February 22nd, 2025
Thursday, February 27th is the feast of St. Gabriel.
St. Gabriel, a member of the Passionist Community, was born Francis Possenti on March 1st, 1838 in Assisi. In September, 1856, he entered the Passionist novitiate but before his ordination, he contracted tuberculosis. He died February 27th, 1862 at the age of 24. Francis had a special devotion to Mary and chose as his religious name Gabriel of the Sorrowful Virgin.
He is remembered for his enthusiasm in life and his extraordinary generosity. Pope John XXIII proclaimed him as a special Patron of Youth. Mass will be celebrated at 9:00 AM.
Our parish is considering offering communion with celiac safe gluten-free hosts in the near future to parishioners requiring these. If this is your case, in order to help us assess the need, please let yourself be known, by visiting, calling or emailing the office. We do not require any specific information about yourself, other than what mass you usually attend.
Please stay tuned for further details about how and when communion with gluten-free hosts will be able to be received at St. Gabriel’s.
This Sunday, February 23rd after the 12:30 PM Mass
There will be a gathering for youth (Grades 5-12) and young adults (18 and older) on Sunday February 23rd after the 12:30 Mass. Join us for an afternoon of food, games, and activities tailored to our different age groups. All are welcome!
February 24th – March 2nd, 2025
MONDAY – SHEILA EMBLEM ✞ – Requested by Anne Marie Bielska TUESDAY – JOSEPH & KATHLEEN McCARTHY ✞ – Requested by Agnes Gaughan & Family WEDNESDAY – ANA SANTOS & FAMILY – Requested by Warren & Judy Webb THURSDAY – BRENDAN KERR ✞ – Requested by Nora Kerr FRIDAY – BORIS CELIS ✞ – Requested by the Macaraeg Family SATURDAY – PETER & BRIDGET PEREIRA ✞ – Requested by Sophie & Candida Pereira SUNDAY – 8:30 AM – FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE PARISH SUNDAY – 10:30 AM – LYDIA McGRANN – Requested by Ron & Anne Ackber SUNDAY – 12:30 PM – ANDREW HUI ✞ – Requested by Howa Hui
Pope Francis is suffering from an “infection of the respiratory tract,” test results revealed Feb. 17th, “which required a further modification of his therapy,” a Vatican medical bulletin said. Please pray for his speedy recovery.
Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, February 23rd, 2025
Psalm 103
Were we to pick favourites, this psalm would surely be the favourite of many.
We are invited to bless the Lord, to call out God’s holiness, and never to forget all of God’s benefits.
God forgives all, heals all, and redeems your life.
This psalm concludes as it began, with these words to hold in our heart: “Bless the Lord, O my soul.”
All Parishioners are invited to celebrate the Opening Jubilee Year Mass in the Central Region of the Archdiocese of Toronto.
The mass will be held at: St. Edward the Confessor Church (75 Churchill Ave) on Tuesday Feb 25th, celebrated by Cardinal Francis Leo
Mass begins at 7:00 PM Confession time from 5:30 PM to 6:45 PM No need to register. Just come!
Thank you for your generous support of Rosalie Hall and the Good Shepherd Centre.
Rosalie Hall is an accredited children’s mental health facility focusing on the needs of pregnant and parenting youth ages 12-25, their children, and their families. Here the needs of young families are met, offering prenatal and parenting classes as well as staff to aid in the transition to parenthood. A school program enables clients to finish high school. The food we donate from our parish often replenishes their empty food bank.
Good Shepherd provides hot meals, clean clothes and shelter for the homeless in our city They help find housing and provide follow up support. They support the homeless who are working to overcome addictions and provide a chance to start again through the Resettlement or DARE Programs.
Your food donations are so important as numbers of people in need continue to increase. Please check the expiry dates before donating since we cannot pass on food that has expired.
Your participation in the 2024 ShareLife Parish Campaign has been truly extraordinary, achieving a record-breaking $14.4 million raised. Your compassion is making a meaningful difference in the lives of the most vulnerable members of our community.
In acknowledgement of your kind generosity, Archbishop Francis Leo extends his heartfelt gratitude to all. His letter expressing thanks for the positive impact you have made is posted on our bulletin boards.
If you are planning to be a teacher, it is important for you to know that to be hired to teach in any Catholic school board in Ontario, there must be a reference form from your pastor as part of your application.
The form explaining that you belong to and participate in the community cannot be written if your pastor does not know you. It is recommended that you have a conversation with him early in the process well before the applications are to be submitted.
As Ontarians prepare for a provincial election on February 27th, 2025, Catholics are encouraged to both learn more about the candidates and parties seeking our support and to vote as part of the democratic process.
To assist with this process, two resources may be helpful as Catholics prayerfully discern their vote in the coming days:
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Toronto has prepared a 2025 Ontario Election Guide.
Catholic Conscience has prepared “Voting Like A Catholic”, a 2025 Provincial Election Resource.
Both resources are available on the Archdiocese website, archtoronto.org.
We pray for all those who serve in elected office and for those who will form the next provincial government. May they lead prudently and thoughtfully, discerning how to best strengthen our communities and province for years to come.
Saint Thomas More, patron saint of politicians, pray for us.
Sunday, February 23, 2025 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
St. Luke’s Catholic Church, 39 Green Ln., Thornhill
AN IN-PERSON EVENT SPONSORED & RECOMMENDED BY THE OFFICE FOR INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE
Commemorating the 60th anniversary of Nostra Aetate, this special event brings together faith leaders from diverse traditions. Speakers include representatives from Islam, Zoroastrianism, Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity, Buddhism and Sikhism. Musical accompaniment by Greg Benoit, Music Director at St. Luke’s Catholic Church.
Registration is required: https://bit.ly/40wc9lM
Come together in an open and neighbourly spirit, sharing our common hopes for understanding and peace.
February 5 to April 15, 2025
Theme: Faith as a Pathway from Division to Unity
High school students (aged 13 to 19 years) in the Catholic School Boards within the Archdiocese of Toronto are invited to participate in this annual celebration of the United Nations International Human Fraternity Day on February 4 each year.
Students are encouraged to create a three-minute video that captures this year’s theme. Please adhere to the guidelines provided on our website and submit your entries via the submission form at https://bit.ly/DFVCSubmission
For further information, please contact us at interreligious@archtoronto.org or call 416-934-3400 ext. 527.
March 14th to March 16th, 2025
St. Augustine’s Seminary
The Office of Vocations will be hosting a Come & See Weekend Discernment Retreat for men 18 years and older, at St. Augustine’s Seminary on Friday, March 14th at 6;30 PM until Sunday, March 16th at 2:00 PM. This Retreat offers a way for men to discern a possible call to priesthood at our seminary.
Registration must be done online at www.vocationstoronto.ca/comesee.
Manresa Jesuit Renewal Centre 2325 Liverpool Rd., Pickering, (at top of Liverpool Rd., N. of Finch)
Friday, March 14th to Sunday, March 16th , 2024
Theme: The Wisdom of Henri Nouwen: Guidance for the Lenten Journey
One of Henri Nouwen’s greatest gifts was his ability to help people connect with their vulnerabilities in order to grow in trust and intimacy. This Lenten retreat will consider this and other common themes in Nouwen’s writing, such as being the beloved of God, giving and receiving forgiveness, growing in hope, and accepting one’s limitations.
The focus will be on providing concrete ways to incorporate these ideas into our prayer lives. The retreat will take place from Friday, March 14th to Sunday, March 16th. The facilitator will be Fr. Kevin Kelly, S.J. For more information contact Manresa: 905-839-2864 To register go to https://manresa-canada.ca/events/
July 23rd to August 5th, 2025
Calling all young adults (ages 19 – 39), join Fr. Paul Magyar and the OCY team for a pilgrimage of a life time! We will be embarking on a pilgrimage to Venice, Padua, Florence, Assisi and Rome from July 23rd to August 5th, 2025.
Please contact youth@archtoronto.org to receive the pilgrim information package and detailed itinerary.
Please consider giving your offertory by picking up Envelopes, enrolling in Pre-Authorized Giving (PAG), or Donate Now (through the Archdiocese of Toronto website).
Offertory envelopes for 2025 are still available in the Gabriel Room. Boxes are usually not assigned to parishioners who are donating via Pre-Authorized Giving or Donate Now through the Archdiocese.
To ensure the proper recording for tax receipt purposes, please do not use any envelopes from 2024 or any prior year for any 2025 donations.
Please contact the parish office at 416-221-8866 with any questions
What do you call a dinosaur with an extensive vocabulary?
A thesaurus
| Posted in Bulletin |
February 15th, 2025
Monday, February 17th
Monday February 17th is Family Day, a day to celebrate our families. The Parish Office will be closed and there will be no 9:00 AM Mass on that day.
Sunday, February 23rd after the 12:30 PM Mass
February 17th – February 23rd, 2025
MONDAY – FAMILY DAY – No 9:00 AM Mass TUESDAY – CATHY & JOYCE DRAB ✞ – Requested by their Family WEDNESDAY – MATILDA BARROS – Requested by Agnes Gaughan & Family THURSDAY – MARY HIGGINS – Requested by Agnes Gaughan & Family FRIDAY – SANDRA CANDIDO – Requested by Janet Candido SATURDAY – DIVIA HAZA-BENAVIDES & LORENZO HAZA JR. ✞ – Requested by Andrea Mesa SUNDAY – 8:30 AM – FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE PARISH SUNDAY – 10:30 AM – KOK YAU MEI ✞ – Requested by Kok Yau Lam SUNDAY – 12:30 PM – HAU CHANG FAT ✞ – Requested by Kok Yau Lam
Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, February 16th, 2025
Psalm 1
Blessed is the person who does not pursue wickedness, but delights in God’s Law.
Let’s look to today’s first reading from the prophet Jeremiah and to today’s Gospel as Jesus describes that blessing for us.
Blessed are we when we rely on God alone. For then we shall be filled, then we shall laugh, then we shall leap for joy!
All Parishioners are invited to celebrate the Opening Jubilee Year Masses in the Central Region of the Archdiocese of Toronto.
The masses include:
All Masses begin at 7:00 PM
Confession time from 5:30 PM to 6:45 PM
No need to register. Just come!
Next Weekend, February 22nd/23rd
Your prepared frozen casseroles will be collected at all the Masses next weekend for delivery to the Good Shepherd Centre. Many more volunteers are needed to help feed the hungry in our city.
Three recipes are available on St. Gabriel’s web site. Printed copies of the recipes are also available in the Parish Office. Pans can also be picked up here in the office. Please remember to mark the label on the pan lid with the name of the casserole. For more information, you may contact Irene Albrecht at 416 221-2791
Free Trade coffee will be sold after all the Masses next weekend. The cost is $7.00 per bag.
Thursday, February 20, 2025 from 7:00 to 9:00 PM
St. Peter’s Church, 840 Bathurst Street, Toronto
Join the Sisters of Life and the Office of Catholic Youth for an evening of prayer. Spend some time with Our Lord amidst your busy schedule with the source and summit of our faith – Jesus in the Eucharist. There will be some time for fellowship and refreshments after the Holy Hour. This event is open to all parishioners and visitors!
Holy hour with music: 7:00 PM Confessions available Social: 8:00 to 9:00 PM
Thursdays, February 20th, 27th, March 6th, 13th, 20th & 27th, From 7:00 to 8:30 PM
Registration is now open for the annual archdiocesan training for bereavement ministry. Training will be offered online on Thursdays, February 20th, 27th, March 6th, 13th, 20th & 27th, 2025 from 7:00 to 8:30 PM.
This training is designed for new and seasoned parish bereavement ministers. Registrants are required to participate in all online sessions, complete pre-homework and pass final assessment to receive full training. There is no cost to attend but registration is required.
Please let Sr. Maria Lucia know via email if you are interested so she can have a conversation with you about it no later than February 1st. Capacity is limited, so contact Sr. Maria Lucia at: stgabrielbereavement@gmail.com so that she can register you directly for the training sessions.
Saturday, February 22nd, from 2:30 PM to 5:00 PM
Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, 520 Sherbourne St., Toronto.
You are invited to our Lady of Lourdes Church for a Eucharistic celebration of African Heritage/Black History 2025 at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish.
Traditional or cultural attire is encouraged. For more information please contact Our Lady of Lourdes Parish at ollourdesto@archtoronto.org or phone 416-924-6257.
March 14 to March 16, 2025 at St. Augustine’s Seminary
The Office of Vocations will be hosting a Come & See Weekend Discernment Retreat for men 18 years and older, at St. Augustine’s Seminary on Friday, March 14 (6:30 PM) until Sunday, March 16 (2 PM). This Retreat offers a way for men to discern a possible call to priesthood at our seminary.
Please contact the parish office if you have any questions at 416-221-8866.
What do you call group of rabbits marching backwards?
A receding hareline
February 10th, 2025
| Posted in Events |
February 8th, 2025
February 10th – February 16th, 2025
MONDAY – ANN GRACE THOMAS RAJAN ✞ – Requested by Therese Thomas TUESDAY – DIVIA BENAVIDES ✞ – Requested by the Family WEDNESDAY – BORIS CELIS ✞ – Requested by His Family THURSDAY – TONINO DIDIODATO ✞ – Requested by the Family FRIDAY – CHRISTINA MEDA ✞ – Requested by Karen Crichton SATURDAY – ODELIA ZERNA ✞ – Requested by Karren Ramos SUNDAY – 8:30 AM – FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE PARISH SUNDAY – 10:30 AM – NICOLA VUKOVIC ✞ – Requested by His Family SUNDAY – 12:30 PM – KOK YAU BO ✞ – Requested by Kok Yau Lam
Francis Leo
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, February 9 2025
Psalm 138
Today’s psalm sings out loudly of the steadfast love and graciousness of the Lord. Such is the basis of our hope, repeated often in the Psalms.
We respond to the Prophet Isaiah’s experience of God: “The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.”
Begins Wednesday, January 22nd at 10:00 AM
The Toronto Catholic District School Board welcomes families with junior kindergarten-aged children (born in 2021) to register for the September 2025/2026 school year.
The Elementary Student Online Registration 2025/26 is now available. Please complete an application at http://soar.tcdsb.org.
The following original documents for your child are required upon registration:
For more registration information, please email: admissions.registration@tcdsb.org or phone 416-222-8282 ext. 5320
Saturday, February 15, 2025 from 10:00 to 11:00 AM
51 Centre St. S., Oshawa
Join Christians from various traditions for prayer and reflection on the Fatherhood of God. This event will engage our faith in the mission of God’s triune love and what this means for the churches’ shared witness and service.
It is part of a year-long series of monthly ecumenical gatherings celebrating the 1,700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council held in Nicaea.
This is an opportunity to journey together through the Nicene Creed and consider its legacy for ecclesial life today.
Holy hour with music: 7 p.m. Confessions available Social: 8-9 p.m.
Offertory envelopes for 2025 are still available in the Gathering Space. Boxes are usually not assigned to parishioners who are donating via Pre-Authorized Giving or Donate Now through the Archdiocese.
What do you call a moose with no name?
Anonymous
February 1st, 2025
Sunday, February 9th after 12:30 PM Mass
Wednesday, January 29th marked the beginning of Lunar New Year for 2025. This year is the Year of the Snake. For many years, the Asian community in our parish has gifted our parish community with a wonderful Lunar New Year Party.
This year, the Lunar New Year Celebration will take place on Sunday, February 9th after the 12:30 PM Mass in the Gathering Space. There will be foods, candies, Chinese goodies, coffee and tea. All are welcome.
February 3rd – February 9th, 2025
MONDAY – MARIA CONVERTINI ✞ – Requested by Angela Convertini TUESDAY – SOM ONG ✞ – Requested by Hilly Tan & Family WEDNESDAY – HUI SOU LIN ✞ – Requested by Linda Law THURSDAY – ODILIA YIU ✞ – Requested by Her Family FRIDAY – PANG KIT YU ✞ – Requested by Yeung SATURDAY – GERALDINE WALSH ✞ – Requested by Roland & Christine Kilchling SUNDAY – 8:30 AM – FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE PARISH SUNDAY – 10:30 AM – CHIU LAI SAU ✞ – Requested by Kok Yau Lam SUNDAY – 12:30 PM – HELEN NG ✞ – Requested by Her Classmates at Sacred Heart Canossian College
St. Paul’s Basilica (83 Power Street) on Wednesday Feb.12th, celebrated by Bishop Kasun St. Mary’s Church (588 Adelaide Street) on Thursday, Feb. 20th, celebrated by Bishop Kasun St. Edward the Confessor Church (75 Churchill Ave) on Tuesday Feb 25th, celebrated by Cardinal Francis Leo
All Masses begin at 7:00 PM Confession time from 5:30 PM to 6:45 PM No need to register. Just come!
Presentation of the Lord. February 2nd , 2025
Psalm 24
On this feast, we respond to the words of the prophet Malachi with this psalm praising the King of Glory.
So great is this Holy One that even the gates must be raised to accommodate him.
God does not need our praise; however it is truly right and just for us to give God thanks and to praise God. Which is what Psalm 24 and many psalms do.
“The Lord of hosts, he is the King of Glory.”
Sunday, February 9th at 2:30 PM
St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica, 65 Bond St. Toronto
As part of Marriage Sunday 2025 celebrations, Bishop Ivan Camilleri will preside at a special Mass to honour married couples, with special recognition for those celebrating 25th, 40th, 50th, 60th and 60+ wedding anniversaries in 2025. This occasion highlights the importance of the institution of marriage rooted in faith, affirms couples who strengthen our faith community through their witness, and complements World Marriage Sunday celebrations that take place across North America.
The Mass will take place at 2:30 PM on Sunday, February 9th, 2025 at St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica All married couples will have an opportunity to renew their marriage commitment. All are welcome to attend. Couples celebrating a 25th, 40th, 50th, 60th or 60+ anniversary in 2025 may register for reserved seating. All other seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.
For those unable to attend in person, the Mass will be streamed live on the St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica website: https://www.stmichaelscathedral.com/live/ for those wishing to tune in. The broadcast will begin at 2:15 PM.
Thank you to the volunteers who prepared 36 casseroles for January. For February, your prepared frozen casseroles will be collected at all the Masses on the weekend of February 22nd/23rd to be delivered to the Good Shepherd Centre.
You may pick up a copy of a casserole recipe and a pan from the Parish Office. Three recipes are also available on St. Gabriel’s website. Please remember to mark the label on the pan lid with the name of the casserole.
More volunteers are urgently needed to help feed the hungry in our city. For more information, please contact Irene Albrecht at 416 221-2791.
Reflection and prayer, a journey through the Nicene Creed
Christians from various traditions in the Archdiocese of Toronto will celebrate the unity that we share in Jesus Christ throughout 2025 in the Greater Toronto Area and commemorate the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea.
All are cordially welcomed to join their neighbourhood events. For details, please see the poster on our bulletin boards.
Contact ecumenical@archtoronto.org or call 416-934-3400 ext. 527 for more information.
What do you call a droid that takes the long way around?
R2-Detour
Wednesday, February 12th from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Online
AN ONLINE EVENT RECOMMENDED BY THE OFFICE FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIAN UNITY AND RELIGIOUS RELATIONS WITH JUDAISM
Join Rabbi Fred Guttman for an enlightening exploration of Judaism and the Holocaust. This webinar offers a profound look into Jewish life, culture and the critical importance of understanding the human stories behind historical events. This session provides insights into the rich traditions of Judaism and the lasting impact of the Holocaust. Learn how understanding cultural context deepens our collective memory and promotes mutual respect.
For more information and to register, please visit this link: https://info.echoesandreflections.org/teaching-concept-oriented-judaism
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
