Bulletin – December 14, 2025

PARISH NEWS

We invite you take time to read the Annual Stewardship Report, reflect prayerfully and respond to how God is calling you to support the mission of St. Gabriel’s.

THANK YOU, CHRISTMAS DÉCOR

“Seasons Greetings from Christmas Décor Toronto! It is a blessing and privilege to be able to provide holiday cheer and to brighten up the season in the spirit of community and communion. We hope you all enjoy your holiday season and wish the best for everyone in the coming new year.”

Thank you for the stunning Christmas light display at each entrance of the Church. We are extremely grateful for your generosity. Merry Christmas to all at Christmas Décor!

Christmas Schedule 2025

ADVENT INDIVIDUAL CONFESSION

Tuesday, December 16th from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM

CHRISTMAS EVE, NATIVITY OF OUR LORD

Wednesday, December 24th
No 9:00 AM Mass
Office Open – 8:30 AM to 12:00 Noon
6:00 PM Family Mass
9:00 PM Mass
12:00 AM Midnight Mass

CHRISTMAS DAY, NATIVITY OF OUR LORD

Thursday, December 25th
No 8:30 AM or 9:00 AM Mass
10:30 AM Mass
12:30 PM Mass
Office Open – 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM

BOXING DAY

Friday, December 26th
No 9:00 AM Mass
Office Closed

FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY

Sunday, December 28th
8:30 AM Mass
10:30 AM Mass
12:30 PM Mass

NEW YEAR’S EVE, FEAST OF MARY THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD

Wednesday, December 31st
No 9:00 AM Mass
Office Open – 8:30 AM to 12:00 Noon
5:00 PM Vigil Mass

NEW YEAR’S DAY, FEAST OF MARY THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD

Thursday, January 1st
No 8:30 AM or 9:00 AM Mass
10:30 AM Mass
12:30 PM Mass
Office Closed

PARKING

Additional parking is available on the east side of Elkhorn Public School and in the bus loop. Many thanks to Heather Cairns the Principal of Elkhorn Public School for allowing us the use of the school property.

CHRISTMAS FAMILY MASS

CHOIR

Children ages 7 and up are invited to sing carols and hymns before and during the Christmas Eve Family Mass on December 24th at 6:00 PM. There will be a mandatory rehearsal on Sunday, December 21st from 2:00 to 4:00 PM.

NATIVITY

There will be a Nativity Play during the 6:00 PM Family Mass on Christmas Eve. Children grades 5 and under are invited to participate where they will dress up in costumes as they reenact the birth of Jesus. There will be a dress rehearsal on Sunday December 21st after the 10:30 AM mass. Please contact our Youth Minister at youth@stgabrielsparish.ca to participate.

ANNOUNCED MASSES

December 15th to December 21st, 2025

MONDAY – SHELLEY PINTO & BABY CHUNG PINTO ✞ – Requested by Jean Castelino
TUESDAY – GEORGE WROBEL ✞ – Requested by Jack & Wanda Wrobel
WEDNESDAY – OLYMPIA YAP ✞ – Requested by Vera Tan
THURSDAY – MAX KORNMANN ✞ – Requested by Noel & Els McCullagh
FRIDAY – IN THANKSGIVING
SATURDAY – DAVID CRADDOCK ✞ – Requested by Ruth Jones
SUNDAY – 8:30 AM – FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE PARISH
SUNDAY – 10:30 AM – FRANCO INTINI ✞ – Requested by Carmina Filice
SUNDAY – 12:30 PM – ANDREW HUI – Requested by Howa Nui

YEAR OF JUBILEE CLOSING MASS

Sunday, December 28th at 5:00 PM

A warm invitation has been extended to the faithful of the Archdiocese to join with Cardinal Leo for the Closing Mass for the Year of Jubilee on Sunday, December 28th, 2025 at St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica at 5:00 PM. The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available with numerous priests present from 3:30 to 4:45 PM. All are most welcome.

THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Psalm 146

In the Gospel, Jesus takes his reply to John the Baptist from today’s reading from Isaiah and Psalm 146:
The blind see… The deaf hear… The naked are clothed
The hungry are fed… The prisoners are set free…
The stranger is protected…The bowed down are raised up

All will be well. Nothing will be missing. Our God comes to save us.

CAROLS, COFFEE, TEA, AND FUN

Wednesday, December 17th from 1:30 to 3:00 PM

Enjoy an afternoon of singing your favourite Christmas carols while enjoying tea, coffee
and cookies on Wednesday, December 17th from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM. To register please contact stgabrielmma@gmail.com or call the Parish Office.

ADVENT RETREAT

Saturday, December 20th from 2:00 to 4:00 PM

This year, the parish’s Advent Retreat will take place on Saturday, December 20th from 2:00 to 4:00 PM.

Our speaker will be Fr. Rick Frechette, CP.

Fr Rick has worked in Haiti for the past forty years, with an extraordinary ministry among the people there who have been living in extreme poverty through the country’s numerous challenges. From the AIDS epidemic, to social unrest, to the devastating earthquake in 2010, then the outbreak of cholera and Covid, Fr Rick’s heart has been with the people and responded to their various needs in the most ingenious ways.

Unfortunately for the past few years, Haiti has further spiralled into extreme lawlessness, with street violence and kidnappings a common occurrence.

In the retreat, from his lived experience in Haiti, Fr Rick will talk about how to remain steadfast in the face of difficulties and unimaginable atrocities. As we prepare for Christmas, it is good to remind ourselves that when darkness seems to envelop us, the light of Christ continues to shine and give us hope, if only we would learn to see it.

This is a rare opportunity to hear from someone who has lived his faith under very challenging circumstances. Please mark your calendars and join us for the Retreat on Dec 20!

If you are not yet familiar with Fr Rick’s life and work, you can find out more about him in the brochure available at the back of the church and in the Gathering Space.

There is no need to register. All are welcome.

SHARELIFE

As we approach the end of the year, your loving support is crucial, as ShareLife-funded agencies strive to bring hope and relief to those facing their most challenging times.

Our goal this year is $169,000. To date we have achieved $157,825. Please give at the parish using a ShareLife envelope, online through our parish website, or at sharelife.org/donate

CARING FOR THE NEEDY IN OUR CITY

Food Collection for the Good Shepherd Centre and Rosalie Hall

Your food donations are very 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.

THE GIVING TREE

Sunday, November 30th to Wednesday, December 17th

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, Uniqlo 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 Giving Tree to purchase pyjamas or undershirts for little ones, age 6 months to 5 years. 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 Wednesday, December 17th. 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.

2026 DONATIONS

Offertory envelopes for 2026 are now available in the Gathering Space. If there is no box with your name on it and you wish to use envelopes, please advise the parish office either in person, by email or by phone.

If you are donating via Pre-Authorized Giving or Donate Now via the Archdiocese, you might not have an envelope box assigned to you. If you would like envelopes for Maintenance and Special Collections, they are readily available from the pews or the Parish Office.

On the first few 2026 envelopes, please write your name and complete address so that the office can ensure they have your correct information when sending out 2025 tax receipts.

Please note: All donations for 2025 must be received in the Parish Office by Wednesday, December 31st, 2025 to be included in your 2025 Tax Receipt.

To ensure the proper recording for tax receipt purposes, please do not use any envelopes from 2025 or any prior year for any 2026 donations.