May 25th, 2014
I remember my first summer vacation after my first year at Holy Cross seminary in Dunkirk, New York. I couldn’t wait to see a friend of mine, Holly Knight. We didn’t go to the same school but we spent a lot of time arguing religion. Holly was Anglican and eventually was ordained in the Anglican Church.
I couldn’t wait to see him because I’d taken a course in Apologetics – a course explaining the truth of the teaching of the Catholic Church and showing up the weaknesses of the teachings of other Christian churches and I was convinced that I could convince Holly that he must become a Roman Catholic. Needless to say my enthusiastic efforts were a flop.
For most people it really isn’t well thought out reasons that attract people to the Church. More often than not is it the lived example of ordinary people trying to be faithful to the teachings and example of Jesus that is the magnet.
In the second reading St. Peter tells the people; “in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defence to anyone who demands from you an accounting of the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and reverence.
How often did the people to whom Peter was writing were questioned by family and friends, “ how could you do such a things, how could you turn your back of the traditions of your family and join up with this motley crew of Jews?
Most of the early converts to the Christian faith were attracted to the Christian community by the lived lives of the ordinary men and women who belonged to that community. In the Acts of the Apostles we are told that the men and women who were not Christians marveled at how these Christians loved one another. They became aware of the love and kindness, support and reverence that vitalized the life of the community and they wanted to be part of that community too. Theological or philosophical arguments had nothing to do with it, they were attracted to the community be seeing how members of the community inter-acted among themselves.
These early Christians, because they were so different were often maligned because of their good conduct in Christ. Neighbours couldn`t understand why they shared food and clothing with one another. They couldn`t understand their hospitality and care of the poor.
It is the same today. Men and women are drawn to the church by living examples of those who put flesh and blood to the teachings of Jesus, teaching that tells us share with those who have less, forgive those who have harmed us, be peace makers, work for social justice, welcome the stranger.
St. Paul described the early church as being made of men and women who had no power, no influence, no money but men and women who believed in the love of the crucified Christ for every one of them. Men and women who were filled with gratitude for such love, men and women so filled with gratitude that they wanted to follow Jesus and his way of doing things. Such a way of life was counter-cultural then as it is now and not always understood by those around us, but Jesus asks us to follow him and by living and loving as he did and so make a difference in the world.
That dying to ourselves, which sounds so dramatic, can be carried out quietly every day in our lives: when we put the needs of another ahead of our own; when we refrain from an angry outburst; when we reach out to those in need or become more merciful to those around us and those in our world whose desperate lives so urgently need our awareness and mercy.
There is a saying, ‘you may be the only bible people will ever read’. How we live our lives, how we treat other people, how we care for those who have less than we do, how we welcome the stranger, how we care for the homeless, how we relate to people of different faiths, cultures or lifestyles will let us know whether or not our good conduct gives witness to the Christ in whom we believe.
When we see the optics of Pope Francis, the way he relates to people, the way he wants to be with them as they are, his openness to others no matter what their life circumstances, his humility of lifestyle, surely people`s attitudes toward the church have changed. His good conduct in Christ has made a difference in the lives of many people both within the Church and outside it.
In this Eucharist we celebrate Christ’s great and unconditional love for each one of us. We pray that his love inspire us to live lives worthy of our calling and that we be examples of faith and love to inspire others to follow Christ.
| Posted in Homily |
May 18th, 2014
Scriptures scholars claim that this section of John’s gospel is a bringing together of different teachings of Jesus and making them into a part a long teaching conversation Jesus had with the apostles the night before he was to die. This conversation deals with different things: there are prophecies, words of caution about the future, God’s intentions for the future.
The setting for this conversation was what we refer to as the last supper. There is tension in the air. The apostles knew the religious authorities were out to silence Jesus. Too many people were listening to Jesus and not to them. The first thing Jesus tells them is not to let their hearts be troubled, to hang in there to trust in him and trust God. He would be with them to see them through the troubled times of their unknown future.
We all need to hear these words. ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled, trust in God, trust in me.’ There can be times when we face frightening tomorrows; there can be health issues, job security issues, the stability of relationship issues, family issues, issues that leave us at our wits ends as to what to do. When we hear the words of Jesus,’ do not let your hearts be troubled, trust in God and trust in me’ we might be tempted to say, ‘that’s easy for you to say, you were deeply aware of your own close and deep, personal relationship with the Father and this is true but we have to remember that Jesus’ own trusting in God was tested on the cross. Hanging there enduring an agony we can hardly imagine Jesus felt totally abandoned by his Father, crying out, ‘my God, my God why have you abandoned me? Even then he totally surrender himself to his loving Father ‘into your hands I commend my spirit and bowing his head he gave up his spirit.
It is not an easy thing to hand over our lives, our futures to God trusting God to do what is best for us. We want to be in control, we want to set our own course, and we want to be certain of what is ahead for us. We want that ‘old age security’.But we know too that things are not that way. We never know what tomorrow will bring.
This past week Frs. Bernard, Brando. Fatima Lee and myself were at a meeting of our Passionist Community in Hartford Ct. There were at least 80 Passionist priests and brothers there from the US, Canada, Jamaica West Indies and from Haiti. There representative of the Passionist communities in Brazil, Argentina, Mexico and Uruguay and about 30 lay women and men who work with us in our different ministries. We have meeting like this every four years to elect our leadership and plan for the future.
If ever anyone ever needed to hear the words of today’s gospel it was us; Do not let your hearts be troubles, trust in God, trust in me.’ We are in trouble. Our last meeting was in 2010. Since then 30 of our men died, most were old but some were very active in ministry and their deaths meant having to cut back on our ministries. We have no young men coming into our community. Worldwide Passionist communities are thriving, especially south of the equator, but in Europe and North America we are in trouble. These past years we’ve had to close a couple of retreat house and leave parishes. Right now we have thriving retreat centres in Hartford, Florida, New York and Pittsburgh but our future is in the hands of God. We are in the process of joining Passionists in different countries in what we call ‘configurations’ so that personnel and resources can be better utilized. As you know Fr. Brando comes to us from the Passionist community in the Philippines.
But in the midst of our meeting in Hartford while facing the reality of our aging members we committed ourselves to looking into the possibilities of four new ventures; a greater involvement of lay women and men in our ministries, a preaching team of priests and lay people reaching out to young adults, establishing the Passionist community in Haiti building on the foundations laid by the work of Fr. Rick Frechette over the past 27 years, looking into the possibility on placing a Passionist community in Manhattan that would be involved in parish work and the TV apostolate
I have to tell you I was proud being a member of this meeting. Not denying our limitations we were willing to realistically look at our future with imagination and creativity. If it is of God, it will prosper.
Individually, as a parish family and as the Passionist family may we all take to heart these encouraging words of Jesus, ‘Do not let your hearts be troubles, trust in me, trust in God.
Monday, May 19th is Victoria Day. The Parish Office will be closed. There will be no 9:00 A.M. Mass that day.
To avoid accidents, the middle arm in the parking lot will remain closed until 9:15 A.M. each weekday. This is to ensure the safety of the pedestrians walking through to the school.
Congratulations to the following children from the Children’s Faith Program, and those from Private and Public Schools who received their First Communion as a group on Sunday, May 11th, 2014.
Nicolas Albornoz John Avila Luna Avila Sophia Avila Toby Avila Giulia Bernardini Rachel Eliz Brown Victoria Campbell Gigi Ciarlandini Marie French Julie Fung Nicholas Gratsas Hannah Ha Rhee Hayden Lee Caitlin Leung Justin Lui Isabel Luke Joshua McKinnon Avery Muradali Alexander Musarai Christopher Mong David Perry Simon Ramirez Abigail Seymour Navaeh Supan Chloe Wong Valerie Wong
It was a beautiful celebration. We promise to support them with our prayers as they continue on their journey of faith.
May 19th to May 24th 2014
MONDAY – VICTORIA DAY – No 9:00 A.M. Mass TUESDAY – MARZO AGARAO – Requested by Bong & Nicka Cochangco WEDNESDAY – CECILIA MANALANG – Requested by her Husband THURSDAY – DAN BADOI & HIS FAMILY – Requested by Carmen Badoi FRIDAY – KIM SE DONG – Requested by the Family SATURDAY – SAUL MONROY – Requested by Gloria Monroy
THANK YOU!
Once again, Bundle Up Weekend was a huge success! A very big shout out to all the young people who helped with loading the truck. Your energy, good humour and willingness to work were very much appreciated. We are also grateful for the generosity of the parishioners of St. Gabriel’s. Thank you for all your donations.
“My worst day clean is better than my best day using,” exclaims Suzanne, as she shares the details of her past use of drugs and other substance abuse. “I was on medication constantly to deal with the side effects and was a chronic pain patient for 35 years. I was sick and tired of being sick and tired. With the support of Catholic Family Services, I was able to finally kick the habit.” The Closed Trauma and Sister mentoring program were crucial to helping Suzanne get her life back on track. The positive influence of CFS sistering program supervisor Valerie Anderson and encouragement from other professional staff gave Suzanne the courage to try again. She sheds ‘tears of joy’ as she now speaks on behalf of CFS, sharing the detailed differences Catholic Family Services has made in her life.
Over 77,000 individuals received help in getting their lives back on track through ShareLife-supported family services programs.
ShareLife For 2013: $193,410 ShareLife to Date: $99,712.05
Next ShareLife Sunday – June 1, 2014 Please give generously. You can work wonders!
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. You may pick up a copy of a casserole recipe and a pan from the Parish Office.
Three recipes are also available on St. Gabriel’s web site. 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.
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.
June 1st AT 4:00 P.M. St. Gabriel’s Chuch
Join SPO on its final journey through a landscape of new, unusual, and profoundly moving Canadian works. After a rip-roaring opening featuring one of our favourite overtures, Leonard Bernstein’s Candide, we proceed to a work of a dramatically different ilk: composer/conductor William Rowson’s dark and affecting Aria.
To commemorate artistic director Kevin Lau’s departure from SPO, we present his latest composition Illumination (featuring pianist Mary Kenedi and percussionist Michelle Colton). The work was inspired by a wide range of sources, from Toronto’s recent ice storm to the surreal vignettes found in Alan Lightman’s short novel Einstein’s Dreams.
We are excited to present renowned soloist Erika Raum on a special performance of a lushly dramatic violin concerto written by her mother, Elizabeth Raum.
Finally, as part of our ongoing dedication to the young champions of our musical future, we are delighted to present a short orchestral composition by 13-year-old Ian Chan entitled Valse D’un Enfant.
Saturday, May 24th at 10:30 A.M. Meeting at the front entrance of St. Michael’s Cathedral, 200 Church St
Faith Connections invites all young adults 18-39 to join us for a Hike and Prayer at Doors Open Toronto. Together we will explore the architecture Toronto has to offer and reflect on it through prayer. Nurture your spiritual life while exploring interesting areas of our beautiful city! It’s a chance to meet like-minded young adults who hope to find God through spiritual and physical activity. Hiking rain or shine.
RSVPs appreciated, call Vanessa Nicholas-Schmidt at 416-467-2645 or visit www.faithconnections.ca
Catholic Parents of Lesbian Daughters and Gay Sons Saturday, May 31st 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Manresa Jesuit Retreat Centre’
A retreat for Catholic parents of lesbian daughters and gay sons will be held at the Manresa Jesuit Retreat Centre, 2325 Liverpool Road in Pickering on Saturday, June 8th.
The cost for the day including lunch is $40.00
For Brochure and information call John Montague at 416-523-6449.
Saturday May 31st from 9:30 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. Julius Banquet Centre, 2201 Finch Ave W # 32 North York
You are invited to a breakfast sponsored by Magnificat – a Ministry to Catholic Women. A morning of song, prayer, good food, testimony, friendship and ministry. for women of all ages. The Guest Speaker will be Elizabeth Belen. Tickets are $20.
For tickets contact Inez at 416-745-4268. Tickets will not be sold at the door. All our past meals have served capacity groups of 300 guests. To avoid disappointment, buy your tickets early.
Weekend of June 6th to 8th Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre
Refresh and rekindle your love for each other by treating yourselves to a marriage enrichment weekend at Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre, or give a weekend as a gift to family or friends. The Centre offers comfort, excellent cuisine and an inspiring program. The next weekend is June 6th to 8th. For more information telephone: 905-278-5229.
Toronto Catholic District School Board Staff Arts is pleased to present My Fair Lady
At the Theatre at Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts, 36 Greenfield Avenue, North York. June 6th, 7th, 12th, 13th, 14th at 7:30 P.M., June 8th at 2:00 P.M. All tickets are $22.
For more information please call 416-222-8282 ext. 2787 or visit the website: www.tcdsb.org/staffarts
Our operating expenses average $14,550 per week.
Collection for last weekend: Envelopes 432 $8,713 Loose Change $1,326 Weekly Portion of PAG 177 $3,307 (Pre-Authorized Giving) Total $13,346
If you have been a Separate School Supporter and have moved, you may not realize that your tax support automatically defaults to the Public School system. If you would like to be a Separate School supporter, please pick up a form in the Parish Office.
| Posted in Bulletin |
May 11th, 2014
WHAT MUST WE DO?
The Holy Spirit was alive and well in those early years of the church’s life. The Spirit is still alive and well and working in our church today though in different ways. Men and women heard Peter telling them about Jesus and the wonderful things he did for people. Peter told them what jealous and self-serving religious authorities did to Jesus, hanging him on a tree. The people listening to Peter were ‘cut to the heart’ and wanted to know what they were to do. Through the actions of the Holy Spirit the words of Peter touched their hearts. They came to understand who Jesus is as never before. He was more than a worker of miracles, more than a teacher of God’s love and mercy. The risen Jesus was their Lord and Christ. He is indeed the Messiah promised long ago, the Messiah who reconciles them with God their Father. So they did what Peter told them to do, they repented of their sins and were baptised.
This Sunday is Good Shepherd Sunday. We know Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd of our lives. Jesus is the shepherd who lays down his life for us. As the psalm reminds us, Jesus is the shepherd who watches and guides us through all the difficulties of our lives. He will not abandon us.
God has blessed us with a new shepherd, Pope Francis. To say the least he is a different kind of Pope. Jesus once said of himself as our shepherd, ‘my sheep listen to my voice’. Will we listen to the voice of our shepherd Francis as he calls us to be vital and involved members of the church? Our shepherd Francis calls us to be a community of faith, an open and welcoming community to all who seek Christ. Francis calls us to be a community of love more than keepers of laws, a community that does not point figures at others but opens its arms to all those struggling to find their way to God.
Francis wants his fellow shepherds, priests and bishops, to have the smell of the sheep; the smell of people’s hurts and disappointments with other people and with their church itself, the smell of those who endure injustice and hatred and persecution, the smell of good wives and husbands confused over the teachings of the church and the reality of their own lives. The smell of men, women and children victimized by the greed and power of others. The smell of countless refugees and immigrants who seek new and better lives. The smell of those whose lives are at risk, the unborn and neglected elderly. The smell of the hopes and joys, the pains and hurts of all the people of God – which we are.
If we were to ask our shepherd Francis, as the people who asked the shepherd Peter, ‘What must we do?’ our new shepherd Francis would tell each one of us, be open to the opportunities God puts before you every day of your lives; accept those different from ourselves, seek justice and fairness for the men, women and children who are exploited in the work place, be attentive to the needs of the poor and elderly in your neighbourhood, respect and protect life in all its stages, be agents of peace in your homes and neighbourhoods, respect and protect God’s good creation and above all be people of prayer so that we may be open to the things to which Christ the Good Shepherd calls you each day. These are the smells to which we all should be attentive and to which we should respond.
Strengthened by the bread of life we will receive at this Eucharist may be willing to follow out shepherd Francis wherever he may lead us.
Recently there have been several close calls as drivers use our parking lot as a short cut to and from Sheppard Avenue.
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.
May 12th to May 17th, 2014
MONDAY – MICHELLE HALES – Requested by the Sheldrick Family TUESDAY – KEVIN TAKAKI – Requested by Violet Pung & Family WEDNESDAY – BIEN & MILA COCHANGCO – Requested by Bong & Nicka Cochangco THURSDAY – ELAINE PICKEN – Requested by Bernadette De Groot FRIDAY – GERRY & EDNA HATCH – Requested by the Family SATURDAY – ANA SOFIA NASCIMENTO – Requested by the Family
Men who have responded to God’s call to dedicate their lives to His service come from all walks of life. Those who enter the priesthood come from different ages and backgrounds, economic situations, skill sets, and ethnic communities.
At ShareLife-funded agencies such as Serra House, Redemptoris Mater, and St. Augustine’s Seminary, they undergo extensive theological education and practical field training. Through ShareLife, you are helping sustain the vocations for priesthood and inspire discernment for God’s call. Last year ShareLife helped support over 70 priests and seminarians in their formation studies.
ShareLife For 2013: $193,410 ShareLife to Date: $90,143.80
Next ShareLife Sunday – June 1, 2014 Please give generously. You can work wonders!.
This Weekend, May 10th/11th
The Society for St. Vincent de Paul is holding their annual Bundle Up Collection this weekend, May 10th/11th. Bring your gently used clothing and household linens to share with others. A St. Vincent de Paul truck is in the Church parking lot to receive donations. We will donate or sell these donations to support our outreach efforts. Thank you for your continued support. The truck will be open on Saturday, May 10th from 10:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. and all day Sunday, May 11th until 4:00 P.M. Volunteers will assist with the loading before and after each Mass.
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
We are still collecting Canadian Tire money in support of Matercare International which is an association of Catholic Obstetricians and Gynecologists working in developing countries. This organization is dedicated to improving the lives and health of mothers and their children, both unborn and born, through initiatives of service, training, research and advocacy. Please support this worthwhile campaign by dropping your Canadian Tire money in the collection basket or bringing it to the Parish Office.
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.
Hope for the Children Fund
No parent should have to put their baby to sleep in a stroller or car seat because they can’t afford a crib. The Hope for Children Fund in support of the Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Toronto has been actively working to educate Toronto families about safe sleep.
As part of their mission, they provide cribs to low-income families. The campaign, which runs through to Mother’s Day on May 11th, encourages donors to visit www.hopeforchildren.ca to make a donation towards the purchase of a crib. An acknowledgement card may be sent to one’s mother in recognition of the donation. Just in time for Mother’s Day!
May 14, 2014 – June 4, 2014 from 1:00 P.M. – 3:00 P.M.
The Paulist Ministry Centre 830 Bathurst St., Toronto, ON
Part II of four sessions in holistic faith development and growth in Christian maturity for men and women in the second half of life (pre-retirement to retirement years) will be offered by Sr. Mary Rose Marrin, CSJ.It is NOT necessary to have attended part I to participate in part II. Please pre-register if possible. There will be a free will offering for the sessions.
For further information, please contact 416-534-2326 or Fr. John F. Duffy, CSP at jfdcsp1@cs.com
Saturday, May 24 — 10:30 A.M.
Meeting at the front entrance of St. Michael’s Cathedral, 200 Church St
Catholic Parents of Lesbian Daughters and Gay Sons Saturday, May 31st from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Manresa Jesuit Retreat Centre’
A retreat for Catholic parents of lesbian daughters and gay sons will be held at the Manresa Jesuit Retreat Centre, 2325 Liverpool Road in Pickering on Saturday, June 8th. The cost for the day including lunch is $40.00
Weekend of June 6th to 8th
Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre
Save this date… Sunday, June 1st at 4:00 P.M. The Sneak Peek orchestra returns to St. Gabriel’s for another wonderful concert. Watch the bulletin for more detail.
At the Theatre at Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts, 36 Greenfield Avenue, North York.
June 6th, 7th, 12th, 13th, 14th at 7:30PM June 8th at 2:00 PM
All tickets are $22.
Saturday, June 21st to Tuesday, June 24th
The 29th annual pilgrimage to the Canadian Shrines from Blessed Trinity Parish will take place Saturday, June 21st to Tuesday, June 24th. The tour will include St. Joseph’s Oratory and the Shrine of Kateri Tekakwitha in Montreal, the Shrine of our Blessed Mother at Cap de la Madeleine, Chapel of Blessed Frederic in Trois Rivieres, St. Anne de Beaupre and old Quebec City. For more information, please contact Mary at 416-497-7059 or go to www.blessedtrinity.ca.
Collection for last weekend: Envelopes 417 $7,695 Loose Change $1,387 Weekly Portion of PAG 177 $3,307 (Pre-Authorized Giving) Total $12,389
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