What you need to know from this weekend’s bulletin:
A Christmas Appeal
December 22, 2024
Dear People of God at St. Michael’s,
Our warmest greetings for a Blessed Christmas and a Blessed New Year!
We realize that this Christmas will prove to be difficult for many of our struggling families. Hopefully, our Christmas Hamper program helps in making a difference with extra food for the families and gifts for the children.
This post-pandemic period has proven to be difficult and challenging in re-establishing the vibrancy of our parish, in terms of pastoral programs and community events. This is partly due to our financial position we currently find ourselves in.
In summary, we have to contend with the following numbers… As of November 2024, we have collected $1,495,542 with a total expense of $1,561,798, that is, with a running deficit of ($66,255.71). This includes the Building Fund income and expenses. The loan balance stands at $3,396,750.73. Our monthly amortization is $35,000, including $11,000 monthly loan interest. As of this writing, our Together in Action (TIA) collection is now $89,506.86 of the goal $121,243.00 with a balance of $31,736.14. We have received $29,999.86 for this month alone.
With Finance chair Michael McGee and the rest of the membership, we make this appeal for your support in resolving our fiscal dilemma. We realize this is a difficult time for so many of our families. Hopefully, some generous families and individuals would come forward to cover our current shortfall for the rest of our community. If you are planning on a making a Christmas donation, perhaps you might consider directing it specifically to TIA, as any shortfall from our obligation will need to be funded from savings!
We continue to be thankful to the Lord for the gifts and blessings that we have received as a faith community through the years. And we thank God for all your efforts to collaborate in our celebrations and activities. May God, who is never outdone in generosity, bless you for your generous love and concern for this community. We express our continuing commitment to work with love and dedication in the Lord’s Vineyard in this part of the world…
God bless… Fr. Edmund F. Vargas
fredmund@saintmichael.ca
Healing Lines
After Mary conceived Jesus, she was at risk of shame and ridicule being an unwed mother. God chose Joseph to take her as his wife and he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him, taking her into his home. As we await the arrival of Jesus, let us remember the obedience of Joseph with his love and caring for Mary. Men hold a special role in the prevention of violence against women and children. They can learn to handle their anger in a constructive manner, teach their children to develop healthy relationships and support violence prevention initiatives in our parish and communities.
Mass Schedule for this Weekend
Saturday, December 21 at 5:00 pm: Fr. Kelvin Chukwurah
Sunday, December 22 at 8:30 am Morning Prayer: Fr. Edmund Vargas
Sunday, December 22 at 9:00 am: Fr. Edmund Vargas
Sunday, December 22 at 11:00 am: Fr. Edmund Vargas
Sunday, December 22 at 5:00 pm: Fr. Kelvin Chukwurah
Christmas Mass Schedule
Christmas Eve, Tuesday, Dec. 24: 4pm, 7pm (live-streamed), 10pm
Christmas Day, Wednesday, Dec. 25: Mass: 9am, 11am (with incense and live-streamed)
Boxing Day, Thursday, Dec. 26: Daily Mass: 9am
Friday, Dec. 27: Daily Mass: 9am
Saturday, Dec. 28: Regular Mass: 5pm
Sunday, Dec. 29: Regular Masses: 9am, 11am (with incense and live-streamed), 5pm
New Years Eve, Tuesday, Dec. 31: Mass: 5 pm
New Years Day, Wednesday, Jan. 1: Mass: 9am, 11am (with incense and live-streamed)
Announcements:
Please see this weekend’s bulletins for all announcements:
Download St. Michael bulletin
Download Diocesan bulletin (Condensed)
Download Diocesan bulletin (Full Length)
Christmas Hampers 2024 Update
On December 16, in the spirit of our mission to warm hearts and heal wounds, our community provided 167 hampers for 664 people, gifts for 260 children, and diapers for 45 children. God bless our contributors and collaborators, the Knights of Columbus, That Man Is You, Lynda’s Coffee Ministry team, staff of John Costello school, our parish schools for their support, Co-op, Safeway, the parish staff, and the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul for the referrals. Total expenses include $64,000 on food, $10,500 through the Angel Tree. May God continue to bless the love and generosity of our parishioners. Wishing you all a blessed and peaceful Christmas! The Christmas Hamper Committee.
2025 Contribution Envelopes | Narthex | Pick Up December 21 and 22
Next year’s 2025 contribution envelopes will be available for pickup in the gathering area on December 21 and 22. Please look for your name alphabetically organized. If you have any questions, please call the parish office at 403-249-0423.
St. Michael Event Schedule
Weekly Events:
Sundays: Children’s Liturgy: Guardian Angel Room, Session A: 8:30am and Session B: 10:30am | Coffee Connection: After 9am and 11am Mass
Mondays: Bible Study: “Walking Toward Eternity”, St. Nicholas Room, 7:00-9:00pm
Tuesdays: Rosary Group: Day Chapel, 6:30pm | Grief Share Program: Rooms 143 and 144, 7:00-9:00pm | RCIA: St. Nicholas Room, 7:00-9:00pm
Wednesdays: Coffee Connection: After Daily Mass | Men’s Ministry: “Apostles of the New Springtime”, Theatre and Narthex, 6:00-7:30am | Women’s Ministry Bible Study: “Bread of Life”, St. Nicholas Room and Theatre, 9:30am-12:00pm
Thursdays: Moms and Tots: St. Nicholas Room, 9:30-11:30am | Knitting Ministry: Library, 10:00am-12:00pm
December 2024:
December 21 Simbang Gabi | Sanctuary | 6:30pm Carolling, 7:00pm Mass, 7:30pm Reception
Dec. 22, 29, Jan. 5 CANCELLED: Children’s Liturgy
December 26 CANCELLED: Moms & Tots
Dec. 26, Jan. 2, 9 CANCELLED: Knitting Ministry
Dec. 24, 31 CANCELLED: Rosary Group
December 29 CANCELLED: Coffee Sunday
Dec. 25 to Jan. 1 OFFICE CLOSED
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Fourth Sunday of Advent, 22/12/2024, 650.80 KB