Bulletin: 2nd Sunday of Advent
What you need to know from this weekend’s bulletin:
The Silence & Voice of John the Baptist
December 7, 2025
John the Baptist somehow embodies this theme of silence that breaks into voicing out truth. His life and ministry were marked with silence and prayer before he appeared in the public scene to proclaim the coming of the Messiah, inviting his listeners to prepare for His coming by acknowledging their sins and asking for forgiveness. His proclamation of God’s coming was preceded by an intense preparation in silence and solitude, symbolized by his desert experience. His prophetic ministry reminds us of our need for silence and prayer, for the work of proclaiming God’s gospel of love and healing.
We are now in a period of preparation for Christ’s coming into our lives. In the midst of difficulties and challenges, we try to keep our silence to hear and listen to God’s invitation to welcome Christ into our hearts in the spirit of the Christmas season. Focus on Christ requires some form of silence, a stillness, and a solitude that disposes our soul to the promptings of God’s spirit. This silence and stillness can make us listen more to the meaning of the celebration of Advent and Christmas.
For a lot of people, especially those who are victims of violence and abuse, Christmas may not really appeal to them as a gentle scenery of the Baby Jesus in the manger with shepherds, angels, and kings with exotic gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh in the background. Such Christmas stories are so sanitized and so secure for their own appreciation when they have to deal with abusive situations, violent struggles, or emotional distress.
But there is the other side of the Christmas story that can relate with people who are dealing with abuse and violence. It speaks about the painful processes required to come up with gentle scenery. The gentle scenery was brought about, as it were, by the agonizing experiences of the main characters involved in the history of our salvation. The immediate preparation for that gentle scenery involved John the Baptist, the voice crying in the wilderness, who lived in self-sacrifice and eventual martyrdom. It took exceptional courage for Mary to accept the mother of the Savior as well as for Joseph to take Mary as his wife. The aftermath of the gentle scenery was even more disturbing. The Holy Family had to flee to Egypt as King Herod ordered his army to slaughter all children under age two in Bethlehem in a murderous search for the Child. The violent events in the Old Testament, including the murder of the prophets, remotely preceded the realization of the gentle scenery. Like the pangs of birth, the Christmas story was marred with bloody circumstances and a history of violent events, courageous acts, and difficult decisions.
As we prepare for Christmas, let us learn to experience not only its gentleness, peace, and joy but also its aspects of fear, insecurity, and violence. Christ’s birth does not save us from the harsh realities of life. But He equips us with the grace to face our fears and frustration in the faith that love can overcome hate, that goodness can overcome evil, that life can and does overcome death.
Healing Lines
December 6 is National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. Established in 1991 by the Parliament of Canada, this day marks the anniversary of the murders in 1989 of 14 young women at École Polytechnique de Montréal. They died because they were women. As well as commemorating the 14 young women whose lives ended in an act of gender-based violence that shocked the nation, the day is an opportunity to reflect on violence against women. It is also an opportunity for Canadians to consider the women and girls for whom violence is a daily reality, and to remember those who have died as a result of gender-based violence. And finally, it is a day on which communities can consider concrete actions to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls.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.
Fall Fundraiser
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
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
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.
Holy Night Movie
This Christmas, prevent stress, anxiety, and burnout; enhance your relationships with family, friends, and colleagues; grow your capacity to love and be loved; increase your enjoyment of the holiday season. HOW? Join us in a morning retreat on Saturday, December 13 with the following times:
9:30-10:00am – Coffee, Tea, Christmas Baking
10:00-10:55am – Viewing of “Holy Night” (47 minutes) (a segment from the marvelous series The Chosen)
10:55-11:45am – Conversation and Sharing
11:45am-12:00pm – Advent Prayer Experience
Sign up at: https://forms.gle/ybSF4YrixhzGyPwF6
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 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 184 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:
Your response to our request for volunteer assistance is amazing! We have almost 400 individual volunteer spots filled, with some folks filling multiple spots. We still need 20 more pairs of drivers to help us get all the hampers out on the evening of December 15. If you are able to drive, please email us at christmashampers@saintmichael.ca, or please use the link/QR Code below to sign up. If your plans have changed, and you need to cancel your volunteer spot, please do so also using this link, as we will attempt to fill any empty spots prior to December 15th. Click here to manage your volunteer signup. .
Angel Tree:
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 this Sunday, December 7th 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
Donate:
We reached our planned capacity much earlier than expected, and have decided to increase the number of hampers we are providing this year. Our plan is to provide 184 hampers, revised up from our initial budgeted 170 hampers. We need your financial support more than ever. Donations may be made via: *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. Dec. 6, 2025 – Sun. Dec. 14, 2025):
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
Simbang Gabi Volunteers Meeting: St. Michael’s Room, 12:00pm
Potluck & Name Tag Sunday: Narthex, 6:00pm
Monday, December 8:
Bible Study: St. Nicholas’ Room, 7:00pm
Tuesday, December 9:
Pick Up Fund-Forward Orders: Outside, 4:00-5:00pm
Rosary Group: Day Chapel, 5:20pm
CWL: St. Michael’s Room, 6:30pm
RCIA: Movie Night, Youth Theater (Basement), 7:00pm
Wednesday, December 10:
Coffee Wednesday: Narthex, after 9am Mass
Hamper Gift Wrapping (for those who signed up): St. Nicholas Room, Room 143-145, 4:00pm
Thursday, December 11:
Moms & Tots: St. Nicholas’ Room, 9:30am-11:30am (last one of 2025)
Knitting Ministry: Library, 10:00am
Friday, December 12:
No event.
Saturday, December 13:
Movie, “The Chosen: Holy Night”: Day Chapel, 10:00am-12:00pm
Sunday, December 14:
Children’s Liturgy: 8:30am and 10:30am
Coffee Sunday: Narthex, after 9:00am Mass & 11:00am Mass
Nativity Pageant: Sanctuary, 1:00pm-2:30pm, Reception to follow
Hamper Day Assembly (for those who signed up): St Nicholas’ Room & Narthex, 4:00pm-10:00pm
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2nd Sunday of Advent, 07/12/2025, 697.97 KB