Author Archive

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »

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?

Posted in Homily | Comments Off on Homily – April 6, 2014

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.’

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

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

Bulletin – March 23, 2014

Sunday, March 23rd, 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, 30, 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 647-352-3133 by Wednesday, April 9th to book your table of 6 or 8 or to have your name added to a table.

NEW HYMNALS

The Parish is purchasing 600 new song hymnals. The green song books would also be retained. These hymnals which contain the words to more contemporary songs that we all know and recognize, will help us to fully participate in our liturgies.

Although these hymnals are being purchased at a special 20% saving, they represent a cost of $20 per hymnal. We would encourage you to help defray the cost by making a contribution of $20 per hymnal. You are not limited to contributing only for one hymnal and we welcome any amount you may wish to give. Any contribution should be placed in a blank envelope including your name, address and envelope number and should clearly indicate “Hymnals.”

ANNOUNCED MASSES

March 24th to March 29th, 2014

MONDAY – LUCILLE & PAT ALTILIA – Requested by Marie & Michael Gennaro
TUESDAY – LEILA THOMAS – Requested by Thomas Callaghan
WEDNESDAY – CECILY TURTON – Requested by David Turton
THURSDAY – MICHAEL PANG – Requested by the Family
FRIDAY – MARTIN SMEE – Requested by the Family
SATURDAY – GERRY BAVINGTON – Requested by Diana Bavington

WELCOME! BAPTISM

The Parish Family of St. Gabriel’s would like to welcome: William Antonio Camacho, Sebastian Roger Kipp and Andrew Phillip Aninangin Ganon who received the Sacrament of Baptism on Sunday, March 16th 2014. Congratulations!

LENTEN AND EASTER SCHEDULE

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

FIRST RECONCILIATION

Saturday, March 29th at St. Gabriel’s Church at 2:00 P.M.

First Reconciliation for children attending St. Gabriel’s School, and those in the Children’s Faith Program and children attending Private Schools will be held at St. Gabriel’s Church on Saturday, March 29th at 2:00 P.M.

SHARELIFE

Working wonders in our community…

Last year Mary Centre received a call to assist Robert, a client, when they learned that his sister Theresa, who lived with him, had collapsed and was rushed to the hospital. Due to a previous connection with Robert and Theresa, the agency was able to respond quickly. Mary Centre’s respite facility at St. Bernard’s is often fully booked a few months in advance but other families were supportive and changed their plans to accommodate this situation.Robert stayed at Mary Centre for 3 weeks until Theresa was able to return home and take care of him. He continues to come to St. Bernard’s at least once a month where he has felt welcome and has made friends. Robert and Theresa take comfort in knowing that Mary Centre was there for them. Theresa shared, “To know Mary Centre is to know people who are kind, considerate and thoughtful; thank you for all you’ve have done for my brother and me.” Last year, over 1,800 people with special needs received assistance from ShareLife-supported agencies.

First ShareLife Sunday – March 30, 2014
Please give generously. You can work wonders!

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. You may pick up a copy of a casserole recipe and a pan from the Parish Office.

Three recipes are also available on St. Gabriel’s web site. . Please remember to mark the label on the pan lid with the name of the casserole. For more information, please contact Irene Albrecht at 416 221-2791.

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.

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.

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.

REGIS COLLEGE BOOK SALE

April 27th to May 3rd from 10:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M.

100 Wellesley Street West, 1st Floor Solarium

Regis College, the Jesuit College of Theology at the University of Toronto, is having its 3rd annual Book Sale from April 30th to May 3rd. If you have any gently used books to donate, they would be most appreciated. The books can be delivered to Regis College at 100 Wellesley St. E. (at Queens’s Park). For more information please call 416-922-5474 ext. 244 or email at regiscollege.ca/booksale.TT.

FINANCE CORNER

Our operating expenses average $14,550 per week.

Collection for last weekend:

Envelopes 404 $8,036
Loose Change $1,385
Weekly Portion of PAG 177 $3,307
(Pre-Authorized Giving)
Total $12,728

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 23, 2014

Homily – March 23, 2014

Sunday, March 23rd, 2014

Two thirsty people meet at a well. St. Augustine wrote of that meeting, “The very one who asks for a drink promises a drink. The very one who seems to be in need, hoping to receive, is the one who is rich, wanting to give, wanting to satisfy our deepest thirsts.” Jesus promises the woman at the well, “Whoever drinks the water I give will never be thirsty. No, the water I give shall become a fountain within, leaping up to provide eternal life.”

There are two thirsts involved in this meeting at the well. There is our human thirst and there is God’s thirst. We humans thirst for many things. We thirst for meaning in our life; we thirst for love and acceptance. We thirst for happiness. We thirst for peace and forgiveness. We thirst for God. Jesus tells us he is the only one who ultimately quenches all our thirsts.

Do we ever think of God’s thirst for us? God thirsts for us especially when we try to quench our many thirsts by drinking the polluted waters of selfishness and infidelity. Christ’s pitiful cry from his cross,” I thirst” tells us of his thirst for our response to his great act of love. When we grasp the full mystery of the passion, death and resurrection of Christ hopefully we may realize that, as great as our many thirsts may be it is God’s eternal thirst for us, for our faith, our trust, our love, is the central mystery of our relationship with God.

During these remaining days of Lent may we try, as best we can, to satisfy God’s thirst by being faithful to the teachings of his Son by loving and forgiving others as he loves and forgives us and by being there for others in need as he is always there for us.

Posted in Homily | Comments Off on Homily – March 23, 2014

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »