ADVENT MISSION
“God is with us”: Bringing hope to those living in darkness
Saturday, December 6th from 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM
NOT TO BE MISSED – reflection with Fr. Rick Frechette CP on our Christian commitment that will be both inspiring and enriching!
Father Rick is a Passionist who went to Haiti 27 years ago to serve as a priest. Seeing the poverty and the dire need of the people there for medical care, he went back to the U.S. in his 40s, took up medical studies, and returned to Haiti as both a priest and a medical doctor. The needs of the people whom he served prompted him to give himself to their service by not only ministering to their spiritual needs, but their physical needs as well. His presence among the people of Haiti is truly an amazing witness of love.
At the beginning of the season of Advent, when we are preparing for Christmas, Fr. Rick will talk about our Christian commitment to share the Good News, especially with those who are living in the darkness of poverty, injustice, and slavery in its many forms. It will be an excellent opportunity for all parishioners to pause and look deeply. We encourage especially our young people to join us!
A simple lunch will be provided. Cost is $5 per person. To register, please call the Parish Office at (416) 221-8866, or email fatimalee@bellnet.ca
NOVEMBER IS THE MONTH OF ALL SOULS
BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE
There will be a Book of Remembrance placed on the altar for the month of November. You are invited to write the names of your deceased relatives and friends in the book. They will be remembered at all the Masses celebrated in November.
ANNOUNCED MASSES
November 3rd to November 8th
MONDAY – JUANITO GAVIETA – Requested by Estrella, Cherrie, Stella, Isabel & Howie
TUESDAY – VARUTHUNNY – Requested by Mary Chakkalackal
WEDNESDAY – IVAN, HOLLY & FAMILY – Requested by Angela Tam
THURSDAY – GUY & MALCOLM FAMILIES – Requested by Angela Tam
FRIDAY – JOHN RUEST – Requested by the Family
SATURDAY – DECEASED MEMBERS OF THE INTINI & BELLISARI FAMILIES – Requested by the Intini family
ALL SOULS’ DAY MASS
Holy Cross Cemetery, Thornhill
Saturday, November 8th at 2:00 PM
Catholic Cemeteries and Funeral Services – Archdiocese of Toronto wishes to invite all families to participate in the annual All Souls’ Day Mass on Saturday, November 8th at 2:00 PM at Holy Cross Cemetery, Thornhill. The liturgy will be celebrated indoors in English and Italian.
Contact 905-889-7467 for more information.
All are welcome.
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION – FIRST FRIDAY
Friday, November 7th from 9:30 AM – 12 Noon
THE NEW STORY – A DISCUSSION OF THE WISDOM OF FR. THOMAS BERRY
Tuesday, November 4th at 7:30 PM or
Thursday, November 6th at 10:30 AM
The Church has had many great thinkers over the years, including St. Augustine in the 5th century and St. Thomas Aquinas in the 13th century. In our time, we have great thinkers too, one of whom is the Passionist priest, Fr. Thomas Berry, 1914 – 2009. He introduced us to seeing God’s creation in a new way and our role as humans within it. He called it “The New Story”.
On Tuesdays at 7:30 PM and repeated on Thursdays at 10:30 AM, Mary Landry will lead a discussion about his “New Story”, the wisdom that ensues and the challenge it evokes. We guarantee an interesting discussion! All are welcome.
MEETING FOR FIRST RECONCILIATION
Wednesday, November 12th at 7:30 PM
St. Gabriel’s Church, Gabriel Room
On Wednesday, November 12th at 7:30 PM there will be a meeting in the Gabriel Room for parents of children who will be receiving the sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time.
CONFIRMATION ENROLLMENT CEREMONY
Sunday, November 23rd at the 12:30 PM Mass
The Confirmation Enrollment Ceremony for all Confirmation candidates will be held on Sunday, November 23rd at the 12:30 PM Mass. All Confirmation candidates must attend.
Candidates are reminded to submit their letters requesting Confirmation to Fr. Brando through the Parish Office by Saturday, November 14th.
GOOD SHEPHERD CASSEROLES
Thank you to the volunteers who prepared 35 casseroles for October. For November, your prepared casseroles (frozen please) will be collected at the Masses on the weekend of November 29th/30th for delivery to the Good Shepherd Centre.
More volunteers are encouraged to become active in helping to feed our less fortunate sisters and brothers. There are now 3 different recipes available in the Parish Office or online at the Church website.
If you require more information or would like to get a copy of a recipe and a casserole pan, please contact Irene Albrecht at 416-221-2791.
PASSIONIST CHRISTMAS CARDS
Christmas cards will be available after all the Masses next weekend, Nov. 8th/9th. The suggested cost is $1.50 per card.
All donations will go directly to support the Passionist Missions in Haiti, Honduras and Jamaica.
Your support is invaluable in caring for the needy in some of the poorest communities of North America.
SHEPHERD’S TRUST COLLECTION
November 15th/16th
The Shepherds’ Trust has a mission to provide, comfort and care for those who have steadfastly cared for us – our retired priests. As parishioners, we have our own memories of a Catholic priest who made a positive, meaningful and lasting impact in our lives.
Each year, thousands of people contribute to the Shepherds’ Trust. The collection will take place in all parishes in the Archdiocese on the weekend of November 15th/16th.
Envelopes are in the pews.
We want our priests to retire safely and with dignity. The Shepherds’ Trust allows us to help achieve this goal.
Your generosity is deeply appreciated.
FOOD FOR ROSALIE HALL
Each month the food we collect is sent to Rosalie Hall. With everyone struggling at this time, these 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 INTO BED MATS
A bin has been placed in the gathering space for the collection of milk bags (outer bag only) which can be woven into quick-dry, bug-resistant bed mats for flood-ravaged areas of the third world like Haiti. Please remember to rinse out and dry bags before depositing them. Thank you.
NORTH YORK RETIREES CLUB
Blessed Trinity Parish Hall
Tuesday, November 11th at 2:00 PM
The next meeting of the North York Retiree’s will be feature guest speaker Richard Fennes Clinton from Muddy York Walking Tours. He will speak about “Life in Toronto in 1914”. All retirees are cordially invited to attend.
HOLOCAUST EDUCATION WEEK
Wednesday, November 5th at 7:30 PM
St. Gabriel’s Passionist Parish
For many years, St. Gabriel’s Parish has participated in the Holocaust Education Week. This year, we will be co-sponsoring the event with the Embassy of Hungary in Canada and Consulate General of Hungary in Toronto.
On Wednesday, November 5th at 7:30 PM we will present George Csicsery’s documentary film Angel of Mercy. The film tells the story of Sister Margaret Slachta, a courageous woman who defied the Nazis and the communists in her fight for social justice. Her faith and vision led to heroic acts of courage during the Hungarian Holocaust of 1944-45. Mr. Csicsery, the maker of the film, will hold a question and answer session after the screening of the film.
All are encouraged to attend. Admission is free.
CELEBRATE YOUR MARRIAGE WITH A WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER WEEKEND!
November 7th to 9th
Married couples: You deserve a weekend to cherish being together; to rediscover each other and focus on ways to make your relationship even better. A Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend offers this opportunity. Consider giving each other or another couple that you know the gift of a weekend away from daily pressures; time to be with each other and with God on a Marriage Encounter Weekend. See www.wwme.org .
Upcoming Weekend Date: November 7th to 9th.
For further information or registration please contact Cora & Mike Bryce at 905-896-2958 or cora-mikebryce@sympatico.ca.
FINANCE CORNER
Our operating expenses average $14,550 per week.
Offertory Collection for last weekend:
Envelopes 392 $ 7,349
Loose Change 1,084
Weekly Portion of Pre-Authorized Giving 163 3,057
Total 555 $ 11,490
Have you considered using Pre Authorized Giving?
If you are moving out of the Parish or have a change of address, please contact the Parish Office at 416-221-8866 so that we can update our records. This is important in order for you to receive your 2014 income tax receipts on a timely basis. 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.
