GOOD BYE AND GOOD LUCK!
We are very sad to announce that Luis Gutierrez, our custodian, has left St. Gabriel’s to begin his own renovation business. He will certainly be missed! We wish Luis every success as he begins a new chapter in his life.
ANNOUNCED MASSES
September 22nd to September 27th, 2014
MONDAY – JUDITH MATYASFALVI – Requested by the Family
TUESDAY – GERRY HATCH – Requested by the Family
WEDNESDAY – MARIA SUNG HAK LEE – Requested by Elizabeth Chang
THURSDAY – SICILY VARKEY & ELIA KALLOOKARAN – Requested by Mary Chakkalackal
FRIDAY – GERRY BAVINGTON – Requested by Diana Bavington
SATURDAY – FIORENTINO GIANOTTA – Requested by Lina Gianotta
ST. GABRIEL’S MUSIC MINISTRY
“Those who sing pray twice.”
Our senior choir practices on Tuesday evenings, 7:30 to9:00 P.M. and leads community song at the 10:30 AM Sunday Mass. Our junior choir practices on Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 8:00 PM and leads the music at the 12:30 PM Mass. We always welcome new voices and hope you will consider joining us! For more information, please contact the choir director after any of the Masses.
ALTAR SERVICE LOOKING FOR NEW MEMBERS
If you are in Grade 4 or higher and are interested in becoming an altar server, please contact Colin Meharchand at cmeharchand@bell.net or leave your name and phone number with the Parish Office at 416-221-8866. The orientation and training for new members will be held on Sunday, October 5th, from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM in the Church.
THE NEW STORY – A DISCUSSION OF THE WISDOM OF FR. THOMAS BERRY
Tuesday, September 23rd at 7:30 P.M. or
Thursday, September 25th at 10:00 A.M.
The Church has had many great thinkers over the years, including St. Augustine in the 5th century and St. Thomas Aquinas in the 13th century. In our time, we have great thinkers too, one of whom is the Passionist priest, Fr. Thomas Berry, 1914 – 2009. He introduced us to seeing God’s creation in a new way and our role as humans within it. He called it “The New Story”. Beginning on Tuesday September 23rd at 7:30 P.M. and repeated on Thursday, September 25th at 10:00 A.M. we will discuss his “New Story”, the wisdom that ensues and the challenge it evokes. We guarantee an interesting discussion! All are welcome.
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 call the Parish Office at 416-221-8866. You can also contact Fatima Lee directly at ext. 228.
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, or Fatima Lee directly, at (416) 221-8866. Classes for them will begin on October 19th at 10:30 A.M.
CASSEROLES FOR THE GOOD SHEPHERD CENTRE
Your prepared casseroles (frozen please) will be collected at the Masses next weekend for delivery to the Good Shepherd Centre. More volunteers are needed to help feed the hungry in our city. Please get a copy of a casserole recipe and a pan and give it a try. Three recipes are available on St. Gabriel’s web site under “Ministries”. Printed copies of the recipes are also available in the Parish Office. Remember to mark the label on the pan lid with the name of the casserole. For more information, you may contact Irene Albrecht at 416 221-2791.
THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE
You can make a difference in the lives of the hungry and homeless this Thanksgiving by participating in the annual Thanksgiving Food Drive. Urgently needed items include: rice, pasta, pasta sauces, canned tuna or salmon, canned soups, stews, meats, fruits and vegetables, peanut butter, jam, sugar, cookies and crackers, breakfast cereals, tea, ground or instant coffee, sugar, ketchup, mustard and relish. Please no fresh or frozen foods. We thank you for your generous support!
SPECIAL COLLECTION
NEEDS OF THE CANADIAN CHURCH
There will be a second collection next weekend for the needs of the Canadian Church. Please be as generous as your means allow.
FOOD FOR ROSALIE HALL
Each month the food we collect is sent to Rosalie Hall. 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 generous support!
FINANCE CORNER
Weekly Offertory
Our operating expenses average $14,550 per week.
Collection for last weekend:
Envelopes 394 $8,007
Loose Change $1,035
Weekly Portion of PAG 165 $3,082
(Pre-Authorized Giving)
Total $12,124
Updated Maintenance Collection: $7,644
Thank you for your generosity!
SHARELIFE
Congratulations to the good people of St. Gabriel’s. Our final total for ShareLife 2014 was $220,250. Thank you for your very generous support!
MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS 2014 – CAST YOUR VOTE!
A municipal election will be held on Monday, October 27th. All Catholics are strongly encouraged to exercise their democratic right to vote. To help us all get to know the candidates for Catholic School Board Trustee, Cardinal Collins has given permission for candidates to distribute literature to parishioners departing Mass on weekends from September 27th /28th to October 25th /26th . We hope you’ll take the time to get to know those seeking elected office.
To ensure your vote for Catholic School Trustee, at the polling booth, verify that you are registered as a separate school supporter. If your support status is incorrect ask for an Application to Amend Voters’ List. This form may be completed and submitted at the polling station. Thank you for your interest and involvement in this fall’s municipal election!
THE TORONTO CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOARD CONFERENCE FOR NEWCOMERS TO CANADA
September 30th from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M.
Catholic Education Centre 80 Sheppard Ave. East
2nd floor Boardroom
The Toronto Catholic District School Board is hosting a conference for newcomers to Canada to share information about available programs and services and tips for navigating the Catholic education system. It is also designed for school staff and members of the Catholic School Advisory Councils to discuss how to effectively engage our newcomer students and families in our schools and communities. Light refreshments will be offered. Limited parking is underground and there is public transportation nearby.
Register online at www.tcdsb.org/NewcomerRegistration or call 416-222-8282, ext. 1888. Please RSVP by September 23rd.
NORTH YORK RETIREES CLUB
Blessed Trinity Parish Hall
Tuesday, September 23rd at 2:00 PM
The next meeting of the North York Retiree’s will be held at Blessed Trinity Parish Hall on Tuesday, September 23rd.
All retirees are cordially invited to attend.
FREE ESTATE PLANNING SEMINAR
Thursday, October 2nd at 7:00 P.M.
Blessed Sacrament Parish,
24 Cheritan Avenue, Toronto
Catholic Cemeteries and the estate planning team will share information about:
How to protect your loved ones with a proper will
How to ensure your wishes are legally protected
Powers of Attorney
The advantage of pre-arranging funeral plans
The cost savings of making an estate plan
Finding lawyers and estate planning advisors
Our Catholic traditions around funerals, burials and wills
An Estate Planning Kit and DVD will be provided at no cost. Refreshments will be provided.
Please RSVP to Frank Jannetta at fjannetta@ccat.on.ca or by phone at 416-733-8544, Ext. 2023.
ANNUAL MASS TO END WOMEN ABUSE
St. Rose of Lima Church
3216 Lawrence Ave. E., Scarborough
Tuesday, October 7th at 7:00 P.M.
Catholic Family Services of Toronto and St. Rose of Lima Church will host the 5th Annual Mass to End Woman Abuse. This event hopes to raise awareness about violence against women. At 6:30 P.M, they will pray the Rosary in the church. Brief presentations will be made about the violence against women programs before Mass begins. After Mass, there will be a gathering with light refreshments in the church hall. They invite you to join them as they take action in the fight to end women abuse
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.
