SACRAMENTAL REGISTRATION
September 23rd & September 25th from 7:30 to 8:30 PM
There will be registration for the Sacraments of First Communion, Reconciliation and Confirmation on September 23rd and September 25th from 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM in the gathering space of the church.
Please Note:
A copy of the child’s Baptismal Certificate is required if registering for First Communion or Confirmation. Registration forms will not be accepted without it. A Baptism certificate is not required for Reconciliation.
A fee of $30 is required at registration for Confirmation to defray related costs.
Registration will be followed by parents’ meetings for each sacrament in October. Stay tuned for those meeting dates, where textbooks will be sold.
REFLECTION AND CELEBRATION OF LAUDATO SI’
Saturday, September 20th at 10:00 AM
St. Gabriel’s Church
Join the St. Gabriel’s parish community as we reflect on and celebrate the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’, which emphasizes the interconnectedness of all creation and urges a collective response to the ecological crises. We will gather on Saturday September 20th beginning at 10:00 AM followed by Mass for the Care of Creation and a light lunch.
Facilitated by Michael Nasello, Director of the Passionist Solidarity Network and Leanne Kloppenborg, from our parish Mission Leadership team. Please register with the parish office or at mnasello@cpprov.org
CHILDREN’S FAITH PROGRAM – 2025/2026
St. Gabriel’s School
Classes begin Sunday, September 14th at 10:00 AM
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, from September to April. The first class this year is September 14th. Registration at the office before classes resume is strongly encouraged.
“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
CHILDREN’S LITURGY – VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
At the 10:30 AM Mass from mid-September to June each year, children ages 4 to 10 have the opportunity to gather as a group for the Liturgy of the Word led by adults who have volunteered. We are in need of more volunteers to assist this program. For more information or to volunteer, please call Dawn Burke at 416 671-0561 or leave a message at the Parish Office.
SMALL BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUPS (SBSG)
Beginning the Week of September 20th
The loss of someone you love is painful. After a significant loss, you may experience many emotions, such as shock, anger, and guilt. Sometimes it may feel like sadness will never end. The grief journey uniquely affects our physical, emotional, cognitive, and spiritual well-being. It becomes more manageable and meaningful when shared with others who understand its challenge.
Last March 23rd, 2024, our Palliative Care and Bereavement Ministry Team (PCBM) held the Bereavement Lenten Retreat. This was the beginning of our large bereavement support group. The offshoot of this are the Small Bereavement Support groups, which are small, closed-membership groups of 5-10 people who have experienced similar losses and want to explore their grief in a confidential, supportive setting. Thus, the participants will meet with individuals whom they share a similar loss with: the death of a spouse, parent, a child, a sibling, or other close family member or friend within the first year of their loss (or longer), and they will be guided by our trained PCBM team facilitators.
The Small Bereavement Support Groups (SBSG) are slated to start on the week of September 20th, 2025. They run for 7 weeks. If you are interested or have any questions, please email StGabrielBereavement@gmail.com.
Registration Deadline is Wednesday, September 17th, 2025.
FLOWER FUND
Each year we decorate our worship space for Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. In the last few years, the cost of the flowers has increased considerably. For this reason, we are establishing a Flower Fund to help defray the cost of the flowers. If you would like to donate, please bring your donation to the office in an envelope marked Flower Fund.
PSALM MEDITATION
Psalm 78
“Do not forget the works of the Lord.”
What are we talking about? Well everything, really.
The Psalm refers back to the account in Numbers 21 of Moses fashioning a poisonous serpent of bronze. And of all who look upon this likeness being healed of a poisonous snakebite.
Philippians presents this early song of praise for Christ who humbled himself even to death on a Cross for our salvation.
Today’s Gospel as written for us by John, contains an utterly remarkable and astounding article of our faith. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Let us keep this love of God forever in our hearts and minds.
In the Psalm’s words, God reminds us,
“Give ear, O my people, to my teaching;
incline your ears to the words of my mouth.”
We can hear God’s words in many situations of life. It’s all about keeping our ears and our hearts open.
ANNOUNCED MASSES
September 15th to September 21st
MONDAY – ARMAND OAKIE ✞ – Requested by his Family
TUESDAY – SHAKIRA LUKE ✞ – Requested by Song-Sha Li
WEDNESDAY –
THURSDAY –
FRIDAY – SAVANNAH CRICHTON – Requested by Karen Crichton
SATURDAY – FLORENTINO & MARIA GIANNOTTA ✞ – Requested by Lina Giannotta
SUNDAY – 8:30 AM – FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE PARISH
SUNDAY – 10:30 AM – LUKE VUKOVIC ✞ – Requested by his Family
SUNDAY – 12:30 PM – MARIA MOTA ✞ – Requested by her Family
YOUNG ADULT PASSIONIST RETREAT
October 17th to 19th
Young adults (ages 18 to 30) are invited to attend a retreat in New York from October 17th to 19th. Connect with young adults from St. Gabriel’s and the St. Paul of the Cross Province to explore the Passionist mission and what it means to be disciples of justice.
YOUTH GROUP STREET PATROL
Our parish youth group will be distributing sandwiches and other items across downtown Toronto in early October to neighbours in need. Donations towards ingredients or donations of hygiene products or socks are most welcome.
Contact our Youth Minister for more information regarding the above events. Our ministry is welcoming Youth (Grades 6-12) and Young Adults (18 & up) to join us for the 2025-2026 year!
GARDEN SHED
If you have extra part-shade-loving perennials, gently used garden tools or even a garden shed to spare, please let the Garden Ministry know at garden@stgabrielsparish.ca
Donations will be accepted in October. Stay tuned.
SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL BUNDLE UP SUNDAY
SPRING CLEANING – YEAR- ROUND!
Next Weekend, September 20th/21st
The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul will be collecting gently used clothing, shoes and linens to support our neighbours in need next weekend, September 20th /21st. Please bring your donation and help others in your community.
Please note that they cannot accept furniture, mattresses, books, dishes, construction material or video tapes.
The truck will be open Saturday from 10:00 AM until 6:00 PM and Sunday from 8:00 AM until 2:00 PM. Volunteers will assist with the loading before and after each Saturday and Sunday Mass. Thank you!
THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE
For the Good Shepherd Centre and Rosalie Hall
We are preparing for our Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive. Thanks to community partners like you, individuals facing hunger are welcomed and served daily at Good Shepherd. Upward of 900 meals are served each day at the moment.
Rosalie Hall assists young parents and their children to realize their potential. The food we donate from our parish often replenishes their empty food bank.
Urgently needed items include:
Tuna & Canned Meats
Coffee & Tea Bags
Soups & Stews
Beans & Chickpeas
Canned Tomatoes, Corn & Vegetables
Pasta Sauce
Salad Dressing
Cooking Oil
Sugar, Salt, Pepper, Spices
Bagged Rice
Mini sized Juice Boxes
Pancake Mix
Granola Bars & packaged snacks
Jams
Condiments: soy sauce, ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard
Please check the expiry date as we cannot pass on expired foods. We thank you for your generous support!
FREE CATHOLIC ESTATE PLANNING WEBINAR
Saturday, September 27th, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Learn:
- How to avoid problems: in your Will, in the Powers of Attorney, and through proper Estate Trustee selection
- How to create your own legacy
- About our Catholic traditions around cremation, burials and funerals
2 WAYS TO REGISTER:
- follow this QR link: qrco.de/WebSept27
- send an email to: Development@ArchToronto.org and write “webinar September 27” in the title line + your name(s) in the body of the message.
TRIVIA
What is the similarity between children and department stores?
They’re both preparing for Christmas in September.
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.
