Bulletin: 1st Sunday of Advent
What you need to know from this weekend’s bulletin:
The Advent of Christ’s Presence
November 30, 2025
Advent is a way of re-introducing Christ’s presence into our lives. It is a period of re-opening our eyes of faith to the reality of God’s becoming present in our humanity through Christ. It is an opportunity for us to re-examine the various ways of God’s presence in our midst, brought about by the Mystery of the Incarnation whose fullness was realized when Christ was born in time and in flesh.
Christ is present in the Sacraments, particularly in the Eucharist which He has commanded us to celebrate to perpetuate His presence. Christ is duly present in the papacy and the priesthood. Christ is present in Scripture, defined as the word of God in words of men. In the ministry of preaching, we have to understand the difficult meaning of the prophetic office of the Church where the preacher’s words, however inadequate, are used by Christ to convey His message. We have to acknowledge more and more Christ’s presence in our midst as we remind ourselves of His own words that He is in our midst every time we pray together in His name. Christ’s presence in each of us, created in His image and likeness, is a level of divine presence we have to appreciate more and more. To see the face of Christ in the poor and the destitute is for us more theoretical than real. Christ is present in the flashes of insight that open our eyes to see and recognize our wounded humanity which He has redeemed. The levels of Christ’s presence are too varied and too numerous to be missed, if only we have an open mind and heart.
Advent is the liturgical preparation to renew our faith in these different levels of Christ’s presence. It is about re-discovering Christ’s presence in our life. It is about becoming more aware of Christ’s presence in our search for healing and wholeness in our wounded humanity.
As a Church, we are a community of presence. We commit to a ministry of presence, to make Christ transparent in our lives, to be Christ’s hands and feet in this earthly pilgrimage. Christian life is about presence, about being generous with our time with others. During this season of giving, let us give gifts of personal presence, like promising to visit a sick or dying friend or committing to a date-night with your spouse or volunteering to help with housework. The best things we can give as gifts are not things. This season is about self-giving, following the example of Christ who gave up His divinity to share in our humanity, rooted in the first Christmas, when Christ decided to be present in our midst through His becoming flesh and living among us.
Healing Lines
“Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.” As things begin to get busy this time of year, we need to guard against increased stress and short tempers. Be sure to take care to keep a healthy perspective on the pressures and remember the true meaning of this time of year.
Announcements:
Please see this weekend’s bulletins for all announcements:
2026 Donation Envelopes
Next year’s 2026 donation envelopes will be ready for pick up on the weekend of November 29 and 30. They will be arranged alphabetically on tables by the main washrooms. Continue to use your 2025 envelopes until the new year. Please note: you may use envelopes only for the current year, all previous year’s envelopes must be discarded.
Advent: A Season of Hope and Renewal
As we begin the holy season of Advent, the Church invites us into a time of watchfulness, reflection, and joyful expectation for the coming of Christ. In the spirit of the Jubilee Year proclaimed by Pope Francis last year and set to conclude this December, 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 this year, 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. As we enter this Advent season, 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. May this season of expectation fill us with hope, and may God complete the good work He has begun in us. Find out more about this campaign at www.catholicyyc.ca/multiplythehope
Fr. Edmund’s 70th Birthday Celebration
Join us in celebrating Fr. Edmund’s 70th Birthday on Friday, December 5, 2025!! Mass will be celebrated at 6:00pm in the Sanctuary, followed by a reception in the Narthex hosted by the Knights of Columbus. If you would like to attend, please RVSP to efvargas@shaw.ca or text 403-874-2015.
Parish-Wide Advent Reconciliation Night
There will be a parish-wide reconciliation night on Thursday, December 18, 2025 from 7:00-9:00pm with a number of priests available to hear confessions. Consider this an opportunity to receive God’s mercy and grace.
Simbang Gabi
Simbang Gabi Mass will be celebrated at our parish on Friday, December 20, 2025 at 7:00pm, preceded by carols at 6:30pm and followed by a reception. Filipino families are encouraged to email Fr. Edmund at FrEdmund@saintmichael.ca or text him at 403-874-2015 if you are interested to help contribute to the reception.
Advent Renewal Diocesan Retreat (Day Chapel)
Saturday, December 6, 9:30am to 12:30pm. Coffee and muffins will be served in the Narthex at 9:00am.
Were you tired and worn out before Christmas last year? Did you spend enough time preparing for the true reason for the season? If you could have a “do over” would you take it? This year, why not begin your Christmas preparations with a half-day Advent retreat that will renew your spirit of listening as you enter the holy season of Advent. Join Archbishop Terrence Prendergast for a reflective diocesan retreat on how the living Word of God shapes our hearts for discipleship and mission. He is the author of Living God’s Word: Reflections on the Sunday Readings (Years A, B & C), a three-volume series based on his Gospel reflections originally published in The Catholic Register, Canada’s national Catholic newspaper. The archbishop is full of guidance and wisdom that will aid us all in our journey through Advent.
Fall Fundraiser
The last day to get your order in for our fundraiser is Sunday, November 30, 2025! With any purchase, you contribute to our Church’s finances while enjoying some delicious food over the Advent and Christmas period. orders can be picked up on Tuesday, December 9 from 4:00-5:00 pm at St. Michael’s Church. Please go to this link: St. Michael’s 2025 Fall Fundraiser – Fund Forward
Elevation Youth Group (Gr. 4-6)
Youths in Grade 4-6 are invited to join our brand new youth group: ELEVATION youth! Join us on Fridays from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the St. Nicholas room for devotions, snacks, games, faith, and fun! The next session of the program is on December 19 and will run until the spring. 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! We are also looking for volunteers to supervise activities, help with games, and provide a small snack for the group each week. If you are able to volunteer, please contact Gladys Doh gdoh@saintmichael.ca or our group leader Abigail Lewis at 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 November 29, January 10, February 14, and April 25. This is a free event. Click here to register.
Children’s Nativity Pageant: “Joy to the World”
This year’s Confirmation Candidates, Kids’ Kingdom, and Friends proudly present “JOY TO THE WORLD”, our annual Children’s Nativity Pageant. It will take place on Gaudete Sunday, December 14, 2025 at 1:00pm in the Sanctuary. Mass at 11:00am will precede the pageant and fellowship will follow the pageant in the Narthex. Tickets are free. Please RSVP as soon as possible HERE. Questions? Contact the Children’s Liturgy Coordinator at cdixon@saintmichael.ca. We look forward to seeing you all on Gaudete Sunday!
Christmas Hamper Program
“You, O Lord, are my hope.” (Ps 71:5)
Hamper Day: Monday, December 15, 2025 – We plan to prepare and deliver 170 hampers.
We have been busy accepting referrals from parish schools and our SSVP. We have reached maximum capacity, so your support is needed more than ever.
Volunteers:
Many thanks to all who responded so enthusiastically last weekend to our call for volunteers. More than 200 positions were filled, although we still need a few volunteers to help with Hamper Assembly during the daytime on December 15th, and more drivers to help deliver that evening. Please click here to sign up or come see the Hamper Committee Volunteers who will be stationed in the Narthex after all Masses this weekend.
Gifts for Children:
Thanks also to those who signed out an Angel from the Angel Tree to provide a gift. If you have signed out an Angel, it is very important to return the gift by the deadline to allow time to prepare it. If you cannot provide your gift in time, please either call the Parish Office or email christmashampers@saintmichael.ca
Referrals: Referrals for a hamper are accepted from parish schools, and through the SSVP intake line at 825-417-1720
Donate: We provide this program only through the generous financial support of our parishioners. Donations may be made: *the collection box, noted for Christmas Hampers, *online by clicking here. Tax receipts will be issued in Jan 2026.
Questions: christmashampers@saintmichael.ca
Elevator Upgrade
The elevator is back in service! Thank you for your patience while the upgrade was taking place. Those who are interested in supporting this special project ($61,766.14 + tax) may contact the Office or Fr. Edmund for details.
Together in Action (TIA)
This year’s goal is $121,243 and currently, we have reached 73% 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.
Christmas Mass Schedule
Christmas Eve, Wednesday, December 24:
Daily Mass 9:00am / Eve Mass: 4:00pm, 7:00pm (live-streamed), 10:00pm
Christmas Day, Thursday, December 25:
9:00am, 11:00am (with incense and live-streamed)
Boxing Day, Friday, December 26:
Daily Mass 9:00am
New Years Eve, Wednesday, December 31:
Daily Mass 9:00am / Eve Mass: 5:00 pm
New Years Day, Thursday, January 1:
9:00am, 11:00am (with incense and live-streamed)
Week-at-a-Glance: (Sat. Nov. 29, 2025 – Sun. Dec. 7, 2025):
Saturday, November 29:
Advent Recollection (Filipino Catholic Society): Day Chapel, 10:00am-12:00am
Christmas Hamper Volunteer Sign-Up & Angel Tree: Narthex, after all Masses
Saturday Night Lights Gr. 7-12: Sanctuary, 7:00pm
Sunday, November 30:
Children’s Liturgy: 8:30am and 10:30am
Coffee Sunday: Narthex, after 9:00am Mass
CANCELLED Coffee Sunday: after 11:00am Mass
Christmas Hamper Volunteer Sign-Up & Angel Tree: Narthex, after all Masses
SMCC Christmas Market: Mezzanine, 10:00am-2:00pm (closed during Mass)
Monday, December 1:
Bible Study: St. Nicholas’ Room, 7:00pm-9:00pm
Tuesday, December 2:
Rosary Group: Day Chapel, 5:20pm
RCIA: St. Nicholas Room, 7:00-9:00pm
Wednesday, December 3:
Men’s Ministry: Moved to Day Chapel for today, 6:00am-7:30am
Coffee Wednesday: Narthex, after 9am Mass
Thursday, December 4:
Moms & Tots: St. Nicholas’ Room, 9:30am-11:30am
Knitting Ministry: Library, 10:00am-12:00pm
Friday, December 5:
Fr. Edmund’s 70th Birthday: Mass Sanctuary 6:00pm, Reception to follow
Saturday, December 6:
Advent Renewal Retreat (Livestreamed): Day Chapel, 9:00am-12:30pm
Sunday, December 7:
Children’s Liturgy: 8:30am and 10:30am
Coffee Sunday: Narthex, after 9:00am Mass & 11:00am Mass
Potluck & Name Tag Sunday: Narthex, 6:00pm-8:00pm
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1st Sunday of Advent, 30/11/2025, 688.15 KB