March 27th, 2016
Thank You! 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.
CanadiansforConscience.ca
By June 2016, the Government of Canada is expected to pass legislation to legalize assisted suicide. Cardinal Collins encourages Catholics throughout the archdiocese to visit CanadiansforConscience.ca and support the Coalition for HealthCARE and Conscience. The coalition represents a group of like-minded partners, including 5,000 doctors across Canada, who are committed to protecting conscience rights for health practitioners and facilities. You can use this website to write directly to your Member of Parliament, respectfully expressing your concerns. Given tight timelines for this legislation, please take action no later than April 1st, 2016.
There is a compelling need for palliative care in Ontario. Cardinal Collins mentioned in his address to all parishes last Sunday that less than 30% of those needing end-of-life care can find it. Availability of palliative care is what is needed not doctor-assisted-suicide.
We are a small group of parishioners and health care professionals who have a vision to care for people needing inpatient palliative care. Our plan is to create a place where patients and their families will receive care imbued with the value of compassion and which provides total care from physical, social and spiritual care. Setting up hospices will be an effective way to achieve this objective and to this end we are engaging communities and organizations that have similar values. We need people with a diversity of backgrounds to realize this dream. If you are interested in volunteering with us please contact Bob Parke or Ron Forbes at hospiceprojects@gmail.com or call 416-577-1406.
Interviews for children who wish to receive their First Communion are now being scheduled. Those children attending the Children’s Faith Program, private schools or others are asked to choose one of the following dates: April 6th, 12th, 13th, 14th , 19th, 20th .21st, 27th or 28th
Children from St. Gabriel’s School are asked to choose one of the following dates: May 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 17th, 18th, 19th or 20th.
Please call the Parish Office at 416-221-8866 to book your appointment with Fr. Brando.
“Volunteers are the Roots of Strong Communities” Quoted from National Volunteer Week website, to be held from April 10-16, 2016
St. Gabriel’s volunteers are kindly invited to a recognition celebration on April 10th from to 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM in the Gathering Space.
Invitations will be sent out by email in March. If you are a volunteer and you did not receive an invitation, please check with your Ministry Coordinator. The parish wishes to thank you for your involvement in enriching its life.
Father Brando and the Pastoral Team look forward to seeing you.
The St. Gabriel’s Children’s Faith Program is a Parish faith program for children in Grade SK to 8 who attend Public and Private schools.
We are in need of volunteers to serve as coordinator of the program and as class teachers and assistants. If you are interested please call 416-221-8866 ext 224, email francisng@bellnet.ca or leave your name and contact number with the parish office.
March 28th, to April 3rd, 2016
MONDAY – EASTER MONDAY – No 9:00 AM Mass TUESDAY – SUZANNE AMOS – Requested by Her Friends WEDNESDAY – LOUIS FUNG – Requested by the Family THURSDAY – NIKOLA PETRANOVIC – Requested by V. Petranovic FRIDAY – ALLAN PERSAUD – Requested by the Persaud & Goldenberg Families SATURDAY – MAISEY & ALBERT DAGNEAULT – Requested by Ginette Harquail
Working wonders overseas through the Pastoral Mission Fund…
“This workshop has helped me to reflect on my priestly call, a privileged service in God’s Kingdom; and has reenergized me and my brother priests to be better in our service. Given our rural and remote location, serving people who live in poverty can be draining at times. This workshop and dialogue has made a renewing impact for many of us. It has given us hope and strength to renew our enthusiasm and we do hope it continues in the future. We are deeply grateful and offer our prayers of support to ShareLife who made it financially possible for us to come together.” —St. Justine de Jacobis Pastoral Office, Catholic Eparchy of Segenelty, Eritrea.
ShareLife To Date: $77,835 Next ShareLife Sunday is April 17th, 2016 Please give generously. You can work wonders!
Gabriel Room Wednesday, April 6th from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Anyone interested in becoming involved in the Milk Bag Mat Project is invited to attend a “hands-on” workshop on Wednesday, April 6th from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM in the Gabriel Room. A special thank you to those parishioners who have already offered to cut the milk bags and to those that are bringing their bags to the church clean and flattened. Kindly register by emailing sharongusz@gmail.com.
Each month 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
With everyone struggling at this time, your food 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 generous support.
Come join the Jesuits in honouring Betty Bujold, Michael and Barbara McManus and Bishop Jean-Louis Plouffe with the “Magis Award” for their outstanding work and dedication to Jesuit ministries.
The evening will begin with Mass at The Church of The Good Shepherd in Thornhill followed by dinner at Le Parc Dining and Banquet Hall in Thornhill. To order tickets, please call 416-481-9154 or email jdo@jesuits.ca.
Monday April 18th at 6:30 PM
Catholic Pastoral Centre, 1155 Yonge Street, 4th Floor
You are invited to attend following upcoming Inspirational Talk “Living With Loneliness” which will be held on Monday, April 18th at the Catholic Pastoral Centre, 1155 Yonge St., 4th Floor. They will begin gathering at 6:30 PM.
Saturday, April 23rd from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM
St Bonaventure’s Parish, 1300 Leslie Street
The New Beginnings Spring Retreat, entitled, “Nurturing Seeds of Hope in all the Seasons of Life” will take place on Saturday, April 23rd at St. Bonaventure’s 1300 Leslie Street from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM.
Our operating expenses average $14,550 per week.
Collection for March 20th, 2016: Envelopes 444 $ 8,004 Loose Change 1,698 Weekly Portion of Pre-Authorized Giving 166 3,109 Total 610 $ 12,811
If you are contributing cash to the Offertory Collection without any identification, you will not receive credit for your contribution. If you are not currently using parish envelopes and wish to have a set issued for 2016, you may contact the Parish Office and we will prepare a box for you. This is the most effective way to keep track of your donations.
Please inform the Parish Office if you have recently moved, so that we may keep our parish records up to date. Please do not use any envelopes from any prior year as the number on it may have been reassigned.
| Posted in Bulletin |
March 20th, 2016
“Volunteers are the Roots of Strong Communities” – Quoted from National Volunteer Week website, to be held from April 10-16, 2016
Invitations will be sent out by email in March. If you are a volunteer and you did not receive an invitation, please checkwith your Ministry Coordinator. The parish wishes to thank you for your involvement in enriching its life. Father Brando and the Pastoral Team look forward to seeing you.
Interviews for children who wish to receive their First Communion are now being scheduled. Those children attending the Children’s Faith Program, private schools or others are asked to choose one of the following dates: April 6th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 19th, 20th .21st, 27th or 28th
March 21st to March 26th, 2016
MONDAY – ADILIA DUARTE – Requested by the Nascimento Family TUESDAY – GERTRUDES REGO – Requested by Maria Da Silva WEDNESDAY – CECILY TURTON – Requested by David Turton & Family THURSDAY – HOLY THURSDAY – No 9:00 AM Mass FRIDAY – GOOD FRIDAY – No 9:00 AM Mass SATURDAY – HOLY SATURDAY – No 4:30 PM Mass
Stations of the Cross Every Friday 7:30 PM
Tenebrae Service Saturday, March 12th 7:30 PM
Day of Confession, Wednesday, March 16th: Individual Confession – 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM Reconciliation Service – 7:30 PM
Palm Sunday March 20th Masses Saturday 4:30 PM Sunday 8:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM.
Holy Thursday March 24th No 9:00 AM Mass 7:30 PM Mass of the Lord’s Supper Followed by Adoration until 10:00 PM.
Good Friday March 25th 10:00 AM Morning Prayer 3:00 PM Solemn Passion of Our Lord 7:30 PM Stations of the Cross
Holy Saturday March 26th No 4:30 PM Mass 8:00 PM Easter Vigil
Easter Sunday March 27th Masses 8:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM
Easter Monday March 28th No 9:00 AM Mass Office closed
EXTRA PARKING AT ELKHORN PUBLIC SCHOOL
The Parish Family of St. Gabriel’s would like to welcome: Allison Chi Lam Chen Bronwyn Anne McMahon Ferguson Lochlan Owen McCreery who received the Sacrament of Baptism on Sunday, March 13th, 2016. Congratulations!
Your prepared casseroles (frozen please) will be collected at the Masses next weekend for delivery to the Good Shepherd Centre.
More volunteers are needed to help feed the hungry in our city. Please get a copy of a casserole recipe and a pan and give it a try. Three recipes are available on St. Gabriel’s web site. Printed copies of the recipes are also available in the Parish Office. Please remember to mark the label on the pan lid with the name of the casserole. For more information, you may contact Irene Albrecht at 416 221-2791.
Working wonders in our families… “The impact that Silent Voice has had on my life as a former camper has given me the opportunity to meet many deaf and hard of hearing children from different backgrounds. Silent Voice has helped me discover who I am in my life and has given me purpose and future goals. As an adult, I want to help other deaf children and youth who are going through difficult times in life. I want to show them that they are not alone and provide them with support and a role model that is really needed in their lives. Thank you, ShareLife!” —Suma, former camper and Silent Voice day program counselor.
Last year more than 600 deaf children received support through Silent Voice’s Sign Language Summer Camps. ShareLife 2016 Donations to March 15th: $ 57,575 Next ShareLife Sunday is April 17, 2016. Please give generously. You can work wonders!
Rosalie Hall assists young parents and their children to realize their potential through the provision of a wide range of community, residential, educational and child development services.
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.
For further information about this program please visit www.milkbagsunlimited.ca or contact Sharon Gusz at sharongusz@gmail.com.
Tuesday, March 22nd from 7:00 PM to 9:00PM
Scarboro Missions, 2685 Kingston Road
To encourage ongoing dialogue, Scarboro Missions is presenting a series of Jewish, Christian and Muslim Perspectives on Mercy. Dr. Hamid Slimi, Canadian Imam and scholar and religious leader of Islam in Canada, for the third in the series “Christian Perspective on Mercy” to be held on Tuesday, March 22nd from 7:00 to 9:00 PM at the Scarboro Missions.
There is no registration or admission fee. A voluntary offering is appreciated. For more information contact Sr. Lucy Thorson at 416-261-7135, Ext. 244.
Collection for March 13th, 2016: Envelopes 413 $ 11,004 Loose Change 791 Weekly Portion of Pre-Authorized Giving 166 3,109 Total 579 $ 14,904
March 13th, 2016
The St. Gabriel’s Children’s Faith Program is a Parish faith program for children in Grade SK to 8 who attend Public and Private schools. The program is run by volunteers. This program is an important ministry to the families that come to our parish. Many of our children were and are still part of the program and we know how valuable this ministry is to our parish life.
We are in need of volunteers to serve as coordinator of the program and as class teachers and assistants. If you are interested please call 416-221-8866 ext 224, email francis.ng@bellnet.ca or leave your name and contact number with the parish office.
“Volunteers are the Roots of Strong Communities”
Quoted from National Volunteer Week website, to be held from April 10-16, 2016
Interviews for children who wish to receive their First Communion are now being scheduled..
Those children attending the Children’s Faith Program, private schools or others are asked to choose one of the following dates: April 6th,12th, 13th, 14th , 19th, 20th .21st, 27th or 28th Children from St. Gabriel’s School are asked to choose one of the following dates: May 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 17th, 18th, 19th or 20th. Please call the Parish Office to book an appointment with Fr. Brando.
Wednesday, March 16th at 7:30 PM
This is an opportunity to spend some time in peace and quiet, to reflect upon how we are responding to our call to be sons and daughters of God.
Recognizing the fact that we are “good people”, we also accept the fact that good people can sin. Through an examination of conscience we face those sins, admit them and are reconciled to God. For those who wish, individual confessions will be celebrated after the service. We encourage you to take advantage of this celebration.
March 14th, to March 19th, 2016
MONDAY – CHESTER POSADA – Requested by His Family TUESDAY – ALICE MICHAEL – Requested by Charmaine Michael WEDNESDAY – ANDY ST LAURENT – Requested by Sr. Jacqui THURSDAY – LESTER POSADA – Requested by His family FRIDAY – ARMAND OAKIE – Requested by the Family SATURDAY – GIUSEPPE & CLEMENTINA INTINI – Requested by Chiara & Tina Intini
Fair trade organic coffees will be on sale after all the Masses next weekend.
Regular ground coffee: $5.50 Decaffeinated: $6.00 Whole Beans: $5.50 Chocolate Bars: $4.50 incl. Taxes Hot Chocolate and Cocoa: $6.00 Teas: $5.00
Working wonders by providing vital life-restoring needs…
“Agencies are lifesaving and life-restoring to those who regularly rely on them. Families are working through crises and are healing. People with developmental challenges are supported as they experience a sense of self-worth and fulfillment in their daily activities. Seniors are living independently, yet have access to the social services and care they need. Refugees and new Canadians are guided toward a stable, productive livelihood in their newfound home.
Sometimes the results are obvious and sometimes they’re invisible but, always, they make a tangible difference. Please prayerfully consider today how you can support ShareLife.” Thomas Cardinal Collins, Archbishop of Toronto.
Today is ShareLife Sunday – March 13, 2016 Please give generously. You can work wonders!
Food 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 generous support.
On February 28th, many parishioners saw firsthand how milk bags can be woven into sleeping mats and other useful items. Sharon Gusz is willing to have a teaching session here at St. Gabriel’s for those who are interested. Watch the bulletin for more information.
Monday, March 14th at 7:00 PM
St. Basil’s Church, 50 St. Joseph Street, Toronto
Cardinal Turkson, President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, is a passionate supporter of Laudato Si’: On Care for our Common Home, Pope Francis’ recent encyclical on the environment. He told attendees at last year’s UN Summit on Climate Change that we “cannot remain blind to the grave damage done to the planet, nor can we remain indifferent to the plight of the millions of people who most bear the burden of such destruction.
Free admission. For tickets and more information go to events.usmctheology@utoronto.ca.
Tuesday, March 15th from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
To encourage ongoing dialogue, Scarboro Missions is presenting a series of Jewish, Christian and Muslim Perspectives on Mercy. Join Rabbi Ed Elkin, spiritual leader of the First Narayever Jewish Congregation in Toronto, for the second in the series “Jewish Perspective on Mercy” to be held on Tuesday, March 15th from 7:00 to 9:00 PM at the Scarboro Missions.
Collection for March 6th, 2016: Envelopes 398 $ 7,350 Loose Change 1,051 Weekly Portion of Pre-Authorized Giving 166 3,160 Total 564 $ 11,561
March 12th, 2016
Paul the Apostle had a deep and personal relationship with Jesus. Paul was a good Jew. He tells us that he was circumcised on the eighth day, he was a member of the people of Israel, he belonged to the tribe of Benjamin, he was a strict Pharisee, with great zeal he persecuted the early Christians and as to righteousness under the law he was blameless.
When Jesus came into his life on the road to Damascus everything changed. He broke with his past, it was of no value to him. His treasure now was that he was gifted with a surpassing knowledge of Christ Jesus his Lord. He no longer believed that oneness with God came from circumcision and a strict keeping of the Mosaic law – oneness with God came from faith in Jesus Christ as one’s lord and savior. Jesus Christ, the crucified and risen. Probably this cost Paul his family and friends, he lost his standing in the Jewish community and made him many enemies in that community, enemies who would hound him til his death. Paul couldn’t care less, for him all these things were rubbish. What meant most to Paul was to know Jesus Christ and the power of his resurrection. He knew in the very depth of his being that Jesus Christ made Paul of Tarsus his own. By God’s gift Paul was what he was and that gift was not given in vain.
Paul wanted those to whom he preached to have the same relationship with Christ that he enjoyed. He encouraged his listeners to ‘put on Christ’ and ‘grow to full maturity in Christ.’ His wish was that all those he brought to Christ could say of themselves what he said of himself, ‘I live now, not I but Christ lives in me and the life I live, I live it trusting in the Son of God who loved me and gave his life for me.’
We can say this of ourselves when by God’s grace we try to be more Christ-like in our daily living of life. We put on Christ, we grow in Christ when we try to avoid racism or sexism or discrimination in our ways of relating with other men and women. Accepting and respecting them as Christ accepts and respects us. We put on Christ when we reach out, with a healing touch, to mend broken relationships in our families. We put on Christ when we refuse to judge people’s ways of living their lives, for we were told ‘judge not and you will not be judged.’ We put on Christ when, by our own good example, we bring others to Christ.
Paul knew he was not perfect. He may have been a hard person to get along with.. He put into words what we all experience in our lives, ‘The good that I would that I do not and the evil that I would not do that I do.’ But his weaknesses and faults never discouraged him, as ours should not discourage us. As we hear in our second reading,’ one thing I do, forgetting what is behind I strive on to what is ahead. I press on towards the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature be of the same mind – may we hold fast to what we have obtained, our own personal relationship with Christ, a relationship that is deepened by the authenticity of our relationships with the men and women who are part of our lives.
This is the invitation the call God our Father offers each one of us when he said, ’this is my son, listen to him.’ We are invited to put on Christ by living and loving and healing and forgiving as he did.
As we continue to celebrate this Eucharist we can pray for ourselves and for each other and every day we live our ordinary lives in such a way that we can say, ‘I live now not I but Christ lives in me and the life I life I live trusting in the Son of God who loved me and gave his life for me.
| Posted in Homily |
March 6th, 2016
Daylight Savings Time begins next weekend. Please remember to set your clocks forward 1 hour on Saturday evening.
Interviews for children who wish to receive their First Communion are now being scheduled. Those children attending the Children’s Faith Program, private schools or others are asked to choose one of the following dates: April 5th, 6th, 7th, 12th, 13th, 14th , 19th, 20th .21st, 27th or 28th
The Parish Family of St. Gabriel’s would like to welcome Ethan Nicholas Diep who received the Sacrament of Baptism on Sunday, February 28th, 2016. Congratulations!
March 7th to March 12th, 2016
MONDAY – SOULS OF THE DEPARTED – Requested by the Chiu family TUESDAY – ERNIE KEEGAN – Requested by the Family WEDNESDAY – PAULINE DEZWART – Requested by Sharyn Kastelic THURSDAY – IN THANKSGIVING – Requested by Francis Cheng & Family FRIDAY – GUS CALDERONE – Requested by Marie Calderone SATURDAY – JOSEPHINE BADALI – Requested by John, Sal & Patsy
March 12th at 7:30 PM
St. Gabriel’s Church
On Saturday, March 12th at 7:30 PM, we will be celebrating the ancient service of Tenebrae at St. Gabriel’s. Historically, this tradition was held the evening before the start of the Easter Triduum. Shrouded in shadow, Tenebrae evokes a sense of wonder and mystery as the Passion of Jesus is told through a series of readings, songs, and hymns. Fifteen 15 candles are extinguished one by one, marking the progression to our Lord’s crucifixion. The last candle, the Christ Candle, is not extinguished but rather removed from the view of the congregation. This signifies hope in the resurrection as the rest of the church is blanketed in utter darkness.
Please join us for Tenebrae held at St. Gabriel’s Parish. It will be a remarkable experience for this community to share. The gentlemen of the Seraphim Men’s Chorus will be present to provide musical settings of the readings composed by Msgr. Ronan, founder of St. Michael’s Choir School. A voluntary donation will be taken up as a collection in support of the Choir School. This tradition is a wonderful way to prepare ourselves to celebrate the mystery of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Working wonders for people locally and around the world…
Pope Francis reminds us that this is the year of mercy. How do we extend the hands of Christ to others in our daily lives? For some, it may be caring for an elderly relative, volunteering at a soup kitchen, or helping to collect food or raise funds for charity. In our busy society, many of us do not have the time to actively participate, and as such we rely on the many agencies within our community to provide love, care and support to those in need. In the Archdiocese of Toronto, our annual ShareLife appeal provides resources to over 40 agencies, bringing much needed programs and services to those both here in our communities and around the world. Collectively, through our support, we share in their success in making a positive difference in the lives of those they serve. Next Sunday is the first ShareLife collection. Over the next week, consider your ability to help your brothers and sisters in Christ, and make a contribution to our annual appeal. You will be helping to make a difference – indeed you will be working wonders!
Next Sunday, March 13th, 2016 is ShareLife Sunday Please give generously. You can work wonders!
Thank you to the volunteers who prepared 42 casseroles for February. For March, your prepared casseroles (frozen please) will be collected at the Masses on the weekend of March 26th/27th for delivery to the Good Shepherd Centre.
More volunteers are encouraged to become active in helping to feed our less fortunate sisters and brothers. Three different recipes are available in the Parish Office or online at the Church website.
If you require more information or would like to get a copy of a recipe and a casserole pan, please contact Irene Albrecht at 416-221-2791.
Thank you Sharon Gusz for your very informative demonstration on how to make mats from milk bags. Parishioners were very interested in this worthwhile project.
Each month food we collect is sent to Rosalie Hall and the Good Shepherd Centre. With everyone struggling at this time, your food 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 generous support.
Tuesday, March 8th from 7:00 PM to 9:00PM
To encourage ongoing dialogue, Scarboro Missions is presenting a series of Jewish, Christian and Muslim Perspectives on Mercy. Join Dr. Murray Watson, Roman Catholic professor at Huron University College, for the first in the series “Christian Perspective on Mercy” to be held on Tuesday, March 8th from 7:00 to 9:00 PM at the Scarboro Missions.
Blessed Trinity Parish Hall Tuesday, March 8th at 2:00 PM
The next meeting of the North York Retiree’s will be feature guest speaker, Eric McGreer His topic will be “Post WWII Refugees and Canada.” All retirees are cordially invited to attend.
Cardinal Turkson, President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, is a passionate supporter of Laudato Si’: On Care for our Common Home, Pope Francis’ recent encyclical on the environment. He told attendees at last year’s UN Summit on Climate Change that we “cannot remain blind to the grave damage done to the planet, nor can we remain indifferent to the plight of the millions of people who most bear the burden of such destruction. Free admission. For tickets and more information go to events.usmctheology@utoronto.ca.
Collection for February 28th, 2016: Envelopes 419 $ 7,466 Loose Change 904 Weekly Portion of Pre-Authorized Giving 166 3,160 Total 585 $ 11,530
Please do not use any envelopes from any prior year as the number on it may have been reassigned.
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