Bulletin – June 22, 2025

PARISH BBQ

Sunday, July 6th after the 12:30 Mass

The Parish BBQ Picnic will be held on Sunday, July 6th after the 12:30 Mass in the parking lot. Please bring your families, friends and neighbours to enjoy a summer afternoon with parishioners. We need more young volunteers to help make this event happen. A sign-up sheet can be found on one of the tables at the back of the church.

SACRAMENTAL REGISTRATION – 2025/2026

Registration for children planning to receive the Sacraments of First Communion, Reconciliation or Confirmation in 2026 can now be done at the parish office. Baptismal certificates are required to register for First Communion and Confirmation.

CHILDREN’S FAITH PROGRAM – 2025/2026

Registration forms for the Children’s Faith Program are now available in the parish office. This program is for children of the Parish who attend other Catholic schools, public or private schools. Classes are held at St. Gabriel’s School, generally every other Sunday morning from September to April.

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 2025/2026 school year. These forms are also available in the Parish Office. Baptismal Certificates are required for First Communion and Confirmation.

ANNOUNCED MASSES

June 23rd – June 29th, 2025

MONDAY – JACQUELINE CHEUNG ✞ – Requested by Annie Lau
TUESDAY – JEAN FOURNIER ✞ – Requested by his Family
WEDNESDAY – DECEASED MEMBERS OF F.O.S.S. & SOULS IN PURGATORY ✞ – Requested by Agnes Wong
THURSDAY – BRIAN MOHAN ✞ – Requested by Patrick & Ruth Ann McConkey
FRIDAY – MICHAEL CROGHAN ✞ – Requested by Luvi Croghan
SATURDAY – NORMA SALVADORA FLORES CHAVEZ ✞ – Requested by her Family
SUNDAY – 8:30 AM – FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE PARISH
SUNDAY – 10:30 AM – JOYCE & CATHY DRAB ✞ – Requested by their family
SUNDAY – 12:30 PM – IVY SUK-YEE CHEUNG ✞ – Requested by Lana & Friends from Manulife

PSALM MEDITATION

Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
Psalm 110

This psalm can be puzzling. It’s language is unusual to us, about Lords and Melchisedech. Quoted by Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew, it’s said to be the one psalm most referred to in the New Testament.

A standard view of the opening lines could be that the Lord (Yahweh) says to my Lord (Adonai, Christ), that I will put all things beneath your feet. The power of the Christ is all power, is indeed the very limitless power of the love of God.

This psalm, a psalm of David, foretells Jesus, the Christ, Messiah, the Saviour.

This feast of the Body and Blood of Christ celebrates our Mystical Body. Alleluia!

“THAT BLESSED UPPER ROOM”

Pastoral Letter from Frank Cardinal Leo

Frank Cardinal Leo, Metropolitan Archbishop of Toronto, has released “That Blessed Upper Room,” a pastoral letter inviting the faithful of the archdiocese to reflect together on the significance of The Upper Room in our lives, our families and in our communities of faith as this story is so directly connected to pivotal events in the life of Jesus and of the early Church. The letter is divided into nine chapters, drawing on dimensions of our Catholic Christian life. In the words of Cardinal Leo:

“This resource can be the object of a parish sharing group or an informal gathering of friends. The reflections can be used as inspiration for summer reading or for Advent or Lenten activities or for a personal retreat. You can, for instance, take one question per day and let it accompany you or set some quiet time per week, a short 15 minutes, to read a paragraph and ask yourself a question that is proposed. Studied and reflected upon individually or in community, whether in families, parishes, schools and religious houses, I pray that this small contribution will help readers and faithful come to a more profound sense of faith, a more mature relationship with the Lord and to a transforming experience of grace.”

A short video introduction and the full pastoral letter can be accessed by visiting: www.archtoronto.org/thatblessedupperroom Feel free to share the letter with family and friends.

ARCHDIOCESE OF TORONTO JUBILEE PILGRIMAGE TO THE MARTYRS’ SHRINE

Sunday, August 24th, 2025 from 9:00 AM

All are welcome and encouraged to attend the Archdiocese of Toronto’s Jubilee Pilgrimage to the Martyrs’ Shrine in Midland on Sunday, August 24th, 2025 with Frank Cardinal Leo, Metropolitan Archbishop of Toronto. The program will include opportunities for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Holy Mass with Cardinal Leo, a rosary procession, Eucharistic Adoration, Benediction and Fellowship.

For more information, visit: www.archtoronto.org/jubilee or see the poster on our bulletin boards.

ROSALIE HALL & THE GOOD SHEPHERD CENTRE

Each weekend, we collect food items for Rosalie Hall and the Good Shepherd Centre. Thank you for your generous support of both of the worthwhile organizations.

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.

SHARELIFE

Thank you for bringing empathy to the table

Covenant House, an agency you support through ShareLife, fosters a profound sense of belonging among at-risk children in the Youth in Transition program. Their community dinners create a welcoming space for shared experiences, made possible by your empathetic heart. “These gatherings are an opportunity for youth to learn more about each other and taste food from different cultures,” says Fred Shayo-Mushi, Support Services Manager of Covenant House Toronto. “The dinners make everyone feel like they matter because of your love.”

Thus far we have raised $49,329 at the parish level toward our goal of $169,000. Please give at the parish using a ShareLife envelope, online through our parish website, or at sharelife.org/donate.

GOOD SHEPHERD CENTRE CASSEROLES

Your frozen casseroles will be collected at all Masses next weekend.

Good Shepherd serves upwards of 1,100 meals per day to people who would otherwise go hungry. Seniors, people living on disability payments, people living in poverty, homeless men and women are welcome to the table. Please think about volunteering to help feed our sisters and brothers in need. Three different recipes are available in the Parish Office or online at the Parish website. Casserole pans are also available in the Parish Office.

Your support is a tremendous help and is appreciated in the fight to end hunger and chronic homelessness. For more information, you may contact the parish office at 416-221-8866.

GARDEN SHED

Plant growth at this time of year is staggering and that includes weeds. If you would like to help the Garden Ministry keep them under control, one hour a week can make a huge difference. Join the Garden Ministry! Email us at garden@stgabrielsparish.ca

TRIVIA

What do you call a fish wearing a bowtie?

Sofishticated!

59th ANNUAL FESTA IN HONOUR OF ST. GABRIEL

Sunday, August 24th from 1:00 PM

Veneto Centre, 7465 Kipling Ave., Woodbridge

The 59th annual Festa of St. Gabriel, under the direction of the Passionist Community, will be held on Sunday, August 25th at the Veneto Centre in Woodbridge. Relics of St. Gabriel will be present.
There will be opportunities for Confession, a special Mass outside, and Italian food. All are welcome and encouraged to attend this wonderful celebration.

2nd ELDER RETREAT

Saturday, June 28th, 2025, from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM

South Garden (Covered Space / Awning)

(Presented by the Garden Ministry in collaboration with the Ministry for Maturing Adults)

The late Pope Francis established the World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly in 2021. On the Fifth year of this celebration which will be held on Sunday 27 July 2025, Pope Francis had chosen the theme to be “Blessed are those who have not lost hope” (cf. Sir 14:2).

Coincidentally, June is celebrated as Seniors Month in Ontario, wherein we take time to celebrate the contributions and lives of older adults. This year’s theme is “Fit, Active, and Healthy Seniors,” and the aim is to emphasize the importance of “wellness, social connection, and lifelong learning for seniors.”

These two initiatives for older adults are what inspired the Garden Ministry and the Ministry with Maturing Adults to initially offer the Elder Retreat in 2022. This retreat is open to all those who are 55 years or older…. but others who may be younger or young at heart are most welcome to join.

Through hands-on encounters in the garden, reflection and discussion of scriptural passages, elders will be invited to share their wisdom and discover the spiritual roots of their relationship with nature. Coffee / tea and biscuits will be provided.

Register via email at stgabrielmma@gmail.com or contact the parish office. Space may be limited, so please make sure you register by Wednesday, June 25th.