April 13th, 2024
Our youth group will be preparing and distributing sandwiches across downtown Toronto next weekend on Sunday April 21st. All interested youth ages 12 & up may contact youth@stgabrielsparish.ca for more information and to register.
April 15th – April 21st, 2024
MONDAY – RUDY TRULLI TUESDAY – SUSAN BURR ✞ – Requested by The Taylor Family WEDNESDAY – WILLIAM McGUIRE ✞ THURSDAY – TINA INTINI ✞ – Requested by The Family FRIDAY – JARL-ERIK NYLUND ✞ – Requested by Luisa Nylund SATURDAY – DOSKO MILLIMONKA ✞ – Requested by Mary Anne Barnes SUNDAY – 8:30 AM – FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE PARISH SUNDAY – 10:30 AM – SUNDAY – 12:30 PM – LEAH FERNANDES ✞ – Requested by Lynette Fernandes
Through ShareLife, you help refugees find safety and freedom
Your generous gift to ShareLife is crucial for immigrants and refugees establishing a new life in Canada. Your love and support have not only provided them with safety and freedom, but have also given them the opportunity to create a brighter future in our community.
Please give at the parish using a ShareLife envelope, online through our parish website, or at sharelife.org/donate.
3rd Sunday of Easter 1st Reading: Acts 3.13-15, 17-19 2nd Reading: 1 John 2.1-5 Gospel: Luke 24.35-48 – Jesus Appears to the Disciples
We all love having friends and since we know what it is like to befriend other humans, we can extend this same means of friendship to Jesus because he too is fully human. However, this friendship doesn’t remain like all of our other friendships but is elevated to the status of being friends with God, since Jesus is also fully God. As stewards, let us take some time each day in prayer to converse with Jesus as we would a close friend and by doing so, enjoy friendship with God.
Thank you for your generous support of Rosalie Hall and the Good Shepherd Centre. Your food donations are always so important as numbers of people in need continue to increase.
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.
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.
Please check the expiry date before donating since we cannot pass on food that has expired.
Good Shepherd provides more than 240,000 meals a year to people who would otherwise go hungry. Please think about volunteering to help 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.
Your support is a tremendous help and is appreciated in the fight to end hunger and chronic homelessness. For more information, you may contact Irene Albrecht at 416-221-2791.
Join us for St. Gabriel’s Social Justice Movie Club and Discussion Group.
The first movie for viewing is “Kiss the Ground”, available through Netflix, YouTube and Google Play.
“Kiss the Ground” reveals that, by regenerating the world’s soils, we can completely and rapidly stabilize Earth’s climate, restore lost ecosystems and create abundant food supplies. Using compelling graphics and visuals, along with striking NASA and NOAA footage, the film artfully illustrates how, by drawing down atmospheric carbon, soil is the missing piece of the climate puzzle. This movie is positioned to catalyze a movement to accomplish the impossible – to solve humanity’s greatest challenge, to balance the climate and secure our species’ future.
You choose your level of participation, from simply watching the movie at home to having a thoughtful and illuminating discussion with other parishioners at the following date, time and place.
Gabriel Room on Wednesday April 17 at 7:30 PM
The movie has to be viewed at home and only the discussion will take place on April 17th.
Please contact the office if you have any questions regarding the Movie Club.
Saturday, May 11th, 2024, 9:30 am to 11:30 am.
Hosted by Father Ed Murphy at Blessed Trinity Catholic Church – 3220 Bayview Ave. Toronto M2M 3R7. This retreat is presented at no cost. Email the parish office to register – office@blessedtrinityparish.ca.
February 5th to April 15th, 2024
Theme: “This is a time when the world needs more love and compassion than ever.”
High school students (ages 13–19 years) in Catholic School Boards located in the Archdiocese of Toronto are invited to participate in this annual event that commemorates United Nations International Human Fraternity Day on February 4 every year. Students are encouraged to make a 3-minute video encapsulating the theme. They are encouraged to follow the guiding rules provided on the Catholic Register website and submit their entries by filling the details on the submission form located here: https://www.catholicregister.org/videocontest
CONTACT: interreligious@archtoronto.org or call 416-934-3400 ext. 527 for more information or questions.
Vespers Celebrating St. Gregory of Narek as ‘Abbot and Doctor of the Catholic Church’
St. Gregory of Narek, a revered saint in the Oriental Orthodox Church, has recently come into our Roman Catholic liturgical calendar. Join Archbishop Francis Leo and Bishop Abgar Hovakimyan (Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Canada) who will co-preside at a jointly prepared Armenian Vespers to celebrate this remarkable event on Saturday, April 27th, 2024 at 6:00 PM, hosted at Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church on 920 Progress Ave., Scarborough, Ont. M1G 3T5. A wide representation of church leaders in the Greater Toronto Area is expected at this event.
Brebeuf College School is celebrating its 60th anniversary and invites alumni back to the school for a Pub Night Reunion on Friday, May 3rd, 2024 from 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm.
On Sunday, May 5th, 2024 there will be a Mass, Barbecue, and Open House for alumni, students, staff, and their families. The Mass Celebrant is Archbishop Terence Prendergast, S.J. For more information or to RSVP, please email fmacgrath@gtigolf.com.
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 letter of reference from your pastor as part of your application. The letter 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.
The Spring issue of our newsletter “Growing News” is now available from the home page and the Garden Ministry page of the Parish website. We hope you will enjoy it and look forward to your “letters to the editor”.
If you would like to receive the latest copy as soon as it is printed send us an email and we will gladly put you on our email list. Email us at: garden@stgabrielsparish.ca
If you are an experienced gardener, or interested in learning and would like volunteer or take on the leadership of St. Gabriel’s community garden, growing vegetables for the Good Shepherd Ministries, please get in touch. You will be welcomed with open arms.
To volunteer or to obtain more information please email garden@stgabrielsparish.ca
St. Gabriel’s Garden Ministry would like to invite you to join us in the Gardens to help us accomplish the numerous tasks required to get the garden ready for the summer season.
Members of the ministry will be mixing compost into the community boxes, pruning/propagating, removing unsightly garden fabric, and installing rain barrels.
Please come out and join us to complete these tasks or feel free to pick your own chore.
Our Community is enjoined to help them design their logo.
Entries will be received from March 22nd to April 15th. The winning logo design will be announced on May 4th. Details are posted on the bulletin boards.
What kind of tree wishes you a good day?
| Posted in Bulletin |
April 6th, 2024
The Parish Family would like to congratulate the following:
Jean O’Neill, Fortune Okubanjo were received into full Communion in the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil.
Jasmin Hristov, Alexander Farrell received the sacraments of Baptism, the Holy Eucharist and Confirmation at the Easter Vigil
Chukwuemelie Evidence Uche-Okafor, Kiara Lleshi, Stela Lleshi, Madeleine Farrell, Henry Farrell were baptized and received the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist at the Easter Vigil
Aderinsola Okubanjo was baptized at the Easter Vigil.
We welcome them into our community and pray for God’s blessings for them as they begin their new life in Christ.
April 8th – April 14th, 2024
MONDAY – MEI YUNG FONG ✞ – Requested by Mary Chan TUESDAY – PETER McCONKEY ✞ – Requested by Patrick McConkey WEDNESDAY – FOR THE DESTITUTE, THE SICK AND THE DYING – Requested by Lydia McGrann THURSDAY – GEORGE EGERTON HALE ✞ – Requested by His Family FRIDAY – ARMAND OAKIE ✞ – Requested by His Family SATURDAY – MEI YUNG FONG ✞ – Requested by The Rosary Group SUNDAY – 8:30 AM – FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE PARISH SUNDAY – 10:30 AM – BRUNO CORTESE ✞ – Requested by Antonietta Cortese SUNDAY – 12:30 PM – SHAFFI MOHAMED ✞ – Requested by Diana Lau
Your ShareLife gift is a lifeline to families in need
Many individuals and families silently suffer from depression, anxiety, grief and trauma. ShareLife-supported Catholic Family Services agencies provide a lifeline to those dealing with mental health challenges.
“Your generosity allows us to assist some of the most vulnerable and marginalized members of our community. Without access to free support, they would be left alone and unable to get the help they need. Each donation impacts a life for the better. Thank you.” – Elizabeth Pierce, Catholic Family Services of Durham
Thank you to the volunteers who prepared 45 casseroles last month.
There was not a needy person among them. Acts 4: 34a NRSV
2nd Sunday of Easter – Divine Mercy Sunday 1st Reading: Acts 4.32-35 2nd Reading: 1 John 5.1-6 Gospel: John 20.19-31 – Jesus Appears to the Disciples
In the first reading we hear the wonderful account of the early Christians living a beautiful community of stewardship in which they were all “of one heart and soul.” Likewise, in the same way the early Christians offered all of themselves for the sake of the Church, we too should offer the gifts of our time and talent to our parish community. In this way, we will be able to echo the words from the first reading and joyfully proclaim: “There was not a needy person among them.”
“Kiss the Ground” reveals that, by regenerating the world’s soils, we can completely and rapidly stabilize Earth’s climate, restore lost ecosystems and create abundant food supplies.
Using compelling graphics and visuals, along with striking NASA and NOAA footage, the film artfully illustrates how, by drawing down atmospheric carbon, soil is the missing piece of the climate puzzle.
This movie is positioned to catalyze a movement to accomplish the impossible – to solve humanity’s greatest challenge, to balance the climate and secure our species’ future.
(February 5th to April 15th, 2024)
How many sheep do you think St. Gabriel’s flock has grown by over Easter?
March 30th, 2024
We want to wish you all a Happy and Holy Easter!
On this Easter, as we celebrate the Resurrection, we take a moment to keep our brothers and sisters in the Holy Land in our thoughts and prayers. We also take a moment to thank all our fellow parishioners who help make St. Gabriel’s Parish the vital and welcoming church that we are.
We are grateful to our Musicians, Cantors and Choirs, our Lectors, Altar Servers, our Youth, Ministers of Hospitality, the Counting ministry, our Finance Council, the Building Committee, those responsible for decorating the church, those keeping the altar linens fresh, all the members of our Garden ministry, those who serve on our Refugee committee, and our Mission Coordinators. Thank you!
The office is closed on Easter Monday, April 1st.
There will be no 9:00 AM Mass.
ShareLife: Embrace Jesus’ love and compassion through giving
Jesus’ love and example inspire us to extend a helping hand to others, especially those facing the greatest challenges. ShareLife agencies continue to reach out to the most vulnerable members of our community, offering essential services made possible by your compassion and generous contributions.
April 1st – April 7th, 2024
MONDAY – EASTER MONDAY – No 9:00 AM Mass TUESDAY – CHIARA INTINI ✞ – Requested by Carmina & Aldo Filice & Family WEDNESDAY – VICTOR D’SOUZA ✞ – Requested by Brenda D’Souza THURSDAY – LYDIA McGRANN – Requested by Ron & Anne Ackber FRIDAY – VLADO PETRANOVIC ✞ – Requested by Mira Petranovic SATURDAY – ALLAN PERSAUD ✞ – Requested by The Persaud & Goldenberg Families SUNDAY – 8:30 AM – FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE PARISH SUNDAY – 10:30 AM – LITA RAMONA ✞ – Requested by Loida Ganaden SUNDAY – 12:30 PM – VICTOR D’SOUZA ✞ – Requested by Brenda D’Souza
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.
Your food donations are so important as numbers of people in need continue to increase. Please check the expiry date before donating since we cannot pass on food that has expired.
Your prepared frozen casseroles are being collected at the Masses this weekend, March 30th/31st for delivery to the Good Shepherd Centre.
Your support is a tremendous help and is appreciated in the fight to end chronic homelessness. If you require more information, please contact Irene Albrecht at 416-221-2791.
Easter Sunday 1st Reading: Acts 10.34a, 37-43 2nd Reading: Colossians 3.1-4 or 1 Corinthians 5.6b-8 Gospel: John 20.1-18++ – The Resurrection of Jesus
These past forty days we’ve been preparing for this great feast where we will be met with the risen Christ yet how often do we fail to recognize Him in our daily lives? St. Teresa of Calcutta believes that we encounter Jesus through our neighbour as she says “I see Jesus in every human being. I say to myself, this is hungry Jesus, I must feed him.” This Easter, let us rejoice in Jesus’ resurrection and seek to find and serve Him in our neighbour by being good stewards.
February 5th to April 15th, 2024)
St. Gregory of Narek, a revered saint in the Oriental Orthodox Church, has recently come into our Roman Catholic liturgical calendar. Join Archbishop Francis Leo and Bishop Abgar Hovakimyan (Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Canada) who will co-preside at a jointly prepared Armenian Vespers to celebrate this remarkable event on Saturday, April 27th, 2024 at 6:00 PM, hosted at Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church on 920 Progress Ave., Scarborough, Ont. M1G 3T5.
A wide representation of church leaders in the Greater Toronto Area is expected at this event.
“Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Lk 24:5
March 23rd, 2024
Masses Sat., 4:30 PM Sun., 8:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM
No 9:00 A.M. Mass 7:30 PM Mass of the Lord’s Supper Followed by Adoration until 10:00 PM
3:00 PM – Solemn Passion of Our Lord 7:30 PM – Stations of the Cross Office Closed
No 4:30 PM Mass 8:00 PM Easter Vigil
No 8:30 AM Mass Masses: 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM
No 9:00 AM Mass Office Closed
EXTRA PARKING AT ELKHORN PUBLIC SCHOOL
ShareLife: Welcome Jesus into your hearts by sharing your blessings today
Today is Palm Sunday, a time in our Lenten journey when we are reminded of the importance of welcoming Jesus in our hearts. In the spirit of His teachings and example, let us extend our hands to those who need our help the most.
Thank you for living the Gospel by opening your hearts and sharing your blessings.
March 25th – March 31st, 2024
MONDAY – ALL SOULS ✞ – Requested by Mary Fernandes TUESDAY – MYNA & NOAH – Requested by Mary Fernandes WEDNESDAY THURSDAY – HOLY THURSDAY – No Intentions FRIDAY – GOOD FRIDAY – No Intentions SATURDAY – HOLY SATURDAY – No Intentions SUNDAY – EASTER SUNDAY – No Intentions
Palm (Passion) Sunday Procession Gospel: Mk 11.1-10 – Jesus’ Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem 1st Reading: Isa 50.4-7 2nd Reading: Phil 2.6-11 Gospel: Mk 14.1-15.47 – The Passion of our Lord
As stewards, we may sometimes forget the truth found in the paradox of the cross. It is not our own strength or achievements that make us great but it is rather our humility and obedience to God. As we enter Holy Week, let us take some time to meditate on the radical humility of Christ crucified and seek to imitate Him in our own lives.
“Christ’s Kingdom, though not of this world, exists in this world, in the Church.”
Archbishop Francis Leo, SEEKING THE KINGDOM OF GOD ABOVE AND BEYOND ALL THINGS, Page 11
Your prepared frozen casseroles are being collected at the Masses next weekend, March 30th/31st for delivery to the Good Shepherd Centre.
Saturday, March 23, 2024 8:30 – 9:30 PM.
Give an hour for Earth by saving energy.
Why was there no card playing on the Ark? (Hint: Because Noah was always sitting on the deck.)
March 16th, 2024
Wednesday, March 20 at 7:30 PM
Our parish Lenten Reconciliation Service will be held Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at 7:30 PM.
Thursday, March 21
Our parish day of confession will be held on Thursday, March 21, 2024 from 3:00PM to 5:00PM for those who wish to make their individual confessions.
Stations of the Cross will take place each Friday evening during Lent at 7:30 PM. You are also encouraged to attend our daily Mass as often as possible throughout Lent.
“… unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain, but if it dies it bears much fruit.” (John 12:24)
Show your love through ShareLife This weekend is ShareLife weekend.
This ShareLife weekend marks the first collection for our parish’s annual campaign.
Every day, young people in our community need a helping hand due to homelessness, trafficking, or violence. ShareLife agencies ensure the safety of youth fleeing violent homes and provide them a supportive place to stay. This is all made possible thanks to amazing people like you who choose to support ShareLife. We thank you for your kindness and generosity.
Our parish goal this year is $194,500. Please give at the parish using a ShareLife envelope, online through our parish website, or at sharelife.org/donate.
March 18th – March 24th, 2024
MONDAY – ARMAND OAKIE ✞ – Requested by The Family TUESDAY – BILL & JUANA RYDBERG – Requested by Juana Rydberg WEDNESDAY THURSDAY – SUSANNA WONG ✞ – Requested Jenny Lo FRIDAY – SUSANA CHAU DE ALMENARA ✞ – Requested The Melis Family SATURDAY – SALVADOR SAN JUAN JR. – Requested by His Wife and Family SUNDAY – 8:30 AM – FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE PARISH SUNDAY – 10:30 AM – JOVITA PINO ✞ – Requested by Josie Pino SUNDAY – 12:30 PM – CHIARA INTINI ✞ – Requested by Annibale & Oakie Family
5th Sunday of Lent 1st Reading: Jeremiah 31.31-34 ++ 2nd Reading: Hebrews 5.7-9 Gospel: John 12.20-33 – – Jesus Speaks about His Death
In the first reading, God tells the prophet Jeremiah, “But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” For the Lord to insist on writing the law on our hearts, He implies that this covenant will be extremely personal and intimate. Let us strive to go to Him and bear our heart to Him, that we may be able to grow deeper in relationship with Christ.
From Death to New Life March 23rd from 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon.
The Lenten Season can serve as a precious time of preparation for the glory of Easter. It is filled with desert experiences, wisdom teachings, and heartfelt farewells. These dry, wise, painful, and passionate times are reflected in our lives, especially for those who are grieving.
Grief is an emotion that is mutual for all humans especially as we experience the death of loved ones, separation or changes in our relationships, changes in our health or the health of loved ones, or transitions that bring changes in our way of life. We witness the process of grief throughout the Sacred Scripture. Many people in Sacred Scripture experienced deep loss, sadness, and grief including Job, Naomi, Hannah, the Blessed Mother, and even Jesus. In John 11:35, Jesus was so moved by the death of his friend Lazarus and by the grief of Martha and their friends weeping.
If you are interested, please register and save the date. Retreat Date: March 23rd, 2024. Time: 9:00 AM to 12 Noon. Registration Deadline: Thursday, March 21, 2024
Registration is a must and it is on-going now. Please contact StGabrielBereavement@gmail.com for the registration form and for any other questions. No walk-in participants will be allowed on the day of the retreat since it will be a closed session.
As we journey through Lent 2024, visit the CCCB website for the “Journey through Lent” video series from Ash Wednesday to the Fourth week of Lent:
in English: https://www.cccb.ca/lent/ in French: https://www.cecc.ca/careme/
We might have gained an hour of daylight last weekend, but what did we lose? (Hint: You don’t want to be caught doing this during the homily)
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 »
Listen to the audio
Watch Fr. Paul Cusack’s Funeral Mass (video)
Companion for the Walk of the Stations of the Cosmic Earth
St. Gabriel’s Garden – Guided Sensory Reflective Walk