Happy Summer!
This is the last bulletin until the Labour Day Weekend in September. We wish you all a happy and safe summer!
Tuesday, July 1st is Canada Day. The parish office will be closed and there will be no 9:00 AM Mass on that day.
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.
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. It is meant for children to learn about their faith, grow into faith, and prepare for sacraments as needed. Classes are held at St. Gabriel’s School, generally every other Sunday from September to April. The first class this year is September 14th.
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.
UPDATE FROM THE SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL
A heartfelt thank you to all our parishioners for your donations and support during the month of May. Here are some updates from the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SSVP), St. Gabriel Conference.
- 32 families, including 2 adults and 5 children, were visited and helped with your donations.
- The Bundle-Up Clothing Drive was a great success! Thank you to all those who contributed through their donations and volunteer efforts.
- The Marygrove and Ozanam youth camps are open for registration. These camps offer subsidized camp opportunities for children from families facing financial challenges.
For more information or to make a donation, please email stgabriel@ssvptoronto.ca
New members are always welcome!
R.C.I.A. AND ADULT FAITH DEVELOPMENT REGISTRATION NOW OPEN – 2025/2026
Registration for R.C.I.A. (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is ongoing now. The R.C.I.A. is for persons interested in learning more about the Catholic Faith or who wish to become Catholic. The exploration may lead the candidate to seek baptism and become a member of the Catholic Christian community; or for Christians already baptized into another Christian denomination, the reception into the Catholic Church. It is also for adults who have been baptized Catholic, but who have not received the Sacrament of Confirmation or First Eucharist.
For more information, please contact Sr. Maria Lucia at StGabrielParishRCIA@gmail.com or call 416-221-8866 x 228.
Registration deadline is Sunday, August 31st, 2025. Sessions will begin on September 6th, 2025, and will end in June 2026.
ANNOUNCED MASSES
June 30th – July 6th, 2025
MONDAY – IN THANKSGIVING – Requested by Dario Ardila
TUESDAY – CANADA DAY – No 9:00 AM Mass, Office is closed
WEDNESDAY – DELPHINE OAKIE ✞ – Requested by her Family
THURSDAY – JOHN MENDES ✞ – Requested by Marilyn Harrison
FRIDAY – ROMULO CHRISTIAN GONZALEZ ✞ – Requested by his Parents
SATURDAY – INTENTIONS OF ROSEMARIE YEUNG – Requested by her Parents
SUNDAY – 8:30 AM – FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE PARISH
SUNDAY – 10:30 AM – LYDIA McGRANN – Requested by Ron & Anne Ackber
SUNDAY – 12:30 PM – IVY SUK-YEE CHEUNG ✞ – Requested by Lana & Friends from Manulife
Announced Masses for the summer months will be posted on the bulletin board in the Gathering Space.
PSALM MEDITATION
Saints Peter and Paul
Psalm 34
From the psalm’s opening line, we learn an excellent life practice:
“I will bless the Lord at all times
His praise shall be ever on my lips.”
We sing our song between the account of Peter’s miraculous rescue from Herod in Acts; and the Apostle Paul’s life summary in 2 Timothy: “The Lord stood by me and gave me strength.”
Today’s psalm ends with a powerful one-liner (two-liner actually):
“O taste and see that the Lord is good;
Blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.”
ARCHDIOCESE OF TORONTO JUBILEE PILGRIMAGE TO THE MARTYRS’ SHRINE
Sunday, August 24th, 2025
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
MISSION CO-OP SUNDAY
Sunday July 6th is Mission Co-op Sunday. Fr. Evans Fwamba CP will share with us the mission story of the Passionists in Kenya.
There will be a second collection for the Mission Co-op Program on the weekend of July 5th/6th. Your generous support will help the Passionists to continue in their mission to affect positive change in people’s daily lives and provide hope for a better tomorrow. Please be as generous as your means allow.
GOOD SHEPHERD CENTRE CASSEROLES
Summer Collection dates: July 26th/27th, August 30th/31st
Good Shepherd serves meals each day to people who would otherwise go hungry including seniors, people living on disability payments, people living in poverty, homeless men and women.
Please think about volunteering to help feed our sisters and brothers in need this summer. 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.
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 these worthwhile organizations.
Your food donations are very important over the summer months 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
Your faithful heart is the foundation of the Church
ShareLife reaches beyond our local community, extending its mission across borders to share the Gospel and support evangelization in developing countries. Your gift extends mercy and justice internationally, on behalf of vulnerable groups suffering from poverty and injustice. By sharing your blessings and welcoming those in need, you embody the spirit of community and care.
Thus far we have raised $49,600 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. Your faithful heart is the foundation of the Church.
ANNUAL MASS FOR THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED
Wednesday, August 13th at 7:00 PM
Catholic Cemeteries and Funeral Services – Archdiocese of Toronto invites all families to participate in the Annual Mass for the Faithful Departed on Wednesday, August 13th at 7:00 PM.
Most Rev. John A. Boissonneau will celebrate Mass at Holy Cross in Thornhill.
Most Rev. Bishop Robert Kasun will be the celebrant at Mount Hope Cemetery in Toronto.
Most Rev. Vincent Nguyen will celebrate the Mass at Christ the King Cemetery in Markham.
In the event of rain, Mass will be celebrated in the Mausoleum at Holy Cross Cemetyery, at St. Monica’s Church (44 Boradway Ave.) instead of Mount Hope Cemetery, and in the Reception Centre at Christ the King Cemetery.
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.
GARDEN SHED
St. Gabriel’s is once again blessed to have the help of student volunteers in caring for the garden. We also thank all who reached out, four new members, to help us with the garden care. Please feel free to join our crews on Saturdays from 9am to 12pm or contact the Garden Ministry at garden@stgabrielparish.ca for more information.
The Summer issue of our new newsletter, “Growing News,” is now available from the Parish home page, and posted on the bulletin boards. We hope you enjoy it and look forward to your “letters to the editor”.
TRIVIA
What is ½ chicken, 2/3 cat and ½ goat?
Hint: Pope Leo’s hometown
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.
