June 1st, 2021
As communicated last week, the provincial government released its “Roadmap to Reopen” on May 20, 2021. In summary, places of worship are restricted to a 10 person maximum until Step 2, expected in early July 2021, with the exception of outdoor services that are permitted in Step 1. In a meeting with the Premier’s office, I made very clear our dissatisfaction regarding the hard cap of 10 in light of the fact that non-essential retailers will be permitted to open at 15% capacity as of Step 1 (expected mid-June) and 25% capacity for Step 2.
In March of this year, many of you wrote or encouraged your parishioners/colleagues to participate in the “A Place to Worship” campaign, when we found ourselves in a similar situation. A simple website helps to facilitate a message to Premier Ford and local Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP).
If, by the end of this week, there are no changes relating to places of worship in the “Roadmap to Reopen”, we will, once again, ask parishioners to connect with their MPP as part of a new campaign. Additional details regarding the logistics as well as appropriate communication will be shared with you shortly. Many faith communities from throughout the province have expressed an interest in participating in this initiative.
We have also received numerous inquiries regarding the possibility of outdoor Masses at parishes in the archdiocese, as is permitted by the provincial government in Step 1. We are in the process of preparing recommendations regarding outdoor liturgies. If the province chooses not to make changes to current restrictions, guidance regarding outdoor Masses will be provided to parishes by June 1, 2021.
I recognize the fluid nature of the situation and once again, appreciate your patience as we advocate for places of worship and prepare plans for the days ahead. We will continue to keep you updated with the latest information. Be assured of my ongoing gratitude and prayers.
Saint Michael the Archangel, pray for us.
Sincerely in Christ, Thomas Cardinal Collins Archbishop of Toronto
| Posted in Events |
May 31st, 2021
On behalf of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), I express our deepest sorrow for the heartrending loss of the children at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School on the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation.
The news of the recent discovery is shocking. It rekindles trauma in numerous communities across this land. Honouring the dignity of the lost little ones demands that the truth be brought to light.
This tragedy profoundly impacts Indigenous communities, with whom many people across this land and throughout the world now stand in solidarity.
As we see ever more clearly the pain and suffering of the past, the Bishops of Canada pledge to continue walking side by side with Indigenous Peoples in the present, seeking greater healing and reconciliation for the future.
We lift up prayers to the Lord for the children who have lost their lives and pledge our close accompaniment of Indigenous families and communities.
May our Creator God bless all of us with consolation and hope.
+ Richard Gagnon Archbishop of Winnipeg and President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops 31 May 2021
May 30th, 2021
May 29th, 2021
Glory to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit: to God who is, who was, and who is to come. Alleluia.
At this time public Masses are still temporarily cancelled. Our priests will continue to celebrate private Mass daily for the intentions of parishioners and for those suffering from COVID-19.
The Church will be open for private prayer during office hours, 8:30 AM to 12:00 Noon, and 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM, Monday to Friday. The Church will not be open on the weekend. Each Saturday, Fr. Paul or Fr. Brando will celebrate Mass which will be shown on our website.
Visits to the Parish Office are by appointment only. Please call 416–221-8866 to make an appointment.
May 31st, 2021 to June 6th, 2021
There are no announced Masses this week.
Gracious God, you who are the author of all life, and who desire the well-being of all people, during these dark days of COVID-19, increase in us, respect and reverence for all human life. Grant restored health to the sick, comfort and hope to the dying, eternal peace for those who have died, strength to family members, relatives, clergy, friends and volunteers, renewed energy to hospital workers, PSWs, nurses and doctors, and perseverance to all in the health care professions. Grant wisdom to scientists for the development of effective and moral vaccines, discernment and right judgment for legislators, aid to the discouraged, poor and vulnerable, courage and justice for front-line workers and all who risk their lives for the benefit of others, and keep always in our minds the vision of the true common good of all the world. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Bishop Robert Kasun, CSB Auxiliary Bishop, Central Region, Archdiocese of Toronto
Living the Gospel by providing for those in need
“Without you, ShareLife could not fulfill its mission to live the Gospel by providing for those in need. Together we are making a real difference! My prayer is that we may continue to respond to God’s love by going forth from ourselves to seek the good of others.”
— Cardinal Thomas Collins
Please make your sacrificial gift through the parish office or sharelife.org. Please give generously
Thank you for your generous support of Rosalie Hall and the Good Shepherd Centre. Your food donations are very much appreciated.
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.
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 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
This Weekend, May 29th/30th
Your prepared frozen casseroles will be picked up after this weekend and delivered to the Good Shepherd Centre.
Due to Covid 19, there are many hungry people who are counting on us to make a difference. Good Shepherd Ministries serves more than 1,1300 meals a day, every day of the year.
More volunteers are urgently needed to help feed the hungry in our city. Please get a copy of a casserole recipe and a pan and give it a try.
Recipes are available in the parish office or on our website. Remember to mark the label on the pan lid with the name of the casserole. For more information, you may contact Irene Albrecht at 416 221-2791
Monday to Friday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Call 1-855 581- 9580
The Friendly Neighbor Hotline Is an organization mobilizing volunteers to deliver groceries and medication to seniors who have trouble going to the stores by themselves. The seniors just have to call the number, they can also register online. They place their order by phone (8 items max) and say how they want to pay, then sends a message to the pool of volunteers who indicated they can do deliveries in the senior’s ward. When a volunteer responds that he or she can do it, FNH sends a message to the volunteer with the shopping list. After delivery, the volunteer gets reimbursed by the organization who collects the money from the senior.”
India is reeling from a devastating COVID-19 outbreak. In recent days, the country has been reporting more than 400,000 of new cases and 4,000 deaths every 24 hours. International observers expect that the actual numbers are significantly higher.
The medical system, funeral services and other social supports are unable to meet the country’s needs at this time.
The Archdiocese of Toronto will send donations through Development and Peace to Caritas Internationalis, an international confederation of Catholic humanitarian organizations that is already in India helping those who are suffering during this COVID-19 outbreak.
To learn more about Caritas’ work in India, please watch the video: http://bit.ly/CaritasIndiaRelief
Those wishing to help may do so in the following ways:
Online through the Archdiocese of Toronto website: www.archtoronto.org
By phone through the Development Office at 416-934-3411
Through the parish, making cheques payable to: St. Gabriel’s Passionist Parish – India’s COVID-19 Outbreak Relief
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.
June 12th, 19th, and 26th at 10:00 AM
On Zoom
These 30 fun-filled minutes include prayer,songs, and crafts centered on a particular theme.Our June theme is The Kingdom of God Parables. A home kit with the required craft materials is provided.
Come join us online on June 12th, 19th, and 26th at 10:00am. Cost for the 3 sessions is $15.00/child. Email btcatechesis@gmail.com to register or for more info.
Last day to register for these sessions is May 15th, 2021
This past week, thanks to a Canada Summer Jobs grant, we welcomed Lance Cabacungan to the position of Gardening Helper. Lance has just completed his first year in Biomedical Sciences at York University. If you are in the garden, please seek him out and introduce yourself.
Lance’s first job will be to assist in bagging the cover crop of winter rye from the area west of the mulched pathway in the south garden and sowing red clover in its place. Both of these crops suppress weeds and enrich the soil in preparation for redevelopment next year.
Looking for a nature getaway? Join the Garden Ministry! sgpgardenministry@gmail.com
Offertory envelopes for 2021 are available at the parish Office. If you would like to pick yours up, please call before coming so that we will have them ready for you. If you are unable to pick yours up, please call the Parish Office and we will make other arrangements.
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 |
May 22nd, 2021
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