November 30th, 2008
The gospels used at the daily Mass this past week lead up to the gospel of today’s Mass. They all have to do with what is often called the end times. Our four gospels were written after the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem in 70 AD. For Jews and Jewish Christians such devastation and destruction had to mean the end of the world was near. Early Christians expected the imminent return of Jesus as the victorious savior of the world. At His coming the power of evil and sin would be destroyed and the kingdom of God would be established forever.
The gospel statements about sign and portents in the heavens, distress among nations, wars and plagues were all a type of language to describe the end of the world. Because no one knew when and how this would take place the message of Jesus in today’s gospel still holds true – “Keep awake for you do not know when the master of the house will come – in the evening or at midday or the dawn or at cockcrow – what I say to you all, keep awake.”
The type of readings we have in Isaiah and Mark are called apocalyptic – it is a form of writing used at those times in the life and history of a people or community when values and structures seem to lose all meaning for the people and their world seemed to be falling about. At the same time this form of writing and preaching calls people to hope in a new and better future – it is not the end that is important but the possibility of a new beginning people are invited to embrace. In Mark’s parable he makes the point that even if the master of the household , Jesus, is absent for a while, He is still the master who has given each person a task to do and when He comes he expects them to be awake and doing. Only God knows when the world will end. Being prepared for it is our daily task.
For many people in many lands these days must seem like the end of the world, certainly the end of their worlds. Without warning men and women who worked for years with a company find themselves out of work. The security they placed in pension plans is gone. Their property values are slipping. Any stability or security they had is gone. Good people who worked hard all their lives feel themselves betrayed and abandoned.
There are so many ways in which our personal world can come to an end. It could be the loss of a job, the breakup of a marriage or a long term relationship, it could be the death of someone we loved, it could be an automobile accident or a fall in the house, and it could be the discovery of a serious health problem or a bout of depression or anxiety. The list could go on and on but there are times in our lives we feel at a total loss and alone.
But if we look back on our personal lives we can remember times when we’ve felt this way before but we survived and moved on to new things, new life. The image of the potter in our first reading is so powerful and can help us understand our present troubled time. We are all unfinished products; we are the clay in the hands of God the potter. During these coming weeks of Advent we can pray for ourselves and for each other that we all be pliable in God’s hands so He can mold and fashion us into empty bowls, bowls capable of receiving and celebrating the birth of His Son with great joy.
| Posted in Homily |
Total: $9,449.32
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Number of Envelopes Issued: 1136 Number of Envelopes Used: 474
The 2009 Offertory Boxed Envelopes will be ready for pick up in the Gathering Space next weekend. It is important that you throw away all envelopes from previous years as your number might have been assigned to another family. Please enter your full name and address on each envelope so that we may allocate donations correctly for income tax purposes. If you do not have envelopes and would like a box, please contact the Parish Office.
Next Meetings: Wednesday, December 3rd at 10:00 AM Topic: “What is Liberation Theology?” Tuesday, December 9th at 7:00 PM Topic: Movie: “Babette’s Feast”
“A New Look at Christmas”
We’ve heard the stories about the birth of Jesus from Matthew and Luke many, many times. Is there a way to look at these wonderful narratives that will make them fresh with new insight?
Join us as we take time to reflect on the journeys of Joseph and Mary at this critical time in their lives.
Day: Thursday, December 4th Time: 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM Place: Loretto Maryholme on Lake Simcoe (We will carpool.) Cost: $20
For information or to register please call Mary Landry at 416-221-8866, Ext. 224.
Friday December 5th from 9:30 AM to 12:00 Noon. Please see the time schedule on the table inside the Church.
The Family Mass will take place on Sunday, December 7th at the 12:30 Mass. All are welcome.
Saturday, December 6th at 3:15 PM in the Library For information, please contact Linda Law at 416 -918-8029.
Sunday, December 7thnd at 3:30 PM in the Gabriel Room For information, please contact Linda Law at 416-918-8029.
Sunday, December 7th 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.
December 10th marks the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. On December 6th and 7th after all the Masses, you are invited 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.
Thank you to all who signed over 100 action cards last weekend asking the Canadian Government to develop legal mechanisms to hold Canadian mining companies accountable for their actions abroad. If we missed you, information brochures and action cards are available at the entrance to the Church. Signed action cards (please complete both cards) can be left at the Parish Office.
We are updating our Parish Records. If you are a new parishioner and have not yet registered, please fill out a registration card which can be obtained at the Parish Office.
If you have recently moved, please let us know your new address so that our records will be correct. Parish Office: 416-221-8866
On December 7, Colleen Shea and Robin Ivory will be sharing their experiences from their trip to build a school in Kenya this past August. This endeavor was supported by St.Gabriel’s parishioners who purchased raffle tickets.
For all who are interested, Robin and Colleen will be in the Gathering Space after the12:30 Mass to show their photos and answer questions.
Only 6 Left – $65 each
Money from the sales will go to support schools for special needs children in Sri Lanka. These schools are the first and only special education schools in a country, which has also been affected by the tsunami and the ongoing civil war.
See www.GodsOwnChildren.com.
If you would like to be further involved in this very worthy cause, please contact Otto Schmidt at 416- 221-8866.
Practice: Sunday, December 21, 3:00 PM – 4:30 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 6:00PM. There is only one practice and it is mandatory. Practice is on Sunday, December 21 from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM. For further information please call Marilyn Calderone at 416-221-8866, Ext. 227
Dress Rehearsal: Sunday, December 21st, 3:00PM to 4:30PM
S.K. to Grade 5 children are invited to participate in the pageant. Please call Anne Murphy at 416-512-0340.
The brothers could use our help during the Christmas Season. Please bring non-perishable food items such as: canned soups and stews, powdered milk, instant and ground coffee, canned tuna or salmon, canned meats, canned fruit juices, powdered soup bases, hot chocolate, cooking spices and cold breakfast cereals. Kindly leave donations at the doors of the Church in the designated containers.
Tuesday, December 16th at 7:30 PM Forest grove United Church 43 Forest Grove Drive, North York
This ecumenical service is sponsored by the Bayview-Sheppard Ministerial Group (including Chaplains of North York General Hospital and Seniors’ Health Centre) with the hope that the light of Christ will bring peace and comfort to people in the North York community who are bereaved or troubled, or for whom Christmas may be a difficult time.
The Catholic Children’s Aid Society is inviting families to assist them in providing some little extras, such as new clothing, new toys, food vouchers and /or gift certificates to bring the joy of the season to one of their families. If you are willing to provide a donation or adopt-a-family, please call 416-395-1634 or email info@hopeforthechildren.ca.
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 14th.
| Posted in Bulletin |
November 29th, 2008
| Posted in Events |
November 23rd, 2008
Total: $9,573.28
Number of Envelopes Issued: 1136 Number of Envelopes Used: 476
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.
Next Meetings: Tuesday, November 25th at 7:30 PM Topic: “What is Liberation Theology?” Wednesday, December 3rd at 10:00 AM Topic: “What is Liberation Theology?”
We are updating our Parish Records. If you are a new parishioner and have not yet registered, please fill out a registration card which can be obtained at the Parish Office or online.
The Parish of St. Gabriel’s would like to welcome
Dylan Nguyen Jayden Isaiah Ramdeen Ashley Colleen Romanovich Marcus Gabriel Vallescura Gianluca Vecchiarelli
These children received the Sacrament of Baptism on Sunday, November 16. Congratulations!
Day: Thursday, December 4th Time: 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM Place: Loretto Maryholme on Lake Simcoe (We will carpool.) Cost: $20 For information or to register please call Mary Landry at 416-221-8866, Ext. 224.
On Saturday, November 29, 2008, the parish will be hosting a multicultural potluck dinner from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM in the Gathering Space. Tickets are $5 each and they will be available at the end of all the Masses this weekend.
Participants will bring in food from their own ethnic backgrounds to share with the group. Through this event we will experience and celebrate the multicultural character of our parish community. Seats are limited. Please get your tickets early.
Your prepared chicken rice casseroles (frozen please) will be collected at all the Masses next weekend for delivery to the Good Shepherd Centre. More volunteers are encouraged to get a copy of the casserole recipe and a pan and give it a try. For more information, please contact Irene Albrecht at 416-221-2791.
Grow in your faith by studying the Bible regularly. Fr. Bernard will lead a Bible study group on Mondays at 7:30 PM. All are welcome. Bring a friend and your Bible.
A big “Thank you!” to all the parishioners who donated skates, skis, sweaters and other items to the First nations Project, – a project being sponsored by a group of Bayview corridor synagogues to collect sports equipment for two First nations communities near Owen Sound.
The first delivery was made on Sunday, November 16th to the communities. We have been told that the group plans to continue with the Project and another delivery may be coming up in a few months. There may be some among you who might have missed the first shipment. Please hold on to the items you plan to donate until the next collection. Thank you once again for your participation and your generosity.
Development and Peace promotes sustainable human development through participatory management, democratic control and the equitable distribution of resources. Development and Peace is asking you to sign an action card today after Mass at the tables set up in the Gathering Space. We are asking the Canadian Government to develop legal mechanisms to hold Canadian mining companies accountable for their actions abroad. Information brochures and action cards are available at the entrance to the Church. Signed action cards can be left at the Parish Office if you miss us this weekend.
6 Left – $65 each
Money from the sales will go to care for children in the first and only special education schools in Sri Lanka. These children have been affected by the tsunami and the ongoing civil war. See www.GodsOwnChildren.com. If you would like to be further involved in this very worthy cause, please contact Otto Schmidt at 416-221-8866.
Saturday, November 29th, 2008
Consider this day as a prayerful preparation for the celebration of the birth of Christ. Please call the Centre at 905-278-5229 to register and for any additional information.
Tuesday, November 25th at 2:00PM Blessed Trinity Parish Hall
Seniors will be interested in Mary Currie’s topic, “An Overview of Eldercare Resources”. All are welcome.
Invites you to join them as they celebrate 18 years of sharing God’s love and the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Rural Russia and Siberia. Thursday, December 4th at 6:30 PM St. Bonaventure’s Parish centre 1300 Leslie Street, (south of Lawrence) Don Mills Dinner * Praise and Worship * Presentation Host: Dr. Bill Etzkorn, President – Agape Canada Guest Speakers: Dr. Bill Becknell, Founder and President – Agape Russia Dr. David DeShan, President Agape USA
There is no charge for the evening but there will be a free will offering) For tickets, please contact Linda Etzkorn, 416-510-0264 or lindaetzkorn@rogers.com www.agaperu.org
Saturday, December 6th at 4:00 PM R.S. Kane Funeral Home Chapel 6150 Yonge Street
As we approach the holiday season, the Kane family and staff invite you to join in a service to remember the lives of those whom you have loved. Refreshments to follow. Please R.S.V.P. by November 28th, 2008 by calling 416-221-1159 or emailing at info@rskane.ca
Friday, December 12th at 8:00 PM Saturday December 13th at 3:00 PM Massey Hall, Victoria & Shuter Streets, Toronto
Come celebrate Christmas with Toronto’s renowned boys choir as they make their overture into the season. The concert features sacred choral masterpieces from Christmas past and present, arranged by composers from Canada and beyond. Join St. Michael’s Choir School and special guest True North Brass for a spirited celebration of seasonal music.
Tickets are $36.50 – $22.50 To order tickets, call 416-872-4255 or order online at www.masseyhall.com. Tickets may be purchased in person at the Roy Thomson Hall Box Office.
November 16th, 2008
Total: $11.804.22
Number of Envelopes Issued: 1136 Number of Envelopes Used: 449
Next Meetings: Wednesday, November 19th at 10:30 AM Topic: “What is Liberation Theology?” Tuesday, November 25th at 7:30 PM Topic: “What is Liberation Theology?”
Join us as we take time to reflect on the journeys of Joseph and Mary at this critical time in their lives. Day: Thursday, December 4th Time: 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM Place: Loretto Maryholme on Lake Simcoe (We will carpool) Cost: $20 For information or to register please call Mary Landry at 416-221-8866, Ext. 224.
We are pleased to announce that St. Gabriel’s School raised over $6, 000 towards the construction of a clean water project in Kenya, Africa. Again, these students want to make a difference in the lives of suffering children in the world. This year they have chosen a new goal and hope to fund raise $14,000 to help build a school in Africa. In preparation for Advent, students will sell Advent Candle kits after all the Masses on the weekend of November 22/23 at $5.00 each. Your support to help these children touch the lives of needy children will be greatly appreciated.
As announced in last week’s parish bulletin, a multicultural potluck dinner will be held on Saturday, November 29th, 2008 from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM in the Gathering Space. Tickets are $5 each and they will be available at the end of all the Masses beginning the weekend of November 15th/16th. Participants will bring in food from their own ethnic backgrounds to share with the group. Through this event, we will experience and celebrate the multicultural character of our parish community. Seats are limited. Please get your tickets early.
7 Left – $65 each
Money from the sales will go to care for children in the first and only special education schools in Sri Lanka. These children have been affected by the tsunami and the ongoing civil war. See www.GodsOwnChildren.com. If you would like to be further involved in this very worthy cause, please contact Otto Schmidt at 416- 221-8866.
Last month we alerted you to a project being planned by a group of synagogues in the Bayview corridor to collect sports equipment for two First Nations communities near Owen Sound. Now this project is moving forward. If you have equipment to donate, and this can include skates, hockey equipment, skis and bicycles, please call the Parish Office at 416-221-8866 for drop-off instructions. Should you need further information, please contact Fatima Lee (Ext. 228).
The Development and Peace (D&P) Campaign for this year continues last year’s focus on Canadian mining companies operating in the Global South. D&P has decided to link its continuing work on mining to land issues because some of the poorest peoples in the world continue to suffer from the actions of some Canadian mining companies.
D&P is asking you to sign cards on the weekend of November 22nd/23rd requesting the Canadian government to implement the recommendations in the report from the National Roundtables on Corporate Social responsibility and the Canadian Extractive Industry in developing Countries.
At the June, 2007 G8 meeting, the Canadian Government stated that the implementation of the recommendations in the report would make Canada a leader in corporate social responsibility. More than 200,000 Canadians expressed support (in D&P’s 2007 Campaign) for such implementation but no action has been taken to date.
More information is available at the back of the Church and is also available at www.devp.org under Education Campaign.
Following the Lord: How to Pack Your Suitcases and Go
November 17th 2008 at 7:00 PM Duke of York Pub 39 Prince Arthur Avenue, Toronto
Gillian Kantor, Producer, Salt and Light TV and David Kantor, Environmental Engineer, O’Connor Associates
Advent Day of Reflection
Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre, Mississauga Saturday, November 29th, 2008
On Tuesday, November 18, at 7:30 PM, the Blessed Trinity CWL is holding Election Night and Wine & Cheese Social. There will be elections to office for 2009-2010 followed by refreshments and socializing. All members are urged to attend.
Dr. Thomas Ungar, Chief of Psychiatry and Medical Director, Mental health services, North York General Hospital
What you need to know: Diagnose and treat mental health issues Identify community resources for ongoing support Help a family member or friend living with mental illness
Thursday, November 27th 2008, 7:00 to 9:00 PM Jack Hurlbut Auditorium, Academic Centre, Ground Level, North York General Hospital, General Site 4001 Leslie Street (Leslie and Sheppard) Call to register at 416-756-6363 Free parking and refreshments
Salt + Light Television is Canada’s Catholic Network, focused on telling inspirational stories that bring people closer to Christ and the Catholic faith. Airing quality Catholic programming 24/7, Salt + Light TV is available through the providers below:
Bell TV (Channel 654); 1-800-sky-dish (1-800-759-3474), www.bell.ca Cogeco (Channel 185); 1-866-427-7451, www.cogeco.ca Eastlink (Channel 356); 1-888-345-1111, www.eastlink.ca Mountain (Channel 387); 905-389-1347, www.mountaincable.net Rogers (Channel 395); 1-888-764-3771, www.rogers.com Shaw (Channel 160); www.shaw.ca Videotron illico (Channel 242); 1-877-380-2511, www.videotron.com
In addition, we have many wonderful and thought-provoking documentaries that are available for purchase for your own personal viewing pleasure. Some of the most recent productions include: Road of Hope: The Spiritual Journey of Cardinal Nguyen Van Thuan Hand of Peace: Pope Pius XII and the Holocaust
More information and Live online streaming at www.saltandlighttv.org Contact via email: info@saltandlighttv.org or call 1-888-302-7181
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