March 17th, 2020
For more information, please read the March 17, 2020 Cardinal’s message on COVID-19 by clicking on the following link:
https://www.archtoronto.org/media-centre/news-archive/chancery-news/cardinals-message-on-covid19–march-17-2020
| Posted in Notice |
March 15th, 2020
Masses for the weekend of March 14 and 15, 2020 are cancelled.
You may view the Cardinal’s Message on COVID-19 by clicking on this link: https://www.archtoronto.org/media-centre/news-archive/chancery-news/cardinals-message-on-covid19
Contact your Member of Parliament today!
The federal government has tabled legislation to expand what they refer to as medical assistance in dying but is more accurately called euthanasia/assisted suicide. More than 13,000 Canadians have been euthanized since 2016.
New legislation would make assisted death available to those without life-threatening illnesses including those with disabilities and those no longer capable of making decisions for themselves. Some Canadians may even be euthanized on the same day they make the request.
Visit www.helptheliving.ca to send a letter (prepared for you) to your Member of Parliament expressing deep concern. The process takes less than 5 minutes. More information can also be found at: www.archtoronto.org/euthanasia. We continue to pray and advocate for the vulnerable among us.
The Archdiocese of Toronto continues to work with health officials to monitor the local situation regarding active cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19). At this time, Cardinal Collins has asked all parishes to implement the following measures:
At the Sign of Peace, refrain from shaking hands – a simple bow, nod or “Peace be with you” to your neighbour is appropriate.
For parishes offering communion under both species, forgo the distribution of the Precious Blood from the chalice for the congregation at this time.
Parishes should ensure that those distributing communion wash their hands or use hand sanitizer before and after the distribution of communion.
Please also continue to practice healthy hygiene – wash your hands with soap or use hand sanitizer regularly, remain home if you are sick, sneeze/cough into your sleeve and avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Let us continue to care for ourselves and one another as we pray for all those impacted worldwide by COVID-19.
You are strongly encouraged to take Communion only in the hand.
Sunday, April 26th from 2:00 PM to 5:00PM
Attention: all Parish Volunteers Mark your calendars! Volunteer Recognition Celebration Sunday, April 26th, from 2:00 PM to 5 :00 PM Inspirational Talk / Refreshments / Fellowship Invitations to Follow
Stations of the Cross will take place each Friday evening during Lent at 7:30 PM. We also encourage your attendance at our daily Mass throughout Lent.
Saturday, March 28th from 2:00 to 3:30 PM Gabriel Room The next Confirmation class for those students from St. Gabriel’s School and all other Catholic Schools who are to be confirmed on May 17th will be held here in the Gabriel Room on Saturday, March 28th at 2:00 PM.
March 16th – March 22nd, 2020
MONDAY – GABRIEL TREVISAN – Requested by Sue Woodcock TUESDAY – ALFRED YAP – Requested by his Family WEDNESDAY – ARMAND OAKIE – Requested by his Family THURSDAY – ANTONIA EVANS – Requested by Teresa Sheldrick FRIDAY – EUGENIO, LUCIA & PHILI VILLAMOR – Requested by their Family SATURDAY – GIUSEPPE & CLEMENTINA INTINI – Requested by Chiara SUNDAY – 10:30 AM – CECILIA MANALANG – Requested by Plutarco Manalang SUNDAY – 12:30 PM –
Stations of the Cross: Friday Evenings at 7:30 PM
Parish Lenten Retreat Saturday, February 29th From 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Individual Confessions Thursday, March 26th From 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Reconciliation Service Wednesday, April 1st at 7:30 PM
Palm Sunday, April 5th Masses Sat., 4:30 PM Sun., 8:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM
Holy Thursday, April 9th No 9:00 A.M. Mass 7:30 PM – Mass of the Lord’s Supper Followed by Adoration until 10:00 PM
Good Friday, April 10th 10:00 AM – Morning Prayer 3:00 PM – Solemn Passion of Our Lord 7:30 PM – Stations of the Cross
Holy Saturday, April 11th No 4:30 PM Mass 8:00 PM Easter Vigil
Easter Sunday, April 12th Masses 8:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM
Easter Monday, April 13th No 9:00 AM Mass Office Closed
EXTRA PARKING AT ELKHORN PUBLIC SCHOOL
Living the Gospel by helping young mothers
Kristen was 17 when she found out she was pregnant. Worried she wouldn’t be able to graduate from high school, she reached out to Rose of Sharon. At this ShareLife – funded agency she was able to focus on school work with the help of child minding by the agency. Kristen graduated and was accepted into the medical administration program at Seneca College. “Without Rose of Sharon,” says Kristen, “there’s no way I would have believed college was a possibility.”
March 29th is ShareLife Sunday. Please give generously
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!
Weekend of March 21st/22nd
Fair trade organic coffees will be on sale after all the Masses next weekend. Regular ground coffee: $5.50 Decaffeinated: $6.00 Whole Beans: $5.50 Chocolate Bars: $4.50 incl. Taxes Hot Chocolate and Cocoa: $6.00 Teas: $4.25
Tuesday, March 17th From 7:00 to 9:00 PM
Mustard Seed, 791 Queen St E., Toronto
Join Faith Connections on St. Patrick’s Day for an evening of fun, fellowship and just a little competition for adults aged 30-45! Some board games will be provided.
We also invite you to bring games of your own. Light snacks and beverages will be provided.
The cost is $10 per ticket and includes a can of Guinness! RSVP required to faithconnections@csj-to.ca or or by phone at 416-467-2645. For more information, please go to http://www.faithconnections.ca.
St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica, 65 Bond Street Tuesday, March 17th at 10:00 AM
The Annual Mass of St. Patrick will be held at St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica on Tuesday, March 17th at 10:00 AM.
The presider will be Fr. Edward J. Curtis, Rector of St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica. Msgr. Patrick O’Dea will be the homilist. All are welcome.
March 20th at 7:30 PM to March 23rd after lunch
Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre, 1617 Blythe Road
Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre is presenting a Women’ Lenten Retreat from March 20th at 7:30 PM until after lunch on March 23rd. The theme,” In the Spirit of Quietude” will be preached by Fr. Peter Nowak OMI.
The cost for the weekend is $200 per person. For more information, please call 905 278 5229.
Thank you to everyone who dropped by to ask about the Garden Ministry and garden care after Mass last Sunday.
On Sunday, March 22nd the children of the parish will be planting seeds indoors for the St. Gabriel’s-Good Shepherd community garden as part of their Children’s Liturgy at the 10:30 Mass. We suggest they dress in their “garden best.”
The Garden Ministry would like to acknowledge and thank several partners who are generously supporting our community garden for the Good Shepherd Ministries: Woodhill Garden Centre at 320 Steeles Ave. East, and Sheridan Nurseries, for gardening supplies and tools, Urban Harvest for organic seeds, and the Home Depots at Yorkdale – 90 Billy Bishop Way, and at 2375 Steele’s Ave. West, for construction supplies.
For more information on the Garden Ministry, please email Heather Bennett at heathermjb@gmail.com.
| Posted in Bulletin |
We’ve all heard this story of Christ meeting a women at a well. They are both thirsty, Christ for water and the woman for God. They quenched each other’s thirst.
But I’d like to say a few words on Paul’s letter to the Romans.
It would be an under-statement to say these are troublesome times. We’ve yet to come to grips with our environmental reality and now we face a viral pandemic. In a way we’ve brought it all on ourselves. Environmentally we’re living beyond our means. We can travel anywhere in the world but that blessing can expose us to many dangers. A virus that came out of a market place in China has spread around the world by jet travel. Italy is in lock down, the stock market is in shambles and tourism is at a standstill.
What we need now is the strength of God’s gift of Hope. We believe in God, we believe in God’s Son, Jesus our Christ and we believe in God’s life giving Spirit. Hope is God’s gift to us that helps us trust that God’s promises will be kept, no matter how our present circumstances make us wonder if this be true.
St. Paul tells us we are justified, made right with God, by our faith, our conviction that we are loved by God, we are precious to God. God proves this to us when God sent Jesus into our world not to judge or condemn us but to die his shameful, painful death on the cross so that might be one again with God.
No matter what we give up for Lent or what good works we do in Lent, no matter what prayers we pray this Lent the upmost conviction we must have this Lent is based on these words of Paul in our first reading;’ While we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly, Christ died for you, Christ died for me. Christ died for Jewish people, Christ died for Moslem people, Christ died for Gay and Transgender people, Christ died for the refugees and immigrants of our troubled world. God our Father proves his love for all of us in that we were still sinners Christ died for us all.
We say we believe all this but there are many times in our lives when things are so confused, so uncertain, so unfair when all we can say is this simple truth; Lord I believe, help the little faith I have.
We hang on to Hope. In the face of global or personal crises we hang on to our conviction that God, our Father, our Mother is true to the promise, I am with you always even til the end of days. Hold on to hope, keep the Faith, God is with us especially in these uncertain times. Remember at this Mass those suffering from these disease, the scientists searching for a cure and the nurses and doctors caring for the sick.
| Posted in Homily |
March 8th, 2020
Today’s scripture might be about our comfort zones. For Abraham, his comfort zone was in the city of Ur, his home town. He was surrounded and supported by the members of his clan. He was wealthy. Abraham had it made. But God had other plans for Abraham. He lured him and his clan away from Ur with a promise of a new land flowing with milk and honey. Childless at that time God promised Abraham he would be the father of a mighty nation, his sons numberless like the stars of heaven. Abraham believed God and left his comfort zone and followed God into an unknown future.
For Peter, James and John their comfort zone was on the mountain where Jesus was transfigured before their very eyes and they saw Moses and Elijah talking with Jesus and all they could say was, “It is good for us to be here.’ But that was not to be. Jesus got them off the mountain, away from their wonderful comfort zone. They would not be blessed with another such experience until they saw the Risen Christ. In the meantime they would endure experiencing their part in the betrayal by Judas, Peter’s denial and the trial and shameful, painful crucifixion of Jesus on Calvary. At no time at any of these events did any of them say, ‘it is good for us to be here.’ Comfort zones are nice but they can be dangerous. Our personal comfort zones can cause us to stagnate, become idle and without motivation.
On our own journey of life and our journey of faith we are meant to be on the move, to grow and deepen our relationships with the other people in our lives. St. Paul challenges us to grow to full maturity in our relationship with Christ. Marriages are meant to grow and deepen from one comfort zone to another. Personal careers happen when a man or woman knows they can and want to move on. Fear to move on leads to stagnation and stagnation leads to death.
Our baptism was our birth into our relation with Christ in the community of the Church. Think on this. What is your comfort zone as a member of St. Gabriel’s parish? Do you feel welcomed as you come to Sunday Mass? Have you made an effort to get to know other parishioners? Are you involved in any parish event? Do you serve your fellow parishioners in any of the parish ministries? When you come to Sunday Mass or to a parish event have you ever thought, ‘it is good for me to be here?
From the moment we were born we were meant to grow, meant to move from one comfort zone to another. It is not always ‘good for us to be here.’ Christ is calling all of us to grow to move on. Belonging,Believing, Becoming, the greatest of these is becoming.
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