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Homily – April 13, 2014

Sunday, April 13th, 2014

I Have Set My Face Like Flint

These words ‘I have set my face like flint’ show how determined Isaiah was to carry out his God-given mission.

God has given him a message and he must deliver it, even at the cost of personal suffering. Isaiah is confident that God will eventually prove him right.

In exactly the same way, Jesus’ passion was the outcome of his obedient delivery of the message of the kingdom despite the people’s rejection; His constant reliance was that God would prove him right. At different times in the gospel the evangelists tell Jesus set his face toward Jerusalem. These words tell us of Jesus’ determination to carry out his God-given mission.

Our second reading leaves out the introduction of Paul’s admonition to all of us, ‘Have that mind in you which was in Christ Jesus’. We hear that Christ emptied himself of his divinity and took to himself our humanity and in and through our humanity he reconciled us to God by suffering death on a cross, the most painful and shameful form of execution.

Today’s feast challenges each of us to set our face like flint as we struggle with God’s grace to live faithfully the life that is ours through the Passion and Death of the crucified Christ.

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Bulletin – April 6, 2014

Sunday, April 6th, 2014

FIRST COMMUNION INTERVIEWS

Interviews for children who wish to receive their First Communion are now being scheduled.

Children from St. Gabriel’s School are asked to choose one of the following dates: May 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, or 16th. Please call the Parish Office to book your appointment with Fr. Brando as soon as possible.

REMEMBRANCE MEAL OF THE PASSOVER

Wednesday, April 16th 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.

Please call Ed Shiller at 647-407-2953 or 647-352-3123 or email him at ed@edshiller.com by Wednesday, April 9th to book your table of 6 or 8 or to have your name added to a table.

ANNOUNCED MASSES

April 7th to April 12th, 2014

MONDAY – FR. CARL SCHMITT C.P. – Requested by Anonymous
TUESDAY – WILLIAM ANDERSON – Requested by Eva Anderson
WEDNESDAY – MAISEY & ALBERT DAGNEAULT – Requested by the Ginette Harquail
THURSDAY – VITO VIRGILIO – Requested by the Family
FRIDAY – ESTRELLA GAVIETA – Requested by Cherrie, Stella, Isabel & Howie
SATURDAY – MIKE PALAZZO & CHRISTOPHER DI LALLO – Requested by Val Palazzo & Family

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.

LENTEN AND EASTER SCHEDULE 2014

Stations of the Cross
Friday Evenings at 7:30 P.M.

Individual Confessions
April 9th
11:00 A.M to12:00 Noon
3:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M.

Reconciliation Service
April 9th at 7:30 P.M.

Palm Sunday
April 13th
Masses Saturday. 4:30 P.M.,
Sunday 8:30 A.M., 10:30 A.M., 12:30 P.M.

Holy Thursday
April 17th
No 9:00 A.M. Mass
7:30 P.M. Mass of the Lord’s Supper
Followed by Adoration until 10:00 P.M.

Good Friday
April 18th
10:00 A.M. Morning Prayer
3:00 P.M. Solemn Passion of Our Lord
7:30 P.M. Stations of the Cross

Holy Saturday
April 19th
No 4:30 P.M. Mass
8:00 P.M. Easter Vigil

Easter Sunday
April 20th
Masses 8:30 A.M., 10:30 A.M., 12:30 P.M.

Easter Monday
April 21st
No 9:00 A.M. Mass
Office closed

EXTRA PARKING AT ELKHORN PUBLIC SCHOOL

DAY OF CONFESSION

Wednesday, April 9th

Cardinal Collins has designated Wednesday, April 9th as the Archdiocesan Day of Confession. Every parish in the Archdiocese is making time available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation on that day.

Fr. Brando and Fr. Bernard will be available for this important sacrament from 11:00 A.M. to 12:00 Noon and from 3:00 to 5:00 P.M. All are encouraged and welcomed to receive this sacrament of pardon and peace.

At 7:30 P.M., there will be a Reconciliation Service. 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. We encourage you to take advantage of this celebration.

FERTILITYCARE TORONTO EASTER EGG SALE

This Weekend, April 5th and 6th

To raise funds for FertilityCare Toronto, the St.Gabriel’s Youth Group will once again be selling hand-made Belgian dark chocolate or milk chocolate Easter eggs for $3.00 each before and after all the Masses this weekend. Your support will help the Centre promote and maintain their service in the Diocese.

SHARELIFE

Working wonders for children with special needs…

We have always tried to expose our deaf children to both communities. As their parents, we have talked to them and tried to answer their questions when they saw someone using sign language and they had basic sign language books. Then one day our oldest son, Ethan, said he would like to learn sign language. We discovered Silent Voice’s Sign Language Summer camp and enrolled him in the program. The following year Gavin joined his older brother and they both wanted to go again. We also put our name in for the Family Communication program because we wanted to support our children. These opportunities increased the boys’ awareness of the deaf community and also helped them gain respect for different ways of communication. They enjoyed both experiences as did we. We all hope to take part in the Family program again. Last year more than 600 deaf children received support through Silent Voice’s Sign Language Summer Camps.

ShareLife For 2013: $193,410
ShareLife to Date: $62,066

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

CASSEROLES FOR THE GOOD SHEPHERD CENTRE

Thank you so much to the volunteers who prepared 117 casseroles for March! For April, your prepared casseroles (frozen please) will be collected at the Masses on the weekend of April 26th/27th for delivery to the Good Shepherd Centre.

More volunteers are encouraged to become active in helping to feed our less fortunate sisters and brothers. There are now 3 different recipes available in the Parish Office or online at the Church website. If you require more information, please contact Irene Albrecht at 416 221-2791.

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.

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

SERVICE OF TENEBRAE

St. Bonaventure’s Church,
1300 Leslie Street
Friday, April 11th at 8:00 P.M.

You are invited to celebrate the service of Tenebrae being held at St. Bonaventure’s Church on April 11th at 8:00 P.M. Tenebrae retells the story of the Passion through a collection of readings and sung responses, which are provided by the gentlemen of the Seraphim Men’s Chorus. Tenebrae is certainly a wonderful way to prepare for Holy Week. We look forward to seeing you there!

THE NATIONAL CATHOLIC MISSION 2014

THE GIFT OF FORGIVENESS
VISION TV

Part 1 – Monday, April 14th at 6:00 P.M.
Repeated at 10:00 P.M. EDT

Part 2 – Tuesday, April 15th at 6:00 P.M.
Repeated at 10:00 P.M. EDT

The National Catholic Mission 2014, “The Gift of Forgiveness,” will be broadcast on VISIONTV on Monday, and Tuesday of Holy Week at 6:00 P.M. (repeated at 10:00 P.M. EDT)

This year’s Mission looks at how the hurts and cruelties we inevitably experience during the first half of our lives, at school, at home and at work, may be a source of the anger and resentment we feel in our later years. It will offer a pathway to help us rediscover a mellow and compassionate heart.

The Mission will feature Father Ron Rolheiser, O.M.I., Sr. Melannie Svoboda, SND, Paula D’Arcy and Tom Zanzig.

FINANCE CORNER

Our operating expenses average $14,550 per week.

Collection for last weekend:
Envelopes 440 $7,332
Loose Change $2,061
Weekly Portion of PAG 174 $3,226
(Pre-Authorized Giving)
Total $12,619

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.

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Homily – April 6, 2014

Sunday, April 6th, 2014

This amazing story of the friendship of Lazarus and his sisters Mary and Martha with Jesus has much to teach us. Jesus and the disciples often visited their home. We remember the famous story of Martha and Mary; Mary had chosen the better part of sitting at the feet of Jesus and listening to him and Jesus praised her for doing so. When Lazarus became ill Mary and Martha sent word to Jesus but Jesus took his time getting there and when he arrived at their home Lazarus was dead for three days. Mary and Martha both scolded Jesus for his tardiness with the rebuke, ‘if you had been here our brother would not have died’, in other words, ‘where were you when we needed you?’

When the family took Jesus to the tomb Jesus wept and the crowd remarked on how much Jesus loved his friend Lazarus. To the amazement of all Jesus had the stone removed and called to his friend,’ Lazarus, come out’ and Lazarus came out of his tomb wearing his burial shroud. Jesus ordered, ’unbind him and let him go free.’ We can just imagine the astonishment of the crowd and the joy of Mary and Martha. They had their brother back.

Jesus showed his love for Lazarus not by healing him, as Mary and Martha hoped for; instead he called him back from the grave and offered him the glory of rising from the dead.

This powerful story offers us the opportunity to look at our personal relationships with family and friends. Mary and Martha complained Jesus was not there when they needed him. Are we there for family and friends when we are needed? Are we there with our understanding, patience, support and encouragement? Do family members and friends know they are not alone, that we are there for them? Do they know we share their worries and concern by the compassion we show them?

To do what he wanted to do Jesus told those present to take the stone away, remove the barrier between himself and his friend away. Sometimes in our relationships with family members and friends there can be the stone of resentment, anger, jealousy, misunderstanding, that keeps us apart. Are we willing on our part to take the stone away? Are we willing to roll back that life blocking, love blocking stone of resentment or anger?

Jesus’ last instruction was, ‘unbind him and let him go’. Do we bind up family members and friends with the demands and expectations we have of them? Are we willing to give them their freedom to find their own way and make their own way in life? Do we give them the freedom to be themselves?

Today’s gospel is a powerful story of the loving relationship of Jesus and his friends, Lazarus, Martha and Mary. It is more about life than it is about death. Jesus was the source of life and love to his friends. Are we sources of life and love and healing to the people who come into our lives?

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Homily – March 30, 2014

Sunday, March 30th, 2014

The Gift of Insight

Suppose we put ourselves in the place of the man born blind. Imagine what it would be like to live life in darkness and then suddenly see the light of day, colors we’d never seen before, the faces of the people from whom we begged every day for years. Of a sudden we can put faces to voices. We are bewildered by the wonder of it all. Imagine what must it have been like to see for the first time the faces of our mother and father? What must it have been like? We’d be overwhelmed and bewildered by the wonder of it all. We’d want to say thank you to the stranger who muddied our eyes and sent us to wash in Siloam. We’d be totally confused by the unwillingness of the religious authorities to accept our cure. Like the man in the gospel we’d say, ‘Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind.’ We’d wonder, what do these people have against this good man? Why can’t they see this is the work of God? Coming face to face with the one who gave us sight we too would believe he is the Son of Man and worship him and follow him.

There was a song out years ago titled, “You light up my life” The song is about someone whose life is transformed by someone who loves them and gives new meaning to their lonely life.

Some of the words go – ‘so many nights I sit by my window waiting for someone to sing me his song and now you’ve come along and you light up my life, you give me hope to carry on, you light up my life.’

Jesus says to all of us, “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world,” meaning: all who are blind will be able to see, so long as I am the light they seek. His invitation is, Come, then, and receive the light, so that you may be able to see. Paul tells us we are all children of light, a light that produces every kind of goodness, justice and truth.

In these final weeks of Lent, walking in the light of Christ and freed from any blindness may we look into the hearts of all those who come into our lives and see them as brothers and sisters worthy of our love and respect.

Paul calls his Ephesians children of a “light” that produces every kind of goodness, justice, and truth. Christ himself embodies the promise of the psalm: “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?”

Our Lenten prayer and sacrifice should serve to take away our blindness so that we can look into the hearts of others and love them as brothers and sisters, always remembering the words of Christ, ‘as often as you did these things to the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me.’

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Bulletin – March 30, 2014

Sunday, March 30th, 2014

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: March 31st, April 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 28th, 29th, 30th , May 1st, or May 2nd.

Children from St. Gabriel’s School are asked to choose one of the following dates: May 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, or 16th.

Please call the Parish Office to book your appointment with Fr. Brando as soon as possible.

REMEMBRANCE MEAL OF THE PASSOVER

Wednesday, April 16th 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.

Please call Ed Shiller at 647-407-2953 or 647-352-3123 by Wednesday, April 9th to book your table of 6 or 8 or to have your name added to a table.

ANNOUNCED MASSES

March 31st to April 5th, 2014

MONDAY – WILLY WONG – Requested by Agnes Wong
TUESDAY – ALLAN PERSAUD – Requested by the Persaud & Goldenberg Families
WEDNESDAY – LUIS FUNG – Requested by the Family
THURSDAY – MAGDALINE CHIU – Requested by Anonymous
FRIDAY – MARTIN SMEE – Requested by the Family
SATURDAY – AL DONEGAN – Requested by the Family

LENTEN AND EASTER SCHEDULE 2014

Stations of the Cross

Friday Evenings at 7:30 P.M.

Individual Confessions April 9th

11:00 A.M to 12:00 Noon
3:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M.

Reconciliation Service April 9th at 7:30 P.M.

Palm Sunday April 13th

Masses Saturday. 4:30 P.M.,
Sunday 8:30 A.M., 10:30 A.M., 12:30 P.M.

Holy Thursday April 17th

No 9:00 A.M. Mass
7:30 P.M. Mass of the Lord’s Supper
Followed by Adoration until 10:00 P.M.

Good Friday April 18th

10:00 A.M. Morning Prayer
3:00 P.M. Solemn Passion of Our Lord
7:30 P.M. Stations of the Cross

Holy Saturday April 19th

No 4:30 P.M. Mass
8:00 P.M. Easter Vigil

Easter Sunday April 20th

Masses 8:30 A.M., 10:30 A.M., 12:30 P.M.

Easter Monday April 21st

No 9:00 A.M. Mass
Office closed

EXTRA PARKING AT ELKHORN PUBLIC SCHOOL

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.

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

Friday, April 4th from 9:30 AM – 12 Noon

ECO – SABBATH

Sunday, April 6th 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, April 5th at 3:15 P.M. in the Gabriel Room.
Chinese: Sunday, April 6th 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…

“You don’t have to look far to see the wonders being worked by ShareLife… in the pews of your parish, in the homes on your street, in your neighbourhood.” ShareLife agencies provide competent, faith informed care to those who turn to them for help, regardless of their beliefs or background.

Last year, over 354,000 services were provided to over 96,000 people in our Archdiocese in more than 20 languages, receiving the compassion, care and respect they rightly deserve. In addition, countless others were assisted through outreach programs around the world.
—Thomas Cardinal Collins, Archbishop of Toronto

Today is ShareLife Sunday. Please give generously. You can work wonders!

FERTILITYCARE TORONTO EASTER EGG SALE

Weekend of April 5th/6th

To raise funds for FertilityCare Toronto, the St.Gabriel’s Youth Group will once again be selling hand-made Belgian dark chocolate or milk chocolate Easter eggs for $3.00 each before and after all the Masses on the weekend of April 5th/6th. Your support will help the Centre promote and maintain their service in the Diocese.

SERVICE OF TENEBRAE

St. Bonaventure’s Church,
1300 Leslie Street
Friday, April 11th at 8:00 P.M.

You are invited to celebrate the service of Tenebrae being held at St. Bonaventure’s Church on April 11th at 8:00 P.M. Tenebrae retells the story of the Passion through a collection of readings and sung responses, which are provided by the gentlemen of the Seraphim Men’s Chorus. Certainly, Tenebrae is a wonderful way to prepare for Holy Week. We look forward to seeing you there!

MARRIAGE RENEWAL WEEKEND

Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre
April 11th to 13th

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 April 11-13, 2014. For information telephone: 905-278-5229.

THE NATIONAL CATHOLIC MISSION 2014

THE GIFT OF FORGIVENESS

VISION TV

Part 1 – Monday, April 14th at 6:00 P.M.
Repeated at 10:00 P.M. EDT

Part 2 – Tuesday, April 15th at 6:00 P.M.
Repeated at 10:00 P.M. EDT

The National Catholic Mission 2014, “The Gift of Forgiveness,” will be broadcast on VISIONTV on Monday, and Tuesday of Holy Week at 6:00 P.M. (repeated at 10:00 P.M. EDT)

This year’s Mission looks at how the hurts and cruelties we inevitably experience during the first half of our lives, at school, at home and at work, may be a source of the anger and resentment we feel in our later years. It will offer a pathway to help us rediscover a mellow and compassionate heart.

The Mission will feature Father Ron Rolheiser, O.M.I., Sr. Melannie Svoboda, SND, Paula D’Arcy and Tom Zanzig.

SUPPORT FOR RECENTLY SEPARATED OR DIVORCED CATHOLICS

Catholic Family Services, Central Office
1155 Yonge Street
Tuesday Evenings, 6:30 to 8:30 P.M.
April 15th to June 17th

Catholic Family Services of Toronto is offering 10 week group program for adult men and women coping with the many struggles involved in the process of separation and divorce. Group participants will receive support and guidance as they move through this difficult period of transition. The group will run on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 P.M. from April 15th to June 17th at the Central Office, 1155 Yonge Street. For more information, please contact Ian Singer at 416-921-1163.

RETROUVAILLE: Help for Troubled Marriages

April 25th to 27th

Retrouvaille consists of a live-in weekend and Post sessions to help couples experiencing troubles in their marriage relationships. For further confidential and no-obligation information, call 416- 281-6007 or go to www.torontoretrouvaille.com. The next weekend will be held on April 25th to 27th in Mississauga.

FINANCE CORNER

Our operating expenses average $14,550 per week.

Collection for last weekend:
Envelopes 439 $9,449
Loose Change $912
Weekly Portion of PAG 177 $3,307
(Pre-Authorized Giving)
Total $13,668

Maintenance to Date: $9,305

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.

Posted in Bulletin | Comments Off on Bulletin – March 30, 2014

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