May 16th, 2015
Monday, May 18th is Victoria Day. The Parish Office will be closed. There will be no 9:00 AM Mass that day.
Congratulations to the following children from our parish attending the Children’s Faith Program, Private and other Catholic Schools who received their First Communion as a group on Sunday, May 10th, 2015.
Leilani Bumanglag Claire Burke Maya Contway-Chand Carina D’Souza Mathew Durante Mayven Farinha Natalie Fung Maximiliano Golshenas Rad Campuzano AthrunHui Coco Victoria Muradali LaurynRamirez Lilith Rhee Jeremiah Thomas Saguil Audrey Seymour Catharina Tibau Maximilian Wong Sabrina Wong
It was a beautiful celebration. Let us promise to support these young people with our prayers as they continue on their journey of faith.
St. Gabriel’s Youth Group would like to thank you for your generous support of their tea and flower sale. They raised $1,085 which will go towards the group’s expenses for the World Youth Day to be held in Poland in July, 2016.
May 18th to May 23rd 2015
MONDAY – VICTORIA DAY – No 9:00 AM Mass TUESDAY – ANA SOFIA NASCIMENTO & DECEASED MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY – Requested by the Family WEDNESDAY – SR.VIVINA DECK I.B.V.M – Requested by Margaret Anne Leckie THURSDAY – CECILIA MANALANG – Requested by Plutarco Manalang FRIDAY – PATRICK & NANCY YEUNG – Requested by Paul & Wai Chin Hwang & Family SATURDAY – DECEASED MEMBERS OF THE HOLLOHAN & STAPLETON FAMILIES – Requested by the Family
The Sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated on Sunday, May 24th at 7:30 PM at St. Gabriel’s Church. In preparation for this Sacrament, a Confirmation Retreat will be held on Saturday, May 23rd from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM at St. Gabriel’s Church.
All candidates must attend. Candidates are reminded to bring a signed letter from the service coordinator or a parent stating the completion or anticipated date of completion of volunteer service hours.
It is important 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, a contact with the pastor is highly recommended. Please plan to have a conversation with your Pastor early in the process, well before applications are to be submitted.
Each month the food we collect is sent to Rosalie Hall or the Good Shepherd Centre. With everyone struggling at this time, these donations are more important than ever. Please check the expiry dates before donating since we cannot pass on food that has expired. Thank you for your ongoing support.
The Archdiocese of Toronto is accepting financial contributions for humanitarian relief following the catastrophic effects of a serious earthquake on April 24th The earthquake, measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale, and aftershocks have devastated huge areas of the country, with more than 7,000 people reported dead, many more injured and thousands of families displaced from their homes.
Relief workers from the official Catholic relief agency on the ground, Caritas Internationalis, say the victims most need temporary shelter, water, sanitation and hygiene supplies as relief operations gear up. So far, Caritas organizations around the world have pledged $3.3 million to the relief effort as well as providing 10,000 shelter kits and 3,000 tarps.
Those wishing to help may do so in the following ways:
Online through the Archdiocese of Toronto website: www.archtoronto.org
By phone through the Development Office – 416-934-3411
Through the parish, making cheques payable to: St. Gabriel’s Parish – Nepal Earthquake – Humanitarian Relief
Donations to Date: $5,946 Donations made before May 25th will be matched by the Canadian government.
Working wonders for our new arrivals in Canada…
Within one year of arriving in Canada, large numbers of immigrants who had no prior mental health problems experience mental health challenges that often impede their ability to settle in Canada. In addition, there are few culturally and linguistically appropriate mental health services. Last year, ShareLife agencies helped to meet this challenge by providing advocacy programs for more than 40,000 immigrants and refugees in the GTA.
ShareLife, 2014: $220,250. ShareLife to Date: $120,860
Thank you for your generosity. Together we can work wonders!
Fair trade organic coffees will be on sale after all the Masses next weekend.
Regular ground coffee: $5.50 Decaffeinated: $6 Whole Beans: $5.50 Chocolate Bars: $4 incl. taxes Hot Chocolate and Cocoa: $4.75 Teas: $4.25
Did you know that milk bags can be cut, looped and woven into sleep mats for individuals or families in developing countries? Schools churches and senior homes throughout the Greater Toronto Area would welcome your contributions. 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.
May 22nd to 24th
Married couples: You deserve a weekend to cherish being together; to rediscover each other and focus on ways to make your relationship even better. A Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend offers this opportunity. Consider giving each other or another couple you know the gift of a weekend away from daily pressures; time to be with each other and with God on a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend.
The next weekend will be held on May 22nd to 24th, 2015
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.
May 28th to May 31st, 2015
Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre
A Men’s ACTS retreat will be held at Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre on the weekend of May 28th to May 31st.
Men are invited to come deepen their Faith. Private rooms with 2 piece ensuite. Excellent Food for the Soul and Body.
For more information, please call Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre at 905-278-5229.
Saturday, May 30th
Do you know someone who is carrying the grief of a past abortion? Hope and healing are possible and God’s mercy endures forever. The Sisters of Life will be hosting a Day of Prayer and Healing for Women in Toronto on Saturday May 30th.
For confidential registration please call the Sisters of Life at 845-357-0258 or email hopeandhealing@sistersoflife.org. Visit http://www.sistersoflife.org/days-of-prayer-healing-testimonies-faqs for additional information.
Catholic Parents of Lesbian Daughters and Gay Sons
Saturday, June 6th from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Scarboro Missions, 2685 Kingston Road
A retreat for Catholic parents of lesbian daughters and gay sons will be held at the Scarboro Missions, 2685 Kingston Road on Saturday, June 6th.The cost for the day including lunch is $40.00.
For Brochure and information call John Montague at 416-523-6449.
Saturday, May 23rd, from 9:00AM to 11:00 AM
Markland Wood Golf Club
Join them for an inspiring morning at Markland Wood Golf Club (245 Markland Drive) for a fantastic hot breakfast, an engaging speaker, amazing women & tons of ideas for women wanting to grow spiritually! You will also discover the joy of hosting a mother’s group and the importance of ministering to moms. Tickets are $28 and available at www.dynamicwomenfaith.com or by calling 905-279-7702.
Tickets must be purchased before May 19, 2015 and will not be sold at the door.
Our operating expenses average $14,550 per week.
Collection for Last Weekend Envelopes 419 $ 7,934 Loose Change 938 Weekly Portion of Pre-Authorized Giving 166 3,153 Total 585 $ 12,025 Papal Charities $ 2,508
| Posted in Bulletin |
May 10th, 2015
In today’s scripture readings the word ’love’ is used 18 times. Jesus makes it clear that the authenticity, the ‘realness’ of our life as Christians, as his followers, stands of falls on our efforts to love other people as we have been loved by God.
This word ‘love’ is the most overuse and abused word in the English language. We often say,’ I love this or that. What we really mean is I like, I admire, I want, I envy or, I wish I had what you have. In our relationships we use the word ‘love’ to entice or to lure another person into a casual kook-up but not honest and committed relationship. We toss the word love around so much that we’ve trivialized and cheapened it.
Love is a costly word, a demanding word, it is a ‘never give up’ word. Love demands fidelity and commitment from us. We see loved lived in a husband and wife celebrating 50 or 60 or more years married having lived through the good and the bad and maybe even the ugly but hung in there and still love each other.
We see love lived in the son or daughter, the husband or the wife caring for a parent or a child who doesn’t even know who they are, who slip in and out of reality. We see loved lived in the spouse who sits day after day at the bedside of the love of their life slowly, ever slowly slips away. We see love lived in the mother and father who will not give up on a prodigal son or daughter who have abandoned the faith or the values on which they were raised. We see love lived as each one of us tries and tries again to live the great commandment, ‘love one another as I have loved you.’
Love is not the same as like. There are people we get along with, people whose company we enjoy. There are people we can work with, spent time with, people with whom we are comfortable. We can love such people.
Then there are people we can’t stand, people who annoy us and drive us crazy. We know bossy people, controlling people, intruding people, people who talk behind our backs or put us down, people who are so negative about everything in life. We brush shoulders with people who belittle our faith, our church. We may work with people who have no respect for our culture and traditions, people who do not respect our life style nor try to understand it, people who wouldn’t give us the time of day. These are the men and women we are called to love. If we love only the people who love us there is no challenge to love. As Jesus taught us ‘if we love those who love us this is not enough, as Jesus said, ‘even the Gentiles do that. He said you are to love your enemies and do good to those who harm you. Love calls us to pray for the well-being of others. We try to respect them even though they do not respect us. We pray that God be good to them even though they are not good to us. Love demands we do them no harm and do not belittle them even though they do not offer us the same courtesy. It is not easy to turn the other cheek but our faith tells us these people we don’t get along with, people we don’t want in our lives are as loved by God, precious to God as we are. We know in our hearts that Christ died on the cross for them just as surely as he died for us.
Because of our inbred prejudice, bigotry, mindsets, deep seated opinions about other people it is a constant battle to be respectful of other people’s cultural backgrounds, their faiths and their life styles. It is not easy to love and pray for religious fanatics who hate our faith and freedom but we have to try.
In one of his recent talks Pope Francis said ‘it isn’t a matter of whether or not we will fall, it is a question of whether or not we will get up? Will we get up after we fall admitting our words, our thoughts, our actions toward others were not worthy of Christ. Will we get up and keep on trying to love others as Christ has loved us?’
| Posted in Homily |
May 9th, 2015
To all the Mothers, Grandmothers and Stepmothers, we wish you a very happy Mother’s day. May you be blessed with the graces you need, with courage, compassion, patience and peace.
After the Masses this Sunday
Today, Mother’s Day, the St. Gabriel’s Youth Group is selling flowers and tea which would make lovely gifts for mothers, stepmothers, grandmothers, aunts and sisters.
The money raised will go towards the group’s expenses for the World Youth Day to be held in Poland in July, 2016. Please help and support the efforts of our youth!
May 11th to May 16th 2015
MONDAY – RICHARD CHUCHRA – Requested by the Family TUESDAY – EDWIN PINTO – Requested by Anne Pinto & Family WEDNESDAY – JOHN HONG – Requested by the Family THURSDAY – BONA KIM – Requested by Susan Kim FRIDAY – VICTOR ATHAIDE – Requested by the Family SATURDAY – EDNA & GERRY HATCH – Requested by the Family
It is important 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, a contact with the pastor is highly recommended. Please plan to have a conversation with your Pastor early in the process, well before applications are to be submitted.
Donations made before May 25th will be matched by the Canadian government.
Working wonders for the elderly…
Retired long-term and recently experiencing the passing of his wife, Jamie has adjusted his life again by moving to Les Centres d’Accueil Héritage.
As CAH is the only French-speaking retirement home in Toronto, Jamie is drawn by the camaraderie of other French–speaking friends. He may be alone at this time in his final senior years, but the activities and friendship there give Jamie the love and support he needs to live happily as he freely shares his life stories with those around him. Last year ShareLife-supported agencies provided outreach programs that met the needs of over 2,200 seniors.
ShareLife, 2014: $220,250. ShareLife to Date: $117,845
Mosaic Interfaith are entering a team in the Big Bike Ride for Heart and Stroke on June 25th and are looking for more riders. If interested contact thisisfran@yahoo.com for more information and let her know you are from St. Gabriel’s. Each rider would be expected to raise a minimum of $25.
May 11th at 7:00 PM
Catholic Pastoral Centre, 1155 Yonge Street, 4th Floor
New Beginnings and Catholic Family Services invite you to join them for an inspirational talk entitled Marriage and Annulment. Fr. Brian Clough, Judicial Vicar, Archdiocese of Toronto will provide you with an understanding of the Catholic Church’s teachings on marriage and annulment.
The Catholic Pastoral centre is located at 1155 Yonge Street, adjacent to the Summerhill Subway Station. Free underground parking is also available. For more information, please call 416-921-1163, Ext. 2227 or email alopechuk@cfstoronto.com
Wednesday, May 13th from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM
St. Bonaventure’s Parish Centre
This is a one day workshop to raise awareness of a new vision for Senior Adult Ministry. It is for men and women in the second half of life who are interested in developing ministry for the “New Generation” of older adults. The workshop will be held on Wednesday, May 13th at St. Bonaventure’s Parish Centre, 1300 Leslie St. from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM. Please bring a “brown bag” lunch. The Facilitator will be Sister Mary Rose Marrin CSJ, graduate of the Johnson Institute for Spiritual Gerontology and Lifelong Faith Development.
Pre-registration is necessary. To register, call 416-462-1331 Ext. 4224 or email mrmarrin@csj-to.ca.
Friday, May 15that 7:00 PM
St. Paul’s Basilica 83 Power St., Toronto
Celebrate spring with St. Michael’s Choir School at their annual concert! Free-will offering. No reserved seating. For more information call 416-397-6367.
Married couples: You deserve a weekend to cherish being together; to rediscover each other and focus on ways to make your relationship even better. A Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend offers this opportunity. Consider giving each other or another couple you know the gift of a weekend away from daily pressures; time to be with each other and with God on a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend. The next weekend will be held on May 22nd to 24th, 2015
Saturday, May 23rd at 8:00 PM
Salvation Army Citadel
East York Barbershoppers will present their 65th Anniversary Show will be on Saturday, May 23rd at 8:00 PM at the Salvation Army Citadel, 2021 Lawrence Avenue East.
Tickets are almost sold out. Please call Jerry Beckerle at 647 220-8407 to order yours.
Men are invited to come deepen their Faith.
Private rooms with 2 piece ensuite.
Excellent Food for the Soul and Body
For confidential registration please call the Sisters of Life at 845-357-0258 or email hopeandhealing@sistersoflife.org.
Visit http://www.sistersoflife.org/days-of-prayer-healing-testimonies-faqs for additional information.
Saturday, June 6th from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Scarboro Missions, 2685 Kingston Road
Queen of Apostles Retreat Centre 1617 Blythe Rd., Mississauga
Consider joining a Marriage Enrichment Weekend for married couples focused on improving communication skills, refreshing and renewing your marriage.
The weekend is hosted by a team of three married couples and a priest.
For more information contact Gerard and Marge McCauley at gerard.marge@rogers.com or by phone at 905-792-1925.
Collection for Last Weekend Envelopes 398 $ 7,415 Loose Change 1,207 Weekly Portion of Pre-Authorized Giving 164 3,117 Total 56 2 $ 11,739
May 3rd, 2015
Last week I drove from Niagara Falls back to Toronto and driving along the QEW through the wine country I could see long stretches of grape vines. They showed little signs of growth and we wondered how our severe winter would limit their new spring growth. Years ago when I studied in Italy I remember farmers pruning the vines in the early spring. The farmer cuts off those branches that are basically useless and in doing so he makes the vine and the other branches more fruitful. I remember too seeing the farmer going home at the end of the day leading a donkey loaded down with the dead branches to be used as firewood for cooking his meals.
The imagery Jesus uses in today’s gospel is so very powerful. He is the life giving, life sustaining vine and we are the branches, branches that draw our life from the vine. When a branch is snapped off the vine it is separated from it source of life it withers and dies.
This images our life as Christians. It is only when we are united to Christ, the life giving vine that we, the branches, grow in our relationship with Christ. Through his life giving grace we are enabled to live lives that image the life and love of Christ. United to Christ the vine we are able to face and cope with the challenges the come our way each and every day. It may the strength and patience we need to cope with chronic illness, our own of that of a spouse or a child. It is a reality, a pain, a weakness that won’t go away but we can live with it because we are sustained by the life force that is ours through are union with Christ. That same union, that same life giving abiding in Christ is what helps us admit to and cope with our own limitations; our impatience, our intolerance, our pettiness, our gossiping, our need to accumulate things we really do not need, our wastefulness and so many other faults that bother us at the end of the day.
Christ, the life giving vine gives the grace to start all over at the beginning of a new day. When we abide in Christ, when Christ is the source of all we do and think and say then we can bear much fruit; the fruit of love, the fruit of forgiveness, the fruit of coping with our own faults and failings, be they great or small, the fruit of being there for those who need us, the fruit of a sensibility to the sufferings of neighbours living down the street next or strangers living in refugee camps around the world. Christ, our life giving vine gives us an attitude of gratitude toward all the blessings by which our lives are blessed.
Our life giving union with Christ gives us the openness to accept and respect the dignity and the worth of every person who comes into our lives. Those signs we saw carried by the peaceful protestors in Baltimore ‘ Black Lives Matter’ can make us think about our own openness to men and women of different color, culture, faith or lifestyle, people for whom Christ died on the cross with the same love as he has for each of us. Black lives matter. All life matters.
I am the vine and you are the branches are written in Latin on the doors of our tabernacle. It is through our reception of Holy Communion that our oneness with Christ the vine is strengthened. As we continue our Mass we pray for ourselves and for each other that through the life and love that is ours by our union with Christ the life giving vine we may, in the ordinary living of our ordinary lives we may all bear much fruit in and thru the lives we live, the works we do, prayers we pray and the service we give.
May 2nd, 2015
Sunday May 10th After the Masses
On Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 10th the St. Gabriel’s Youth Group will be selling flowers and tea which would make lovely gifts for mothers, grandmothers, aunts and sisters.
May 4th to May 9th, 2015
MONDAY – TOM DONAGHY – Requested by the Family TUESDAY – MAURICE MICHAEL – Requested by Charmaine Michael WEDNESDAY – MAISEY & ALBERT DAGNEAULT – Requested by Ginette Harquail THURSDAY – LAU KOON TING – Requested by Linda Law & Family FRIDAY – GUS CALDERONE – Requested by Marie Calderone SATURDAY – JUSTIN McCARTHY – Requested by the Markle Family
May 3rd to May 8th
We invite all parishioners to join in celebrating Catholic Education Week 2015, which runs from May 3rd to May 8th.
For more than 160 years, Ontario’s publicly funded Catholic schools have been integrating our faith into all aspects of school life, empowering one another to serve as faithful disciples. We celebrate the distinctive contribution that catholic schools provide, giving thanks and offering our prayers for all those who diligently nurture this precious gift. For more information about catholic Education Week, please visit www.goodnewsforall.ca.
A very special thank you to all those who provide leadership in our Catholic schools. In particular we thank the Principal and Staff of St. Gabriel’s School for the wonderful work they do. We pray for all educators and students, giving thanks to God for all those who faithfully spread the Good News.
The Archdiocese of Toronto is accepting financial contributions for humanitarian relief following the catastrophic effects of a serious earthquake on April 24th The earthquake, measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale, and aftershocks have devastated huge areas of the country, with more than 4,000 people reported dead, many more injured and thousands of families displaced from their homes.
Those wishing to help may do so in the following ways: • Online through the Archdiocese of Toronto website: www.archtoronto.org • By phone through the Development Office – 416-934-3411 • Through the parish, making cheques payable to: St. Gabriel’s Parish – Nepal Earthquake – Humanitarian Relief
This Weekend – May 2nd/3rd
The Society for St. Vincent de Paul is holding their annual Bundle Up Collection this weekend, The truck will be open in the parking lot on Saturday, May 2nd from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM and on Sunday, May 3rd from 8:30 AM until 1:00 PM Volunteers will assist with the loading before and after each Mass.
Working wonders in the whole community…
“Now in its 39th year of helping the whole community, the number of agencies funded by ShareLife’s annual appeal has increased significantly, reflecting the growing local social needs. The reality is there are more people relying on ShareLife today than ever before! I firmly believe we can continue to offer them a helping hand if we all participate.
Your donation, regardless of the amount, will bring us closer to our goal. Thank you for the contribution you make in gift and deed to our Church and to the community at large. My prayer is that the Lord will help us all to share our time, talents and treasure with a generous spirit.” —Thomas Cardinal Collins, Archbishop of Toronto
ShareLife, 2014: $220,250 ShareLife, 2015 to date: $86,577 Today is the Third ShareLife Sunday. Thank you for your generosity. Together we can work wonders!
You may continue to drop off the colourful outer milk bags in the bin located in the gathering space. Please make sure that the bags are clean and dry.
Spring is finally here and the Geraniums are again available just in time for Mothers’ Day! 4” pots – red, orange, lavender, pink sizzle, salmon, white – $3.00 ea. or $25/FLAT of 10 Hanging baskets – $17.00 Please pre-order by phoning LouiseTonelli at 416-733-3946 or emailing ltonelli@rogers.com.
Geraniums must all be picked up from Blessed Trinity Parish Hall on Friday, May 8th between 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM or Saturday, May 9th between Noon and 6:00 PM. (Deadline for orders: May 3rd, 2015)
5km Fundraising Walk and Hug Saturday, May 9th, 2015
Registration from 8:30 to 9:30 AM at Fort York 10:00 A.M. Walk to SickKids
On Saturday, May 9th, the fourteenth annual Meagan’s Walk: -Creating a Circle of Hope will take place.
Registration opens at 8:30 A.M. at Fort York and the Walk begins at 10:00 AM. The Walk concludes at SickKids with the “Hug”. The day includes live music and entertainment, face-painting, an opportunity to sign our Wall of Honour, and moving and powerful messages from Meagan’s Walk’s founder, youth ambassadors and world-leading doctors and researchers.
Proceeds from this event support the SickKids Foundation and are designated to the Meagan Bebenek Endowment Fund and awareness, research and treatment of paediatric brain tumours at SickKids
May 9th from 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM
A Men’s Day of Retreat will be held at Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre, 1617 Blythe Road, Mississauga, Ontario, on Saturday, May 9th from 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM. The theme of the retreat is “A Biblical Journey into a Deeper Relationship with Christ.” The facilitator is Greg DeMarchi, deacon, doctor, surgeon, as well as a scripture scholar.
The day begins with coffee, tea, muffins and a wonderful four –course lunch will be served in our dining room at noon. The suggested offering is $35.00.
To register please contact the Centre at 905-278-5229.
New Beginnings and Catholic Family Services invite you to join them for an inspirational talk entitled Marriage and Annulment. Fr. Brian Clough, Judicial Vicar, Archdiocese of Toronto will provide you with an understanding of the Catholic Church’s teachings on marriage and annulment. The Catholic Pastoral centre is located at 1155 Yonge Street, adjacent to the Summerhill Subway Station. Free underground parking is also available. For more information, please call 416-921-1163, Ext. 2227 or email alopechuk@cfstoronto.com
Married couples: You deserve a weekend to cherish being together; to rediscover each other and focus on ways to make your relationship even better. A Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend offers this opportunity. The next weekend will be held on May 22nd to 24th, 2015.
East York Barbershoppers will present their 65th Anniversary Show will be on Saturday, May 23rd at 8:00 PM at the Salvation Army Citadel, 2021 Lawrence Avenue East
The pledge total as of April 25 is $1,060,600. Thank you!
Collection for Last Weekend Envelopes 397 $ 8,196 Loose Change 1,095 Weekly Portion of Pre-Authorized Giving 164 3,117 Total 598 $ 12,408
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