June 4th, 2017
This is a feast of empowerment and enlightenment. The image of a mighty wind swirling around the upper room tells of power. The tongues of fire settling on Mary and the apostles tell of enlightenment. Enlightened and empowered the gifted apostles boldly unlocked the doors of their room and went out into the streets to proclaim Jesus of Nazareth as Lord and Savior of all people. In tongues they never knew before they proclaimed the mighty works of God.
The Holy Spirit enlivens and enriches the church, men and women in every age with the Spirit’s gifts of wisdom and understanding, the gifts of courage and fortitude and a sense of awe before the Lord. These are not personal gifts meant to be kept to oneself, they are gifts given to enrich the whole Christian community.
In years past the opening prayer for this feast of Pentecost prayed that the Holy Spirit ‘Broaden the horizons of our minds’ so that we may see the dignity and worth of every person who comes into our lives. Broaden the horizons of our minds and enable us to be thankful for the blessing with which we are blessed. Broaden the horizons of our minds and help us to be more sensitive to struggles of the homeless, the under-employed and under-paid men and women living in Toronto. Broaden the horizons of our minds and help us to be more aware of the beauty and the frailty of God’s good creation and work for the healing of Earth. Broaden the horizons of our minds and help us deepen our faith in Jesus Christ, who loved us and gave his life for us.
There are men and women who are in the charismatic movement who sometimes experience the wonder of that first Pentecost, who pray in the Spirit or speak in tongues and heal and prophecy. This Pentecost Pope Francis is greeting a couple of hundred thousand Christian charismatics from around the world to Rome. They held a vigil in praise and prayer last evening in the Circus Maximus. This will be an ecumenical celebration. These pilgrims of Pentecost will be with the Pope tomorrow as he celebrates Mass in St. Peter’s square. I was at a similar meeting back in 1975 when Pope Paul VI met with charismatics from around the world.
There were many songs of praise and much speaking in tongues. It was all very impressive but I have to admit I wasn’t all that comfortable with it. As we say in golf ‘different strokes for different folks.’
I survive with the conviction that the Holy Spirit works in most of our lives by nudging us, a little push now and then to be more patient, kind or understanding towards spouses, children. Maybe the Spirit nudges us to make a phone call, drop a note, or make a visit to a house bound friend. The Spirit gives us the patience we need to be more understanding of aging spouses or parents who forget who they are or even where they are and test our patience with their repeated questions. Maybe we are touched by the idea to pray for people with cancer, especially children. Maybe we are nudged toward a deeper consciousness of the unfairness and desperation that darkens the lives of so many people. Pray that the Spirit bless with an attitude of gratitude for the blessings in our lives. I like to think this is how the Holy Spirit is alive and well in us in the ordinary living of our ordinary lives.
On this feast of Pentecost we pray for ourselves and for each other that the Holy Spirit empower and enlighten us and give us the strength to live lives faithful to the teachings of Jesus our Christ.
| Posted in Homily |
June 3rd, 2017
We would like to thank the volunteers who gave up their weekend to welcome visitors and conduct tours of our beautiful church during the Doors Open Toronto event. Your help has made this event a success! Thank you!
The Building Maintenance Committee is currently working with a landscape designer on a new vision for our gardens. If you are interested in participating in the planting and maintenance of the new gardens as well as learning about the plants and their care, please call or email Heather Bennett at 647-774-9742 or heathermjb@gmail.com.
Sunday, July 9th after the 12:30 Mass
The Parish BBQ Picnic will be held on Sunday, July 9th after the 12:30 Mass in the parking lot. There will be hot dogs, games, face painting, lucky draws, music and more…..
Tickets are $2 each.
Please bring your families, friends and neighbours to enjoy a summer afternoon with your parishioners. We need volunteers to help and make this event happen.
Please sign up by putting your name and phone number on the sheets at the back of church. For more information, you may call Linda Law at 416-918-8029.
June 5th – June 10th, 2017
MONDAY – HANNA WISNIOWSKA & FAMILY – Requested by Hanna Wisniowska TUESDAY – FELIX CHAN – Requested by John Chan WEDNESDAY – MARTIN FRANK – Requested by Margaret Anne Leckie THURSDAY – DECEASED MEMBERS OF THE NASCIMENTO FAMILY – Requested by the Nascimento Family FRIDAY – SOULS IN PURGATORY – Requested by Teresa Marchie SATURDAY – FRANCIS PEREIRA – Requested by Sophie & Candida Pereira
The Sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated on this Sunday, June 4th at 3:00 PM at St. Gabriel’s Church.
Most Rev. Robert Kasun CSB, Auxillary Bishop of Toronto will celebrate the sacrament.
There are 51 Confirmation candidates. Please keep them in your prayers.
Registration forms for the Children’s Faith Program are now 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 September 10th, 2017.
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.
Working with St. Elizabeth HealthCare, ShareLife, through Catholic Charities, has implemented a shared services initiative that has provided support to agencies in the areas of human resources (16 agencies) and financial services (5 agencies). Now in its fourth year of activity, agencies participating in this initiative report that they are able to improve the quality, competency and accuracy of their work in these areas. Some Executive Directors reported on the impact of this initiative to their agency. “It has enhanced our agency’s competence.” shares one Executive Director, “Before I was in way over my head, but trying to do my best. Now, I have expertise at my disposal and feel comfortable.”
Today is ShareLife Sunday. Thank you for your generosity.
Weekend of June 17th/18th
There will be a second collection for Marygrove Camp for Girls on the weekend of June 17th /`18that all the Masses. Marygrove Camp is a residential camp situated on 39 acres of beautifully treed grounds and a quarter mile of Georgian Bay waterfront near Penetang, Ontario. This summer, 1,100 girls from less fortunate families will be attending camp. Please support this important work of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Each and every child’s camping experience is fully subsidized through this collection. Thank you for your support! Envelopes are in the pews.
Each month the 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 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.
Your food donations are more important than ever as the numbers of needy people continue to increase. Please check the expiry dates before donating since we cannot pass on food that has expired. Thank you for your generous support.
Did you know that in 2001, Development and Peace (D&P) became the official Canadian member of Caritas Internationalis, which is a confederation of 165 Catholic relief, development and social service organisations operating in over 200 countries and territories worldwide. Its General Secretariat is located in the Palazzo San Calisto, Vatican City. To find out more about the work of D&P or to become a member or donor, visit the website at http://www.devp.org/en/get-involved.
This Weekend, June 3rd/4th
The Society for St. Vincent de Paul is holding their annual Bundle Up Collection this weekend, June 3rd/4th.
Bring your gently used clothing, household linens, shoes and small household goods to share with others.
Appliances, furniture, building materials, dishes, books and video or audio cassettes cannot be accepted.
A St. Vincent de Paul truck is in the Church parking lot to receive donations. The truck is open on Saturday, June 3rd from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Sunday, June 4th until 1:00 PM.
Volunteers will assist with the loading before and after each Mass. The Society will donate, exchange for vouchers or sell these donations to support their outreach efforts. Thank you for your continued support.
We are continuing to collect eyeglasses for the Lions Club. Throughout the year, the Lion’s Club volunteers collect used eyeglasses and deliver them to regional Lions Recycling Centres. There volunteers clean, sort by prescription strength and package the glasses. Recycled glasses are distributed to people in need in low and middle income communities where they will have the greatest impact. Please place them in the baskets provided outside the office.
It is important for you to know that to be hired to teach in any Catholic School Board in Ontario, as part of your application for employment, there must be a letter of reference from your pastor. If you are planning to apply to teach in a Catholic School, a contact with the pastor is highly recommended. Please plan to have a conversation with your Pastor early in the process, well before applications are to be submitted.
June 10th, 15th and 17th.
Theatre at Cardinal Carter Toronto Catholic District School Board Staff Arts is pleased to present Into the Woods at the Theatre at Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts,
36 Greenfield Avenue, North York. June 10th, 15th and 17th at 7:30PM Admission is $25.
For more information and to purchase tickets please visit the website: www.tcdsb.org/staffarts or call 416-222-8282 ext. 2787.
Saturday, June 16, 2017 St Gabriel’s Church
With winter in the past and summer approaching, there is no better way to celebrate than by joining the Seraphim Men’s Chorus this June for our Can’t Hurry Love concert Series! A concert fit for all ages, with a great mix of Broadway, classical gems, pop songs both old and new, and Disney favourites! Please join us at St. Gabriel’s Church on June 16th at 7:30 PM. . Advanced tickets on sale online at www.seraphimandcherubim.ca or at St Gabriel’s after Sunday masses. See you soon!
Tuesday, June 20th from 7:00 to 9:00 PM Blessed Trinity Parish Hall, 3220 Bayview Ave.
Watch the inspiring film, “Jerusalem” and view the spectacular vistas sacred to the three monotheistic religions. There will be a sharing of testimonies on the entry into the Catholic Church and reminiscences of life in a Jewish neighbourhood. All are welcome.
For more information please contact Fellowship of St. Joseph of the Association for Hebrew Catholics at ahctoronto@gmail.com.
St. Gabriel’s Parish Weekend of September 22nd, 23rd and 24th 2017
A Marriage Preparation course will be offered here at St. Gabriel’s the weekend of September 22nd to 24th. 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.
Liturgical Publications will be setting up the advertisements for our church bulletin. The advertising will begin in September 2017 and supports the bulletin service. Please support the bulletin and advertise your product or service. Call Liturgical Publications at 905-624-4422
| Posted in Bulletin |
May 28th, 2017
This has been a rough week for a lot of people, especially the families of those killed or wounded in the bombing that took place in Manchester, England. It is hard to imagine what goes on in the minds of the people responsible for such horrendous acts. Setting a bomb designed to kill and maim young people enjoying a concert. Speaking of horrendous acts, there was the murder of Coptic Christians on pilgrimage to a shrine. Then there was the signing of an arms deal between the U.S. the Saudis. Think of the destruction to human life and property that will result from such a deal. The lives of innocent men, women and children will be snuffed out, homes and schools and hospitals will be destroyed all in the name of profit and greed cloaked in the robe of national security.
Maybe some of you good people are experiencing your own time of terror, your own time of fright and fear. Pope John 23rd made the observation that behind every front door there is a cross. Maybe you are waiting for test results or you’ve just got results that are not good. Maybe there is the possibility of losing your job. Maybe you just can’t find a job. Maybe you are behind in your rent. Maybe what you thought was a good relationship has gone sour. Maybe your family life is disintegrating because serious conflicts or even separation. Maybe you’ve just discovered a son or daughter is caught in the web of addiction. All these and many other situations can be your own experience of a bomb blast that shatters your life. Our world, personal and social seems to be controlled by evil, greedy and unjust and hateful forces. At times we can find it hard to find the good and the generous and the beautiful in our world. The bright sun seems hidden by the black clouds of immorality and injustice.
Six weeks ago this past Friday we observed Good Friday. Notice I didn’t say we celebrated, we observed, we remembered in sorrow the sufferings of Jesus our Christ. We remembered how evil religious and political men decided it was better for an innocent man to die to maintain their political and religious stability. We remember how Jesus, a man who went about doing good, who called people to have compassion and love for one another was reduced to a victim of mockery and brutality. He was crowned with the mock thorn crown of kingship, declared innocent and yet scourged. We remember his way to the cross, his being nailed to the cross and his painful and lonely death on the cross. We remembered his was wounded for our offences and that by his wounds we were healed.
Today we celebrate the feast of Christ’s Ascension, his being taken up in glory. The resurrection and the Ascension of Jesus cannot be separated; they are separated in order to contemplate the meaning of two aspects of a single, indivisible event. Both feasts celebrate Christ’s vindication, his glorification. Both feasts teach us that the sacrifice of his life on the cross was accepted by the Father. As St. Paul teaches it was for this cause – his acceptance of death – that God has exalted him and given him a name that is above every other name, so that at the name of Jesus ever knee should bend in heaven and on earth and every tongue should confess that Jesus the Christ is Lord.
These feasts of resurrection and ascension shout out loud that evil and hatred and injustice are not the final words in our lives.
A number of years ago Cardinal Wyszynski of Warsaw visited Auschwitz – the infamous concentration camp where thousands of Jews and Poles were worked and starved to death and finally executed. Auschwitz was the epitome of evil, of hatred. The Cardinal said to those who were with him, you see this place, the barracks are decaying, the barbwire fence is rotting, the ovens and cold and empty – those who ran this terrible place are remembered in shame and dishonor – those who survived this place of death now live new and fruitful lives. Evil does not and will not prevail. Love and life prevail.
The hatred and evil wrought on Jesus did not prevail – Christ has risen, Christ will come again.
The sadness, the anxiety, the hurt you may now be facing will not endure, will not win. God’s grace and love and mercy are with you – whether you realize it or not and you will, with God’s grace, overcome, you will prevail. Christ’s victory is our victory. Where he has gone we hope to follow.
The final words of Jesus in today’s gospel command us to go into our world, however limited ours may be, and by the way we face and endure our own sufferings, we witness to the wonderful truth that love conquers hatred, acceptance of other people into our lives shows the shallowness of bigotry, that is it better to give than to receive, that injustice and greed are a one way street to nowhere. Those who live in love live in God.
May 27th, 2017
May 29th – June 3rd 2017
MONDAY – ERNIE KEEGAN – Requested by his Family TUESDAY – GERSON D’SOUZA – Requested by Davis Neable WEDNESDAY – PETER BENNETT – Requested by Heather Bennett THURSDAY – MARCELINO FERNANDES – Requested by Tita Fernandes FRIDAY – GUS CALDERONE – Requested by Marie Calderone SATURDAY – ANTHONY & AGNES PEREIRA – Requested by Sophie & Candida Pereira
The Sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated on Sunday, June 4th at 3:00 PM at St. Gabriel’s Church. In preparation for this Sacrament, a Confirmation Retreat will be held on Saturday, June 3rd from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM at St. Gabriel’s Church. All candidates must attend.
Candidates are reminded to bring a signed letter from the service coordinator or a parent stating the completion or anticipated date of completion of volunteer service hours.
The Parish Family of St. Gabriel’s would like to welcome: Sophie Ellen Carabine Melanie Diya Dantis Umi Risa Mary Julianne Nakanishi DeNicolais Frances Marion Sandoval Gojska Madison Joanna Yang
These children received the Sacrament of Baptism on Sunday, May 21st, 2017. Congratulations!
There will be no Eco-Sabbath in June. Eco-Sabbath will resume in the fall.
Friday, June 2nd from 9:30 AM to 12 Noon
Gabriel Room English: Saturday, June 3rd at 3:15 PM Chinese: Sunday, June 4th at 3:30 PM
For further information, please contact Linda Law at 416 -918-8029.
During his years as a young camper at Camp Ozanam, Niro experienced significant moments of personal growth in his life, which had a lasting impact on him. Later on, he became a staff counselor at Camp Ozanam, where he now has the opportunity to become involved in and positively influence the lives of current camp participants.
“When you are with your brothers at camp, it is okay to show your feelings. These memories become important, because these kids really get to know each other and stand by each other. Thank you, ShareLife, for all the work you do to make this possible at Camp Ozanam!” says Niro.
Last year, Camp Ozanam, supported by ShareLife, provided a unique camping experience for 600 boys from underprivileged homes in the GTA.
Next Sunday is ShareLife Sunday. Please give generously.
Next Weekend, June 3rd/4th
The Society for St. Vincent de Paul is holding their annual Bundle Up Collection next weekend, June 3rd/4th. Bring your gently used clothing, household linens, shoes and small household goods to share with others. Appliances, furniture, building materials, dishes, books and video or audio cassettes cannot be accepted.
A St. Vincent de Paul truck will be in the Church parking lot to receive donations. The truck will be open in the parking lot on Saturday, June 3rd from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Sunday, June 4th until 1:00 PM.
Monday, May 29, 2017 — 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Duke of York Pub, 39 Prince Arthur Ave, Toronto
Faith Connections invites young adults, ages 19-39, to join them for an evening of thought-provoking theological discussion in a comfortable and relaxed setting, with special guests: Bruce Rivers, Executive Director of Covenant House.
Munchies will be provided. There is a cash bar. Come and bring a friend! For more information call Kataryna Kuzar at 416-467-2645 or visit www.faithconnections.ca — a ministry of Fontbonne Ministries, Sisters of St. Joseph, Toronto.
Saturday, June 3rd at 2:00 PM
Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery invites you to a Mass in honour of S. Lorenzo Ruiz On Saturday June 3rd at 2:00 PM. The Mass will be celebrated in Holy family Mausoleum by Fr. Godofredo Claudio, Pastor of St. Rose of Lima Parish. For more information, please call Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery at 905-889-7467.
Friday June 16th at 7:30 PM
St. Gabriel’s Church
Save the date! The Cherubim and Seraphim Choir will be performing for us on Friday, June 16th. Watch the bulletin for further details.
Saturday, June 3rd from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Catholic Parents of Lesbian Daughters and Gay Sons
Manresa Jesuit Spiritual Renewal Centre, Pickering, Ontario
A day of Reflection will be held on Saturday, June 3rd, 2017 from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM at the Manresa Jesuit Spiritual Renewal Centre in Pickering. Sr. Mary Rowell, who teaches theology at Regis and St. Michael’s Colleges will facilitate. Jesuit Fr. Robert Foliot will assist.
The cost is $40.00 which includes lunch. For questions and information call John Montague at 416-523-6449.
Weekend of September 22nd, 23rd and 24th 2017
St. Gabriel’s Parish
Toronto Catholic District School Board Staff Arts is pleased to present Into the Woods
At the Theatre at Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts, 36 Greenfield Avenue, North York.
June 9th, 10th, 15th, 16th and 17th at 7:30PM
Admission is $25.
May 21st, 2017
If you love me you will keep my commandments, in other words if you really believe who I and what I have said and why I died and rose again then you will try and no matter how many times you may fail you will continue to try to keep my commandments.
It is not those who say Lord, Lord, who will enter the kingdom, it is those who do the will of my Father. It is not those who speak words of love who come to God but those who do loving works speak loving words that come to God.
You’ve heard all this before; love one another as I have loved you. At this Mass we celebrate Jesus’ love for each of us. He handed himself over to people who rejected him and his teachings and then condemned to a shameful and painful death. Even in his agony he prayed, ‘Father forgive them for they know not what they do.’
In the opening prayer at this Mass we prayed, ‘what we live in remembrance we may always hold to in what we do.’ What we live in remembrance is Christ’s dying on the cross out of love for us. ‘May we always hold to in what we do’ is our own struggles to ‘love others as we have been loved by Jesus.
Love one another as I have loved you. It is not easy but Christ asks us to die to our selfishness, our ‘me first ‘attitude and put the needs of others first. He wants us to be there for others as he was there for us.
Jesus wants us to be there for men and women who hunger and thirst for respect and acceptance no matter what their race or faith or life-style. Jesus wants us to be there for the men, women and children who are fleeing civil wars and religious persecution and as strangers seek to be welcomed to our land and you’ve done this many times,
Jesus went out of his way to be there for the sick, the outcast and the forgotten. He challenges us to be conscious of family members and friends who may be isolated at home or in nursing and retirement homes who would be thrilled with a phone call or a visit. What we live in remembrance may we always hold to in what we do.
Jesus taught us to forgive not seven times but seventy seven times those who harmed us in any way. From his cross he forgave those who brought him to this place of shame. What we live in remembrance may we always hold on to in what we do. We are not asked to forget but we are asked to forgive the harm, the hurt and the injustice we’ve endured from family members or friends.
If you love me you will keep my commandments. That’s not easy, it can be a challenge but nourished by the bread of life we can always hold on to in what we do.
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