September 12th, 2020
If you are returning to St. Gabriel’s, welcome back. We are very happy to see you!
September 14th to 20th
MONDAY – MICHAEL & AURITA FERNANDES – Requested by Tony Fernandes TUESDAY – MICHAEL & AURITA FERNANDES – Requested by Tony Fernandes WEDNESDAY – GABRIELA & FLOR ACOSTA – Requested by Mirian Fabra THURSDAY – LOZANO FABRA – Requested by Mirian Fabra FRIDAY – LUKE VUKOVIC – Requested by His Family SATURDAY – CATHERINE MINNAN-WONG – Requested by Noreen Chen SUNDAY – 10:30 AM – DARKO SEIFERT & MARIA REIS – Requested by Mirjana Seifert SUNDAY – 12:30 PM – MICHAEL THOMPSON – Requested by Patrick Mohan
We are discerning how the program will be delivered in these times. More information will be forthcoming, so stay tuned.
Interviews for children who have been preparing to receive their First Communion are now being scheduled.
Interviews will begin on Tuesday, September 15th and continue until Thursday, October 1st. They are scheduled every 15 minutes from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Please call the Parish Office at 416-221-8866-to book your appointment with Fr. Brando as soon as possible.
The Parish Family of St. Gabriel’s would like to welcome these little ones: Gabriel Kent Abilay Clara Mirabella Aykroyd Olivia Brianna Canasa Declan Charles Terrence Long Zane Pierce Rozario
These children received the Sacrament of Baptism in July and August. Congratulations!
Meetings in preparation for the R.C.I.A. (Rites of Christian Initiation of Adults) will begin in October. These meetings are normally in person but, due to Covid 19, they will probably be online. They are for persons interested in learning more about the Catholic Faith. The exploration may lead the candidate to seek baptism, and become a member of the Catholic Christian community; or for Christians already baptized into another Christian denomination, the reception into the Catholic Church.
Adult Catholics who have not received the sacrament of Confirmation but who wish to do so are also encouraged to attend these sessions.
As well, these meetings may be an opportunity for “Born Catholics” to deepen their understanding of our faith. Very often, especially for those of us who received our religious instruction at an early age, we tend to grow physically, mentally, psychologically etc., but the understanding of our faith does not grow correspondingly. The RCIA may serve as a good opportunity for us to ask questions and to develop a more adult understanding of our faith.
If you are interested in joining the RCIA meetings or if you would like to have more information about it, please contact Sr. Maria Lucia at 416-221-8866.
Next Weekend, September 19th/20th
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is collecting gently used clothing, shoes and linens to support our neighbors in need or to be sold to help support their special works in the community next weekend, September 19th/20th.
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 to 1:00 PM.
Volunteers will be there to assist with loading before and after Mass.
For Families of Parishioners
The Archdiocese Office for Refugees has a program to assist parishioners who would like to sponsor a family member that is in need of refugee sponsorship. This program is intended to assist parishioners only. If you are a parishioner, and would like to sponsor a family member, please contact the parish office to schedule a meeting with the pastor prior to November 15th. The Office for Refugees will look to the sponsoring family to provide the necessary funds for sponsorship.
The Process Step 1: The Program is Announced at Parish by October 20th, 2020. Step 2: The Parishioner Meets with the Pastor – Interested parishioners are to arrange a meeting with the pastor by November 15th, 2020 Step 3: The Pastor Sends Request to ORAT by November 29th, 2020 Step 4: ORAT Invites Parishioner to an Information Session – Following the receipt of the request from the pastor, ORAT will extend an invitation to the parishioner, inviting them to attend the Introduction to Resettlement Information Session. This is a mandatory session for the parishioner. The session will take place on or before Saturday, December 12th, 2020.
As you are aware, St. Gabriel’s has always collected food for Rosalie Hall and the Good Shepherd Centre.
During the pandemic, there was no food collection and shelves were depleted so these organizations are desperate.
Please help if you can by bringing non-perishable foods such as rice, canned goods, powdered milk, coffee, tea sugar, cereal, peanut butter, jam, pasta and sauces. You may place them in the large bin in the Gathering Space.
Thank you to all the parishioners who heeded the announcement and already brought food. Your response has been awesome!
Live your best life in love. No matter where you are in your marriage journey, the Marriage Encounter experience is a heart haven that helps you listen, share and connect more deeply. There’s no group discussion. It’s just about the two of you learning to be the best, most loving couple you can be. Reclaim your love’s joy. It is based around Catholic values, but couples of all faiths are welcome.
For application and inquiry contact Gerard & Marge McCauley at gerard.marge@rogers.com or (905) 792-1925. Website: www.wwme.org
Are you a post-secondary student? Catholic campus ministry is a great way to meet new people, both in-person and online, and journey together throughout the school year. Check it out at: www.chaplaincyconnect.ca. If you’re studying from home this year, find out how to connect with a nearby chaplaincy by emailing: chaplaincyconnect@gmail.com
Did you know that St. Gabriel’s gardens are an example of living in harmony with God’s creation? They were created and are maintained sustainably. Featuring indigenous plants, they are naturally pest resistant, requiring no pesticides or herbicides and they are drought -resistant, requiring less water than non-indigenous plants. Soil health is maintained by regular applications of compost, most of which comes from the garden’s own composting system. No chemical fertilizers are used.
For more information on St. Gabriel’s gardens visit the Garden Ministry web-page on the parish website. If you would like to participate in caring for our gardens, please email heathermjb@gmail.com.
There are several collections that were missed during the pandemic. You will have the opportunity to drop these envelopes in addition to your regular offertory envelope into the second collection box in the Gathering Space.
The schedule is as follows: Needs of the Church in Canada – weekend of September 26th/27th, 2020 Pope’s Pastoral Works – weekend of October 3rd/4th, 2020 World Mission Sunday – weekend of October 17th/18th, 2020 The Shepherds’ Trust – weekend of November 14th/15th, 2020
The Finance Council wishes to share this with all who come together as our worshipping community.
“The financial burden of the Parish is the responsibility of each and all parishioners to the extent that your means allow.”
Please consider giving your offertory by picking up Envelopes, enrolling in Pre-Authorized Giving (PAG), or Donate Now (through the Archdiocese of Toronto website). Please come by the parish office if you have any questions.
| Posted in Bulletin |
September 6th, 2020
Welcome back to all our parishioners who have been away since Covid 19 began. We have missed seeing you and are so happy that the church is now open for Mass, with limited capacity.
Please remember that, for the foreseeable future, masks are required to enter the church. Reservations are also required for weekend Masses. You may register online or by calling the Parish Office through the week at 416-221-8866.
Thank you for returning to our parish! The recent months have been difficult for all of us, so we hope this celebration of the Eucharist was a comforting and uplifting sacred experience.
We thank you for your understanding and cooperation. It is great to see you all once again!
Monday September 7th is Labour Day. The Parish Office will be closed and there will be no 9:00 AM Mass that day.
September 7th to September 13th
MONDAY – LABOUR DAY – No 9:00 AM Mass TUESDAY – MICHAEL & AURITA FERNANDES – Requested by Tony Fernandes WEDNESDAY – MANUEL COSTA – Requested by Celeste Costa, Sons & Grandchildren THURSDAY – JOSE & EULALIA ACOSTA – Requested by Mirian Fabra FRIDAY – HARRY LEUNG – Requested by John Chan SATURDAY – HEUNG WAH LAM – Requested by the Fung, Lam & Moreno Families SUNDAY – 10:30 AM – HARRY LEUNG – Requested by Mary Leung SUNDAY – 12:30 PM – DOREEN YOUNG – Requested by Noreen Chen
Father please hear us when we tell You of our concerns of sending our children and educators back to school.
Know that we are striving to make all of the right decisions.
We need Your love and power to help us overcome any difficulties.
Please watch over everyone as times and routines are about to change once again.
We know that we can do anything through You.
Please help us ensure health and semi-normalcy in the coming months.
We give our hearts to You, now and forever. Amen.
Thank you to all the parishioners who heeded the announcement and brought food for the Good Shepherd Centre and Rosalie Hall. Your response has been awesome!
Thank you to the volunteers who prepared 14 casseroles for August.
For September, your prepared frozen casseroles will be collected at the Masses on the weekend of September 26th /27th for delivery to the Good Shepherd Centre.
This fall, a great many more volunteers are needed to become active in helping to feed our less fortunate sisters and brothers. Three different recipes are available in the Parish Office or online at the Parish website. Casserole pans are also available in the Parish Office. If you require more information please contact Irene Albrecht at 416-221-2791.
Weekend of September 19th/20th
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is collecting gently used clothing, shoes and linens and household goods to support our neighbors in need or to be sold to help support their special works in the community on the weekend of September 19th/20th.
The truck will be open Saturday from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM and Sunday from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Volunteers will be there to assist with loading before and after each Mass.
As our gardens begin their long slide into dormancy, here are a few highlights from the summer of 2020. Abundant harvests from our community garden have been delivered to the Good Shepherd Ministries: lettuce, chard, cucumber, beans, peas, carrots, beets, celery, onions, scallions, zucchini, haskap berries, currants and several herbs Still to come will be more beets, carrots, lettuce, arugula, squash and radish.
The two donation gardens that showcase plants from parishioners’ gardens were mulched this spring and have fared well through the heat. Strolling through the north garden you can enjoy the lilies, anise and Joe Pyeweed attracting loads of insects and butterflies. The south garden continues to offer radiant displays of giant ferns, smooth oxeye and calendula, with hairy beardtongue beginning to wane.
Plans are moving forward to plant a cover crop in the cleared area of the south garden just west of the mulched pathway. Do have a look! For more information on the Garden Ministry, please email Heather Bennett at heathermjb@gmail.com.
Weekend of September 12th/13th
The Pontifical Collection in support of the Holy Land, usually collected on Good Friday was cancelled when churches were closed due to the pandemic. Pope Francis has requested that it be taken up on the weekend of September 12th /13th.
The Annual Holy Land Collection not only helps to maintain churches and shrines located at holy sites, but it also helps to support the pastoral, welfare, educational and social works the Church undertakes in caring for the local population. Our Holy Father, Pope Francis invites you to be in solidarity with the Church and the Christians in the Holy Land. Please be as generous as your means allow.
As well, there are several other collections that were missed during the pandemic which will be taken in addition to regular parish collections.
September 5th, 2020
God made his prophet Ezekiel the watchman of the house of Israel. A watchman always takes up a position on a high place so that can see from a distance and warn the people of approaching dangers so they can prepare to defend themselves.
Our watchmen today as we deal with Covid 19 and our environmental crisis are our scientists and environmentalists. They both try to alert us to our present life situations. We ignore our watchmen to our own peril.
As catholic men and women our watchman is Pope Francis. Following the example of the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Constantinople, Francis has declared a Season of Creation stretching from Sept. 1 to Oct. 4th asking the world’s 2.2 billion Christians to find time to pause and pray for the healing of Earth and ask guidance as we work to change our lifestyles which have a devastating impact on the life systems of Earth. We are called to live simply on Earth, live simply that others may simply live.
Covid 19 has brought the world to a stand-still. It spread around the world due to our lifestyle of easy travelling; we can jet around the world carrying disease with us. We are still at its mercy. Millions are afflicted and hundreds of thousands have died. We still don’t know the lasting effects of the virus.
As Pope Francis reminds us that this plague made us realize how unjust financial systems created the environment for the spread of diseases. Our lives are so fragile and we are so vulnerable before the virus,” The Holy Father reminds us that the pandemic also became an opportunity for us to joins hands to defend lives and ensure that we do not fall victims of the virus. It is also an opportunity for a new form of solidarity among peoples to emerge.”
The coronavirus pandemic has laid bare the inequalities in our societies and our own fragility. In doing so, it has underscored our interdependence with one another and with the Earth’s ecosystems.
As you’ve heard me say many times’ the Earth does not belong to us, we belong to the Earth and what we do to the Earth we do to ourselves. We did not weave the web of life; we belong to the web and what we do to the web we do to ourselves. What goes around comes around.
This Season of Creation, Sept. 1st til Oct.4th, the feast of St. Francis, is a time for a renewal of a deeper awareness of our relationship with all of God’s good creation, a time for us to reflect on how to responsibly use rather than exploit the planet’s finite resources and pray for healing for ourselves and for the world, and to make a commitment to living more lightly upon the Earth.
Pope Francis reminds us that healing the planet isn’t an elitist vocation that ignores issues of justice and marginalization. Church teaching makes clear that it’s all one struggle. The broad concept of “climate justice” challenges us to make real in every community the abundance of life promised in the Gospels. “In an interconnected world, we experience what it means to live in the same ‘global village.’ It’s a beautiful expression — the world is nothing other than a global village because everything is interconnected,” the pope said.
We’ve all heard of the concept of mindfulness, that we be aware and conscious of our present situation, the challenges and the possibilities of our present moment.
During this as we can pray for each other that be open to this time of reflection and prayer that is our during these days of the season of creation and even beyond Oct.4. We can all be watchman over our lifestyles and their impact of the health and healing of Earth.
| Posted in Homily |
August 30th, 2020
In last week’s gospel we heard Jesus commending Peter for his answer to the question, ‘who do you say I am?’ Peter answered; you are the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Today reveals a lot more about himself. He will go to Jerusalem where he will be rejected by the religious authorities, the priests and many of the people. He will be put to a shameful death. The disciples were stunned to silence. Not Peter. ‘God forbid Lord, this must never happen to you. Last week we heard Jesus call Peter a rock, this week we heard Jesus call Peter a stumbling block, a Satan. Just as Satan tried to lure Jesus away from his Father’s will at his temptations in the desert, Peter wanted Jesus to avoid his future rejection and death. Both tempters were rejected.
Jesus spells it all out for us; ‘if anyone wants to be a follower of mine let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow me. What will it profit anyone of us to win the lottery and lose his own integrity? Jesus was able to read the handwriting on the wall. He made an ever-growing of powerful enemies. Their desire to get rid of him was no secret. Like Jeremiah Jesus foretold the sufferings of those who worked for the coming of God’s kingdom; ‘All the day I am the object of laughter, everyone mocks me. The word of the Lord has brought me derision and reproach all day long.
The German Lutheran pastor Bonhoeffer wrote book titles, The Cost of Discipleship. Fidelity to Jesus demands a willingness to let go of security, approval and comfort and take us the cross of love and service and give ourselves away to family, friends and neighbours and strangers.
To be a follower of Jesus means we stand with the little people of Toronto. It all starts with the feet up. The challenge of the gospel, the grace of the gospel come from where we are. Toronto. The homeless street people, the men and women out of work, the families that depend on food banks, the wives and children hiding in women’s shelters, the family who can’t mourn for and honor their dead because of the virus.
We may not be able to do all that much but we can support church and government agencies who work to support these good people. May we not be part of what Pope Francis calls the global indifference that plagues so many people.
To be a follower of Jesus can mean we be ridiculed and mocked for being bleeding hearts, naïve socialist do gooders as we resist bigotry, racism and homophobia. Such stances could cost us friends but they will not cost us our lives.
Our personal Satans will tell us this is too hard, too costly, too naïve. Our answer must be; get behind me Satan, you are a stumbling block to my being a faithful follower of the Christ who loved and gave his life for me.
August 23rd, 2020
In today’s gospel Jesus is looking for feedback. He’s been preaching and teaching and curing people’s ills. So Jesus asks his friends, ‘who do people say I am?’ They share with him what they’ve heard. Some say you are John the Baptist, back from the dead. Some say you are Elijah others say you are Jeremiah, others see you as a prophet.
Then Jesus asks the most important question, ‘who am I to you? How deep, how solid is our relationship? Peter is the only one to answer;’ you are the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the living God’. It would take Peter quite a while to come to see the full impact of his answer.
You’ve probably heard Protestant friends or Protestant preachers say that Jesus is their personal Lord and Savior. This was a great theme of the preacher Billy Graham and his call to the Alter to accept Jesus.
Most of us are not comfortable with that kind of talk but it speaks of an intimacy people have with Jesus, the Jesus who suffered and died for each of us.
Our personal prayer offers us the time to think about that intimacy that closeness with him. They tell the story of a little guy talking about how he prays. Well first of all I tell Jesus how I’m doing and then I ask him how he’s doing. That’s the way we talk to one another, a familiarity; an at easiness.
Who do you say I am, who am I to you? As one spiritual writer wrote; ‘Jesus is always seeking a two-way liaison between himself and us, not just one-way. He wants us to have a relationship to the fullness of who he is. Besides being a charismatic leader or a good friend, he is the very reality of God’s love, present in the world, wide open to loving each of us. As St. Paul said, Jesus is the love of God made visible. He wants a mutual love-relationship with you and me, one in which we open up our hearts and let Godly love in. This is who Jesus is to us; He is the person who loved us even unto dying for us. He is the one who daily invites us to bring our burdens of anxiety, depression, grief, our weakness and failing to him for his support and understanding. He is the one who willing forgives our sins and failings. He is the healer of our wounds. He is the one who gives us the strength to face the uncertainty of a new day.
Our part in our relationship is to trust in who Jesus is to us.
In today’s short gospel the important question is asked of all of us; who am I to you. Enlightened by the Holy Spirit only we can answer that question, it’s that personal.
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.
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Companion for the Walk of the Stations of the Cosmic Earth
St. Gabriel’s Garden – Guided Sensory Reflective Walk