GLUTEN-FREE HOSTS
Our parish is considering offering communion with celiac safe gluten-free hosts in the near future to parishioners requiring these. If this is your case, in order to help us assess the need, please let yourself be known, by visiting, calling or emailing the office. We do not require any specific information about yourself, other than what mass you usually attend.
Please stay tuned for further details about how and when communion with gluten-free hosts will be able to be received at St. Gabriel’s.
ANNOUNCED MASSES
March 10th – March 16th, 2025
MONDAY – JULIE CHAN ✞ – Requested by the Chan & Choy Families
TUESDAY – FRIEDRICH WILHELM BRANSCHAT ✞ – Requested by his Family
WEDNESDAY – BORIS CELIS ✞ – Requested by his Family
THURSDAY – GEORGE P. VALAVI ✞ – Requested by his Family
FRIDAY – MARIAM KUTTY VALAVI ✞ – Requested by her Family
SATURDAY – V. JOSEPH & ANNA VALAVI ✞ – Requested by their Family
SUNDAY – 8:30 AM – FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE PARISH
SUNDAY – 10:30 AM – MEI YUNG FONG ✞ – Requested by the Fong Family
SUNDAY – 12:30 PM – LEONARD T. SANDRASAGRA ✞ – Requested by Rohini Xavier
PSALM MEDITATION
First Sunday of Lent, March 9th, 2025
Psalm 91
This psalm sings of the constant, protective, life-giving presence of the Lord with all of Creation.
It’s our response to the words of Moses in Deuteronomy about the formation and deliverance of God’s people.
Lent begins with the hope-filled message of this psalm as we sing to the Lord: “My refuge and my fortress; my God in whom I trust.”
PRAYERS FOR POPE FRANCIS
Let us pray that the Lord grant Pope Francis strength and peace, restore his health and guide him to a full recovery so that he may continue to lead the holy People of God, with wisdom and love.
LENTEN AND EASTER SCHEDULE
Stations of the Cross
Stations of the Cross will take place each Friday evening during Lent at 7:30 PM.
You are also encouraged to attend our daily Mass as often as possible throughout Lent.
Individual Confessions
Wednesday, April 2nd from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM
Reconciliation Service
Thursday, April 3rd at 7:30 PM
Palm Sunday
April 13th, 2025
Masses – Sat. 4:30 PM, Sun. 8:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM
Holy Thursday
April 17th, 2025
No 9:00 AM Mass
7:30 PM – Mass of the Lord’s Supper
Followed by Adoration until 10:00 PM
Good Friday
April 18th, 2025
No 9:00 AM Mass
3:00 PM – Solemn Passion of Our Lord
7:30 PM – Stations of the Cross
Holy Saturday
April 19th, 2025
No 4:30 PM Mass
8:00 PM – Easter Vigil
Easter Sunday
April 20th, 2025
No 8:30 AM Mass
Masses – 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM
EXTRA PARKING AT ELKHORN PUBLIC SCHOOL
JUBILEE YEAR 2025
The theme of the 2025 Jubilee is “Pilgrims of Hope”. In the words of Pope Francis: “We must fan the flame of hope that has been given us, and help everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart and far-sighted vision.”
May this Holy Year provide a grace-filled opportunity to nurture the seeds of faith for you and your loved ones, immersing ourselves as Pilgrims of Hope into a year-long journey of prayer, witness and service drawing on the example of Jesus, our Lord.
SHARELIFE
Your love is a guiding light during Lent.
Maria, a 64-year-old newcomer to Canada, arrived seeking a fresh start but found herself struggling to find both stable employment and affordable housing. Through your support of ShareLife, she received personalized guidance at Catholic Crosscultural Services that helped her secure both a job and a home. She found stability and peace of mind, giving her the strength to embrace her new life.
Now, she’s a guiding light for seniors, helping others access the support that changed her life. This Lent, you can walk the same path as a testament to resilience and the transformative power of community.
Please give at the parish using a ShareLife envelope, online through our parish website, or at sharelife.org/donate.
CARING FOR THE HOMELESS IN OUR CITY
Thank you for your generous 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.
Here the needs of young families are met, offering prenatal and parenting classes as well as staff to aid in the transition to parenthood. A school program enables clients to finish high school. The food we donate from our parish often replenishes their empty food bank.
Good Shepherd provides hot meals (more than 240,000 a year), clean clothes and shelter for the homeless in our city. They help find housing and provide follow up support. They support the homeless who are working to overcome addictions and provide a chance to start again through the Resettlement or DARE Programs.
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.
JOURNEY THROUGH LENT VIDEO SERIES
The Canadian Council of Catholic Bishops is pleased to announce that the video series Journey Through Lent is now available. It is a joint project between three CCCB offices. It includes reflections on the readings for Ash Wednesday, and each Sunday in Lent including Palm Sunday.
This year’s spiritual reflections are delivered by the Most Rev. Gary Franken, Bishop of St. Paul, in English, and the Most Rev. Michel Proulx, Bishop of Bathurst, in French.
To view these reflections go to:
in English: https://www.cccb.ca/lent/
in French: https://www.cecc.ca/careme/
ST. MARK’S PARISH LENTEN MISSION “PILGRIMS OF HOPE”
Saturday, March 15 to Wednesday, March 19, 2025
345 Gladpark Ave., Stouffville
Weekend Masses: Saturday, March 15 at 5 p.m. & Sunday, March 16 at 9 and 11 a.m.
Weekday Masses: Monday March 17, Tuesday March 18 & Wednesday March 19
Mass at 7 p.m. and Mission to follow. Confessions at 6 p.m.
Guest Speaker & Presider: Fr. Ben St. Croix, CC
Father Ben St. Croix of the Companions of the Cross has a great zeal for the New Evangelization. He is a spark the Lord uses to set hearts on fire.
For more information, please contact St. Mark’s Parish, Stouffville.
Phone: 905-640-6954
Email: stmarksst@archtoronto.org
ANNUAL MASS OF ST. PATRICK
Monday, March,17, 2025, 10:00 AM
St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica, 65 Bond St., Toronto
The annual Mass of St. Patrick at St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica in Toronto will take place on Monday, March 17 at 10:00 AM. His Eminence Thomas Cardinal Collins, Archbishop Emeritus of Toronto, will be the presider and homilist. All are welcome. Those unable to attend can participate in the celebration via livestream at www.stmichaelscathedral.com/live
1155JOBS.CA – CATHOLIC CHARITIES’ ONLINE JOB BOARD
Are you seeking meaningful employment or volunteer opportunities within Catholic agencies? Look no further!
Catholic Charities’ online job board connects passionate individuals with rewarding positions in Catholic organizations across the archdiocese.
Why Choose Us?
- Diverse Opportunities: Explore a wide range of job and volunteer openings in social services and in our parishes.
- Supportive Network: Join a network of dedicated professionals and volunteers who are driven by faith and compassion.
- Opportunity to share your job postings within the Catholic community.
Check us out at: www.1155jobs.ca
Contact: hkandiah@ccat.ca
PROJECT RACHEL RETREAT
May 2nd to May 4th, 2025
Project Rachel at St. Mary’s Refuge is offering a weekend retreat, May 2nd to May 4th 2025, for women who have been hurt by abortion. You can speak with someone who understands and cares, and have a chance to begin the healing from loss and grief.
For more information, phone 289-691-6840, or e-mail ProjectRachel@stmarysrefuge.org
JUBILEE OF YOUTH 2025
July 23rd to August 5th, 2025
Calling all young adults (ages 19 – 39): join Fr. Paul Magyar and the OCY team for a pilgrimage of a life time! We will be embarking on a pilgrimage to Venice, Padua, Florence, Assisi and Rome from July 23rd to August 5th, 2025.
Please contact youth@archtoronto.org to receive the pilgrim information package and detailed itinerary.
FINANCE CORNER
Please consider giving your offertory by picking up Envelopes, enrolling in Pre-Authorized Giving (PAG), or Donate Now (through the Archdiocese of Toronto website).
Offertory envelopes for 2025 are still available in the Gabriel Room. Boxes are usually not assigned to parishioners who are donating via Pre-Authorized Giving or Donate Now through the Archdiocese.
To ensure the proper recording for tax receipt purposes, please do not use any envelopes from 2024 or any prior year for any 2025 donations.
Please contact the parish office at 416-221-8866 with any questions
TRIVIA
What are you told when you receive ashes, and how does that inform what you do during Lent?
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.
