May 10th, 2009
This is another of the great I am Sunday’s. Last week we had Jesus identifying Himself as the Good Shepherd, the shepherd Who knows His sheep by name and the shepherd Who will lay down His life for His sheep.
This Sunday Jesus identifies himself as the life giving, life sustaining vine, the only source of life to all the branches attached to the vine. Using this imagery Jesus’ lesson is clear; if we who are the branches wish to bear fruit we must remain attached to the vine. If we are fruitless we will be snapped off and thrown away. If we are fruitful we may still be pruned to make us more fruitful, not as punishment but to help us be healthier, more fruitful as we try to live out our Christian lives. Being so pruned our love will not be in mere word or speech but in truth and action.
But I’d like to go back to the first reading from Acts. We all know the surprising story Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus. Paul was an intense individual. He was on his way to Damascus to do what he could to stamp out this new sect. He had no patience with those people who claimed that the crucified Nazarene was the Messiah. He saw such people as apostates to their own Jewish faith.
On his journey to Damascus Paul was blessed with a deep spiritual experience. He met the risen Lord and came to know that Jesus truly was the Messiah. Because of this deep spiritual experience Paul turned from persecutor to proclaimer. So we have Paul speaking boldly in the name of Jesus, so boldly that those who heard him wanted to kill him. For many of his listeners Paul was a traitor to the faith and they wanted to do to Paul what Paul had in mind to do to the Christians in Damascus.
This encounter with Christ opens Paul’s life up to a whole new future, a future that does not negate his past but allows him to live with it peacefully. In his future ministry Paul never denied that he persecuted the church of God, that he was an enemy of Christ. But Paul would say “there is one thing I do, I forget what is behind and I strive on to what is ahead and I go with confidence to the throne of grace.” Paul would not let himself be haunted by his past. He was not preoccupied by memories of his deep hostility to the followers of Jesus. For Paul, “that was yesterday and yesterday is gone.”
Remember the saying” every saint has a history and every sinner has a future.” This is so true of Paul – as a saint he did have a history of which he was not proud – as a sinner Paul had a future which he gratefully embraced. “By God’s grace I am what I am and His grace in me has not been in vain.”
Too often we can let the present living of our lives and our relationship with God be stymied by our memories of past sins and failures. As I’ve said before we can be plagued by memories of past mistakes and find it hard to trust that God does not hold grudges. We impose on God our own tightfistedness, our own unwillingness to let go of past hurts.
The grace and the forgiveness of God does not negate our past, yes we did sin, yes we did fail to be the man or woman we are called to be, the man or woman we want to be – but our struggle is to be able to live peacefully with our past. We don’t allow memories rob us of the love and forgiveness that is ours today.
To be fruitful branches on the life giving vine we pray that we be pruned of nagging memories of past wrongs and be more open to the ever present grace and peace of Christ. To be fruitful branches on the life giving vine may we capture the boldness of Paul and forget what is behind, forget our history and strive on to what is ahead and face each day with confidence in the presence and power of Christ in our lives.
| Posted in Homily |
Total: $11209
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Number of Envelopes Used: 512
It’s a wonder the silent can be heard…
Somewhere a mother is trying to ask her family for help but isn’t understood. Tomorrow, a boy will try to get his sister’s attention from across the room, to no avail.
In 2007, Silent Voice offered 311 one-week placements for deaf and hearing youngsters in its Sign Language Summer program, giving them an opportunity to be better understood at home, at school and in the community.
Third ShareLife Collection. June 7th 2009
You can work WONDERS!
2008 ShareLife Total: $174,507.20 2009 ShareLife To Date: $128,709.51
The sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated on Tuesday, May 19th at 7:30 PM in St. Gabriel’s Church. The celebrant will be Most Reverend Richard Grecco.
In preparation for this Sacrament, a Confirmation Retreat will be held on Wednesday, May 13th from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM in St. Gabriel’s School Gym. Candidates are reminded to bring a signed letter from the service coordinator or a parent stating the completion or anticipated date of completion of volunteering service hours.
Wednesday, May 20th at 10:30 AM Topic: Other Christian Religions
The Altar Service is now recruiting new members. If you are in Grade 4 or higher in the September 2009 school year and interested in becoming an altar server, please call Thomas Li at 416-756-4995 or email him at li_tomas@yahoo.com.
The orientation meeting will be held on Sunday, May 31, from 1:30 to 2:30 PM in the Gabriel Room at the Altar Service Annual Appreciation. Lunch will be provided for all members.
For many years, volunteers from St. Gabriel’s have served one of the daily meals provided to the homeless and disadvantaged that the Little Brothers of the Good Shepherd offer as one of the services at the Good Shepherd Centre on Queen Street East in Toronto.
The kitchen and serving areas of the centre were recently renovated and when the meal service restarted, the serving times were changed. This change means that St. Gabriel’s will need more volunteers to continue to provide our contribution to this continuing and growing service.
St. Gabriel’s will now serve on the second Monday of the month from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM. If you are interested in being a part of this volunteer service, please contact Lily D’Gama at 416-733-3949 for more details.
Fair trade organic coffees will be on sale after all the Masses next weekend.
Share your gently used clothing and household linens with others in your community. Support the Society of St. Vincent de Paul “Bundle Up Program” this weekend, May 9th/10th.
The truck will be open this weekend, Saturday from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM and all day Sunday until 4:00 PM. Volunteers will assist with the loading before and after each Saturday and Sunday Mass.
Thank you for your support.
Join the Catholic Community at Dundas Square Sunday, May 17th, 2009, – 3:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Join the Catholic community on Sunday, May 17th for “St. Paul in the Square”, a celebration of music and prayer in downtown Toronto featuring Lectio Divina with Archbishop Collins, renowned contemporary artist, Matt Maher, and other great Catholic performers.
Visit www.archtoronto.org for more details on this very special gathering. Mark your calendar today as we celebrate the year of St. Paul as a family of faith!
Saturday, May 30th 2009 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM St Gabriel’s School, 396 Spring Garden Ave ( Bayview and Sheppard)
Our Grade 8 students will be holding their annual car wash. Join them at the school for a fun-filled day with a BBQ, carnival games, bouncing slide, face painting, cotton candy, popcorn and many more game booths.
A day of food and fun in the summer sun for the whole family!
Second Annual Mix and Mingle Wednesday, May 13th at 6:00 PM Redeemer House, 151 McCaul Street, Toronto
Faith Connections and the religious of Toronto invite all 18-39 year olds (married, single, student, working etc.) to redeemer House for fun and laughter at a barbeque supper in a relaxed atmosphere. Hang out with other young adults, priests and sisters. It’s a chance to share life experiences, share resources, ask questions and meet new people!
For more information, go to www.faithconnections.ca or call Vanessa Schmidt at 416-222-1426, Ext. 276.
Catholic Parents of Lesbian Daughters and Gay Sons Day of Reflection
Saturday, June 13th, 2009 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Cost: $40.00 (includes lunch) Scarboro Missions, 2685 Kingston Road, Toronto For Brochure and information call John Montague at 416-523-6449.
Golf Tournament at Eagles Nest Golf Club June 16th, 2009
The Hope for the Children Foundation is holding its Annual Corporate Golf Tournament on June 16th, 2009 at the Eagles Nest Golf Club in support of the Catholic Children’s Aid Society. Funds raised support post-secondary scholarships and emergency care in times of crisis. For more information, please contact the Foundation at 416-395-1634.
| Posted in Bulletin |
May 3rd, 2009
The people to whom Jesus spoke the words in today’s gospel were familiar with the notion of shepherd. Their scriptures were filled with the teachings that God was the shepherd of Israel. We all know the 23rd psalm, ‘The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want’ – this beautiful psalm speaks of the providential care of God for the people of Israel. It speaks of God’s providential care for all of us.
What is the relationship between the shepherd and his sheep? First of all the shepherd has an intimate knowledge of his sheep, he knows his sheep, he calls them by name, they hear his voice and follow him. The sheep will not respond to a stranger’s voice. The shepherd protects his sheep. The shepherd’s staff has two uses, one as a weapon to use when he needs to protect the sheep from predators, the crook of his staff he uses to hook a sheep by the neck to lift it out of a place of danger. The shepherd leads his sheep to pastures rich in nourishment and to refreshing waters so that they can be strong and healthy. The shepherd has an investment in his sheep, he uses their wool and finally he sells their meat. When we stop to think about it the sheep lay down their lives in gratitude for all the care the shepherd has shown them.
For the next several Sundays of this Easter season we will be hearing some familiar themes from the Gospel of John. Jesus makes many imaginative “I am” statements. “I am the light.” “I am the bread of life.” “I am the living water.” “I am the way, the truth and the life.”
In today’s Gospel we hear Jesus say twice “I am the good shepherd.” Jesus was not like the religious leaders of His time whom He compares to hireling, hired hands that had no investment in the sheep, no real concern for the sheep’s safety and well being, hirelings who would take off in times of danger. Jesus would lay down His life for His sheep.
Usually Good Shepherd Sunday is Vocation Sunday, a day on which we pray that young men and women will seriously consider giving their lives to the service of God’s people. But when we stop to think of it we are all called to be shepherds. We are all called to be sources of life to others. Think of the shepherding that goes on in our parish family; parents shepherding their children, guiding and directing them with life values and faith in God. Spouses shepherding each other, supporting each other, encouraging each others, understanding each other when things are tough, rejoicing in each other in the good times of their lives. Think of the shepherding done by dedicated teachers as they care for their students. Think of the shepherding done by those in the medical profession, the counseling profession. Think of the shepherding done in the care of the aged and those diminished in mind or body.
We are called to be shepherds in our relationships and friendships. In one way or another each of us is called to be shepherd, leading others to green pastures and fresh life giving waters, restoring each others spirits. Each of us is called to be a shepherd to others and we walk with them in the dark valley of depression, grief or other difficult times. In all these situations we lay down our lives, we put others first as we give them our time, support, encouragement, understanding, and forgiveness.
As we continue to celebrate this Mass we can pray for ourselves and for each other that each of us be the shepherd we are called to be, as priest, as spouse, as parent, as friend, as neighbour, as co-worker, being a source of live and lover to others as Christ, the Good Shepherd, Who laid down His life for us, is the source of our life and love.
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April 26th, 2009
View the 2008 parish financial statement. (Please note: this is a PDF document)
Total: $9,436
Number of Envelopes Used: 504
Friday, May 1st from 9:30 AM 12 Noon Please see the time schedule on the table inside the Church.
English Rosary: Saturday, May 2nd at 3:15 in the Library Chinese Rosary: Sunday, May 3rd at 3:30 PM in the Library. For information, please contact Linda Law at 416-918-8029
Sunday, May 3rd at 11:30 AM in the Library
Sunday, May 3rd at the 12:30 PM Mass.
Tuesday, April 28th at 7:30 PM Topic: How the Bible Was Written
Wednesday, May 6th at 10:30 AM Topic: The Eucharist
In case of inclement weather, please call Mary Landry at 416-293-3760.
The Parish Family of St. Gabriel’s would like to welcome: Colin Thomas Flood Ethan Cy Lee Zakary Kai St. Jean Kai Thomas Wu Luke Aidan Wu
These children received the Sacrament of Baptism on Sunday, April 19th. Congratulations!
CHILDREN’S FAITH PROGRAM FAMILY MASS
The Children’s Faith Program Family Mass will be celebrated on Sunday May 3rd at the 8:30 AM Mass. All families are invited.
Bring your gently used clothing and household linens to share with others on May 9th and 10th. A St. Vincent de Paul truck will be in the Church parking lot so please share what you can with those less fortunate.
The truck will be open Saturday from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM and all day Sunday until 4:00 PM. Volunteers will assist with the loading before and after each Mass. Thank you for your continued support.
Weekend of May 2nd/3rd
Following Maggie O’Rourke’s presentation about ShareLife agency, Rosalie Hall, we would like to help with the everyday needs of this wonderful organization.
Items that are most needed include: Pampers, – all sizes including toddlers, diaper cream (Penaten and Zincofax), powdered baby formula (preferably Regular Nestle Good Start), sleepers, undershirts, new and gently used clothing- 6 months to 3 years), socks, sippy cups, plastic dishes and glasses for toddlers, baby soap, receiving blankets, bibs (ages 1 to 3 years), baby safety devices (plugs for electrical sockets, locks for cupboard doors), pasta, tomato sauce, beans, macaroni and cheese.
Items can be dropped off in the playpens and boxes provided in the Gathering Space.
“More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of.” Fr. Peyton
Join the prayer network of Rosalie Hall and pray for a young Mom and her child. For more information, contact Maggie O’Rourke at 416-438-6880, Ext. 235.
Tuesday, April 28 at 2:00 PM Blessed Trinity Church Hall
Prospective members are cordially invited. The Guest Speaker will be Mercedes Hughes, a member of the Alzheimer Society of Toronto.
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
