April 9th, 2016
We can just imagine the guilt that plagued Peter after he denied Jesus three times, one time swearing with an oath that he did not Jesus. Peter promised he would die with Jesus but never deny him. He was totally ashamed of himself. Jesus has called him a rock but he knew Peter was more like quick sand yet he wanted to build his church on this mistake making being he named Peter. Even when the risen Christ showed himself to the apostles after his resurrection we can imagine Peter couldn’t look Jesus in the eye he was so ashamed of himself.
In today’s gospel we heard of another of Jesus’ appearances to the apostles. Peter was a fisherman and he had a family to feed and so, for all the excitement in his life, he had to get back to work. Peter and his companions labored all night but still their nets were empty. Jesus calls to them from the shore and directs them to the other side of the boat and that’s what gave such a great catch.
Peter jumps into the water to quickly wade to shore and greet Jesus who has prepared them a breakfast of fish and bread. Jesus is about give Peter another chance asking him the simple question, ‘do you love me’? But he asks the same question three times to erase Peter’s three denials with his ‘yes Lord I love you, you know I love you.’ Each time Jesus tells Peter he is to demonstrate that love by service: “Feed my sheep, my lambs.” Wishing to show us how we demonstrate our love for him, Christ the Lord made it plain that it is by our concern and care for others.. Peter’s place in Christ’s community was made firm with the commands ‘feed by lambs, feed my sheep.’ Christ restores a humbled but forgiven Peter to his place as rock and shepherd.
Now we come to that part of today’s gospel that has a lot to say about many of us here. ‘When you were younger you used to fasten your belt and go wherever you wished. But when you grow old you will stretch out your hands and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.’
I think this is a great description of old age. When we were young we had so much independence, we went where we wanted to go and did what we wanted to do. Not so much anymore. At this stage in our lives, whether we like it or not, we stretch out our hands, and let others bind them and take us where we rather would not go.
At one time or another it will be our time to let go. It won’t be easy, we may be resentful that we’ve come to this and resist it all as long as we can. Hopefully we won’t let ourselves become bitter and resentful toward those who are concerned about our well being. We might be tempted to feel we are unappreciated, we’re taking up space, we’re a burden, we’re disposal, like worn out slippers.
These feelings can be real but they are not true. Let’s face it, the time will come when we are asked to hand over the keys to our car and lose our freedom of mobility. We may have to give up the home in which we raised our families and move into a retirement home taking with us a few mementos of our past. We may have to use a cane of a walker. My doctor wants me to use a cane and I told him I don’t want to use one. He asked me, ‘why not’ and I told him, ‘I’m too proud’ and he asked me. ‘And what is it that comes before the fall?’ We may have to get stronger glasses or those hearing aids that never seem to work. Isn’t maddening when we can’t remember the name of someone we’ve known for years? I try not to panic at this, eventually it will come to me.
All these limitations are the reality of our lives and they are hard to accept. We can make our own lives miserable and the lives of those who love us difficult if we refuse to admit it is our time to stretch out our hands and let those who love us bind them knowing they will do the best for us.
That time came for Peter when his hands were bound and he was led away to be crucified as was the Christ he denied, the Christ who forgave him.
As we continue to celebrate this Mass together may we pray for ourselves and for each other that when our time comes we willing stretch out our hands into the hands of the man who stilled the water, the Christ from Galilee knowing in our hearts we are in good.
| Posted in Homily |
April 3rd, 2016
The first Sunday after Easter is Divine Mercy Sunday. This feast was instituted by Pope John Paul 2 and it is based on the private revelations of a Polish nun, St. Faustina. It is a feast that encourages us to open our own lives to divine mercy, a mercy expressed so beautifully by Isiah when he wrote to the unfaithful Israelites, ‘though your sins be as scarlet they shall be white as snow, though they be red as crimson they shall be white as wool.’ It is a feast that challenges us to show mercy to those who have in any way offended us.
Every time we celebrate the Eucharist we celebrate the divine mercy offered to all of us. We proclaim the death of the Lord, a death offered to the Father in order to reconcile us to God, making us one with God. Jesus taught us through different parables that we are to show to others the mercy and forgiveness God has shown us.
This feast of Divine Mercy challenges us to look into all our relationships – family – fellow workers – neighbours – and admit our unwillingness to forgive, admit our grudges and the animosities we have toward others and ask for the generosity to show to these people the mercy God has shown to us.
The main character in today’s gospel is the doubting Thomas, who refused to believe his friends tale that they have seen the Lord. We can speculate why Thomas was not with the other disciples when Jesus came to them. Like the other disciples who scattered in fear when Jesus was arrested he may have remained in hiding, not willing to take the risk of being associated with the others for fear of reprisals by the Temple authorities. It is good to remember that before he was the doubting Thomas he was the frightened and the hurt Thomas. Thomas may have thought he had made a fool of himself by believing in Jesus, and he was not going to be that vulnerable to let his heart be broken again.
When he returned to the group and heard the other apostles joyful news that they had seen the Lord he scoffed at them. He had to see for himself, ‘unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into that mark and put my hand into his opened side’ there’s no way I’m buying into your story. In scoffing Thomas was protecting himself against further heartbreak by turning his back on Jesus and all that Jesus meant to him.
Jesus came and broke through Thomas’ protective stance by inviting him to touch his wounds and see he was not a ghost. Jesus showed mercy to Thomas by being patient with him. He knew what was in Thomas’ heart, he knew his caution about trusting in him again and so he waited him out, he offered him the chance to touch his wounds of love.
So often the Divine Mercy is shown to us in that same patience of Jesus showed to Thomas as he lets us work things through our issues with others and graces us to see our need to be merciful and forgiving to others as he has been to us.
This resurrection story was told to honor men and women, who down through the ages have suffer persecution and ridicule and death for believing in Jesus, Jesus the crucified, Jesus the Risen. We have not seen yet we believe and by God’s grace we walk by faith and not by sight.
April 2nd, 2016
At the Easter Vigil, many new Parishioners were welcomed to our Parish.
Scott Cartegena, Paul Chan, Alexander Kim, Jane Kim, Mijung Kim, Francis A. Maleki, Nicole Mirhashemi, Jaeden Rotondo, Liping Wang, Rachel Wang and Julie Zhou received the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist.
Phillip Mirhashemi and Jakob Rotondo received the Sacraments of Baptism and Holy Eucharist.
Matthew Cartegena, Ethan Chan, Sinead Chan and Diako Maleki received the Sacrament of Baptism.
Maya Armstrong, Jacob Charalambous, Angela Jacovou and Ella Merrett were received into full Communion with the Catholic Church.
The Parish Family of St. Gabriel’s would like to welcome and congratulate them!
“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.
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, 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.
April 4th to April 9th 2016
MONDAY – DANICA PETRANOVIC – Requested by V. Petranovic TUESDAY – GRACE ANNE SEDILLA – Requested by Gloria Flor WEDNESDAY – KEVIN TAKAKI – Requested by Violet Pung THURSDAY – ANNA KORSAK – Requested by Mary Ann & Fergus O’Connell FRIDAY – ALEC KRYT – Requested by Friends from the 25 & Up Club SATURDAY – GUS CALDERONE – Requested by Marie Calderone
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 francis.ng@bellnet.ca or leave your name and contact number with the parish office.
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.
Working wonders overseas through the Pastoral Working wonders in our community…
Terry obtained his Master’s Degree in music and philosophy earlier in life and was successful in careers in spirituality with the Carmelites as well as in the hospitality industry. While working, he became addicted to alcohol. Recognizing the seriousness of his problem and in order to return to work successfully, Terry would need to be involved in a long term recovery program. He chose the spiritually enriched program St Michael’s Homes offered and as a result, Terry became focused and deeply connected with the staff at St Michael’s and was able to continue on the right path. He looks forward to the day soon when he can confidently leave and be successful once again in the hospitality industry, and an inspiration to those around him.
ShareLife funded agencies like St. Michael’s homes helps many men suffering from substance abuse get their lives back on track through life-changing counselling and extensive support. 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.
Thank you to the volunteers who prepared 72 casseroles for March. For April, your prepared casseroles (frozen please) will be collected at the Masses on the weekend of April 22nd/23rd 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.
Wednesday, April 13th, 2016
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.
Saturday, April 16th, from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM (followed by Mass) Starting at St. Paul’s Basilica, 83 Power St, Toronto
Young adults (ages 18-39) are invited to join them for an opportunity to reflect on and embrace God’s mercy. Together you will celebrate this jubilee year by passing through the Holy Doors of St. Paul’s Basilica and St. Patrick’s Parish (as designated by the Archdiocese). There will be an opportunity to learn about the holy doors, pray & reflect, and receive the sacraments of Reconciliation & Holy Eucharist. Children welcome! RSVPs appreciated. To register, please call Vanessa Nicholas-Schmidt at 416-467-2645 or go to faithconnections@csj-to.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.
Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre April 15th to 17th
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.
For more information please go to www.wwme.org or contact Gerard & Marge McCauley at 905-792-1925.
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 Easter Sunday, March 27th, 2016:
Envelopes 473 $ 17,001 Loose Change 3,351 Weekly Portion of Pre-Authorized Giving 166 3,109 Total 556 $ 23,461 Good Friday Collection for the Holy Land: $ 5,404
Please read the 2015 Parish financial statements and comments from the Financial Council which are included in the bulletin as a separate page.
| Posted in Bulletin |
March 27th, 2016
In his first letter to the struggling Christian community in Corinth Paul wrote, “I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn received; that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures and that he was buried and that he was raised on the third day.”
This is the core of our Christian faith; Christ died for our sins, was buried and was raised from the dead. Our whole life as Christians is to be built of these realities. That’s why this same Paul encourages us to seek the things that are above not the things that are of earth. If we are blessed with earthly well-being, good health, a secure job, affordable housing, a stable family life, it is good to remember that in the total world population we are very blessed. But all these blessings we will one day leave behind. Whatever things we possess will be seen as trinkets, baubles that, in the long run mean nothing.
Seek the things that are above means we try to develop a close friendship with Jesus Christ. We just observed Good Friday and remembered the shameful death he died on the cross. By his wounds we are healed, by his dying and rising we are invited into a close, life giving friendship with him. That’s what the Christian life is all about, growing in that friendship. We grow in that friendship in and through our relationships with other people, especially those close to us, our spouses and our children. We deepen our relationship with Jesus Christ when we are accepting and respectful of men and women of different social backgrounds, different faiths, different races and different life styles. We grow in our oneness with Christ when we are conscious of and involved in seeking justice and fairness for people we don’t even know. As often as you do these things for others, family members, fellow workers, total strangers, we grow closer in our relationship to Jesus Christ. We deepen our relationship to Jesus Christ, the first born of all creation, when we become more aware of our kinship with all life forms enriching Mother Earth.
We are to grow to full maturity in Christ by seeking the things that are above, the endless life Christ gained for us by his passion, his death and his resurrection. We grow to full maturity in Christ by living in life giving, life enhancing, life healing relationships with all those men and women who come into our lives.
On Easter Sunday instead of reciting the Apostle’s Creed we renew our baptismal vows, vows spoken for us by our Godparents when we were baptized. Now we speak them for ourselves. When we were baptized we were born into God’s family as God’s daughters and sons. When we were baptized we began our personal friendship with Jesus Christ and began our lifetime journey to deepen that relationship. In renewing our baptismal vows may we be graced to know that Christ loves us, gave his life for us, and he is living at our side every day of life to enlighten, strengthen and free us so that we are able to seek the things that are above, the things that really matter, the things that will endure.
In renewing our relationship with Christ may we all be blessed with a holy and happy Easter season.
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.
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
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.
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!
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.
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