STUDY GROUP ON LAUDATO SI’ AT ST. GABRIEL’S
Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’, which is addressed to all men and women of good will, reminds us the earth is our common home; yet because humankind has not been using the gifts of creation responsibly, the earth is suffering, the poor and vulnerable amongst us are also suffering. We need to work towards an ecological conversion.
For all who are interested in getting to know more about the encyclical, and to reflect on it, a study group will be held at St. Gabriel’s. We’ll be meeting six times, beginning October 5th, studying one chapter at each meeting.
The Co-leaders of the Study Group will be Fr. Steve Dunn, CP and Dr. Dennis O’Hara.
Dates of Meetings: Mondays:
October 5th, 19th, November 2nd, 16th, 30th, and December 7th.
Time: 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM.
The meetings are free of charge, but donations will be gratefully accepted.
To register or for further enquiries, please call the Parish Office (416) 221-8866 or email Fatima Lee at fatimalee@bellnet.ca.
OUR PARISH’S RESPONSE TO THE SYRIAN CRISIS
Special Collection – October 31/November 1st
The situation in Syria and the news about the plight of Syrian refugees have touched many of our hearts. As reported earlier, the parish is considering sponsoring a refugee family again.
A big “Thank You” to all those who volunteered to help with the application and settlement process.
The parish has also been receiving financial donations to support this cause. We thank all who have already donated. This is a real humanitarian crisis. Please consider and help as your means allow. Donations will be collected specially for our refugee sponsorship on the weekend of October 31st/November 1st.
ANNOUNCED MASSES
September 28th to October 3rd, 2015
MONDAY – ANDREW SUM LI – Requested by Linda Law & Family
TUESDAY – JOSEPH SIMONE – Requested by Phyllis Milligan
WEDNESDAY – ROSIE JOSEPH – Requested by the Family
THURSDAY – YEW KUAN NG – Requested by the Ng Family
FRIDAY – MARIA SUNGHAK LEE – Requested by the Family
SATURDAY – MARY-ANNE OLDEN – Requested by Kathleen Olden-Powell
PARENTS CONFIRMATION INFORMATION MEETING
Wednesday, October 7th at 7:30 PM.
St. Gabriel’s Church
There will be a meeting here at the Church on Wednesday, October 7th at 7:30 PM. for parents of children receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation this year.
WELCOME! BAPTISM
The Parish Family of St. Gabriel’s would like to welcome:
David Marcus Chamale
Nimuna Yunga Nken
Elise Esmerelda Anne Sani
Olivia Jade Timson
Luka Joseph Wong
These children received the Sacrament of Baptism on Sunday, September 20th 2015. Congratulations!
ALTAR SERVERS
The Altar Service is now recruiting new members.
If you are in Grade 4 or higher and are interested in becoming an altar server, please contact Colin Meharchand at cmeharchand@bell.net or leave your name and phone number with the Parish Office at 416-221-8866.
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
Friday, October 2nd from 9:30 AM to 12 Noon
ECO – SABBATH
Sunday, October 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.
ROSARY GROUPS
English: Saturday, October 3rd at 3:15 PM in the Library
Chinese: Sunday, October 4th at 3:30 PM in the Gabriel Room.
For further information, please contact Linda Law at 416 -918-8029.
SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN PREPARING FOR BAPTISM
If you have, or know of, school age children (ages 7 to 14) who wish to prepare for Baptism, please contact the Parish Office, or Fatima Lee directly, at (416) 221-8866. Classes for them will begin after Thanksgiving.
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 soon. 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 call the Parish Office at 416-221-8866. You can also contact Fatima Lee directly at ext. 228.
URGENT NEED
A loving father of three and grandfather of seven is urgently seeking a living donor for a liver transplant. He has been waiting, desperately, on the transplant list for several years now and time is of the essence as his body continues to struggle and fight to survive.
Anyone between the ages of 16 and 60, having Type B or Type O blood can potentially and generously become a donor and help save this man’s life. Typically, a donor’s liver re-growth occurs within 6 weeks and regular activities can be fully resumed within 2-3 months or less. General information about the liver transplant process can be obtained by contacting The Living Donor Liver Transplant Office, Toronto General Hospital at 416-340-4800, Ext. 6581 or online at www.uhn.on.ca/Focus_of_care/MOT/
Please contact Ann Ray via email at liverformike@yahoo.ca to help this family in need. May God bless you.
FOOD FOR ROSALIE HALL
Each month food we collect is sent to Rosalie Hall. Rosalie Hall assists young parents in need and their children to realize their potential through the provision of a wide range of community, residential, educational and child development services.
With everyone struggling at this time, your 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.
GOOD SHEPHERD 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.
Urgently needed items include: rice, pasta sauces, canned tuna, canned soups, stews, canned meats, fruits and vegetables, peanut butter, jam, oatmeal, pancake mix, teabags, ground or instant coffee, sugar, cookies and crackers,
Please no fresh or frozen foods.
We thank you for your generous support!
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR ALTAR LINEN CARE
We are in need of volunteers to care for the altar linens. If you would be willing to take on this important task, please call the Parish Office at 416-221-8866.
SPIRITUAL GROWTH IN THE SECOND HALF OF LIFE
Six Tuesday Mornings Beginning September 29th
St. Bonaventure’s Parish Centre, 1300 Leslie Street
Sr. Mary Rose Marrin CSJ will be offering a programme on the topic of Spiritual Growth in the Second Half of Life hosted by St. Bonaventure’s Church on six Tuesday Mornings at 10:00 AM between September 29th and December 1st.
For more information or to register, please call 416-491-2360. or email adamscote@rogers.com.
CATHOLIC FAMILY SERVICES OF TORONTO
WALK-IN SERVICES
Their professional counseling staff is trained to offer Walk-In services to clients who have an urgent need to speak with a counselor. The single-session consultation is aimed at helping clients develop plans to help them with their present concern. Clients who are interested in accessing services can:
(1) choose to call one of their branches at 416-921-1163 (Central) or 416-222-0048 (North) and book a single-session appointment, or
(2) drop-in at their North Office on Thursdays between
9:00 AM and 3:00 PM.
For additional information on the range of services offered, please visit their website at: http://www.cfstoronto.com/.
FINANCE CORNER
Weekly Offertory
Our operating expenses average $14,550 per week.
Collection for last weekend:
Envelopes 371 $ 8,742
Loose Change 884
Weekly Portion of Pre-Authorized Giving 163 3,060
Total 533 $ 12,686
Refugee Sponsorship $ 10,922
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.
