY – SONG JUNG SOOK – Requested by Veronica Do
SATURDAY – MARY SAAD – Requested by Laila Kozman
SUNDAY – 10:30 AM – NIKOLA VUKOVIC – Requested by the Family
SUNDAY – 12:30 PM – EVELYN CABILI ECARMA – Requested by Carmela Caberte
ADVENT INDIVIDUAL RECONCILIATION
Friday, December 10th from 3:00 to 6:00 PM
During this time of prayer, we are reminded that the gift of Reconciliation restores us to the fullness of life and calls us to full participation in the Christmas liturgies.
Individual reconciliation will be held on Friday, December 10th from 3:00 to 6:00 PM.
CONFIRMATION
Retreat -Saturday, December 4th at 10:00 AM
Confirmation – Sunday, December 5th at 3:00 PM
The Sacrament of Confirmation for the candidates from 2019/20 will be celebrated on Sunday, December 5th at 3:00 PM at St. Gabriel’s Church.
In preparation for the Sacrament, a Confirmation Retreat will be held on Saturday, December 4th from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM.
All candidates must attend.
Candidates are reminded to bring a signed letter from the service coordinator or parent stating the completion or anticipated date of completion of service hours.
CHILDRENS AID FOUNDATION TOY DRIVE
Sunday November 21st to Sunday, December 12th
We will be having a Christmas Toy Drive again this year for the Catholic Children’s Aid Foundation. You can help by dropping off an unwrapped new toy for a child, age newborn to12 years old. Containers have been set up in the gathering space and will remain there until Sunday, December 12th.
THE GIVING TREE
Saturday, November 20th to Sunday, December 12th
St. Vincent de Paul
During Advent, the Society of St Vincent de Paul, St. Gabriel Conference will have a Giving Tree in the Gathering Space. The tree will be decorated with gift stars.
We invite you to take a star, buy a Walmart or Canadian Tire gift card for about $50 and bring it with the star attached to the Parish Office.
Rosalie Hall
At this time of the year, we are also thinking of the young mothers and babies of Rosalie Hall. If you wish to help, you may choose a “Christmas Stocking” from the tree to purchase pyjamas or undershirts for little ones, age 6 months to 5 years.
Because donations are very low this year, sweaters or hoodies would also be very welcome. Unwrapped Items with the original stocking tag attached can be left in the box provided near the giving tree no later than Sunday, December 12th. Toys or books for these little ones would also be appreciated.
For the Moms, we are suggesting gift cards from Tim Horton’s, Walmart or MacDonald’s. These can be placed in the cards provided and brought to the Office. Thank you for your continued generosity.
BEAUTIFUL 2022 CALENDAR FROM THE CANADIAN NORTH
Available on December 4th and 5th, 2021
A beautiful and unique calendar from the Canadian North will be available again!
The calendar showcases photos of lovely landscape of the North captured by Bishop Jon Hansen on his many missionary trips in the Diocese of Mackenzie in the Northwest Territories. That Diocese is home to many isolated indigenous communities.
Many of you may have known Fatima Lee, who is formerly a member of our pastoral team at St Gabriel’s. She has for the past three years served as a missionary in the Diocese of Mackenzie
On the weekend of December 4th and 5th, volunteers will be selling these beautiful 2022 calendars at the parish (following strict Covid protocols).
It is hoped that through the sale of these calendars, funds will be raised to support the travel of priests and pastoral workers of the diocese to the remote communities. Since this Diocese of 1.5 million sq. km has only nine priests serving, many of the isolated communities will have Mass only occasionally. Except in the deep of winter, when the ice roads are available, each time the priests or pastoral workers would have to fly in and out of these communities. It is notoriously expensive to fly in the north.
Please consider supporting the Diocese of Mackenzie. The calendars, at $20 each, are great for personal use; they will also make wonderful gifts, since they are unique and not easily available elsewhere.
FOOD FOR ROSALIE HALL & THE GOOD SHEPHERD CENTRE
As you know, each week we collect food for Rosalie Hall and the Good Shepherd Centre. Your food donations are more important than ever as Covid 19 continues and numbers of needy people continue to increase. Please check the expiry dates before donating since we cannot pass on food that has expired. Thank you for your generous support.
JOURNEY THROUGH ADVENT 2021
Each week, beginning last Sunday, November 21st, the Solemnity of Christ the King, the CCCB began releasing a video recording of a Bishop reflecting on the Gospel Reading for each Sunday of Advent. This year’s reflections were inspired by Indigenous Delegation travelling to Rome to meet with Pope Francis from December 17th to December 20th2021. Each reflection is based one of the five essential stages of reconciliation: examen, confession, repentance, reparation (making amends), and reconciliation. It is likewise hoped these reflections will assist the faithful, Indigenous and non-Indigenous alike, in preparing for Pope Francis’ eventual apostolic journey to Canada.
The videos can be now accessed on the CCCB website at the following link:
https://www.cccb.ca/evangelization-catechesis-catholic-education/video-resources/journey-through-advent/
OFFERTORY ENVELOPES
The 2022 Offertory envelopes are now available. When you attend Mass, please remember to pick up your box of envelopes from Nikki, maintaining the required physical distancing.
If there is no box with your name on it and you want a box, please let the parish office know in person, by phone or by email. If you are donating via Pre-Authorized Giving or Donate Now at the Archdiocese, you normally would not have an envelope box assigned to you.
If you still have envelopes in your possession from any prior year, including 2021, please do no use them for 2022. Also, write your name and complete address on the first few 2022 envelopes you use so that the office can ensure we have your correct information for sending out tax receipts.