October 27th, 2013
October 28th to November 2nd, 2013
MONDAY – JUAN M. VILLAFRANCA Requested by the Family TUESDAY – DECEASED MEMBERS OF THE DYSANGCO FAMILY Requested by Maria Lourdes Luz WEDNESDAY – JOHN HUYBERS Requested the Family THURSDAY – MARGARET MORROW Requested by Carolyn Thomas FRIDAY – SOULS IN PURGATORY Requested by John Chan SATURDAY – ANITA MARKLE & MARJORIE SEAZIN Requested by the Family
Wednesday, October 30th, at 7:30 PM
On Wednesday, October 30th at 7:30 P.M. there will be a meeting for parents only of children who will be receiving First Reconciliation for the first time. The meeting will be held here in the Church.
BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE
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.
Sunday, November 3rd 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.
Holy Cross Cemetery, Thornhill Saturday, November 2nd at 2:00 PM
Catholic Cemeteries – Archdiocese of Toronto wishes to invite all families to participate in the annual All Souls’ Day Mass on Saturday, November 2nd, 2013 at 2:00 PM at Holy Cross Cemetery, Thornhill, 905-889-7467. The Liturgy will be celebrated in English and Italian. All are welcome.
Friday, November 1st from 9:30 AM – 12 Noon
English: Saturday, November 2nd at 3:15 PM in the Gabriel Room Chinese: Sunday, November 3rd at 3:30 PM in the Gabriel Room. For further information, please contact Linda Law at 416 -918-8029
We are 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.
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 to100 years to decompose. A bin has been placed in the Gathering Space for the collection of clean, dry bags. Thank you.
The Archdiocese of Toronto is now accepting financial contributions for humanitarian relief as the death toll continues to rise following an earthquake that struck the central Philippines on October 15.
The earthquake, centered about 620 km southeast of Manila, has been blamed for more than 160 deaths so far, with hundreds of people injured and dozens still missing. Government reports suggest more than 158,000 people have been displaced, with 100,000 of them being housed in 85 evacuation centres. The official Catholic relief agency on the ground, NASSA-Caritas Philippines, has already released fund assistance to augment the relief operation of the dioceses in the Bohol region. Local funds from the local church are also being tapped to provide emergency assistance to the affected localities.
Those wishing to help may do so in the following ways:
We offer our prayers for the victims of this natural disaster and those who have been displaced. Thank you for your ongoing efforts to help those in crisis in the Philippines.
Wednesday, November 6th at 7:30 PM St. Gabriel’s Passionist Parish
For many years, St. Gabriel’s Parish has participated in Holocaust Education Week. On Wednesday, November 6th at 7:30 P.M. we will present the film Conspiracy. Conspiracy dramatizes the 1942 Wannsee Conference and delves into the psychology of Nazi officials involved in the “Final Solution” implementing Adolf Hitler’s policy to make Europe free of the Jews during the Second World War. All are encouraged to attend.
October 28th at 7:00 P.M. Duke of York Pub (upstairs) 39 Prince Arthur Ave
Young adults (19-39) are invited join us for an evening of thought-provoking theological discussion in a relaxed setting, with special guest: Paul Robson, SJ, theology student at Regis College. Paul will share how he was formed by the friendships he made with Bhutanese refugees in Nepal; and how he has endeavoured to continue such friendships back home in Canada. Munchies provided, cash bar, come and bring a friend! For more information call Vanessa Nicholas-Schmidt at 416-467-2645 or visit www.faithconnections.ca.
Weekend of November 1st to 3rd
Celebrate Your Marriage with a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend!
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 is November 1st-3rd , 2013 For further information or registration please contact: Cora & Mike Bryce (905-896-2958) or cora-mikebryce@sympatico.ca
Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre November 1st to 3rd
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 Nov.1st to 3rd, 2013. For information telephone Queen of Apostles 1617 Blythe Road, Mississauga at 905-278 5229.
Saturday, November 23rd at 2:30 PM
A reception will be hosted for our new parishioners who registered with us in the past year on Saturday, November 23rd at 2:30 P.M. here at the parish. Invitations have been sent out. If you are new to the parish, and have not yet registered, please contact the Parish Office at 416-221-8866.
Saturday, November 2nd, 2013 9:30 A.M. to3:00 P.M. St. Louis de France Parish Hall
The theme is Faith – Positive Psychology Powerful Partners for Healing as We Journey through the Grief Process. The Speaker is Fr. Fred Scinto C.R. For Inquiries, please email: jshaughn@cfstoronto.com or contact: Deacon James Shaughnessy, MSW., RSW., Psyn. D. at 416-921-1163 ext. 2227.
This event is free of charge. Pre-registration is required. Please register by Monday, October 28, 2013 to Angela at agamelo@cfstoronto.com or by phone at 416-921-1163 ext. 2236.
November 5th from7:00 to 9:00 P.M. Archdiocese of Toronto Pastoral Centre, 4th floor 1155 Yonge Street, Toronto
Join us for an informative evening beginning with fellowship at 7:00. The Presentation on the topic: “Coping with Life after Loss” is at 7:30. The Guest Speakers are Meyrick and Betty D’Sylva. Pre-registration is not necessary. For more information, please contact Deacon James Shaughnessy MSW, RSW, Psyn. D. at 416-921-1163, ext. 2227 or email: jshaughn@cfstoronto.com.
Our operating expenses average $14,550 per week. Collection for October 20th, 2013
Envelopes 367 $7,771 Loose Change $1,036 Weekly Portion of PAG 182 $3,519 Pre-Authorized Giving) Total $12,326
World Mission Sunday Collection $3,674
Please remember to print your full name on your Offertory envelope and then seal it.
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.
| Posted in Bulletin |
I’d like to share a few thoughts on the second reading of today’s Mass, Paul’s letter to his friend and disciple Timothy. From Paul’s strange encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus until the day he died Paul cared for nothing else but to know Jesus Christ and Him Crucified. He said of himself, ’for me to live is Christ and he encouraged all of us to grow to full maturity in Christ. Paul’s life as a preacher of the gospel was not an easy life. He tells of the number of times he was whipped, the number of times he was stoned, the number of times he was run out of town, the number of times he was ship wrecked. But nothing could stop him from telling all those who entered his life about Jesus, crucified and risen. “Woe is me if I preach not the gospel.” When he wrote this letter to Timothy Paul was in prison. He knew his days were numbered. As he wrote, ‘the time of my departure has come.’ If he had any regrets it was that he was given no more time to preach the good news of Jesus’ love for each one of us. Looking back of his life and ministry he said ’I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.’ What a way to sum up one’s life.
I spent some time with a woman the day before she died. She and her family came to Canada from Holland after the Second World War. They suffered severely during the German occupation of Holland. They came to Canada to start a new life. Their first years were not easy but with the help of others they found work and raised a family. She was the housekeeper and her husband was the grounds keeper of a well to do family. Talking about her life she had no regrets, she knew she did the best she could as wife and mother. She was a woman of faith and could honestly say,’ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.’ Death was no fright to her.
A German psychiatrist named Erik Erikson developed a theory of the seven stages of growth through which we live our lives. He named the final stage ‘integrity’. As we grow older we tend to slow down, we are not as productive as we used to be, and we don’t have the energy. It can be that at this time in our lives we look back on the lives we lived, the good we’ve done, the things we’ve left undone, the mistakes we’ve made. Because of good old Catholic guilt this can be a rough time for us. Mistakes, sins and failures blind us to the good things we’ve done in life. In times like this we feel our lives are unproductive and we are dissatisfied by the life we’ve lived, we may even fall into depression.
But if we have trust in the mercy and love of God, a love and mercy made visible for all to see in the passion and death of Christ crucified then, by God’s grace, we can see beyond our faults and weaknesses and acknowledge the good things we’ve done and acknowledge that when all is said and done, we are good people. We can say, ‘I did the best I could’ and look back on our lives with a sense of completeness and accept death without fear.
Paul the Apostle was not a perfect person. I think he would be a difficult person with whom to work. Like the rest of us Paul was a mistake making being trying to be faithful to his vocation as a preacher of the gospel.
Paul faced his imminent death with a sense of his own personal integrity he could truthfully say,’ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course I have kept the faith.’ Paul knew his reward would be great in heaven.
May we pray for one another that we be blessed with that gift of integrity that allows us to truthfully say,’ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race I have kept the faith’ and leave the rest to the mercy and love of God.
| Posted in Homily |
October 20th, 2013
FEAST DAY – OCTOBER 19th
St. Paul of the Cross was the founder of the Passionists (1720). Born in northern Italy in 1694, Paul experienced conversion at the age of 15 and began a lifetime of devotion to prayer and austerity. At age 20 he tried life as a soldier, but left after one year. Six years later, having had several visions, he determined that his vocation was to found an order dedicated to the passion of our Lord. Officials declared the visions authentic and Paul withdrew to write a rule. He was joined by his brother, who remained with him for the rest of his life. By 1747, the Passionists had three houses and were preaching missions throughout Italy. At his death in 1775, Paul was establishing a congregation for Passionist nuns.
October 21st to October 26th, 2013
MONDAY – KENG OWYONG Requested by Helen Owyong TUESDAY – ROMULO CHRISTIAN GONZALEZ Requested by his Parents WEDNESDAY – TRUDY CHAN Requested Mary Chan THURSDAY – HENRY JANG Requested by Bella Jang FRIDAY – WILLIAM & MOLLY BURKE Requested by the Burke family SATURDAY – PATRICK McGOVERN Requested by Margaret McGovern
This past Saturday, Oct.12th, 2013, four altar servers from St. Gabriel’s Parish received the “Bishop’s Altar Server Award for Service from the Most Reverend William McGrattan, Auxiliary Bishop – Central Pastoral Region of the Archdiocese of Toronto during the 28th Annual Bishop’s Altar Servers Awards Ceremony. We offer our sincere thanks and congratulations to the following altar servers:
Matthew Chan Gianna Jeyarajan Stefania Innocente Arianna Innocente
Each year, altar servers from parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Toronto are selected for this special recognition in light of their dedication, sense of responsibility and display of leadership in the performance of their duties.
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.
The Altar Servers Awards Program is sponsored by the Serra Clubs of the Archdiocese of Toronto, a long established organization in the archdiocese whose purpose is to foster and promote vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life.
Wednesday, October 23rd , at 7:30 PM
On Wednesday, October 23rd at 7:30 there will be a meeting for parents only of children who will be receiving First Communion for the first time. The meeting will be held here in the Church.
There will be a second collection this weekend for the Evangelization of the Nations, otherwise known as “World Mission Sunday.” This is a worldwide collection for the missionary church. World Mission Sunday is our opportunity to assist at-need Catholic communities throughout the world. Thank you for your support of this important work.
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. 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.
Wednesday, November 6th at 7:30 PM
St. Gabriel’s Passionist Parish
Tuesday, October 22nd at 7:00 P.M.
Our Lady of Sorrows Church
Catholic Family Services of Toronto and Our Lady of Sorrows Church will host the 4th Annual Mass to End Woman Abuse on Tuesday, October 22 at 7:00 P.M. The Mass will be held at Our Lady of Sorrows Church – 3055 Bloor St. W. (west of Royal York Rd.) in Etobicoke. Light refreshments will follow. Please join us as we gather to pray for all families who are affected by violence. Woman Abuse Hurts Us All.
Holy Rosary Hall Saturday, October 26th, 9:00 A.M. to 12:30 P.M.
You are invited to attend the Toronto launch of Development and Peace’s new education and action campaign. The Campaign has been approved by the Canadian Catholic Bishops. The launch will be held on Saturday, October 26th, 9:00-12:30 in Holy Rosary Parish hall, steps from the TTC’s St. Clair West Subway Station (just east of Bathurst Street and St. Clair Avenue). RSVP to Keith Gauntlett at keithgca@yahoo.com
Saturday, October 26th, 9:30 A.M. – 1:00 P.M. 1300 Leslie Street
Great buys on good used clothing, small appliances, jewellery, china, linens, books, decorations, toys, baked goods and tons more.
Wednesday, October 30th at 7:00 P.M.
St. Joseph’s Morrow Park is holding an Information Night for students who are entering high school on Wednesday October 30th at 7:00 P.M.
Parents/Guardians and students are cordially invited to attend. Join them at 3379 Bayview Avenue, just south of Steeles Avenue on the east side. For more information, please call 416-393-5679.
Saturday, November 16th at 2:30 PM
A reception will be hosted for our new parishioners who registered with us in the past year on Saturday, November 16th at 2:30 P.M.here at the parish. Invitations will be sent out. If you are new to the parish, and have not yet registered, please contact the Parish Office at 416-221-8866.
St. Paul Basilica, 83 Power St., Toronto.
The celebration commences at 2.30 P.M. with a 30 minute Prelude of Sacred/Celtic Music by The Irish Choral Society. The Mass of Memory begins at 3.00 P.M. Principal Celebrant will be Fr. Jerry Scott; the Homeliest Fr. Patrick Fitzpatrick. Reception to follow in church hall.
The Mass id dedicated to The Memory of our Irish Ancestors, Victims of the Great Famine of 1847 who died here in Toronto and were buried in St. Paul’s Catholic Cemetery which is now the school yard east of the basilica. To the Memory of Michael Power, the First Bishop of the Diocese of Toronto. To the Memory of the Doctors, Nurses, Lay People who died here in Toronto serving the Famine Irish. In Memory of Family and Friends who passed away this year.
For information phone Norita Fleming 905 881 5012 or email noritasbb@rogers.com
Sunday October 27th from 2:00 to-5:00 PM Mullah Asghar Research Centre, Door #4 Jaffari Village, 9000 Bathurst Street, Thornhill.
The program theme is “Advocacy: Where Politics And Religion Can Mix”. We will hear from speakers from faith-based organizations working for those in need and those lobbying for change. There will also be information displays and a children’s programme. Jaffari Village will generously provide a vegan supper at the end of the programme. All are welcome. Please RSVP to Nora at 416-218-0680 by October 21 or call for more information. See the poster on the bulletin board.
Our operating expenses average $14,550 per week. Collection for October 13th,, 2013
Envelopes 386 $8,849 Loose Change $977 Weekly Portion of PAG 182 $3,519 (Pre-Authorized Giving) Total $13,345
Today’s parable is meant for people like us – people who grow weary of trying to do good and are tempted to give up on praying. How often have we had the experience of asking and are convinced we are not being heard? How often have we knocked til are knuckles were bare and no door was opened? How often have we searched and never found? How often have we asked ourselves,’ what’s the use, is anyone there?
How often do we read reports of people demanding an inquest into the cause of someone’s suspicious death, or a suspected misuse of influence by a politician and they get stone walled by those in authority? But, like the widow in our gospel they will not go away, they pester and cajole and finally get what they want?
I read somewhere that the word for widow in Hebrew means, silent one, and a voiceless person. But this widow certainly had a voice, she would not be silent. Every time this widow made her appeal for justice it was in a public gathering – an open court – she would be heard. For all his boasting and bluster the judge was aware of public opinion, he was concerned about his public image and it was probably public opinion that made him give in. For his own sake he had to get this voiceless woman off his back.
So often when it comes to praying we have our own needs in mind. We may be praying for our health, our family, our security, our peace of mind. As a parish family we pray every Sunday that we may live this Mass outside these walls. We do this when we make the concerns of others, civic and public concerns our own. We live this Mass outside these walls when we make ourselves aware of the issues of the blight of our first nations peoples living on the reserves, the homeless men, women and children of our city, the children of this city who go to school hungry, the many desperate young men and women who can’t find work, for all their education. And we make these concerns the object of our prayers. In so many ways these good people are the widows of our time – the voiceless. In so many ways they tend to lose heart, give up. They lack the stamina of the widow. We not only pray for these good people we try to stand with them and work to change public opinion. We can support movements such as Occupy Toronto or Idle No More or pro-life movements or the Peace Now movement. In whatever way we can we try to give voice to the voiceless. We can let our city counsellors know, our parliamentarians know that we seek justice for the have-nots of our society.
The widow of the gospel challenges all of us to give voice to our brothers and sisters who have lost heart.
We have a wonderful example of someone who would be heard in that young Pakistani high school student, Malala Yousafrai, who defied the Taliban order to put an end to the education of young girls. They tried to silence her by shooting her and their act of violence gave her a worldwide platform from which to plea her cause. She is voiceless no more.
As we continue to celebrate this Mass we ask for the courage and the stamina of our gospel widow. Like her may we never lose heart but keep on praying and working for justice and fairness for all, especially for those who have no voice to speak for themselves.
October 14th, 2013
Fr. Brando was installed on October 6, 2013
| Posted in Events |
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