ANNOUNCED MASSES
October 19th to October 25th
MONDAY – ROMULO CHRISTIAN GONZALEZ – Requested by Rosa Gonzalez
TUESDAY – KENG OWYONG – Requested by Helen Owyong
WEDNESDAY – INTENTIONS OF URSULA MARTINS – Requested by Tony Fernandes
THURSDAY – AMY YOO – Requested by John Choi
FRIDAY – THE JACK TA FAMILY – Requested by Veronica Do
SATURDAY – VICTOR PAUL – Requested by Sophie & Candida Pereira
SUNDAY – 10:30 AM – KRYSTYNA SIELECKA – Requested by Hanna Wisniowska
SUNDAY 12:30 PM – ALONSO VARGAS – Requested by Mirian Fabra
MINISTRY FOR MATURING ADULTS
PHONE PALS OR EMAIL PALS: CONNECTING WITH EACH OTHER DURING THE PANDEMIC
While the first wave of Covid 19 was trying for everyone it was particularly difficult for anyone who was living by themselves or for those living with others but not feeling included, valued or welcome. As we prepare for a possible second wave of the pandemic, 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.
By providing us with your name, phone number or email, we will connect you with someone who would make periodical calls to check in on you at least once a week. These calls or emails could be used for a simple friendly chat, a chance to voice a concern to a compassionate ear, or a companion to pray with.
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!
ARCHDIOCESAN CATECHIST FORMATION PROGRAM 2020-21
Registration is now open for the 2020-21 Catechist Formation Program. The program runs from Sunday, October 18th, 2020 to Saturday, June 19th, 2021. It consists of a combination of online courses, seminars, retreat morning, as well as a Mass and blessing of catechists by Cardinal Thomas Collins, Archbishop of Toronto, at St. Augustine’s Seminary. There is a $250 deposit, refundable upon program completion, and the cost of books.
For more information see the brochure at http://bit.ly/OCFP-Brochure2020 or contact Connie Price at: cprice@archtoronto.org or 416-934-3400, ext. 513.
R.C.I.A. AND ADULT FAITH DEVELOPMENT
Meetings in preparation for the R.C.I.A. (Rites of Christian Initiation of Adults) will begin in October. These meetings are normally in person but, due to Covid 19, they will probably be 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.
CHILDREN’S FAITH PROGRAM
Registration Begins October 19th
We anticipate that the 2020-2021 Children’s Faith Program will follow a home-school model with email resource support from volunteer catechist. At registration, you will receive a textbook for use as a primary resource. Parents will home school the child, with guidance from the textbook material and email resources from the catechist. Registration forms will be available on line or in the Parish Office beginning Monday, October 19th.
FOOD FOR ROSALIE HALL & GOOD SHEPHERD CENTRE
Each month food we collect is sent to Rosalie Hall and the Good Shepherd Centre.
Rosalie Hall assists young parents and their children to realize their potential through the provision of a wide range of child development, community, residential and educational services.
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.
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. Please no fresh or frozen foods. Thank you for your generous support!
WORLD MISSION SUNDAY
This Weekend, October 17th & 18th
World Mission Sunday takes place this weekend.
This national collection is given to the Society for the Propagation of the Faith who distributes the funds to every mission bishop to assist in the day to day expenses of operating the diocese as well as special projects, such as building churches/chapels, healthcare clinics, the training and support catechists.
Please be as generous as your means allow.
2021 REFUGEE SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM
For Families of Parishioners
The Archdiocese Office for Refugees has a program to assist parishioners who would like to sponsor a family member that is in need of refugee sponsorship. This program is intended to assist parishioners only. If you are a parishioner, and would like to sponsor a family member, please contact the parish office to schedule a meeting with the pastor prior to November 15th. The Office for Refugees will look to the sponsoring family to provide the necessary funds for sponsorship.
The Process
Step 1: The Program is Announced at Parish by October 20th, 2020.
Step 2: The Parishioner Meets with the Pastor – Interested parishioners are to arrange a meeting with the pastor by November 15th, 2020
Step 3: The Pastor Sends Request to ORAT by November 29th, 2020
Step 4: ORAT Invites Parishioner to an Information Session – Following the receipt of the request from the pastor, ORAT will extend an invitation to the parishioner, inviting them to attend the Introduction to Resettlement Information Session. This is a mandatory session for the parishioner. The session will take place on or before Saturday, December 12th, 2020.
THEOLOGY ON TAP-SAINTS IN OUR JEANS
Monday October 26th from 7:00 PM to 9:00PM
The speaker for this online event is Lisette Romero, BAS, B.Ed. Lisette enthusiastically works as a Youth Minister and a Lay Pastoral Assistant in two parishes of the Diocese of Peterborough. She invites us to share in her passion for the Catholic Faith and rich knowledge of Saints and Sainthood.
Please join her for a night of learning, fellowship, and sharing! Space is limited. Please contact faithconnections@csj-to.ca for more information.
THE GARDEN SHED
Our garden connects us to the natural world of which we are a part, not only in the present, but to our roots in the ancient past. If you walk the Stations of the Cosmic Earth in the south garden, and reflect on the third station, “Life Emerges,” consider adding to your reflection, an exploration of the east wall of the church, either the exterior and the interior. It is clad with Tyndall stone from Manitoba. This fossilized stone dates back 450 million years and reveals the imprint of life emerging on Earth. See how many of the fossilized remains of our ancestors you can find.
If you would like to participate in caring for our gardens, please email heathermjb@gmail.com.
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.
