December 8th, 2013
The sprout of Jesse is rising in all our lives.
Just a few words on the image we are given in the first words of our reading from Isaiah; a shoot shall come out of the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots.’ When Isaiah wrote these words the people of Israel were at a low point in their history. Our merciful God sent his servant Isaiah to a people burdened by confusion and hopelessness with the promise that things will get better. Don’t give up.
How many good people in the world today live in such desperate situations? We can’t imagine what the hundreds of thousands of men, women and children in the refugee camps in Lebanon and Jorden are going through. How desperate and hopeless their lives must be. We think of the good people of the Philippines who lost everything in the latest typhoon.
Closer to home, we know people or we may be experiencing it ourselves who hear the news of a tumor or growth in our body. We may be grieving over the death of a spouse or family member. Maybe we are dealing with a son or daughter trapped in addiction to drugs. Maybe we are part of a downsizing in our place of work and face the possibility of being jobless. Maybe we are dealing with the breakup of our marriage or the ending of a long term friendship. Maybe we have a job we hate and know we are under paid. So many of these realities convince us our world is ending, falling down around us and we have nowhere to go.
It was to such people as us, a people who saw themselves as helpless, powerless, with hope that God send Isaiah with his powerful vision of hope.
Isaiah uses the image of a stump of a once mighty tree that had been cut down and yet from that stump came new life, new growth, and a new future. From that stump came the promise of time of peace and justice – total opposites living in harmony; the wolf and lamb, the leopard and kid, the calf and the lion, the cow and the bear.
There can be times when we feel we’ve been cut down, we have nothing left. We feel that all our efforts to be good and loving, to be fair just don’t bear fruit. We struggle with our daily realty that the good we want to do, we do not do and the evil we would not do, we still do. We struggle every day to be loving and forgiving men and woman. We try to be accepting of men and women who believe and live differently than we do. We try to be more aware of and sensitive to the needs of our neighbours. And when the sun goes down we know we haven’t lived and loved anyway near the image of harmony Isaiah offers in today’s scripture.We try to love others with the same generosity with which God has loved us.
We wish the imagery of the gospel might be true in our lives, our crooked ways made straight, our rough ways smooth, our high opinions of ourselves brought low so that nothing in our daily living could hinder the coming of God’s kingdom into that part of our lives which has yet to be redeemed.
As someone once wrote, ’Advent is about glimpsing God’s intimate love for every hair on our heart.’ Advent in trusting the truth that God’s grace can bring new life and transformation out of the stumps of our lives because with God all things are possible. We wait on and work with God’s grace. As one of the saints said,’ all shall be well and all shall be well and every manner of things shall be well.’
May we all have the faith to believe that the shoot of Jesse is sprouting in all our lives.
| Posted in Homily |
Good People,
As I mentioned at the 10:30 Mass a few weeks ago, I will be spending the next 5 months in Florida. I am going to be working at our retreat house in North Palm Beach until after Easter. I’ll be home sometime in early May.
The retreat house is called Our Lady of Florida Spiritual Center. It is at 1300 US Highway 1, North Palm Beach, Fl. 33408. The phone number is 1-561-626-1300. I suggest you look it up on the internet. It is a beautiful place.
Remember me in your prayers and I will do the same for you. Many thanks for many kindnesses.
Fr. Paul
“Shifting from Darkness to Light: Not by Passive Hope.” Saturday, December 21st from 7:30 to 9:00 P.M.
The hopeful expectation of the Advent season requires our active participation to effect change; it is not a passive hope.
By examining the recent typhoon in the Philippines, we will seek signs of active hope and reflect on the Church’s calls for ecological justice.
Please contact Dennis O’Hara at dennis.ohara@utoronto.ca or 416-926-1300, ext. 3408 to register or for more information.
For many years, St Gabriel’s has had a close relationship with Rosalie Hall. At this time of the year, we are thinking of the young mothers and babies in need of assistance. If you wish to help, you may choose a “Christmas Stocking” from the Christmas tree in the Gathering Space to purchase pyjamas or undershirts, for babies ages 6, 9 or 12 months. If you wish to buy a toy, please take a”Gingerbread Boy” tag.
Unwrapped items with the original tag attached can be left in the box provided near the Giving Tree no later than December 12th.
For the Moms, we are suggesting gift cards from Shoppers Drug Mart, Tim Horton’s, Walmart or MacDonald’s. These can be placed in the envelopes provided and brought to the Parish Office. Thank you for your ongoing support of Rosalie Hall.
FAMILY MASS – CHRISTMAS EVE AT 7:00 PM Rehearsal: Sunday, December 22nd from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Each year, young people, Grade 3 and up, form a special choir for the Family Mass on Christmas Eve. Children must be at the Church by 6:00 PM. One rehearsal, which is mandatory, will be held on Sunday, December 22nd from 2:00 to 4:00 PM. Please call Marilyn Calderone at 416-618-2041 for more information.
INDIVIDUAL ADVENT CONFESSIONS Wednesday – December 11th 3:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M.
MASSES
CHRISTMAS EVE – Tuesday, December 24th No 9:00 A.M. Mass 7:00 P.M. – Family Mass – Carol Singing 9:00 P.M. – Adult Choir – Carol Singing 12:00 A.M. – Midnight Mass – Contemporary Group
Office Open 1:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. only
CHRISTMAS DAY – Wednesday, December 25th 10:30 A.M. 12:30 P.M. Office Closed
BOXING DAY – Thursday, December 26th No 9:00 A.M. Mass, Office Closed
NEW YEAR’S EVE – Tuesday, December 31st No 9:00 A.M. Mass Mass at 5:00 P.M. for the Feast of Mary the Mother of God Office Open 1:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. only
NEW YEAR’S DAY – Wednesday, January 1st FEAST OF MARY THE MOTHER OF GOD 10:30 A.M. 12:30 P.M. Office Closed
Parking
While parking at ground level is limited to 51 spaces, there is plenty of space in the underground parking lot. Please follow the instructions of the attendants. Do not park in front of the Church since this is a fire route and must be kept clear.
Additional parking is available on the east side of Elkhorn Public School and in the bus loop. Again, please follow the instructions of the attendant. The school requests that we do not park on the grass. Many thanks to Holly Richards, the Principal of Elkhorn Public School, for allowing us the use of the school property.
Bishop Gary Gordon spoke at all the Masses last weekend about his work in the Yukon. If you would like to learn more about Bishop Gordon’s diocese and his ministry, you can find further information at www.whitehorsediocese.com.
December 9th to December 14th, 2013
MONDAY – RENATA SPIELMANN – Requested by the Family TUESDAY – CECILIA BLAZINA – Requested by Nora Kerr WEDNESDAY – ANNA McGLADE – Requested by Mary Ann & Fergus O’Connell THURSDAY – SHARON MURPHY – Requested by Margaret Anne Leckie FRIDAY – SPECIAL INTENTION – Requested by Michael & Marie Gennaro SATURDAY – DECEASED MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH & WROBEL FAMILIES – Requested by Wanda & Jack Wrobel
Donations to aid victims of Typhoon Haiyan can still be made through the Parish using the yellow relief envelopes or by visiting our website and clicking on the box that says “Donate Now.” The Canadian government has announced it will match donations to the Typhoon Haiyan Relief Fund made by Canadians between November 9th and December 20th.
Philippines Typhoon Haiyan Relief Fund to Date: $27,689
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul has a Giving Tree in the Gathering Space decorated with gift tags. Each tag has the gender and age of a child. We invite you to take a tag, buy a gift of about $25.00 for that child and return the unwrapped gift, with the tag attached to the box provided in the Gathering Space.
If you are a knitter, there are mitten tags. Please take one and return mitts to the box in the Gathering Space. Thank you for your generous support.
We are having a Christmas Toy Drive for the Catholic Children’s Aid Society. Can you help by dropping off an unwrapped new toy for a child 0 to 12 years old? Containers will be set up at the doors of the Church until Sunday, December 15th.
There but for the Grace of God… Please help feed the hungry and homeless this Christmas by participating in the Good Shepherd Centre’s annual Christmas Food Drive.
Urgently Needed Items: Rice, pasta and sauces, breakfast cereals, powered fruit juices, canned items – fish, meats, vegetables, fruit, soup or stews, peanut butter, jams, tea, ground and instant coffee, sugar, cookies and crackers, ketchup, mustard and relish.
Donations may be left in the designated containers at the doors of the Church. 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: $4.00 and $4.25 by variety
Tuesday, December 17th at 7:30 P.M.
If you are interested in learning more about or joining the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, you are invited to attend an information meeting on Tuesday, December 17th at 7:30 P.M. here at the Church.
Our operating expenses average $14,550 per week. Collection for December 1st, 2013
Envelopes 427 $13,140 Loose Change $1,101 Weekly Portion of PAG 182 $3,519 (Pre-Authorized Giving) Total $17,760
Please remember to print your full name on your Offertory envelope and then seal it.
You can now use your credit card to make your recurring or one-time Offertory donations to St. Gabriel’s. Your donations may earn you valuable points, travel miles or cash back! A classic case of giving and receiving!
Simply log on to the Archdiocese of Toronto website (www.archtoronto.org) select “Donate Now”, “Our Parish”, “Toronto East”, then pick “St. Gabriel Catholic Parish” under Parish in the Donation Information section. Complete all required information.
Remember that your tax receipt for a recurring offertory donation will be issued to you by the Archdiocese at the end of the year. For a one-time gift, your tax receipt is emailed to you immediately.
The 2014 Offertory Boxed Envelopes are now available in the Gathering Space. Please inform the Parish Office if you have recently moved or are new to the Parish so that we may update our records. If you are on the Pre- Authorized Giving Plan, you will still receive a smaller green box of envelopes which includes 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.
| Posted in Bulletin |
December 1st, 2013
Good People, As I mentioned at the 10:30 Mass, I will be spending the next 5 months in Florida. I am going to be working at our retreat house in North Palm Beach until after Easter. I’ll be home sometime in early May.
Remember me in your prayers and I will do the same for you. Many thanks for many kindnesses. Fr. Paul
“Advent: New beginnings” Wednesday, December 4th from 7:30 to 8:30 P.M.
To prepare our hearts and minds for Christmas, the parish will once again be hosting an Advent Evening of Reflection on Wednesday, December 4th, from 7:30 to 8:30 P.M. This year, our theme will be “Advent: New beginnings”. Father Jack Lynch sfm will be leading us in prayer and reflection.
Father Lynch is a member of the Scarboro Foreign Missions. He was first missioned to Peru. Later he served as Director of a regional formation Center for 10 years in Central America. From 1997 to 2012, Father Lynch was Superior General of the Scarboro Missions. He is presently engaged in retreat work; and he continues with his involvement with the televised masses on Vision TV and Salt and Light TV.
With the Christmas season fast approaching, and as the pressure for us to shop, entertain, and decorate keeps mounting, this evening will be a great opportunity to pause, listen, and look deeply into our lives to find room to appreciate the meaning of “God with us”.
Please mark your calendar, and reserve the time for some quietude, so that we can remain anchored amidst the busyness of the season.
For many years, St Gabriel’s has had a close relationship with Rosalie Hall. At this time of the year, we are thinking of the young mothers and babies in need of assistance. If you wish, to help, you may choose a “Christmas Stocking” from the Christmas tree in the Gathering Space to purchase pyjamas or undershirts, for babies ages 6, 9 or 12 months. If you wish to buy a toy, please take a” Gingerbread Boy” tag.
Unwrapped Items with the original tag attached can be left in the box provided near the Giving Tree no later than December 12th.
December 2nd to December 7th, 2013
MONDAY – JOSEPH MATTHEW FERNANDES – Requested by the Fernandes Family TUESDAY – PATRICIA KEATING – Requested by Tom Keane WEDNESDAY – JOSEPH LUAN NGUYEN – Requested by the Family THURSDAY – MARIA DI DIODATO – Requested by the Family FRIDAY – POONA JOSEPH – Requested by the Family SATURDAY – MIKE PALAZZO & CHRISTOPHER DI LALLO – Requested by the Family
Wednesday, December 11th from 3:00 to 6:00 P.M.
On Wednesday, December 11th, we will all have the opportunity to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation during the Archdiocesan Day of Confessions. This week, let us make the journey into the heart of our relationship with God. Take a long, loving look at the ways God calls us to grow. Take this challenge and hold it in readiness for the rich blessing that is manifest in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. In our parish, confessions will be heard on Wednesday, December 11th from 3:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M.
December 7th/8th
Next Sunday, there will be a special collection in all parishes across the Diocese in support of Aboriginal people in Canada. The Moving Forward Together Campaign collection will fund local and national healing and education programs to help build a brighter future with our Aboriginal brothers and sisters. If we are to truly live Jesus’ fundamental command to “love one another” (John 15:12), it becomes a challenge for all of us to embrace. Special Moving Forward Together Campaign envelopes are available. You can also give online at: movingforwardtogether.ca.
You are invited after all the Masses on December 7th/8th to sign an Amnesty International petition and/or send a greeting card to a prisoner of conscience or human rights defender who is under threat. Human Rights Day is officially December 10th commemorating the adoption of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
If you wish to assist the relief efforts for the victims of Typhoon Haiyan, you can make an online donation
The Canadian government has announced it will match donations to the Typhoon Haiyan Relief Fund made by Canadians between November 9th and December 9th. Contributions made to the Archdiocese of Toronto for this relief effort will be eligible for the matching program.
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.
Philippines Typhoon Haiyan relief Fund to Date: $9,385
During Advent, the Society of St Vincent de Paul will have a Giving Tree in the Gathering Space. The tree will be decorated with gift tags. Each tag will have the gender and age of a child. We invite you to take a tag, buy a gift of about $25.00 for that child and return the unwrapped gift, with the tag attached, to the box provided in the Gathering Space.If you are a knitter, there will be mitten tags. Please take one and return mitts to the box in the Gathering Space. Thank you for your generous support.
We are having a Christmas Toy Drive for the Catholic Children’s Aid Society and Rosalie Hall. Can you help by dropping off an unwrapped new toy for a child 0 to 12 years old? Containers will be set up at the doors of the Church until Sunday, December 15th.
Thank you to the volunteers who prepared 38 casseroles for November. For December, your prepared casseroles (frozen please) will be collected at the Masses on the weekend of December 28th/29th for delivery to the Good Shepherd Centre. More volunteers are needed to help feed the needy. If you require more information please contact Irene Albrecht at 416 221-2791.
St. Bonaventure’s Parish Friday, December 6th at 8:00 P.M.
Born out of 76 years of choral excellence from the prestigious St. Michael’s Choir School, Seraphim has assembled the finest Alumni chorus to perform We Need a Little Christmas at St. Bonaventure Parish (1300 Leslie St. just south of Lawrence) on Friday, December 6th starting at 8:00 P.M. Suggested Donation: $10 per person or $30 per family
Our operating expenses average $14,550 per week. Collection for November 24th, 2013
Envelopes 418 $10,406 Loose Change $1,081 Weekly Portion of PAG 182 $3,519 (Pre-Authorized Giving) Total $15,006
PRE-AUTHORIZED GIVING OPTION
You can now use your credit card to make your recurring or one-time Offertory donations to St. Gabriel’s. Your donations may earn you valuable points, travel miles or cash back! A classic case of giving and receiving! Simply log on to the Archdiocese of Toronto website (www.archtoronto.org) select “Donate Now”, “Our Parish”, “Toronto East”, then pick “St. Gabriel Catholic Parish” under Parish in the Donation Information section. Complete all required information. Remember that your tax receipt for a recurring offertory donation will be issued to you by the Archdiocese at the end of the year. For a one-time gift, your tax receipt is emailed to you immediately.
The 2014 Offertory Boxed Envelopes are available in the Gathering Space. Please inform the Parish Office if you have recently moved or are new to the Parish so that we may update our records. 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.
Unwrapped Items with the original tag attached can be left in the box provided near the Giving Tree no later than December 12th. For the Moms, we are suggesting gift cards from Shoppers Drug Mart, Tim Horton’s, Walmart or MacDonald’s. These can be placed in the envelopes provided and brought to the Parish Office. Thank you for your ongoing support of Rosalie Hall.
On Wednesday, December 11th, we will all have the opportunity to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation during the Archdiocesan Day of Confessions. This week, let us make the journey into the heart of our relationship with God. Take a long, loving look at the ways God calls us to grow. Take this challenge and hold it in readiness for the rich blessing that is manifest in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
In our parish, confessions will be heard on Wednesday, December 11th from 3:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M.
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. Philippines Typhoon Haiyan relief Fund to Date:$9,385
During Advent, the Society of St Vincent de Paul will have a Giving Tree in the Gathering Space.
The tree will be decorated with gift tags. Each tag will have the gender and age of a child. We invite you to take a tag, buy a gift of about $25.00 for that child and return the unwrapped gift, with the tag attached, to the box provided in the Gathering Space.
If you are a knitter, there will be mitten tags. Please take one and return mitts to the box in the Gathering Space.
Thank you for your generous support.
Thank you to the volunteers who prepared 38 casseroles for November. For December, your prepared casseroles (frozen please) will be collected at the Masses on the weekend of December 28th/29th for delivery to the Good Shepherd Centre. More volunteers are needed to help feed the needy.
If you require more information please contact Irene Albrecht at 416 221-2791.
November 24th, 2013
To prepare our hearts and minds for Christmas, the parish will be hosting again an Advent Evening of Reflection on Wednesday, December 4th, from 7:30 to 8:30 P.M. This year, our theme will be “Advent: New beginnings”. Father Jack Lynch sfm will be leading us in prayer and reflection.
For many years, St Gabriel’s has had a close relationship with Rosalie Hall. At this time of the year, we are thinking of the young mothers and babies in need of assistance. If you wish, to help, you may choose a “Christmas Stocking” from the Christmas tree in the Gathering Space to purchase pyjamas or undershirts, for babies ages 6, 9 or 12 months. If you wish to buy a toy, please take a ”Gingerbread Boy” tag.
November 25th to November 30th, 2013
MONDAY – LUIGI & ALBINA BERTOLONE – Requested by Frank & Sylvia Leaver TUESDAY – JOSE MARTIN – Requested by Maria & Larry Cacao WEDNESDAY – NANCY YEUNG – Requested by Wai Chin, Paul Hwang & Family THURSDAY – ALVARO BOHORQUEZ – Requested by the Family FRIDAY – ELIO RANCATI – Requested by the Family SATURDAY – GIUSEPPINA SMERIGLIO – Requested by Lina Giannotta
BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE
There is 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, December 1st 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.
Friday, December 6th from 9:30 AM – 12 Noon.
Chinese: Sunday, December 1st at 3:30 PM in the Gabriel Room. English: Saturday, December 7th at 3:15 PM in the Gabriel Room. For information, please contact Linda Law at 416 -918-8029.
The Parish Family of St. Gabriel’s would like to welcome Lucy Rose Carbonneau Vivianne Marta Guay Julia Larida Liwanag Sebastian Alexander Mahdavi Cameron Andrew James Mathias Mason Lee St. Jean Alicia Lulu Tabliago Yuen
These children received theSacrament of Baptism on Sunday, November 17th, 2013. Congratulations!
During Advent, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul will have a Giving Tree in the Gathering Space. The tree will be decorated with gift tags. Each tag will have the gender and age of a child. We invite you to take a tag, buy a gift of about $25.00 for that child and return the unwrapped gift, with the tag attached, to the box provided in the Gathering Space.
If you are a knitter, there will be mitten tags. Please take one and return mitts to the box in the Gathering Space. Thank you for your generous support
Thank you for your generous support of this year’s Shepherd’s Trust Collection. $10,530 was collected to support the retired clergy of religious orders and diocesan priests in the Archdiocese of Toronto.
You are invited after all the Masses on December 7th/8th to sign an Amnesty International petition and/or send a greeting card to a prisoner of conscience or human rights defender who is under threat. Human Rights Day is officially December 10th commemorating the adoption of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights
The Catholic community across the Archdiocese of Toronto is responding to the humanitarian crisis in the Philippines with prayer and practical assistance following the catastrophic effects of Typhoon Haiyan on November 8th. We will be working with Catholic partners in the affected region who will be present to address short and long term needs.
If you wish to assist the relief efforts, you can make an online donation
We are having a Christmas Toy Drive for the Catholic Children’s Aid Society. Can you help by dropping off an unwrapped new toy for a child 0 to 12 years old? Containers will be set up at the doors of the Church from Saturday, November 30th until Sunday, December 15th.
Born out of 76 years of choral excellence from the prestigious St. Michael’s Choir School, Seraphim has assembled the finest Alumni chorus to perform We Need a Little Christmas at St. Bonaventure Parish (1300 Leslie St. just south of Lawrence) on Friday, December 6th, 2013 starting at 8pm. Suggested Donation: $10 per person or $30 per family.
Collection for November 17th, 2013
Envelopes 437 $8,825 Loose Change $976 Weekly Portion of PAG 182 $3,519 (Pre-Authorized Giving) Total $13,320
The Parish’s 2013 budgeted operating expenses average $14,550 per week. In order to meet our on-going expenses, the Finance Council recommends the following:
(i) consider the Pre-Authorized Giving option (forms are available from the office or on the Parish’s web-site); or
(ii) use offertory envelopes on a weekly basis (remember tax receipts are only issued if you use an envelope or PAG).
If you are a regular Parish member and you do not contribute to the Offertory collection, the Finance Council reminds you that “the responsibility of supporting the Parish is the responsibility of each and all parishioners to the extent that your means allow”. For those parishioners who contribute to the offertory on a regular weekly basis, we thank you for your constant support.
Summary of Financial Statement for Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013:
Total receipts (including Diocesan collections of $184,532) $775,327 Total payments (including Diocesan disbursements of $184,532) $825,311 Payments in excess of receipts for nine months $(49,984)
The parish’s detailed financial statement for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 can be found on the parish website under “Finances”.
The 2014 Offertory Boxed Envelopes will be available in the Gathering Space at the end of November. Please inform the Parish Office if you have recently moved or are new to the Parish so that we may update our records and label your box correctly.
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.
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
