March 28th, 2015
The pledge total as of Monday, March 23rd, 2015 is $1,040,293. Thank you!
You may have noticed some wonderful new additions to our worship space this weekend. Thank you so much to the Palmieri family for donating the beautiful bookracks for our new hymnals. We are very grateful and pleased to be able to once again use the hymnals during the liturgy.
Wednesday, April 1st at 7:00 PM in the Gabriel Room
Passover is the oldest festival of the Hebrew liturgical calendar. It has been observed by the Jewish people for more than 3,000 years. It celebrates the freeing of the Jews who were slaves during the time of Moses. It occurs in the spring, the time of renewal in “Nissan”, the first month of the Hebrew year, and it lasts for eight days.
At this time, their meals celebrate this momentous historical Jewish Event.
Why do we Christians celebrate this “meal” at St. Gabriel’s? First, this celebration helps us to understand our religious roots, which are Jewish. Second, it is an opportunity for us to celebrate our growth as a community and be together with families and friends at this most special time during Holy Week. The menu is identical to the Seder supper’s menu and the meal is “pot luck” – each person brings a dish for their table.
To book your table of 6 or 8 or to have your name added to a table, please call Ed Shiller immediately at 647-352-3123.
Sunday, April 5th after all the Masses
Our Youth Group will be holding a bake sale after all the Masses next Sunday, April 5th. The money raised will go towards the group’s expenses for the World Youth Day to be held in Poland in July, 2016. Please support this worthy cause!
March 30th to April 4, 2015
MONDAY – HENRY NG – Requested by the Family TUESDAY – LUIS FUNG – Requested by the Family WEDNESDAY – ALLAN PERSAUD – Requested by the Persaud & Goldenberg Families THURSDAY – HOLY THURSDAY – No 9:00 AM Mass FRIDAY – GOOD FRIDAY – No 9:00 AM Mass SATURDAY – HOLY SATURDAY – No 4:30 PM Mass
Holy Thursday April 2nd No 9:00 AM Mass 7:30 PM Mass of the Lord’s Supper Followed by Adoration until 10:00 PM
Good Friday April 3rd 10:00 AM Morning Prayer 3:00 PM Solemn Passion of Our Lord 7:30 PM Stations of the Cross
Holy Saturday April 4th No 4:30 PM Mass 8:00 PM Easter Vigil
Easter Sunday April 5th Masses 8:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM
Easter Monday April 6th No 9:00 AM Mass Office closed
EXTRA PARKING AT ELKHORN PUBLIC SCHOOL
Sunday, April 5th at 11:30 AM in the 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. All are welcome to attend.
English: Saturday, April 4th at 3:15 P.M. in the Gabriel Room.
Chinese: Sunday, April 5th at 3:30 P.M. in the Gabriel Room.
For information, please contact Linda Law at 416-918-8029.
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 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, or 24th.
Children from St. Gabriel’s School are asked to choose one of the following dates: April 23rd, 24th, 28th, 29th, May 4th, 5th, 6th, or 7th.
Please call the Parish Office at 416-221-8866 to book your appointment with Fr. Brando as soon as possible.
During the Good Friday Service, our parish in communion with the Church turns itself towards Jerusalem. It commemorates Jesus, His sorrowful passion and His love for us and all humanity. That is also where we share a common solidarity towards the Holy Sites and the faithful who live there. Our gesture of solidarity becomes an extension of the Pope’s hand that reaches out to the Holy Sites where Jesus has lived and given testimony.
On Good Friday, there will be a Pontifical collection for the Holy Land in support of Christian communities, the work of the Holy Land, the upkeep of the Holy Sites and the formation of future priests. Let us give generously and show solidarity to respond to the needs of the Church in the land of Jesus.
Working wonders in our livelihoods…
When he was presented with a top youth achievement award at a recent gala at The Carlu, Kiwayne was only a short distance from the streets where he had been homeless, and a world away. In the building’s food court a few years ago, he recalls falling asleep at the table – exhausted – trying to avoid having to go back outside. “I was going down the wrong path and didn’t know if I’d live to be 21,” he says. But for the past two years since moving into his own place, Kiwayne has been studying construction engineering at George Brown College and working part-time at the Provincial Advocate’s Office. Kiwayne grew up in foster care and, at 17, he found himself on the street until a friend told him about Covenant House. “Covenant House gave me stable housing that allowed me to go back to school and learn life skills.” says Kiwayne.
ShareLife, 2014: $220,250. ShareLife to Date: $68,008.25
Next ShareLife Sunday – April 12, 2015
Please give generously. You can work wonders!
Once again we are collecting milk bags. 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
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.
BEWARE THE HOLY SPIRIT
VISIONTV
Monday, March 30th at 6:00 PM, Repeated at 10:00 PM Tuesday, March 31, at 6:00 PM .Repeated at 10:00 PM
The National Catholic Mission 2015, “Beware the Holy Spirit!” will be broadcast on VISIONTV on Monday, March 30th and Tuesday, March 31st at 6:00 PM and repeated at 10:00 PM
It will be hosted by Fr. Pat Fitzpatrick and feature Spiritan Fr. Anthony Gittins. This year’s Mission looks at when and where God speaks to us in our daily lives and how we, as an institution and as individuals, can ignore that voice at our peril.
In Program Two, Fr. Anthony Gittins looks at the afternoon of life and discovers why it withers some people and brings freedom and joy to others who have learned to age with wisdom.
April 9th to June 11th
Tuesday Evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 PM
Catholic family Services Central Office, 1155 Yonge Street
Catholic family services of Toronto is offering a 10 week group program for adult men and women coping with many struggles involved in the process of separation and divorce. Group participants will receive support and guidance as they move through this difficult period of transition.
The group will run Tuesday evenings, April 9th to June 11th from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. at the Central Office, 1155 Yonge Street near the Summerhill Subway Station. For more information, please contact Ian Singer at 416-921-1163.
Our operating expenses average $14,550 per week.
Collection for Last Weekend
Envelopes 434 $ 10,318 Loose Change 969 Weekly Portion of Pre-Authorized Giving 164 3,117 Total 598 $ 14,404
| Posted in Bulletin |
March 22nd, 2015
The pledge total as of Monday, March 16, 2015 is $ 1,038,493. Thank you!
Passover is the oldest festival of the Hebrew liturgical calendar. It has been observed by the Jewish people for more than 3,000 years. It celebrates the freeing of the Jews who were slaves during the time of Moses. It occurs in the spring, the time of renewal in “Nissan”, the first month of the Hebrew year, and it lasts for eight days. At this time, their meals celebrate this momentous historical Jewish Event.
Why do we Christians celebrate this “meal” at St. Gabriel’s? First, this celebration helps us to understand our religious roots, which are Jewish. Second, it is an opportunity for us to celebrate our growth as a community and be together with families and friends at this most special time during Holy Week. The menu is identical to the Seder supper’s menu and the meal is “pot luck” – each person brings a dish for their table. To book your table of 6 or 8 or to have your name added to a table, please call Ed Shiller at 647-352-3123 by Wednesday, March 25th.
Children from St. Gabriel’s School are asked to choose one of the following dates: April 23rd, 24th, 28th, 29th, 30th, May 4th, 5th, 6th, or 7th.
Saturday, March 28th at 7:30 PM
St. Gabriel’s Church
On Saturday, March 28th at 7:30 PM the ancient service of Tenebrae will be celebrated here at St. Gabriel’s. Tenebrae evokes a sense of wonder and mystery as the Passion of Jesus is told through a series of readings, songs, and hymns. Fifteen 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 view symbolizing the hope in the resurrection as all are blanketed in utter darkness.
St. Michael’s Choir School Alumni, the Seraphim Men’s Chorus will present the musical settings composed by Msgr. Ronan, founder of St. Michael’s Choir School. A goodwill offering to cover costs, support the Choir School and St. Gabriel’s Music program will be taken up. This tradition is a wonderful way to prepare ourselves to celebrate the mystery of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We hope you will attend.
March 23rd to March 28th, 2015
MONDAY – ANNA IWASHUTA – Requested by Irene Swiderski TUESDAY – FRANK McGOVERN – Requested by Nora Kerr WEDNESDAY – JAN TRUDEL – Requested by Gilles Trudel THURSDAY – CECILY TURTON – Requested by the Family FRIDAY – GUS CALDERONE – Requested by Marie Calderone SATURDAY – JED PURCELL – Requested by the Family
Stations of the Cross Friday Evenings at 7:30 P.M.
Reconciliation Service March 25th at 7:30 PM
Palm Sunday March 29th Masses Sat., 4:30 PM 8:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM
Holy Thursday April 2nd No 9:00 A.M. Mass 7:30 PM Mass of the Lord’s Supper Followed by Adoration until 10:00PM
Easter Sunday April 5th Masses 8:30 AM, 10:30 AM 12:30 PM
Wednesday, March 25th 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.
The Parish Family of St. Gabriel’s would like to welcome Marcus Alexander Chau and Jake Zamora who received the Sacrament of Baptism on Sunday, March 15th, 2015. Congratulations!
Stations of the Cross will take place each Friday evening during Lent at 7:30 PM. We also encourage your attendance at our daily Mass throughout Lent.
Working wonders for children with special needs…
We have always tried to expose our deaf children to both communities. As their parents, we have talked to them and tried to answer their questions when they saw someone using sign language and they had basic sign language books. Then one day our oldest son, Ethan, said he would like to learn sign language. We discovered Silent Voice’s Sign Language Summer camp and enrolled him in the program. The following year Gavin joined his older brother and they both want to go again. We also put our name in for the Family Communication program because we wanted to support our children. These opportunities increased the boys’ awareness of the deaf community and also helped them gain respect for different ways of communication. They enjoyed both experiences as did we. We all hope to take part in the Family program again. Last year more than 600 deaf children received support through Silent Voice’s Sign Language Summer Camps.
ShareLife to Date: $59,872.25
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 Toronto. 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.
Once again we are collecting milk bags. 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.
Monday, March 23rd, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Duke of York Pub, 39 Prince Arthur Ave, Toronto
Faith Connections invites young adults (19-39) to join them for an evening of thought-provoking conversation on theological topics. The Special guest will be Quentin Schesnuk, BA, CSC, PFP, Financial Advisor.
Munchies will be provided and there will be a cash bar available Come and bring a friend! For more information call John-Paul Markides at 416-467-2645 or visit www.faithconnections.ca — a ministry of Fontbonne Ministries, Sisters of St. Joseph, Toronto.
Blessed Trinity Parish Hall
Tuesday, March 24th at 2:00 PM
The next meeting of the North York Retiree’s will be on Tuesday, March 24th at Blessed Trinity Church Hall. The meeting will feature guest speaker Kenneth B. Ogilvie. He will speak about “Being a Crime Novelist”. All retirees are cordially invited to attend.
The National Catholic Mission 2015, “Beware the Holy Spirit!” will be broadcast on VISIONTV on Monday, March 30th and Tuesday, March 31st at 6:00 PM and repeated at 10:00 PM. It will be hosted by Fr. Pat Fitzpatrick and feature Spiritan Fr. Anthony Gittins. This year’s Mission looks at when and where God speaks to us in our daily lives and how we, as an institution and as individuals, can ignore that voice at our peril.
Collection for Last Weekend Envelopes 407 $ 8,887 Loose Change 1,121 Weekly Portion of Pre-Authorized Giving 164 3,117 Total 571 $ 13,125
March 14th, 2015
One of the saddest lines in scripture is found in the first chapter of St. John’s gospel; ‘he came unto his own and his own and his own received him not.’ We hear in today’s gospel ‘God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world but that the world might be saved through him’ and then we have another quote ‘The light has come into the world and the people loved the darkness rather than the light. ’These words echo John’s previous words, ’he came unto his own and his own received him not.’ Jesus knew the hurt and disappointment of rejected love. He came among us, not to condemn us but to reconcile us to God, to re-establish our friendship with God. Through the stories he told, like the story of the Prodigal Son, he showed us our God as a generous, loving and forgiving Father, not as some distant, unconcerned deity. Jesus showed us how to live as sons and daughters of God by living as God would have us live and loving as God would have us love.
The reality today’s scripture calls us to remember is that we are a blessed and gifted people.
In the second reading Paul tells us ‘for by grace you have been saved through faith and this is not your own doing, it is a gift of God…for we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works..’
Each one of us is a graced and gifted person, chosen by God before the world began to be his sons and daughters. We don’t have to jump through hoops to be saved, we are saved, it is not our own doing, and it is a gift of God. As we all know gifts can be accepted and gifts can be rejected or just taken for granted. How often do we take our gift of life for granted? How often do we take the gifts of sight, hearing, mobility, awareness for granted? A stroke, a fall, a heart attack and these gifts could be gone. How often do we endanger our gift of life by a reckless life style of over eating, over drinking, reckless behavior? How often do we thank God that we can get out of bed in the morning and go to work? More importantly, how often do we say a prayer of thanks for the blessings of self and those we love?
We are gifted people; we are saved by the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus, the crucified Christ. How do we receive this gift? Do we accept it or do we take it for granted or just ignore it. There are good but thoughtless men and women who live their lives as if God does not exist. For them there are more important things in life than their relationship with God; careers, advancements, making money and party times. These are not bad people but they are men and women who have their priorities a bit messed up, men and women who take their giftedness for granted. How many grandparents and parents are saddened by the reality that the values of life and faith they passed on to their children are of little interest to them or have no impact in their lives.
He came unto his own and his own received him not. The light has come into the world and people loved the darkness rather than the light.
There is a song that goes ‘you don’t know what you’ve got til it’s gone, cut down the trees put up a parking lot.’ This is true of the gifts of nature, of life and of faith, gifts we are meant to treasure and share.
‘For by grace you have been saved through faith and this is not your own doing, it is a gift of God…for we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works.’
As men and women of faith, our major labor and effort is not to achieve our salvation. It is to entrust ourselves to our salvation. “God is rich in mercy; because of his great love for us he brought us to life with Christ when we were dead in sin. By this favor we were saved.” We are saved. We are called to live out our salvation by living Christ like lives. We are meant to accept and love all others as Christ loved and accepts us. We are to forgive as we’ve been forgiven. We are to reach out, as best we can, as Christ reached out to the men, women and children of his time who counted for nothing in society. Christ cared for each one of us. We are to be no part of the global indifference that diminishes our world today. Most of all we are to be grateful, as Christ was grateful, for all the blessing that enrich our lives and our relationship with God.
He came unto his own and his own received them not. May these sad words of John never be true of us. We are to embrace the example and the teaching of Jesus in such a way that the Father may see and love in us what he sees and loves in Christ. Let us pray for each other that our constant prayer be, ‘ thank you, thank you, thank you.
| Posted in Homily |
The pledge total as of Monday, March 9, 2015 is $ 1,032,493. Thank you!
Why do we Christians celebrate this “meal” at St. Gabriel’s? First, this celebration helps us to understand our religious roots, which are Jewish. Second, it is an opportunity for us to celebrate our growth as a community and be together with families and friends at this most special time during Holy Week.
The menu is identical to the Seder supper’s menu and the meal is “pot luck” – each person brings a dish for their table.
To book your table of 6 or 8 or to have your name added to a table, please call Ed Shiller at 647-352-3123 by Wednesday, March 25th.
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 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, or 24th.
March 16th to March 21st, 2015
MONDAY – ALICE MICHAEL – Requested by Charmaine Michael TUESDAY – PATRICK (PADDY) CHUNG – Requested by the Family WEDNESDAY – ARMAND OAKIE – Requested by the Family THURSDAY – GIUSEPE CLEMENTINA – Requested by Chiara & Tina Intini FRIDAY – HUI SOU LIN – Requested by Linda Law & Family SATURDAY – GEORGE OLDEN – Requested by Kathleen Olden-Powell
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.
Stations of the Cross will take place each Friday evening during Lent at 7:30 PM.
We also encourage your attendance at our daily Mass throughout Lent.
Working wonders for people locally and around the world…
ShareLife provides for everyone in our archdiocese to have access to a Catholic Family Services counseling office, regardless of their background or religious affiliation. Housebound seniors receive care from Society of Sharing volunteers. Our brothers and sisters in Christ receive assistance overseas through Development & Peace, Canadian Food for Children and the Pastoral Mission Fund. Immigrants and refugees are helped through Catholic Cross cultural Services and the Office for Refugees. ShareLife supports the education of our priests and deacons at Serra House, Redemptoris Mater and St. Augustine’s seminaries. ShareLife creates a happier and safer community for us all.
ShareLife to Date: $52,719.25
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
Thursday, March 19th from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM Thursday, March 26th from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Holy Cross Catholic Funeral Home, 211 Langstaff Rd. E., Thornhill – Please enter from Bayview Avenue.
On Thursday, March 19th, the Lenten series continues with guest speaker: Fr. Carlos Martins, CC. He will speak about the topic: Relics of the Saints, Treasures of the Church.
All are welcome.
On Thursday, March 26th, the guest speaker will be Fr. Ed Curtis. He will speak about Lessons from the Camino, Life’s Journey to Santiago de Campostella.
Faith Connections invites young adults (19-39) to join us for an evening of thought-provoking conversation on theological topics. Special guest: Quentin Schesnuik, BA, CSC, PFP, Financial Advisor.
Munchies will be provided and there is a cash bar available — come and bring a friend! For more information call John-Paul Markides at 416-467-2645 or visit www.faithconnections.ca — a ministry of Fontbonne Ministries, Sisters of St. Joseph, Toronto.
Monday, March 30th at 6:00 PM, Repeated at 10:00 PM Tuesday, March 31, at 6:00 PM, Repeated at 10:00 PM
The National Catholic Mission 2015, “Beware the Holy Spirit!” will be broadcast on VISIONTV on Monday, March 30th and Tuesday, March 31st at 6:00 PM and repeated at 10:00 PM.
It will be hosted by Fr. Pat Fitzpatrick and feature Spiritan Fr. Anthony Gittins.
This year’s Mission looks at when and where God speaks to us in our daily lives and how we, as an institution and as individuals, can ignore that voice at our peril. In Program Two, Fr. Anthony Gittins looks at the afternoon of life and discovers why it withers some people and brings freedom and joy to others.
Our operating expenses average $14,550 per week. Collection for Last Weekend Envelopes 394 $ 9,344 Loose Change 1,017 Weekly Portion of Pre-Authorized Giving 164 3,095 Total 558 $ 13,456
March 8th, 2015
I remember hearing a sermon years ago and the priest quoted from today’s first reading;’ I am the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, you shall no other gods before me.’ He said ‘you shall have no other gods before me’ is the probably the commandment we break more than any other. When we stop to think about it he was telling the truth.
During this season of reflection, this season when we are asked to look more deeply into the way we live our lives, the way we treat other people, the way we use the resources of planet earth, the quality of our life styles and the quality of our relationships with family and friends and with God. Reflecting on these things we may have to admit we do have our own idols to which we bow down.
Maybe our idol is self-concern. We can get so caught up with concerns about our health, our jobs our investments, our relationships that we fail to see or even care about the needs of those around us. We see nobody but ourselves. We may feel ‘I have enough problems of my own without worrying about others. Pope Francis calls this idol ‘global indifference’. We couldn’t care less about the refugees of the world, the hungry, the homeless, the oppressed men, women and children that look out at us every evening on the news of the world programs. Maybe we’ve just grown weary of seeing their suffering and change channels.
Consumerism could be our idol in the sense that we accumulate more than we need – the shop til you drop mentality. We get suckered into the mantra ‘I must have the latest, the new and improved gadget. Our clothe closets are filled with clothes we haven’t used in years, clothing and shoes that could be worn by other people. Self-indulgence may be our idol because we over eat; drink too much, not just alcohol but anything to which we may become addicted. May our idol is power or authority over other people. Who is the ‘boss’ in the home? Who has the power in your work place? If it is me, do I abuse my power, do I lord it over other people. If I have a powerful personality do I use it to intimidate others or manipulate others? Have we allowed technology to become our idol? How much time do we spend on the internet, on web sites, on cell phones, on texting?
There are a few more weeks left in Lent. Maybe we could use them to take another look at this first commandment and wonder about, search out and destroy the idol before whom we’ve allowed ourselves to bow.
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