ST. PAUL OF THE CROSS FEAST DAY – OCTOBER 19th
St. Paul of the Cross was the founder of the Passionists in the year 1720. Born in northern Italy in 1694, Paul experienced conversion at the age of 15 and began a lifetime of devotion to prayer life as a soldier but left after one year. Six years later, having had several visions, he determined that his vocation was to found an order dedicated to the Passion of our Lord. Officials declared the visions authentic and Paul withdrew to write a rule. He was joined by his brother, who remained with him for the rest of his life. By 1747, the Passionists had three houses and were preaching missions throughout Italy. At the time of his death in 1775, Paul was establishing a congregation for Passionist nuns.
YOUTH GROUP SILENT AUCTION
This Weekend, October 13th & 14th
The Youth Group is having a silent auction this weekend, October 13th and 14th to raise funds for their attendance at World Youth Day in Panama this coming January.
Please extend your kind and generous support to our Youth Ministry.
CANADIAN BISHOPS ISSUE DOCUMENT
Protection of minors and vulnerable adults
On October 4th, the bishops of Canada issued new national guidelines for the protection of minors in Canada. Entitled Protecting Minors from Sexual Abuse: A Call to the Catholic Faithful in Canada for Healing, Reconciliation, and Transformation. This document first and foremost, focuses on minors and vulnerable adults, whom Canada’s bishops wish to protect from sexual violence. The document can be found at www.cccb.ca. Since 1989, the Archdiocese of Toronto has had an extensive safe environment policy in place, including a procedure for allegations of abuse or misconduct. That document can be found at https://www.archtoronto.org/about-us/safe-environment.
VOLUNTEER DAY OF REFLECTION
October 27th from 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon
St. Gabriel’s Church
On Saturday, October 27th from 9.00 AM until 12:00 Noon, an invitation has been extended to our volunteers in all ministries to attend a Day of Reflection, “Leadership through Service” to be held in our church.
Sister Mary Rowell, a member of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph will lead our session. Sister Mary teaches theology at St. Michael’s College at the University of Toronto.
The day will include presentations, dialogue and engagement of all who attend. We look forward to this day to provide support to our parish staff and parish community.
PARLIAMENT OF WORLD RELIGIONS
November 1st 2018
St. Gabriel’s Church
On November 1st, 2018, St. Gabriel’s will be host to visitors from the Parliament of World Religion. This Parliament “was created to cultivate harmony among the world’s religious and spiritual communities and foster their engagement with the world and its guiding institutions in order to achieve a just, peaceful and sustainable world.” If you are interested to be part of this event, more information is available at the website https://www.parliamentofreligions.org/parliament/2018-toronto-0.
ANNOUNCED MASSES
October 15th to October 20th
MONDAY – IN THANKSGIVING – Requested by Felix & Nora Lagula
TUESDAY – MICHAEL McDONOUGH – Requested by his Family
WEDNESDAY – SEE HIM CHUI -Requested by Chui Family
THURSDAY – VINCENT HA – Requested by Laura, Sylvia & Valerie Ha
FRIDAY – AURITA FERNANDES – Requested by Tony Fernandes
SATURDAY – KENG OWYONG – Requested by Helen Owyong
R.C.I.A. AND ADULT FAITH DEVELOPMENT
Meetings in preparation for the R.C.I.A. (Rites of Christian Initiation of Adults) will begin soon. These meetings are for persons interested in learning more about the Catholic Faith. 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.
Adult Catholics who have not received the sacrament of Confirmation but who wish to do so are also encouraged to attend these sessions.
As well, these meetings may be an opportunity for “Born Catholics” to deepen their understanding of our faith. Very often, especially for those of us who received our religious instruction at an early age, we tend to grow physically, mentally, psychologically etc., but the understanding of our faith does not grow correspondingly. The RCIA may serve as a good opportunity for us to ask questions and to develop a more adult understanding of our faith.
If you are interested in joining the RCIA meetings or if you would like to have more information about it, please contact the Parish Office at 416-221-8866.
SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN PREPARING FOR BAPTISM
If you have, or know of, school age children (ages 7 to 14) who wish to prepare for Baptism, please contact the Parish Office at 416-221-8866. Classes for them will begin soon.
REGISTRATION FOR SACRAMENTS FOR SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN
If anyone missed the three evenings of Sacramental registration but wish to have their child receive the sacrament of First Communion, Confirmation or Reconciliation, please come to the parish office as soon as possible.
A copy of the child’s Baptismal Certificate is required if registering for First Communion or Confirmation. $30 is required at registration for Confirmation to defray related costs
HOSPICE: MORE THAN JUST A PLACE TO DIE
A Practical Discussion on Ways of Providing Hospice Care in the Community – A Call to Action
Wednesday, October 17th from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Room “Alumni 400” in the Muzzo Family Alumni Hall,
121 St. Joseph Street (on Queen’s Park Circle)
A discussion of ways to provide hospice care in the community will take place on October 17th in Room Alumni 400 in the Muzzo Family Alumni Hall from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM.
The speakers will be:
Bob Parke, Bioethicist,
James Beingessner, Chancellor, St. Jerome’s University
Judy Nairn, Executive Director, Hospice of Waterloo Region.
All are welcome and there is no cost.
For more information call CCBI at 416 353 4224 or visit www.ccbi-utoronto.ca
HUMANITARIAN RELIEF
Areas of the Philippines were devastated by Typhoon Mangkhut on September 15th, with winds of up to 225 km/h. More than 80 people died as a result of the storm and related landslides, flash floods and destruction of homes, infrastructure and crops. The region hardest hit was Northern Luzon, one of the main islands of the Philippines. In this area the storm surged up to six metres high, submerging huge areas of inhabited land.
Days later, on September 28th, an earthquake off the coast of Sulawesi island, Indonesia, caused a tsunami with waves six meters high. To date, more than 1300 people have been confirmed dead and many, many more remain missing. Survivors are struggling to find food and drinkable water. People also need adequate shelter and medical support. The earthquake damaged roads and telecommunications systems, creating many challenges to sending assistance to the affected areas.
In an effort to support the survivors of these two significant disasters, the Archdiocese of Toronto is accepting funds that will be sent through Caritas Internationalis, the official relief network of the Vatican. In both countries, Caritas agencies have deployed workers to provide food, drinking water, temporary shelter and medical support.
Those wishing to help may do so in the following ways:
Online through the Archdiocese of Toronto website: www.archtoronto.org
By phone through the Development Office – 416-934-3411
Through the parish, making cheques payable to:
St. Gabriel’s Passionist Parish – 2018 Philippines / Indonesia – Disaster Relief
We offer our prayers for all those impacted by these natural disasters. Thank you for your ongoing efforts to assist those in crisis.
THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE
Thank you so much for your overwhelming support of our Thanksgiving Food Drive for the Good Shepherd Centre and Rosalie Hall.
Your donations were very much appreciated by the young families of Rosalie Hall and the homeless served by the Good Shepherd Centre.
ST. MICHAEL’S COLLEGE SCHOOL OPEN HOUSES
1515 Bathurst Street at St. Clair Avenue West
Thursday, October 18th & Tuesday, October 23rd
From 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM
The Office of Admissions of St. Michael’s College School is now considering applications for September 2019. Open Houses for interested parents and their sons will be held on Thursday, October 18th and Tuesday, October 23rd from 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM at the school. St. Michael’s College offers a generous bursary program that provides financial aid to qualifying student.
9th ANNUAL MASS TO END WOMAN ABUSE
Thursday, October 18th at 7:00 PM
St. Edward the Confessor Church, 75 Churchill Ave
Catholic Family Services of Toronto, St. Edward the Confessor Parish and their CWL Council will host the 9th Annual Mass to End Woman Abuse on Thursday, October 18that 7:00 PM.
This annual event is intended to raise awareness about abuse of women and girls. Prior to the Mass, brief presentations will be made about our Violence Against Women programs. After Mass, there will be a gathering with light refreshments in the church hall. We invite you to join us as we take action in the fight to end women abuse. For event information, email info@cfstoronto.com or call 416-921-1163.
ST. BONAVENTURE CWL ANNUAL FLEA MARKET
Saturday, October 20th from 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM
St. Bonaventure’ Church
St. Bonaventure CWL will hold their Annual Flea Market on Saturday, October 20th from 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM. Come and see the treasures of all kinds. There will also be a live auction. Don’t miss it!
THE GARDEN SHED
North Garden Update
Mulching of the pathways is in progress. Additional fruit-bearing trees and shrubs will be planted before month-end.
Workshops:
A schedule for fall/winter workshops will be posted here soon.
For information on the Garden Ministry, contact Heather Bennett at heathermjb@gmail.com.
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.
