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.
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.
ANNOUNCED MASSES
March 10th to March 15th, 2014
MONDAY – HEALING OF THE SICK & CONVERSION OF SINNERS – Requested by the Chiu Family
TUESDAY – JESSIE CHEER – Requested by Wai Chin & Paul Hwang & Family
WEDNESDAY – PAULINE FUNG CHIU & CELINE CHIU KO – Requested by the Chiu Family
THURSDAY – THE WELL BEING & THANKSGIVING OF THE CHIU & FUNG FAMILIES – Requested by the Chiu Family
FRIDAY – ALICE MICHAEL – Requested by Charmaine Michael
SATURDAY – PHILIP LEAH – Requested by Kathi Leah
DAYS OF FAST AND ABSTINENCE
During Lent there are two days of Fast and Abstinence, Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Abstinence means to abstain from eating meat. This applies to all Catholics 14 years of age and older. Fasting means that your two smaller meals combined should not be larger than your main meal. There is no eating between meals. This applies to healthy people between the ages of 18 and 60.
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.
SHARELIFE
Together we are continuing to work wonders…
“Help one another. This is what Jesus teaches. This is what I do. And I do it with my heart…I love doing it because this is what the Lord has taught me. But you too must help us and help each other always. And thus in helping each other we will do good for each other.” —Pope Francis
Our Holy Father reminds us of the importance of caring for each other. Through ShareLife agencies, we reach out to some of the most vulnerable, marginalized and needy people in our community, helping our neighbours, friends and fellow parishioners as they work through difficult times. This demonstrates our commitment to Catholic charity in a meaningful way. Please consider supporting ShareLife, the annual appeal of our Archdiocese, during this Lenten season.
—Thomas Cardinal Collins, Archbishop of Toronto
First ShareLife Sunday – March 30, 2014
Please give generously. You can work wonders
JUST COFFEE
Fair trade organic coffees will be on sale after all the Masses next weekend.
Regular ground coffee: $5.50
Decaffeinated: $6.00
Whole Beans: $5.50
Chocolate Bars: $4.00 incl. Taxes
Hot Chocolate and Cocoa: $4.75
Teas: $4.25
CANADIAN TIRE MONEY – MATERCARE
Since our last report, we have collected another $97 in Canadian Tire money in support of Matercare International. This association of Catholic Obstetricians and Gynecologists working in developing countries, is dedicated to improving the lives and health of mothers and their children, both unborn and born. Thank you for your continuing support of this worthwhile campaign.
MILK BAGS INTO BED MATS
A bin has been placed in the gathering space for the collection of milk bags (outer bag only) which can be woven into quick-dry, bug-resistant bed mats for flood-ravaged areas of the third world, like Haiti. Please remember to rinse out and dry bags before depositing them. Thank you.
DAY OF RECOLLECTION
Blessed Trinity Church
Tuesday, March 18th from 9:00 A.M. to 2:30 P.M.
The Catholic Women’s League at Blessed Trinity Parish will be holding a Day of Recollection on Tuesday, March 18th from 9:00 A.M. to 2:30 P.M. The retreat will be led by Fr. Fred Mazzarella, under the theme “Walking with Jesus.” Holy Mass, confessions and Holy Rosary will be held as well. Refreshments and a warm luncheon will be served. Tickets are $20.00 each and may be requested from Louise Tonelli at 416-733-3946 or Anne Chang at 416-497-7739.
WIDOW/WIDOWER SUPPORT GROUP
St. Gabriel’s Church
670 Sheppard Ave. East
1st and 3rd Fridays beginning March 21st, 7:30 to 9:30 P.M.
Coordinated by the New Beginnings Program at Catholic Family Services of Toronto, this support group welcomes widows and widowers to a gathering which is full of hope and faithful sharing of ideas. The group is facilitated by Mary Muir. Please register with Deacon James Shaughnessy at 416-921-1163, ext. 2227 or by email at jshaughn@cfstoronto.com.
FREE ESTATE PLANNING SEMINAR
Holy Cross Cemetery 8361 Yonge Street, Thornhill
Saturday, March 22nd at 9:00 A.M.
Catholic Cemeteries and the Archdiocese estate planning team will share:
– How to protect your loved ones with a proper Will
– How to ensure your wishes are legally protected
– About Powers of Attorney
– The cost savings of making an estate plan
– Finding lawyers and estate planning advisors
– Our Catholic traditions around wills, burials and funerals
An estate planning kit and DVD will be provided at no cost. Refreshments will be provided.
RSVP: Frank Jannetta, Catholic Cemeteries
416.733-8544 ext. 237 or fjannetta@ccat.on.ca
NEWMAN CENTRE STUDENT CAMPUS MINISTRY TEAM
All Catholic students entering or continuing post-secondary education are invited to consider becoming part of the Student Campus Ministry team at the Newman Centre. You will live in community with other students, witness to your faith through Catholic chaplaincy outreach, participate in the liturgical life at Newman and be provided with a platform to grow in holiness and develop solid Catholic leadership skills. Your partially subsidized residence fees include a private room and a shared or private bath, food and utilities.
Interested in learning more about becoming part of our team? Email Erin Kinsella at chaplaincy@newmantoronto.com today. Deadlines to apply are March 31st for the summer term (May to August) and May 15th for the Fall/Winter term (September to April).
WORLD WATER DAY REGIS COLLEGE
St. Joseph’s Chapel, Regis College, 100 Wellesley St. W.
Saturday, March 22nd from 10:00 A.M. to 3:30 P.M.
Vigil Mass for Peace at 4:30 P.M.
Regis College celebrates World Water Day with a theological workshop exploring the scientific, religious and spiritual significance of water. Journalist and author Alanna Mitchell, eco-theologian Prof. Dennis O’Hara, and Jesuit ecologist Fr. John McCarthy will present water as fundamental to our Catholic faith. For information and registration go to: https://www.z2systems.com/np /clients/regis/event.jsp?event=271
FAITH CONNECTIONS – THEOLOGY ON TAP
Faith and Civil Engagement
Duke of York Pub, 39 Prince Arthur Ave, Toronto
Monday, March 24 from 7:00 P.M. to 9 P.M.
All young adults (19-39) are invited to join us for an evening of thought-provoking conversation on theological topics! Special guest: Toronto City Councillor Joe Mihevc. Munchies provided, cash bar available — come and bring a friend! For more information, visit our Toronto Theology on Tap web page, or contact Vanessa Nicholas-Schmidt by e-mail at faithconnections@csj-to.ca, or phone 416-467-2645.
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 11th to 13th, 2014. For information telephone: 905-278-5229.
DYNAMIC WOMEN OF FAITH CATHOLIC WOMEN’S CONFERENCE
International Plaza Hotel
655 Dixon Road, Toronto
Saturday, April 12th from 8:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.
Come. Get inspired. Refresh your spirit. Meet new people. Renew your mind. Learn about new saints. The keynote speaker will be Lisa Hendley, from Fresno California, author of the Handbook for Catholic Moms. Other speakers include Fr. Terry McKenna, Michael Coren, Anita Healy, Dorothy Pilarski and Tammie Cancelli.
For more information and to register visit: www.dynamicwomenfaith.com
FINANCE CORNER
Our operating expenses average $14,550 per week.
Collection for last weekend:
Envelopes 385 $8,290
Loose Change $2,190
Weekly Portion of PAG 177 $3,307
(Pre-Authorized Giving)
Total $13,787
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.
