September 16th, 2018
A number of years ago when I was on the retreat team at Holy Cross Retreat Centre in Port Burwell down on Lake Erie a young man on retreat wanted to give me some advice as to how to get young adults back into the church.
He began by telling me we’ve got to get rid of the cross. It’s a downer, a bummer. We have to be more upbeat. The cross is a no no.
That sounds a bit like Peter in today’s gospel. Jesus gives the apostles a glimpse of his future. Beyond the admiration Jesus receives for his healings and curing there will be another reality. ’The Son of Mass must undergo great suffering and rejection by the religious authorities. He will be betrayed and undergo great suffering and be killed.’ This didn’t fit Peter’s image of the Christ, the Messiah, the delivered of Israel. ‘God forbid Lord this must never happen to you.’ For Peter this was a real downer, this wouldn’t work. It’s the miracles, the wonders that will win people over. A crucified Messiah won’t work!
But this is the reality, the foundational truth of our Christian faith; the crucified Christ, to the intellectual Greeks absolute foolishness, to the Jews a stumbling block. But to those who believe, Christ the wisdom of God, Christ the power of God.
You are the Christ. If Peter and the others saw Jesus as a miracle – working divine man and imagined they are to be likewise they had it all wrong.
Mark’s tells us the recognition of Jesus as the Christ involves the acceptance of a harsh truth; our Christ is a crucified Christ and we follow him bearing the cross in whatever form the cross may take in our lives and relationships, manifesting the dying of Jesus in our mortal bodies.
Our following of the crucified, our dying must find expression in our actions if it is to be real. Christ was a man for others. He showed his love and care for us in his acts of healing, his work to relieve the sufferings of men and women, he acceptance of people who were considered outsiders by society. Our second reading from James is quite blunt about this. If we say to a person who asks our help, ‘go in peace, keep warm, eat well and do nothing to clothe and feed them, we’re phony. Faith without good works is dead.
Faith is Jesus makes its own demands on us. There can be times when we are overcome by compassion-fatigue, things are beyond us. At such times we do the best we can but we never give up trying to be there for people in need.
There can be times when we have to challenge good people who are convinced the men and women who are fleeing persecution and danger are threats to our own prosperity, taking away jobs, living off our high taxes. They see families recused from refugee camps as freddy free loaders instead of good people looking for a new chance at life.
Faith without the good works of welcoming the stranger, seeking a living wage for the working poor, working for affordable housing, proper health care for our aged brothers and sisters is as dead as the dodo.
Faith in our crucified Christ has its own demands. It makes its own claims on us. Its implications are daunting. What you do to the least of these brothers and sisters of mine you do to me.
| Posted in Homily |
Calling all youth grades 6 and up! The St. Gabriel’s Youth Group is now welcoming new members. To learn more information and to sign up, representatives will be available in the gathering space after all the masses this weekend.
Our first meeting will be held on Sunday September 23rd at 1:30 PM. We hope to see you there!
September 17th to September 22nd
MONDAY – JOSEFINA GUEVARA CARINO – Requested by Mariza Carino Barleta TUESDAY – LUKE VUKOVIC – Requested by his Family WEDNESDAY – JIM MELADY – Requested by Patricia & Mary Alice O’Mahony THURSDAY – FIORENTINO GIANNOTTA – Requested by Lina Giannotta FRIDAY – MARIA REIS & DARKO SEIFERT – Requested by their Family SATURDAY – GERRY HATCH – Requested by his Family
“Those who sing pray twice.”
Our senior choir practices on Tuesday evenings, from 7:30 to 9:00 P.M. and leads community song at the 10:30 AM Sunday Mass.
Our junior choir practices on Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 8:00 PM and leads the music at the 12:30 PM Mass.
We always welcome new voices and hope you will consider joining us! For more information, please contact Marilyn Calderone at 416-618-2041
St. Gabriel’s Church Wednesday, September 19th, from 7:30 to9:00 PM Thursday, September 27th from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM, Saturday, October 6th from 2.30 PM to 4:00PM.
Registration for children who wish to receive the Sacraments of First Communion, Reconciliation and Confirmation will be held at St. Gabriel’s Church on the following dates: Wednesday, September 19th, from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM Thursday, September 27th from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM, Saturday, October 6th from 2.30 PM to 4:00 PM.
Please Note: A copy of the child’s Baptismal Certificate is required if registering for First Communion or Confirmation. $30 is required at registration for Confirmation to defray related costs.
Sunday September 30th after the 12:30 Mass
On Sunday, September 30th there will be an altar server welcome back and retraining session after the 12:30 Mass. Every altar server is invited. Interested boys and girls, ages 9 and older, who are willing to train to be an altar server are very much welcome. Refreshments will be provided.
Meetings in preparation for the R.C.I.A. (Rites of Christian Initiation of Adults) will begin in October. 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 contact the Parish Office at 416-221-8866.
If you have, or know of, school age children (ages 7 to 14) who wish to prepare for Baptism, please contact the Parish Office at 416-221-8866. Classes for them will begin after Thanksgiving.
Began last Sunday, September 9th at 10:00 AM St Gabriel’s School
Registration forms for the Children’s Faith Program are still available in the parish office. This program is for children of the Parish who attend public or private schools. Classes are held at St. Gabriel’s School every second Sunday. The next class will be Sunday, September 23rd at 10:00 AM.
Please note that a separate Sacramental registration form is required if your child will receive the sacraments of First Communion, Reconciliation or Confirmation during the 2018/19 year. These forms are also available in the parish office.
This Weekend, September 15th/16th
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is collecting gently used clothing, shoes, linens and household goods to support our neighbors in need or to be sold to help support their special works in the community this weekend. They cannot accept books, dishes, furniture, appliances, mattresses, construction materials or videos and cassettes. Please bring your donations and help others in your community.
The truck is open Saturday from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM and Sunday from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Volunteers are there to assist with loading before and after each Mass.
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.
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. Urgently needed items include:
rice, pasta and pasta sauces, peanut butter, jam cooking spices hot chocolate powdered milk black/Orange Pekoe tea ground or instant coffee, sugar cookies and crackers, vegetable oil jams canned tuna, soups, stews, meats, fruits and vegetables. Please no fresh or frozen foods.
We thank you for your generous support!
Each month some of the food we collect is sent to Rosalie Hall. Rosalie Hall assists young parents and their children to realize their potential through the provision of a wide range of child development, community, residential and educational services.
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 outstanding support.
Wednesday, September 19th at 1:00 PM
The Milk Bag Workshops will begin again on Wednesday, September 19th. Please make sure the bags you bring are clean and flat in the box. This will be of great help to the weavers. For further information about this program please visit www.milkbagsunlimited.ca or contact Sharon Gusz at sharongusz@gmail.com
New North Office Address
Catholic Family Services of Toronto has moved their North Office to 245 Fairview Mall Dr., Suite 201. The office phone number remains 416-222-0048. In addition to scheduled appointments, walk-in counseling services will be available at this location on Thursdays from 9:00 AM. to 7:00 PM. For information about all of CFS Toronto’s services and programs, please visit http://www.cfstoronto.com.
Life Stories Program Beginning Wednesday, September 26th for 8 Weeks
St. Bonaventure Parish Hall, from 12:45 to 2:45 PM
A small-group Life Stories program will be offered in the St. Bonaventure Parish Hall for 8 consecutive Wednesday afternoons beginning September 26th from 12:45 to 2:45 PM. Participants will write and share stories about their lives. The cost is $25 and preregistration is required. To register, call 416-447-5571 Ext. 560.
Thursday, October 4th at 7:00 PM
Brebeuf College is holding an Open House for students who are entering high school. It will be held on Thursday, October 4th at 7:00 PM. Parents/Guardians and students are cordially invited to attend. Join them at 211 Steeles Avenue East, just west of Bayview on the south side of Steeles. They can be reached at (416) 393-5508.
Thursday, October 18th at 7:00 PM
St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church, 75 Churchill Ave
Catholic Family Services of Toronto, St. Edward the Confessor Parish and their CWL Council will host the 9th Annual Mass to End Woman Abuse on Thursday, October 18that 7:00 PM.
This annual event is intended to raise awareness about abuse of women and girls. Prior to the Mass, brief presentations will be made about our Violence Against Women programs. After Mass, there will be a gathering with light refreshments in the church hall. We invite you to join us as we take action in the fight to end women abuse. For event information, email info@cfstoronto.com or call 416-921-1163.
Saturday, September 22nd from 8:00 to 11:00 AM
On Saturday, September 22nd from 8:00 to 11:00 AM we will be planting a strip of the garden at the extreme south end. If you plan to divide your hostas or other shade/partial sun perennial flowers this fall and have some to share with the church, please join us for a planting “bee.”
Workshop Reminders – Sundays from 1:30 to 3:00 PM with Cameron September 23rd Attracting Bats, Bees Birds and Other Beneficial Wildlife September 30th Cultivating Mushrooms (Oyster)
For information on the Garden Ministry, contact Heather Bennett at heathermjb@gmail.com.
| Posted in Bulletin |
September 9th, 2018
They brought a man to Jesus. Who are they, these men who brought this man to Jesus? Are they concerned family members? Are they good friends? Whoever they are their efforts to bring this man to Jesus changed his life and theirs as well.
A number of years ago there was this young child in the parish who had difficulty learning to talk. His concerned parents took him to different specialists for help. To make a long story short they discovered he had a hearing problem. Because he couldn’t hear correctly he couldn’t speak correctly. This was the condition of the man in today’s gospel.
Jesus didn’t say ‘be healed’, no he entered into that man’s space; touched his ears then he spat at him, strange behavior, and then he touched to man’s tongue. Jesus look to the heavens to show this would be the work of God and then commanded ephphatha, be opened. We can imagine the man’s ears popped, his tongue was loosed and he spoke plainly.
Jesus spat at the man. Remember the movie ‘my big fat Greek wedding? The aunt who keep spitting at people? This was an ancient action to ward off the evil eye. Those present saw nothing strange at Jesus spitting.
The men and women there were amazed at what happened. He has done all things well.
This whole thing of hearing incorrectly and having a speech impediment was the experience of the apostles in their journey of faith in Jesus. In last week’s gospel Jesus told them they has it all wrong; it’s not what goes into our mouths that makes us unclean but what comes out of our mouths, swearing and gossiping, bigotry, lying and smutty talk. In time they would hear and grasp the words and the identity of Jesus. Their Messiah would not be a conquering hero but a suffering servant. Their ears would be open and their tongues loosed when as Peter their spokesman they could say, ’you are the Christ, The Messiah.
Sometimes in our younger years we probably were told things about God that we not all that true. God is watching you. God is watching us but not in the sense of spying on us to catch us in the act. God is watching us with love because we are precious to him. God is angry with us and will make us pay. No, God understands that we are mistake making beings and hopes we’ll learn from our mistakes. There were so many times when we were presented with a god who was too small – as we are often too small in our unwillingness to accept and respect men and women different from ourselves.
Often the voice that spoke to us of God was a muddled voice and we heard a muddled message and imagined a distorted God, a harsh judge not a loving Father.
Sometimes we can speak with a muddled voice about God, about our church and we give good people a bad image.
St. Francis is supposed to have said, ‘preach the gospel at all times and when necessary use words.’ Can someone, anyone say to us, I can’t hear what you’re saying when I see how you are acting?
Can the way we speak to and of other people, the way we accepted men and women who seek refuge in our country, the way we respect peoples of other faiths and racial backgrounds be a true expression of our Christian, catholic faith. Actions speak louder than words.
September 8th, 2018
Dear Parishioners, I thought I would share with you a bit of news about myself. After Thanksgiving, I will begin a very different ministry in the Mackenzie-Fort Smith Diocese in the Northwest Territories. Other than the city of Yellowknife, the Diocese comprises isolated and remote communities, mainly of Indigenous peoples. There are only nine priests serving this Diocese of 1.5 million square kilometers. Most communities would have a priest visit to celebrate the Eucharist every two or three months. (Just think how blessed we are at St. Gabriel’s!!) As a result, Sunday communion services would be led by lay leaders of the local communities. Very often they are also the ones who would marry couples and bury the dead. They likely are also the catechists. I am being called to serve the Diocese and the people there as the Coordinator for religious education, providing resource and support to these lay leaders.
As many of you know, St. Gabriel’s is my own parish community, it is also a community that I love and cherish. For the past twelve years I have had the privilege of serving you as your Lay Pastoral Associate. Needless to say, I am sad to be leaving the parish. Yet “leaving” may not be the right word. I feel I am going to the North very much a part of this faithful community, to extend your love and friendship to the people there.
Please support me with your prayers as I begin my ministry in this far away, remote, but beautiful land. Fatima
Recent reports of clergy abuse in the Church, most notably through the release of the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report, have prompted numerous questions. To access letters from Pope Francis, Cardinal Collins, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops and other resources regarding this issue, please visit www.archtoronto.org/about-us/safe-environment. You can also access policies outlining how the Archdiocese responds to any allegation of misconduct by a member of the clergy or lay staff.
www.archtoronto.org/about-us/safe-environment
The Archdiocese of Toronto has implemented a series of policies and procedures to foster a safe environment for all those who interact with the Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Toronto. Those we serve include young people, adults and seniors who all make up the body of Christ among us. Information includes our procedure for cases of alleged misconduct, screening for lay volunteers and an overview of requirements for candidates to the priesthood and permanent diaconate.
September 10th to September 15th
MONDAY – JAMES SHORT – Requested by Patrick Mohan TUESDAY – VINCENT HA – Requested by Laura, Sylvia & Valerie Ha WEDNESDAY – ELIO RANCATI – Requested by his Family THURSDAY – HARRY LEUNG – Requested by John Chan FRIDAY – LUZ VILLEGAS – Requested by Gloria Monroy SATURDAY – HEUNG-WAH LAM – Requested by Fung, Lam & Montero Families
This Sunday, September 9th at 10:00 AM St Gabriel’s School Registration forms for the Children’s Faith Program are available in the parish office. This program is for children of the Parish who attend public or private schools. Classes are held at St. Gabriel’s School every second Sunday beginning this Sunday, September 9th, at 10:00 AM.
Those who sing pray twice.”
Weekend of September 15th/16th
Spring Cleaning Year Round!
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is collecting gently used clothing, shoes, linens and household goods to support our neighbors in need or to be sold to help support their special works in the community on the weekend of September 15th/16th They cannot accept books, dishes, furniture, appliances, mattresses, construction materials or videos and cassettes. Please bring your donations and help others in your community.
The truck will be open Saturday from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM and Sunday from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Volunteers will be there to assist with loading before and after each Mass.
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: $4.25
The Milk Bag Workshops will begin again on Wednesday, September 19th. Please make sure the bags you bring are clean and flat in the box. This will be of great help to the weavers. For further information about this program please visit www.milkbagsunlimited.ca or contact Sharon Gusz at sharongusz@gmail.com.
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.
Urgently needed items include: rice, pasta and pasta sauces, peanut butter, jam cooking spices hot chocolate powdered milk black/Orange Pekoe tea ground or instant coffee, sugar cookies and crackers, vegetable oil jams canned tuna, soups, stews, meats, fruits and vegetables. Please no fresh or frozen foods.
Thank you to all who prepared casseroles for the Good Shepherd Centre for the months of July and August. Your prepared casseroles (frozen please) will be collected at the Masses on the weekend of September 29th/30th for delivery to the Good Shepherd Centre.
More volunteers are needed to help feed the hungry in our city. We encourage you to pick up a copy of a casserole recipe and a pan and give it a try. Three recipes are available on St. Gabriel’s web site and in the Parish Office. For more information, you may contact Irene Albrecht at 416-221-2791.
St. Gabriel’s Parish Weekend of February 22nd, 23rd, and 24th
A Marriage Preparation course will be offered here at St. Gabriel’s the weekend of February 22nd to 24th, 2019.
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.
What to Watch for This fall: The north garden will completed with the addition of more fruit shrubs and trees and the mulching of the pathways.
Workshop Reminders Sundays from 1:30 to 3:00 with Cameron September 23rd Attracting Bats, Bees Birds and Other Beneficial Wildlife September 30th Cultivating Mushrooms (Oyster)
For more information on the Garden Ministry, contact Heather Bennett at heathermjb@gmail.com.
September 2nd, 2018
| Posted in Events |
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.
Learn about Passionists and our insignia »
Companion for the Walk of the Stations of the Cosmic Earth
St. Gabriel’s Garden – Guided Sensory Reflective Walk