For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour which is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:11
ANNOUNCED MASSES
December 23rd to December 29th, 2024
MONDAY – CARMELA GRECH CAIA ✞ – Requested by the Grech Padova Family
FRIDAY – CARMELA STANISCIA ✞ – Requested by Joanne Marchese
SATURDAY – CHIARA INTINI ✞ – Requested by the Annibale & Oakie Families
SUNDAY – 8:30 AM – FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE PARISH
SUNDAY – 10:30 AM – THERESA LOUISY – Requested by Karen Crichton
SUNDAY – 12:30 PM – GABRIELE FOSSALUZZA ✞ – Requested by Janet Candido
CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE 2024
ADVENT INDIVIDUAL CONFESSION
Wednesday, December 18th
from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
CHRISTMAS EVE, NATIVITY OF OUR LORD
Tuesday, December 24th̶
5:00 PM Family Mass
8:00 PM Mass
12:00 AM Midnight Mass
No 9:00 AM Mass
Office open – 8:30 AM to 12:00 Noon
CHRISTMAS DAY, NATIVITY OF OUR LORD
Wednesday, December 25th
10:30 AM Mass
12:30 PM Mass
No 8:30 or 9:00 AM Mass
BOXING DAY
Thursday, December 26th
No 9:00 AM Mass
Office Closed
NEW YEAR’S EVE, MARY THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD
Tuesday, December 31st
5:00 PM Vigil Mass
No 9:00 AM Mass
Office open ̶ 8:30 AM to 12:00 Noon
NEW YEAR’S DAY, MARY THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD
Wednesday, January 1st
10:30 AM Mass
12:30 PM Mass
No 8:30 or 9:00 AM Mass
PARKING
While parking at ground level is limited to 51 spaces, there is plenty of space in the underground parking lot. Please follow the instructions of the attendants. Do not park in front of the Church since this is a fire route and must be kept clear. Additional parking is available on the east side of Elkhorn Public School and in the bus loop. Again, please follow the instructions of the attendant. The school requests that we do not park on the grass. Many thanks to the Principal of Elkhorn Public School for allowing Us the use of the school property.
CHRISTMAS FAMILY MASS NATIVITY
There will be a Nativity Play during the 5:00 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 22nd at 11:30 AM (after the 10:30 AM mass). Please contact our Youth Minister at youth@stgabrielsparish.ca to participate.
CHILDREN’S CHOIR FOR CHRISTMAS EVE
Children ages 7 and up are invited to sing carols and hymns before and during the Christmas Eve Family Mass on December 24th at 5:00 PM. There will be a mandatory rehearsal on Sunday, December 22nd from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
PSALM MEDIATION – FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
The Advent time of preparation, for the God-with-us that is Christmas, ends at our Christmas celebration.
Today’s psalm responds to Micah, reminding that: God is ever with us. God shepherds his people. Psalm 80 introduces the “man of the Lord’s right hand”; “the son of man”. Jesus refers to himself in the Gospels as the son of man.
Our prayer in these last few days before Christmas: O shepherd of Israel, rouse your power and come to save us.
SOLEMN OPENING OF THE JUBILEE YEAR
Sunday, December 29th at 5:00 PM
St. Michaels Cathedral Basilica
All are welcome to attend this special Mass on Sunday, December 29th at 5:00 PM at St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica to formally launch the Jubilee Year in the Archdiocese of Toronto. The theme of the Jubilee Year is “Pilgrims of Hope”. More information is available in the letter and document from Archbishop Leo which is available in the parish office.
CASSEROLES FOR THE GOOD SHEPHERD CENTRE
Weekend of December 28th/29th
Your prepared frozen casseroles will be collected at the Masses next weekend, December 28th/29th for delivery to the Good Shepherd Centre.
More volunteers are urgently needed to help feed the hungry in our city. Please get a copy of a casserole recipe and a pan and give it a try. Recipes are available in the parish office or on our website. Remember to mark the label on the pan lid with the name of the casserole.
SHARELIFE
Warming hearts with your support for ShareLife
Your gift will double in value! From November 1st until year end, your contribution to our parish’s ShareLife campaign will be matched by an anonymous donor up to a total of $500,000.
As we shelter from the winter storm, we’re thankful for your ShareLife support, keeping many off cold streets and igniting hope for a brighter future. Wishing you a warm and safe Christmas season, and thanking you for your enduring compassion that extends the same to others.
Trivia
How much does Santa pay for parking?
Nothing…It’s on the house.
2025 DONATIONS
Offertory envelopes for 2025 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 2025 envelopes, please write your name and complete address so that the office can ensure they have your correct information when sending out 2024 tax receipts.
Please note: All donations for 2024 must be received in the Parish Office by Tuesday, December 31st, 2024 to be included in your 2024 Tax Receipt.
To ensure the proper recording for tax receipt purposes, please do not use any envelopes from 2024 or any prior year for any 2025 donations.
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.
