Author Archive

Homily – May 11, 2014

Sunday, May 11th, 2014

WHAT MUST WE DO?

The Holy Spirit was alive and well in those early years of the church’s life. The Spirit is still alive and well and working in our church today though in different ways. Men and women heard Peter telling them about Jesus and the wonderful things he did for people. Peter told them what jealous and self-serving religious authorities did to Jesus, hanging him on a tree. The people listening to Peter were ‘cut to the heart’ and wanted to know what they were to do. Through the actions of the Holy Spirit the words of Peter touched their hearts. They came to understand who Jesus is as never before. He was more than a worker of miracles, more than a teacher of God’s love and mercy. The risen Jesus was their Lord and Christ. He is indeed the Messiah promised long ago, the Messiah who reconciles them with God their Father. So they did what Peter told them to do, they repented of their sins and were baptised.

This Sunday is Good Shepherd Sunday. We know Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd of our lives. Jesus is the shepherd who lays down his life for us. As the psalm reminds us, Jesus is the shepherd who watches and guides us through all the difficulties of our lives. He will not abandon us.

God has blessed us with a new shepherd, Pope Francis. To say the least he is a different kind of Pope. Jesus once said of himself as our shepherd, ‘my sheep listen to my voice’. Will we listen to the voice of our shepherd Francis as he calls us to be vital and involved members of the church? Our shepherd Francis calls us to be a community of faith, an open and welcoming community to all who seek Christ. Francis calls us to be a community of love more than keepers of laws, a community that does not point figures at others but opens its arms to all those struggling to find their way to God.

Francis wants his fellow shepherds, priests and bishops, to have the smell of the sheep; the smell of people’s hurts and disappointments with other people and with their church itself, the smell of those who endure injustice and hatred and persecution, the smell of good wives and husbands confused over the teachings of the church and the reality of their own lives. The smell of men, women and children victimized by the greed and power of others. The smell of countless refugees and immigrants who seek new and better lives. The smell of those whose lives are at risk, the unborn and neglected elderly. The smell of the hopes and joys, the pains and hurts of all the people of God – which we are.

If we were to ask our shepherd Francis, as the people who asked the shepherd Peter, ‘What must we do?’ our new shepherd Francis would tell each one of us, be open to the opportunities God puts before you every day of your lives; accept those different from ourselves, seek justice and fairness for the men, women and children who are exploited in the work place, be attentive to the needs of the poor and elderly in your neighbourhood, respect and protect life in all its stages, be agents of peace in your homes and neighbourhoods, respect and protect God’s good creation and above all be people of prayer so that we may be open to the things to which Christ the Good Shepherd calls you each day. These are the smells to which we all should be attentive and to which we should respond.

Strengthened by the bread of life we will receive at this Eucharist may be willing to follow out shepherd Francis wherever he may lead us.

Bulletin –May 11, 2014

Sunday, May 11th, 2014

From the desk of Fr. Brando

Recently there have been several close calls as drivers use our parking lot as a short cut to and from Sheppard Avenue.

To avoid accidents, the middle arm in the parking lot will remain closed until 9:15 A.M. each weekday. This is to ensure the safety of the pedestrians walking through to the school.

Happy Mother’s Day

To all the Mothers, Grandmothers and Stepmothers, we wish you a very happy Mother’s day. May you be blessed with the graces you need, with courage, compassion patience and peace.

ANNOUNCED MASSES

May 12th to May 17th, 2014

MONDAY – MICHELLE HALES – Requested by the Sheldrick Family
TUESDAY – KEVIN TAKAKI – Requested by Violet Pung & Family
WEDNESDAY – BIEN & MILA COCHANGCO – Requested by Bong & Nicka Cochangco
THURSDAY – ELAINE PICKEN – Requested by Bernadette De Groot
FRIDAY – GERRY & EDNA HATCH – Requested by the Family
SATURDAY – ANA SOFIA NASCIMENTO – Requested by the Family

SHARELIFE

Men who have responded to God’s call to dedicate their lives to His service come from all walks of life. Those who enter the priesthood come from different ages and backgrounds, economic situations, skill sets, and ethnic communities.

At ShareLife-funded agencies such as Serra House, Redemptoris Mater, and St. Augustine’s Seminary, they undergo extensive theological education and practical field training. Through ShareLife, you are helping sustain the vocations for priesthood and inspire discernment for God’s call. Last year ShareLife helped support over 70 priests and seminarians in their formation studies.

ShareLife For 2013: $193,410
ShareLife to Date: $90,143.80

Next ShareLife Sunday – June 1, 2014
Please give generously. You can work wonders!.

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL BUNDLE-UP COLLECTION

This Weekend, May 10th/11th

The Society for St. Vincent de Paul is holding their annual Bundle Up Collection this weekend, May 10th/11th. Bring your gently used clothing and household linens to share with others. A St. Vincent de Paul truck is in the Church parking lot to receive donations. We will donate or sell these donations to support our outreach efforts. Thank you for your continued support. The truck will be open on Saturday, May 10th from 10:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. and all day Sunday, May 11th until 4:00 P.M. Volunteers will assist with the loading before and after each Mass.

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.

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

CANADIAN TIRE MONEY – MATERCARE

We are still collecting Canadian Tire money in support of Matercare International which is an association of Catholic Obstetricians and Gynecologists working in developing countries. This organization is dedicated to improving the lives and health of mothers and their children, both unborn and born, through initiatives of service, training, research and advocacy. Please support this worthwhile campaign by dropping your Canadian Tire money in the collection basket or bringing it to the Parish Office.

PLANNING TO BE A CATHOLIC TEACHER?

It is important for you to know that to be hired to teach in any Catholic School Board in Ontario, as part of your application for employment, there must be a letter of reference from your pastor. If you are planning to apply to teach in a Catholic School, a contact with the pastor is highly recommended. Please plan to have a conversation with your Pastor early in the process, well before applications are to be submitted.

CATHOLIC CHILDREN’S AID SOCIETY

Hope for the Children Fund

No parent should have to put their baby to sleep in a stroller or car seat because they can’t afford a crib. The Hope for Children Fund in support of the Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Toronto has been actively working to educate Toronto families about safe sleep.

As part of their mission, they provide cribs to low-income families. The campaign, which runs through to Mother’s Day on May 11th, encourages donors to visit www.hopeforchildren.ca to make a donation towards the purchase of a crib. An acknowledgement card may be sent to one’s mother in recognition of the donation. Just in time for Mother’s Day!

SPIRITUALITY FOR MATURING ADULTS – PART II OF 4 SEPARATE MODULES

May 14, 2014 – June 4, 2014 from 1:00 P.M. – 3:00 P.M.

The Paulist Ministry Centre
830 Bathurst St., Toronto, ON

Part II of four sessions in holistic faith development and growth in Christian maturity for men and women in the second half of life (pre-retirement to retirement years) will be offered by Sr. Mary Rose Marrin, CSJ.It is NOT necessary to have attended part I to participate in
part II. Please pre-register if possible. There will be a free will offering for the sessions.

For further information, please contact 416-534-2326 or
Fr. John F. Duffy, CSP at jfdcsp1@cs.com

HIKE AND PRAYER: DOORS OPEN TORONTO

Saturday, May 24 — 10:30 A.M.

Meeting at the front entrance of St. Michael’s Cathedral, 200 Church St

Faith Connections invites all young adults 18-39 to join us for a Hike and Prayer at Doors Open Toronto. Together we will explore the architecture Toronto has to offer and reflect on it through prayer. Nurture your spiritual life while exploring interesting areas of our beautiful city! It’s a chance to meet like-minded young adults who hope to find God through spiritual and physical activity. Hiking rain or shine.

RSVPs appreciated, call Vanessa Nicholas-Schmidt at 416-467-2645 or visit www.faithconnections.ca

SEEING WITH HEART – DAY OF REFLECTION

Catholic Parents of Lesbian Daughters and Gay Sons
Saturday, May 31st from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Manresa Jesuit Retreat Centre’

A retreat for Catholic parents of lesbian daughters and gay sons will be held at the Manresa Jesuit Retreat Centre, 2325 Liverpool Road in Pickering on Saturday, June 8th. The cost for the day including lunch is $40.00

For Brochure and information call John Montague at 416-523-6449.

MARRIAGE ENRICHMENT

Weekend of June 6th to 8th

Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre

Refresh and rekindle your love for each other by treating yourselves to a marriage enrichment weekend at Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre, or give a weekend as a gift to family or friends. The Centre offers comfort, excellent cuisine and an inspiring program. The next weekend is June 6th to 8th. For more information telephone: 905-278-5229.

SAVE THIS DATE SUNDAY, JUNE 1st AT 4:00 P.M.

Save this date… Sunday, June 1st at 4:00 P.M. The Sneak Peek orchestra returns to St. Gabriel’s for another wonderful concert. Watch the bulletin for more detail.

DON’T MISS IT! MY FAIR LADY

Toronto Catholic District School Board Staff Arts is pleased to present
My Fair Lady

At the Theatre at Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts,
36 Greenfield Avenue, North York.

June 6th, 7th, 12th, 13th, 14th at 7:30PM
June 8th at 2:00 PM

All tickets are $22.

For more information please call 416-222-8282 ext. 2787
or visit the website: www.tcdsb.org/staffarts

PILGRIMAGE TO CANADIAN SHRINES

Saturday, June 21st to Tuesday, June 24th

The 29th annual pilgrimage to the Canadian Shrines from Blessed Trinity Parish will take place Saturday, June 21st to Tuesday, June 24th. The tour will include St. Joseph’s Oratory and the Shrine of Kateri Tekakwitha in Montreal, the Shrine of our Blessed Mother at Cap de la Madeleine, Chapel of Blessed Frederic in Trois Rivieres, St. Anne de Beaupre and old Quebec City. For more information, please contact Mary at 416-497-7059 or go to www.blessedtrinity.ca.

FINANCE CORNER

Our operating expenses average $14,550 per week.

Collection for last weekend:
Envelopes 417 $7,695
Loose Change $1,387
Weekly Portion of PAG 177 $3,307
(Pre-Authorized Giving)
Total $12,389

DIRECTION OF SCHOOL SUPPORT

If you have been a Separate School Supporter and have moved, you may not realize that your tax support automatically defaults to the Public School system. If you would like to be a Separate School supporter, please pick up a form in the Parish Office.

Homily – May 4, 2014

Sunday, May 4th, 2014

Today’s scriptures tell of humanity’s fall from grace at some unknown time through a conscious act of disobedience to God as God was known then. Adam and Eve had almost everything. Their only drawback was the fact that they were creatures of limit. They were good, but they were not God. They could have the fruit of every tree except the tree of limits, the tree of creatureliness. It was their creature hood that made them susceptible to the lie that by eating of the forbidden fruit they would be like God.

That rift between God and humanity was healed and mutual friendship was restored when Jesus who did not consider equality with God as something to be clung to,emptied himself of divinity and took to himself our humanity, our creatureliness. Becoming as we all are he was obedient to God unto death even death on the cross. As St. Paul teaches in our second reading, ‘ just as one man’s trespass led to condemnation for all so one man’s act of righteousness – obedience unto death, ever death on the cross – leads to justification and life for all people.’

When John the Baptist baptized Jesus in the Jordan God the Father declared Jesus to be his beloved son in whom he was well pleased. Jesus knew he had a special relationship with God and a special mission to carry out in God’s name. He was to tell over and over again by the words he spoke, by the deeds he did and how he treated the men and women who came into his life that all of us are loved by God.

The forty days Jesus spent alone in the desert were spent pondering his life’s purpose and praying for strength to carry it out. Weakened and weary by these forty days his was confronted by the Tempter, the same one who lured Adam and Eve away from their friendship with God with the promise that they could become like God, knowing good and evil. Whereas Adam and Eve failed the test of their loyalty to God Jesus did not. He would not diminish or deny his status of the ‘beloved’ of God and his mission to do the will of his Father.

Because of our baptism each one of us has a life purpose. We are sons and daughters of God, brothers and sisters of Christ. Each of us has a mission in life. As St. Paul tells us we are to put on Christ, we are to grow to full maturity in Christ so that the Father can see and love in us what he sees and loves in Christ. Our life’s purpose can only be achieved when we accept our dependency on God and God’s grace. Our life’s purpose can only be achieved when we open our lives to what God would have us be and what God would have us do.

Our life experience tells us the Tempter is still alive and well and is active in our lives. We are constantly lured from our relationship with God and Christ by empty promises of happiness, fulfillment and love in relationships that only bring emptiness and disappointment. We are lured into compromising our own integrity with promises of power and popularity. We are lured into believing that freed from a confining stupid belief in God we will be free to find fulfillment by doing things ‘our way.’ All these promises liberate us from gospel demands of putting other people’s needs before our self-interests and promise us the freedom to do our own thing, do what’s best for us.

Temptation is as much a part of our lives as the air we breathe. We pray every day, ‘lead us not into temptation’ because we know we are weak, fragile men and women who can be lured into believing we can find love, happiness and fulfillment by ignoring the teaching and example of Jesus to love, share and forgive. Our life time project is to be as Christ-like as we can possibly be as by God’s grace we grow to full maturity in Christ.

As we continue to celebrate this Mass we can pray that we all will faithful to God’s call and will be as faithful as Christ was when rejected the temptation to be unfaithful to his Father’s will.

Homily – April 27, 2014

Sunday, April 27th, 2014

Believing is not seeing

We’re all familiar with this powerful story of the Doubting Thomas. Thomas was missing when the dispirited and confused disciples gathered together behind locked doors, unsure of their own safety but supporting one another, comforting one another in grief. Suddenly despite barred doors Jesus was with them. They heard that he appeared to Mary Magdalene and Peter but they were unsure what that meant. Maybe there were just imagining things. But there Jesus was showing them the gapping wounds in his hands and feet and side – blazing pledges of his undying love for them. His first words are of peace not recrimination. Jesus says nothing of their cowardly deserting of him. He offers them the gift of his peace and empowers them to pass that peace on to others.

Thomas was as confused and grief stricken as the rest of them but he wanted to be alone to sort out the confusing, devastating events of the last couple of days. He avoids the company of the other apostles and companions of Jesus. This was his big mistake. We know from experience that we need the presence and support of others when we come face to face with a personal crisis or loss. We need to hear comforting, consoling words, words that let us know others feel our pain and are with us in our time of struggle. We need a hug, an embrace to strengthen us. There is great wisdom in the Jewish custom of Shiva. For several days after the death and quick burial of a family member, friends come to the home with food. They sit with the family, often in silence. There is silence and conversation and the grieving family knows they are not alone. Thomas didn’t see his need for companionship. He wanted to face his grief on his own.

Thomas’ decision robbed him of that surprising and comforting encounter the other apostles had with the risen Christ. When Peter and the others told him about it he refused to believe their story. He demanded proof. ’Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the mark and my hand into his side I will not believe.’ Jesus gives Thomas another chance. A week later he comes again. To Thomas Jesus says, ‘Put your finger into my hand and your hand into my side and believe.’ The embarrassed, shamed Thomas could only stutter, “My Lord and my God.’

This gospel praises people like you and me, people who often wonder if God exists or cares as we face many hard realities of our lives. We can convince ourselves no one hears our prayers, no one understands our sadness, our loneliness. We feel our struggles to live lives of love and justice is going nowhere. There can be times when we wonder if all this ‘faith stuff’ is for real. Yet we hang on. We pray, ‘Lord I believe, help the little faith I have.’ We can do this because we belong to a community of faith; men and women who struggle and wonder as we do and yet believe; believe that Christ has died, Christ is risen, and Christ will come again. We are all those good people who have not seen and still believe.

Bulletin – April 27, 2014

Sunday, April 27th, 2014

At the Easter Vigil, the following children received the Sacraments of Baptism and the Holy Eucharist for the first time:

Marko Bilic. Winsley Bilic, Jessica Clotilda Park, Alivia Riley, Avery Riley, Demeira Walcott, Bojun Zhang, Boyuan Zhang, Cameron Chandler Johnson received the Sacrament of Baptism.

The following adults received the Sacraments of Baptism, Holy Eucharist and Confirmation:

David Chung, Kim-Loan Garcia, Nada Johnson, Sabrina Leung, Xiaoyan Ma, Don Ng, Vicky Wu, Luming Yang.

The following adults were received into full Communion with the Catholic Church:

Maria I. Campbell. Alana Christie, Bruce Christie, Daphne Christie, Kyle Christie, Arlene Robinson received the Sacraments of Holy Eucharist and Confirmation.

Laurence Chen and Christian Bernal received the Sacrament of Confirmation.

The parish family of St. Gabriel’s would like to welcome and congratulate them!

ANNOUNCED MASSES

April 28th to May 3rd 2014

MONDAY – TOM DONAGHY – Requested by the Family
TUESDAY – SYLVIA LEAVER – Requested by Andrea San Juan
WEDNESDAY – VICTOR JOSEPH – Requested by the Family
THURSDAY – ALLAN PERSAUD – Requested by the Persaud & Goldenberg Families
FRIDAY – MARTIN SMEE – Requested by the Family
SATURDAY – GUS CALDERONE – Requested by the Family

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

Friday, May 2nd from 9:30 AM – 12 Noon

ECO – SABBATH

Sunday, May 4th at 11:30 AM in the Gabriel Room

On the first Sunday of each month, the Passionist Centre for Ecology and Spirituality facilitates a 30 minute reflection and discussion prompted by the readings for that Sunday’s liturgy. All are welcome.

ROSARY GROUPS

English:
Saturday, May 3rd at 3:15 P.M. in the Gabriel Room.

Chinese:
Sunday, May 4th at 3:30 P.M. in the Gabriel Room.

For information, please contact Linda Law at 416-918-8029.

SHARELIFE

Working wonders in our community…

Of the more than 1 million foreign-born people who arrived in Canada between 2001 and 2006, more than 40% live in the Greater Toronto Area.

As a result, nearly 11% of our school system consists of recently arrived residents and over half of the total student population speak a non-official language most often at home.

Last year, ShareLife agencies provided settlement, advocacy and education programs for more than 40,000 immigrants and refugees in the GTA.

ShareLife Goal For 2014: $195,000
ShareLife to Date: $65,536

Next ShareLife Sunday – May 4, 2014
Please give generously. You can work wonders!

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL BUNDLE-UP COLLECTION

Weekend of May 10th/11th

The Society for St. Vincent de Paul will hold their annual Bundle Up Collection on the weekend of May 10th/11th. Bring your gently used clothing and household linens to share with others. A St. Vincent de Paul truck will be in the Church parking lot to receive donations. We will donate or sell these donations to support our outreach efforts. Thank you for your continued support. The truck will be open on Saturday, May 10th from 10:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. and all day Sunday, May 11th until 4:00 P.M. Volunteers will assist with the loading before and after each Mass.

THANK YOU FROM EFFECT:HOPE

The Leprosy Mission of Canada has a new name, effect: hope. We are still committed to offering compassionate care for people living with leprosy. The name effect: hope affirms our ministry of bringing hope and healing to people affected by leprosy and similar afflictions.

It is with heartfelt gratitude that I write to you today to thank you for your participation in World Leprosy Day. Your prayers and support are a source of strength for those trapped in a life of extreme poverty and pain that comes from the stigmas that surrounds leprosy. As we work toward eliminating the disease, I have hope for a world without leprosy.

God bless,
Linda Scott
Church and Volunteer Coordinator

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 be as generous as your means allow.

FINANCE CORNER

Our operating expenses average $14,550 per week.

Collection for last weekend:
Envelopes 598 $18,444
Loose Change $6,184
Weekly Portion of PAG 177 $3,307
(Pre-Authorized Giving)
Total $27,935

Holy Land Collection to Date: $6,102

DIRECTION OF SCHOOL SUPPORT

If you have been a Separate School Supporter and have moved, you may not realize that your tax support automatically defaults to the Public School system. If you would like to be a Separate School supporter, please pick up a form in the Parish Office.

TORONTO CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD

“Consultation in the Round”
Thursday, May 1st from 7:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M.
Catholic Education Centre, 80 Sheppard Avenue East

On February 27th, the Toronto Catholic District School Board approved a new draft Admissions and Placement Policy for both elementary and secondary schools for the purpose of public consultation. This practice called “Consultation in the Round” is scheduled to take place on Thursday, May 1st, from 7:00 to 9:00 P.M. at the Catholic Education Centre, 80 Sheppard Avenue East (Yonge and Sheppard). All our Catholic stakeholders are invited to provide input into that draft policy before the Board finalizes a new policy. We hope that many of you will be able participate in this consultation, which will have a lasting impact on our students and our school communities.

Additional information will be posted to the board’s website at www.tcdsb.org.

NEW BEGINNINGS INSPIRATIONAL TALK

Marriage and Annulment
Catholic Pastoral Centre,
1155 Yonge Street

Tuesday, May 6th at 7:00 P.M.

A New Beginnings Inspirational Talk will take place on Tuesday, May 6th at 7:00 P.M. at the Catholic Pastoral Centre, 1155 Yonge St. in Toronto. It is entitled. “On Marriage and Annulment.” Our speaker will be Fr. Brian Clough. Pre-registration is not necessary.

THEOLOGY ON TAP East

Devoutly Religious and Critically Scientific
Can You be Both?
Jack Astors Bar & Grill, 580 Progress Ave

Wednesday, April 30 at 7:00 P.M.

Faith Connections, the Office of Catholic Youth, and the local parishes invite young adults (19-39) to join us for an evening of thought-provoking conversation on theological topics! Munchies provided, cash bar available – come and bring a friend!

Special guest: Fr. John McCarthy SJ, Ecologist and Socius to the Provincial, Canadian Jesuits International.

For more information: visit our Toronto Theology on Tap web page, or contact OCY by e-mail youth@ocytoronto.org, or phone 416-599-7676. RSVPs appreciated!

BREBEUF COLLEGE 50TH ANNIVERSARY

Brebeuf College’s 50th Anniversary Mass and Celebrations will take place May 2nd to 4th. Please visit www.brebeufalumni.org for more details.

MEAGAN’S WALK – CREATING A CIRCLE OF HOPE

5km Fundraising Walk and Hug

Saturday, May 10th, 2014
Registration begins at Fort York at 8:30 AM
10:00 A.M. Walk to SickKids

On Saturday, May 10th, the thirteenth annual Meagan’s Walk: -Creating a Circle of Hope will take place. Registration opens at 8:30 A.M. at Fort York and the Walk begins at 10:00 AM. The Walk concludes at SickKids with the “Hug”, followed by closing festivities, a brief stage presentation and a BBQ at SickKids. All proceeds will be split between the Meagan Bebenek Endowment Fund and awareness, research and treatment of paediatric brain tumors at SickKids.

Register, Pledge, Donate at
www.meaganswalk.com

SEEING WITH HEART – DAY OF REFLECTION

Catholic Parents of Lesbian Daughters and Gay Sons
Saturday, May 31st 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Manresa Jesuit Retreat Centre

A retreat for Catholic parents of lesbian daughters and gay sons will be held at the Manresa Jesuit Retreat Centre, 2325 Liverpool Road in Pickering on Saturday, June 8th. The cost for the day including lunch is $40.00. For Brochure and information call John Montague at 416-523-6449.

PILGRIMAGE TO CANADIAN SHRINES

Saturday, June 21st to Tuesday, June 24th

The 29th annual pilgrimage to the Canadian Shrines from Blessed Trinity Parish will take place Saturday, June 21st to Tuesday, June 24th. Register and pay in full by April 30th and save $20 per person. For more information, please contact Mary at 416-497-7059 or go to www.blessedtrinity.ca.