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
SACRAMENTAL REGISTRATION – 2025/2026
Registration for children planning to receive the Sacraments of First Communion, Reconciliation or Confirmation in 2026 are ongoing.
Registration forms are available in the parish office. Baptismal certificates are required to register for First Communion and Confirmation.
CHILDREN’S FAITH PROGRAM – 2025/2026
Classes begin on 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.
ALTAR SERVERS NEEDED
Serving at the Lord’s table is a great honour and responsibility. The Altar Server Ministry Team would like to invite children who are 10 years or older (boys and girls), who are interested in committing and dedicating time and effort to serve Mass. Any adults who think they may desire to serve are encouraged to volunteer as well. All that is required is a desire to serve at the Altar of Our Lord. If you are interested, contact the parish office or email: altarserversstgabe@gmail.com
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.
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.
ANNOUNCED MASSES
September 8th to September 14th
MONDAY – DEBORAH ANN McCONKEY ✞ – Requested by Patrick & Ruth Ann McConkey
TUESDAY – NYDIA SIMS ✞ – Requested by Erlinda Abalos
WEDNESDAY – MARIE & VERNON SWANT – Requested by Carolyn & Dan Letters
THURSDAY – MARIETTE LEBLANC MALO ✞ – Requested by Karen Huk
FRIDAY – BORIS CELIS ✞ – Requested by His Family
SATURDAY – HANNAH LAM ✞ – Requested by the Fung & Lam Families
SUNDAY – 8:30 AM – FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE PARISH
SUNDAY – 10:30 AM – MARIETTE LEBLANC ✞ – Requested by Chantal Wood
SUNDAY – 12:30 PM – DOREEN YOUNG ✞ – Requested by John Craven
PSALM MEDITATION
Psalm 90
“Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.”
Could this Psalm actually be saying that all people of all time dwell in God? We spend our lives working out just what that means.
The First Reading from the Book of Wisdom speaks of the knowledge of that which pleases God; and that we are saved by wisdom.
Today’s Psalm speaks of God as our dwelling place at all times. What unspeakable words of wisdom! When we sing a prayer in a Psalm, we can recall that we are singing God’s inspired Word. So, this prayer is the right thing to ask of God, because inspired by God. Will not God, being all good, both hear and answer the prayer?
YOUTH GROUP NEWS
Calling All Young Adults (Ages 18–30)!
Passionist Retreat in New York
Friday October 17th to Sunday, October 19th
Join us for a retreat in New York from October 17–19! Connect with young adults from St. Gabriel’s and the St. Paul of the Cross Province as we explore the Passionist mission and what it means to be disciples of justice. Contact our Youth Minister for details.
Join Our Youth Ministry
Youth (Grades 6-12) and Young Adults (18 & up) are invited to join our parish Youth Ministry for the 2025-2026 year. Contact our Youth Minister to join the mailing list to learn about upcoming gatherings, events, and volunteer opportunities.
GARDEN SHED
If you have extra part-shade-loving plants, gently used garden tools or even a garden shed to spare, please let the Garden Ministry know at garden@stgabrielsparish.ca. More information about this will follow in October.
SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL – BUNDLE UP SUNDAY
SPRING CLEANING – YEAR- ROUND!
Weekend of 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 on the weekend of 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!
CARING FOR THE HOMELESS IN OUR CITY
Thank you for your generous support of Rosalie Hall and the Good Shepherd Centre. They are very appreciative.
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.
Good Shepherd provides hot meals and shelter for the homeless in our city as well as a chance to start again through the Resettlement or DARE Programs. In addition to our casseroles and food donations, our Garden Ministry has been growing fresh food for the Good Shepherd Centre.
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.
FROM 325 TO 2025: THE COUNCIL OF NICAEA AND JEWISH-CHRISTIAN RELATIONS TODAY
Tuesday, September 9th from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
AN ONLINE EVENT RECOMMENDED BY THE OFFICE FOR ECUMENICAL AND INTERFAITH RELATIONS
The Nicene Creed is Christianity’s most influential theological statements, but what has been its impact on Jewish-Christian relations, dialogue, and understanding? In this anniversary year, what opportunities exist for deeper theological engagement between our traditions?
Join as six scholars — three Jewish and three Christian (and a pair from our very own Christian Jewish Dialogue of Canada!)—as they examine the 1700-year legacy of the Council of Nicaea continues to shape Jewish-Christian relations in the 21st century through key areas that include: the presence of God, covenantal identity, and the interpretation of shared spiritual traditions.
To register for this webinar, click: bit.ly/4lCHRFq
TRIVIA
What’s the difference between a teacher and a train?
A teacher says: “Spit out that gum!”,
and a train says: “Chew! Chew!”
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.
