Author Archive

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »

Homily – October 25, 2020

Saturday, October 24th, 2020

In our opening prayer we make this simple request; ‘make us love what you command so that we may merit what you promise.’

Our gospel brings us back to the basics – the great commandment – love God above and before everything – and love the man, woman or child standing before you as you love and cherish yourself… another way of putting it – do unto others as you would have done to you.

It all seems so simple – why do we mess it up so often.

Jesus quotes to the Pharisees the Shema (“Hear!”). It is so named after the first word of Deuteronomy 6:4-9, which begins, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. Therefore, you shall love the Lord your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength.”

This the daily prayer of an observant Jewish person as they touch the muzuzah on their doorpost.

I remember in our social studies in the seminary. Our prof was Fr. Fergus MacDonald from Nova Scotia. The first day of class he comes in and writes on the blackboard in capital letters OS.

He tells us that everything we’ll be studying this coming year; social justice and social injustice all are the result of OS. That moment unknown in time or place when the human species fell for the fake promise that if we didn’t listen to God we would become like God..The Book of Genesis tells us it was downhill from then on.

Subjects such as social justice, exploitation of indigenous people and the earth’s limited resources, slavery, racism, white privilege, sweat shops, child labor; inadequate housing and health care, the list is endless but all the result of original sin.

When Cain asked God; am I my brother’s keeper? The answer was and is still the same; yes. Recently Pope Francis said;

To not recognize the human person as an image of God is a sacrilege, an abomination, the worst offense that can be directed toward the temple and the altar,”

As Jesus said; ‘whatever you do to one of these the least of my brothers and sisters you do to me.’ You shared your food, you shared your water, you shared your clothing, you shared your clothing, you shared your home, your homeland; you shared.

Whenever you did these things to one of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me. Come enter the kingdom prepared for you.

The reality is we are to love others, not like others. We know there are some people who just turn us off; they’re brass, in your face, know it all, just not nice people. Its all about personalities. We just don’t like them but Christ challenges us to look beyond their foibles and see them as they are; sons and daughters of God, as we all are. Mistake making beings as we all are. We are to wish them well,

We go back to our opening prayer. Make us love what you command so that we may merit what you promise. Love one another as you’ve been loved… enter the joy of my kingdom.

Posted in Homily | Comments Off on Homily – October 25, 2020

Bulletin – October 18, 2020

Saturday, October 17th, 2020

ANNOUNCED MASSES

October 19th to October 25th

MONDAY – ROMULO CHRISTIAN GONZALEZ – Requested by Rosa Gonzalez
TUESDAY – KENG OWYONG – Requested by Helen Owyong
WEDNESDAY – INTENTIONS OF URSULA MARTINS – Requested by Tony Fernandes
THURSDAY – AMY YOO – Requested by John Choi
FRIDAY – THE JACK TA FAMILY – Requested by Veronica Do
SATURDAY – VICTOR PAUL – Requested by Sophie & Candida Pereira
SUNDAY – 10:30 AM – KRYSTYNA SIELECKA – Requested by Hanna Wisniowska
SUNDAY 12:30 PM – ALONSO VARGAS – Requested by Mirian Fabra

MINISTRY FOR MATURING ADULTS

PHONE PALS OR EMAIL PALS: CONNECTING WITH EACH OTHER DURING THE PANDEMIC

While the first wave of Covid 19 was trying for everyone it was particularly difficult for anyone who was living by themselves or for those living with others but not feeling included, valued or welcome. As we prepare for a possible second wave of the pandemic, the team members of the Ministry of Maturing Adults would like to invite anyone who would like a telephone pal or email pal to contact the parish office or email us directly at stgabrielmma@gmail.com.

By providing us with your name, phone number or email, we will connect you with someone who would make periodical calls to check in on you at least once a week. These calls or emails could be used for a simple friendly chat, a chance to voice a concern to a compassionate ear, or a companion to pray with.

No one should feel alone… Each of us are weathering this storm in a different way, but we are all part of the same storm. Let us know if we can help!

ARCHDIOCESAN CATECHIST FORMATION PROGRAM 2020-21

Registration is now open for the 2020-21 Catechist Formation Program. The program runs from Sunday, October 18th, 2020 to Saturday, June 19th, 2021. It consists of a combination of online courses, seminars, retreat morning, as well as a Mass and blessing of catechists by Cardinal Thomas Collins, Archbishop of Toronto, at St. Augustine’s Seminary. There is a $250 deposit, refundable upon program completion, and the cost of books.

For more information see the brochure at http://bit.ly/OCFP-Brochure2020 or contact Connie Price at: cprice@archtoronto.org or 416-934-3400, ext. 513.

R.C.I.A. AND ADULT FAITH DEVELOPMENT

Meetings in preparation for the R.C.I.A. (Rites of Christian Initiation of Adults) will begin in October. These meetings are normally in person but, due to Covid 19, they will probably be online. They are for persons interested in learning more about the Catholic Faith. The exploration may lead the candidate to seek baptism, and become a member of the Catholic Christian community; or for Christians already baptized into another Christian denomination, the reception into the Catholic Church.

Adult Catholics who have not received the sacrament of Confirmation but who wish to do so are also encouraged to attend these sessions.

As well, these meetings may be an opportunity for “Born Catholics” to deepen their understanding of our faith. Very often, especially for those of us who received our religious instruction at an early age, we tend to grow physically, mentally, psychologically etc., but the understanding of our faith does not grow correspondingly. The RCIA may serve as a good opportunity for us to ask questions and to develop a more adult understanding of our faith.

If you are interested in joining the RCIA meetings or if you would like to have more information about it, please contact Sr. Maria Lucia at 416-221-8866.

CHILDREN’S FAITH PROGRAM

Registration Begins October 19th

We anticipate that the 2020-2021 Children’s Faith Program will follow a home-school model with email resource support from volunteer catechist. At registration, you will receive a textbook for use as a primary resource. Parents will home school the child, with guidance from the textbook material and email resources from the catechist. Registration forms will be available on line or in the Parish Office beginning Monday, October 19th.

FOOD FOR ROSALIE HALL & GOOD SHEPHERD CENTRE

Each month food we collect is sent to 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.

With so many out of work and struggling at this time, your food donations are more important than ever. Please check the expiry dates before donating since we cannot pass on food that has expired. Please no fresh or frozen foods. Thank you for your generous support!

WORLD MISSION SUNDAY

This Weekend, October 17th & 18th

World Mission Sunday takes place this weekend.

This national collection is given to the Society for the Propagation of the Faith who distributes the funds to every mission bishop to assist in the day to day expenses of operating the diocese as well as special projects, such as building churches/chapels, healthcare clinics, the training and support catechists.

Please be as generous as your means allow.

2021 REFUGEE SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM

For Families of Parishioners

The Archdiocese Office for Refugees has a program to assist parishioners who would like to sponsor a family member that is in need of refugee sponsorship. This program is intended to assist parishioners only. If you are a parishioner, and would like to sponsor a family member, please contact the parish office to schedule a meeting with the pastor prior to November 15th. The Office for Refugees will look to the sponsoring family to provide the necessary funds for sponsorship.

The Process

Step 1: The Program is Announced at Parish by October 20th, 2020.
Step 2: The Parishioner Meets with the Pastor – Interested parishioners are to arrange a meeting with the pastor by November 15th, 2020
Step 3: The Pastor Sends Request to ORAT by November 29th, 2020
Step 4: ORAT Invites Parishioner to an Information Session – Following the receipt of the request from the pastor, ORAT will extend an invitation to the parishioner, inviting them to attend the Introduction to Resettlement Information Session. This is a mandatory session for the parishioner. The session will take place on or before Saturday, December 12th, 2020.

THEOLOGY ON TAP-SAINTS IN OUR JEANS

Monday October 26th from 7:00 PM to 9:00PM

The speaker for this online event is Lisette Romero, BAS, B.Ed. Lisette enthusiastically works as a Youth Minister and a Lay Pastoral Assistant in two parishes of the Diocese of Peterborough. She invites us to share in her passion for the Catholic Faith and rich knowledge of Saints and Sainthood.

Please join her for a night of learning, fellowship, and sharing! Space is limited. Please contact faithconnections@csj-to.ca for more information.

THE GARDEN SHED

Our garden connects us to the natural world of which we are a part, not only in the present, but to our roots in the ancient past. If you walk the Stations of the Cosmic Earth in the south garden, and reflect on the third station, “Life Emerges,” consider adding to your reflection, an exploration of the east wall of the church, either the exterior and the interior. It is clad with Tyndall stone from Manitoba. This fossilized stone dates back 450 million years and reveals the imprint of life emerging on Earth. See how many of the fossilized remains of our ancestors you can find.

If you would like to participate in caring for our gardens, please email heathermjb@gmail.com.

Posted in Bulletin | Comments Off on Bulletin – October 18, 2020

Bulletin – October 11, 2020

Sunday, October 11th, 2020

O, heavenly Father:
We thank thee for food and
remember the hungry.
We thank thee for health and remember the sick.
We thank thee for friends and remember the friendless.
We thank thee for freedom and remember the enslaved.
May these remembrances stir us to service,
that thy gifts to us may be used for others. Amen.

Monday, October 12th is Thanksgiving Day.

There will be no 9:00 AM Mass and the Parish Office will be closed.

ANNOUNCED MASSES

October 12th to October 18th

MONDAY – THANKSGIVING – No 9:00 AM Mass
TUESDAY – NGUYEN THI MINH – Requested by Veronica Do
WEDNESDAY – NANCY FABRA – Requested by Mirian Fabra
THURSDAY – NADSA CORNELIO – Requested by Mark DesRoches
FRIDAY – PASQUALE GATTI – Requested by Linda Gatti
SATURDAY – GORDON OATWAY – Requested by Pat Oatway
SUNDAY – 10:30 AM – KAZ SWIDERSKI – Requested by Irene Swiderski
SUNDAY 12:30 PM – ANA LLANOS – Requested by Mirian Fabra

R.C.I.A. AND ADULT FAITH DEVELOPMENT

Meetings in preparation for the R.C.I.A. (Rites of Christian Initiation of Adults) will begin in October. These meetings are normally in person but, due to Covid 19, they will probably be online. They are for persons interested in learning more about the Catholic Faith. The exploration may lead the candidate to seek baptism, and become a member of the Catholic Christian community; or for Christians already baptized into another Christian denomination, the reception into the Catholic Church.

Adult Catholics who have not received the sacrament of Confirmation but who wish to do so are also encouraged to attend these sessions.

As well, these meetings may be an opportunity for “Born Catholics” to deepen their understanding of our faith. Very often, especially for those of us who received our religious instruction at an early age, we tend to grow physically, mentally, psychologically etc., but the understanding of our faith does not grow correspondingly. The RCIA may serve as a good opportunity for us to ask questions and to develop a more adult understanding of our faith.

If you are interested in joining the RCIA meetings or if you would like to have more information about it, please contact Sr. Maria Lucia at 416-221-8866.

MINISTRY FOR MATURING ADULTS

PHONE PALS OR EMAIL PALS: CONNECTING WITH EACH OTHER DURING THE PANDEMIC

While the first wave of Covid 19 was trying for everyone it was particularly difficult for anyone who was living by themselves or for those living with others but not feeling included, valued or welcome. As we prepare for a possible second wave of the pandemic, the team members of the Ministry of Maturing Adults would like to invite anyone who would like a telephone pal or email pal to contact the parish office or email us directly at stgabrielmma@gmail.com.

By providing us with your name, phone number or email, we will connect you with someone who would make periodical calls to check in on you at least once a week. These calls or emails could be used for a simple friendly chat, a chance to voice a concern to a compassionate ear, or a companion to pray with.

No one should feel alone… Each of us are weathering this storm in a different way, but we are all part of the same storm. Let us know if we can help!

ARCHDIOCESAN CATECHIST FORMATION PROGRAM 2020-21

Registration is now open for the 2020-21 Catechist Formation Program. The program runs from Sunday, October 18th, 2020 to Saturday, June 19th, 2021. It consists of a combination of online courses, seminars, retreat morning, as well as a Mass and blessing of catechists by Cardinal Thomas Collins, Archbishop of Toronto, at St. Augustine’s Seminary. There is a $250 deposit, refundable upon program completion, and the cost of books.

For more information see the brochure at http://bit.ly/OCFP-Brochure2020 or contact Connie Price at: cprice@archtoronto.org or 416-934-3400, ext. 513.

CHILDREN’S FAITH PROGRAM

We anticipate that the 2020-2021 Children’s Faith Program will follow a home-school model with email resource support from volunteer catechist. At registration, you will receive a textbook for use as a primary resource. Parents will home school the child, with guidance from the textbook material and email resources from the catechist. Registration will open soon.

THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE

You can make a difference in the lives of the hungry and homeless this Thanksgiving by participating in the annual Thanksgiving Food Drive.

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

Rosalie Hall provides a wide range of child development, community, residential and educational services.

Urgently needed items include:
Rice, pasta, pasta sauces, curry, garlic powder
Cereal, powdered milk, hot chocolate
salad dressing, tea bags, coffee
granola bars, protein bars, chocolate bars, hard candy
cookies and crackers, sugar
canned tuna, soups, stews, corned beef, fruits and vegetables

Please check the expiry date as we cannot pass on expired foods. Please no fresh or frozen foods. We thank you for your generous support!

2021 REFUGEE SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM

For Families of Parishioners

The Archdiocese Office for Refugees has a program to assist parishioners who would like to sponsor a family member that is in need of refugee sponsorship. This program is intended to assist parishioners only. If you are a parishioner, and would like to sponsor a family member, please contact the parish office to schedule a meeting with the pastor prior to November 15th. The Office for Refugees will look to the sponsoring family to provide the necessary funds for sponsorship.

The Process

Step 1: The Program is Announced at Parish by October 20th, 2020.
Step 2: The Parishioner Meets with the Pastor – Interested parishioners are to arrange a meeting with the pastor by November 15th, 2020
Step 3: The Pastor Sends Request to ORAT by November 29th, 2020
Step 4: ORAT Invites Parishioner to an Information Session – Following the receipt of the request from the pastor, ORAT will extend an invitation to the parishioner, inviting them to attend the Introduction to Resettlement Information Session. This is a mandatory session for the parishioner. The session will take place on or before Saturday, December 12th, 2020.

COLLECTION OF MILK BAGS

For the foreseeable future, we are stopping the collection of milk bags. There are no workshops being scheduled at this time and Sharon has many more than she can use. We will let you know when we can begin collecting them once more.

ST. JOSEPH MORROW PARK

Virtual Open House
October 14th at 7:00 PM

St. Joseph Morrow Park Catholic Secondary School will be hosting a Virtual Open House for Grade 8 students and parents that includes the following:

  1. An informational video that will be available on our school website beginning October 13th at 4:00 PM. Please visit www.tcdsb.org/stjosephmorrowpark for a link to the video.
  2. Virtual Town Hall on October 14th at 7:00 PM. to learn more about high school life at St. Joseph Morrow Park. Please use the following link to register for this event: St. Joseph Morrow Park Virtual Town Hall Registration.

BREBEUF COLLEGE SCHOOL

Virtual Open House
October 15th and 21st

Brebeuf College School is an All-Boys TCDSB Catholic School that focuses on Faith Development, Academics, Athletics, and Student Leadership. The applications for the 2021-2022 School Year are now available. To learn more, please join them at their Virtual Open House on October 15th and 21st. To register and further explore what Brebeuf can offer your son and family, please visit https://sites.google.com/tcdsb.ca/brebeufcollege and click on “Brebeuf Open House”. They look forward to seeing you then.

THE GARDEN SHED

Shapes of Autumn

When leaves fall and flowers exhaust themselves in seed formation, it’s a great time to observe shapes in the garden. For example, in the north garden there are arching Goji’s and flame-shaped hyssop pods, while, in the south garden, there are globular black seed heads of Virginia Mountain Mint, pearls of Pearly Everlasting and seed discs of Smooth Oxeye.

Sharing

While it saves labour to cut back seed stalks in the fall, rather than wait for the spring when they will be partly decayed and soggy, we also share the garden with birds and other creatures that depend on its seeds. So, we cut back some of the plants, like Blazing Star and Hairy Beardtongue in the fall and leave others, like Virginia Mountain Mint, Verbena, Smooth Oxeye and Pearly Everlasting until the spring.

For more information on St. Gabriel’s gardens visit the Garden Ministry web-page on the parish website. If you would like to participate in caring for our gardens, please email heathermjb@gmail.com.

Posted in Bulletin | Comments Off on Bulletin – October 11, 2020

Homily – October 11, 2020

Sunday, October 11th, 2020

Scripture scholars maintain that today’s parable of the wedding feast is a mixture of two parables: the wedding invitation and the lack of the wedding garment. Matthew’s gospel was written for the Jewish Christian community. From 66-70 AD the Romans were busy putting down a Jewish revolt. In 70 A.D. the Romans captured Jerusalem and destroyed it. The Temple was looted and leveled to the ground and there was a slaughter of the citizens. Whoever remembered this parable of Jesus told it in the light of the destruction of Jerusalem and the people’s rejection of Jesus and their persecution of the Christian community.

He saw the punishment of the citizens of the Jerusalem like the punishment meted out to those who ignored the invitation to the banquet celebrating the king’s son’s wedding. This happens different times as the writers of the gospels remember Jesus’ parables and apply them to a situation in the early Christian community.

As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving in a way we’d never dreamed of, today’s parable sets before us the danger of taking life’s blessing for granted and God’s graces for granted.

You’ve heard me talk many times about the importance of an ‘attitude of gratitude.’

We take so many of life’s blessings for granted. We got out of bed this morning, some maybe faster than others. A lot of people can’t. We’re gifted with health, sight, speech, hearing, mobility, we have a roof over our heads, a job, we’re surrounded by those we love and who love us and we have the freedom to come to church and worship God.

My constant memory at this time of year is from a novel I read. It was titled, ‘A Complicated Kindness’, by Mirian Teows. It’s the story of a young girl growing up in the prairies. She belonged to a strict, joyless old German Mennonite church. Her family life was totally dysfunctional, her mother and her older sister just took off to escape the oppression under which they lived. This young woman made her escape through drugs and booze, and sleeping around. In telling her of her crazy mixed up, dysfunctional life she made an interesting statement. She said, ‘my life has been an embarrassment of blessings.’ I had to read those words a couple of times to see if I was reading correctly. My life has been an embarrassment of blessings.

As we celebrate Thanksgiving, with all its restrictions ,maybe we can remember that it is good to give God thanks and praise for the embarrassment of our blessing which we’ve been blessed.

Posted in Homily | Comments Off on Homily – October 11, 2020

Bulletin – October 4, 2020

Saturday, October 3rd, 2020

ANNOUNCED MASSES

October 5th to October 11th

MONDAY – SOULS IN PURGATORY – Requested by the Nguyen Family
TUESDAY – INTENTIONS OF MICHAEL KIM – Requested by Thomas & Veronica Kim
WEDNESDAY – JAE-WHAN DO – Requested by the Ta Family
THURSDAY – GIUSEPPE DIDIODATO – Requested by Chiara & Tina Intini
FRIDAY – ANNIVERSARY OF MARILYN & FRED BURKE – Requested by their Family
SATURDAY – SHANNON OLDEN – Requested by Kathleen Olden-Powell
SUNDAY – 10:30 AM – JOSE ENRIQUEZ SR. – Requested by Jackie Enriquez
SUNDAY – 12:30 PM – MARTHA SHORT – Requested by Patrick Mohan

FIRST COMMUNION INTERVIEWS

Interviews for children who were prepared to receive their First Communion last May are now being scheduled.

Two dates have been added to accommodate those who have not yet called for an appointment:

Tuesday, October 6th and Wednesday October 7th

Interviews are scheduled every 15 minutes from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

Please call the Parish Office at 416-221-8866-to book your appointment with Fr. Brando as soon as possible.

WELCOME OUR NEW MEMBERS!

The Parish Family of St. Gabriel’s would like to welcome:
Sophia Crane
Mia Elyse Lamoste
Adrian William Lim Ah Ken
Mackenzie Perez

These children received the Sacrament of Baptism on in the month of September. Congratulations!

ARCHDIOCESAN CATECHIST FORMATION PROGRAM 2020-21

Registration is now open for the 2020-21 Catechist Formation Program. The program runs from Sunday, October 18th, 2020 to Saturday, June 19th, 2021. It consists of a combination of online courses, seminars, retreat morning, as well as a Mass and blessing of catechists by Cardinal Thomas Collins, Archbishop of Toronto, at St. Augustine’s Seminary. There is a $250 deposit, refundable upon program completion, and the cost of books.

For more information see the brochure at http://bit.ly/OCFP-Brochure2020 or contact Connie Price at: cprice@archtoronto.org or 416-934-3400, ext. 513.

R.C.I.A. AND ADULT FAITH DEVELOPMENT

Meetings in preparation for the R.C.I.A. (Rites of Christian Initiation of Adults) will begin in October. These meetings are normally in person but, due to Covid 19, they will probably be online. They are for persons interested in learning more about the Catholic Faith. The exploration may lead the candidate to seek baptism, and become a member of the Catholic Christian community; or for Christians already baptized into another Christian denomination, the reception into the Catholic Church.

Adult Catholics who have not received the sacrament of Confirmation but who wish to do so are also encouraged to attend these sessions.

As well, these meetings may be an opportunity for “Born Catholics” to deepen their understanding of our faith. Very often, especially for those of us who received our religious instruction at an early age, we tend to grow physically, mentally, psychologically etc., but the understanding of our faith does not grow correspondingly. The RCIA may serve as a good opportunity for us to ask questions and to develop a more adult understanding of our faith.

If you are interested in joining the RCIA meetings or if you would like to have more information about it, please contact Sr. Maria Lucia at 416-221-8866.

MINISTRY FOR MATURING ADULTS
PHONE PALS OR EMAIL PALS: CONNECTING WITH EACH OTHER DURING THE PANDEMIC

While the first wave of Covid 19 was trying for everyone it was particularly difficult for anyone who was living by themselves or for those living with others but not feeling included, valued or welcome. As we prepare for a possible second wave of the pandemic, the team members of the Ministry of Maturing Adults would like to invite anyone who would like a telephone pal or email pal to contact the parish office or email us directly at stgabrielmma@gmail.com.

By providing us with your name, phone number or email, we will connect you with someone who would make periodical calls to check in on you at least once a week. These calls or emails could be used for a simple friendly chat, a chance to voice a concern to a compassionate ear, or a companion to pray with.

No one should feel alone… Each of us are weathering this storm in a different way, but we are all part of the same storm. Let us know if we can help!

OCTOBER – NATIONAL SENIORS MONTH

The date for the National Seniors Day in Canada and International Day of Older Persons was October 1st. Both the Government of Canada and the United Nations have provided various resources that are available on their website, including virtual events. If you are interested in learning more, please visit the following websites:
(1) http://www.ngocoa-ny.org/
(2) https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/campaigns/national-seniors-day.html

CHILDREN’S FAITH PROGRAM

We are discerning how the program will be delivered in these times. More information will be forthcoming, so stay tuned.

THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE

You can make a difference in the lives of the hungry and homeless this Thanksgiving by participating in the annual Thanksgiving Food Drive.

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.

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.

Urgently needed items include:
rice pasta and pasta sauces,
cereal curry& garlic powder
salad dressing hot chocolate
powdered milk tea bags
granola/protein bars chocolate bars
cookies and crackers, hard candy
sugar coffee
canned tuna, soups, stews, corned beef, fruits and vegetables

Please check the expiry date as we cannot pass on expired foods. Please no fresh or frozen foods.
We thank you for your generous support!

COLLECTION OF MILK BAGS

For the foreseeable future, we are stopping the collection of milk bags. There are no workshops being scheduled at this time and Sharon has many more than she can use. We will let you know when we can begin collecting them once more.

2021 REFUGEE SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM

For Families of Parishioners

The Archdiocese Office for Refugees has a program to assist parishioners who would like to sponsor a family member that is in need of refugee sponsorship. This program is intended to assist parishioners only. If you are a parishioner, and would like to sponsor a family member, please contact the parish office to schedule a meeting with the pastor prior to November 15th. The Office for Refugees will look to the sponsoring family to provide the necessary funds for sponsorship.

The Process

Step 1: The Program is Announced at Parish by October 20th, 2020.
Step 2: The Parishioner Meets with the Pastor – Interested parishioners are to arrange a meeting with the pastor by November 15th, 2020
Step 3: The Pastor Sends Request to ORAT by November 29th, 2020
Step 4: ORAT Invites Parishioner to an Information Session – Following the receipt of the request from the pastor, ORAT will extend an invitation to the parishioner, inviting them to attend the Introduction to Resettlement Information Session. This is a mandatory session for the parishioner. The session will take place on or before Saturday, December 12th, 2020.

THE GARDEN SHED

The joy of discovery!

Check out the Garden Ministry web-page for a picture of the tiny, perfect bird’s nest, perched about shoulder height on the bough of a spruce tree on the southern walkway. Better still, take a stroll and discover it for yourself. Awesome ingenuity – a home skillfully built with materials at hand.

A testament to resilience! After the extreme heat of early summer, we thought the goji berry harvest was lost. The leaves on ninety percent of the plants had withered and dropped. But, the plants rebounded, leafing out for a second time and flowering. Chances are now very good that the berries will ripen before the first frost.

For more information on St. Gabriel’s gardens visit the Garden Ministry web-page on the parish website. If you would like to participate in caring for our gardens, please email heathermjb@gmail.com.

Posted in Bulletin | Comments Off on Bulletin – October 4, 2020

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »