July 11th, 2021
Have you ever heard the expression that someone is carrying too much baggage? Not physical things but maybe unresolved family conflicts, unresolved anger or resentments, unresolved, unresolved. Resentments and memories of which they can’t let go but continue to burden their lives
Jesus sent his disciples out to preach the good news with no means of support; no sandals, no staff, no bread, no purse. To walk the rocky roads of Galilee in such a way would be madness. No scandals to protect their feet, staff for self- defence, no companion for safety.
Yet they all carried their own personal baggage. Judas; his greed, Peter; his fickleness, James and John; the needs of their ambitious mother, these are the ones we know of.
Jesus gave these instructions to the disciples who were to travel rocky roads from one small village to another. Mark passed these words on to men and women who were urban dwellers, probably Romans but people embarked on a journey every Christian tries to travel.
If Mark was challenging his urban readers to make an analogous application to their living the way of Jesus in their settled urban lives, how might these instructions of Jesus apply to us who live on this small planet in an ever expanding universe?
We are on that same journey; we are a pilgrim people, so we can’t pretend to be ignorant of our realities, our baggage; global warming or plastic polluted seas, or the loss of topsoil. We can’t ignore our vulnerability to the global pandemics that is turning our lives upside down.
In our times Mark’s gospel calls us to live simply, that others might simply live. Our life styles call us to curb our greed and be conscious of the have nots of Earth. Our times call us to face the injustices of our past history and work to rectify them now. As Canadians we carry the baggage of residential schools, stolen land and broken treaties.
Our time calls us to put an end to our mentality of consumerism. Having more and more we can become less and less. Our time in our country calls us to confront racism and bigotry toward men and women different from ourselves in faith or nationality or lifestyles.
Today these long ago instructions call each of us to ‘check our baggage and travel lightly on our journey, in the company of others, toward the kingdom of God.
| Posted in Homily |
July 4th, 2021
Just a thought before my reflection on the second reading of Paul’s letter to the Christian community in Corinth..
In light of the discovery of the hundreds of unmarked grave found at residential schools it is hard being a Canadian these days. Because of our church’s involvement in the effort to rob the indigenous people of their land, their language, their culture and their religion it is hard to be a Catholic these days. In our failure to make the financial recompense called for by the courts, it is hard to be a Canadian Catholic. Until our own leaders set matters straight our difficulties will continue…
Just something to think about.
In his different letters to the early Christian communities Paul shares with them the consequences of his encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus. He had permission from the religious authorities to arrest people who were following Jesus of Nazareth. A disgraced popular preacher who had been crucified for the crime of blasphemy. Christ appeared to him and asked him. ‘Saul, why are you persecuting me? The bewildered Paul asked, ‘who are you’? I am Jesus who you are persecuting.
Paul spent a lot of time in prayer and solitude coping with the fact that it was necessary for the Christ, the Messiah, to suffer his crucifixion and so enter into his glory.
Paul tells the people of Corinth of the blessings he received in prayer, he was caught up to the third heaven and heard things that are not to be told and cannot be repeated.
In today’s second reading we hear of another aspect of Paul’s life, this famous ‘thorn in the flesh that kept him from being too proud. Scripture scholars have speculated on what that thorn might be that was meant to keep Paul humble. One author speculated that it might have been Paul’s irritably, he was short tempered and didn’t like being questioned, a hard person to work with.
Time and again he faced this shortcoming; with all his visions Paul was a hard man to work with..
Let’s face it; we all have a thorn in the flesh, a fault or failing with which we struggle and which will not go away. It could be a bad tempter; we fly off the handle at the drop of a hat. Maybe we struggle with moodiness, or controlling our tongue, or how much we eat or drink or the way we spend our money. It could be our struggle to understand or be sympathetic with the hurt and pain our Indigenous brothers and sisters are going through these days as they deal with the unmarked graves of unknown children.It might be our wonder of ‘why can’t these people be like us’? Is our thorn our impatience with accepting men and women of a different color, a different faith, a different nationality or a different life style?
Try as we might, pray as we might we still struggle to pick out that thorn. Spiritual writers call it our ’predominant fault.
Paul gloried in his weakness because it drew the strength and power of Christ into his life’ struggles. Paul’s thorns didn’t go away but he was given the patience and strength to cope.
Christ showed his open wounds to the apostles, can we show Christ our wounds, our thorns in the flesh?
There is an old Negro spiritual that sings;
It’s me it’s me O Lord standing in the need of prayer. Maybe our simple and honest prayer can be; it’s me, it’s me it’s me O Lord standing in the need of patience, standing in the need of self-control, standing in the need of an open heart, an open mind – always standing in the need of the power of Christ dwelling in me.
June 27th, 2021
This is the last bulletin until the Labour Day Weekend in September. We wish you all a happy and safe summer!
Thursday, July 1st is Canada Day.
There will be no 9:00 AM Mass on Thursday or Friday.
The Parish Office will be closed both days, July 1st and July 2nd.
Welcome Back!
At the present time, Step 1 of the Ontario Government’s reopening plan is still in effect.
Under Step 1, attendance at St. Gabriel’s is limited to a capacity of 15%. Weekend Mass attendance will continue to be by reservation on the Eventbrite system. This attendance number is limited to all Liturgical celebrations.
Reservations are not required for weekday Masses.
Liturgical Publications will be setting up the advertisements for our church bulletin. The advertising will begin in September 2021 and supports the bulletin service. Please support the bulletin and advertise your product or service. Call Liturgical Publications at 905-624-4422.
June 28th, 2021 to July 4th, 2021
MONDAY – ADELE O’CONNELL – Requested by Fergus O’Connell TUESDAY- BILL ROSENITCH – Requested by Fergus O’Connell WEDNESDAY – THURSDAY – CANADA DAY – No 9:00 AM Mass FRIDAY – PARISH CLOSED – No 9:00 AM Mass SATURDAY – BIRTHDAY INTENTION OF ROSEMARIE YEUNG – Requested by Her Parents SUNDAY – 10:30 – ROSITA DE BORJA – Requested by Her Children
If you’re going to university or college in the fall, campus ministry is waiting for you! Connect with the Catholic community on your campus by visiting: www.chaplaincyconnect.ca!
For the children who died in Kamloops and in residential schools throughout the country that they not be forgotten, Lord, Hear our prayer.
For healing of the relatives and communities of these children within the First Nation and Metis communities. Lord heaf our prayer.
For a thorough investigation of all former residential schools that any further unmarked graves of children would be found. Lord, hear our prayer.
For wisdom and grace for the Honourable Dr. Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations. Lord, hear our prayer.
June is celebrated as Seniors Month in Ontario and in various provinces across Canada. The theme of Seniors Month 2021 in Ontario is “Stay Safe, Active and Connected.” The month of June is also dedicated to Adult Faith Formation in the Archdiocese of Toronto in recognition of the fact that adult faith formation is fundamental, essential and central in the life of faith communities.
“Seniors” and older adults have faced “increased isolation due to the Covid-19 pandemic.” The good news is that the government of Canada and the province of Ontario have been making great strides in vaccinating older Ontarians, including those living in congregate settings. We hope that our older adult parishioners have taken advantage of the vaccination program offered in our province so that they can finally meet family members and enjoy outdoor activities once again. If anyone need assistance in getting their vaccine appointment, contact us. There are several parishioners who would like to assist with this endeavor.
“Adult faith formation has probably taken the biggest hit from the pandemic restrictions, as parishes have had to scramble to adapt and re-adapt liturgical celebrations and programs of sacramental preparation.” Most of the activities we have done thus far with our seniors and older adult parishioners are virtual – either via Skype or Zoom. It may take a bit longer before life returns to normal, but we will continue to try and find meaningful ways to connect with and serve the seniors and older adults in our community.
It is important that we recognize, appreciate, salute, and celebrate the seniors and older adults in our community, and especially in our parish. They are the ones who had contributed and continue to contribute towards the building up of our community – both our parish and our local communities – that they are today. We continue as a parish community to strive to raise awareness about programs and services that will benefit and meet the needs of our seniors, especially during this pandemic time and beyond. If any of our parishioners are interested in programs and services for seniors and maturing adults, please check our bulletin or our parish website. You may can also contact Sr. Maria Lucia at the parish or via email at StGabrielMMA@gmail.com
ShareLife agencies are there for you, too
Please remember that ShareLife organizations are also there to help you. If you, your family or other loved ones are in need of support from the services of a ShareLife funded agency, visit sharelife.org and click on the “Need Help?” button.
For those who are able, please give to ShareLife through the parish office or sharelife.org.
Summer Collection: July 24th/25th, August 28th/29th
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 24th/25th and August 28th/29th.
More volunteers are needed, especially during the summer months, to help feed the hungry in our city. We encourage you to pick up a copy of a casserole recipe and a pan and give it a try. Three recipes are available on St. Gabriel’s web site. Printed copies of the recipes are also available in the Parish Office. Please remember to mark the label on the pan lid with the name of the casserole.
Please contact Irene Albrecht at 416-221-2791 for more information.
Thank you for your generous support of Rosalie Hall and the Good Shepherd Centre. Your food donations are very much appreciated.
Rosalie Hall assists the most vulnerable young Moms and their children to realize their potential by providing a wide range of child development, community, residential and educational services.
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 so important as Covid 19 continues and numbers of needy people continue to increase. Please check the expiry dates before donating since we cannot pass on food that has expired
Wednesday, June 30th at 7:00 PM
A Virtual Event Hosted by Catholic Conscience
Matthew 6:24 famously reads, “You cannot serve God and wealth.” Yet as a Catholic living 2021, there’s no avoiding money and its powerful role in our lives and the society we participate in every day. How we use money lovingly, effectively and with Catholic social teaching in mind is crucial to how we serve God and our neighbour in this life. How do we, as Christian disciples, use our money in Christian ways? How do we steward the money of others, in our professional workplaces or our community projects? And how can we resist a money-centric culture that often reduces our human dignity to consumption and production, while also recognizing money’s role in pursuing the common good?
Join us for a Catholic Civics Workshop with two Catholic experts who will help us answer these critical questions: Michael Ryall, Professor of Strategic Management at the Rotman School of Management, and Paul Perrone, a Chartered Financial Analyst and experienced investment industry professional.
Weekdays: Monday, July 12th to Friday, August 13th
All youth, ages 4 to 12 years old, are invited to register for St. Monica’s free virtual summer camp. We create opportunities for campers to learn about and participate in the Catholic faith in ways that engage and relate to their lives. Daily uploads will lead our campers and their families to Christ, right in the comfort of their home.
To register go to http://bit.ly/StMonicaParishCamp
Contact: St. Monica’s Parish at 416-483-1513 or email: stmonicaparishcamp@gmail.com
Catholic Family Services of Toronto is now offering online quick access single sessions. Single-session counselling is a quick and effective way for individuals, couples or families to address a mental health or relationship concern. To arrange for a session, please contact: info@cfstoronto.com or 416-921-1163 or 416-222-0048. Leave us a message with your name, email and phone number, and a staff person will contact you.
Clients who are interested in pursuing other or additional services in the agency have the option to access our ongoing counselling, wellness or group programs.
Counselling fees are charged according to a client’s income level. No one is denied service because of their inability to pay fees.
The summer edition of St. Gabriel’s Garden Growing News is available on the Garden Ministry page. We hope you will enjoy the news and photos and welcome your comments, suggestions and requests for more information.
The harvest sent to the Good Shepherd this week included radish, kale, Swiss chard, and lettuce.
“But make no mistake: the weeds will win; nature bats last.” ~Robert M. Pyle
While it’s still our inning, join the Garden Ministry! sgpgardenministry@gmail.com
Your parish has been there for you and your family during the most important moments of your lives. Help you’re your Catholic community active and alive for years to come.
Please consider your parish in your will or through a planned gift. A bequest is a beautiful way to express your faith and gratitude for a lifetime of blessings – a lasting legacy of love that will help the Church continue with its many ministries.
For more details, please call the Parish Office at 416-221-8866 or contact Peter Okonski, Manager of Planned Giving and Personal Gifts at 416 934 3400 Ext. 519 or by email at development@archtoronto.org.
All calls are confidential.
| Posted in Bulletin |
The author of the book of Wisdom tells us ‘God did not make death’
In his epic poem ‘Paradise Lost John Milton gives his version of the origin of death, jealousy and envy.
Milton fantasizes that Lucifer, the bearer of light envied the glory of God and would rather reign in hell rather than serve in heaven. Coming to earth he finds Adam and Eve in the pristine beauty of their relationship with God,- a relationship he’d lost. In a jealous rage Lucifer decided to lure them away from their closeness to God by telling them that if they ate the forbidden fruit they would become like God, knowing good and evil. Milton has Lucifer saying, ’I can suck them into myself, their beauty and all its traces. If I posse them I will be great again. I will be able to continue my war against God and I can win.
God did not create death. We are born to die and in dying we are born into eternal life. Our Christian faith tells us that death is not the end of life, it is the beginning of new and endless life, where the eye has not seen, nor the ear has not heard what God has prepared for those who love him.
We grieve over the sudden and tragic death of someone we love and we are grateful for the death of a family member or friend who suffers from a lingering illness.
As we celebrate this Mass we remember the promise of Jesus– he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood lives in me and I live in them and I will raise them up on the last day.
No one gets out of this life alive – but we go from death to life, endless life.
We are shocked, saddened and embarrassed at the unmarked graves of these unknown Indigenous children. But we know that God knows them and call them each by name.
June 19th, 2021
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.
On June 7th, the Province of Ontario announced that Step 1 of the reopening plan would begin on June 11th.
June 21st, 2021 to June 27th, 2021
MONDAY – DONALD O’CONNELL – Requested by Fergus O’Connell FRIDAY – BERNARD KELLY – Requested by His Family SATURDAY – KENG OWYONG – Requested by Helen Owyong
For healing of the relatives and communities of these children within the First Nation and Metis communities. Lord heat our prayer.
June is celebrated as Seniors Month in Ontario and in various provinces across Canada. The theme of 2021 in Ontario is Stay safe, Active and Connected. The month of June is also the dedicated to Adult Faith Formation in the Archdiocese of Toronto in recognition of the fact that adult faith formation is fundamental, essential and central in the life of faith communities.
“Seniors” and older adults have faced “increased isolation due to the Covid-19 pandemic” but the government of Canada and the province of Ontario have been making great strides in vaccinating older Ontarians, including those living in congregate settings. We hope that our older adult parishioners have taken advantage of the vaccination program offered in our province so that they can finally meet family members and enjoy outdoor activities once again.
“Adult faith formation has probably taken the biggest hit from the pandemic restrictions, as parishes have had to scramble to adapt and re-adapt liturgical celebrations and programs of sacramental preparation.” Most of the activities they have done thus far are with our seniors and older adult parishioners are virtual either via Skype or Zoom. It may take a bit longer before life returns to normal, but we will continue to try and find meaningful ways to connect with and serve the seniors and older adults in our community.
It is important that we recognize, appreciate, salute, and celebrate the seniors and older adults in our community, and especially in our parish. They are the ones who had contributed and continue to contribute towards the building of our community – both our parish and our local communities – that they are today. We continue as a parish community to strive to raise awareness about programs and services that will benefit and meet the needs of our seniors, especially during this pandemic time and beyond. If any of our parishioners are interested in programs and services for seniors and maturing adults, please check our bulletin or our parish website. You may can also contact Sr. Maria Lucia at the parish or via email at StGabrielMMA@gmail.com
This weekend is ShareLife Sunday!
“These uncertain times are especially difficult for addiction clients. Our programs would not be open without ShareLife donors, Through your support we are able to dramatically reduce social isolation for men and women living with mental health and addictions.”
— Robin Griller, St. Michael’s Homes
Today is ShareLife Sunday. Please give generously.
Weekend of June, 26th/27th
Thank you to the volunteers who prepared 24 casseroles for May. For June, your frozen casseroles will be collected after all the Masses next Saturday, June 26th and Sunday, June 27th for delivery to the Good Shepherd Centre. Let’s see if we can increase that number!
The need is very great especially right now with Covid19.
The casseroles are easy to make and we have the recipes and casserole pans right here in the Parish Office. The recipes are also available on the Parish website. If you require more information, please contact Irene Albrecht at 416-221-2791.
Rosalie Hall assists young parents and their children to realize their potential through the provision of a wide range of child development, community, residential and educational services.
Your food donations are more important than ever as Covid 19 continues and numbers of needy people continue to increase. Please check the expiry dates before donating since we cannot pass on food that has expired
Thursday, June 24th from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM
A Virtual Event Hosted by ShareLife
We often worry about how to care for the emotional wellbeing of our parents and senior family members as they age. These challenges grew during the pandemic, as many of us were unable to safely visit them in person. What are some of the challenges seniors experience, but may be hesitant to share with us? And how do we respect their independence, while ensuring they do not suffer from loneliness and isolation?
Amanda Fellows from Catholic Family Services of Simcoe County– a ShareLife-funded agency – will provide valuable insights on how we can best support our senior family members. Following the 25-minute presentation, Amanda will answer your questions.
Register at http://bit.ly/sharelifeseniors
Saturday, June 26th at 7:00 PM
A Virtual Event Hosted by the Children’s Ministry of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Council (CCRC) of the Archdiocese of Toronto
Calling all parents and children! Join our annual celebration virtually and free of charge. Join us for Holy Ghost stories, camp fire songs, games, crafts and yummy fruits under the stars with Mother Mary!
Email at childrenministryccrc@gmail.com
Saturday, June 26th from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM
A Virtual Event Hosted by Newman Centre Catholic Mission
The Newman Centre is excited to invite you to a summer retreat with world-renowned spiritual director, Fr. Jacques Philippe. He will present an inspiring retreat on the Sacred Heart of Jesus. We will pray the rosary together as well as the Litany to the Sacred Heart.
With over one million copies sold in 24 languages, Fr. Philippe’s writings on prayer, interior freedom and peace of heart have become classics of modern Catholic spirituality. This will be a live webinar and seats are already filling up. Please register and spread the word!
Register at https://summer2021retreat.eventbrite.ca or contact lenita.lopes@newmantoronto.com
Website: www.newmantoronto.com
This spring the cherry trees in the north garden are literally laden with ripening fruit, and the same is true of the blueberry, haskap and currant shrubs. It appears that 3 years after planting, the north garden is reaching maturity.
In the south garden, the area formerly covered by landscape fabric has now been seeded with white clover to form living mulch pathways between the ferns, grasses, lavender and smoke bush.
Check out the photos on our Garden Ministry webpage: https://stgabrielsparish.ca/ministries/garden-ministry/
Looking for a nature getaway? Join the Garden Ministry! sgpgardenministry@gmail.com
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