September 29th, 2013
Our recent scripture readings have been about how well we use the blessings with which we have been blessed and how unwilling we are to share our blessings with those less blessed.
The prophet Amos tried warning the people of his times about the consequences of the injustices they practiced toward the poor – those who trample on the needy and bring to ruin the poor of the land; those who enjoy the good life with no thought of the needs of the poor.
The rich man in today’s gospel was not a mean man. He didn’t chase Lazarus from his door; he didn’t set the dogs on him. He was just oblivious of Lazarus, gave no thought of his hunger and desperate situation. It was for his lack of awareness, his unconcern for the needs of others and his lifestyle of self -indulgence that brought him to hell fire.
As it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amos preached 2400 years ago; Jesus taught 2000 years ago and here we are now and as anything changed? The rich get richer the poor get poorer.
Remember the movie Wall Street and the famous quote – greed is good? That mentality is still with us. I recently read an article that claimed that none of the executives involved in the financial crashes that put us in our present global financial instability have ever gone to jail. Banks and investment firms have been fined hundreds of millions of dollars but no executive has gone to jail.
We all know the world is divided between the half’s and the have not’s. We are part of the haves but in our own parish, in our own city there are the haves and the have not’s. The need for food banks have moved beyond the 416 areas to the 905 areas. The welfare rolls are growing. Calls to raise the minimum wage go unheeded. The highest percentage of unemployed is among the young. Corporations only hire part time or contract staffs to avoid health care and pension plans. The working poor are in our own community.
Ours is an unfair, an unjust world. Everybody knows our church’s teachings about sex but how many of us are even aware of our church’s longstanding teachings about social justice?
Years ago Pope Paul V1 taught us, “ It is not simply a question of eliminating hunger and reducing poverty. It is not enough to combat destitution, urgent and necessary as this is. The point at issue is the establishment of a human society in which everyone, regardless of race, religion, or nationality, can live a truly human life free from the bondage imposed by men and the forces of nature not sufficiently mastered, a society in which freedom is not an empty word, and where Lazarus the poor man can sit at the same table as the rich man.”
Just recently Pope Francis visited the island of Sardinia a site of vast income inequality between its cities and resort beaches. The island has been a location for massive protests against extreme European budget cutting that is affecting the lives of millions, especially the young
Speaking to a crowd of thousands Pope Francis condemned the idolization of the “god of money.” “To defend this economic culture, a throwaway culture has been installed,” he said, “We throw away grandparents, and we throw away young people. We have to say no to this throwaway culture. We want a just system that helps everyone.” Life is not fair to so many people, here and elsewhere.
On TV and in the newspapers we see and read about the daily tragedies in our world. We see the starving, the poor, we see those driven from their homes by war, we see the devastation caused by raging flood and forest fires. The danger is that we can become desensitized to these tragic realities. Today`s scripture is a warning to all of us that we do not become like the rich man who feasted sumptuously every day and who was completely oblivious to the plight of poor man at his gate.
We are our brother`s our sister`s keeper. I was hungry and you gave me food, thirsty and you gave me drink, naked and you clothed me, a stranger and you took me in, sick and in prison and you came to me. Come blessed of my Father for you were sensitive to my needs, aware of my pain, concerned about needs. Come blessed of my Father you were willing to share, you were anxious to care.
You good people have been so generous to the many calls that come our way for your help. Your response to our food and clothing drives, your constant support of the Good Shepherd Refuge and our St. Vincent de Paul, our Refugee Committee, our Just Coffee Program – all these show what generous people you. But today`s scripture calls us all to a holy discontent to the way things are in society. Each one of us, in whatever way we can must work for justice, for without just there is no peace. We say no to tight fisted, small minded politicians who try to set us against one another and have us blame the victim.
In one of his letters Paul encouraged the people saying, `never grow weary of doing good. `May we never grow weary of hearing the cries of our poor and hungry and oppressed brothers and sisters – be they near or far. May we live simply that others may simply live.
| Posted in Homily |
September 22nd, 2013
September 23rd to September 28th 2013
MONDAY – GERRY HATCH Requested by the Family TUESDAY – JUDITH MATYASFALUI Requested by the Family WEDNESDAY – BOB McCARTHY Requested by Fergus & Mary Ann O’Connell THURSDAY – SPECIAL INTENTION Requested by the Family FRIDAY – DENIS MAILHOT Requested by Mary-Ann Mailhot SATURDAY – BILL DESROCHES Requested by the DesRoches Family
School Age Children Parish Office September 25th, September 26th, October 2nd, October 3rd
Registration for children who wish to receive the Sacraments of First Communion, Reconciliation and Confirmation will be held at the Parish Office from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM on the following evenings:
Wednesday, September 25th Thursday, September 26th Wednesday, October 2nd Thursday, October 3rd
Please Note: A copy of the child’s Baptismal Certificate is required if registering for First Communion or Confirmation.
“Those who sing pray twice.” Our senior choir practices on Tuesday evenings, 7:30–9:00 PM and leads community song at the 10:30 AM Sunday Mass. Our junior choir practices on Thursday evenings from 6:30–8:00 PM and leads the music at the 12:30 PM Mass. We always welcome new voices and hope you will consider joining us! For more information, please contact the choir director after any of the Masses.
The Altar Service is now recruiting new members. If you are in Grade 3 or higher and are interested in becoming an altar server, please contact Colin Meharchand at cmeharchand@bell.net or leave your name and phone number with the Parish Office at 416-221-8866.
The orientation and training for new members will be held on Sunday, October 6th, from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM in the Church.
The Parish Family of St. Gabriel’s would like to welcome:
These children received the Sacrament of Baptism on Sunday, September 15th, 2013. Congratulations!
The Children’s Faith Program for children attending private or public schools has begun. Classes are held at St. Gabriel’s School. The next class will be held on September 29th at 10:00 AM. This is the last opportunity to sign up for classes.
If you have, or know of, school age children (ages 7 to 14) who wish to prepare for Baptism, please contact the Parish Office, or Fatima Lee directly, at (416) 221-8866. Classes for them will begin in early October.
Meetings in preparation for the R.C.I.A. (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) will begin soon. These meetings are for persons interested in learning about the Catholic Faith. The exploration may lead the candidate to seek baptism, and become a member of the Catholic Christian community — or for Christians already baptized into another Christian denomination, the reception into the Catholic Church.
Adult Catholics who have not received the sacrament of Confirmation but who wish to do so are also encouraged to attend these sessions. As well these meetings may be an opportunity for “Born Catholics” to deepen their understanding of our faith.
Very often, especially for those of us who received our religious instruction at an early age, we tend to grow physically, mentally, psychologically etc., but the understanding of our faith does not grow correspondingly. The RCIA may serve as a good opportunity for us to ask questions and to develop a more adult understanding of our faith.
If you are interested in joining the RCIA meetings or if you would like to have more information about it, please call the Parish Office at 416-221-8866. You may also contact Fatima Lee directly at ext. 228.
We continue our study of the Hebrew Bible on Tuesday evening, September 24th at 7:30 PM, or Thursday morning, September 26th at 10:30 AM. For information please call Mary at 416-293-3760.
There will be a second collection next weekend, September 28th /29th for the Needs of the Canadian Church. Your donations help support the work of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops. Please be as generous as your means allow.
You can make a difference in the lives of the hungry and homeless this Thanksgiving by participating in the annual Thanksgiving Food Drive.
Urgently needed items include:
rice, pasta, pasta sauces, canned tuna or salmon, canned soups, stews, meats, fruits and vegetables, peanut butter, jam, sugar, cookies and crackers, breakfast cereals, tea, ground or instant coffee, sugar, ketchup, mustard and relish. Please no fresh or frozen foods.
We thank you for your generous support!
The Archdiocese of Toronto is accepting financial contributions to support humanitarian relief efforts in Syria and the Middle East.
“Leave behind the self-interest that hardens your heart, overcome the indifference that makes your heart insensitive towards others, conquer your deadly reasoning, and open yourself to dialogue and reconciliation,” Pope Francis told pilgrims at Saturday’s peace vigil in St. Peter’s Square.
An estimated 100,000 people have already lost their lives in the conflict in Syria over the past two years and roughly 2 million people have fled, taking refuge in Lebanon, Turkey, Jordan, Iraq and other countries. The conflict in Syria has unleashed a large-scale humanitarian crisis.
Those wishing to help may do so in the following ways:
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 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.
Tuesday Evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 PM 1155 Yonge Street
Catholic Family Services of Toronto is offering a 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 meet on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 PM beginning on September 24th at the Central Office, 1155 Yonge Street. For further information, please contact Ian Singer at 416-921-1163.
MISSISSAUGA WOMEN’S RETREAT WEEKEND October 4th to October 6th
Theme: Who do YOU say I am? Why not consider a retreat experience during this Year of Faith? For further information or to register please call 905-278-5229.
Our operating expenses average $14,550 per week.
Collection for September 15th, 2013
Envelopes 366 $7,821 Loose Change $969 Weekly Portion of PAG 182 $3,519 (Pre-Authorized Giving) Total $12,309
Maintenance Collection, September 15 $7,791
Thank you for your generosity!
Please remember to print your full name on your Offertory envelope and then seal it.
| Posted in Bulletin |
September 15th, 2013
Every time I read this parable of the prodigal son I remember a thought I had years ago about this powerful story of love and forgiveness. Did it ever occur to you that it took more love on the father’s part to let this head strong son of his take his share of the family farm and go off to see the world than it did for him to run down the road and welcome him home with open arms? There is a saying, ‘the years have their wisdom the days know nothing of.’ The father trusted his son would come to his senses and find his way home. In love he gave him the chance to do this.
It can be so difficult for parents to let go of their children especially at that particular time in their lives when sons and daughters are trying to sort themselves out and find their own way. Parents have had their own life experiences and feel they want to spare their sons and daughters the mistakes or poor choices they may have made in their younger days. But it doesn’t work that way. They have to stand back and let things work out in time.
I’ve mentioned before that parents are to give their children two things, roots and wings – solid foundations and freedom. There can be times in their lives when their wings carry them far away from their roots – but always remember roots are stronger than wings.
When he returned home did this chastened, embarrassed young man get what he deserved? No. To our way of thinking he should have been sent packing. He blew it. No he didn’t get what he deserved; he got what his father prepared for him, unconditional love and entire forgiveness.
The father shows the same love and understanding to the son who stayed home and worked the farm. He understands this son’s resentment and hard feelings toward his brother. The father patiently accepts this son’s rebukes to him – I stayed and slaved for and you never gave me a goat to party with my friends and here you are slaughtering a fatted calf for this loser.
This powerful gospel with its well-known parables is all about God’s love and care for all of us. Remember who we are; good people, mistake making beings struggling to live good lives. Someone once wrote ‘there are no righteous persons, only sinners and our journey as Christian men and women is always a journey of conversion, admitting our failures and opening our lives to the great love of God. We open ourselves to receive that love whenever we are conscious of this truth. God does favor sinners, and that includes all of us.
When life is over will we get what we deserve? No, we’ll get what his father has prepared for all of us, unconditional love and entire forgiveness. It’s all part of our journey back to our father’s home.
September 16th to September 21st, 2013
MONDAY – MARIA CHOI Requested by her Children TUESDAY – WILLIAM ANDERSON Requested by Eva Anderson WEDNESDAY – VICENTE ALVAREZ Requested by the Alvarez & Lopez Families THURSDAY – HEUNG-WAH LAM Requested by the Fung, Lam & Montero Families FRIDAY – FIORENTINO GIANNOTTA Requested by Lina Giannotta SATURDAY – WILFREDO MAGPAYO Requested by the Family
The Altar Service is now recruiting new members. If you are in Grade 4 or higher and are interested in becoming an altar server, please contact Colin Meharchand at cmeharchand@bell.net or leave your name and phone number with the Parish Office at 416-221-8866.
The Children’s Faith Program for children attending private or public schools begins this Sunday, September 15th at 10:00 AM. Classes are held at St. Gabriel’s School. The next class will be held on September 29th.
We continue our study of the Hebrew Bible on: Tuesday evening, September 24th at 7:30 PM, Thursday morning, September 26th at 10:30 AM.
For information please call Mary at 416-293-3760.
Thank you! Your donations over the Bundle-Up Weekend were very generous. Many recipients will be most delighted with your contributions. We really appreciate the help from the Youth Group. Your energy and your strength were definitely needed! -The Society for St. Vincent de Paul
rice, pasta, pasta sauces, canned tuna or salmon, canned soups, stews, meats, fruits and vegetables, peanut butter, jam, sugar, cookies and crackers, breakfast cereals, tea, ground or instant coffee, sugar, ketchup, mustard and relish.
Please no fresh or frozen foods. We thank you for your generous support!
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
Catholic Family Services of Toronto is offering a 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 meet on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 PM beginning on September 24th at the Central Office, 1155 Yonge Street. For information, please contact Ian Singer at 416-921-1163.
From Gangland to Promised Land Monday, September 30th at 7:00 PM Duke of York Pub (upstairs), 39 Prince Arthur Ave, Toronto
Young adults (19-39) are invited join us for an evening of thought-provoking theological discussion in a comfortable and relaxed setting, with special guest from Ireland: John Pridmore, author and speaker.
He will speak about how he went from a life of darkness as a violent London gangster to working with people like Mother Teresa and speaking at World Youth Day. Munchies provided, cash bar, come and bring a friend!
St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church, 432 Sheppard Ave. East
There will be 24 hour adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the year of Faith every first Wednesday of the month from 8AM until 7.30 AM. Thursday morning at Saint Elizabeth of Hungary Church. The next one will be Wednesday, October 2nd. Contact st.elizabeth.toronto@gmail.com for more information.
Collection for September 8th 2013 Envelopes 402 $8,528 Loose Change $1,394 Weekly Portion of PAG 182 $3,519 (Pre-Authorized Giving) Total $13,441
September 8th, 2013
Today’s gospel is not an easy gospel to hear. Luke tells us that large crowds were following him. We can wonder why. Were they hoping to be present when he cured the sick or give sight to a blind person or when he challenged the Scribes and Pharisees? Were they curious about what he had to say or what he might do? Did they take him seriously? I think Jesus was leery of enthusiastic people, those crowds who followed him so he wanted to clear the air and set matters straight.
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Companion for the Walk of the Stations of the Cosmic Earth
St. Gabriel’s Garden – Guided Sensory Reflective Walk