ADVENT MISSION
“God is with us”: Bringing hope to those living in darkness
Saturday, December 6th from 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM
NOT TO BE MISSED – reflection with Fr. Rick Frechette CP on our Christian commitment that will be both inspiring and enriching!
Father Rick is a Passionist who went to Haiti 27 years ago to serve as a priest. Seeing the poverty and the dire need of the people there for medical care, he went back to the U.S. in his 40s, took up medical studies, and returned to Haiti as both a priest and a medical doctor. The needs of the people whom he served prompted him to give himself to their service by not only ministering to their spiritual needs, but their physical needs as well. His presence among the people of Haiti is truly an amazing witness of love.
At the beginning of the season of Advent, when we are preparing for Christmas, Fr. Rick will talk about our Christian commitment to share the Good News, especially with those who are living in the darkness of poverty, injustice, and slavery in its many forms. It will be an excellent opportunity for all parishioners to pause and look deeply. We encourage especially our young people to join us!
A simple lunch will be provided. Cost is $5 per person. To register, please call the Parish Office at (416) 221-8866 or email fatimalee@bellnet.ca.
YOUTH GROUP BAKE SALE
Sunday, November 23rd after all the Masses
Our Youth Group will be holding a bake sale after all the Masses next Sunday. The money raised will go towards Youth Group expenses as well as helping two youth attend a service trip to the Philippines. Please support our Youth Group.
ANNOUNCED MASSES
November 17th to November 22nd, 2014
MONDAY – RUBI & ALBERTO MACARAEG – Requested by Rubi & Alberto Macaraeg
TUESDAY – DECEASED MEMBERS OF THE DOANN & NGUYEN FAMILIES – Requested by the Doann & Nguyen Family
WEDNESDAY – LOUIS & MARIE FUNG – Requested by the Family
THURSDAY – MURIEL & JAMES BICKERTON – Requested by Mary Anne Barnes
FRIDAY – FR. DENIS JOHN HANLY – Requested by Regina Lau & Linda Law
SATURDAY – ARMINDA VICENTE – Requested by the Family
NOVEMBER IS THE MONTH OF ALL SOULS
BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE
A Book of Remembrance has been placed on the altar for the month of November. You are invited to write the names of your deceased relatives and friends in the book. They will be remembered at all the Masses celebrated in November.
CONFIRMATION ENROLLMENT CEREMONY
Sunday, November 23rd at the 12:30 PM Mass
The Confirmation Enrollment Ceremony for all Confirmation candidates will be held on Sunday, November 23rd at the 12:30 PM Mass. All Confirmation candidates must attend.
SHEPHERD’S TRUST COLLECTION
November 15th/16th
The Shepherd’s trust has a mission to provide comfort and care to those who have steadfastly cared for us – our retired priests.
Religious orders such as the Passionist Community have faithfully served the parish communities in the Archdiocese of Toronto for many years.
The Shepherd’s Trust ensures funds collected in parishes like St. Gabriel’s that are run by religious order priests be given to those orders as a contribution toward the retirement of its members.
The collection is taking place in all parishes in the Archdiocese this weekend, November 15th and 16th. Envelopes are in the pews.
We want our priests to retire safely and with dignity. The Shepherds’ Trust allows us to help achieve this goal.
Your generosity is deeply appreciated.
THE GIVING TREE
During Advent, the Society of St Vincent de Paul will have a Giving Tree in the Gathering Space.
The tree will be decorated with gift tags. Each tag will have the gender and age of a child. We invite you to take a tag, buy a gift of about $25.00 for that child and return the unwrapped gift, with the tag attached, to the box provided in the Gathering Space.
If you are a knitter, there will be mitten tags. Please take one and return mitts to the box in the Gathering Space.
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 babies ages 6 to 18 months.
Unwrapped Items with the original stocking tag attached can be left in the box provided near the “mitten” tree no later than December 14th. Toys for these little ones would also be appreciated.
For the Moms, we are suggesting gift cards from Shopper’s Drug Mart or Tim Hortons, Walmart or MacDonald’s. These can be placed in the envelopes provided and brought to the Parish Office. Thank you for your generous support.
CHRISTMAS TOY DRIVE
We are having a Christmas Toy Drive for the Catholic Children’s Aid Society.
Can you help by dropping off an unwrapped new toy for a child 0 to12 years old? Containers will be set up at the doors of the Church from Saturday, November 29th until Sunday, December 14th.
INAUGURAL LIVING WITH CHRIST LECTURE
Wednesday, November 19th at 7:00 PM
Blessed Sacrament Church 24 Cheritan Ave., Toronto
All are invited to the inaugural Living with Christ lecture featuring highly acclaimed author and Canadian priest, Fr. James Mallon at Blessed Sacrament Church. Author of the recently published book Divine Renovation, Fr. Mallon’s talk is entitled “Rebuild My Church: Pope Francis and Pastoral Conversion.” Join them on Wednesday, November 19th at 7:00 PM for this wonderful opportunity.
For more information, visit www.novalis.ca.
WOMEN’S FALL RETREAT
November 21st to 23rd
Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre
1617 Blythe Road, Mississauga
A Women’s Fall Retreat will be held at the Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre on the weekend of November 21st to November 23rd. It will preached by Fr. Peter Nowak, OMI and Mrs. Anne Hales.
Single private rooms. Wonderful Cuisine
Country in the City setting.
Please call 905-278-5229 to reserve or for further information.
NORTH YORK RETIREES CLUB
Blessed Trinity Parish Hall
Tuesday, November 25th at 2:00 PM
The next meeting of the North York Retiree’s will feature guest speaker Christopher Rollox from GeminK9 Obedience who will speak about “Dealing with dogs, training, care and obedience”. All retirees are cordially invited to attend.
THEOLOGY ON TAP: Interfaith Engagement Among the Children of Abraham
Monday, November 24, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM
Duke of York Pub, 39 Prince Arthur Ave, Toronto
Faith Connections invites young adults (19-39) to join them for an evening of thought-provoking theological discussion in a comfortable and relaxed setting, with special guest: Dr. Shari Golberg, PhD. They will discuss “From A(fterlife) to Z(ion): An Educator’s Tales of Interfaith Engagement among the Children of Abraham.
Munchies will be provided and there is a cash bar.
Come and bring a friend!
For more information call Vanessa Nicholas-Schmidt at 416 467 2645 or visit www.faithconnections.ca — a ministry of Fontbonne Ministries, Sisters of St. Joseph, Toronto.
THE SOURCE WITH THE SISTERS OF LIFE
Thursday, November 27th from 7:00 to 9:00 PM
St. Paul’s Basilica 83 Power St.Toronto
Join them for an evening of prayer and fellowship. There will be Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament with meditative music provided by the sisters from 7:00 to 8:00PM in the main chapel. Confessions will be available from 8:00 to 9:00 PM. There will be refreshments and fellowship in the hall downstairs. They hope to see you there!
For more information, contact: The Sisters of Life, 416-463-2722, or toronto@sistersoflife.org.
NEW BEGINNINGS ADVENT RETREAT
“Contemplative Advent Practices for Those Who Are Experiencing Loss”
St. Norbert’s Church, 100 Regent Road
Saturday, November 29th 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Catholic Family Services of Toronto – New Beginnings and St. Norbert’s Church invite you to a Saturday Advent Retreat with Christine Rybka-Miki, M.Div. and Maureen McDonnell, D.Min.
This Advent, rediscover the wealth that our faith tradition and Ignatian contemplative prayer has to offer us as we wait in abiding hope. All are welcome! Light lunch will be provided. Pre-registration necessary. Please call Mary Benincasa at 416-921-1163, ext. 2235.
FINANCE CORNER
Our operating expenses average $14,550 per week.
Offertory Collection for last weekend:
Envelopes 382 $ 7,492
Loose Change 1014
Weekly Portion of Pre-Authorized Giving 163 3,057
Total 545 $ 11,563
PRE-AUTHORIZED GIVING OPTION
The “Pre-Authorized Giving” Plan (PAG), authorized and supported by the Archdiocese of Toronto, is a direct debit program. It allows parishioners to make their regular offertory donations by automatic monthly bank withdrawal on or about the 20th of each month. Participation in the PAG provides a regular dependable cash flow of contributions to the parish and enables us to better manage the Parish finances. PAG brochures and sign-up forms are available in the Parish Office and on the tables at the back of the Church.
OFFERTORY ENVELOPES FOR 2015
The 2015 Offertory Boxed Envelopes will be available in the Gathering Space at the end of November. Please inform the Parish Office if you have recently moved or are new to the Parish so that we may update our records and label your box correctly.
If you have a PAG or Donate Now account, you will still receive a smaller green box of envelopes since these include Initial, New Year’s, Christmas, Easter and Maintenance envelopes. You may contact the Parish Office if you do not have envelopes but would like a box for 2015.
If you are moving out of the Parish or have a change of address, please contact the Parish Office at 416-221-8866 so that we can update our records. Thank you.
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.
