ASSISTED SUICIDE – PROTECT THE VULNERABLE AND THOSE WHO CARE FOR THEM!
By June 2016, the Government of Canada is expected to pass legislation to legalize assisted suicide. Cardinal Collins encourages Catholics throughout the archdiocese to visit CanadiansforConscience.ca and support the Coalition for HealthCARE and Conscience. The coalition represents a group of like-minded partners, including 5,000 doctors across Canada, who are committed to protecting conscience rights for health practitioners and facilities. You can use this website to write directly to your Member of Parliament, respectfully expressing your concerns. Given tight timelines for this legislation, please take action no later than April 1st, 2016.
CHILDREN’S FAITH PROGRAM CALL TO DISCIPLESHIP
The St. Gabriel’s Children’s Faith Program is a Parish faith program for children in Grade SK to 8 who attend Public and Private schools. The program is run by volunteers. This program is an important ministry to the families that come to our parish. Many of our children were and are still part of the program and we know how valuable this ministry is to our parish life.
We are in need of volunteers to serve as coordinator of the program and as class teachers and assistants. If you are interested please call 416-221-8866 ext 224, email francis.ng@bellnet.ca or leave your name and contact number with the parish office.
VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION
“Volunteers are the Roots of Strong Communities”
Quoted from National Volunteer Week website, to be held from April 10-16, 2016
St. Gabriel’s volunteers are kindly invited to a recognition celebration on April 10th from to 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM in the Gathering Space.
Invitations will be sent out by email in March. If you are a volunteer and you did not receive an invitation, please check with your Ministry Coordinator. The parish wishes to thank you for your involvement in enriching its life.
Father Brando and the Pastoral Team look forward to seeing you.
FIRST COMMUNION INTERVIEWS
Interviews for children who wish to receive their First Communion are now being scheduled..
Those children attending the Children’s Faith Program, private schools or others are asked to choose one of the following dates: April 6th,12th, 13th, 14th , 19th, 20th .21st, 27th or 28th Children from St. Gabriel’s School are asked to choose one of the following dates: May 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 17th, 18th, 19th or 20th. Please call the Parish Office to book an appointment with Fr. Brando.
PALLIATIVE CARE – NOT ASSISTED SUICIDE
There is a compelling need for palliative care in Ontario. Cardinal Collins mentioned in his address to all parishes last Sunday that less than 30% of those needing end-of-life care can find it. Availability of palliative care is what is needed not doctor-assisted-suicide.
We are a small group of parishioners and health care professionals who have a vision to care for people needing inpatient palliative care. Our plan is to create a place where patients and their families will receive care imbued with the value of compassion and which provides total care from physical, social and spiritual care. Setting up hospices will be an effective way to achieve this objective and to this end we are engaging communities and organizations that have similar values. We need people with a diversity of backgrounds to realize this dream. If you are interested in volunteering with us please contact Bob Parke or Ron Forbes at hospiceprojects@gmail.com or call 416-577-1406.
LENTEN AND EASTER SCHEDULE 2016
Stations of the Cross Every Friday
7:30 PM
Tenebrae Service Saturday, March 12th
7:30 PM
Day of Confession, Wednesday, March 16th:
Individual Confession – 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Reconciliation Service – 7:30 PM
Palm Sunday March 20th
Masses Saturday 4:30 PM
Sunday 8:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM.
Holy Thursday March 24th
No 9:00 AM Mass
7:30 PM Mass of the Lord’s Supper
Followed by Adoration until 10:00 PM.
Good Friday March 25th
10:00 AM Morning Prayer
3:00 PM Solemn Passion of Our Lord
7:30 PM Stations of the Cross
Holy Saturday March 26th
No 4:30 PM Mass
8:00 PM Easter Vigil
Easter Sunday March 27th
Masses 8:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM
Easter Monday March 28th
No 9:00 AM Mass
Office closed
EXTRA PARKING AT ELKHORN PUBLIC SCHOOL
RECONCILIATION SERVICE
Wednesday, March 16th at 7:30 PM
This is an opportunity to spend some time in peace and quiet, to reflect upon how we are responding to our call to be sons and daughters of God.
Recognizing the fact that we are “good people”, we also accept the fact that good people can sin. Through an examination of conscience we face those sins, admit them and are reconciled to God. For those who wish, individual confessions will be celebrated after the service. We encourage you to take advantage of this celebration.
ANNOUNCED MASSES
March 14th, to March 19th, 2016
MONDAY – CHESTER POSADA – Requested by His Family
TUESDAY – ALICE MICHAEL – Requested by Charmaine Michael
WEDNESDAY – ANDY ST LAURENT – Requested by Sr. Jacqui
THURSDAY – LESTER POSADA – Requested by His family
FRIDAY – ARMAND OAKIE – Requested by the Family
SATURDAY – GIUSEPPE & CLEMENTINA INTINI – Requested by Chiara & Tina Intini
JUST COFFEE
Fair trade organic coffees will be on sale after all the Masses next weekend.
Regular ground coffee: $5.50
Decaffeinated: $6.00
Whole Beans: $5.50
Chocolate Bars: $4.50 incl. Taxes
Hot Chocolate and Cocoa: $6.00
Teas: $5.00
SHARELIFE
Working wonders by providing vital life-restoring needs…
“Agencies are lifesaving and life-restoring to those who regularly rely on them. Families are working through crises and are healing. People with developmental challenges are supported as they experience a sense of self-worth and fulfillment in their daily activities. Seniors are living independently, yet have access to the social services and care they need. Refugees and new Canadians are guided toward a stable, productive livelihood in their newfound home.
Sometimes the results are obvious and sometimes they’re invisible but, always, they make a tangible difference. Please prayerfully consider today how you can support ShareLife.” Thomas Cardinal Collins, Archbishop of Toronto.
Today is ShareLife Sunday – March 13, 2016
Please give generously. You can work wonders!
FOOD FOR ROSALIE HALL & GOOD SHEPHERD CENTRE
Each month food we collect is sent to Rosalie Hall and the Good Shepherd Centre.
Food donations are more important than ever. Please check the expiry dates before donating since we cannot pass on food that has expired. Thank you for your generous support.
MILK BAGS
On February 28th, many parishioners saw firsthand how milk bags can be woven into sleeping mats and other useful items. Sharon Gusz is willing to have a teaching session here at St. Gabriel’s for those who are interested. Watch the bulletin for more information.
CARDINAL PETER TURKSON
LAUDATO SI’: LET’S REDEFINE “PROGRESS”
Monday, March 14th at 7:00 PM
St. Basil’s Church, 50 St. Joseph Street, Toronto
Cardinal Turkson, President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, is a passionate supporter of Laudato Si’: On Care for our Common Home, Pope Francis’ recent encyclical on the environment. He told attendees at last year’s UN Summit on Climate Change that we “cannot remain blind to the grave damage done to the planet, nor can we remain indifferent to the plight of the millions of people who most bear the burden of such destruction.
Free admission. For tickets and more information go to events.usmctheology@utoronto.ca.
JEWISH PERSPECTIVE ON MERCY
Tuesday, March 15th from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Scarboro Missions, 2685 Kingston Road
To encourage ongoing dialogue, Scarboro Missions is presenting a series of Jewish, Christian and Muslim Perspectives on Mercy. Join Rabbi Ed Elkin, spiritual leader of the First Narayever Jewish Congregation in Toronto, for the second in the series “Jewish Perspective on Mercy” to be held on Tuesday, March 15th from 7:00 to 9:00 PM at the Scarboro Missions.
There is no registration or admission fee. A voluntary offering is appreciated. For more information contact Sr. Lucy Thorson at 416-261-7135, Ext. 244.
JESUIT PROVINCIAL’S DINNER – APRIL 13, 2016
Come join the Jesuits in honouring Betty Bujold, Michael and Barbara McManus and Bishop Jean-Louis Plouffe with the “Magis Award” for their outstanding work and dedication to Jesuit ministries.
The evening will begin with Mass at The Church of The Good Shepherd in Thornhill followed by dinner at Le Parc Dining and Banquet Hall in Thornhill. To order tickets, please call 416-481-9154 or email jdo@jesuits.ca.
FINANCE CORNER
Our operating expenses average $14,550 per week.
Collection for March 6th, 2016:
Envelopes 398 $ 7,350
Loose Change 1,051
Weekly Portion of Pre-Authorized Giving 166 3,160
Total 564 $ 11,561
If you are contributing cash to the Offertory Collection without any identification, you will not receive credit for your contribution. If you are not currently using parish envelopes and wish to have a set issued for 2016, you may contact the Parish Office and we will prepare a box for you. This is the most effective way to keep track of your donations.
Please inform the Parish Office if you have recently moved, so that we may keep our parish records up to date.
Please do not use any envelopes from any prior year as the number on it may have been reassigned.
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.
