April 18th, 2021
Dear Parishioners of St. Gabriel’s Passionist Parish,
In compliance with the Government of Ontario’s extended stay-at-home order announced April 16, 2021 parishes must restrict attendance inside the church to 10 people. Due to these measures, public Masses must be temporarily cancelled. Private Masses will be celebrated for intentions of parishioners and for those suffering from Covid-19.
While we recognize it is not a substitute for attending Mass in person, we encourage you to view online/livestream/televised Masses. A list of these Masses can be found on www.archtoronto.org. You may view the weekend Mass from our parish by visiting this website.
We continue to thank you for your continued financial contribution during this time. You can mail or drop off your envelope contribution to the parish office. As well you can sign up for Pre-Authorized Giving by printing the form https://stgabrielsparish.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/St-Gabriels-PAG-Brochure-March-20131.pdf or requesting a form from the parish office.
So many of the faithful rely on the reception of the sacraments and our churches to find solace, peace and support during this period of pandemic. We will make every effort to continue our outreach to you. We also ask that you find opportunities to assist those who are vulnerable or alone among us.
Please continue to pray for those who are sick and those caring for them. We pray that you and your loved ones remain safe and healthy. May God continue to bless you now and always.
Yours in Christ Rev. Fr. Brando Recana CP Pastor of St. Gabriel’s Passionist Parish
| Posted in Notice |
April 17th, 2021
On behalf of the Parish,we would like to offer our heartfelt thanks to Marie Deans for her service as the Coordinator of the Lectors for the last several years. She was always encouraging and often sent beautiful seasonal prayers and songs to the lectors. Marie is stepping down from this Ministry but will continue to proclaim God’s Word. Thank you, Marie.
We also want to welcome Tanya Maraj who will be taking over as the Coordinator of the Lectors.
In order to attend Sunday Masses, a reservation for each attendee is required. Please review the Protocol for Sunday Mass celebrations before making any reservations. Please click Sunday Mass Reservations to make your reservations on Eventbrite. Registration is available on Wednesday of each week. Due to limited capacity, there will be no walk-ins allowed. If you have any difficulty in registering, please call the parish office during regular office hours.
There is no reservation required for the 9:00 am Monday to Friday weekday Mass but sign in upon arrival is required.
For the safety and health of our community, please remain home if you show or have any signs or symptoms of Covid-19. Under a City of Toronto by-law, all attendees are required to sanitize their hands and wear non-medical grade masks or face coverings throughout their entire time of attendance at church. Please remember to respect the physically distance rules of 2 metres (6 feet). We are looking forward to seeing you.
April 19th, 2021 to April 25th, 2021
MONDAY – OVUS & DELVINA PANKE & RITA & DAVID PYM – Requested by the Kilchling Family TUESDAY – MAURICE PHILLIPPE – Requested by the Persaud Family WEDNESDAY – SAU LIN HUI – Requested by Linda Law & Family THURSDAY – THANKSGIVING – Requested by Suzanne Kim FRIDAY – THANKSGIVING – Requested by Leila Mondejar SATURDAY – FRANCIS REMY – Requested by Ruane Remy SUNDAY – 10:30 AM SUNDAY – 12:30 PM – LEAH FERNANDES – Requested by her Parents
Monday, April 19th to Saturday, April 24th
During this week, Fr. Matt McCarthy, Director, Office of Vocations, has asked that we all take some time, as a community, to pray for vocations to the priesthood, religious and consecrated life. At this time, we also ask that you pray for our 6 soon-to-be priests along with all those who are discerning and who are currently in formation. For more information, please contact your parish office, or email the Office of Vocations at vocations@archtoronto.org
O God, Who wills not the death of a sinner but rather that he be converted and live, grant we beseech you, through the intercession of the Blessed Mary ever Virgin, Saint Joseph, her spouse, St. Junipero Serra, and all the saints, an increase of laborers for your Church, fellow laborers with Christ to spend and consume themselves for souls through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.
This weekend is ShareLife Sunday!
“Vulnerable members of our community are relying on you and me to ensure ongoing access to the care they so desperately need. This is why it’s crucial we meet our parish campaign goal of $13.8 million. Our goal can be met, but only if we each do our part.” – Cardinal Thomas Collins
Our Parish goal this year is $187,000. Today is ShareLife Sunday. 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.
The weekend of May 15th/16th, 2021
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul will be collecting gently used clothing, shoes, textiles, bedding and towels to support our neighbors in need or to be sold to help support their special works in the community on the weekend of May 15th/16th.
They cannot accept books, dishes, furniture, appliances, mattresses, construction materials or videos and cassettes. Please bring your donations and help others in your community.
The truck will be open: Saturday from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM Sunday from 8:00 AM to1:30 PM.
Volunteers will be there to assist with loading before and after Mass.
Toward a Social Ethos of the Orthodox Church” And Its Implications in the Global Context A Virtual Event Wednesday, April 21st from 12:00 to 1:30 PM
“For the Life of the World: Toward a Social Ethos of the Orthodox Church” was released in early 2020, after being authored by a commission of theologians specifically convened for this task by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I. This document has been discussed and evaluated in diverse ecclesial settings over the past year.
In this event, the scholars from Greek Orthodox Church, African Methodist Church, the Episcopal Church and a scholar from the University of Fribourg (Catholic) will be exploring some of questions and reflections raised by different Christian communities on the document’s aim of fostering spiritual growth and the pursuit of social justice and sustainable peace worldwide by the Church.
Please register at http://bit.ly/ForTheLifeOfTheWorld
Wednesday, April 21st from 7:30 to 8:30 PM
A Virtual Event Hosted by Catholic Conscience
Ours is a “throwaway culture,” in the words of Pope Francis — one in which the vulnerable are too-often discarded like trash. It doesn’t have to be this way. In his book, Resisting Throwaway Culture, Fordham University professor Charles Camosy calls us to transcend the left-right political divide in favour of a Catholic culture of hospitality and encounter where “no one is useless, no one is expendable… [and includes] those on the peripheries of life.” Join us for a free webinar with Professor Camosy about how a Consistent Life Ethic can unite us and build this political culture, one rooted in love and human dignity.
To register go to http://bit.ly/ThrowawayCultureCC
The garden has a life-cycle This is true not only of the plants but also of the birds and the animals that make it their home. In the past week, I buried an injured groundhog who had burrowed under a tarp to die, a small mammal, found in a garden bed and a tiny black bird.
In the same week, as I was working, our resident pair of cardinals stopped by to see what I was doing. This has happened before, that either the pair of cardinals or the pair of robins would come by together and observe. The visits are brief given, I presume, that there are eggs that need incubating or young that need feeding, but always a gift. Life in the garden, like life everywhere, is precious and joyous and fleeting.
Looking to deepen your connection with the land? Join the Garden Ministry at 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.
| Posted in Bulletin |
April 10th, 2021
The Parish Family would like to congratulate:
Hoda Kouchak-Mohseni and Ki-Rae Kim who received the sacraments of Baptism, The Holy Eucharist and Confirmation at the Easter Vigil.
And Lydia Lee who received the sacrament of Confirmation.
April 13th to April 18th, 2021
MONDAY – ARMAND OAKIE – Requested by his Family TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY – EDGARDO RECANA – Requested by his Family SUNDAY – 10:30 AM SUNDAY – 12:30 PM – LEAH FERNANDES – Requested by her Parents
Next weekend is ShareLife Sunday
The goal for the 2021 ShareLife Campaign is $13.8 million.
“Our goal can be met, but only with your help. I invite you to join today’s generation of heroes by making a sacrificial gift to ShareLife. As you contemplate the blessings God has entrusted to you, please join me in giving to ShareLife to the best of your ability.” – Cardinal Thomas Collins
Next weekend, April 18th, is ShareLife Sunday. Please give generously.
An Evening of Music in Honour of Our Blessed Mother
A Virtual Event Hosted by St. Augustine’s Seminary Thursday, April 15th from 7:00 to 8:00 PM
The pandemic prevents us from gathering in person, so we will bring this concert to your home!
Join us virtually from the seminary for an evening of music in honour of Our Blessed Mother. Join online at: youtube.com/archtoronto
The concert is free but donations are welcome. Support the Chapel Restoration with your donation at: http://bit.ly/SeminaryChapelRestoration (type “chapel” in the comments box to direct your donation to this specific project).
Saturday, April 17th from 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM
A Virtual Event hosted by Women on the Word Toronto
Do you feel like everything in your life needs to be perfect? What does God’s version of perfect mean? Women of the Word Toronto is hosting a virtual conference with guest speakers, Colleen Carroll Campbell, author of The Heart of Perfection: How the Saints Taught Me to Trade My Dream of Perfect for God’s and Dr. Josephine Lombardi, theologian, author and presenter. Registration is required.
Please register at www.wowblessingstoronto.com
For more information, go to mary@wowblessingstoronto.com
Ours is a “throwaway culture,” in the words of Pope Francis — one in which the vulnerable are too-often discarded like trash. It doesn’t have to be this way. In his book, Resisting Throwaway Culture, Fordham University professor Charles Camosy calls us to transcend the left-right political divide in favour of a Catholic culture of hospitality and encounter where “no one is useless, no one is expendable… [and includes] those on the peripheries of life.” Join us for a free webinar with Professor Camosy about how a Consistent Life Ethic can unite us and build this political culture, one rooted in love and human dignity. To register go to http://bit.ly/ThrowawayCultureCC
Toward a Social Ethos of the Orthodox Church” And Its Implications in the Global Context
Wednesday, April 21st from 12:00 to 1:30 PM A Virtual Event
If you are dividing your flowering, part-shade-loving perennials this spring and have extra to share, please consider bringing them to our south donation garden. Heather will be in the garden on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9:00 to 11:30 AM and would be happy to receive them.
“The garden suggests there might be a place where we can meet nature halfway.” – Michael Pollan (2007) ‘Second Nature: A Gardener’s Education’
April 4th, 2021
We want to wish you all a Happy and Holy Easter!
Thank You!
Thank you all who made our Holy Week and Easter such a beautiful and uplifting time. Our musicians, our lectors, our ministers of the Eucharist, our ministers of hospitality, those responsible for decorating the Church and members of our Pastoral Team. This year was like no other and although our liturgies were quite different, everyone came together to make them holy and meaningful.
The office is closed on Easter Monday, April 5th.
There will be no 9:00 AM Mass.
The RCIA confirmands and elect started the Busy Person’s Retreat on Monday, March 29th and will be doing so until Saturday, April 3rd in preparation for the reception of the Sacraments of Initiation on Holy Saturday.
Please pray for Lydia Lee, Hoda Kouchak-Mohseni, and Ki-Rae Kim as they go through this last stretch of the preparation process.
April 5th to April 11th, 2021
MONDAY – EASTER MONDAY – No 9:00 AM Mass TUESDAY – VLADO PETRANOVIC – Requested by Mira Petranovic WEDNESDAY – CATHERINE REMY – Requested by Ruane Remy THURSDAY – ALLAN PERSAUD – Requested by the Persaud & Goldenberg Families FRIDAY SATURDAY – SR. AILEEN NORONHA & MARGARET NORONHA – Requested by Alcuin Noronha SUNDAY – 10:30 AM SUNDAY – 12:30 PM – EAMON GAUGHAN – Requested by Agnes Gaughan
Thank you to the volunteers who prepared 48 casseroles for the Good Shepherd Centre. In April, your prepared casseroles will be collected on April 24th/25th. Please consider helping to feed the less fortunate in our city. Recipes and casserole pans are available at the Parish Office. Recipes are also online at our website. For more information, please contact Irene Albrecht at 416-221-2791.
Each month food we collect is sent to Rosalie Hall and the Good Shepherd Centre.
These agencies provide essential services to young parents and the homeless in our city.
With everyone struggling at this time, your food donations are more important than ever. Please check the expiry dates before donating since we cannot pass on food that has expired. Thank you for your generous support!
Catholic Family Services of Toronto is now offering online quick access single sessions. The single-session consultation 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 at 416-921-1163 or 416-222-0048. Leave them 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 their ongoing counselling, wellness or group programs.
Counselling fees are charged according to a client’s income level. No one is denied service because of his/her inability to pay fees.
Friday, April 9 at 7:00 PM
A VIRTUAL EVENT
St. Dunstan’s Parish invites you to a virtual Easter Praise Night. It will be aired live on our website: https://stdunstanssc.archtoronto.org/en/.
Pre-celebration music starts from 6:00 PM. Anyone wishing to make a presentation can also contact us at: stdunstan@rogers.com.
Come join us as we celebrate the victory of Christ, a victory that knows no bounds. Not even the pandemic can limit our joy at His resurrection, for we are an Easter people and Alleluia is our song!
An Evening of Music in Honour of Our Blessed Mother A Virtual Event Hosted by St. Augustine’s Seminary
Thursday, April 15th from 7:00 to 8:00 PM
Join us virtually from the seminary for an evening of music in honour of Our Blessed Mother.
Join online at: youtube.com/archtoronto
Happy Easter!
As I write, the spring rain is falling softly and steadily and I can imagine all the plant roots shaking off their winter slumber, drinking up the long-awaited moisture and resuming their jobs of delivering it to thirsting stems. In St. Gabe’s garden, some shrubs have started to bud out and day-lilies are well along in their leafing. The garden Ministry is busy, too, having planted over 200 seeds for indoor germination last weekend. You can see them under lights at the bottom of the stairs to the garage. “To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.” – Audrey Hepburn
Looking to deepen your connection with the land? To volunteer or to obtain more information please email sgpgardenministry@gmail.com.
April 1st, 2021
(adapted from Joyce Rupp, OFM, “Open the Door: A Journey to the True Self” p. 13)
Remember the Holy One is with you. Bring to mind this loving presence within you and around you as you pray the following:
Touch your fingertips to your forehead, saying: Open my mind to remember your presence.
Touch your fingertips to your mouth, saying: Open my mouth to speak your wisdom.
Touch your fingertips to your heart, saying: Open my heart to extend your love.
Hold both hands out, open, palms up, saying: Open my hands to serve you generously.
Hold your arms, wide open, saying: Open my whole being to you.
Make a deep bow to the loving presence of the God in you.
(adapted from Pope Francis, Prayer to Mary, Woman of Listening)
Loving God, we ask You that – through Mary, a woman of listening, You open our ears; Grant us to know how to listen to the word of your Son Jesus Among the thousands of words of this world; Grant that we may listen to the reality in which we live, To every person we encounter, especially those who are poor, in need, in hardship.
Through Mary, woman of decision, Help us illuminate our mind and our heart, So that we may obey, unhesitating, the word of your Son Jesus; Give us the courage to decide, Not to let ourselves be dragged along, letting others direct our life.
Through Mary, woman of action, We obtain that our hands and feet move “with haste” toward others, To bring them the charity and love of your Son Jesus, To bring the light of the Gospel to the world, as you did. Amen.
John 19:17 and Luke 23:27*
“And carrying the cross himself . . .” (Jn 19:17). “A large crowd of people followed Jesus, including many women who mourned and lamented him” (Lk 23:27).
(adapted from the Fourth Sorrow: Mary Meets Jesus on His Way to the Cross)
Mary pushes her way through the shouting, cursing mob. At last, she sees her son carrying his cross. Mary’s heart breaks in unspeakable sorrow at the outrage committed against his precious body. She is powerless to minister to him, except by her presence. Their eyes meet and speak volumes of love in a frozen moment of anguished silence. “Trust, trust,” Jesus’ heart speaks to hers. His unspoken words echo in her hearing heart. With renewed strength, she walks the Way of her son.
Luke 23: 55-56*
“The women who had come from Galilee with him followed behind, and when they had seen the tomb and the way in which his body was laid in it, they returned and prepared spices and perfumed oils”
(adapted from the Seventh Sorrow: Assisting at the Burial of Christ)
Mary hesitates before placing the grave cloth over Jesus’ face. Tenderly, she kisses him one last, lingering time. John steps forward to take her hand and lead her to his home. Behind them, they hear the heavy round stone rolled forward to seal the cave. Mary’s pierced heart remains united to the stilled heart of the one they had pierced—the most Sacred Heart that was formed in her immaculate womb. With one languishing wail, she proclaims what others are just now beginning to believe, what she already knew: “My Lord and my God!”
[Readings are from: New Revised Standard Version Bible (NRSVCE): Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.]
(5 – 10 minutes)
God of infinite mercy, we trust in you and your power working in us. Please hear and answer our prayers:
In this time of bewilderment and fear during this pandemic, we ask you to give us the courage to take care of one another as Jesus did. For those who are ill, especially those who are frightened and alone, for those who cannot access healthcare; for those who are the most vulnerable to this disease: the elderly, those with chronic disorders, those who are migrants and refugees and those who are homeless and lost, we pray: Lord, hear our prayer!
In the midst of our sadness and grief, we ask you to give us words to comfort one another. For those who are dying, for those who have no one to tend to them; and for those who have already died from the Covid-19 virus, that they live forever with Christ in the glory of the resurrection, we pray: Lord, hear our prayer!
In the midst of our struggle to ensure a healthy future for all who live on this planet, we ask you to give us the hope that surpasses our current understanding. For all who are on the frontlines of this Covid pandemic, especially our health care workers and first responders, who at considerable personal risk are working to save human lives; and for essential workers who are unable to stay at home but must work to provide for their families, that may God continue to protect them and keep them in good health, we pray: Lord, hear our prayer!
In the midst of our own anxiety, we ask you to give us the courage to support one another as You would. For spiritual leaders and our faith communities, for artists and poets, for prophets and teachers, for those who are unexpectedly unemployed, for employers who share what they can, for our government and financial institutions and those who lead them, we pray: Lord, hear our prayer!
In the midst of our desire to find hope, we pray for those in laboratories who work with COVID-19 testing and for researchers who are working diligently for effective treatments for the disease, and for vaccines that will be able to stop the spread of the disease especially the new Covid variants, we pray: Lord, hear our prayer!
In the midst of need to find order and stability, we pray for civil leaders in nations, provinces, states, cities, and villages that they may serve with wisdom, compassion and humility all the people in their care; and for all of those who have become “helpers” during this crisis volunteering their time, efforts, and talent to do good on behalf of others who are less fortunate, we pray: Lord, hear our prayer!
In the midst of our growing awareness that all life on Earth is connected, we ask for the heart to respect and cherish all life. That all peoples recognize that we are all your children, we pray: Lord, hear our prayer!
(You may add your own intercessions here.), we pray: Lord, hear our prayer!
[adapted from Cynthia Serjak, RSM. A Prayer for Uncertain Times. (March 17, 2020). https://www.sistersofmercy.org/about-us/news-and-events/a-prayer-for-uncertain-times/; and from Fr. James Pizker, Intercessory Prayer during this Pandemic.]
God, we ask that all who are affected by this virus be held in your loving care. In this time of uncertainty, help us to know what is ours to do. We know you did not cause this suffering but that you are with us in it and through it. Help us to recognize your presence in acts of kindness, in moments of silence, and in the beauty of the created world. Grant peace and protection to all of humanity for their well-being and for the benefit of the earth. Amen. [Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, A Covid Prayer]
(adapted from Pope Francis, Prayer to Virgin Mary for protection)
O Healing God, Through Mary, may you shine continuously on our journey as a sign of salvation and hope. We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick. At the foot of the Cross you participated in Jesus’ pain, with steadfast faith. You, Salvation of the Roman People, know what we need. We are certain that you will provide, so that, as you did at Cana of Galilee, joy and feasting might return after this moment of trial. Help us, Mother of Divine Love, to conform ourselves to the God’s will and to do what Jesus tells us: He who took our sufferings upon Himself, and bore our sorrows to bring us, through the Cross, to the joy of the Resurrection. Amen. We seek refuge under your protection, O Holy Mother of God. Do not despise our pleas – we who are put to the test – and deliver us from every danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin. Amen.
(Prayer prepared by Sr. Maria Lucia Serrano, RSM)
| Posted in Events |
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
