O, heavenly Father:
We thank thee for food and
remember the hungry.
We thank thee for health and remember
the sick.
We thank thee for friends and remember the friendless.
We thank thee for freedom and remember the enslaved.
May these remembrances stir us to service,
that thy gifts to us may be used for others.
Amen.
Mass will be celebrated on Thanksgiving Day, Monday, October 14th at 9:00 AM.
The Parish Office will be closed on Monday.
ST. PAUL OF THE CROSS FEAST DAY – OCTOBER 19th
St. Paul of the Cross was the founder of the Passionists in the year 1720. Born in northern Italy in 1694, Paul experienced conversion at the age of 15 and began a lifetime of devotion to prayer life as a soldier but left after one year. Six years later, having had several visions, he determined that his vocation was to found an order dedicated to the Passion of our Lord. Officials declared the visions authentic and Paul withdrew to write a rule. He was joined by his brother, who remained with him for the rest of his life. By 1747, the Passionists had three houses and were preaching missions throughout Italy. At the time of his death in 1775, Paul was establishing a congregation for Passionist nuns.
SPIRITUAL CARE VISITOR TRAINING
The Local Health Initiative Network will be offering a 4-session Spiritual Care Visitor Training at Markham Stouffville Hospital on October 17th 24th, 31st and Nov7th, 2019. This is a mandatory training for all those who are interested in visiting the sick at a hospital or for those who are homebound. If you are interested, please contact Sr. Maria Lucia at 416-221-8866.
The LIFE STORY PROGRAMME
(Presented by Ministry with Maturing Adults)
The 8-sessions Life Story Program started last October 3rd, 2019 from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM in the Gabriel Room. Sr. Mary Rose Marrin, CSJ, who is facilitating the programme, stated that this is the largest group that had attended her session! The programme will involve the participants to reflect on their life experience in each decade of life and from these reflections, the participants will write stories that are significant to them. Often times, after jotting down and reflecting such stories and events in their lives, participants find healing and joy, and discover God in the small and daily events in their lives.
May our participants continue their endeavours and may they find healing, peace, and joy in recognizing that God is touching and journeying with them in their daily lives!
BEREAVEMENT MINISTRY TRAINING
November 9th & 16th, 2019 – St. Gabriel’s Parish
The second of the two new ministries we are launching in our parish community is the Bereavement Ministry. The Bereavement Ministry is also known as the Ministry of Consolation. Training is required for those who are interested in becoming a part of Bereavement Ministry Team. The Bereavement Ministry Training is designed for those who are ministering to the bereaved in a parish setting. New and seasoned parish bereavement ministers and volunteers are invited to join others in an interactive, two-day faith-based educational and spiritual learning opportunity.
We are pleased to announce that the upcoming Bereavement Ministry Training this fall will be hosted by St. Gabriel’s Parish. The training dates will be held on November 9 and 16, 2019 (both Saturdays). The sessions will start from 9:30 AM and will finish at 4:00 PM on both dates. Participants are required to attend both Saturday sessions. Registration deadline is Saturday, November 9th, 2019. There is no cost to attend the training sessions; however if you wish to purchase the optional participant workbook, that would be $45 (with the cheque made payable to R.C.E.C.) Refreshments will be provided but please bring your own lunch.
The training will explore ways to begin a Bereavement Ministry in the parish or enhance your present bereavement ministry programs. If anyone is interested to become part of the Bereavement Ministry Team of our parish, please contact Sr. Maria Lucia at our Parish Office no later than November 1st so that she can register you at the archdiocesan office responsible for the training program. Come, learn, and share how the Christian faithful comfort mourners with words of faith and support and with acts of kindness!
ANNOUNCED MASSES
October 14th to October 20th
MONDAY – THANKSGIVING DAY – Mass at 9:00 AM
TUESDAY – NORRIS WHITFIELD – Requested by Jack & Margaret Murray
WEDNESDAY – INTENTIONS OF MARIE SWANT – Requested by Marie Swant
THURSDAY – SEE HIM CHIU – Requested by the Chiu Family
FRIDAY – VINCENT HA – Requested by Laura, Sylvia & Valerie Ha
SATURDAY – PASQUALE GATTI – Requested by Linda Gatti & Family
SUNDAY 10:30 AM – FREDERICO BILLEDO – Requested by the Billedo Family
SUNDAY 12:30 PM – NARCISO CORTEZ – Requested by Zenaida Cortez
CONFIRMATION INFORMATION MEETING
Thursday, October 17th at 7:30 PM
St. Gabriel’s Church – Gabriel Room
There will be a meeting in the Gabriel Room on Thursday, October 17th at 7:30 PM for parents of children wishing to be confirmed in 2020.
R.C.I.A. AND ADULT FAITH DEVELOPMENT
The R.C.I.A. (Rites of Christian Initiation of Adults) sessions started last Saturday, October 5, 2019 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM in the Library. Please pray for all our R.C.I.A. participants that they may patiently persevere in their spiritual journey. You may use this short prayer.
Prayer for the Journey of Faith:
Loving God, bless those who are moving forward into the fullness of faith in You and full communion in the life of our Catholic Family. Protect them on their journey. Reveal to them the love of Your Son Jesus. Empower them with the gifts of Your Holy Spirit. May their journey to deepen their faith be fruitful and enriching. We offer this sacrifice of prayer for them, in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Amen.
SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN PREPARING FOR BAPTISM
If you have, or know of, school age children (ages 7 to 14) who wish to prepare for Baptism, please contact the Parish Office at 416-221-8866. Classes for them will begin after Thanksgiving.
TORONTO CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
The Toronto Catholic District School Board is actively recruiting for the positions of Supply Education Assistant, Occasional Library Technician and Supply Secretary on an immediate needs basis. A minimum of grade 12 or Ontario equivalency is required for the first and third positions and a minimum of a college level diploma is required for the Occasional Library Technician.
For more information, please visit www.tcdsb.org/careers. Email inquiries can be sent to hr.recruitment@tcdsb.org. Applications will only be received at www.ApplyToEducation.com.
THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE
Thank you so much for your overwhelming support of our Thanksgiving Food Drive for the Good Shepherd Centre and Rosalie Hall.
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.
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.
Your donations are very much appreciated by the young families and homeless of Toronto.
Testimonies of Entry and Re-entry to the Catholic Church: Personal Stories of Spiritual Journeys Home
Tuesday, October 15th – 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Blessed Trinity Parish Hall
This night will feature personal stories of spiritual searching that have led each of our speakers “home” to the Catholic Church. Coming from different backgrounds and cultures, they will share how God led them through various religious affiliations to find their identity and centre in Jesus in the church. We will also feature some Jewish testimonies of faith, including St. Teresa of Avila, whose feast day it is. All are welcome.
Contact: Fellowship of St. Joseph – Association for Hebrew Catholics by email: ahctoronto@gmail.com
SR. CARMELINA TARANTINO OF THE CROSS
Closing of Diocesan Investigation Process
Sunday, October 20th at 4:00 PM
The Passionist Sisters would like to invite all the good people of this parish to the closing of the diocesan investigation process for Sr. Carmelina Tarantino of the Cross. We would like to share our joy for this great event with you and hope that you might attend. Please come and see the wonders the Lord has worked for those who believe in Him. The event will take place on Sunday, October 20th at ST. Leo’s Church, 277 Royal York Road (south of QEW) at 4:00 PM. His Eminence, Thomas Cardinal Collins will preside over the Celebration.
RETREAT “Calling Women from 18 to 80”
Friday, October 25th (7:30 PM) to Sunday, October 27th
Manresa Jesuit Retreat Centre 2325 Liverpool Rd., Pickering
“A contemplative approach to making decisions”
Decisions, Decisions – Yes, No, maybe? with Fr. Henk van Meijel SJ.
Step forward to a restful weekend of open fields and fall colors, away from the frenzy, to hear God’s gentle whisper. Private room, Mass, spiritual direction and more – even a movie night!
Contact: Mary at 416-497-7059
EMAIL: pilgrimagecanadianshrines@gmail.com, registration@manresa.ca / 905-839-2864
Come and See Weekend
Friday, November 1st to Sunday, November 3rd
at St. Augustine’s Seminary
Inviting single Catholic men 17 years and older, to cultivate a deeper prayer life and relationship with Jesus Christ; leading to a better discernment of God’s call for their lives. A time for prayer, reflection and information on the process of becoming one of Christ’s disciples as a Catholic priest. The weekend begins at 7:00 PM on Friday and ends at 1:30 PM on Sunday. Register online at www.vocationstoronto.ca. Registrants 17 years old require parental consent.
For more information, please contact the Office of Vocations at 416-968-0997 or email vocations@archtoronto.org.
THE GARDEN SHED
With harvest season drawing to a close, we will be moving the community garden boxes off the patio where they now reside. It appears that the patio and the adjacent cement wall hold too much heat for some crops like tomatoes and cucumbers. Extra hands would be most welcome!
Please join us on Saturday, October 19th at 9:30 AM.
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.
