November 9th, 2014
When people visit Rome the must see place to go is St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican. It is an awesome structure. Another must see place is the Vatican Museum with it famous Sistine Chapel.
But today we celebrate the dedication of the first church ever to be allowed to be built in the Roman world. It was dedicated by Pope Sylvester in 314 under the reign of Constantine. Originally it was dedicated to the Most Holy Redeemer but eventually it was dedicated to St. John the Apostle. These words are carved on the front of the present day church – ‘the mother and the head of all churches of the city and of the world.’ St. John Lateran is the cathedral church of Rome; it is Pope Francis’ parish church. Popes lived in the Lateran palace next door to St. John Lateran up until 1870 when Rome fell to forces calling for the unification of Italy. It was in 1870 the Pius 9th made the Vatican his residence, to be close to the tomb of St. Peter. Popes have lived at the Vatican ever since. The present church of St. John Lateran is a far cry from the simple building consecrated by Pope Sylvester in 314.
The first reading from Ezekiel and the gospel of John deal with the holy temple in Jerusalem. In Ezekiel life giving water flows out the temple toward the east bringing abundant life where ever it flow, even to the sea of stagnant waters which it vitalizes. In the gospel we see an enraged Jesus clearly the temple of the commercialism that had crept into it territory, reclaiming it as a place of prayer and worship.
The church, the Christian community was alive in Rome long before Pope Sylvester dedicated a modest building in 314. Our reading from Paul’s letter to the community in Corinth tells us what we should already know – the church is not bricks and mortars, the church is men, women and children. The church is a community of people who belong, believe and become.
Cardinal Ambrozic consecrated this building Nov.19th 2008. In doing so he used holy water to bless it and holy oil to consecrate its walls and altar. When each one of us was baptised these two elements were used, holy water and holy oil thus making each one of us a temple, a dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. Individually and as a group we are temples of God and the Holy Spirit lives and acts in us.
Today’s feast is more than about a simple building consecrated to the worship of God in 314. Today’s feast celebrates our consecration, individually and as a community, and calls us to be mindful of our dignity as bearers of God’s Spirit to the world.
Paul’s words were probably upsetting to those who read or heard them. Everyone knows that God only dwells in heaven or in sacred temples built to worship gods. Paul teaches that God dwells not primarily in buildings but in human beings. The primary dwelling place of God on earth is no longer in bricks and mortar, no matter how magnificent they are, but in a community of men, women and children gathered together in the name of Jesus.
When Paul writes about someone destroying God’s temple he is writing about people in the community of Corinth who were causing dissension and conflict in the community. He’s writing to those who would destroy the unity of the community and he warns that God will destroy such people.
As you know our parish motto is, belonging, believing, becoming. As a parish we want everyone who comes here to know that they belong, they are family and all are welcome. By believing in the passion, death and resurrection of Christ that we celebrate as a family we help each other grow in our faith. By trying each day to live our lives faithful to the gospel we help each other grow to full maturity in Christ. We are all ‘living stones’, living is the important word – living lives that are open to others, living our faith every day and every day trying to grow to full maturity in Christ. Belonging, believing ,becoming.
Today we celebrate ourselves as temples of the living God. We give thanks for the gift of faith that makes us so. May our lives bear witness to our faith by what we do and by what we say.
| Posted in Homily |
November 2nd, 2014
Yesterday and today we celebrate two interesting feasts of the church – All Saints Day and All Souls Day. These feasts teach us that the life of the church extends beyond time and stretches into eternity. In death life is changed not ended and when our earthly body turns to dust we gain an everlasting place in heaven. Our perishable selves will be imperishable and our mortal selves will be immortal. Whether we are on this side of the grave or beyond the grave we are all one family, one church, one communion of the saints.
As for the feast of All Saints, as I’ve said before, the saints of the church are in the pews of the church. The saints of this parish are wives and husbands being true to their commitments and staying together, supporting and sustaining each other in their good times and in their rough times. Today’s saints are mothers and fathers who love and support sons or daughters challenged by physical or mental issues. Today’s saints are those sons and daughters who care for aging parents who’ve lost the ability to live on their own and need the help of others. Today’s saints are our young men and women who are willing to share their time and talent getting involved with the social issues of the times, the need for affordable housing, the homeless, the hungry, the street people, our un-employed youth. The saints we see today are the doctors and health care givers who leave home and family and go to those exposed to the Ebola disease. These are the saints of today’s church and today’s world. For all the tragedies of our present day our world is blessed with good people doing many good works, being there for neighbours in need.
This dreary month of November is dedicated to the Holy Souls, family members and friends who touched our lives in so many ways and are now with God. We pray for the souls in purgatory. But what is purgatory. First, what purgatory is not.. It is not a place of physical suffering, it can’t be, we are talking about souls. It is not a place of fire.
When we die we come to know God’s love for us in a whole new way and at the same time we know come to know ourselves in ways we never could before. We come face to face with our selfishness, our self – indulgence and self-centeredness. We come to see how deficient we were in responding to and returning God’s love for us by the many ways we failed in the great commandment, ’love one another as I have loved you.’
We realize, in a way we never could before, how we neglected or ignored the gifts and the love of God. We come to know as we’ve never known before, that the love of God was poured into our hearts with the force of a Tsunami, and we have to face the fact that we returned that torrent of love drip by stingy drip. The pain of purgatory is realizing what we might have become if we had responded more openly to God’s call to life and love. This is the pain of purgatory. We have a sense of how unworthy we are to be in God’s presence. We want to be purged of our self – centeredness and self – indulgence. We want to be rid of all those things that kept us from being Christ like so the Father can see and love in us what he sees and loves in Christ.
This is the truth behind the teachings on purgatory. That is why the prayers of those we leave behind can help us in our desire for the readiness we need for our total communion with God. Scripture tells us “it is a good and holy thing to pray for the dead that they may be loosed from their sins.’
We can continue to celebrate this Mass thanking God for all the saints who have gone before us, for all the saints who enrich our lives today. We pray for the souls of the faithful departed knowing full well that when we die we will need the prayers of others.
“God is with us”: Bringing hope to those living in darkness
Saturday, December 6th from 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM
NOT TO BE MISSED – reflection with Fr. Rick Frechette CP on our Christian commitment that will be both inspiring and enriching!
Father Rick is a Passionist who went to Haiti 27 years ago to serve as a priest. Seeing the poverty and the dire need of the people there for medical care, he went back to the U.S. in his 40s, took up medical studies, and returned to Haiti as both a priest and a medical doctor. The needs of the people whom he served prompted him to give himself to their service by not only ministering to their spiritual needs, but their physical needs as well. His presence among the people of Haiti is truly an amazing witness of love.
At the beginning of the season of Advent, when we are preparing for Christmas, Fr. Rick will talk about our Christian commitment to share the Good News, especially with those who are living in the darkness of poverty, injustice, and slavery in its many forms. It will be an excellent opportunity for all parishioners to pause and look deeply. We encourage especially our young people to join us!
A simple lunch will be provided. Cost is $5 per person. To register, please call the Parish Office at (416) 221-8866, or email fatimalee@bellnet.ca
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.
November 3rd to November 8th
MONDAY – JUANITO GAVIETA – Requested by Estrella, Cherrie, Stella, Isabel & Howie TUESDAY – VARUTHUNNY – Requested by Mary Chakkalackal WEDNESDAY – IVAN, HOLLY & FAMILY – Requested by Angela Tam THURSDAY – GUY & MALCOLM FAMILIES – Requested by Angela Tam FRIDAY – JOHN RUEST – Requested by the Family SATURDAY – DECEASED MEMBERS OF THE INTINI & BELLISARI FAMILIES – Requested by the Intini family
Holy Cross Cemetery, Thornhill Saturday, November 8th at 2:00 PM
Catholic Cemeteries and Funeral Services – Archdiocese of Toronto wishes to invite all families to participate in the annual All Souls’ Day Mass on Saturday, November 8th at 2:00 PM at Holy Cross Cemetery, Thornhill. The liturgy will be celebrated indoors in English and Italian.
Contact 905-889-7467 for more information.
All are welcome.
Friday, November 7th from 9:30 AM – 12 Noon
Tuesday, November 4th at 7:30 PM or Thursday, November 6th at 10:30 AM
The Church has had many great thinkers over the years, including St. Augustine in the 5th century and St. Thomas Aquinas in the 13th century. In our time, we have great thinkers too, one of whom is the Passionist priest, Fr. Thomas Berry, 1914 – 2009. He introduced us to seeing God’s creation in a new way and our role as humans within it. He called it “The New Story”.
On Tuesdays at 7:30 PM and repeated on Thursdays at 10:30 AM, Mary Landry will lead a discussion about his “New Story”, the wisdom that ensues and the challenge it evokes. We guarantee an interesting discussion! All are welcome.
Wednesday, November 12th at 7:30 PM
St. Gabriel’s Church, Gabriel Room
On Wednesday, November 12th at 7:30 PM there will be a meeting in the Gabriel Room for parents of children who will be receiving the sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time.
Sunday, November 23rd at the 12:30 PM Mass
The Confirmation Enrollment Ceremony for all Confirmation candidates will be held on Sunday, November 23rd at the 12:30 PM Mass. All Confirmation candidates must attend.
Candidates are reminded to submit their letters requesting Confirmation to Fr. Brando through the Parish Office by Saturday, November 14th.
Thank you to the volunteers who prepared 35 casseroles for October. For November, your prepared casseroles (frozen please) will be collected at the Masses on the weekend of November 29th/30th for delivery to the Good Shepherd Centre.
More volunteers are encouraged to become active in helping to feed our less fortunate sisters and brothers. There are now 3 different recipes 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.
Christmas cards will be available after all the Masses next weekend, Nov. 8th/9th. The suggested cost is $1.50 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.
November 15th/16th
The Shepherds’ Trust has a mission to provide, comfort and care for those who have steadfastly cared for us – our retired priests. As parishioners, we have our own memories of a Catholic priest who made a positive, meaningful and lasting impact in our lives.
Each year, thousands of people contribute to the Shepherds’ Trust. The collection will take place in all parishes in the Archdiocese on the weekend of November 15th/16th.
Envelopes are in the pews.
We want our priests to retire safely and with dignity. The Shepherds’ Trust allows us to help achieve this goal.
Your generosity is deeply appreciated.
Each month the food we collect is sent to Rosalie Hall. 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 generous support.
A bin has been placed in the gathering space for the collection of milk bags (outer bag only) which can be woven into quick-dry, bug-resistant bed mats for flood-ravaged areas of the third world like Haiti. Please remember to rinse out and dry bags before depositing them. Thank you.
Blessed Trinity Parish Hall Tuesday, November 11th at 2:00 PM
The next meeting of the North York Retiree’s will be feature guest speaker Richard Fennes Clinton from Muddy York Walking Tours. He will speak about “Life in Toronto in 1914”. All retirees are cordially invited to attend.
Wednesday, November 5th 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 Embassy of Hungary in Canada and Consulate General of Hungary in Toronto.
On Wednesday, November 5th at 7:30 PM we will present George Csicsery’s documentary film Angel of Mercy. The film tells the story of Sister Margaret Slachta, a courageous woman who defied the Nazis and the communists in her fight for social justice. Her faith and vision led to heroic acts of courage during the Hungarian Holocaust of 1944-45. Mr. Csicsery, the maker of the film, will hold a question and answer session after the screening of the film.
All are encouraged to attend. Admission is free.
November 7th to 9th
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 that you know the gift of a weekend away from daily pressures; time to be with each other and with God on a Marriage Encounter Weekend. See www.wwme.org .
Upcoming Weekend Date: November 7th to 9th.
For further information or registration please contact Cora & Mike Bryce at 905-896-2958 or cora-mikebryce@sympatico.ca.
Our operating expenses average $14,550 per week. Offertory Collection for last weekend: Envelopes 392 $ 7,349 Loose Change 1,084 Weekly Portion of Pre-Authorized Giving 163 3,057 Total 555 $ 11,490
Have you considered using Pre Authorized Giving?
If you are moving out of the Parish or have a change of address, please contact the Parish Office at 416-221-8866 so that we can update our records. This is important in order for you to receive your 2014 income tax receipts on a timely basis. Thank you.
| Posted in Bulletin |
October 26th, 2014
If I was to give a title to this sermon I might title it -How quickly they forget.
The first reading for today’s Mass is from the book of Exodus. It deals with the setting down moral and religious laws. All these laws and moral guidelines developed in the years following the liberation of the Jewish people from years of slavery in Egypt.
This particular passage is all about how the Jewish people were to treat the weakest, defenseless people in the community – the widow, the orphan, the stranger or alien and those down on their luck. God calls the people to remember how harshly they were treated as slaves in Egypt – they are not to treat other men, women and children in the same way.
Next Monday is voting day. As citizens we have a duty to vote. I heard a commentator on the CBC say that this campaign season was the ugliest, mean spirited, small minded and raciest we’ve seen in a long time. Urging Olivia Chow to go back to China, attacking other candidates Muslim faith, insinuating their sympathy for terrorist groups – all these realities are not what this city, this country is all about. We are blessed to live in this city. Despite our differences Torontonians are a generous people. Look at how people respond to the United Way, Cancer campaigns, Share Life, the many food and toys drive at Christmas, the Star’s summer camps for children – the list could go on and on.
But just below the surface there is that fear and distrust of the newcomer, fear of the stranger, there is fear and suspicion of anyone who is different.
How quickly we forget that this city was built on immigration and each new wave of immigrants faced the hostility of the wave before them. Each wave of immigrants had to struggle to find work, learn the language and build a better life for their children. It has always been a struggle to fit in, to be welcomed.
We constantly have to be reminded that for a lot of people life is not fair. Pope Francis speaks about a culture of indifference toward those at the bottom rung of society – the neglected aged mothers and father, the slum dwellers of the world, the men, women and children who are the victims of war, the exploited temporary workers, the underpaid and over worked nannies, those who work two or three part time jobs just to keep their heads above water.
We heard today’s short gospel so many times. The greatest commandment –love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind – and this is joined at the hip with ‘you shall love your neighbour as yourself. If these commandments do not touch the way we treat others, the way we think about others, way we respect others, the way we support others then we are sounding brass and tinkling silver.
We are good people struggling to live and love as Christ would have us live and love. Some days we win and some days we lose but always we keep trying.
May we all be strengthened by the bread of life that will nourish us at the Mass to find within ourselves the ability to love as we’ve been loved, to accept others as we have been accepted, to forgive and heal as we have been forgiven and healed and be agents of God’s love and peace to all who come into our lives.
October 25th, 2014
On Saturday October 25th, five altar servers from St. Gabriel’s Parish received the “Bishop’s Altar Server Award for Service during the29th Annual Altar Servers Awards Ceremony at St. Paul’s Basilica. We offer our sincere thanks and congratulations to the following altar servers:
Andrew Chun Jeremy D’Silva Matthew Jamnik Samuel Joseph Theo Taylor
The parish is truly grateful to all of its altar servers for their participation at the celebration of the Eucharist and ceremonies throughout the Church year.
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 the weekend of October 25th/26th. 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.
A municipal election will be held on Monday, October 27th. All Catholics are strongly encouraged to exercise their democratic right to vote.
To help us all get to know the candidates for Catholic School Board Trustee, Cardinal Collins has given permission for candidates to distribute literature to parishioners departing Mass on weekends up to October 25th/26th. We hope you’ll take the time to get to know those seeking elected office.
To ensure your vote for Catholic School Trustee, at the polling booth, verify that you are registered as a separate school supporter. If your support status is incorrect ask for an Application to Amend Voters’ List. This form may be completed and submitted at the polling station. Thank you for your interest and involvement in this fall’s municipal election!
Sunday, November 2nd 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. The guided reflection brings an ecological perspective to the readings. All are welcome.
October 27th to November 1st, 2014
MONDAY – ALICE MICHAEL – Requested by Charmaine Michael TUESDAY – BRANIMIR PETRANOVIC – Requested by the Family WEDNESDAY – DRAGO PETRANOVIC – Requested by the Family THURSDAY – JOHN HUYBERS – Requested by Mary Huybers FRIDAY – THERESA NGAN – Requested by Christine Pang SATURDAY – GERRY BAVINGTON – Requested by Diana Bavington
The Parish Family of St. Gabriel’s would like to welcome:
Matteo Cortese Nathaniel Ming-Chak Lai Leianna Marie B. Lagmay Quinn Gwyneth McQuillan
These children received the Sacrament of Baptism last Sunday. Congratulations!
English: Saturday, November 1st at 3:15 PM in the Gabriel Room. Chinese: Sunday, November 2nd at 3:30 PM in the Gabriel Room.
For further information, please contact Linda Law at 416 -918-8029
Catholic Cemeteries and Funeral Services – Archdiocese of Toronto wishes to invite all families to participate in the annual All Souls’ Day Mass on Saturday, November 8th at 2:00 PM at Holy Cross Cemetery, Thornhill.
The liturgy will be celebrated indoors in English and Italian. Contact 905-889-7467 for more information. All are welcome.
Wednesday, November 12th at 7:30 PM St. Gabriel’s Church, Gabriel Room
Sunday October 26th at 2.30 PM
St. Paul’s Basilica, 83 Power Street
The 24th Annual Mass of Memory will take place this Sunday October 26th at 2.30 PM at St. Paul’s Basilica, 83 Power Street (Power and Queen St. East). For information please phone Norita 905- 881 -5012, email noritasbb@rogers.com or see the poster on the bulletin board.
Blessed Trinity Parish Hall Tuesday, October 28th at 2:00 PM
The next meeting of the North York Retiree’s will be feature guest speaker Bernice Chan for the Alzheimers Society of Toronto. Her topic will be “An Overview of Dementia and Alzheimers”.
All retirees are cordially invited to attend.
Wednesday, October 29th at 7:00 PM 3379 Bayview Avenue (just south of Steeles)
St. Joseph’s Morrow Park is holding an information night for students who are entering secondary school. It will be held on Wednesday, October 29th at 7:00 PM. Parents, guardians and students are cordially invited to attend. For further information please call 416-393-5679.
Wednesday, November 5th at 7:30 PM St. Gabriel’s Passionist Parish
On Wednesday, November 5th at 7:30 P.M. we will present George Csicsery’s documentary film Angel of Mercy. The film tells the story of Sister Margaret Slachta, a courageous woman who defied the Nazis and the communists in her fight for social justice. Her faith and vision led to heroic acts of courage during the Hungarian Holocaust of 1944-45. Mr. Csicsery, the maker of the film, will hold a question and answer session after the screening of the film.
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 that you know, the gift of a weekend away from daily pressures; time to be with each other and with God on a Marriage Encounter Weekend. See www.wwme.org.
Upcoming Weekend Date: November 7th to 9th
For further information or registration please contact: Cora & Mike Bryce at 905-896-2958 or cora-mikebryce@sympatico.ca.
Our operating expenses average $14,550 per week. Offertory Collection for last weekend:
Envelopes 416 $ 9,548 Loose Change 1,057 Weekly Portion of Pre-Authorized Giving 163 3,057 Total $ 13,622
World Missions 132 $ 3,411
If you are moving out of the Parish or have a change of address, please contact the Parish Office at 416-221-8866 so that we can update our records. Thank you.
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
