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.
| Posted in Homily |
November 9th, 2019
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.
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.
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
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
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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
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/
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
“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
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!”
| Posted in Bulletin |
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?
November 2nd, 2019
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.
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!
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
Cardinal Collins has written a letter of gratitude to pastors and their communities for their hard work and generosity toward the ShareLife Campaign.
October 27th, 2019
The prayer of the humble pierces the clouds and it will not rest until it reaches its goal. Today’s gospel speaks for itself and warns about thinking we are better than other people.
The fact is the Pharisee and the tax collector was telling the truth about themselves. The Pharisee fasted twice a week whereas the Law required fasting only one day of the year. He was a generous supporter of the Temple. He should have stopped there.
The tax collector told the truth about himself. Tax collectors had friends in low places. They made their money by over -charging people. He was a cheat, an exploiter, a sinner. The prayers of this honest sinner pierced the heavens.
The Pharisee was a sinner as well but he preferred to boast about the good he did instead of admitting his faults. He was the centre of his prayer not God. He saw himself as a self- made saint. He blew it when he thanked God he was not other people, thieves, rogues, adulterers and tax collectors; the riftraths of society.
The tax collector knew he was a bad lot, he didn’t fudge his faults. His simple prayer was, ’Lord be merciful to a sinner. He threw himself on the mercy of God and was embraced by God.
The Apostle Paul knew he was a sinner, a persecutor of the church until Christ entered his life. He said of himself, by God grace I am what I am and his grace in me has not been in vain.
We all are blessed in one way or another with different gifts and talents. Being humble does not mean putting ourselves down, belittling the gifts we’re given. Our gifts and talents are gifts from God, gifts given to be shared with other people and be willing to rejoice with them and the gifts with which they’ve been blessed. Prayer that puts other people down I s not prayer at all. Our blessed mother was truly humble when she said, ‘He who is mighty has done great things for me and holy is his name.’
We can continue to celebrate our Mass thanking God we are like the rest of those around us, mistake making beings who live with our daily struggle; the good that we would we do not and the evil that we would not do, that we do. We all need God’s guidance , help and forgiveness. Admitting that we can leave here ‘justified’ which means we are in a right relationship with God and one another.
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
