April 30th, 2017
Saturday, May 13th & Sunday, May 14th
On Saturday, May 13th and Sunday May 14th, the St. Gabriel’s Youth Group will be selling flowers and rosaries for Mother’s Day. These can be given as gifts to mothers, grandmothers, aunts, and sisters. The money raised will go towards the youth’s funds for attending the Steubenville Conference. Please help and support our youth!
Saturday, May 27th, Sunday, May 28th
St. Gabriel’s Church has been selected and will participate in this year’s DOORS OPEN TORONTO 2017. The event, produced by City of Toronto in partnership with the broader community, will celebrate “15 Decades of Canadian Architecture”. This will take place Saturday, May 27th from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM and Sunday, May 28th from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
We will require volunteers, working in shifts, to welcome visitors to our Church. If you would like to be a part of this wonderful event, please leave your name with the Parish Office at 416-221-8866.
May 1st – May 6th 2017
MONDAY – ALLAN PERSAUD – Requested by the Persaud & Goldenberg Families TUESDAY – KA-KAI TSANG – Requested by the Tsang Family WEDNESDAY – JIMMY JEFFERY – Requested by Patricia & Mary Alice O’Mahony THURSDAY – IN THANKSGIVING – Requested by Agnes Wong FRIDAY – MAURICE MICHAEL – Requested by Charmaine Michael SATUR DAY – BARBARA McCANN & FAMILY – Requested by Bill & Carolyn Markle
The Parish Family of St. Gabriel’s would like to welcome:
Camdenn Thomas Kwan Chelsee Hazel Kwan Ethan On Sing Lau Mason James Rozga Zander Viado Matthew Joseph Zahalka
These children received the Sacrament of Baptism on Sunday, April 23rd, 2017. Congratulations!
English: Saturday, May 6th at 3:15 PM in the Gabriel Room.
For information, please contact Linda Law at 416-918-8029.
Sunday, May 7th 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.
All are welcome to attend.
Week of April 30th
Catholic Education Week 2017 begins on Sunday, April 30th. This year’s Catholic Education Week theme is, “Walking Forward Together.”
The Catholic schools in our parish will engage in a series of events to celebrate the ongoing gift of publicly-funded Catholic education. You are invited to discover what celebrations are happening in your children’s school and if possible, attend. Publicly-funded Catholic education has existed in Ontario since 1841 and its graduates have served Ontario and Canada very well. The current generation of students in our publicly-funded Catholic schools will serve with the same spirit and generosity as their previous generations.
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
Living the Gospel by helping families in crisis …
Having experienced childhood sexual abuse, Tom originally sought counseling treatment for resulting depression at a local clinic. Since Tom had experienced the death of his wife, his increased drinking, drug addiction, suicidal thoughts, depression and financial loss had placed an immense strain on his relationship with his mother and two sons. Through the 12 step program and other counseling at Catholic Family Services of Simcoe County, Tom has experienced a tremendous peace and healing in his family relationships. “Giving hope and saving lives is what this is all about,” shares Tom, “I am very grateful to ShareLife for the funding they provide to Catholic Family Services of Simcoe.” Over 21,000 individuals received help in getting their lives back on track through ShareLife-supported Family Services Programs.
Next ShareLife Sunday is May 7th, 2017 Please give generously.
Each month the food we collect is sent to Rosalie Hall and the Good Shepherd Centre.
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.
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.
Leprosy Mission of Canada Stamp Collection Program
Make a difference with your mail! You can get involved by collecting, trimming and sending your used postage stamps to Effect Hope, the Leprosy Mission of Canada.
Please place stamps in the basket provided outside the Parish Office
April 29th/30th and May 6th /7th
The Blessed Trinity CWL will be taking orders for geraniums on the weekends of April 29th /30th and May 6th /-7th.
4″ pots are $3.00 each or $25 for a flat of 10; 10″ hanging baskets are $17 each.
To place a phone or e-mail order, contact Deborah Orchard at 416-497-8083 or deborahorchard@rogers.com.
Orders will be available for pickup Friday, May 12th from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM and Saturday, May 13th from noon to 6:00 PM in the Blessed Trinity Parish Hall, 3220 Bayview Ave.
5km Fundraising Walk and Hug
Saturday, May, 13th 2017
Registration from 8:30 to 9:30 AM at Fort York
9:30 AM Registration Closes 10:00 AM Walk to SickKids
On Saturday, May 13th, the sixteenth annual Meagan’s Walk: -Creating a Circle of Hope will take place . Registration opens at 8:30 AM at Fort York, followed by family activities and entertainment. Registration closes at 9:30 AM. The Walk begins at 10:00 AM. and concludes at SickKids with the “Hug”.
Proceeds from this event will be shared between the Meagan Bebenek Endowment Fund and awareness, research and treatment of paediatric brain tumours at SickKids.
Monday, May 15th at 7:00 PM.
Catholic Pastoral Centre, 4th Floor 1155 Yonge St., Toronto.
New Beginnings is presenting a talk entitled “On Marriage and Annulments”, at the Catholic Pastoral Centre on May 15th at 7:00 PM. Fr. Alexander Laschuk from the Catholic Marriage Tribunal in the Archdiocese of Toronto will discuss the Church’s teaching on the Sacrament of Marriage and why in some cases a declaration of nullity (annulment) is granted.
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 provided, 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.
Weekend of September 22nd, 23rd and 24th 2017 St. Gabriel’s Parish
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
Catholic Parents of Lesbian Daughters and Gay Sons
Saturday, June 3rd from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM 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.
| Posted in Bulletin |
April 23rd, 2017
At the Easter Vigil, many new Parishioners were welcomed to our Parish.
A Hsu, Melissa Simms and Gigi Leung received the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist.
Adrian Kim and Daniel Yuen received the Sacraments of Baptism and Holy Eucharist.
Mason Simms and Malcolm Simms received the Sacrament of Baptism.
Tia Hsu received the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist for the first time.
Chama Pinzya-Chongo was received into full Communion with the Catholic Church.
The Parish Family of St. Gabriel’s would like to welcome and congratulate them!
Thank you to all those who supported the youth group’s bake sale last weekend!
We raised $2,460 to help fund the youth’s trip to the Steubenville Catholic Conference this July in Oshawa. We would like to recognize a few parishioners who took the time out of their busy schedules to help make our bake sale a great success. Thank you to Chris McKee for crafting the lovely sign and decorations; Sylvia Ha for providing a generous number of baked goods; and Laura Cheung, Linda Law and their friends, as well as Rose Pugliese for handcrafting and donating the beautiful rosaries. We are grateful for the continuous generosity of our church community and we wish you all a blessed Easter season.
April 24th – April 29th, 2017
MONDAY – ARTURO & LAURA BONILLA – Requested by Olga Bonilla TUESDAY – IN THANKSGIVING – Requested by Wanda & Jack Wrobel WEDNESDAY – MARCELINO FERNANDES – Requested by Tita Fernandes & Family THURSDAY – JENNY PLAMONDON – Requested by Steve Previdsa FRIDAY – KA-KAI TSANG – Requested by the Tsang Family SATURDAY – MARY-ANNE OLDEN – Requested by Kathleen Olden- Powell
Living the Gospel by helping the vulnerable in our society…
Tim and Donna met 25 years ago and have made the Friday and Saturday social nights at Our Place a regular part of their lives. Their intellectual capacity is somewhat limited but they do maintain their own independent apartments. While Tim is currently caring for his aging mother following her recent surgery, Donna is able to support Tim by cooking meals and offering caring attention. As Tim overcomes some social shyness in his own life, he also takes cares of some of Donna’s daily needs with household chores, and working on the computer. The support role ShareLife plays enables Our Place to be a caring partner to these vulnerable people. ShareLife funded agencies like Our Place helps many intellectually disabled men and women through compassionate and caring support.
ShareLife collected to date at Parish: $60,239 Next ShareLife Sunday is May 7th, 2017
Please give generously.
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
Catholic Education Week 2017 begins on Sunday, April 30th.
This year’s Catholic Education Week theme is, “Walking Forward Together.”
GRADES 11 & 12
St. Mary Immaculate Parish, Richmond Hill
Saturday, April 29th from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
The Office of Vocations is hosting a day retreat at St. Mary Immaculate Parish, Richmond Hill on Saturday, April 29th from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
It will provide a time to pray, interact & socialize with other young Catholic men. Seminarians will deliver talks on practical aspects of faith. The day includes Holy Mass, Adoration & Confession. For more information please contact your pastor or call the Office of Vocations at 416-968-0997 or email: vocations@archtoronto.org.
The Blessed Trinity CWL will be taking orders for geraniums on the weekends of April 29th /30th and May 6th /-7th. Prices are the same as last year and there are some lovely new colours available: white, bright red, salmon, lavender and purple, plus white/pink and rose/pink bi colour.
Tuesday, May 9th at 7:00 PM
Blessed Trinity Church, 3220 Bayview Avenue
The Catholic Women’s League Blessed Trinity Council, is pleased to extend an invitation to a special evening with Sr. Sue Mosteller, HOPE AND RESTORATION ‘’THE PRODIGAL SON’’ to be held on Tuesday May 9th at 7:00 PM. at Blessed Trinity Church, 3220 Bayview Ave. North York.
A suggested donation of $10 is appreciated.
For more information, please contact: Kay Booker at 416-357-5378.
Saturday, May 13th, 2017
10:00 A.M. Walk to SickKids
On Saturday, May 7th, the sixteenth annual Meagan’s Walk: -Creating a Circle of Hope will take place. Registration opens at 8:30 A.M. at Fort York, followed by family activities and entertainment. Registration closes at 9:30 AM.
The Walk begins at 10:00 AM. and concludes at SickKids with the “Hug” and closing ceremonies. Proceeds from this event will be shared between the Meagan Bebenek Endowment Fund and awareness, research and treatment of paediatric brain tumours at SickKids.
Register, Pledge, Donate at www.meaganswalk.com
Saturday, June 3rd from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Manresa Jesuit Spiritual Renewal Centre, Pickering, Ontario
April 16th, 2017
In his first letter to the Christian people of Corinth Paul writes to them of a matter of first importance; Christ died for our sins and was buried and that he was raised from the dead on the third day. We could say all the rest is commentary, Christ’s teachings and miracles, but this is the heart of the matter.
This feast of Easter is the foundational celebration of our Christian faith. St. Paul tells us that if Christ was not raised from the dead then we of all people are the most to be pitied. The shame and suffering of Good Friday were all for nothing. We are still estranged from God – there was no reconciliation. But we believe that the Father has raised the Lord Jesus from the dead and we too have been raised in him to live a new life for God. Christ’s resurrection is a pledge and promise of our resurrection. Death has no power over us anymore.
And who was the person, the apostle, the proclaimer of the resurrection of Jesus? Mary Madeline, a woman. His choice was revolutionary. Think about the position of women at the time of Jesus. It is pretty close to the way women are seen in many of the countries of the Middle East even today. A woman could never leave her home unless a male member of the family was with. She could never be seen taking with a man in public. Girls were never educated as boys were. Their marriages were arranged by their fathers. They were never allowed to be a witness is a court case. They could not inherit property. There was an old Jewish prayer that went; I thank God I was not born an ignorant man, a Gentile nor a woman. Women were none persons.
Jesus went out of his way to break many of these social taboos. Many of his friends were woman who travelled with him. He encouraged Mary to stay in the room with men and listen to his teachings – he praised her for choosing the better part. He spoke publically with the woman at the well. He cured the woman with the flow of blood; he raised a young girl from the dead. Dying on the cross he was comforted by the presence of his mother and other women. His male friends were nowhere to be seen.
Jesus wanted to share the glorious reality of his resurrection from the dead first of all with a woman, Mary Magdalene. Mary came early in the morning to finish the hurried anointing of Jesus body that took place on Friday only to find the tomb empty. A man she thought was a gardener called her by name and she knew he was Jesus. She lost him once; she would not lose him again. She clung to his feet but he had something important for her to do. ‘Go and tell, go and tell my disciples, go and tell the world I am risen, I am alive.’ Mary Magdalene brought this good news to all of us – He is risen.
In our time – skepticism has thickened with the advance of science and reason, there is little time for things spiritual or supernatural. Reports of miracles and divine intervention still draw faith and curiosity, but they run against the grain. Skeptics regard them, of course, as wishful thinking and attention getting events.
People who reject the astounding claim that Jesus is risen from the dead may believe the news has been faked, there must be alternative facts. But for the cluster of women who first reported it, including Mary Magdalene, there isn’t the slightest hint that they conjured or concocted it in order to manipulate the apostles for a predetermined end. No, they just blurted it out as stupendous, unanticipated truth.
Celebrating this great act of God St. Paul tells us we are to seek the things that are above, seek and live a way of life, away of relating to other people that mirrors the teaching and example Jesus gave us through his live and his dying. We are to love others as we are loved, accept others as we have been accepted, and forgive others as we have been forgiven. This is an authentic celebration of this feast.
And may we all be blessed with a joyful Easter and testify by the way we live our lives Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.
| Posted in Homily |
April 15th, 2017
Alleluia! Alleluia! We wish you all a very Happy and Holy Easter!
From the Desk of Fr. Brando…
Thank you one and all who made our Holy week and Easter such a beautiful and uplifting time; those in the Music Ministry, our Lectors and Altar servers, our Ministers of the Eucharist, our Ministers of Hospitality, those responsible for decorating the Church and the members of our Pastoral Team.
The office is closed on Easter Monday, April 17th.
This Sunday, April 16th after all the Masses the youth group are having a bake sale this Sunday to raise money for their attendance at the Steubenville Catholic Conference this July. Handcrafted rosaries and the youth group’s CD will also be available for sale. Please support our youth!
Wednesday, April 19 from 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM Gabriel Room
Did you know that milk bags can be cut, looped and woven into sleep mats for individuals or families in developing countries? . Please drop the colourful outer bags in the bin located in the gathering space. Please make sure that the bags are clean and dry.
Volunteer milk bag weavers will be meeting Wednesday afternoon, April 19th from 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM in the Gabriel Room. All are welcome!
For further information about this program please visit www.milkbagsunlimited.ca or contact Sharon Gusz at sharongusz@gmail.com.
April 17th – April 22nd, 2017
MONDAY – EASTER MONDAY – No 9:00 AM Mass TUESDAY – PAUL KIM – Requested by Suzanne Kim WEDNESDAY – FR. ADRIAN LEE – Requested by Jeanne Robinson THURSDAY – LEONARD MARCHIE – Requested by Teresa Marchie & Family FRIDAY – HUI SOU LIN – Requested by Linda Law & Family SATURDAY – CHRISTOPHER DI LALLO – Requested by Val Palazzo
There are still many children who have not yet booked a First Communion interview with Fr. Brando or Fr. John.
Please call the Parish Office at 416-221-8866-to book your appointment as soon as possible.
Those children attending the Children’s Faith Program, private schools or others are asked to choose one of the following dates: April 18th, 19th, 20th or 21st.
Children from St. Gabriel’s School are asked to choose one of the following dates: April 24th, 25th, 26th, 27th, 28th, May 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th.
Living the Gospel by evangelizing our faith in the greater world.
St. Anthony’s parish in the Diocese of Guntur in India has nine mission stations which are between 10-15 kilometres away from the parish. There are nearly 350 Catholic families and five hundred children going to school from these areas. As the mission stations are a distance from the parish, the faithful do not experience many religious activities. Father Mayakuntala Kumar, pastor of the parish, with the support of the Pastoral Mission Fund and ShareLife, is conducting a Children Faith Formation Camp to help the children to become rooted in the Catholic faith. With our support, Father Kumar is helping to evangelize the faith not only for today, but for the future as well.
ShareLife Collected at the Parish to Date: $66,479 Next ShareLife Sunday is May 7th, 2017 Please give generously.
Fair Trade organic coffees will be on sale after all the Masses next weekend. Regular ground coffee: $5.50 Decaffeinated: $6 Whole Beans: $5.50 Chocolate Bars: $4.50 Hot Chocolate and Cocoa: $6.00 Teas: $4.25
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. This past week, we were able to hear firsthand from our ShareLife speaker Jenelle about the difference Rosalie Hall made in her life.
Tuesday, April 18th from 7:00 to 9:00 PM
Hosted by Fellowship of St. Joseph of the Association for Hebrew Catholics, Fr. Joseph Alozie, CCE, Assistant Professor of Systematic Theology at St. Augustine’s Seminary, will lead us on a dynamic and interactive journey of discovery of the Hebrew roots of the Eucharist. We will learn about the history and theology of the Blessed Sacrament and the place it has in the context of history and tradition. Fr. Joseph is a passionate and exciting speaker who will motivate us to fall in love more deeply with our Saviour in the Eucharist. All are welcome.
Saturday, April 22nd at 7:00 PM The Donalda Club
St. Clare Inn is a transitional housing program for homeless woman who are challenged with a diagnosed mental health illness. Join us on Saturday, April 22nd for a night celebrating St. Clare Inn’s 10th Anniversary and support this Inn that affords each resident a place to rebuild her life. It’s an evening filled with great food, friends, entertainment and more! The cost is $85 per person. Tickets will be available at www.stclareinn.org or by calling 416-690-0330. Thanks!
St. Mary Immaculate Parish, Richmond Hill Saturday, April 29th from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM The Office of Vocations is hosting a day retreat at St. Mary Immaculate Parish, Richmond Hill on Saturday, April 29th from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. It will provide a time to pray, interact & socialize with other young Catholic men. Seminarians will deliver talks on practical aspects of faith. Day includes Holy Mass, Adoration & Confession. For more information please contact your pastor or call the Office of Vocations at 416-968-0997 or email: vocations@archtoronto.org.
April 9th, 2017
Today’s feast of Palm Sunday could be called the feast of great expectations. Jesus came to the holy city to celebrate the great feast Passover. As Matthew tells us in his gospel the crowds went wild. With great enthusiasm they welcome Jesus to the city. They spread palm branches on the road to cut down the dust, other people went before and after Jesus waving their branches crying out Hosanna to the son of David. Others proudly announced ‘this is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.
Many in that crowd really hoped that Jesus was the one who was to redeem Israel. They hoped that Jesus would be their liberator who would in whatever way break the hold the Roman Empire had on God’s people and make them a nation once again. This enthusiastic crowd had great expectations. But the crowd’s enthusiasm for Jesus was countered by the authority’s concern for national security and their conviction that it was better for one man to die than for the whole nation to perish.
The people’s great expectations of Jesus were far different from God’s expectation of his son. Out second reading tells us Jesus emptied himself or his divinity and took to himself our humanity and emptied himself even more, he became a slave, a slave who would be obedient even to dying on a shameful cross. By being faithful to his father’s will our reconciliation, our peace pact with God was sealed. God’s great expectation of his son was the total obedience of Jesus, an expectation that was rewarded with Christ’s resurrection.
On the feast of Palm Sunday St. Paul tells us to have the same mindset Jesus had when he surrendered his life to his Father. The question we can ask ourselves at this Mass is; do we really mean what we say to God our Father when we say, ‘thy kingdom come, thy will be done’. Are willing to echo the words of Jesus as he prayed in the garden of Gethsemane; ’not my will but you will be done.
Let this be our prayer as we begin the Holy Week, thy kingdom some. May we pray it as best we can, not knowing what these words may ask of us yet trusting that Jesus our Christ will be with us gracing us to mean what we say and promising us to be at our side in every situation that comes our way.
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