Author Archive

Homily – November 14, 2021

Sunday, November 14th, 2021

From the fig tree learn this lesson – its tender branches and its fresh leaves tell us summer is near. For us falling leaves and bare branches sign us that winter is on its way. Get out our woollies.

What are the signs in our times that warn us of future troubles? The increase number of hurricanes, the loss of shore lines, prolonged dry hot seasons and forest fires, melting glaciers, polluted oceans, these are all signs that things are changing in the world in which we live. What is the lesson these signs want us to learn? Could it be; smarten up? You are in trouble?

The world summit in Glasgow on climate change is an important event. Concerned young people from around the world gave and heard speeches about possible disasters that will impact their futures. World leaders gave great promises to change our dependency on fossil fuel and made promises of economic help to poor countries.

Everyone had to admit we are running out of time to really and drastically change the ways we live on planet Earth. But let’s face it; there hasn’t been that much change, drastic change in our life styles of consumerism and wastefulness, and our dependency on fossil fuel, since the Paris Agreement in 2019

I could scare you to death with all kinds of statistical woes but all you have to do is read the newspapers to find out how bad things are. Are we really serious about the drastic changes in our lifestyles required of us if we are to survive? Are we trying to live simply on Earth that others may simply live? Or are we leaving it for the next generation to clean up the mess we leave them, are we kicking the can down the road?

There is another way we can hear today’s gloomy gospel, that is to hear Mark speaking to every generation, including our own. Each of us will have our own ‘end time’ namely our own death and our generation pass away, like those before us… Can we hear Mark not so much warning us about the future end of the world but rather telling us how to live this day, this moment, this life? Right here, right now is our time to bear fruit, right here, right now, in our time, Mark is telling us to live today as if it were our last day, loving as we’ve been loved, forgiving as we’ve been forgiven, and healing as we’ve been healed. It’s all about right here, right now.

Jesus once said to people who worried about the future problems, ‘sufficient for the day is the evil there of’. For us here and now can we hear, sufficient for the day are the possibilities there of? The possibility to be more accepting of men and women different from ourselves, the possibility to be there for friend or stranger, the possibility to act kindly, live justly and walk humbly before our God. The rest is in the hands of God

Bulletin – November 7, 2021

Saturday, November 6th, 2021

LEST WE FORGET

Thursday, November 11th is Remembrance Day, a day to remember all who have served, and continue to serve in our armed forces, especially those who have died and those wounded in battle. We pray for healing and peace; that one day, all peoples will lay down their arms and embrace one another as brothers and sisters in one human family.

NOVEMBER IS THE MONTH OF ALL SOULS

BOX OF REMEMBRANCE

A Box of Remembrance has been placed on the altar for the month of November. You are invited to write the names of your deceased relatives and friends on a sheet of paper at home and bring it to place in the box.

Those whose names are in the Box of Remembrance will be remembered at all the Masses celebrated in November.

ANNOUNCED MASSES

November 8TH to November 14th, 2021

MONDAY – SOULS IN PURGATORY – Requested by Myrian Fabra
TUESDAY – SOULS IN PURGATORY – Requested by Myrian Fabra
WEDNESDAY – PAULINE FUNG CHIU – Requested by the Chiu Family
THURSDAY – DAMIAN GAUGHAN – Requested by Agnes Gaughan
FRIDAY – CORA PARKE – Requested by Lulu Luz
SATURDAY – SIMON GALVEZ PRINCIPIO – Requested by Margina Principio
SUNDAY – 10:30 AM – EMILIO & JOSEFINA LUNA – Requested by Francisco Luna
SUNDAY – 12:30 PM – JOSE ENRIQUEZ SR. – Requested by Jackie & Kayla Enriquez

CHILDREN’S LITURGY – VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

At the 10:30 AM Mass from October to May each year, children ages 4 to 10 have the opportunity to gather as a group for the Liturgy of the Word led by parents who have volunteered.

We are in great need of more volunteers to assist this program.

For more information or to volunteer, please call Dawn Burke at 416 671-0561 or leave a message at the Parish Office.

WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS

The Parish Family of St. Gabriel’s would like to welcome the following children who received the Sacrament of Baptism during the month of October:

Margaret Mary Calvert
Owen Matthews
Penelope Matthews
Theodore Rutka

Congratulations and blessings to you!

ALTAR SERVERS

The Altar Server Ministry invites children, 10 and above, who are interested in learning how to serve at Mass, to please email stgabrielsaltarservers@gmail.com with details of the Mass at which they would like to serve.

SHEPHERD’S TRUST COLLECTION

November 13th/14th

There will be a second collection next week, November 13th/14th for The Shepherds’ Trust. The mission of The Shepherds’ Trust is to ensure retired priests are provided with sufficient financial resources to lead a dignified life after many years of ministry. Your generous gift will help our priests maintain a modest, but active and independent lifestyle in their retirement years. For priests who are ill or otherwise infirmed, the trust ensures they have access to nursing home facilities and medical care. Thank you for your support of this important work.

FOOD FOR ROSALIE HALL & THE GOOD SHEPHERD CENTRE

As you know, each week we collect food for Rosalie Hall and the Good Shepherd Centre.

Rosalie Hall assists young parents and their children to realize their potential through the provision of a wide range of child development, community, residential and educational services.

Good Shepherd provides hot meals and shelter for the homeless in our city as well as a chance to start again through the Resettlement or DARE Programs.

Your food donations are more important than ever as Covid 19 continues and numbers of needy people continue to increase. Please check the expiry dates before donating since we cannot pass on food that has expired. Thank you for your generous support.

GOOD SHEPHERD CASSEROLES

Thank you to the volunteers who prepared 35 casseroles in October for the Good Shepherd Centre.

In November your prepared casseroles will be collected on the weekend of November 27th/28th.

Please consider helping to feed the less fortunate in our city. Recipes and casserole pans are available at the Parish Office. Recipes are also online at our website. For more information, please contact Irene Albrecht at 416-221-2791.

QUEEN OF APOSTLES HEALING RETREAT

1617 Blythe Road Mississauga
Thursday November 11th from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM

Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre is holding a Healing Retreat for those suffering with cancer.

Please join them as they journey through the challenges of living and dealing with cancer.

The cost is $40.

To find out more information or to register, please email office@qoa.ca or call 905 278 5229.

ESTATE PLANNING FROM A CATHOLIC PERSPECTIVE

Saturday, November 13th, 2021 at 9:00 AM

Join this webinar and learn about the importance of a Will, Powers of Attorney & Estate Planning as well as Catholic teachings and traditions around cremation.

The Archdiocese of Toronto estate planning team and Catholic Cemeteries & Funeral Services will share:

How to protect your loved ones with a proper will
How to ensure that your wishes are legally protected
About Powers of Attorney
Estate Trustee selection
Finding lawyers and estate planning advisors
Our Catholic traditions around wills, cremation, burial and funerals

An estate planning guide will be mailed to all attendees at no cost.

To register, send them an email to: development@archtoronto.org

Please include ‘webinar on November 13’ in the subject line and provide your name and mailing address in the body of a message (otherwise they won’t be able to send you your copy of the Estate Planning guide!). Also, they would be grateful if, for the sake of their statistics, you could let them know whether you are planning to watch this webinar alone or together with a family member.

You will receive a link to the webinar on November 8th, and a couple of reminders closer to the date of the presentation.

RED WEDNESDAY 2021

Wednesday, November 17th at 7:00 PM
St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica
65 Bond St., Toronto

Aid to the Church in Need (ACN Canada) will hold its 7th annual Red Wednesday on November 17th. The goal of the event is to raise awareness and to pray for persecuted Christians, who are the most discriminated against religious group in the world.

To mark this important day, ACN and the Archdiocese of Toronto are organizing a prayer vigil at St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica at 7:00 PM. All are welcome!

For more information, please contact Aid to the Church in Need (ACN Canada)at el@acn-canada.org or by phone at 416-827-5022

NEW BEGINNINGS ONLINE SEPARATED/DIVORCED VIRTUAL PROGRAM

Thursday November 18th at 7:00 PM

The Online Separated/Divorced Introductory Program offers both women and men a learning environment which is safe, welcoming and non-judgmental. The program provides 4 weeks of psycho-education which assists and accompanies the separated/divorced in exploring grief, experiencing healing and renewing faith. The program resources include PowerPoint, audio/video media and time will be allocated for group discussion.

Program Goals
• Understanding the fundamentals of grief and mourning
• Explaining the transitional dynamics of loss
• Developing skills for emotional management and practical care
• Renewing faith and rediscovery of personal spirituality

Program Access
The ideal candidate is ready and able to participate in a group setting. Each candidate will be screened prior, to being considered for admittance into the program.

For more information and to register please contact: Arcangelo Limanni, MRE (416) 921-1163 ext. 2225 alimanni@cfstoronto.com We welcome people from all ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds

COME AND SEE RETREAT

Saturday, November 20th from 9 :00 AM to 3:30 PM

The Office of Vocations will host a Come & See – Day Retreat for men 18 years and older, at St. Augustine’s Seminary on Saturday, November 20th from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM This day retreat offers men a way to discern a possible call to priesthood at our seminary. We encourage you to promote this retreat in your parish and during your livestream Masses. Thank you in advance for your generosity as we work together to build a culture of vocations.

Please register at www.vocationstoronto.ca.

For more information go to vocations@archtoronto.org

Homily – November 7, 2021

Saturday, November 6th, 2021

I don’t know if you’ve heard of the book, Angela’s ashes. It’s about the dire poverty and hunger of the poor in Limerick, in Ireland. When there was knock on the door at mealtime no one was ever turned away, they just a little more water to the stew.

Today’s scriptures tell the story of two widows, living centuries apart. The only thing they have in common is an open heart to the needs of others.

The prophet Elijah intruded into this widow’s life and asked for bread. She explained her own situation; she had handful of meal in a jar and a little oil for cooking a final meal for her son and herself. Elijah made her a promise; if she shared the little she had, then the jar of meal will not be emptied and the jug of oil will not fail until the drought is over.

Jesus praises the widow he sees in the Temple. She drops her copper coins into the collection basket, trusting they will be put to good use. It was all she had, but she was willing to help those who were worse off than herself. These two widows share a common kindness, an open heart to those who share their poverty.

This ever present pandemic has turned our lives upside down. We never imagined theaters closed, restaurants closed, family gatherings discouraged, weddings and funerals with limited attendance. Whoever imagined working from home would be the normal or teaching on line? What will the next normal be?

So many people are just stressed out waiting for new guidelines for the future.

We all want to discover new ways to reconnect, to be there for one another. A phone call, an email would be great.

I think we’re all familiar with the image of the lone wolf, the predator searching for its prey. But wolves never travel alone, they travel in packs and as they travel they bump into one another, nudge one another just to let one another know they are not alone, I’m with you.

Can there such a thing as a ‘lone Christian? I hope not.

Maybe this is one way of coming out of this pandemic, letting family and friends and strangers know they are not alone.

Many people’s financial security has been impacted by this virus. Bars and restaurants, small businesses were closed never to reopen.

Government was there to help, but that will change.

Here’s our reality as a parish.

From now on until Christmas you’ll be inundated with appeals for help. Just check the bulletin and see the appeals for Christmas food, Christmas clothing, and Christmas toys. Our St. Vincent de Paul men and women have so many requests for help at this time of year and the number of needy men and women and families never goes down. It’s the same for the Salvation Army, the Scott Mission, and The Good Shepherd Refugee.

Some people may resent all these appeals, ignore them. Our past Christmases appeals prove that’s not true here. Your past generosity gives great promise.

Today’s widows offer us an example. They had open hearts to the needs of others.

In these coming weeks before Christmas may we, as a parish family, be gifted with open hearts and open hands.

Homily – October 31, 2021

Sunday, October 31st, 2021

Behold O Israel the Lord our God is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. This prayer is called the Shema. Observant Jews say it many times a day.

You may see a little plaque on the doorpost of a Jewish home or apartment, this contains the Shema pray and people touch it as they enter or leave their home and pray the Shema.

This pray stressed the truth that God is one and that the Jewish people were not to be seduced into believing in the many gods in which their neighbours believed.

When the Scribe asked his question he was not trying to trap Jesus, he was just asking ‘what do you think?

Jesus’ answer was quick and to the point but he added words we need to hear today; you shall love your neighbour as you love yourself. The way John the Apostle put was, how can you say you love God, whom you have never seen, when you do not love your neighbour who you see? To put it another way; ‘how can you say you love God who you’ve never seen when you dismiss from your life the person sitting next to you on the bus or subway because of their color or the way they’re dressed or their mannerism?

We need to hear these challenging words of Jesus and John and ask ourselves how they challenge our own way of relating to other people of other faiths, other national origins.

There was article in the Star last week on the rise of acts of violence against places of worship; mosques and temple, synagogues and churches vandalized and defaced with racist slogans, what’s behind these actions. It’s usually fear of the different, the strange.

What’s the greatest commandment? Love God, love your neighbour. But love is the most over used, the most abused word in the English language. We flip around so easily that the word love has lost its meaning, its power.

The power of the words ‘love’ challenges our prejudges, our bigotry, our racism, even as we deny these realities in our lives.

Right here, right now we celebrate real and proven love as we make present to us the passion and death of Jesus, when Jesus handed over to us his body, his blood, his life and left us with these challenging words…love one another as I’ve loved you.

We all know there is a great difference between loving a person and liking a person. There are some people we will never like. We have personality clash with them, they turn us off. But we are challenged to love them; to wish them well and pray for their well being. That’s how we love as Jesus loved us.

Bulletin – October 31, 2021

Saturday, October 30th, 2021

NOVEMBER IS THE MONTH OF ALL SOULS

BOX OF REMEMBRANCE

A Box of Remembrance will be placed on the altar for the month of November. You are invited to write the names of your deceased relatives and friends on a sheet of paper at home and bring it to place in the box.

Those whose names are in the Box of Remembrance will be remembered at all the Masses celebrated in November.

UPDATING OUR PARISH RECORDS

At this time, we would like to update our Parish records.

If you have changed your address, telephone number or email address, please let us know. Thank you for your cooperation.

DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME ENDS NOVEMBER 7th

Remember to set your clocks back one hour on Saturday evening November 6th before you go to bed!

ANNOUNCED MASSES

November 1st to November 7th, 2021

MONDAY – FRANK KENNY – Requested by Agnes Gaughan
TUESDAY – DECEASED MEMBERS OF THE INTINI FAMILY – Requested by Chiara Intini
WEDNESDAY – SOULS IN PURGATORY – Requested by the Nguyen Family
THURSDAY – SOULS IN PURGATORY – Requested by Mirian Fabra
FRIDAY – SOULS IN PURGATORY – Requested by Mirian Fabra
SATURDAY – INTENTIONS OF THE ROSARY GROUP – Requested by Linda Law
SUNDAY – 10:30 AM – JOAN RUEST – Requested by Ron Ruest
SUNDAY – 12:30 PM – BENJAMIN JOSE GIBERSON SR. – Requested by Joan Giberson

ALTAR SERVERS

The Altar Server Ministry invites children, 10 and above, who are interested in learning how to serve at Mass, to please email stgabrielsaltarservers@gmail.com with details of the Mass at which they would like to serve.

CHILDREN’S LITURGY – VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

At the 10:30 AM Mass from October to May each year, children ages 4 to 10 have the opportunity to gather as a group for the Liturgy of the Word led by parents who have volunteered.

We are in great need of more volunteers to assist this program.

For more information or to volunteer, please call Dawn Burke at 416 671-0561 or leave a message at the Parish Office.

SHARELIFE!

Double your impact on ShareLife Sunday

ShareLife Sunday is a special day for our parish, as we join together in support of those who are poor and marginalized. And we now have an opportunity to make an even greater difference with our donations. From now through November 15, our gifts to ShareLife will be matched by a generous donor up to a total of $750,000.

Our parish’s ShareLife goal this year is $187,000. To date we have achieved $170,875. Will you help us reach our goal?

“Thank you to each and every person who showed solidarity with those who suffer by making a sacrificial gift.”
– Cardinal Thomas Collins

Today is the final ShareLife Sunday of 2021.
Please give generously.

FOOD FOR ROSALIE HALL & THE GOOD SHEPHERD CENTRE

As you know, each week we collect food for Rosalie Hall and the Good Shepherd Centre.

Rosalie Hall assists young parents and their children to realize their potential through the provision of a wide range of child development, community, residential and educational services.

Good Shepherd provides hot meals and shelter for the homeless in our city as well as a chance to start again through the Resettlement or DARE Programs.

Your food donations are more important than ever as Covid 19 continues and numbers of needy people continue to increase. Please check the expiry dates before donating since we cannot pass on food that has expired. Thank you for your generous support.

QUEEN OF APOSTLES HEALING RETREAT

1617 Blythe Road Mississauga
Thursday November 11th from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM

Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre is holding a Healing Retreat for those suffering with cancer.

Please join them as they journey through the challenges of living and dealing with cancer.

The cost is $40.

To find out more information or to register, please email office@qoa.ca or call 905 278 5229.

ESTATE PLANNING FROM A CATHOLIC PERSPECTIVE

Saturday, November 13th, 2021 at 9:00 AM

Join this webinar and learn about the importance of a Will, Powers of Attorney & Estate Planning as well as Catholic teachings and traditions around cremation.

The Archdiocese of Toronto estate planning team and Catholic Cemeteries & Funeral Services will share:
How to protect your loved ones with a proper will
How to ensure that your wishes are legally protected
– About Powers of Attorney
– Estate Trustee selection
– Finding lawyers and estate planning advisors
– Our Catholic traditions around wills, cremation,
burial and funerals

An estate planning guide will be mailed to all attendees at no cost.

To register, send them an email to: development@archtoronto.org

Please include ‘webinar on November 13’ in the subject line and provide your name and mailing address in the body of a message (otherwise they won’t be able to send you your copy of the Estate Planning guide!). Also, they would be grateful if, for the sake of their statistics, you could let them know whether you are planning to watch this webinar alone or together with a family member.

You will receive a link to the webinar on November 8th, and a couple of reminders closer to the date of the presentation.

NEW BEGINNINGS ONLINE SEPARATED/DIVORCED PROGRAM

Thursday November 18th at 7:00 PM

The Online Separated/Divorced Introductory Program offers both women and men a learning environment which is safe, welcoming and non-judgmental. The program provides 4 weeks of psycho-education which assists and accompanies the separated/divorced in exploring grief, experiencing healing and renewing faith. The program resources include PowerPoint, audio/video media and time will be allocated for group discussion.

Program Goals
• Understanding the fundamentals of grief and
mourning
• Explaining the transitional dynamics of loss
• Developing skills for emotional management and
practical car
• Renewing faith and rediscovery of personal
spirituality

Program Access
The ideal candidate is ready and able to participate in a group setting. Each candidate will be screened prior, to being considered for admittance into the program.

For more information and to register please contact: Arcangelo Limanni, MRE (416) 921-1163 ext. 2225 alimanni@cfstoronto.com

We welcome people from all ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds

COME AND SEE RETREAT

Saturday, November 20th from 9 :00 AM to 3:30 PM

The Office of Vocations will host a Come & See – Day Retreat for men 18 years and older, at St. Augustine’s Seminary on Saturday, November 20th from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM This day retreat offers men a way to discern a possible call to priesthood at our seminary. We encourage you to promote this retreat in your parish and during your livestream Masses. Thank you in advance for your generosity as we work together to build a culture of vocations.

Please register at www.vocationstoronto.ca.

For more information go to vocations@archtoronto.org

THE GARDEN SHED

LIFE IN THE GARDEN

With the temperature dropping and the leaves falling, it’s time to harvest the last crops, cover the boxes and mulch the beds before winter’s deep freeze. Nature is signaling that it is time to rest.

We in the Garden Ministry want to thank you for the comments and encouragement that you have shared with us and for your prayers for the well-being of the garden. St. Gabriel’s Garden continues to be an adventure, one that we share with our garden relations: flowers, grasses and trees, birds, fur bearers, insects and crawlers. To them all, we express our deep gratitude. Let us pray that we all overwinter in good health and return eager to begin again in March.

P.S. The young fox that I mentioned two weeks ago, was brought to the Animal Rescue facility in Downsview (thanks to Hélène and John in the office and the City) and is recovering well from a parasitic infection.