June 12th, 2016
In today’s scripture we hear two powerful stories of God’s willingness to forgive us our trespasses no matter how great they may be.
Someone once said that our greatest difficulty is not so much in believing that God exists but in believing that God forgives. We imagine God’s heart is as stingy as our own. We hold grudges, past hurts and slights, memories of betrayed relationships deep in our hearts. They just won’t leave us alone. May today’s reading give us deeper trust in God’s love and God’s willingness to forgive us, no matter what.
King David was a sleaze. God took him from minding his father’s sheep and made him king of the people of Israel. He was rich and powerful. Even with all he had, he wanted more. He wanted Bathsheba for his wife because he committed adultery with her and she was pregnant. He arranged to have her husband Uriah, a faithful soldier, killed in battle to get him out of the way. The prophet Nathan confronted him with his sins and David admitted ‘I have sinned against the Lord.’ Nathan’s response was startling, ‘ the Lord has put away your sin, and you shall not die.’
These words sound so simple but they couldn’t have been spoken if David didn’t acknowledge he’d committed the great crimes and sins of adultery and murder and wanted to repent of these sins. These words couldn’t have been spoken unless Nathan, speaking for God, accepted David’s contrition and spoke words of forgiveness.
In the gospel we hear of this wonton woman of the streets who dared to crash the dinner party at Simon’s house. She had to see Jesus again to thank him for assuring her that her many, many sins were forgiven her. This no name woman wanted to show Jesus the great love she had for him because he showed her the love and forgiveness of God. It was not the case that the woman loved Jesus and therefore was deserving of forgiveness. It is just the opposite. He had already forgiven her sins and as a result she loved him. God’s love is always first no matter how sinful we are. That love remains personal and present for each of us, if we can let go of our guilt.
Simon, the host, felt that Jesus should be honored at being invited into his home so he didn’t bother to offer him the usual courtesies of having the servants wash the street dust from Jesus’ feet. Simon didn’t offered Jesus a kiss of welcome. Simon’s refusal to act like a host indicates that he has not experienced, perhaps not even thought that he might be in need of forgiveness. He was more interested in propriety.
There is a saying that even God can’t unscramble an egg. Fr. Ron Rolheiser offers this reflection on our scrambled eggs.
‘We need a theology which teaches us that even though God cannot unscramble an egg, God’s grace lets us live happily and with renewed innocence far beyond any egg we might have scrambled. We need a theology that teaches us that God does not just give us one chance, but that every time we close a door, God opens another one for us. We need a theology that challenges us not to make mistakes, that takes sin seriously, but which tells us that when we do sin, when we do make mistakes, we are given the chance to take our place among the broken, among those whose lives are not perfect, the loved sinners, those for whom Christ came.
We need a theology which tells us that a second, third, fourth, and fifth chance are just as valid as the first one. We need a theology that tells us that mistakes are not forever, that they are not even for a lifetime, that time and grace wash clean, that nothing is irrevocable. Finally, we need a theology which teaches us that God loves us as sinners and that the task of Christianity is not to teach us how to live, but to teach us how to live again, and again, and again.
We are all mistake making beings and that’s why, with today’s scripture readings in mind, we have to trust the words of Isaiah, ‘though your sins are like scarlet they shall be white as snow, though they be red as crimson they shall become like wool,’ and live with and beyond our scrambled eggs.
| Posted in Homily |
June 11th, 2016
Congratulations to the following young people of our Parish who were confirmed on Sunday, June 5, 2016. The Sacrament was administered by Rev. Fr. Brando Recana C.P
Cristina Agrafojo Justine Kyle Aguila Darion Allen-Smith Maya Dawn Armstrong Valencia Etani Augustine Alliyah Celita Barre Luca Christian Bernardini Kayleigh Boogaart Nayla Asia Brooks Lance M. Cabacungan Mervin Calaor Maria Campbell Christopher Canellos Kimberly Ashley Chai Jacob Charalambous Tyler Chin Michael Emilio Corrado Niamh Danielle Dennis Ty Di Nardo Leah Teresa Fernandes Logan Catherine Giglio Adam Michael Gowan Nicholas Heit Arianna Innocente Marcus Alexander Jereza Garrick Vincent Juliano Olivia Lopardo Owen Macrae Harsanyi Kaitlyn Grace Maddox Jack Nicholas Meloff Edward Na Nikolina A. Nejasmic Maya Oliveira Pamela Perras Paula Anne Quinto Duncan Matteo Scanga Monserrat Solano Saldana Elliot Stone Jessica Marie Svab Ashley Amy Tai Nicolas Tansingco Marneris Diya Thomas Joy Kirsten Tolledo Christian David Valdez Zamantha Ron Valdehueza Danielle Rose Villacorta Alvin Zhang
Let us pray for them as they continue on their journey of faith guided by the Holy Spirit.
Sunday, July 3rd after the 12:30 Mass
The Parish BBQ Picnic will be held on Sunday, July 3rd 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.
Liturgical Publications will be setting up the advertisements for our church bulletin. The advertising will begin in September 2015 and supports the bulletin service. Please support the bulletin and advertise your product or service.
Call Liturgical Publications at 905-624-4422.
Weekend of June 18th and 19th
On Saturday, June 18th and Sunday, June 19th our Youth Group will be having a bake sale. The money raised will help cover the Youth Group’s transportation costs to the Steubenville Catholic Conference in New York from June 23rd to June 27th. Please support our Youth Group.
As part of the mandate for the Archdiocese of Toronto to foster a safe and caring community, a policy of screening volunteers exists to ensure the protection and safety of the most vulnerable. St. Gabriel’s Parish Volunteer Screening Committee is entrusted with this task.
As some members are retiring, we are extending an invitation to St. Gabriel’s parishioners to join the Committee. If you are interested and want to know more about this responsibility, please contact the parish office at 416-221-8866.
June 13th to June 18th 2016
MONDAY – ANTHONY & DAMIAN GOVEAS – Requested by the Tony & Ida Fernandes TUESDAY – ALICIA, EDGAR & JOHN PATENAUDE – Requested by Sheila Patenaude WEDNESDAY – LEONARD MARCHIE – Requested by Teresa Marchie & Family THURSDAY – MARIA ROSARIO CALIMBAS – Requested by Estrella Cherrie, Stella & Isabel FRIDAY – RENE LAVERTU – Requested by Helene Lavertu SATURDAY – AMPARO VILLAFRANCA – Requested by the Family
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 public or private schools. Classes are held at St. Gabriel’s School every second Sunday beginning September 11th, 2016.
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 2016/17 year. These forms are also available in the Parish Office.
You can help others by donating your old eyeglasses. These may be left in the box provided just outside the Parish Office. Glasses collected will be sent to the Lions Club for distribution to the needy in developing countries.
Tuesdays, Central Office, 1155 Yonge Street, Suite 100 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM or Thursdays, North York Office – 5799 Yonge Street, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
Catholic Family Services of Toronto is now offering walk-in counseling services at their two locations. Their staff is trained to offer same-day service to clients with urgent counseling needs. The single-session consultation is aimed at helping individuals, couples, or family clients address their concerns. No appointment required.
Please contact the Central office, 1155 Yonge St., Suite 100, Toronto (Yonge/Summerhill) Tuesdays from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM at 416 921-1163 or by email at info@cfstoronto.com
On Thursdays, contact the North office, 5799 Yonge St., (Yonge/Finch) from 9:00 Am to 3:00 PM. at 416 222-0048 or by email at info@cfstoronto.com.
Working wonders for people locally and around the world…
“You do not have to look far to see the wonders being worked by ShareLife… in the pews of your parish, in the homes on your street, in your neighbourhood. ShareLife agencies provide competent, faith-informed care to those who turn to them for help, regardless of their beliefs or background. Last year, over 381,000 services were provided to over 114,000 people in our Archdiocese in more than 20 languages, receiving the compassion, care and respect they rightly deserve. In addition, countless others were assisted through outreach programs around the world.” —Thomas Cardinal Collins, Archbishop of Toronto.
ShareLife to date: $129,263 Thank you for your generosity Together we can work wonders!
We encourage you to continue bringing non perishable foods for Rosalie Hall and the Good Shepherd Centre during the summer months.
During July and August, food donations tend to drop off.
Your donations of canned foods, cereal rice and other non perishables are more important than ever as families struggle to make ends meet.
Please check the expiry dates before donating since we cannot pass on food that has expired. Thank you for your generous support.
The second collection this weekend is for Marygrove Camp for Girls. 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
Weekend of June 25th/26th
Fair trade organic coffees will be on sale after all the Masses on the weekend of June 25th/26th, one week later than usual.
Regular ground coffee: $5.50 Decaffeinated: $6.00 Whole Beans: $5.50 Chocolate Bars: $4.50 incl. Taxes Hot Chocolate and Cocoa: $6.00 Teas: $5.00
Please note that there are no Just Coffee sales during the months of July and August.
Thursday, July 28th at 6:00 PM
15 Laxton Ave, Toronto
In solidarity with World Youth Day activities, all young adults 18-39 (student, working professional, single, married, young parent) are invited to a house party and barbecue!
Meet and hang out with other young adults! Meet Catholic Sisters, Brothers and Priests and share life experiences! Enjoy a barbecue supper, laughter and fun in a casual and relaxed atmosphere!
Please RSVP by July 15th to Faith Connections at faithconnections@csj-to.ca (so they know how much food to order).
St. Gabriel’s Parish Weekend of September 23rd to 25th, 2016
A Marriage Preparation course will be offered here at St. Gabriel’s the weekend of September 23rd to 25th, 2016. 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.
Note that this course usually fills up quickly and spaces are limited.
Our operating expenses average $14,550 per week.
Collection for June 5th, 2016: Envelopes 360 $ 6,503 Loose Change 1,734 Weekly Portion of Pre-Authorized Giving 165 3,034 Total 525 $ 11,271
Please inform the Parish Office if you have changed your address or are moving out of the Parish so that we may update our records.
If you have prior year’s offertory envelopes, please do not use them! Each year we go through the unused envelopes for which no donations have been received and may reassign that number to another parishioner.
| Posted in Bulletin |
June 5th, 2016
After listening to our first reading and Luke’s gospel we can just imagine the joy, the wonder and the excitement that filled the hearts of the mothers of these two sons, their only sons, after Elijah and Jesus gave these dead young men back to their mothers, alive and well. This gift of their sons totally changed the lives of these two women.
The mothers were both widows and to be a childless widow put women into desperate social situations. As widows these two lost the primary person who was supposed to look after them, their husbands. With the death of their sons, their only sons, they lost the only support and their last connection their husband’s families. Now they are totally dependent on the good will and generosity their husband’s families. Without that support they were totally destitute.
When these widowed mothers lost their sons, they lost everything of value in their lives. Their own lives lost meaning. They had nothing to live for. To have their sons restored by Elijah and Jesus they were given they were given a new lease on a meaningful life and so we can just imagine their great joy.
The point of these two readings, the truth in these two stories is that God is Lord over life and death.
This is a truth we must uphold, God is Lord over life and death, as our government grapples with a new legislation concerning medical assisted suicide. Was it Woody Allen who said, ’everyone wants to go to heaven but nobody wants to die’? We are all going to die. The how and when is for God to know. I can’t get my head around this ‘right to die’ thinking. We are so conscious of our rights but seldom think of our obligations, obligations to respect our lives and the lives of others.
As Catholic Christians we have an obligation to respect and protect all life, this sacred gift we have from God. This means standing for the right to life, a just wage, affordable housing, good health care and many other social issues that affect human worth and dignity.
No matter what our bishops say about this important matter their teachings will have no impact on men and women who are convinced that they have the right to end their own lives by what is known as assisted suicide or physician – assisted death. Their teaching will have no influence on those who see death as an entrance into nothingness.
Pope Pius XII taught that we did not have to take extraordinary means to sustain life. What was extraordinary means in those days are ordinary means today because of the advancements in medicine. Some of the treatments people undergo in their illness really don’t prolong life, they only postpone death. We are not obliged to prolong a life by invasive procedures that really do not relieve the distress people endure.
Our church has a long history in the ministry of healing. Our first hospitals in Canada sprang from religious communities of women devoted to caring for the poor. Our church, as well as other people support palliative and hospice care. We are not being hysterical when we warn about the slippery slope of the abuses that have developed in other countries that have legislation on assisted suicide.
With today’s scriptures telling of life restored through the healing ministries of Elijah and Jesus in mind, may we hold to the truth our God is the Lord of life and death. We pray for legislators grappling with this issue strictly on human terms, we pray for and support men and women of any age dealing with their realities of diminishing mental and physical health and are led to believe they are a burden to their families and a drain on our health care system. We pray for their family members, their doctors, nurses and care-givers who journey with them in their lasts days. We remember the truth that our God is the Lord of life and death and the human life is not a disposable object.
June 4th, 2016
Congratulations to the following children from our parish attending St. Gabriel’s School who received their First Communion as a group on Sunday, May 29th, 2016.
Benjamin Agromayo Jahsiah Annikie Matthew Cherian Ella Choi Christopher Cusi Jimson Aidan Cru Sophia Isabel Dijamco Andres Figarella Matany Gio Kim Joon Ho Kim Kyoungse Kim Sol Sarie Kwak Jungmin Matia Lee Joshua Macalaguim Anne Caitlyn Macaraeg Alexander Ian Malit Alexander Jaiden Nichols Mariano Perez Alvarez Bronwyn Sheldrick Carter Sparkman Yongje Daniel Song Michaella Jamelle Viado Jordyn Wheeler Yena Yang
It was a beautiful celebration. We will support these young people with our prayers as they continue on their journey of faith.
Wednesday, June 8th at 7:30 PM Gabriel Room.
As you all know, St Gabriel’s is a Passionist Parish. Priests who serve the parish community belong to the Congregation of the Passion (Passionists). Their motto is “May the passion of Christ be always in our hearts”.
The Passionists would like very much to strengthen its relationship with the laity. To this end, the Passionist Province of St Paul of the Cross, to which our priests belong, has set up a Commission on the Laity. The Chair of the Commission, Mr. Ernest Rivard, will be visiting the parish for a listening session – to hear your voices on how that relationship could be strengthened.
All are welcome to attend. The listening session will be held on Wednesday, June 8th, at 7:30 PM in the Gabriel Room.
June 6th to June 11th 2016
MONDAY – RITA JOSEPH – Requested by the Joseph Family TUESDAY – FELIX CHAN – Requested by John Chan WEDNESDAY – DAVID WHITE – Requested by Margaret Anne Leckie THURSDAY – BERNARD LUK – Requested by the Spiritual & Religious Care Department, North York General Hospital. FRIDAY – BERNARD LUK – Requested by Alberto & Gloria Zomparelli SATURDAY – CHRISTOPHER & JOHN DI LALLO – Requested by Val Palazzo
Tuesdays, Central Office, 1155 Yonge Street, Suite 100 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM or Thursdays, North York Office –5799 Yonge Street, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
Working wonders with families in our neighbourhoods…
A few years ago, Lauren was hospitalized at 16 years of age after receiving a severe beating from her mother. The violence had been going on for several months, and Lauren was afraid to talk about it. Eventually, her mother faced charges of abuse and Lauren was removed from her family’s home. She came to Sancta Maria House looking for a more permanent, safe place to live. Lauren spent that last 2 years here and has made many positive gains. Through the counseling of supportive staff, she was able to let go of the anger from her past and focus on making a bright future for herself. Lauren is grateful for all of the devoted staff at ShareLife-supported Sancta Maria House for making such a wonderful difference in her life. Last year, ShareLife-supported Family Service agencies provided family counseling to over 5,100 people in the Greater Toronto Area.
ShareLife to date: $127,968 Thank you for your generosity Together we can work wonders!
Each month food we collect is sent to Rosalie Hall and the Good Shepherd Centre.
As summer approaches, food donations tend to drop off. These donations are more important than ever as families struggle to make ends meet.
Thank you to the volunteers who prepared 62 casseroles for May. For June, your prepared casseroles (frozen please) will be collected at the Masses on the weekend of June 25th/26th for delivery to the Good Shepherd Centre.
At this time of year, the number of casseroles tends to drop off as many people are away on holidays. More volunteers are needed to help feed the hungry in our city. Please pick up a copy of a recipe and a pan from the Parish Office and give it a try. The recipes are also available on the St. Gabriel’s website. Remember to mark the label on the pan lid with the name of the casserole. For more information, please contact Irene Albrecht at 416 221-2791.
There will be a second collection for Marygrove Camp for Girls next weekend at 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.
Wednesday, June 8th from 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM
St. Mary Immaculate Roman Catholic Church 10295 Yonge St., Richmond Hill
Come and join the St. Mary Immaculate Parish Community for Reboot! Live! with internationally acclaimed speaker and author Chris Stefanick. Reboot! Live! is the fun, inspiring and practical experience of applying the beauty and genius of the heart of the Gospel to every aspect of your life. From prayer and spirituality, to work, dating, marriage, parenting, health and more. There is no part of your life that will be left untouched. Tickets are $25. For more information please contact Adam Caldana at 416-567-4336 or by email at adam.caldana@hotmail.com.
Meet and hang out with other young adults! Meet Catholic Sisters, Brothers and Priests and share life experiences! Enjoy a barbecue supper, laughter and fun in a casual and relaxed atmosphere! Please RSVP by July 15th to Faith Connections at faithconnections@csj-to.ca (so they know how much food to order).
A Marriage Preparation course will be offered here at St. Gabriel’s the weekend of September 23rd to 25th, 2016.
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 .
Note that this course is filling up quickly and spaces are limited.
Liturgical Publications will be setting up the advertisements for our church bulletin. The advertising will begin in September 2016 and supports the bulletin service. Please support the bulletin and advertise your product or service. Call Liturgical Publications at 905-624-4422.
Collection for May 29th, 2016: Envelopes 375 $ 6,994 Loose Change 1,026 Weekly Portion of Pre-Authorized Giving 166 3,039 Total 541 $ 11,059
Please inform the Parish Office if you have changed your addressor are moving out of the Parish so that we may update our records.
May 29th, 2016
Every time we celebrate Mass, the Holy Eucharist, we celebrate the Body and Blood of Christ. We bring our humble gifts of bread and wine to the altar. The priest calls upon the Holy Spirit to come down upon our gifts to that they may become for us the body and blood or our Lord Jesus Christ as at whose command we celebrate these mysteries, our sacrifice of thanksgiving.
St. Paul tells us in our second reading that as often as we eat this bread and drink this cup we proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes again. As often as we do these things, say these words, we re-present, we make present here and now, in this time and space, the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Christ.
When St. Paul wrote his letter to the Christian community in Corinth he was hopping mad at the Corinthians. In those days there were no churches, no places of worship like we have today. The believers gathered in one another’s homes, usually in the homes of people who could afford a big home. The breaking of the bread and the sharing of the cup was incorporated into the reading of scripture and having a meal. It was a bit of a potluck supper, people brought what they could to the table. Paul tells them he’s gotten reports that in their “coming together” they do not really come together at all. For the more privileged and wealthier among them eat heartily and even get drunk, whereas the poorer members get less, and some are even left out. The social gap between rich and poor becomes evident in their celebration of the Lord’s Supper.
Paul is determined to confront this scandal of division so he tells them again the tradition that he had already passed on to them when he had originally catechized them. Reminding them of the solemn account of the Last Supper is meant to shock them into the realization that their failure to care for one another’s needs in their practice of the Lord’s Supper flies in the face of the very meaning of that ritual enactment. He taught them that the Lord’s Supper commemorates Jesus’ “handing over” of himself for our redemption. So their celebration of that event should be evident of their “handing over” of themselves to one another, at least in seeing that each is decently fed.
Paul drives this point home a few lines later, when he says, “For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body, without discerning the whole community, not just those of their own social standing, eats and drinks judgment on himself” He goes on to say, “because the loaf of bread is one, we, though many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf” Paul makes it clear that by “discerning the body” he means seeing the believing community as the one body of Christ. And so, however the rest of their culture may discriminate between privileged and non-privileged, the haves and the have nots, the slaves and the free, Christians, when they come together for the Lord’s Supper, are to “receive” one another as mutual guests.
That teaching is as true today as it was when Paul first taught it. One bread one body, one cup of blessing which we bless makes us one body, the body of Christ. The Mass is the sacrament, the sign of our oneness with Jesus the Christ.
If when we come to the priest or a minister of the Eucharist harbouring in our hearts strong feels of resentment or rejection of other men and women because of their social standing, their racial origin, their religious faith, their life style or sexual orientation, is it possible we are receiving Holy Communion unworthily, even though unknowingly? Are we failing to see the unity of our community as we share in the one bread and one cup?
When St. Augustine gave people Holy Communion he would say, ‘Receive what you are and become what you receive – the body of Christ. As each of us receives Communion today may we be given the strength we need to ‘put on Christ, grow to full maturity in Christ’ so that in the ordinary living of our ordinary lives we may accepting and loving to all those who come into our lives.
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