December 22nd, 2019
Matthew’s gospel presents us with a teenage girl and a teenage boy invited into the mystery of what John describes his gospel, ‘and the word was made flesh and dwelt amongst us.’ The young Mary and Joseph had no idea what was ahead for them’ yet both these young people said in their own way, ‘let it be done to me.’ Both these young people made their lives available to God. When Mary heard about her Cousin Elizabeth’s pregnancy she went in haste to see if she could be of help.
In the days to come things didn’t work out too well for Mary and Joseph, in fact everything got botched up. Instead of the support of their families as their baby’s birth drew near, they found themselves facing a treacherous journey during the last stage of Mary’s pregnancy. In Bethlehem they would have no suitable place to stay, any family or friends around for support. Their earliest days of parenthood would be full of fear and flight. Eventually Mary and Joseph found themselves to be strangers in a strange land.
The Irish have a tradition of what is called the Christmas candle. In many homes on Christmas Eve a single candle was placed in the window. It stayed lit all night. If the Holy Family had no place to stay, if a homeless person had no place to stay, the Christmas Candle was a message that they would find welcome and comfort in that home, no matter how poor it might be.
As all of us prepare for the great celebration of the birth of Jesus it would be a blessing for us all to have a Christmas candle, a message of welcome to the many immigrants and refugees who want to come to Canada and start a new life, a life free of oppression and persecution, free of civil strife, as many of our own families in years past.
Different groups and some politicians want us to believe that hordes of illegal people are sneaking into Canada and we’ve had enough immigration. It’s called xenophobia, a fear of the stranger. A mindset totally opposed to the spirit of Christmas.
As we prepare to welcome the birth of Jesus wouldn’t be a Christmas blessing if our hearts, our mindsets were free of bigotry and prejudice towards men and women of different cultures, different life styles or different faiths.
In all nativity cribs we see the infant laying in a manger his arms wide open welcoming each one of us into his life and love. Wouldn’t it be a Christmas gift to each of us if Christ blessed us with the gift of openness and acceptance for all those men, women and children from distant lands who come to Canada and into our lives?
It would be a Christmas blessing if each one of us was a Christmas Candle of welcome, not just to Jesus, but to every person who comes into our lives,
Wouldn’t be a special Christmas if each one of us was a Christmas candle, a shining light of welcome
| Posted in Homily |
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11
December 23rd– December 29th, 2019
MONDAY – SHANNON OLDEN – Requested by Kathleen Olden-Powell TUESDAY – Christmas Eve WEDNESDAY – Christmas Day THURSDAY – Boxing Day No 9:00 AM Mass FRIDAY – ERNEST RICKETTS – Requested by His Family SATURDAY – CARMELA GRECH CAIA – Requested by The Grech Family SUNDAY – 10:30 AM MASS – DOREEN YOUNG – Requested by Noreen Chen SUNDAY – 12:30 PM MASS – MICHAEL KIM & EUJUNE KIM – Requested by Veronica Moon
CHRISTMAS EVE – Tuesday, December 24th No 9:00 AM Mass 5:00 PM Family Mass – Carol Singing 8:00 PM Adult Choir – Carol Singing 12:00 AM Midnight Mass – Contemporary Group Office Open – 2:00 PM to 6:30 PM
CHRISTMAS DAY – Wednesday, December 25th 10:30 AM and 12:30 PM Office Open – 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM
BOXING DAY – Thursday, December 26th Office Closed No 9:00 AM Mass
REGULAR SUNDAY MASSES Saturday December 28th Vigil Mass – 4:30 PM Sunday, December 29th, Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus 8:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM Office Open – 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM
NEW YEAR’S EVE – Tuesday, December 31st No 9:00 AM Mass Vigil for Feast of Mary the Holy Mother of God 5:00 PM Mass Office Open – 2:00 PM to 6:30 PM
NEW YEAR’S DAY – Wednesday, January 1st Feast of Mary the Holy Mother of God Mass at 10:30 AM and 12:30 PM Office Open – 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM
Parking at ground level is limited to 51 spaces. Do not park in front of the Church since this is a fire route and must be kept clear. There is plenty of space in the underground parking lot.
Additional parking is available on the east side of Elkhorn Public School and in the bus loop. The school requests that we do not park on the grass
Please follow the instructions of the attendant.
Many thanks to the Elkhorn Public School for allowing us the use of the school property.
THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
Thank you, good people, for your overwhelming generosity this Christmas season.
Thanks to you, St. Gabriel’s was able to provide toys, food and gifts to Rosalie Hall, the Catholic Children’s Aid, the Good Shepherd Centre and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
A special thank you to our neighbours the St. Gabriel’s Village Condos for their generous support of our food and toy drives. Your thoughtfulness is greatly appreciated!
Each month, the food we collect is sent to Rosalie Hall and the Good Shepherd Centre.
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 the winter begins and numbers of needy people continue to increase. Please check the expiry dates before donating since we cannot pass on food that has expired. Thank you for your generous support.
Your offertory envelopes are now available in the Gathering Space. Please pick yours up as soon as possible.
Under the Canadian Income Tax laws, a donor is entitled to an income tax credit against income taxes payable based on a tax receipt from a registered Canadian charity like St. Gabriel’s parish. You should consider using offertory envelopes, enrolling in Pre-Authorized Giving (PAG) or Donate Now via Archdiocese of Toronto’s online giving for your offertory giving no matter the amount of your weekly donation.
Envelopes are available at the Parish Office if you need one.
Please note: All donations for 2019 must be received in the Parish Office by Monday, December 30th, 2019 to be included in your 2019 Tax Receipt.
| Posted in Bulletin |
December 15th, 2019
Lord Jesus, Master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas. We who have so much to do seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day. We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us. We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom. We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence. We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light. To you we say, “Come Lord Jesus!” Amen.
Fr. Henri J.M. Nouwen
December 16th–December 22nd, 2019
MONDAY – KAZ SWIDERSKI – Requested by Irene Swiderski TUESDAY – ALAN RUTHERFORD – Requested by Persaud & Goldenberg Families WEDNESDAY – For the Intentions of STEPHAN YOUNG SIK HUH & CECILIA HUH – Requested by Bona Oh THURSDAY – For the Intentions of CLAUDIA CHO & REGINA SHIN – Requested by Bona Oh FRIDAY – FRANCO INTINI – Requested by Chiara & Tina Intini SATURDAY – ABANDONED SOULS IN PURGATORY – Requested by Sophie & Candida Pereira SUNDAY 10:30 AM – MARIA MARCZENKO – Requested by Rusiecki Family SUNDAY 12:30 PM – JOSE TEPE ENRIQUEZ – Requested by Jackie & Kayla Enriquez
Collecting Stamps
This is a wonderful time of the year to collect stamps from your Christmas cards and letters to give to Effect Hope, the Leprosy Mission of Canada. If you wish to help, your stamps may be left in the basket on the counter outside of the office.
Please visit effecthope.org for more information.
Friday, December 20th
On Friday, December 20th, we will all have the opportunity to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Confessions will be heard from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
Saturday, December 21st Vigil Mass – 4:30 PM Office Open – 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Sunday, December 22nd 8:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM Office Open – 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM
While parking at ground level is limited to 51 spaces, there is plenty of space in the underground parking lot. Please follow the instructions of the attendants. Do not park in front of the Church since this is a fire route and must be kept clear.
Additional parking is available on the east side of Elkhorn Public School and in the bus loop. Again, please follow the instructions of the attendant. The school requests that we do not park on the grass. Many thanks to Holly Richards, the Principal of Elkhorn Public School, for allowing us the use of the school property.
Rehearsal: Sunday, December 22nd from 2:00 to 4:00 PM
Each year, young people, Grade 3 and up, form a special choir for the Family Mass on Christmas Eve. Children must be at the Church by 4:00 PM. One rehearsal, which is mandatory, will be held on Sunday, December 22nd from 2:00 to 4:00 PM.
For more information, call Marilyn Calderone at 416-618-2041.
Pageant Rehearsal: Sunday, December 22nd from 4:00 to 6:00 PM
A Nativity pageant also takes place at the 5:00 PM Family Mass. Children from S.K. to Grade 5 are invited to participate in the pageant. The rehearsal will be held on Sunday, December 22nd from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM in the Church.
St. Gabriel Parish’s 3rd sponsored refugee family, The Bezgian’s, became Canadian citizens last month! Let us thank the Refugee Committee for facilitating the necessary documentation towards this event.
Wednesday, December 18th from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Gabriel Room
Volunteer milk bag weavers will be meeting Wednesday afternoon, December 18th from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM in the Gabriel Room to continue their great work, making sleep mats for third world countries All are welcome!
For further information about this project, please visit www.milkbagsunlimited.ca or contact Sharon Gusz at sharongusz@gmail.com.
Saturday, December 21st at 7:30 PM
St. Gabriel’s Church
The winter solstice marks a transition toward brighter times. Together, the Advent-Solstice reminds us of our profound connection with all of God’s creation and wakens us to the opportunity for a new beginning in that relationship. We will explore the surprising gifts that result when we make choices that foster such relationships.
Do you or does a loved one experience same-sex attraction? Courage & EnCourage provide spiritual support and pastoral guidance in full accordance with authentic Catholic teaching on homosexuality and chastity. For more information on our meetings and events, see contact info below:
EnCourage: Spiritual support for family and friends of those who experience same-sex attraction; faithful to Church teaching on chastity. Chaplain: Fr. Eric Rodrigues Phone: 416-928-5094; Email: encouragetoronto@yahoo.com
Courage: Spiritual support for adults who experience same-sex attraction and who desire to develop a life of interior chastity in union with Christ. Chaplain: Fr. Kevin Belgrave Phone: 416-928-5094; Email: couragetoronto@yahoo.ca
All inquiries are kept confidential.
Last Sunday’s gospel John the Baptist was telling the religious leaders who, probably out of curiosity came to listen to him as he preached and baptized at the Jorden river, that they were nothing but a brood of vipers and that they had better change their ways or they would face a future wrath. John pictures the one who would come after him, Jesus, as a pretty rough judge who would gather good men and women into his granary but the wicked would be thrown into unquenchable fire.
Today we find John in prison. He was a person who called things for what they were. He confronts a king, a king living in sin and told him ‘what you are doing is a sin against God’.
Maybe John thought he had it all wrong. Jesus didn’t seem to be warning people, scolding them about the wrath that was to come if they didn’t change their ways. So we have John’s famous question,’ Are you he who is to come or should be look for another?’
Jesus lets John know he is doing the works of God; the blind see, the deaf hear, cripples walk, lepers are made clean and the poor are hearing the good news of God; they are important to God, loved by God. And blessed are they who take no offence, are not shocked by what I am doing. Remember how the Pharisees were shocked that Jesus ate and drank with sinners and that he cured a man on the Sabbath – they took offence at him.
There is a saying, ‘the more things change the more they remain the same.’ We are blessed to have a very human and a very understanding Pope, Francis. He comes from the very different culture of Latin America, where as his predecessors who come a European culture, John Paul from Poland, Benedict from Germany.
There are many in our Church, lay men and women, priests, bishops and cardinals who take offence at what he says and does as he tries to guide our Church into an unknown future. Pope Francis is accused of weakening the discipline of our Church, he lacks rigidity, he is too soft. His remark, ‘who am I to judge’ when asked about those struggling with their sexuality identity was a shocker. He does not prevent couples in second marriages from coming to Holy Communion as he reminds us that Holy Communion is not a reward for the righteous but a remedy for the weak.
Those responsible for our liturgy couldn’t believe it when Francis broke with tradition and the Pope washed the feet of women, one a Muslim, at a Holy Thursday celebration.
Pope Francis is imitating Jesus as he meets people where they are as Jesus met people where they were, be they tax collectors or prostitutes and walked with and led them on to the experience of God’s love and healing.
Could we imitate the example of Jesus and Pope Francis and accept family members and friends and patiently walk with them and support them as they grapple with their personal struggles, no matter what they may be. May we not be intimidated by those who take offence at our efforts to imitate Jesus and Pope Francis.
the God of all consolation, who comforts us in all our sorrows, so that we can offer others, in their sorrows, the consolation that we have received from God ourselves.
December 8th, 2019
Let’s think for a moment on the image Isaiah puts before us in our first reading. He uses the image of a stump of a once mighty tree representing the kingdom of Israel, a kingdom that had been cut down by defeat and exile. A dynasty left for dead.
And yet from that stump came new life, new growth, and a new future. From that stump came the promise of time of peace and justice – total opposites living in harmony; the wolf and lamb, the leopard and kid, the calf and the lion, the cow and the bear.
There can be times when we feel we’ve been cut down, we feel like that lifeless stump, we’re out of hope; we have nothing left. We feel that all our efforts to be good and loving people do not bear fruit. We struggle with our daily realty that the good we want to do, we do not do and the evil we would not do, we still do. We struggle every day to be loving and forgiving men and women. We try to be accepting of men and women who believe and live differently than we do. We try to be more aware of and sensitive to the needs of our neighbours. And when the sun goes down we know we haven’t lived and loved anyway near the image of harmony Isaiah offers in today’s scripture. We try to love others with the same generosity with which God has loved us but we know that is beyond us.
We have yet to see accept the truth that God does not erase our struggles, he is with us within them.
Advent is trusting the truth that God’s grace can bring new life and transformation out of the stumps of our lives because with God all things are possible. We wait on and work with God’s grace. As one of the saints said,’ all shall be well and all shall be well and every manner of things shall be well.’
We wish the imagery of the gospel might be true in our lives, our crooked ways made straight, our rough ways smooth, our high opinions of ourselves brought low so that nothing in our daily living could hinder the coming of God’s kingdom into that part of our lives which has yet to be redeemed.
May we all have the faith to believe that the shoot of Jesse is sprouting in all our lives. God’s transforming grace is not finished with us yet, there are more possibilities for goodness, for forgiving past hurt, healing old wounds, there are more possibilities for us to be more open, more accepting of people of other faiths, other life styles, other racial backgrounds from ourselves.
Our stumps, our struggles are filled with the possibilities of new life; God is not finished with any of us.
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
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