COUNTING MINISTRY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Each Monday morning Parish members count that weekend’s Offertory (and special collections) a process of usually 2 ½ hours. The Counting Ministry ensures prompt and accurate depositing of weekly collections and accurate input into the process of recording parishioner donations.
We need additional volunteers for this important ministry. Volunteers work on a team which normally counts every fourth week and approximately 4 to 5 other weeks regarding special collections. If you are available on Mondays (Tuesdays when the Office is closed on Monday because of a statutory holiday), please contact the Parish Office as soon as possible. Training will be provided.
LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION
Sunday, February 17th after 12:30 PM Mass
Tuesday, February 5th marks the beginning of Lunar New Year. This year is the Year of the Pig. For many years, the Asian community in our parish has gifted our parish community with a wonderful Lunar New Year Party.
This year, the Lunar New Year Celebration will take place on Sunday, February 17th after the 12:30 PM Mass in the Gathering Space. All are welcome.
FAMILY DAY
Monday, February 18th
Monday February 18th is Family Day, a day to celebrate our families. The Parish Office will be closed and there will be no 9:00 AM Mass on that day.
FEAST OF ST. GABRIEL CELEBRATING IN SONG TOGETHER IN WORSHIP
Wednesday, February 27th at 7:30 PM
St. Gabriel’s Church
Together in Worship, featuring Leo Marchildon, Josh Tamayo and the Together in Worship
Vocal Ensemble will perform here at St. Gabriel’s Church on Wednesday, February 27th at 7:30 PM.
A portion of the proceeds will be donated in Sienna Margani’s name to the Blu Genes Foundation in support of treatments for Tay Sachs Disease.
Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for seniors and students.
ANNOUNCED MASSES
February 11th – February 16th, 2019
MONDAY – JOHN McDONOUGH – Requested by the Mulhall Family
TUESDAY – TONINO DIADATO – Requested by the Family
WEDNESDAY – JOSEPHINE BADALI – Requested by John, Sal & Patsy
THURSDAY – CAANDIDO SAN JUAN – Requested by Ursula Holt & George Akleh
FRIDAY – NICOLA VUKOVIC – Requested by her Family
SATURDAY – MARGARET McGINLEY – Requested by Kathleen Olden-Powell
2019 LIFT JESUS HIGHER RALLY
Saturday, March 2nd from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM
Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 255 Front St. W.
Be inspired, encouraged and healed at the largest single day Catholic event in Canada, the 27th annual Lift Jesus Higher Rally! The theme of this year’s rally is “Hope In The Midst of Suffering”. The Rally will be held on Saturday, March 2nd from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Be inspired by talks by Ralph Martin, Sr. Ann Shields and guest speaker Fr. Mark Goring. The adult high mass (with Sunday readings) will be celebrated by His Eminence Cardinal Thomas Collins. There will be a separate youth event (13-18 years) with great music, dynamic talks and inspirational skits. The youth mass (with Sunday readings) will be celebrated by Fr. Mark Goring. Tickets: are $25 for adults and $15 for the youth. For additional information, please see our website, your church bulletin board or kindly contact us at (647) 243-9441. Email: contact@lift-jesus-higher-rally.ca or visit: www.lift-jesus-higher-rally.ca.
FOOD FOR ROSALIE HALL & GOOD SHEPHERD CENTRE
Each month the 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. Your food donations are more important than ever as the winter continues and numbers of needy people continue to increase. Please check the expiry dates before donating since we cannot pass on food that has expired. Thank you for your generous support.
JUST COFFEE
Weekend of February 23rd/24th
Because of our Lunar New Year Celebration next Sunday Fair Trade organic coffees, usually on sale next weekend, will be on sale after all the Masses on February 23rd/24th.
VISIT THE PASSIONIST COMMUNITIES IN EAST AFRICA
September/ October 2019
St Gabriel’s Parish has been invited to return to witness the work of the Passionists in Kenya and Tanzania in late September / early October of this year! If you are interested in joining this small group of parishioners please contact Steve Carey at skecarey@gmail.com for more information before February 12th, 2019.
FAITH CONNECTIONS
CHRIST AND CULTURE AT THE AGO
Wednesday, February 13th from 6:30 to 9:00 PM
The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO)
Free Admission
Can we encounter God through art?
Join the Sisters of St. Joseph for Christ and Culture to find out!
Together, as you walk through the galleries at the AGO and admire the beauty of art, you will reflect on a select few pieces and how they relate to your faith journeys. Admission is free!
At 8:15 PM the group will head to “The Village Idiot Pub” to share with one another what stood out to them during the visit.
HOW TO BEAT THE WINTER BLUES
Thursday, February 28th from 7:00 to 8:00 PM
Holy Cross Catholic Funeral Home, Thornhill
This time of year, grief can leave us frozen in our tracks. Join us for a casual evening as we take a closer look at the symbolism of winter and discover greater insight into accepting peace and comfort as we go through this seasonal journey. Refreshments will be served. All are welcome! For more information please contact Catholic Cemeteries & Funeral Services-Archdiocese of Toronto by phone at 416-733-8544 x 2047, by email: at info@cc-fs.ca or go to the website: catholic-cemeteries.com.
WORLD DAY OF PRAYER
Friday, March 1st at 1:30 PM
Church of the Incarnation Anglican Church
15 Clairtrelle Road
You are cordially invited to the annual ecumenical World Day of Prayer Service which will be held at the Church of the Incarnation on Friday March 1st at 1:30 PM. The theme this year, “Come – Everything Is Ready!”was written by the women of Slovenia. St. Gabriel’s is one of three Catholic churches involved but has very little representation at the service. Please join us, along with our neighbouring Christian churches, in prayer and reflection. A reception will follow.
THE ANNUAL MARDI GRAS MASS AT MARYLAKE
Saturday, March 2nd at 5:00 PM
Marylake, 13760 Keele St., King City
The Augustinians at Marylake invite you to join them for the Annual Mardi Gras Mass at Marylake on Saturday, March 2nd at 5:00 PM. This lively Mass in preparation for the Lenten season will feature traditional New Orleans style Dixieland Jazz hymns with the Red Peppers Dixieland Jazz providing the musical accompaniment and the Cardinal Carter High School Concert Choir providing the vocals. After Mass, there will be a short concert and complimentary Shrove pancakes, sausages and refreshments will be served. For more information, please call 905-833-5368, e-mail at info@marylake.com or visit at www.marylakecom.
COME AND SEE WEEKEND
March 15th to March 17th
St. Augustine’s Seminary
Young Catholic men ages 17 and older are invited to cultivate a deeper prayer life and relationship with Jesus Christ, leading to a better discernment of God’s call for their lives. Registrants age 17 will require a parental consent.
There will be time for prayer, reflection and information on the process of becoming one of Christ’s disciples as a Catholic priest. Please register online at www.vocationstoronto.ca.
For more information, please contact the Office of Vocations at 416-968-0997 or email vocations@archtoronto.org.
GARDEN MINISTRY
EXCITING NEWS!
GARDEN MINISTRY COMMUNITY GARDEN PROJECT
This spring we are excited to launch a community garden project at St. Gabriel’s. The harvest from the garden will support the Good Shepherd Ministries, who have requested that our garden initially provide them with salad vegetables. Everyone is welcome to get involved in planting seeds indoors at the end March – more information will follow. If you have surplus equipment and supplies that could be used in this effort, your donation would be most welcome! A list of needed supplies is available at the Garden Ministry table in the Gathering Space after Mass, on bulletin boards and on our web-page.
You are also most welcome to join the Garden Ministry. For more information, contact Heather Bennett at heathermjb@gmail.com.
FINANCE CORNER
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.” Our operating payments average $17,000 per week.
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.
TAX RECEIPTS FOR 2018
Tax receipts for 2018 have been mailed out. Receipts for PAG contributions are included in the Parish tax receipt.
Tax receipts for the Family of Faith Campaign or for any donations made by credit card for ShareLIfe or Donate Now through the Archdiocese will be receipted by the Archdiocese in February.
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.
