September 3rd, 2023
Welcome back to all our parishioners who have been away. We hope you had an enjoyable summer.
For those young people who are off to university, we wish you every success as you begin a new stage in your life. For those students and teachers returning to elementary or secondary school, we wish you a very positive, successful year.
The members of our committee would like to thank the many parishioners who participated in the Justice and Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) survey last June 2023. You have helped us identify the issues that are important to you and for the parish to be involved with. Homelessness and Food Insecurity were identified as major concerns, as well as issues regarding our Indigenous brothers and sisters.
While our parish is already actively involved with the issues of homelessness and food insecurity, our JPIC committee members will soon meet to discuss the possibility of providing additional support regarding those issues. We will also be looking at increasing our awareness about Indigenous issues. On this matter, we will include in next week’s bulletin information about the Canadian Library Project and the Orange Shirt Day in time for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation which is observed each year on the 30th of September.
If you need any other information, please contact the co-chairs of JPIC Helen Pierre and/or Lily D’Gama or Sr. Malou at StGabrielJPIC@gmail.com.
All youth in Grades 2 and up are invited to join our parish youth choir for the 2023-2024 school year. Rehearsals take place every Thursday from 6:30 to 8:00 PM in preparation for the 12:30 PM Sunday Masses. Volunteer hours will be awarded to high school students. Please contact our Youth Minister at 416-221-8866 ext.227 to join.
The Senior Choir will rehearse on Tuesday evenings from 7:30 to 9:00 PM in preparation for Sunday Masses at 10:30 AM. Please note the change of rehearsal evening.
At the 10:30 AM Mass from mid September to June each year, children ages 4 to 10 have the opportunity to gather as a group for the Liturgy of the Word led by adults who have volunteered. We are in need of more volunteers to assist this program. For more information or to volunteer, please call Dawn Burke at 416 671-0561 or leave a message at the Parish Office.
September 4th to September 10th
MONDAY – LABOUR DAY – No 9:00 AM Mass TUESDAY – FR. PAUL CUSACK ✞ – Requested by the Burke Family WEDNESDAY – FR. PAUL CUSACK ✞ – Requested by Mary Huybers THURSDAY – HOWLAND & RACHEL LUKE – Requested by Stella & Isabel FRIDAY – SATURDAY – LORENZO & VINCENZA GRECH ✞ – Requested by the Grech Family SUNDAY – 10:30 AM – PAUL KOK YAU BO ✞ – Requested by Kok Yau Lam SUNDAY – 12:30 PM – ROBERT TORPEY ✞ – Requested by Moira McCarthy
The Parish Family of St. Gabriel’s would like to welcome these little ones: who were baptized over the summer:
Giovanni Ciaramella Jason Lalongisip Mia Emilsa Maryann Sealy Johnson Gabriella Sophia Arias Ruiz Iyla Mae Lim Santos Anita Szypul Evelyn Veronica Yeung Kit Leonardo Wong Norah Ocean Wong.
Congratulations to these children and their families!
The annual event of the Season of Creation begins on September 1 (the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation) and ends on October 4 (the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of ecology).
Each year a theme is chosen by an ecumenical steering committee and in 2023 inspiration is taken from Amos 5:24 that proclaims, “Let Justice and Peace Flow” and the symbol is “A Mighty River.”
An introductory video and resources to observe this season at home and school may be found at the following links:
Resources: https://drive.google.com/file/d/145WzDi32U8YdlyY9Peo1bn-aLqyi4cl6/view
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgAbavjkTik&t=2s
Let us pray and work for responsible stewardship of the earth and sustainable living.
Registration forms for the Children’s Faith Program are now available in the parish office. This program is for children of the Parish who attend other Catholic schools, public or private schools. Classes are held at St. Gabriel’s School every second Sunday. Classes begin on September 17th.
Please note that a separate Sacramental registration form is required if your child will receive the sacraments of First Communion, Reconciliation or Confirmation during the 2023/2024 school year. These forms are also available in the Parish Office. Baptismal Certificates are required for First Communion and Confirmation.
Sunday, September 24th
Cathedral of the Transfiguration, 10350 Victoria Square Blvd, Markham
The theme announced by His Holiness Pope Francis for this year’s World Day of Migrants and Refugees is “Free to Choose Whether to Migrate or to Stay”. In his message, Pope Francis acknowledges that while the decision to migrate should always be free, in many cases it is not. This point was reflected by St. John Paul II in his message for the 90th World Day of Migrants & Refugees, in which he wrote, “building conditions of peace means in practice being seriously committed to safeguarding first of all the right not to emigrate, that is, the right to live in peace and dignity in one’s own country.” As he concluded his message, Pope Francis referenced the words of the Lord when He said “…I was a stranger, and you welcomed me” reminding us that the Lord’s words are a “constant admonition to see in the migrant not simply a brother or sister in difficulty, but Christ himself, who knocks at our door.”
This occasion will be marked with the celebration of Mass, which will take place on Sunday, September 24th, 2023, at 12:00 PM. at the Cathedral of the Transfiguration, located at 10350 Victoria Square Blvd. in Markham. Monsignor Makarios Wehbi will preside, and Bishop John Boissonneau will be the homilist. A short program will follow. All are welcome.
Deadline for Registration – Tuesday, September 5th
Meetings in preparation for the R.C.I.A. (Rites of Christian Initiation of Adults) will begin this month. These meetings are for persons interested in learning more 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.
If you are interested in joining the RCIA meetings or if you would like to have more information about it, please contact Sr. Maria Lucia at 416-221-8866. The deadline for registration is Tuesday, September 5, 2023.
Thank you for your generous support of Rosalie Hall and the Good Shepherd Centre over the summer. They are very appreciative.
In addition to our casseroles and food donations, our Garden Ministry has been growing fresh food for the Good Shepherd Centre.
Your food donations are so important as numbers of people in need continue to increase. Please check the expiry dates before donating since we cannot pass on food that has expired.
There will be a second collection next weekend, September 9th/10th for the Maintenance of the Parish. Envelopes are in the pews. Please be as generous as your means allow.
Thank you to the volunteers who prepared 94 casseroles this summer. For September, your prepared frozen casseroles will be collected at the Masses on the weekend of September 23th/24th for delivery to the Good Shepherd Centre.
You may pick up a copy of a casserole recipes 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.
More volunteers are urgently needed to help feed the hungry in our city. For more information, please contact Irene Albrecht at 416 221-2791.
With Roberto Chiotti, the Church Architect
After each Mass on the Weekend of September 23rd /24th
During the course of the two sessions on exploring our parish’s Journey Forward back in March and April, a number of parishioners expressed interest in learning more about St. Gabriel’s Church and its connection to and reflection of the mission of the Passionist Community.
Roberto Chiotti, the architect who designed the church, has generously offered to give a short presentation and “tour” of the building and will be doing so after each Mass on the weekend of September 23rd and 24th. Please save the date(s) and plan to join us after any of those Masses!
The weavers will be meeting from 1:00 to 3:00 PM on the following dates: Sept. 20th, Oct. 18th, Nov. 15th and Dec. 13th. Parishioners and friends are welcome to drop by to either be actively involved or simply to learn about the project. Your donated milk bags are cut, looped and woven to make sleeping mats for those living in the streets in Toronto or shipped to developing countries. All are welcome.
(Participants attending on Sept. 20th will also be invited to cover a book in Indigenous fabric representing the life of a missing Indigenous woman or children as an act of reconciliation.)
| Posted in Bulletin |
August 9th, 2023
We want to bring to your attention that the roof of the Church is in need of repair. The repair work will begin in early August and will conclude in late September. This is a major expense of approximately $500,000 that will be funded by our reserve fund.
In the fall, the finance committee will be outlining some ways and means to begin replenishing the funds over time.
We thank you for your understanding and patience during the time of the roof repair.
| Posted in Notice |
June 24th, 2023
This is the last bulletin until the Labour Day Weekend in September. We wish you all a happy and safe summer!
Saturday, July 1st is Canada Day. In lieu of Canada Day, the Office will be closed on Monday, July 3rd for the holiday.
There will be no 9:00 AM Mass on July 3rd.
Sunday, July 9th after the 12:30 Mass
The Parish BBQ Picnic will be held on Sunday, July 9th after the 12:30 Mass in the parking lot. There will be hot dogs, games, face painting, lucky draws, music and more.
Tickets are $3 each.
Please bring your families, friends and neighbours to enjoy a summer afternoon with your parishioners.
We need more young volunteers to help and make this event happen. Please sign up by putting your name and phone number on the sheets at the back of church. For more information, you may call Linda Law at 416-918-8029.
Meetings in preparation for the R.C.I.A. (Rites of Christian Initiation of Adults) will begin in September. These meetings are for persons interested in learning more 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.
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 contact Sr. Maria Lucia at stgabrielsparishrcia@gmail.com or call 416-221-8866.
We are in need of additional lectors for all the masses. If you are interested in joining this vibrant ministry, please contact Tanya at lectors@stgabrielsparish.ca
Registration forms for the Children’s Faith Program are now available in the parish office. This program is for children of the Parish who attend other Catholic schools, public or private schools. Classes are held at St. Gabriel’s School every second Sunday beginning September.
As we approach summer, we invite parishioners to volunteer their time and assist with hospitality at our church. Volunteers are needed most at the 4:30 PM, 8:30 AM and 12:30 PM Masses.
Should you have an interest in being of service for our parish, please contact: hospitality@stgabrielsparish.ca or call the Parish Office at 416-221-8866 to leave your name and contact details.
This is the final week for the children’s liturgy until the fall. Thank you to the wonderful team of adult and student volunteers who led the children in expressing and deepening their faith.
For more information or to volunteer for the fall, please call Dawn Burke at 416 671-0561 or leave a message at the Parish Office.
Thank you to our adult and children’s choir for their ministry! They will be taking a break, returning in September. New members are welcome to join them.
The senior choir practices on Wednesdays from 7:30 to 9:00 PM and sings at the 10:30 Mass.
The children’s choir practices on Thursdays from 6:30 to 8:00 and sings at 12:30 Mass.
Sunday, August 27th from 1:00 PM
Veneto Centre, 7465 Kipling Ave., Woodbridge
The 57th annual Festa of St. Gabriel, under the direction of the Passionist Community, will be held on Sunday, August 27th at the Veneto Centre in Woodbridge. Relics of St. Gabriel will be present. A procession with the urn will begin at 2:30 PM.
There will be opportunities for Confession, a special Mass outside and Italian food. All are welcome and encouraged to attend this wonderful celebration.
June 26th to July 2nd, 2023
MONDAY – KENG OWYONG ✞ – Requested by Helen Owyong TUESDAY – WOO SHIN TAK ✞ – Requested by David Chung WEDNESDAY – NGUYEN VAN BAN ✞ – Requested by the Nguyen Family THURSDAY – MICHAEL CROGHAN ✞ – Requested by Luvi Croghan & Family FRIDAY – DECEASED MEMBERS OF THE BERNIE JERMIN FAMILY ✞ – Requested by the Nguyen Family SATURDAY – SUNDAY, 10:30 – CORRADO “CHUCK” GRECH ✞ – Requested by the Grech Family Family SUNDAY, 12:30 – SOULS IN PURGATORY ✞ – Requested by Myrian Fabra
Announced Masses for the summer months will be posted on the bulletin board in the Gathering Space.
English Rosary Group Saturday, July 1st at 3:00 PM in the Gabriel Room
Chinese Rosary Group Sunda, July 2nd at 3:30 PM in the Gabriel Room.
Thank you for your generous support of Rosalie Hall and the Good Shepherd Centre.
Rosalie Hall assists young parents and their children to realize their potential.
Good Shepherd provides hot meals and shelter for the homeless in our city as well as a chance to start again through the Resettlement or DARE Programs.
Your food donations are more important than ever during the summer months as numbers of needy people continue to increase. Please check the expiry dates before donating since we cannot pass on food that has expired.
Your kindness goes a long way to help others build a good life
“Thank you to all people who donate to ShareLife. With each donation we receive, we are able to attain our goals of assisting people in their efforts of building a good life.” – Don Walker, Executive Director, Mary Centre
Thus far we have raised $137,894 toward our goal of [$192,000. Please give at the parish using a ShareLife envelope, online through our parish website, or at sharelife.org/donate.
Summer Collection: July 29th/30th, August 26th/27th
Thank you to all who prepared casseroles for the Good Shepherd Centre for the month of June.
During the summer, your prepared casseroles (frozen please) will be collected at the Masses on the weekends of July 29th/30th and August 26th/27th.
More volunteers are needed, especially during the summer months, to help feed the hungry in our city.
Three recipes are available on St. Gabriel’s web site. Printed copies of the recipes are also available in the Parish Office. We encourage you to pick up a copy of a casserole recipe and a pan and give it a try.
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
Wednesday, August 16th at 7:00 PM
Catholic Cemeteries and Funeral Services, Archdiocese of Toronto wishes to invite all families to participate in the Annual Mass for the Faithful Departed on Wednesday, August 16th at 7:00 PM.
Most Rev. John A. Boissonneau will celebrate Mass at Holy Cross in Thornhill.
Most Rev. Bishop Robert Kasun CSB will be the celebrant at Mount Hope Cemetery in Toronto.
Most Rev. Vincent Nguyen will celebrate the Mass at Christ the King Cemetery in Markham.
In the Event of Rain, Mass will be celebrated in the mausoleum at Holy Cross and at St. Monica’s Church instead of Mount Hope Cemetery. Mass will be celebrated in the Reception Centre at Christ the King Cemetery.
The Muskoka chairs have been set up in the garden. Take a break from a busy day and relax in enjoyment of our beautiful garden!
June 18th, 2023
Happy Father’s Day to all the Fathers, Grandfathers, Stepfathers and Great Grandfathers.
May you be blessed with the graces you need to be good and loving role models to your children. May God give you courage, compassion, patience and peace.
When does a joke become a Dad joke?
When it becomes apparent.
June 24th from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM
St. Gabriel’s Parish
Two members from our parish’s music ministry, Christian Umipig (cantor and accompanist) and Joshua Tamayo (accompanist) will be holding a music concert on Saturday June 24th from 6:00 to 7:30 PM at St. Gabriel’s Parish. Admission is by donation and proceeds from the concert will support the young adults of our parish who are attending World Youth Day in August. Join us for an evening of classical music as well as refreshments and the opportunity to meet our young adults during intermission.
As we approach summer, we invite parishioners to volunteer their time and assist with hospitality at our church. Volunteers are needed most at the 4:30 PM, 8:30AM and 12:30 PM Masses.
Should you have an interest in being of service for our parish, please contact: hospitality@stgabrielsparish.ca or call the Parish Office at 416-221-8866 to leave your name and contact details
June 19th to June 25th, 2023
MONDAY – MAUREEN ARMSTRONG ✞ – Requested by The Smugs TUESDAY – MARIA HOA – Requested by the Nguyen Family WEDNESDAY – ABANDONED SOULS IN PURGATORY ✞ – Requested by the Nguyen Family THURSDAY – GEORGE EGERTON ✞ – Requested by His Family FRIDAY – TINA INTINI ✞ – Requested by Chiara Intini SATURDAY – RITA PECORA ✞ – Requested by her Family SUNDAY, 10:30 – BRUNO CORTESE ✞ – Requested by his Family SUNDAY, 12:30 – DECEASED MEMBERS OF THE FRIENDS OF THE SUFFERING SOULS & ALL SOULS IN PURGATORY ✞ – Requested by Agnes Wong
Wednesday, June 21, 2023
Native Peoples’ Mission, St. Ann’s Church, 120 First Avenue, Toronto
His Grace Archbishop Francis Leo will celebrate Mass at the Native Peoples’ Mission in observance of National Indigenous Peoples Day. The day honours and celebrates the culture and heritage of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people on Wednesday, June 21st at 7:00 PM. Following Mass, a reception will be held in the parish hall. All are welcome.
Thank you for your generous support of Rosalie Hall and the Good Shepherd Centre. They are very grateful.
Rosalie Hall, assists young parents and their children, offering prenatal supports including prenatal classes, nutrition and can help find a child care provider.
They can provide parenting classes, staff to help the transition to parenthood and a school program where young parents can finish high school and be close to their babies in the Early Learning Child Care Centre. The food we donate from our parish often replenishes their empty food bank.
Good Shepherd provides more than 800 hot meals each day. As housing costs soar, they provide affordable housing and assisted living supports to help seniors and other homeless to find their way back to secure housing and for some, a chance to start again through the Resettlement or DARE Programs.
Your food donations are very important as numbers of people in need continue to increase. Please check the expiry dates before donating since we cannot pass on food that has expired.
June 17th and 18th
This weekend, there will be a second collection for Marygrove Girls Camp run by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Each year, over 1,000 young girls with financial or domestic hardship enjoy a subsidized joyful camping experience. Please give generously to support this important initiative.
Supporting refugees through ShareLife
This coming Tuesday, June 20th, we observe World Refugee Day, an international day to honour refugees around the world.
Through your generosity, you are able to help the Office of Refugees (ORAT) save lives of refugees from different backgrounds and walks of life. In a special way, their work is directed towards assisting Christian refugees who have been marginalized and persecuted for practicing their faith.
Thank you for giving them a new home here in Canada, for giving them hope, and for living the Gospel by giving to ShareLife.
Liturgical Publications will be setting up the advertisements for our church bulletin. The advertising will begin in September 2023 and supports the bulletin service. Please support the bulletin and advertise your product or service. Call Liturgical Publications at 905-624-4422.
The Garden ministry is hosting a Coffee and Tea in the St. Gabriel’s Garden on Sunday June 25th from 1:30-2:30 PM (weather permitting).
Come out and meet the plants that live in our garden, see how the seedlings are doing in the community garden or find a nice spot to enjoy the summer weather.
There will be beverages provided. In consideration of the environment, if you have a travel mug or reusable bottle, please bring it to fill with your beverage.
June 9th, 2023
June 12th to June 18th, 2023
MONDAY – MOLLY McCONKEY ✞ – Requested by Tom & Ginny Reid TUESDAY – TONINO DIDIODATO ✞ – Requested by the Family WEDNESDAY – LUCIA YOO ✞ – Requested by the Cecilia Sung THURSDAY – YVETTE PIRES ✞ – Requested by Bernadette Pires FRIDAY – PETER GEORGE VALAVI ✞ – Requested by the Valavi Family SATURDAY – DECEASED FATHERS OF WANDA & JACK ✞ – Requested by Jack & Wanda Wrobel SUNDAY, 10:30 – FRANCIS PEREIRA ✞ – Requested by Sophie & Candida Pereira SUNDAY, 12:30 – JACK TA & FAMILY – Requested by Veronica Do
His Grace Archbishop Francis Leo will celebrate Mass at the Native Peoples’ Mission in observance of National Indigenous Peoples Day. The day honours and celebrates the culture and heritage of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people on Wednesday, June 21st at 7:00 PM
Following Mass, a reception will be held in the parish hall.
All are welcome.
The month of June is dedicated to our strong devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Copies of a new letter from Archbishop Leo on the Sacred Heart of Jesus are available on the back tables or can be accessed at the Archdiocese of Toronto website.
As referenced in the letter from His Grace, resources to help focus our attention on the Sacred Heart of Jesus can also be found at: www.archtoronto.org/sacredheart.
After All the Masses, This Weekend, June 10th/ 11th
The Justice and Peace and Integrity of Creation Committee (JPIC) at St. Gabriel’s is gearing up with its activities this Fall. We would like to invite everyone to participate in a brief survey which will identify the issue/s most important for you and for us as a parish to be involved in. Tables are set up in the Gathering Space for the surveys that will be done after all the Masses this weekend of June 10th/11th.
You helped thousands of people on the path to healing.
Through your kind support, you eased the struggles of 23,000 people by providing access to mental health care. You continue to bring hope and healing to families in need through counselling sessions from our Catholic family agencies.
Thus far we have raised $119,651 toward our goal of $192,000. Please give at the parish using a ShareLife envelope, online through our parish website, or at sharelife.org/donate.
Your food donations are very important as numbers of people in need continue to increase. Please check the expiry dates before donating since we cannot pass on food that has expired
Liturgical Publications will be setting up the advertisements for our church bulletin. The advertising will begin in September 2022 and supports the bulletin service. Please support the bulletin and advertise your product or service. Call Liturgical Publications at 905-624-4422.
Friday, June 16th, 2023 from 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM
Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre, 1617 Blythe Road, Mississauga
Come and let the healing hands of Divine compassion gently hold you and bless you with peace and comfort.
The retreat will be facilitated by The Retreat Team – Anne Hales and Betty Dotzko
Registration: starts at 8:30 AM. The cost is $45.
For more information and to register, please contact Jean, office@qoa.ca
Saturday, June 17th, 2023 at 9:00 AM
Join this webinar and learn about the importance of a Will, Powers of Attorney & Estate Planning as well as Catholic teachings and traditions around cremation. The estate planning team from the Archdiocese of Toronto and Catholic Cemeteries will share:
To register: Follow this link: https://qrco.de/june17 or Email development@archtoronto.org
Include: ‘Estate Planning Seminar’ in the subject line and provide the names of attendees in the body of the message.
The summer is officially here! Let us celebrate the season together in the St. Gabriel’s Garden on Sunday June 25th from 1:30-2:30 PM. We will have some coffee and tea provided. Come out and meet the plants that live in our garden, see how the seedlings are doing in the community garden or find a nice spot to enjoy the summer weather.
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
