FAMILY OF FAITH
The pledge total as of Monday, March 9, 2015 is $ 1,032,493. Thank you!
REMEMBRANCE MEAL OF THE PASSOVER
Wednesday, April 1st at 7:00 PM in the Gabriel Room
Passover is the oldest festival of the Hebrew liturgical calendar. It has been observed by the Jewish people for more than 3,000 years. It celebrates the freeing of the Jews who were slaves during the time of Moses. It occurs in the spring, the time of renewal in “Nissan”, the first month of the Hebrew year, and it lasts for eight days. At this time, their meals celebrate this momentous historical Jewish Event.
Why do we Christians celebrate this “meal” at St. Gabriel’s? First, this celebration helps us to understand our religious roots, which are Jewish. Second, it is an opportunity for us to celebrate our growth as a community and be together with families and friends at this most special time during Holy Week.
The menu is identical to the Seder supper’s menu and the meal is “pot luck” – each person brings a dish for their table.
To book your table of 6 or 8 or to have your name added to a table, please call Ed Shiller at 647-352-3123 by Wednesday, March 25th.
FIRST COMMUNION INTERVIEWS
Interviews for children who wish to receive their First Communion are now being scheduled. Those children attending the Children’s Faith Program, private schools or others are asked to choose one of the following dates: April 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, or 24th.
Children from St. Gabriel’s School are asked to choose one of the following dates: April 23rd, 24th, 28th, 29th, 30th, May 4th, 5th, 6th, or 7th.
Please call the Parish Office at 416-221-8866 to book your appointment with Fr. Brando as soon as possible.
THE SERVICE OF TENEBRAE
Saturday, March 28th at 7:30 PM
St. Gabriel’s Church
On Saturday, March 28th at 7:30 PM the ancient service of Tenebrae will be celebrated here at St. Gabriel’s. Tenebrae evokes a sense of wonder and mystery as the Passion of Jesus is told through a series of readings, songs, and hymns. Fifteen candles are extinguished one by one, marking the progression to our Lord’s crucifixion. The last candle, the Christ Candle, is not extinguished but rather removed from view symbolizing the hope in the resurrection as all are blanketed in utter darkness.
St. Michael’s Choir School Alumni, the Seraphim Men’s Chorus will present the musical settings composed by Msgr. Ronan, founder of St. Michael’s Choir School. A goodwill offering to cover costs, support the Choir School and St. Gabriel’s Music program will be taken up. This tradition is a wonderful way to prepare ourselves to celebrate the mystery of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We hope you will attend.
ANNOUNCED MASSES
March 16th to March 21st, 2015
MONDAY – ALICE MICHAEL – Requested by Charmaine Michael
TUESDAY – PATRICK (PADDY) CHUNG – Requested by the Family
WEDNESDAY – ARMAND OAKIE – Requested by the Family
THURSDAY – GIUSEPE CLEMENTINA – Requested by Chiara & Tina Intini
FRIDAY – HUI SOU LIN – Requested by Linda Law & Family
SATURDAY – GEORGE OLDEN – Requested by Kathleen Olden-Powell
LENTEN AND EASTER SCHEDULE 2015
Stations of the Cross
Friday Evenings at 7:30 P.M.
Reconciliation Service
March 25th at 7:30 PM
Palm Sunday March 29th
Masses Sat., 4:30 PM
8:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM
Holy Thursday April 2nd
No 9:00 A.M. Mass
7:30 PM Mass of the Lord’s Supper
Followed by Adoration until 10:00PM
Good Friday April 3rd
10:00 AM Morning Prayer
3:00 PM Solemn Passion of Our Lord
7:30 PM Stations of the Cross
Holy Saturday April 4th
No 4:30 PM Mass
8:00 PM Easter Vigil
Easter Sunday April 5th
Masses 8:30 AM, 10:30 AM 12:30 PM
Easter Monday April 6th
No 9:00 AM Mass
Office closed
EXTRA PARKING AT ELKHORN PUBLIC SCHOOL
RECONCILIATION SERVICE
Wednesday, March 25th at 7:30 PM
This is an opportunity to spend some time in peace and quiet, to reflect upon how we are responding to our call to be sons and daughters of God.
Recognizing the fact that we are “good people”, we also accept the fact that good people can sin. Through an examination of conscience we face those sins, admit them and are reconciled to God.
For those who wish, individual confessions will be celebrated after the service. We encourage you to take advantage of this celebration.
STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Stations of the Cross will take place each Friday evening during Lent at 7:30 PM.
We also encourage your attendance at our daily Mass throughout Lent.
SHARELIFE
Working wonders for people locally and around the world…
ShareLife provides for everyone in our archdiocese to have access to a Catholic Family Services counseling office, regardless of their background or religious affiliation. Housebound seniors receive care from Society of Sharing volunteers. Our brothers and sisters in Christ receive assistance overseas through Development & Peace, Canadian Food for Children and the Pastoral Mission Fund. Immigrants and refugees are helped through Catholic Cross cultural Services and the Office for Refugees. ShareLife supports the education of our priests and deacons at Serra House, Redemptoris Mater and St. Augustine’s seminaries. ShareLife creates a happier and safer community for us all.
ShareLife to Date: $52,719.25
Next ShareLife Sunday – April 12, 2015
Please give generously. You can work wonders!
FEED THE HUNGRY
Each month the food we collect is sent to Rosalie Hall or the Good Shepherd Centre. With everyone struggling at this time, these donations are more important than ever. Please check the expiry dates before donating since we cannot pass on food that has expired. Thank you for your ongoing support.
MILK BAGS
Once again we are collecting milk bags. Did you know that milk bags can be cut, looped and woven into sleep mats for individuals or families in developing countries? Schools churches and senior homes throughout the Greater Toronto Area would welcome your contributions. Please drop the colourful outer bags in the bin located in the gathering space. Please make sure that the bags are clean and dry. For further information about this program please visit www.milkbagsunlimited.ca or contact Sharon Gusz at sharongusz@gmail.com.
JUST COFFEE
Fair trade organic coffees will be on sale after all the Masses next weekend.
Regular ground coffee: $5.50
Decaffeinated: $6
Whole Beans: $5.50
Chocolate Bars: $4 incl. taxes
Hot Chocolate and Cocoa: $4.75
Teas: $4.25
LENTEN SERIES: JOURNEY OF HOPE AND HEALING
Thursday, March 19th from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Thursday, March 26th from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Holy Cross Catholic Funeral Home,
211 Langstaff Rd. E., Thornhill –
Please enter from Bayview Avenue.
On Thursday, March 19th, the Lenten series continues with guest speaker: Fr. Carlos Martins, CC.
He will speak about the topic: Relics of the Saints, Treasures of the Church.
All are welcome.
On Thursday, March 26th, the guest speaker will be Fr. Ed Curtis. He will speak about Lessons from the Camino, Life’s Journey to Santiago de Campostella.
All are welcome.
THEOLOGY ON TAP: Faith, Finance and Fiscal Responsibility
Monday, March 23rd, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Duke of York Pub, 39 Prince Arthur Ave, Toronto
Faith Connections invites young adults (19-39) to join us for an evening of thought-provoking conversation on theological topics. Special guest: Quentin Schesnuik, BA, CSC, PFP, Financial Advisor.
Munchies will be provided and there is a cash bar available — come and bring a friend! For more information call John-Paul Markides at 416-467-2645 or visit www.faithconnections.ca — a ministry of Fontbonne Ministries, Sisters of St. Joseph, Toronto.
NATIONAL CATHOLIC MISSION 2015
BEWARE THE HOLY SPIRIT
VISIONTV
Monday, March 30th at 6:00 PM, Repeated at 10:00 PM
Tuesday, March 31, at 6:00 PM, Repeated at 10:00 PM
The National Catholic Mission 2015, “Beware the Holy Spirit!” will be broadcast on VISIONTV on Monday, March 30th and Tuesday, March 31st at 6:00 PM and repeated at 10:00 PM.
It will be hosted by Fr. Pat Fitzpatrick and feature Spiritan Fr. Anthony Gittins.
This year’s Mission looks at when and where God speaks to us in our daily lives and how we, as an institution and as individuals, can ignore that voice at our peril. In Program Two, Fr. Anthony Gittins looks at the afternoon of life and discovers why it withers some people and brings freedom and joy to others.
FINANCE CORNER
Our operating expenses average $14,550 per week.
Collection for Last Weekend
Envelopes 394 $ 9,344
Loose Change 1,017
Weekly Portion of Pre-Authorized Giving 164 3,095
Total 558 $ 13,456
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.
