CONTINUING THE SYNOD DIALOGUE ABOUT THE MISSION OF OUR PARISH
Saturday, March 16th from 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM
On Saturday, March 16th from 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM, you are invited to join us in the parish gathering space as we continue the Parish Synod dialogue regarding future directions for the mission of our parish. Facilitated by Rick Coles and Leanne Kloppenborg, Parish Mission Co-Directors, along with Michael Nasello, Director of the Passionist Solidarity Network, we will explore the questions, “Who are the crucified of the world in our time and place? How are we being called to respond to their suffering?” We hope to see you there.
LENTEN AND EASTER SCHEDULE 2024
Palm Sunday, March 24th, 2024
Masses Sat., 4:30 PM
Sun., 8:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM
Holy Thursday, March 28th, 2024
No 9:00 A.M. Mass
7:30 PM Mass of the Lord’s Supper
Followed by Adoration until 10:00 PM
Good Friday, March 29th, 2024
3:00 PM – Solemn Passion of Our Lord
7:30 PM – Stations of the Cross
Holy Saturday, March 30th, 2024
No 4:30 PM Mass
8:00 PM Easter Vigil
Easter Sunday, March 31st, 2024
Masses: 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM
Easter Monday, April 1st, 2024
No 9:00 AM Mass
Office Closed
EXTRA PARKING AT ELKHORN PUBLIC SCHOOL
PARISH RECONCILIATION SERVICE
Wednesday, March 20 at 7:30 PM
Our parish Lenten Reconciliation Service will be held Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at 7:30 PM.
PARISH DAY OF CONFESSIONS FOR LENT
Thursday, March 21
Our parish day of confession will be held on Thursday, March 21, 2024 from 3:00PM to 5:00PM for those who wish to make their individual confessions.
ANNOUNCED MASSES
March 11th – March 17th, 2024
MONDAY – FOR THE DESTITUTE, THE SICK AND THE DYING – Requested by Lydia McGrann
TUESDAY – JOHN J. VALLIYATHUMALLY ✞ – Requested by The Valavi Family
WEDNESDAY – JOSEPHINE BADALI ✞ – Requested by John, Sal & Patsy
THURSDAY – FRIEDRICH WILHELM BRANSCHAT ✞ – Requested by The Branschat Family
FRIDAY
SATURDAY – BONG PINEDA ✞ – Requested by The Family
SUNDAY – 8:30 AM – FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE PARISH
SUNDAY – 10:30 AM – TINA INTINI ✞ – Requested by Chiara Intini
SUNDAY – 12:30 PM – RONELO GAITAN – Requested by Rebecca Gaitan
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.
STEWARDSHIP REFLECTION
4th Sunday of Lent
1st Reading: 2 Chronicles 36.14-17a, 19-23++
2nd Reading: Ephesians 2.4-10
Gospel: John 3.14-21 – Nicodemus Visits Jesus
In the first reading from 2 Chronicles we hear about how God’s messengers were persecuted and despised for listening to God. As stewards, we will often also face difficulties in our ministry which is a share in the cross of Christ. To suffer for Christ is a great dignity so the next time encounter sufferings in our stewardship, let us simply pray “Lord, help me to carry this cross out of love for you.”
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.
Good Shepherd provides hot meals, 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 date before donating since we cannot pass on food that has expired.
SHARELIFE
Show your love through ShareLife
ShareLife Sunday is March 17th.
Today, as we contemplate God’s boundless generosity, may we, too, be moved by this same spirit of generosity. May this inspire all of us to be kind, compassionate, and move us to share our blessings with our brothers and sisters in need.
Please give at the parish using a ShareLife envelope, online through our parish website, or at sharelife.org/donate.
PLANNING TO BE A CATHOLIC TEACHER?
If you are planning to be a teacher, it is important for you to know that to be hired to teach in any Catholic school board in Ontario, there must be a letter of reference from your pastor as part of your application.
The letter explaining that you belong to and participate in the community cannot be written if your pastor does not know you. It is recommended that you have a conversation with him early in the process well before the applications are to be submitted.
PALLIATIVE AND BEREAVEMENT LENTEN RETREAT
March 23rd from 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon.
SAVE THE DATE: March 23, 2024 for a Bereavement Lenten Retreat: From Death to New Life
The Lenten Season can serve as a precious time of preparation for the glory of Easter. It is filled with desert experiences, wisdom teachings, and heartfelt farewells. These dry, wise, painful, and passionate times are reflected in our lives, especially for those who are grieving.
Grief is an emotion that is mutual for all humans especially as we experience the death of loved ones, separation or changes in our relationships, changes in our health or the health of loved ones, or transitions that bring changes in our way of life. We witness the process of grief throughout the Sacred Scripture. Many people in Sacred Scripture experienced deep loss, sadness, and grief including Job, Naomi, Hannah, the Blessed Mother, and even Jesus. In John 11:35, Jesus was so moved by the death of his friend Lazarus and by the grief of Martha and their friends weeping.
If you are interested, save the date: March 23rd, 2024. The retreat will be from 9:00 AM to 12 Noon. Registration is a must. No walk-in participants will be allowed on the day of the retreat since it will be a closed session. If you have any questions feel free to contact StGabrielBereavement@gmail.com. Please stay tuned for more information.
DOMINICAN FRIARS YOUTH INTERFAITH VIDEO CONTEST 2024
February 5 to April 15, 2024
Theme: “This is a time when the world needs more love and compassion than ever.”
High school students (ages 13–19 years) in Catholic School Boards located in the Archdiocese of Toronto are invited to participate in this annual event that commemorates United Nations International Human Fraternity Day on February 4 every year. Students are encouraged to make a 3-minute video encapsulating the theme. They are encouraged to follow the guiding rules provided on the Catholic Register website and submit their entries by filling the details on the submission form located here: https://www.catholicregister.org/videocontest
CONTACT: interreligious@archtoronto.org or call 416-934-3400 ext. 527 for more information or questions.
JOURNEY THROUGH LENT VIDEO SERIES
As we journey through Lent 2024, visit the CCCB website for the “Journey through Lent” video series from Ash Wednesday to the Fourth week of Lent:
in English: https://www.cccb.ca/lent/
in French: https://www.cecc.ca/careme/
ANNUAL MANRESA WEEKEND RETREAT FOR MEN
Friday, March 15th to Sunday, March 17th, 2024
Manresa Jesuit Renewal Centre 2325 Liverpool Rd., Pickering (at top of Liverpool Rd., N. of Finch)
The Manresa Jesuit Renewal Centre is offering a retreat for men from Friday March 15th to Sunday March 17th The theme is: To be like Mary – Immersed in God’s Divine Life “To live as a Christian in the world, while at the same time living with God’s vision for oneself and his Creation.” In this retreat, we try to listen to God speaking to us through the Scriptures, the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola and the lives of the saints. The facilitator is Fr. John Sullivan, S.J.
Come away to Manresa to experience silence and restfulness, to renew your spirit and to deepen your relationship with the Lord. For more information contact Manresa: 905-839-2864 To register: https://manresa-canada.ca/events/
BULLETIN TRIVIA
What is Passion Sunday also called, the Sunday that marks the beginning of the Holy Week celebrations? (Hint: it is not on our living wall)
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.
