A VERY SPECIAL EVENT
On November 8th, 9 new Parishioners were welcomed to our Parish. Due to Covid-19, the sacraments that were supposed to be given at the last Easter Vigil were finally received.
Six adults received the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist: John Edward Conforzi, Tiffany Gee, Mi-Kyoung Kim, Ruth Rosa Patune, Linda Zhao Tran, and Yin-Yin Yuan-Tran. while two adult Confirmandi, Diodabel Ann Marie Tanawan and Lawrence Yi received the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Several children also received sacraments.
Alyssa Ramojal was received into the Catholic Church and made her First Communion. Kenedy Bael, Arah Liz Recta and Yuri Cavalheiro De Oliveira also received their First Communion.
Chloe Ryan Kim, Kai Yuan-Tran and Rei Yuan-Tran received the Sacrament of Baptism.
The Parish Family of St. Gabriel’s would like to welcome and congratulate them.
BEAUTIFUL 2021 CALENDAR FROM THE CANADIAN NORTH
Available weekend of November 21st and 22nd, 2020
Many of you may remember that in early March, right before the pandemic hit, we had the privilege of having Bishop Jon Hansen, the Bishop of the Diocese of Mackenzie, lead our parish retreat at St Gabriel’s. He met many of you then.
The Mackenzie Diocese is home to many remote and isolated indigenous communities. The distance between communities as well as the harshness of the winter necessitate expensive travel and fuel costs; and the sparseness of the population makes it difficult for the missions to be self-sustaining.
Each year Bishop Jon puts together a unique calendar with a collection of beautiful photos from his past year’s travels around the North. All proceeds from the sale of these calendars support the missions of the diocese.
The calendars, at $20 each, will be available at St Gabriel’s before and after each mass on the weekend of November 21st/22nd. These calendars are great for personal use; but will also make wonderful gifts, since they are unique and not easily available elsewhere.
Please consider supporting the Diocese of Mackenzie. Because of the COVID-19 precautions, we ask that you please have the exact change ready, which you can deposit directly in a box, so as to minimize physical contact.
SHADOW IMPACT ON CHURCH SOUTH GARDEN AND WINDOW FROM FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF 680 & 688 SHEPPARD AVENUE EAST
Virtual Meeting, Monday. November 23rd at 6:30 PM
A high rise 24 storey development to the east of the Church on 680 & 688 Sheppard Avenue East has the potential of casting a shadow long enough over the south garden and reducing the sun light in through our south window, and the skylight.
In addition to the above, the density of the development will increase traffic flow in the area. There is also an undesirable proposal to utilize our above ground parking lots as a passage to ease congestion due to this development.
A virtual public meeting for the proposed 680 & 688 Sheppard Ave. E. development will be on Monday November 23 at 6:30 PM. This will be the only public consultation meeting for this development and it is absolutely crucial that we have as many supporters as possible participate in the call to demonstrate to Councillor Carroll, the Planning Department and the developer that there is a very large group opposed to this project as it currently stands. To register, please go to https://shelleycarroll.ca/development-updates.
It is important that as many members of the Parish as possible also voice their opposition to the Applicants Development Plans. It is important that you state what your objection to the development, as a parishioner, neighbour, and someone who loves the Church in that you do not want:
the development to damage and negatively impact the intended use and enjoyment of our beloved Church.
the use of our parking lots for a public road.
If you cannot register and attend the virtual meeting, the following link to the City of Toronto’s development website for the application will allow you to register your comments under the applicants “public consultation section.”
http://app.toronto.ca/AIC/index.do?folderRsn=%2BWpO0cxYE15%2F0UwoUM%2BdRA%3D%3D#detail0
Additional details about the opportunity to oppose and send in your comments can be found in the Parish Office. If you would like a copy emailed to you which will provide all the necessary links, please contact the Parish Office stgabrielsparish@bellnet.ca.
ANNOUNCED MASSES
November 16th to November 22nd
MONDAY – KRISTOPHER TA – Requested by Veronica Do
TUESDAY – WINNIE DIAS – Requested by Sophie & Candida Pereira
WEDNESDAY – INTENTIONS OF REV. ELIAS KIRIJIAN’S FAMILY – Requested by Rev. Elias Kirijian
THURSDAY – IN THANKSGIVING – Requested by Sophie & Candida Pereira
FRIDAY – IN THANKSGIVING – Requested by Marie Swant
SATURDAY – ALL DECEASED OF THE INTINI FAMILY – Requested by Chiara
SUNDAY – 10:30 AM – JOSEPH CHAN – Requested by Ivy Lau
SUNDAY – 12:30 PM – DECEASED MEMBERS OF THE FABRA LEYTON FAMILY – Requested by Mirian Fabra
MINISTRY FOR MATURING ADULTS FRIENDLY CONNECTIONS
Connecting with each other during the Pandemic
The St. Gabriel’s Friendly Connections is a program of the Ministry for Maturing Adults that being initiated during the second wave of COVID 19. It has been developed to encourage independence and social contact parishioners, especially those who live alone.
Our goal is to help people who have limited social networks to maintain healthy community living. Using regular contact, via the telephone or email, friendship and support are provided to encourage independence and social contact. The method of contact and frequency can be determined by the participants for.
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.
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!
R.C.I.A. AND ADULT FAITH DEVELOPMENT
Meetings in preparation for the R.C.I.A. (Rites of Christian Initiation of Adults) have begun. These meetings are normally in person but, due to Covid 19, they are being held 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.
FOOD FOR ROSALIE HALL & GOOD SHEPHERD CENTRE
Each month food we collect is sent to Rosalie Hall and the Good Shepherd Centre. 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. Thank you for your generous support.
“RECOVERING TOGETHER” A VIRTUAL CAMPAIGN WORKSHOP
Hosted by Toronto Development and Peace/Caritas Canada
Saturday, November 21st, 2020 from 10:00AM to 11:30 AM
Please join the Development & Peace Group on Zoom to learn more about how our global pandemic requires a global solution as well as how you can be involved Development & Peace’s “Recovering Together” campaign
Register at http://bit.ly/RecoveringTogetherWorkshop
Email at torontodevp@gmail.com
Phone: 905-430-7753
Web: www.devp.org
ST. AUGUSTINE’S SEMINARY LAY FORMATION PROGRAM – WATER AND FIRE: THE PERSON OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN CHRISTIAN LIFE
A virtual event
Saturday, November 21st from 9:30 AM. to 1:00 PM
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son, working to sanctify us every day. This workshop will explore the activity of the Holy Spirit in the lives of Christians.
Presented by Fr. Joseph Chandrakanthan.
The cost is $25. Please contact St. Augustine’s Seminary of Toronto by email at lay.formation@staugustines.on.ca or by phone a at: 416-261-7207. WEBSITE: www.staugustines.on.ca
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.
