December 10th, 2017
Recently I read a letter from a college student who had volunteered to work with our Passionists priests in Jamaica for a year. He wrote about how difficult it was to adapt to Jamaican ways especially getting used to the way Jamaicans express certain things. He used as an example the often used term, ‘soon come’. A visit from a friend, some food, some rain, some anything or anybody will ‘soon come.’ He discovered too that ‘soon come’ could mean tomorrow or next month, there was no hurry, no rush. Someone or something would eventually arrive. Soon come meant you had to wait patiently for what is to be. In our age of ‘instant coffee, instant e-mail, instant everything, this is not an easy thing to do.
Isaiah’s promised to an exiled people of a time of restoration and deliverance. His promised ‘soon come’ took over 500 years when God sent God’s son into the world not to condemn the world but to embrace our humanity. Can we see these weeks of Advent as a time of ‘soon come’? Can we be patient enough to trust that God’s grace is with us, even though is seems to take forever for that grace to transform our lives?
What might be our soon comes? What is it in our relationships that we wish was better? Do we recognize our soon come is our need for patience as we live with family members who keep forgetting they’ve told this story time and again or they keep forgetting where they left the glasses or their hearing aids?
Could our ‘come soon’ be our struggle to be more accepting of men and women of other cultures, other faiths, other lifestyles. Is our ‘come soon’ found in our struggles with alcohol or drugs, our addiction to booze or drugs or pornography, or eating?
Maybe our soon come is our impatience with how slow we seem to be when it comes to being still and spending some time in peace and quiet with God. Is our soon come our frustration with God because our prayers are not answered immediately? Maybe our soon come is in our wondering will this sermon ever end.
In one of her early books, Annie Dillard, who wrote the famous book Silent Spring, shares how she once learned a lesson, the hard way, about the importance of waiting. She had been watching a butterfly slowly emerge from its cocoon. The oh-so-slow process of transformation was fascinating, but, at a point, she grew impatient. She took a candle and heated the cocoon, though only slightly, in order to speed up things. It worked. The butterfly emerged a bit more quickly, but, because the process had been unnaturally rushed, it was born with wings that were not properly formed and it was not able to fly.
The lesson wasn’t lost on Dillard. She understood immediately what was wrong, she had short-circuited the soon come of the butterfly. The secret behind our soon come is patience, waiting for peace, love, acceptance, forgiveness, waiting for our advent to end so that Christ can come into our lives. The Jamaican ‘soon come’ calls us to be patient! Learn to wait—for everything: each other, love, happiness, for God.
| Posted in Homily |
December 9th, 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.
December 11th to December 16th 2017
MONDAY – SOULS IN PURGATORY – Requested by Mary & Ravi TUESDAY – BERNIE O’ROURKE – Requested by the Mary & Anne WEDNESDAY – SOULS IN PURGATORY – Requested by Mary & Ravi THURSDAY – ANA CAROLINA CAETANO-MACDONELL – Requested by her Family FRIDAY – HARRY LEUNG – Requested by Mary Leung SATURDAY – GUS CALDERONE – Requested by Marie Calderone
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.
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.
Sunday, December 17th from 4:00 to 6:00 PM
Each year a Nativity pageant takes place at the 5:00 PM Family Mass. S.K. to Grade 5 children are invited to participate in the pageant. The rehearsal will be held on Sunday, December 17th from 4:00 to 6:00 PM in the Church.
Thursday, December 21st at 7:30 PM St. Gabriel’s Church
Advent’s preparations culminate in a radical new beginning – the birth of the Christ child – not just for humanity but for all of creation. The winter solstice marks a transition toward brighter times. Together, the Advent-Solstice reminds us of our profound connection with all of God’s creation and wakens us to the opportunity for a new beginning in that relationship. We will explore the surprising gifts that result when we make choices that foster such relationships.
John the Baptist is sent by God to prepare the way for His Son. In our present time God sends priests, religious and deacons to prepare the people to receive His Son. If you think God is calling you to a Church vocation, contact Fr. Chris Lemieux, Vocation Director, Archdiocese of Toronto AT 416-968-0997 or by email at vocations@archtoronto.org or go to www.vocationstoronto.ca.
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 to realize their potential 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 has set up 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 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 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.
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 to12 years old. Containers have been set up at the doors of the Church and will remain there until Sunday, December 17th.
Weekend of December 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: $4.25
Collecting Stamps
This is a wonderful time of year to collect stamps from your Christmas cards and letters to give to Effect Hope, the Leprosy Mission of Canada. If you wish to help, your stamps may be left in the basket outside of the office.
Tuesday, December 12th from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Blessed Trinity Church, 3220 Bayview Avenue
The Association for Hebrew Catholics is presenting Fr. Russell Asch, Assistant Chaplain – Extraordinary Rite of the Latin Mass on Tuesday, December 12th at 7:00 PM at Blessed Trinity Church.
Come and hear Fr. Russell’s amazing testimony of faith. You will be blessed to share in his journey! Come out as we celebrate Advent and Hanukkah with friends and family.
All are welcome. Donation baskets are at the door to help with expenses and a small gift for the guest speakers. Goodies to share always deeply appreciated.
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. 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.
Wednesday, December 13th 7:30 PM- 9:00 PM
Regis College Toronto
Join Toronto’s new professional-level chamber choir, Incontra Vocal Ensemble,as they perform Advent and Christmas-themed music inspired by joy, expectation and wonderment. Works by Palestrina, Lauridsen, Sixten, Gjeilo, Rutter, Sirett, Abu-Khader and a new composition by Toronto composer J. Scott Brubacher. Tickets are $35. Call 416- 922-5474 ext. 266 or go to https://regiscollege.ca/event/christmas-concert-hodie-christus-natus-est/ or wilma.scherloski@utoronto.ca for more details.
Sponsored by the Regis College Alumni Association.
| Posted in Bulletin |
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.
December 2nd, 2017
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
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.
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
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.
Rosalie Hall assists young parents and their children through the provision of a wide range of child development, community, residential and educational services.
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.
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.
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.’
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.
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Companion for the Walk of the Stations of the Cosmic Earth
St. Gabriel’s Garden – Guided Sensory Reflective Walk
