ANNOUNCED MASSES
June 8th to June 14th, 2020
MONDAY – YVETTE PIRES – Requested by Maria Saunders
TUESDAY –
WEDNESDAY –
THURSDAY –
FRIDAY –
SATURDAY – DECEASED FATHERS OF THE CHUCHRA & WROBEL FAMILIES – Requested by Wanda & Jack Wrobel
SUNDAY – 10:30 AM –
SUNDAY – 12:30 PM –
PRAYER DURING COVID 19
Jesus Christ, you traveled through towns and villages “curing every disease and illness.” At your command, the sick were made well. Come to our aid now, in the midst of the global spread of the coronavirus, that we may experience your healing love.
Heal those who are sick with the virus. May they regain their strength and health through quality medical care.
Heal us from our fear, which prevents nations from working together and neighbors from helping one another.
Heal us from our pride, which can make us claim invulnerability to a disease that knows no borders.
Jesus Christ, healer of all, stay by our side in this time of uncertainty and sorrow.
Be with those who have died from the virus. May they be at rest with you in your eternal peace.
Be with the families of those who are sick or have died. As they worry and grieve, defend them from illness and despair. May they know your peace.
Be with the doctors, nurses, researchers and all medical professionals who seek to heal and help those affected and who put themselves at risk in the process. May they know your protection and peace.
Be with the leaders of all nations. Give them the foresight to act with charity and true concern for the well-being of the people they are meant to serve. Give them the wisdom to invest in long-term solutions that will help prepare for or prevent future outbreaks. May they know your peace, as they work together to achieve it on earth.
Whether we are home or abroad, surrounded by many people suffering from this illness or only a few, Jesus Christ, stay with us as we endure and mourn, persist and prepare. In place of our anxiety, give us your peace.
Jesus Christ, heal us.
Kerry Weber: A Coronavirus Prayer,
American Magazine, March 2, 2020
COVID-19 UPDATE
For the latest update from the Archdiocese of Toronto, please visit: https://www.archtoronto.org/media-centre/news-archive/chancery-news/Update-on-Church-Closure-During-COVID-19
GARDEN HELPER
A Government of Canada funded Canada Summer Jobs Program position
St. Gabriel’s has received a Canada Summer Jobs grant to hire a Garden Helper for 9 weeks at 30 hours per week. If you are a youth between the ages of 15 and 30 who might be interested in applying, please send an application with your resume to stgabrielsparish@bellnet.ca. You can also visit https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/youth for more information on this position. The deadline for application is June 15, 2020.
CHURCH REOPENING
As we anticipate the reopening of the Church for weekend Masses, disinfecting the pews and high touch areas is one of the many measures to keep our Church safe for everyone. Any parishioner who wants to volunteer their time in disinfecting the pews after each weekend Mass can sign up by sending an email with your name and contact details, indicating which Mass you would be available for, to stgabrielsparish@bellnet.ca
PRIVATE PRAYER MOMENT
If you would like to spend some time to pray in the Church, you may contact the parish office at 416-221-8866 to make an appointment.
SHARELIFE
Living the Gospel by supporting married couples
Married for three years, Phil and Helen were expecting their first child when Phil revealed a secret: he had a son from a previous relationship. Feeling betrayed by Phil’s dishonesty, Helen learned about affordable couples counselling at Catholic Family Services of Toronto. Over 10 weeks of counselling, they learned to take the risk of being honest rather than using deceit to keep the peace. Phil and Helen found a new sense of confidence as a couple and starting feeling excited about the arrival of their baby.
Your gift to ShareLife is helping!
Did you know that while parishes remain closed, ShareLife agencies are as busy as ever? That’s because those who are poor and marginalized are disproportionately affected during a crisis. Your support of ShareLife ensures Catholic agencies can continue their work on the front lines, helping the many people who are suffering. Please give securely online at sharelife.org/donate.
Due to Covid 19, the ShareLife collections have been postponed. Parishioners can contribute online at sharelife.org/donate or by dropping off or mailing their contribution to the parish office.
FOOD FOR ROSALIE HALL & GOOD SHEPHERD CENTRE
Each month food we collect is sent to Rosalie Hall and the Good Shepherd Centre. Unfortunately, with the current COVID-19 situation, we cannot accept any food donations at this time.
While we wait for updates from these outreach ministries, let us always be mindful of what they do.
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.
ONGOING COUNSELLING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY SERVICES
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, Catholic Family Services have moved their counselling and psychotherapy services online in an effort to continue to help their clients who are struggling with their mental well-being in this difficult time.
If you are suffering from mild to moderate mental health issues or are experiencing difficulty in your relationships, we encourage you to reach out to them and take a step towards a happier and healthier life. Catholic Family Services offer a variety of services, so whether you are an individual, couple, or family, their counsellors will explore your concerns with you and help you work towards your goals.
Sessions are conducted through the OnCall Health platform, which provides you and your counsellor with a secure and private video connection, since your privacy and confidentiality is of the utmost importance to them. To learn more about these counselling services or to find out how you can get started, please visit the Catholic Family Services of Toronto website at: https://www.cfstoronto.com/client/cfs/cfs_lp4w_lnd_webstation.nsf/page/Counselling+Program!OpenDocument
A MESSAGE FROM CATHOLIC CEMETERIES
While our cemetery gates remain closed during our regular operating hours, the gates will be opened for family visits on the cemetery grounds only. Our hours of operation for families visiting will be as follows:
Monday – Saturday: 4:30 PM to 7:30 OM
Sundays and Statutory Holidays: 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Our mausolea remain closed until further notice. Entry to the cemetery and mausolea during regular operating hours will only be provided to those attending a funeral or burial, those with a scheduled appointment and for essential deliveries.
Physical distancing requirements and attendee number restrictions are in place at all times in keeping with provincial Guidelines.
FINANCE CORNER
Although our Churches have remained closed since March 15th, 2020, our outreach programs and pastoral presence remain active.
Because there were no Masses celebrated with public participation, there were no offertory collections taken up. The reality is that our parishes rely on the support of their parishioners to operate through weekly offertory collections. Parish salaries, programs and ongoing operating costs (heating, water, electricity, etc.) are funded through the generosity of its parishioners. There is a challenge for the parish to maintain operations without the weekly offertory collection.
Monthly contributions to the Parish by monthly Pre-Authorized Giving or by credit card through “Donate Now” continue automatically.
Please consider changing your offertory giving, at this time, to monthly Pre-Authorized Giving. Forms are available at the Parish office or on-line at the Parish website in the “Weekly Giving” section under the Finances tab.
You may also mail in or drop off your offertory envelope at the parish office on weekdays and weekends at regular hours.
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.
