Christmas Schedule 2018
ADVENT INDIVIDUAL CONFESSION
Friday, December 21st from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM
REGULAR SUNDAY MASSES
Saturday December 22nd
Vigil Mass 4:30 PM
Office Open – 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Sunday, December 23rd
8:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM
Office Open – 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM
CHRISTMAS EVE – Monday, December 24th
No 9:00 AM Mass
5:00 PM Family Mass – Carol Singing
9:00 PM Adult Choir – Carol Singing
12:00 AM Midnight Mass – Contemporary Group
Office Open – 2:00 PM to 6:30 PM
CHRISTMAS DAY – Tuesday, December 25th
10:30 AM
12:30 PM
Office Open – 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM
BOXING DAY – Wednesday, December 26th
Office Closed
No 9:00 AM Mass
REGULAR SUNDAY MASSES
Saturday December 29th, Vigil Mass 4:30 PM
Sunday, December 30th, Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus
8:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM
Office Open – 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM
NEW YEAR’S EVE – Monday, December 31st
No 9:00 AM Mass
5:00 PM Mass
Vigil for Feast of Mary the Holy Mother of God
Office Open – 2:00 PM to 6:30 PM
NEW YEAR’S DAY – Tuesday, January 1st
Feast of Mary the Holy Mother of God
10:30 AM
12:30 PM
Office Open – 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM
Parking
While parking at ground level is limited to 51 spaces, there is plenty of space in the underground parking lot. Please follow the instructions of the attendants. Do not park in front of the Church since this is a fire route and must be kept clear.
Additional parking is available on the east side of Elkhorn Public School and in the bus loop. Again, please follow the instructions of the attendant. The school requests that we do not park on the grass. Many thanks to Holly Richards, the Principal of Elkhorn Public School, for allowing us the use of the school property.
ST. GABRIEL’S ADVENT RETREAT
Mary: Model of Hope and Healing in the Midst of Darkness
Saturday, December 8th from 12:30 PM to 4:00 PM
St. Gabriel’s Parish
Please join us for our Parish Advent Retreat on Saturday, December 8th at 12:30 PM.
The theme is Mary: Model of Hope and Healing in the Midst of Darkness. The speaker will be Fr. Thomas Rosica. Fr.Rosica, C.S.B. is a Canadian Roman Catholic priest and a member of the Congregation of St Basil. He is the Chief Executive Officer of Salt and Light Catholic Media Foundation, English language media attaché of the Holy See Press Office, author, speaker, and commentator. For further information, please contact the Parish Office at 416-221-8866.
YOUTH GROUP NEWS – TALENT NIGHT
The St. Gabriel’s Parish Youth Group would like to extend a huge thank you to all parishioners, families, and friends who attended our Talent Night last Sunday in support of our trip to World Youth Day. The evening was filled with 21 amazing performances and was so inspiring and fun for all. More than $1300 was raised from the show!
Thank you to all volunteers, performers, parish staff members, Core members, and accompanists who made the night a huge success. A special thank you to Paul Royes for sharing his music with the youth group, to Father Brando and Father John for their continuous support and for also sharing their talents that evening, to our parish Music Ministry leaders for their organization and expertise, and to all who donated baked goods for intermission. We couldn’t have done it without you!
World Youth Day is less than 2 months away and we cannot wait for what’s in store. We are extremely fortunate to have such a generous community to make this possible. Thank you all once again for your support!
ANNOUNCED MASSES
December 3rd to December 8th
MONDAY – IN THANKSGIVING – Requested by Adrien Lapointe
TUESDAY – DAVID SHELDRICK & DANIEL MORIARTY – Requested by Teresa Sheldrick
WEDNESDAY – MARIA DI DIODATO – Requested by the Oakie Family
THURSDAY – NIKOLA VUKOVIC – Requested by the Family
FRIDAY – AURITA FERNANDES – Requested by Tony Fernandes
SATURDAY – FOR THE INTENTIONS OF FRANCIS NG – Requested by the Parish Staff
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
Friday, December 7th from 9:30 AM to 12 Noon
ECO-SABBATH
Sunday, December 2nd at 11:30 AM in the Gabriel Room
On the first Sunday of each month, the Passionist Centre for Ecology and Spirituality facilitates a 30 minute reflection and discussion prompted by the readings for that Sunday’s liturgy.
The guided reflection brings an ecological perspective to the readings. All are welcome.
CONFIRMATION ENROLLMENT CEREMONY
This Sunday, December 2nd at the 12:30 PM Mass
The Confirmation Enrollment Ceremony for all Confirmation candidates will be held this Sunday, December 2nd at the 12:30 PM Mass. All Confirmation candidates must attend.
R.C.I.A. AND ADULT FAITH DEVELOPMENT
Meetings in preparation for the R.C.I.A. (Rites of Christian Initiation of Adults) began last Saturday. These meetings 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 the Parish Office at 416-221-8866.
THE GIVING TREE
Saturday, December 1st to Sunday, December 16th
During Advent, the Society of St Vincent de Paul will have a Giving Tree in the Gathering Space. The tree will be decorated with gift tags. Each tag will have the gender and age of a child. We invite you to take a tag, buy a gift or a gift card of about $25.00 for that child and return the unwrapped gift, with the tag attached, to the box provided in the Gathering Space. If you choose an older child, please buy a gift card. Return it with the tag to the Parish Office. If you are a knitter, there will be mitten tags. Please take one and return mitts to the box in the Gathering Space.
At this time of the year, we are also thinking of the young mothers and babies of Rosalie Hall. If you wish to help, you may choose a “Christmas Stocking” from the tree to purchase pyjamas or undershirts for babies ages 3 months to 4 years.
Unwrapped Items with the original stocking tag attached can be left in the box provided near the “mitten” tree no later than Sunday, December 16th.
For the Moms, we are suggesting gift cards from Tim Horton’s, Walmart or MacDonald’s. These can be placed in the envelopes provided and brought to the Office. Thank you for your generosity.
HOPE FOR THE CHILDREN TOY DRIVE
Saturday December 1st to Sunday December 16th
Catholic Children’s Aid Society
We are having a Christmas Toy Drive again this year for the Catholic Children’s Aid Society. You can help by dropping off an unwrapped new toy for a child 8 years to12 years old. Containers will be set up at the doors of the Church next weekend and will remain there until Sunday, December 16th
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 begins 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.
MARSHMALLOW WORLD CONCERT
Friday, December 14th at 7:30 PM
Seraphim and Cherubim Chorus
St. Bonaventure’s Parish
Christmas, Christmas time is near! Join the Seraphim and Cherubim Chorus’ singing the Christmas songs you love as part of their Marshmallow World concert series. A mix of old favourites and twists on classics! Join us on Friday, December 14th at St. Bonaventure Parish in Don Mills, Saturday, December 15th at St. Matthew Parish in Oakville and Sunday, December 16th at St. Clare of Assisi Parish in Woodbridge. All shows start at 7:30pm. Advanced tickets available online at http://www.seraphimandcherubim.ca
THE GARDEN SHED
The next meeting of the Garden Ministry will be a planning meeting for the development, in the spring of 2019, of a community garden that would support the Good Shepherd Mission. If you are interested in participating in this project, please join us on December 9th at 11:30 in the Gabriel Room, or contact Heather Bennett at heathermjb@gmail.com.
“To grow and share food with others in a garden is to enter a holy country. ” – Fred Bahsnson, Soil and Sacrament
THE FINANCE CORNER
As we begin the new liturgical year, 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.
Offertory envelopes are now available in the Gathering Space Please pick yours up as soon as possible. If you do not have offertory envelopes but would like a box, let the Office know and we will prepare a box for you.
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.
