Bulletin: 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time
What you need to know from this weekend’s bulletin:
Think & Thank
October 12, 2025
The British philanthropist, Moses Montefiore, has this motto in his home: “Think and thank.” It reflects the linguistic fact that the work “thankfulness” comes from the old Anglo-Saxon term which means “thinkfulness”. “Think” and “thank” come from the same root. To “think” of God’s blessings is to “thank” Him for them. We “think”, therefore, we “thank”. A thinking creature should be naturally and spontaneously “thankful”.
The celebration of Thanksgiving Day, a holiday in our country, is a testament of a people that is thankful for the bountiful blessings we now enjoy. The natural symbols we have in our sanctuary express our spirit of gratitude to God for His gift of life and its resources. We offer back to God what He has given us as gifts. When we offer up the gifts of bread and wine during the Offertory Rite, the priest prays on our own behalf: “Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation. Through your goodness we have this bread and wine to offer, which earth has given and human hands have made, they will become for us the bread of life and our spiritual drink.”
We imagine that everybody is naturally thankful, at least for the good things of life. But this may not be true. Many people go through life complaining and grumbling. They never say “thank you” to God or to anybody else. Perhaps, because they have never been taught to be grateful. As children, we are told to say “thank you” when somebody gives us something. Otherwise we would as children take the good deed for granted and say nothing. We are taught to express gratitude, to say “thank you” when somebody gives us something. Gratitude is a learned habit. It is incumbent on us to teach this virtue of gratitude to our children and our children’s children. We have to become a grateful people. Gratitude is a memory of the heart. Our children will learn and remember the various words and acts of gratitude we extend to others.
The Mass we attend and celebrate is a Eucharist. And Eucharist comes from the Greek verb “eucharisto” which means “I thank”. Each Mass in an act of thanksgiving to God. The Preface to the Eucharistic Prayer begins with these words: “Father, it is our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere, to give you thanks.”
Fr. Edmund,
Healing Lines
God knows that we are lovable and capable, but sometimes we don’t feel that way about ourselves. We can be tempted to let our mistakes and failures define us. Since abusive behavior often springs from how we respect ourselves and care for the image of God in us. What is one thing you can do for yourself on a regular basis that will make you feel good about yourself and make your life more balanced and harmonious?
Announcements:
Please see this weekend’s bulletins for all announcements:
October: the Month of the Rosary
The Catholic Church dedicates October as the month of the Rosary when Catholics honour Mary as the mother of Jesus and our mother. We invite family and friends to pray the rosary during this special month for devotion to Blessed Mary, Our Lady of the Rosary. At St. Michael Parish, please join us to pray the rosary: Weekdays at 8:20am: before daily Mass, and Tuesdays at 5:20pm: before evening Mass.
The Living Rosary
The Rosary Group and the CWL group would like to invite you to join us to pray the Living Rosary by candlelight on Tuesday, October 14 at 6:30pm after daily Mass (this will replace the regularly scheduled rosary time of 5:20pm for this day only). In a Living Rosary, each person stands in the place of a bead of the rosary and leads the prayer when it is their turn. Each person will be holding a torch candle and will light the candle when it is his or her turn. We will be in a circle shaped like a rosary. Please feel free to pray in your own language when it is your turn. We look forward to you to joining us and to pray the rosary together as a parish. Light refreshments will follow provided by the CWL group.
Children’s Liturgy of the Word 2025/2026
Beginning Sunday, October 19, 2025, Children’s Liturgy of the Word Session “A” 8:30am will resume as requested. If you haven’t already done so, please register your child online HERE. Questions? Concerns? Please contact the Children’s Liturgy Coordinator (Mrs. Dixon) at cdixon@saintmichael.ca
We are still in need of ADULT/ PARENT VOLUNTEERS for both sessions of Children’s Liturgy of the Word (Session “A” 8:30am and Session “B” 10:30am). Parents/Adults: please continue to signup for your shift (and/or for your YOUTH VOLUNTEER Gr. 7 to 12) in the “Guardian Angels Room” (weekly) as needed HERE .
Are you a NEW, or prospective Kids Kingdom Volunteer? Welcome to the team! Please contact our Volunteer Screening Coordinator Gladys Doh at gdoh@saintmichael.ca regarding any volunteer requirements (i.e. forms, training modules, protocols & procedures) ASAP.
Contribution Envelopes
We have several 2025 envelope boxes that have not been picked up. Please pick up your envelope box before October 31, 2025. If you do not pick up, your box number will be re-assigned. Please ensure you are only using the envelope box for the current year. We have reduced envelope boxes over the last several years which has resulted in changing of envelope numbers.
Righteous Sounds Concert
There will be a live concert called “The Righteous Sounds of Autumn” with The Inspiration Band (from the Sunday Evening Mass) on Friday, October 17 at 7:30pm in the Mezzanine. A live performance of powerful music selections for this Fall Season will be offered for your enjoyment. This is a free event.
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 October 25, November 29, January 10, February 14, and April 25. This is a free event. You may register by visiting the website https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/saturday-night-lights-youth-group-october-25-tickets-1708730341449?aff=ebdsoporgprofile
Together in Action (TIA)
This year’s goal is $121,243 and currently, we have reached 63% of this target amount. Thanks to your generosity, we reached this target amount last year. All surplus funds will go to our Building Fund to help pay our loan.
Week-at-a-Glance: (Sat. Oct. 11 – Mon. Oct. 20, 2025):
Saturday, October 11:
2025 Municipal Advanced Voting Last Day, St. Nicholas Room
Sunday, October 12:
Cancelled Coffee Sunday
Cancelled Children’s Liturgy
Monday, October 13:
Thanksgiving Day, Office Closed
Cancelled Bible Study
Tuesday, October 14:
Cancelled Grief Share
Living Rosary: Day Chapel, 6:30pm
CWL Meeting: 7:00pm-8:30pm
RCIA: Theater, 7:00-9:00pm
Wednesday, October 15:
Men’s Ministry: Theater and Narthex, 6:00-7:30am
Coffee Wednesday: Narthex, 9:30am-10:00am
Women’s Ministry: St. Nicholas Room, 10:00am-12:00am
Thursday, October 16:
Moms & Tots: St. Nicholas’ Room, 9:30am-11:30am
Knitting Ministry: Library Room, 10:00am-12:00pm
Knights of Columbus Meeting: Theater, 7:00pm
Friday, October 17:
Righteous Sounds Concert: Mezzanine, 6:00pm-9:00pm
Saturday, October 18:
No events.
Sunday, October 19:
SSVP Share Sunday, Catholic Education Sunday, World Mission Sunday
Coffee Sunday: Narthex, after 9am Mass & 11am Mass
Children’s Liturgy: 8:30am session added and 10:30am session continues
Monday, October 20:
2025 Municipal Voting Day, St. Nicholas Room
Bible Study: St. Nicholas Room, 6:30-9:00pm