May 6th, 2007
During these weeks following Easter we are celebrating the glory that God the Father bestowed on His Son Jesus. Jesus glorified His Father when He emptied Himself of His divinity and took to Himself our humanity and became obedient even to dying on the cross. Because of His emptying, His humility, His obedience even unto the shameful death on a cross, God the Father raised Jesus from the dead and glorified Him and given Him a name above every name that can be named, in heaven, on earth and under the earth, so that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bend and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.
We glorify a person when we give them the praise and honor they deserve, when we acknowledge the good they’ve done, the struggles they’ve endured and the lives they’ve lived.
Acknowledging the many ways our lives have been blessed and graced by God our common prayer is, ‘glory to the Father, to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen.’
We glorify God when we celebrate the Eucharist and receive the sacraments.
We glorify God when we celebrate the beauty and the wonder of God’s good creation and recognize the woundedness of Earth and try as best we can to heal the Earth.
The final words of today’s gospel are a constant challenge to every one of us; ‘I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love one for another.’
Every day of our lives we struggle to be faithful to the new commandment as we try to be patient, forgiving and accepting of all the people who touch our lives, especially those closest to us. There are days we win, there are days we fail.
One of the ways we love another is when we glorify another. We glorify another when we let them know we recognize and acknowledge and appreciate the good they’ve done. We glorify another person when we let them know we understand and support them in the struggles they are going through – as they cope with grief or struggle with addictions or wrestle with a family break up. We glorify another when we admire and support their commitment to and care of a sick spouse, their commitment to the care of aging parents. We glorify parents when we admire their patience and forbearance dealing with sons and daughters who seem to reject the faith and life values their parents offered them.
Spouses glorify each other when they appreciate how each one contributes to the health and wholeness of their relationship, and support one another in good times and in bad.
Parents glorify their sons and daughters when they take pride in their accomplishments, the marks they bring home, and the projects on which they work.
The other week I was at the school for the student’s presentation of Mama Mia. A third of the school took part in the production; they’d been practicing since September. These wonderful children glorified one another in their mutual enthusiasm, and they were glorified by the standing ovation they received from family and friends at the end of the evening.
Every day of our lives we are meant to glorify God and each other by acknowledging the goodness, the generosity, the courage we see in their lives. We glorify ourselves when we acknowledge and celebrate the many ways our lives have been blessed by God.
As we continue to celebrate this Mass we can pray for ourselves and for each other that we be blessed with the graciousness to glorify God by acknowledging the many ways our lives have been enriched and blessed by God and acknowledging the goodness, courage and generosity we see in the lives of family, friends and strangers.
| Posted in Homily |
Vivan Ng, who has been the coordinator for the past 7 years, will be retiring at the end of this school year. We are in need of a replacement. Our Children’s Faith Program consists of about 20 classes which are held at St. Gabriel’s School every other Sunday morning from 10 – 11AM. We are hoping that some of the parents whose children benefit from this program will come forward to coordinate this program. If you are interested in helping please call the parish office at 416-221-8866 and we will send you a job description. Please give this appeal serious consideration, especially f your child is in the Children’s Faith Program.
is designed for children from Senior Kindergarten to Grade 8 in our Parish who are attending either private or public school and wish to learn about our Catholic Faith. We are currently accepting new students for the 2007/2008 school year. Registration forms are available at the Parish Office. The deadline for enrollment is June 30, 2007. Volunteers to the program are always welcome. For more information, please call the Parish Office at 416-221-8866.
Total: $10,287
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Catholic Family Services of Toronto helps individuals, couples and families to strengthen human relationships. The agency provides the following services: Counselling – individual, marriage, family and group; Wellness Groups – the aim of these groups is to provide education and information to assist people move through life’s transitions competently and successfully; Marriage Preparation and Family Life Office – provides extensive Marriage preparation program and other Family Life programs. People from all religious, cultural, and racial backgrounds are welcome.
2006 SHARELIFE TOTAL: $163,159.52 2007 TO DATE: $123,558.10
A reminder to the parents of the children making their FIRST COMMUNION this year to call the parish office (416-221-8866) to arrange a short interview with Fr. Paul. The following dates for appointments are available: May 8, 9, 10, 1516, 17, 22, 23, 24, 30 and 31.
CHLOE CECILIA SAMUEL-KAMAKA CHASE KEON ATKINSON ANN FRANCE MARAN PURCELL JONATHAN ARTHUR CLARENCE ERSKINE MARK GABRIEL SASU
for Fr. Paul’s Birthday Celebration will go on sale next weekend after all the Masses.
How fortunate we are that our Toronto tap water is proven to be safe to drink. An added benefit is that a glass of tap water costs 1/800 of a penny, whereas bottled water costs up to $2.00 a bottle. By reducing our bottled water use, we also reduce the amount of plastic to be recycled. It is recommended that plastic water bottles should not be reused. For further information check one of the following: www.inside the bottle.org www.toronto.ca/water www.kairoscanada.org www.devp.org
St. Gabriel’s Parish will be taking part in this year’s Doors Open Toronto on Saturday May 26th and on Sunday May 27th. We need volunteers to host this event – showing our visitors around the Church and explaining different aspects of Canada’s First Green Church. If you are willing to help us on both or either one of these days, please call Marilyn or Marie at the parish office and they will fill you in on the details.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is an organization devoted to the assistance of our neighbours in need within the parish and also within the Greater Toronto Area. The scope of the latter activities is outlined on the St. Vincent de Paul poster on the notice board in the church gathering area. However, the principal and fundamental activity of members is to visit those looking for help, assess their needs and assist them in whatever manner is most appropriate, frequently in the provision of food, clothing and furniture. The St. Gabriel’s group or “Conference” is looking for new members. Anyone who is interested and would like to know more is invited to get in touch with Philip Taylor at 416 225-7750.
Thank you to the volunteers who prepared 51 casseroles in April for the Good Shepherd Centre. For May, your prepared casseroles (frozen please) will be collected at the Masses on the weekend of May 26/27 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.
is named in honour of Meagan Bebenek who died of a malignant brain tumour. The sixth annual Walk will take place on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 13th with registration starting at 9:00 AM. A 5km event for all ages begins at Ontario Place and culminates at Sick Kids. Funds raised support paediatric brain tumour research at SickKids. For information, to register or to donate online, visit www.meaganswalk.com or call 416-239-7843.
Sisters of St. Joseph invite you for a thought provoking social evening for young adults (19-39 yrs) where a speaker provides opportunity for discussion. On Monday May 14th, Archbishop Thomas Collins will be speaking about “Being a Christian Today” at Duke of York Pub, 39 Prince Arthur Ave. from 7 – 9 PM. Munchies provided. Come and bring a friend! For more info contact Vanessa Nicholas at 416-222-1426 ext 276 or faithconnections@csj-to.ca
…women who search for God Single women, 18-40, are invited to a retreat weekend on May 25-27, given by a team of Sisters of St. Joseph. For information call Sister Dorothy: 416-934-0042.
St. Gabriel’s Church Mosaic Souvenir Pictures are available again for purchase. Samples are in the office showcase. These are suitable for gift giving and as a nice remembrance of our old church.
| Posted in Bulletin |
April 29th, 2007
On Saturday, October 27, 2007, there will be a celebration at the All Saints Center on Bayview south of Finch, for Father Paul’s 75th birthday. Please reserve the date in your calendars and tell others about the celebration. Tickets will go on sale soon for $125 per person which includes dinner with wine and a gift for Father Paul. Watch for more details.
Congratulations to our young people who were confirmed last Tuesday, April 24th by His Grace, Bishop Greco.
Total: $9,048
This organization has been serving women in need since 1965, providing a 22-bed shelter and drop-in centre for those struggling. Street Haven’s programs include addiction support groups, computer literacy training, a health clinic and personal counseling. Today is ShareLife’s Second Collection! Help us to help our agencies reach out to those in need of literacy training, personal counseling and family therapy. Recognize. Reflect. Respond. ShareLife
2006 SHARELIFE TOTAL: $163,159.52 2007 TO DATE: $111,116.75
are available again for purchase. Samples are in the office showcase. These are suitable for gift giving and as a nice remembrance of our old church.
On this World Day of Prayer for Vocations, let us pray that God will raise up numerous Holy Vocations to the priesthood to keep the faith alive and guard the gracious memory of Jesus Christ through the preaching of His Word and administration of the Sacraments.
May 2nd 10:30 AM – 12 NOON Library TOPIC: VATICAN II – THEN AND NOW
Friday, May 4th at 9:30AM to 12 noon. Please see the time schedule on the table inside of the Church.
Saturday, May 5th at 3:15 PM in the Library.
Sunday, May 6th at 300 PM in the Gabriel Room.
Sunday, May 6th at 11:30 AM in the Gabriel Room. All are welcome to join us as 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.
is named in honour of Meagan Bebenek who died of a malignant brain tumour. The sixth annual Walk will take place on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 13th with registration starting at 9:00 AM. A 5km event for all ages begins at Ontario Place and culminates at Sick Kids. Funds raised support paediatric brain tumour research at SidkKids. For information, to register or to donate online, visit www.meaganswalk.com or call 416-239-7843.
MAY 4 – 6, 2007 Why not plan to attend a retreat at Queen of Apostles in Mississauga. The theme is “Touching the Wisdom Within Us”. For further information or registration call Anne at 905-278-5229.
Single women, 18-40, are invited to a retreat weekend on May 4-6 or May 25-27, given by a team of Sisters of St. Joseph. For information call Sister Dorothy: 416-934-0042.
Monday, April 30th 2:30 – 7:00 PM St. Gabriel’s Parish – Gathering Space
April 22nd, 2007
Today’s gospel can be looked at from many angles. To begin with, Peter and the others were practical people – they had families to feed, boats to care for and so, even though they were still caught up in the wonder of seeing the risen Lord, when Peter said, “I am going fishing”, in other words I’ve got to get back to work, the others said, ‘so do we’.
Then we see the risen Christ coming to these men in the midst of their work, their unfruitful work. He wants to help them in their work – ‘cast your net to the right side of the boat.’ We too meet the risen Christ in the midst of our work, our careers, and our tasks. We meet Him in our work, we meet Him in the people with whom we work and we can trust that He is willing to help us in our work, see us through our struggles and disappointments – see us through the times when our labor seems to be in vain.
We wonder what is the significance of John telling us that the catch of fish numbered 153. Some sources say that at that time Greek zoology claimed that there were 153 species of fish. The message being, that the apostles – as fishers of people – are to bring all peoples to faith in the risen Christ.
Then we have the three questions of Jesus to Peter – do you love me? Remember Peter, warming himself at a fire, denied, even swore he did not know Jesus. Now warming himself at the charcoal fire Jesus lit, we see Peter’s rehabilitation – his threefold declaration of love – yes Lord I love you, you know all things, you know I love.
The next part of the gospel can apply to a lot of us because we are at a certain time in our lives. Jesus tells Peter, “When you were younger you used to fasten your belt and go where you wanted to go. But when you grow old you will stretch out your hands and someone will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.’
I think we can apply this to that time in our lives when we loose our independence. When we have to face retirement, we’re too old for the job – we loose our driver’s license, we need a cane or a walker – we need home care – we have to face the hard realty we can’t live alone, we have to go into a retirement home, a nursing home, or worst of all we have to hang up the golf clubs. And it hurts – in a way it is a form of dying, having to face our limitations, face the fact we can’t do the things we used to do. We have to hand our lives over to others.
John tells us the Jesus spoke these words to Peter to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. In our own life situations we too can glorify God when we stretch out our hands, let go of our treasured independence, our freedom, our self reliance and trust in God’s care for us.
Jesus asked Peter, do you love me. When we are in those situations of having to let go of our independence Jesus can be asking us, not, ‘do you love me’ but ‘do you trust me’, do you trust me to walk with you into your new life situation? Remember the little exercise called a ‘faith walk’? We would close our eyes and someone would take us by the hand and we had no idea where they would lead us, we had to trust them, in a way we handed ourselves over to them.
As we continue to celebrate this Mass we can pray for ourselves and for each other that when that time comes in our lives – and for most of us it will come – when we stretch out our hands and go where we would rather not go – we be graced with the trust we need to hand our lives over to the grace and power of the Risen Christ – and in that surrender come to know new life and new love.
Total: $9,031
is committed to offering quality day care for young children. This agency offers subsidized spaces for parents who are unable to pay full fees. The children who come to the day care centre are from all different backgrounds. Next Sunday is ShareLife’s second offering. Please give generously! Your donation makes a difference. Help us to help those in need!
2006 SHARELIFE TOTAL: $163,159.52 2007 TO DATE: $105,382.00
Tuesday, April 24th 7:30 PM St. Gabriel’s Church
Sunday, April 29th 8:30 AM. All families are invited. Children from the different grades will prepare the readings and usher.
April 24th 7:30 – 9:00PM Library TOPIC: “OTHER SEPARATIONS FROM THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH”
May 2nd 10:30AM – 12 NOON Library TOPIC: VATICAN II – THEN AND NOW
On Tuesday, May 1st, Mayor David Miller, Deputy Mayor Joe Pantalone, and Members of Toronto City Council invite you to a ceremony in recognition of this year’s Green Toronto Awards. The awards honour and celebrate leading companies, organizations and individuals who have contributed to the greening of Toronto. Come out and celebrate the achievements of our Green Toronto Award winners. St. Gabriel’s is one of the three finalists. Seating is limited, so please arrive early. Elevators to the Council Chamber will open at 6:30 PM. Additional seating for a televised broadcast will be available in the rotunda. City Hall Council Chamber, 100 Queen St. West. Awards Presentation 7:00 – 8:30 PM Refreshments 8:30 – 9:30 PM. RSVP by April 27th – 416 – 392 – 7667
The parish of ST. GABRIEL’S welcomes into our family the following people who were received into the Church at our Easter Vigil with the CELEBRATION of BAPTISM, COMMUNION AND CONFIRMATION:
SANDRA BIN ZHOU GISELLE ARBABI STELLA CHAN RAMONA NESMERAK
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 contact Irene Albrecht at 416 221 – 2791.
Membership Invitation The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is an organization devoted to the assistance of our neighbours in need within the parish and also within the Greater Toronto Area. The scope of the latter activities is outlined on the St. Vincent de Paul poster on the notice board in the church gathering area. However, the principal and fundamental activity of members is to visit those looking for help, assess their needs and assist them in whatever manner is most appropriate, frequently in the provision of food, clothing and furniture. The St. Gabriel’s group or “Conference” is looking for new members. Anyone who is interested and would like to know more is invited to get in touch with Philip Taylor at 416 225-7750.
Keynote Address: Friday, April 27th at 7:30 PM Plenary and concurrent presentations and workshops: Saturday, April 28th from 9:00 – 5:00 PM
Keynote speaker Douglas Roche a journalist, author, MP, ambassador for disarmament, and senator will kick off a conference based on the life and thoughts of 20th century monk, Thomas Merton (social critic, poet and prophet) on Friday, April 27th at 7:30 PM at Seneca College Conference Centre, 1760 Finch Ave. East, Toronto, ON. The conference explores spiritual responses to despair over global warming, terrorism, nuclear weapons, consumerism, etc. Plenaries with Donald Grayston and Ron Dart; nine concurrent sessions. Sponsors: Thomas Merton Society of Canada & Seneca College.
Cost: $60 (includes lunch) $15 Friday evening $30 half day Saturday. Registration/information: tmsc@telus.net or 604 – 669 – 2546.
is pleased to announce the third in a series of free forums to engage, empower and involve parents in the education of students. Join us at St. Cyril Catholic Elementary School on April 25th at 7:00 PM at 18 Kempford Blvd., Toronto, ON. The guest speaker is Fr. James Mulligan, CSC. For additional information visit www.gtcpn.com or call 416 393 – 5270 or 416 618 – 0872 or e-mail: info@gtcpn.com. We are a volunteer group of catholic parent advocates.
Monday, April 23 7:00 – 9:00 PM This is a thought-provoking social evening for young adults (19-39 yrs) where a speaker provides an opportunity for discussion. Fr. Allan MacDonald, CC, Chaplain York University, will speak on “Proofs of the Resurrection”. Duke of York Pub, 39 Prince Arthur Ave. Munchies provided. Cash Bar. For more information contact Vanessa Nicholas 416 222 – 1426 ext 276
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