March 30th, 2014
Suppose we put ourselves in the place of the man born blind. Imagine what it would be like to live life in darkness and then suddenly see the light of day, colors we’d never seen before, the faces of the people from whom we begged every day for years. Of a sudden we can put faces to voices. We are bewildered by the wonder of it all. Imagine what must it have been like to see for the first time the faces of our mother and father? What must it have been like? We’d be overwhelmed and bewildered by the wonder of it all. We’d want to say thank you to the stranger who muddied our eyes and sent us to wash in Siloam. We’d be totally confused by the unwillingness of the religious authorities to accept our cure. Like the man in the gospel we’d say, ‘Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind.’ We’d wonder, what do these people have against this good man? Why can’t they see this is the work of God? Coming face to face with the one who gave us sight we too would believe he is the Son of Man and worship him and follow him.
There was a song out years ago titled, “You light up my life” The song is about someone whose life is transformed by someone who loves them and gives new meaning to their lonely life.
Some of the words go – ‘so many nights I sit by my window waiting for someone to sing me his song and now you’ve come along and you light up my life, you give me hope to carry on, you light up my life.’
Jesus says to all of us, “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world,” meaning: all who are blind will be able to see, so long as I am the light they seek. His invitation is, Come, then, and receive the light, so that you may be able to see. Paul tells us we are all children of light, a light that produces every kind of goodness, justice and truth.
In these final weeks of Lent, walking in the light of Christ and freed from any blindness may we look into the hearts of all those who come into our lives and see them as brothers and sisters worthy of our love and respect.
Paul calls his Ephesians children of a “light” that produces every kind of goodness, justice, and truth. Christ himself embodies the promise of the psalm: “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?”
Our Lenten prayer and sacrifice should serve to take away our blindness so that we can look into the hearts of others and love them as brothers and sisters, always remembering the words of Christ, ‘as often as you did these things to the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me.’
| Posted in Homily |
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: March 31st, April 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 28th, 29th, 30th , May 1st, or May 2nd.
Children from St. Gabriel’s School are asked to choose one of the following dates: May 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, or 16th.
Please call the Parish Office to book your appointment with Fr. Brando as soon as possible.
Wednesday, April 16th 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.
Please call Ed Shiller at 647-407-2953 or 647-352-3123 by Wednesday, April 9th to book your table of 6 or 8 or to have your name added to a table.
March 31st to April 5th, 2014
MONDAY – WILLY WONG – Requested by Agnes Wong TUESDAY – ALLAN PERSAUD – Requested by the Persaud & Goldenberg Families WEDNESDAY – LUIS FUNG – Requested by the Family THURSDAY – MAGDALINE CHIU – Requested by Anonymous FRIDAY – MARTIN SMEE – Requested by the Family SATURDAY – AL DONEGAN – Requested by the Family
Friday Evenings at 7:30 P.M.
11:00 A.M to 12:00 Noon 3:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M.
Masses Saturday. 4:30 P.M., Sunday 8:30 A.M., 10:30 A.M., 12:30 P.M.
No 9:00 A.M. Mass 7:30 P.M. Mass of the Lord’s Supper Followed by Adoration until 10:00 P.M.
10:00 A.M. Morning Prayer 3:00 P.M. Solemn Passion of Our Lord 7:30 P.M. Stations of the Cross
No 4:30 P.M. Mass 8:00 P.M. Easter Vigil
Masses 8:30 A.M., 10:30 A.M., 12:30 P.M.
No 9:00 A.M. Mass Office closed
EXTRA PARKING AT ELKHORN PUBLIC SCHOOL
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.
Friday, April 4th from 9:30 AM – 12 Noon
Sunday, April 6th 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.
English: Saturday, April 5th at 3:15 P.M. in the Gabriel Room. Chinese: Sunday, April 6th at 3:30 P.M. in the Gabriel Room.
For information, please contact Linda Law at 416-918-8029.
Working wonders in our community…
“You don’t have to look far to see the wonders being worked by ShareLife… in the pews of your parish, in the homes on your street, in your neighbourhood.” ShareLife agencies provide competent, faith informed care to those who turn to them for help, regardless of their beliefs or background.
Last year, over 354,000 services were provided to over 96,000 people in our Archdiocese in more than 20 languages, receiving the compassion, care and respect they rightly deserve. In addition, countless others were assisted through outreach programs around the world. —Thomas Cardinal Collins, Archbishop of Toronto
Today is ShareLife Sunday. Please give generously. You can work wonders!
Weekend of April 5th/6th
To raise funds for FertilityCare Toronto, the St.Gabriel’s Youth Group will once again be selling hand-made Belgian dark chocolate or milk chocolate Easter eggs for $3.00 each before and after all the Masses on the weekend of April 5th/6th. Your support will help the Centre promote and maintain their service in the Diocese.
St. Bonaventure’s Church, 1300 Leslie Street Friday, April 11th at 8:00 P.M.
You are invited to celebrate the service of Tenebrae being held at St. Bonaventure’s Church on April 11th at 8:00 P.M. Tenebrae retells the story of the Passion through a collection of readings and sung responses, which are provided by the gentlemen of the Seraphim Men’s Chorus. Certainly, Tenebrae is a wonderful way to prepare for Holy Week. We look forward to seeing you there!
Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre April 11th to 13th
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 April 11-13, 2014. For information telephone: 905-278-5229.
THE GIFT OF FORGIVENESS
VISION TV
Part 1 – Monday, April 14th at 6:00 P.M. Repeated at 10:00 P.M. EDT
Part 2 – Tuesday, April 15th at 6:00 P.M. Repeated at 10:00 P.M. EDT
The National Catholic Mission 2014, “The Gift of Forgiveness,” will be broadcast on VISIONTV on Monday, and Tuesday of Holy Week at 6:00 P.M. (repeated at 10:00 P.M. EDT)
This year’s Mission looks at how the hurts and cruelties we inevitably experience during the first half of our lives, at school, at home and at work, may be a source of the anger and resentment we feel in our later years. It will offer a pathway to help us rediscover a mellow and compassionate heart.
The Mission will feature Father Ron Rolheiser, O.M.I., Sr. Melannie Svoboda, SND, Paula D’Arcy and Tom Zanzig.
Catholic Family Services, Central Office 1155 Yonge Street Tuesday Evenings, 6:30 to 8:30 P.M. April 15th to June 17th
Catholic Family Services of Toronto is offering 10 week group program for adult men and women coping with the 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 on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 P.M. from April 15th to June 17th at the Central Office, 1155 Yonge Street. For more information, please contact Ian Singer at 416-921-1163.
April 25th to 27th
Retrouvaille consists of a live-in weekend and Post sessions to help couples experiencing troubles in their marriage relationships. For further confidential and no-obligation information, call 416- 281-6007 or go to www.torontoretrouvaille.com. The next weekend will be held on April 25th to 27th in Mississauga.
Our operating expenses average $14,550 per week.
Collection for last weekend: Envelopes 439 $9,449 Loose Change $912 Weekly Portion of PAG 177 $3,307 (Pre-Authorized Giving) Total $13,668
Maintenance to Date: $9,305
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 |
March 23rd, 2014
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: March 31st, April 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 28th, 29th, 30, May 1st, or May 2nd.
Please call Ed Shiller at 647-407-2953 or 647-352-3133 by Wednesday, April 9th to book your table of 6 or 8 or to have your name added to a table.
The Parish is purchasing 600 new song hymnals. The green song books would also be retained. These hymnals which contain the words to more contemporary songs that we all know and recognize, will help us to fully participate in our liturgies.
Although these hymnals are being purchased at a special 20% saving, they represent a cost of $20 per hymnal. We would encourage you to help defray the cost by making a contribution of $20 per hymnal. You are not limited to contributing only for one hymnal and we welcome any amount you may wish to give. Any contribution should be placed in a blank envelope including your name, address and envelope number and should clearly indicate “Hymnals.”
March 24th to March 29th, 2014
MONDAY – LUCILLE & PAT ALTILIA – Requested by Marie & Michael Gennaro TUESDAY – LEILA THOMAS – Requested by Thomas Callaghan WEDNESDAY – CECILY TURTON – Requested by David Turton THURSDAY – MICHAEL PANG – Requested by the Family FRIDAY – MARTIN SMEE – Requested by the Family SATURDAY – GERRY BAVINGTON – Requested by Diana Bavington
The Parish Family of St. Gabriel’s would like to welcome: William Antonio Camacho, Sebastian Roger Kipp and Andrew Phillip Aninangin Ganon who received the Sacrament of Baptism on Sunday, March 16th 2014. Congratulations!
Stations of the Cross Friday Evenings at 7:30 P.M.
Individual Confessions April 9th 11:00 A.M to 12:00 Noon 3:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M.
Reconciliation Service April 9th at 7:30 P.M.
Palm Sunday April 13th Masses: Saturday. 4:30 P.M., Sunday 8:30 A.M., 10:30 A.M., 12:30 P.M.
Holy Thursday April 17th No 9:00 A.M. Mass 7:30 P.M. Mass of the Lord’s Supper Followed by Adoration until 10:00 P.M.
Good Friday April 18th 10:00 A.M. Morning Prayer 3:00 P.M. Solemn Passion of Our Lord 7:30 P.M. Stations of the Cross
Holy Saturday April 19th No 4:30 P.M. Mass 8:00 P.M. Easter Vigil
Easter Sunday April 20th Masses: 8:30 A.M., 10:30 A.M., 12:30 P.M.
Easter Monday April 21st No 9:00 A.M. Mass Office closed
Saturday, March 29th at St. Gabriel’s Church at 2:00 P.M.
First Reconciliation for children attending St. Gabriel’s School, and those in the Children’s Faith Program and children attending Private Schools will be held at St. Gabriel’s Church on Saturday, March 29th at 2:00 P.M.
Last year Mary Centre received a call to assist Robert, a client, when they learned that his sister Theresa, who lived with him, had collapsed and was rushed to the hospital. Due to a previous connection with Robert and Theresa, the agency was able to respond quickly. Mary Centre’s respite facility at St. Bernard’s is often fully booked a few months in advance but other families were supportive and changed their plans to accommodate this situation.Robert stayed at Mary Centre for 3 weeks until Theresa was able to return home and take care of him. He continues to come to St. Bernard’s at least once a month where he has felt welcome and has made friends. Robert and Theresa take comfort in knowing that Mary Centre was there for them. Theresa shared, “To know Mary Centre is to know people who are kind, considerate and thoughtful; thank you for all you’ve have done for my brother and me.” Last year, over 1,800 people with special needs received assistance from ShareLife-supported agencies.
First ShareLife Sunday – March 30, 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, please contact Irene Albrecht at 416 221-2791.
Retrouvaille consists of a live-in weekend and Post sessions to help couples experiencing troubles in their marriage relationships. For further confidential and no-obligation information, call 416- 281-6007 or go to: www.torontoretrouvaille.com. The next weekend will be held on April 25th to 27th in Mississauga.
April 27th to May 3rd from 10:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M.
100 Wellesley Street West, 1st Floor Solarium
Regis College, the Jesuit College of Theology at the University of Toronto, is having its 3rd annual Book Sale from April 30th to May 3rd. If you have any gently used books to donate, they would be most appreciated. The books can be delivered to Regis College at 100 Wellesley St. E. (at Queens’s Park). For more information please call 416-922-5474 ext. 244 or email at regiscollege.ca/booksale.TT.
Collection for last weekend:
Envelopes 404 $8,036 Loose Change $1,385 Weekly Portion of PAG 177 $3,307 (Pre-Authorized Giving) Total $12,728
Two thirsty people meet at a well. St. Augustine wrote of that meeting, “The very one who asks for a drink promises a drink. The very one who seems to be in need, hoping to receive, is the one who is rich, wanting to give, wanting to satisfy our deepest thirsts.” Jesus promises the woman at the well, “Whoever drinks the water I give will never be thirsty. No, the water I give shall become a fountain within, leaping up to provide eternal life.”
There are two thirsts involved in this meeting at the well. There is our human thirst and there is God’s thirst. We humans thirst for many things. We thirst for meaning in our life; we thirst for love and acceptance. We thirst for happiness. We thirst for peace and forgiveness. We thirst for God. Jesus tells us he is the only one who ultimately quenches all our thirsts.
Do we ever think of God’s thirst for us? God thirsts for us especially when we try to quench our many thirsts by drinking the polluted waters of selfishness and infidelity. Christ’s pitiful cry from his cross,” I thirst” tells us of his thirst for our response to his great act of love. When we grasp the full mystery of the passion, death and resurrection of Christ hopefully we may realize that, as great as our many thirsts may be it is God’s eternal thirst for us, for our faith, our trust, our love, is the central mystery of our relationship with God.
During these remaining days of Lent may we try, as best we can, to satisfy God’s thirst by being faithful to the teachings of his Son by loving and forgiving others as he loves and forgives us and by being there for others in need as he is always there for us.
March 16th, 2014
I’ve been to the Mountain of the Transfiguration. There is a beautiful church there and two small chapels representing the three tents Peter wanted to build, one for Jesus, one for Moses and one for Elijah. The view from this mountain is awesome.
Jesus took Peter, James and John, his favorite friends up this mountain to give them a glimpse of his glory and his closeness to the Father. They saw him transfigured, his whole being transformed and heard the Father’s proclamation, this is my beloved son, listen to him.’ The presence of Moses and Elijah is to let us know that Jesus is the fulfillment of the law and the prophets. What an experience this must have been for Peter, James and John.
Later on Jesus brought these same three friends with him into the garden of Gethsemane. In that dark place they heard Jesus beg for his life, ‘Father if it is possible let this chalice pass me by, yet not my will but your will be done.’ There they watched Jesus sweat blood as he prayed for the strength to face his future. No one said, ‘Lord it is good for us to be here’ in Gethsemane. To block out all this tension they slept and Jesus chided them for their failure to be with him and support him.
There can be times in our lives as we struggle to live our lives as followers of Jesus we may experience the Jesus of the mountain. Experiencing the deep love of spouses and family and close friends we may be blessed with an awareness of God’s closeness to us and God’s love for us. In the sacrament of reconciliation we know, in the depth of our being, our sins are forgiven and sense God’s loving embrace. When we become aware of the beauty of God’s good creation we catch our breath at the wonder of it all.
But we know too that in reality our lives are lived mostly in our personal gardens of Gethsemane with the struggling, suffering Christ. We find it hard to say, ‘Lord it is good for us to be here.’
But this we must know; it is the Jesus of Gethsemane who walks with us when we find ourselves in the dark frightening times of our lives; when our relationships sour and fall apart and we feel betrayed by those we love, when we are told tests are positive or that the treatments we endured did not work, when we no longer have the mobility to go where we want, when our eyesight or our hearing fails. It is Jesus of Gethsemane who sustains us when we struggle with our faults and failures and live with the disappointing reality that the good we would do we do not and the evil that we would not do, that we do. It is the Jesus of Gethsemane who stays with us as we try to spend some time in prayer and often find that time so long. It is the Jesus of Nazareth who stays with us when our prayer life seems empty and God seems so distant.
It is Jesus of Gethsemane who is with us as we face our sense of shame and failure when we surrender ourselves to our addictions and compulsions. It is the Jesus of Gethsemane who is with us as we find ourselves out of work and unable to support our family. It is the Jesus of Gethsemane who tells us, do not be afraid just as the transfigured Jesus told Peter, James and John ‘do not be afraid’ because in all the circumstances of our lives Jesus is with us. Jesus walks with us, strengthens us, lifts us up when we fall and most all loves us. The glory of the Transfiguration is a prelude to the glory of the Risen Lord showing us his wounds, blazing pledges of his love for us with his message that when all is said and done life conquers death, love conquers hate, justice conquers injustice, and freedom conquers oppression. Do not be afraid.
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