October 29th, 2016
$53,795 has been received from the good people of St. Gabriel’s for the Passionist Missions in Haiti for the rebuilding necessitated by Hurricane Matthew. Fr. Rick and Fr. Enzo are deeply touched and moved by your immense support, generosity and prayers.
Sunday November 6th at 2:00 AM we go back to Standard Time. Don’t forget to set your clocks back one hour.
There will be a Book of Remembrance placed on the altar for the month of November. You are invited to write the names of your deceased relatives and friends in the book. They will be remembered at all the Masses celebrated in November.
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 navigate 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.
The Parish is in need of parishioners who have Monday mornings available once a month plus another 5 or 6 times throughout the year.
The counting ministry involves assisting in the counting and depositing of the weekly Offertory Collection as well as Special Collections during the year. You do not have to be a gifted mathematician to apply – just diligent. If you are interested, please leave your name and contact number in the parish office after Mass or call the office during the week at 416-221-8866.
Our refugee family of six who are living with their relatives in Brampton are now moving to their own apartment in November. The Refugee Sponsorship Committee is seeking help with providing household items (no furniture) for their apartment.
If you would like to be a part of this effort, please sign up today at the Refugee Sponsorship table in the Gathering Space.
These items will be collected in the Gathering Space next weekend, November 5th and 6th. Thank you for your generosity.
October 31st to November 5th, 2016
MONDAY – THERESA TAM – Requested by Christine Pang TUESDAY – PARISHIONERS OF ST. GABRIELS – equested by Mark DesRoches WEDNESDAY – ALL SOULS IN PURGATORY – Requested by John Chan THURSDAY – JUANITO G. GAVIETA – Requested by Estrella, Cherrie, Stella & Isabel FRIDAY – DECEASED MEMBERS OF THE NGUYEN & DOAN FAMILIES – Requested by the Nguyen Family SATURDAY – MARJORIE SKAZIN & ANITA MARKLE – Requested by Bill & Carolyn Markle
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.
The Parish Family of St. Gabriel’s would like to welcome:
Joseph Max Frenandes Arseneau Aaron Wei-Jing Lim Marilea Villoria Kipp Theodore Paul Naccarato
These children received the Sacrament of Baptism last Sunday. Congratulations!
Friday, November 4th from 9:30 AM – 12 Noon
English: Saturday, November 5th at 3:15 PM in the Gabriel Room. Chinese: Sunday, November 6th at 3:30 PM in the Gabriel Room. For further information, please contact Linda Law at 416 -918-8029.
Sunday, November 6th at 11:30 AM
Gabriel Room On the first Sunday of each month, the Passionist Centre for Ecology and Spirituality facilitates a 30 minute reflection and discussion prompted by the readings for that Sunday’s liturgy. The guided reflection brings an ecological perspective to the readings. All are welcome.
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.
If any parishioner has a spare flat screen TV, please notify Margaret Carabine of St. Vincent de Paul at 416-512-9666.
November 12th/13th
As members of our Catholic community, we regularly benefit from the tireless service of our priests. In this Jubilee Year of Mercy, we remember how they have been tangible instruments of the Lord’s mercy in our lives. Called by God and ordained to care for His people, our priests serve our families, in churches, schools, hospitals, nursing homes, missions and on the streets. The Shepherds’ Trust ensures our priests can live their retirement years with dignity.
The Shepherds’ Trust collection will take place in all parishes in the Archdiocese during the weekend of November 12th/13th. This fund does more than just support our priests in their retirement years; it represents a very tangible gesture of thanks for the blessings we have received. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.
October 31st from 6:00 to 8:00 PM
St. Gabriel’s School
St. Gabriel’s School is collaborating with Sunnyside Up Camp on a “Haunted Track” event being held outside the school on the track. Admission is $2 per lap and runs from 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Monday, October 31st. Face painting and free glow sticks!
Come on out and have some fun!
This 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 this 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.
Tuesday, November 1st from 7:00 to 9:00 PM
Scarboro Foreign Missions Society, 2685 Kingston Road
The Scarboro Missions are presenting “Poles Saving Jews” – World War II Stories on Tuesday, November 1st at 7:00 PM. There will be a film, “Without a Doubt” a followed by a personal testimony by their guest, Sally Wasserman, a Jewish child Survivor.
All are welcome to this event. Admission is free and no registration is required,
Saturday, November 5th at 2:00 PM
Catholic Cemeteries & Funeral Services – Archdiocese of Toronto wishes to invite all families to participate in the All Souls’ Day Mass on Saturday, November 5th at 2:00 PM.
All Masses will be held indoors at: Holy Cross Cemetery, Thornhill, Liturgy in Italian and English Christ the King Cemetery, Markham, Liturgy in English
All are welcome.
St. Gabriel’s Parish
Weekend of April 21st, 22nd and 23rd, 2017
A Marriage Preparation course will be offered here at St. Gabriel’s the weekend of April 21st to 23rd, 2017. 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.
Are you interested in witnessing the work of the Passionist Communities in East Africa in June 2017? Travel as a small group and visit some of the Passionist Communities in Kenya and Tanzania, plus have the experience of a lifetime on an East African Wildlife Safari in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater.
For more information please contact Steve Carey at carey@travelonly.com or 416-278-9346.
Weekly Offertory Our operating expenses average $14,550 per week. Collection for last weekend: Envelopes 388 $ 8,370 Loose Change 855 Weekly Portion of Pre-Authorized Giving 165 3,018 Total 551 $ 12,243 World Mission Sunday $3,340
| Posted in Bulletin |
October 22nd, 2016
October 22nd/23rd
Cardinal Collins has requested that a weekend Mass attendance count be conducted annually in all parishes and missions of the Archdiocese. The attendance count will continue this 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.
As you may have noticed coming into Church today, Passionist Christmas cards are available for purchase after all the Masses this weekend. The suggested cost is $2:00 per card.
All donations will go directly to support the Passionist Missions in Haiti, Honduras and Jamaica. Your support is invaluable in caring for the needy in some of the poorest communities of North America.
The counting ministry involves assisting in the counting and depositing of the weekly Offertory Collection as well as Special Collections during the year. You do not have to be a gifted mathematician to apply – just diligent.
If you are interested, please leave your name and contact number in the parish office after Mass or call the office during the week at 416-221-8866.
October 24th to October 29th, 2016 MONDAY – PATRICIA RODRIGUES – Requested by Tony & Ida Fernandes TUESDAY – EVA SIU – Requested by Helen Hung WEDNESDAY – ABANDONED SOULS – Requested by the Nguyen Family THURSDAY – ALICE MICHAEL – Requested by Charmaine Michael FRIDAY – SPECIAL INTENTION – Requested by Carolyn Thomas SATURDAY – JUAN M. VILLAFRANCA – Requested by his Family
PLANNING TO BE A CATHOLIC TEACHER?
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.
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.
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.
Collected to Date: $20,360
If any parishioner has a spare flat screen tv, please notify Margaret Carabine of St. Vincent de Paul at 416-512-9666.
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.
From Disconnection to Reconnection – Human Relationships in Action
Monday, October 24th, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM Duke of York Pub, 39 Prince Arthur Ave
All young adults (19-39) are invited to join us for an evening of thought-provoking conversation on theological topics!
Special guest: Zachary Grant has been a key organiser in community justice initiatives, with his most recent work focusing on repealing HIV criminalization in Canada, and building community based HIV support initiatives.
Munchies will be provided and a cash bar is available. Come and bring a friend!
For more information: visit our Toronto Theology on Tap web page, or contact Vanessa Nicholas-Schmidt by e-mail faithconnections@csj-to.ca, or phone 416-467-2645.
Monday, October 24, 2016 at 7:00 PM
St Boniface Church 142 Markham Road Scarborough
Guest speaker, Denis Costello, M.A. M.S.W. R.S.W, will speak about Living with Loneliness. All are welcome to attend. For more information about the event, please contact New Beginnings at Catholic Family Services of Toronto. Phone: (416) 921-1163 x2227 or email: alopechuk@cfstoronto.com.
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 Harpist Eithne Heffernan 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 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 and 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.
Sunday, October 30th, after the 12:30 Mass
All youth grades six and up are invited to a Halloween movie screening at the church on Sunday October 30th after the 12:30 Mass. This fundraiser is hosted by the youth group. Spots are limited. Tickets will be sold after all the Masses this weekend!
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 416-968-0997.
Weekly Offertory Our operating expenses average $14,550 per week. Collection for last weekend: Envelopes 387 $ 8,284 Loose Change 974 Weekly Portion of Pre-Authorized Giving 165 3,018 Total 552 $ 12,276
October 16th, 2016
I want you to use your imagination and fantasize a bit with me. Imagine a tried old man. He’s grown old and weary leading a rebellious and stiff necked people through hostile lands toward a land God promised them would be following with milk and honey. His was a long journey filled with conflict and contradictions. The only thing that kept him going was his belief that God would be faithful to God’s promise even in the midst of everything pointing to the opposite.
Today we see him facing a hostile clan leader named Amalek who was protecting his territory from these wandering strangers. There’s going to be a fight. Moses was convinced God was on his side. His plan was to send Joshua and whatever fighters he had to do battle with Amalek. When they joined in the fighting Moses held up the staff of God, the staff with which Moses parted to sea of reeds so that the people would escape the advancing Egyptian army.
As long as Moses lifted the staff of God high his fighters were winning. But Moses was an old and weary man and his arms began to droop. When that happened, the tide of the battle turned against his fighters. Moses’ brother Arron and his friend Hur were with him on the hill overlooking the battle field. They came up with a bright idea. They sat Moses on a rock and standing on either side of him they held his arms up, they were steady until the sun set and Joshua defeated Amalek.
St. Paul compares the living of a Christ life to a battle. A battle with the forces of evil within ourselves or around us. A battle between the good we would do and the evil we would not do. Paul encourages us to put on the breastplate of faith and love, the helmet of hope in our fight against the powers of darkness, enemies that would lure us away from God and the ways of God.
Much of life can be a battle, a struggle and like Moses we need our own Aarons and Hurs. We need family members and friends to be with us and support us, hold up our weakened spirits as we wait for the results of a test that could change our lives.
When there are misunderstands and conflicts in a marriage or a relationship we need our Aarons and Hurs to advise us, keep us calm, restrain our urge to get nasty and say things we may regret. We need their help to come to a resolution of our misunderstandings.
Supporting aging parents who keep forgetting who they are, who we are, where they are, can be so wearying, draining. Yet we might be too embarrassed to accept the support of an Aaron or Hur who comes to help in the person of a care giver or a family friend. But we need them.
There can be times in our own personal lives when we are conscious of our own weakness of mind or body that challenge us to seek out and accept the help our own Aaron or Hur who will support us in a difficult time,
Facing and coping with a loss of a job because of downsizing can be rough, it’s embarrassing. Misguided pride might hold back from asking an Aaron or Hur we know in the business for help.
We all need an Aaron of a Hur to give us the courage the boldness to confront racism and bigotry, the fear of the other, the fear of the different that is raising its ugly head in these times especially if we are watching the election race south of the border.
Men and women in AA meetings or in support groups are truly an Aaron and a Hur to one another in their battles with addictions and their search for mental wellness.
If and when we become discouraged with our church or confused about our relationship with God, hopefully we’ll look for an Aaron of and a Hur as spiritual guides.
At one time or another in our lives we will need an Aaron and Hur to support and help us through a difficult time. May we have the humility to ask for help.
At one time or another in our lives we may be asked to be an Aaron or Hur for a friend or stranger in need. May we have the generosity to say ‘yes’. Something to think about.
| Posted in Homily |
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
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.
Wednesday, November 2nd at 7:30 PM. St. Gabriel’s Church
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
