February 23rd, 2014
Thursday, February 27th is the feast of St. Gabriel. St. Gabriel, a member of the Passionist Community, was born Francis Possenti on March 1, 1838 in Assisi. In September, 1856 he entered the Passionist novitiate but before his ordination, he contracted tuberculosis. He died February 27, 1862 at the age of 24. Francis had a special devotion to Mary and chose as his religious name Gabriel of the Sorrowful Virgin. He is remembered for his enthusiasm in life and his extraordinary generosity. Pope John XXIII proclaimed him as a special Patron of Youth. Mass will be celebrated as usual at 9:00 A.M. on Thursday. There will also be a School Mass on Wednesday, February 26th at 1:30 P.M. here at the Church.
February 24th to March 1st, 2014
MONDAY – MARKE GARCIA – Requested by Pat Martin TUESDAY – RUKI MARTINEZ – Requested by Rienzie Martinez WEDNESDAY – IRENE CHUCHRA – Requested by Judy and Ella THURSDAY – IVY LYN – Requested by the Family FRIDAY – ELEANOR EDENBOROUGH – Requested by Fran Moscall SATURDAY – GEMMA ARANHA – Requested by Michael Meharchand
The Parish Family of St. Gabriel’s would like to welcome:
Logan John Alexander Baird Lucas Mael Thelliere Vivian Grace Zdzienicki
These children received the Sacrament of Baptism on Sunday, February 16th, 2014. Congratulations!
Once again many thanks to our donors for all their help during the past year. 2013 tax receipts for all donations of $20 or more have been mailed. Receipts for donations of less than $20 are available upon request.
Did you know that the plastic, outer bags from four litres of milk can be woven into quick-dry, bug-resistant bed mats for flood-ravaged areas of the third world, like Haiti. This gives them a practical use since they take 40 to 100 years to decompose. A bin has been placed in the gathering space for the collection of bags. Please remember to rinse out and dry bags before depositing them. Thank you.
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.
Tuesday, March 4th from 7:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M.
Catholic Pastoral Centre: 1155 Yonge St. 4th Floor (Parking available)
On Tuesday, March 4th, New Beginnings will present an inspirational talk with Michael Stoeber, Professor of Religion and Spirituality at Regis College, The Jesuit School of Theology at the University of Toronto Pre registration is NOT required. For enquiries please contact Deacon James Shaughnessy MSW., RSW., Psyn.D. at Catholic Family Services of Toronto 416-921-1163 ext 2227 or by email jshaughn@cfstoronto.com)
Beginning Ash Wednesday, March 5, 2014
7:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. Regis College, 100 Wellesley St., Toronto
Faith Connections, Regis College, and the Toronto Area Vocation Directors Association invite young adults (18-39) from different areas of the Archdiocese of Toronto to experience the gift of Spiritual Accompaniment this Lent! The retreat will begin and end with a group gathering. In the six weeks between, you will be invited to spend 15 minutes a day in prayer and meet with a spiritual companion in your area 3 times for 1 hour.
The cost is $25. Register by February 24th.
Call Vanessa Nicholas-Schmidt at 416-467-2645 or e-mail faithconnections@csj-to.ca
Friday, March 7th at 1:30 PM
Forest Grove United Church, 43 Forest Grove Drive
World Day of Prayer is an annual worldwide ecumenical service which began in 1922 in Canada and the United States. It is now observed in 170 countries around the world. Each participating country takes its turn selecting the theme and writing the service. Forest Grove United Church invites us to join them at this year’s service, written by the Christian women of Egypt, entitled “Stream in the Desert”. All are welcome to attend.
St. Paul’s Basilica, 83 Power Street, Toronto Thursday evenings, March 11th to April 1st 7:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M.
This series is an opportunity for participants to deepen their understanding of Catholicism and to live their faith more eagerly as disciples of Jesus Christ, based upon the four major sections of the Catechism of the Catholic Church:
1. Profession of Faith 2. The Celebration of the Christian Mystery 3. Life in Christ 4. Christian Prayer
Sessions will include presentations, multimedia, reading, discussion, prayer and reflection. To register, call the Office of Formation for Discipleship at 416-934-3400 ext. 523 On-Line Form: www.archtoronto.org/discipleship Fax: 416-934-3431 Email: formation@archtoronto.org
Catholic Pastoral Centre, 1155 Yonge Street (Located beside Summerhill subway station.)
Tuesday evenings, March 11th to April 1st 7:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M.
Come and learn the basics about the Bible, according to the Catholic teaching and traditions in four faith formation sessions. The sessions will include multimedia presentations, reflection, prayer and discussion, and will answer the basic questions: What is the Bible? What is in it? What do I do with it? How do Catholics pray with Scripture?
To register, call the Office of Formation for Discipleship at 416-934-3400 ext. 523 On-Line Form: www.archtoronto.org/discipleship Fax: 416-934-3431 Email: formation@archtoronto.org
Saturday, March 22nd from 9:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. Loretto College, 70 St. Mary Street
This workshop will be presented by a team of men and women religious. It is a day to reflect on making choices in life. It will be given at Loretto College, 70 St. Mary Street, Toronto (south of Bay/Bloor Subway)
The suggested donation is $25 (lunch included). For further information, please contact Sister Rosemary Fry, CSJ at 416-285-4166 or by email at rfry@csj-to.ca
International Plaza Hotel 655 Dixon Road, Toronto
Saturday, April 12th from 8:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.
Come. Get inspired. Refresh your spirit. Meet new people. Renew your mind. Learn about new saints.
The keynote speaker will be Lisa Hendley, from Fresno California, author of the Handbook for Catholic Moms. Other speakers include Fr. Terry McKenna, Michael Coren, Anita Healy, Dorothy Pilarski and Tammie Cancelli.
For more information and to register visit: www.dynamicwomenfaith.com
Our operating expenses average $14,550 per week.
Collection for weekend of February 15th/16th, 2014
Envelopes 394 $7,961 Loose Change $1,068 Weekly Portion of PAG 177 $3,307 (Pre-Authorized Giving) Total $12,336
Maintenance Collection: $629 Maintenance to Date: $7,460
Tax receipts for donations made in 2013 have been mailed to you. If you have changed your address or are moving out of the Parish, please notify the Parish Office at 416-221-8866.
We would like to remind you not to use envelopes from previous years as this number may have been reassigned to another family.
| Posted in Bulletin |
February 16th, 2014
Monday, February 17th is Family Day. The Parish Office will be closed. There will be no 9:00 AM Mass.
We want to say a special word of thanks to our Asian Community for the wonderful Lunar New Year celebration. This is one of the nicest events we have through the year and it was, once again, a wonderful success. Many thanks to all those good people who donated food and those who worked so hard to make the celebration a memorable event. The food was plentiful and awesome! All who attended the celebration thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
Fr. Brando
Elkhorn Public School very graciously allows parishioners to use their bus loop to park when our lot is full on Sundays.
However, it is important that we not park there after a large snowfall since they are under strict time constraints to have the lot cleared for their parents and students. Your cooperation in this matter is appreciated.
February 17th – February 22nd , 2014
MONDAY – FAMILY DAY – No 9:00 A.M. Mass TUESDAY – JUSCHITZ FAMILY – Requested by Sylvia & Frank Leaver WEDNESDAY – GERRY BAVINGTON – Requested by Mary Ann & Fergus O’Connell THURSDAY – ARMANDO & WALTER DINARDO – Requested by the Family FRIDAY – GERRY BAVINGTON – Requested by Diana Bavington SATURDAY – JOSEPHINE BADAME – Requested by the Family
Your prepared casseroles (frozen please) will be collected at the Masses next weekend for delivery to the Good Shepherd Centre.
We are very grateful for the wonderful response in December. However, more volunteers are needed to help feed the hungry in our city. 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. 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.
Did you know that the plastic, outer bags from four litres of milk can be woven into quick-dry, bug-resistant bed mats for flood-ravaged areas of the third world, like Haiti. This gives them a practical use since they take 40 – 100 years to decompose.
A bin has been placed in the gathering space for the collection of bags. Please remember to rinse out and dry bags before depositing them. Thank you.
Friday, March 7th at 2:00 PM
St. Timothy Church, 21 Leith Hill Road
World Day of Prayer is a worldwide movement of Christian women of many traditions who come together to observe a common day of prayer each year.
The theme for 2014 written by the women of Egypt is “Stream in the Desert”. This year World Day of Prayer will be hosted by St. Timothy Church. All are welcome to attend.
Faith Connections, Regis College, and the Toronto Area Vocation Directors Association invite young adults (18-39) from different areas of the Archdiocese of Toronto to experience the gift of Spiritual Accompaniment this Lent! The retreat will begin and end with a group gathering. In the six weeks between, you will be invited to spend 15 minutes a day in prayer and meet with a spiritual companion in your area 3 times for 1 hour. The cost is $25. Register by February 24th. Call Vanessa Nicholas-Schmidt at 416-467-2645 or e-mail faithconnections@csj-to.ca
Catholic Pastoral Centre, 1155 Yonge Street (Located beside Summerhill subway station.) Tuesday evenings, March 11th to April 1st 7:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M.
Collection for February 9th, 2014
Envelopes 410 $8,100 Loose Change $952 Weekly Portion of PAG 177 $3,307 (Pre-Authorized Giving) Total $12,359
Please pick up your 2014 Offertory Boxed Envelopes as soon as possible. If you are on the Pre- Authorized Giving Plan, you will still receive a smaller green box of envelopes since these include Initial, New Year’s, Christmas, Easter and Maintenance envelopes. You may contact the Parish Office if you do not have envelopes but would like a box for 2014.
Tax receipts for donations made in 2013 will be mailed to you by the end of February. If you have changed your address or are moving out of the Parish, please notify the Parish Office at 416-221-8866.
First of all we must know that not all scribes and Pharisees were bad people, neither phonies, nor hypocrites. Many of the first members of the Christian community in Jerusalem were scribes and Pharisees.
In the gospel Jesus is going after those scribes and Pharisees who use the law to impose heavy burdens on the little people of the land and harshly judge them for not keeping the law in the way they saw the law should be kept. This harshness was especially true concerning the laws governing the Sabbath. Jesus accused them of laying heavy burdens hard to bear on people’s shoulders and yet would not lift a finger to ease these burdens. They criticized Jesus for curing the Sabbath and he had to remind them the Sabbath was for man, not man for the Sabbath. In other words cut the cloth to fit the person, not the person to fit the cloth.
In this section on the Sermon on the Mount Jesus offers us a whole new vision as to how we are to live the law. You have heard it said – but I say to you. Jesus calls us to see beyond the strict observance and letter of the law to the spirit of the law, what lies beyond it; especially the great law of love Jesus gave us the night before he died for us. As we heard in the first reading from the book of Sirach, God’s commandments are meant to call us to life, to a deeper union with God. Each day each one of us is offered a choice – life and death, good and evil, whichever we choose will be given us.
“I tell you, unless your holiness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees you shall not enter the kingdom of God.” Murder had already been forbidden in the Ten Commandments, but Jesus plumbs to the heart of murderous intent. We would never take someone’s life but what about the unspoken anger and resentment we feel toward someone? What about the quiet contempt we may feel toward someone because of who they are or where they come from or what they believe? Jesus tells us that if we harbor a grudge or are unwilling to forgive a past hurt or injustice then we are to leave our gift at the altar and go and be reconciled with the person who hurt us or let us down and then our gift to the God of peace will be authentic. We would never think of committing adultery and yet be addicted to pornography on the internet. We may never think of robbing someone and yet we may be stealing their good name and reputation by our gossip.
In trying to live our lives following God’s commandments we try to see beyond the words to the spirit of that commandment, to its deeper meanings, its deeper challenges.
We are good people and for the most part we do the best we can but sometimes our ‘keeping the commandments’ can be superficial. Have you ever heard the saying, ‘Mr. Catholic went to Mass he never missed a Sunday but Mr. Catholic went to hell for what he did on Monday’?
With today’s gospel in mind we can pray for ourselves and for each other that every day of the week, with the help of God’s grace we will walk, we will live in the law of the Lord.
| Posted in Homily |
February 9th, 2014
This Sunday, February 9th after 12:30 PM Mass
Friday January 31st marked the beginning of Lunar New Year. For many years, the Asian community in our parish has gifted our parish community with a wonderful New Year Party. This year is the Year of the Horse. Our Lunar New Year Party will take place this Sunday, February 9th after the 12:30 PM Mass in the Gathering Space. All are welcome.
Volunteers and donations are also welcome. Please contact Linda Law at 416-918-8029.
St. Gabriel’s Church, Gabriel Room Saturday, February 22nd from 8:30 A.M. to 3:30 P.M.
On February 22nd, a Lifesaving Course, including CPR and the correct use of our defibrillator will be offered here at St. Gabriel’s. This course is a 3 year certification course via the Lifesaving Society.
The course is 7 hours long (including lunch and breaks) and will run from 8:30 A.M. to 3:30 P.M. It is recommended that participants bring lunch to avoid leaving the premises.
All participants must have 100 percent attendance and participation, pass the written test and perform all exercises as instructed. Participants must be able to get down on the floor.
The cost per person is $95 which includes all course materials and certificates. If interested, please sign up on the sign-up sheet which can be found in the sacristy.
However, it is important that we not park there after a snowfall since they are under strict time constraints to have the lot cleared for their parents and students.
Your cooperation in this matter is appreciated.
February 10th – February 15th, 2014
MONDAY – RUTH, GERRY & CHRIS LEAVER – Requested by Sylvia & Frank Leaver TUESDAY – CLEMENTINA & VINCENT ROSANOVA – Requested by Sylvia & Frank Leaver WEDNESDAY – DAVID OBINA – Requested by Terisita Magpayo THURSDAY – TONINO DI DIODATO – Requested by the Family FRIDAY – SATURDAY – GUS CALDERONE – Requested by the Family
Sunday, February 9th at 4:00 P.M.
St. Paul’s Basilica 83 Power Street, Toronto
Cardinal Collins has designated the weekend of February 8th/9th, 2014 as Marriage Sunday in the Archdiocese of Toronto. A special Mass will be celebrated this Sunday, February 9th at 4:00 P.M. for couples celebrating their 25th, 40th, 50th or 60+ wedding anniversaries in 2014.
The event provides an opportunity to honour husband and wife while saluting the faithfulness, sacrifice and joy that comes with the marriage covenant. To those preparing for marriage, newlyweds and those that have been companions on the journey for decades, we offer our prayers and best wishes in a special way this weekend. All are welcome to join in this celebration
No RSVP is necessary. For more information, please visit www.archtoronto.org/marriage/.
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
The Paulist Ministry Centre 830 Bathurst St., Toronto
Thursday, February 13th at 7:00 P.M.
We live in a sea of media. From Tweets to your daily newspaper, 24-hour news channels to Facebook. In the 21st century, we’re all consumers, producers and critics of the media. So what do we mean by media ethics now?
With extensive experience in the media, Michael Swan, Associate Editor of the Catholic Register will expose us to a Catholic perspective on media ethics.
Free will offerings accepted. For more information call 416-534-2326 or email Fr. John Duffy, CSP at jfdcsp1@cs.com.
Weekend of February 21st to 23rd
Another honeymoon is a perfect way for a couple to celebrate their marriage. Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre offers married couples the privacy, comfort, hospitality and inspiring program that encourage couples to continue exploring their lives together. The next weekend is February 21st to 23rd 2014….
For information telephone: Father Tomy at 905-278-5229 ex. 225 or Visit our website: https://sites.google.com/site/queenofapostles.ca
Wednesday, February 26th at 7:00 P.M.
Jack Astor’s Bar & Grill 580 Progress Ave., Scarborough,
Faith Connections, the Office of Catholic Youth, and the local parishes invite young adults (19-39) to join us for an evening of thought-provoking conversation on theological topics! The special guest will be Fr. Chris Valka.
Munchies will be provided and a cash bar is available. Come and bring a friend! For more information: visit our Toronto Theology on Tap web page, or contact OCY by e-mail youth@ocytoronto.org, or phone 416-599-7676.
RSVPs appreciated!
Collection for February 2nd, 2014
Envelopes 397 $7,895 Loose Change $906 Weekly Portion of PAG 177 $3,307 (Pre-Authorized Giving) Total $12,108
Maintenance Collection: $6,831
Pope Francis’ first important letter to the Church titled ‘The Joy of the Gospel’ echoes the words of Isaiah in our first reading; “ Is not this the fast I want, to lose the bonds of injustice, let the oppressed go free, share your bread with the hungry, cover the naked, bring the homeless poor into your home.’
Pope Francis tells it like it is when he writes, ‘today we have to say thou shalt not kill to an economy of exclusion and inequality for such an economy kills. The Holy Father wants us to have a deep and active concern for the plight of the poor who suffer so many injustices from an economy that puts profit above people.
He writes, “Today everything comes under the laws of competition and the survival of the fittest, where the powerful feed upon the powerless. As a consequence, masses of people find themselves excluded and marginalized: without work, without possibilities, without any means of escape.
“Human beings are themselves considered consumer goods to be used and then discarded.”
This is especially true in the corporate world, where often benefits are cut, wages remain stagnant, workforces are slashed — putting more work on fewer people — and unions are suppressed.’
Not satisfied with these unjust cost-cutting measures, which produce profits for upper management executives and stockholders, corporate greed sinks even lower by often taking advantage of production facilities in poor nations where desperately impoverished people are ruthlessly exploited in corporate sponsored sweatshops.
“Almost without being aware of it, we end up being incapable of feeling compassion at the outcry of the poor, weeping for other people’s pain, and feeling a need to help them, as though all this were someone else’s responsibility and not our own.”
In today’s gospel from Mark Jesus tells us that his followers, we who bear his name, are to make a difference in the societies in which we live. Jesus tells us ‘you are the salt of the Earth; you are the light of the world.’ In other words by following his teaching and example we are meant to give a special flavor to the way people treat other people, friend or stranger. By the way we live our lives we are to light up the lives of all those whose lives we touch.
Our world is in a bit of a mess, especially economically. As individuals we look at it and are convinced there’s nothing we can do to change it. But there is.
We can speak up and object when people put down the men and women of our First Nations claiming they are all drunks and lazy and we should stop giving them handouts. We can object when we hear sexist or racist remarks in a conversation. We can speak out or write letters to tell our government it does not speak for us when it cuts back on programs that help the poor, the homeless, the handicapped, our veterans, people trying to come to Canada. We can let our politicians know we don’t agree when they ignore environmental issues and end programs that seek to protect and enhance the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat.
We know we won’t be listened to. But we will have done something. We will have made our own little effort to give a different flavor, shed a different light of these issues and matters that affect all our lives.
As we continue this Mass we pray that we always be mindful of the men and women of this city, this country who find themselves in desperate straits because of unemployment, lack of housing, lack of opportunity of any other cause that robs them of their human dignity and reduces them to commodities to be used and then discarded. Life is not fair for so many people but if we commit ourselves to try to be salt and light we can in our own small way make a difference.
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