EXCITING NEWS ABOUT OUR REFUGEE FAMILIES
Exciting news! Our refugee families are expected to arrive soon. The refugee Sponsorship Committee is seeking help to furnish their apartments, as well as to put together a Welcome Shower for them. Moreover they are asking for donations of gently used, clean winter clothing.
Sizes Needed:
Men: Medium, X Large
Women: Small, Medium
Girls, Ages: 11, 9, 5, and 4 Years
Boys, Ages: 10 Years and 9 Months
If you would like to be a part of this effort, please let them know this weekend what items you would like to contribute at the refugee Sponsorship table in the Gathering Space.
These items (other than furniture) will be collected in the Gathering Space on the weekend of December 12th/13th
Please help our refugee families and extend them a warm welcome! Thank you!
ANNOUNCED MASSES
December 7th to December 12th, 2015
MONDAY – IVY LYN – Requested by the Family
TUESDAY – DELFIN REYES SR. – Requested by Reyes Family
WEDNESDAY – CLARA PALAYATHIL – Requested by the Family
THURSDAY – LOUIS NINO – Requested by Friends of Maria Heffler
FRIDAY – GUS CALDERONE – Requested by Marie Calderone
SATURDAY – DECEASED MEMBERS OF THE WROBEL & CHUCHRA FAMILIES – Requested by Jack & Wanda
ADVENT-SOLSTICE REFLECTION
“Shifting from Darkness to Light: Through Creative Action and Dialogue.”
Tuesday, December 22nd from 7:30 to 9:30 PM in the Gabriel Room
The hopeful expectation of the Advent season requires our active participation to effect change. Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Si`, and the recent climate change meetings in Paris have initiated creative action and dialogue. Reflecting on these events, we will seek signs of active hope and reflect on the Church’s calls for ecological justice.
Please contact Elliott Allen Institute for Theology & Ecology at eaite.contact@utoronto.ca or Dennis O’Hara at dennis.ohara@utoronto.ca or call 416-926-1300, ext. 3408 to register or for more information.
DAY OF CONFESSION
December 19th
On Saturday, December 19th, we will all have the opportunity to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Confessions will be heard from, 10:30 AM to 12:00 Noon. from 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM and from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM.
Christmas Schedule 2015
INDIVIDUAL ADVENT CONFESSIONS
Saturday, December 19th:10:30 AM to 12:00 Noon
2:30 PM to 4:00 PM
7:30 PM to 9:00 PM
MASSES
CHRISTMAS EVE – Thursday, December 24th
No 9:00 AM Mass
7:00 PM Family Mass – Carol Singing
9:00 PM Adult Choir – Carol Singing
12:00 AM Midnight Mass – Contemporary Group
Office Open 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM only
CHRISTMAS DAY – Friday, December 25th
10:30 AM
12:30 PM
Office Open 9:00 AM to 1:30 PM
BOXING DAY – Saturday, December 26th Mass 4:30 PM
Office Open 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM
MONDAY, DECEMBER 28th
Office Closed
No 9:00 AM Mass
NEW YEAR’S EVE – Thursday, December 31st
No 9:00 AM Mass
Mass at 4:30 PM for the Feast of Mary the Mother of God
Office Open 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM only
NEW YEAR’S DAY – Friday, January 1st
FEAST OF MARY THE MOTHER OF GOD
10:30 AM
12:30 PM
Office Closed
Parking
While parking at ground level is limited to 51 spaces, there is plenty of space in the underground parking lot. Please follow the instructions of the attendants. Do not park in front of the Church since this is a fire route and must be kept clear.
Additional parking is available on the east side of Elkhorn Public School and in the bus loop. Again, please follow the instructions of the attendant. The school requests that we do not park on the grass. Many thanks to Holly Richards, the Principal of Elkhorn Public School, for allowing us the use of the school property.
CHILDREN’S CHOIR FAMILY MASS – CHRISTMAS EVE AT 7:00 PM
Rehearsal: Sunday, December 20th from 2:00 to 4:00 PM
Each year, young people, Grade 3 and up, form a special choir for the Family Mass on Christmas Eve. Children must be at the Church by 6:00 PM. One rehearsal, which is mandatory, will be held on Sunday, December 20th from 2:00 to 4:00 PM.
Please call Marilyn Calderone at 416-618-2041 for more information
CHRISTMAS PAGEANT DRESS REHEARSAL
Sunday, December 20th from 2:00 to 4:00 PM
S.K. to Grade 5 children are invited to participate in the pageant. The rehearsal will be held on Sunday, December 20th from 2:00 to 4:00 PM in the Church
THE GIVING TREE
During Advent, the Society of St Vincent de Paul has a Giving Tree in the Gathering Space.
The tree is decorated with gift tags. Each tag has the gender and age of a child. We invite you to take a tag, buy a gift or a gift card of about $25.00 for that child and return the unwrapped gift, with the tag attached, to the box provided in the Gathering Space. If you are a knitter, there will be mitten tags. Please take one and return mitts to the box in the Gathering Space.
At this time of the year, we are also thinking of the young mothers and babies of Rosalie Hall. If you wish to help, you may choose a “Christmas Stocking” from the tree to purchase pyjamas or undershirts for babies ages 3 months to 4 years.
Unwrapped Items with the original stocking tag attached can be left in the box provided near the “mitten” tree no later than December 13th. Toys for these little ones would also be appreciated.
For the Moms, we are suggesting gift cards from Tim Horton’s, Walmart or MacDonald’s. These can be placed in the envelopes provided and brought to the Parish Office. Thank you for your generous support.
FOOD FOR ROSALIE HALL & GOOD SHEPHERD CENTRE
Each month food we collect is sent to Rosalie Hall and the Good Shepherd Centre.
Rosalie Hall assists young parents and their children to realize their potential through the provision of a wide range of community, residential, educational and child development services.
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
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
CHRISTMAS TOY DRIVE
We are having a Christmas Toy Drive for the Catholic Children’s Aid Society.
Can you help by dropping off an unwrapped new toy for a child 0 to12 years old? Containers will be set up at the doors of the Church from Saturday, November 28th until Sunday, December 13th.
MARRIAGE PREPARATION COURSE
St. Gabriel’s Parish
Weekend of February 12th to 14th, 2016
A Marriage Preparation course will be offered here at St. Gabriel’s the weekend of February 12th to 14th, 2016.
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.
SERAPHIM & CHERUBIM CHRISTMAS CONCERT
Church of St. Bonaventure
1300 Leslie Street
Saturday December 19th at 7:30 PM
Christmas, Christmas time is near!
Come join the “Seraphim and Cherubim Chorus” singing the Christmas songs you love as part of their “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” concert at the Church of St. Bonaventure on Saturday, December 19th at 7:30 PM. A mix of old favourites and twists on classics, with a bit of Disney flare!
Tickets are now available online. Any remaining tickets will be available at the door.
Proceeds in support of Romero House.
For additional dates and locations of performances, please visit www.seraphimandcherubim.ca
FINANCE CORNER
Our operating expenses average $14,550 per week.
Offertory Collection for last weekend:
Envelopes 405 $ 7,542
Loose Change 1,028
Weekly Portion of Pre-Authorized Giving 163 3,057
Total 568 $ 11,627
PRE-AUTHORIZED GIVING OPTION
The “Pre-Authorized Giving” Plan (PAG), authorized and supported by the Archdiocese of Toronto, is a direct debit program. It allows parishioners to make their regular offertory donations by automatic monthly bank withdrawal on or about the 20th of each month. Participation in the PAG provides a regular dependable cash flow of contributions to the parish and enables us to better manage the Parish finances. PAG brochures and sign-up forms are available in the Parish Office and on the tables at the back of the Church.
OFFERTORY ENVELOPES FOR 2016
The 2016 Offertory Boxed Envelopes are available in the Gathering Space this weekend. Please pick your box up as soon as possible.
For 2016, a small box of envelopes is not being provided for parishioners who contribute through PAG or Donate Now. Those parishioners are asked to use the Maintenance, Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Christmas envelopes available in the pews. Please provide your complete name and address in order to be properly credited.
If you are contributing cash to the Offertory Collection without any identification, you will not receive credit for your contribution. You must provide your full name and address.
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. 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.
