December 2nd, 2007
Each year young people Grade 3 and up form a special choir. Children must be at the church by 6:00 PM on Christmas Eve. THERE IS ONLY ONE PRACTICE AND IT IS MANDATORY. PRACTICE IS ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 23rd FROM 2:00 to 4:00 PM. For information call Marilyn Calderone at 905 889-6856.
DRESS REHEARSAL ON SUNDAY DECEMBER 23rd from 2:00 to 4:00 PM. S.K. to Grade 5 children are invited to participate in the pageant. Please call Anne Murphy at 416 512-0340. Children must be able to attend this DRESS REHEARSAL.
Total: $10,752
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Your donations to the poor boxes after Mass are very important in enabling us to help those in need. At this time of the year, we try to provide a little extra for families.
are ready for pick-up in our Gathering Space. It is important that you throw away all envelopes from previous years as your number may have changed or may 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 office.
Please join us for our last lecture presented by the Canadian Catholic Bioethics Institute (CCBI) here at our parish in the Gabriel room
7:30 to 9:30 PM Dec. 5th A Christian Spirituality of Suffering and Death Guest speaker will be Dr. Moira McQueen, the Director of the CCBI. At the end of this lecture, there will also be an opportunity for questions and discussion.
Suggested donation is $10 or whatever your means allow. For further information and to register, please call the parish office at (416) 221-8866.
Friday Dec. 7th 9:30AM – 12PM. Please sign the schedule on the table inside the Church.
The topics we have chosen are varied – a mixture of church history, church teachings and scripture. You are welcome to join us whenever you can. For further information call Mary Landry at 416-221-8866 ext 224. Next meetings: Tuesday evening, December 11th at 7:30 PM or Wednesday morning, December 12th at 10:30 AM.
Thank you to the volunteers who prepared 51 casseroles for the Good Shepherd Centre for November. For December, your prepared casseroles (frozen please) will be collected at the Masses on the weekend of December 29/30 for delivery to the Centre. More volunteers are encouraged to become active in helping to feed our less fortunate sisters and brothers. If you require more information or would like to get a copy of the recipe and a casserole pan, please contact Irene Albrecht at 416 221-2791.
TUESDAY DECEMBER 11TH AT 7:30 PM 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. This will take place in Auditoriums 1 and 2 at North York General Hospital, 4001 Leslie Street (at Sheppard). Free Parking Refreshments following the Service.
We are inviting families to assist us 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 our families. If you are willing to adopt-a-family or provide a donation, please call 416 395-1634 or email hopeforchildren@ccas.toronto.on.ca
for the Catholic Children’s Aid Society. Can you help by dropping off an unwrapped new toy for children 0 – 12 years old? Containers will be set up at the doors of the Church until Sunday, December 16th.
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.
is having their annual “Pot Luck Supper” on Tuesday, December 11th at 6:00 PM. Bring a friend, your favourite dish to share, and decorate and wear a Christmas hat. There will be a raffle, a sing-a-long and a surprise guest. All the ladies of the parish are cordially invited.
| Posted in Bulletin |
November 25th, 2007
Total: $8,977
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 this book. They will be remembered at all the Masses celebrated in November.
The topics we have chosen are varied – a mixture of church history, church teachings and scripture. You are welcome to join us whenever you can. For further information call Mary Landry at 416-221-8866 ext 224. Next meetings: Tuesday evening, November 27th at 7:30 PM Wednesday morning, November 28th at 10:30 AM.
The parish is looking to establish a new ministry to serve elderly parishioners and others with special needs who might require transportation to and from Church on Saturdays/Sundays, and to medical appointments. First we would like to ascertain the need of the community in this regard. At the same time, we are seeking volunteers who would like to participate in this ministry. Any parishioners who would like to avail themselves of such a service OR who can volunteer to help, please contact Fatima Lee at 416 221-8866 ext 228.
Have questions regarding end of life issues: euthanasia, pain and suffering surrounding death, palliative care, withdrawal of treatment or dignity of the dying?
Please join us for a lecture series presented by the Canadian Catholic bioethics Institute (CCBI) here at our parish. The lectures are scheduled for four consecutive Wednesdays beginning on November 14th from 7:30 to 9:30 PM.
The topics are: Nov. 21st – Advanced Directives, Power of Attorney and Ethical issues at the End of Life Nov. 28th – Euthanasia, Assisted Suicide, Palliative Care and Spiritual Issues Dec. 5th – A Christian Spirituality of Suffering and Death
Guest speakers will be Dr. Moira McQueen, the Director of the CCBI, and Dr. Barry Brown. At the end of each lecture, there will also be an opportunity for questions and discussion. Suggested donation is $40 for the series; or $10 per lecture; or whatever your means allow. For further information and to register, please call the parish office at (416) 221-8866.
This is a reminder to all servers or their parents to pick up the new schedule December 2007 to February 2008 on the bulletin board beside the Sacristy.
BRIANNE SADIE DAVIDSON
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1st at 3:15 PM in the Library We welcome all who wish to share this time with us. For information contact Linda Law at 416 918-8029.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2nd at 3:30 PM in the Gabriel Room For information contact Linda Law at 416 918-8029.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2nd 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.
For more information about the Christmas Program or a list of gift suggestions please visit www.ccas.toronto.on.ca/HopeForChildren/Christmas.html
Your donations to the poor boxes after Mass throughout the year are very important in enabling us to help those in need. At this time of the year, we try to provide a little extra for families and others that we help. Your generosity as you leave the Church would help us add something to their Christmas celebration.
Archbishop Adam Exner, OMI, will preach a weekend retreat for Married Couples at Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre in Mississauga on November 30th to December 2nd. The theme of the retreat will be “REFLECTING THE FACE OF CHRIST IN MARRIAGE AND FAMILY”. To register or to obtain more information, contact the Centre at 905 278-5229.
on Friday, December 14th at 8:00 PM and on Saturday, December 15th at 3:00 PM. Guest artist: Toronto Philharmonia Tickets:$22.50 – $36.50 Box office: 416 872-4255 Online: www.masseyhall.com or in person at the Roy Thomson Hall Box Office.
Saturday, December 1, 2007 1:00 – 6:30 PM Theme: Reveling in Joyful anticipation at St. Joseph Morrow Park, 3377 Bayview Ave. They will be celebrating Sunday Liturgy Cost: $10 – Sit down dinner provided Registration: Contact Vanessa Nicholas – faithconnections@csj-to.ca or 416 222-1426 ext 276 before November 27th. Faith connections which is a ministry of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Toronto welcomes young adults from 18 to 39 to engage in opportunities that generate spiritual growth and community-building.
November 18th, 2007
Luke’s description of the destruction of the Temple and the persecution of the followers of Jesus was written around 80 AD. What he describes in today’s gospel had already taken place in 70 AD when the Emperor Titus destroyed the Temple and the Holy City and carried most of its citizens off in slavery. For the Jewish people destruction of the Temple was akin to the end of the world. The temple was their pride and joy and it was the dwelling place of God.
Too often buildings and monuments can take on a life of their own. We imagine they will always be there, always a part of our lives. We can’t imagine life without them. Many in the parish felt that way about our former St. Gabriel’s. It pained them to see it being torn down. Last September and October, as I celebrated morning Mass I looked out our window and saw a monastery and church that were part and parcel of my life since 1960 being demolished. It wasn’t easy to watch. Even the joy of having our new church blessed and dedicated by Cardinal Ambrozic a year ago tomorrow didn’t change my memories or feelings.
But a building is a building and it is meant to serve the needs of people. The people give a building its meaning. We are grateful for our beautiful new church building. But personally I am more grateful for you good and beautiful people of St. Gabriel’s who are the church. As I keep telling the children in school, the people are the church, not the building. In his first letter St. Peter tells the community to which he was writing that they are living stones meant to make a spiritual house in which God is praised. And Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you.”
Our church will never be completed in the sense that we can never give up trying to be ‘church’. Our parish motto is ‘belonging, believing, becoming’. These are action words. So we never give up being ‘living stones’ trying to be a family of faith, love and service, we never give up trying to be ‘living stones” meant to make a spiritual house in which God is praised. We never give up trying to be ‘living stones’ welcoming stones ready to accept everyone who comes in our doors. We never give up being living stones who respond generously to the needs of others. We never give up being living stones willing to grow to full maturity in Christ by taking advantage of adult learning programs offered in the parish. We never give up being living stones at every Mass we celebrate when we participate as fully as we can in prayers and hymns of the Mass.
One of the remarks Cardinal Ambrozic made last year when he dedicated this building was about our choir – a choir made up of young and old and people of diverse cultural backgrounds. He said ‘your choir sounds like a choir.’ He didn’t mention the organist. But any choir, any cantor, is meant to help us in our celebration of the Mass, not entertain us. Our celebration of Mass is all that it meant to be – when we ‘living stones’ are fully involved – answering the prayers, singing the hymns. I suggest that even if you feel you can’t sing you at least read the words of the hymn we are singing, for they have their own message.
Our building has been called ‘Canada’s first green church’. Our green church is meant to foster the greening of people and bring all of us to an awareness that we are living stones within the wider community of all creation. Within this green building we are meant to become more conscious of the beauty and fragility of creation and come to realize that the care and the healing of Earth is our God given duty.
As part of this celebration of our first anniversary I ask you to join with me in a short prayer in which we will promise to be ‘living stones’ meant to build a spiritual house in which God is praised especially through our willingness to really participate in each Mass, a spiritual house in which we become more and more conscious of our oneness with all of God’s good creation.
As we continue to celebrate this Mass we pray for ourselves and for each other that we remember ‘the people, you good people, are the church. May all of us as living stones continue to grow in belonging, believing and becoming.
| Posted in Homily |
Total: $9,549
The topics we have chosen are varied – a mixture of church history, church teachings and scripture. You are welcome to join us whenever you can. For further information call Mary Landry at 416-221-8866 ext 224. Next meetings: Tuesday evening, November 13th at 7:30 PM Wednesday morning, November 14th at 10:30 AM.
Your prepared chicken rice casseroles (frozen please) will be collected at 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.
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. This will take place in Auditoriums 1 and 2 at North York General Hospital, 4001 Leslie Street (at Sheppard) on Tuesday, December 11th at 7:30 PM. Free Parking Refreshments following the Service.
We are inviting families to assist us 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 our families. If you are willing to adopt-a-family or provide a donation, please call 416 395-1634 or email hopeforchildren@ccas.toronto.on.ca For more information about the Christmas Program or a list of gift suggestions please visit www.ccas.toronto.on.ca/HopeForChildren/Christmas.html
The Catholic Office of Religious Education and Liturgy is sponsoring one workshop that may be of interest to you.
Saturday, November 24, 2007 The Church’s Teaching on Marriage St. Luke’s Parish 39 Green Lane, Thornhill, ON (905) 881-2786
on Saturday, November 24, 2007 at Scarboro Missions, 2685 Kingston Rd., Scarborough. We welcome those who feel they may be called by God to be a priest or lay missioner. We invite you to walk with us…it may change your life forever! To register please contact us at (416) 261-7135 or lmo@scarboromissions.ca
is having a Wine and Cheese Social on Tuesday, November 20th at 7:00 PM in their Parish Hall. There will be a brief general meeting followed by refreshments and socializing.
November 11th, 2007
I want to say a few words of our first reading from the Book of Maccabees and what it has to say to what we will be doing after the homily.
We have a powerful telling of the story of seven brothers and their mother who were willing to die rather than abandon their faith. King Antiochus from Antioch has ravaged Jerusalem and especially the temple and its treasures. He has left behind officials to subdue the Jewish people and force them to reject their customs and their God. This mother and her seven sons are killed for their faith in the God of life Who will raise them to a higher life, because they have remained faithful to living faithfully while on earth.
I hope you find the time to read a piece in the bulletin about the Passionist Bishop Eugene Basilkov from Bulgaria. Today is the 55th anniversary of his execution by the communists. He was imprisoned and pressured into establishing a national church which would be controlled by the government. Being faithful to his faith and the church he refused. He was shot and buried in a common grave. Like the Macabean mother and her seven sons Bishop Eugene was a martyr, a witness to the faith.
These two events, our first reading and this anniversary of Bishop Eugene’s death have much to say to the ceremony that follows the sermon. We will be having the enrollment ceremony for those young people of the parish who are asking to be confirmed.
Confirmation is that sacrament which is meant to strengthen, reinforce, and fortify the life into which we were born at Baptism. In the first centuries of the church most baptisms were adult baptisms and immediately after a person was baptized they were anointed with oil to strengthen them to live a faith which could cost them their lives. Then they received their first communion which was meant to nourish and sustain them in living out their commitment to Christ.
Confirmation is not an automatic thing. Students are not confirmed because they are in grade eight. Students must ask to be confirmed and there are certain things they are expected to do such as helping in the different ministries in the parish, to prepare themselves for this sacrament.
Personally I find this a very frustrating sacrament. The school and the parish go through so much to prepare these students for confirmation and often we wonder if it ever ‘takes’. Once they hit high school coming to Mass isn’t ‘cool’, they have better things to do and often they don’t have the example of their parents to follow. I was talking with a Rabbi a few years ago and he expressed the same frustration. He said, “We see Bar Mitzvah as an entrance into our community. But after the ceremony and the party our young people see it as an exit from the community.
Few of us remember our baptisms. Our parents and Godparents spoke on our behave stating our belief in God and our rejection of evil. But every Easter Sunday, which in the early church was ‘the’ day of baptisms, we are invited to speak in our own names and commit ourselves once again to trying to live fully the life that is ours through the passion, death and resurrection of Christ.
Today as these good young people prepare themselves for the sacrament of Confirmation, and with the powerful witness of faithfulness to their faith given us by a brave mother and her seven sons, the witness of a faithful shepherd Bishop Eugene – we pray for these students that they appreciate what they doing – that they always remain open to the love of God proven to us in the cross they receive – that they be faithful to that love. We can pray for ourselves that we be confirmed and strengthened in our faithfulness to Christ, Who was faithful to us, even to dying on the cross for us.
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