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.
YOUTH GROUP STREET PATROL & CROCHETING FOR A CAUSE – THANK YOU!
Thank you to all parishioners who took part in Crocheting for a Cause these past two months – almost 50 scarves were made! 30 youth and young adults went downtown last Sunday to distribute these crocheted scarves to individuals in need. Thank you as well to the parishioners who donated hats, socks, and dental hygiene products. This initiative was a great success and we look forward to having more collaborative activities in the future.
MINISTERS OF HOSPITALITY
We are in need of more Ministers of Hospitality. This ministry is performed by men, women and older students who welcome and usher those in attendance at Mass and other liturgies. They are responsible for collecting the Offertory, and communion processions. They also attend to special needs as required. If you are interested in becoming a Minister of Hospitality, please email hospitality@stgabrielsparish.ca or call the parish office at 416 221-8866.
ANNOUNCED MASSES
December 2nd to December 8th, 2024
MONDAY – DR. EUGENE JUWAH ✞ – Requested by Prescilla Juwah
TUESDAY – FADIE AMIN – Requested by his Father & Mother
WEDNESDAY – LYDIA McGRANN – Requested by Ron & Anne Ackber
THURSDAY – MARGARET DIDIODATO ✞ – Requested by her Family
FRIDAY – PAT BRISTOL-CLARKE – Requested by Karen Crichton
SATURDAY – DR. EUGENE JUWAH ✞ – Requested by Prescilla Juwah
SUNDAY – 8:30 AM – FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE PARISH
SUNDAY – 10:30 AM – MARIA LUISA & ELMER CABACUNGAN – Requested by their Family
SUNDAY – 12:30 PM – STEPHEN & BERNADETTE HIGGINS ✞ – Requested by Agnes
THE GIVING TREE
Society of St. Vincent de Paul
During Advent, the St. Gabriel Conference of the Society of St Vincent de Paul 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 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 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 Sunday, December 15th. 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 McDonald’s. These can be placed in the cards provided and brought to the Office. Thank you for your continued generosity.
GOOD SHEPHERD CENTRE CASSEROLES
Thank you to the volunteers who prepared 49 casseroles for November. For December, your prepared frozen casseroles will be collected at all the Masses on the weekend of December 28th/29th to be delivered to the Good Shepherd Centre.
You may pick up a copy of a casserole recipe and a pan from the Parish Office. Three recipes are also available on St. Gabriel’s parish website. Please remember to mark the label on the pan lid with the name of the casserole.
More volunteers are urgently needed to help feed the hungry in our city. For more information, please contact Irene Albrecht at 416 221-2791.
SHARELIFE
ShareLife-funded agencies turn no one away
NEW: 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.
Did you know no one is turned away from ShareLife-funded agencies due to inability to pay? This is all thanks to your compassionate and generous heart. Through your support, ShareLife agencies are helping the most vulnerable in our community and around the world. Thank you for living the Gospel!
Please give at the parish using a ShareLife envelope, online through our parish website, or at sharelife.org/donate
FRIARS STUDENT WRITING CONTEST 2025
November 11th, 2024 to January 13th, 2025
Theme: “Do you believe this?” (John 11:26)
High school students aged 13 to 19 from the Catholic School Boards in the Archdiocese of Toronto are invited to participate in this annual event, which honours the global Week of Prayer for Christian Unity taking place from January 18 to 25.
Write a five-hundred-word essay that explores the 2025 theme. Great prizes await the top three submissions.
Students are encouraged to explore the resources at https://bit.ly/3zOVHly to gain insight into the meaning and purpose of the theme. They should also refer to the focus question available on the poster at https://bit.ly/3XCGGgo. Entries are to be submitted at https://www.catholicregister.org/writingaward.
Email ecumenical@archtoronto.org or call 416-934-3400 ext. 527 with any questions, or for more information.
NEWMAN CENTRE ADVENT DINNER & DANCE
Thursday, December 05, 2024 from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM Newman Centre Catholic Mission
Celebrate the Joy of Advent at the Newman Centre! Join them for a cozy and festive evening at the Annual Advent Dinner & Dance! Connect with friends, reflect on the spirit of the season and enjoy a delicious meal together followed by dancing! There will be prizes too!
Please contact Marie Frassica at 416-979-2468 ext. 230 or email: office.administrator@newmantoronto.com
For more information, go to https://www.newmantoronto.com/
To register go to https://bit.ly/4exqUIQ
STOCKINGS BY THE TREE
Thursday, December 7th at 7:30 PM
St. Gabriel’s Parish, North York.
Unwrap the spirit of the season with the Seraphim & Cherubim Chorus! We invite you to our 14th annual “Stockings by the Tree” concert, packed with festive cheer, beloved carols, and surprises.
Experience a night of timeless carols, Broadway hits, Disney classics, and unexpected favorites as we celebrate the magic of Christmas together. Join us on Thursday, December 7th at 7:30 PM.
Advanced tickets available at seraphimandcherubim.ca.
GLORIA! ST. MICHAEL’S CHOIR SCHOOL CHRISTMAS CONCERT
Saturday, December 14th at 7:00 PM
Massey Hall
St. Michael’s Choir School presents GLORIA! A magical blend of secular and sacred choral repertoire to usher in this Christmas season. A Toronto holiday tradition, this is the Choir School’s 59th annual Christmas concert, packed with exceptional works including Vivaldi’s Gloria, Carol of the Bells, and The Star Carol. With close to 300 voices, 5 choirs consisting of students, and alumni, taking the stage, this year’s programme is sure to be one of the best yet!
Tickets are now available at www.masseyhall.com. Please use Promo Code: STARLIGHT.
For more information, please call 416-397-6367.
FINANCE CORNER
Please consider giving your offertory by picking up Envelopes, enrolling in Pre-Authorized Giving (PAG), or Donate Now (through the Archdiocese of Toronto website).
One of the most financially sound ways to support the Archdiocese of Toronto is a gift of securities (stocks, bonds, mutual funds).
To donate securities, go to archtoronto.org and download the“How to Gift Securities Info Sheet” and “Letter of Direction.”
For more information, contact our office at development@archtoronto.org.
TRIVIA
What type of car would Jesus drive?
A Christler.
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.
