October 15th, 2016
St. Paul of the Cross was the founder of the Passionists in the year 1720. Born in northern Italy in 1694, Paul experienced conversion at the age of 15 and began a lifetime of devotion to prayer life as a soldier, but left after one year. Six years later, having had several visions, he determined that his vocation was to found an order dedicated to the Passion of our Lord. Officials declared the visions authentic and Paul withdrew to write a rule. He was joined by his brother, who remained with him for the rest of his life. By 1747, the Passionists had three houses and were preaching missions throughout Italy. At his death in 1775, Paul was establishing a congregation for Passionist nuns.
October 15th/16th and October 22nd/23rd
Cardinal Collins has requested that a weekend Mass attendance count be conducted annually in all parishes and missions of the Archdiocese.
This year the attendance count will continue on this weekend, October 15th/16th and next weekend, October 22nd /23rd. The purpose of the count is to have a more accurate assessment of the number of people attending Mass on a weekend.
As with last year, when you come in for Mass, you may notice a few “counters” clicking on tally counters at the doors of the church. The counters will be doing their jobs in a way as discreetly and non-intrusively as possible. Thank you for your support.
Monday, November 7th at 7:30 PM St. Gabriel’s Passionist Parish
For many years, St. Gabriel’s Parish has participated in the Holocaust Education Week. This year, we will be co-sponsoring the event with the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem.
On Monday, November 7th at 7:30 PM we will present the film Return to the Hiding Place. When the Nazis began killing Jews in Holland during World War II, a group of youth decided to save the lives of the innocent. Corrie ten Boom’s army of untrained teenagers navigated a deadly labyrinth of challenges to rescue the Jewish people in one of history’s most famous dramas. Suspected of breaking the rules, Corrie and her sister Betsie were eventually sent to a concentration camp. There it was their Christian faith that kept them from despair and bitterness.
All, especially our young people, are encouraged to attend. Admission is free.
Wednesday, November 2nd at 7:30 PM. St. Gabriel’s Church
There will be a meeting here at the Church on Wednesday, November 2nd at 7:30 PM. for parents of children who will be receiving the Sacrament of First Communion this year.
October 17th to October 22nd, 2016
MONDAY – JEAN ABANILLA – Requested by Gloria Flor TUESDAY – ELLEN JANE ROSE – Requested by the MacKenzie, Heffler, Bonnick & Howe Families WEDNESDAY – VINCENT HA – Requested by Laura, Sylvia & Valerie Ha THURSDAY – ROMULO CHRISTIAN GONZALEZ – Requested by his Parents, Rosa & Romulo FRIDAY – KENG OW YONG – Requested by Helen Ow Yong SATURDAY – MAISEY & ALBERT DAGNEAULT – Requested by Ginette Harquail
It is critical 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, it is highly recommended that you contact the pastor as soon as possible.
Please plan to have a conversation with your pastor early in the process and you will avoid disappointment and stress at the time when applications are to be submitted.
Meetings in preparation for the R.C.I.A. (Rites of Christian Initiation of Adults) will begin soon. 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 more information about it, please call Fatima Lee at the Parish Office, 416-221-8866, Ext. 228.
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 (416) 221-8866, ext. 228. Classes for them will begin after Thanksgiving.
Hurricane Matthew has left catastrophic destruction in the Caribbean and on the coast of the Eastern United States, but nowhere more so than in Haiti.
Fr. Rick Frechette and Fr. Enzo Del Brocco, our Passionist missionaries in Haiti, are currently deciding on appropriate action plans.
If you wish to support them, you will find humanitarian relief envelopes located on tables at the back of the pews as well as at the north end of the Gathering Space. Any cheques should be payable to St. Gabriel’s Parish. All funds received will be directed to the Passionist Haiti Mission to assist in the rebuilding necessary.
Wednesday, October 19th from 1:00 to 3:00 PM Gabriel Room
The next Milk Bag workshop led by Sharon Gusz will be held in the Gabriel room on Wednesday, October 19th from 1:00 to 3:30 PM. No experience needed! All are welcome!
Thank you so much for your overwhelming support of our Thanksgiving Food Drive for the Good Shepherd Centre and Rosalie Hall. Your donations were very much appreciated by the young families and homeless of Toronto.
October 21st to October 23rd Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre
Celebrate your love and take a fresh look at your marriage! Spend a very special weekend together. A Weekend of discovery…a lifetime of love!
Worldwide Marriage Encounter is a weekend getaway that helps married couples rediscover themselves as individuals and as a couple. The Weekend format helps couples communicate openly and honestly without group sharing, therapy or marriage counseling. The next weekend: will be October 21st/23rd at Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre, Mississauga
For more information and application, please go to www.wwme.org or contact: Gerard & Marge McCauley at gerard.marge@rogers.com or (905) 792-1925.
Sunday, October 23rd at 7:00 Pm Temple Har Zion, 7360 Bayview Avenue
Temple Har Zion invites MOSAIC Interfaith (of which St. Gabriel’s is a member) to celebrate Simchat Torah on Sunday October 23rd at 7:00 PM This is a Jewish holiday celebrating the conclusion of the annual cycle of public Torah readings and the beginning of a new cycle. This is a joyous celebration and will include music dancing and singing. See poster on the bulletin boards. For more information or to RSVP call Nora at 416 218 0680.
Sunday October 30th 3:00 PM St. Paul’s Basilica, 83 Power Street
The 26th Annual Mass of Memory will be celebrated on Sunday October 30th at 3.00 PM at St. Paul’s Basilica, 83 Power St. (Power and Queen St. East).
A Sacred/Celtic Prelude will be performed by Eithne Heffernan, harpist at 2.45 PM. The Celebrant/Homilist will be Fr. Pat O’Dea. A reception will be held immediately following in church hall. For more information, please contact Mairead at 416 264 5363.
Sunday, October 30th from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM Blessed Trinity Church, 3220 Bayview Ave.
Blessed Trinity Church is presenting this important topic on Sunday, October 30th from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM.
Palliative care improves the quality of life of people living with serious illness and includes informed consent, pain management, nutrition/hydration, comfort measures. It is important to understand Church teaching regarding these issues and be informed of your rights as a patient. Dr. Nisha Fernandes and Dr. Irene D’Souza will present an overview of palliative care and address concerns at end-of-life.
For more information, contact Terry McDermott, RN, Parish Nurse by Email at btparishnurse@gmail.com or phone 416-226-0262 ext. 8.
Weekend of November 4th to 6th St Augustine’s Seminary
Inviting single Catholic men 17 years and older, to cultivate a deeper prayer life and relationship with Jesus Christ; leading to a better discernment of God’s call for their lives. There will be time for prayer, reflection and information on the process of becoming one of Christ’s disciples as a Catholic priest Please contact the Office of Vocations at vocations@archtoronto.org or call 416-968-0997.
Weekly Offertory Our operating expenses average $14,550 per week. Collection for last weekend: Envelopes 373 $ 9,188 Loose Change 1,060 Weekly Portion of Pre-Authorized Giving 165 3,018 Total 538 $ 13,266
| Posted in Bulletin |
October 9th, 2016
Right before we begin our Eucharistic Prayer, our prayer of thanksgiving, our prayer that is at the very heart of our celebration, we say a prayer called the preface, it is a prelude into the very heart of our Mass. The priest prays, ‘It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation always and everywhere to give you thanks Lord Holy Father Almighty and Eternal God.
These words call us to an attitude of gratitude toward God our Father/Mother, our attitude of gratitude toward Jesus Christ, who loved us and gave his life for us, our attitude of gratitude toward the Holy Spirit who was poured into our hearts giving us the boldness to call God, father/mother.
This attitude of gratitude is not just for this Thanksgiving weekend, ideally, this attitude of gratitude is our daily mindset from when we get up in the morning till we end our day. St. Paul tells us, ‘always be thankful’. Thank God I can walk, thank God I can see, thank God I can speak and hear. Thank God I still have my wits about me. Thank God for my family and friends, thank God I have a job, thank God, thank God, thank God.
When we see the sufferings of the men, women and children of Aleppo, the hardships of the millions of people in refugee camps, we know we are blessed, even if we are struggling to make ends meet and cope with our own worries. When we hear of the economic or political oppression of peoples in other lands we know, even if we are financially stressed ourselves, we know we are blessed.
I read a novel titled, ‘A Complicated Kindness’, it’s the story of a young girl growing up in the prairies. She belonged to a strict Mennonite church. Her family life was totally dysfunctional, her mother and her older sister just took off to escape the oppression under which they lived. This young woman made her escape through drugs and booze, and sleeping around. In telling her of her crazy mixed up life she made an interesting statement. She said, ‘my life has been an embarrassment of blessings.’ I had to read those words a couple of times to see if I was reading correctly. My life has been an embarrassment of blessings.
Each one of us here, looking over our lives, considering the life situations of most of the world’s population, must surely say, ’my life is an embarrassment of blessings.
We’re here at this Mass, as we are at every Mass, not to beg, not to ask for favors, though we may be doing just that, but first and foremost we are here to give thanks. Thanks to the Father Who sent his son into the world, not to condemn the world but to save it. Thanks to Jesus, the son of Mary, for suffering and dying on the cross so that through his wounds we be healed. Thanks to the Holy Spirit who makes us holy and keeps us faithful.
It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere, to give you thanks, Lord Holy Father. As we continue to celebrate this Mass, giving thanks for the blessings of our lives, may we all be blessed with an attitude of gratitude.
May we be blessed with a happy and safe Thanksgiving weekend.
| Posted in Homily |
October 7th, 2016
O, heavenly Father: We thank thee for food and remember the hungry. We thank thee for health and remember the sick. We thank thee for friends and remember the friendless. We thank thee for freedom and remember the enslaved. May these remembrances stir us to service, that thy gifts to us may be used for others. Amen.
Mass will be celebrated on Thanksgiving Day, Monday, October 10th at 10:00 AM.
Fr. Brando will return on Thursday.
This year the attendance count will continue on the weekends of October 15th/16th and 22nd /23rd. The purpose of the count is to have a more accurate assessment of the number of people attending Mass on a weekend. As with last year, when you come in for Mass, you may notice a few “counters” clicking on tally counters at the doors of the church. The counters will be doing their jobs in a way as discreetly and non-intrusively as possible. Thank you for your support.
October 10th to October 15th, 2016
MONDAY – THANKSGIVING DAY – Mass at 10:00 AM TUESDAY – MARILYN ANDEN – Requested by Gloria Flor WEDNESDAY – SR. ALIDA DE FREITAS IBVM – Requested by Margaret Anne Leckie THURSDAY – KOON TING LAU – Requested by Linda Law FRIDAY – ROSALINA REMENTILLA – Requested by the Rementilla Family SATURDAY – MICHAEL MCDONOUGH – Requested by his Family
Thursday, October 13th at 7:30 PM.
St. Gabriel’s Church
There will be a meeting here at the Church on Thursday, October 13th at 7:30 PM. for parents of children who will be receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation this year.
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 incl. taxes Hot Chocolate and Cocoa: $5.00 Teas: $4.25
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.
Wednesday, October 12, 2016 at 7:00 PM
Nativity of Our Lord Parish, 480 Rathburn Road, Etobicoke
Woman Abuse is an issue that affects the whole community, not just the woman and her children. On Wednesday, October 12th at 7:00 PM, Nativity of Our Lord Parish and Catholic Family Services of Toronto Foundation invite you to the 7th Annual Mass to End Woman Abuse to be held at Nativity of Our Lord Parish. All are welcome. There will be light refreshments following the Mass.
Tuesday, October 18th.from 7:00 to 9:00 PM
Blessed Trinity Parish Hall, 3220 Bayview Avenue
The Fellowship of St Joseph will feature a unique presentation on “Prophecy, Prophets, and Preachers: the Rise of the Modern Messianic Jewish Movement”. Ben Volman, founding leader of Congregation Eytz Chaim (“Tree of Life”) and freelance journalist will be with us that evening. Ben will discuss the remarkable history of Jewish believers in Yeshua who comprise this modern movement, which is rooted in Sacred Scripture and which bridges the gap between the Messiah and the People of Israel. We will learn the unique place that Toronto has played in this story and how the movement is poised to go forward in the 21st century. All are welcome.
Friday, October 21st, 2016
Catholic Education Centre, 80 Sheppard Avenue East
The Toronto Catholic District School Board is hosting a Welcome Reception for Newcomers to Canada on Friday, October 21st from 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon at the Catholic Education Centre.
This is a multilingual event: interpreters and print materials will be available in a variety of languages. A light lunch will be provided. Please RSVP to your local school principal.
October 21st to October 23rd
Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre
Worldwide Marriage Encounter is a weekend getaway that helps married couples rediscover themselves as individuals and as a couple. The Weekend format helps couples communicate openly and honestly without group sharing, therapy or marriage counseling.
The next weekend: will be October 21st/23rd at Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre, Mississauga.
For more information and application, please go to www.wwme.org or contact:Gerard & Marge McCauley at gerard.marge@rogers.com or (905) 792-1925.
Saturday, October 22nd from 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM
St. Bonaventure’ Church
Treasures of all kinds plus a live auction. Don’t miss it!
Weekend of October 28th/30th
A weekend retreat for women whose hearts have been broken by abortion will be held on the weekend of October 28th to -30th.
Please e-mail ProjectRachel@StMarysRefuge.org or call 416-629-8264. Project Rachel is private and confidential.
Weekly Offertory
Our operating expenses average $14,550 per week.
Collection for last weekend: Envelopes 353 $ 7,275 Loose Change 1,032 Weekly Portion of Pre-Authorized Giving 164 3,028 Total 517 $ 11,335
Happy Thanksgiving!
October 1st, 2016
We have a tradition in our Passionist Community, as do other religious communities, of celebrating the anniversary of a member’s religious profession. One of our Brothers was celebrating the 50th anniversary of his religious profession and during the Mass the rector of the house preached a homily, congratulated him and presented him with a Papal Blessing. He then made a very strange statement. He said, ‘I really can’t see why we congratulate and thank people for doing what they vowed they would do.’ These words really shocked me.
I’m reminded of that homily every time I hear today’s gospel and Jesus ‘words, we are worthless slaves, we have done only what we have ought to have done.
I read somewhere that in the ancient Middle-Eastern world every family, even relatively poor ones, had at least one unpaid servant. The very poorest families gave some of their children to other families as servants to ensure that they would be fed.
The master in this parable apparently had only one servant who both tended the fields and did the cooking. The thrust of the story is clear and straightforward. Good servants do what they are told. A master never has to thank a servant for doing what is expected.
As Christian men and women we were invited into a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. St. Paul tells us ‘God chose in Christ before the world began to be God’s adopted sons and daughters.’ God choose us we did not choose God. The health and the depth of our relationship with Christ depends upon how we listen to Christ’s words and follow his teachings. Remember the old question,’ if you were arrested for being a Christian would there be enough evidence to convict you? Do we love others as Christ loves us? Do we forgive others as Christ forgives us? Are we there for those in need, not just of their physical needs but their spiritual needs as well? Do we offer comfort, companionship, understanding or emotional support? As often as we do these things for others we do them for Christ. This is our identity as Christian men and women.
Remember the story of the scorpion and the frog? The scorpion wanted to cross a river but had no means to do so. He spotted a frog on the other side and asked for help. The frog didn’t trust the scorpion knowing he had a sting that kills. Eventually the scorpion talks the frog into carrying him across the river with the promise he would not sting him. When they get close to the other side the scorpion stings the frog. When the frog protests this betrayal the scorpion answers, I just couldn’t help myself, it’s my nature to sting.’
The point of the parable is that just as a household slave is not an employee of his master and never earns anything when he carries out his duties—so we, when we have lived out our lives as disciples and followers of Christ, loving, forgiving, serving, being there for others, this does not establish a claim for a reward. The scorpion stung the frog because that’s what scorpions do – We Christians love and serve and forgive because that’s what Christians do. For all that, we trust Christ’s promise; our reward will be great in heaven.
September 13th to October 13th
As previously announced Fr. Brando is away on holiday until October 13th.
October 3rd to October 8th, 2016
MONDAY – FRANCIS CHEUNG – Requested by the Cheung Family TUESDAY – JOHN ROGERS – Requested by his Family WEDNESDAY – TOM VUKOVIK – Requested by Manda Vukovik THURSDAY – ELLEN JANE ROSE – Requested by Cheryl Rancati FRIDAY – JOHN EGSGARD – Requested by Gerry, Molly, Helen & Kathi SATURDAY – GUS CALDERONE – Requested by Marie Calderone
Those who sing well pray twice.”
Our senior choir practices on Tuesday evenings, 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 the choir director after any of the Masses.
The Altar Service is now recruiting new members.
If you are in Grade 4 or higher and are interested in becoming an altar server, please contact Colin Meharchand at cmeharchand@bell.net or leave your name and phone number with the Parish Office at 416-221-8866.
Friday, October 7th from 9:30 AM to 12 Noon
This Sunday, October 2nd at 11:30 AM in the Gabriel Room
St Gabriel’s has a long tradition of hosting the Eco-Sabbath 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 this weekend, October 2nd, at 11:30 AM. All are invited.
English: Saturday, October 1st at 3:15 PM in the Library
Chinese: Sunday, October 2nd at 3:30 PM in the Gabriel Room.
For further information, please contact Linda Law at 416 -918-8029.
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.
Beginning October 2nd at 7:00 PM
ST. MICHAEL’S CATHEDRAL
One Sunday evening each month, all are welcome to join Cardinal Collins for Lectio Divina at St. Michael’s Cathedral. We begin with Vespers (Evening Prayer) at 7:00 PM followed by Lectio Divina from 7:30 to 8:15 PM. The theme for this season is “The Freedom of the Kingdom of God.” This year, we will meditate upon nine passages of Scripture that illuminate the slavery we experience in our struggle with sin and show the way to freedom. The first evening will take place Sunday, October 2nd at 7:00 PM at St. Michael’s Cathedral. For a full list of dates and Scripture passages, visit www.archtoronto.org/lectio. Each gathering is archived at this website. Episodes also air on Salt + Light TV (www.saltandlighttv.org).
Six Tuesday Mornings Beginning October 4th
St. Bonaventure’s Parish Centre, 1300 Leslie Street
Maureen McDonnell, D.Mim. will be presenting an exciting and informative programme on the topic of Spiritual Growth in the Second Half of Life.
The programme, hosted by St. Bonaventure’s Church will take place on six Tuesday Mornings at 10:00 AM between October 4th and December 13th.
For more information or to register, please call 416-491-2360. or email adamscote@rogers.com.
Are you longing for mercy from the One who brings peace and healing? Project Rachel can help. A weekend retreat for women whose hearts have been broken by abortion will be held on the weekend of October 28th to -30th.
Wednesday, Oct. 5th at 7:00 PM
Holy Cross Funeral Home, Thornhill
Catholic Cemeteries and the Archdiocese estate planning team will share: – How to protect your loved ones with a proper Will – How to ensure your wishes are legally protected – About Powers of Attorney – Estate Trustee selection – Finding lawyers and estate planning advisors – Our Catholic traditions around wills, burial and funerals
An estate planning kit will be provided at no cost.
The session will be held at the Holy Cross Funeral Home (located at 211 Langstaff Rd. East, Thornhill) Refreshments will be provided. RSVP: Frank Jannetta, Catholic Cemeteries 416.733-8544 ext. 2023 or fjannetta@cc-fs.ca.
Catholic Education Centre, 80Sheppard Avenue East
This is a multilingual event: interpreters and print materials will be available in a variety of languages. A light lunch will be provided. Please RSVP by October 7th to your local school principal.
The next weekend: will be October 21st/23rd at Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre, Mississauga
Weekly Offertory Our operating expenses average $14,550 per week. Collection for last weekend: Envelopes 366 $ 7,087 Loose Change 878 Weekly Portion of Pre-Authorized Giving 165 3,018 Total 531 $ 10,983 Needs of the Canadian Church $ 2,598
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
