Welcome Back
Welcome back to all our parishioners who have been away since Covid 19 began. We have missed seeing you and are so happy that the church is now open for Mass, with limited capacity.
Please remember that, for the foreseeable future, masks are required to enter the church. Reservations are also required for weekend Masses. You may register online or by calling the Parish Office through the week at 416-221-8866.
Thank you for returning to our parish! The recent months have been difficult for all of us, so we hope this celebration of the Eucharist was a comforting and uplifting sacred experience.
We thank you for your understanding and cooperation. It is great to see you all once again!
Monday September 7th is Labour Day. The Parish Office will be closed and there will be no 9:00 AM Mass that day.
ANNOUNCED MASSES
September 7th to September 13th
MONDAY – LABOUR DAY – No 9:00 AM Mass
TUESDAY – MICHAEL & AURITA FERNANDES – Requested by Tony Fernandes
WEDNESDAY – MANUEL COSTA – Requested by Celeste Costa, Sons & Grandchildren
THURSDAY – JOSE & EULALIA ACOSTA – Requested by Mirian Fabra
FRIDAY – HARRY LEUNG – Requested by John Chan
SATURDAY – HEUNG WAH LAM – Requested by the Fung, Lam & Moreno Families
SUNDAY – 10:30 AM – HARRY LEUNG – Requested by Mary Leung
SUNDAY – 12:30 PM – DOREEN YOUNG – Requested by Noreen Chen
CHILDREN’S FAITH PROGRAM
We are discerning how the program will be delivered in these times. More information will be forthcoming, so stay tuned.
FIRST COMMUNION INTERVIEWS
Interviews for children who have been preparing to receive their First Communion are now being scheduled.
Interviews will begin on Tuesday, September 15th and continue until Thursday, October 1st. They are scheduled every 15 minutes from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Please call the Parish Office at 416-221-8866-to book your appointment with Fr. Brando as soon as possible.
PRAYER FOR THE SAFETY OF RETURNING TO SCHOOL
Father please hear us when we tell You of our concerns of sending our children and educators back to school.
Know that we are striving to make all of the right decisions.
We need Your love and power to help us overcome any difficulties.
Please watch over everyone as times and routines are about to change once again.
We know that we can do anything through You.
Please help us ensure health and semi-normalcy in the coming months.
We give our hearts to You, now and forever. Amen.
FOOD FOR ROSALIE HALL & GOOD SHEPHERD CENTRE
As you are aware, St. Gabriel’s has always collected food for Rosalie Hall and the Good Shepherd Centre.
During the pandemic, there was no food collection and shelves were depleted so these organizations are desperate.
Please help if you can by bringing non-perishable foods such as rice, canned goods, powdered milk, coffee, tea sugar, cereal, peanut butter, jam, pasta and sauces. You may place them in the large bin in the Gathering Space.
Thank you to all the parishioners who heeded the announcement and brought food for the Good Shepherd Centre and Rosalie Hall. Your response has been awesome!
CASSEROLES FOR THE GOOD SHEPHERD CENTRE
Thank you to the volunteers who prepared 14 casseroles for August.
For September, your prepared frozen casseroles will be collected at the Masses on the weekend of September 26th /27th for delivery to the Good Shepherd Centre.
This fall, a great many more volunteers are needed to become active in helping to feed our less fortunate sisters and brothers. Three different recipes are available in the Parish Office or online at the Parish website. Casserole pans are also available in the Parish Office. If you require more information please contact Irene Albrecht at 416-221-2791.
BUNDLE UP WEEKEND FOR THE SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL
Weekend of September 19th/20th
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is collecting gently used clothing, shoes and linens and household goods to support our neighbors in need or to be sold to help support their special works in the community on the weekend of September 19th/20th.
They cannot accept books, dishes, furniture, appliances, mattresses, construction materials or videos and cassettes. Please bring your donations and help others in your community.
The truck will be open Saturday from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM and Sunday from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Volunteers will be there to assist with loading before and after each Mass.
THE GARDEN SHED
As our gardens begin their long slide into dormancy, here are a few highlights from the summer of 2020. Abundant harvests from our community garden have been delivered to the Good Shepherd Ministries: lettuce, chard, cucumber, beans, peas, carrots, beets, celery, onions, scallions, zucchini, haskap berries, currants and several herbs Still to come will be more beets, carrots, lettuce, arugula, squash and radish.
The two donation gardens that showcase plants from parishioners’ gardens were mulched this spring and have fared well through the heat. Strolling through the north garden you can enjoy the lilies, anise and Joe Pyeweed attracting loads of insects and butterflies. The south garden continues to offer radiant displays of giant ferns, smooth oxeye and calendula, with hairy beardtongue beginning to wane.
Plans are moving forward to plant a cover crop in the cleared area of the south garden just west of the mulched pathway. Do have a look! For more information on the Garden Ministry, please email Heather Bennett at heathermjb@gmail.com.
PONTIFICAL COLLECTION FOR THE HOLY LAND
Weekend of September 12th/13th
The Pontifical Collection in support of the Holy Land, usually collected on Good Friday was cancelled when churches were closed due to the pandemic. Pope Francis has requested that it be taken up on the weekend of September 12th /13th.
The Annual Holy Land Collection not only helps to maintain churches and shrines located at holy sites, but it also helps to support the pastoral, welfare, educational and social works the Church undertakes in caring for the local population. Our Holy Father, Pope Francis invites you to be in solidarity with the Church and the Christians in the Holy Land. Please be as generous as your means allow.
As well, there are several other collections that were missed during the pandemic which will be taken in addition to regular parish collections.
The schedule is as follows:
Needs of the Church in Canada – weekend of September 26th/27th, 2020
Pope’s Pastoral Works – weekend of October 3rd/4th, 2020
World Mission Sunday – weekend of October 17th/18th, 2020
The Shepherds’ Trust – weekend of November 14th/15th, 2020
The Finance Council wishes to share this with all who come together as our worshipping community.
“The financial burden of the Parish is the responsibility of each and all parishioners to the extent that your means allow.”
Please consider giving your offertory by picking up Envelopes, enrolling in Pre-Authorized Giving (PAG), or Donate Now (through the Archdiocese of Toronto website). Please come by the parish office if you have any questions.
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.
