December 3rd, 2017
Maybe we could begin this Advent season deepening the mindset St. Paul offers in our second reading; his letter to the Christian community at Corinth. He calls the people to be thankful for the grace, the gift, given them in Christ Jesus. This gift is found in a living relationship with the living God. This gift comes to us because God sent his Son into the world not to condemn the world but to embrace the world, and be one with us as a member of the human family.
The gospels tell of the things Jesus said and did during his short three years of his public ministry but St. John tells us that Jesus did many signs in their presence which are not written in this book, but these are written that you may know that Jesus in the Messiah; the Son of God and that through believing you may have life in his name.
In his epistles, his letters to the different Christian Communities Paul spells out in many practical ways how we can grow in the life that is ours through the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus. We are to be always thankful for the gifts of life and faith in Jesus. We are to acknowledge that the gifts that we receive from the Holy Spirit are not for ourselves but are for the building up and the healing of the Body of Christ, the Church. We are to be there for our brothers and sisters in the community and we are to live lives inspired by the teachings and example of Jesus not those of the godless.
During this season of Advent offers us all the opportunity to discover how faithful we are to the teachings of Jesus, how faithful we are in following the example of the unlimited love we see in our crucified Christ.
| Posted in Homily |
December 2nd, 2017
INDIVIDUAL ADVENT CONFESSIONS
Wednesday, December 13th: 10:30 AM to 12:00 Noon 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM
CHRISTMAS EVE – Sunday, December 24th
Regular Sunday Masses 8:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM 5:00 PM Family Mass – Carol Singing 9:00 PM Adult Choir – Carol Singing 12:00 AM Midnight Mass – Contemporary Group
Office Open – 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM
CHRISTMAS DAY – Monday, December 25th
10:30 AM 12:30 PM
Office Open – 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM
BOXING DAY – Tuesday, December 26th
Office Closed
No 9:00 AM Mass
NEW YEAR’S EVE – Sunday, December 31st
Regular Masses 8:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM, 5:00 PM Mass Vigil for Feast of Mary the Mother of God
NEW YEAR’S DAY – Monday, January 1st
Feast of Mary the Mother of God 10:30 AM 12:30 PM
Office open – 9:30 to 2:00 PM
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.
This past weekend, the Youth Group held their Advent Wreath fundraiser. We successfully sold all the wreaths and raised over $600. We would like to extend a special thank you to the parishioners who supported the Advent Wreath Fundraiser. May you all have a peaceful Advent and a very Merry Christmas!
Sunday, December 3rd 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. The guided reflection brings an ecological perspective to the readings. All are welcome.
December 4th to December 9th 2017
MONDAY – DAVID SHELDRICK & DANIEL MORIARTY – Requested by Teresa Sheldrick TUESDAY – MARIA DIDIODATO – Requested by the Oakie Family WEDNESDAY – NIKOLA VUKOVIC – Requested by Manda Vukovic THURSDAY – SOULS IN PURGATORY – Requested by Mary & Ravi FRIDAY – THANKSGIVING – Requested by the Ng Family SATURDAY – EVA GULBINOWICZ – Requested by Kathleen Olden-Powell
Wednesday, December 13th
On Wednesday, December 13th, we will all have the opportunity to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Confessions will be heard from, 10:30 AM to 12:00 Noon. and from 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM.
Chinese: Sunday, December 3rd at 3:30 PM in the Gabriel Room. English: Saturday, December 9th at 3:15 PM in the Library.
Rehearsal: Sunday, December 17th 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 4:00 PM. One rehearsal, which is mandatory, will be held on Sunday, December 17th from 2:00 to 4:00 PM.
For more information call Marilyn Calderone at 416-618-2041.
The season of Advent calls us to be vigilant in anticipation of the Master’s return so that we live each day according to the teachings of Christ. Could God’s “particular task” for you be a call to a Church vocation? If you think God is calling you to be a priest, religious or deacon, contact Fr. Chris Lemieux, Vocation Director, Archdiocese of Toronto by phone at 416-968-0997 or by email at vocations@archtoronto.org or go to www.vocationstoronto.ca
Saturday December 2nd to Sunday December 17th
We are having a Christmas Toy Drive again this year for the Catholic Children’s Aid Society. You can help by dropping off an unwrapped new toy for a child newborn to 12 years old. Containers have been set up at the doors of the Church and will remain there until Sunday, December 17th.
Each month the food we collect is sent to Rosalie Hall and the Good Shepherd Centre. The good people of St. Gabriel’s have been extremely generous in their support of these two important centres.
Rosalie Hall assists young parents and their children through the provision of a wide range of child development, community, residential and educational 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.
Please check the expiry dates before donating since we cannot pass on food that has expired. Thank you for your tremendous support!
Saturday December 2nd to Sunday, December 17th
During Advent, the Society of St Vincent de Paul will have a Giving Tree in the Gathering Space.
The tree will be decorated with gift tags. Each tag will have 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 6 months to 3 years.
Unwrapped Items with the original stocking tag attached can be left in the box provided near the “mitten” tree no later than December 17th. 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.
We are having a Christmas Toy Drive again this year for the Catholic Children’s Aid Society. You can help by dropping off an unwrapped new toy for a child newborn to12 years old. Containers have been set up at the doors of the Church and will remain there until Sunday, December 17th.
Thank you to the volunteers who prepared 48 casseroles for November. Your prepared frozen casseroles will be collected at the Masses on the weekend of December 30th/31st for delivery to the Good Shepherd Centre. Please remember to mark the label on the pan lid with the name of the casserole.
More volunteers are urgently needed to become active in helping to feed our less fortunate sisters and brothers. Three different recipes are available in the Parish Office or online at the Church website. Casserole pans are also available in the Parish Office.
Please give it a try! If you require more information please contact Irene Albrecht at 416-221-2791.
Wednesday, December 6th at 7:30 PM Koerner Hall, Telus Centre
On December 6th at the acoustically magnificent Koerner Hal the Toronto Choral Society, 22 members of the Talisker Players and some great soloists present Bach’s Christmas Oratorio. Tickets start at $45 and can be ordered from the website: https://www.torontochoralsociety.org/concerts/2017 /12/6/christmas-oratorio-at-koerner-hall
Friday, December 8th at 7:30 PM St. Bonaventure Parish
Christmas, Christmas time is near! Come join the Seraphim and Cherubim Chorus’ singing the Christmas songs you love as part of their Somewhere in My Memory concert series. A mix of old favourites and twists on classics! Please join them at St. Bonaventure Parish on Friday, December 8th at 7:30 PM. Advanced tickets are available online at www.seraphimandcherubim.ca. Proceeds go to support Camp Winston – a camp for children with complex neurological disorders.
Saturday, December 9th at 7:30 PM Spring Garden Church
You are invited to attend the Third Annual presentation of “The Promise”. A musical journey through the anticipation of Advent, the commitment of the Annunciation, the humility and simplicity of Christmas and the joy of the Epiphany.
The Promise is based on a compilation of music written and composed by Dave Trafford for the Youth and Family Choirs of St. Bonaventure’s Church. “The Promise” will take place on Saturday December 9th at 7:30 PM at Spring Garden Church. (Yonge and Sheppard) For more information and to purchase tickets please visit our Facebook page @ThePromiseOfAnAge.
| Posted in Bulletin |
November 26th, 2017
The most powerful image we have of Christ our King is the one we have from the gospel of Matthew. Pilate found Jesus innocent of the charges the authorities brought against him but had Jesus whipped. After his scourging Jesus was brought before the crowd. He has been beaten; he was wearing a purple horse blanket and a crown of thorns. Pilate mockingly presented the bloodied Jesus to the people – behold your king – only to be told by the mob – we have no king but Caesar.
Today we celebrate the feast of Christ our King. A king of truth and life, a king of holiness and grace, a king of justice, love and peace.
It is a requirement of our faith that we see Christ, we honor Christ, we love Christ, we accept Christ in every person who comes into our lives. It is a requirement of our faith that we faithfully keep the new commandment; Love one another as I have loved you.
Today’s gospel doesn’t pull any punches. It doesn’t say a word about saying daily prayers, going to Mass on Sundays, receiving the Sacraments. All these things are very important in the living of our faith lives. But this gospel tells us we will be judged by who we were and how we were to every person who came into our lives.
I know a man who was asked by a religious friend, ‘are you a Christian?’ His answer was, ’Ask my neighbour.’ That’s a powerful answer.
Do we feed the hunger of a family member, a friend or a stranger who hungers for acceptance or respect or forgiveness? Do we quench the thirst of a family member, a friend or a stranger who thirsts for refreshing waters of friendship and acceptance? Do we welcome into our hearts men and women and children who come from away to start new lives in Canada. Do we welcome new people into our neighbourhood? Do we take time out of our busy lives to make a phone call, drop a line or visit people we know to be housebound, people who go for days with no one to talk with? Do we clothe with respect, even reverence every person we meet – knowing that they are a son of daughter of God, just as we are? Are we there to lift up the weary, people who struggle with depression and anxiety?
These are challenges that come our way in so many ways and on so many days. We all have our own worries and struggles and we look for a listening ear, a helping hand. We know how grateful we are when someone is there for us. Are we willing to be there for others?
We all bear the presence of the Most High, no matter how diminished of devalued we may seem to ourselves or others. We are the bodies of Christ. However we treat others is how we treat him.
As we continue to celebrate our Eucharist we pray for ourselves and each other that all is over and the Son of Man comes in all his glory, none of us hear the dreadful words ‘depart from me’ but only the welcoming words, ‘come blessed of my father.’
November 25th, 2017
Saturday, December 2nd from 12:30 PM to 4:00 PM
St. Gabriel’s Church
Please join us for the Advent Retreat. It will be a wonderful way to prepare our minds and hearts for Christmas. The retreat will be preached by Father Robin Ryan, a Passionist priest and theologian. Father Ryan teaches at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. He is author of numerous books, articles and recordings on theological and spiritual topics, and a much sought-after retreat director.
Among his work are Catholics on Call: Discerning a Life of Service in the Church (Liturgical Press, 2010) and God and the Mystery of Human Suffering: A Theological Conversation Across the Ages (Paulist Press, 2011). Pope Francis is calling all baptized Christians to renew their relationship with Christ and the Church. In this parish retreat, Father Ryan will explore with us the vision of the Church that Pope Francis presents and reflect on its implications for Christian living.
For more information, please call Parish Office at 416 221-8866, or email Fatima Lee at fatimalee@bellnet.ca.
This Weekend – November 25th and 26th
The St. Gabriel’s Youth Group has decorated Advent wreaths which will be on sale this weekend, November 25th and 26th after all the Masses. Money raised will go toward sponsoring the youth group activities. Please support our Youth Group!
Sunday November 26th at 2:00 PM
There will be a presentation on Cyber Safety here at the Church this Sunday, November 26th at 2:00 PM. It will be led by Peter Sloly, a former parishioner. Mr. Sloly was a member of the Toronto Police for 27 years and the Deputy Police Chief of Toronto Police Services. All are welcome to attend.
November 27th to December 2nd, 2017
MONDAY – DECEASED MEMBERS OF THE CAGNEY FAMILY – Requested by Joe Cagney TUESDAY – SOULS IN PURGATORY – Requested by Mary & Ravi WEDNESDAY – ELIO RANCATI – Requested by his Family THURSDAY – GIUSEPPINA SMARIGLIO – Requested by Lina Giannotta FRIDAY – SOULS IN PURGATORY – Requested by Mary & Ravi SATURDAY – EDGARDO RECANA & CELINA DELFIN – Requested by their Family
Friday, December 1st from 9:30 AM to 12 Noon
The Parish Family of St. Gabriel’s would like to welcome: Caryl Hipona Cabanero Matthieu Chiu Brady James Hanna Brendan John Barry Long Isabel Rosa Mercedes Valdez Sofia Marie Rose Valdez
These children received the Sacrament of Baptism on November 19, 2017. Congratulations!
Wednesday, November 29th at 7:30 PM
St. Gabriel’s Church, Gabriel Room
On Wednesday, November 29th 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.
On Wednesday, December 13th, we will all have the opportunity to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Confessions will be heard from 10:30 AM to 12:00 Noon and from 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM.
Chinese: Sunday, December 3rd at 3:30 PM in the Gabriel Room. English: Saturday, December 9th at 3:15 PM in the Library
For further information, please contact Linda Law at 416 -918-8029.
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 6 months to 4 years.
We are having a Christmas Toy Drive again this year for the Catholic Children’s Aid Society. You can help by dropping off an unwrapped new toy for a child newborn to 12 years old. Containers will be set up at the doors of the Church next weekend and will remain there until Sunday, December 17th.
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.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank your parishioners for participating in Good Shepherd Ministries 2017 Thanksgiving Food Drive. With your support it was a huge success.
Good Shepherd currently serves more than 1,300 meals a day and runs the largest free meal program in Toronto. You are helping to provide more that 450,000 nutritious meals to people in need this year. This tremendous feat can’t be accomplished without you. Thank you for remembering people in our community who need our care, compassion and support.
Order Forms Due Monday, November 27th
Just a Reminder… The last day to submit order forms for the St. Gabriel School Poinsettia Sale is Monday, November 27th. Completed order forms may be dropped off in the Parish Office where there are also extra forms if needed. Plants will be available for pick up at St. Gabriel School on Friday, December 8th. Funds raised will help subsidize activities and materials that benefit all students at the school. Please support St. Gabriel School.
Wednesday, December 6th at 7:30 PM
Koerner Hall, Telus Centre
On the first Wednesday in December at the acoustically magnificent Koerner Hal the Toronto Choral Society, 22 members of the Talisker Players and some great soloists present Bach’s Christmas Oratorio. Tickets start at $45 and can be ordered from the website: https://www.torontochoralsociety.org/concerts/2017/12/6/christmas-oratorio-at-koerner-hall.
Friday, December 8th at 7:30 PM
St. Bonaventure Parish
Christmas, Christmas time is near! Come join the Seraphim and Cherubim Chorus’ singing the Christmas songs you love as part of their Somewhere in My Memory concert series. A mix of old favourites and twists on classics!
Please join them at St. Bonaventure Parish (1300 Leslie St) on Friday, December 8th at 7:30 PM. Advanced tickets are available online at www.seraphimandcherubim.ca. Proceeds go to support Camp Winston – a camp for children with complex neurological disorders.
Win great prizes! Deadline for submissions January 8th 2018
Students aged 14 to 18 are invited to write a 500-word essay on the theme for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, celebrated January 18th to January 25th, 2018. The Theme is “Your right hand, O Lord, glorious in power” (cf. Exodus 15:6). Students should read the Scripture passage from Exodus 15: 1-21 and respond to the following question in the essay:
Just as the Israelites sought deliverance from enslavement, in contemporary society the dignity of all people is threatened by new enslavements to poverty, violence, injustice and addictions. In what ways can Christians of all denominations work together to stave off these assaults to human dignity? Explain.
First Prize: iPad Pro (128 GB). Second Prize: Kobo Aura H2O Edition 2. Third to Sixth Prizes: one-year subscription to The Catholic Register and other prizes. Winning essays will be edited and published in The Catholic Register. Deadline for entries is January 8th, 2018. For entry details, please visit http://bit.ly/studentwritingawarddetails.
June, 2018
Are you interested in witnessing the work of the Passionist Community in East Africa in June 2018? Travel in a small group and visit some of the Passionist Communities in Kenya and Tanzania. Have the experience of a lifetime on an East African Wildlife Safari.
For more information please contact Steve Carey at carey@travelonly.com or call 416-278-9346.
Please do not use envelopes from previous years since that envelope number may have been reassigned to another parishioner.
If you are moving out of the Parish or have changed your address, please contact the Parish Office at 416-221-8866 so that we can update our records. Thank you.
November 19th, 2017
This parable about the master who handed over his wealth to his servants in trust can be confusing.
We have to remember this parable is not about the stock market or entrepreneurship. It is about the bounty of life itself as well the awesome gifts of life and faith and how we invest these gifts of life and faith in the living of our own lives and the enriching of the lives of others.
Some people who visit here for the first time are struck by the difference between St. Gabriel’s and their own parish church. I try to explain that in planning the church we wanted to make an important element in our parish spirituality is to connect our worship nature and nature with our worship. We try to be aware of the beauty of Earth and the wounded-ness of Earth and we try to work toward the healing of Earth. Every now and then we are reminded to ‘live simply that others may simply live.
In one of the Prefaces we use during the year we pray;”
All things are of your making, times and seasons obey your laws but you chose to create us in your own image setting us over the whole world in all its wonder. You gave us the care of creation to praise you day by day for the marvels of your wisdom. The well – being of Earth has been entrusted to the human family, a family that is one with the family of all life on Earth. Remember the quote I’ve used so often,’ Earth does not belong to us; we belong to the Earth and what we do to the Earth we do to ourselves.
The following thoughts are not mine; they are the reflections of Gerald Darring of St. Louis University;
”God our master has left us with the earth, not to do with it what we want but to care for it even as we live off of its abundant riches. God created the land to support living things: What will happen when God returns to find so much land strip-mined, forests strip-cleared, eroded, and burdened with toxic waste?
God created the waters to support living things: What will happen when God returns to find the oceans and rivers polluted with our garbage and chemical by-products? What will happen when God returns and discovers so many species of fish extinct?
God created the air to support living things: What will happen when God returns to find fresh clean air has been replaced with toxic fumes and smog?
God created plants and animals to live on this wonderful earth and revel in its beauty: What will happen when God returns to find so many of them driven to extinction by our destructive practices?
May we learn to care better for the Master’s goods so that when the Master returns, we will hear those blessed words: Well done good and faithful servant you have cared for and respected the world I gave you, enter into the joy of your Master.
We all have a unique responsibility under God to safeguard the created world and that responsibility requires of us that we live responsibly within it rather than trying to manage creation as though we are outside it. We did not weave the web of life; we are a strand in the web and what we do to the web we do to ourselves.
As we continue to celebrate this Mass we pray that we will use wisely and justly the talents, the gifts of creation God has entrusted to us. May we be called good and trustworthy in the way we care for the gifts of nature entrusted to us.
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