WELCOME BACK
Welcome back to all our parishioners who have been away on holidays. We hope you have had an enjoyable summer. For those young people who are off to university, we wish you every success as you begin a new stage of your life. For those students and teachers returning to elementary and secondary school, we wish you a very positive and rewarding year.
A MESSAGE FROM THE ARCHDIOCESE OF TORONTO
Abuse and the Catholic Church
Recent reports of clergy abuse in the Church, most notably through the release of the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report, have prompted numerous questions. To access letters from Pope Francis, Cardinal Collins, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops and other resources regarding this issue, please visit www.archtoronto.org/about-us/safe-environment. You can also access policies outlining how the Archdiocese responds to any allegation of misconduct by a member of the clergy or lay staff.
Safe Environment Policy of the Archdiocese of Toronto
www.archtoronto.org/about-us/safe-environment
The Archdiocese of Toronto has implemented a series of policies and procedures to foster a safe environment for all those who interact with the Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Toronto. Those we serve include young people, adults and seniors who all make up the body of Christ among us. Information includes our procedure for cases of alleged misconduct, screening for lay volunteers and an overview of requirements for candidates to the priesthood and permanent diaconate.
ANNOUNCED MASSES
September 3rd to September 8th
MONDAY – LABOUR DAY – No 9:00 AM Mass
TUESDAY – ARMANDO & WALTER DINARDO – Requested by Pasqua Dinardo & Family
WEDNESDAY – FR. PAUL CUSACK – Requested by Parish Staff of St. Gabriel’s
THURSDAY – BEV GAHAGAN – Requested by Margaret Leckie
FRIDAY – JENN BLAIR COLLINS – Requested by her Family
SATURDAY – HYACINTH PAUL – Requested by Sophie & Candida Pereira
BAPTISM
The Parish Family of St. Gabriel’s would like to welcome:
Blake Payz Vivar Delos Reyes
Ian Santana
Max Santana
Logan James Faminial Wong
Luna Arcana W. Evora
Damien Mateo Lee
Evangeline Ging Hay Vane
Braylyn Lochlyn Wong
These children received the Sacrament of Baptism in July and August. Congratulations!
ECO-SABBATH
Sunday, September 9th at 11:30 AM
Gabriel Room
St Gabriel’s has a long tradition of hosting the Eco-Sabbath, usually every first Sunday of the month. This year, the tradition will continue. The first meeting after the summer break will be held on September 9th, at 11:30 AM. All are invited.
REGISTRATION FOR SACRAMENTS FOR SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN
St. Gabriel’s Church
Wednesday, September 19th, from 7:30 to9:00 PM
Thursday, September 27th from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM,
Saturday, October 6th from 2.30 PM to 4:00PM.
Registration for children who wish to receive the Sacraments of First Communion, Reconciliation and Confirmation will be held at St. Gabriel’s Church on the following dates:
Wednesday, September 19th, from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM
Thursday, September 27th from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM,
Saturday, October 6th from 2.30 PM to 4:00 PM.
Please Note:
A copy of the child’s Baptismal Certificate is required if registering for First Communion or Confirmation.
$30 is required at registration for Confirmation to defray related costs.
ALTAR SERVERS
Sunday September 30th after the 12:30 Mass
On Sunday, September 30th there will be an altar server welcome back and retraining session after the 12:30 Mass. Every altar server is invited. Interested boys and girls, ages 9 and older, who are willing to train to be an altar server are very much welcome. Refreshments will be provided.
R.C.I.A. AND ADULT FAITH DEVELOPMENT
Meetings in preparation for the R.C.I.A. (Rites of Christian Initiation of Adults) will begin in October. 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.
CHILDREN’S FAITH PROGRAM
Begins Next Sunday, September 9th at 10:00 AM
St Gabriel’s School
Registration forms for the Children’s Faith Program are available in the parish office. This program is for children of the Parish who attend public or private schools. Classes are held at St. Gabriel’s School every second Sunday beginning next Sunday, September 9th, at 10:00 AM.
Please note that a separate Sacramental registration form is required if your child will receive the sacraments of First Communion, Reconciliation or Confirmation during the 2018/19 year. These forms are also available in the parish office.
BUNDLE UP WEEKEND COMING UP!
Weekend of September 15th/16th
Spring Cleaning Year Round!
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is collecting gently used clothing, shoes, 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 15th/16th 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.
THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE
You can make a difference in the lives of the hungry and homeless this Thanksgiving by participating in the annual Good Shepherd Ministries Thanksgiving Food Drive. 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.
Urgently needed items include:
rice, pasta and pasta sauces,
peanut butter, jam cooking spices
hot chocolate powdered milk
black/Orange Pekoe tea ground or instant coffee,
sugar cookies and crackers,
vegetable oil jams
canned tuna, soups, stews, meats, fruits and vegetables.
Please no fresh or frozen foods.
We thank you for your generous support!
CASSEROLES FOR THE GOOD SHEPHERD CENTRE
Thank you to all who prepared casseroles for the Good Shepherd Centre for the months of July and August. Your prepared casseroles (frozen please) will be collected at the Masses on the weekend of September 29th/30th for delivery to the Good Shepherd Centre.
More volunteers are needed to help feed the hungry in our city. We encourage you to pick up a copy of a casserole recipe and a pan and give it a try. Three recipes are available on St. Gabriel’s web site. Printed copies of the recipes are also available in the Parish Office. For more information, you may contact Irene Albrecht at 416-221-2791.
MILK BAG WORKSHOP
Wednesday, September 19th at 1:00 PM
The Milk Bag Workshops, led by Sharon Gusz were very successful. Workshops will begin again on Wednesday, September 19th. Please make sure the bags you bring are clean and flat in the box. This will be of great help to the weavers. For further information about this program please visit www.milkbagsunlimit or contact Sharon Gusz at sharongusz@gmail.com.
WOMEN OF FAITH RETREAT “Inspired by the Spirit”
Saturday September 8th, 2018 at 9:30 AM
Blessed Trinity Parish, 3220 Bayview Ave. North York
A Women’s Retreat with Franciscan Friar Mark Steed will be held at Blessed Trinity Parish on Saturday, September 8th at 9:30 AM. A light breakfast and lunch are included. The cost is $15 per person. Contact Kay Booker 416-357-537 for more information.
MINISTRY WITH MATURING ADULTS
Life Stories Program
Beginning Wednesday, September 26th for 8 Weeks
St. Bonaventure Parish Hall, from 12:45 to 2:45 PM
A small-group Life Stories program will be offered in the St. Bonaventure Parish Hall for 8 consecutive Wednesday afternoons beginning September 26th from 12:45 to 2:45 PM. Participants will write and share stories about their lives. The cost is $25 and preregistration is required. To register, call 416-447-5571 Ext. 560.
MARRIAGE PREPARATION COURSE
St. Gabriel’s Parish
Weekend of February 22nd, 23rd, and 24th
A Marriage Preparation course will be offered here at St. Gabriel’s the weekend of February 22nd to 24th, 2019. The course will be held Friday from 7:00 to 9:00 PM, Saturday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM and Sunday from 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM. For a registration package please email Marie Deans at deansm@sympatico.ca.
THE GARDEN SHED
Did you know?
The south garden was not watered this summer in order to reveal areas of drought and areas of moisture retention as well as the plants that thrived in each condition. From this information, Robert Cordy and his team will create a map of the south garden that will inform next summer’s garden design.
Workshop Reminders
Sundays from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM with Cameron
September 23rd Attracting Bats, Bees, Birds and Other Beneficial Wildlife
September 30th Cultivating Mushrooms (Oyster)
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.
