Bulletin – November 17, 2019

November 17th, 2019

NOVEMBER IS THE MONTH OF ALL SOULS

BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE

A Book of Remembrance has been placed on the altar for the month of November. You are invited to write the names of your deceased relatives and friends in the book. They will be remembered at all the Masses celebrated in November.

SHEPHERD’S TRUST COLLECTION

November 16th/17th

As members of our Catholic community, we regularly benefit from the tireless service of our priests. Called by God and ordained to care for His people, our priests serve our families, in churches, schools, hospitals, nursing homes, missions and on the streets.

This weekend there will be a second collection for The Shepherds’ Trust. The mission of The Shepherds’ Trust is to help ensure that elderly and disabled priests are provided with sufficient financial resources to lead a dignified life after many years of ministry. Your generous gift will help our priests to maintain a modest but active and independent lifestyle in their retirement years. For priests who are ill or otherwise infirm, the Trust ensures they have access to nursing home facilities and medical care. Thank you for your support of this important work.

CHRISTMAS CONCERT

St. Gabriel’s Church, Saturday, December 14th 7:30 PM

Christmas, Christmas time is near! Come join the Seraphim & Cherubim – Men’s’ Chorus and Women’s Chorus singing the Christmas songs you love as part of their All You Need is Love concert series. Bringing our friends together to sing songs that touch our hearts is celebrating the season is all about. Never a typical Christmas concert and always full of surprise tunes and reimagined classics. Ticket prices: Adults $20, Children $5. Proceeds are in support of Thalassemia Foundation of Canada.

REMEMBERING THE PARISH IN YOUR WILL

November is “Make a Will’ month! Have you considered remembering your parish in your will? The Church is where we experience many important moments in our lives. 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. When making your will, please consider a bequest to St. Gabriel’s Passionist Parish. For more information, please call the Parish Office at 416-221-8866 or the Development Office of the Archdiocese at 416-934-3411, Ext. 519.

ANNOUNCED MASSES

November 18th to November 24th

MONDAY – RONNIE FRANCIS FORD – Requested by the Ford Family
TUESDAY – DECEASED MEMBERS OF THE PUGLIESE FAMILY – Requested by Rose Pugliese
WEDNESDAY – NORMAN EPSTEIN – Requested by the Jon Epstein
THURSDAY – MICHEL SEAS – Requested by Megan Freitas
FRIDAY – HUGH & CATHERINE GAUGHAN – Requested by Eamon & Agnes Gaughan
SATURDAY – RICHARD GARDIAN – Requested by Sally & Caitlin Gardian
SUNDAY – 10:30 AM JUAN SAKALHA – Requested by Marta Alvarez & Family
SUNDAY – 12:30 PM VERNON MULHALL – Requested by Vivian Mulhall McDonough

CONFIRMATION ENROLLMENT CEREMONY

Sunday, November 24th at the 12:30 PM Mass

The Confirmation Enrollment Ceremony for all Confirmation candidates will be held on Sunday, November 24th at the 12:30 PM Mass. All Confirmation candidates must attend.

Candidates are reminded to submit their letters requesting Confirmation to Fr. Brando through the Parish Office by November 17th.

R.C.I.A. AND ADULT FAITH DEVELOPMENT

The R.C.I.A. (Rites of Christian Initiation of Adults) sessions have commenced and no further candidates will be accepted for this year. However, contact Sr. Maria Lucia at our Parish Office if you are thinking about going through the R.C.I.A. commencing in 2020.

Please pray for all our R.C.I.A. participants that they may patiently persevere in their spiritual journey. You may use this short prayer.
Prayer for the Journey of Faith:

Loving God, bless those who are moving forward into the fullness of faith in You and full communion in the life of our Catholic Family. Protect them on their journey. Reveal to them the love of Your Son Jesus. Empower them with the gifts of Your Holy Spirit. May their journey to deepen their faith be fruitful and enriching. We offer this sacrifice of prayer for them, in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Amen.

Beautiful 2020 calendar from the Canadian North

Available weekend of Dec 7th and 8th, 2019

As many of you know, Fatima Lee, who was formerly a member of our pastoral team, has served as a missionary in the Diocese of Mackenzie in the Northwest Territories for over a year now. The Diocese is home to many isolated indigenous communities.

On the weekend of Dec 7 and 8, volunteers will be selling beautiful 2020 calendars from the Diocese of Mackenzie at the parish. This beautiful and unique calendar showcases photos of lovely landscape captured by Bishop Jon Hansen on his many missionary trips in the Diocese.

It is hoped that through the sale of these calendars, funds will be raised to support the travel of priests and pastoral workers of the diocese to the remote communities. Since this Diocese of 1.5 million sq. km has only seven priests serving, many of the isolated communities will have Mass only three or four times a year. Except in the deep of winter, each time the priests or pastoral workers would have to fly in and out of these communities. It is notoriously expensive to fly in the north.

Please consider supporting the Diocese of Mackenzie. The calendars, at $20 each, are great for personal use; they will also make wonderful gifts, since they are unique and not easily available elsewhere.

CHRISTMAS TOY DRIVE

Saturday November 30th to Sunday December 15th

We will be having a Christmas Toy Drive again this year for the Catholic Children’s Aid Society. You can help by dropping off an unwrapped new toy for a child, age newborn to12 years old. Containers will be set up at the doors of the Church on Saturday, November 30th and will remain there until Sunday, December 16th.

THE GIVING TREE

Saturday, November 30th to Sunday, December 15th

During Advent, the Society of St Vincent de Paul, St. Gabriel Conference will have a Giving Tree in the Gathering Space.

The tree will be decorated with gift tags. Each tag will have the gender and age of a child. We invite you to take a tag, buy a gift or a gift card of about $25 for that child and return the unwrapped gift, with the tag attached, to the box provided in the Gathering Space. If you choose an older child, please buy a gift card. Return it with the tag to the Parish Office. If you are a knitter, there will be mitten tags. Please take one and return mitts to the box in the Gathering Space.

At this time of the year, we are also thinking of the young mothers and babies of Rosalie Hall. If you wish to help, you may choose a “Christmas Stocking” from the tree to purchase pyjamas or undershirts for babies, age 6 months to 4 years. Unwrapped Items with the original stocking tag attached can be left in the box provided near the “mitten” tree no later than Sunday, December 15th. Toys or books for these little ones would also be appreciated.

For the Moms, we are suggesting gift cards from Tim Horton’s, Walmart or MacDonald’s. These can be placed in the envelopes provided and brought to the Office. Thank you for your generosity.

SPECIAL REQUEST

The priests of the Passionist Community who serve our Parish have a special request: we need a part-time chef.

If you or your friends know someone who might want this opportunity, please let Fr. Steve know by email at sgjdunn@gmail.com.

A copy of the job description is available in the Parish office.

Thanks for your help.

GOOD SHEPHERD CENTRE CASSEROLES

For November, your prepared frozen casseroles will be collected at the Masses next weekend for delivery to the Good Shepherd Centre.

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 from the Parish Office. If you require more information please contact Irene Albrecht at 416-221-2791.

FOOD FOR LESS FORTUNATE

Thank you for your generous support of Rosalie Hall and the Good Shepherd Centre. Your food donations are very much appreciated.
Good Shepherd provides hot meals and shelter for the homeless in our city. Rosalie Hall provides a wide range of child services for young parents and their children.

Please check the expiry dates before donating since we cannot pass on food that has expired. Thank you for your ongoing support of these important centres.

MILK BAG WORKSHOP

Wednesday, November 20th

The Milk Bag Workshop will meet this Wednesday, November 20th at 1:00 PM in the Gabriel Room. Please make sure the bags you drop off or bring are clean and flat in the box. This will be of great help to the weavers.

For further information about this program, please visit www.milkbagsunlimited.ca or contact Sharon Gusz at sharongusz@gmail.com.

MOSAIC INTERFAITH – PEACE MEAL

Sunday, November 24th – 2:30 PM to 5:00 PM

MOSAIC Interfaith (of which St. Gabriel’s is a member) invites you to attend the annual Peace Meal on Sunday November 24th from 2:30 PM to 5:00 PM at the Mulla Asghar Memorial Library and Resource Centre (MARC), 9000 Bathurst Street, Thornhill. (This is a large complex so enter through door 4)

As this is within the Islamic Centre modest dress is required and women are asked to wear a head covering. The theme will be “What are our religious obligations to the earth and why?” The speakers will explore what our faiths say about looking after our world. This will be followed by the Peace Meal. Attendees are asked to bring a nut-free and alcohol-free vegan dish for the meal – i.e. no meat, poultry, eggs, fish or dairy products.

To RSVP please contact Nora at 416-218-0680 by November 20th. For more information see poster on bulletin board.

RENEWED FAITH: THE JOURNEY BACK

Tuesday, November 19, 2019 – 7:00 PM.

St. Brigid’s Church, 300 Wolverleigh Blvd., Toronto

Patricia Hung is a retired police officer, certified life coach, author, and speaker who is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in psychotherapy. Patricia began her policing career in Intelligence as a translator during a major drug importation investigation. She then worked in Communications, frontline policing, helped execute gang-exiting programs and many others areas in the Service.

After the homicide of her 14-year old daughter, Patricia retired as the Victim Witness Support Coordinator (for the Toronto Police Service) and shifted her focus to support victims of crime. Her work has been published in Canadian Family Magazine. She is the author of Seven Helpful Ways to Support Those Who Grieve.

Register Online at https://sbcct.eventbrite.ca or contact Arcanelo Limanni MRE at 416-587-7687

THE GARDEN SHED

This is the last posting of The Garden Shed in 2019. The Garden Ministry, like the garden itself, will take a rest. Please check this space early in the New Year for news of plans for 2020. Although early with our greeting, we wish you and yours a peaceful and joyous Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Homily – November 10, 2019

November 10th, 2019

Every Sunday in every Christian church people recite the Apostles Creed, our common statement of faith. The final words of our creed are ‘I believe in the resurrection of the body and life everlasting.’ We’ll all die but we believe in life, everlasting life. Nov. begins with the feasts of All Saints and All Souls.

Today’s readings are all about life beyond death. The brave young Maccabean said to his executioners,’ you accursed wretch, you dismiss us from this present life, but the King of the universe will raise us up to an everlasting renewal of life, because we have died for his laws.’

Jesus dismisses the trick question of the Sadducees about woman who married seven times and their wonder as to whose wife she would be at the resurrection, an event they did not believe in, by declaring, ‘God is the God not the dead but of the living, for to him all are alive.’

Every time communion we receive Communion we have Christ’s pledge, ‘those who eat my flesh and drink my blood live in me and I live in them and I will raise them up on the last day’

Endless life with God will not be ours if we neglect, worse still ignore the great commandment, ‘love one another as I’ve loved you, forgive one another as I’ve forgiven you be, be there for others as I’ve been there for you.

If we buy into death dealing mindsets and actions such as indifference to the needs and pains of other people, indifference to the men and woman and children who will be sleeping in shelters or on the streets of our prosperous city this winter, indifference to the racism and sexism and bigotry that is in the very air we breathe, indifference to the exploited workers who produce the food we eat and the clothes we wear we’ll be in trouble. As the saying goes what goes around comes around.

Individually we may not be able to change any of these tragic situations but being mindful of them challenges us to be grateful for the blessing with which we are blessed in our own lives.

In Jesus God gives us eternal life: he gives it to everyone, and everyone can, thanks to him, hope to live a life even more real than this one. The life that God has in store for us is not simply a better version of this one: it goes beyond our imagination, because God continually surprises us with His love and mercy. The eye has not seen, nor as the ear heard nor has it entered into our minds the things God has prepared for those who love him. We will all endure death but we believe in life, endless life with God and those we loved.

Bulletin – November 10, 2019

November 9th, 2019

LEST WE FORGET

This Monday, November 11th is Remembrance Day, a day to remember all who have served, and continue to serve in our armed forces, especially those who have died and those wounded in battle. We pray for healing and peace; that one day, all peoples will lay down their arms and embrace one another as brothers and sisters in one human family.

NOVEMBER IS THE MONTH OF ALL SOULS
BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE

A Book of Remembrance has been placed on the altar for the month of November. You are invited to write the names of your deceased relatives and friends in the book. They will be remembered at all the Masses celebrated in November.

SHEPHERD’S TRUST COLLECTION

November 16th/17th

As members of our Catholic community, we regularly benefit from the tireless service of our priests. Called by God and ordained to care for His people, our priests serve our families, in churches, schools, hospitals, nursing homes, missions and on the streets.

On November 16th and 17th there will be a second collection for The Shepherds’ Trust. The mission of The Shepherds’ Trust is to help ensure that elderly and disabled priests are provided with sufficient financial resources to lead a dignified life after many years of ministry. Your generous gift will help our priests to maintain a modest but active and independent lifestyle in their retirement years. For priests who are ill or otherwise infirm, the Trust ensures they have access to nursing home facilities and medical care. Thank you for your support of this important work

CHRISTMAS CONCERT

St. Gabriel’s Church, Saturday, December 14th 7:30 PM

Christmas, Christmas time is near! Come join the Seraphim and Cherubim Chorus singing the Christmas songs you love as part of their All You Need is Love concert series. This year we’re so excited to bring our Christmas concert to St. Gabriel’s for the first time! Bringing our friends together to sing songs that touch our hearts is celebrating the season is all about. Never a typical Christmas concert and always full of surprise tunes and reimagined classics. Advanced tickets available online at www.seraphimandcherubim.ca

ANNOUNCED MASSES

November 11th to November 17th

MONDAY – PAULINE FUNG CHIU – Requested by the Chiu Family
TUESDAY – INTENTIONS OF ALISON COOPER – Requested by Persaud & Goldenberg Families
WEDNESDAY – ALL SOULS IN PURGATORY – Requested by the Nguyen Family
THURSDAY – JOHN, CATHERINE & STEPHEN HIGGINS – Requested by Eamon & Agnes Gaughan
FRIDAY – MIKE PALAZZO & CHRISTOPHER DI LALLO – Requested by Val Palazzo
SATURDAY – REBECCA WONG – Requested by Catherine Soong
SUNDAY – 10:30 AM ANGELO DIFLUMERI – Requested by Grace DiFlumeri & Children
SUNDAY – 12:30 PM VERNON MULHALL – Requested by Vivian Mulhall McDonough

FIRST RECONCILIATION INFORMATION MEETING

Thursday, November 14th at 7:30 PM

St. Gabriel’s Church – Gabriel Room

There will be a meeting here in the Gabriel Room on Thursday, November 14th at 7:30 PM for parents of children wishing to have their First Reconciliation in 2020.

R.C.I.A. AND ADULT FAITH DEVELOPMENT

The R.C.I.A. (Rites of Christian Initiation of Adults) sessions have commenced and no further candidates will be accepted for this year. However, contact Sr. Maria Lucia at our Parish Office if you are thinking about going through the R.C.I.A. commencing in 2020.

Please pray for all our R.C.I.A. participants that they may patiently persevere in their spiritual journey. You may use this short prayer.

Prayer for the Journey of Faith:
Loving God, bless those who are moving forward into the fullness of faith in You and full communion in the life of our Catholic Family. Protect them on their journey. Reveal to them the love of Your Son Jesus. Empower them with the gifts of Your Holy Spirit. May their journey to deepen their faith be fruitful and enriching. We offer this sacrifice of prayer for them, in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Amen.

JUST COFFEE

Weekend of November 16th & 17th

Fair trade organic coffees, teas and chocolate will be on sale after all the Masses next weekend.

Regular ground coffee $5.50
Whole Beans $5.50
Decaffeinated coffee $6.00
Chocolate Bars $4.50
Hot Chocolate and Cocoa $6.00
Teas $4.25

GOOD SHEPHERD CENTRE CASSEROLES

For November, your prepared frozen casseroles will be collected at the Masses on the weekend of November 23rd / 24th for delivery to the Good Shepherd Centre.

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.

FOOD FOR LESS FORTUNATE

Thank you for your generous support of Rosalie Hall and the Good Shepherd Centre. Your food donations are very much appreciated.

Good Shepherd provides hot meals and shelter for the homeless in our city. Rosalie Hall provides a wide range of child services for young parents and their children.

Please check the expiry dates before donating since we cannot pass on food that has expired. Thank you for your ongoing support of these important centres.

Christians in the Middle East Benefit Dinner

Saturday, November 9 – 7 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.) Toronto Grand Banquet & Convention Centre
30 Baywood Rd., Etobicoke

What is life like for Christians in the Middle East today?
Who are these Christians “from the East”? What can they teach us?

CNEWA Canada, a papal agency that supports Eastern Christians across the Middle & Near East, in partnership with the Archdiocese of Toronto, invite you to attend the annual benefit dinner. Hear from the Most Rev. Najeeb Michaeel o.p., Chaldean Archbishop of Mosul and Akra, Iraq and Cardinal Thomas Collins, and help raise awareness and funds for these most ancient Christian communities.

Tickets available at: cmebdinner2019.eventbrite.ca or 416-574-9131. EMAIL: cmedinner@gmail.com

The Lion of Munster: The Bishop Who Roared Against the Nazis

Tuesday, November 12th – 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Fellowship of St. Joseph of the Association for Hebrew Catholics
Blessed Trinity Parish Hall,3220 Bayview Ave., Toronto

With guest speaker Fr. Daniel Utrecht of the Oratory, Pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Parish and Professor at St. Philip’s Seminary. Fr. Daniel will speak about the faith and resilience of Blessed Cardinal Clemens August von Galen during the Nazi period in Germany.

Cardinal von Galen preached Catholic truth in the face of false ideology and racist theology, but he also prayed fervently for an end to the spiritual oppression of his people, both Jews and Catholics. This astounding story will inspire and motivate us in these challenging days.

All are welcome. email: ahctoronto@gmail.com

Culture of Life Formation Day with the Sisters of Life

Saturday, November 16, 2019 – 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM

St. Peter’s Church, 830 Bathurst St., Toronto

Join the Sisters of Life for an afternoon of being immersed in the culture of life. The sisters will give talks on the spiritual foundation of the culture of life, understanding the heart of the vulnerable pregnant woman and being agents of God’s mercy. There will be time for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Refreshments will be provided. We hope to see you there!

CONTACT: The Sisters of Life at 416-463-2722 or by email: toronto@sistersoflife.org, https://sistersoflife.org/events/toronto-culture-of-life-formation-day/

RENEWED FAITH: THE JOURNEY BACK

Tuesday, November 19, 2019 – 7:00 PM.

St. Brigid’s Church, 300 Wolverleigh Blvd., Toronto

Patricia Hung is a retired police officer, certified life coach, author, and speaker who is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in psychotherapy. Patricia began her policing career in Intelligence as a translator during a major drug importation investigation. She then worked in Communications, frontline policing, helped execute gang-exiting programs and many others areas in the Service.

After the homicide of her 14-year old daughter, Patricia retired as the Victim Witness Support Coordinator (for the Toronto Police Service) and shifted her focus to support victims of crime. Her work has been published in Canadian Family Magazine. She is the author of Seven Helpful Ways to Support Those Who Grieve.

Register Online at https://sbcct.eventbrite.ca or contact Arcanelo Limanni MRE at 416-587-7687

THE GARDEN SHED

“What does the Earth Desire…
To be admired in her loveliness,
To be tasted in her delicious fruits,
To be listened to in her teaching,
To be endured in the severity of her discipline,
To be cared for as a maternal source from whence we come,
a destiny to which we return.”
Fr. Thomas Berry CP

The next meeting of the Garden Ministry is on Sunday, November 10th, at 1:30 PM, in the Library. Everyone is welcome.

For more information on the Garden Ministry, visit our website at https://stgabrielsparish.ca/ministries/garden-ministry/ or email Heather Bennett at heathermjb@gmail.com

ON THE LIGHTER SIDE!

The Pope goes to New York
He is picked up at the airport by a limousine.
He looks at the beautiful car and says to the driver, “You know, I hardly ever get to drive. Would you please let me?”
The driver is understandably hesitant and says, “I’m sorry, but I don’t think I’m supposed to do that.”
But the Pope persists, “Please?” The driver finally lets up.
“Oh, all right, I can’t really say no to the Pope.”
So the Pope takes the wheel, and boy, is he a speed demon! He hits the gas and goes around 100 mph in a 45 zone.
A policeman notices and pulls him over.
The cop walks up and asks the Pope to roll down the window.
Startled and surprised, the young officer asks the Pope to wait a minute.
He goes back to his patrol car and radios the chief.
Officer: “Chief, I have a problem.”
Chief: “What sort of problem?”
Officer: “Well, you see, I pulled over this guy for driving way over the speed limit but it’s someone really important.”
Chief: “Important like the mayor?”
Officer: “No, no, much more important than that.”
Chief: “Important like the governor?”
Officer: “Wayyyyyy more important than that.”
Chief: “Like the president?”
Officer: “More!”
Chief: “Who’s more important than the president?”
Officer: “I don’t know, but he’s got the Pope DRIVING for him!”

Homily – November 3, 2019

November 3rd, 2019

Today’s gospel gives us another example of Jesus reaching out to a person who was seen to be on the borders of respectable society. Tax collectors were at the bottom of the totem pole of occupations. Jesus calls Zacchaeus down from tree telling him, ’I must stay at your house today.’ Zacchaeus opens his home to Jesus and as happened many times in the gospel people complain,’ he eats and drinks with sinners.’

Welcoming Jesus into his home and enjoying Jesus’ company sharing a meal with him turned Zacchaeus’ life around. He was graced to see the ways he’d wronged and hurt people. He faced the fact that he cheated and exploited people

Salvation came into Zacchaeus’ house and it turned his life around. He promised to right the wrongs, try to heal the hurts he brought on others. He’d give half his possessions to the poor and pay back fourfold whatever he defrauded others. He could end up broke himself. We’re told Zacchaeus was short in stature but by God’s grace he grew tall.

Looking into our own relationships is there anyone in our family or among our friends to whom we should make amends, set things right?

Is there anyone with whom we’d wish to make amends and say those words that stick in our throats; I’m sorry, I was wrong, I was thoughtless?

Could it be an estranged spouse or an estranged son or daughter we’re convinced wronged us and we’ve judged harshly? Could it be a neighbour we’ve harmed by our gossip and defrauded them of their reputation?

Are we willing to make amends to people we’ll never know but people, because of our wasteful lifestyles or worse still because of our indifference, live without adequate food or water? Would we ever think of making amends to our Mother Earth by acknowledging that because of our wonton consumerism we’ve exploited Earth’s limited resources, poisoned it’s seas and rivers and the very air we breathe?

In his visit to the home of Zacchaeus Christ wanted to bring out the best in Zacchaeus. In our hearing of this gospel can Christ bring out the best that is within us?

Bulletin – November 3, 2019

November 2nd, 2019

NOVEMBER IS THE MONTH OF ALL SOULS
BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE

A Book of Remembrance has been placed on the altar for the month of November. You are invited to write the names of your deceased relatives and friends in the book. They will be remembered at all the Masses celebrated in November.

DEACON PHILIP ALLARD – CHALICE SPONSORSHIP

At all masses this weekend, Deacon Philip Allard will speak about CHALICE, a Canadian, Catholic sponsorship program. He will explain how you can help a destitute child at one of 56 mission sites in 15 developing countries.

Deacon Philip was ordained in 2000 for the Archdiocese of Toronto. He was raised in Toronto and has been married to Arlene for over 30 years. Arlene and Philip have 3 dependent children who are living at home and engaged in post-secondary education. Philip has served in the same Scarborough parish since his ordination, and also ministers in a residential treatment centre for women with addiction and emotional problems.

BEREAVEMENT MINISTRY TRAINING

November 9th & 16th, 2019 – St. Gabriel’s Parish

The second of the two new ministries we are launching in our parish community is the Bereavement Ministry. The Bereavement Ministry is also known as the Ministry of Consolation. Training is required for those who are interested in becoming a part of Bereavement Ministry Team. The Bereavement Ministry Training is designed for those who are ministering to the bereaved in a parish setting. New and seasoned parish bereavement ministers and volunteers are invited to join others in an interactive, two-day faith-based educational and spiritual learning opportunity.

We are pleased to announce that the upcoming Bereavement Ministry Training this fall will be hosted by St. Gabriel’s Parish. The training dates will be held on November 9 and 16, 2019 (both Saturdays). The sessions will start from 9:30 AM and will finish at 4:00 PM on both dates. Participants are required to attend both Saturday sessions. Registration deadline is Monday, November 4th, 2019. There is no cost to attend the training sessions; however if you wish to purchase the optional participant workbook, that would be $45 (with the cheque made payable to RCEC). Refreshments will be provided but please bring your own lunch.

The training will explore ways to begin a Bereavement Ministry in the parish or enhance your present bereavement ministry programs. If anyone is interested to become part of the Bereavement Ministry Team of our parish, please contact Sr. Maria Lucia at our Parish Office no later than November 1st so that she can register you at the archdiocesan office responsible for the training program. Come, learn, and share how the Christian faithful comfort mourners with words of faith and support and with acts of kindness!

Youth Ministry Update

The St. Gabriel’s youth group is excited to share an update of the activities that have been going on in our ministry these past few weeks.

We had our first youth gathering in early October to kick-off the new school year and welcomed a number of new youth members. On October 20th, we took to the streets of downtown Toronto as part of our long-standing Street Patrol initiative to help those in need. We distributed 125 meal packages consisting of a homemade sandwich, granola bar, and juice box. It was truly a heart-warming experience as we were living out Jesus’s teachings in the Gospel. In keeping with our church’s care for creation, we also planted over 50 native shrubs and trees at Cedarvale Park through a Stewardship volunteer event run by the City of Toronto. This past Sunday we also planted tulip, snowdrop, grape hyacinth, and daffodil bulbs around our church property with the help of our church’s Gardening Ministry. We ended off the month of October with a Halloween movie night social.

We look forward to all that is in store for our ministry in the coming months, especially our annual Talent Show this February, and our other future fundraisers to support our attendance at the annual Steubenville Catholic Conference. Thank you to our parishioners for all your ongoing support for our ministry!

We are always welcoming new members from Grades 6 to 12. If you are interested in joining our dynamic, passionate group of young people, send us an email at sgpyouthgroup@gmail.com.

ANNOUNCED MASSES

November 4th to November 10th

MONDAY – VLADO PETRANOVIC – Requested by Mira Petranovic
TUESDAY – WAHIBA BALADI – Requested by Mary Zakher
WEDNESDAY – VICTOR, ROSIE & POONA JOSEPH – Requested by Margaret Joseph
THURSDAY – JOAN RUEST – Requested by her Family
FRIDAY – DECEASED MEMBERS OF MINNAN WONG FAMILY – Requested by the Family
SATURDAY – ALL WHO HAVE DIED – Requested by Chara & Tina Intini
SUNDAY – 10:30 AM DORIS YUNG – Requested by Paul & Wai Chin Huang & Family
SUNDAY – 12:30 PM VERNON MULHALL – Requested by Vivian Mulhall McDonough

FIRST COMMUNION INFORMATION MEETING

Thursday, November 7th at 7:30 PM
St. Gabriel’s Church

There will be a meeting here at the Church on Thursday, November 7th at 7:30 PM for parents of children wishing to receive First Communion in 2020.

FIRST RECONCILIATION INFORMATION MEETING

Thursday, November 14th at 7:30 PM
St. Gabriel’s Church

There will be a meeting here at the Church on Thursday, November 14th at 7:30 PM for parents of children wishing to have their First Reconciliation in 2020.

R.C.I.A. AND ADULT FAITH DEVELOPMENT

The R.C.I.A. (Rites of Christian Initiation of Adults) sessions have commenced. Please pray for all our R.C.I.A. participants that they may patiently persevere in their spiritual journey. You may use this short prayer.

Prayer for the Journey of Faith:
Loving God, bless those who are moving forward into the fullness of faith in You and full communion in the life of our Catholic Family. Protect them on their journey. Reveal to them the love of Your Son Jesus. Empower them with the gifts of Your Holy Spirit. May their journey to deepen their faith be fruitful and enriching. We offer this sacrifice of prayer for them, in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Amen.

SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN PREPARING FOR BAPTISM

If you have, or know of, school age children (ages 7 to 14) who wish to prepare for Baptism, please contact the Parish Office at 416-221-8866. Classes for them will begin soon.

GOOD SHEPHERD CENTRE CASSEROLES

Thank you to the volunteers who prepared 48 casseroles for October. For November, your prepared frozen casseroles will be collected at the Masses on the weekend of November 23rd / 24th for delivery to the Good Shepherd Centre.

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.

FOOD FOR LESS FORTUNATE

Thank you for your generous support of Rosalie Hall and the Good Shepherd Centre. Your food donations are very much appreciated.

Good Shepherd provides hot meals and shelter for the homeless in our city. Rosalie Hall provides a wide range of child services for young parents and their children.

Please check the expiry dates before donating since we cannot pass on food that has expired. Thank you for your ongoing support of these important centres.

MASS OF MEMORY

Sunday, November 3rd, at 3:00 PM

St. Paul’s Basilica, 83 Power Street

The Mass of Memory is dedicated in memory of the many victims of the Irish Famine of 1847 who died of typhus on arrival in Toronto. 861 people were buried in the then St. Paul’s Catholic Cemetery and 281 were buried in St. James Anglican Cemetery.

Sacred/Celtic music prelude by The Irish Choral Society of Canada starts at 2:30 PM with a reception to follow after the Mass.

Proceeds from this celebration go to the Children’s Breakfast Club Program of St. Paul’s Basilica.

THE GARDEN SHED

The installation of the south garden is now over 90% complete. Originally anticipated to finish on October 31, 2019, completion will now be delayed until the spring of 2020.

St. Gabriel’s garden has now been “put to bed” and the final event of 2019, during which members of the Youth Group planted bulbs for next spring, has been held. We, in the Garden Ministry, now move into planning mode for next season. Please check this space for future announcements of planning sessions in which you might like to take part. Thank you for your donations and support over the past year!

The next meeting of the Garden Ministry is on November 10, at 1:30 PM, in the Library.

For more information on the Garden Ministry, visit our website at https://stgabrielsparish.ca/ministries/garden-ministry/ or email Heather Bennett at heathermjb@gmail.com.

SHARELIFE – LETTER FROM THE CARDINAL

Cardinal Collins has written a letter of gratitude to pastors and their communities for their hard work and generosity toward the ShareLife Campaign.