FEAST OF ST. GABRIEL
Tuesday, February 27th is the feast of St. Gabriel.
St. Gabriel, a member of the Passionist Community, was born Francis Possenti on March 1, 1838 in Assisi. In September, 1856, he entered the Passionist novitiate but before his ordination, he contracted tuberculosis. He died February 27, 1862 at the age of 24. Francis had a special devotion to Mary and chose as his religious name Gabriel of the Sorrowful Virgin. He is remembered for his enthusiasm in life and his extraordinary generosity. Pope John XXIII proclaimed him as a special Patron of Youth. Mass will be celebrated at 9:00 AM and at 1:15 PM with the children from St. Gabriel’s School.
LENTEN RETREAT
Saturday, March 3rd from 12:30 PM to 4:00 PM
St. Gabriel’s Church
The Lenten season will soon be upon us, calling us to look deeply into our lives, and to return to the Gospel.
Our Lenten retreat this year will be held on Saturday, March 3rd from 12:30 PM to 4:00 PM. The theme of the retreat is “Turning Tables: Our Walking and Working with Jesus.”
Our preacher will be Father Jim O’Shea, an inspiring and engaging Passionist working in New York City. Along with pastoral work, Father Jim focuses also on community development, paying particular attention to the housing and education needs of the community, especially those who are marginalized. In 2010, he founded Reconnect Brooklyn with the mission of engaging young people through entrepreneurship, education and service. The project operates Reconnect Café and Reconnect Graphics, and has employed over 150 young people.
Using stories from the Gospel and his neighbourhood work in Brooklyn, NY, Father Jim will invite us to embrace the liberating and creative spirit of Jesus in changing the world and ourselves.
For more information on the retreat, please call the Parish Office at (416) 221-8866, or email Fatima Lee at fatimalee@bellnet.ca.
LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION
Sunday, February 25th after 12:30 PM Mass
Friday, February 16th marked the beginning of Lunar New Year. This year is the Year of the Dog. For many years, the Asian community in our parish has gifted our parish community with a wonderful Lunar New Year Party.
Our Lunar New Year Celebration will take place this Sunday, February 25th after the 12:30 PM Mass in the Gathering Space. All are welcome.
STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Stations of the Cross will take place each Friday evening during Lent at 7:30 PM. We also encourage your attendance at our daily Mass throughout Lent.
LENTEN AND EASTER SCHEDULE 2018
Stations of the Cross
Friday Evenings at 7:30 PM
Individual Confessions
Wednesday, March 14th
From 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Reconciliation Service
Wednesday, March 21st at 7:30 PM
Palm Sunday, March 25th
Masses Sat., 4:30 PM
Sun., 8:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM
Holy Thursday, March 29th
No 9:00 A.M. Mass
Mass of the Lord’s Supper -7:30 PM
Adoration until 10:00 PM
Good Friday, March 30th
10:00 AM Morning Prayer
3:00 PM Solemn Passion of Our Lord
7:30 PM Stations of the Cross
Holy Saturday, March 31st
No 4:30 PM Mass
8:00 PM Easter Vigil
Easter Sunday, April 1st
Masses 8:30 AM, 10:30 AM,
12:30 PM
Easter Monday, April 2nd
No 9:00 AM Mass
Office Closed
EXTRA PARKING AT ELKHORN PUBLIC SCHOOL
ANNOUNCED MASSES
February 26th – March 3rd, 2018
MONDAY – BRIGIDA CORTEZ – Requested by Cheryl Rancati
TUESDAY – THANKSGIVING FOR BLESSINGS IN THE WORLD – Requested by the Chiu Family
WEDNESDAY – THE FUNG FAMILY LIVING & DECEASED – Requested by the Chiu Family
THURSDAY –
FRIDAY – SPECIAL INTENTION – Requested by Teresa Sheldrick
SATURDAY – GUS CALDERONE – Requested by Marie Calderone
WELCOME! BAPTISM
The Parish Family of St. Gabriel’s would like to welcome:
Connor Cabado,
Jasmine Leonie P. Poscablo,
Isla Elizabeth McDonald
Laura Lucia Sisco-Chacon.
These children received the Sacrament of Baptism on Sunday, February 18th. Congratulations!
FAITH RENEWAL MEETING FOR PARENTS OF CONFIRMATION CANDIDATES
Wednesday, February 28th at 7:30 PM
St. Gabriel’s Church
There will be a Faith Renewal Meeting for all parents of the Confirmation candidates here on Wednesday, February 28th at 7:30 PM.
ECO – SABBATH
Sunday, March 4th 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.
All are welcome to attend.
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION – FIRST FRIDAY
Friday, March 2nd from 9:30 AM – 12 Noon
ROSARY GROUPS
English: Saturday, March 3rd at 3:15 PM in the Gabriel Room. Chinese: Sunday, March. 4th at 3:30 PM in the Gabriel Room For information, please contact Linda Law at 416-918-8029.
THE CALL FOR CONSCIENCE 2018 CAMPAIGN
Sign-Up Sundays! February 24th/25th and March 3rd/4th.
We Need Your Help!
Cardinal Collins and bishops across Ontario are asking for an email address from every Catholic family in their community, with a goal of 100,000 email addresses collected by the end of February 2018. This information will be used locally by Cardinal Collins and trusted faith partners to communicate periodically (approximately 6-8 times each year) on issues of particular importance for the Catholic community.
The first campaign of 2018 is the Call for Conscience, inviting our elected Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs) and those seeking office this June to increase funding/access to palliative care, to protect health care workers wishing to abstain from any involvement in euthanasia/assisted suicide and to protect faith-based facilities from participation in euthanasia/assisted suicide. The work builds on a similar campaign in 2017.
Please visit http://bit.ly/SignUpSundayRegistration to register for this initiative. Thank you for living a faith that acts!
CANADA SUMMER JOBS PROGRAM
Be Informed & Reach Out to Your MP
The federal government has introduced new requirements for employers applying for the Canada Summer Jobs grant. To be eligible for funding, employers must attest that both the job and the organization’s core mandate respect certain “values” as determined by the federal government including the government’s position on abortion, sexual orientation and gender identity or expression.
Organizations unable or unwilling to make this attestation in whole or in part will be deemed ineligible for the grant. This requirement is clearly unjust. Many Catholic organizations throughout the Archdiocese of Toronto and many other faiths involved in charitable activity at soup kitchens, shelters, refugee welcome centres or summer camps are impacted by this decision. Please take a moment to visit www.archtoronto.org/summerjobs for more information and to find a template letter to send to your MP and the Minister responsible for this portfolio.
FOOD FOR ROSALIE HALL & GOOD SHEPHERD CENTRE
Thank you for your generous support of Rosalie Hall and the Good Shepherd Centre. Your donations are very much appreciated. Please check the expiry dates before donating since we cannot pass on food that has expired.
Your commitment to these organizations lets these young families and people in need know that they are not alone.
NEW BEGINNINGS BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT
Beginning Tuesday, February 27th at 2:00 PM
St. Roch’s Church, 2889 Islington Avenue
New Beginnings and St. Roch’s Church will be starting a bereavement support group for all who have experienced loss through the death of a loved one. It will begin on Tuesday, February 27th at 2:00 PM, at St. Roch’s Church in North York. This group will run for 5 weeks. For more information, please contact St. Roch’s Church at 416-749-0328.
WORLD DAY OF PRAYER
Friday, March 2nd at 1:30 PM
St John’s York Mills Anglican Church, 19 Don Ridge Drive
You are cordially invited to the annual ecumenical World Day of Prayer Service which will be held at St. John’s York Mills Anglican Church on Friday March 2nd at 1:30 PM. The theme this year, “All God’s Creation is Very Good” was written by the women of Suriname. 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.
COME AND SEE WEEKEND
Friday, March 23rd, 6:30 PM, to Sunday, March 25th, 1:30 PM
St. Augustine’s Seminary:
The Office of Vocations invites single Catholic men 17 years and older, to a Come and See Weekend at St. Augustine’s Seminary from Friday, March 23rd at 6:30 PM to Sunday, March 25th at 1:30 PM. Come and cultivate a deeper prayer life and relationship with Jesus Christ; leading to a better discernment of God’s call for their lives. There will be time for prayer, reflection and information on the process of becoming one of Christ’s disciples as a Catholic priest.
Register online at www.vocationstoronto.ca. Registrants 17 years old require parental consent.
For more information, please contact Fr. Brando or Fr. John or the Office of Vocations at: 416 968 0997 or you may email vocations@archtoronto.org.
Offertory Envelopes for 2018
The 2018 Offertory Boxed Envelopes are available in the Parish Office. If you have not yet picked yours up, please do so as soon as possible. Thank 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.
