Bulletin: 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time
What you need to know from this weekend’s bulletin:
Lazaruses at our Gates
September 28, 2025
In the Parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man, Jesus names the poor man but He does not give any to the rich man. We, people, usually give particular attention to those who are rich and famous but not to those who are poor. In society pages of publications, we carefully note the names of hockey players, actors and actresses, or politicians who attended functions but not really pay any attention to waiters or waitresses or those others in the background who apparently do not count. The problem with the rich man (traditionally referred to as Dives, meaning rich in Latin) was not his wealth, but his indifference to Lazarus and his misery. The rich man just did not care.
The parable applies to us on the individual as well as on the social level.
As individuals, we may not be financially rich, but we are all rich (that is, gifted) in something like intelligence, health, good looks, education, career, or friends. Daily, we encounter people who are far less gifted in one of these aspects. We sometimes tend to look down or be indifferent to those who are not very bright, uneducated, ugly ,or unpopular. We sometimes are not keen to smile or greet beggars or servers or janitors. Let us be more aware and conscious of those Lazaruses at our gates, so to speak. How attentive are we to the Lazaruses in our lives? Those who just want a ‘scrap’ of our time, treasure, or attention?
On the social level, we often hear or read about the phenomenon of the growing gap between the rich and the poor. This is true in our society’s classes as well as in our community of countries in the world. As a society, we have to do whatever it takes to reverse this trend. This is against the will of God in our world which He has created for all peoples. This growing disparity is also contributory to social unrest, conflicts, and terrorism. Peace is rooted in justice and in the equitable sharing of the world’s resources.
Fr. Edmund,
Healing Lines
September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The day remembers the children who never returned home and survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process. The orange shirt is a symbol of the stripping away of culture, freedom, and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations. On September 30, we are encouraged to wear orange to honor the thousands of Survivors of residential schools. As Jesus said, “There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of Me. For whoever is not against us, is for us.” When we stand in truth, reconciliation and love we are walking in the footsteps of Jesus.
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.
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.
St. Michael’s Feast Day
In celebration of the Feast of St. Michael, St. Gabriel, and St. Raphael, we have a special Mass on Monday, September 29 at 6:00pm, followed by a reception. Please RSVP to the attached form for the food reception numbers. A Blessed Michaelmas! https://forms.gle/ZPA5sAYgaDupvAvT7
Daily Mass Cancellations
Daily Mass be will be cancelled on Tuesday, October 7 and Wednesday, October 8 due to priest study days.
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
Parish Renewal Plan Launch – Save the date!
Mark your calendars! On the weekend of October 4-5, we will celebrate the official launch of our Parish Renewal Plan. This will be a time for thanksgiving and prayer as we begin implementing the vision and mission of our renewal journey. We look forward to celebrating with you!
Children’s Sacraments
Registration for all children’s Sacraments are now open! If you would like more information, or would like to register your children for Baptism, First Reconciliation/ First Communion, or Confirmation, please visit the Sacrament section of our website.
A Eucharist Series
A Eucharistic series is scheduled on three consecutive Thursdays, September 18 & 25, and October 2, starting with a Mass at 6pm at the Day Chapel, followed by a presentation on the following themes: Eucharist as Sacrifice, Eucharist as Communion, and Eucharist as Presence. Fr Edmund is our facilitator, who holds a Licentiate in Sacred Theology (1980) and Master of Arts in Higher Religious Studies (1980) from the Pontifical University of St Thomas Aquinas in Manila. All evenings culminate with a Q&A forum and a reception.
Eucharistic Consecration
Have you been preparing for Consecration to Jesus in the Eucharist? Our parish consecration will occur at all Masses on the weekend of September 27 & 28. To assist with planning, please use the link to RSVP:
Parish Pastoral Council
The Parish Pastoral Council is set to meet on Tuesday, September 30, 7pm at the St Michael’s Room. The council is now composed of the following: Brina D’Souza, Claudia P. Dutoit, Michael Fitzimmons, Keefer Gibson, Deana Helton, Sean Thomas Kelly, Marilyn Nasse (chair), Ken McKinnon, Gabrielle Puhl, Margaret Tapuska (secretary) & Usaze Uwagboe. Michael McGee (Finance chair), Fr Edmund & Fr Kelvin are ex-officio. The council membership has been selected after due consultation and prayerful reflection.
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. Sept. 27 – Sun. Oct. 5, 2025):
Saturday, September 27:
No events.
Sunday, September 28:
Coffee Connection: after 9:00am and 11:00am Mass
Children’s Liturgy: Guardian Angel Room, 10:30am
Altar Server Training: Sanctuary 12:00-2:00pm
Monday, September 29:
St. Michael Feast Day: Mass Sanctuary 6:00pm, Reception to Follow.
Tuesday, September 30:
Office Closed for Truth and Reconciliation Day
Rosary Group: Day Chapel, 5:20pm
RCIA: St. Nicholas Room, 7:00-9:00pm
Grief Share: Rooms 144 &145, 7:00-9:00pm
Wednesday, October 1:
Men’s Ministry: Theater and Narthex, 6:00-7:30am
Coffee Connection: after 9:00am Mass
Women’s Ministry: St. Nicholas Room & Theater, 9:30am
Thursday, October 2:
Moms & Tots: St. Nicholas Room, 9:30-11:30am
Knitting Ministry: Library Room, 10:00am-12:00pm
Eucharistic Series #3: Day Chapel, Mass 6:00pm, Talk to Follow.
Friday, October 3:
No events.
Saturday, October 4:
Blessing of Pets: Outside Main Entrance, 12:00pm-1:00pm
Sunday, October 5:
Coffee Connection: after 9:00am and 11:00am Mass
Children’s Liturgy: Guardian Angel Room, 10:30am
Potluck Sunday & Name Tag Sunday: Narthex, after 5:00 pm Mass
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26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 28/09/2025, 602.01 KB