September 10th, 2017
One of the greatest fears in many people’s minds these days is the situation between the US and North Korea. The posturing and the rhetoric of the two unstable leaders of these countries do nothing to ease the tension between these two nuclear powers. Both leaders don’t seem to be interested in any efforts at conflict resolution. It’s all very scary.
Most newspapers have a columnist who advises people who are in conflict with a family member or relative. The Dear Abby type. Misunderstandings seem to be part and parcel of family life and in our relationships with other people.
St. Paul was very concerned about maintaining the bond of unity in the church. He spent so much time trying to keep the peace and deepen the unity between Jewish and Gentile Christians.
Today’s short gospel is a great lesson on what is known today as conflict resolution.
Hurt feelings and misunderstandings can happen without our being aware of them. Friends may feel slighted or ignored. They can feel offended by something we said or did. Matthew teaches that if someone thinks another person has shown him/her disrespect, the offended person is advised to confront the other in private to talk things over, to get things straight. If there has been an honest misunderstanding then things are settled on the spot. It is over and done with. If the slight or offence is more serious the person might invite a third party in to try to sort things out, get an independent opinion. The hope in all this is that the independent person or witnesses will succeed where individual efforts failed and things will be made right.
If all these fail be bring about a reconciliation, in Matthew’s gospel the next step suggested is to bring the matter to the whole community. If the offended person will not accept the community’s judgement and persists in causing trouble, then he/she is asked to leave the community because they are disrupting the peace and order of the whole community.
The lesson is that we are to do everything, go to any lengths to resolve a conflict, keep the peace. It’s not all that easy. There was a book published years ago title, ‘Caring Enough to Confront.’ Can we care enough about another person, can we care enough about good people who are ‘put down’, belittled by racial jokes and remarks, to confront those who belittle other people’s dignity and speak up for men and women less fortunate than ourselves.
In our own family relationships do we care enough to confront misunderstandings or family feuds? Some families will go years before addressing a problem. Grudges or resentments within a family more often die with those who hold them rather than come to resolution in quiet conversation. Misdeeds of friends or relatives are usually discussed with everyone but the accused.
Willingness to communicate and forgive enhances a common life of faith and family. We know too that jealousy and envy rip families and communities apart.
Matthew teaches that the Christian community will to any lengths, walk the last mile to maintain community peace and unity. In our family life, our parish life, our community life are we willing to care enough to confront resentments, racism and bigotry in any form and work to maintain the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace and love and mutual respect? May we never let the sun go down upon our rifts and misunderstandings.
We pray too that the leaders of North Korea and the U.S will care enough to confront the possibilities of reconciliation and peace.
| Posted in Homily |
September 9th, 2017
September 11th to September 16th
MONDAY – VINCENT HA – Requested by Laura, Sylvia & Valerie Ha TUESDAY – ELIO RANCATI – Requested by his Family WEDNESDAY – HARRY LEUNG – Requested by Mary Leung THURSDAY – HARRY LEUNG – Requested by John Chan FRIDAY – HERB D’ROZARIO – Requested by Hazel D’Rozario SATURDAY – HEUNG-WAH LAM – Requested by the Fung, Lam & Montero Families
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 20th,from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM Thursday, September 28th from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM Saturday, September 30th from 1.30 PM to 3.30 PM
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 times:
Wednesday, September 20th, 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM Thursday, September 28th. 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM Saturday, September 30th 1.30 PM to 3.30 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.
Begins This Sunday, September 10th 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 other Catholic schools, public or private schools. Classes are held at St. Gabriel’s School every second Sunday beginning this Sunday, September 10th.
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 2017/18 year. These forms are also available in the Parish Office.
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 Fatima Lee at fatimalee@bellnet.ca or call 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, or Fatima Lee directly, at fatimalee@bellnet.ca. Classes for them will begin after Thanksgiving.
Weekend of September 16th/17th
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: $5.00
This Weekend, September 9th/10th
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 this weekend, September 9th/10th. 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 will be 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, oatmeal, pancake mix, teabags, ground or instant coffee, sugar, cookies and crackers, 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.
September 10th, September 17th, October 1st after 12:30 PM Mass
Robert Cordy, our landscape designer, will be holding several gardening workshops this fall on Sundays after the 12:30 PM mass: September 10th – Seed Sowing; September 17th – Garden Design; October 1st – Orchard Planting;
There will be one more workshop, the date and subject to be determined.
Everyone is welcome. If you are interested in attending, please register with Heather Bennett at heathermjb@gmail.com, or with the parish office.
As the Synod on Youth, Faith, and Vocational Discernment approaches, we want to hear from you! Faith Connections and the Office of Catholic Youth will be hosting Live Listening Sessions with the Toronto Bishops. Young people 16–29 will have the opportunity to respond to Pope Francis’ questions in preparation for the Synod! Your voice is important!
September 13th , 7:00 PM at St Patrick’s, Markham with Bishop Kirkpatrick October 2nd , 7:00 PM at St. Stanislaus, Toronto with Cardinal Collins October 11th , 7:00 PM at St. Christopher’s, Mississauga with Bishop Kasun
In order to guarantee a spot, please RSVP and tell us about yourself at: http://bit.ly/synodspeakup.
For more information, contact Kataryna Kuzar at 416-467-2645 or kkuzar@csj-to.ca.
Sunday September 17, 2017 from 1:00 PM
Veneto Centre, 7465 Kipling Avenue, Woodbridge, Ontario
The 51st annual celebration in honour of St. Gabriel, under the direction of the Passionist Community will be held on Sunday, September 17th from 1:00 PM at the Veneto Centre in Woodbridge.
All are welcome! Bring your own folding chair.
Wednesday, September 20th from 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM
Gabriel Room
Volunteer milk bag weavers will be meeting Wednesday afternoon, September 20th from 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM in the Gabriel Room to continue their great work, making sleep mats for third world countries All are welcome! For further information about this program please visit www.milkbagsunlimited.ca or contact Sharon Gusz at sharongusz@gmail.com.
Tuesday, September 26th , 2017 at 7:30 PM
St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica
For the first time in its history, the Sistine Chapel Choir (commonly known as the Pope’s Choir) will visit Canada. The first stop of the Canadian tour will take place on Tuesday, September 26th at 7:30 PM at St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica. The Sistine Chapel Choir is considered one of the most prominent and oldest choirs in the world, dating back to the 7th century. A limited number of free general admission tickets (maximum 2 per person) will be made available online at: bit.ly/sistineTO beginning Monday, September 11th, at 10:00 AM. The concert will also feature a performance by the students of St. Michael’s Choir School, one of only six choir schools in the world affiliated with the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music in Rome.
Sunday, September 17th at 3:00 PM
St. Luke’s Catholic Church, 39 Green Lane
Mosaic Interfaith invites you to an interactive learning event portraying the arrival of European settlers to North America and the impact on First Nation and Innuit Peoples – presented in collaboration with Thornhill Ministerail Association and Mosaic Interfaith. This will take place on Sunday September 17th at 3:00 PM at St. Luke’s Catholic Church, 39 Green Lane. See poster on the bulletin boards. For more information call Nora 416 218 0680.
Friday, September 22nd to Sunday September 24th Queen of Apostles Retreat Centre 1617 Blyth Road, Mississauga, Ontario
A women’s fall retreat, Journeying with Women of the Bible, will be held at Queen of Apostles Retreat Centre on the weekend of September 22nd to September 24th.For further information, please cal 905-278-5229.
| Posted in Bulletin |
September 3rd, 2017
In our opening prayer we ask God to deepen our sense of reverence for God and how God works in our lives. In other words deepen in us a reverential attitude and appreciation for our lives, our faith, the gifts of health, our families and the possibilities that life offers us. Let’s face it, we take so many things for granted, we just presume on God and the gifts of God.
You’ve heard me speak before about having an attitude of gratitude. You know what it is like to be taken for granted, when family members just presume you will be at their beck and call. Sons and daughters expect you’ll put aside your own needs and be there for what they want. Your boss expects you to be available 24/7. We know how much we resent being taken for granted. We may have a smile on our face but there is a hard feeling in our heart.
How much do we treasure our good health? How much do we appreciate our mobility? How much do we appreciate the gifts and talents with which we have been blessed? How often do we take these precious gifts for granted?
How much do we appreciate our gift of faith, our membership in the church? How much are we in awe at what we are celebrating right here, right now; ‘when we eat this bread and drink this cup we proclaim your death of Lord’? Right here, right now we make present the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus.
What would it profit us if we gained the whole world and lost our sense of reverence, our attitude of gratitude for God’s love for us, a love we see proven in the crucified body of God’s beloved son?
Can we think for a moment and offer a prayer for the families who are now homeless, businesses now destroyed and jobs put on hold by the winds and rain that devastated Houston and surrounding communities this past week? Did this tragedy in any way make us more conscious of how consumerist life styles, how our careless exploitation of earth’s resources has impacted the very health of Earth’s life systems? We’ve presumed that Earth’s resources are limitless, and they are not. We presumed on Earth’s bounty and in many ways refused to share them with nations not as blessed as are we. Has this past week moved us in any way moved us to a reverential attitude toward God’s good creation and our relationship to it?
What would it profit us if we gained the whole world and lost any sense of our oneness with the rest God’s good creation?
As we continue this Eucharist may we pray for each other that each of us be blessed with a deeper sense of reverence and awe for all the ways we are blessed and enriched by God’s gifts to each of us.
September 2nd, 2017
Welcome back to all our parishioners who have been away on holidays. We hope you have had an enjoyable summer. For those young people who are off to university, we wish you every success as you begin a new stage of your life.
For those students and teachers returning to elementary and secondary school, we wish you a very positive and rewarding year.
September 3rd to September 9th
MONDAY – LABOUR DAY – No 9:00 AM Mass TUESDAY – ELLEN JANE & ORVILLE ROSE – Requested by Mike Rose & Family WEDNESDAY – ELLEN JANE & ORVILLE ROSE – Requested by Mike Rose & Family THURSDAY – ABANDONED SOULS – Requested by the Nguyen Family FRIDAY – MARION DESROCHES – Requested by Mark DesRoches SATURDAY –GORDON OATWAY – Requested by the Oatway Family
The Parish Family of St. Gabriel’s would like to welcome:
Keira Ann Cookson Alexander Ian Hoo Fatt Andrew John Hoo Fatt Spencer Everett Mazzarolo Greyson Antonio Mazzarolo Madison Cristina Pineda-Jabbaz Julia Paola Sisco-Chacon Emmerson Luke Versteeg Silas Evan Tse
These children received the Sacrament of Baptism .in July and August. Congratulations!
We always welcome new voices and hope you will consider joining us! For more information, please contact the choir director after any of the Masses.
Sunday, September 10th at 11:30 AM in the Gabriel Room
St Gabriel’s has a long tradition of hosting the Eco-Sabbath usually every first Sunday of the month. This year, the tradition will continue. The first meeting of this year after the summer break will be held on September 10th, at 11:30 AM. All are invited.
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 times: Wednesday, September 20th, Thursday, September 28th. 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM or Saturday, September 30th 1.30 PM to 3.30 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.
Saturday September 9th from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
On Saturday, September 9th there will be an altar server welcome back and retraining session from 2.00 PM to 4.00 PM. 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.
Begins Next Sunday, September 10 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 other Catholic schools, public or private schools. Classes are held at St. Gabriel’s School every second Sunday beginning next Sunday, September 10th, 2017.
Next Weekend, September 9th/10th 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 next weekend, September 9th/10th 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 will be there to assist with loading before and after each Mass.
Thank you to all who prepared casseroles for the Good Shepherd Centre for the month of July and August. Your prepared casseroles (frozen please) will be collected at the Masses on the weekend of September 23rd /24th 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. Printed copies of the recipes are also available in the Parish Office. For more information, you may contact Irene Albrecht at 416-221-2791.
Urgently needed items include: rice, pasta and pasta sauces, peanut butter, jam, oatmeal, pancake mix, teabags, ground or instant coffee, sugar, cookies and crackers, canned tuna, soups, stews, meats, fruits and vegetables.
Please no fresh or frozen foods.
Robert Cordy, our landscape designer, will be holding several gardening workshops this fall on Sundays after the 12:30 PM mass: September 10 – Seed Sowing; September 17 – Garden Design; October 1 – Orchard Planting;
Sunday September 17, 2017 from 1:00 PM Veneto Centre 7465 Kipling Avenue, Woodbridge, Ontario
In order to guarantee a spot, please RSVP and tell us about yourself at: http://bit.ly/synodspeakup. For more information, contact Kataryna Kuzar at 416-467-2645 or kkuzar@csj-to.ca.
August 26th, 2017
In this particular section of Paul’s letter to the Romans he is trying to straighten out Gentile Christians who thought that they had replaced the Jewish people as God’s elect. Paul insisted that the Jewish people were and still are God’s people. Paul says of the Jewish people; to them belong the covenant, the adoption, the glory, to them belong the patriarchs and from them, according to the flesh, comes the Messiah. Even though the Jewish people as a whole rejected Jesus, their rejection is a blessing for the Gentiles who do accept Jesus as Lord and Savior.
Then Paul breaks into a song of wonder ‘O the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God. How unsearchable his judgements and how inscrutable his ways.’ The disobedience of the Jewish people, sad though it was, became a blessing for the Gentiles.
There can be times when our lives can be so messed up, so confusing. Personally we may be faced with sudden illness, we may suffer the loss of our independence, the loss of a job, the loss of a relationship, the struggle to make ends meet, worries over the work possibilities of sons and daughters. When we think of world problems; the exploitation of the working poor, governments who deny the delivery of food and medicine to starving millions in Yemen and Somalia and other places, the civil wars and those who make billions of dollars supplying both sides with weapons, the blind refusal to admit our human input into climate change, the list goes on and on.
Is it any wonder we ask, ‘Who is running the show?’
God is and God knows what God is doing. Scripture asks, ‘Who has known the mind of the Lord and who has been his counsellor?’
Someone once said that looking at our personal lives or the state of the world in general is like looking at the back of a tapestry, all we see is a mass and muddle of pieces of threads, we have no idea of what it all means. But when the tapestry is turned around we see it as a work of beauty and design – until then it had no meaning at all.
Theologians and biblical scholars reflect on the ways God works in salvation history. But for all their knowledge and insight they come to realize that the riches and wisdom of God are always too deep to penetrate. God’s judgements and ways are unsearchable. No theologian has ever known the mind of God.
We stand in awe before the wonder of God’s good creation, we stand in awe at the mercy of God we celebrate at this Mass – God so loved the world God sent his son into the world, not to condemn it, but that through him the world might be saved. Facing such a wonder and mystery all we can say is, ’glory and praise to the Lord our God.
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