Bulletin: 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
What you need to know from this weekend’s bulletin:
Unity Begins With Us
January 18, 2026
This Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, we pray for unity of all Christians and all peoples of good will from many other religions working together for the good of all humanity.
As we reflect on Christian unity, we have to address our own respective sense of unity within our own church. We cannot really speak about unity with other Christians when we don’t appreciate and exercise our own commitment to unity among ourselves as members of our respective communities. In turn, we can only speak about such commitment to unity in our community when we live the unity and peace that should characterize our personal relationships in our loved ones in our respective families.
Some people have decided to fashion a life of aloneness and loneliness to escape the hurtful experiences in community and companionship. In a way, we have learned to avoid relationships in order to avoid being hurt. We avoid reaching out. We avoid getting involved in the activities and programs because we want to be left to ourselves. But as Christians, we have to reach out. Spreading the Good News is possible through our personal interaction with people. Like the original apostles, we are sent to proclaim the Good News of peace, love, and unity to all peoples, starting with our own families and communities.
Ironically, religion which teaches that we have to love one another, has become the cause of division and violence. Marriage and family, which most religions consider sacred, have become the venue for unspeakable physical, psychological, and sexual abuse. Churches, which act as the guardian of sexual ethics, have become the respondent for sexual abuse crimes.
Unity, based on mere human efforts, is an illusion. Unity has to be referred to Someone beyond ourselves. The transforming power of Christian love is what can make our life in community bearable and even beautiful. As we come together for the Eucharist which is the sacrament of unity, let us be reminded that Christ’s love for all of us is the source of our unity and strength as God’s people.
Healing Lines
St. Paul, in his Letter to the Corinthians, compares the church to a human body where all parts are necessary to make the body complete. In many ways a community functions the same way. Think about those in our church or in your community who may not feel included. Bring one such person to mind. What is one thing you can do as a congregation or community member to help that person feel included? “God, give me the strength and courage to risk reaching out to someone who I know does not feel included in our community. Be with me in case my friendship is rejected. Hold me in the palm of Your hand.”
Announcements:
Please see this weekend’s bulletins for all announcements:
A Season of Hope and Renewal
In the spirit of the Jubilee Year proclaimed by Pope Francis last year, our Diocese is launching a matching financial campaign for parishes called, Multiply the Hope. Once our parish has fulfilled all of its financial obligations for the year, every dollar contributed to reduce our parish loan will be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to our parish goal. Even after the Jubilee year concludes on December 28, 2025 the Diocese has extended this campaign to the end of 2027, giving us additional time to reach our parish goal. Our goal for this matching program is $510,569. This means that every contribution toward this goal has twice the impact, allowing our parish to move forward with greater freedom in strengthening the renewal priorities. You can visit our website at https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/33185 and make your contribution to the “Building Fund / Multiply the Hope Campaign”. We invite you to pray, to reflect, and to respond generously. Together, let us prepare a strong, welcoming parish home for all who seek Christ. Find out more about this campaign at www.catholicyyc.ca/multiplythehope
2026 Donation Envelopes
Next year’s 2026 donation envelopes are ready for pick up. They are arranged alphabetically on the table by the Mezzanine stairs until the end of January. After that, they will have to be picked up from the office. Please note: you may use envelopes only for the current year, all previous year’s envelopes must be discarded.
Elevation Youth Group (Gr. 4-6)
Youths in Grade 4-6 are invited to join our youth group: ELEVATION youth! Join us on Fridays from 6:30-8:30pm in the St. Nicholas Room for devotions, snacks, games, faith, and fun! The next session is on January 23. Pre-registration is required and capacity is dependent on volunteer availability. Register by scanning the QR code or by emailing youth@saintmichael.ca. All are welcome! If you are able to volunteer, please contact Gladys Doh gdoh@saintmichael.ca or Abigail Lewis youth@saintmichael.ca.
Saturday Night Lights
Youths in grades 7-12 are invited to an evening of music, food, friendships, and talks hosted by Access 52. Dates for the evenings are February 14, and April 25. This is a free event. Click here to register.
Potluck Sunday
Potluck Sundays for St. Michael Community will be on the first Sunday of each month at 6:00pm. The next Potluck Sunday will be on February 1. This is a free event. Please bring a main dish, bread, salad, pickles, vegetable tray, or dessert to share with others. Please bring your food ready to serve. Come celebrate our community!
Grief Share Program
Grief Share is a special weekly seminar and support group designed to help you rebuild your life after losing a loved one. Our group is led by caring people who have experienced grief and want to help you through the difficult times. This program consists of a video seminar (Christian based with personal stories from Christian experts who have experienced grief), group support discussions with facilitators, and a personal workbook. This is an 8-week program and will run from January 13 – March 3, 2026 on Tuesdays from 7:00-9:00pm in Rooms 143 and 144. Please note: the session on February 17 will be held in the St. Michael’s Room for this date only. Free will giving / $20 charge for the workbook. For registration, contact the Parish Office at 403-249-0423 or email: peggy.tan@shaw.ca
Vacation Bible Camp 2026:
“Rainforest Falls – Exploring the Nature of God”
Step through the mist into Rainforest Falls, overflowing with wild waterfalls, towering trees, and colorful creatures. Beneath a canopy of chattering birds and howling monkeys, kids plunge into a lifelong adventure of discovering the nature of God. Together we explore what it means to be rooted in relationship with God, Our Creator, a safe place in life’s storms.
Camp Dates & Registration:
The 5-day bible camp will run from Monday, July 6 to Friday, July 10, 2026 from 8:30am- 12:30am for children kindergarten to grade 12, with limited spots available. Online registration is now open! Please register ASAP https://forms.gle/m9NV6UosJbiz6Ffx5. Parent Volunteers/Adult Teachers needed: please contact Gladys (gdoh@saintmichael.ca) ASAP to volunteer.
Week-at-a-Glance: (Sat. Jan. 17 – Sun. Jan. 25, 2026):
Saturday, January 17:
CWL Membership Drive: after all Weekend Masses
Sunday, January 18:
CWL Membership Drive: after all Weekend Masses
Children’s Liturgy: 8:30am and 10:30am
Coffee Sunday: Narthex, after 9:00am & 11:00am Masses
Monday, January 19:
No event.
Tuesday, January 20:
Library Cataloging Resumes: Library Room, 9:00am – 11:30am
Rosary Group: Day Chapel, 5:20pm
Grief Share: Room 143 & 144, 7:00pm – 9:00pm
RCIA: St. Nicholas & Theater, 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Wednesday, January 21:
Men’s Ministry Resumes: Theater, 6:00am-7:30am
Coffee Wednesday: Narthex, after the 9am Mass
Woman’s Ministry Bible Study: Theater, 10:00am –12:00pm
Thursday, January 22:
Moms & Tots: St. Nicholas’ Room, 9:30am – 11:30am
Knitting Ministry: Library, 10:00am
Prayer for Christian Unity: Day Chapel, 7:00pm – 8:30pm
Friday, January 23:
Elevation Youth Group: St. Nicholas, 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Saturday, January 24:
SSVP Poor Box Collection: after all Weekend Masses
Sunday, January 25:
SSVP Poor Box Collection: after all Weekend Masses
Children’s Liturgy: 8:30am and 10:30am
Coffee Sunday: Narthex, after 9:00am & 11:00am Masses
Altar Server Training: Sanctuary, 12:00pm-2:00pm
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2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, 18/01/2026, 588.25 KB