Belonging, Believing, Becoming Stewardship Campaign
This community has done something remarkable.
Through this stewardship journey, our community has generously committed gifts and many people have confirmed or newly offered their time and talents — and because of that, our liturgy will continue to gather us as one Body, our ministries will keep reaching the sick and homebound, and faith formation will keep nurturing disciples of every age.
“Together, and by God’s grace, we will continue to proclaim Christ crucified and risen in our parish and beyond.”
Fr. Paul Ruttle, CP
With your sustained support we will build on this sure foundation — keeping the memory of the Passion alive in
everything we do.
SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION
The Sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated in our parish on Sunday May 24th, 2026 at 3:00 PM. In preparation for this Sacrament, a Confirmation retreat will be held here on Saturday, May 23rd, 2026 from 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM.
Candidates are reminded to bring a signed letter from their service Ministry Coordinator or a parent stating the completion or anticipated completion of volunteer service hours.
CANADA SUMMER JOBS PROGRAM: YOUTH GARDENING HELPER POSITION
St. Gabriel’s Parish has received a Canada Summer Jobs grant from the federal government for a Youth Gardening Helper, to assist with gardening tasks 30 hours per week for 13 weeks, beginning at the end of May. Work can include, but is not be limited to, watering, weeding, planting, transplanting, soil preparation, pruning, harvesting, mulching, cleaning up debris and care of garden tools. Applications will be accepted until May 3, 2026
To apply, please send your resume to apply@stgabrielsparish.ca
ANNOUNCED MASSES
May 4th to May 10th, 2026
MONDAY − GODFREY PARAISO − Requested by Godfrey Paraiso
TUESDAY −
WEDNESDAY − FRANK & ROSIE SULATICKI − Requested by Agnes Gaughan & Family
THURSDAY − LAU KOON TING ✞ − Requested by Linda Law
FRIDAY − PRISCA HUI & THOMAS CHUNG ✞ − Requested by Catherine Chung & Family
SATURDAY – EMILIO MANARIN ✞ − Requested by Karen Manarin
SUNDAY − 8:30 AM − FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE PARISH
SUNDAY – 10:30 AM – MARIAN GALLIGAN ✞ − Requested by Mary Kay Boase
SUNDAY – 12:30 PM − MARVIN WAYNE THOMAS ✞ − Requested by Mary Cris Narisma
PSALM MEDITATION
Fifth Sunday of Easter – Psalm 33
We last sang this psalm on the Second Sunday of Lent. Then, we focussed on God’s call to each of us. Today this psalm is sung in response to the call to serve given to Stephen and some six others, all selected to dedicated service to the community. We sing of hope in the Lord because God loves us, of rejoicing and praising God, for God is faithful and God’s love is steadfast.
THE VIGIL OF PENTECOST
Saturday, May 23rd, 2026
The ‘Feast of Feasts’, Pentecost, brings our 50 days of Easter celebration to its conclusion. The 4:30 vigil mass on Saturday, May 23rd, will begin with 3 Old Testament readings echoing themes of Pentecost. Our vigil is really a brief evening prayer adding to the solemnity of this great feast. To conclude the glimpse of Pentecost’s history, we heard the description of its celebration by a pilgrim in Jerusalem in 383 when both Ascension and Pentecost were one celebration. 50 years later Pope Leo the Great establishes the celebration of the Ascension according to the Gospel of Luke, 40 days following Jesus Resurrection, and Pentecost on the 50th day. Pope Leo the Great made Pentecost the second major day for Baptism, aware that some people miss Baptism because of illness. Like Easter a similar vigil and an octave, an 8 day celebration, was given to feast. The octave is now eliminated because the feast itself is the ending of Easter season.
There is an important ’pre-history’ to our Christian Pentecost. In the Jewish religion, Pentecost celebrates the giving of the Law to Moses on Mt. Sinai. It also ended 50 days of bringing first fruit offerings to the temple, and the work of a new harvest.
Pentecost was a sort of a hinge – ending a celebration and back to work for a new harvest. That is the pattern for our celebration also: the Easter celebration ends, we receive the Holy Spirit who accompanies us in our work. Indeed ’the harvest is great’. Besides the 3 readings for the vigil mentioned earlier, the lectionary offers other readings: Genesis, the 2nd story of creation; Exodus, God’s descent on Mt. Sinai; Proverbs, Wisdom rejoicing before God always; Joel, the Spirit poured out on all flesh.
SHARELIFE
Your gift to ShareLife can build the path to hope.
Bradley’s life was in ruins, shattered by addiction and a pain so deep, he couldn’t escape. At just 14, drugs became his refuge, a desperate attempt to numb the emptiness that consumed him. He fought to build something—a job, a home, a family—but addiction tore it all apart. For Bradley, the road to healing seemed impossible—until you stepped in. Through your kindness, he found the Good Shepherd’s DARE Program, made possible by your support of ShareLife. Without this opportunity, Bradley’s story would have been one of loss and despair, but because of you, he found a second chance. With the alarming increases in mental health and addictions, there are so many more people waiting for someone like you to help turn their broken road into a path of hope. Please give at the parish using a ShareLife envelope, online through our parish website, or at sharelife.org/donate.
BEACONS OF HOPE
On behalf of the two women’s shelters supported by the Beacons of Hope thanks to all who were able to assist us during the Lenten and Easter season. Your generous contributions of personal care as well as other specific items listed in the Gathering Space are constantly needed as both shelters provide transitional housing for these women. May you be abundantly blessed for your kind concern and care for these women at the margins.
CARING FOR THE HOMELESS IN OUR CITY
Thank you for your continued support of Rosalie Hall and the Good Shepherd Centre.
Rosalie Hall is an accredited children’s mental health facility focusing on the needs of pregnant and parenting youth ages 12-25, their children, and their families.
Good Shepherd provides hot meals, clean clothes and shelter for the homeless in our city. They help find housing and provide follow up support. Your donations are very much appreciated.
Please check the expiry dates before donating since we cannot pass on food that has expired.
CATHOLIC EDUCATION WEEK
May 3rd to May 8th, 2026
Pilgrims of Hope: On the Path to Holiness
During Catholic Education Week, May 3rd to May 8th, 2026, we give thanks for the gift of publicly funded Catholic Education in our province. Catholic schools foster supportive communities where children can experience the joy of God’s love and understand the Christian mission in the world.
Let us journey with our parishes, educators and families to sow and nurture the seeds of faith with the next generation of Catholics, encouraging them to embrace lives of holiness and Christian witness as one body in Christ. To indicate your support of Catholic education and sign-up for email updates, visit: www.togetherinfaith.ca
HELP NOT HARM: Take Action to Support Bill C-218 Write your Member of Parliament Today!
Visit HelpNotHarmCanada.ca
You’re invited to visit HelpNotHarmCanada.ca where you can e-mail your Member of Parliament (MP), asking for their support of Bill C-218 (The Right to Recover Act), which would amend the Criminal Code to prevent Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) from being provided when mental illness is the sole underlying condition. Without this change, MAiD will be available for those suffering from mental illness alone beginning in March 2027.
Chances are you know someone struggling with mental illness — a family member, friend, or colleague. As Catholics and Canadians, we are called to offer care, hope, and protection — not death — to those who are suffering and most vulnerable. Visit HelpNotHarmCanada.ca today and ask your MP to support Bill C-218.
Which baseball player makes the best pancakes?
The batter
LIFE-GIVING WOUNDS: A Healing Retreat for Adult Children of Divorced or Separated Parents
Friday, May 15th at 6:00 PM to Sunday, May 17th at 3:00 PM
St. Augustine’s Seminary, 2661 Kingston Rd.,
The Life-Giving Wounds retreat invites participants to move through the broken image of love that appeared to them in their parents’ relationship to their deepest origin and identity as God’s beloved, capable of great love. The next retreat will be from Friday, May 15 at 6 p.m. to Sunday, May 17 at 3:30 p.m. at St. Augustine’s Seminary (2661 Kingston Rd., Scarborough).
Must be 18 or older to attend. Cost: $325 per person ($225 for students), which includes meals, lodging and retreat material. Limited subsidies are available if cost is a concern.
Please contact lgwtoronto@proton.me. For university/college students, contact your campus minister for more information. Space is limited. To register, visit: bit.ly/LGW-TO-Retreat-Register2026.
A DAY WITH MARY
Saturday, May 30th at Villanova College, King City
You are invited to “A Day With Mary” taking place on Saturday, May 30, 2026 at Villanova College in King City. This family-friendly day will consist of Holy Mass with His Eminence Frank Cardinal Leo, praying of the Rosary, Confessions, a keynote address for adults, and children’s catechesis for the little ones. There will be music, fellowship and more.
There is no fee to register – this is a free event open to all. Register online today at https://bit.ly/DWMRegistration.
Complete information can be found at https://archtoronto.org/Mary.
THE GARDEN SHED
Calling all Students! Community service hours are available for volunteers.
Contact garden@stgabrielsparish.ca
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 or any of the archdiocesan charities or departments in your Will. Let your Will reflect your Catholic values.
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.
