Bulletin: Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Posted 2022-01-14 by @saintmichaelyyc

What you need to know from this weekend’s bulletin:

God’s Overflowing Grace

January 16, 2021

There is one selection for the Prayer of the Faithful in the wedding booklet we use that includes wine as one of the items asked for the married people. It states: “For all married people… that they may savor the joy of being together, warm love, and children, a long life, wine, and friends, and a new day, every day…let us pray to the Lord.” Wine is not really a necessary item for a good marriage or the good life but for one reason or another, wine has become a symbol of the joy of living and loving. In one of the Psalms, it is said vinum laetificat cor hominis, that is, wine gladdens the hearts of people…

The overabundance of wine in this story goes beyond the wonderful story of the couple who, after being spared of the troubling misunderstanding between their respective families which would have ensued with running out of wine, should have lived happily ever after.

In Scriptures, the wedding banquet is used as the image of God’s kingdom. God’s people is often referred to as his bride. Christ is presented as delighting in his bride, that is, us, the church as the bridegroom of the Christ.

The miracle story is a sign that with Christ’s coming into our world, a new and wonderful age has come, a time of great abundance and overflowing blessings. The first reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah compares the renewal of God’s holy city and the blessings promised to God’s chosen people to a wedding feast. The imagery relates to the time of Christ’s coming into our world. In the second reading, Paul enumerates some of the gifts that are given to those who work for God’s kingdom.

This miracle story is a powerful story of God’s grace and presence in our life. With God’s sharing of our humanity through Jesus Christ, we share God’s divine life. God offers us the gift of a share in His life, the gift we call grace.

In our midst, we see God’s gifts and graces manifested through the generosity and love of our fellow believers who willingly share their time, talent and treasure to build and strengthen our community. The efforts of our volunteers who constitute the bulk of our workforce in this community are a testament of God’s overflowing grace and blessing for us. As a community, we have to be more expressive of our gratitude for God’s graces and gifts by becoming more faithful stewards of our life and its bountiful resources.

As we enter a new year, let us resolve to be more conscientious of the use of the world’s resources and the talents with which God has gifted us. Let us be more gentle with the personal relationships we have with one another.

FrEdmund@saintmichael.ca

Announcements:

Holy Hour

Fridays at 9:30 a.m.

Fridays, starting January 21, a Holy Hour will follow after the 9 a.m. Mass with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction at 10:30 a.m. As a community and for our community, let us adore the Lord in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar in silence and prayerful reflection. The Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be held in the Main Sanctuary every Tuesday, after the 6 p.m. Mass. Everyone is encouraged to attend.

Confirmation

Registration for the Sacrament of Confirmation is now open for anyone grade 6 and up. For more information or to register, please visit our website at https://saintmichael.ca/confirmation/.

We are currently looking for volunteers to help teach the Confirmation program beginning at the end of January. If you or someone you know is interested, please contact Francesca at sacramentprep@saintmichael.ca or at 403-249-0423 ext 126.

Bible Study

Mondays at 7 p.m. starting January 10

Please join us for a bible study via Zoom on Mondays at 7 p.m., beginning January 10. The first study of the winter/spring season will be a 6 session video study on The Creed with Bishop Robert Barron. For more information, contact Augusto at abitter@telus.net.

CWL Fundraiser Save the Date

January 11 to February 7

“Fish for Fridays” Lent Fundraiser, will be on-line ordering January 11 to February 7. Orders to be picked up at the church on Tuesday, February 22, just in time for Ash Wednesday on March 2.

To place an order, please visit: https://fundforward.ca/collections/st-michael-cwl-lent-2022.

Catholicism 101: What Do Catholics Believe?

Tuesdays at 7 p.m. starting February 1

Starting Tuesday, February 1 at 7p.m., this ten-week online course presents the central beliefs, teachings, and practices of the Catholic church. Each 1.5 hour session includes a short video from the Symbolon: The Catholic Faith Explained series and small group discussion. Contact Mark Richards at 403-836-0545 for more information. Go to saintmichael.ca/events to register.

Alpha Online

Wednesdays at 7 p.m. starting February 2

Alpha is an opportunity to explore life and the Christian faith in a friendly, open, and informal environment. It will run on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. beginning February 2 via Zoom. Gathering once a week over an eleven-week period, Alpha welcomes people from every walk of life, wherever they are on their faith journey. We will have time for connection, a talk, and small group discussion. Many are looking for meaning in their lives during this time and Alpha is a great place to start! Come and bring a friend! Call Mark at 403-836-0545 with any questions. For more details or to register go to: https://saintmichael.ca/alpha/.

Society of St. Vincent de Paul

Special thanks to all St. Michael parishioners for supporting the Society of St. Vincent de Paul! During the month of November we helped 18 families (25 adults and 9 children). We continue preparing for this year’s Christmas Hamper distribution.

We are looking for new members. If you are interested, contact us at SSVP@saintmichael.ca or 403-249-0423 ext 122.

Donations of non-perishable food items can be dropped off in the SSVP food chest in the gathering area. Currently we are looking for: cereal, pasta sauce, canned vegetables and canned fish/meat.

Monetary donations can be deposited in the drop-box in the food chest or by online donations through the St. Michaels Parish website https://saintmichael.ca/giving/. Please indicate funds are for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in the drop-down menu.

If you or anyone you know needs assistance, please contact us at SSVP@saintmichael.ca or 403-249-0423 ext 122.

Indoor Social Gatherings

Due to provincial temporary measures, indoor social gathering after Mass or in the parish halls is not permitted. Please refrain from socializing in the Church after Mass.

Mass Schedule for this Weekend

Saturday, January 15, 5 p.m. – Fr. Edmund Vargas

Sunday, January 16, 9 a.m. – Fr. Edmund Vargas

Sunday, January 16, 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. – Fr. Raul Hernandez

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Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, 16/01/2022, 679.41 KB