PARISH NEWS
Welcome back to all our parishioners who have been away. We hope you had an enjoyable summer.
For those young people who are off to university, we wish you every success as you begin a new stage in your life. For those students and teachers returning to elementary or secondary school, we wish you a very positive year.
LABOUR DAY
Monday, September 7th is Labour Day, a civic holiday. The Parish Office will be closed and there will be no 9:00 AM Mass.
ANNOUNCED MASSES
September 7th to September 13th 2026
MONDAY − LABOUR DAY − No 9:00 AM Mass
TUESDAY − FR. JENO RIGO ✞ − Requested by Patricia Lim
WEDNESDAY − PAUL, NANCY & JOHN LIM ✞ − Requested by Patricia Lim
THURSDAY − MARJORIE RENWICK − Requested by Karen Crichton
FRIDAY − TINA INTINI ✞ − Requested by The Annibale Family
SATURDAY – RAYMOND MARTE ✞ − Requested by Michelle Alonzo
SUNDAY − 8:30 AM – FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE PARISH
SUNDAY – 10:30 AM – JENNIFER DIAO − Requested by Elisa Leung
SUNDAY – 12:30 PM – LIBERO & ANGELINA VECCHIARELLI ✞ − Requested by Mary Papadatos
PSALM MEDITATION
Psalm 95
“O that today you would listen to the voice of the Lord. Do not harden your hearts.”
We sing two sections of this psalm that are a call to worship God. It’s because of this invitation to prayer that the Liturgy of the Hours will often begin with this psalm.
The third segment refers to an incident in the history of the Exodus. The psalm warns against stubborn disobedience to God’s Word. Meribah and Massah refer to two names for the place where thirsty Israelites rebelled against the Lord after leaving Egypt. (For more info please refer to Exodus, chapters 14 to 16).
The psalm encourages us to hear God’s Word in the readings of today and to accept and follow God’s law of Love. We are asked to listen to God, to listen to the voice of the Lord. Not the voice of a hard taskmaster, but that of a tender loving merciful Father and Mother.
SACRAMENTAL REGISTRATION – 2026/2027
Registration for children planning to receive the Sacraments of First Communion, Reconciliation or Confirmation in 2027 can now be done at the parish office. Baptismal certificates are required to register for First Communion and Confirmation
CHILDREN’S FAITH PROGRAM – 2026/2027
Registration forms for the Children’s Faith Program are available in the parish office. This program is for children of the Parish who attend other Catholic schools, public or private schools. It is meant for children to learn about their faith, grow into faith, and prepare for sacraments as needed. Classes are held at St. Gabriel’s School beginning on September 20th from 10:00 to 11:00 AM and are held every second Sunday.
Please note that a separate Sacramental registration form is required if your child will receive the sacraments of First Communion, Reconciliation or Confirmation during the 2026/2027 school year. These forms are also available in the Parish Office. Baptismal Certificates are required for First Communion and Confirmation.
CHILDREN’S LITURGY – VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
At the 10:30 AM Mass from mid-September to June each year, children ages 4 to 10 have the opportunity to gather as a group for the Liturgy of the Word led by adults with students assisting. We are in need of more student 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
ST. GABRIEL’S YOUNG ADULTS – PASSIONIST RETREAT
Friday, October 2nd to Sunday, October 4th
Our parish will be hosting a retreat for young adults (18 and up) from Friday October 2nd to Sunday October 4th.
The retreat will be centered on the theme of building solidarity in the spirit of the Passionist Charism through shared experiences, meaningful conversations, and prayer. Join us for a weekend that is also filled with fellowship and outreach.
Please contact youth@stgabrielsparish.ca for more details and to sign up.
SHARELIFE
Food Security Grants
For the fourth consecutive year, ShareLife and Catholic Charities are committing funds through the Food Security Grants program. Made possible through the faithful generosity of ShareLife donors, this year, $850,000 in Food Security Grants will strengthen local food banks, meal programs and other community-based initiatives serving individuals and families in need.
Your compassionate support of our parish’s ShareLife Campaign helps make this work possible. We have currently raised $126,213 toward our suggested goal of $183,000. Please support the fight against hunger by giving at the parish using a ShareLife envelope or at sharelife.org/donate. Thank you for living the Gospel!
For Fun & Funnier
Why was the king only 30 cm. tall?
He was a ruler!
What did the buffalo say when he dropped his son off at school?
Bison
SEASON OF CREATION 2026
September 1st to October 4th
September 1st (the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation) to October 4th on the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of ecology. This year’s theme is “Living Water” and the symbol is “Immersion in Living Water”, inspired by Ezekiel 47: 9 and 12.
An introductory video and resources to observe this season at home, church and school may be found at the following links:
Celebration Guide: bit.ly/4vssvsf
Video: bit.ly/3RFGLiW
SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL – BUNDLE UP SUNDAY
SPRING CLEANING – YEAR- ROUND!
Weekend of September 19th/ 20th
The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul will be collecting gently used clothing, shoes and linens to support our neighbours in need on the weekend of September 19th/20th. Please bring your donation and help others in your community.
Please note that they cannot accept appliances, furniture, mattresses, books, dishes, construction material or video tapes.
The truck will be open Saturday from 10:00 AM until 6:00 PM and Sunday from 8:00 AM until 2:00 PM. Volunteers will assist with the loading before and after each Saturday and Sunday Mass. Thank you!
SMALL BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUPS
Beginning the Week of October 5th, 2026
Grief is part of the human experience. At different moments in our lives, we may face the pain of losing a loved one, changes in our health or relationships, separation, or transitions that alter the way we live. These experiences can deeply affect our hearts, minds, bodies, and spirits.
The death of someone we love is especially painful. After a significant loss, we may experience many emotions, including sadness, shock, anger, loneliness, or guilt. At times, the journey through grief can feel overwhelming. Yet, healing often begins when we are able to share our sorrow with others who understand and walk alongside us with compassion and hope.
Last September, our Palliative Care and Bereavement Ministry Team (PCBM) launched the first Small Bereavement Support Groups. These groups offer a safe, caring, and confidential space for individuals to explore their grief journey in the company of others who have experienced a similar loss. The groups are small, closed-membership groups of approximately 5–8 participants and are guided by trained PCBM facilitators. Participants are grouped according to similar experiences of loss, such as the death of a spouse, parent, child, and sibling.
The Small Bereavement Support Groups are scheduled to begin during the week of October 5th, 2026, and will run for 7 weeks.
If you are interested in participating or would like more information, please contact Louise Galego and Nadine Altay via the email address: bereavement@stgabrielsparish.ca
Alternatively, you may also contact the parish office at 416-221-8866 to leave your name and telephone number.
Registration Deadline: Tuesday, September 15th, 2026
CARING FOR THE HOMELESS IN OUR CITY
Thank you for your generous support of Rosalie Hall and the Good Shepherd Centre. They are very appreciative.
Rosalie Hall assists young parents and their children to realize their potential. The food we donate from our parish often replenishes their empty food bank.
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. In addition to our casseroles and food donations, our Garden Ministry has been growing fresh food for the Good Shepherd Centre.
Your food donations are so important as numbers of people in need continue to increase. Please check the expiry dates before donating since we cannot pass on food that has expired
Lay Pastoral Visitors Formation and Training – Registration Now Open
Thursdays, October 29th, November 5th,12th,19th and 26th at 7:30 PM Online
The annual archdiocesan formation and training for Lay Pastoral Visitors will be offered online on Thursdays, October 29, November 5th,12th,19th and 26th from 7:00 to 8:30 PM. This program will prepare you to provide pastoral visits and bring Holy Communion on behalf of the parish to the sick elderly, and homebound. The program is open to both new and experienced volunteers. Registrants are required to participate in all online sessions, complete pre-homework and pass a final assessment. There is no cost to attend but register early as capacity is limited.
Register at https://bit.ly/LPVT-Register2026 by October 21st.
Contact: formation@archtoronto.org or 437-900-4287
FINANCE CORNER
A bequest in your Will to our Church is an acknowledgment of your returning to God a portion of the gifts He has bestowed on you during your lifetime. Charitable bequests can have a favourable impact on your overall estate plan.
Bequests are NOT just for the wealthy! Consider including your parish in your Will. Let your Will reflect your Catholic values.
Please see the estate planning guide available at www.archtoronto.org to help you make your plan, and remember about the importance of using the correct legal names when arranging bequests or other legacy gifts. You may call the parish office for more information.
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.
